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"Since there are too many unknown variables, we're going to do a test run," Homura says, as she opens the door and flicks on the lights to her apartment. Kyoko follows her in and almost drops the mountain of groceries and fast food Homura made her carry.

"What happened to all of the pendulums and clockwork and shit you had?" she asks incredulously.

"Since we reset, my apartment no longer has those decorations. Unfortunately, to acquire new ones, I will need to go out tonight to visit a few suppliers," Homura sighs.

Unnerved by those implications (and distracted by her grumbling stomach), Kyoko chooses to put her focus into the food in her hands, plopping it down onto the weird, purple coffee table, which somehow seems to be the only constant in Homura's apartment; maybe it's attached to the floor or something?

As Kyoko begins organizing and arranging her (Homura's) haul of food, Homura arms herself with a dry erase marker and stands in front of a large whiteboard she pulled out her shield. Kyoko follows suit by arming herself with a cheeseburger and side of fries as she takes a seat onto what has become her favorite couch.

"Let's start off with some ground rules," Homura says as she uncaps her marker and begins drawing on the whiteboard. Kyoko considers questioning where exactly the whiteboard came from (and also why she chose to bring that instead of one of her pendulums), but after joining this time loop business at the promise of food and housing, she determines that interrupting now over such a minor detail doesn't seem to be in her best interests. Also her mouth is currently full of fries, so there's that too.

"First off, you need to stay under the radar," Homura says, as she begins drawing rough squiggles of the various Mitakihara girls. "I'm sure Mami Tomoe will be all too willing to let you hunt for grief seeds in Mitakihara so long as you don't paint a target on your back."

Kyoko concedes the point. Mami is the pushover type, especially when it comes to potentially having friends.

"So that means no hunting Kyubey for sport, no curb stomping Sayaka Miki, and no making fun of Mami Tomoe's stupid hair."

Once again, Kyoko concedes the point, but she can't help but raise an eyebrow at that last one, especially when looking at the unflattering hair Squiggle Mami receives. It's not exactly inaccurate but... Then a thought occurs to her.

"What about me?" Kyoko asks.

"What about you?"

"I'm sure you could take care of your past self with a quick bullet to the head, but if I run across me, something tells me that one bullet's not going to be enough to take her down."

If only she knew, Homura thinks. Then again, she does bring up a valid point. Homura considers this as she colors in Squiggle Kyoko's ponytail. While she has never run across a past iteration of herself because of the way her time travelling works, the chance of Kyoko bumping into her past self at the arcade or while digging through a dumpster for food or whatever she does for fun is not exactly zero, considering she should not have been able to be brought back in the first place.

"If you are to run into your past self, what are the chances she would just accept your existence and move on with her life?" Homura asks.

Kyoko thinks for a moment, having to consider what she would do in her past self's place. "I think," she determines, "that she'd probably try to get rid of me to validate her existence."

As Homura finishes drawing Squiggle Sayaka's tears as she watches Squiggle Kyosuke and Squiggle Hitomi run off into the sunset together, she can't help but be impressed at Kyoko's level of introspection. "What if you offer her food?" she suggests.

This line of questioning sends Kyoko into a self-reflective frenzy, her having to consider all of her life up to this moment and whether or not she'd be willing to throw her entire sense of self out the window for a free snack. As she reaches her answer, a frown visibly appears on her face.

"Yeah, she'd probably ignore the identity crisis if I give her a few boxes of pocky," Kyoko deduces.

"Great," Homura says, but Kyoko can't help but disagree internally. "Then that will be our course of action." After finishing her final drawing, Homura recaps her marker while thinking. After a moment, she places the marker aside and heads to the door.

"Unless there's anything else, we can conclude for now. I need to go run my errands while the risk of being caught is low."

