Puella Magi Momo Magica

[Shinobu Oshino]

Episode 1: I'll Do My Best!​

I didn't have any dreams. I didn't remember the past. These past few days have been pleasant rest. The day after Onee-chan came back, she left. She's still staying in Mitakihara, but she didn't want to impose on Mami-onee-chan. I tried to get her to stay. She said it was fine. I let her go. I couldn't be selfish, after all, she's doing her best to save people.

I'm not allowed to go on Witch hunts. Onee-chan doesn't want me hurt. Mami-onee-chan doesn't want me hurt. They tell me to stay home, study, think about the future. They tell me that like they don't have one of their own. They don't want me hurt, but I'm still hurt. They don't want me worrying, but I still worry. It doesn't make any sense.

Part of me wanted to contract to help them.
Part of me wanted to bring my family back.
Part of me wanted to make them happy.
Part of me wanted to do something.
Anything.
I wanted to be with them, to help them.

But I can't.
I know that doing anything would make them sad.

Please, Lord. Please, Dad, Mom - give me the strength I need to get through this.
_____________________________
Present, Around 9:00 AM - Mami's Apartment, Momo's Room

I'm sitting here on the foot of my bed. No one is here in the apartment so I'm left home alone. I have a cellphone and a little allowance, but that's it. I don't go to school... at least not yet, so I don't attend.

I love them both, but this really frustrates me.

"Aaaa!" I fall back onto my bed, arms out.

I thrash about a little bit like I did when I was smaller. Legs kicking, arms flailing.

"Baaaa," I breathe out.

There has to be something I can do. Sitting around here isn't helping!

[_] Mami's Apartment
---[_] Go make lunch
---[_] Go grab some study materials
---[_] Take a relaxing bath
---[_] Just lie down
[_] Mitakihara Town
---[_] Go for a walk around town
---[_] Go to the mall
---[_] Go to the school
[_] Mitakihara Park
---[_] Go for a jog!
---[_] Go for a walk in the woods
---[_] Play in the park alone
[_] Custom?

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

I can't just sit around here! I have to move. I leave my room then the apartment, making sure to leave the spare key where it belongs.
_______________

Mitakihara Town, Mall



I'm not allowed to go out too far by myself. But that was when I was twelve, now I'm thirteen. I've finally become a teenager. I can do this. I walk out with my head held high and my heart strong. I take the sidewalk, traverse blocks, and make it to the mall. It's a really big building shaped like a half-dome. There are sequnced panels that go all around it. It's really pretty to look at when the sun goes down. The sun reflects off the panels and - oh, I have shopping to do. Whoops.

I walk through the front entrance. First thing I notice is that the crowd isn't that large. It's probably because a lot of people are at work. There aren't any kids here either since they're at school.

"School...?," I haven't had a chance to go. I want to go. I want to go make friends. But I don't know what would happen if I do enroll. Onee-chan and I haven't kept up with the situation going back in Kasamino. I wonder if people think we're dead? Is there even a situation back home?

Does no one miss us?

No. The destruction of the church, our home, our family.

It was-

I remember. It was cold. The fire. Being stabbed. No, the attempted stabbing. The hatred in Dad's eyes.

The blood. I remember being covered by Mom's body as the color drained from her face.

I'm a failure as a father.

He mumbled. He said that to himself. Over and over.

"Onee-chan," I look for her. I have to find her. The smoke is too thick.

I can hardly breathe.

I can hardly-...

Huh?

No, this isn't the burning house. I'm standing there in front of a cafe. No one is looking at me. But I'm sweating. My feet are shaking. I can hardly stand up.

"Onee-chan," I call and-

"Don't fall!"

Someone stops me.

I turn around to face them.

A girl with long blue-hair and purple eyes? She's wearing a nice floral dress. Whoever she has, she likes to dress well.

"I'm... I'm sorry," I stand up on my own strength. "I spaced out. Again, I'm sorry," I bow. Strength leaves me and I keep falling forward.

"Looked more than just spacing out," she puts a hand on my forehead. "You're sweating too. Definitely not fine... HEY!" she catches me.

I flinch.

"Hey, waiter! Get me some water. You guys have free tap water, right?"

"U-uh yes, Ms. We do. Can you stop yelling?"

"Get to serving and I'll stop yelling."

I'm sat down at a booth with this girl sitting across from me. I don't want to be rude so I accept the glass of ice water.

"You good now?"

"Y-yes, I think so."

"Don't freak people out like that. It's pretty weird just watching someone walk around muttering 'Onee-chan'... you SURE you're okay?"

