The Negima! Mysteries and Adventures

I. First Mysteries

4. The Murderer in the Woods


Author's Note

Hi there, words of precaution, don't get the wrong idea. This is not a horror episode where there is a blood scene or anything creepy like that. It's all just a mystery with surprising suspense. There may be blood involve, but not in a gory way. With that said, enjoy.


Prologue

Everything's quiet in Kuyoku Forest. The trees and bushes were all standing still, until…Tch! Tch! Tch! A man with a beard and mustache with glasses, and wearing an explorer's outfit with ripped scratches on it, runs through every bush and tree branches. He was huffing and puffing feeling like he had been running away for hours. He looks back as if someone or something was chasing him, but sees nothing in his sight. While he wasn't looking he slipped and fell down on a hill. It was a short fall as he struggles to pull himself back up on his feet and scratches his head. "(PANTING) Where's the exit!?" He cried while he is panicking. He kept running through every bush and tree branches hoping he would escaped and exit out of the forest.

Then he saw a light, hoping that it was the exit. When he popped out of the trees, he found himself that he wasn't out the forest, but in a clear opening field. He looks around feeling he's hopelessly lost. Snap! He heard the sound of a twig that broke and turns toward to the direction from that sound. Then he heard something rustling in bushes as he became more scared than ever. He was breathing very hard and became so frightened. "Please! Leave me alone!" Unbeknownst to him, something watches the man behind him. It races toward the man and leaps out of the bushes. The man turned around and, "AAAAHHHHHH!" Crows from inside the tall trees started to fly away into sky.


Chapter 1

It was the last week of April and it was another good morning at Negi's 1-A class, and all the girls were present in the room waiting for their young teacher to show up. While they were waiting, Asuna and the other members of the Mystery Club got together in the back of the room and discussed something.

"So girls, what do you think we should do?" Haruna asked as she was sitting in her seating position.

"I don't know," Satsuki replied, "but we really need to repay Matt for all the hard work he did."

"There must be some way." Chisame said in her seating position. "Three mysteries he solved so far and we haven't repaid him an award."

"Well didn't we become official members of his club?" Eva pointed out as she puts her hands behind her head leans back on her seating chair.

"Yes Eva," Yue replied sitting next Chisame, "but not good enough. Matt Oda has risked his life to save our beloved Negi when he's about to get sucked by that phantom. A human without magic wouldn't normally make a move like that, but Matt Oda is something else. He is smart and bold."

"Yeah, I can vouch to that." Asuna confirmed.

Konoka thought hard and came up with an idea. "Hey I know, how about we throw Matthew Oda-san a party." Every member looked at Konoka. "Matt Oda-san has been working hard from those last three cases he solved, so I'm sure he deserves a refreshing party to celebrate his success."

Everyone was astounded by Konoka's idea. "A great idea Konoka," Satomi replied, "I'll bet Matt loves it when we show our gratitude to him."

"Mm-hmm," Chao nodded, "And maybe he'll love it when he tastes our home-made cooking."

"You think so?" Nodoka questioned standing next to Yue. "Remember Matt came from America, so he might not have the taste of Japanese food right now."

"Oh I'm really sure Matt is going to love my food." Satsuki said happily.

Every member started to giggle and smile, until Ayaka, the class representative, sees them talking each other. She walks to them and got their attention. "Hey everyone." she said with arms crossed. Some of the members replied and said hi. "Let me ask you something girls. Lately I been noticing these past days, you were always walking out together every afternoon, especially with professor Negi. Tell me where have you been girls and Negi going lately?"

Asuna stood up and gave Ayaka a firm look. "If you want to know Blonde, we've been visiting to the Mystery Club every single day."

"The Mystery Club?"

"Yeah, that's where Matt Oda is." Haruna said.

"Matt Oda?" Ayaka begins to think and remember something. "He's that guy who is the leader of the Mystery Club. I saw his flyers and I been thinking of seeing this Matt Oda myself."

"Really Ayaka?" Konoka asked.

"However due to my responsibilities as class representative and my important clubs, I just don't have the time to meet him."

"Well that's a shame." Setsuna moaned.

"Don't you girls think I would miss my chance to meet him." Ayaka softly glares at them. "Because I really want to know who and what's so special about this Matt Oda."

"Well if you do meet him class rep," Yue commented, "He really is a nice guy."

"I hope you're right Yue." Ayaka responded. The front door opened and in came Negi carrying his roster book in his left arm. Everyone saw him and took their seats. Everyone stood and bowed at the teacher saying good morning.

"Good morning everyone." Negi said with glee. "Now let's continue our lecture from where we left off yesterday." As Negi writes his notes on the board, Asuna, Chisame, Yue, and Haruna leaned close together and whispered.

"I'll bring in the cake." Asuna said.

"Then Yue and I will bring in some sweets for the club." Haruna said as she winked.

"Matt is going like this party." Chisame said.

Unbeknownst to the four girls, Mana watches closely at them. She looked back at her desk and pulls a paper out of her pocket. She unfolded it which is the flyer of Matt's Mystery Club.

Kazumi and Sayo were also watching the four girls talking in the back, as the paparazzi also had a flyer of the Mystery Club. "You thinking of joining them?" Sayo asked to Kazumi.

"We'll see, depending on my reporting club." Kazumi replied.


