Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

Yan Ming followed behind Sayaka, and the two of them walked along like this without saying much to each other.

"...Do you want that boy's arm to return to normal?"

That one sentence alone made Sayaka freeze in place.

"Eh...?"

"If I had the ability, I might be able to turn back time and restore that person's hand to its normal state... This is just a guess."

In reality, Yan Ming could have cured Kamijou Kyosuke's physical problems in an instant, but he still used this ambiguous statement to tell Sayaka.

"Is...is it really possible to do that? To heal Kyosuke's body completely...?"

"The key point is another one, Sayaka."

Seeing Sayaka's expression, as if she had grasped at a lifeline, Yan Ming said something that seemed to pour cold water on her.

"The key point is, if I successfully save Kyosuke and restore his arm... then what will you do next?"

"Afterwards... what do you mean by 'what will happen afterwards'?"

Sayaka's expression was one of complete ignorance; she seemed unable to comprehend the question Yan Ming had raised.

…but in reality, she was very clear about it.

She simply didn't want to face all of this, and that was precisely the key to Sayaka's emotions.

Only by resolving this issue can Sayaka's problems related to magical girls be completely resolved.

Therefore, Yan Ming simply said what he meant.

"When you looked at that boy just now, I felt that the expression on your face was very complicated."

"..."

“I don’t know exactly what you’re thinking, but at least… I hope you can be more frank about your thoughts.”

Seeing Sayaka like this, Yan Ming could only say these words in the end.

"If you don't honestly face what you want and just keep it hidden, you will definitely regret it one day."

The content of their conversation was already quite clear, so Sayaka also knew exactly what Yan Ming was referring to.

She remained silent for a moment, and the two of them stood there in the corridor where few people walked by.

"...Can someone like me really be accepted by Kyosuke-kun?"

After holding it in for a long time, Sayaka finally managed to utter this sentence.

"I don't think you have any problem, or do you feel that you've done something wrong?"

"I...I always manage to make Kyosuke-kun angry for no reason, and then I stammer when I talk to him, I'm such a useless person..."

"So because of this, you want to give up staying by his side?"

Even Sayaka herself probably wouldn't believe such a reason.

Yan Ming stared at her, shook his head, and turned to walk towards the door.

“I’m going back now… I think it would be better if you asked more people for their opinions on these matters.”

"For example, those people you spend every day with."

Sayaka remained alone, watching the departing figure.

People you spend every day with...

For a moment, only that one figure could appear in Sayaka's mind.

————————————————————

Is it over?

Akemi Yan, who had been waiting at the hospital entrance, quickly asked Yan Ming.

"not yet."

Yan Ming shook his head, but he had basically done all he could.

"I'll go and fix Kyosuke's arm tonight, but after that... it's up to Sayaka herself."

"I see... I understand."

"More importantly, what's going on between you and Sakura Kyoko..."

Upon hearing Yan Ming's question, Homura Akemi nodded in response.

"Everything is ready."

Volume 6, Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Chapter 263 The Scam Begins

Sayaka Miki returned home.

Because she didn't get home too late, her parents didn't say much to her, but after seeing Sayaka's expression, they still couldn't help but show concern.

Nevertheless, Sayaka remained absent-minded, and after giving a few perfunctory replies, she returned to her room.

Sayaka lay alone in bed.

The words Yan Ming said to her during the day still linger in her mind.

Those words weren't particularly appealing... they just sparked endless thought in her.

Ask the person you spend every day with...

She took out her phone, thought for a moment, and finally managed to dial someone's number.

"...Sayaka?"

The voice on the other end was familiar; it belonged to a close friend.

"Xiaoyuan...are you alright?"

"Me? I'm fine, what's wrong with you?"

"Huh? Ahahaha—I, how could anything be wrong with me! I just wanted to ask how you were, ahahahaha!"

Although she was putting on a brave front, Sayaka was actually incredibly nervous inside.

No matter how much pretense is created, it all comes down to the question she wanted to ask.

"Can I ask you a question... Xiaoyuan?"

"Ask me questions? What kind of questions...?"

