Magia Record Main Story Chapter 6

Chapter 6: The Memories that Speak of the Truth

Section 1: Invitation to a Lecture

As two familiars of the Unknown Witch talk nonsense to each other, Alina Gray and Mifuyu Azusa discuss Iroha Tamaki's group. Mifuyu says they're just searching for herself and Iroha's sister. Alina says if that's the case they wouldn't have had to fight, and also the reason "she" said she would give a "lecture". Mifuyu says it's important to educate them. Alina says she wants to delete Felicia Mitsuki but the consensus of Magius is that she can't. However, she asks Mifuyu if she can do something about Yachiyo Nanami, since she knows the truth and opposes them. Mifuyu says she thought of a countermeasure, since Yachiyo won't pose a threat if she's alone.

Iroha things about everything she's learned in Kamihama City. She thinks that the Wings of Magius are wrong, but all her leads tie to them. She tells these thoughts to Yachiyo who agrees and says they're connected by a nasty fate. Iroha says they should gather Grief Seeds. Yachiyo agrees and says they should worry about Alina. Sana Futaba says that when things are personal for Alina she loses sight of everything around her, and that the others should be careful. Yachiyo wonders if they shouldn't join Wings of Magius and work from the inside, but then admits that's not realistic.

Iroha decides to cook dinner, and Sana offers to help to learn how to cook herself. Suddenly Tsuruno Yui and Felicia arrive. It turns out that they were bringing home vegetables, but Felicia left them in a witch barrier. Felicia says she didn't do it on purpose. Tsuruno says this isn't the first time this has happened. Felicia says if Tsuruno doesn't like it then she shouldn't hold the groceries. Tsuruno says if that's the case she won't help Felicia study. Felicia says she'll just have Iroha help. Unfortunately, Iroha can't seem to make Felicia understand how to subtract negative numbers. Tsuruno then decides to help Felicia. Iroha thinks that Tsuruno is amazingly good at teaching.

Iroha notices that Sana is looking happy. Sana explains that she was happy looking at the mugs they got from before. Iroha understands and says the mugs give her a sense they're on the same team. Sana thinks that since Yachiyo bought the cups, they should all buy coasters for them. Iroha thinks it's a good idea. Elsewhere, Tsuruno teaches Felicia by using simple vector math. Iroha notes they're back to normal already. Iroha and Sana tell them their idea, and the girls agree. Yachiyo says it's bedtime and asks if Tsuruno is sleeping over. When Tsuruno says she is, Yachiyo asks what they were discussing. Sana has to keep Felicia from saying it.

That night, Iroha texts Madoka Kaname. Madoka says that the coaster idea is a good one. Iroha says things have settled down where she is, and asks how things are going with Madoka. Madoka admits that Mami Tomoe hasn't come back yet. Iroha says Madoka can ask if there's anything she can do to help. The next day, the girl's buy the coasters and prepare to give them to Yachiyo. The girls plan to make it a surprise, with Iroha waiting in the living room and the other girl's coming from outside. When Iroha hears someone come into the house, she's surprised to find it's Mifuyu.

Mifuyu makes herself tea, pointing out she came to this house for seven years. Iroha tells Mifuyu that Yachiyo forbid her from taking the mugs on the shelf, but Mifuyu says one of them is hers. She takes one that Iroha thinks she hasn't seen before. Mifuyu says it's like Yachiyo to express her affection that way. Iroha notes that there was another mug near Mifuyu's and wonders who it belonged to. After sipping tea, Mifuyu asks Iroha if she thought about joining the Wings of Magius. Mifuyu admits she would have liked to ask her entire group at once, but it didn't look like they were coming back.

Mifuyu points out if Iroha joined the Wings of Magius they wouldn't need to fight each other while Iroha looks for her sister. Iroha says it's temping, but she can't just let other people get hurt. Iroha says there's no way she can protect Witches or Rumors, and she can't forgive people who use others like they did to Sana. Mifuyu apologizes, and then decides that they should hold a lecture on what it means to release a magical girl so that Iroha can understand what is really going on. Mifuyu says she can't tell Iroha directly, but she can ask a Magius to do so. Mifuyu asks if Iroha will hear them out before resorting to fighting. Iroha agrees, saying she doesn't want to fight someone without knowing about them.

