The walk from the near by market was quite relaxing for Negi and Asuna as they strolled along side by side on the sidewalk.

"Asuna-san! Look!" Negi pointed out the pink flowers not yet in bloom not to far away in the park they walked past. "Let's go see them!"

Asuna didn't complain and followed the young teacher into the dirt walk ways, around the soft grass and large Sakura blossoms. The two young humans who knew so much magic marveled at the sight, taking in for what Spring Vacation could give. "They won't blossom yet. But I hear in this town, they would blossom at a certain time every year." Asuna said brushing her hand on the soft baby petals.

"Really? When?"

"Um…I think it's…"

Suddenly however a soft whimpering sound went off in the distance and both turned their heads to a sobbing girl on a bench. Next to her was a large broom that leaned against the wood of the bench.

"Hey…isn't that the girl from the tournament?" Asuna asked. "Is she crying?" she said in a gasp. Negi immediately then felt a pang in his heroic heart, recognizing the girl and rushed forward, Asuna in tow.

As they came closer, they were surprised to see she was indeed crying. When they neared she looked up sadly at them.

"Um…your Sakura Mei…aren't you?" Negi asked confused and concerned at the same time. The girl with sunset tinted pigtails nodded and wiped away her tears. "Is…there something wrong?" Asuna asked placing a hand on her shoulder.

The girl nodded again, letting out a small whimper. "It's…my One-sama." she wept. "She just scolded me a while back."

"Why would she do that?" Asuna asked now greatly concerned and began to rub her back comfortingly.

"It's…It's going to be my birthday soon. And…One-sama thinks it would be best if…if I would grow up. And take on my own responsibilities." she said softly.

Both redheads turned to one another not knowing what to say.

"You see…ever since I was little…I followed her in her footsteps. It's always been like that. And…she took care of me. She always did. She was…like the big sister I never had. But…" she chocked out covering her face with her hands. "I never knew I had been a bother to her." she said, the tears coming back to her eyes and dripped in between her fingers. "If she wanted to get rid of me…I would do so. But it just…hurts so much to think she would want me to leave so badly."

"Wait…just what does Takane want from you?" Negi asked at last.

Mei wiped away her tears and tried to calm herself. It proved more difficult than she thought as sobs escaped her mouth in her sentences. "See…she already had her Pactio with someone else. A man she is determined to marry. But…she told me that would mean leaving me behind without a partner. She… she wants me to have my own soon. And very soon in fact since she's planning on returning to her home with her partner." The witch finished in a more calmer tone.

"WHAT?!!"

The peaceful air that once filled the park was suddenly shattered to a million pieces as the two kids screamed in shock. Mei jumped almost a foot high at their cry and stared wide eyed at their disbelieving expressions. "Y-Yes! She did!" she said surprised.

"But-But she can't expect you to-to do that on just ANYONE!"

"I know! But I just…I just want to make her proud of me!" Mei exclaimed. Her light colored eyes grew foggy again and she hid her face from them in shame. "I'm a weak magi…I know I'm good…but I can be much better. I-I know I can. And…One-sama knows what's best for me. So…I just have to find me someone and then she'll be happy with me."

Negi and Asuna stared at the girl as she began to weep once more. A helpless feeling washed over them and could only stand there. Asuna was the first to break the ice and faced Negi. A single nod came from her, which Negi replied with a grin.

"We'll help you Mei!" Asuna said.

The girl snapped her head up to them surprised. "Huh?"

"We'll help you!"

"Yes! I'm sure we can find someone who will be suitable for your first Pactio!" Negi added. "There are plenty of young men who would do it!"

"Oh I-I don't want anymore than one!" Mei exclaimed blushing deeply waving her hands about. "I-I only want one and from someone I probably know pretty well!"

"Oh! Of course!" Negi said embarrassingly rubbing his head.

"Well let's get started already!" Asuna cried out grabbing the girl by the hand and literally dragging her out of the park. Her pleas for release were ignored while Negi trailed behind, giving her sympathetic looks for his good friend's behavior.

***

"Borrrrrrrring!" Kotaro yawned as he stretched. He had finished his training with Kaede-san, or Sama as she prefers now, and had been on his own for nearly an hour. Of course he felt exhausted, but with time to heal and rest now, he wanted nothing more than to do something fun again.

The only things he could think up to do was train, pick a fight, play arcade games, or hang out with Negi (and maybe pick a fight then).

But all his plans had their flaws. His training was done and he was instructed to rest now by his sensei otherwise she'll do more brutal training for him NEXT time (and he surely would not be looking forward to that). Picking a fight seemed lesser to him now; like him being a bully. He didn't really want to pick fights if he knew he was going to win. What's the point in that? And he had no money and he can't seem to find his comrades anywhere at the moment.

As with that said, he hopped down from his perch on the building ledge and landed gracefully on his toes. Folding his arms behind his head, he strolled off towards the park across the street. Maybe he'll see something interesting there.

Oh dear, I wonder of Kotaro knows what he's walking into! Join us next time to find out what happens!