"Not to be that person, but don't you have school tomorrow?" Kyoko asks, silently considering the possibility that she may be quite literally working with a terrorist.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be back before midnight," Homura snarks as she turns back to admire her depiction of Squiggle Madoka and Squiggle Homura holding hands. An inkling of a smile appears on her face before she turns back and heads out the door into the night.

The next morning sees Homura making her introduction at school for the umpteenth time. She goes through the usual motions, giving little to no background information about herself and doing all in her power to speed things up. Of course, she also takes any opportunity she can to glance at Madoka, who always seems to falter under her gaze. And when it comes time for her to fake having heart palpitations and be led to the nurse's office by Madoka, she feels more confident than usual, which only exacerbates Madoka's inherent discomfort with her.

However, she realizes that she must have slipped up somewhere when Madoka stops to face her in the middle of the hallway and asks, "Homura, have we met before?"

After not receiving an answer (due to Homura going into a brief shock), Madoka tries to backpedal, suggesting that she must've been thinking of someone else. But before she can fully sweep her question under the rug (to later be the source of this evening's bout of self-deprecation), Homura decides to try something new in grabbing her by the shoulders and cutting to the point.

"I'm not from this time."

Of course, when thinking over the fact that Homura was in her dream, Madoka did not consider the possibility of larger science fiction shenanigans being the cause of her subconscious' memories. In fact, such an explanation could only go over her head as she is now, which it does when the only response Madoka can come up with is a whispered "Cool."

Although initially discouraged by Madoka's non-response, Homura presses forward in this spontaneous route, still clinging to that voice of hope in her mind that says this will work. "I've travelled back in time to save you from making the mistake of becoming a magical girl, as there is an underlying truth behind it that has taken your life in every timeline."

Madoka, suddenly beginning to regret leading the weird transfer student to the nurse's office, can only nod awkwardly as she tries to think up a way out of this conversation, silently cursing the dream that led her here.

After a moment of consideration, Homura, not being stupid, begrudgingly accepts that Madoka is not ready for such a reveal and decides to give up on this route. However, given that Madoka seems to be on the verge of crying (something not unprecedented for her), she realizes that her backpedaling will have to have a certain grace to it. But how exactly can she go about "dropping the act" so easily-

Wait.

"How was that?!" Homura suddenly asks in an uncharacteristically excited tone. Madoka flinches from the sudden burst of energy, but Homura continues, "I'm thinking of joining the school's drama club and wanted to practice with someone, but it's hard to in front of so many people. And you just look so approachable, you know?"

Madoka, taking the bait, pauses for a moment before gasping in amazement, "Woah! You were acting? You really had me fooled."

"Thank you. I've been practicing that one so many times that it's pretty much burned into me," Homura says with a slight twitch in her fake smile.

"Huh. That makes sense considering how dramatic it was. Even more, it's pretty silly conceptually. Magical girls? Time travel? Underlying truths? That sounds a bit too inspired for you to have come up with it on the spot," Madoka accuses with a smirk. Admittedly, Homura did come up with that on the spot, but the time for truth had already taken its course. Also, she takes note of the fact that Madoka has avoided bringing up her supposed memory of her and files it into the back of her mind.

Running out of ideas, Homura quickly chooses to use Sayaka as her muse as she scratches the back of her head awkwardly and says, "Yeah, I guess that's some of my inner dork coming out. I hope you didn't mind too much. I know no one likes the weird, eccentric, overbearing, emotional train wreck type. Actually, you and everyone else would be pretty justified in hating me, so why don't we just go back to-"

"No, you're fine!" Madoka quickly interrupts, not wanting Homura to self-flagellate. "I just think next time you shouldn't try to cut class for it."

Naturally, Homura takes a page from Mami's book next and seems to shell up out of guilt. "You're right," she mutters. "I am an awful and impulsive person. And lonely too. And I really don't know how to ask people for help, even though everything I do can be considered a cry for it."