Iroha tells Mifuyu not to have any Black or White Wings there. Mifuyu says she doesn't have to worry about that. Iroha then accepts Mifuyu's offer. Mifuyu says the lecture will be the day after tomorrow, at a Rumor called the "Memory Museum". Mifuyu tells Iroha to research the Rumor, saying this test of Iroha's skill would make a better reason for the Magius to hold the lecture. Suddenly, Yachiyo returns home and is surprised to find Mifuyu. Mifuyu says she was hoping to invite Yachiyo into the Wings of Magius. Yachiyo says she doesn't have the slightest intention of joining and tells Mifuyu to leave.

The other girls return to Yachiyo's house. Tsuruno says Iroha should have contacted them, but then is surprised to see Mifuyu. Mifuyu apologizes for making such a commotion and says they can come to the Wings of Magius anytime they want. Mifuyu then leaves. Felicia says that simply walking into the enemy's base and offering them to switch sides if pretty crazy. Yachiyo says to forget about it and have dinner. Mifuyu then returns, saying she needs to talk to Yachiyo privately. She telepathically contacts Iroha, asking her to tell everyone about the lecture they discussed.

Mifuyu says she needs to give Yachiyo a warning. She asks her to think about the promise they made a year ago. Mifuyu says she was surprised when she saw Iroha and the others had their own mugs. She tries to say something about making friends before Yachiyo cuts her off. Yachiyo says Iroha and the others aren't friends and that they're just cooperating. Mifuyu dismisses this a sophistry and claims Yachiyo has returned to her old ways. She says Yachiyo is too kind, so she can't just look away and pretend she hasn't seen anything. Yachiyo tells her to leave, but Mifuyu has one more thing to say: The Wings of Magius are only connected by their interests. Yachiyo repeats her command to leave.

When Yachiyo returns to the house, Tsuruno notes her face is pale. Yachiyo says Mifuyu only invited her to the Wings of Magius and she now needs to rest for a bit. Iroha says they'll take care of dinner. After Yachiyo leaves, Felicia says they forgot to give her the coasters. Sana says they can do it another time, since now is not a good idea. The girls decide to make dinner. Afterward, Iroha thinks that there things about Yachiyo she doesn't know, and wonders what Mifuyu really said to Yachiyo. Late that night, Yachiyo has some sort of reaction in the bathroom. She thinks she can't stay like this and has to return to who she was from a year ago.

Section 2:The Meeting Place is the Memory Museum

Iroha texts Madoka and says she didn't give Yachiyo the coasters. Iroha says she's waiting for Yachiyo to feel better. Madoka thinks that Yachiyo would be happy to recieve the coasters, but then it would be more like consoling her. Iroha then tells Madoka about Mifuyu. The next day, she tells Yachiyo that she will go to the Memory Musuem. Tsuruno agrees, saying there's no reason not to go. Sana says it might be a trap, but Felicia says they can fight their way out of it. Iroha asks Yachiyo if she knows the Rumor's location, but she's never heard of it. Yachiyo says she'll be leaving for school.

Iroha says Yachiyo is leaving a bit early. Yachiyo says she's going to be leaving earlier now, and her photoshoot will run late this evening. After Yachiyo leaves, Tsuruno notes she's been acting oddly. Iroha agrees, saying that Yachiyo would normally be more interested when she mentions a Rumor. Felicia wonders if she has a stomachache, while Sana thinks Yachiyo might be in a bad mood. Tsuruno thinks Mifuyu might have said something to Yachiyo. Iroha wonders what she can do, but Tsuruno thinks it's probably something hard to talk about. Sana asks if Iroha is really going to go, despite everything that happened. Iroha says she at least wants to hear what they have to say. Sana promises to protect Iroha. Felicia says they should investigate now, but Tsuruno tells her not to skip school.

