As the bell rang, students left the classroom in small groups. Most headed toward the club buildings, while a few "Home-time Club" members headed for the gates.
Sayaka Miki chatted with a few classmates for a while before grabbing her bag. Mami Tomoe and Kyoko Sakura were already waiting for her at the stairs.
"Sorry, Mami-san, Kyoko! Kept you waiting~"
Mami smiled and shook her head.
"It's fine. But Sayaka, I still don't think you should have quit your clubs..."
"Mami-san, I've found what I want to do. Everyone in the club understood and cheered for me, so it's okay~"
Seeing Sayaka determined face, Mami sighed but didn't push further.
"By the way, where are Madoka and Homura?"
"Madoka went to the hospital with her first. They'll meet us after our 'part-time job' is done~ Come on, let's go. I don't want to lose today!"
Kyoko looked annoyed, but she seemed high-spirited. Sayaka laughed and grabbed her hand.
"Let's move!"
The three left the school and headed toward a cluster of damaged buildings—the site destroyed during the "Walpurgisnacht" event. Inside the ruins, Kyoko flicked her finger; a red ring, glowing like magma, appeared. With a flash of crimson light, she was back in her "Magical Girl" outfit. The only change: the Soul Gem was gone, replaced by an apple-shaped "Gem."
Mami was the same, except her Soul Gem had become a small teacup-shaped gem.
Kyoko looked at Mami transformation and then pouted at her own chest.
"That guy, seriously. Why is Mami a teacup and I'm an apple? It makes me look like a kid!"
It was hard to tell if she was complaining about the shape or something else, but Mami comforted her with a smile.
"Maybe because Doctor Lancer knows you like apples? I think it's cute. It suits you~"
Kyoko didn't argue further, simply shouldering her chain-spear and heading into the ruins. But Sayaka, watching closely, noticed the tips of Kyoko ears were flushing red. Sayaka didn't know what to say, so she simply followed behind with her schoolbag.
Unlike the other two, Sayaka didn't transform—meaning she wasn't a "Magical Girl"—but she wasn't unprepared. She picked up a discarded iron pipe from the ground. The pipe was instantly covered in a pale blue aura, clearly reinforced.
Kyoko took the lead, Mami watched the rear, and Sayaka stayed in the middle. They cautiously searched for the "enemies" that could appear at any moment.
With "Kyubey" gone and the Grief Seeds collected by Lancer, no new "Witches" would ever be born. However, the omnipresent "negative emotions" would still naturally cluster together to form monsters known as "Wraiths." Kyoko and the others' "part-time job" was to eliminate these Wraiths.
As for why Sayaka followed them?
Simple. Because of the nature of the "Transformation," ordinary people couldn't see Mami or Kyoko. If the situation involved civilians, it was up to Sayaka to handle the "public" side.
As she once said: "Magical girls solving Witches is as cool as being a Hero of Justice."
Though she didn't intend to be a "Magical Girl," she was working hard to be a "Hero of Justice" through her own efforts.
Meanwhile, Homura Akemi was at the hospital receiving "treatment" from Lancer. Her previous vulnerability to the Familiars was due to her physically weak body. Thinking back, if she had really been taken, "Devil Homura" might have intervened, and who knows what would have happened then.
Having received the gifts of the "Law of Cycles" and "Devil Homura," Lancer wanted to do something for Madoka and the mortal Homura. Lancer felt a bit of suspicion from Homura whenever he asked about it, but when Madoka directly asked if he could heal her friend, Lancer readily agreed.
Unlike Mami and Kyoko, who wanted to keep protecting people as magical girls, the "civilian" Madoka and Homura didn't ask about magic. Lancer didn't push the subject; letting them live normal lives by their own will was, in his eyes, the best choice.
However—
"Madoka, once 'that place' is finished being decorated, do you want to come over and play?"
Madoka, who had been watching the sleeping Homura, was surprised but then realized what he meant and nodded.
"Mhm~"
Lancer primary goal at the hospital was treating Homura; the invitation was secondary. With both done, he stretched his arms.
"In that case, stay with her for now. I should get back to 'work'."
He waved and left the room with a smile. Once he was gone, Madoka couldn't help but giggle.
"Madoka? What are you laughing at?"
The sudden voice delighted Madoka.
"Homura~ You're awake! That's great~ How do you feel? Is your body better?"
"Much better. My body feels lighter. But, Madoka, you haven't answered my question."
Homura looked helpless as Madoka fussed over her, but she didn't forget her point. Madoka just tilted her head.
"It's nothing. I just think Doctor Lancer is a bit strange~ He helped everyone so much but never says a word about it~ Truly an odd man~"
Hearing that, a glint flashed in the eyes of the girl on the bed.
In her experience, feelings often started with "curiosity"...
"Doctor Lancer... is a great foe..."
Madoka laughed and pinched her cheek.
"Doctor Lancer just healed you, you know~"
"I know. I am grateful for that. But... a great foe is still a great foe!"
Madoka shook her head, confused by Homura's cryptic words, and finally just gave her a hug.
"Whatever the case, congratulations~ Homura, you're healthy now~"
The serious Homura was momentarily stunned by the hug, but then she smiled and hugged her back.
"Mhm~"