Author's note:

Phew! Made it in time for Valentine's Day! What better way to kick off the day with a novel adaptation of one of the most heartwarming episodes of Hayate no Gotoku 2nd Season! This is the first time I've done anything this big so reviews are highly appreciated. I'm planning to do more of this but since I'm not planning to novelize the entire season, I'll just upload select episodes as separate stories.

I orignally did this to test out my writing skills and develop my own style of writing.

Now let's see if my training paid off. ^_^

I DO NOT own Hayate no Gotoku, or any of its characters.

EDIT:

To K0yuk1-san:

Seriously? Put this up on the Recommended Fanfics on TV Tropes? Why the hell not? Please to so by all means! Hope you get this, dude! I can't reply to your review since it's anonymous but please, please do put this up. I wrote this fic using the knowledge from that site after all. Just don't forget to say I wrote it and link me to the page once it's up.

Thanks so much for the review! I haven't seen that chapter since I haven't gone that far into the manga. (Don't spoil it) But I will check it out. ^_^

Hayate no Gotoku2nd Season

Novel Adaptation

Episode 13: The Feeling of Freedom

Part 1: A Broken Promise

Damn… I'm really late. Hayate thought as he checked his watch: It was already 11:30pm. He promised Hinagiku that he would meet her at the Student Council Room by 9pm to give her a birthday present, and yet, through some "unfortunate disturbance" he nearly forgot about their appointment.

He sighed as he stepped out of the elevator and walked to the door. Hinagiku would surely be mad at him, or worse, left already. But he had to at least make sure she was still there. He exhaled as he placed a hand on the door handle, hesitating for a moment. What am I supposed to say other than 'sorry'? He knew that what happened these last two hours was beyond believable, but he still had to try. Finally, he opened the door after a moment's pause and quietly stepped into the room.

– – –

"Onee-chan? Where's mom and dad?" The pink haired girl asked, her voice sounding worried.

"Hinagiku… I…" Her sister swallowed, hesitating.

She and her older sister had been waiting for their parents in a café for nearly two hours now. A few minutes ago her sister stepped outside to look for them. But when she came back, she merely stopped in her tracks upon seeing Hinagiku. "I'm… I'm so sorry…" was all she could say.

"Yukiji?" The younger girl asked again. "What's wrong, onee-chan?"

Yukiji hesitated to speak, trying to avoid her younger sister's worried look. She couldn't possibly tell her what happened. All she could do was stare at the floor, letting her bangs cast a shadow over her eyes to cover the tears.

Finally, after a long pause the green haired teenager clenched her fist. She exhaled and managed to choke out the truth through gritted teeth.

"Hina-chan," she said, "I'm so sorry, but mom and dad…" – she felt a lump rising in her throat – "They're not…" – tears started to fall down her cheeks, making her little sister's eyes widen with anxiety.

"They're not coming back".

Hinagiku's eyes burst open in shock at those words. "Not coming back?" she demanded, "What do you mean they're not coming back?"

"They're gone" Yukiji said weakly, "They left us…"

The little girl suddenly felt as if her legs turned to jelly. But mom and dad said to wait here! They can't possibly leave me and onee-chan alone! They can't! She shook her head frantically and looked to her older sister, like a drowning man clinging to a slippery rock. Onee-chan is lying! It can't be!

Yukiji however, couldn't speak anymore. She was merely rooted on that spot, eyes barely visible, mouth hanging open.

"You're lying!" The little girl screamed as she tore past her sister, out of the café and onto the street. "Mommy! Daddy!"

"Umm… Hinagiku-san?" a voice called out somewhere.

Mommy! Daddy!

"Hinagiku-san?" the voice called out again.

Hinagiku opened her eyes; a teenage boy wearing a butler's tuxedo was standing in from of her. She blinked and wiped her eyes clean, letting her view focus. She was back in the present day, inside the Student Council President's Room.

"Are you okay?" The boy asked. She realized she had been dreaming about that fateful day again.

"Huh? Hayate-kun?" Hinagiku blinked once more. There was no mistaking his blue hair and eyes.

"Ummm… Good evening Hinagiku-san. Are you okay?" Hayate asked again. "You were mumbling in your sleep."

