Puella Magi Momo Magica

[Shinobu Oshino]

Interlude 2; Rosso Phantasma​

There was a time when I thought about protecting others. I took up the idea that Papa and I were doing a service to the world. I would fight in the background, defeating Witches, saving people while he preached his own gospel out in the open. There was no way that wish could be wrong. If people were happy, it was right - right?

"... I'm home," I walked back into the house just after getting home from another witch hunt. This was around the time Papa discovered that I was a magical girl. He constantly called me a 'witch' because he never saw it my way. Or maybe he did? It's not like I can ask him now. I walked through the empty halls with a heavy heart, getting the strength to say what I needed to say. I looked out the window as I passed by.

There was a crowd of people there all listening to my father shouting.

"A witch enticed you! A witch enticed you!"

He screamed about me, warning them, telling them to go away, that it was all my fault.

It hurt. It was a constant reminder that 'this is it, this is the result of your wish'.

I hated it, but that didn't make me want to give up on having Papa understand. I walked into the kitchen with a single hope that he would stop. "Even more sake today," I frowned. "You'll ruin your health."

The table was filled with corques and bottles. It hurt. I still spoke, "Listen, Father. I defeated another witch today. I saved someone who was going to commit suicide," my words weren't fickle. I tried to speak from the heart. "You wanted to destroy the root of all misfortune and sadness in the world. We magical girls are steadily cutting away at that root. That... that can't be bad, right?"

He sat there. He took another drink.

I kept talking. "You know, Father, I still love everything you preached. That's why I was so glad when everyone began listening to what you had to say. After all, you had always been saddened by the misfortune of this fortune. I... I finally got to see you happy," I began to falter. Then he spoke up.

"That was an illusion you created, wasn't it?"

I froze up.

"Everyone who came to this church. It wasn't because of their faith, but it's because they've been lead astray by the powers of a witch. Those poor souls," he slowly stood up. Papa could hardly keep his balance from all the sake he consumed. "Did you then plan to take the lives of those you had bewitched?" he laughed. It wasn't at me, at those I've 'witched' - no, he was laughing at himself. "Were they sacrifices for your contract with the devil? That you, the daughter of a clergymen, would sell your soul to the devil..."

"Kh-!" I grit my teeth. He didn't listen to a thing I said.

The end of this was the same as it always had been. He said he was a useless father, he blamed himself for everything. I was a witch, a pawn of the devil, an evil that needed to be destroyed.

After that - I lost everything. My ideals, my mother, my father - everything but one.

He stabbed me. As I slept, he stabbed me in the stomach. Was it once? Twice? I hardly remember. There was blood on the sheets. I could hardly breathe.

When I woke up, I looked to the side. Momo wasn't in bed. I stood up, blood dripping from my mouth, and reached for my Soul Gem. I rushed down stairs. Smoke had its way with the lower portion of the house. My objective was to find Momo. Find Mom. I had to find them no matter what.

"Mama! Momo!" I yelled. "PAPA! WHERE ARE YOU!?"

Tears formed.

It was a rampant run. But then - I seen her. Momo was underneath Mama. There was blood poured out into a puddle. The color on Mama's face was gone. "MOMO!" The distance between us was a sprint at best. I had already transformed so the distance didn't matter.

"O-nee...chan..."

She was alive.

Momo was alive.

"ONEE-CHAN!"

I ran through the burning rubble. I ran through the smoke. "MOMO!" I grabbed her. I couldn't hold in the tears. I embraced her. Just after that I had to leave. I took Momo and escaped the burning rubble.

Then at the end - I saw him.

His head snapped, rolling around lifelessly on the first floor of the house. Near the table where we spent our time laughing as a family - his corpse lie there, swinging side to side. The creaking of the rope, the flames crackling, and my scream. Those keep me up almost every night.

But this was an experience. I resolved to never use my magic for another person again. Never fight on anyone's behalf - but I couldn't do that. I wanted to leave it all behind, that's easier. Act tough, keep it up, don't look back. But Momo survived. My sister made it through. How could I turn my back on her? She tagged along with me, I made an arrangement with Mami for her to live there. We couldn't return back home. I imagine people think we're dead or missing now.

