New Eden. A building that symbolizes an oasis of hope for Magical Girls in Mitakihara. The place that, on conception and in theory, is where the fledglings conned by the Incubators can flock to get aid and training before making it on their own. 

On conception and in theory.

But over the last three months, it didn’t live up to the promise. Its maiden voyage saw girls injured, pushed to their limits, and even to the point of rebellion. And while things had quieted down since, the tempest that raged around its owner, Yui Arashi, had only grown more intense. Such casualties from this storm included the distancing of Kiwako Kobayashi, as well as New Eden’s current visitor, Hanako Sasaki. With a heavy, resigned sigh, she opened the door one Friday afternoon, slipping in quietly, even if the bell on the door gave her presence away.

What Hanako did not expect, however, was the reception to her presence.

Yui: Yo, Hanako. (Yui is tightening the ropes on the boxing ring in the middle of the floor) Aoi’s downstairs if you need healing, but you never seemed the type to need it. …Okay, lately, I mean. If you’re here for training, you’re a couple days too early.

Hanako had to steel herself. She wasn’t expecting anything less than passive-aggressive hostility, or perhaps even outright animosity. But to be welcomed like nothing ever happened? Hanako was not ready for that.

Hanako: N…No, nothing like… that. Um… I just… 

“Look, just… Just rip the bandaid off. I can guess why you’re really here, anyway.”

Hanako: (She takes a deep breath, standing firm without looking away) …I wanted to talk.

Yui: (Her eyes flash briefly, but she nods) Alice is out getting stuff ready for The Smile. Office is free. (Yui exits the boxing ring and enters her office, leaving the door ajar. When Hanako follows, Yui is already sitting at her desk) …This is about last time, right? Or, uh… did you hear through the grapevine what I need, and offer your, uh, “services”?

Hanako: (She sighs heavily) Yui, you and I have fought a few times already. Even as far as I’ve come, we both know I can’t give you what you claim to need…

Yui: Had to ask. So then, elephant in the room, right?

Hanako: …You mean how you spoke to me before?

Yui: Why else would you show up lookin’ like a deer in headlights? And a couple times, at that? Seia’s my right hand, you had to know she an’ I talk.

Hanako: Oh, that. That doesn’t… that doesn’t bother me. I came to speak to you, why would I want to conceal the fact that I came here? Had you been here that day, you would have known I was here regardless.

Yui: (She blinks, looking a little to the side) …Right. I dunno why that made sense to me, that you’d wanna keep it secret. Maybe I’m watching too much anime…

Hanako: But for the record… I am not here because of how things ended with us last time. I… got over it. No, I… I’m here about your pursuit. You’re… going about it all wrong, Yui.

Yui: (Her voice lowers with a sigh of her own, closing her eyes and folding her hands against the bridge of her nose) …Alright, round 2, then. You’re speaking to me as if you—

Hanako: —get it? No, I assure you, I do not know loss like you do, nor do I presume to speak from that position this time. But… I do know grief, even without loss. I know how I have lived my entire life… with a condition that neither therapy nor medication could even put a dent into. Even making the wish that I did, it never went away… I simply know how to live with it now. I have the strength to endure it, like Kotori had the strength to deal with her ailment. …So trust me when I say this, Yui, but you are the one who, in this situation, does not… “get it” at all.

Yui: (Her eyes open, flashing violently with violet lightning streaks dancing across her pupils, but she stays silent)

Hanako: …You’re running. And I speak from experience, Yui. I was in Tokyo for a month, and only arrived to help fend off the Balancers after they had done significant damage. I went to Tokyo because I could not face up to my friends for siding with Aoi, nor could I face Aoi for pushing my mistakes onto her. …I’m still dealing with it, but I have earned my friends’ forgiveness this time. I had to drag them into acknowledging my mistakes and make sure that I faced the music, so to speak. I spoke to Aoi when last I came to speak with you. …I did all of this because I was tired of running away. I don’t want to run anymore. But… I see so much of myself in you, from the time I made my wish. From that perspective, I get it. …Losing Mei was hard, Yui. I know that much. From my own time in the Dreamscape, listening to Shinju and Niko talk, and just… my own observation, I understand why it was hard. …But we all know that it isn’t loss that drives you. (The air around them flares just a bit) …At the risk of starting a fight I don’t want, I can safely say that you are using Mei’s death as an excuse to justify your actions… and using those actions to get someone to subdue your Witch, before you succumb to being a Puella Malefica in full once more.

