Magical Boy Bombardier: A Magical Girl Gunslinger Genderswap (Faithful Canon Divergence)

In the world that we all know and love, Mai Kuroki bears the scars of a life marred by cruelty, trauma, and bitter loneliness. However, even in that despair, she still has one beacon of hope. Mai has Lily Parker, a steadfast friend preventing her from sinking into the darkness inflicted by both her family and her tormentor, Katie. Fueled by an unwavering desire to protect Lily, Mai emerged as an unlikely hero who would save the people of Arcadia. But what if the world shifted just slightly? What if Mai Kuroki was, instead, Maito Shiroki? Imagine if Katie had managed to draw this alternate 'Mai' into her web during their middle school years, subjecting him to a different form of torment that is just as, if not more insidious? And what if Lily Parker, torn by indecision, grappled for weeks with whether to step in, until destiny compelled her one fateful day in Arcadia? What if she had never befriended our hero before then, leaving him to Katie's constant abuse? How much would change from the story we all know and love? A Magical Girl Gunslinger AU that attempts to stay faithful to Mikasane's worldbuilding and characterization as best as it can, while diverging drastically from canon.