Now in the present I thought I had the strength to confront Papa. I thought I could go back to put this behind me. I can't keep letting this control me. I talked to Momo, asked her if she wanted to come.

She said yes.

At first, I was happy, but then I realized it again. As if I had to keep reminding myself.

This is all your fault.

Momo was so happy. The way she smiled stirred me inside. I couldn't look, I had to get away. I had to leave or I was going to break. The last thing I wanted for Momo was to see is me cry. I'm the older sister. I'm the one that's supposed to be strong. When did our roles reverse all of a sudden? Man, that girl knows how to drive me up the wall.

But I turned my back on her. I turned around and left. Just adding another tally to why I'm such a terrible person.

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

Episode 2: It's No One's Fault​

The two people Mami-onee-chan brought back were named Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki. The two of them were the mall during a witch attack in the basement. They met a mysterious raven-haired girl named Homura Akemi that was after Kyubey. What happened in the end is that Madoka-san and Sayaka-san are elligible to be magical girls. Mami-onee-chan chose to take them under her wing to show them what it means to contract. The plan was to talk at the apartment before seeing the episode between Onee-chan and myself.

I pleaded for them to stay. I didn't want to be hindrance.

Sayaka-san smiled, saying "It's alright. We've all got family troubles. We'll see you tomorrow, Mami-san!"

Madoka-san agreed. The two of them left just a little after the episode.

I apologized to Mami-onee-chan. She said there was nothing to apologize for. Kyubey left with Madoka-san, so now it's just the two of us in the apartment.
______________

Mami's Apartment, Kitchen - Evening



I'm poking at my salad. I can't really bring myself to eat.

"So Sakura-san asked you to visit your parents."

I nod.

"That must have been hard for her, but that's still no excuse to lash out the way she did."

"I want to say it's my fault, but..." this is hard. I know what I said about Dad. But maybe Onee-chan is right? This is confusing. I don't want to admit or even think it. I know Onee-chan isn't at fault, yet at the same time she believes that. "Aaaaa," I grip my head.

"It's hard, isn't it?"

"Uh huh."

"Don't think about it too much. We'll talk to Sakura-san together when she comes back. We're a family, after all."

Mami-onee-chan is the person I can go too for advice. But now I wonder... how should I start this conversation? She should know about Midori-san. They might run into each other since they're magical girls in Mitakihara now.

[_] Tell her about the day at the mall
[_] Tell her about Midori-san
[_] Talk about something else
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"I met someone nice at the mall earlier today."

"You went to the mall?"

"You don't mind me going out like that, do you?"

"I'd like if you told me," she took a sip o fher tea. "-but it's not like you could."

I try to find the right words to say this. "And they were a magical girl. They had the same ring you do and everything."

Mami-onee-chan looks down at the table, "Did they say anything about their intentions?"

"No," I shake my head. "But she was really nice. She bought me food. I didn't want her too but..."

"Momo-chan has more in common with Sakura-san than I thought."

"Eh?"

"You both have hard time accepting favors."

"I don't think-"

"Don't get me wrong. You're more polite about it."

"Hehehe," I fork a tomato and shove it into my mouth. I chew before speaking, "Her name was Midori Chiba-san. She had nice blue hair, a nice dress... she seemed fashionable?" I'm just trying to make her sound appealing to Mami-onee-chan. I don't know how she's going to take this. "We get some time to talk, but not a lot."

"I don't mean to sound rude, but why did she buy you lunch?"

"I had a, uh... something happened and she offered?"

"Momo-chan," a stern glare.

"I had another 'episode', but it didn't last long this time because Midori-san helped!"

"If that would have happened in a-"

"Another place? I know," I nod. "Midori-san said the same thing."

"She seems considerate."

"She's really nice!" Mami-onee-chan doesn't seem very excited. Does it have to do with something that only magical girls understand? "I mean I don't think she's a bad person. Her friends were really nice too."

"You met her friends too?" she giggles. "It sounds like you had quite the adventure."

"Oh, yes! Uh, can boys make contracts?"

"Where did this come from?" her eyes widen. Has Mami-onee-chan ever thought about this?

"Yuu-senpai. He had black hair and green eyes. Oh, and he had a girlfriend!" I try to recall any important details. We didn't talk much, so I just tell her what I do know.

