You call this a love game?

"Bai Yu-jun, will we die here?"

Homura Akemi's lips trembled as she turned her head to look at Shiraha, who stood to the side with a relaxed expression.

The fear of death unconsciously brought her closer to Bai Yu, and she even changed how she addressed him without realizing it.

"I don't know." Bai Yu turned his head to look at Akemi Homura beside him. "Is Homura scared?"

"..."

Homura Akemi wanted to say she wasn't afraid, but the fear in her heart prevented her from speaking.

"I'm not afraid to die alongside Bai Yujun."

Summoning her last bit of courage, Homura Akemi uttered these words that were almost a confession, tears streaming down her cheeks and then dripping to the ground.

"That won't do. It doesn't matter if I die or not, but Xiaoyan, you can't die."

Bai Yu reached out and tugged at the girl's soft cheek, as if punishing her for saying such unlucky words.

He casually wiped away the tears from Homura Akemi's eyes, then sat up. Looking at the familiar that was already pressed against his face, baring its fangs and claws, he was about to activate time stop to hide Homura Akemi a little further away so he could seduce the familiar.

Suddenly, the sound of three guns firing echoed throughout the space.

"Tiro Finale!"

They are saved!

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Mami-senpai's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Bai Yu's hand was still on Akemi Homura's tear-streaked cheek when several dazzling magic bullets whistled past their heads, causing their familiars to explode into countless fragments in a dazzling light.

"That was a close call."

The blonde girl casually tossed her hair, then slowly landed beside him, a musket in her hand.

Another, more familiar voice rang in Bai Yu's ears, "It's all alright now, Xiao Yan and Nakazawa-kun."

Madoka Kaname descended from the sky, holding a longbow. Her pink twin tails fluttered behind her, and beneath her fluffy bubble skirt were a pair of slender and delicate legs, her calves encased in white stockings.

Unfortunately, Bai Yu was slightly disappointed that he couldn't see what color it was inside.

"You...you are..."

Homura Akemi was still in the position where Shiraha was pinching her cheek, staring blankly at the two who had suddenly appeared like divine soldiers descending from the sky.

"They are magical girls, witch hunters."

Another voice came from behind Homura Akemi, startling her. She quickly turned around to look.

But behind them was a strange, all-white creature that looked very much like a rabbit, yet was also sitting in place like a cat.

It can even talk!

Homura Akemi was somewhat surprised.

She had never seen such a magical creature in her life. It looked like an animal, but it could speak human language. It was simply unbelievable!

"The secret's been exposed so quickly." Madoka Kaname scratched her head, smiling at Shiraha and Homura Akemi kneeling on the ground. "You'd better keep it a secret from your classmates, okay?"

"It's time to wrap things up, Madoka." Mami Tomoe winked at Madoka Kaname.

"understand!"

Madoka Kaname drew her longbow to its fullest extent, and pink magical light flowed across the arrow.

"Tiro—Finale!"

The door, tightly bound by golden ribbons, withstood the two attacks solidly. Golden and pink magical torrents intertwined, sweeping across the entire barrier like a dazzling aurora.

The witch let out a pitiful wail and gradually disintegrated in the light.

Homura Akemi's eyes widened as the dreamlike scene was reflected in her glasses, and the images of the two magical girls were deeply imprinted in her mind.

Her hand unconsciously gripped Bai Yu's sleeve, her heart pounding, both from shock and from the white creature beside her staring at her with blood-red eyes.

"It's okay now."

Bai Yu gently patted the girl's head, giving her a reassuring look.

Although he was slightly surprised at this moment, he quickly calmed down.

This time, not only Homura Akemi changed, but even Madoka Kaname, who had been an ordinary person in the last simulation, suddenly became a magical girl, which was something he hadn't expected.

And there was Mami Tomoe, who had died early in the last simulation. He was already very satisfied to have witnessed the girl's abilities.

No matter how you look at it, these two, judging solely from the special effects, completely overwhelm Sayaka in terms of strength.

No wonder Sayaka said Mami Tomoe was amazing; he could do the same. After all, a beam cannon duel is just too cool!

