The sudden warning from the black-haired girl made everyone frown; most of them could already sense it.
The girl—Homura Akemi—genuinely wanted to help Mami Tomoe.
Yet the two of them seemed to have some sort of conflict, so the ever-gentle Mami treated Homura with unusual hostility.
No one knew what had happened between them, but Homura's line about the Witch's nature being different this time left many with a premonition of something horrific.
The video continued to play. Mami and Madoka Kaname slipped past the Witch's sentries and pressed deeper inside.
They opened a cookie-like door and entered a room lined with all kinds of medicines.
Mami led the way, holding Madoka's hand.
Madoka hesitated for a moment, then said, "Um, Mami-san."
"What is it?" Mami's tone was completely relaxed.
Madoka spoke slowly: "About my wish—I've thought a lot, based on my own situation."
"Have you decided?" Mami didn't sound surprised; a Magical Girl can only be born after making a wish to Kyubey.
Neither Madoka nor Sayaka Miki had become Magical Girls yet, because neither of them had a wish they needed granted.
"Yes, but… well…" Madoka faltered, watching Mami's back. "My idea might be so naïve it'll make you angry."
"What dream do you want to make come true?"
Mami's voice was gentle, as if to say she wouldn't be upset over something so small.
Hearing that, Madoka quietly exhaled and went on: "I've never been good at any subject, and I don't have a single talent to be proud of—nothing at all."
"I figure I'll probably never be able to help anyone; I'll just cause more trouble. I hate that, but it feels like there's nothing I can do."
It was the honest confession of an ordinary girl who felt useless. She wanted to help, yet knew she had no way to.
All this time, Mami and Sayaka had been the ones helping her—she was the one always being helped.
Creak…
Even while talking with Madoka, Mami carefully pushed open the next door.
Madoka watched her and, against the background music, continued: "But then I met you, Mami-san. You showed me what it looks like to fight for the sake of others."
"And you told me that maybe I could do the same—that made me incredibly happy."
"So if I become a Magical Girl, my wish will already be granted."
"Even someone useless like me, if I could be of use to others and hold my head up high, that would be my greatest dream."
As those words left her mouth, Mami let go of her hand and said gravely, "It'll be hard, you know. You'll get hurt, and you won't have time for romance or fun."
It was a warning: being a Magical Girl wasn't as wonderful as Madoka imagined.
Battle brought no joy or satisfaction—only pain and injury, and certainly no happiness.
"But…" Madoka had clearly understood; her expression was resolute. "Even so, the way you never give up, Mami-san, is something I admire."
Mami stopped in her tracks. Calmly she said, "I'm not someone to admire. I'm just forcing myself to put on a brave front."
"Even when I'm scared or sad there's no one I can tell; I can only cry alone. Being a Magical Girl is no picnic."
Magical Girl Illya World.
"That's wrong! That's not true!!!" Illya, perhaps because of her age, shouted at the screen: "Magical Girls stand for justice! No matter how sad or badly hurt, as long as we protect everyone—"
"Illya…"
Just as Illya was about to yell louder, Miyu grabbed her, stopping her mid-sentence.
"Eh?"
Only then did Illya realize they were at the school gate, and a cluster of classmates were staring at her in bewilderment.
Their eyes seemed to ask, What on earth is this girl doing?
Why had she suddenly grown excited and started declaring that Magical Girls exist to uphold justice?
Could it be she'd binged too many Magical Girl shows last night?!!
"!!!!!!"
Illya's face flushed crimson.
Miyu looked exasperated; she took Illya's hand and pulled her inside the school.
They were at the entrance—making a scene would draw crowds—so as long as they found a quieter spot, it'd be fine.
The video kept playing.
After hearing Mami's words, Madoka, gentle as an angel, said, "You're not alone anymore, Mami-san."
"!!!!!!"
Those words shattered Mami's composure; her voice trembled: "Yeah… that's true."
Mami spun around and seized Madoka's hands. Pills rained from above.
Tears shimmered in Mami's eyes as she asked, voice shaking, "Will you really fight alongside me from now on? Will you stay with me always?"
At that instant, the image of the gentle, reliable Mami the audience knew cracked ever so slightly.
However mature and dependable she seemed, right then she showed the heart of a frightened girl.
All this time she'd been fighting alone.
Now, at last, she'd found someone who understood and would fight with her.
Madoka nodded firmly, clasping Mami's hands. "Yes—if I'm good enough."
"Good grief, and here I'm supposed to keep acting the senior." Mami wiped her tears and smiled. "I really can't hold it together, can I?"
"Mami-san." Madoka kept smiling as countless orbs of light rose behind her.
Mami Tomoe said playfully, "But since the chance is rare, you really should wish for something~"
"A contract is a contract; just treat it as a freebie. A billionaire status, a perfect boyfriend—anything goes~"
The tone Mami Tomoe used now was clearly different from moments ago.
If her earlier voice had been the gentle warmth of a friendly neighbor,
then what she spoke with now was the affectionate care of a big sister for her little sister.