Chapter Text
To say that Rika's mood after that confrontation with Akemi Homura was bad would be an understatement.
She was absolutely livid, she didn't think that this was how her meeting another looper would have gone.
But the long black haired girl embodied all of Rika's worst qualities without there being anything redeeming about her. Not only that, but she kept pushing all of Rika's buttons, almost like she was doing that intentionally.
Honestly, Rika was glad that in spite of her 100 years of looping she never turned into someone as cynical and heartless as Akemi, she could never imagine herself turning into someone that obsessed.
"Rika," called out Satoko suddenly as they crossed a street to get to their apartment.
Rika could feel herself immediately brighten up as Satoko addressed her—she wasn't sure why this seemed to happen to her, but recently whenever she talked to Satoko her mind started to clear up, and she was more cheerful after the fact.
"Yes, Satoko?" Rika asked as she turned around to her best friend with a small smile.
Satoko looked a bit uncomfortable; she kept glancing back to where they came from. "Are you sure it was okay to leave Hanyu there alone with her?"
"It's alright. Hanyu could look after herself," responded Rika.
"I suppose..." muttered Satoko a bit anxiously.
Rika could feel her smile start to widen, Satoko truly seemed to have a special affect on her.
She then grabbed Satoko's hands and said, "Now come on, today was a long day for us, we should go prepare some food for us and Hanyu."
Satoko relented quickly, and they started to walk back home holding hands all the way there.
At their apartment they soon got to work on preparing for dinner. Rika did most of the prep while Satoko handled the cooking, it was how they usually did this if it was just the two of them in the kitchen.
"Hanyu, I am glad that you're..." Rika trailed off as she saw that it was, in fact, not Hanyu who opened the door.
However, she was not at all alarmed by the person who stepped in, for it was someone Rika was deeply familiar with, even if some small part of her still didn't like the green haired girl who stepped in.
"Sorry, to dissapoint you, Rika-chama," said Shion with a cheeky smile on her face, holding a small package in her hand, "but I am afraid that I am not Hanyu-chan, though I did bring her some sweets from Angel Mort."
"What exactly are you doing here, Shii?" asked Rika curiously as she took the small packet of Angel Mort sweets away from her.
"Family business, but I thought that while I'm here I should visit you three, how is high school treating you thus far?" asked Shion with a small smile.
Rika shrugged as she walked over to the fridge to put the sweets away. "Nipah. It has been going well. Satoko is currently preparing dinner if you want to stay a little longer with us."
At that point, Satoko emerged from the kitchen, most likely because she heard her name being discussed.
"Shion-neesan,"—Satoko's face lit up at seeing the girl and she hugged her—"what are you here for?"
"I have to talk to a few distant relatives of mine on behalf of that old demon, but that's not important now, Rika-chama here offered ro have me for the dinner and I would like to the both of you some."
Satoko frowned as they separated from the hug. "That's good, but we only prepared for three people..."
Rika shrugged with a smirk. "I guess Hanyu will have to eat leftovers then."
"My, my you're quite cruel Rika-chama," laughed Shion. "By the way, where exactly is Hanyu-chan?"
"She's staying...with someone...and let's just leave it at that."
"You don't like this person, Rika-chama?" asked Shion with both some curiosity and wonder.
"No, and we should really just leave it at that."
Shion shrugged in response. "Okay, well I can order some takeout from somewhere, no need for me to steal Hanyu-chan's dinner, but you two can dig in."
They proceeded to do that after a bit more probing from Shion.
"There's also something I wanted you ask you, Rika-chama," said Shion after they finished eating and after Rika put the leftovers in the fridge.
She shot Shion a curious look and motioned for her to ask her question.
"Would you mind, if I borrow, Satoko-chan, for a bit?"
Rika shrugged. "Mii. Not particularly, but why do you need her for, Shii?"
Shion smirked at Satoko who started to fidget. "Oh let's just say that we need to have a private talk."
Satoko looked a bit uncomfortable, but she also nodded along to Shion. Meanwhile, Rika frowned, but then she replied. "Mii, yeah, you can, Shii, just when will she come back though?"
Shion waved her off. "It will be a short talk, so in an hour or two at max she'll be back."
Rika nodded and Shion grabbed Satoko and started to drag her along with her.
They made their way to where Shion was staying, it was a small little apartment, with barely anything in it.
"This apartment belongs to the Sonozakis, I am not sure why they even own something so small, but I guess it's a bit better than staying in a hotel," said Shion as she showed Satoko around.
