The morning slowly crawled across Kamihama City, and one rundown house in particular seemed to be the last on its street to bask in the sunrise. Inside, only the twin Birds were active, idly discussing breakfast in Kiwako’s kitchen. Soon, Kiwako herself joined in the breakfast fray, then Hanako. Yuzuki was last at the breakfast table, and Hanako and Kiwako left to eat in the living room. A little sigh was enough to prompt the rest of Kiwako’s visitors into conversation.

Riko: …Tokai-san? What troubles you?

Yuzuki: … I don’t understand why she didn’t just tell me Yui had done that.  

Rio: Who?

Riko: Cecilia, no doubt. …As far as I can tell, the woman once known as the Oracle is struggling with many things after Yui’s attack. Not the least of which is the damage Yui inflicted upon her soul. But… consider also that Yui struck out because of Cecilia’s innate pull towards speaking in riddles and half-truths. …That is to say, this is who Cecilia is, deep down.

Yuzuki: … I know it’s pretty annoying and unhelpful but I don’t think it’s worth shooting anybody’s eye out. Yui’s in on the Conductor lingo and probably understands a lot better than I do, too. 

Riko: Yui had gotten fed up with what, as she would call it, “Conductor Bullshit”. It was losing Shiori that triggered this spiral of grief in which she struggles now. Besides… imagine if it were Toi Kanashimi who died because of a plot of Cecilia’s? And you, in your heart, could not tell if Cecilia was telling the truth or lying about the intended outcome of her plan? 

Yuzuki: Honestly, the way she is about Anisa, that might not be a hypothetical. (She raises her hands quickly) Kidding, kidding. I know. 

Riko: (Unfazed, calm) But the question has merit. How would you have reacted, if Cecilia had appeared to cost you a dear friend, knowing how she’s acted all this time? Especially in the moment of fresh loss?

Yuzuki: Well, I wouldn’t have hurt anybody. That’s just not something I could reach for right out the gate… 

Riko: That’s natural. But equally, it is natural for one to lash out in anger in such a moment. Both paths are valid. You are not a naturally violent person. Yui, unfortunately, is. And she bore the burden of Mei’s death before that, as well as our cousin’s, and everyone else who fell to the Balancers. Shiori’s death was merely the catalyst to some… intense grief. …I am not defending her actions, mind you. I am simply giving my logical analysis. (She stirs a cup, and it becomes obvious that she’s drinking coffee, rather than juice or milk with her breakfast)

Yuzuki: (She sighs) So what are we all supposed to do, then? 

Rio: Mmm… cookies?

Riko: My point in asking you was to try and shed some light on Yui’s actions. I, personally, would have done the same as Yui in that scenario.

Rio: …I wouldn’t.

Yuzuki: I’ve only been around them rarely, but I think I’ve already had enough of Conductor nonsense. I’m not mysterious enough to hang in that crowd. 

Riko: Exactly. Mitakihara’s Puellae Magi have suffered enough cryptic puppet masters over the years. (She exchanges a glance with Rio, both nodding simultaneously) …And until we are full-fledged Birds of Fujiwara, I see no reason for us to repeat the cycle. If you have any questions at all that we can answer, don’t be afraid to ask.

Yuzuki: (She waves her hand) I think I know everything I ever want to know about the Conductors, thanks… 

Rio: Not just Conductor stuff though! Like, anything! The Fujiwara Clan has information on a wide variety of subjects!

Yuzuki: Wow, anything? Um… how… could we kill Kyubey? (She asks abruptly, as though anticipating she won’t get much of an answer) 

Riko: I most certainly hope there is a way. To be free from the Incubators once and for all… that is the dream of all Puellae Magi, even if they do not realize it. 

Rio: …Perhaps someday.

Yuzuki: Honestly, if you knew the answer to that one, I would have some pretty serious questions. 

As Riko readied a reply, Rio turned her head out towards the kitchen window, facing Kiwako’s cluttered, messy backyard. In the distance, Cecilia was seen, in a dissociative state before shaking her head, as if breaking free from her trance. She slowly began approaching the back door.

Rio: …We have a problem.

Yuzuki: (She turns to look) Oh, she’s back. Is that a problem? 

Riko: (Soon after, Kiwako is seen rushing out to meet her) …It might be.

Yuzuki: (She stands up) Y-you all better not be fighting…! 

At that moment, Cecilia’s eye turned to Yuzuki, through the window. Her expression was unreadable, and Kiwako quickly stood in her path. What the girl was saying couldn’t quite be heard, but her tone was tense. 

Riko: …I think that’s her intent. And you seem to be her target…

Rio: Do you need help, Tokai-san?

Yuzuki: Wha– why would she want to fight me? I’ve never done anything to anybody!

Riko: She isn’t being rational either. …If you wish, we can try and stop her in your stead. But truth be told, your defensive capabilities are our best option overall. 

Yuzuki: Did I do something to offend the Conductors? Is this why all this is happening? 