At school, Iroha and Tsuruno tell Momoko Togame's group about what happened. Kaede Akino wonders if it's really okay for them to come with an invitation, but Tsuruno says there's no need to worry. Momoko asked if they found the Memory Museum, but the girls haven't yet. Kaede and Rena Minami haven't heard of it either. Rena points out that Yachiyo is the rumor maniac, but Tsuruno says that Yachiyo claimed to know nothing. Rena tells them not to look so depressed. Iroha explains she was thinking about how Yachiyo acted after Mifuyu left. Momoko says that Mifuyu is something of a weak spot for Yachiyo. Iroha thinks if Yachiyo told them what she's hiding they could help.

The word hiding causes Kaede and Rena to put Momoko on the spot - as they still remember she was hiding something from earlier. Momoko changes the subject and says they should see Mitama Yakumo after school. Momoko says Mitama told her to hunt familiars today, and think she might know something. As Momoko leaves to go back to class, Rena and Kaede scold her for trying to change the subject. Momoko thinks she needs to be more careful with what she says. She promises to tell the girls sometime later. Momoko wonders if Yachiyo is worrying about the same thing she is.

At her place, Mitama greets Iroha and Momoko and says it's been so long she got lonely. Momoko tells Iroha not to take her seriously. Iroha asks about the Memory Musuem, but Mitama knows nothing. Mitama admits that if she did know something she wouldn't tell her so easily. Momoko asks if that's how she rips people off. Mitama says that depending on how she feels, she accepts more than money or Grief Seeds. She then explains that she always tries to be trustworthy and neutral in business, and won't sell someone's secrets. Momoko says she was sure Mitama would sell their information. Mitama says if Momoko is alright with it she can talk about Momoko's animal patterned underwear. Momoko tells Iroha not to believe her.

Mitama explains she can't remember everything she's seen anyway, since if she put all of everyone's life experiences in her head she would explode. Suddenly Iroha gets a phone call from Kaede. Kaede says she saw something like a familiar that talked about the Memory Museum. Kaede says that it's by Rena in an arcade in Ei Ward. She can't recall what the rumor was, but the creature might be around. Iroha rushes out. Mitama then asks Momoko what she will do. She brings up the underwear, but then as she lists the animals, she suddenly says "Witch". Momoko is shocked, and Mitama says she saw her worries clearly. Momoko says Mitama is scary enough without being able to see that.

Momoko wonders if she should tell Rena and Kaede or not. Mitama says she should tell them. Momoko says she's afraid about how they will react. Mitama admits that fear won't go away, but they would accept it easier if Momoko told them instead having them hear it randomly. Mitama says Momoko should be with them and tell them properly, and says it's not like her to have so little confidence. Momoko agrees and decides to tell Rena and Kaede herself rather than have them unexpectedly witness it.

Iroha arrives at the arcade and meets with Rena and Kaede. Rena notes the creature didn't have any magic or leave a barrier. Iroha thinks it only spreads rumors, which makes Rena wonder if it's a Rumor that spread Rumors. The girls suddenly see the creature, the same one that spreads Rumors. The creature explains the Rumor of the Memory Museum. In a Museum, if you rings a bell, memories will be displayed. If you look at a memory kept there, it will influence you. The creature then disappears. Iroha is relieved to have found the rumor. Rena asks if she really is going to go to the lecture, and says she should be more careful.

Iroha agrees, but thinks it's like relationships at school - looking at the surface before deciding what someone is like, and spreading that impression to others. Kaede suggests that they should go with Iroha, but Rena points out that Momoko had something to tell them that day. Iroha thanks them for worrying and says she will be fine. She goes to Tsuruno's restaurant and speaks with Sana. Iroha suspects that the Rumor is recently made. The girls watch Tsuruno and Felicia work. When a customer asks for beer, Felicia gives his kids orange juice claiming that if he gets beer, they get juice. Tsuruno's father tells the girls to take a break, saying that Iroha has started talking to herself already. Iroha remembers that no-one else can see Sana. Sana apologizes, but Iroha tells her not to worry.