"A magical boy?" Mami-onee-chan furrows her brow. "Kyubey's never said anything."

"I don't think he is one. Noa-senpai used her wish on him. I think it was something about him protecting her."

When I say that, Mami-onee-chan looks down at the table again.

"What's wrong? Is it something I said?"

"No, nothing like that. I was just thinking about a wish being used for another. That's all."

"A wish being used for another? You mean another person?"

"It reminds me of my own."

"Your own wish?" I remember her telling me this a little while after I started living here. Her wish was to 'connect to life', to survive a car accident. "Was it because you wished for yourself?"

"Sometimes I think what my life would be like if I made a different wish. Would my parent's still be here? Things like that."

"Mami-onee-chan..."

"Oh, don't worry," she dismisses my concern with a wave of the hand. "They're just thoughts. I don't regret how I'm living now. Anyway the point I'm trying to make is that if you have a wish, I think... you need to be prepared for what comes after."

"Onee-chan," I look toward the front door. The image of her walking out and pushing me down comes to me.

"Not just Sakura-san. It's the same for all magical girls. I'm wondering how this 'Noa-senpai' lives if her wish was for someone else to protect her."

I'm starting to think the same way.

"Having the strength to stand on your own or wanting to depend on another," Mami-onee-chan refills her teacup. "I wonder if they're the same?" her eyes are half-closed. She's not talking to me. That's more to herself, isn't it?

"I think they're different. It's okay to depend on someone when you need help, but it's also not good to take advantage of another person. And it's not good to take everything on by yourself!"

"Yes, you're right," she refills my cup. "I shouldn't have even asked myself that question when the answer is obvious."

"You can depend on me all the time, Mami-onee-chan! I'll always do my best!"

"Yes, you do. Oh, speaking of that - did you study today?"

I nod, "I always do!"

"Have you thought about what high school you want to attend?"

"Whichever one you go to."

"We wouldn't be in the same year."

"I just want to be near you!"

"Oh, Momo-chan," she laughs. "You're cute."

"Hehe," I laugh. Then I think back on the two that were here earlier today. "Mami-onee-chan. When you were talking earlier about being prepared for wishes. Those two have the capabilities to contract, right?"

"They do."

"Are you trying to stop it from happening?"

"Hm?"

"Stop what happened with me and Onee-chan. Another tragedy."

"If I can," Mami-onee-chan frowns. "But I can't tell them what wish to make. I can make suggestions, but it's ultimately up to them for what they choose."

"Suggestions?"

"Like, I don't know, the perfect boyfriend? A beautiful cake?"

I stare at Mami-onee-chan. I'm a little disappointed.

"It's just a joke, Momo-chan."

"Not very funny."

"Sorry."

Dinner sort of dies down after our conversation. But near the end - "I'll try my best."

"Huh?"

"To get along with them. If I run into them, I'll give my regards."

"Really? Thank you so much."

Mami-onee-chan gets up from her seat, "But now..."

"N-now what?"

"It's time for your bath!"

"But I already took one earlier today."

"Bathing because of sweat and bathing to get clean are two different things."

"But I read if you take too many baths, it can actually dry your hair out."

"Momo-chan."

"Okayyy!"

The two of us join in the bath together. From there the rest of the night flies by.
___________________________________
Momo's Dream, Longing and Hope



I remember the first time Kyubey asked me if I wanted to contract. It wasn't even a week after I came to live at Mami-onee-chan's apartment. I was nothing but a crying wreck. I wanted Mom back, I wanted to Dad back - I wanted everything returned to me. Kyubey stood there at the end of the bed with his tail swaying back and forth.

"You have a lot of potential, Momo! Much more than Kyouko and Mami!"

I listened.

"You can easily bring your family back if you make a contract with me!"

I reached.

If only I could say THOSE words.

I wish my family was back.

If only I could make that wish, everything would go back to normal. But I couldn't. I remember Onee-chan's tears, I could feel her pain. I knew what would happen if I said those words. Onee-chan would cry. She would probably hate me for not listening to her, for not thinking of her.

No matter what I thought or felt, I could not betray her trust and her love.

