The Same Appearance as Us Part 1

Chapter 3
Part 1: Double-edged Sword

Mami: When I first set foot in Kamihama...I felt like something was wrong
but back then, it was nothing more than a premonition.
But...
That feeling turned into conviction...
The moment I laid eyes on that power, the likes of which I had never seen or heard of before.

Mami: (This city... deviates from our common sense. I need to hurry and put an end to the source of my uncertain...)
sense that something's not right here...
Kyuubey.

Kyuubey: Hey. I never would've thought that I'd run into you outside of Mitakihara like this again.
Mami: Hey, do you know where Sakura-san is?
Kyuubey: Kyouko? Why do you ask? At any rate, I haven't seen her today.
Mami: Is that so?
Kyuubey: Is there something you need from her?
Mami: Yes... there's something I need to tell her...
Kyuubey: Is something wrong?
Mami: Something wrong... true... I found a strange city.
Kyuubey: A strange city? Where, exactly?
Mami: It's "Kamihama City".
Kyuubey: "Kamihama City"...What exactly was there?
Mami: I still don't know myself... but... while other cities are experiencing a sharp decline in the number of witches, only that city...not only hasn't had a drop in the number of witches, but...on the contrary, many witches are swarming in that city...As if...they're gathering in that city...
Kyuubey: ...... That's very interesting. Seems like, only that Kamihama City is experiencing a different situation compared to other cities.
Mami: Yes.... Besides that...the power of those witches was extraordinary. Combine all those points together...and you'll find that that city is clearly an anomaly.
Kyuubey: Hmmm.... Mami, regarding the decreasing number of witches, if I find out something, I'll let you know. So in exchange, I'd like you... to let me know if you learn something about that "Kamihama" city.
Mami: Yes, of course.


Mami: Sakura-san.
Kyouko: Nn? Ahh...Fancy meeting you again in a place like this...Are you looking for witches again too?
Mami: No, that's not it. I was looking for you.
Kyouko: ? Me?
Mami: Yes... I've had enough searching for witches today...
Kyouko: What the hell is that? Your face does look really tired. Were you hunting more witches than you could handle?
Mami: Yes, that's true. To the point where I have too many grief seeds.
Kyouko: Huh...? --!? whoa...! Those grief seeds...! And your soul gem really isn't tainted at all... Do you really, seriously have a surplus of...?
What were you doing since the last time I saw you? Did you find a new hunting ground or something?
Mami: True... I'd like to refrain from making it my new territory, but... I found a city that has me concerned. [1]
Kyouko: A city that has you concerned? What exactly do you mean by that?
Mami: It's "Kamihama City". You're at least familiar with the name, right?
Kyouko: Kamihama...yeaah...I do know the name. If I remember right, it's a pretty big city with an amusement park and stuff...or at least, that's what I've heard. ...So? Are you saying that this "Kamihama" has more witches than you can handle?
Mami: Yes, it's the complete opposite of Mitakihara and Kazamino...there's so many witches there that you don't have to go out of your way to look for them. Furthermore... there's a lot more witches there than there ever were in places like Mitakihara and Kazamino... even before the decline in the number of witches took place.

Mami: In "Kamihama"...there's a lot more witches there than there ever were in places like Mitakihara and Kazamino, even before those places started having fewer witches.
Kyouko: Seriously? Nice job, Mami.
Mami: Eh?
Kyouko: With that many witches there, we'll have nothing to worry about. You found us a new hunting ground, and that's something to celebrate.
Mami: .......... I... don't see it that way...
Kyouko: Eh?
Mami: Rather than relief...on the contrary, I feel an incredible sense of uncertainty.
Kyouko: Really? What's gotten you feeling so uncertain?
Mami: It's not just Mitakihara and Kazamino...the outside...all these other cities all have clearly experienced a decline in their number of witches, you know?
And yet...only Kamihama is overflowing with witches... Don't you think there's something bizarre about this situation?
Kyouko: Well...it is weird as you say, but...I think it's just a simple coincidence. Besides... isn't this situation a whole lot better than one where we're stuck with no way to replenish our magical energy?
...I've decided! I'm going to make that Kamihama-whatever my new hunting ground.
Mami: Wait a second! Don't take this so lightly...!
Kyouko: It'll be fine. If it seriously turns into a dangerous situation...then I'll get out of there as soon as I can.
Mami: ...For sure, right? If you sense that something is unusual... even just a little bit, withdraw as quickly as you can.
Kyouko: Yeah, I got it.
Mami: And...! It's not just their numbers...The witches themselves...and even the familiars...were a lot stronger than the ones in Mitakihara and Kazamino... So...!
Kyouko: Nnn, yeah, I hear ya. Anyway, I won't push myself.
Mami: Yes...seriously though... be careful........


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[1] = ご免被りたい apparently could either mean she'd like to receive permission or she'd like to refuse. Both definitions make sense in this context, maybe the latter more-so than the former, but I provided the alternative if you think it's the former instead.