Chapter 2

Later in that afternoon just outside of the Kuyoku forest, a teen girl came out of the bushes and slowly limps to the open area. She fell to the ground as her whole body was full of deadly cuts and scratches. Her clothes were ripped, she lost her right shoe, and one of her pigtail hairs has been loosened leaving her right part of her hair all the way down to her hips. She was breathing heavily as she tries to get up on her feet. As she looked up she saw Mahora Academy about half a mile away from her just down the hill. "I…made it." she said while she was breathing. She finally stood up and holds onto her left arm that it was seriously injured. She begins to limp down the hill and she struggles to limp all the way back to Mahora Academy hoping she would make it there safely.


In the hallways of the English department, Negi and all the members of the Mystery Club carried food and drinks towards the club room. The librarians carried boxes of sweets and candies, Konoka and Setsuna each carried a bag of plates and dish utensils, Negi has juices and soft drinks in his arms, Asuna carried a white-covered vanilla cake, Satsuki, Satomi, and Chao carried boxes of meat buns and other delectable dishes, and Chisame, Eva, and Chachamaru carried bags of chips and snacks.

Chamo hopped onto Negi's head. "So throwing a party?" Chamo asked, "That sounds like a great idea you guys."

"Well we owe everything to Matt-san." Konoka said. "He's been working hard, so he should deserve something good."

"Solving the kidnapping, Satomi and Chao's machine, and the bell tower. That's an amazing feat for Matt Oda-san." Haruna stated.

"I wonder if this is too much food for Matt." Nodoka wondered in a worried mood.

"Don't worry this food isn't only for Matt Oda." Chao explains, "We're all going to eat it with Matt."

They arrived at the Mystery Club's front door. Negi knocks but no one answered. He knocked again and still no answered. The group started to worry thinking that maybe Matt was out for the day. Usually they waited for Matt Oda to call them in, but they were growing a little impatient and decided to go inside the club. They all looked around in the room and Matt was nowhere to be seen.

"That's really odd," Chisame said, "We saw him this morning, where could he be?"

"It looks like he just went out somewhere." Satomi said as she called out to her friends. They all turned to Satomi as she was looking at the chalkboard. They all looked at the chalkboard and there it had a message. Gone out, be back soon. Please enjoy yourselves while waiting for me. It was written by Matt as his name appeared on the board after he wrote his message.

"I wonder where he went to." Haruna questioned.

"Don't know, maybe he is doing a paperwork errand?" Chisame responded and guessed.

They were a little disappointed that Matt is not here at the club for the moment, but then Konoka came up with another thought. "Hey, I know what we can do while we wait for Matt."

"And what's that?" Negi asked. Everyone looked at Konoka as she is smiling to everyone. "I think Matt's is going like it even more."


At Dean Konoe's office, Matt and the dean were discussing to each other. "I want to say congratulations and thanking you for your successful mystery-solving skills."

"Oh don't mention it." Matt replied shyly. "I was just glad to help."

"I also wanted to say thanks for keeping the secret of us wizards to the open public. You know us wizards are not used for abusive ambitions for the humans and we can't have the balance of humans and wizards go out of control."

"Yes I understand that Dean Konoe." Matt swings his right arm to his chest. "Even though I am an honest gentleman, I do have the right to seal any secrecy that involves magic and other magical activities. We don't want the government or the presses find out and use for something so bad."

"Indeed Matt, I can sense you have a pure and golden heart in you." The dean pulled out two objects from his desk drawers and puts them on the desk. One is a small envelope and the other is a card inside a protection with a lanyard on it. "For doing a fabulous job, I have two gifts to give you." Matt observes at the objects while the dean shows them with his right hand. "Here in this envelope is your payday plus your reward money on the cases you solved, and here is your official Mahora Academy Staff I.D. card."

Matt takes the two items both in his hands and smiles. "Ah, cool. Thanks Dean."

"You're very welcome." The dean smiled too. "That's it for today, you may return to your club."

"Thanks dean, see you later." Matt walks to the front doors and exits the room.

The dean smoothes his beard. "That Matt Oda, he is a fine and good man."


In the hallways of the English department, Matt got his card around his neck and he opened his envelope with the money inside. He didn't take the whole money out, but he looks at it with a check on top of the stack of yen. The checked stated Matt received and rewarded about 265,800 yen. "That's more than I expected." Matt said in a surprise mood. "But this reward should be shared with my members and Negi."

Matt reached the front doors of the club. "Well here I am." he said. "I'm sure they are waiting for me. I hope they didn't grow too impatient." As he opened the doors…

"SURPRISE!"

"EEEEAAHH!" He screamed as he jumped all the way up to the ceiling. Negi and the girls looked up in a confused look as Matt was hanging onto a ceiling lamp. "Guys, what was that for!? You scared me."

"Sorry Matt, we didn't mean to scare you." Konoka answered back to Matt.

"We just thought we throw you a party to celebrate your successful cases." Asuna explained.

Matt dropped down from the ceiling lamp and landed on the floor safely. "A party for me?" The gang nodded and let Matt Oda inside the club. When he got inside, he sees that two of his tables contained a variety of Japanese foods and drinks. Matt was amazed and never felt this gifted before. "Wow…I don't know what to say…except, thank you everyone." Matt smiled and his face turned a little bit red.

"You deserved this delicious reward Matt." Yue commented. "You worked very hard and you earned it."

Setsuna spotted Matt's I.D. card on his chest. "Hey I see you got an I.D. card."

Matt turns to Setsuna and looks at his card. "Oh yeah, I just got this just a few moments ago." Negi got close to Matt and observes his card. On it had Matt's picture on the left side, next to it in the top row says "Mahora Academy," below the school name is Matthew's name and says "Staff Member," and on the right side behind the font is the logo of the academy.

