One-way traffic

Facing the three people in front of her, Mami Tomoe's expression seemed to become somewhat apologetic.

"I'm sorry, in the past, that child was someone who was by my side, like my apprentice..."

"Huh? Does that mean that Ms. Kyoko is actually your former partner, Mami-senpai?"

"...But after that, we went our separate ways."

Mami Tomoe spoke in a deep voice.

"For some reason, Kyoko and I could no longer get along, which eventually led to the child fighting with me, and in the end... she chose to leave my side for good."

Everyone finally understood why Mami Tomoe was so fixated on her companions.

Because we've lost something before, we learn to cherish it; that's probably the reason why.

"Mami-senpai, um..."

"It's okay. Although Kyoko used to be my partner, I still have you all by my side now."

Mami Tomoe smiled and looked at the people around her with great gratitude.

"Thanks to you all, I was able to pull myself together. And thank you so much, Yan. If you hadn't called me over in time, Kyoko might have done something even more dangerous."

No matter what, she couldn't possibly want to see her former partners and current partners fighting each other.

Not to mention Sakura Kyoko, who is still the same as before.

"If it were Kyoko, it could very well have resulted in both of them being severely injured, or even worse. It's so good that we were able to stop this fight in time."

At least that's how it seems to Mami Tomoe.

Accelerator didn't bother to say anything.

"So... what exactly was the reason that Kyoko attacked you, Accelerator?"

"I also want to know what's wrong with that kid who's wielding a gun. I don't even know him."

No…maybe not.

Accelerator narrowed his eyes, pondering what Sakura Kyoko had said earlier.

The outcome was not hard to predict.

"So it really is Kyubey...?"

"Tsk, that bastard, even if he's hiding in the shadows and doesn't dare to face us, he still has to do this kind of pointless thing?"

Perhaps now that Cupid is in a situation where everyone is on guard, it is unable to properly carry out its plan. However, it can still get other unsuspecting people involved.

Sakura Kyoko is probably one of its pawns.

However, it could never have imagined that Accelerator's strength was beyond its comprehension.

That being said, if the people of Academy City heard the name Accelerator, they probably wouldn't understand what it really meant.

Thinking about such trivial matters, the first person turned his gaze to the girl beside him.

"So, what brings you here?"

The person he was asking was not Mami Tomoe, but someone else.

It's Homura Akemi.

"You wouldn't normally get involved in this kind of thing, so what brought you here this time?"

He didn't think Homura Akemi's actions were just simple. Although she was the same age as those kids, he could sense something in this girl that shouldn't belong to someone her age.

Since she's taking action, it means she must have something to do.

"I want to bring you all together."

Without hesitation, she said what she wanted to say.

"Although Sayaka Miki isn't here, the fact that she didn't become a magical girl is already the best-case scenario."

"Um, what exactly do you want to say...?"

Madoka Kaname stood to the side and asked in confusion.

Homura Akemi glanced at everyone, and her expression changed immediately.

It became more serious.

"You asked me this morning what exactly this calamity meant."

"Now I'll tell you what that thing is."

Homura Akemi raised her hand and grasped a Grief Seed directly in her palm.

But what she wanted to say was something that transcended the existence of such things.

"Two weeks from now, a witch will attack this city."

"Unlike any witch we know, it will be the most powerful. It will be the strongest and greatest witch in history, in the world, ever before."

"Its existence will destroy the entire Mitakihara. I alone cannot stop it."

The other two blinked in surprise, while Accelerator continued to stare at her.

"What's that witch's name?"

Homura Akemi turned her head and spoke in a low, somber tone.

"Witch's Night."

"It is a powerful symbol, a representation of the end times."

"To think you could defeat it is a pipe dream... let alone by one person alone."

"So, Homura-kun actually came to Mitakihara to defeat Witch Night?"

Mami Tomoe seemed to understand somewhat.

The Witch's Night... She had heard similar rumors before.

It is a terrifying existence of unprecedented level in the world. It is the epitome of the strongest in itself. To date, no magical girl has been able to defeat it head-on.

If it intends to come to Mitakihara, then its power is even enough to affect reality through the witch's barrier.

In that case, Mitakihara's fate would be destruction.

If that's the case, then the whole series of events that led to Homura Akemi coming to Mitakihara as a transfer student can be understood.

"You transferred here to prevent the Witch's Night from coming... is that right?"

"So, Homura came here to protect everyone...?"

There were many questions, but she did not respond.

The girl with long, straight black hair lowered her head slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

…Everything was being observed by the person in the first position on one side.

"The power of Witch's Night is undeniable; I simply cannot defeat it by my own strength."

"That's why I said that if we can gather all of you together and rely on the strength of more people, we can definitely defeat it."

"It doesn't matter how it is."

Accelerator interrupted her.

"You said your purpose in coming here was for that night? Then why are you stopping this brat from becoming a magical girl?"

"Eh…?"

That seems to be the case.

Madoka Kaname and Mami Tomoe were stunned. If Homura Akemi's goal was to find more magical girls, gather them together, and form a stronger team, then why not let Madoka Kaname become a magical girl as well?

Although the outcome will be tough for Madoka Kaname, she is someone even Kyubey considers to be highly qualified.

If we can successfully turn Madoka Kaname into a magical girl, we will have more powerful combatants, and the success rate will be much higher.

but why?

Why did Homura Akemi consistently refuse to let her become a magical girl?

"And, what I'm more concerned about is, how did you know when that thing would arrive?"

"Mr. Fangfang?"

"Don't interrupt me. That 'Night of the Night' thing couldn't have been targeting this city from the start, could it? And how can you be so sure that guy was definitely heading towards Mitakihara?"

There are suspicious points everywhere.

Accelerator spoke in a very calm tone, but said something that completely shattered Homura Akemi's composure.

no respond.

He narrowed his eyes and said nothing more.

"...In conclusion, my purpose is actually very simple."

She looked at everyone again and spoke in a very stern tone.

"The Witch's Night will bring unimaginable harm to this city, so I hope you can help me."

"Even if it's just for this city, every extra person adds to the strength... I want to defeat Witch Night."

That was an absolutely serious tone.

Homura Akemi genuinely wanted to do this.

"...No problem."

As expected, Mami Tomoe chuckled softly.

"I will never leave danger unattended, no matter what. It's not just that I want to help you, it's also my duty as a magical girl."

"Mami-senpai...!"

Kaname Madoka looked at the girl in front of her with great admiration, and Tomoe Mami smiled calmly.

So, only the last scenario remains.

Homura Akemi nodded, and immediately made a plan—

"I reject."

--Eh?

Everyone was stunned and stood there dumbfounded.

What?

"What did you say?"

"Didn't you hear me?"

The white-haired, red-eyed man simply turned his head away.

His answer was simple and would never change.

"I said I refuse, and I don't intend to help you when it comes to that witch's night."

"Do you understand now?"

Madoka Kaname and Mami Tomoe both wore expressions of utter astonishment.

of course.

The most striking figure was still the girl with long, straight black hair.

She never expected to receive such a response.

Chapter 117 Each Other's State of Mind

Then, it was like the air had been frozen.

The atmosphere suddenly became strange.

What...are you saying?

It's like a situation that's incomprehensible.

No, in fact, this is a situation that Homura Akemi truly cannot understand.

She had considered the possibility of rejection, but that was in the past. Judging from the current situation, even if the other party were to reject her, they should at least say something else first.