He was somewhat surprised not to see Sayaka, which meant that Sayaka probably didn't become a magical girl, but rather existed as an ordinary person like Madoka did last time.

If these people weren't still around, and if he weren't somewhat familiar with this city, he would have thought he had entered another world, since what happened to these people was completely unrelated to the last time.

There was no other way but to explain it as a parallel world; otherwise, the two different situations involving the girls would be impossible to explain.

……

After the battle, at Mami Tomoe's invitation, the group went to her apartment.

In the cozy living room, Homura Akemi sat upright, holding a teacup, listening to Kyubey calmly recount the story of magical girls and witches.

However, upon hearing those familiar lines and intonation, Bai Yu couldn't help but roll his eyes.

He had already heard it once.

"So..." Homura Akemi's voice trembled slightly, "...as long as I make a wish... I can become a magical girl like you, right?"

“That’s right.” Kyubey jumped onto the coffee table, its tail swaying gently, but Bai Yu grabbed it and kneaded it in his hand. Kyubey gave Bai Yu a strange look and continued, “Any wish can be granted.”

Mami Tomoe elegantly sipped her black tea, simply smiling as she watched Kyubey being 'bullied' by Shiraha, its fur standing on end from being stroked.

"However, after you make a wish to become a magical girl, you'll have to fight witches just like us."

Mami casually snatched Kyubey back from Shiraha's hands, held it in her arms, and stroked its fur until it purred softly.

"Fighting witches... Kaname-san, have you been fighting those things all along?" Homura Akemi's voice trembled slightly, and her eyes behind her glasses flickered with unease.

She subconsciously looked at Madoka Kaname beside her. She had never imagined that such a gentle and lovely girl had been fighting against such a terrifying monster.

"Well... not all the time." Madoka Kaname scratched her cheek sheepishly. "Actually, I only became a magical girl recently. Mami-senpai is the real veteran. I only signed a contract with Kyubey last week."

"But today's fighting style is much better than before, Kaname-kun."

Mami Tomoe, standing to the side, was generous with her praise.

"Hehehe~" Madoka Kaname smiled happily, clearly delighted by the compliment.

"Are you really alright?! Aren't you... scared?" Homura Akemi's expression was full of worry.

Having witnessed such a terrifying existence, would anyone still willingly choose to fight such a thing?

“It’s not that I’m not scared sometimes.” Madoka Kaname raised her head slightly, recalling the time she fought in the past, and smiled. “But if I defeat the witch, I can save a lot of people, so it’s worth it.”

Homura Akemi's heartfelt words of justice almost brought her to tears. She felt genuine admiration for Madoka Kaname and for this girl she had only known for less than a day.

"However, Kaname-san must work hard until she can stand on her own before Witch Night arrives."

Seeing the girl's smug expression, Mami Tomoe couldn't help but pour cold water on her enthusiasm.

"Yes! Mami-senpai."

Madoka Kaname sat up straight, her smile fading as she responded crisply, though bits of cream still clung to her lips, making her look slightly comical.

"Wait, Witch's Night?"

Upon hearing the familiar words, Shiraha, who had been secretly drinking and eating the desserts prepared by Mami Tomoe, couldn't help but speak up.

"Mami-senpai, you just mentioned Witch's Night, right?"

"That's right, do you have any other questions?"

Mami Tomoe maintained her elegant and gentle smile, but a hint of doubt still lingered in her eyes.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Information about the Witch's Night

The cookie in Shiraha's hand fell onto the plate with a 'thud,' and cream splattered onto his hands. He didn't bother to wipe it off, staring intently at Mami Tomoe.

"Um... could you tell me more about Witch's Night?"

He clearly remembered that the last time Homura Akemi and Sayaka fought, the final battle was against a witch called Witch Night, which Kyubey had told him back then.

Even Homura Akemi, who possessed the ability to stop time, couldn't budge her in the slightest. In the end, he also perished at the hands of that incredibly powerful witch.

When he suddenly heard Mami Tomoe mention this witch, how could he not be excited?

It's important to understand that the final countdown given by the system is the time when the witch will appear. In other words, once the countdown begins, the city will be close to destruction, because no one can stop her from advancing except for the magical girl.