"You look good in this picture." Negi complemented Matt.

"Really, it's my normal face like everything else." Matt replied.

While Matt was scratching his head, Haruna spotted an envelope that's held in Matt's left hand. She made a cheeky and dirty look on her face and her glasses flashed. Yoink! Haruna snatched the envelope and Matt noticed it.

"Well what do we got here?" Haruna said as she opened the envelope.

"Hey Haruna, that's mine." Matt yelled her.

When she opened it and pulled out what's inside, she saw the stack of yen bills and the check attached to it. "What the…!? 265,800 yen!?" Haruna shouted making everyone hear what she said.

"Talk about fortunate's luck!" surprised Satomi.

"Matt, where did you get this money?" Haruna asked.

Matt swiped his money back from Haruna. "I got it from the dean. It's my payday of this month, and the reward money from the last cases."

"Well you started here at Mahora Academy not too long ago, so your payday is little." Chao stated as she put her right finger on her cheek. "But your achievement and determination of solving those cases must be of how you got that much money."

"Aw! No fair!" Haruna complained. "We were part of the mystery solving team too. So shouldn't we at least have our reward too?"

"I have to agree." Chisame confirmed. "All of us are part of the team, so isn't it fair that we have our reward rights too?"

Matt scratches his head. "Well that's just it. There's no reason to complain, because I'm sharing my reward money to all of you."

"EEHHHHHH!?" Everyone shouted.

"You…you really mean it Matt?" Nodoka calmly questioned.

"Of course, I couldn't solve the mysteries without your help, so every one of us deserves a reward." Everyone smiled and were delighted by Matt Oda's generous gift. "So, how should we split it?" Everyone talked it out of having a fair share from Matt's reward money. They decided Matt should have more yen than everyone else because he's mostly the one who solved the mysteries, so they decided that each one will receive 8000 yen. Matt split the money and shared it with everyone leaving Matt Oda with 161,800 yen.

Everyone was pleased with their reward, except… "Hey Matt! Where's my reward!?" Chamo yelled in complaint.

Matt gave Chamo a confused look. "Well Chamo first of all, why would an ermine need money, and don't you think you'd be standing out if someone saw you paying and carrying with that money?"

Chamo paused a moment and begins to think really hard. After a few seconds, "Right Matt…point taken."

Matt calls out to his members. "Alright everybody. With our reward taken care of, let's enjoy the feast."

Everybody, except for Chachamaru and Eva that they just smiled, jump and shouted, "YAAHHH!"


Later that afternoon when the sun is setting, Matt and everyone had a good time with the party. Matt ate his last meat bun from Satsuki and Chao's cooking. "This is delicious!" Matt said happily with his mouth stuff up a little. "You two cooks know how to satisfy someone with a great taste."

"Thanks Matt." Satsuki replied with a smile. "We appreciate your complement."

"I'm surprise you can still eat Japanese food." said Asuna as she walks toward Matt.

"What you think I eat American food all the time?" Matt said sarcastically. "My home country has a wide variety of food from all different countries."

Konoka and Setsuna came along. "We're very happy that you are happy Matt-san." Konoka said in a cheery mood.

"Aw, gee," Matt blushes a little. "Hey I'm going to get a drink." Matt leaves the group and grabs one of the sodas and pours it into his cup. When he took his cup, he turns to the window and looks outside the sunset scenery. After watching the colorful sunset scene, he looks back at his members and grins. "I'm glad I have good friends like them." he says to himself. He looks out the window again and watches the sun set. He took a sip from his drink and looks at the academy grounds. But then in his view, Matt stopped drinking his soda and jolted. There he sees a girl with her clothes torn up and severe cuts all over her body lying on the cement ground.


Chapter 3

Matt saw the severely injured girl lying on the school grounds in a shocking state. Without hesitation, Matt zooms and passes his members and reaches the doors. Everyone looked at him as he got all of his members' attention.

"Hey, what's the matter Matt-san?" Setsuna asked.

"No time to talk." Matt replied and panicked, "Hurry and help me."

Matt exited the room and the members looked at each other, putting down their food and followed Matt. Everyone exited the building and Matt runs around the building by going to the right side of the building. Negi and all the girls followed Matt. "Hey Matthew! What's wrong!?" Negi shouted to Matt. Matt didn't want to stop and he made a sharp turn around the building's corner. The rest of the gang was a few feet behind him and coming up to the corner. Once they passed the corner and looked for Matt, there they saw a frightful sight. In their view is a girl laying on the ground with Matt crouching next to her. They got close to the two and looks at the injured girl.

"What happened?" Yue said frightfully.

"I don't know." Matt replied in a worried mood. "She was like this when I looked out of my club's window."

Chachamaru crouches and picks up the girl showing her scratched face. Setsuna got close to the girl and picks up her right hand and uses her two fingers, index and middle, and touches the wrist on the girl's hand. A few moments later, Setsuna made a comment, "We're in luck, this girl still has a pulse, but very faint." They all observed her scratches, blood marks, and bruises everywhere on her body.

"Oh god…" Satsuki said frightfully. "What could've happened to her?"

"I don't know." Matt said with a stern look. He then looks up to his members. "Call the security, this girl needs help." Satomi and Chisame nodded and went out to get help.


