Chapter Text
Loud coughs rang out in the house as Madoka woke up. She briefly untangled from Homura-chan, who curled up against her.
Last night they went back to Ken's apartment and Naoki confirmed that Sayaka, Mami, and Kyoko were alive again, and that their souls returned to their bodies, along with gaining Personas.
After that Ken informed them that they'll be moved a Kirijo affiliated Hospital in the city, which will look after them.
He also promised to inform them about everything today at lunch time.
She smiled at Homura as she went to dress up and to check out where the sound was coming from.
Thus, she soon found herself outside Naoki's room. Papa was already in there checking on the boy in question.
He also looked really ill, then Papa noticed her. "Ah, Madoka, you're awake, can you get a thermometer for me?"
Madoka nodded and went to get one, and she soon returned triumphantly with a thermometer in her hand.
She handed the thermometer to Papa, who soon started to check his temperature.
"Yeah, it looks like you have fever, Naoki," said Papa as he checked his temperature. "A very high one, as well."
Naoki groaned in the bed, but didn't say anything.
Papa cleared his throat and looked at her. "I'll inform the school." He then turned to Madoka. "Can you inform your friends about this as well?"
Madoka nodded.
"What's going on?" asked a new voice.
Madoka turned around to see Homura-chan in the doorway. "Naoki is sick," she said to her.
"Ah...well, I wish you speedy recovery then," said Homura-chan.
The boy blinked up at her, and muttered something that they couldn't decipher.
"Aww..." groaned Alice when Madoka told her about Naoki being sick as they ate lunch on the rooftop. "Does this mean that we'll not go hunting Witches?"
Ken, whom Alice sat next to, looked between them. "We don't strictly require his navigational skills, after all, you and Takashi-San can also function as navigators, as proved by our last mission. But, I was just thinking...how about we relax for today, and not think about Witches, hopefully by tomorrow, Naoki will feel better."
Takashi nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think we should wait for a bit while Miki-san, Tomoe-san, and Sakura-san recover."
Ken perked up at that. "That actually reminds me of something, I have been informed that they woke up this morning, so we should go to visit them."
"That's great!" exclaimed Kyosuke. "When exactly are we planning the visit?"
Ken hummed. "If all of you can make it, then I would prefer be after school."
Madoka visibly relaxed when she heard that, and she started to smile.
"Before the break ends, can...can I talk to Homura-san for a second?" asked Takashi somewhat nervously out of the blue.
Alice shot a curious look at him, while Madoka frowned. And Homura-chan looked at him critically before she agreed.
"So, why did you want to talk to me?" asked Homura while she stared at Takashi.
He looked to the side. "I suppose that I wanted to apologize for my early conduct towards you, I probably should have apologized yesterday, but I wanted it to just be the two of us talking. I thought that you were just pretending to be our friend and that you'd betray us..."
She raised her eyebrows. "You shouldn't, I was being way too secretive, and way too manipulative towards everyone in the group. I was shocked by how accepting everyone was, if were a genuine threat to the group, then you'd have been the only one that could have stopped me."
He laughed a bit. "Yeah, at some point it started to feel like I was the only one who was remotely concerned about what you could be."
He then shook his head and extended his right arm for handshake. "How about a new start for our relationship then? Being friends?"
She studied his outstretched hand for a bit before she shook it. "Let's do that."
"...so, how are you doing in school?" asked Mom.
She had got call from her when school ended and as they were making their way to the hospital.
The others were kind enough to stop and wait for her to finish this call with Mom.
Alice laughed nervously thinking about her grades. "Eh...alright, I guess."
"You're not causing any trouble for Reiji are you?"
"Mom! I'd never cause any problems!"
She laughed. "I am sure. How are you doing with making new friends?"
At that question Alice perked up. "Great! I have made a lot of new amazing friends!"
"That's great, I am sure that Takashi-kun is enjoying the fact that he's not your only friend anymore as well."
Alice narrowed her eyes. "What you mean by that, Mom?"
She laughed a bit. "Nothing, nothing. By the way, I am curious about something. Do you have a crush on someone in this new friend group of yours?"
Alice blushed as she squeezed the phone in her hand. "No! Nope! Absolutely not!"
She then hung up before her mom could tease her more.
But even still, her thoughts dwelled on that boy. He's never going to reciprocate my feelings anyway...