Hinagiku shook her head. "It… It's nothing" she lied. "I guess I fell asleep waiting for you…" She reached for the clock on the table beside the sofa. "What time is it?"

Her eyes sprang open after seeing the time. Whatever drowsiness she still felt was quickly replaced with a desire to strangle him as her grip tightened on the clock.

"Eleven-thirty?" Her narrowed eyes shifted from the clock to Hayate, who was laughing nervously.

"Yeah," He began tentatively. "Sorry I'm late, I–", but he never got to finish that sentence.

Out of nowhere, Hinagiku pulled out a wooden sword, shaped like a katana but with a much broader blade. She swung it with full force at the young butler, who managed to catch it inches from his face with his palms.

"Did-you-or-did-you-not-say-that-you-would-meet-me-at-nine, Mr. Ayasaki?" She demanded, sounding like an irate teacher berating a student.

"Y-Yeah, I did" He replied apologetically, trying his best to maintain that weak smile of his. "But you see, I was…"

"Do you have a death wish Hayate?" She asked as she tried to push the sword closer. "Coming late to try and catch me off guard? Was that what you were trying to do?"

"N-no! That's not it at all!" the boy protested as a drop of sweat came from his temple. She definitely won't believe what happened the way things look…

"W-well… let's see, how should I put this…" Hayate began, "Ummm…. The tall and short of it is… I sorta… kinda forgot about our appointment" he finished, grinning nervously.

The vein on Hinagiku's temple bulged so suddenly it sounded like a snapping twig.

"You seriously –" her index finger twitched on the sword handle, "–forgot about it?" She said through clenched teeth.

The nerve of him!

"Uhh… Hinagiku… -san?"

The woodsword's blade began to emit a pinkish-purple aura, and was steadily growing hot in the young butler's hands. Hayate swallowed. Was it something I said?

"You seriously forgot…" she repeated in a cold voice, her vein bulging "…about our appointment?"

"I-I'm really sorry," Hayate stammered, "but I was in a really bothersome situation – long story really… I-"

"I'm a bothersome situation?" She asked coldly as her bangs cast a shadow over her eyes. Her long pink hair and skirt began to flow in the draft coming from the open balcony window.

"N-n-no! I was in a bothersome situation! Me!" Oh shoot…

How could he even begin to explain why he was late in the first place? It was just two surreal! Who would believe that until two hours ago, he was under a ghost's curse that swapped his butler's tuxedo for a skimpy maid's dress that wouldn't come off?

How could she believe that according to the exorcist Isumi, the only way to lift the curse was for him to defeat someone as powerful as Hinagiku at the highest point in the city? That place was none other than the Student Council Room at the Hakuo Academy Clock Tower, and he had to do so before midnight. If not, the curse would instill in him a desire to cross-dress for the rest of his life!

That was only however, half the story. Isumi had sent a note to Hinagiku and arranged for the two of them to meet at nine for the duel. However, on the way, Hayate lost his disguise and ran into another butler named Kotetsu, who mistook him for a woman due to the maid's clothes and even fell in love with him! Though Hayate managed to escape, Kotetsu's mistress exposed his identity. This enraged Kotetsu and caused him to kidnap the young Nagi Sanzenin, Hayate's mistress, in order to lure him out.

It truly was a bothersome situation, made even worse by the fact that he had to run through a crowded school festival ground dressed in that maid outfit just to rescue Nagi.

It was perhaps fortunate that by the time Hayate had arrived at her location, Nagi had already convinced Kotetsu to repent and free her. She had even managed to scare away the ghost who cursed Hayate, and forced it to lift the curse to boot! Naturally, since he was focused on saving Nagi, his supposed meeting with Hinagiku was the last thing on his mind, hence his tardiness.

How the hell am I supposed to explain all this?

A sudden stab of pain brought him back to reality. The blade he was holding became hotter than boiling water. With a sudden jerk, Hinagiku had pulled the sword from his grasp, knocking him backward. Using the momentum, she spun on her heel and delivered a slash to Hayate's midsection, which he easily avoided.