After a half hour passed by, the dean, Prof. Takahata, Shizuna, and Mahora's emergency medical team arrived at the scene where the injured girl and the mystery club team were. The members watched the injured girl as the medical team put her on a soft blanket and gave an oxygen mask with it. She is slowly breathing trying to recover her strength. The dean looks at Matt Oda and his members. "Thanks for the call Mr. Oda-san." the dean said. "I would've thought she couldn't make it if the medical team didn't arrive right away."

"No problem Dean." replied Matt. "We're just lucky she is still breathing and alive."

"Still though, it is a dreadful sight." Prof. Takahata stated. "I can't believe this happened to a Mahora middle schooler." Negi and his students were terrified to see this girl smothered with severe cuts, even Eva made a chill.

Shizuna, Mahora's nurse and guidance counselor, walks up to the medical team. "How is she?" the nurse asked.

One of the medical team members stood and replied. "Not really good. These wounds are serious, and she is also showing a sign of a fever."

The nurse moaned. Then they heard a siren sound that's was coming in towards the group. An ambulance and a fire truck entered the vehicle gateway and approached the group with the injured girl. The rescuing team got out of their vehicles and got the stretcher to pick up the girl. The dean walks up to the firemen, "Perfect timing, I thought you'd never make it." he says to them. The firemen as they picked up the girl and put her on the stretcher. Just as they were about to put the girl into the ambulance, she coughed and got her breath again.

"Oh man! She's breathing." Asuna yelled.

They all got a little closer to the girl. "You're going to be alright." Takahata says to the girl. "They're going to help you."

The girl kept breathing in and out, and then she said…, "Be…ware. Beware…" Everyone listened in on the girl. "St…ay, Stay away…from…the forest." Matt's eyes widen a little, and so did his members. "Keep…away from…Kuyoku Forest." Matt blinked as if he thought something in that forest caused this girl to give in this painful condition.

"Ma'am, I need you to rest, otherwise you won't heal your wounds." said one of the fireman carrying her into the ambulance. After she was put inside, the fireman team got into their vehicles and drove off to the nearest hospital. Everyone watched the two emergency vehicles drove into sunset roads as it faded away into the vanishing point.

"Thanks you guys for calling help for that girl." the dean said. "But the way that girl looks, I say something terrible and vicious must've happened to her."

"No doubt about it," Matt replied, "And we're going find out."

All the members looked at Matt in a little surprise. "You don't mean…" Nodoka said timidly.

"Yep Nodoka, We're going into Kuyoku Forest."

"EEEEHHHHH!?" Everyone shouted in shock.

"I know everyone and I understand it's scary, but a gentleman like me does not want to see another girl or man get into the same condition as that girl did. If we let this slide, there's no telling how many more innocent victims will end up looking like her. You don't want that right?"

Negi and the girls looked at each other in a worried look, but they agreed what Matt said, they hate to see another person get smothered and pummeled.

"I have to agree with Matt." Satsuki replied. "I know it's scary, but we can't let this happen again."

"Indeed," Setsuna followed, "I think it's wise and best to find and stop this thing that hurt that girl." Everyone else nodded and agrees with Satsuki and Setsuna's words.

Matt grins a little. "Then it's settle, we're checking out that forest tomorrow in the afternoon."

The dean looks at Matt. "You are brave man Mr. Oda-san." the dean says to Matt. "But are you sure you and your team will handle this situation in the forest?"

Matt gives thumbs up to the dean. "If we work and stick together as a team, we'll be ready and tackle anything that comes in our way."

The dean raised his left eyebrow and smiles. "Alright then, I wish the best of luck. Kuyoku Forest is located behind the World Tree and just close to Library Island."

"We know where that is." said Yue to the two men. "We'll show you tomorrow in the afternoon."

"Thanks Yue, that means a lot." Matt replied happily.

"When do we start Matt?" Chisame asked.

"As soon as you're done with your classes, rendezvous at the Mystery Club and we'll head into the forest."

Everyone nodded and understood. Professor Takahata and Shizuna all wished the Mystery Club good luck. The three staff members and the medical team left as the Mystery Club went back to the club room and cleaned up the party.


The next day in the afternoon, right after everyone's classes, Negi, Matt, Chamo, and the girls took a trip into the Kuyoku Forest to search for the culprit of the injured girl. They walked down the hill of the World Tree and made it to the border of the forest.

"This is it Matt." Yue told him. "Are you ready for this?"

Matt crossed his arms. "I'm not afraid and I'm ready. How about you?"

"Same for us Matt." Setsuna replied. "As long as we stick together, we will be safe."

Every girl was ready on their feet, but Negi is a little bit timid. Matt sees the shaky Negi and tries to cheer him up. "Don't worry Negi." he said. "Stay close to us, and you will be alright." Negi looked at Matt and nodded.

The whole club entered the forest as the exit behind them started to disappear. Inside the trees were tall and green, and everywhere around the team were many bushes and rocks. As the team went further into the woods, some of the girls got this haunting feeling that they're being watched. Matt sees the girls trembling a little in fear. "Don't worry, as long we're together, there's no need to be afraid." said Matt trying to encourage the girls. Crack! Matt, Negi, Chamo, and Eva heard the sound and turns towards the direction from that sound.

"What it is?" Asuna asked.

"Shh!" Matt hushed her and raised his hand at her. Everyone stopped and tries to listen where the noise is coming from. A few seconds passed by and still nothing. Just then they heard a rustle coming from the bushes no too far from the group. Matt spots the moving bush and walks up closer to it.