"Are you alright?" asked a concerned Homura to Alice as they made their way to the hospital.
The short haired girl appeared extremely gloomy after her phone call with her mother.
"Did something happen between you and your mom?" Homura further inquiried.
That seemed to snap her out of her gloom. "No, no! It's just...say, Homura how'd you go about confessing to someone?"
She has a crush on someone in this group? I haven't seen her interact with else other than people in this group. It could only be...Naoki, right? I mean she even invited him to the Arcade yesterday...
She shook her head, it didn't really matter whom she had a crush on. "I don't really know how to do that, you should probably ask Madoka about it..."
She frowned as she glanced at Madoka who was chatting with Kyosuke. "I...am not sure about that..."
So, that confirms that it has to be Naoki...
"I am sure that Madoka wouldn't have a problem with your crush."
"Nah, I agree with you...it's just I don't wanna tell this to more people, it'll make this awkward. I only did it with you 'cause you noticed my mood."
Homura hummed and she went to respond; however, before she could do that she was interrupted by Madoka shouting.
"Come on, Homura-chan, Alice-chan, you're lagging behind."
Homura went to look at the other, and sure enough they were, indeed, lagging quite behind them.
"We can continue this conversation later, if you feel like it," said Homura as she jogged to catch up with them.
Alice didn't say anything, but she ran up to them as well.
Sayaka stared at the ceiling in the hospital. Her parents have already visited and were ecstatic that she was fine.
But she did not feel fine whatsoever, not only did she become a Witch, but she now knew that it would have happened to her one day no matter what.
She was not sure whatever lie they were told, but thankfully they didn't question that much about what got her into a coma.
What would I have told them? That I trusted a weird rabbit and for that I was turned into a monster that ate people until I was rescued by Madoka, Kyosuke and their new friends.
Not to mention becoming a Shadow user now. Sure it was probably not as bad as Kyubey made it out to be. But the fact that people had to make a contract that evil Shadow to get this power was not making her hopeful.
It's not like anything changed all too much. I still got a monster inside me after all...
Then a nurse walked into her room. "Ah, Sayaka-chan, you have three visitors today."
She raked her brain trying to recall who may visit her today, but came up with nothing.
The three visitors soon stepped in. Kyosuke, Madoka and the transfer student.
"Why is she here?" Sayaka asked as pointed at the transfer student.
Madoka frowned. "Homura-chan was worried about you, so she came to visit you with us."
"Yeah right," scoffed Sayaka, "I bet she came here to gloat about how making a deal with monsters like Shadows is so much better!"
Madoka frowned even harder and Kyosuke stared at her with a shocked expression.
The black haired girl looked down at her on the bed with a critical look. "Why would I do that? You're saved from being turned into Witch, you should take some joy in that fact."
She glared at her and yelled, "Right! I just now have a monster stuck inside of me that's so much better!"
"Sayaka, the Shadows aren't monsters, they are a part of a person," said Kyosuke gesturing, trying to calm her down.
The transfer student, meanwhile, glanced at Madoka and asked, "Should I leave? I feel like I'll only make her more...aggressive, I would also like to talk to Kyoko for a bit."
Madoka frowned as she replied "I guess, but..."
She trailed off as she looked at Sayaka.
"I guess just try to return after talking eith Kyoko-chan."
The black haired girl nodded and left the room.
Sayaka looked over the two of them remaining. "Where are the rest of your new friends anyway?"
"Ken-senpai went to talk with Mami alone, and Alice-chan and Takashi-kun went to speak with Kyoko, and Naoki is sick, so he didn't come with us. But that's not important now, Sayaka-chan we wanted to talk with you."
"About joining that little team of yours? Not happening! I will never use a Shadow, nor will I join a team that uses evil monsters like that."
Madoka growled and shouted. "Sayaka-chan! We're not you enemies, and we're not using monsters!"
There were some tears coming from Madoka's eyes as well.
Sayaka was taken aback by Madoka's reaction, and nothing came out of her mouth.
"Why do you always have to be so stubborn and suspicious of everyone?! Kyosuke-kun and I are your childhood friends, yet you don't seem to trust us at all!"
Kyosuke looked like he wanted to intervene between, but wasn't sure how.
Sayaka, on the other hand, was too shocked by the way Madoka was talking to her to forumulate a reply.