"Hinagiku-san, please wait!" the young butler begged, "I-"

"That's enough. You wanted a duel right?" she said, frustration seeping in her voice as that same aura emanated from her body, her hair and clothes still flowing. "Your note specifically said 'bring my weapon of choice' did it not?" She asked menacingly as she assumed a fighting stance.

Oh crap, the note!

Hayate felt as if his jaw and arms dislocated by themselves; it was the exorcist Isumi who gave that note to Hinagiku. She had conveniently forgotten to mention that Hayate was cursed at that time and had to defeat her.

"You should pick up your weapon soon," Hinagiku said as she poised her sword. "I'd hate to fight against an unarmed opponent… Or are you so scatterbrained that you even forgot to bring a weapon?"

"W-wait a second please!" Hayate pleaded, "I don't need a duel anymore!"

"Say what?" She asked angrily.

"Yeah!" Hayate replied as she began to step forward. "What I mean is – rather – we can consider this my loss!" He finished, forcing a smile.

"Your… loss?" She repeated. She smiled weakly and even broke out a chuckle. It was the kind of smile one made just before losing their temper.

"Yup!" Hayate said, misreading her expression. "Really I'm fine now, so if you don't mind…"

Despite the fact that she was still smiling, a couple of veins suddenly bulged out from the pink-haired girl's cheek and temple.

Uh-oh!

"Was that a joke? 'Cause I'm not laughing!" She shouted, as her aura flared up to match her anger. How dare he! After promising to meet her, he forgets his appointment, comes late, and even has the audacity to call off the duel, on her birthday of all days? Unforgivable!

"You may be fine by it…" She said coldly as she raised her wooden sword, "BUT-I-AM-A-LONG-WAY-FROM-'FINE-BY-IT'-MISTER!"

She charged forward and slashed the floor, sending shattered pieces of sofa, table and floor at him.

"H-E-L-P!"

"GET-BACK-HERE!"

– – –

Isumi sat on the porch of her house calmly sipping her tea; beside her, was the ghost of Father Linn Regiostar, idly gazing at the night sky.

"Is something wrong, Father?" the young exorcist asked.

"Come to think of it," the late cleric said, "why did you put in that note, and I quote: 'bring your weapon of choice'?"

"Because the duel would easily be settled when one of them is disarmed." She replied. "Hayate-sama and Hinagiku-san are both honorable fighters; neither of them will attack a disarmed opponent."

"Is that right?" Father Linn asked as he took a sip of tea.

"Yes, besides if it was fist-to-fist…" she blushed slightly and covered her face with her kimono sleeve. "They might get too close, and… and…"

The late priest strained to catch her words, but all he caught were "might… too much… physical… contact…"

Father Linn sighed. "And I thought you were chaste. I didn't know you were more of a…" his voice trailed off.

"I'm more of a what?" the thirteen year-old asked frantically, flailing her arms. "Tell me! Tell me!"

"Nevermind" The late priest said apologetically, not wanting to use the word "covert pervert" in front of her. He thus resumed observing the night sky. There was a gentle breeze blowing through the tall trees, making him smile. "It looks like the curse has been dispelled." He announced. "Guess they won't have to duel after all then".

"Yes, that's a relief" the young exorcist agreed.

"I am curious though," he said. "Who do you think would win if they did fight?"

Isumi looked thoughtful as she stared into her teacup. "Well, if it was a duel involving weapons, it's possible Hayate-sama would be at a disadvantage."

"It is because he has trouble fighting girls?" Father Linn asked.

"Well, that's part of it," Isumi replied. "But the real reason is that Hinagiku-san still has my Woodsword Masamune".

"That's the sword you entrusted to her back then, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Isumi said as she finished her tea. "That's a Saginomiya family treasure that's been passed down for generations. It has the ability to enhance the user's inherent strengths, and if someone as powerful as Hinagiku-san were to wield it, she'll be literally unstoppable. But the trade-off is that whoever uses that sword becomes unable to control their emotions."

"And yet, you arranged the duel knowing this?" the late priest asked, more out of curiosity.

"Well, the Student Council President looked like she had control of herself back then, so things should work out fine."

Father Linn's eyes narrowed. "You don't seem very sure of this".