Yui: (The storm behind her eyes slowly fades, as does the venom in her voice as she finally finds it) …You’ve done your homework. (Another long beat of silence as she seems to need the time and effort to compose herself, letting out a choked chuckle) …Y’sure you’re not strong enough to kick my ass yet?

Hanako: (The air, along with Hanako’s body pointedly relaxes) …Forgive me, I did not intend to fight you with words either—

Yui: You apologize when you’re wrong, Hanako. Not when you’re right on the money. …The long and short of it is, I’m tryin’ to keep the Puella Malefica state from comin’ back in full. 

Hanako: …If something happens to Shinju, when you two inevitably fight… I will do more than subdue your Witch half. I will kill you myself.

Yui: (She doesn’t flinch, merely nodding) …You fuckin’ better. 

The silence between them is uncomfortable for a long time, before Hanako finally speaks again.

Hanako: …There was one other matter. In the Dreamscape, I’ve been… occasionally visiting with Kotori. There’s… something I must ask of you.

Yui: You uh… wanna be careful with that. The Birds deal in information, and the wrong questions can unleash hell.

Hanako: No, no, not… that question. It’s about the Conductors. You see, I… I was wondering if—

Outside New Eden, the sound of a cigarette being extinguished by the rain, followed by the clink of metal. Two cell phones ring in unison, with Hanako leaving the office and into the empty gymnasium to answer hers.

Heads

Hanako left Yui’s office, over the other’s confused protests to answer her phone.

Hanako: …Yes?

Rio: Hanako! Um, Kiwa-chan asked me to call and check up on you.

Hanako: (Incredulous) …She could have called me herself.

Rio: Well, yes, but she’s been investigating something in Mitakihara. Those horrible murders.

Hanako: So she came back to Mitakihara?

Rio: The Libretto is with her, keeping an eye on her. Er… her only eye. Sh-she’s calmed down, don’t worry! After fighting with Yui, she calmed down a lot. But yes, they’re investigating. So I’m calling as a favor to Kiwa-chan, to touch base and see how you’re doing.

Hanako: I’m… I’m fine. (She pauses, knowing the deeper meaning behind Kiwako wanting to check in) …I’m, um… I’m fine. I spoke with Aoi, with my friends, and we cleared a lot of things up. I’m much better now than I was before, possibly than I have ever been. I am at peace with myself, more or less…

Rio: That’s good! Kiwa-chan will be happy to hear that. We should get together over tea and cookies sometime! Y’know, actually visit!

Hanako: I’d like that, Rio. …You’re hesitating, so just… rip the bandage off, okay?

Rio: …You’re at Yui’s, aren’t you?

Hanako: New Eden, yes. I… made peace with Yui.

Rio: And that’s all?

Hanako: …Until my phone rang, yes.

The accusation was pointed. Hanako was too accustomed to mind games at this point to fall victim to them.

Rio: …Then I was just in time, it seems. Listen, Hanako, your question is far too dangerous. What you propose would have catastrophic consequences—

Hanako: Joining an organization cannot be that catastrophic, considering what we have already endured.

Rio: N-No, I suppose not. Still, ignoring what Kotori had researched before she died, it cannot be a good idea, right?

Hanako: …You do know that Kotori’s soul still resides in Mitakihara’s Dreamscape, right? She is content as the Diva’s custodian, with all of that information at her disposal. You should also know that Niko has not permanently ejected me from the Dreamscape, and consequently… Kotori and I converse.

Rio: … Er, right. Right, that is correct. Um… s-so then, she told you about—

Hanako: Not everything, no. But enough. …But this isn’t the time to talk about such things. I’m… still at New Eden, after all. So the original purpose of your call—

Rio: To check on you! Kiwa-chan is busy with her investigation, since… her theory makes it very personal to her, but she still cares! 

