Disclaimer: I do not own Mahou Sensei Negima nor its characters.
Prologue
The one with the wings
You look back over your shoulder when you know you should not, but you also know that would be impossible for you to keep running - or jumping over the trees - to the old gates of Mahora Academy if you didn't. It feels like saying goodbye without having to say it with words.
The sun is showering you with its warm glow in the horizon and it feels like it's the first time it does it... for you probably is - at least the first time you actually paid attention to such daily event – as you believe that never before you had the patience to stop and watch as it grows bigger and warmer in the far away horizon.
You're still wearing the Mahora uniform, but only so in case if someone sees you they won't notice that you're leaving... and you're carrying only a backpack and Yuunagi on you, there is a change of clothes inside your backpack for when you leave town. You slow down your fast jumping-on-the-trees pace as you feel a presence not so far from you.
You know she would be there.
You hoped that she would.
You stop, only a few meters from the gates that will set you free from this magic school.
"What do you think you're doing Setsuna?"
The mercenary shows herself by jumping from the tree she was sitting. It crosses your mind that maybe she was expecting you.
"It doesn't suit you to run away from your duty." She doesn't wait for a reply. She doesn't need one.
"Your ojousama will be quite disappointed if she finds out." She teases raising one eyebrow and looking at you expectantly.
"When she finds out." You don't bother to look annoyed by the your as you don't think you can, or want to talk about this subject anymore. You have thought about it too much lately.
"So you're simply running away?" She asks, but it sounds as she is affirming it, and you know you should correct her by saying that you're not running away, that you just need time to get stronger - not only physically but also mentally- but you know that it doesn't matter to her.
It never did.
She knows you better then almost anyone and to try and convince her that you have honorable reasons instead of a reasonable excuse it's not worth your time or hers.
"I have something for you… and a favor to ask." You take a letter and an envelope from the breast pocket of your white Mahora uniform and hand it to her. "The envelope is yours, the letter is for Konoemom."
"What about her?" She asks as she takes both and opens the envelope.
She doesn't bother to wait you leave before opening it.
You knew she wouldn't.
"That's why I have a favor to ask." She doesn't look surprised as she finds a considerable amount of money inside the envelope. She probably understand now why is that you're asking her a favor.
"That's enough for a year, maybe more you know? How did you get this money?" She's curious, of course, when it comes about money she's always curious, but you're getting tired of this conversation.
"Doesn't matter. Just do it for me, I'll keep in touch so I can keep paying you for the job." You say and start walking away from her, away from this place.
You don't bother to look back.
You've said your goodbye before.
"I could advise you to don't do anything stupid Setsuna... but you're already doing it. You know that leaving won't change your feelings neither who you are."
"Who said I'm capable of changing then…" You respond in this low voice, barely audible. It doesn't matter if she heard you or not.
You know by now that to try to forget or change your feelings is a waste of time. To change who you are is simply impossible.
You've tried enough.
The gates are ten meters away from you when she speaks again.
The last time before you jump over them and leave.
"Whatever it is you think you must do Setsuna… don't ever forget why you're doing it."
