MHGA Chapter 372 – Kairo Retsu and Homura Akemi
"I don't really know how to explain it to you, but I already understand what being a magical girl truly means." Madoka said this to Homura after thinking for a moment. "I already know what will happen if I become a magical girl. The one who told me… was the Guildmaster."
"That Guildmaster said… he doesn't want me to become a magical girl."
Madoka gently patted Homura's hand, prompting her to let go of Madoka's wrist—and then Madoka turned and grasped Homura's hand in return.
It was a strange feeling. Even though this was the first time Madoka had held Homura's hand, it felt strangely familiar.
"He doesn't want you to become a magical girl?" Homura's pupils dilated.
Had that man really said such a thing to Madoka?
If this was Kyubey's scheme, would Kyubey ever say something like that?
"Did he lie to you?"
Homura still couldn't believe things were progressing this smoothly. What she feared more was that Madoka had been deceived.
"I don't… think so?" Madoka recalled what had happened when she first arrived at the Gathering Hub.
Kairo Retsu had come bursting out of the front gate, wearing a full-body shirt plastered with pictures of her magical girl self. He'd scared her half to death at the time.
"He didn't lie to me."
Madoka confirmed her words. "Homura, once you meet the Guildmaster, you'll understand a lot of things."
"I know what you're trying to do, and I've already promised the Guildmaster—and you—that until we reach a point of no return, I'll believe in everyone."
Madoka squeezed Homura's hand. "I won't become a magical girl—not while there are still people I can believe in."
"So, Homura… will you meet with the Guildmaster?" Madoka looked straight into her eyes. "He'll explain everything."
"I…"
Homura froze. But staring back into Madoka's unwavering gaze, she found herself unable to say no.
In the end, almost against her own will, she gave a small nod.
"Great. I'll let the Guildmaster know."
Madoka beamed, and used the Gathering Hub's message system to notify Kairo Retsu.
A moment later, she turned to Homura and said calmly,
"He said yes. He's on his way right now—riding a Wyvern."
"A… Wyvern?" Homura's eyes widened. "Right now?"
Just as she was about to ask Madoka how she even got in contact with this person—
Her sharp ears caught the sound of wings flapping in the distance—different from any ordinary bird. The whooshing grew louder, heading directly toward them.
Without hesitation, Homura transformed to shield Madoka.
And the next instant—
A figure came crashing down from the sky, slamming into the ground right in front of them.
"Damn it, Wyvern! Another crash landing! One of these days I will cook you!"
A man wearing simple leather armor lay on the ground, clutching his back.
"Damn it… I'm not injured, but it still freaking hurts…"
"My back! My back!"
"Ha?" Homura froze.
But the commotion drew the attention of a nearby P.E. teacher, who came running toward the sound—only to find no one present but Madoka and Homura.
"Did you girls see something fall here just now?" the teacher asked.
Both of them shook their heads.
"Huh… must've been an animal or something sneaking in?"
The teacher looked around in confusion, but since there was nothing out of the ordinary, he left shortly afterward.
Once he was gone, Kairo Retsu stood up from behind the bench where he'd been hiding—wearing an Invisibility Mantle.
"Phew, good thing I had this stealth outfit on. Otherwise, I'd have been labeled a pervert sneaking into a middle school…"
Kairo let out a breath of relief.
Homura stared at him in utter confusion.
But when Kairo noticed her gaze, he turned and beamed brightly.
"Homura Akemi! A magical girl possessing time-stopping and time-looping abilities, right?"
Homura's eyes widened. She hadn't even managed to speak before Kairo suddenly shoved a large bag into her hands after rummaging through his pack.
"I didn't know what to give you, so here! Consider this a gift! Also… could you sign my Homura merch?"
The bag he'd stuffed into her arms was full of Madoka-themed merchandise—posters, badges, limited-edition figures… even a chibi version of magical girl Madoka.
Then Kairo yanked open his leather armor—revealing a full-body Homura fan-shirt underneath.
"Ha?!"
———
Roughly five minutes later…
"So… in other worlds, our story is an anime broadcast to the public, and you're not just a Hunter—you're also an anime otaku?"
Homura tried to process everything in her own way.
"Yes. I'm a hardcore 2D fan."
Kairo scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "I've always been that way… but I pretended to be normal so I could function in society…"
"..."
Homura looked down at the bag of Madoka merch in her hands, unable to say anything.
She could tell the atmosphere had somehow shifted far away from the grave tone it had started with.
And the most important thing was… she really did want these Madoka items.
She could clearly feel Kairo's passion for Madoka—like a devoted fan watching her through a screen.
Someone who loved Madoka that much probably wasn't a bad person. But still…!
Why was he wearing clothes with her face on them… and asking her for an autograph?!
"Guildmaster, I think you're scaring Homura a little…" Madoka said, clearly exasperated.
"Ah, sorry, sorry."
Kairo scratched his head, then sat cross-legged and straightened his back.
"Alright, let's talk about the real stuff now."
"Homura Akemi, you want to save Madoka, don't you?"
Kairo extended a hand toward her.
"Then come join us."
"As the Guildmaster of the Monster Hunter Gathering Hub, I speak on behalf of myself and all our Hunters."
"The shared despair of magical girls and Witches… we Hunters view that as a monster."
"And as a Hunter—
I will hunt monsters beyond all reason."
Like this story Leave a review ; it would really help me out a lot.
Want to Read Ahead in Advance?
Join my Patreon!
+75 Chapters
Support me in
Patreon.com/BestElysium