Iroha tells the others about what she found. Tsuruno thinks the Memory Museum is probably at an actual museum. Her father overhears her and mentions the Recording Museum. Before he inherited the shop, he would go there to listen to music and watch old movies. It was the place where he spent his youth. He then explains that the museum was shut down years ago and only the building was left. Iroha points out that recordings and memories are similar, and Sana says an abandoned building would be perfect for a Rumor. They thank Tsuruno's father, who is grateful despite not understanding. After he leaves to help a customer, the girls find the museum's location. Iroha says they should check with Yachiyo.

At her house, Yachiyo tells them not to go. She says that it still might be a trap, and the way they had Iroha research a Rumor was suspicious. Iroha says they still need answers. Sana says the Rumor could be nice. Yachiyo says they can go, but she's not coming with them. Felicia asks if she doesn't want Iroha's search for her sister to go well. Yachiyo says that's not true, but still won't help. She then storms off to her room. Iroha asks Yachiyo to tell her what's wrong since they're friends, but Yachiyo insists they aren't and has no need to answer her. Iroha thinks Yachiyo is acting they way she did when they first met.

The next day the girls prepare to leave. Yachiyo insists she staying, as she won't walk into a trap. Tsuruno says this isn't like Yachiyo. She says Yachiyo once told her she shouldn't achieve something big without achieving something small, and that she shouldn't try to reach the result she wants if she can't protect her friends. Tsuruno claims that if Yachiyo really thought it was dangerous she wouldn't let them go. Yachiyo just tells them to leave. Iroha promises to send Yachiyo the location, and asks to tell them if she changes her mind. As the girls leave, Felicia says Yachiyo skipped breakfast and wonders if they just have to wait for her to return to normal. Iroha thinks Yachiyo is carrying more than anyone else. The girls promise to cheer up Yachiyo later.

As they arrive at the museum, Tsuruno says Iroha has gotten better at using her phone. Iroha says she had more chances to practice. When the girls enter the musuem, they find it falling apart. Suddenly the detect magic, which feels like Ai. They figure they're sensing the Rumor, but they can't sense Mifuyu's magic. Suddenly the sense the magic of someone they never met before. Iroha deduces that it's the Magius holding the lecture. A voice congratulates them for figuring it out. Iroha is shocked to see the speaker is Touka Satomi sitting in a throne. Touka says that Iroha really does know her, and says it's nice to meet her. She introduces herself as one of the Magius. Meanwhile at Yachiyo's house, Yachiyo looks at the mugs and tells Mifuyu she was cowardly. Because of what Mifuyu told her, she can't do anything. She apologizes to Iroha.

Section 3: The Magius's Lecture

Iroha asks Touka if she remembers her. Touka says she was surprised Iroha was searching for her, and heard she was looking for Nemu Hiiragi. Touka claims that she doesn't remember Iroha, rather she never knew her. Although she was hospitalized with Nemu she has no knowledge of Iroha or Ui. Iroha asks what happened to Nemu, and Touka says that after leaving the hospital they went their separate ways. Touka says that she's not the Touka Iroha's knows, but rather one of the Magius. Iroha says she's never expected to learn this, but Touka says that's not her fault. Suddenly a banquet table appears.

Touka calls it a peace offering and offers tea and cake. She says she's been learning from someone good at making sweets. Tsuruno and Sana say that they won't let Touka get away with it if she messed with the food, but Touka brushes them off. Elsewhere, Yachiyo thinks of two magical girls and thinks they're her friends. She thinks of Sana and Felicia and insists to herself they're cooperating. She wants to believe that Iroha is an assistant and Tsuruno is a disciple. She then wonders if she can really leave things like this when the others are going to find out, and decides to research the Memory Museum.

Back at the museum, Touka asks if the girls have calmed down. Iroha says she can accept it and admit if Touka remembered Ui it would be a bit too convenient. Touka then begins her lecture, which is about the truth behind magical girls. She says that everyone in the Wings of Magius knows the truth, and it isn't a joke or a lie. Touka then tells about three magical girls, A, B and C. Touka says they were friends who hunted witches together. However, one day they struggled against a witch and let get away. They challenged the witch the next day, but it was too powerful for them. At that moment, girl C stood up and charged at the witch. The witch was dealt a lethal blow and was finished by girl A. However, despite being uninjured, girl C died.

