One-way traffic

"I, what exactly am I..."

What should we do?

"Sayaka."

The helpless girl heard the voices of those around her.

When he came to his senses again, Hatsune Miku was already in front of him, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"Becoming a magical girl was originally a dangerous choice for you, but... just like you said yesterday, this is your future, and you have the right to make your own choice."

"Make a careful choice about what path your future will take."

My own future…

The girl closed her eyes tightly.

Do you have the courage to become a hero?

Do you have the courage to do what a hero should do?

Can you eliminate the truly evil person standing before you, who is above all fear?

If you can't do it, then get back to your original world.

There is only one way forward; there are no other paths.

—In the past, that white-haired, red-eyed man who called himself evil said this to himself.

Yes, that's right... that's exactly it.

Being a magical girl is not an easy job.

He lacked the courage to become a hero, and he didn't have the spirit that only heroes possess. After hearing about Sakura Kyoko's story, he even considered giving up.

Yes... I can't become a hero myself.

If making a wish for someone else would bring misfortune to everything.

So... my path is already very clear.

She opened her eyes.

"...I've already made up my mind."

Sayaka Miki looked solemnly at the two people in front of her.

"I would choose to become a magical girl, but not now."

"And... in any case, I will never again fulfill my own wishes for others."

"I became a magical girl for something I wanted to do, nothing more."

"Magic, miracles, wishes—everything… was used for my own purposes!"

"I am no longer confused."

She made a new choice.

Just as she said, Sayaka Miki will never again walk down a path of confusion.

She has made it clear why she became a magical girl, and she will never again use her power for others without any purpose.

Both Sakura Kyoko and Hatsune Miku could clearly see the burning conviction in her eyes.

"...Finally, I got through to them."

The girl with the red ponytail breathed a sigh of relief.

Although it seems that it still can't change the other person's idea of ​​becoming a magical girl, however...

When you can clearly see in her eyes that she will no longer act for vague purposes, but truly act for what she wants to do, it is already reassuring.

Sayaka Miki is fine now.

"Thank you... Sayaka Miki, this is my name."

"Ugh, this is so annoying... Oh well, Kyoko Sakura."

The red-haired girl scratched her head and said impatiently.

"This is my name. Now that the boring stuff has been resolved, there's no need to stay with you any longer."

"No...it's not over yet."

She shook her head, and an expression of unwavering determination appeared on Miki Sayaka's face.

"Please, I absolutely have to treat you to afternoon tea!"

"Huh? Hey, wait a minute! Didn't we just eat? Who could eat now!"

"Okay, Hatsune Miku, let's go eat another meal together. This time, please let me pay!"

"So listen to me! Didn't we just come out of that shop? Are we going back now? Who can eat that?!"

Despite Sakura Kyoko's strong desire to escape, she was powerless to resist the persistent Miki Sayaka.

And so it was a scene full of harmony.

"...You've finally gotten over your troubles, Sayaka."

Although it seems she still wants to become a magical girl.

However, in any case, Sayaka Miki's problem has been solved.

Hatsune Miku smiled happily, genuinely pleased with the occasion.

…Very good.

Perhaps, in doing so, we can prevent a tragedy from happening.

With that thought in mind, the girls went back into the dessert shop next door.

"So you just came out of here! Don't drag me back in, I can't eat anymore—!!"

There was also Sakura Kyoko, who was being dragged in while wailing.

Chapter 120 The Strongest White that Blocks Cause and Effect

He walked home alone.

Kaname Madoka walked here quietly, and she had been doing so for the past three days.

…Sayaka.

"Did I... do something really bad...?"

For three days, Sayaka Miki didn't say a single word to him.

It was clearly my most important friend all along.

They are friends I absolutely cannot lose.

Why...why?

Why does it have to come to this?

Honestly... I just can't figure it out no matter what.

With the mind of a mere second-year junior high school student, Madoka Kaname could only think this far.

"That's not your fault at all, Xiaoyuan."

Then, a voice came from behind.

"Eh?"

The girl was startled and quickly turned around.

She recognized the voice from earlier.

She knew who the voice belonged to.

"you--!"

She couldn't help but widen her eyes, staring intently at the shadow that had appeared in front of her.

—A pure white creature that only she could see walking down the street behind her.

"Chubby?!"

"Don't be so nervous about my presence."

Kyubey, who had not appeared for several days and dared not show himself in front of them, has now come before them once again.

A pure white creature walked over step by step, still wearing that eerie smile.

Kaname Madoka took a step back as if she were still in shock.

"I've already said it, I could never have any malice towards you humans, let alone a girl like you who has the potential to become a magical girl."

Ignoring Madoka Kaname's somewhat frightened expression.

Since no one else around could possibly see it, no one would notice even if Kyubey spoke in a very loud voice.

"So far, apart from simply wanting to sign a contract with you, I have not shown any malicious side. On the contrary, I have no need to unleash such useless malice on you humans."

"Then, what are you trying to do...?"

"I just want to have a brief chat."

Kyubey blinked and met the girl's eyes.

"Madoka Kaname, I want to have a serious talk with you about what's going to happen now and in the future."

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

A full fifteen minutes passed after school ended.

Madoka Kaname sat on a bench, alone with Kyubey on the bench.

Madoka Kaname sat on the far left, while Kyubey stretched out comfortably beside her.

The girl had a confused expression on her face.

"...Why? Why do you insist on signing a contract with me no matter what?"

"Because Xiaoyuan, you have outstanding talent."

"It's not just that... If it's about qualifications, there should be other girls who are better than me, right?"

Madoka Kaname paused for a moment, then placed her hands on her chest.

"...I've always been weak, unable to do anything, unable to help others, and unable to do anything...How could someone like me possibly have the qualifications to become a magical girl?"

“You’ve got it completely wrong, Xiaoyuan.”

That was a completely definitive statement.

Kyubey looked at Madoka and said directly.

"In this world, there is probably no one more qualified to become a magical girl than you."

"Eh--?"

What?

"What does this mean...?"

“Your aptitude is different from that of ordinary magical girls. If you were to become a magical girl, the other children with aptitude would at best be ‘powerful’.”

“But you are different, Madoka Kaname. You have a different kind of talent than ‘powerful’.”

In other words.

"—If, if you could really become a magical girl."

Without hesitation, Cupid spoke his next words.

"Perhaps, you could even become an omniscient and omnipotent god?"

"Eh? You, what did you say?"

My heart was instantly and deeply shaken.

Madoka Kaname's beautiful eyes widened, and it was no longer just a matter of simple astonishment.

"God? Me? Me?!"