My and Their Anime-Style Otherworldly Survival Adventure

"You humans really love deceiving yourselves. I'm being kind by telling you the truth, but you refuse to accept it. Homura Akemi, haven't you noticed? Every time you go back in time, Madoka Kaname's fate hasn't changed; instead, it's become more complicated and uncontrollable. The more you try to save her, the deeper you drag her into the vortex. Your obsession has blinded you." Every word Kyubey spoke was like a sharp blade, piercing deeply into Homura Akemi's heart.

Homura Akemi clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms. The pain brought her back to her senses. She looked up, only to find that Kyubey was no longer there.

"Wait!" Homura Akemi roared, completely ignoring the strange looks from those around her. Her voice echoed through the street, but received no response. Left with no other choice, Homura Akemi quickened her pace, desperately trying to catch up with the figure that was receding into the distance.

The streetlights on both sides of the street were particularly dazzling in the night, and the figures of pedestrians became blurry in Homura Akemi's sight. Kyubey didn't know how far he had chased after them, but finally stopped in front of an abandoned factory.

In the darkness, Kyubey suddenly turned around, its red eyes flashing an eerie crimson light in the night. It silently looked at Homura Akemi, a slight smile playing on its lips, as if it had already anticipated her pursuit.

Homura Akemi had lost her mind, rushing forward recklessly, her eyes burning with the flames of anger and despair. Stepping into the abandoned factory, the scene before her eyes was completely transformed, causing her to feel disoriented. When she came to her senses, she found herself inside a witch's barrier.

“When…” Homura Akemi stood in the center of the witch's barrier, surrounded by a distorted and absurd scene. Strange symbols crawled across the walls, and a suffocating sense of oppression filled the air. Her heart raced, and her breathing became rapid, but she forced herself to calm down. She knew she had fallen into Kyubey's trap, but at this moment, she had no other choice.

"Kyubi!" Homura Akemi shouted, her voice echoing through the empty barrier. "What exactly do you want?"

There was no response in the darkness.

Unbeknownst to Homura Akemi, her shadow was slowly twisting, as if controlled by some unseen force. The shadow gradually lengthened, eventually detaching from the ground and transforming into a blurry human figure.

With a muffled thud, a booming sound exploded behind her, causing Akemi Homura to stumble and nearly fall. A powerful impact struck from behind, and she felt a burning sensation in her abdomen, as if something were scorching it.

Homura Akemi turned around quickly. The intense pain blurred her vision, but she endured the discomfort and swiftly adjusted her posture, cautiously glancing around. The next second, Homura's pupils contracted sharply. A figure that looked exactly like herself appeared before her.

The figure slowly raised its head, revealing a face identical to Homura Akemi's, but its eyes were empty and lifeless, as if devoid of a soul. The opponent was pointing a gun at her; the smoke from the muzzle hadn't yet dissipated, and the cold metallic gleam was particularly glaring in the dim barrier.

"Who... are you?" Homura Akemi's voice trembled slightly as she placed her right hand on the Shield of Time, ready to activate Time Stop at any moment.

The shadow didn't answer, but slowly raised its hand and made the exact same gesture as her—its right hand gently resting on the time-stopping shield. Akemi Homura's heart sank. She realized that the other party had not only copied her appearance, but also her abilities.

A tense atmosphere filled the air, and time seemed to freeze. Homura Akemi's mind raced, trying to find a way out of the predicament. However, the shadow struck first.

Homura Akemi panicked and instinctively activated Time Stop. Her previously invincible ability was now completely ineffective. By the time she regrouped, the shadow's attack was already upon her.

"Ugh..." Homura Akemi was struck hard by the shadow's attack, flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily against the wall. The intense pain made it almost impossible for her to breathe, and a metallic taste rose in her throat. She barely managed to prop herself up, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of her mouth.

For the first time, Homura Akemi felt fortunate to be inhuman; otherwise, that attack would likely have rendered her immobile. She struggled to lift her head, her gaze fixed on the shadow that looked exactly like her, a feeling of unprecedented powerlessness washing over her.

