Meeting Yui’s determined gaze with hesitation, Anisa averts her eyes in shame.

Anisa: … You may not have been a Puella Malefica for long enough to remember. The darkness within moving your limbs like a puppet. Speaking its hatred in your voice. I’ll have plenty of time to remember.

Yui: I remember damn good and well what that felt like. Don’t insult me just ’cause I was stopped before I did any damage. I just need to get the shit you did off my chest, Anisa. It’s for closure and catharsis. Consider it another trial given to you by the Hierarchy!

Toi: Yui…

Anisa: Then I’ll say nothing. I’ll listen to what you need to say.

Yui: I’d rather hear the feedback. I know if it were me, I’d have to listen to this shit too. God knows I did, heard it non-stop from Alice every time I dug trying to get to Kae or hunt Witches out of town.

Anisa: What feedback, Yui? I killed Esther because something, deep inside of me, wanted her dead. Dead so Alice would be devastated, crippled by despair. I wanted that. I desired that, because I hated her. Hated her. Because I was nothing but hatred. I hated my best friend, so I killed her too. That’s what a Witch does. It hates. What do you want me to say?

Toi: It was the Witch that did that. Not you. The Witch.

Anisa: The Witch wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for me.

Yui: Yours was driven by hate. Might come as a shock, but even if all our Witches are murdering bastards, they all got their own reason. We’re all individuals. Didn’t know you well enough once I got these powers, or I could tell you. Y’know, that’s something I can do, right? I can name them. Mine’s Sabrina. She’s driven by wanting to win tough fights. Wanna know how I can do this? It’s not ’cause of my wish, I’ll have you know.

Toi: Yui, this is pointless. She already blames herself more than you can imagine.

Yui: And I still have to look at Alice’s fucking scars, every goddamn day!

Anisa: So, what are you going to do? Tell me things I already know? Hurt me? Kill me? Kill someone I love? You can’t. It’s pointless. I cannot die to atone for what I’ve done. I cannot leave so you never have to see me again. All I can do is listen. And you can yell at me all you like, and I’ll let you because I deserve it, but I cannot give you closure. I cannot give you an answer. I cannot tell you what would have happened if I had known this or had done that because I didn’t.

Yui: I’m not here for revenge. I’m just face-to-face with the person who fucked up the girl I love and killed her sister. Would you just let it go? Don’t give me any bullshit about self-righteousness or turning the other cheek. ‘Cause I didn’t even get to the shit you did when you were my boss.

Anisa: Then what are you here for, Yui? To remind me that I’m a monster? Tell me, what can I do to make you let it go? Nothing. There is nothing we can do for each other to let the past be the past.

Toi: Cut it out. Neither of you is going to get out of this what you want.

Yui: Then what do you suggest, counselor?

Toi: … Acceptance. Not forgiveness, but… accepting that the past cannot be changed, no matter what we do. Doing the best you can with what is within your power to change… and living with what is outside of it. It’s the only thing we can do to heal and move on.

Yui: Doesn’t mean I can’t get it off my chest. Bottling things up isn’t healthy, so I’m told.

Toi: And you may. But what do you want Anisa to tell you in response? What else can she do but listen and acknowledge you?

Yui: She made it clear she wants to be a brick wall about it.

Toi: No, she didn’t. She told you she would listen, but she understands there is nothing she can do or say to give you the closure you need. She’s asked you time after time how she could, but, I think in the end you don’t know how she could either. You need to get your grief out there? Be our guest. Just don’t ask us to do something we can’t do.

Yui: Fine, then. Glossin’ over the part where you killed Alice’s sister and fucked her up beyond normalcy. There’s the shit you did do while lucid. Sixth Bureau shit. I fought for you. If you got your way, I would’ve killed for you. All while I was told nothing, and to accept it. On blind faith. Would it really have killed you to keep me in the loop more than not at all? Or puttin’ goddamn military dudes against Kae. Or locking the city down. None of that was your Witch half. Your soldiers fired on those girls with live ammo, and word on the grapevine, you still have some of your power! Miho Kawakami didn’t need to die. Those soldiers you sent after Kae. Yeah, you pulled it together in the end, and fighting the amalgamate was fun, at least to my other half. But that was after the amalgamate kicked your ass, and after who you were had come to light. Point is, what the fuck was going through your head to think that militaristic fascism was the only way to go, Anisa?