Homura looks up, wondering if she went a bit too far. And for a second, it seems as though she did when Madoka hesitates upon meeting eyes with her. Then after a moment of distracted staring, Homura notices Madoka's beautiful pink eyes flash with excitement as she puts her hands together and says, "Oh, I know! Why don't you join me and my friends for lunch today? You can practice your acting with us."

Homura takes a moment to genuinely consider this before putting on her biggest Kyoko grin (or her attempt at one anyway, acting is hard) and exclaiming, "Sounds better than eating by the dumpster!" Which is probably the best fake enthusiasm she has ever shown.

That day's lunch break meetup provides Homura an in into Madoka's group before the cogs of fate begin to turn, which is something unprecedented for her. Not that it makes much of a difference. Because while eating lunch on the roof with Madoka, Hitomi, and a surprisingly amicable Sayaka (who even more surprisingly is a better actor than her) is fun, ultimately Homura still ends up divided from the group when Kyubey runs crying to Madoka after her daily attempt to place a few well-deserved bullets into its skull.

Madoka is uncharacteristically appalled by this seeming betrayal, or at least in comparison to previous timelines, as she immediately runs away from Homura with Kyubey in tow, probably looking for the nearest veterinarian. Admittedly Homura does not take this well, as when Sayaka runs onto the scene and only comes across her in full "cosplay" (which she understandably teases her about), Homura just points in Madoka's direction and defeatedly mutters, "She went that way."

After Mami Tomoe saves Madoka and Sayaka from the squad of familiars, Homura chooses to reveal herself to the newly formed trio. Mami immediately senses and glares at her for attempting to put down the incubator. Madoka is somewhere between dismay for Homura's actions and concern for the revelation that Homura might not have been acting this morning. Sayaka, meanwhile, is just all-around confused, and Homura finds it unnerving that she has the best opinion of her right now, Kyubey's lack of emotion notwithstanding.

Homura keeps the back-and-forth with Mami light, not choosing to verbally attack her character yet, before making her exit and heading home for the night. Normally, she would at least go hunting for another witch, but there is a certain aching feeling inside of her that sways her from that. She hopes that it isn't the onset of some sort of disease caused by her new Kyoko-inspired eating habits.

As she makes her way into her apartment, she notices that Kyoko isn't present and assumes that the redhead got nostalgic for home, deciding to spend the night beside a dumpster. Going over her notes, Homura notices that many of her interactions with the others have deviated from previous timelines. While Mami is still Mami, Sayaka seems to enjoy her presence and Madoka, before the whole shooting Kyubey thing, seemed to be excited when talking to her, as opposed to the usual discomfort and fear she would show. Admittedly, Madoka's anger with her is also new, but thinking about it hurts, so Homura decides to just jot these changes down in her journal and call it a night.

The next morning, Homura makes her usual trip to the roof to explain herself, not considering that her lunchtime meeting from the previous day could have an effect on this one. Which is exactly what happens.

Madoka nearly drops her bento and Sayaka actually chokes on noodles when they see Homura walking towards them, carrying her own lunch. Homura's thoughts stray to the absence of Hitomi until Madoka slams her food beside her and jumps to her feet, lashing out at Homura, "What do you think you're doing here?"

Extremely caught off guard by Madoka's outburst, Homura attempts (and fails) to coolly explain herself, "I just... came to apologize to you for my actions yesterday."

"Wait. So you are a magical girl? I just assumed you were one of those weird cosplayers or something," Sayaka asks with a look of genuine confusion. Did someone keep her out of the exposition loop or something?

Madoka gives Sayaka her own look, which Homura could only assume was terrifying given that she couldn't see it, that immediately shuts Sayaka up. Homura doesn't envy her when she sees her look to the ground and quietly slurp down her noodles in an uncommon showing of fear.

"You shouldn't be apologizing to me," Madoka says, sending her death glare Homura's way. "You should be apologizing to Kyubey."

"I can't do that though," Homura responds, doing her best to fight against the growing pain in her stomach.

"Why not?"

"Because it doesn't have feelings."

