Madoka Kaname and Hitomi Shizuki had clearly noticed that Sayaka Miki mood had improved significantly lately; she seemed to have regained her spark. They didn't think too much of it, as this was the "normal" Sayaka, but today she seemed even more "energized" than usual.
"How about we go visit Kamijo-kun together after school?"
According to Sayaka calculations, her two best friends shouldn't refuse this suggestion, but to her surprise, both of their expressions turned a bit awkward.
"What's wrong?"
"I have cram school tonight. It'll probably take about two hours."
"And I... I promised to show Homura-chan around a bit..."
Hitomi Shizuki always played the role of the "perfect lady" in class, with grades that were consistently at the top. To maintain those marks, she attended a massive number of cram school sessions, which had only increased since starting eighth grade. As for Madoka, she was the class health representative; after she had taken the newly transferred, somewhat anemic Homura Akemi to the infirmary once, their relationship had blossomed. Under Madoka proactive lead, they had become good friends, and Madoka had naturally promised to show her new-to-town friend the sights.
Sayaka, however, tapped her chin with her finger, already brainstorming a solution.
"Hmm... how about I accompany you and Homura-chan while you window shop first, and then I'll meet up with Hitomi? Hitomi, your cram school isn't too far from the hospital, right? What do you say? I'll treat you all to pudding for dinner... deal?"
Looking at Sayaka, who had her hands pressed together in a pleading gesture, the two girls exchanged a helpless smile and finally nodded in agreement.
"Heehee~ Thanks, Hitomi! Thanks, Madoka!"
An excited Sayaka jumped up and hooked her arms around their necks, nearly knocking all three of them over. After a brief moment of shock, they all broke into happy laughter. After all, this was their precious daily life.
——————
Having just transferred to Mitakihara from a Catholic school in Tokyo, Homura Akemi was naturally sensitive to her unfamiliar surroundings. She had been physically frail since childhood and suffered from poor eyesight; her move to the smaller city of Mitakihara was intended for her recovery. She felt incredibly lucky to have met a new friend at school—Madoka Kaname.
Because Homura was timid and not good at speaking with others, she had felt overwhelmed when her classmates crowded around her. It was that gentle girl who helped her, like a "Prince Charming" in a story, and even personally escorted her to the nurse's office.
So, she was genuinely looking forward to the shopping trip they had planned for today.
Twirling a braid with one hand, Homura didn't even realize that a radiant smile had graced her face.
However, she failed to notice that the number of classmates around her was dwindling, and even the buildings in her periphery were beginning to warp and distort.
The smile on her face slowly froze as she realized something was wrong with her own body.
"Madoka Kaname..."
Muttering the last name that remained in her mind, she stumbled unsteadily toward a certain direction. Unbeknownst to her, a bizarre creature with a comical round head, waving a cane, had appeared in front of her...
On the other side, a similarly excited Madoka finished her cleaning duties and ran to the school gate with Sayaka. To their surprise, Homura Akemi was nowhere to be seen.
"Did Homura-chan head back early?"
"No way. Homura-chan was the one who invited me today..."
Precisely because she was so incredibly kind, Madoka could truly understand others from their perspective. She knew exactly how much Homura had been looking forward to this.
Sayaka didn't overthink it; her impression of Homura was only average. However, she cared deeply about her childhood friend Madoka feelings. With her hands behind her head, she stood tall and scanned the area, trying to spot Homura. Eventually, far down a long slope past the school gate, she saw a fluttering pigtail...
"Madoka! Is that Homura-chan?"
Following Sayaka finger, Madoka squinted, and her whole face lit up.
"Yes! That must be Homura-chan! Let's go check on her! Maybe something happened?"
With that, she took off running.
Seeing her friend's concerned expression, Sayaka let out a helpless smile.
"Seriously~"
Though she sounded like she was complaining, she reached out and snatched Madoka school bag.
"I'll carry this! That way you can run faster, Madoka!"
Many people thought Sayaka Miki was just a tomboy, but Madoka, being her childhood friend, knew very well the gentle heart hidden beneath that boyish exterior...
"Mhm!"
——————
As the three girls left, they didn't notice a mysterious white creature standing atop the school gate.
It looked like a cat, but beneath its feline ears hung massive, drooping ears adorned with strange golden rings. Its sleek body was marked with an odd pattern.
With its round red eyes and a perpetual, enigmatic smile, it looked like a cute toy.
But as it watched the three figures disappear into the distance, it radiated a mysterious aura, as if it were feeling a deep sense of... amusement?
"Kyubey? What's wrong?"
At that moment, a girl with long, curly drill-like hair suddenly appeared at the gate. She looked in the direction Kyubey was staring but saw nothing.
"I feel the scent of a 'Witch' again, Mami Tomoe."
Mami, who had been wearing a gentle smile, instantly turned serious.
"A Witch? Where?"
"Follow me."
With that, it leapt down from the wall.
Unlike its cute appearance, as an "Incubator," it actually possessed no true emotions. Its strange behavior earlier was simply because it had found its next "targets."
'I can't let a Witch harm those girls...'
It believed that when faced with a terrifying Witch, they would surely be willing to accept its "help" and become magical girls.
However, just to be safe—since it had little combat power—it needed Mami Tomoe's help. As for whether she would get in its way?
It believed she wouldn't. It knew that this girl named Mami Tomoe, despite her gentle and mature exterior, was actually incredibly fragile inside due to the loss of her family. She might even proactively help it recruit the girls.
At this moment, it could already see the light of "Victory"!
However, as Kyubey led the way and Mami followed closely behind, they failed to notice that someone was silently watching them...