One-way traffic

The other party was silent for a few seconds, then spoke again in a deep voice.

"I'm not referring to the fact that you can't beat Hatsune Miku in terms of strength."

"Perhaps you could indeed beat her, but if you actually did that."

She continued, heavily, in a very low voice.

"—What awaits you is an even more dangerous existence."

That's right.

Mami Tomoe might be stronger than Hatsune Miku in some aspects, and it's possible that she could actually defeat her.

However, the truly dangerous person is not Hatsune Miku.

Instead, it was another being that emerged from behind Hatsune Miku after she was injured.

Mami Tomoe has no idea who Homura Akemi is talking about.

However, she noticed something.

—At this moment, Homura Akemi's face showed an extremely heavy expression.

She was somewhat taken aback.

"you…"

"I'm doing this for your safety. If you don't want to get yourself killed, I advise you not to do it."

"If you really offend that person because you are hostile to Hatsune Miku, even I can't save you."

"Think more about yourself, Mami. You're feeling very anxious right now, and you don't have any opinions of your own. You should try to calm yourself down."

"Ha, what are you talking about now? Do you think you know everything?"

He laughed in anger.

Unable to bear the other person's words, Mami Tomoe shouted back, her voice trembling with agitation.

"What do you know? Aren't you just trying to stop those two children from becoming magical girls because of your own selfish desires? Isn't that right?!"

"...So, how are you now?"

Homura Akemi quietly gazed at the girl in front of her.

"Do you dare say that right now, you're not acting out of your own selfish desires, wanting to turn them into magical girls?"

"Varied……?"

The blonde girl's eyes widened, and she involuntarily took a step back.

Even she herself didn't realize that her heart had been deeply stirred by Homura Akemi's words.

In this situation, it would be impossible to continue the conversation normally.

Homura Akemi used her slender hand to slightly lift the long, straight black hair behind her, letting it flutter in the wind.

"Don't let your desires control your heart too much, Mami Tomoe. Your heart is in turmoil right now, and you need to calm down the chaos in your heart immediately."

"Otherwise, this panicked state of mind will eventually get you killed in the battles to come."

That's the last sentence.

A gentle breeze stirred, and Mami Tomoe instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes. When she looked again, Homura Akemi was no longer there.

She left this place for good.

"wait--!"

"Mami, that child just left. She probably used some kind of spacetime magic. Even I can't sense where she went."

Kyubey ran over from the side and looked at Mami Tomoe in front of him.

But the other party ignored her.

"Asami...?"

"...I'm sorry, Cupid."

She whispered, and hugged Cupid back into her arms.

"Please let me calm down for a moment."

Mami Tomoe will not be able to sleep peacefully tonight, no matter what.

——————————————————————————————————————————

Homura Akemi left the scene.

However, although she said those words to Mami Tomoe, she actually understood one thing herself.

Mami Tomoe wanted to turn the two girls into magical girls, and she added some of her own personal desires to the mix.

So, what about my own side?

Homura Akemi wanted to persuade Madoka Kaname to give up her plans to become a magical girl.

How can it not be selfish desire?

They are actually all the same.

However, unlike Mami Tomoe, Homura Akemi is able to confront her own inner self more directly.

And this time…

"Maybe it really can succeed."

Thinking back to those figures that have never appeared before.

Hatsune Miku, and... those who appeared beside her.

That white being, powerful enough to be called a monster.

If, if he were to appear this time.

Maybe it really is possible...

Chapter 104 The Seed of Lamentation Hatched in the Hospital

No matter what they've been through, Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki are still students.

In other words, you still have to go to school.

It's impossible to let something like this interfere with going to school.

"Good afternoon, Sayaka, Madoka~!"

A figure with long green hair walked over from the side.

She had the air of a young lady from a wealthy family, and her behavior was very dignified. She was also wearing the same girls' school uniform from Mitakihara Middle School.

After walking out of the classroom with Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki, it was time for school to end. On weekdays, these girls would gather together and walk home together.

For Hitomi Shizuki, a longtime friend of Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki, today will be just like any other day.

So, it was only natural for her to reach out to these two close friends.

"We'll go back together today too—"

"Um, I'm sorry, Hitomi."

The girl hadn't finished speaking.

Under her gaze, Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki spoke in perfect unison.

"Let's forget about today."

"Eh?"

She blinked; at this moment, Hitomi Shizuki still didn't realize what was going on.

The two girls said with wry smiles.

"Although it's a bit sudden, we actually have some very important things to do after school, so I'm sorry, I can't go home with you today..."

"Well, that's how it is. I'm sorry Hitomi, but we really have something very important to do."

Whether it's Madoka Kaname or Sayaka Miki, they're both saying the same thing.

Under Hitomi Shizuki's silent gaze, the two women waved their hands and then disappeared from her sight.

"...I feel like I don't understand it at all."

And so, they left only the bewildered girl behind.

————————————————————————————————————————

And so it is.

After school, Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki left the classroom.

We are currently in a coffee shop.

"To be honest, this is my first time in a place like this."

"Huh? This is the first time?"

The group of girls sitting on the sofas arranged around each other were a group of girls.

Hatsune Miku and Mami Tomoe, along with Sayaka Miki and Madoka Kaname sitting opposite them, were both summoned by them via phone.

The purpose of summoning them was also very clear.

"Well... I think it's time to make some plans regarding everyone's affairs."

After taking a sip of her very sweet ice cream coffee, Hatsune Miku looked directly at the two girls in front of her.

Right now, Kyubey is curled up on Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki's laps, occasionally munching on the cookies they bought for her.

"If possible, I think it's best to just observe from the sidelines for now."

"Stand bystanders?"

Both girls didn't quite understand the term.

"Well, my idea is a simpler type."

Hatsune Miku doesn't think becoming a magical girl after signing a contract is a good thing, not only because Accelerator told her so, but also because of her own judgment.

Becoming a magical girl and being able to fulfill one's wishes is certainly wonderful, but afterwards one will face dangerous witches and their various familiars. Even Hatsune Miku, who trained with Accelerator for two days, cannot underestimate the power of these monsters.

Telling them directly, "It's too dangerous, you can't become magical girls," is not a good choice either. That might backfire and provoke Mami Tomoe's hostility, which would be an extremely reckless and foolish act.

Therefore, in Hatsune Miku's view, the best option is to first make them aware of the dangers of battle.

"After that, Ms. Mami and I will be responsible for your safety together. You can stay by our side and watch us fight the witches and familiars from the sidelines."

The impact of letting them see the battle itself directly would be the greatest.

Of course, whether they become magical girls or choose to give up, it will be their own choice.

All Hatsune Miku can do is let them see firsthand what kind of dangers they will encounter in battle.

"So, Ms. Mami, what do you think of this proposal...?"

Hatsune Miku turned to look at Mami Tomoe beside her.

However, the other person seemed to be in a daze, simply holding the cup with both hands without saying a word.

"Um, Ms. Asami...?"

"Eh? Sorry, I was a little distracted."

She blinked, and the blonde girl quickly spoke.

"I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm a little... um, it's okay."

She smiled apologetically, then reverted to her usual elegant demeanor.

"Isn't Hatsune's proposal great? Let's just do it her way. While we're fighting, you two can just stand by and watch us fight. If we do this a few times, you'll probably be able to decide whether you want to become magical girls or not, right?"

"That sounds like a really good proposal..."

Both Sayaka Miki and Madoka Kaname thought so.

Although they were a little scared after hearing Hatsune Miku's words, the thought of being able to have any wish granted and become a heroine like those in TV anime made them subconsciously feel excited.

In any case, they have no intention of extricating themselves from this matter.