One-way traffic

But he didn't.

Accelerator, standing in front of the girl, ruthlessly rejected everything she said.

"--Why?"

Incomprehensible.

Therefore, it was precisely because she couldn't understand that she fell into a state of somewhat losing her composure, something she hadn't done in a long time.

"Why? Why did you refuse my request...?"

She had assumed that if it were him, if it were this person, he should be able to understand her.

Moreover, they are fundamentally different.

"Do you know what? If Witch's Night successfully invades this city, the entire Mitakihara will be destroyed!"

The power of the Witch's Night is enough to destroy human civilization.

If left unchecked, sooner or later, even humanity on the surface of the earth, and even the entire planet, will be burned to ashes.

The most pressing issue now is Mitakihara. According to Homura Akemi, if this isn't stopped, Witch's Night will mercilessly wipe out the entire city.

Everything will end, and everyone will die.

This was something Homura Akemi was all too familiar with.

The words Accelerator is saying now are like ruthlessly extinguishing the last remaining light in a dark mine.

The only glimmer of hope that could be seen vanished.

however.

"Don't get me wrong."

Standing at the top, the number one position also has another obvious identity.

"I'm not a righteous hero, just a villain. You're asking a villain to do things that only good people should do? Are you out of your mind?"

Accelerator does try his best to prevent ordinary people from getting involved in the events around him, but that doesn't mean he will unhesitatingly do everything to protect everyone.

That's something only good people and heroes should do.

He's nothing more than a simple villain.

the most important point is.

"Besides, in the end, you weren't planning to fight Witch Night to protect the people in this city, were you?"

"What…?"

Homura Akemi's expression became emotional once again.

"You say you're gathering all your forces to protect the people of Mitakihara and then plan to defeat Witch Night, but it's not that simple, is it?"

The number one in Academy City, she stands at the absolute pinnacle in any field.

Naturally, this also includes the ability to see through people's hearts.

"Putting aside all the suspicious points in your words, just considering your motives, you definitely didn't just intend to take action to protect the innocent citizens here."

"If we set aside the reason of fighting Witch Night to protect the city of Mitakihara, there is probably some other reason driving you to fight."

This is Accelerator's perspective.

Homura Akemi didn't reveal everything; she still held back some information.

Her motivation for fighting Witch Night was definitely not just about protecting the city of Mitakihara; she was also hiding something else, something even more important.

"I have no interest in playing this game with you any longer. If you can't even speak clearly, then this boring partnership should just end as soon as possible."

His meaning is already quite clear.

Accelerator stared at Homura Akemi and said in a displeased tone.

“I have no interest in helping a boring brat do this kind of thing… let alone the fact that you won’t even tell the truth to others.”

"At least, don't expect me to do anything stupid with you until you tell the whole truth."

The most basic condition for cooperation is that it should be based on mutual openness of information.

Homura Akemi is now so unwilling to reveal her thoughts to her collaborators that how could anyone possibly help her?

She should understand this herself, right?

That is indeed the case.

But how could one possibly say that?

She gritted her teeth and suppressed all her desires.

She stared intently at the strongest superpowered individual in front of her for a moment, then turned away.

"Wait, wait a minute! Xiaoyan!"

Madoka Kaname tried to stop her, but Homura Akemi disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Accelerator did nothing but quietly watch her leave.

"...Is this really okay?"

Madoka Kaname turned her head, her face showing some worry.

"Um, Xiaoyan, she was just thinking about the city, right? She didn't do anything wrong. To just reject her like that... isn't that a bit too much?"

"There's no such thing as 'passing' or 'not passing'; the right to choose is entirely in my own hands."

This is the simplest and clearest attitude.

"No one can force someone to do anything, not even if you point a gun at their head. Everyone has the right to make their own choices. No one can force anyone to do anything. It's that simple."

This is neither an obligation nor a fundamental principle. Accelerator is neither a hero nor a saint. He has no need to do things that only heroes and virtuous people should do.

Therefore, he is entitled to make any decision.

just.