"Hey," said Kyoko intterupting everything as she walked in to the room with Homura and Alice.
Madoka, who took a deep breath to calm down, shot a look at Homura. "Where's Takashi-kun? I thought he was with you?"
Alice was the one who answered her. "Eh...he went to get Ken-senpai to have a little talk together."
Sayaka glanced at the red head, they haven't talked since they woken up and she desperately wanted to talk to her.
"What do you make of their offer?" she asked Kyoko in front of everyone hoping that by showing that she'll not join either, Sayaka can convince them to give up on this goal of theirs.
"It's really good—I mean they just saved our lives and mow they're offering me a place to sleep and pretty much unlimited food all in exchange for joining their group and to fight Walpurgisnacht. That's a good deal; I was gonna fight it anyway."
"You can't be serious..." she muttered.
"Why not, Blueberry?"
"Are you really fine with having these Shadows, these monsters attached to you?"
"Why not? We were all going to turn into monsters anyway, so having control over them sounds much better to me."
"I feel like I should not interrupt this, but I'd like to reiterate that Personas are not monsters," said Kyosuke, whom they both ignored.
"And what about Kyubey? Do you really wanna team up with that uses monsters which where created by the Crawling Chaos?" asked Sayaka.
"Fuck Kyubey! He knew that we'd turn into Witches, yet he still kept creating new Magical Girls. And didn't you notice how they were against the Crawling Chaos? Besides being ridiculously stubborn are you also stupid?" Kyoko asked rhetorically.
"Bite me!" she yelled at the red head.
In response, Kyoko chuckled. "Oh I will do that and even more, Blueberry! I'll eat you!"
Kyosuke made a noise at the back of his throat, a noise Sayaka wasn't sure what to make of.
Kyoko then started to advance towards her, only stopping when she heard the sound of someone entering the room.
"Are we interrupting your flirting?" asked Kido who just entered the room with Mami and Amada.
Kyoko sputtered at that and glared at the boy.
"Mami!" Madoka meanwhile rushed up to their senpai and hugged her. "I was so worried about you!"
The blonde haired girl let out small grunt as Madoka nearly tackled her to the ground, but she immediately brightened and returned Madoka's embrace.
"Madoka, I am glad to see you too," Mami smiled as she returned the hug.
They stayed like to for minute till Amada cleared his throat. "Right, I am sure that this is all quite shocking to all of you. Therefore, I am proposing we have the discussion on Personas at a later date to make sure you're ready for it, and to hopefully include Naoki-san. Is that fine with the three of you?:
Mami and Kyoko nodded. Sayaka grumbled but eventually nodded as well, following Mami's example.
"How are you, Akemi Homura?" asked the Crawling Chaos wearing her face.
"What are you doing here? Leave!" she yelled at the thing.
She had come back to her apartment to pick up some things—mostly clothes—before Madoka and her went to the Velvet Room, and wasn't expecting to run into their adversary.
The being smirked in return. "I have only came to warn you, and that's the way you respond, my my, you are certainly arrogant."
"What warnings? If it's about Walpurgisnacht, then we already know."
An irritated look appeared on its face.
"Oh, no, I am not talking that. What I am referring to here is you and little old Naoki."
Homura stared at it for a few seconds before she asked, "And what exactly should the two of us be warned about? We defeated you, and we'll defeat Walpurgisnacht."
It hummed as it paced back and forth in the room. "You did pass my test, to even my shock; however, that is all meaningless if you cannot confront yourself. You two had been given the easy way through all of this game, and to a certain extent so have Kido Takashi, and Toudou Alice, but unlike the two of them, you two have been given the power of Persona in response to game.
"What I'm telling you now, is that the two of you will have to confront yourselves—and I am sure that this will force you out of the game. After all even you don't know what Akemi Homura is, and not to mention Kaname Naoki's situation."
She glared at the thing. "I said leave!"
It tilted his head backwards to glance at her. "Of course, I will be looking forward to seeing everything around you fall apart."
It then bursted into black butterflies and they soon disappeared.
She relaxed a bit, then she went to her phone to contact Madoka. She still needed some help with Igor and Persona fusions; Madoka always seemed to have better odds with him.
"Akemi Homura, I have to say you have outdone my expectations for you," said Igor, "not only did you forge genuine bonds with almost all of your teammates, but with some of them you're fairly high ranked as well."