"Why... why did time stop fail...?" Homura Akemi was terrified, cold sweat beading on her forehead. She had never encountered anything like this before. Time stop was her most powerful trump card, the key to countless times she had escaped danger. Yet now, this ability was completely useless, as if it had been utterly suppressed by some force.

The shadow slowly approached her, its steps light and indifferent, as if enjoying this cat-and-mouse game. She could feel a smile creeping across its icy face, as if mocking her vulnerability and wretchedness.

The shadow raised its hand, the gun once more aimed at Homura Akemi, the air thick with the scent of death. Homura gritted her teeth, forcing herself to remain calm. She knew that panic would only hasten her demise. She had to find a way out, otherwise…

Just as the shadow pulled the trigger, Homura Akemi suddenly rolled to the side, the bullet grazing her shoulder and leaving a bloody gash. Ignoring the pain, she quickly raised her hand and fired two shots, the bullets whistling out and heading straight for the shadow's chest and head.

"Thud!" The bullet struck Shadow precisely in the chest and head, making it sway precariously. Homura Akemi breathed a sigh of relief, but her relaxation lasted only a moment. Shadow did not fall as she expected; instead, it raised its gun again, and a bullet struck her lung precisely.

Homura Akemi's body jolted violently; the excruciating pain in her lungs made it almost impossible for her to breathe. She staggered back a few steps, blood gushing from her mouth, staining her clothes red. Her vision began to blur, and all she could hear was her own rapid breathing and the cold footsteps of her shadow.

"Cough cough cough... Is this...is it over...?" Homura Akemi coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, managing to utter a few words with difficulty. She instinctively reached for the time reversal, but remembering what Kyubey had told her, she hesitated...

'Perhaps, it's not so bad to end it like this. With him around, Xiaoyuan will surely find happiness...'

Homura Akemi's mind flashed before her eyes to Kusho's gentle yet handsome face, a mix of sorrow and relief welling up inside her. She had turned back time countless times, just to protect Madoka's happiness, even if it meant bearing endless loneliness and pain herself. But this time, it seemed she had reached her end... Her consciousness gradually blurred, and the scene before her began to distort, as if shrouded in a thick fog.

Just as Homura Akemi's consciousness was about to sink into darkness, she suddenly felt a familiar and urgent shout coming from afar, as if piercing through layers of mist and striking her heart.

Jiuxiao's face was ashen as he stared intently at Qiubi, who had suddenly jumped out before him. He said rudely, "Yes, I'm here, so you can die now! So you're Qiubi, huh? I don't care what kind of trouble you're trying to cause. Daring to touch her, you've already committed suicide!" Jiuxiao's voice was icy cold, his eyes flashing with furious flames. He suddenly raised his hand, and a dazzling light burst forth from his palm, heading straight for Qiubi.

Kyubey nimbly leaped aside, dodging the attack, his face still bearing that repulsive expression: "How interesting, human emotions are always so intense. However, I think you might have misunderstood something. I'm here to help you this time. Your friend is in a tough fight inside; it's a rather powerful witch. Although you're strong, you might not be her match. How about it, how about considering making a contract with me? If it's you, I suppose any wish can be granted."

"Shut up!" A hint of impatience flashed in Jiu Xiao's eyes. Without another word, he charged straight at Qiu Bi, his speed so fast that only a blur could be seen. This time, Qiu Bi couldn't dodge and was crushed to pieces by Jiu Xiao's foot.

"You think I'd believe your nonsense?" Jiuxiao said coldly, rushing into the abandoned factory without looking back.

Kyubey, who should have been dead, rose from the ground again. Its voice suddenly echoed in Jiuxiao's mind: "What a pity, it was clearly a win-win situation. But since you insist, good luck, Jiuxiao. If you change your mind, you can call me anytime." Kyubey's voice reverberated in his mind, carrying a hint of seduction.

Jiuxiao frowned, a wave of disgust rising in his heart, but he didn't stop; instead, he quickened his pace. His intuition told him that Homura Akemi was facing a life-or-death crisis, and he had to get to her side as soon as possible.