Hanako: Well, um… I am quite well, then. My journey is far from complete, it might never be. But I am at peace. I am… possibly the best version of myself I have ever been.

Rio: Good! J-Just be careful out there, okay? Don’t get into any unnecessary fights, and… avoid gambling, if you can! Bye, Lily-chan!

The call ends before Hanako can reply.

Hanako: …What the hell?

Tails

Yui remained in her office, pulling her phone to her ear without looking at the caller’s identity.

Yui: ‘Sup, li’l birdie.

Riko: …Good afternoon, Yui. I’m calling on behalf of Kiwa-chan and Cecilia. (beat) …And given that you have not ended the call, you must be in a headspace safe enough to talk about things.

Yui: …S’long as you tread carefully, yeah.

Riko: I should not have to say this. But the fact that your actions have persisted for several months is concerning.

Yui: You try holdin’ back the advent of the Fourth Angel. Then you can talk to me about persistence.

Riko: Furthermore, my sister is about to call Hanako. The timing tells me she was there, no?

Yui: …Yeah. About to ask me somethin’, but her phone rang and she kinda bolted. 

Riko: …She left? Already? That’s not— …No, she must have received a call from someone else. That’s…

Yui: Riko, somethin’ weird is going on right now. I can’t place what it is, but you should be used to the phrase “stick to the script” by now, right? How many of Kiwa’s timelines did you live out, again?

Riko: You can sense it?!

Yui: No. Just that “something is off” right now.

Riko: …Right. The script, then. Well… what did Hanako ask?

Yui: She didn’t. Y’all interrupted her, and the… whatever’s going on right now happened. But if I had to guess, she was gonna ask about the Conductors. Prob’ly to do with whatever she an’ Kotori talk about in Diva’s library.

Riko: Ggk! How much do you know that you do not reveal, Forte?!

Yui: Dude. I’m an asshole and irrational, not stupid.

The implication was pointed. Yui was too accustomed to mind games at this point to fall victim to them.

Yui: ‘Tori’s happy down there, sifting through all of Anisa’s info. And she’s not in pain, which proves whatever it was that was hurtin’ her wasn’t in her soul. It was physical. If there’s a Heaven, Kotori Ito found it down there. But she’s also not one to turn down company, an’ Hanako goes down there at least once a week to hang out. Might come as a shock, but Hanako and Kotori were friends in Aoi’s sisterhood.

Riko: …R-Right. Yes, that… that would make sense.

Yui: You kinda suck as an info dealer, don’t you? 

Riko: Sh-shut up, Forte! I’m… still learning my way around this world, okay?

Yui: I always wondered why the twin with the tougher exterior had the more childish name. Makes sense now, Rio’s stronger than you.

Riko: An accusation I do not deny. I admire Rio, and compensate with my demeanor. At the same time, however, Rio isn’t great with verbal confrontation, an area in which I excel. …By comparison, anyway. It seems I have much to learn…

Yui: Anyway, whatever it is Hanako’s up to with Kotori? That’s none of my business. She was about to ask me, but the Birds felt it necessary to intervene, so it can wait. But that’s Hanako’s game to play, not mine. Probably for the best that it waits. 

Yui pulls out another plain glass, stirring something into its contents.

Riko: …Already, Forte? Are we already at the end of your script?

Yui: I’m tired, Riko. I need to hit that last trigger an’ let the coin fall, one way or another. I’m tired of waiting, and I’m tired of being like this. So one way or another… (She drinks the contents of her glass in one solid gulp) …this ends.

Riko: …Then all I can say is, be careful, Forte. About more than the enemies you know, but the enemies you perceive… and more importantly, the enemies you have yet to meet. And most importantly… don’t make any unnecessary gambles, Yui.

The call ends before Hanako can reply.

Yui: …What the fuck?

The sound of a cigarette being lit, and a coin being collected from the sidewalk, footsteps slowly walking past the gymnasium.