I buried that desire deep in my heart. Pretty soon I found myself wanting it less and less. My new life isn't so bad. I miss Mom and Dad, but my new life isn't bad at all.

I love Mami-onee-chan. I love Onee-chan. They're the two people I love most!

But that doesn't mean they're the only things I love. I like Mami-onee-chan's cooking, I like visiting Granny's store, I like walking around, meeting new people, running, studying, looking to the future. It's amazing because I can do that.

It's because I'm still alive.

I've lost the happiness I had in the past. I'll never be able to see Mom and Dad again - at least not in this lifetime. I will never be able to hear Dad's sermons or hear Mom laugh. But I can hear Mami-onee-chan laugh and Onee-chan yell. I can see them smile everytime I see them. And not just them, everyone else. Like Madoka-san, Sayaka-san, Midori-san. I just met them - but if they smile too, I feel it. Other people being happy brings me joy too. This might be really selfish, but if I really did wish. If I ever did make a contract, I'd want people to smile. Something like "I wish I could make everyone in the world smile. Not because I forced them, but because I was able to make them happy." No, wait, maybe I wouldn't need a wish for that. I could make myself that 'person who makes everyone smile'.

Just because one sad things happens doesn't mean life lost its meaning. It just means that you have to work hard to get it back. So I keep on fighting everyday to keep my head up.

Dad, Mom, Lord - watch me. I'll make you proud!
___________________________________

Mami's Apartment, Morning to Evening (After School)



The next morning is the same as it always is. Mami-onee-chan made a nice breakfast. I made sure to finish the salad I didn't eat yesterday so it didn't go to waste. I don't want Onee-chan to find a reason to yell at me again if she comes back today. "Have a good day at school!" I waved at Mami-onee-chan as she walked out the door. I smiled, nodded to myself, and started the day.

...

It's the same routine. I study, exercise, and clean-up. I have a lunch that Mami-onee-chan prepared in advance. Time flies by until the evening. Right around then, Madoka-san and Sayaka-san show up. This was my first time really 'meeting' them so I cleaned up extra-well.

"This is my apartment," Mami-onee-chan first walked into the door. I was there in the living room reading a book. It wasn't something I particularly found interesting, but it was something to do to pass the time. "And you met Momo-chan yesterday."

"Yo!" Sayaka-san walks in with a grin. "Nice to meet ya, Momo-chan."

"You too, Sayaka-san," I get up, set the book down on the table and bow.

"Ah, don't have to be so formal," she frowns.

"It's nice to meet you too, Momo-chan."

Madoka-san greets me with a bow.

After that, the four of us sit down at the coffee table. Kyubey was there so that makes five.

"So Witches are born from despair and curses, huh?" Sayaka-san just finished listening to Mami-onee-chan explain what witches and magical girls are. I heard it a bit differently from Onee-chan a long while ago. "So if people stopped being mad and depressed all the time, they'd just disappear, right?"

"It doesn't seem that simple, Sayaka-chan."

"Yeah, then magical girls would already be out of the job."

"To get rid of witches, you'd need to- oh," Sayaka-san blinks a few times. "That seems pretty evil."

"It would be nice having not to fight witches," Mami-onee-chan looks at Sayaka-san. "But it's only a nice thought. If we don't fight them, then more people will die."

"Yeah, yeah, I got that. I wasn't being serious."

"Mami-san, do you fight alone?"

"In Mitakihara? No, not all the time, Kaname-san. Another magical girl stops by every now and then to help."

"That was that red-haired girl from yesterday?" Sayaka-san starts talking about Onee-chan. "That was your sister, wasn't it, Momo-chan?"

I nod, "I'm sorry about that."

"Hey, don't apologize. Siblings fight and stuff all the time. At least I think so... don't you, Madoka?"

"Eh? Uh, no we don't."

"Give it a few years then," Sayaka-san grins. "He's going to be a real handful."

"I-I can't imagine Tatsuya and I fighting."

"Oh, you're right, you're too nice. He's going to steam roll you."

"That's mean, Sayaka-chan," Madoka-san makes a pouting face while Mami-onee-chan laughs.

[_] "You have a brother, Madoka-san? How old is he?"
[_] "Mami-onee-chan, can we have some of your tea?"
[_] "Weren't we talking about Witches?"
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"You have a brother, Madoka-san? How old is he?"