[_] "I'm fine. I really am. That happens every once in a while."
[_] "I don't know myself. I mean, I'm young, I'm not very smart... and... I just don't know."
[_] Shake the head, "No. There's a lot going on."
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"I'm fine, I really am," I do my best to smile. "That happens every once in a while. It's not big a deal."

She frowns, "What if you did it in the middle of the street?"

"I-I don't think it would happen like that."

"A lot of people don't think a lot of things will happen, but... they do."

"..."

"Life's like that. You have people one day, you lose them to next."

"Please don't talk like that."

"Let me finish," she sighs. "The reason I'm telling you is because people would probably care if you just end up gone. Just warning you to be careful, okay? Tell others your problems. It'll help."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"I should be the one apologizing. A stranger talking like they know it all is sorta weird," she awkwardly laughs.

"No, i-it isn't," I laugh a little. "Thank you," I knew that. I knew that, but it helps to hear it from someone else. "Uh," I have to continue the conversation some how. "What's your name?"

"Midori. Midori Chiba," Midori Chiba? That's sort of a funny name. Green and I sort of expected a mask and cape. Doesn't fit her image at all.

"Green? But your hair is-"

"That jokes old," she exhales. "What's your name?"

"Momo Sakura. Momo is just fine."

"You can call me Midori then! Guess that makes use friends."

Midori-san's eyes narrow, "Momo, huh? Fits. Your heads kinda bulbish."

"Ehehe."

"Oh, hey, to commemorate a new friendship! How about we get something to eat?"

"What?" that was sudden! "I don't know. I have enough money to pay for a small meal, but I'm not sure about..."

"Come on," she nudges my shoulder. "What kind of girl passes up a free meal? I'll pay. I'm loaded! Practically SWIMMING in Yen here. Let me do a bit of charity," I'm not sure when I became a charity case... did I look that bad?

[_] "I can't accept that. I'm sorry."
[_] "I want to pay for my own meal."
[_] "If ... you insist."
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

I don't think I can accept this. "..."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"I don't like liars."

"I'm not lying."

She frowns, "Not comfortable with the offer?"

"It's just that I'd rather pay for my own meal. I don't think I really deserve this."

"You can only help the people in front of you, you know that, right?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"It's true. I'm trying to help someone I saw was in trouble. This is the part where I'm making sure you're alright before I leave."

"...?" so she doesn't want to leave a job unfinished?

"You're better off with a full stomach. I know expending energy with an empty gut can cause all sorts of problems, especially in this heat," she leans across the table. "Did you eat anything today?"

"I had a biscuit. I didn't feel like eating this morning," hadn't been in the mood.

"A biscuit? Yeah, you're taking my offer for food. Not usually this forceful - but drastic times call for drastic measures!"

When Midori-san stands up, I notice her hand. There's a silver ring with the same writing on it as Mami-onee-chan and Onee-chan. Wait. Wait. That means she's a magical girl!

"Hey, get us some menus, okay?"

"Please stop yelling," the waiter comes over to hand us menus. I find myself staring at Midori-san's ring finger the entire time.

"What's wrong?" she follows my gaze to her hand. "Oh, the ring."

I slowly nod.

"Yeah, I'm a magical girl. Pretty cool, right? Anyway, what are you getting?"

The way she said that like it was no big deal. I mean, I've heard stories about magical girls from Mami-onee-chan. I know about the rings with strange words and the mark on the finger. I was also told it was a secret that you were supposed to keep.

"Why did you say it like that?"

"So you believed me," she let out a laugh.

"I'm confused..."

"Don't be. You either would have believed me or would have laughed."

She's right. I figured she would have been kidding if this situation were different. "I see..." I go from her hand to her face.

"So answer my question. What are you getting?"

"A light meal. Something cheap."

"Go all out. Order the entire menu if you want."

[_] "Do you know anyone named Kyouko Sakura or Mami Tomoe?"
[_] "Do you fight for justice?"
[_] "Where are you from? I thought Mitakihara only had one magical girl."
[_] "I don't feel comfortable taking that offer."
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"WHere are you from? I thought Mitakihara only had one magical girl," I think about Mami-onee-chan. Is she the only magical girl? From how they talk about it, there are a lot of witches. There are those things called familiars too.

"I heard from Kyubey that the current territory has an active magical girl. Now does that 'territory' encompass the entirety of the city? Doubt it," Midori-san lifts the menu up. "Ready to order!"

The waiter comes over to take our order while giving both of us tap water. When finished he goes back behind the counter. I'm just going to have a small salad. Midori-san gave me kind of a pouty face. It looked kind of funny seeing someone older than me look like a kid.