Anisa: Too much. I thought that if I did everything I could, it would keep your secret under wraps. It would… protect you from the government seizing you by force. I thought that if I kept everyone inside, I would protect them. I could keep them save. I told them to shoot rubber bullets. I told them to shoot rubber bullets. Everyone told me they were safe.

Yui: Who told you they were safe? American cops? ‘Cause these Fabergé eggs that hold our souls aren’t exactly durable enough to stop anything fired from a gun!

Anisa: I… I don’t know. They were going to kill my men. I… I needed them to listen. They were ruining everything. I thought I had everything under control. I… I thought I might actually succeed. Keep the city safe. Make sure no one would die when the next attack hit… They were going to ruin everything. So… I did what I thought was the most h-humane option I had. I know you won’t understand, but… I thought I could prove the Hierarchy wrong. Defy the fate they laid out for me. I didn’t realize that… that was part of their trap. Giving me power to fool me into thinking I actually could accomplish the impossible task they gave me. I am not a good person, Yui. B-But I keep thinking I am. I keep thinking I can be. I never realize the harm I’ve done until it’s too late… Why do you think I killed myself in the first place?

Yui: You tried to kill yourself. If I recall right, the Witch half kept that from sticking. Unless there’s more bullshit to being a Malefica — I’d have to ask Sis. Back to the point, though… we all tried to tell you that doin’ this iron grip bullshit while keepin’ us all in the dark wasn’t gonna end well. The Sixth Bureau would’ve been fine if you’d just actually listened to the girls you were tryin’ to keep safe. But that was the worst part. You didn’t listen. You didn’t want to listen. You just had to be right, and absolute about it all. We just had to do what you said, without question, without knowledge. You’re still human enough to know why that was a shitty plan, right?

Anisa: I thought I knew better. I thought I could outsmart them if I did the opposite of what they expected me to do. That’s why I tried to reach out to Alice, that’s — I didn’t realize that’s exactly why this is the punishment they conceived of for me! You don’t — I don’t know. I don’t know why I did the things I did. I don’t even know if it was me who made these mistakes or if the Hierarchy made me make them, knowing that they would haunt me. I don’t know who I am anymore. I don’t know if I can even decide who I am anymore. You have to understand. I can tell you that I thought I was doing the right thing, and I did. I did! But was it really me who thought that? Or did they just plant the idea into my head, making me think it was my own? How can I hold myself accountable when I don’t even know I’m responsible for my own will?

Yui: The fact that you, right now, are tellin’ me that you wanted to do the right thing tells me that you’re human enough. The Hierarchy would leave you enough free will to get you into the frame of mind where you’re lucid enough… Lemme give you my take, from a lowly peon. Those decisions were made by a woman in power. Arrogant, brash, but lucid. You had power. Authority. And you wielded them with absolution (she approaches, kneeling down in front of Anisa but not making contact). If you’re lookin’ for guidance, here’s an idea. When in doubt, listen to me. I’m far from perfect. But I’m impulsive enough to make decisions and lucky or human enough to not regret them too badly. But more importantly, listenin’ to me an’ her will go a long way in keepin’ you grounded. Sound fair?

Anisa: They’ll… They’ll find a way to take you away from me. Just like how they’ll take Kanamin away.

Toi: I’d like to see them try.

Yui: I think my resume speaks for itself. Lessee… I technically killed you — with some help — I beat the Maestro, took down countless Witches, even some out of Barrier, helped take down some time-stop sniper chick who had something called “Magia”, whatever the fuck that is. Oh right, took down the Chairman, that was fun. Fought Kae, became an Angel, survived that. Fought the reborn Walpurgisnacht — even if Sabby did most of the heavy lifting. Um… Yo, Teach, anything I’m leavin’ out here? Besides the cage fighting as a literal child thing. Point is, I’m tough as fuck, and I’ve overcome everything thrown at me. Not saying I’m stronger than your God or whatever, but they’ll have to try pretty fuckin’ hard to get me away at this point.

Anisa: Trust me, I’ve given up on calling anyone *my* God ages ago… I’m not gonna give you a job, though.

Yui: I’m good with that. But from now on, we’re equals. I don’t give a shit that you can probably kick my ass. We’re equals. As such, you can talk to me before doin’ anything rash, like say, putting the city under martial law. ‘Kay?

Anisa: Do I have much of a choice?

Yui: (smirk) With me? Ask Alice how that works sometime.