"Matt be careful." Nodoka said and cautioned him. Matt bends over the bush to see a closer look behind it. After a few seconds…a rabbit popped up right in front of Matt's face. Matt jumped back, but he slipped and fell into a mud puddle. His clothes were all muddy from his shoes to his head.

A few of the girls giggled at Matt. "(Giggle) Oh Matt, you're afraid of a little bunny?" Haruna said in a mocking mood.

Matt glared at Haurna. "Ma'am, sometimes a gentleman needs to be scared if something pops up right in front your face." Matt stood and tries to wipe the mud off of him. "I mean you get scared too in something pops up right in front of your face, right?"

"Yeah you're right Matt." said Asuna.

"No complaining here." Negi followed up.

"Hey, I know those voices." Someone said out of nowhere. The team looked around to see who said that. The bunny moved and grabbed everyone's attention. The bunny's head was raised and it turns out it was a girl wearing a bunny's head as a hood over her head. She looked small like an eleven year-old and she has pink hair with hair bun covers on the side of her head. Matt started to shake, but Negi and the girls blinked in surprise.

"Fumika!" Negi said in a shocking mood.

"What are you doing here?" Konoka asked.

"Sister where are you?" another girly voice called out. Fumika and the others turned toward the direction of where the voice it was coming from. Walking towards them is another eleven year-old girl with a bunny hood on her head, a tall girl with brownish and gray hair wearing a ninja outfit, and a young teen with blonde hair with her bangs tied to the side of her head sticking out and wearing a martial artist dress. Matt begins to shake even more, but Negi and the other girls blinked again. "Fumika there you are!" said the small girl calling to her sister.

"Oh hey sis," said Fumika "hey guess who I bumped into." She pointed towards Negi and the gang and the three girls all smiled.

"Hey there Negi-kun." said the other little girl.

"Oh it's you Negi-bozu." said the tall girl.

"Oh, Kaede, Fei Ku, Fuka." Negi replied in a surprised mood.

"Hey girls," Satsuki called out, "What brings you here in this neck of the woods, so to speak."

"Hey there everyone," Fei Ku answered, "We were just practicing and training our fighting skills."

The little girl Fuka ran up towards Fumika. "Sis, you know better not to get go on ahead without us." Fuka complained.

"I'm sorry sis," Fumika replied, "But I thought I heard something, so I came to check it out."

Matt is all shaken up by seeing the girls that he created splish-splash puddle sounds from the mud. The splash sounds drew the little girls' attention. As the girls were staring at Matt, he begins to sweat even more. "Hey mister, who are you?" Fumika asked. Matt didn't reply he was too scared. Fuka called out for Kaede and Fei Ku to come over and observe and Matt. Kaede didn't know who this young man is, but when Fei Ku observed Matt's face very carefully, she blinked and snaps her fingers.

"Hey I know you!" Fei Ku replied in a surprise. "You're Matthew Oda! We met the other day." Kaede and the twins jolted a little at Fei Ku and looked back at Matt. The twins smiled.

"Oh Wow!" Fuka replied in astonishment. "You're Matthew Oda!?"

"The Matthew Oda?" Fumika replied, "Like from the news?"

"Oh…so this is the famous Matthew Oda-san we heard so much about-degozaru." Kaede replied with a smile. The twins got closer to Matt and their eyes sparkled at him.

"Is it true you solve those mysterious cases, the kidnapping and the science fair incident?" Fuka said cheerfully.

"How did you do it?" Fumika said very happily. "Please tell us."

Although the twins smiled faces were honest and cheery, to Matt's view it looked more frightening. Matt sweat even more and shook more that he got out of the mud and ran behind Asuna and Nodoka's back. He was shivering a lot, making the mud drop from him, and the twins and Kaede were confused.

"You'll have to forgive our good friend Matt." Haruna smiled in embarrassment.

"Our Matt Oda friend here has a mental fear condition called gynophobia and he's doing his best to overcome his mental state." Chachamaru explained. Kaede and the twins were confused by Chachamaru's words, but Fei Ku knows the meaning.

"Oh right, they're saying Matt Oda has a fear of girls, any kind." Fei Ku simply explains to the three confused girls.

"Oh…that's why Matt looked so scared from us." Fuka said.

"We didn't mean to hurt you Matt." Fumika said to Matt.

Chao and Konoka patted Matt's shoulders to comfort him. "It's okay Matt-san," Konoka said, "They're our friends and classmates."

"Go ahead Matt-san." Chao said in a cheerful mood. "They won't bite."

Matt looks both at Konoka and Chao's smiling faces knowing that they are telling the truth. Matt took a breath and slowly walks up to the twins. "(Cough) Hey there…I-I'm Matthew Oda, y-y-yyou can call m-me Matt for short." Matt said in a little frighten mood.

"Hi Matt." said Fuka. "It's nice to meet in person. I'm Fuka Narutaki."

"And I'm Fumika Narutaki." said the other little girl.

"We're twins." They both said in unison.

Matt shakes his right hand to get rid most of the mud off and sticks out his hand. "Nice to meet girls." The twins shook Matt's hand.

Kaede walks closer to Matt. She was a little bit taller than Matt's height, but that didn't scare Matt too much. "Hello there Matthew-dono, I'm Kaede Nagase." she said and sticks out her right hand to Matt.

"Hey there Kaede." Matt replied as he shook her hand.

Fei Ku came out and walks towards Matt and the other girls. "You remember me Matt. Don't you?" she said to Matt.