"Sounds like you know who handles the area around here. How are they?"

"They're wonderful! Mami-onee-chan is really nice. She's mature, lovely, and... and..."

"I get it," Midori-san laughs. "An older sister type? I know one like that."

"Really?"

"Three years older than me. Funny considering I've been at this longer than they have."

"How long have you been a magical girl? ... If you don't mind me asking."

"About two years. I started when I was twelve," she takes a drink. "Geh, I think I'd spring for purified."

"It's fine," I wave a hand down. "Two years? I think that's around the same time as Mami-onee-chan."

"Another veteran? Don't see a lot around."

What does she mean by that? I look down at the table.

"Most die within the first year. Fighting an invisible battle with no recognition and nothing but competition takes its toll," Midori-san starts to play her water like a piano. Her fingers go up and down like a wave. "I've lost a few friends, but I'm always optimistic."

"What?" she lost a few friends? But that's terrible. That's-

"Don't worry about it. I live on with their memory close," she downs the entire cup with just one go. "Phew."

"..."

"Whoa, Momo, you're crying."

"I am?" I wipe my face with a napkin. "Sorry."

"Makes me happy. If you can understand someone's pain like that- actually if everyone could, I think this world would be a much warmer place," she laughs. "That's kind of why I became a magical girl."

"Why?"

"Mmmm, it's a bit embarassing."

"You don't have to tell me."

"No, I like you, Momo, so I'll tell you," the waiter comes back with our food. Midori-san ordered a steak with a salad and chips. She starts eating with apparent newfound grace. "I used to read a lot of fairytales when I was a kid. My parents were hardly ever around, so I had to do something to pass the time. Homeschooled too so not a lot of friends," she takes another bite, chews, swallows. "Reading about heroes fighting, beating the odds - that had be thinking 'what if I could do that?' My parents did a lot of charity work after some ... well, the point is helping others. I admired them for that, even with our circumstances. Some stuff happened and I contracted."

"What was your wish?"

"Could say it was for-"

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Is that a phone?"

"Yeah, that's mine. Give me a sec!" the phone goes to her ear. "Lost track of time... yeah, I know. I know where we're meeting. Hey, don't yell at me like I'm your girlfriend here," she barks back at the phone. I look away since it's a bit embarassing. "Sorry, Momo," the phone goes into her bag. "I'm going to have to go," she reaches into her purse to pull out the total due for the bill. "It was nice meeting you again."

"Again?"

Now I'm really confused.

I was going to ask her about it, but she sprinted off.

[_] Chase after her
[_] Finish eating then walk around the mall
[_] Finish eating then return home
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

I can't let this slip by! "Sir, the payment is there on the table! Put them in a 'to go' box please! I'll be back!" don't want to waste food. Onee-chan would get mad at me. Anyway, mad dash! I run out of the restaurant while catching site of Midori-san's flowing sun dress in the distance. I nod and jog after her.

Lucky that the mall isn't packed or else it would be hard to run. Not a lot of people get in front of me. Even if they do, I easily avoid them. I keep chasing her until she comes to a game corner. I know because of the DDR music blasting from inside. "Here it is," Midori-san walks on in. I slowly follow after her.

"Hey there, Dopey!" she slaps an older boy's back.

"The hell's with that name?" he cringes and shakes his head. "Whatever. What took you so long?"

"Had to help someone that looked like they were having a bad day."

"I see," he frowns.

These people seem to be friends with Midori-san? ... And why am I hiding?

"How's Noa doing?"

"Trying to win me a prize," he looks over at a claw machine with a disgruntled brunette girl. She starts to shake the machine and hitting her head on the glass? No, that can't be healthy.

"Give me just one. Please, just one. I want to make Yuu happy!"

"I didn't ask her to do that," Yuu-san takes in a deep breath. "Come on, Noa, don't waste anymore money on this scam."

"But I can't lose!" she grabs at the sides of the machine while her friend does his best to pull her away. "Pleaaase."

"You're making a scene," Yuu-san shakes his head. He then immediately turns around. He was right. There were a few people gathered there watching the ordeal. "See? Sorry about that guys, she's sort of a sore loser."

"I am not!" Noa-san lets go of the claw machine.

"Uh huh," he rolls his eyes. That's pretty rude.

"Momo?" Midori-san looks right at me. "You followed me?"

"I, uh," I look left and right.

"This the person you helped?"

"Yeah it is, Yuu. Cute, ain't she?" Midori-san steps toward me with a smile.

"No comment," he looks at Noa-san.

"Share your opinion, Yuu. I'd love to hear it," for some reason she isn't happy.