The interior of the witch's barrier was dimly lit, filled with the heavy smell of rust and blood. Jiuxiao's gaze quickly swept across the surroundings, searching for Akemi Homura's whereabouts. Suddenly, he heard a faint coughing sound ahead, accompanied by the sound of liquid dripping. His heart tightened, and he rushed towards the sound.

"Xiao Yan!" Jiu Xiao's voice was filled with anxiety. After seeing the situation, he was completely stunned.

Homura Akemi lay in a pool of blood, her face as pale as paper, her breathing so weak it was almost imperceptible. Beside her stood a figure that looked exactly like Homura, but that person had cold, empty eyes and a sinister smile on their lips. They held a pistol in their hand, ready to pull the trigger on the fallen Homura.

Hearing the call from behind, the figure slowly turned around, his empty eyes meeting Jiu Xiao's gaze, and the smile on his lips grew increasingly eerie.

P.S.: It's almost the end of the month, could you please give me your free monthly tickets and death threats? Please, I'll do anything.

Chapter 156 (5K) You really have nothing but Madoka's head on your mind!

"Who...are you?" Jiuxiao's voice was low and cold, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His gaze was fixed on the figure that looked exactly like Homura Akemi, his heart filled with doubt and anger. The person in front of him was identical to Homura Akemi in both appearance and aura, but that cold and unfamiliar feeling made him extremely uneasy.

The dying Akemi Homura struggled to lift her head, looking behind Kyuu, a flicker of anxiety in her eyes. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she only managed a weak moan. Blood continued to gush from her wounds, staining her clothes and the ground red.

Seeing that Homura Akemi was still breathing, Jiuxiao felt a slight sense of relief. As long as the Soul Gem was intact, the magical girl wouldn't die. Just as he was about to deal with the imposter in front of him, the figure suddenly moved. He saw the other person place their right hand on the "Shield of Time" worn on their left hand, and time stop was activated instantly.

The familiar scene brought a cold smile to Jiu Xiao's lips. He possessed fragments of the Law of Cycles, making him completely unaffected by time stop. The imposter Homura Akemi's eyes flashed with panic upon seeing this, but she quickly regained her eerie smile.

Jiuxiao was somewhat confused. "Your ultimate move has been countered, how can you still laugh?" Just as he was focusing all his attention on the imposter Homura Akemi, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back. He whirled around and saw a young man with a knife standing behind him, the tip of the blade already piercing his back. The young man had delicate features, but his eyes were empty and cold, mirroring his own.

Lying in a pool of blood, Akemi Homura's eyes flashed with despair. She had tried to call out to warn Jiuxiao, but her lung injury prevented her from making a sound. Her fingers trembled slightly as she tried to grasp something, but ultimately fell limply to her sides.

Jiuxiao's pupils contracted sharply, alarm bells ringing in his mind—he hadn't even noticed the other person approaching! Fortunately, he was currently in an enhanced state, his physical strength was very high, and the sword tip only penetrated half an inch before it couldn't go any further. Jiuxiao endured the pain and quickly took a few steps back, putting distance between himself and the sword-wielding youth. He turned his head to look at the wound; blood was slowly seeping out, but it wasn't serious.

After this series of events, Jiu Xiao has roughly figured out the witch's ability—to copy and manipulate the mirror images of others. It's very troublesome, especially the initial attack; if it were someone else, that sword strike would have either killed them or severely injured them. It's likely that Homura Akemi fell victim to this; otherwise, given her abilities, even if she couldn't win, she wouldn't have been so easily and severely injured.

Jiuxiao's gaze swept back and forth between the imposter Homura Akemi and the sword-wielding boy, quickly analyzing the situation in his mind. The imposter Homura Akemi possessed the ability to stop time, which meant that the copied mirror image possessed some or all of the original's abilities.

That would be troublesome. If his clone also possessed all the original's abilities, then things would be even more difficult. Jiu Xiao frowned, secretly considering countermeasures. If only he could find the witch's original form.