"He's three."

"That's adorable," I kind of imagine him looking like Madoka-san with pink hair and eyes. I'm probably wrong, but the image is still nice. "So you get along?"

"We do!" she nods. "He's not a handful or anything. He's cute, but a messy eater."

"I used to be like that too. From what Onee-chan used to tell me, she'd be the one cleaning my face. The sad part is we're only a year apart."

The two of us get to talking about our siblings when Sayaka-san puts her own two cents in.

"Now I'm left out," Sayaka-san sighs. "Hey, Mami-san, what about you?"

"I was an only child," Mami-onee-chan huffs. "But Momo-chan is like a little sister to me."

"So all alone again, huh?" Madoka-san's friend makes a gloomy face.

We all share a nice laugh. "Oh, we were talking about witches, right?" I kind of recall the topic near the end of the conversation.

"Yeah, we were. Sorry about the segue," Sayaka-san leans backward. She puts her arms out to support herself so she doesn't fall. "So we got curses, people dying... so that means you're like a hero of justice, Mami-san?"

"I wouldn't go that far. I just do what I think is right."

"Isn't that what a hero is?"

"Depends on your definition, I guess. I don't see myself as anything that great."

"But you are great," I chime in my own praise toward her. "You're always doing your best for me, Onee-chan, and other people."

"Miki-san, Momo-chan," she looks at us with a faint smile.

"I think you're great, Mami-san," lastly Madoka-san offers her support.

Mami-onee-chan's face turns a bit red. She looks around to escape the glares. "This is a bit embarassing."

We all share the time together until it's time for a witch hunt. "Momo-chan, lock the door when we leave."

"I know!"

"Wait, Momo-chan isn't coming? I thought she had the potential to be a magical girl? She can see Kyubey and all."

"I was told not to," I walk toward the door to follow them out half-way. "Sorry."

"What? Oh, well, alright," Sayaka-san pouts. "Well, that's your own decision. Come on, Madoka!"

Madoka-san walks after her while nodding her head, "Have a good night, Momo-chan."

"Yeah," the four of them leave off on a witch hunt.

Now I'm left here in the evening with really nothing much to do.

[_] Go for a walk in town. I'll find something to do.
[_] Text Midori-san. Maybe she's not busy?
[_] Go to the old church. I kind of want to see it after all this time.
[_] Just wait around and read.
[_] Go after them. Maybe they'll let me go...? I've never actually been on a witch hunt.
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

Onee-chan didn't come around today. I thought she would come back if I waited, but there was no sign of her. I take a seat on a cushion near the table. I think about the fight that happened between us.

She feels responsible for everything that happened to our family. Mami-onee-chan told me it was because she made on another person that she feels that way.

My sister is conflicted because using a wish to help another person backfired. It destroyed our family. What kind of weight is that? I want to say I understand, but I can't. It seems like something only Onee-chan can push through. The only thing I can do is be there for her. "Onee-chan," I mutter to myself while standing up.

I've made a decision. I'm going to go look for her myself. If my job is to be there for her, I'll be there for her. I pull up my phone to check the time then gaze up at the clock. I have plenty of time til it gets dark so I'm going to go searching. I send a text to Mami-onee-chan to tell her what I'm doing. Afterward I head out of the apartment.
__________________________________

Mitakihara Town, Mall - Arcade

There are only two places that I can think of that Onee-chan would visit. I walk into the arcade. I walk toward the back of the game corner. I look for Onee-chan through the small crowds of people gathered in the back. She's a loner so she wouldn't be hanging out with anyone.

No luck. I don't think she's here.

I sigh. I sit down on a bench that faces the DDR section of the room.

Ah, I can't do that. I have to find Onee-chan as fast as I can. I start jogging out of the arcade. "Sorry, excuse me!" I say sorry to any I run into. I make it out and start on my way to the church.
__________________________________

On Route to Kasamino



Kasamino City is on the border of Mitakihara Town. It shouldn't take too long to get there by just walking at a steady pace. I find myself looking out over the river to the blackened windmills on the horizon. Takes me back to that day in winter that Onee-chan and I came to Mitakihara.

I'm cold.

