Puella Magi Momo Magica

[Shinobu Oshino]

"Mami-onee-chan, why don't you go help her? I'm fine heading home by myself."

"I have to keep you safe," Mami-onee-chan puts her arms on my shoulders. "I wouldn't be much of a big sister if you got hurt."

With the way I am now, I'm sure I'm going to attract another witch. They feast on negativity. What would I be if I sent Mami-onee-chan off with Midori-san?

[_] "Take me with you. I don't care what happens to me, I just want the witch gone. We have to save others!"
[_] "Okay, Mami-onee-chan. Let's go home. Good luck, Midori-san."
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

Spoiler: Information

Pacing of school has slowed down a bit, so I can get back to Momo Magica for the time being. Will post this, an interlude later, and the start of Episode 3 to get us back on track. Unlike Gaben - I CAN count to three!

"What if I wait for you to get finished?" I'm pleading. I feel bad about suggesting this because I know how Mami-onee-chan must feel. But if Onee-chan isn't here, if Onee-chan doesn't want to meet me right now, that's fine. There are other things that have to be done before I can see her again. "Please, Mami-onee-chan, help Midori-san! I can't do anything... I can only ask you to help her! I don't care what happens to me, so, please..."

"Momo-chan..."

My vision becomes blurry. "Please."

Mami-onee-chan doesn't say anything. She places a hand on my shoulder. "I'll be quick. Don't move, Momo-chan!" she runs past me like a gust of wind.

I wipe my tears while taking a seat against the old church I used to call home. My arms go around my knees while tucking my head between my legs. I already stopped crying. I have to. I can't let Mami-onee-chan just see me crying like that. I lost control so have to make up for it with a smile when she gets back.

END OF EPISODE 2​

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

Interlude 3: Marionette Blue​

I took off after the witch as fast as I could. Couldn't disappoint Momo, so I have to keep going with everything I've got. "Run as fast as you want, it won't get you anywhere!" I ready my sword. I slash through the air, breaching into the realm of nonexistence that a witch calls home.

It didn't take long to leave before. It won't take long to catch up. "I'm back," I say that like the girl can understand me anymore. Only reaction I get is familiars dancing about while trying to size their dinner up (that would be me). "Old habits die hard," one of the familiars darts through the air, flattening itself into a blade.

Metal echoes.

It bounces off my shield. I cut it in half at the stomach. It bursts into black paint.

Air shifts.

Spin, block, slice.

Two fall.

Press off the ground, get a better look at their attack formation from above. I pour magic energy into my sword. I bring it up then swing it down, firing off a wave of energy that ends up incinerating them. I land, pivot on foot, and face the art stage. Seems like the witch went through another transformation. Now it's a large collection of mobile canvas and paint that looks like a flapping butterfly.

I sigh and shake my head.

Shield raised, blade at the ready - it was the same as always.



[_] Close the distance.
[_] Stay on the defensive.
[_] Throw out a powerful move.
[_] Approach cautiously.
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

I won't get anywhere standing by. I sprint at the newly formed butterfly. It rears its head, opens its 'mouth cavity' and starts splurging paint along the ground like an oil slick.

I dash around to come at the witch at a curve. One foot makes contact with the ground, pushing me over the stage so now that I'm even with the target. It inhales then vomits again.

The shield disperses the liquid on contact. I crack a smile, "Persistent."

Can't take joy in fighting them. I'm not like her. Fighting is just means to an end. So I have to- "Haaaah!" I yell. The sword glows bright as it extends itself toward the witch.

It lets out an unearthly cry. It pulls its body low to the ground to avoid getting stabbed through the head.

Smart move.

[_] Perform a finishing blow.
[_] Gauge distance and retreat.
[_] Wait for Mami to show up.
[_] Custom

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

The smart thing to do is wait for backup. I know that Mami girl will come once Momo is safe.

I gauge my distance, moving back with controlled steps. The witch takes on a different form, becoming a large cocoon. Barbed wiring wraps around it like a second layer. It seems to be mimicking me, taking on a defensive stance.

