Life brings many wondrous miracles to those who least expect them or to those who are in definite need of them. And in the life of Negi Springfield, such a miracle had come his way. I talk about the meeting between him and his fated partner, Asuna Kagurazaka.
But, at first glance between the two, you think Negi wound up with the worst possible person in existance. She would tease and torment the poor boy when he used his magic on "accidental" occasions or embarrassed her in public. However, as time went on, Negi and Asuna began to grow close as wizard and partner. They faced many obstacles, overcame many battles and protected the ones they loved and cherished. And even today, that bond still remains strong.
Now, as the two prepare to meet again, Negi is in preparations to strengthen that bond yet again...to bound together his and Asuna's future forever...
Mahou Sensei Negima: Transcending Bonds
Chapter 1: The Two Reunited
We come to Mahora Academy, the famous all-girls university with classes, facilities and all sorts of after school activities for grade school students to college graduates. And all over the grounds surrounding the academy, there were signs of festivities and cheer. The cause for all this happiness was obviously the return of every student's favorite annual event, the Mahora Festival. It was the final stretch of preparation before the big school wide party would begin and we find Negi Springfield, the famous wizard professor of Mahora, with his father Nagi, taking a peek around the grounds.
"Heh heh heh. The Mahora Festival. This is one event I look forward to every year Negi. The festivities, the games and food, the music and...most of all..." Nagi said, stopped by his son lightly chuckling.
"The millions of female college students?" Negi asked. Nagi looked to his son and lightly scoffed.
"I WAS going to say the "merriment of everyone near and far". Way to kill the mood son." Nagi said. Negi chuckled, reminding Nagi that he knew him all too well. As they continued to walk, Negi's ermine friend Chamo hung around his neck, resting peacefully.
"You always do the same thing every year, you and Chamo. The two of you sneak away when I turn my back and start flirting it up with the college students that are graduating that year. Honestly..." Negi said, giving a hefty sigh. Hearing those words, Nagi fell dead silent until he quickly thought up a great "comeback", leaning against his son's side.
"Oh really? Well I can name one thing YOU always do whenever the Mahora Festival comes around. Each year you invite your partner, Asuna, to come join the festivities on a "date" and you do nothing but stutter and blush the entire time! Someone needs to grow up." Nagi said. Negi lightly blushed, saying he does not blush everytime he sees Asuna. However, he partially agreed with his father saying that he acted nervous with Asuna when they were alone together. He made a fist with his right hand.
"But this year will be different father. Because this year, I'm finally going to be able to tell Asuna everything...everything that I wanted to tell her but was caught up with work or too nervous to say these past years." Negi said. The two stopped as Negi fished around in his pants pocket, taking out a folded piece of paper. Nagi leaned over as Negi opened it.
"Hmm? Is that Asuna's letter?" Nagi asked. Negi nodded.
"Yes. I just got it a few days ago. Everytime I read it, it makes me think about her." Negi said. As his eyes looked to her writing, he could imagine Asuna's smiling face in his mind.
Dear Negi,
How've you been? You remembering to take a bath when you need to? Or do I have to come back to Mahora and scrub ya myself? Heh heh, I'm kidding. So I hear the Mahora Festival is coming back to the academy. That's always a fun day to see the school again, to be back in our old stomping grounds.
I can't wait to come back for the festival and see all of you again. I've been doing great myself and believe me when I say that the Mahora Festival is just what I need to unwind. Hope you're as excited as me Negi and here's to seeing you again. I really miss ya kid.
~ Asuna
With a smile on his face, Negi slipped Asuna's letter into his pants pocket. Nagi took a glimpse and smiled himself at Negi's cheerful smirk.
"You and Asuna...what a pair you two are." Nagi said. Negi lightly nodded, counting back the memories they had from their "good old days" at Mahora. His father lightly nudged his shoulder.
"Well, if this year is gonna be the year, I hope you tell her EXACTLY what you want to tell her. Heh. I'm sure other people are telling you this...but the two of you belong together." Nagi said. Negi glanced over at his father and smiled.
"Yes. That's what all the girls tell me too. And...who knows? Maybe you're all right." Negi said. The two fell silent as they continued walking through the school grounds, looking around at the finishing touches being added to the attractions.
~ NEGIMA: TRANSCENDING BONDS ~
Meanwhile, in another part of Mahora City, our attention turns to a lone car driving along down the busy streets on its way towards Mahora Academy. And inside it are two passengers, Professor Takamichi and a young woman with light orange hair and a pair of beautiful differently colored eyes. Takamichi glances at her and smiles.
"My goodness Asuna. Why is it, everytime I look at you, you grow more beautiful?" Takamichi asked. Asuna glanced over at him and lightly chuckled.
