[085] Fans Delivering Razor Blades [100 PS]

The suffocating pain filled her heart, and the young girl had no other way to release it except through tears.

On the other side, Shiina Mahiru noticed this scene and was visibly taken aback.

Without hesitation, she gently pulled the sobbing girl into her arms.

"Go ahead and cry. You'll feel better afterward," Mahiru whispered softly, patting Eriri's trembling back.

After some time, Eriri's sobs faded.

Then came the scene that followed—a storming Eriri, eyes ablaze and fists clenched, stomping straight toward Akifumi.

Akifumi blinked in surprise.

He had no idea what had triggered this outburst, but one thing was certain: he couldn't just stand there and do nothing.

He extended his hand and easily grabbed the collar of Eriri's shirt, stopping her in her tracks.

"Let me go! I'm going to bite you, you jerk!"

"You're heartless! You're a cruel demon!"

Tears clung to Eriri's reddened eyes as she flailed her arms, desperately trying to break free.

But their strength was clearly mismatched—she couldn't even budge against Akifumi's hold.

'This girl... still the same as before, even after growing up.'

Akifumi sighed inwardly.

'It's just a story—why get so invested?'

[TL Note – For the people who never cry because of a 'story' please go back and play Honkai Impact Elysia Arc / watch Violet Evergarden.]

He conveniently forgot how he had reacted when his friend had tricked him into watching Magical Girl Madoka.

His response back then had been only slightly better than Eriri's current meltdown.

Shiina Mahiru, who had been quietly watching from the side, couldn't help but smile at the scene unfolding before her.

When Eriri finally wore herself out, Akifumi spoke calmly:

"I'll let you go, but promise you won't try to bite me again."

Eriri's eyes glinted with stubborn defiance.

Akifumi shrugged.

"Fine. We can just stay like this, then."

Having regained a youthful body, Akifumi took care of his health diligently.

Regular exercise had made him physically fit enough to overpower Eriri, whose frail, nerdy frame was no match for him.

A minute later, Eriri acknowledged the power gap and begrudgingly gave up.

"Fine, let me go," she muttered sullenly.

Akifumi released her, and Eriri flopped onto the couch, sulking in silence.

Sitting across from her, Akifumi sighed.

"What's with the tantrum?"

"They all died! How can you even ask me that?!"

"What do you want me to do about it?" Akifumi spread his hands helplessly.

"Make it a cliché magical girl story with a perfect, happy ending?"

"Leaving plot holes is bad enough, but that ending was just plain cruel—are you trying to get your readers to come after you?"

Eriri opened her mouth to argue but was at a loss for words.

She knew he was right, but that didn't make her feel any better about the fate of her favorite characters.

She turned her head away, still upset.

Shiina Mahiru, who had been listening quietly, chimed in with a smile:

"I actually thought Akifumi-kun's ending was quite good."

"What?! Even you, Shiina?!"

Eriri's eyes widened in disbelief, as if she had just been betrayed by her most trusted ally.

"Didn't you feel sad at all?"

"Of course." Shiina shook her head with a gentle smile. "But not that much."

"After all, it's just a story. Besides, I never really connected with the whole magical girl thing."

Eriri's face darkened.

She had thought Shiina was on her side, but it seemed they were worlds apart.

Shiina continued, her tone thoughtful:

"Mami-senpai found a new goal in the end."

"Sure, it looked tragic at first, but Kyouko and Sayaka became close friends, didn't they?"

"Akemi Homura went through countless failures and near-despair but was finally redeemed by Madoka's acceptance and comfort. And Madoka, as a divine figure, sacrificed herself to bring hope to countless others."

"Even though Sayaka's decision was a little regrettable, it was still her choice."

Shiina smiled. "If you look at it that way, isn't the story more profound and meaningful than just a simple happy ending?"

Eriri was silent for a while, then pouted.

"That's easy for you to say when you're not the one suffering through it."

"From Homura's perspective, it's an unbearable tragedy! She was forgotten by the entire world—even her parents don't remember her!"

"That's not redemption at all!"

"Well, I refuse to accept it!"

Akifumi shrugged.

"You're not alone. Plenty of people online hate that ending. Why not form a team and create an alternate storyline?"

"Hmph, fine! I will!" Eriri shot back without hesitation.

As if she couldn't handle it?

"Speaking of which," Shiina suddenly interjected

"Akifumi-kun, that ending you drew with Kyubey and the mention of those beasts—does that mean Madoka Magica isn't really over? Is there more?"

Akifumi glanced at her in surprise.

"Well, who knows?" he said cryptically.

Of course, there was more.

Madoka Magica had sequels, including the Rebellion movie arc.

But since Akifumi only occasionally recalled his past life memories, he couldn't guarantee remembering everything accurately.

It was better to keep things ambiguous for now.

Eriri's eyes lit up.

"There's more?! Is there really more?!"

Akifumi sighed at her reaction.

"Seriously? You were just heartbroken, and now you're all excited again?"

Had she forgotten how devastated she'd been just minutes ago?

He shook his head.

"I didn't say that. What you think is up to you."

"Stingy." Eriri rolled her eyes, but inside she was thrilled.

If there was more, then maybe—just maybe—the tragedies would be undone.

Sure, Akifumi hadn't confirmed it, but he hadn't denied it either.

Hope glimmered in Eriri's heart.

With sequels, maybe the pain could turn into sweetness.

Of course, she hadn't considered that the sequels might be filled with even more heartbreak.

Shiina smiled as she watched the two return to their usual banter.

Suddenly, Akifumi's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen—a call from an unfamiliar number.

After a brief hesitation, he answered.

"Hello?"

A calm, cold female voice came through the line.

"Hello, is this Akifumi-san?"

"Speaking."

"You have a package. Please come downstairs to sign for it."

.............

[TL Note]

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