"Not sure if I'm going to have enough strength to break through that," I frown.

"TIRO FINALE!"

And I didn't even need the fire power. A large blast of yellow energy rushes into the witch, causing it to screech in pain.

"Chiba-san, go!" I look back to see Mami hanging on a ribbon up in the air. Must have taken some time to set up.

"Thanks!" I rush forward then leap up into the air. I fill my sword with magical energy and eye the witch. "I'm sorry," I swing down. The magic splits the witch's exposed body in two, quickly flooding the otherworldly realm with light.

The witch barrier vanishes in a twisting blur. I walk over to the newly dropped Grief Seed. "You gave me some trouble, but that's what you get for messing with Momo," I reach down to pick the seed up and toss it toward Mami. "There you go."

"Huh?" she stares at the Grief Seed she just caught with wide eyes.

"Is something wrong?" I say with a grin.

"No, not particularly… it's just this is usually the other way around," she's probably talking about other magical girls.

"I can see that," I frown. "But every magical girl is different. You can't get mad at them for wanting to live the way that they do."

The blonde sighs, "I suppose so. It's a waste of energy, either way."

"You've got plenty to spare," I eye her melons.

"Huh? What do you mean?" she quirks a brow.

I laugh, "Nothing. Don't worry about it."

Mami pauses, then just shrugs. "I appreciate your help, Chiba-san. I don't want to think what would have happened if you weren't here to keep Momo-chan company."

"I don't want to imagine that either," I don't want anything to happen to Momo. That's why I waited around here to begin with. I knew she was coming, so I didn't like the idea of her being alone.

"But can I ask what you were doing here?"

"Nostalgia."

"Nostalgia?" Mami places a hand to her chin.

"My family used to come to this church."

"Ah," her face goes pale. "I'm sorry."

I look toward the forest path where Momo is no doubt waiting. "I have a lot of fond memories of this place and the woods. So I thought I'd stop by because I had the chance," I revert back to my civilian clothes. "Kasamino is a pretty city. Mitakihara being within walking distance makes it that much better."

"Are you from around here, Chiba-san?" Mami does the same, changing back into what I think might be her school uniform.

"I was born in Kasamino, but my family moved a few years back. I just came back," I start walking toward the church. "I'm mostly enjoying the sights. Not a lot's changed, which I'm happy to see."

"So you're living back home now?"

"Sort of. I stay with my uncle from time to time," I laugh. "But I mostly live on my own."

My uncle is usually hounding me for all kinds of things. I showed the man what I am, what I do, but the thing he's still hung up on is me dropping out of school. He just seems to think that I'm some kind of magical delinquent.

"We're alike then."

"You live by yourself?"

"Well, no, I live with Momo-chan."

"I'm already jealous," I shrug.

"Midori-san! Mami-onee-chan! You're back!" Momo runs up to us, tears in her eyes. She thrusts her arms around Mami's waist, hugging her tight.

"That's adorable," I grin from ear to ear.

"Momo-chan, it's okay. The witch is gone."

Momo wipes her eyes on her sleeve, "I'm sorry for crying, but I'm so happy."

Mami pats Momo on the head then turns toward me, "Chiba-san."

"Yeah?"

"Would you like to join us for dinner?"

I blink, "Uh, that's really sudden. We haven't even had a first date yet."

"I-..." Mami paused, then vehemently shakes her head. "No, no, nothing like that!" now her face is red.

"Sorry, I misunderstood," I snicker. "But sure, I'd like to join you for dinner. Do you mind if I invite my friends along? They'd probably get pretty mad at me for going to go eat without them."

"Your friends?" Mami's face pales. "How many?"

"Just two."

"Are they magical girls too?"

A dark thought creeps into my head. A once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm not sorry Yuu, "Yeah, they are. But just ignore their public displays of affection."

"O-okay," Mami nods nervously. "I don't see the harm. We'll show you the way."

