Author's Note: I wanted to make a serious fanfic for once and so this story was born. Characters belong to Ken Akamatsu.

The New Boy

It was an average Sunday. Konoka hung out in her dorm room with Asuna and Negi. Setsuna would come later on that afternoon after her training.

"Setsuna-san's running a bit late today", Asuna said, giving Negi and undeserved noogie.

"Ow-ow-ow! Asuna-san! Why do you have to play so rough?" Negi asked dodging her fist.

Konoka, who was making lunch, looked up from her cooking, "Yeah...usually Set-chan's here by now. I wonder if something is holding her."

Negi finally escaped Asuna's grasp and hid behind Konoka, "Maybe she had something to do. If anything bad happened I'm pretty sure that Setsuna-san can hold her own."

"Yeah… HEY! NO HORESPLAY IN THE KITCHEN!" Asuna mumbled 'Sorry' and took her place at the table.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, "Oh! It must be Set-chan!" Konoka forgot about lunch and sprinted for the door. Her guess was right.

Setsuna stood in the doorway. She played with her fingers and worn that cute blush Konoka loved so much, "O-ojou-sama...You look pretty today..."

Konoka turned at every angle so that Setsuna could see, "Yep! I went shopping with Asuna this morning. I'm glad you like it."

"Yeah, 'cuz she got it for you..." Asuna mumbled.

Konoka spun around, "ASUNA!" Regaining her cool, Konoka asked Setsuna if she would like to have some lunch.

"Oh, I can't... I'm here to tell you that the headmaster wants to see you."

Konoka sighed, "Is that old fool trying to set me up on another blind date?"

"I don't know, Ojou-sama. He wouldn't tell me."

"Oh well, come on Set-chan. Lets see what Grandpa wants." Konoka took her friend's hand. On the way out she said, "Negi-kun! Handle lunch. I know that you can do it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked an offended Asuna, but the two were long gone.

Konoka knocked on the headmaster's door, "Grandpa! It's me!"

They heard a 'Come in' so Setsuna opened the door for Konoka.

"Ah, Konoka! It's nice to see you again," said the headmaster. He was sitting behind his desk stroking his beard thoughtfully, "And you too, Setsuna-kun. You're doing an excellent job protecting my granddaughter."

Setsuna bowed, "Thank you, headmaster."

The headmaster stood up and walked towards the window, hands behind his back, "Konoka, I have called for you because there is something I need you to know."

"Did anything happen?" Setsuna asked.

The headmaster continued to stroke his beard, "I have been told that the same people that kidnapped Konoka on that school field have been spotted preparing something that looked like different types of summoning spell. It may or may not mean that you are in danger, but we can't take any chances." He looked at Setsuna, "Now Setsuna-kun, I know that you have done a wonderful job and are a formidable opponent, but I don't want to have you fighting and enemy and be pushed to the limit. I see you as another granddaughter...I don't want anything bad happening to you, too."

"I understand, sir, but what are you saying?" Setsuna asked, fear rising from the pit of her stomach. She knew what was coming next.

"I hired a second bodyguard for Konoka. For her safety and yours, too. I don't want to ware you out."

"But sir-!"

He cut her off with a look, "It's best to have two strong, healthy bodyguards than one battle weary one. This is also for your own good, too."

Setsuna looked away. How dare he? Haven't I done a good job protecting Ojou-sama? Is he saying that I've gotten weaker? Do I have to prove to him that I can do this and do this alone?

Headmaster faced Konoka, "This young man is just as skilled as Setsuna-kun. Come in, Daniel-kun!"

As the door opened a shy, but handsome looking boy came into the room. His hair was short and white and it almost covered his blue eyes. He wore blue jeans and a nicely pressed shirt, "Sir? You called?"

"Yes I did. Daniel-kun, meet my granddaughter, Konoka."

Daniel walked up to Konoka and bowed, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Konoka-ojou-sama. Please excuse me, I'm from America and I am still learning this language."

"The pleasure is mine, Daniel-kun. I hope you like the country so far," Konoka politely replied.

"And this is Setsuna-kun, her other bodyguard."

Daniel faced Setsuna and bowed, "I am also glad to meet you too, Setsuna-sempai. I have heard that you are quite skilled with the sword. I'm not a very good swordsman, but I'm a good mage and I'm very skilled with the tomahawk."

