Desire

Episode 3

Mami's seat was empty today in school. Nobody cared that she was dead. Not even the teachers. They just marked her as absent on the roll sheet before submitting it to the school. I've seen this so many times that I'm numbed at the process by now. But, I can't help but feel a bit bad for Madoka and Sayaka. They will be devastated for a while, but they must learn that being a Magical Girl is not about rainbows and friendship.

It was getting dark and I was on my way home to my shared apartment. I had stopped by a vending machine to pick up a drink and I saw Madoka and Sayaka walking home as well, so I waved hello. "Madoka! Sayaka!" I yelled. They turned and looked at my direction. Madoka gave a small friendly wave back while Sayaka scowled and tugged Madoka's hand. I put in a few more coins and picked up sodas for them. I handed Madoka a soda. "Here," I smiled sweetly to them for the first time. Madoka gave the soda a look before glancing up at me. I frowned. "Not a fan of soda?" I asked. "Sorry...an old best friend of mine loved to eat and drink all the time so I'm used to buying her something when we meet up."

"No, it's just..." Madoka sighed before taking the soda from me and opening it. I handed one to Sayaka as well.

"Are you insane?" She asked. "Or just manipulative? Because usually you're being mean to us."

"Consider this soda..." I started, opening mine and taking a quick swig. "A peace offering. For one conversation. Unless you try to kill me."

I leaned against the wall by the vending machine and we drank our sodas. "What will become of Mami-san?" Madoka asked.

"Oh, I don't know," I shrugged. "Her home will be empty for a while, and they'll eventually file a missing person report on her. Nobody will find the body, because Magical Girls who die within labyrinths don't leave a body behind. You could tell the police, but who's gonna believe you two? 'Oh, Mami is dead because some caterpillar Witch ate her'." I laughed before taking another swig.

Sayaka gritted her teeth. "How dare you talk about Mami-san with no respect!" She hissed. "I get you two are both the same age, but you should use honorifics with her especially the way she acts!"

"And why should I?" I asked with boredom. "What gives you the right to tell me how I should refer to her? I knew Mami for a full year before you pests latched onto her. A year. You know her for barely two weeks. So your opinion is irrelevant. I saw more of Mami then you will ever will. And trust me; she isn't as good as she seems."

"Why you--"

"I mean, who forces two girls to make a wish for cake because they can't decide on a wish? You two don't need to feel the need to feel special by having magical powers. She thinks she owes Kyubey her life because he saved her from certain death. Bitch please. You wished for it, so you saved yourself. And how she repays it? By saving others? You fight for the sake of your wish, not to protect others. That's the whole point of making a wish. To fulfill a selfish desire and spend your whole life paying back whatever it cost you."

"Um...Rei," Madoka started, trying to stop a fight between Sayaka and I. "You seem...completely normal about this. Did you see other Magical Girls die like Mami-san?"

"...Yes," I replied.

"H-How many, if I may ask?"

"My whole 'friend' group."

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

"Whatever. They could rot in a basement for all I care. In case you noticed, I was empathizing the sarcasm on 'friend'."

"So...are a lot of the missing persons dead Magical Girls?"

"I'd say. Mami's name will be another name to the list of missing people and will ultimately be forgotten by all."

"That's so terrible!" Sayaka covered her mouth.

"Well, like I said, you can't exactly tell the police a giant caterpillar ate her, right?" I reminded.

"Well, I won't forget Mami-san!" Madoka vowed.

"Same goes for me!" Sayaka placed her fist on her heart as if she was taking a vow.

"I bet wherever Mami is she's grateful for you both," I shrugged, tossing my empty soda at a trash can that was far away.

"And I won't forget you, Rei!" Madoka added. "And Homura-chan as well!"

"Madoka, I wouldn't go that far if I were you from how they've treated us—" Sayaka grumbled quietly.

"For how you saved us!" Madoka interrupted Sayaka. "I won't forget you both, even if you both leave this world!"

"Listen, fuck off," I put my hand out at Madoka as if I was stopping her. "I don't need the sappy stuff, I've had enough from meeting Mami and even remembering her--"

Yo Rei! A voice echoed in my head and I froze, pupils dilating. Rei, you there? The voice asked again.

"Rei...?" Madoka asked, tilting her head to the side. "...Are you alright?"

"I have to go," I said quickly, trying to hide my excitement. I took a few steps before Madoka stopped me again.

"Wait!" She cried. "I forgot to ask when I first heard your name. Since your full name is Rei Maizano, does that means you're related to the idol Sayaka Maizano?"

I froze upon hearing that name. My excitement turned to pure rage and hatred upon being reminded of her name. I turned slowly to Madoka, my eyes promising bloodshed and a murderous aura surrounded me. "Mention that bitch's name again and I'll kill you," I harshly whispered.

I turned around and ran away, trying to track where her voice came from.