As he pondered his next move, the imposter Homura Akemi and the knife-wielding boy moved simultaneously, their actions almost perfectly synchronized, like puppets controlled by the same string. The imposter Homura Akemi raised her gun and pulled the trigger, while the knife-wielding boy swiftly approached Jiuxiao, his blade gleaming coldly, aimed straight for his vitals.

Jiuxiao's eyes narrowed, and he quickly made a judgment. He dodged the bullets and swiftly jumped behind the imposter Homura Akemi, pushing her towards the knife-wielding boy. The imposter Homura Akemi staggered a few steps from the push, landing right in front of the knife-wielding boy. The blade grazed her shoulder, leaving a wound.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jiuxiao scooped up Akemi Homura from the ground and quickly retreated, putting distance between them. He glanced down at Akemi Homura, who was coughing up blood in his arms, and secretly felt relieved that at least her Soul Gem hadn't shattered and there was still hope of saving her.

However, the imposter Homura Akemi and the sword-wielding boy gave him little chance to catch his breath, and a storm of attacks came down again. Jiuxiao was forced to retreat repeatedly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. While dodging the two's attacks, he quickly searched his mind for a way to break the deadlock.

Jiuxiao quickly made a judgment: although the imposter Homura Akemi possessed the ability to stop time, it was ineffective against him. The real threat came from the sword-wielding boy—his own clone. If the clone possessed all the original's abilities, it would be an extremely difficult battle.

After settling Homura Akemi in a relatively safe corner, Jiuxiao quickly retrieved a katana from his system space. After exchanging blows with the sword-wielding boy a few times, he clearly sensed that the boy's abilities were limited and he hadn't displayed the full power of his true form. This reassured him somewhat; perhaps the witch's copying ability wasn't perfect and couldn't completely replicate the target's abilities. It was also possible that his abilities came from the system, which the witch couldn't replicate.

Regardless, this was an opportunity. A sharp glint flashed in Jiu Xiao's eyes, and he swung his katana fiercely, clashing with the blade of the young swordsman. Sparks flew as the two figures rapidly crossed paths amidst the flashing blades. Each swing of Jiu Xiao's sword carried a fierce killing intent, while the young swordsman's movements appeared mechanical and stiff, as if he were merely a puppet controlled by some force.

Jiuxiao keenly sensed that although the opponent's attacks were fierce, they lacked variation and seemed to be simply imitating his moves without any real combat awareness.

"As expected, the clone is not perfect..." Jiu Xiao was secretly pleased. He suddenly flicked his katana, knocking away the blade of the sword-wielding boy. Then he quickly closed in and slashed straight for the boy's throat.

With a soft "whoosh," the blade sliced ​​through the air, and black liquid gushed from the throat of the sword-wielding youth, his body stiffening for a moment. Seizing this opportunity, Jiu Xiao suddenly shot a fireball from his left hand, striking the sword-wielding youth squarely in the chest. It exploded instantly, engulfing him in scorching flames. The youth writhed in the flames, letting out a piercing scream, before shattering into countless fragments and dissipating into the air like broken glass.

Jiuxiao was slightly out of breath, but he didn't let his guard down. While he was fighting the knife-wielding boy, he was shot several times by the imposter Homura Akemi with a pistol. Fortunately, he was tough, and the bullets only grazed his skin, not causing fatal wounds. But the pain still made him frown, and blood slowly flowed down the wounds, staining his clothes red.

Jiuxiao quickly adjusted his breathing, his gaze fixed on the imposter Akemi Homura not far away like a hawk, and a fire rose in his heart.

"Fine, fine, so this is how you play it?" Jiuxiao sneered, put away his katana, and took out an RPG from his system space. This was something he and Homura Akemi had gotten from the mold base last time.

Jiuxiao shouldered his RPG, a cold smile playing on his lips, his gaze fixed intently on the imposter Homura Akemi. The imposter seemed to sense the danger; the gun trembled slightly, but he didn't stop firing. Bullets whistled through the air, but Jiuxiao remained unmoved, letting them graze his body, leaving streaks of blood.

"Goodbye, be a good person in your next life!?" Jiuxiao murmured softly, his finger firmly on the trigger. A hint of panic flashed in the fake Akemi Homura's eyes. She quickly retreated, trying to create distance, but Jiuxiao had already anticipated her movements.

