Don't own Negima.
Chapter 2
Evangeline stood outside in the balcony looking at the starry sky above. Inside the dinner party was progressing as normal. Important politicians, generals, fighters, and close friends enjoying themselves and the "entertainment" given to them by a drunk-off-his-rocker Rakan. Her former classmates showing off there new dresses that made them look like models to every male in the room. And Negi, trying to dodge his usual suitors. Princesses, politician daughters, models, Etcetera.
Normally, she would hate these kinds of events and try to avoid them like the plague (especially if that Albereo was there to annoy her on her relationships). However this one was actually pleasant. She couldn't quite place her finger on it but she had actually enjoyed herself. The music was nice, the place was well decorated, and the food was exquisite. She was wearing a new red dress with a red scarf wrap around her arms that made people she passed take a second glance at her. She was even asked to dance a couple of times, but she turned them down. She spent most of her time enjoying it with Negi.(That was until he was dragged away.) But what she probably enjoyed the most was the fact that this was outside of Mahora Academy.
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She had finally been released from the horrible spell that had bound her in that horrid eternity of middle school. She was also pardoned for all her crimes, and was now an adviser to the Magical Council when needed. Having connections with the Higher-Ups also granted her immunity to any person that wanted her head on a silver platter. After all, Negi was well known for his combat ability and few wanted to face him when he was serious. Of course with Negi, they would live, but with Evangeline… the outcome didn't look to pretty.
Since Negi had been the one to release her, he was place in charge of watching her. He took the responsibility with no argument. Many of the magical world leaders were actually concerned when she was first freed. The idea of The Dark Evangel being relieved of her restraints was not at all pleasant. However Negi surprised them when he claimed that he would trust Eva with his own life. Some were calmed by that statement, but the majority was not completely convinced. Of course, it was their problem whether they liked it or not. Either way, Evangeline was set free.
Another thing that surprised her was that her class was actually going to miss her dearly. Since she was no longer bound to the place, there was no reason for her to stay. When her class found out, they were shocked that Eva was just going to drop out. So, they decided to give her a surprise.
When Eva arrived at her cabin to pack her things to go she was surprised to find her entire class and a few others their.
"What the hell are you lot doing in my house!" She demanded to know.
"Oh chill out Eva-chi, it's just a going away party for our favorite chibi foreign girl!" said Haruna as she gave hard pat to her back.
"Yeah! After all, we want to make sure that you get a proper goodbye!" said Misa also giving her a hard pat.
"B-But why would you all go through the trouble…" Eva was almost at a lost of words. This was just something she couldn't comprehend.
"Because! Your one of us in 3-A and our friend." said Yuna from the crowd.
Her first thought was to yell at them that she didn't want to have anything to do with them, but for some strange reason she just couldn't.
'Do they really see me as a friend?'
At first this place was nothing more than a prison to her. But when she left, it was the place where she met the people she could actually call friends. The place where she was cleansed. The place where she met her current interest, Negi. And now she is going to miss it.
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"Enjoying the view?" Eva turned around to see Negi walking over towards her in the emerald green tux with a white wing outline sewed on the left shoulder.
"Just needed some air. What happen to all your suitors?" she asked
"I was finally able to give them the slip. I never knew that girls could run that fast in heels. I'm exhausted now." he said while taking a seat and leaning on the balcony next to her.
"Well aren't you just Mr. Popular." she said with a pout. "I bet you where enjoying every moment of it. After all, what guy wouldn't love to be chased by a bunch of pretty girls?"
"Well truth be told, I rather just be here with you right now." stated Negi.
Evangeline had to turn away at that remark to hide the small red hue in her cheeks while whispering idiot under her breath. Negi just merely smiled. They stayed that way in silence for awhile, simply enjoying each others company.
"Thank you" said Eva breaking the silence.
"For what Eva?" asked Negi
"For everything. My friends, my freedom… All of this is thanks to you." she then turned and gazed at his face showing one of her rare smiles "And for being my date. I had fun."