"It's okay if you don't want to answer, I'm just asking anyway."

As she spoke, Sayaka seemed to be encouraging herself, trying her best to squeeze out those simple words from her mouth.

"...What kind of person do you think I am?"

"Sayaka...?"

"If you don't want to answer, that's fine, but..."

She took a deep breath.

"If you want to answer this question, I hope you will answer it seriously."

A moment of silence followed.

Both Sayaka and Madoka fell silent, and then—

"...Sayaka".

Xiaoyuan's voice came again, but... it was completely different from her previous tone.

Although she still carried that slightly submissive air she usually had, you could tell that what she was about to say was serious.

"In my opinion, you have a great ability to comfort and enlighten others."

Naturally, like flowing water, these comments from Madoka slowly flowed into Sayaka's heart.

“At the very beginning, I was just a very timid child, but... I received your encouragement. Even when I was very timid, you were still willing to help me and support me.”

"And so it remains the same until now... The Sayaka I know is someone who is so willing to accept others, inspire others, and has the power to change the status quo of cowardice."

"But even Sayaka has some aspects that I find strange."

Then, the conversation took a turn.

“When I went to visit Kyosuke with you, I saw that there was a look in your eyes that I couldn’t understand at all.”

"It's like admiration for Kyosuke-kun, and it's also like liking Kyosuke-kun. I don't know what kind of situation it is, but... Sayaka, while you're expressing these emotions, you don't intend to be honest with Kyosuke-kun about your feelings for him, do you?"

At this moment, Xiaoyuan's words seemed to overlap with what Yan Mingbai had said the day before.

“Sayaka… I really don’t know what kind of feelings you have for Kyosuke. If you really… care about him, I think you should tell him everything.”

"Xiao Yuan..."

The two fell silent again.

"I'm so sorry, Sayaka! I... I just did what you told me to do, expressing all my thoughts about you, that's all..."

"It's okay. I... I should have known about these things a long time ago, no... I should have known them a long time ago, right?"

"Eh?"

Sayaka's words startled Madoka once again. What did she mean?

"Xiaoyuan... thank you. I'm really glad to have met a friend like you who is willing to respect my thoughts and tell me everything I want to know."

"Sayaka... are you really alright?"

"I'm actually still...sad."

She reached out and wiped the corner of her eye.

"So... to make up for my past failure to confront these cowardly issues of mine, at least from now on... I will never admit defeat again."

After receiving guidance from Yan Ming and Xiao Yuan, she finally understood her true feelings for Kamijou Kyosuke and also realized her real problem.

Perhaps Sayaka had known about her feelings for a long time... but she just hadn't dared to admit it, and had been making all sorts of excuses for herself.

It is precisely because of this reason that she becomes increasingly conflicted about these matters.

…This is probably the real reason why Sayaka, after becoming a magical girl, is prone to turning into a witch in any reincarnation.

But now…

This thing that has been repeated countless times may finally come to a complete conclusion.

Sayaka wiped away all the tears from the corners of her eyes; she was ready.

Tomorrow... I'm going to find Kyosuke Kamijou.

"I must muster up the courage to face my own feelings...!"

------------------

It's nighttime here in Mitakihara City.

At a time when almost everyone was asleep, in a certain alleyway—

boom!!!

No matter where the bombs came from.

Emerging from the smoke of battle was a petite figure; she was dressed in black.

And right behind it was a red figure.

"Hey, what's wrong? Aren't you supposed to be able to manipulate time? Is this all the trick you can pull?!"

Kyoko Sakura.

Wielding a long spear in both hands, she relentlessly pressed Homura Akemi with an overwhelming offensive, gradually driving her into a desperate situation where she could only use firearms.

Although Homura Akemi still possesses a powerful ability to stop time, her combat strength is still significantly weaker than that of Kyoko Sakura.

"Humph!"

She raised the spear in her hand, and the weapon instantly transformed into a chain, wrapping around Homura Akemi's body from multiple angles.

Click—!

"It seems that even the one who can stop time can't escape my grasp after all."