Suck it up, Momo. We're almost there. Just a bit more.

"No, don't," I shake my head while slapping my-

OUCH!

"Aaaaa," I cringe. Too much. That was way too much. Didn't think I had that much power in my arms. I pull out a mirror from my pocket.

Yes, that is going to leave red marks. Oh well. It kept me from sulking. I have to keep in control because if not, I could be the target for a witch. That's the last thing I want to happen. I head on across the bridge with a light jog.
__________________________________

Outskirts of Kasamino City, Sakura Church



I left the stone walkway to walk back into the forest where the church is. I look left and right through the trees that Onee-chan and I used to play in when we were smaller. It's like the scent of burning coal would come through the trees to pull me in to one of our old cook out spots.

The sun is setting behind the church so the stain glass windows reflect their colors onto the ground. "It's still pretty," I smile while walking up the pathway.

"Yeah, everything's fine."

That voice. Isn't that Midori-san? I walk a little closer while staying hidden behind a tree.

"I'm doing fine. You don't have to check up on me every hour on the hour," she's talking to someone on the phone. "I told you already. I went to the hospital to check up on Akane."

I don't really want to eavesdrop.

"She's doing well... yeah, okay, see you later."

She hung up. I think that's my cue to leave. Onee-chan isn't here so there's no point in-

"Hey, you there!"

I freeze.

"Come on out."

[_] Run away through the trees. She won't pursue.
[_] Just come on out, no point in hiding.
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"Come out. If you're a vandal, I won't show mercy."

I walk out from behind the tree with my hands up. "It's me, Midori-san. It's me!" why is my heart racing? This used to be my home.

"Momo? What are you-" Midori-san looks at the church. "That's a stupid question. What's up?"

"I should be the one asking you that," I tilt my head. "What are you doing here?"

"Taking a walk down memory lane," she puts her hands to her waist while looking up at the cross on the roof. "This place calms me down and means a lot. That's enough, isn't it?" she gives me a sheepish grin.

"It's the same for me."

"Of course, it's your home. It'd be the same for most people."

"I'm... sorry for eavesdropping again. And hiding."

"Why did you hide in the first place? You shouldn't need permission from someone else to come home... or am I really that scary?"

"I know," I laugh a little when she calls herself 'scary'.

"Did I make a funny joke?"

"No, just the way you said that was funny."

"Heh."

After that the two of us just stand in silence. The sun goes further down over the horizon. The reflections of stain glass wane away with the day.

"You don't remember what you told me here, do you?"

I shake my head, "I don't."

"No apology this time? Progress."

I narrow my eyes while making a pouty lip for a bit of revenge.

"Don't make that face," she looks off into the woods. "Anyway, it was after one of your Dad's sermons. I saw a kid my age, thinking I could just talk to someone, anyone really since I was having a hard time at home. We only exchanged a few words, but it was enough."

"What did I say?"

"I just talked. We didn't even say anything important, even though I remember everything we said word for word," she exhales. "I won't bore you with the details, but we talked like kids. Nothing else in the world mattered to me. When church ended and my parents had to pull me away, I wanted that happiness again. Even when I unloaded everything onto you, even though I was a burden, you told me 'thanks'."

"Thanks?"

"Yep, you said thanks. I didn't get it either. I asked why you said that. You smiled yourself and replied 'Because seeing you happy is enough'."

"I said that?"

"You could say those words are why I became a magical girl."

I stand in silence. She made a contract to fight witches because of me? It was because of what I said when I was younger that she has to live like this now?

[_] "I'm sorry. I didn't think I would... I'm so sorry."
[_] "..." (I can't say anything)
[_] "Do you like... living that way?"
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

What do I say here? Didn't I indirectly send her to that fate? From what Onee-chan and Mami-onee-chan say, from what they do - isn't it hard?

"Momo? You're crying agains, aren't you?"

"Do you... like living that way?"

Midori-san starts drying my tears. "You bet."

"You told me you didn't like liars, Midori-san," I squeeze my hands. "You don't have to say something like that just to-"

"Not lying. I enjoy it."