"Are you saying that you thought she wouldn't be able to bond with them?" asked Madoka with a glare.
After Igor invited her, she started to bring Madoka along when she was fusing Personas, or handing in Grief Seeds.
"No. But I thought that it would take a far longer of time—something which she doesn't have—for her to make bonds with some of them, and by that I mean Kido Takashi. Though, I will admit, the time given to you is far shorter than it would normally be. And she still needs to make a bond with Miki Sayaka in order to have a bond with everyone on your team."
Madoka frowned as she turned to Homura-chan. "Well...I am glad that Homura-chan is doing that well then...I'll try to help with Sayaka-chan...
"By the way, Homura-chan, who are your highest ranked Social Links?"
"You're my highest ranked one, followed by Naoki, then Alice, then Ken, then Amy, then he group. All of them are at least Rank 5, the rest are under that."
Madoka frowned at that. "I am starting to get what Igor was getting at...Homura-chan all of my bonds are above Rank 5."
Homura-chan looked to the side with shame before Madoka quickly hugged her. "It's okay, I am sorry if I was judgemental on you..."
"No...you were right, I have been doing longer, and yet you still far better at this than I am..."
Madoka tightened her hold. "In that case, how about I arrange something for you to help with your bonds."
"I guess I'll agree, but what are you planning?" she asked Madoka, whose face lit up
Minako let out a sigh in relief. "Well that's good. I was dreading that it would be like Shinji's coma or even worse."
Koromaru barked in response to that. They didn't completely understand him like how Aigis did, but they could tell that he was also glad about them recovering.
"Yes, thankfully, it didn't turn out to be that bad, but we still don't really know what to do with the three of them. They are still suspicious of us even with Madoka-san's being with us. And not to mention that, while they were thankful for not being Witches, they also didn't seem to appreciate being turned into Persona users, especially Miki-san."
Minako went to reply, but then the doorbell rang.
"I think that's Tomoe-san, I invited her here to have a talk and work things out. Do you think you could stay for the talk? I told her that a member of the Shadow Operatives will also be here, and I feel like you would be far better than Mitsuru-san for this situation."
Minako looked at her schedule on the phone. "I could manage around the next 40 minutes."
He then went to answer the door and to let Mami in.
His classmate sat down next to him. "Hello, I persume...that you're the Shadow Operative that Amada-san told me we'll have our talk with."
Minako looked at her critically through the screen. "I was not going be originally, but I'll do this. First and foremost, introductions. My name is Aragaki Minako. I am the field leader of the Shadow Operatives. I was also not given anything to ask, so I'll do this my own way. Now can you tell me about yourself?"
Tomoe nodded to that. "I am...Tomoe Mami, a third years student at Mitakihara Middle School. I had been a Magical Girl for over three years. I like to cook and bake."
Minako hummed. "Good, good. If you don't mind, could you tell me what your wish was? We already know about the Magical Girl system due to Homura-san."
She's being very professional in this discussion, Ken noted.
Tomoe stared to the side with a resigned expression.
Minako caught this and quickly said, "You don't have to, if it's sensitive to you."
Tomoe took a deep breath. "No! It's...fine...I was in a car crash when Kyubey walked up to me and offered me the wish; I wished to live."
Ken immediately turned his attention to Minako and saw how her eyes immediately softened at what she heard.
"Alright..." muttered the Minako, "we'll not talk about that. Let's talk about something else. How many people have you seen make the contract with the creature, 'Kyubey'?"
"Around 23, many of them...many of them because of me...I-I am such...a terrible person! I have...I have made so many girls agree to a contract and then...and then I hunted them as Witches!" the blonde haired girl started to cry.
He quickly embraced the girl and let her cry into his shoulder.
Koromaru also immediately went up to her and started to lick her hand.
He let her get it out of her system.
"I...am sorry...for being such a mess...I apologize, Aragaki-san, Amada-san..."
Minako quickly replied. "No worries, Mami-san. I can see how this all was a affected to you, so I'll try to keep my next questions to a minimum.
"Can you tell me what you know about the Crawling Chaos, Ken reported that Miki-san talked about it in the hospital, and we want to know what you know."
Tomoe replied after a second, "I...don't really know much about it. All our knowledge of it came from Kyubey, and he even said that all his knowledge came from some Magical Girl.but what I do know is that according to Kyubey, the Crawling Chaos is the origin of all Shadows."