"Now now "professor", you should know better than to flirt on girls younger than you. Besides, I've sort of "outgrew" my childish obsession with you." Asuna said. She was seen wearing a white undershirt with a light pink vest top and long black jeans. Sitting at her side was a small purse she always carried with her. Her long hair was braided into two loops on the sides of her head, still sporting her bell hair bands. Takamichi chuckled.
"I had a feeling you had. But...its okay. And you don't have to keep calling me "professor". We're not student and teacher anymore." Takamichi said. Asuna sighed.
"Yeah. I know. Guess I'm just used to calling you Professor Takahata. Heh." Asuna said. Takamichi smiled before looking back at the road. Asuna leaned against her car door and looked out, feeling the gentle breeze from outside.
"It feels great to be back. I miss Mahora so much." Asuna thought. As they continued driving, she caught a glimpse of a group of Mahora students together. And in an instant, she thought back to when she used to go downtown with Konoka and Negi for errands or friendly excursions. She leaned out the window and looked out at Mahora Academy ahead of them. She felt her heart rising and her smile growing.
"There she is. I'm back Mahora Academy." Asuna thought. We now return to Mahora Academy and find Negi and Nagi taking a break by Mahora's famous World Tree, joined by Kotaro and Fate. The four were enjoying a cup of coffee together as Nagi glanced at Negi's friends.
"Heh heh. I still can't get over it. I know the boys I fought alongside with are cards sometimes, but you sure made the funnier choices with friends." Nagi said. Kotaro glanced over at Nagi, shedding a smirk as a pulse vein appeared.
"What was that old man? Something wrong with Negi's "guy friends"? Heh?" Kotaro asked. Nagi smirked and waved as Negi sighed.
"Just ignore him Kotaro. My father likes to kid too much." Negi said. Fate merely glanced and huffed, taking another sip. Nearby, they heard a woman's voice lightly chuckling. The boys glanced over to see Ayaka Yukihiro, now a fully grown woman with long blonde hair.
"There you are Negi. I was looking all over the place for you." Ayaka said. Fate and Kotaro quietly eyed her as Negi smiled and lightly waved.
"Oh. Hello there Ayaka. Have you been keeping your eyes out for the others?" Negi asked. Ayaka nodded, coming to tell Negi her latest tally of Class 3-A students. She took out a paper from her pocket and looked it over, counting the names of the students.
"All Class 3-A students are present and accounted for, except for one...Asuna." she said. Those words seemed to depress Negi as he lightly turned away afterwards and sighed. Ayaka seemed worry as Kotaro patted his shoulder.
"C'mon Negi. I'm sure Asuna's gonna show. She wouldn't miss the Mahora Festival for the world." Kotaro said. Negi looked to his friend and nodded, knowing he was right. But he still wished that Asuna was here already. Just then, they heard a second voice chuckling.
"Well, EXCUSE ME for being a tiny bit tardy...stupid Negi." the voice said. Negi lightly gasped as they all glanced ahead, including Ayaka, seeing Asuna standing before them with Professor Takamichi. Negi and Asuna's eyes glanced at one another as smiles came to their faces. Ayaka shed a small smile herself.
"What's the matter? Aren't ya glad to see me?" Asuna asked.
~ NEGIMA: TRANSCENDING BONDS ~
After a short glance at one another, Negi approached Asuna and the two friends met in an embracing hug.
"Welcome back Asuna. We missed you so much." Negi said. Asuna glanced at Negi and chuckled.
"Its great to see you too Negi. I really missed you guys too." Asuna said. Shortly after, Ayaka walked over and rested her hand on her shoulder, catching Asuna's attention.
"Hmph. I was starting to think you were a no-show. What happened? Was traffic bad?" Ayaka asked. Asuna smirked.
"Nah. I felt like keeping ya waiting...blondie. That reminds me. You're still not trying to hit on Negi behind my back, are you?" Asuna asked, narrowing her gaze. Ayaka lightly gasped and looked away.
"Wh-What? O-O-Of course not! I am a REFINED woman! Why? Are your "shedevil allures" starting to come out at last?" Ayaka asked. Asuna lightly blushed.
"Heh. Maybe. At least I wasn't a "cradle robber" in school!" Asuna shouted. Ayaka gasped, quickly scoffing.
"Will you DROP THAT NAME already?" Ayaka exclaimed. Asuna chuckled, asking what was wrong with the "cradle robber" now, prompting her to cover her ears with her hands.
"I said stop it!" Ayaka shouted. Asuna continued calling her "cradle robber" as Ayaka shielded her ears as the others looked on.
"Ha ha ha! Those two will never grow up! I still crack myself up watching them!" Kotaro laughed. Fate said nothing as he sipped his coffee. Negi watched as the girls continued shouting at one another and couldn't help but smile.
"Oh dear. It looks like they're still the same. But...that's how I would want it." Negi thought, seeing the two girls starting to smile as they were teasing each other still.
TO BE CONTINUED...