He clearly remembered that he had raised his affection level for Homura Akemi to 100 last time, but he did not receive any more rewards at the end. He only found out after asking the system.

The criteria for completing the strategy guide are not only the level of affection, but also the completion of the fixed storyline in the current simulation.

The Witch's Night is the hurdle he must overcome.

Unless he deserts and leaves the city with several girls and their families, ignoring the Witch's Night, he can likely survive, which would probably complete the storyline.

But he knew very well that this was impossible.

Xiaoyuan, just by looking at her, you can tell that she is a very cute girl. Coupled with her righteous and awe-inspiring speech just now, if you want her to abandon the city she has lived in since childhood and loves, you might as well let her fight Witch Night.

As for Sayaka, she's a complete idiot and a fool. She even said she wanted to become a partner of justice. Once she's made up her mind about something, nothing can change it.

He didn't know much about Mami Tomoe, but since she was willing to give her life in a battle against a witch, she must not be a coward.

Sakura Kyoko hasn't arrived to see Takihara yet.

Only Homura Akemi's situation will be somewhat better, provided that the other party is the same Homura with long, straight black hair from the last simulation.

But simply removing her wouldn't solve the problem.

Bai Yu couldn't possibly let the girls fight against Witch Night while he lay comfortably in the back doing nothing. In the end, he still had to face it; there was no escaping Witch Night.

“Nakazawa-kun seems quite interested in this~” Mami Tomoe picked up her teacup and sipped her black tea elegantly.

"Well, I think I dreamt about a witch with that name, so I'm a little curious," Bai Yu nodded calmly and explained casually.

"A dream..." Mami Tomoe looked at Shiraha thoughtfully, then pondered for a moment, "Actually, I don't know much about it either. Witch's Night is..."

"She's the strongest witch who'll appear in half a month!" Kaname Madoka suddenly interjected, gesturing an exaggerated circle with her hands. "They say she's super—powerful!"

Kyubey looked up from the dessert plate. "Not only is it powerful, but it is also extremely destructive. It can destroy everything in sight that it passes by. Many people choose to avoid fighting it, which is why no one has been able to defeat Witch Night so far."

"Aren't you scared? What if you can't win?"

Homura Akemi couldn't help but ask another question, and for a moment, her desire to become a magical girl like Madoka Kaname was suppressed.

"Mami-senpai is really amazing! With her guidance, I'm sure I can grow up quickly and defeat that wretched witch, Yoru!"

Kaname Madoka waved her little pink fist and spoke with righteous indignation and passion, looking very confident.

"Kaname-kun." Mami Tomoe suddenly raised her voice, sounding somewhat melancholy, "It's too early to talk about these things now. We need to step up our preparations."

In fact, even Mami Tomoe herself wasn't entirely confident that she could defeat Witch Night.

In the year or so since she became a magical girl, she had heard many stories of magical girls from other cities battling the Witch's Night, but unfortunately, no one had been able to defeat that super-powerful witch.

She had also visited the cities ravaged by the Witch's Night, and the situation was, to put it mildly, appalling.

Everywhere there were broken walls and rubble, and there was hardly any trace of people, because they had all been crushed and buried deep underground.

The rescue team dug for a whole month but couldn't find any life. She didn't dare to pay attention to what happened after that; it was too cruel and heartbreaking. But she also vowed that she would never let her beloved city suffer such inhumane destruction.

The Witch's Night is about to appear in her city, presenting both an opportunity and a crisis.

Everything can be resolved as long as she can win, but... if she fails, not only will she die, but her lovely junior will also die, and the entire city will be like the other cities she has seen, with no one surviving.

"Ahem, well, I'd like to ask something." Seeing the somewhat somber atmosphere at the table, Bai Yu coughed lightly, interrupting everyone's thoughts. "Kyubi, I also want to become a magical girl. Can you make a contract with me?"

"Huh?" "Huh?!" "Ah?"

The three girls uttered different sounds of surprise, but Kyubey simply shook his head slowly.

"No, that won't work. Although you have a lot of causal lines, the one I can identify right now doesn't have that kind of aptitude for you."

"?"