"Homura!" Madoka shouts, causing Homura to uncharacteristically flinch.

"If I did have feelings, I would be very offended right now," Kyubey states. Just hearing the incubator's voice is enough to distract Homura from her stomach. Her attention is instead shifted onto the thought of silencing that voice with another bullet, but she stops herself, as she realizes that would be the point of no return for this Madoka. Also, they're still in school, and the sound of a gunshot would only further complicate things.

Homura finally gives in and turns to face the incubator. "I'm sorry for shooting you, Kyubey," she forces out, before adding, "Were you in my shoes, I'm sure you would have a very similar goal of instilling despair at all means necessary."

Madoka does not particularly believe that apology, but Kyubey accepts it without a hitch, "Very well. Your apology has overcome entropy, Homura Akemi." Homura's fingers twitch at that as she fantasizes the feeling of pulling the trigger to a gun aimed at this "comedian."

The frown on Homura's face remains visible as she takes a seat next to Sayaka, away from Madoka, who still seems to be upset with her. Their lunch initially goes by almost silently, Sayaka attempting to make small talk as the de facto mediator of the three. However, Madoka seems to be in too much of a sour mood to talk, and Homura just chooses to ignore Sayaka (not unprecedented for her), instead considering what her next move will be. Ultimately Sayaka settles on a conversation with Kyubey about magical girls, which both Homura and Madoka tune out.

Ultimately, Homura comes to the conclusion that meal time with Madoka has run its course. As such, upon finishing her meal, Homura gets up and begins walking off without a word, well before the end of the lunch period. This halts Sayaka and Kyubey's conversation and gets the attention of Madoka, whose anger seems to have been subsided in favor for an especially potent feeling of guilt.

Before Homura can exit the roof, Madoka gets up from her seat and calls out, "Homura, wait!"

Stopping in her tracks, Homura turns to Madoka and immediately notices the tears in her eyes. Her expression softens for a moment before she turns back on her cold facade and sharply asks, "What?"

Flinching for a moment (the poor girl probably undergoing a surge of emotions), Madoka tries her best to stammer out, "Yesterday... when you were talking about magical girls... and time travel and underlying truths... you weren't just acting... were you...?"

Alarmed by this line of questioning, Homura immediately glances at Kyubey, who seems to be analyzing her with its beady eyes. Fighting the urge to put a bullet between them, she looks back to Madoka and realizes that she has to keep lying out of self preservation.

"You're right," she begins. "I wasn't acting."

Madoka's face begins to resonate with shock until the very next thing Homura says.

"I was lying."

Confused, Madoka is unable to put the rushing thoughts in her head to words. Fortunately, Sayaka shares a similar confusion and unintentionally translates, "Isn't that the same thing though?"

Homura, now having the golden opportunity to monologue, runs her hand through her hair and proceeds to hit her usual notes. "Acting requires a level of sincerity whereas lying is complete insincerity. And there was no sincerity to be had in what I told you. The truth of the matter is that I have no intention of becoming your friend, Madoka Kaname. My goals begin and end with keeping you from becoming a magical girl."

Madoka goes into a silenced shock as Sayaka chooses now to show her usual colors, getting up from her seat (spilling her noodles in the process) and shouting, "And what exactly do you mean by that? Are you trying to kill Kyubey so that we can't make a contract with him?"

"Don't be mistaken, Sayaka Miki," Homura says. "I have no intention of stopping you from making a contract."

"Good," Sayaka says as she crosses her arms, feeling as though she's won a battle. She hasn't though, and everyone around her is aware of that.

"She's dodging the question, Sayaka," Kyubey says with what Homura can only imagine is a hint of annoyance. Madoka meanwhile looks as though an arrow has been shot through her heart. Her breath hitches as the tears begin pouring. For a moment, Homura can't help but wonder if maybe she is handling this situation poorly, but she shakes that thought away as she delivers the killing blow to the formerly budding friendship.