"N-no really, I-It was nothing at all!" He said while blushing like mad. "I was just doing my job as your teacher is all."
"I don't think breaking a curse, pardoning me from all the crimes I committed, and escorting me to a party is part of your old job description."
"Well I guess not…" He really couldn't argue with that logic. A teacher's job was only to teach. Yet he went the extra mile with his students, especially for Evangeline. He knew that she was the last person that needed protection from danger. It's more like people needed protection from her. But he no longer needed to worry about that now. He was no longer a teacher.
"Can I ask you something?"
The question brought Negi back from his thoughts. "Um sure, I don't mind."
She turned away from him, contemplating whether now was the right time to ask or not. The question had been bothering her ever since she found out about the deal Negi took with the leaders. The deal called for Negi to be with Evangeline as much as possible. If he was separated from her for more than twenty four hours then the both of them would be arrested until they are sure that no evil deed, act, or plan was committed. Because of this Negi also had to quit his job in order to stay with Eva. None of the girls even knew this fact until after the going away party.( it was later used as an excuse to skip class the next day to see them off, but nobody seem to cheerful.)
"Why did you stay with me? You could have continued your training at Mahora along with your students. So, why?" she was barely able to say it over a whisper but Negi still heard her.
"Well…" He faced the floor contemplating on how to answer her. Why did he leave? Any other person probably would have stayed, so why did he go? " I guess its because I didn't want you to be by yourself again."
At that her blush reddened. She could not say anything in response to that. She could only listen as he continued.
"I'll probably never know what it was like for you. I just know that it made you miserable. I don't want to see you go through that ever again Eva." He then stood up and made her face him. " I promise you Eva, as long as I live, I'll be by your side!" He said it in the most serious tone he could for her to see that he would not go back on his word.
As for Eva, she remained speechless for a moment longer and then looked down to hide her blush. She swore that this kid just knew how get to her. "I-I wouldn't… Honestly! How weak do you think I am…" she said in embarrassment. But then faced him with a small smile. "But… thanks"
At that, Negi had to blush a bit. They stood there in a fixed position, attention completely on each other.
"Umm~ I to hate ruin you guises moment, but some people are askin for ya'll twos audience."
At that sentence, the two were brought back to reality and broke apart at ounce. 'Damnit! The mood was good! Now my face is all red! Why does this guy always ruin it!' thought Eva.
"Hey Eric, can't it wait we were kind of having a personal talk." asked Negi
"Sorry sir, but your lovely lieutenant wants to meet the girl that ya chose to be your date. She's very eager to meet her. And then there are also a lot of representatives that ya need to make some small talk with. Looks like you'll be pretty busy now that your dad bailed."
"Of course he did." replied Negi with an exasperated sigh. "Well it can't be helped I guess."
"Then don't keep'em waitin. After all, ya know these fans of yours would wreck the entire place looking for ya."
"Right, I'll be right over." he said. He then turned around to see Evangeline with a downcast expression. He then began to panic a bit. "Is there something wrong Eva?"
"No its nothing." she said. "I just hate the fact that I have to see these people. After all, most of those reps want me dead. And your subordinate doesn't seem too like me much either."
Negi could only feel sympathy for her. Peoples views of her would not change for a long time. It was always troublesome for her to meet other people for they always had this look of distrust towards her. Normally this would not bother her, but those eyes also told them another thing. They wanted her gone. To disappear. To vanish. To be non-existent. He wished he could show them that Evangeline was not like the stories they heard about her evil heart. he wanted to show them the good in her. But a persons views can not be changed so easily.
"Eva." he said as he grabbed her hand. "It doesn't matter what they think. I'll make sure that they'll one day see you the way I do. But until then, you'll always have me with you"
'This boy just loves to make me blush.' she thought as he led them inside. But its true. At least he's with her.
