So how was the Dance? (Madoka Kaname)
| So how was the Dance? (Madoka Kaname) | |
|---|---|
| Date of Cutscene: | 16 July 2023 |
| Location: | Kaname Household |
| Synopsis: | Junko asks a series of questions that Madoka doesn't understand. |
| Cast of Characters: | Madoka Kaname |
JULY 16, SUNDAY
THE MORNING AFTER THE SUMMER DANCE
Junko and Madoka Kaname had a routine. Every morning they would go to their very large bathroom and get ready for the day. This was mother/daughter bonding time, and Junko's hangover wasn't going to get in the way of it.
Mother starts with a question: "So... what happened to your dress last night? Your father told me it was torn."
"One of the wings got caught on something and ripped off. I couldn't save it after that." Not a lie, but not the full truth. Madoka left out the detail where her dress's wing got impaled by a Familiar's rapier.
"Was that before, or after the dance?"
"Before. I ended up spending time with a friend instead." Also not a lie. If Kyubey could feel emotions, he'd take pride in Madoka's performance. She didn't like hiding things from her mom, but the Veil didn't give her a choice.
"A friend?" Junko's interest was suddenly piqued. Her hangover misery is, temporarily, forgotten. "Is this someone I should know? It wasn't a boy, was it?"
Madoka made a negative 'mm-mm' noise and shook her head. "It was a girl who transferred in recently. She's kind of shy, but she's really sweet sometimes."
"Oh? What's her name?"
"Homura Akemi."
"So you ditched the Summer Dance and spent time with her instead."
There was a tinge of... assertive curiosity in Junko's voice. It wasn't unfriendly, but Madoka wasn't getting out of this conversation without giving answers.
"I mean... not on purpose, but..."
"Well I'm just wondering, because you were just telling me about how sweet she was."
This wasn't quite going where Madoka expected, or wanted. Junko seemed intensely curious, and Madoka didn't know why. "W-well she is. She tries to help people a lot. When she saw my evening was ruined, she offered to dance with me alone!"
Junko raised one single eyebrow. "That doesn't sound very shy, kiddo."
"Huh?!"
"So... what does she think of you? How does she talk to you?"
"I mean... she's said some pretty nice things to me."
"Like?"
"Like... that I was kind, and caring, and... warm." Madoka didn't want to be too dodgy. She was afraid of her mother getting the wrong impression, and she didn't like the lies of omission she had already made.
Yet Junko's motherly curiosity only got worse. She had a grin, or was it more of a smirk? "Well, she's not wrong, but does she talk to others that way?"
Madoka hesitates before answering. She has to actually think about it. Homura spent a lot of time shouting orders or making suggestions during fights, so maybe she wasn't quite as shy as Madoka thought. What she said about Kyubey wasn't exactly... a glowing review, either.
"Well?" Mother's insistence breaks the silence.
"I mean... she says she doesn't have many friends." Madoka just assumed that was because Homura was shy. Or busy. Homura always seemed like she had a lot on her plate.
"... Huh."
Mercifully, Junko's interrogation pauses. She lets the pressure off, but it's only for a moment. Madoka can tell that her mother isn't satisfied. The Kaname daughter was sure that Homura was a good person, but the nature of magic stopped her from being able to explain why in a way that made sense.
"Well... I know she really cares about people!" Madoka isn't giving up this easily. Homura slew a Witch and saved Madoka's whole evening, so the least she could do was defend the magical girl's honor.
"Are you sure she isn't just being sweet to you, specifically?"
"Huh? Me? Why me?"
"Who knows?" Junko is mysteriously amused. She knows something she isn't sharing. She finishes applying lip gloss before she asks, "So what makes you think she's shy, anyways?"
"Well, sometimes when I get close to her, she blushes."
Junko Kaname just bursts out laughing, and continues for a long time. Madoka stares at her, confused.
"Wha-? Why are you laughing? Did I say something weird?"
Junko stops to catch her breath. "Your new friend sounds really cute, kiddo. I'll ask your father to make an extra bento for her." The mother then turns and walks away, leaving her bewildered daughter behind at the sink. Something just flew over Madoka's head, and she had no idea what it was.