"...That's not how it came about, is it?"

He was met only with laughter.

Kaname Madoka was puzzled. She looked to her side and saw that Tomoe Mami was actually... chuckling?

"Eh? Mami, Mami-senpai..."

"What I mean is, no matter what, you'll actually help Yan-kun, right?"

huh?

Madoka Kaname blinked, her two ponytails twitching symbolically, as if to express the girl's confusion.

"It's actually a very simple thing."

And so, Mami Tomoe explained it to the puzzled girl beside her.

"No matter what, Witch's Night will attack Mitakihara. At that time, no one will be able to escape unless they flee the city of Mitakihara directly. But you, Ichikata, are not planning to leave no matter what, are you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have made a special trip to Mitakihara for this."

"In that case, it means..."

"That's right. No matter what, whether he agrees to Homura Akemi's request or rejects her, he will eventually have to meet with Witch Night and fight back, as long as he intends to stay in this city."

In other words, from the very beginning, there was only one option for one-way travel.

As long as he intends to stay in this city, he will definitely face the Witch's Night and fight against it; it's that simple.

He had no choice from the beginning; no matter what, he would eventually join the fight against the Witch's Night.

"So, that means?"

"Yes, he only verbally rejected Homura-kun. In reality, no matter what he chooses, he can only fight Witch Night."

Isn't that just being dishonest?

Thinking this, Madoka Kaname blinked and couldn't help but look at the other person to the side.

"...Think what you want."

Accelerator turned his head away and casually put his hands in his pockets.

"No matter what, I just simply don't like it."

"That long-haired brat always has that dark look on her face. Let's just teach her a lesson, you bastard."

In other words, the answer is already quite obvious.

Although Accelerator says he will refuse Homura Akemi, his only real option is to confront Witch Night head-on.

He will help Homura Akemi fight against Witch Night no matter what.

That's just being dishonest.

So... that's how it is?

A slightly pleased smile appeared on Madoka Kaname's face.

"Mr. Fangfang...!"

"Tsk, stop spouting nonsense."

"Oh dear, that's really not being honest. Even though the outcome is unavoidable, you still have to verbally refuse."

"...If you want to be beaten, just say so."

Amidst various conversations, the three people left the warehouse and slowly walked away in the distance.

I should have thought of this earlier.

—The black-haired figure hiding behind the warehouse couldn't help but murmur to himself.

With mixed feelings, she came out, her face displaying an extremely complicated expression.

I received help.

Although the other person verbally refused, they still intended to help them regardless.

…This must be the first time in history that this has happened.

"In all these cycles of reincarnation, is this the first time someone has been willing to help me...?"

The girl gazed up at the rising moon and whispered to herself.

Her long, black hair swayed gently in the night breeze.

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

On the way home.

It was almost dinnertime, and even the moon had risen.

For junior high school students who have just entered the second grade, this is already close to the time when they will be home from curfew.

However, Sayaka Miki didn't care much about these things anymore.

"What's wrong? You don't look too energetic."

"...What am I supposed to do in this situation?"

To prevent Kyubey from appearing before her again, Hatsune Miku escorted her all the way home.

Kyubey is the kind of person who can use all sorts of clever language to bewitch others. If Sayaka Miki were to encounter it again in her current state, there's a high chance she would sign a contract with it directly.

If it were just about becoming a magical girl, it wouldn't be a big deal. However, after witnessing Mami Tomoe's situation yesterday, Hatsune Miku's understanding of magical girls has changed.

In any case, we must not let children like Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki get involved.

"What happened today, well, how should I put it, I really should remember it well."

While following behind Sayaka Miki, Hatsune Miku said softly.

"Whether it's magical girls, Kyubey's matter, or Sayaka's own matter, I think we need to think it over carefully before making a decision."

"In any case, it's a decision about your own future, and if you make a choice impulsively—"

"—This is my own business, isn't it?"

A slightly cold voice interrupted her.

Sayaka Miki said this to Hatsune Miku without turning her head.