Satoko, of course, knew that Sonozaki family owned quite a lot of real estate around the area—their current apartment was even one—but she expected most of them to be similar to their current large apartment.
"So, why did you come here, can you be more exact, Shion-neesan?" Satoko asked.
Shion hummed aloud, then she answered, "Let's just say someone has been stealing from the Sonozaki group, and not just money, but also weapons as well.It is kind of frustrating because no one is able to tell who the one robbing is, or even how.
"That's why that old demon sent me here to figure something and to intimidate my uncles to do something about it all. But that doesn't matter at the moment, can you tell me how you and Rika-chama are doing?"
There was a teasing smirk on Shion's face as she asked her question.
In the meantime, Satoko could feel her face light up bright red. Shion was one of the few people she told about her crush, and ever since she never stopped teasing her about it.
She had also provided her with some advice on how she should act on her crush, something which, while Satoko appreciated, she viewed most of her advice as being too direct.
"It's...going...it's certainly going..." she finished with a pause, not totally sure how she should describe it, especially with the recent revelations about Rika and Hanyu.
Shion looked her in the eyes, then put her hands on Satoko's shoulders. "Listen, to your Nee Nee's advice, Satoko-chan, I am sure that nothing bad will happen if you confess."
Satoko glanced uncomfortably to the side. "I...I don't know...what if she is disgusted by it?'
Shion pulled Satoko into a hug. "Don't be so negative, I am sure that Rika-chama will never not see you as a friend at the least. Even if she doesn't reciprocate your feelings. Don't fall into my trap."
"What trap, Shion-neesan?"
"I deeply regret that I was never able to confess my feelings for Satoshi...sometimes I wish that I could do more...more for Satoshi..." she muttered as she relaxed into the hug.
Satoko nodded along in the hug.
"Wish you say? I can help you with that." called out a voice, Satoko skid back immediately trying to locate it till she spotted where it most likely cake from.
It was...it was the Magical Girl making creature, Kyubey, if Satoko remembered correctly, it was standing on the table of the small apartment.
"What...what are you?!" called out Shion as she stared at the thing.
"I am Kyubey, I have come to investigate the girls with large potentials that I have sensed in the city, and you would be perfect candidates."
"Candidates to what?" asked Shion suspiciously.
"To become Magical Girls, of course," it replied swishing its tail back and forth.
"Magical Girls..." Shion muttered with disbelief. "And what do these Magical Girls do, and how would you be able to help me?"
Satoko was dreading where this was going, so she tried to intervene; however, before she could say anything, Kyubey continued. "Magical Girls put their lives at risk in order to fight the curses of Humanity—these curses are also known as Witches—and in exchange for doing this, I grant one wish of yours."
"A wish? Any wish?" asked Shion seemingly skipping over the part where she would have to put her life on the line.
"Indeed, I can grant you any wish."
"Would it...would it include healing a person and waking him up from coma?"
"That's right, if you wish for it, then I can heal anyone you want." it replied in an almost cheerful voice, almost cheerful because even then Satoko could tell that there was no emotion in its tone.
"Shion-neesan, this is not as good as—"
"Shut up!" shouted Shion angrily.
Satoko cringed back. Something about that tone frightened her, but she didn't know why.
"I'll do it...for Satoshi..." muttered Shion and stared down the creature.
"Shion-neesan, no!" yelled Satoko. However, Shion didn't listen to her.
"I...wish for Satoshi to heal, and for him to never get that ill ever again," exclaimed Shion. The creature reached out with its long ears into Shion's chest.
The green haired girl let out a loud scream as bright green light surrounded them. Once the light dimmed, Shion stood there shakily with something clutched in her hands.
And Satoko was staring at everything that transpired with horror and fear. Meanwhile, one the side, the creature was swishing its tail back and forth looking at the two girls with emotionless red beady eyes.
Hanyu arrived late at night, clearly exhausted and fell into the soft embrace of the couch.
"Had a long day, Hanyu?" Rika asked.
The girl in question winced. "Something like that. Tomorrow we're going to meet someone here."
Rika raised her eyebrows. "You're not talking about Akemi, right?"
Hanyu shook her head. "No...I doubt she would even consider coming here after what happened today..."
Somehow Rika had a feeling that Hanyu was not referring to their talk earlier.
"Who is this person?"
Hanyu looked uncertain on whether she should reveal more, but soon acquiesced. "Her name is Aki Mabayu, and she is also a looper."
