Homura confronts the Player about how easily Witches are being defeated. She tells her that the reason for this is her existence, since her appearance is an unexpected variable that she has never seen. She tells the Player about how she has seen the endings to these fights before, not expecting her to believe her, giving the example that Mami usually lowers her guard and dies to the Witch they fought previously. However, because the Player existed, her death could be avoided. She wonders if the Player has the power to change fate, but Madoka interrupts them telepathically to tell them that she and Mami have found a Witch Barrier. Before they leave to help them, Homura tells the Player that she will be keeping a close eye on her.
After the battle, Sayaka brags about being unbeatable. However, Kyoko shoots her excitement down by reminding her that they only defeated a Familiar, not a Witch. She complains that such fights are useless before Mami interjects and agrees with Sayaka, saying that both she and Madoka have become much stronger. Madoka cheers because of this, causing Homura to worry audibly. Sayaka jabs at her, asking her what her problem is, but Madoka stops her by saying she probably didn't mean it in the way Sayaka thinks. Homura apologizes, taking the Player with her to have a private talk. When they are alone, she asks her not to tell anyone about their private chat earlier. Since she has tried before, she knows that nobody will believe either of them if they tell her the truth. No matter how many times she tries, she reiterates, they have never believed her.
The next day, Sayaka confirms Mami's suspicions about the location of a Witch's Barrier. She says that her deduction is based on reports of missing students, leading her to the conclusion that a Witch is the cause. Madoka hopes that they can save the students, but Mami voices her doubts before encouraging everyone to hurry.
After finishing the battle, Sayaka complains that it was a Familiar and, as a result, none of the victims were found in the Barrier. Mami says pessimistically that they might be dead, causing Madoka to interject that she thinks they are still alive. She begins thinking about where the Witch might be, suggesting that it may be at their school. Mami says its a plausible theory, considering that Witches tend to gravitate towards places associated with their memories. Sayaka, worried, says that they have to hurry to the school if Madoka is correct.
Arriving at the school, the Sextet is stopped by Kyubey. Madoka asks why he is here, and he answers that he is merely here to observe the Player. They are an irregularity when compared to the other girls, and he is interested in determining how this irregularity affects her. He also wants to investigate another member of the group, but he is cut off by Mami before he can reveal their name. She apologizes, saying that their school is in danger, before running off to find the Witch. After they leave, he observes that humans are always short-sighted when it comes to the important things.
After battling a Familiar, the kidnapped students are successfully saved. Madoka celebrates, asking Homura if she is happy too, but Sayaka says that Homura has no reason to care about the students since she only just transferred in. Madoka questions this, asking Homura if she has friends, to which she responds that she can't make them and that she doesn't need them. Madoka says that isn't true, suggesting that Homura can make friends and that she should feel proud about saving people. After all, they're friends, and that should be proof enough. Sayaka scoffs and says that if they weren't Magical Girls, no one would want to be with her. Madoka yells at her not to say things like that, and Homura thanks her for always being so kind, even back then. She asks what she means by that, but Homura brushes it off and says they should focus on finding the Witch.
While patrolling, Madoka marvels at how big their school is and wonders where the Witch could possibly be hiding. Lagging behind. Homura thinks to herself about how Madoka is always so kind, resolving that she will protect her.
Kyoko complains about not finding the Witch, wondering whether or not it's here at all. Homura says that the Witch is likely here since it has a connection to teaching. Kyoko and Mami look at her with surprise, asking her if she really knows something about the Witch. Kyoko says that she has had enough with her always protecting Madoka and turning a blind eye when the rest of them need help. Madoka tries to stop her, but Kyoko continues and asks why she would keep information like that to herself when so many people are in danger. After thinking, Homura says she made a rash decision and was just speculating, telling everyone that they should continue to look for the Witch.
Finding the Witch, Kyubey ambushes them and tells Homura that it's exactly what she knew would happen. The school has been completely taken into the Barrier, and he says that she should stop feigning ignorance, asking if the second irregular really thinks she can deceive him. Before he can say anything else, Madoka realizes that there are people they need to save.
After defeating the Witch, Madoka and Sayaka thank the Player and Kyoko for helping save the school. As Kyoko rejects the praise, Mami reminisces on the way she used to be. Madoka asks what she means, but Miss Saotome interrupts them and causes them to flee, causing Sayaka to complain that heroes like them shouldn't be forced to run away.
Don't brag. That was just a familiar. Don't you know that by now?
Kyoko
ったく。最近やたら結界が見つかるの
に、どれも使い魔のばかり。魔力の無
駄遣いだっつーの。
Jeez, all the barriers we've been 'til now have been familiars like this. It's just a waste of magic to deal with them.
Mami
だけど、本当にみんな頼もしくなった
わ。お世辞じゃなく、手際がものすご
くよくなってる。
But, it is true that everyone has improved. I'm not flattering them either. They become more professional now.