Toi: I think we can imagine. (she smiles nervously)

Yui: My point is, they have to kill me to take me out of the picture. I’m easy as fuck to find, tough as goddamn nails, and stubborn as all hell. And thanks to Alice, I’m not out to actually rip your head off this time. In fact, if there really is a world ending threat on the horizon, it makes sense for the Third and Fourth Angels to team up. …I guess the First, too. But again, I’m en route to kick her ass after this.

Anisa: Could you… please stop calling us that?

Yui: Old habits die hard, and my life’s revolved around titles since I was twelve. Good luck.

Anisa: It was worth the try.

Yui: Again, ask Alice how that’s goin’. She hates the titles as much as you do.

Toi: I don’t think they’re alone in that… (nervous laughter)

Yui: If it helps, I don’t call myself “Forte” unless I need to get in a Conductor stronghold…

Anisa: In any case… it’s time for you to get out of here.

Yui: Huh. Am I gettin’ in between date night or somethin’?

Anisa: … Dating would be the last thing on my mind right now.

Yui: I don’t get the rush. ‘Cause like, I know I sure as fuck aren’t gettin’ another shot at this any time soon. Talkin’ to you like an equal, with the sky not fallin’.

Anisa: The sky is falling.

Toi: And Anisa’s first crush ended so badly I think she’s sworn off dating for the time being…

Yui: … Hey, when Anisa kicks us both out, where d’ya wanna go for lunch?

Toi: I don’t think you can afford my taste.

Yui: I own a business.

Toi: I don’t think you can afford my taste.

Yui: God damn…

Anisa: You literally order a milkshake from Starbeaks every day.

Yui: I can afford that… Wait, shit! You’re not my boss anymore, I can’t just ask for milkshakes…

Toi: She was talking about me… Surprise! I was the milkshake girl all along! Can’t you tell?

Yui: That cherry orange thingy was really good.

Anisa: Rejected.

Toi: Aww!

Anisa: You’ve got no one but yourself to blame…

Yui: Well, in any case, I don’t see the rush on leavin’, but if I’m bein’ kicked out… ah, I could invite you to meet with Cecilia. Kickin’ her ass with an audience could be its own thrill.

Anisa: Give it time.

Yui: Oh, we have time now, do we? (smirk)

Anisa: Once again… What do you actually want from me?

Yui: Truthfully? Besides gettin’ that history off my chest? I wanna keep an eye on you. Keep ya nice an’ close in case shit hits the fan and I need some extra muscle. But really, havin’ another one of our kind alive to talk to about it is nice, y’know? Yeah… I’mma stick with “boss” then.

Anisa: You have my contact info.

Yui: You haven’t been answering the goddamn phone.

Anisa: Well, I won’t.

Yui: … What’s the goddamn point of havin’ your contact info then?!

Anisa: I mean, I won’t not be answering my phone. Sorry.

Yui: Guess we’ll find out. But expect another house visit if I go too long with radio silence. I’m pretty good at trackin’ people down.

Anisa: We might want to consider not being as easy to track down.

Yui: No one else can but me an’ Sis. You’re good.

Anisa: … And Kyubey. Be careful around him, Yui. He might soon prove to be more than a mere annoyance.

Yui: … That fucker doesn’t count. You think Kyubey’s gonna make the sky fall around us?

Anisa: I do.

Yui: … What, some kinda fallback plan in case girls like us live too long or get too strong?

Anisa: It’s not unreasonable to assume so. What you do goes directly against his entire motives for making his “contracts”.

Yui: And I can’t deny that. That was the mission statement, after all… Let’s say I believe you. What’s the plan?

Anisa: We fight for our lives.

Yui: Besides that.

Anisa: There is no “besides that”, Yui. He’s cleaning up after himself, and I’m sure he’s driven so many people beyond the edge of reason over the years he’s got more than enough soldiers willing to do that for him.

Yui: So we rally every single magical girl in the city and prep for war. But… we leave them in the loop this time.

Anisa: I’ll tell you what I know, but it’s frustratingly little… It’s just that… The current state our city’s in got me thinking… If I were to want to strike at my enemies, now would be the perfect time. I always had this hunch, that he would be behind the massacre the Hierarchy showed me. Miss Ambrosi’s return would make for the perfect storm. And then, when you were in space fighting Hikarizaka… we stumbled upon this…

Her face falling, Toi produces a shoebox from underneath a pile of clothing. After a few seconds of hesitation, she places it within everyone’s view and slowly lifts the lid… opening it to reveal the shattered pieces of a crumbled Grief Seed…