The next day, Fang Zheng brought Akemi Homura back to the library. But when everyone saw her again, they were almost shocked beyond belief.
Akemi Homura had appeared often enough before, but she had always carried an icy aura, radiating an unmistakable stay-away-from-me air. Only when facing Madoka, Fang Zheng, and a few others did she restrain herself somewhat.
But now, the biggest change was... she was actually smiling!
That eternal ice queen was smiling. Could you believe it?
At the very least, Madoka could not.
"Good morning, Madoka."
"Good morning, Little Flame. Are you..."
Looking at Akemi Homura, who wore a gentle smile and seemed like a completely different person, Madoka stood there dumbfounded and speechless. After a long while, she finally nodded.
"...Are you... okay?"
"I'm fine. I've just figured some things out..."
Little Flame's smile remained gentle, and her voice was soft as well, completely unlike her former coldness. Yet Madoka felt that the Little Flame before her was somehow different from before... Back then, although Little Flame's attitude had been cold, Madoka could sense that she had been desperately trying to get closer to her.
But now, although Little Flame seemed more approachable on the surface, Madoka could sense that she no longer seemed as eager as before.
"Say, Big Brother, you didn't give her some kind of love potion, did you?"
Little Black came over as well, grinning as she tugged on Fang Zheng's clothes and asked. Fang Zheng could only shake his head and sigh helplessly at her question.
"Don't even mention it. I still don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing."
Honestly, if Fang Zheng had to describe it, Akemi Homura's current state was very similar to when he had "tamed" Atalanta in the Nasuverse. But if he