Madoka
本当ですか！
うわあ、すごい嬉しい。わたし、なん
だか自信がついちゃうかも！
Really? Oh, I'm so happy! It's like I feel a bit more confident now!
Homura
……まどか。本当にそう思う？
Madoka... Do you really think that?
Madoka
えっ？ あ、ほむらちゃん。
そ、そうだね……。うーん？ わたし
はまだまだかもしれないけど
Ah, um, Homura-chan... Y-yeah, I think I do. I'm still inexperienced,
Madoka
みんなで戦うのは、その、少しうまく
なったかなー。
なんちゃって。あはは。
but when I fight together with everyone, I feel like I'm getting a bit better. I'm kidding, of course. Hahaha.
Homura
……。
...
Madoka
ご、ごめんね。ほむらちゃん。
わたし、ちょっと浮かれちゃってた
かな……？
I-I'm sorry, Homura-chan. Was I sounding a little snooty?
Sayaka
なによ転校生！
なんか文句でもあるっていうの？
What's with you, transfer student! You've got a problem with that?!
Madoka
や、やめてよ、さやかちゃん。ほむら
ちゃんはそういう意味で言ったんじゃ
ないと思うから。
S-Stop it, Sayaka-chan. I don't think Homura-chan meant any harm.
Homura
気に障ったのなら謝るわ。ただ、私は
油断だけはしてほしくないだけ。
それじゃあ。今日はもう帰るわ。
I apologize if I offended you. I merely didn't want you to lower your guard. That's all. I'm taking my leave.
Homura
[Player]、
ちょっと、こっちに来てくれる
かしら。
[Player], come with me.
Homura
さっき、ふたりきりの時にした話、
あれはまだみんなには言わないで。
Don't tell anyone else about our private chat from earlier.
Homura
たとえば、私が魔法の力でいくつもの
時間をやり直している……。
For instance, I have used my magic power to reset our timeline multiple times.
Homura
そんなことを言っても、どうせ信じて
もらえない。
それは、あなただってそうでしょう？
No one would believe me even I told them that myself. It's the same for you, right?
Homura
私にはわかっていることなの。
……今までがそうだったから。
...Of course it is. That's never changed.
Quest 5-2
5-2 Before
Sayaka
あ、マミさん。本当に通学路の途中に
結界があったよ！
Ah, Mami-san. There really is a barrier in the middle of the road!
Mami
……やっぱり、にらんだとおりという
わけね。
Right, just as I had expected.
Mami
みんなも聞いてるかもしれないけど、
最近学校の生徒が行方不明になる事件
が続いているわ。
Everyone may not have heard this, but recently there have been reports of missing students in this area.
Mami
気になって調べてみたら、失踪現場が
今まで見つけた魔女の結界位置と重
なっていたの。
I was concerned and investigated it. I figured a witch barrier was the cause.
Madoka
さすが、マミさん。
これでさらわれた人たちも助け出せる
かも。
That's amazing, Mami-san. Maybe we can save the people still inside.
Mami
まだ、そこまでうまくいくかはわから
ないけど、さあいきましょう！
I can't guarantee everything will be that fortunate. Let's go!
5-2 After
Sayaka
使い魔は倒せたけど、さらわれた人は
いなかったですね……。
It was just a familiar. None of the people who were kidnapped were there...
Mami
そうね。……残念だけど、さらわれた
生徒たちは、もう生きてないかもしれ
ない。
You're right. ...It's unfortunate, but they may be dead already.
Madoka
本当にそうかなぁ？
わたしはまだみんな生きてるって気が
するんです。
Is that so? I think they're all still alive somewhere.
Madoka
今回さらわれた人たちって、みんな
学校の生徒ですよね？
Everyone who has been kidnapped were students of this school, right?
Madoka
狙う相手がはっきりしてるような感じ
がして。それって魔女のほうに何か目
的があるんじゃないかな？
I feel like I understand what it's looking for. Then, what would the witch's motive be?
Kyoko
アンタにしては珍しく推理してんじゃ
んか。じゃあ、使い魔じゃなくて魔女
はどこにいるんだよ？
Oh, look who's playing detective. All right, so do you mind telling us where the witch is and not the familiars?
Madoka
え！？ え、っと……、その、生徒ば
かり狙ってるんだから、……学校とか
かな。
What!? Uh, um... Since it's taking away students, then maybe it's at a school...?
Mami
……なるほど。たしかに、魔女は生前
の記憶や想いに執着するから、鹿目さ
んの推理には一理あるわね。
...I think you're onto something. It's common for witches to be obsessed for something in their thoughts and memories. I can see the train of thought in Kaname-san's reasoning.
Sayaka
この辺りで学校っていったら、
……あたしたちの通っている学校も
あぶないじゃない！
If it's loitering around schools, then isn't ours in danger!?
Sayaka
もし、まどかの考えが正しかったら大
変だよ。急いで校舎に向かおう！
If Madoka's right, we've got to head to our school!