With a deafening roar, the rocket ripped through the air, hurtling towards the imposter Homura Akemi. She attempted to use her time-stopping ability, but the rocket's speed far exceeded her reaction time, exploding instantly before her eyes. Intense flames and shockwaves engulfed her; amidst the billowing smoke, her figure gradually distorted, ultimately dissipating into countless fragments into the air.

Jiuxiao lowered his weapon and let out a long sigh of relief, but his vigilance hadn't completely dissipated. He quickly turned and walked towards the corner where Akemi Homura was. Her face was still pale, but her breathing had become much more steady. Jiuxiao knelt down, gently helped her up, and whispered, "It's alright now, we're safe."

Homura Akemi slightly opened her eyes and weakly nodded. Kusho discovered that a large portion of Homura Akemi's Soul Gem had been stained black, and her body was unable to repair itself due to a lack of magical energy.

Jiuxiao felt a sudden pang of fear for no apparent reason. Homura Akemi hadn't used any magic; this level of energy expenditure was abnormal! Unless…

Thinking of this, he quickly grasped Homura Akemi's hand tightly, feeling the icy temperature from her fingertips, as if his life was slowly slipping away.

"Hold on, Little Flame!" Jiu Xiao whispered, while continuously replenishing her magic power and purifying the Soul Gem. Perhaps due to insufficient affection, the effect was minimal.

Homura Akemi's thoughts were in utter chaos. She felt as if she were in an endless darkness, her body floating, as if she would be swallowed up at any moment. She heard Kyuu's anxious voice in her ears, but the words seemed to come from a distant place, indistinct and unclear. She tried to respond, to grasp that last glimmer of light, but her body seemed to be bound by an invisible force, unable to move.

Seeing this, Jiuxiao was extremely anxious. Left with no other choice, he had to resort to the "Shock Therapy." With his senior's experience as a precedent, he executed it with ease. He carefully pulled Akemi Homura into his arms, and under her shocked gaze, Jiuxiao pressed his lips to hers.

Homura Akemi's pupils contracted sharply, her body trembling slightly as if struck by lightning. Kushou's kiss was burning hot, as if pulling her back to reality from that endless darkness. Her consciousness gradually cleared, and Kushou's voice became clearer in her ears, no longer a distant and indistinct echo.

Which girl doesn't dream of first love? Homura Akemi had fantasized countless times about the taste of her first kiss, but she never imagined it would happen in such a situation. Kushou's kiss carried a strong, metallic taste of blood, making her momentarily unable to distinguish whether it was her own, Kushou's, or both.

Homura Akemi felt her heart race, her breathing quicken, and a blush rise to her cheeks. At the same time, a pang of panic shot through her, as if she had done something to betray Madoka...

She wanted to push Jiuxiao away, but all her strength seemed to have been drained from her body, leaving her only able to let him hold her tightly. Akemi Homura resigned herself to it, considering it repayment for saving her life. Besides, she didn't seem to dislike this feeling... She closed her eyes, feeling Jiuxiao's body temperature and heartbeat, as if time had truly stopped at that moment.

Jiuxiao noticed that Homura Akemi's body was gradually relaxing, her breathing was becoming much more even, and the Soul Gem was becoming clearer at a visible speed. Only then did he slowly release her. Jiuxiao had been prepared to be slapped or glared at by Homura Akemi, but when he looked down at her, he found that her eyes were somewhat unfocused, her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were slightly pursed, as if she was savoring something.

"Hey, are you... alright?" Jiu Xiao asked tentatively, his voice tinged with nervousness and apology.

Akemi Homura snapped out of her daze, her eyes flickering for a moment before she lowered her head, avoiding Kyuu's gaze. Her fingers unconsciously touched her lips, as if still savoring the sensation. After a moment, she whispered, "Thank you... I'm alright now."

Jiu Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, but felt a mix of emotions. A silence fell over the room, and both of them tacitly avoided mentioning the kiss. Jiu Xiao stood up and reached out to help Akemi Homura to her feet, but she instead used the wall for support, her movements stiff, as if deliberately keeping her distance.

