[X] Go to class. Meet with Kirika after school and inform Madoka about the meeting beforehand. Apologize to Madoka explaining that both Sayaka and Kirika wanted to meet at the exact same time for whatever reason, and you had to push Kirika's meeting to after school.
You and Sayaka trudge back to class as the bell sounds. Sayaka goes on ahead of you, but you wait in the hall until a familiar shock of pink can be seen among the crowded hallway. You wave, and Madoka responds with a cheerful cry of "Homura-chan!" as she cuts through the crowd to greet you. "Were you able to help Sayaka-chan at all?"
You nod, saying "Yes, she's feeling much better now."
"I'm so glad."
You try your best to smile, despite knowing that this small respite would probably be the last time you have to see Madoka today, courtesy of other official businesses. "Listen, Madoka, I..." How can you make her see that you aren't avoiding her? "I'm sorry that we haven't been able to spend much time together. Saying that things have been hectic is probably an understatement. Even today, it just seems like things keep piling up on me. Between Sayaka needing to vent to me, and Kure Kirika also requesting to speak with me at the same time - actually, I had to reschedule my meeting with her for the end of the day - I wasn't able to join you for lunch, and I don't think I'll be able to join you walking home, either. I'm not trying to avoid you, but I-"
"It's okay Homura-chan; really, I understand." Though the pout on her face might tell you otherwise, from Madoka's tone you can infer that this time, she really does mean it when she says that she understands. "We can find time to spend together when you aren't so busy."
"Thank you, Madoka, for understanding."
"Ah!" Suddenly, an idea comes to your girlfriend. Her hands work quickly, removing both your hairband and the ribbons in her hair, and switching their places before you can even realize what she's done. "There! Like this, we can still be together, even if we can't see each other!"
The black of your hairband, you regret to say, is not the most appealing colour that Madoka could have chosen to decorate her hair with, but you cannot deny that she looks quite attractive all the same with her hair down. In comparison, you think as you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the glass wall of your classroom, Madoka's ribbons sit comfortably at home in your raven locks. You smile as you gently touch your fingers to the bow into which Madoka has tied her ribbons.
Madoka returns your smile, saying "It looks really cute on you, Homura-chan! And, um... I know I wasn't able to give you one before, but if you'd like, you can think of them as a late birthday present."
"Thank you, Madoka. I'll be sure to treasure them, always." You see the teacher for next period approaching the classroom, and with all haste you and Madoka hurry to your desks, the smiles on your faces never once fading.
The last bell rings, and your class is abuzz with the sound of your classmates as they ready themselves to depart, for home or for their club activities. "Hey, Akemi," says Mochizumi-san, gently tapping you on the shoulder as she throws the last of her things into the bag. "Don't forget, tomorrow's our first meeting. Kasuga-san said he wasn't able to get a fifth bow for you in time, so if you've got one of your own, feel free to bring it, okay?"
"Right. Thank you for informing me." This is good news for you; it means you can continue to practice with the same bow you will be using in combat.
One by one your classmates file out, and among them each of your friends departs from you in their own way; a warm hug from Madoka, a high-five from Sayaka, and a polite wave from Hitomi. Soon, just as it was at lunch, you are the last one to leave, heading not for home or a club area, but to class 3-A.
"Took you long enough," Kure Kirika says as you enter the classroom. She is seated at a desk which you presume to be hers, with her wheelchair tucked away in the far corner. Tomoe-san, who is standing next to her, is looking none too pleased by her opening line, but says nothing that would indicate her displeasure.
"Kure Kirika, you wished to speak with me, correct?"
Kure Kirika glares at you. "I'll come right out and say it, then. Me being back here at school, your friends still being mad at me, all that jazz; is that going to be a problem for you? I don't really care about them, but Oriko... She told me to do my best to play nice with you and your friends while we're at school, and I don't really want to have to tell her that's not possible if me being here is just going to cause problems."
"I've never failed her before, and I can't afford to start now, so just tell me what I have to do to make sure that doesn't happen! Otherwise..." Her glare breaks, and for a brief moment you catch a glimpse of the person Kure Kirika is underneath before she turns her head away from you. "... Otherwise, she might hate me."
[ ] What do you say to Kure Kirika?