"Hey, Yuu, Noa, no point in fighting. Don't leave a bad impression on my friend here. Sorry about them, Momo... but seriously, following me?"

[_] "You said 'nice to see you again' so I figured you meant something by that. I'm sorry."
[_] "I'm... sorry. I'll be going now."
[_] "I just happened to be going in the same direction! Hehe... he."
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"You said 'nice to see you again' so I figured you meant something by that."

"I did," she puts a hand on her chin. "I think I met you a few years ago. Your last name is Sakura, right?"

"Yes."

"Yeah, met you when I went to church. The one your family used to run in Kasamino City. You had a chubbier face back then," she reaches out to pinch my cheeks.

I don't respond. I just think about Onee-chan's wish. About the people that listened to Dad. Did I see Midori-san as a result of that?

"You probably don't remember. It's probably minor for you, but it meant a lot to me. Didn't think I'd see you again."

"I'm sorry, I don't really..." I try to remember her. The only thing that sticks out is her name. Her face, her soft voice - there is something there. I just can't place it.

"Figured as much," she shrugs. "No big deal. You were young."

"I really am sorry."

"Don't apologize so much," she pats me on the head.

"Is this your new friend?" the older girl walks up to me. "She really is cute. I'm Noa Sasaki. It's wonderful to meet you," she bows. I return the gesture. When I come back up I see that her finger has a ring too.

"You're a magical girl too?"

"I am."

"I thought that was for younger girls?"

She winces, "I am young."

"You're getting up there. I mean you're seventeen- aaaaaa!" Noa-san starts twisting her knuckles into Midori-san's scalp. It looks painful. I take a step away for my own safety. "Can't hide the truth, Noa."

"Show me some respect now that we're around someone new. Noa-senpai."

"Not on your life," Midori-san retreats from Noa-senpai's grasp. She's surprisingly agile.

"You're the most immature out of the three of us," Yuu-sa-... I should call him senpai too. Yuu-senpai walks over to me while reaching a hand out. "Bowing doesn't suit me. The name is Yuuta Mamoru. Yuu's fine."

"What about Yuu-senpai?"

"Makes me feel weird. Would like it if it was just Yuu."

"Yuu-san...?"

"Just Yuu."

"Yuu. Yuu. Yuu," I have to say it a few times for it to stick. "It's nice to meet you," I shake his hand. I examine it.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for a magical girl ring."

"Not a magical girl," he pulls his hand back.

"Then you know about-"

"Obviously," Yuu-senpai exhales. "I fight too."

"I thought boys couldn't contract?" I end up yelling that. Whoops.

"We can't. Not to my knowledge."

Midori-san walks up to punch Yuu-senpai's shoulder, "Noa got into trouble once in the bad part of town. She wished for her Prince Charming to come and save her."

"What Midori said," he looks down at the ground. "As a result though..." he looks at Noa-senpai.

"Noa can't fight. At all," Midori-san laughs a little bit. "Momo might even do a better job in a Witch Barrier."

"Don't bully me, Midori-chan."

"Hey, what did I tell you about that?"

"What did I tell you about respecting me?"

"Hey now, no fighting girls," Yuu-senpai walks between them to calm them down.

[_] "Isn't that a bit sad? I mean you got pulled into this magical girl business..."
[_] "I'm really happy to see that you three are so close."
[_] "That's all I wanted to know. I have to go now. It was fun meeting you all!"
[_] "Midori-san... would it be alright if I got your number?"
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"Midori-san, would it be alright if I got your number?"

She huffs, "Oh, sure. You know how to do infared?"

We hold our phones out to each other to exchange information, "Alright, great."

"I should probably get going. It was nice meeting you all!" I wave.

"Be safe, kid," Yuu and Noa-senpai wave at me. Midori-san sees me off with a smile. I turn around and walk back to the cafe. The food is there in a styrofoam box. I leave a tip for the waiter and leave.
_______________________

Mami's Apartment, Sometime After School Ended

I came back home before the afternoon ended. I put the left over food into the refigerator and started studying. I did my best to stay preoccupied or else I'd fall into another spell. Some time was dedicated to remembering Midori-san, other time was spent on how I was going to tell Mami-onee-chan about my day.

The clock struck one in the afternoon.

I read.

Two.

I went out for a run.

Three to four, I took a bath and read on my own in the living room. I put a fan on the floor just below me to cool wind down after the run. "Aaaaaaa!" I yelled into the whirring blades to hear the echo of my own voice. Was only fun for a five or so minutes before I went back to finishing my book.

Now I'm lying back, doing my best not to doze off.

