Hana was not one to give up, but her situation was inescapable. With each passing moment, she was only getting more tired as her opponent grew in strength. Her limbs were burning, begging her to submit already. This feeling of helplessness wasn't alien to Hana, but in this moment she couldn't remember when she had encountered it before. Either way, it was looking like it was time to just accept the inevitable. In just a few more seconds, they would crawl over her eyes. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she prepared to accept her fate. But then something intervened. The tentacles were being pulled away from her body. Then she heard a voice.

"Keep... fighting!" A magical girl urged her, practically growling the words through her teeth. "Don't... give... up!" 

Hana's eyes flew open. It was hard not to notice the magical girl in an oddly colored Prussian military uniform. Her trembling eyes scanned the girl's every feature, from her glowing gauntlets to her pain stricken face. Despite their predicament, there was something oddly glamorous about the magical girl. Hana would have been envious if she wasn't equally thankful for the girl's help. There was only one thing Hana could think of to repay her kindness. 

“I'll keep fighting.” She whispered. “I won't give up.”

With the tentacles intertwined with each other so tightly, they almost behaved as a single wall. Hana's arms were just free enough to where she could slide her hands up by her shoulders. By herself she'd never be able to part the tentacles. But the magical girl's strength paired with her own herculean muscle made things move a lot easier. Hana wasn't sure where her extra stamina was coming from. Her body didn't ache any more. Perhaps all that food she ate earlier was starting to turn into energy? With one final shout, Hana was able to extend her arms all the way out, parting the tentacles down to her hips. With the magical girl holding the tentacles in place, Hana was able to lower her arms and push herself up. Her legs came free, but without her socks and shoes. A small price to pay for her freedom. At least her skirt stayed on. But this was not a time to celebrate. It was only a matter of time before the Negari summoned more reinforcements. Hana had put the magical girl in danger too long already. Without another thought, she dove between the tendrils and landed on the ground running. The ground felt strange on her bare feet, but it didn't slow her steps. Hana ran between two buildings before stopping. She was heaving, gasping for air. It probably wasn't very smart to exert all that energy after eating so much. Despite how her stomach felt, Hana couldn't help but smile a little bit. She had avoided winding up in that things belly. It was not by her own actions, but the rush from surviving a Negari attack was something Hana found to her liking. Yet at the same time, Hana had a new appreciation for magical girls. It didn't really matter if they were fame seekers or not, people who can go up against disgusting monsters like that really do deserve to be respected, boring or not. That was actually the one thing Hana felt a little bad about. She hadn't thanked the magical girl for saving her. But was it wise to go back out there? Would she just get ensnared again?

“Well now, aren't you an interesting girl?”

A voice. It sounded like it belonged to an older woman, but Hana couldn't see anyone around. The voice didn't even seem like it came from any particular direction, which made it difficult to isolate. The only living creature in the alleyway was a parrot. It looked like the same parrot she saw moments ago.

“Hello?”

The parrot looked away from Hana and flew off. Well, that was to be expected. It would be pretty strange if a parrot started to talk to her. But Hana had other concerns at the moment. She really didn't want to return home without her shoes. Maybe if the magical girls beat the Negari, her shoes would pop out like a drop in some role playing game? It also might be an opportunity to thank that magical girl who saved her. Regardless, it seemed like sticking round the monster battle was her best option. But the Negari seemed to be moving, so Hana would have to catch up to it. Without getting too close, of course...