January 22nd, midnight.
Okino Reiko sat before the television, watching Puella Magi Madoka Magica again.
Tonight's episode was the third, and many viewers speculated that while Sayaka's fate remained uncertain, the protagonist would likely become a magical girl in this installment.
After all, this was the third episode of a twelve-episode series. It seemed unlikely that the main character would still be a non-magical girl at this point. If that were the case, the anime shouldn't have been titled Puella Magi Madoka Magica; Puella Magi Mami would have been a more fitting title.
The episode opened with a brief scene between Sayaka and Kyosuke Kamijo.
Kyosuke was Sayaka's childhood friend, a violinist who had been hospitalized due to a hand injury.
Sayaka visited him, bringing him a rare CD.
Kyosuke's face lit up with joy. He immediately started listening to the CD and insisted that Sayaka join him.
Each wearing one earbud, they listened together.
Sayaka couldn't help but recall childhood memories of hearing Kyosuke play his violin. As for Kyosuke, whether he was also lost in the past, he leaned back on the hospital bed, turned his face toward the window, and shed silent tears.
As the opening sequence began, Okino Reiko couldn't help but frown.
The opening credits focused on the story of Sayaka and Kyosuke Kamijo. Could this mean that the third episode would feature Sayaka, not Madoka, becoming a magical girl?
Come to think of it, Sayaka had previously hinted at wanting to make a wish for someone else. Could she be planning to wish for Kyosuke's hand to be healed and become a magical girl?
After the opening sequence and GG ended, the main story began.
Okino Reiko put aside her complex thoughts and continued watching intently.
That evening, Madoka and Sayaka once again watched Senior Mami's battle from the sidelines.
After the battle ended and they were walking home, Senior Mami asked if they had decided on their wishes. Madoka didn't answer, but Sayaka asked if she had to wish for herself or if she could make a wish for someone else.
Kyubey replied that it was possible and had been done before, though Senior Mami advised against it.
By this point, it was practically certain what Sayaka would wish for. Becoming a magical girl was only a matter of time.
As long as some sudden incident occurred—an incident where Senior Mami couldn't arrive in time to help—Sayaka would surely become a magical girl. At least, that's what Okino Reiko thought as she watched from her TV.
Such an incident occurred swiftly.
During the day, Sayaka, accompanied by the protagonist, went to the hospital to visit Kamijō, but they were unable to see him.
As they were about to leave, the protagonist suddenly spotted a Grief Seed on the ground floor, on the verge of hatching.
Once the Grief Seed hatched, the Barrier would expand, and the seed was located directly beneath the hospital building.
Even setting aside everything else, the fact that this was the hospital where Sayaka's beloved Kyosuke Kamijō was staying made her determined to prevent this from happening.
She told the protagonist to go find Senior Mami while she stayed behind to monitor the Grief Seed.
Kyubey, which had been perched on the protagonist's shoulder, seemed to sense Sayaka's resolve. It jumped down to the ground and declared it would stay with her, explaining that this way, Senior Mami could locate them telepathically when she arrived.
Without overthinking it, the protagonist dropped her bag and hurried off to find Senior Mami.
The moment she left, the Grief Seed emitted a blinding white light, and then Sayaka and Kyubey vanished without a trace.
Watching this, Okino Reiko, sitting in front of the TV, felt even more certain that Sayaka was about to become a magical girl.
Inside the Barrier, Kyubey told Sayaka that if she was scared, she could make a wish, and even within the Barrier, he could turn her into a magical girl. Sayaka refused, saying she didn't want to make such a decision half-heartedly.
Okino Reiko wasn't surprised by Sayaka's decision, as the situation hadn't reached a critical point. In fact, she thought Sayaka was being quite rational.
However, a surprising turn of events soon unfolded.
The protagonist actually managed to find Senior Mami before Sayaka was in danger.
Senior Mami led the protagonist into the Barrier, with Homura Akemi trailing behind.
The Senior was sharp-witted; she noticed Homura after only a few steps.
She stopped and turned, saying, "I told you, I don't want to see you again."
This referred to a confrontation they'd had one night, when they were alone. They'd argued over Madoka. Homura had refused to fight Mami, who had then said, "Then just try not to meet again. Tonight will be the last time. We'll resolve this through conversation."
They hadn't expected to meet again so soon.
Homura Akemi hadn't forgotten their previous words, but she didn't back down: "This prey is mine to capture. You two should withdraw."
Senior Mami, who fought so tenaciously, was the person she admired most, and she wanted to become just like her.
Watching this, Okino Reiko, sitting in front of the TV, was suddenly surprised.
She had originally thought this episode would likely focus on Sayaka becoming a magical girl, while the protagonist would continue to struggle, probably leaving the resolution for the next episode. But now, could it be that both of them would become magical girls in this very episode?
Come to think of it, it made sense. After all, it was already the third episode. This was Puella Magi Madoka Magica, not Puella Magi Mami. It would be odd if they didn't become magical girls by now.
On the screen, Senior Mami stopped and told the protagonist, "I'm not someone worth admiring. I've just been forcing myself to put on a brave face. Even when I'm scared and sad, there's no one I can talk to, so I end up crying alone... Being a magical girl isn't all it's cracked up to be."
The protagonist comforted her, "Mami-senpai isn't alone anymore."
"You're right, that's true."
Senior Mami turned around, her eyes glistening with tears, looking deeply moved. Taking the protagonist's hand, she asked, "Can you really fight alongside me from now on? Can you stay by my side?"
"Yes, if I can," the protagonist replied with certainty.
Senior Mami smiled, wiped her tears, and told her, "This is a rare opportunity. You should think of a wish."
Seeing that the protagonist was truly stumped, she suggested, "If you haven't decided on a wish by the time we defeat this Witch, let's ask Kyubey to treat us to a cake."
"A... cake?"
"Yes, the biggest and most extravagant celebration cake we can get. Then we'll all have a party—a commemoration of when Mami and Kaname formed our magical girl duo."
After making their agreement, the two continued forward.
At that moment, Kyubey's voice rang out: "The Grief Seed is activating... It's hatching! Hurry!"
"Okay, got it."
Senior Mami was so overjoyed to have the protagonist as a partner that she no longer feared the Witch at all. She bravely declared, "Let's finish this quickly today!"
With that, she transformed, brandishing her weapon and taking down the minor monsters they encountered one by one.
"My body feels so light. This is the first time I've fought with such a buoyant spirit."
"I'm not afraid of anything anymore."
"Because... I'm not alone anymore."
Pulling Homura along, she rushed forward and quickly found Sayaka and Kyubey.
They arrived just in time for the Grief Seed to hatch, and the Witch manifested.
"Sorry, I'm going to... finish you off in one go!" Senior Mami declared confidently, charging toward the Witch.
At first, she had the Witch completely at her mercy, maintaining a steady advantage.
But just as she thought she had the Witch restrained, the creature's head suddenly swelled and lunged toward her.
Before she could react, the Witch opened its gaping maw and bit down on her head.
Crunch.
The ribbons binding Homura vanished, restoring her mobility.
At the same time, Senior Mami's head disappeared, her magical girl outfit dissolved into ordinary clothes, and her body plummeted from mid-air.
The protagonist and Sayaka, who had been watching the battle, were stunned.
In front of the TV, Okino Reiko looked utterly bewildered.
Her mind went blank.
She was completely dumbfounded.
Is this a healing anime?
A Magical Girl Anime?
Did Senior Mami just... die like that?
No, that can't be right.
What's going on here?
She said she wasn't afraid of anything anymore, and then this happens in the blink of an eye?
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 15+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon