Puella Magi Rei ♥ Magica

Chapter 3: "The Truth"

"So.. this is why Ring had that special necklace that.. she said 'You can't find anywhere'.. right?" Rei whispered, holding her head as she sat on a couch.

"Mmhm." Ring nodded. "P-please forgive me, Asano-chan! I didn't mean to throw you off the roof of Mitakihara Middle School! I just-- I wanted to protect you from that witch!" She cried, dropping to her knees in front of Rei, "I'm sorry.." She sobbed.

"R-Ring-- Stop.." Rei gently grasped Ring's shoulders, lifting her to her feet, "You did what you had to do.. Right? There was a reason for it.. Right? Plus- I'm fine! Thanks to Tsuki and that.. weird.. ribbon thing- Oh lord I am still not quite understanding this-" Rei held her head, sitting her and Ring down on the couch again.

"Really, there was no harm done in this matter." The white creature from earlier slowly padded it's way towards them from the shadows. "The witch was defeated and no humans were injured or killed. It's a win-win situation." It sat down, flicking it's ears.

"And.. what are you exactly?" Rei looked down at the creature, her confusion ever-growing.

"I am a creature known as 'Kyuubey'.. I am what you humans call an 'Incubator'. I give regular, human girls a chance at a once-in-a-lifetime miracle, and in exchange, they live a life of battle, constantly defeating manifestations of grief and sadness known as Witches." The creature dubbed 'Kyuubey' explained while hopping up into Rei's lap, and laying down.

"..Witches.. Miracles.." Rei repeated, holding her head. "Ouk--" She grunted, "I think I need an Aspirin." She whined.

"Here, Rei." Tsuki smiled, walking back from the kitchen, holding a pill and a glass of water. She handed both to Rei.

"Thank you.." She wolfed down the pill like it was a turkey, chugging the whole glass of water down as well. "So.. who's apartment is this? This isn't any of yours, I know." She said.

"No, it's mine." A kind, gentle voice was heard from the kitchen.

Ring and Tsuki smiled, and Rei was flabbergasted. "..Who's that." Rei blinked.

"I am Tomoe Mami." The kind voice stepped from the kitchen, holding a teapot in one hand, and a plate of cookies in the other. "Pardon me for not introducing myself earlier, I wanted to make sure that you were entirely understanding of the world that Tsukiumi, Ring and I live in." Mami smiled, setting the plate on the table, as well as the teapot.  "Also.. pardon if the cookies aren't up to par. I am not use to making those sort of things.. my domain is pastries and cakes." She giggled.

"..I-- It's fine..?" Rei blinked, not use to such kindness.

"Tomoe-san stepped up to become our sort of.. 'Magical Tutor' in some sense." Tsuki smiled, stepping over towards Mami and hugging her from the side.

"That's right.. and already, Akane-san has improved so much!" Mami patted Tsuki's head.

".. I see.." Rei said, gently snatching a cookie and taking a bite of it, her eyes lighting up instantly. "Tomoe-san- This is delicious!" She gasped.

"Hmm.. Well I guess it is pretty good for a first-time round, huh?" Mami smiled, sitting down, filling four glasses with freshly brewed tea. "So.. What do you think in all of this, Asano-chan?" She looked at Rei.

"..Well.. I.." Rei looked around the room.. Everyone's eyes were on her. Tsuki's.. Ring's.. Mami's.. Even Kyuubey. ".. I don't know.. I mean- this is all so spectacular and- it almost doesn't seem real at all.. But since it is-.. I just don't know how to react." Rei explained.

"And that is perfectly understandable!" Ring smiled, "When I was introduced to this world by Tsuki, I was completely shocked and surprised. It took me a while to get use to it, and-"-

"But the important thing is, Ring came around to it!" Tsuki interrupted, grabbing Ring from behind and hugging her.

Ring blushed a bright red, "Y-Yes, but like I said- It took me a while! I want to say at least a month?" She said, sitting back down next to Rei.

"And Rei." Mami stood up, holding a cup of tea. "I know what thoughts are circulating through your mind.. and I know one of them all too well. Before you look into becoming a magical girl- you should take time to consider your decision before committing to it." She explained. "You see.. Before I became a magical girl, I didn't have any time to look into my choices.."

Rei was now entirely focused on Mami. "How come?" She tilted her head.

"Well.. it was a while ago.. My parents and I were driving down a highway to get to.. some.. place, I forgot the destination. A truck didn't see us as it turned.. and it struck us." Mami said, and the room went silent.

"..I'm.. so sorry." Rei whispered.

"Well--.. I'm just telling you," Mami said, preventing herself from choking up. "I didn't have the luxury of time to decide my wish beforehand. When Kyuubey appeared in my field of vision.. I said the first thing that came to my mind. I wished to survive." She spoke. "If I had time.. I would have decided something more thought-out.. something that would have been good for me AND my family, not just me."

"I understand, Tomoe-san." Rei said, "..I will not jump right into this.. instead.. do you mind if.. I.." She stopped.

"Hmm?" Mami looked at Rei. "Mind if you what, Asano-san?"

"..Do you mind if I watch you guys fight a witch?" Rei whispered. "I.. I didn't get the chance to see the one at school! What was it like?" She asked.

"Oh- It was CRAZY!" Tsuki laughed. "You know those old portraits of Queen Elizabeth the First, of England?" She smiled.

"It looked like one of her portraits! She was waving her arms about, and her minions were knight statues! They attacked and we knocked it down!" Ring giggled.

"The crazy part about it is- It wasn't even a full witch yet! It was just a familiar! A familiar of that power.. I'm so glad we exterminated it before it could develop into a witch." Tsuki smiled, wrapping her arm around Ring's shoulder.

"Aye! A lot of humans would probably have died- and the school would have been in destruction, more than likely." Ring smiled.

"I see." Rei finally smiled.

"Asano-chan, the way I see it, with the three of us girls," Mami looked at Tsuki and Ring, "There is no reason as to why you shouldn't be able to come along with us. Besides.. I am showing two other girls the ropes as well, you'd get along with them I think!" She chuckled.

"YEAH!" Tsuki raised her fist in the air, "MAGICAL GIRL TEAM!"

"P-please calm down, Tsuki." Ring giggled, "The neighbors will hear you! And probably the rest of Japan!"

Rei was smiling, watching the three girls mingle and giggle, with Kyuubey circling them as they danced around, she was excited.. She was ready to dive into the world that they lived their lives in.

".. I am ready." Rei spoke.