END OF INTERLUDE

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

Episode 3: More Than Friends?​

Onee-chan never showed up. I thought she would be there, but she wasn't. On the way home, I tried convincing myself that stopping Onee-chan was the right thing to do. She's alone, she blames herself for the choices that Dad made. That's not right. I know that's not right. Onee-chan is just putting too much on herself. She can't run away from me. The next time I see, I'm going to tell her what she means to me. Even if I have to ask Mami-onee-chan to stop her from leaving.

"This is a nice place, Mami-chan," Noa-senpai, the girl I met before, is sitting across Mami-onee-chan's coffee table. Right beside her is Yuu-senpai, who still lets it be known that he doesn't like honorifics attached to his name.

"'Mami-chan'?" Midori-san quirks a brow, sitting up from her cushioned seat. "Not sure you should be calling her that since she looks older than you."

"Midori," Noa-senpai glares.

"I mean, she's even more stacked," Midori-san's mind seems to be taking a trip to the gutter.

"U-uhm," Mami-onee-chan stutters. "I was under the impression that the lovers were girls, not… that I have a problem with that. It's just the way you put it, Chiba-san."

"A girl?" Yuu-senpai looks at the offender, about ready to crack his knuckles. I'll have to jump up if it looks like a fight is about to start.

"Really? That's my mistake," in response to that, Midori-san impishly grins.

"I see," Mami-onee-chan sighs, shaking her head in regret. "I'll go get the cake. Momo-chan, want to help?"

[_] Accept Mami's request.
[_] Talk to Midori.
[_] Get to know the couple.
[_] Go outside, wait for Kyouko.
[_] Other

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"Okay!" I nod. I would be happy to get my new friend's something to eat. It's the least I could do for Midori-san, too, since she's trying so hard. I get up from my seat and follow Mami-onee-chan to the kitchen.

"Momo-chan...," she looks at me while cutting the cake. "They're certainly a, um, colorful bunch, aren't they?"

"They are," I laugh nervously. "But they're very nice. Especially Midori-san, since she was willing to stay with me earlier."

"She was, wasn't she?" Mami-onee-chan furrows her brow. "I can't argue with that. Let's reward them with this cake!"

"Yeah," I help cut the rest of the cake into slices. I make sure that every slice is close to the same size. If there are guests, then everyone should get their fair share. We head back to the living room with plates and forks shortly after finishing. I sit down and cup my hands together to say grace. Everything seems to go quiet while I have my eyes closed. The moment I open them...

"What kind of cake is this?" Yuu-senpai says while prodding at the cake with his fork.

"Peach," Mami-onee-chan says with a beaming smile.

"I don't like peach," Yuu-senpai relaxes his grip on the spoon.

"Then you don't have to eat it," Midori-san stretches a hand over to his plate. "I'll be a good samaritan and take it off your hands."

"Back off," he glares at Midori-san. "Beggars can't be choosers. Thanks, Mami."

"Thank you, Mami-chan. This looks heavenly!" Noa-senpai offers her compliments while hastily downing her slice.

"Are you sure you should be eating that?" Midori-san puts a fork full into her mouth. "I mean, you have to think about your boyfriend too. He has to carry you, after all."

"Midori-san," I stand up. "Dinner isn't really the place for that kind of talk. Can you please stop?"

"Oh, sure," she looks down at her plate and continues eating quietly. I appreciate that, so I sit back down to continue my meal.

"We should take you with us, Momo-chan, so you can keep Midori quiet," Noa-senpai tries to provoke Midori-san. I narrow my eyes at her as warning. She averts her eyes, then sheepishly prods at the cake instead of scarfing it down.

Dinner progresses without anything really happening. Midori-san and Noa-senpai try to start stuff with each other, but I do my best to shut it down before it gets too far. There's not a lot of casual conversation between Mami-onee-chan and the others. I want to do something about that, but I'm not sure what to do.

Yuu-senpai sits on his cushion, legs crossed, as Noa-senpai comes up behind him. She starts nuzzling up to his neck like a cat. He pulls away, "I'm not sure we should be doing that here."

"What? Why not?" Noa-senpai looks across the table to a red-faced Mami-onee-chan. "Ah, I'm sorry. I should be acting like a senior."