Knock. Knock.

"Huh?" I pull up. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Momo. Open the door!"

"Onee-chan? Okay!" I get up to the door to open it. "You know where the spare key is, don't you?"

"Don't feel like losing it."

"... You might leave with out it."

"Glad you understand. How've you been? Can't be fun sitting around here all day."

"I didn't. I just got back from a run a little while ago."

"Oh, huh... you were always active."

I sit back down on the couch, "What have you been up to today?"

"Hangin' around, witches, sight-seeing, all sorts of stuff."

"Sight-seeing? Is that a new hobby?"

She shrugs, "Just get lost in thought sometimes while looking at pretty much anything."

"Onee-chan's become the introspective type!"

"No, not really," Onee-chan sits down on the couch. "What'd you do today?"

"I ran into a nice girl who treated me to lunch."

"What'd you get?"

"Nothing major. A small salad. Midori-san ate almost the entire steak she ordered."

"Salad? What? Why didn't you order meat? You love the stuff."

"Not as much as you."

"I eat anything I can get my hands on. Not exactly picky," she pulls out an apple from a bag in hand. One big chomp after another, "Want one?"

I take the apple and start eating at a steadier pace than Onee-chan, "Thank you."

"No problem."

"Did you come by just to see me?"

"Yeah. And I-" she pauses, "I thought about visiting Papa's grave."

"Oh."

"Came to see if you wanted... to come with me. Not sure I'd be able to go it alone."

[_] "I'll go with you."
[_] "I don't think I'm ready..."
[_] "What brought this on?"
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"I'll go with you," I reach out to take Onee-chan's hand. "It'll be scary going alone."

She freezes.

"You know what?" she takes her hand away. "Forget it."

"What's wrong?"

"Just wanted to see what you'd say, that's all."

"You're lying. You want to go, don't you?"

Onee-chan hesitates. She looks down at the floor, she bites her lip and she starts walking toward the door, "Gotta go."

She's holding something back. I know it.

[_] Let her go
[_] Reach out

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

I won't let her go. I'm not going to let her do this. I grasp her hand before she makes it to the door. "Onee-chan."

"Let go, Momo."

I shake my head, "No. I know it hurts, but-"

"What do you know?!"

I don't say anything. I hold Onee-chan's hand as tightly as I can.

"I've been wondering this for a while now," she bites her lip. "Why are you always smiling? After everything I did, you just keep on smiling. Why don't you tell me how ya really feel?"

"But this is-"

"Cut the crap!"

"..."

"I'm a horrible sister. I put you through that hell and you still keep looking at me like that," she grits her teeth. She's in a lot of pain.

"That's because I can't hate you. Dad's choices were-"

"Don't PULL THAT! Papa ended up like that because of me. Because I..."

I shake my head, "You didn't make Dad do that. Dad reacted that way because..."

"Of me. No matter how you spin it, it's my fault," Onee-chan scoffs. "Man, we've been through this how many times now?," she shakes her head. I want to cry for her. It's been harder on Onee-chan than on me because she feels responsible.

But the truth is Dad killed.

Dad killed Mom.

He tried to kill me.

He tried to kill Onee-chan.

Was he really that weak? Was it because it was because of Onee-chan's wish for others to listen? I don't know. It's all too complicated. The more I think about it, the more it hurts. The more it hurts, the more I want to do something about it. It isn't fair.

"I still won't let you go," I keep hold. I have to. I think about Midori-san's words. About how a magical girl can just come up missing. With that in mind, I tighten my grip. "I don't want you to go away. Please."

Onee-chan told me to have faith in her. That she's too stubborn to just die. But that isn't enough. I want her there by my side. Even if she hates herself, I'll always keep loving her no matter what.

Her hands are trembling. Her face is red with anger - then she throws her hand back.

"Ah!" her strength exceeds mine. I end up on the ground with a thud.

She looks down at me, fear in her eyes, "Sorry," she apologizes then ... leaves. She darts out the door and over the balcony.

"Onee-chan!" I don't care. I race to my feet and stumble out the door in an attempt to catch up. Of course, I'm too late. For some reason I reach out into open air. If I fall, I'll die - but my body doesn't stop.

"Momo-chan!"

Mami-onee-chan's voice brings me back. I turn toward her, my vision blurred. There are two girls there I don't recognize and Kyubey.

"What on earth happened? Why are you-"

"Mami-onee-chan!" I embrace her. I start crying. I can't control it anymore. I know that I shouldn't let myself cry. I know I have to be there for her.

It's hard. It's really hard, but I have to keep doing my best.

END OF EPISODE 1​