"Does this city have a property that attracts time loopers?" Rika wondered aloud. "That's the third, well fourth with Satoko, no, no, it would if we include you as well. Anyway, what exactly does this looper want from us?"
"I...don't know, I suppose we will find it out tomorrow, I invited her to come here around afternoon."
Somehow Rika got the feeling that Hanyu had a suspicion of what the other looper wanted, but she didn't call her out, instead she asked her next question. "Is she similar Akemi? If she is, then I don't think we will be able to help her."
Hanyu pursed her lips. "No, she isn't, but that reminded me, Rika, I want you to talk with Homura-san again at some point."
"Why?" asked Rika with a tilt of her head.
"I think of you don't, then something terrible could happen to her."
"And?" asked Rika.
"Rika!" shouted Hanyu. "I know the two of you don't get along, but surely you can sympathize with someone who is stuck looping like you were?"
"I am doing that," responded Rika, "if I weren't, then I would have been far harsher on her than I was in our little talk."
Hanyu glared at her, honestly, that was quite unreal to Rika, normally it was the other way around in their relationship. It was...kind of refreshing to Rika in a way.
"What if you get dragged back into looping, wouldn't you want to avoid that possibility?"
Rika threw her a glare at the question she asked. "I would. However, let's just say that I would sooner want to end myself than continuing on to listen what Akemi has to say."
The purple haired girl then sighed aloud as she gave up on this. "Anyway, where's Satoko?"
Rika shrugged as she walked over to the fridge. "Shii, came over and now she took Satoko somewhere else with her. That reminds me, here."
She handed her the box containing the sweets from Angel Mort. Hanyu's eyes lit up when she saw what was in the box, and she started to eat from it right then and there.
"At least have something else before you go straight to the deserts," muttered Rika with a look of disgust in her eyes.
Hanyu pouted at her, and then asked, "When do you think Satoko will come back?"
She then finished eating all her favorite pastries in the box before Rika could comment anything further.
Rika sighed at Hanyu's behavior. "Any minute now, Shii said that she'll bring her back in an hour or two, and that was two hours ago."
"In that case, I'll just go to sleep. Please tell Satoko what I told you."
"At least eat something before you go to bed, otherwise you'll get stomachache tomorrow, also at least welcome Satoko back before you hit the bed," Rika said in a tired voice. "Honestly, can you try to act a little more dignified, and—"
Whatever Rika was about to say was interrupted by the door swinging open. Rika looked to see who it was and was relieved to see Satoko on the other side, along with her was Shion.
However, something wasn't right; Satoko looked to be frantic and in a panic as she looked around. Then she spotted Hanyu and ran up to her.
"Hanyu, please do something!" Satoko yelled then she dragged Shiom into the room.
The green haired girl was also acting a bit strange, almost lifeless. Then Satoko showed Hanyu, Shion's new ring...a ring far too similar to the one that was worn by Tomoe Mami.
Hanyu got up with a groan, and then dragged Shion into her own room, and closed the door behind them.
Satoko felt Rika wrapping her arms around her, pulling her into a hug, and calming her down. She hoped Hanyu would be able to help Shion.
She didn't want to lose Shion just to get back Nii Nii, she didn't want to trade them. She didn't want Shion to transform into of those monsters.
She felt tears gather in her eyes again. No, I can't think like that. Hanyu surely knows something!
Her vision began to blur, then a hand wiped away the tears; the hand of Rika. "It will all be alright, Satoko," muttered Rika into her ears.
"But..." she mumbled out, "what if...what if it isn't? What if Shion-neesan will become a monster that kills people?"
"I won't accept this Fragment them," said Rika.
"You...you would do that for me?" she questioned.
Rika grimaced. "Not gladly, but you and Shii are my friends. If this Fragment only has suffering in store for you, then I'd go to another one."
Satoko stared at Rika for a few seconds before she tackle-hugged into the couch, and started to cry into her shoulder.
They stayed there for a few minutes till Satoko realized just how close she was to Rika, she tried to move away, but Rika held her close.
"Stay here, please," murmured Rika as she held her close. Satoko fidget a bit, but complied with Rika's request.
"I...why...?" asked Satoko slowly, not quite sure why Rika was holding her so close. Not that she didn't like the feeling, she was just a bit confused by it.
"I want you to know that you can always rely on me, Satoko," answered Rika with a small smile. "So, please don't try to leave, at least not now."