Riko: The Conductors? She hasn’t been loyal to that identity for years. Cecilia acts on her own, Tokai-san. And right now… (Her expression darkens, her face scrunched in frustration) …we cannot follow her logic.

The twins exchange another solemn nod, then, in perfect sync, leave the kitchen to join Cecilia and Kiwako in the backyard. Cecilia’s gaze remained fixed on Yuzuki. The Birds soon came into view, the trio forming a makeshift wall between the Libretto and Yuzuki. But after only a moment of hesitation, Cecilia took a couple steps towards the house.

Yuzuki: (After a moment’s hesitation, she runs out, waving her hands) Whoa, whoa, whoa! Nobody needs to fight! 

Cecilia: (At no point did her eye leave Yuzuki’s form) Don’t we? You are still with Yui. And Yui scarred me beyond repair. 

The Birds, against Kiwako’s protests, corralled her into her house, though Riko stayed at the back door, ready to jump in if need be. In Cecilia’s left hand, a silver staff stood upright. It felt off, everything about the Libretto’s posture was off. As if she wasn’t convinced of what she was saying.

Cecilia: If I don’t do something, I will never again know peace. Does that answer satisfy you, Yuzuki Tokai?

Yuzuki: Wha– in what possible way am I still “with” Yui!? I came all the way out here to get away from that! 

Cecilia: Enough! (She swings her staff in a wide, high arc)

Yuzuki: (She throws up a force shield and, unnecessarily, raises her arms behind it) Wh-what is it!? Why’s everyone always on me!? 

Cecilia: (She doesn’t answer, simply swinging with what appears to be years of pent up frustrations. After a moment, it doesn’t even seem that her aggression is targeted specifically at Yuzuki anymore.)

Yuzuki: (She silently takes it for a moment, wincing, before she finally finds an opportunity to shove Cecilia away) Will you… knock it off!! 

Cecilia: (She blinks, staggering back, eyes wide with brief shock before she lunges again)

Yuzuki: (She grabs onto Cecilia’s staff, seemingly not feeling anything from it hitting her palms, and starts wrestling with Cecilia trying to take it away) 

Cecilia staggers back again, conjuring another silver staff into her left hand. As she straightens up, she makes to clash with Yuzuki again, but before she can fully close the distance, she’s knocked aside in a sudden burst of wind. Pinning her hand into the ground, an ivory rapier, its wielder by the back door.

Hanako: Yu… Yuzuki! Are you alright?!

Yuzuki: Cecilia’s gone nuts or something! 

Hanako: (With no hesitation, Hanako surrounds the three of them in a large, personal cyclone) Well… I haven’t. I’ll fight beside you!

Cecilia: (Cecilia pulls the weapon out of her hand, ignoring the blood pouring out of it, even going so far as to not heal herself.) One or two of Yui’s allies… it matters not. (She lunges again, only for a burst of wind to throw her into the wall of the cyclone, knocking her back.) 

Hanako: Yuzuki! If you don’t want to fight, you can leave with one of your shields! I… I can handle the Oracle!

Wrong.

Cecilia: Th… That’s not who I am anymore.

Yuzuki: Nobody was ever any of those stupid titles! (She speaks to Hanako) I-I’m not just gonna leave you! But we can’t just beat her up! 

Hanako: She is intent on fighting, Yuzuki… even if we do not “shoot to kill” as it were, we need to defend ourselves. (She conjures a rapier with a more sapphire appearance, tossing it towards Yuzuki) Besides, our kind are hardy. Hers… more so.

Yuzuki: Th-that doesn’t mean we should just hurt each other for no reason! 

Hanako: Would you truly prefer to let yourself get hurt?

Cecilia rose again, this time lunging for Hanako. The smaller, less experienced Puella defended herself, dodging various swings from the staff, parrying others and slipping into the cyclone itself to maneuver around the little makeshift arena. After a minute, Cecilia lunges towards Hanako as she lunges from the outer rim of the cyclone.

Yuzuki rushes in, a large sapphire shield in hand, swinging it against Cecilia’s lunge. Cecilia is thrown back, but it’s a gust of Hanako’s wind, sending the Libretto into Kiwako’s large tree that finally stops Cecilia’s onslaught. She shakily gets up onto her knees, coughing a bit.

Cecilia: …This is… pointless.

Yuzuki: (Her voice is unsteady) I couldn’t agree more! 

Cecilia: I… (She looks down at her hands, turning her head to look at each in turn) …I’ve changed so dramatically, haven’t I? Or maybe this is who I always was…

Yuzuki: (She lowers her shield) … F-for the last time, I’m not “with” Yui. 

Cecilia: …Then… perhaps I should treat this affliction at the source. 

At that moment, Kiwako ran out into the yard, pale and unnerved.

Kiwako: N-No one’s going anywhere, Cece-chan! It’s not the answer— I mean, don’t you remember what Yui said? The next time she sees the Oracle—

Cecilia: I’m not the Oracle anymore, Kiwako. (Before Kiwako can stop her, she flees through the house, and out of view.)

Kiwako: C… Cece-chan!