"Oh yeah, you're Fei Ku." Matt said in a gleeful surprise. "I met you back at the dorms."

Negi and the rest of the girls walks towards Matt and the others. "So doing more hand-to-hand combat training I presume?" Setsuna asked.

"We sure are!" Fei Ku replied. "My martial art skills are getting better every day, and Kaede's ninja skills are getting trickier."

Matt blinked in a little astonishment. "Huh, I didn't know you girls are a ninja and a martial artist."

"Of course Matt," Fuka replies, "We been training in these woods ever since we moved here in Mahora Academy."

"Yeah Matt," Fumika followed. "We might be the youngest students in our class, but we have big and courageous hearts, and we act like we're matured women."

Kaede giggled. "They're so cute."

The twins blushed by Kaede's sweet motherly words. "Kaede!" the twins yelled in sync. "We're not cute!"

"So what are all of you doing here anyway?" Fei Ku asked.

"If you want to know," Yue replied, "We're on a hunt to catch a killer."

Fei Ku blinked, and Kaede and the twins jolted a little. "A killer?" Fei Ku questioned.

"What do you mean?" Kaede asked.

"I guess I should've told you guys after our introduction." Matt said. "We are the Mystery Club members, and we are on case to catch a murderer that just injured a girl last afternoon."

"A murderer?" Kaede replied in a shock. The twins started to shiver a little.

"Yes indeed." Negi replied. "That's why we are here to stop this killer before more innocent victims get killed."

"The girl that we recovered from yesterday had severe and deep cuts and wounds all over her body." Satomi stated. "It was a horrible sight and we can't let that scene happen again."

The twins started to shake in fright as they hold each other. Matt saw the twins in their frightening position. "Are you girls scared?" Matt questioned to the twins.

The twins flinched as they stood up straight and tall like they weren't afraid of anything. "Of course not!" Fuka exclaimed.

"W-w-we aren't afraid, o-o-of anything." Fumika followed.

Matt smiled and gave an honest look. "It's okay to be scared girls." He then patted their heads. "When you show your fear, it tells me you need help. And a good and honest person like me is destined to help that person to regain your smile again." The twins' fears were slowly fading away, and Matt winked at them. The twins smiled again.

"Thanks Matt." said Fuka.

"You're very kind and generous." Fumika said.

"Well that's our Matt Oda-san." Konoka said. "He really is an honest and kind gentleman." Chisame, Eva, and Satsuki looked at each other and smiled knowing that Matt is an honest gentleman.

Setsuna turns to the sky and notices the sky is turning into orange-yellowish color. "It's almost the end of the sunset." she said to everyone. "We better get out of here before we get lost in this forest for good."

Everyone turned to the sky and agreed with Setsuna's advice. "You're right Setsuna." Matt replied, "And I don't want to be killed in the dark."

"We'll show you a quick way out of here." Kaede told everyone. Everyone followed Kaede and her group out of the woods and back to the opening of Mahora Academy. When the gang walked down back to the opening public, something rustled in bushes. Two red and evil-looking eyes watches the gang walk away from the forest.


Chapter 4

Later that night at the girls' dormitory in Asuna and Konoka's room, Asuna washed herself up, Konoka prepared for dinner, and Negi checked his books and folders from his class along with Chamo. Matt found a mirror and looks at himself seeing that he is still covered with mud.

"Man, do I look like I dirty muddy dog." Matt complained.

"You sure are." Asuna commented. "Why don't you just take a bath then?"

"Well there's the problem. You see when I first arrived and moved into this room, I've been searching for the shower so I can clean and wash up, but I couldn't find it."

Chamo raised one of his eyebrows. "Wait a minute," he asked, "How are you able to keep yourself clean these last few days if you don't know where the bath and showers are."

Matt looked to the side and scratches his head using his right index finger. "Eh…well…I don't like to blurt this out loud, but…" Matt's face turned a little bit red. "I used a small towel and the hand soap on the bathroom's counter to clean myself every night."

"GAH!" Everyone's jaws dropped and their eyes widen.

"I'm sorry to surprise you all, but it is the only way to keep myself clean if I have no idea where the showers or bath tubs are."

"Well that explains why so many towels are in the laundry basket." Konoka said in an awkward mood.

Asuna stepped forward to Matt. "Why didn't you tell us that you have no idea where the bath tubs or showers are? You won't find them in this room."

Matt made a little shock and was confused. "Then where are the showers and bath tubs? I could really use a good warm shower right now."

"Calm down Matt and don't panic. First get your new clothes for you to change. I'll get some shampoo and soap." Matt digs through his luggage bag and grabs a clean shirt, pants, briefs, and a pair of socks. Asuna got two bottles of bath soap, shampoo and conditioner, and grabbed a towel and a basin with a soap bar inside it. She went to Matt Oda as she saw him standing with his new clean clothes in his arms. "Alright Matt, you ready?" She asked as Matt nodded. "Follow me." The two exited out of the room and Matt followed Asuna down the halls.


A few minutes later, Asuna and Matt arrived at a girls' locker room. Matt felt a little embarrassed entering a girls' room. "Uh Asuna," Matt asked in his uncomfortable state, "Why are we in a girls' locker room?"

"Don't worry Matt." Asuna calmly replies to Matt, "Just beyond those doors is where you can take your bath." They reached the other end of the locker room and encountered glass doors. Asuna opened them and both she and Matt went through. "Well…here you go." Asuna said showing Matt the scenery. Matt's jaw dropped a little when he saw what was in front of his eyes. The whole big area around him had a giant bath tub that stretched across the room. The bathhouse also contained bubbling tubs on the second floor and shower heads right next to the doors and the giant bath tub.

