Unlimited Ambition

but……

Although he said he wished he could kill me, the shot he fired at my forehead was slightly too high.

I leaned back, narrowly avoiding the potentially fatal bullet—but then bullets pierced through my limbs. The power of an automatic pistol at close range is astonishing—especially since it was an explosive bullet that Homura had specially crafted for killing, combined with the magical effects of her magical girl powers. It resulted in two penetrating wounds; my left shinbone was instantly broken. My right side fared slightly better, but several ounces of flesh were torn from my thigh, and both arms were riddled with holes. My entire body was like a sieve. Blood gushed out rapidly.

Thanks, I wasn't wrong.

No—no, no, no, no, if this continues, I'll definitely be killed—I can't die so soon—although if I die, it would most likely mean that the long-haired girl has succeeded this time. However, the data obtained this way is rather inaccurate. Because that would be considered me letting her off the hook. Giving her the runaway train.

So I turned around, and although I stumbled, I was still moving very fast. The woman with long, straight black hair was surprised for a moment, then quickly changed her magazine and chased after me.

At this moment, Homura Akemi and I were chasing each other, with two or three bullets engulfed in purple flames appearing behind us every now and then. They would whistle past me.

"Help!"

Inside the CD store's warehouse, a lively fight was taking place, while outside, all was quiet and peaceful. Madoka and her best friend Sayaka were choosing CDs. Sayaka was there to visit her childhood friend, Kamijou Shonen II, who was hospitalized. Madoka was simply accompanying her friend.

At that very moment, while I was being chased by the long-haired black-haired girl, I very unkindly used telepathy to contact Madoka Kaname. "Help!" Those three words were transmitted into her mind.

"Huh?"

Xiaoyuan, who was listening to a CD with her headphones on, was slightly surprised. She then took off her headphones and looked around. She noticed that the customers and staff around her were all doing their own thing. She figured she was probably hallucinating. So she prepared to put her headphones back on and continue listening to music.

"Help!"

"It's just a hallucination. It looks like I went to bed too late last night."

"Help me!!!"

"...Well, I'm going to the hospital in a little while to get my ears checked."

"Sayaka, have you made your choice?"

"Yes, I've made my choice, Xiaoyuan. Let's go."

And so, the two of them left.

……

Oh God, Madoka, don't abandon me! Cornered, I couldn't help but cry out in my heart.

"Any last words?" The woman with long, straight black hair tilted her head at a forty-five-degree angle, looking incredibly dashing...

Chapter Three: Denim Shorts

That's basically it. The legendary Madoka has abandoned me. I was careless this time.

"You lost... But even so, you didn't really win, Homura Akemi." I chuckled, barely managing to prop myself up, and stretched out my hand with trembling hands.

"..."

Homura Akemi took a step back, slightly bewildered: "Now that things have come to this, what else do you want to say?"

"Although we haven't known each other for very long, and I didn't even know you were a magical girl before... but good luck, this city will depend on you to protect it from now on." I said this with a gentle smile on my face.

"...At a time like this, you're still trying to deceive me?!" Homura Akemi became very agitated when she heard me say that.

"Deceive? I'm about to die. Why would I lie to you?" I couldn't help but laugh ironically, secretly praising myself for being so dedicated—even on the verge of death, I still had to lie. Then, I closed my eyes and waited to die.

Hearing me say that, Xiaoyan found it hilarious for a moment. Because on several previous occasions, she had cornered me. Yet, in the end, she was fooled by my words again—and more than once. Even the most clueless person with long, straight black hair wouldn't fall for it again.

"...Damn it, I've been tricked by this guy time and time again—such an outrageous guy, how could he, how could he..."

However, even knowing this, her long, straight black hands continued to tremble uncontrollably. She then reached up with her left hand, but still couldn't aim properly. At this point, she realized this wasn't a physical problem, but rather a mental resistance.

She didn't want to kill him. Even after being treated so cruelly, she still didn't want to kill him. Even though she had already given up on him, she still didn't want to kill him.

Unbeknownst to her, Homura Akemi sighed silently, tears streaming down her face.

"Goodbye, Kyubey," Homura Akemi said in a trembling voice. It surprised me slightly.

It seems we can't get away with this this time.

However, I'll try a little harder. Speaking of which, I already messaged Mami. If I hold on a little longer, she'll come back to save me, right?

perhaps.

"Why... are you crying?" I asked, feigning surprise. At the same time, I mustered the last of my strength, reached out, and wiped away the tears on Xiaoyan's face.

Well, although this resulted in Xiaoyan getting a little more blood on her face.

But it's not a big deal, is it?

"I didn't cry—and I certainly won't shed a tear because of you! Absolutely!"

Xiao Yan's shouting sounded a bit like she was trying to hide something, like she was trying too hard to deny something. She seemed quite guilty.

I chuckled softly, followed by a violent cough, and then my consciousness began to blur.

"Well... even if this guy dies, the Last Witch's Night is still... so... whether this guy lives or dies doesn't really make much difference... maybe... perhaps... possibly..."

She tried hard to find a reason for herself. But in the end, the gun in her hand was still pointed at my forehead.

"He had to be killed."

The woman with long, straight black hair closed her eyes.

And then.

A spearhead attached to a chain descended from the sky, aiming straight for the head of the woman with long, straight black hair. Judging from the momentum, if she didn't dodge, this spear would definitely pierce through her head—no, it should be her entire body.

Homura Akemi quickly jumped back, feeling both disappointed and relieved. Finally, she had a reason not to kill him. Although she was now much stronger than this guy who had suddenly appeared, this reason was rather flimsy.

But who cares, as long as there's a reason, that's fine.

Homura Akemi gave me one last deep look. By this time, I was practically unconscious, so I didn't react to her. Then, without a word, she stopped time and calmly left.