"That's my line…" Mami-onee-chan mumbles. "It's fine in front of me, but shouldn't you consider Momo-chan?"

I watch curiously.

"Momo-chan?"

"Oh," I look at Mami-onee-chan. "Yes? What is it?"

"It's getting late, don't you think you should be getting ready for bed?"

[_] Refuse, you're old enough to not really have a bed time.
[_] Concede, Mami-onee-chan knows what's right.
[_] Other

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

"I don't need a bedtime, Mami-onee-chan. I'm old enough to--" I can't finish talking. I let out a yawn loud enough that I have to close my eyes.

"Really?" she smiles at me. "I think you should get to bed."

I frown

"Momo, I think you should listen to Mami. My lap is open if you want it," Midori-san pats her legs.

Everyone laughs except Mami-onee-chan. I frown. I wanted to hear more about Midori-san's friends, but that could wait until tomorrow if they were still around. "Good night, everyone," I bow my head and head to my room. I grab my pajamas, take a bath, and then head off to bed for the night.

__________________________

The next morning isn't exactly what I expected. I got up to help Mami-onee-chan prepare for breakfast before she set off to school, but the first thing I saw when I woke up was-

"Hey, Momo!" Midori-san standing at the stove wearing an apron, a T-shirt and shorts. "I'm making breakfast as thanks to the two of you for letting us stay here."

I don't remember any of that happening. I remember dinner and a talk, but nothing about staying over for the night. "You never went home? Poor Mami-onee-chan," I mumble.

"What was that?"

"N-nothing," I dismiss her question with a wave of my hand. "W-what are you making?" I thought these questions were better left answered when Mami-onee-chan woke up.

"Omelets. I thought about scrambled eggs, but I wanted to change it up!" Midori-san says with a big grin. It seems like that might be all she can cook.

"Ch-change it up?" I tilt my head to try to seem interested. "I see. I'll have one," if she's doing this as thanks, I can't really deny her. It would be rude. Though I think squatting at someone's apartment without their permission is rude too. "Anyway, did you actually ask Mami-onee-chan if you could stay?"

"I did!" she says with a big smile. "Mami is really nice. I wish Noa was more like her."

I feel like that's something I would've heard before I went to bed. But I did go to sleep earlier than usual. "Really? Is Noa-senpai really that bad?"

"Not at all, she's just a massive buzzkill and a nag," Midori-san walks over to the table with a plate. It has an omelet and two pieces of toast. The ketchup is in the picture of a smiley face. "Eat up!" she beams with confidence as she sets the plate down.

"Oh! This looks great!" I grab the fork and start digging in.

"Eggs are a specialty of mine," Midori-san continues smiling like she accomplished something big. "I once survived a month on just eggs."

"I'm not sure that's something to brag about, Midori-san."

"It is when you find them naturally.

The more I talked to Midori-san, the more the illusion of an experienced magical girl slowly shattered. She seems more like a mountain man than anything. Though the similarities between Midori-san's lifestyle and Onee-chan's are obvious. "Listen, Midori-san," I take another bite. "Have you ever stolen from people? I mean…"

"No." Midori-san says that without hesitation. "I never steal. Ever."

"I-I see," I smile. "That's good to hear…, but do you do whatever you can to survive? I mean, I know some magical girls don't have families." They're forced to do ugly things in order to keep on going. I think of Onee-chan who might've had to do worse things than steal. She's not with us all the time, she's off hunting witches and familiars. Mami-onee-chan told me the sorts of things she's had to do to survive.

"I don't do that, but I don't hate others who do. I mean, as long as they aren't threatening the livelihood of other people," Midori-san ponders for a second. "Everyone has a right to live. If that right is threatened, you have to do what you can. That's what my old friend told me."

"Old friend? You mean Noa-senpai?" I tilt my head to the side.

Midori-san stifles a laugh before sitting down across from me, "No, not her. Noa-senpai might be a hag, but she's not that introspective. That girl can't even see what's five feet in front of her."

"I see," I frown. "Was that old friend a magical girl?"