Ken quickly exchanged a look with Minako. That didn't sound to either of them.
"Very well, next question then. What did this 'Kyubey' creature tell you about Personas?"
Tomoe had a confused look on her face. "I...don't think he told us anything...unless he was having another name for it?"
An eyebrow was raised by Minako. "The beings we summon, what did it tell you about them?" she prodded the blonde haired girl.
At that, Tomoe, realized what they were asking. "Ah...he called the Shadows as well..."
"I suppose that it technically accurate," said Ken, as he scratched Koromaru, "but it's also misleading in some ways."
He glanced at Minako who nodded. "I got this. Shadows are born from all the thoughts and feelings of Humanity itself, therefore, they can be quite hostile, and their appearance can be also disturbing to say the least.
"That being said, I don't you ever encountered and actual Shadow other than Madoka-san's Shadow, which is a whole another thing, correct?"
She nodded. "Madoka's Shadow...was the only one we encountered, yes."
Minako hummed. "And what did 'Kyubey' tell you about it?"
"He said...that the Shadow is born from the evil thoughts and feelings that exist within a person..."
"That's...not totally accurate," said Minako, "it's true that most of the time that is the case. However, it's far more accurate to say that the Shadow Self is born from the suppressed feelings and thoughts, and/or even the memories of a person. Those suppressed thoughts are not always evil; however as I said previously, it is, indeed, ture most of the time."
Tomoe nodded weakly.
"Right, on to my next question: Homura-san said that she doesn't know how many Magical Girls are there in the world, is that true?"
"Yes...I would assume. I...also don't know how many there are."
"Alright, I think we're done for today with the questions. Ah wait, one more: Do you have anyone in this group who you can rely on and talk to? If not—"
"I can help you, Tomoe-san," said Ken cutting Minako off.
"—you can also talk to me," Minako finished as she threw a glance at Ken.
"I thank the both of you...I'll contact you if I need someone to talk to..."
Then she left the apartment. There was silence for a minute till something came to Minako's mind.
"So, Ken, you have a type? I didn't expect you to offer her company like that," she said teasingly.
He could feel his face immediately redden. "I was just offering her someone to talk to that was her own age."
"Now, now, you're being awfully defensive about this, Ken-kun. I saw how you comforted her when she started crying."
He glared at her, his cheeks still red.
"She's not a bad person, that I will say," she said in a more serious voice, "in fact, she a bit similar to you, what with being all formal like that, though, she's quite fragile and emotional at the moment, so do treat her well, but l am talking about you, so I am sure you will."
They soon heard a bark, and turned to see Koromaru snuggle into the spot that Mami occupied previously.
"I think Koro-chan also approves," she said with a laugh, the teasing voice coming back.
He glared at both of them then he sighed and got up. "C'mon Koro-chan it's time for your walk. Bye Minako."
The Shiba barked excitedly and Minako waved them off.
"So, who's paying for this, 'cause I got no money?" asked Kyoko as they entered shopping mall.
A shopping trip with all the girls was not what Homura excepted, but it'll probably the most helpful if she wants to do raise her bond with them.
Sayaka was still throwing suspicious looks at her, and she was, evidently, keeping her distance from her.
"I'll be the one who pays for this," said Homura in response to Kyoko.
"Cool," muttered the red head.
"It's kind of sad how Mami-senpai and none of the boys could make it..." muttered Alice.
Madoka frowned as well. "Yeah, it's a shame that Kyosuke-kun, had to perform at a music play. And that Ken-senpai and Mami, had to have their talk with the Shadow Operatives. And that Takashi-kun..."
Madoka looked like she was wrecking her brain trying to remember why he turned down her invite to come; she turned to Alice looking for an answer.
"He said he didn't feel like it," was the answer that Alice provided.
Homura somewhat doubted that was the whole truth, but she didn't speak out.
Madoka frowned. "Well, if Naoki weren't sick, then I'm sure he would've came along."
Homura somewhat doubted that he would have willingly came along as well, but she was sure Madoka would have somehow forced him to.
"I don't really care as long as I can back my my top spot at DDR in the arcade," muttered Kyoko.
Homura let out a small hmph at that. "As if I would allow that."
The red haired girl turned to stare at her. "Are you saying that the 'HomuHomu' person and you are one in the same?"