Setsuna glanced at the headmaster, "He's a mage?"

The headmaster clasped his hands together, "Yes, Daniel-kun is a Western mage, just like Negi-sensei."

"Where's your wand? Do you have one?" Konoka asked.

"Actually, my tomahawks are my wands." He pulled two tomahawks from their sheaths, "If I point from the end of the handle I can perform magic spells." He put them away, "My specialty is fire and lightening magic."

Lightening? Setsuna thought, Damn, he is skilled...

"He will be attending Mahora Academy. Yes, yes. I know he is a male, but this is for Konoka's protection."

I wonder where this tool is staying, Setsuna thought bitterly.

"Setsuna-kun, Daniel-kun shall be staying with you." The headmaster announced.

"WHAT? With ME?" Setsuna exclaimed.

The headmaster gave her another look, "Please, Setsuna-kun. This is for Konoka's protection."

"Yes sir..."

The headmaster nodded to Daniel, "Daniel-kun, I hope you enjoy your time at Mahora Academy."

"Thank you, sir."

"You're very welcome. I hope this is okay with you, Konoka."

Konoka gave a quick glance at Setsuna who held a poker face, "Yeah, I'm okay with this...Thank you Grandpa."

He smiled at his granddaughter, "You know I always have your best interest at heart. That is all, you three. Daniel-kun, go with Setsuna. She'll show you where to put your stuff. Be safe."

Setsuna walked towards the door and stopped when Daniel opened the door for her. She quickened her pace without looking at him.

Konoka sensed that her friend needed some time alone, "Hey Set-chan! I'll see you later, okay? Asuna must be wondering where I am."

Daniel bowed to Konoka and rushed after Setsuna, "Setsuna-sempai! Wait up!" But she didn't slow down so he had to run to catch up, "This is exciting," he told her when he caught up, "I heard you are one of the strongest people on campus! And I'm rooming with you! That's awesome!"

"Yeah, awesome," Setsuna mumbled. Do I really have to share my space with this kid? Setsuna pushed the thought out of her head, No, I'm being selfish. The headmaster said he's here so I don't have to push myself so hard to do my job. The least I can do is give the kid a chance.

Setsuna flipped the light switch in her dorm room, "You can put your stuff there. I have the bottom bunk, so you can sleep on the top."

Daniel set his stuff down and got up in his bed, "I'm beat... I think I'm going to bed early today. Gotta be set for school tomorrow."

It's only noon and he's going to bed? Oh well. At least he's out of my hair. Setsuna decided to leave him to his sleep and go visit Konoka for lunch, I hope Asuna-san didn't eat everything...

When Setsuna knocked on the door, Asuna answered, "Hey, is it true that there's a guy living in your room?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"I heard from Konoka. Looks like you have a bit of competition."

Setsuna's face went red, "There's no competition..."

Asuna rolled her eyes, "Oh please, you don't think that this is a major plot twist?"

"Asuna-san, what are you talking about?"

Asuna stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind her, "I'm not sure myself, but it's about time you make a move on Konoka. You don't want this guy to come in and take her away, do you?"

Setsuna's face turned serious, "I'm not worried about that. Ojou-sama can like whoever she wants to like... I'm just a bodyguard, nothing more."

Asuna wanted to smack her friend so bad, but she restrained herself, "Look, all I'm trying to say is do something before it's too late. I don't want to see one of my best friends hurt, okay?"

Setsuna looks down, "Okay..."

Asuna smiled and patted her back, "Good. Come on, there's still some lunch left."

Setsuna smiled back and followed her in, but she found herself not able to enjoy Konoka's cooking. Too much was on her mind. What if Asuna-san's right? What if she falls for this guy and leaves me broken? How could I live everyday and see her with someone else? Maybe it is time...but what if she rejects me? So many things can go wrong if I did... It's not right to love her... I don't want to burden her with my feelings... She can't love me because I'm just a bodyguard and furthermore, I'm a girl. Kono-chan can't live her life with a girl... I have to move on and stay true to my duty. I can't get distracted...

END

Oh that stubborn Set-chan... I don't think this was my best, but it's gonna get better! Believe it!