Touka asks the others why they think that happened. Felicia wonders if she was poisoned. Iroha asks if she was suffocated. Touka says they're wrong. Tsuruno asks if it was the girl's Soul Gem. Touka says she's correct. Next to girl C's body was a shattered Soul Gem. Touka says that's when girls A and B realized that their Soul Gem were literally their lives. Sana asks if that's true. Touka admits it doesn't feel that way, and asks Sana to put her Soul Gem down. Sana does so and suddenly flinches. Touka says that even if Sana recieves a small magical attack like she'll unconsciously curl up from the damage. If her Gem were to break she would die.

Touka says that using magic is like shaving away at your own life, and asks any of them have felt that before. Iroha remembers the Rumor at the shrine and says she does. Touka says it's like running out of battery power. She compares a Soul Gem to removing an internal battery and powering it via an external battery. Sana asks if a Grief Seed is like a battery charger. Touka says it's more like a cleaner, but the comparison is accurate. When a battery discharges electricity, the chemicals inside change and render it unusable. When you recharge it, it returns to it's original form. Similarly, magic taints Soul Gems but Grief Seeds return it to normal.

Sana asks if she's not a human anymore. Touka says if Sana was human she would die fighting a witch. She then asks if you're human if you think are and brings up various scientific disciplines that are used to modify the human body. Touka says that humans remodel themselves all the time via surgery, but everyone accepts that. Touka tells Sana she's just overthinking things. Iroha says that if Touka is right, then she was on the verge of death. She realizes that's why Yachiyo was panicking. Touka says she'll understand the reason when the story continues.

Elsewhere, Yachiyo talks to Rena and Kaede in a restaurant and learns about the Memory Museum from them. Yachiyo thanks them for the help, and Rena thanks her for treating them. Yachiyo tries to leave, but then encounters Momoko. Momoko admits she's going to tell Rena and Kaede the whole truth. Yachiyo sees she wants to talk about "that time" and tells her to be careful. Momoko tells Yachiyo to be careful as well, and admits she's worried about Iroha and Tsuruno. Yachiyo says Momoko is being nosy, but Momoko says that she's naturally nosy. The girls leave, and Yachiyo thinks Momoko will tells the others the truth about magical girls.

Back at the museum, Touka moves to the second part of her lecture - or rather, story. After girls A and B learned the truth about Soul Gems, they formed a new team with three other girls: D, E, and F. The girls fought witches while supporting each other. One day, a witch came from another territory. Girl D was unavailable, so only four of them fought. However, the witch proved to be very strong. Girl A found herself in danger, and girl D sacrificed herself to save her. The witch excaped, but girl F was badly damaged and the group had no Grief Seeds. When her Soul Gem went completely black, girl F stopped moving.

Tsuruno tries to asking something about girl D, but Touka tells her to ask about it later. Felicia asks if Touka will ask them about what happened to girl F. Touka says she's asking what girl F changed into. Felicia asks how they could know that, but Touka tells them to put their brains into gear. She says Soul Gem gather impurity while witches spread curses. She then asks what a blackened Soul Gem would do. Suddenly the girls realize what Touka is getting at. Touka explains that in girl F's hand was blackened Soul Gem. Suddenly it turned into a Grief Seed and hatched a witch.

Felicia realizes that this means they're witches. Touka says it's the truth. Felicia thinks back to the witch who killed her parents and can't believe she was a magical girl. Felicia thinks back to the witches she defeated and think she's killed a lot of people. She asks if she will become a witch too, and Touka says she gets a gold star. Felicia refuses to believe, and Iroha admits she doesn't want to. Elsewhere, Yachiyo wonders what Mifuyu is planning. She thinks the girls might not take the truth about Soul Gems and witches well, but then wonders if the Rumor will force them to accept it. She then comes to a realization.

