Sawamura Spencer Eriri, a half-English, half-Japanese girl with numerous hobbies, had one undeniable love—ACG (anime, comics, and games).
Out in public, she maintained the graceful facade of a refined lady, carefully concealing her identity as both an illustrator and an otaku.
Though she appeared to have many friends at school, none were truly close—until this summer, when she found a new confidante besides Akifumi Mugiho: Shiina Mahiru.
Their friendship blossomed, though no one could say whether it was sparked by Mahiru's kind personality or her exceptional cooking. By now, the reason hardly mattered.
Now, back to Eriri herself.
With a personality as straightforward as a child's, her emotions and thoughts were always written on her face.
Angering her was laughably easy.
But here's the weakness: Eriri was also hopelessly sensitive.
This trait made her terrible at handling emotionally intense stories.
Despite wanting to avoid bothering Akifumi, her childhood friend and creator of Madoka Magica, Eriri couldn't help but feel curious about getting an early look at Volume 2.
But she never asked it directly.
Finally, when the official release date was announced, Eriri was ecstatic, just like countless other fans.
The wait for August had been agonizing, but now it was finally here.
Unfortunately...
Like many who underestimated its popularity, Eriri failed to secure a copy on the first day.
However, unlike the other frantic fans, she had an insider connection—Akifumi Mugiho himself!
As industry tradition dictated, Akifumi had received a few complimentary copies directly from the publisher.
Authors often kept these for personal collections or gifted them to friends.
Eriri intended to get one.
But just as she was on her way, Sayuri called and dragged her back home.
Her much-anticipated reading session was postponed for another day.
The next morning, Eriri arrived at Akifumi's house at dawn, determined.
She wasted no time grabbing Volume 2.
Carefully opening it, she immersed herself in the pages.
At first, Eriri was delighted.
"Wow, Akifumi really outdid himself! The tension and visual impact are even better than Volume 1!" she exclaimed.
But soon, her excitement faded.
"Wait... no way... please don't go there!"
The ominous foreshadowing in the dialogues and monologues filled her with dread.
When Sayaka was shown sitting alone on a bench before being found by Kyoko, Eriri's premonition reached its peak.
Kyoko (cheerful): "Finally found you! Seriously, how long are you going to sulk?"
Sayaka: "Sorry... for worrying you."
Kyoko (slightly bashful): "W-what's with that? Doesn't suit you at all."
Then the art shifted dramatically.
Sayaka's face was revealed, twisted in chaos and darkness.
The formerly elegant and beautiful style turned grim and oppressive.
Sayaka: "I just... don't care anymore. I don't even know what I valued most or what I wanted to protect. It's all meaningless now."
The once-radiant Soul Gem turned pitch-black as darkness consumed its last speck of light.
Sayaka: "Hope and despair cancel each other out to zero.
Now I get it.
Even though I saved a few people, hatred and jealousy festered inside me, and I hurt my closest friend.
The more you wish for others' happiness, the more you end up cursing someone else.
That's how magical girls are made, right?"
Tears glinted in Sayaka's eyes as she smiled bitterly.
The Soul Gem shattered, enveloping the world in darkness.
Eriri's heart sank, mirroring Sayaka's despair.
But she inhaled sharply and steadied herself.
"No, no! It's fine, Eriri! Fans already predicted Sayaka's tragic fate after Volume 1, right?
Even if Magical Girls turn into witches, it doesn't matter as long as I didn't know beforehand!"
She clenched her fists, resolute.
"I won't cry! I won't let it get to me!"
But then she witnessed Kyoko's heart-wrenching decision:
Kyoko: "Don't worry, Sayaka.
I won't leave you alone.
Because being alone... it's just too lonely.
It'll be okay... I'll stay by your side."
With unwavering resolve, Kyoko impaled her Soul Gem with her spear, choosing to follow Sayaka.
In the ensuing pure-white world, Kyoko, who once stood as an enemy, smiled gently and extended a treat to Sayaka, who sat hugging her knees.
The scene froze on their intertwined hands and the falling snack.
Eriri's lips quivered, tears pooling in her eyes.
She stubbornly held them back, whispering to herself:
"It's okay... This ending is perfect for both Sayaka and Kyoko... It's... beautiful."
But the tears kept threatening to fall.
Then came Akemi Homura's arc.
Though Homura survived, her words struck Eriri deeply:
Homura: "I've probably been lost... for a long time."
Living through endless loops, witnessing her dearest friend's death again and again, knowing that despair awaited each new attempt...
Was living through that truly better than death?
Eriri didn't know.
All she knew was that she couldn't remain indifferent to Homura's pain.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
She quietly sobbed but stubbornly turned the pages.
Finally, she reached the conclusion—Kaname Madoka's sacrifice.
Madoka's resolute speech, her decision to bear all burdens and transcend into a godlike existence, was overwhelming.
Eriri could no longer hold back.
She broke down completely.
The sheer weight of Madoka's words crushed her tender heart.