I'm Xiaoyuan. I'm really sorry.

She was still furious at the magical girl who had killed her companions.

The justice in my heart will never allow this to happen.

Stopping thinking about that, Mami Tomoe stood up to refill everyone's cups.

After that it was time for chatting. The age gap between everyone was not too big, so there was no need to be too cautious when chatting.

The atmosphere was not as heavy as before.

Most of the time it was just Madoka, Sayaka, and Tomoe Mami chatting.

Sono only occasionally interjected a few words, while Homura Akemi remained silent and listened silently the entire time.

"Why are you dressed so strangely?"

Sayaka had wanted to ask Yuan for a long time. Ever since she saw Yuan when she was lost last time, she felt something was very strange.

She shouldn't be afraid of others seeing her appearance, as she gives people such a gentle feeling.

"Eh? Yeah, why is Sono-chan wearing this cloak?"

Xiaoyuan couldn't understand why Yuan wore this cloak, even though she thought Yuan should look very good.

Ah, why did the topic come to me?

Yuan felt helpless.

"Nothing, just some private matters."

Yuan made up an excuse to answer.

"But we haven't seen your true face yet."

Sayaka continued to ask relentlessly, she always felt that there was some secret hidden in it.

"Well...actually, I'm quite ugly."

Yuan said with an awkward smile after making up a lie.

I pray that Sayaka will stop dwelling on this issue.

"No way! Sono-chan is obviously very beautiful."

Madoka said, shaking her head, thinking Sono was lying.

"That's right! I think you're beautiful too." Sayaka agreed.

"..."

Yuan was speechless. Why did even Xiaoyuan come to join in?

And Sayaka, is this how you treat your savior?

Are you my natural enemy?

"that…"

At this time, Tomoe Mami, who had been listening, finally couldn't help but speak up: "Since Sono-san doesn't want to, then please don't make it difficult for her."

Although I am also very curious, I will not force others if they are unwilling.

At this moment, Yuan also looked at Mami and gave her a thumbs up in his heart.

"Can…"

Sayaka wanted to insist, but Xiaoyuan grabbed her sleeve and shook her head at her.

In the end, she could only sigh, but she wasn't ready to give up yet.

Homura Akemi watched the whole thing without saying a word, just drinking her black tea silently.

This kind of life seems pretty good.

Never mind Witch Night.

Madoka didn't become a magical girl either.

The tragedy that followed had not yet occurred.

If only it could keep going.

But the reality is cruel.

The appearance of Oriko and the other person brought too many variables, making it impossible for Homura Akemi to predict what would happen next.

Oriko wants to kill Madoka, while Homura Akemi wants to protect Madoka.

She just hoped that this could all end as soon as possible so that Xiaoyuan wouldn't be affected.

Suddenly her left hand seemed to be held by someone again.

"Are you worried?"

Yuan asked softly, she also noticed it.

Although she didn't show it, Homura Akemi was always keeping an eye on Madoka, and her worried eyes never left Madoka's face.

"..."

Xiao Meiyan was silent.

Worried?

Maybe.

But he will protect Madoka no matter what.

"Don't worry! I will definitely stop this."

Homura Akemi felt at ease with Sono's words.

But why does it feel wrong?

She couldn't figure it out.

It's approaching evening.

Madoka and Sayaka prepare to go home.

If I go home too late, my family will worry.

After hearing what Homura Akemi said, they became a little hesitant.

It’s better not to make any wishes for the time being.

"Goodbye, Mami-sister."

After saying goodbye to Mami, Madoka and Tomoe left the apartment.

Naturally, Sono and Homura Akemi followed.

"Ah... by the way, Sono-chan, this is back to you."

Madoka said as she took out the Soul Gem and tried to return it to Sono.

If she hadn't suddenly remembered it, she would have almost forgotten it.

"You don't have to give it back to me, keep it to protect yourself."

Yuan has also thought about it.

The Soul Stone did have abilities she was unaware of.

Since he could ignore the distance limit, he might as well leave it to Madoka and protect her.

"Eh?"

Madoka obviously didn't expect her to say that.

This made her stunned, but Yuan just looked at her with a smile and motioned for her to accept it.

But she doesn't seem to be in any danger, right?

Xiaoyuan couldn't understand it.

And the Soul Gem seems to be very important to Yuan.

Chapter 30 I Want to See Your Smile

The surrounding space turned gray and the whole world seemed to stop.

When I came to my senses, I realized that someone had stopped time and my hands were grabbed.

"Homura?"

Sono looked at Homura Akemi in confusion, not knowing what was wrong with her.

"Madoka, why...why did you leave the Soul Stone behind?"

Homura Akemi stared at her closely, as if she was not going to let Sono go unless she gave an explanation.

Homura Akemi knows that.

The Soul Gem is the magical girl's true self.

If a magical girl moves beyond a certain distance from the Soul Stone, she will lose control of her body.

"Ah... well, I don't think I need the Soul Stone."

Sono thought about it and finally decided to tell Homura Akemi some of her secrets.

"Besides, Oriko has also appeared, aiming to kill Madoka, and my Soul Gem seems to be able to block attacks with malicious intent."

"It's safest to stay with Madoka."

This is indeed the only way.

Are we going to let Homura Akemi watch over Madoka 24 hours a day?

But she seemed happy to do so.

But this is not a solution either.

But I don't need the Soul Stone.

It even seems that you can transform into a magical girl without relying on it.

"How do you know you don't need the Soul Stone? Could it be..."

Yes, Homura Akemi guessed it.

Yuan conducted experiments alone.

Otherwise, he wouldn't know that he didn't need the Soul Stone.

He also recalled what happened when Yuan woke up Madoka from coma.

Homura then realized that Madoka had been preparing to give the Soul Gem to Madoka from before.

"Yes."

Yuan admitted it openly, since there was nothing to hide anyway.

Although she was also shocked when she thought of this bold idea.

But fortunately, everything was fine in the end.

He is not restricted by the Soul Gem.

"You are always like this, always so gentle to others, always believing that you can save others, always..."

Homura Akemi became more and more excited as she spoke, and her voice finally trembled. Her tone was filled with regret and pain, and there seemed to be tears in the corners of her eyes: "I'm sorry, if I could end the reincarnation sooner..."

"Humura..."

Seeing her crying, Yuan reached out and stroked her back.

"It's okay, Homura, don't blame yourself. This is my choice, it's not Homura's fault."

"Can…"

Before she could finish her words, Sonosho interrupted her: "Stop talking. Why is Homura such a crybaby? I don't want you to cry."

"I want to see you smile, Homura. It must look really nice."

Sono said to Homura Akemi while comforting her.

After countless reincarnations, Homura Akemi's face has long become cold.