Sayaka burst out laughing at that name, and Homura flushed a bit.
Meanwhile, Madoka, on the side let out a loud squeak. "Homura-chan, you're using that nickname of mine as a name in the arcade?"
That name was a pretty old one formed in one of the earlier loops; Madoka insisted that she should use something else other than her real name in the arcade, and well that name stuck.
She reluctantly nodded to both Madoka and Kyoko.
The latter smirked as she ate a pocky. "In that case, 'HomuHomu', I challenge you."
Homura felt her bond with Kyoko increase when she accepted that challenge.
So, the two of them along with Alice made their way to the arcade. The short haired girl only tagged along because she wanted to continue their conversation after she finished playing with Kyoko.
The others in the meantime, went shopping.
"Heh, looks like I'm beating your score HomuHomu!" yelled Kyoko as she danced for the game.
Homura looked a bit annoyed, but otherwise didn't show any emotion.
Kyoko did, in fact, end up beating Homura's previous best score.
And despite her best effort, Homura wasn't able to overcome it.
"Ha! Take that!" shouted Kyoko.
She grumbled a bit in return.
"Ha! This victory deserves some treats, you two want some?"
They both shook their head.
"Well, more for me then," said Kyoko as she went to buy some snacks for herself.
Once they were alone Homura asked her question.
"So, you had a crush on Naoki?" asked Homura while she stared Alice in the eyes.
Her eyes widened at that question. "What? No! I mean sure he's cute, but the one I had a crush on was Ken-senpai."
Homura raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
Alice nodded. "Yeah, I mean just look at him. Government secret agent, handsome, experienced Persona user, not to mention that he's really nice and helpful, and Koro-chan is just so adorable, who wouldn't fall for a guy like him?"
Homura raised her hand.
Alice sputtered at that. "You don't count."
"Madoka also didn't fall for him."
"She doesn't count either!"
"I am pretty sure that neither Sayaka nor Kyoko fell for him either."
"They also don't count!"
Homura started to laugh at the exchange, and she felt her bond with Alice rise. She was now tied with Naoki at Rank 9.
"It's nice seeing you relaxed like this, Homura," she suddenly said.
Homura flushed a bit at that comment. "What do you mean?"
She fumbled to explain. "It's just...seeing you smile and laugh made me realize how much you changed since we met, you were so...not emotionless—but heavily guarded around everyone."
"It was because of you and everyone else that I opened up. But to get back on topic, how would you, theoretically, confess your love to him?"
She looked to ground. "I...I'm not sure—and even if I did who'd say that he'd accept. I see the way he's looking at Tomoe-san..."
"You think Ken is in love with Mami?" asked Homura with raised eyebrows.
If anything, that would by far one of the most shocking part of this whole timeline...
"I mean..." Alice trailed off, "he went to visit her alone and now they are having a discussion all by themselves. He was also so nice to her in the hospital..."
She wasn't sure how many of their interactions Alice saw, so she'll take her word one that, but all she saw was pretty normal.
Homura then hummed. "Why don't you try to confess your feelings to him anyway? It would be more productive then letting them fester in you like this, and he might not have even realized his own crush to Mami yet, so it would now be a good time to make him aware of your feelings towards him."
"You think so?" she asked hesitantly.
Homura nodded and Alice looked down on the ground in response.
"I guess I could...yeah I could!" she got more confident after her first reply. "I'll tell him!"
"Yo," called out a familiar voice, "what I miss?"
Kyoko was carrying some snacks with her. Alice laughed a bit nervously.
"Eh...nothing. I was just excited about something..."
"Sure," Kyoko muttered as she strode towards the other games, "anyway we wanna play more or not?
Homura spotted a particular game, one which she already had plenty of experience with. "Let's do some more."
If someone were to tell Junko Kaname a month that there existed a supernatural world filled with evil monsters, and that Madoka would be one of the people fighting against it; she would have laughed in their face.
It still felt weird even after she had personally seen it, and even after she had seen the affects of it in the form of the thing that was Minato.
She couldn't believe some of things that Misturu Kirijo revealed to her, about these Personas and how this power worked.
Nonetheless, she needed to trust in them for this.
Tomo had went to visit his family and to maybe get them to take in Tatsuya while the Walpurgis thing came to Mitakihara.