"Yeah. She taught me what I know today. She's the person who helped me choose between being a normal girl and a magical girl," there was a strange light in Midori-san's eyes. An unwavering determination. I couldn't quite understand it, but she was different than Mami-onee-chan. I'm not sure if I liked that glow. There wasn't warmth, it was cold like steel.

"Chiba-san," I heard Mami-onee-chan speak from behind me. "What are you doing here?" I turn to face her. She's completely dressed and ready to go to school.

"Making you breakfast," Midori-san smiles while presenting a second omelet in the pan.

"Answer my question, please," it seems like Midori-san staying the night wasn't in Mami-onee-chan's plans.

"I thought you said I could stay last night?" Midori-san quirks a brow. "Well, I guess that's my mistake. Sorry."

"I think it's a little late for an apology," Mami-onee-chan simply sighs. "I appreciate the breakfast though, but can you leave afterward?"

"Sure, that was the plan anyway."

Breakfast ends with Midori-san packing her belongings and heading out. Noa-senpai and Yuu-senpai were nowhere to be seen, so they must have left last night or earlier in the morning. Mami-onee-chan headed off to school, leaving me alone to study. With Onee-chan nowhere to be seen early in the morning, I thought of going to go look for her again.


[_] Go look for Onee-chan.
---[_] Where?
[_] Stay home for the rest of the day and study.
[_] Go out for a walk around town. Get some exercise.
[_] Other

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

I'm still kind of tired from yesterday. The witch attack, chasing after Onee-chan, and the hassle last night drained me. I'll stay home and study so I don't have to worry Mami-onee-chan. It's the least I can do for her since she put up Midori-san's friends last night. Even if it was a misunderstanding. I grab my books from my room and start reading. I take a look at the history book that Mami-onee-chan got me. It's actually in english, but I'm able to understand some of it.

This must be Mami-onee-chan's way of pushing me to greater heights. Once I start attending Mitakihara Middle School, I think english will be my strongest subject next to history. I'm a bit weak in math, but that's nothing that some studying won't fix.

"Hmmm," I look down at the passage I'm reading. There are some words I don't understand, but I do my best just from context clues. I write the word down in my notebook so I can remember to ask Mami-onee-chan later. I look up at the clock and apparently half-an-hour had already passed.

I keep on reading and taking notes until lunch.

…

Once the clock strikes twelve, it's time for lunch. I don't want to worry Mami-onee-chan, but I'm still hungry. So that means I have to…

[_] Fix lunch here in the apartment.
[_] Go to the store down the block to get some lunch.
[_] Call Midori-san and go out and eat.
[_] Go to the park for some ice cream.
[_] Other

 

[Shinobu Oshino]

I decide to make lunch here in the apartment. Mami-onee-chan might not be here to supervise me, but I should be okay on my own. I'm a growing girl with a lot of responsibility, after all. I head off into the kitchen, grab some oven mitts and prepare the stove. Fixing something simple like grilled cheese is easy enough for someone my age. I slather the butter on two slices of bread, place the cheese in the center then let the pan do the rest of the work. I cut meticulously, making sure each piece is an even cut. I sit down at the table once it's finished, eying the finished work. It's a really simple dish since Mami-onee-chan taught me how to make it, but I still feel pride.


"I wonder if Mami-onee-chan will have the time to teach me anymore?" I mumble while looking down at the table. Her work as a magical girl is already stressful. I don't want to be a burden to her, so should I really be cooking while she's at school? I feel up to it, but was it the right thing to do? I stare at the grilled cheese. I shake my head, then eat. Onee-chan wouldn't want this food to go to waste.

______________________________

…

My eyes flutter open. I'm looking up at the ceiling of the apartment, but the walls are shaking. I know it's not my sinuses or anything, I'm not sick. I mean if I was, Mami-onee-chan would've been able to tell. "What's that noise?" then I hear a low hum from the outside. It's rhythmic like an instrument. Is it a street performer?

[_] Go see what the noise is.
[_] Stay inside, stranger danger.
[_] Other