"Geez! I already said it should work fine, so there's nothing to worry about!" She squeaked, frantically waving her hands again, though her face went red this time.

Father Linn sighed as he sipped his tea. He had half a mind to pray for the poor boy's soul.

– – –

Hayate dodged another slash from Hinagiku and leapt in the air, performing a backward midair somersault as she sent a crescent wave of pink-purple energy in his direction. It was perhaps fortunate for him that the student council room had a high ceiling and was rather spacious so there was more room to move about.

"Even your bubblehead mistress remembered my birthday!" She shouted as the young butler narrowly evaded another blow, "but you… What kind of a butler are you?"

This is bad… Hayate thought as the pink-haired girl repositioned her stance and stepped forward, like a tiger stalking its prey. He couldn't possibly keep dodging her attacks all night; he hadn't even dared strike back. Not just because it would be pointless to hold a duel when the curse was already lifted, but it was also partly his fault that he was late in the first place.

Great, now what am I supposed to do?

As if in answer, a voice behind him spoke. "This is where you use your special move young Jedi!" Startled, Hayate turned and came face to face with what looked like a human-sized squirrel dressed in a white kimono and cloaked in a green aura.

"What the – who the heck are you?" As if the problem with Hinagiku wasn't enough, now he had to deal with some random surreal character? True, this was an anything–goes–comedy but was this interruption really necessary, of all times? Hayate couldn't help but wonder just what the writers were planning.

The squirrel – whatever it was, calmly nibbled on an acorn and spoke again: "You know that old cartoonish depiction of arguing angels and devils behind you? This is something like that. I'm the angel guy; name's Obi. Looks like you need help kid".

Hayate's shoulders slumped. "Geez, can't I even get an angel with a better design?"

"Blame the artist who drew me, kid" Obi said, shrugging. "More importantly, if you want to beat her, then you've only got one choice: The B–Dash Attack!" He finished with a glint in his eye.

"What the hell are you talking about?" The young butler demanded in a slightly exasperated tone.

"You don't get it?" Obi said as he climbed into a tree that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "The clue is in the 'B'!"

"Dammit, be more specific!" Hayate replied. "You're not helping at all!"

Obi sighed. "Kid, all you have to do is point out to her the one 'asset' she can never improve on as a woman! If you know what I mean…", he finished with a wink.

The butler's hair stood on end. "Hey, keep that thought to yourself!" What kind of perverted angel was this?

"It's the only choice you have, my friend" the squirrel replied, smiling "Just-" Suddenly the squirrel was sent flying. Hayate spun around and - to his horror - saw Hinagiku with her sword pointed at his throat.

"Talking to some imaginary creature in the middle of a duel?" She asked, sneering. "You're either that confident, or a complete idiot!"

Maybe it was a trick of the light, but somehow she looked different. Sure the dark aura made her look more menacing even without her bangs casting a shadow over half her face, but Hayate could have sworn that her eyes, normally yellow-green with narrow pupils, had become a feral yellow with slit-like pupils. Such was his shock that he actually took a couple of steps back, nearly losing his balance.

"You're going to pay for this Hayate" She said as she stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "First of all, you made a promise for my birthday, and yet you forgot about it? You have no idea what I've been through for the last few days!"

What the… 'Went through for the last few days?'

Hinagiku suddenly felt a strange sensation. It was as if her consciousness was still inside her body and yet, she couldn't seem to control what she was saying or doing.

"I'm really sorry!" Hayate said frantically yet again, bowing his head "Look! I had a lot going on!"

"You let me down because you couldn't organize your life?" She demanded, her voice suddenly trembling as her grip involuntarily tightened on the sword.

H-hey, wait a sec…

"Just what is it with you?" She yelled.

What's going on? W-what am I saying?

Hayate noticed that her voice suddenly changed its tone. It still sounded angry, but there was something else. Was it sounding like she was about to cry?

She raised her sword and leapt forward. "Just because I don't act all girly-like doesn't give you the right to mess with me!"

Why can't I control my emotions?

"I'm really sorry! I'm really sorry!"

STOP IT! PLEASE!

Hayate closed his eyes, swallowed and braced for the impact.

Goodbye, mistress… I'm so sorry…