Satoko started to fidget even more as her face turned a bright shade of red. "I...thank you, Rika...there's also something...something I want to tell you, I‐I love—"
"Oh, my, just what are the two of you doing, Rika, Satoko?" asked an all to familiar teasing voice, interrupting Satoko's confession.
Satoko quickly struggled free of Rika without much resistance from the blue haired girl this time, and hugged Shion.
The green haired girl hugged her back with just as much force as Satoko hugged her.
"There, there. Your Nee Nee isn't going anywhere any time soon," muttered Shion into Satoko's ears as she held her close.
Satoko was too distraught to correct Shion's childish nickname for herself that she insisted Satoko use.
Hanyu, meanwhile, looked like she wanted desperately to fall into bed and to never get back up. "If none of you mind, then I would like to go to bed. Have a good night, Rika tell Satoko what I told you."
Satoko could hear her walk away and the door close behind her as Hanyu entered her room.
There was an awkward silence which followed Hanyu's exit, a silence which was not filled till Rika sighed out loud. "I suppose, I should start this by asking what Hanyu has told you, Shion?"
"Not much...just what Magical Girls are, and what they become after their Soul Gems get full with grief, and she also cleansed my one," answered Shion. "By the way, how does Hanyu-chan know all of this? Is she also a Magical Girl?"
Rika giggled at what Shion said. "No, she isn't. What she is, is something I would normally not reveal to either of you, but I suppose I have no other alternative." She took a deep breath to steady herself. "Hanyu is Oyashiro-sama."
The reaction to that statement was instantaneous. Satoko's eyes widened in shock, and in...fear? While Shion's reaction was a bit more subdued, she was, nevertheless, also really shocked by this revelation.
"Does...does that mean...she knows what I did to the statue?" Satoko asked, her voice trembling a bit.
"Wait? That was you?" asked Shion in worry.
Rika waved that off. "Yes, she knows. Don't worry about it though. Hanyu doesn't hate you, you're one of her closest friends."
This calmed down Satoko somewhat, even if she was still a bit anxious about Oyashiro-sama being real, and knowing that it was Satoko who broke the statue's hand.
"Well," muttered Shion slowly, "how should we treat Hanyu-cha... I mean Oyashiro-sama...then?"
Rika turned to her. "Just treat her the same way you have always treated her when you didn't know. Don't refer to her as Oyashiro-sama, especially infront of the others."
Shion nodded along, and Satoko asked something else, "I should probably apologize for breaking that statue, right? Even if she knows and doesn't hold it against me."
Rika hummed to herself. "You can, Hanyu would most likely appreciate it as well. But, there's something else we need to talk about too. There's a Magical Girl Hanyu invited here tomorrow, I'd like for Shii to either come back here around the afternoon, or just stay the night, if you nothing to do tomorrow."
The green haired girl appeared to be deep in thought. "I guess I could stay here, but I...I want to see the results of my wish, so I will have to decline this offer to stay here, Rika-chama."
Satoko blinked up at Shion, and then her eyes widened, as she had just realized something really important.
Nii Nii, he's...he should be fine now. He should no longer be in a coma!
"Your wish was about Satoshi, wasn't it?" asked Rika as she looked between them. Then she sighed. "You should go then, Coach may contact you any minute now, or he might just wait to contact you in the morning. But once you know the results of your wish, please come back here ideally with Satoshi, so that Satoko can also see him."
Shion nodded and quickly went to the front door; however, just as she was about to leave, her phone rang. She looked down and saw from whom the call was coming from, and swiftly picked it up.
"Coach?" Shion asked into the phone.
"..." came a long reply from Doctor Irie, a reply which Rika wasn't able to hear.
Whatever Doctor Irie's reply was, the reaction on Shion's face could not be mistaken for anything else but pure joy. "That means...should I come now, or tomorrow morning?"
"..."
"Morning, okay, okay. Thank you, Coach. Thank you," Shion then hung up on Irie.
Satoko was the first one to ask, "Is...is Nii Nii fine?"
She was still a bit unsure about that Magical Girl creature, Kyubey, being to grant wishes, but if Nii Nii was fine, then the granting Wishes part was at least real.
Shion smiled brightly and embraced Satoko in a hug. "Yes! The doctors in the clinic ran some tests on him before Coach contacted me, and and he got a clean health bill!"
Satoko returned the embrace with tears of joy, then she separated from Shion and dragged Rika into their hug much to the blue haired girl's confusion.
In spite of her apparent surprise, Rika returned Satoko and Shion's hug with smile on her face.