"What?" I take a step back. She enjoys it? She has to be lying. "You have to fight all the time. Isn't that hard? Mami-onee-chan has a hard time having friends because she's always fighting witches or taking care of me. Onee-chan is never home, she's always fighting. How can you do that?" I'm probably projecting my own fears onto Midori-san. I have no right too - I hardly know her, but I can't stop myself.

"Stop panicking. I'm telling the truth here," she puts her hands on my shoulders. "A lot of girls want a normal life after they contract. They have a hard time dealing with living a double-life of magical girl and person. There's an easy solution."

"What is it?"

"Something my old mentor told me: devote yourself to one thing and pursue it. Keep going, never turn back, always look up grasping for what you can't reach. You'll look like a fool but you'll keep running."

Grasping for what you can't reach? Becoming a magical girl means making a wish. Making a wish means making the impossible happen. "What about your wish? What do you have to pursue?"

"You know the answer to that."

"I do?" I sniffle. "What I said to you?"

"Yep, making people happy."

"... Are magical girls like that?"

"Nope, at least not a lot of them."

"They're not? Mami-onee-chan fights familiars and witches to save people. Is that the same thing?" It has to be.

"That's one way of doing it, and it's good to see someone else squashing familiars. Most magical girls I see just farm witches," Midori-san stretches her arms up into the air. "Phew. It's getting late. Want to talk on the way back to Mitakihara? Well, what I should ask is are you well enough to go alone?"

[_] "Yes, let's walk home together. I want to keep talking."
[_] "I'm going to wait here for Onee-chan. Thank you for the offer."
[_] "No, I'm well enough alone. It was good talking to you Midori-san."
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"I'm going to wait here for Onee-chan. Thank you for the offer," I have to believe she'll show up. If it's not tonight, hopefully it will be tomorrow. I have to talk to her again because it's my duty as her sister.

"Really? Alright, I'll stick around too."

"What about witches?"

"Noa and Yuu are taking it tonight," Midori-san moves over to a chopped stump nearby to take a seat. "I don't feel comfortable just leaving you here either. Witches are pretty unpredictable even if you do know what they're after."

I sit down near the stump to get close - just incase something does go wrong. I look up the pathway expecting someone to walk toward the church. I want to see Onee-chan. I want to see her walking toward me with a smile on her face with a pokey stick in her mouth.

Here you go, Momo.

Apples again?

Yep, the lady was nice enough to give me extra.

...

What? What's with the face?

Nothing. Nothing, Onee-chan. If you're happy, I'm happy too.

Really? Hm, then you want to come with me?

Come with you? Where?

Some place far away. We can go together.

She had that same face she always wears. Her cheeks parted, her teeth showing.

We can see Mom and Dad again.

She said those words, so I-

[_] Reach out.
[_] Pull hand away.
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

What about Mami-onee-chan?

What? What about Mami? Don't you want to-

I don't want to go anywhere without her. We're a family.

Something is wrong here. This doesn't feel like it's real.

You never say Mom and Dad, Onee-chan. I've only ever heard you say Papa and Mama.

"MOMO!"

Something pulls me back and- "Ouch!" I hit the floor. I look back to see who pulled me.



"This thing snuck up on us," Midori-san stands over me to face what seemed like Onee-chan. "Momo, stick behind me. You got caught in the witch's spell. You were able to break out of it though, so good job."

"Witch's spell?" I'm confused. I was targeted? No, before that, wouldn't this be a Witch Barrier? We sent from the front of the church to an art studio. Weird, scary paintings line the walls with big eyes all around. They're looking at the fake Onee-chan who might be the witch?

"Stay close," this is the third time I've seen a magical girl.

First Onee-chan when she saved me from the wreckage.

Second it was a demonstration from Mami-onee-chan.

And now it's Midori-san.

She has a crown, red ribbons on her arms, neck and head. A dark blue dress that stops at her knees. A white cotton-shirt underneath it. It matches the image of when I first met her.

"Choose a better time to space out," Midori-san nudges me a little with the back of her leg. "Get up. Take a few steps back."

"Eh?" I stand up. I start walking back as she said and-

"GRIEVER!"

She shouts and-

THUD!

I fall back again.

I look up and see- "Whaaa?" It's a knight. It's a tall knight with silver armor and some weird lizard looking head. No, this entire situation is weird.