"This bath tub is really huge." said Matt in a big surprise mood.

"I figured you would react like that." Asuna said. "Yeah, the truth is Matt, this huge bathhouse is shared by all the girls in this dormitory."

"Don't the girls feel a bit uneasy if they all took a bath together in the buff?"

"Not at all. I know you're a gentleman from another country, but here in Mahora Academy Japan we don't mind at all."

Matt face turned a little bit red again and looks down at his dirty shoes. "Huh, Mahora Academy sure is…something."

"There are the showers you wanted." Asuna pointed. "I'll be on the lookout to make sure nobody else is coming." Asuna gave the basin that contains the shampoo, the conditioner, and the bar of soap. "I'll hold on to your clean clothes."

Matt gave Asuna the new clothes to wear. "Thank you Asuna, I won't take long." Matt went behind the wall that contains a row of shower heads; each has its cold and hot handle. He took off his clothes and tossed them on the side. He turns and adjusts the handles at the right temperature of the water spraying out of the nozzle. When the water's right, Matt grabbed the shampoo and conditioner, and he washes himself meticulously.

Asuna, on the other side of the shower wall, laid her back up against it and still watches for any incoming people. "Hey Matt-san?" she called to him.

"Yeah Asuna?" Matt replied while washing his hair.

"Tell me, what's America like?"

Matt opened his left eye a little. "What makes you say that?"

"Well you came from the U.S.A., and I want to know what is it like in that country? The people, the food, cities, everything."

Matt takes the shower head and rinses his back. "Well America is a populated and famous country. There are all sorts of people, food, and types of environmental cities and places in the nation. I came from the western part of the U.S.A. of the state California. There are other states as well that includes different people and food, like cowboys, Barbeque, Italians, Mexicans, tacos, spaghetti, pizza, and of course Japanese people and food. The whole nation is a mixture of different things from other countries."

"Really?" Asuna said in a surprise mood. "How come?"

"I don't know if you took American History lessons, but the reason why was long ago when America was discovered and declared for their own nation, many people from different countries come to America in search for better jobs, homes, and especially freedom."

"Wow…"

"No doubt Asuna, that's why my parents moved there in the first place, except the freedom part."

"Sounds like America might be a good place to visit one day."

"Well when we have the chance, you might like it when we travel there." Matt turned off the shower and put the shower head on the hook. Matt grabbed the towel that was hanging on the wall and dries himself. "Asuna, can you pass me my clothes?"

"Yeah sure," Asuna replied as she grabbed Matt's new clothes. "Here you go."

"Thanks." Matt grabbed his new clothes and puts them on. He stepped out from behind the shower wall as he was wearing a red and white striped T-shirt, long dark blue pants, and brown slip-on shoes. In his left hand he had his white tennis shoes that are wet when he washed the mud off of it. He gave back the basin with the bath detergent products inside to Asuna. Matt picked up his dirty clothes and the two exited the bathhouse.

On the way back to their room, Asuna makes a question to Matt. "Matt, I'm a bit scared about that killer in the woods. Why would someone do something so vicious without no reason."

Matt made a firm and concerned look on his face. "I don't know Asuna," Matt replied, "But we are getting to the bottom of this dangerous mystery if it's the last thing we do." Matt looked back at Asuna feeling that she is a bit scared to get murdered by this unknown killer. Matt patted her shoulder to cheer her up. "It's alright Asuna. As long as we stick and work together, I'm really sure that killer will never stop us." Asuna smiled at Matt's honest and smiled face.


The next day at Negi's class, Negi just finished his lecture and every student gathered up their books and writing utensils. While Negi was erasing what he has written on the board, a thought came to his mind. "Who in the world would ever do such terrible thing? Could it be one of the evil magicians that Evangeline warned me about? If so, I must protect my students…I mean my partners…at all cost." Just then he felt something patted on his left shoulder. Negi made a small jolt and turned around to see who it is. Stood right in front of Negi is the proficient sharpshooter Mana Tatsumiya. "Tatsumiya-san," Negi responded, "is there something I can do for you?"

"Yes Negi-sensei." She replied. "Would it be possible if you help me see this Matthew Oda in person?"

Negi blinked in surprise but he's not the only one. Some of the girls in the class and the members of the club also heard what Mana said to Negi. Natsumi, Makie, Akira, Sayo, Kazumi, Misora, and even Ayaka got their attention to Negi and Mana.

"What's the reason to see him?" Negi asked.

"I need his help for this certain mission I'm working on." Mana replied. "He might be useful if he is on my side." Mana pulled a folded paper from her blue jacket's pocket and unfolded it to show Negi a flyer of Matt's Mystery Club. "I just received this flyer two days ago, and it stated that this Matt Oda is willing to solve any kind of mystery."

"You want to see him?" Asuna asked as she, Setsuna, Konoka, Chisame, and the librarians walks up to Mana Tatsumiya.

"That's very rare for you to see someone to aid your secret job." Setsuna commented.

"I've been on this mission for quite some time and it's been rough so far." Mana stated to Negi and a few members of the club.

Negi puts down the chalkboard eraser and grins at Mana. "Sure thing Mana, We're just on our way to see him as well." Negi grabbed his books and he, Mana, and the club members exited the room heading straight to Matt's club.