Touka asks what would make the girls believe her. She gets an idea and brings out a Grief Seed. She then asks Felicia if she can borrow her Soul Gem, telling her she doesn't have to be afraid. Felicia reluctantly passes it over and Touka uses the Grief Seed on it. Iroha asks if this is part of another explanation and Touka agrees. Iroha asks if the fact that Grief Seeds purify Soul Gems means that magical girls and witches are connected. Touka says this is correct, and the exchange in impurities only happens between them. Touka compares to genes in living creatures. For example, crossbreeding only works between creatures with similar genealogy. Tsuruno says if this means that Soul Gems and Grief Seeds are one and the same, and Touka says Tsuruno is just as smart as she says.

Tsuruno say it's difficult to accept, since it means they killed other magical girls. Touka says they can think of witches like zombies, and when you kill a witch, they don't have to bear the weight of their sins. Sana mutters they have to accept that. Iroha points out she didn't become a witch when her Soul Gem turned black, and Touka says that's the next topic. Elsewhere, Yachiyo wonders if Mifuyu is really going to show the others "that" and thinks she has to go save them. She then says she has to calm down and save them not because they're her friends, but because they're innocent magical girls. She tries to think it's not about her personal feelings.

Touka continues her story. After seeing a witch transformation for the first time, girl B was still in shock. Girl B tried to change her way of thinking, but could only curse herself for becoming a magical girl. A year later, witches began to gather in Kamihama while Kyubey vanished. Girl B's Soul Gem corrupted due to her feelings. Girl B thought she would become a witch, just like girl F, but that did not happen. Iroha guesses that girl B summoned a Doppel instead, and Touka says she is correct. At the time, they had already began working to release the magical girls of Kamihama. When girl B summoned her Doppel, another girl appeared before her, and asked if they can work together to release magical girls. "Release" refers to the truth of magical girls.

Iroha asks if the girl who met girl B was her, and Touka says that is correct. Touka asks if doppels are the work of the Wings of Magius, and Touka says that's also correct. She then invites the girls to join. However, Iroha says she doesn't want to understand. Sana points out they have a noble cause, but she remembers Ai telling her that the Wings of Magius were doing something dangerous. Touka asks if Sana would believe a Rumor over a magical girl. Felicia interrupts saying that if what Magius does works, then there won't be any more witches and there won't be people like her parents. Tsuruno says that Touka might be telling the truth, but she might also be including made-up stories to get them to join Wings of Magius. Iroha says that Touka would be smart enough to make a convincing story.

Touka says it's fine, because they have a contingency: The Memory Museum itself. Mifuyu suddenly appears and tells the girls they can see the stories they heard in the lecture. Iroha asks when Mifiyu got here, and Mifuyu says she came when Touka's lecture was scheduled to end. She says she's there to lead the girls into the hand-on learning portion. Sana recalls the Memory Museum can influence people, and asks if Sana means brainwashing. Iroha says she didn't expect that and plans to leave. However, Touka says they can't because they're already in the Rumor. Iroha suddenly hears a bell, and the environment abruptly changes.

Tsuruno says she knew it was a trap from the start, but Mifuyu says it's the way to her hands-on learning. A book appears, which Mifuyu says is her memories. Iroha tells Mifuyu to stop, but Mifuyu says they'll talk afterwards. Touka wishes them a nice trip. Everything fades to white. Later, Yachiyo reaches the museum and encounters Touka. Touka introduces herself. Yachiyo demands to know where Iroha and the others went. Touka says they're learning in the Memory Musuem. Yachiyo asks if she can go as well. Touka says she can't let her interfere, but suddenly changes her mind. She says if Yachiyo wants to interfere she can go ahead.

Yachiyo says she doesn't understand, but Touka says there's a hidden meaning in her words. Yachiyo doesn't care and will crush any hidden meaning. Touka directs Yachiyo to the bell. Yachiyo says Touka will regret this. Touka chuckles and says girls A, B, and D have all arrived, and wonders about girl E. The plot cuts to Momoko walking with Kaede and Rena. Kaede asks how far they're going, but Momoko doesn't answer. When Rena tells her to stay something, Momoko admits she needs to work up the determination. She says they're going somewhere without many people in case something bad happens. Rena says not to tell them something scary, but Momoko admits that's what this secret is.