"That's Griever. Relax while he protects you," a blue light blasts from Midori-san's hands. Next thing a shield and sword appear. Then 'Onee-chan' makes a break for Midori-san. She runs, throwing out a hand to grab at her. Midori-san's shield takes the attack. She raises her sword to make the next attack. I close my eyes. I don't want to have that image in my mind.

I slowly open an eye.

Midori-san is standing in my line of sight so I can't see. "It's not over yet, Momo. Stay still."

I slowly lower my head, "I will. Do your best, Midori-san."

She spoke to me without taking her eyes off of the witch. I can tell it changed into something else. Now it's another girl that I don't know?

Midori-san charges. A few blows are exchanged, but she comes out victorious.

"Mido- AAA!" I fall to the ground with my hands on my head.

The knight's sword tore through the air. It stabbed the ground a few feet away to ... to kill one of the paintings? The walls are coming to life?

"Hey, Momo!" Midori-san must have pulled away from the witch to meet me. She bashes one of those strange monsters away then slices another in two. "We're getting out of here."

[_] "But what about the witch? You have to kill it. If it leaves, it'll go after other people."
[_] "... Okay. I trust you, Midori-san. Let's leave."
[_] "Can't you finish off the witch if you work with uh-" (Point to the knight)
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

I have to think about what I can and can't do. If I stay here, I'm a burden. I can't fight like Midori-san or Mami-onee-chan. "... Okay, I trust you, Midori-san. Let's leave."

"You didn't trust me before?"

"I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," she readies her shield then smashes another one away. "Come on, Griever, let's get going!" The knight picks me up into his chest. We start running toward the other end of the 'room'. More of the paintings attack, but they're no match for a magical girl. A door bursts open with Midori-san's kick. "This way!" she leads the way through this bizarre place. It doesn't look like it belongs in the real world. It's a place that could only exist in a painting, a book, a dream. There's a certain charm to it, but at the same time being here gives me shivers. I'm not sure what to feel. Fear because those things tried to hurt me or pity for the witch that has to live here?

Kyubey, Onee-chan, and Mami-onee-chan say witches are creatures born from hatred and curses. I listened, nodded my head, and accepted that. Seeing it up close makes it feels like there's more to it than that. What started this fight? What will end it? I don't want to think that people have to keep on fighting forever, but that's what it seems like.

"Hey, Momo, we're out."

I look up. Yeah, she's right, that was just a short sprint. Is Griever-san really that fast? I take a look at him, smile, and start trying to stand on the ground on my own. "Thank you."

"It's his job," the knight bows then vanishes into nothing. "Now then-"

"MOMO-CHAN!"

I stand stiff.

That's Mami-onee-chan's voice.

"Ah! Mami-onee-chan!" I look at her then I realize I'm in big trouble. I've been out for way longer than I should be. I said I would be back in time for dinner, but I didn't even start on my way back because I was waiting for Onee-chan. She's probably mad, it's my fault, I deserve it. Oh, I should've sent her a text too!

I grab my phone.

And it's dead.

My phone is dead.

Even after a year, I'm still not used to having one of these.

"Momo-chan!" she has a smile on her face. Then the smile turns into a frown. "Why didn't you come home? I sent you a text earlier. Did you get it?"

"I-I didn't."

Mami-onee-chan walks forward to take a look at my phone, "It has no charge," she hands it back to me. "You know it defeats the purpose of me paying for your phone if you don't use it."

"I'm sorry," I bow. I really am sorry. This happens a lot just because I'm forgetful.

"You keep apologizing too," Mami-onee-chan puts a hand on my head. "I can't stay mad at you for too long," Mami-onee-chan looks at Midori-san. "I sensed a witch nearby. Did you take care of it?"

"I had other priorities."

Mami-onee-chan looks at me then to Midori-san, "So you must be Chiba-san. Thank you for protecting Momo."

"No thanks needed. Seeing her smile was enough," Midori-san looks off into the woods. "I'm going to go head it off before it gets near the city. I'll be back!"

[_] "Mami-onee-chan, why don't you go help her? I'm fine heading home by myself."
[_] "Good-bye, Midori-san, and good luck!"
[_] "Onee-chan still hasn't shown up, even though it's dark..."
[_] Custom