"Have I made myself clear, Madoka Kaname?" she asks. "Don't make a contract. Or else."

Madoka goes catatonic. Sayaka immediately lashes out at Homura, who ignores her and walks off. Kyubey continues staring, trying to piece together the puzzle that is Homura Akemi. And Mami watches the exchange from a distance, wishing she would have joined in on the meal before things got so tense.

And as Homura crosses back into the classroom, she has but one thought in mind: The timeline is back on track.

Homura opts out of following the trio that evening, assuming that Mami can handle herself against a witch like Gertrud. Instead, she heads home where she hears Kyoko digging through the kitchen pantry.

"I'm back," she calls out, which startles Kyoko for some reason. Instead of a greeting, the only response she receives is the sound of shuffling followed by the pantry door slamming shut.

Feeling curious as well as peckish, Homura joins Kyoko in the kitchen to grab herself something to eat. Though, given her concerns yesterday, she avoids gorging herself on junk food and instead asks Kyoko, "Do we have any apples left?"

Kyoko quietly looks at Homura, unsure of what to say. With a slight glare, Homura says, "Look, I don't care if you ate them all. Just make sure to save me one in the future."

"There should still be a few left," Kyoko suddenly blurts out. Homura raises her eyebrow at the shaky tone of voice, but shrugs it off for now.

"Can I get through then?"

Realizing she is in the way, Kyoko darts off to the side to let Homura pass through to the refrigerator, her back now hugging the pantry door, almost as if she is holding it like a lifeline.

After grabbing an apple, Homura closes the refrigerator door and finally looks at Kyoko. It's then that she sees something is up and narrows her eyes.

"Kyoko, what did you do?"

Kyoko falters for a moment under Homura's gaze. "I have no clue what you're talking about," she denies.

Homura stares at her for a few more seconds before turning away to take a bite of her apple, and Kyoko relaxes for that brief moment.

Homura then transforms and presses a gun to the side of Kyoko's head before she can even blink.

"What. Did. You. Do." Homura hisses, but Kyoko goes incoherent, clearly unprepared to have a gun aimed at her.

"Why do you have a gun?!" she manages to get out, which causes Homura to widen her eyes in surprise.

"You're not my Kyoko, are you?" she asks.

The pantry door behind Kyoko then bursts open as the real Kyoko shouts, "Surprise!" Homura and the other Kyoko are knocked to the ground, Homura's gun falling out of her hand.

"Whoops, didn't realize you two were right in front of the door," Kyoko says, with a sheepish expression. As soon as she comes to, the other Kyoko grabs Homura's gun, gets to her feet, and points it at Homura.

"Yo, Past Me what do you think you're doing?" Kyoko asks.

"You didn't tell me that your new sugar daddy is a gun wielding maniac!" Past Kyoko screams.

"To be fair, we were able to handle Mami."

Homura, ignoring Past Kyoko and the gun pointed at her, gets to her feet and glares at her Kyoko.

"So Homerun, you're not going to believe this," Kyoko says "But it turns out that Past Me is pretty cool."

Homura pointedly looks at Past Kyoko, whose hands are beginning to tremble out of fear. "You're right," Homura says before disappearing and reappearing behind her potential assailant. "I don't believe that." She delivers a chop to the back of Past Kyoko's neck, knocking her out in an instant and her body crumpling to the floor.

"What'd you do that for?" Kyoko asks. "We were just trying to see how long it'd take you to figure out she wasn't me."

Homura picks up her gun from the ground and places it back into her shield. She then sees the apple she had safely placed on the counter and goes back to eating it. Both her and Kyoko stare at the unconscious Past Kyoko laying on the ground.

Finally, Kyoko decides to break the silence by asking, "So can we keep her?"

"No," Homura answers a bit too quickly.

Kyoko considers arguing with her, but admittedly after that short display, she decides that is not a hill she is willing to die on.

"Then can we at least go and scare Mami with her?"