Under normal development, Sayaka Miki would have realized her own strengths after a bit of self-reflection and taken the initiative. However, the world is always full of things called "accidents"—though some "accidents" are laced with human intent.
A certain construction site in Kazamino City————
Crunch, crunch.
Kyoko Sakura sat on a crane gantry, munching on an apple while looking out over the familiar city with vacant eyes.
Though she looked like a mere young girl, having experienced things most people couldn't imagine in a lifetime, she had long since become "mature" and "cold." Suddenly, hearing an odd noise behind her, she swung her right hand back without hesitation.
As she moved, a crimson glow flickered in her hand, and a long spear lunged toward her rear.
"What are you doing here?"
Though her voice wasn't freezing cold, the rejection in her tone was undisguised. The "creature" she was pointing at showed no fear; instead, it stepped onto the tip of her spear and hopped onto the shaft.
"I found a 'Familiar' on my way here that's about to turn into a 'Witch.' Don't you plan to hunt it?"
Seemingly indifferent to Kyoko question, Kyubey asked one of its own. Kyoko simply jerked her spear to shake Kyubey off, retracted the weapon, and went back to eating her apple.
"Hunt it? What's the point? No matter how close it gets to being a Witch, it's still just a Familiar. Killing it won't produce a 'Grief Seed,' so why should I bother?"
Unlike Mami Tomoe's affection for Kyubey and her serious dedication to her work, Kyoko Sakura was more like a jaded veteran in the workplace—pushing off tasks whenever possible and never doing anything without a benefit. Regarding her "superior," she relied on her own professional competence to ignore his summons. He couldn't fire her anyway, and she didn't want a "promotion."
Few would imagine that the icy Kyoko Sakura of today was, a few years ago, a wide-eyed girl with a radiant smile and a head full of "hero" fantasies.
But she never dreamed that gaining the power to realize her dreams would trigger the nightmare that changed her life.
Young and ignorant, she naively chose Kyubey. Because she wasn't used to the transformation, she once forgot to change back after hunting a Familiar and was discovered by her father. Facing his interrogation, she naively told him everything. That was the start of the tragedy.
Her father was a devout believer. Even though his church was small and dilapidated, he held himself to strict standards. But when he heard from his daughter that the recent increase in visitors wasn't due to his hard work but a wish she had made, he descended into hysteria. When he saw the creature named "Kyubey," he lost his mind completely...
Kyoko Sakura had always blamed herself. Her carelessness led to the deaths of her parents and her younger sister. During that time, she hadn't lacked suspicions that Kyubey had triggered it all, but to this day, she had found no clues. After all, there seemed to be no point for him to do so.
She helped him deal with Witches, and he helped her realize her wish. It was a fair trade. If he simply wanted to deal with her, it would have been much easier; there was no need to make it so complicated.
However, if Lancer knew, he would probably pat her shoulder and tell her that Kyubey goal from the start was to turn ordinary girls—even children—into "Magical Girls," and as soon as they became "Witches," its goal was achieved.
But undoubtedly, the relationship between the two had become very strained. Even her hunting of Witches wasn't to protect others, but merely to ensure her Soul Gem didn't turn black.
"Why are you looking for me? I recall you don't usually come around unless there's trouble."
Facing Kyoko provocative gaze and teasing words, Kyubey accepted them with its usual smile.
"True. I do have one thing to notify you about."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"It's about Mitakihara Town."
"!!"
The cold expression on Kyoko face froze for a second. She turned around sharply.
"Mitakihara? Did that blonde girl finally kick the bucket?"
"No, Mami Tomoe is doing quite well. Her Soul Gem remains in a near-perfect state. Actually, this has little to do with her. It's because a strange man has appeared in Mitakihara."
Hearing that Mami was fine, Kyoko breathed a sigh of relief, but then she jerked her head away.
"If she's not dead, what do you want with me? I thought I could finally take over that territory."
Turning away and tilting her head up, Kyoko looked annoyed.
"That man calls himself a 'Magus.' He possesses power similar to a 'Magical Girl'..."
"Similar to a Magical Girl? Ha? Are you trying to tell me you have a relative out there recruiting guys?"
Kyoko words were as biting as ever, but Kyubey, seemingly devoid of emotion, answered her quite seriously.
"As far as I know, no. Besides, the man appears to be over twenty years old..."
"Tch~ An old guy. How annoying. What is it then? Just say it, stop dragging it out."
"Although the man hasn't shown hostility yet, his appearance is too bizarre. I want you to help me monitor him."
Undoubtedly, the sudden appearance of someone like Lancer—with unknown strength, unknown identity, and unknown motives—next to its "primary target" would make it suspicious.
The simplest method would have been to induce conflict between Mami and Lancer, but it quickly abandoned that idea. It found it wouldn't be worth the cost. Lancer was full of secrets, but he hadn't shown hostility or the potential to interfere with its plans. Risking exposure to manipulate Mami wasn't worth it.
However, that didn't mean it had no other options. For example————Kyoko Sakura.
Unlike Mami, she clearly didn't trust it; she even harbored strong suspicions. But so what?
The stronger the feelings, the easier they are to manipulate.
"What's in it for me?"
"If a 'Witch' appears nearby, I'll alert you in advance."
"Not enough."
"I can give you some clues regarding your 'wish.'"
"..."
The interaction was like a pure transaction. Kyubey put down the weights, and Kyoko bargained. In the end, it offered a condition Kyoko Sakura couldn't refuse.
"Fine. I agree."