The Secret Behind Setsuna's Ponytail
Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. Otherwise, this story would've been part of the Negima manga.
Chapter 2: The Search
"Does anyone know where we can find Kazumi-san right now?" Negi asked the small group.
"According to my memory banks, Kazumi-san can usually be found hanging outside the baths right about now, trying to get the latest gossip," Chachamaru answered.
"Should've guessed," Asuna and Evangeline said, shaking their head in one of their hands.
The four of them made their way over to the baths. After a little bit of searching, they found Kazumi hiding behind a row of plants, tape recorder and camera in hand. But she wasn't alone. Sayo Aisaka, the ghost student of 3-A, was floating next to her, assisting Kazumi in her task.
"What do you two think your doing?" Evangeline eerily asked.
Not expecting to hear anyone address them, they jumped where they were, looking like they were about to have a heart attack. They turned around to see Negi, Asuna, Chachamaru, and Evangeline standing there.
"Why did ya have to spook us like that?" Kasumi asked. "Isn't that Sayo-san's job?"
"Well, I'd consider it my job as well, seeing as how I'm a vampire," Evangeline replied. "Anyway, we have something to ask you."
Kasumi led them into a nearby room so they could talk privately. Asuna explained that they wanted to know about Setsuna's ponytail.
"So the ponytail's got you intrigued as well," Kasumi observed. "I too wanted to know about it. I did some investigating to see what I could find. However, I was unable to come up with anything at all."
The four of them seemed rather disappointed.
"Don't fret," she continued. "Sayo-san managed to unearth something that may interest you. Tell them what you found, Sayo-san."
"I-If you insist, Kasumi-san," Sayo stuttered. "I was wandering through the dorms one morning when I found myself in Setsuna-san's room. She was tending to her hair. As she carefully combed it, she seemed to be daydreaming about something because she was humming and blushing as red as a tomato."
Everyone was used to see her blush all the time, but humming? That was definitely NOT like Setsuna.
"As she was putting her hair in her signature ponytail," Sayo continued, "She began blushing even more. When she was done, she was holding it like she was hugging someone she deeply cared for. Then she muttered one word."
"What was the word, Sayo?" Negi asked.
Her response: "Kono-chan."
Everyone but Kasumi and Sayo were surprised by this news.
"I knew it!" Asuna exclaimed as she slammed her fist onto a desk. "I knew there was a connection to Konoka-chan involved here. I mean, come on! Setsuna-chan is practically in love with Konoka-chan, but is too much of a coward to tell her!"
All of them nodded in agreement.
"I'm surprised that someone of your intelligence was able to figure that out," Evangeline commented.
Asuna didn't say a thing. Instead, she roundhouse kicked Eva in the head, sending her flying into the wall.
As the vampire came out of the rubble, she yelled, "What was that for!?"
"Calling me an idiot!" Asuna answered.
"I'll deal with you in our next training session," Eva muttered. "Chachamaru, what's our next move?"
"We should see Konoka-san, Master," she replied. "She should have the answer we desire."
"We're coming along as well," Kasumi interrupted, indicating herself and Sayo. "This could be a big scoop."
"That's fine with me," Asuna said. "Negi, did Konoka-kun tell you where she'd be right now?"
"Well, Konoka-san told me that she'd be back in our room, taking care of a few things," said Negi.
"Let's hurry up and get to the brat's room then," Evangeline ordered.
The six of them made their way over to Negi, Asuna's, and Konoka's room.
They went inside, where they found Konoka cleaning up.
"Hi Negi-kun! Hi Asuna-chan!" squealed Konoka. "I see you brought guests. If you don't mind waiting about another hour and a half, the slow cooker will be done cooking dinner."
"That's nice," Asuna said. "But there's something we wanna know: Do you know why Setsuna-chan wears her hair in a ponytail off to the left side of her head?"
"You wanna know why Secchan does that?" Konoka asked them. She thought for a minute as the six of them gazed upon her, looking for an answer. She then looked that them and said, "To be honest, I don't know. And if I did know, I've completely forgotten about it." Everyone but Konoka fell over.
"Just perfect," Kasumi observed. "What should we do now?"
"How about you just ask Secchan herself?" Konoka said. "I invited her over for dinner. She should be here just when dinner's finished. We can ask her after dinner."
"Seems reasonable," said Eva. "We don't have any other option right now. We could ask Nodoka to use her artifact, but I know that she won't use it for the sole purpose of unearthing personal secrets. I guess Chachamaru and I will stick abound."
"We will as well," Sayo and Kasumi said.
"That's perfectly fine," said Konoka. She then leaned over to Negi and whispered into his ear. "Negi-kun, what do robots and ghosts eat?"
About 90 minutes later, chocked full of small talk and theory forming about the ponytail, the table was set for seven. There was a knock on the door. Negi went over to the door and opened it up. On the other side was none other that Setsuna, the very person that's been on the group's minds all day.
Setsuna's shown up! Will the reason behind the ponytail be exposed? What'll be the consequences? Find out in chapter 3! Please R&R!