"Huh? He's gone." The newcomer looked again, only to find that her opponent had vanished. She then breathed a sigh of relief. Although she didn't think she was no match for that person, at that moment, I was barely clinging to life.

"Really? You got off easy. Tch." A dashing red-haired girl, dressed in a tight red leather outfit, wielding a long gun, and with her hair tied in a single ponytail, descended from the sky. Then, somewhat unladylike, she pulled a bag of fish cakes from her pocket and began to eat them in large bites.

"Hmm...it's a little serious." Then, she pulled out her crimson Soul Gem: "Remember, you owe me a favor, Kyubey." As she said this, she used the Soul Gem's magic. In no time, my injuries healed at a visible speed.

"That was quite a shock. But anyway, I'm saved." I first checked myself over and found that I was unharmed. I breathed a sigh of relief. I turned around and thanked the girl, "Thank you, Kyoko."

That's right, this is another magical girl I signed, Sakura Kyoko. At this moment, she has returned to her normal attire, wearing frayed denim shorts, a light blue jacket, and brown boots, looking very energetic.

Originally, because Mami already lived in this city, to avoid conflict between the two of them, Kyoko had been living in a neighboring city. She didn't see me very often.

"So, that girl is the strange magical girl you were talking about?" Kyoko mumbled between bites of food.

"That's right, it's that guy."

"Wasn't it a contract you signed with her?"

"If that were the case, that would be great. But actually, I have absolutely no idea how she obtained the magical girl power. It's like it just appeared out of thin air."

"Oh...so, why exactly is she causing you trouble, Casanova?" Kyoko smiled at me with ill intent.

"Hmm... well, maybe they think that if they kill me, no new magical girls will be created. That way, there won't be any more people competing with her... that's probably it?"

I made up a lie on the spot.

"Huh? Is that so?" Kyoko asked, half believing and half doubting.

"Perhaps, I'm just guessing." I certainly wouldn't be so sure of myself. "But Kyoko, why did you come here? This city is Mami's hunting grounds, you know."

"Tch." Kyoko looked a little unhappy when I mentioned Mami. "Okay, let's not talk about her anymore. Let's go."

"Go? Where to?" I stood up. The bloodstains on my body had long since disappeared, and my school uniform was back on.

"Why ask so many questions—anyway, you're mine now." Kyoko said this boldly as she grabbed my hand and pulled me outside…

Chapter Four: The taste of apricots is sweet.

And so, Kyoko led me out by the hand. We didn't run into Madoka and Sayaka again along the way.

To be honest, I'm feeling a bit uneasy. Seriously... I just called Mami to come rescue me. I didn't expect that before Mami even arrived, Kyoko would suddenly appear. And while I'm temporarily out of danger—it feels like I've just escaped one danger only to fall into another. Just imagine when Mami comes over and sees Kyoko and me holding hands so affectionately, will she instantly go berserk and turn into a witch?

Even without a momentary berserk witch transformation, I'm still guaranteed to get a final blow to the head. I wonder if Kyoko can handle it.

Should... probably... or...

Forget it, there's no point in thinking about these things now. Even though I can't see Kyoko's face from behind, she must be very happy right now. Although running hand-in-hand like this on a main road is a little dangerous.

But that's what youth is all about.

It seems like I was being pulled forward by a girl like that. Thinking back, it was a long time ago. Back then… that girl…

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya?

Is that the name? I can't quite remember.

—Just kidding. That fool, I'll never forget him, even in 4.7 billion years. But, it seems a little unfair to Kyoko to be thinking about another girl while being with one.

"Xingzi, wait a minute." I called out to her.

"What is it?" Kyoko stopped abruptly, then turned around. Just as I expected, I fell into her arms due to inertia and kissed her.

"Waaah—"

Anzu was only slightly surprised, then hugged me tightly, closing her eyes. She seemed to be enjoying it. And so, the young couple passionately kissed in the street, prompting passersby to lament the decline of morality and the loss of traditional values.

However, none of that matters anymore. What matters is the girl in front of me, this red-haired girl with a single ponytail who looks very cool—but is actually quite pitiful.

I think—no, I'm sure, absolutely sure—I've fallen for her. Although it hasn't reached the level of "love" yet. But it's already quite something.

"So, Kyoko, let's leave here, okay?" After a long silence, and as I felt myself struggling to breathe, we finally parted our lips reluctantly, completely ignoring the crowd watching. I asked her this.

"Leave...this place?" Kyoko seemed not to understand what I was talking about.

"Never mind, we can talk about this later." I thought for a moment and felt this wasn't the place to talk, so I pulled Kyoko out of the crowd, this time taking her hand. I led her towards the arcade—Kyoko basically only goes to places like this. Places like cafes, ice cream parlors, movie theaters, parks, amusement parks… places that normal couples go to on dates, Kyoko wouldn't go.

"But seriously, is it really okay to skip classes and spend all day in the arcade? Although being a magical girl does guarantee a comfortable life... can't you at least try to integrate into society a bit more? Speaking of which, I recently started attending a school."

"Nonsense," Kyoko said. It seemed she was determined to remain unrepentant and be a bad kid for life.

Oh well, there's still plenty of time. I'll send Mami a message and tell her I'm fine now. Let her go home first.

At that moment, Mami, who was a little late, arrived at the CD store, but found no trace of me.

“Seriously, Kyubey…” After receiving my message that “It’s all right now, you can go home first. I’ll be home a little late today,” even Mami, with her good temper, felt uncomfortable. However, Mitakihara is a city after all, and finding someone there would definitely be a lot of trouble. Mami frowned, but then decided to listen to me and go home first. She’d ask me “properly” what happened when I got back.

So, after taking care of the person at home, I was finally able to relax and play with Kyoko.