The witch's barrier shattered at that moment, and the surrounding scenery gradually returned to the real world, with the dimly lit abandoned factory reappearing. Homura Akemi lowered her eyes, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her skirt, her heart churning with complex emotions. She didn't know how to face Kusho, nor how to confront the wavering within herself.

Jiuxiao stood to the side, hands in his pockets, his gaze wandering, looking somewhat uneasy. He wanted to say something to break the awkward atmosphere, but the words stuck in his throat.

"The witch... has escaped." Homura Akemi finally spoke, her voice utterly calm, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion. She raised her head, her gaze piercing through the dilapidated iron gate of the abandoned factory, looking towards the distant night sky. Although the witch's barrier had shattered, the witch herself had not been destroyed, meaning that danger could return at any moment.

Jiuxiao snapped out of his daze and quickly chimed in, "It's lucky. I hope I don't run into it again, or it won't get any juice!"

Akemi Homura glanced at Jiuxiao, seemingly trying to express something, before quickly looking away.

"Now is not the time to make threats," Homura Akemi said softly, her tone carrying a hint of coldness and aloofness.

"We must find its trail as soon as possible, otherwise it might harm Madoka." As she said this, Homura Akemi's fingers gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white, clearly indicating that her inner emotions were not as calm as they appeared.

Jiuxiao's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, and his gaze toward Homura Akemi became subtle.

Noticing his gaze, Homura Akemi turned her head slightly, avoiding Kyushou's eyes. As if to dispel her hesitation and wavering, Homura stammered, "What...what did you mean by that look? Did I say something wrong?"

Jiu Xiao shook his head and complained, "You really only have Xiao Yuan on your mind." Jiu Xiao smiled helplessly, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing.

Hearing this, Homura Akemi subconsciously bit her lip, turning her head away and murmuring, "It's...it's none of your business. You'll never understand my feelings for Madoka anyway..." Homura's voice grew softer and softer, until it was almost a whisper. Kushou's words were like a fine needle, gently piercing her defenses, leaving her feeling a strange sense of panic. She didn't know what she was trying to explain; perhaps it was the kiss from earlier, or perhaps it was the guilt she felt deep inside towards someone.

"Alright, alright, whatever makes you happy," Jiu Xiao said dismissively. "However," Jiu Xiao paused, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes, "do you really think that focusing all your attention on Xiao Yuan will solve the problem?" His voice was low, carrying a hint of barely perceptible concern.

Akemi Homura paused, her fingers unconsciously loosening their grip on her skirt before quickly clenching them again. Her gaze remained fixed on Kyuu, but the turmoil in her heart was undeniable. She whispered, "This is the only thing I can do… I must protect her."

Jiu Xiao sighed, scratched the back of his head, and said with a hint of helplessness, "I understand how you feel, but you have to think about yourself too, right? Always pushing yourself so hard will only break you sooner or later."

Homura Akemi's lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she just shook her head gently: "I have no choice... If I don't do this, Madoka, she..." Homura Akemi's voice stopped abruptly, as if the next words would completely break her.

Jiu Xiao looked at her, a hint of heartache flashing in his eyes. He stepped forward and said softly, "Perhaps, you could try relying on someone else, like... me?" Jiu Xiao tentatively suggested, slowly placing his hands on her shoulders.

Homura Akemi stiffened slightly, seemingly surprised by Jiuxiao's touch, but she didn't immediately pull away. Her gaze remained lowered, her eyelashes fluttering gently, like a startled butterfly. The warm touch from Jiuxiao's palm seemed to silently convey some kind of power.

"Can I... trust you?" Homura Akemi's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, as if it were squeezed out from deep in her throat, as if she was trying to suppress some emotion in her heart.

“Yes,” Jiu Xiao continued, trying to persuade her, “You don’t need to shoulder everything alone. Xiao Yuan is important, but you are important too. If you push yourself too hard, you’ll only hurt yourself in the end, and Xiao Yuan will feel guilty about it. So, Xiao Yan, you don’t want to see Xiao Yuan sad because of you, do you?”

Homura Akemi sensed something was off; Jiuxiao's tone and attitude seemed different than usual. She looked up, her eyes filled with doubt and wariness, trying to find a clue in Jiuxiao's expression. However, Jiuxiao's gaze remained gentle, even carrying a softness she had never seen before.

"What...what do you want to do?" Homura Akemi asked in a low voice, her tone tinged with a hint of probing. Her fingers unconsciously twisted together, her inner tension growing stronger.

Jiu Xiao smiled slightly, not answering her question directly, but gently patting her shoulder, his tone reassuring: "Don't be so wary, I'm not a good person... cough cough, not a bad person, and I won't eat you, you're hurting me."

PS: There will be another chapter later

Chapter 157 Homura Akemi's Transformation

Homura Akemi frowned slightly, instinctively taking a small step back, trying to break free from Jiu Xiao's grasp. Although Jiu Xiao's words were joking, the ambiguity and probing made her uneasy. A feeling told her that the boy before her seemed to have ulterior motives. Her gaze was fixed on Jiu Xiao, trying to glean a clue from his expression.

Jiuxiao's smile remained on his face, but his eyes grew increasingly deep, as if he were deep in thought. He slowly withdrew his hand from her shoulder, put his hands in his pockets, leaned forward slightly, and whispered in Akemi Homura's ear, "I just feel that you're too tired, Homura. You've always been giving to others, but you've never thought about yourself. Perhaps... you need a shoulder to lean on, someone you can rely on."

Homura Akemi's heart suddenly raced. Kyuuhou's presence was so close, his voice deep and gentle, carrying an irresistible allure. She wanted to back away, to escape this unsettling aura, but her feet seemed nailed to the spot, unable to move.

"I...I don't need to rely on anyone. I can take care of myself and protect Madoka," Homura Akemi said in a trembling voice. Although her words were firm, her tone began to waver.

Jiuxiao chuckled softly, his voice tinged with a hint of helplessness and doting: "You're still so stubborn. But, Xiaoyan, sometimes being stubborn isn't a good thing. You don't have to bear everything alone; you also have the right to enjoy other people's care and love. Besides, Xiaoyuan isn't alone anymore; I will do my best to protect her just as I did to protect you."

Homura Akemi's breathing quickened. She was struggling internally. Reason told her she should stay away from Kusho, but deep down, a longing lingered—a longing for someone to understand her and share her burdens. Her eyes flickered slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she just bit her lower lip and remained silent.

Jiuxiao noticed her hesitation, a sly glint of triumph flashing in his eyes. He moved closer again, his voice as soft as a whisper: "Xiaoyan, please believe me, I won't hurt you. I just want to help you, to let you know that you are not alone."

At this moment, Homura Akemi's defenses finally crumbled a little. A hint of vulnerability flashed in her eyes, and her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible: "But... if I choose to rely on you, I'll eventually become the cowardly person I used to be..."

Jiuxiao's gaze faltered for a moment, then softened further. He gently took Homura Akemi's hand, the warmth from his palm bringing her a sense of reassurance. "It's alright," Jiuxiao said softly, "Whether you're cowardly or strong, you're both part of Homura Akemi's personality. I value you as a person, not some image you project." Jiuxiao went straight to the point, as if trying to etch every word into Homura Akemi's heart, as if trying to melt away all her hesitation and unease.

Homura Akemi didn't respond, nor did she pull away from Kusou's hand. She simply stood there quietly, letting his warmth travel from her fingertips to her heart. A warm current seemed to envelop her, and that long-lost sense of peace made her unable to think for a moment. She lowered her head, her gaze falling on their clasped hands, her mind a jumble of emotions.

Seeing this, Jiu Xiao smiled broadly, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. His plan had finally taken a crucial step. Jiu Xiao didn't urge her, but waited quietly. He could see that Akemi Homura was going through a fierce internal struggle.

After a long silence, Homura Akemi finally raised her head, a hint of relief in her eyes: "Perhaps... you're right. I've been running away, afraid of relying on others, afraid of becoming weak again. Maybe that's part of my weakness."