If that didn't work out, then they'd have have to in Kirjo Mitsuru and the Kirijo group to make sure that he'll be okay.
As she went to Tatsuya's room, with worry about him in her mind she saw a familiar figure in there.
"I wouldn't recommend screaming; they will not be able to hear you even if you do," stated Minato as he picked up Tatsuya.
"Put him down!"
He grinned at her; he did not obey her order. "Aw...but he's my brother, and I want to hold for a bit..."
She took a step towards him. "I said. Put him down!"
He hummed in acknowledgement and after a few seconds put the toddler down. "Tatsuya is such a good name, shame that it wasn't written Kanji though; I happen to know a good Kanji combination for the name, would you like to hear it?"
"I wouldn't."
He smirked at her then proceeded to act as if he hadn't hear her. "The Kanji for achieve and the question mark Kanji; those two would make such a good name, I know because I encountered few people with that name."
She glared at him. "Who were these people exactly?"
If she couldn't get him away from Tatsuya, then she might as well hold him up until someone else gets here.
He, in return, smirked at her. "I am glad you asked Mom. One was a fool who almost caused the destruction of the world with his sin, while the other was an arsonist who nearly killed two children and burned his face.
"I think those two would make such a great role model for him, wouldn't you say?"
All of this was said with a mocking tone; she was tempted to slap him right then and there, but knew that could only cause Tatsuya more harm, so she held back that urge.
He the picked him up again with a smirk. "Now what would you do if made sure that he'll grow up like them?"
"Put him down!" shouted another voice, a voice which was coughing quite a lot.
Naoki stood in doorway, and looked like he could barely stand up.
Minato face twisted into a sneer before he complied. "Aww...is poor Naoki-kun ill? You look like you could keel over at any second, and yet you're trying to order me?"
More coughs rang out as Naoki replied, "You...still listened, and...what's your...goal here? Are you...mad that we...won?
Minato hummed then he transformed into...a politician. Junko didn't really know his name, but she heard he was starting to get some fame as of recently, he was bald, he had a small black goatee, and wore orange-tinted square glasses.
"Fat from it. After all you still have to beat Walpurgisnacht, and I doubt you'll accomplish especially with those girls who earlier tried to hurt your. I doubt you'll ever be able to work together."
Junko looked to Naoki, and something about his demeanor changed; he clenched his fist then he glared at him. Does he know this politician?
"Oh and by the way," said the former Minato as he gestured to hid body, "this here is how your father looks like, have fun with this information!"
Naoki's eyes widened as he then disappeared into black butterflies.
"Naoki-kun," she called out to the boy, who was still staring at the spot where the Crawling Chaos disappeared; he looked like he was in some sort of trance.
She went on to shake him, which thankfully snapped him out.
"Naoki-kun, are you alright?"
As he went to reply, vilonet coughs came out of his mouth. "...yeah...just in shock..."
Junko hummed. "I can only imagine..." having something like that be revealed would, indeed, be shocking.
She then did something which on a second thought she shouldn't have—because of his illness; she hugged the boy.
He stiffened in the hug, but made no effort to get out.
"Naoki-kun, if there's anything you'd want to talk about, then my ears are open," she said to him as sheet go off him.
The boy nodded, but he still had an absentminded look on his face.
"Now..." she trailed off, "...you should go back to resting, you're still sick."
"Yeah, I should..."
She helped him to his room where collapsed into the bed, and soon fell asleep with a troubled expression on his face.
Honestly, that boy...
The game is not going in my way!
I told you that this would happen, Crawling Chaos.
Hmph...I thought you would pick who was unaware of the events of Mikage-cho and Sumaru.
Why would I do that? You gave me free reign after all.
Our agreement is soon coming to an end.
I am well aware.
Hmm...you also awakened those three girls early in the hospital.
They became my pieces after they managed to rescue them, therefore I could do that.
...
In any event, Akemi Homura's and Kaname Naoki's trial is coming up. I am thinking that I will use my last Shadow self that I have access to as well. That Sayaka girl seems to be best target thus far.
All I have to say is that I have my confidence in them.
In any case, keep the Velvet Room's attendants in line, and prevent them for revealing anything.
That is proving to be a troublesome, considering the state of the Velvet Room. Something which could have been changed if we agreed to it.
Now it's my turn to ask: Why would I agree to helping you?
Hmmm...
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