One Step Beyond for Madoka Kaname!

One Step Beyond for Madoka Kaname!
Goddess of Hope one victory away from Saimoe Prime Minister's Office

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
November 20, 2013

British band Madness performed at the Mitakihara Middle School auditorium in the school's ongoing series of special concerts, performing a number of signature tracks, including "Our House," "Wings of a Dove," "Night Boat to Cairo" and "One Step Beyond."

After the show, Graham "Suggs" McPherson went to the podium to make a special announcement.

"We have just received a word from the organizers of the 2channel bulletin board system," McPherson said through an interpreter, "that Madoka Kaname has defeated Kyouko Sakura 191-116 to advance to the General Election for the Saimoe Prime Minister's Office on Saturday, November 23, 2013. Congratulations, Ms. Kaname."

There were cheers of joy, hugs and handshakes all around. Sakura was at the event and was in an introspective mood.

"I got a runner up finish and a Top 4 finish and I can live with that," Sakura said. "Like I said, I was up against a very tough opponent in Madoka and she was ready. She knew what she had to do, and I couldn't react. So I wish her all the best in the final. I think she'll be fine."

Kaname was not at the concert on campus and was at Homura Akemi's residence, watching the returns and after the result was announced, the celebration was subdued, but the mood was upbeat.

"I'm glad that I am going to finish better than 3rd pace this time around," Kaname said via phone interview. "But the job is not done yet. I think I will be facing Sayaka-chan in the General Election and I plan to do my best. We will do our best because no matter who wins, it will be a victory for the Puella Magi Party."

"Madoka never likes to finish second place to anyone, so I need to give it all I got," Miki said via videoconference. "But I can't worry about Madoka now. I have to deal with Watashi and prevent her from crashing the party. I am confident I can get it done."

"It wouldn't matter if I defeated Sayaka because I would have to face Madoka and then it's just a matter of whether or not any anti-Madoka voters will be willing to give me a chance," Watashi said via phone in Tokyo. "This is all gravy from here. What happens, happens, but regardless, I can consider this run to have been successful."

"The race is now Madoka's to lose," Akemi added via phone interview. "Saturday will either be a moment of glory for both of us or a moment of despair. We'll have to see if the voters can at least give 200 to my wife on Saturday. If she reaches 200 first or is up by more than 50, the National Stadium will have a pink and white party never seen before on the face of the Earth.

"Madoka is the angel of Japan. She is Japan's hope. This is hers to lose."