For Lancer, this "party" was quite different from those in the past. Since most participants were girls, there was no one to drink and brag with like usual. However, the talented girls put on impromptu performances every other minute, making it feel more like a gala.
Even though he was drinking alone, Lancer got into the spirit, stripped off his shirt, and performed a "Spear Dance." Even though it was just a series of technical spear forms, it drew a round of applause. Lancer figured the girls were just being polite, but he was quite happy nonetheless. After all, who doesn't like being cheered for?
The only difference between Lancer and most people was that he wouldn't go out of his way to seek it, but he wouldn't reject it either.
Then again, an adult male stripping his shirt off in front of a group of lolis is normally a "call the police" situation—the good news was that there was no police station here.
Once Lancer performance pushed the atmosphere to its peak and more people joined the revelry, he quietly masked his presence and moved to the side where the six main girls had gathered. Kyoko, who was drinking apple juice, was the first to spot him.
"Lancer! Over here~!"
He sat in the spot Kyoko made for him and nodded to the group.
"Sorry, I wasn't sure how girls usually celebrate, so I took the liberty of holding a banquet. I hope you like it~"
Madoka was the first to react to Lancer self-deprecation, nodding with a smile.
"It's a bit different from what I imagined, but everyone is so happy~ I think it's wonderful just like this~"
Without a doubt, that was enough for Lancer.
Though it was a "banquet," and most present were ghosts given physical form by Lancer "Lord of a Hundred Demons" power—meaning they didn't feel fatigue—everyone eventually gave Lancer some space as his departure time drew near.
He had said most of what needed to be said over the last six months. While he hadn't talked to every single girl, he knew them all. Before the final goodbye, he had a few individual words for the others, and the last one was Kyoko Sakura.
The two sat under an apple tree. Above them were white apple blossoms. Lancer didn't speak first; he simply stared at the blossoms with her until—
"Lancer, can you answer something for me?"
Perhaps because their first meeting was a confrontation, the assertive Kyoko had never used honorifics like "Mister," "Doctor," or "Lord" with him. Her habit of calling him by his name actually made Lancer feel more comfortable, as he wasn't a fan of formal speech himself.
Lancer chuckled.
"No problem~ But I'll use my discretion on the private details~"
His joking tone made Kyoko hesitate. She really did have the urge to ask about his "secrets," but she held back. She asked the question she had been thinking about the longest.
"Lancer, why did you help us?"
Lancer paused, not expecting that. He thought she would ask where he was going. It wasn't a question he needed to dodge, however—
"Why? I'm not entirely sure. Probably because I found out about the situation, and I wanted to do it? I'm no 'hero,' but I won't turn away from things within my power. Besides..."
"Besides?"
Kyoko looked even more curious. Lancer gave a brilliant smile.
"Your smiles right now are the best reward I could ask for~"
Her head suddenly "under attack" by his hand, Kyoko didn't snap at him or knock his hand away like usual. For once, she stood there quietly; she knew it might be a long time before he ever patted her head again.
The two fell into silence once more, until—
"Lancer, when are you coming back?"
Looking at the apple blossoms above, Lancer thought for a moment.
"Maybe when the apples are ripe? Let's eat apples together then~"
"Mhm~"
Lancer was surprised by how compliant Kyoko was being, then he was the first to laugh.
Lancer departure didn't cause a massive stir in the world. To most people, the name "Lancer" was strange and unfamiliar. But to certain people, it was everything—specifically, the magical girls who had regained their bodies because of him.
They voluntarily changed the pedestal in the center of the "Park"—which held the intertwined pink and black gems—to a pale blue color. When they chatted, they would often bring up that powerful, strange man.
The six girls who had the most contact with Lancer saw the biggest changes.
Mami Tomoe, already a third-year, graduated shortly after Lancer left. Contrary to expectations, she didn't continue her studies. Instead, she opened a cake shop near the school. Because Mami was already popular, the shop had a steady flow of customers—though many also came because "Nagisa Momoe," a supposed distant relative who helped in the shop after school, was incredibly cute.
During the day, Mami ran the shop while Nagisa made cakes in the back. During the after-school rush, they worked the front together, and late at night, they finished up as a team. They had grown quite accustomed to this life.
Sayaka Miki, whose grades used to be average or even below, suddenly started studying hard. It's said she plans to enter the police academy so she can help the "Magical Girls" find clues from a different angle; after all, she has no intention of quitting her "part-time job."
Madoka and a recovered Homura joined the Kyudo club together. Their daily lives were like those of any ordinary girls, though they occasionally helped the magical girls when needed.
As for Kyoko Sakura, while she was still casual in class, she started studying too. Word is she wants to get into an agricultural university to become an expert in apple research—a career choice that left many people sentimental.
The six girls now have lives of their own, and this seemingly ordinary life was, for a certain someone, the best reward.