Ayaka kept staring Negi and Mana as they left with a concerned look on her face. Chizuru Naba got close to Ayaka. "Ara Ara, even Mana is interested in this Matt Oda guy." Chizuru said.

"Indeed," Ayaka replied. "Just who is this Matt Oda that we heard so much about?"


At the English Department in the hallways, Negi and the members guided Mana to the room that has Matt's Mystery Club. When they arrived at the door, Negi knocked on the door. "Come in." Matt called from inside the room. Negi opened the door the gang stepped inside. There they saw Matt with a washcloth in his hand cleaning the dust off from the bookshelves.

Asuna stepped forward a little bit towards Matt. "Matt there's someone who wants to see you." Asuna said.

"Just give me one second." Matt responded as he cleans the last shelf on the bottom. Matt puts the washcloth in a bucket half-full of warm soapy water and he takes a towel to dry the water off the shelves. After that, he puts the towel on one of the chairs and using his arm to wipe off the sweat from his forehead. He then turns to the group. "Okay, so who is it that needs to see m-" Matt blinked and widen his eyes when he sees Mana staring at him. But her demon eyes were a little bit scary that when Matt saw her eyes, he begins to shake and sweat. Mana kept staring at Matt with her demon eyes making Matt even more scared. Matt couldn't hold it and he swiftly hid behind the podium crouched into the ball. Mana is a little bit confused, but Negi and the members of the club sweat dropped. Asuna and Chisame walked up to the scared Matt.

"It's alright Matt," Asuna cheered him up. "Mana's our friend and classmate."

"She may be tall," Chisame continued, "But she really is a good person."

Matt lifts his head up and looks both at Asuna and Chisame's faces with their gentle and honest faces. After a few seconds of silence, Matt slowly stood up and turns towards to Mana. He slowly walks to her with his trembling hands and sweaty head. Matt sticks his shaky hand out to Mana. "H-hh-hi there miss," Matt said in his frightening mood. "I-I-I'm Matthew O-Oda, call m-me Matt fo-o-or short-t."

Mana shook Matt's trembling hand and smiles at him. "Hello there, I'm Mana Tatsumiya, no. 18 in class 1-A, Negi's class." Mana crosses her arms and begins to stare Matt in a definite thought. "You look so honest and kind, for a young man who has a fear of girls."

"I assume you heard that Matt has this gynophobia from the news and reports." Yue said to Mana.

"Precisely, but I didn't came here to chat with Matt because he's been famous from the news." Mana turns to Matt. "I came here because I need his help."

Matt blinked. "Oh, you must have got one of my flyers of my club."

"Sure indeed," Mana replied as she showed Matt the flyer about Matt's club. "Three days ago, I was doing some patrolling in the woods around the academy when I suddenly heard a man screaming. I went to investigate the sound, but when I arrived, the man was dead covered with severe cuts and blood." Mana closed her eyes to remember and visualize everything she has encountered during her patrol. "But he wasn't the only one. A couple more people, another man and young teen boy were killed during the process of my patrolling." She opened her eyes and stares at Matt with a firm look. "I'm on the job to track this killer in the woods and I need your help to do it."

Matt jolt in surprise and blinked his eyes. "Hey you're so fortunate, because I and my members are on the same case too."

"Well that's really convenient."

"We are just about to leave the room and head to Kuyoku Forest and track down the murderer. You are welcome to join with us Mana."

"I appreciate that Matt Oda." she patted on Matt's left shoulder.

"Before we leave, where are the other members anyway?"

Chisame replies first to Matt, "Satomi and Chao got to do an experiment in lab for a science assignment, and Satsuki needs to do some cooking in the cafeteria."

"Eva and Chachamaru went to the tea ceremony club, but they say they will meet you again tomorrow." Haruna followed up.

"I see…" Matt said rubbing his chin. "That's alright, this is enough members today to investigate the woods again." Matt grabbed the keys to the club. "Alright, let's head to the forest."


The gang arrived, entered and proceeded deep into Kuyoku Forest being careful and on lookout for the killer. They all searched high and low for the killer, but all they could see are the thick trunks of the trees and bushes.

"I'm getting a little bit…scared." Nodoka said timidly.

"Don't worry Nodoka," Matt responded to her, "As long we are close together that killer won't-"

"HEY-A MATT!" The twins shouted popping out from a bush.

"GAAHHH!" Matt jumped high into the air and grasped a tree's branch with his body hanging under it. He was shaking as if he was shivering from a cold weather and snow. "Don't do that, Narutaki twins! You know I'm still a bit scared of girls."

"Sorry about that Matt." Fuka replies to him.

"I guess we forgot about that." Fumika followed.

"Oh look, it's Matthew Oda." said a voice not far from the group and the twins. Incoming were Fei Ku and Kaede walking towards the gang.

"Hey girls," Matt calls out to Kaede and Fei Ku, "What are you doing here again with the twins?"

"Like always," Fei Ku replied, "We're training in tip-top shape."

Matt let goes from the branch and landed on his feet. He then wipes himself to clear off the dust from his clothes. "Well you gotta be careful here in this forest." Matt says to the girls. "We're still on the hunt of tracking down that killer."

"You still are going on that murdering case?" Fuka wondered.

"We have to." Negi says to the twins. "It is our only way to protect the citizens here at Mahora and we will not stop until we apprehend this maniacal fiend."

"Wow, you guys are really brave." Fumika claimed.

"Well, we're being cautious as well." Chisame stated. Then at that moment, Kaede and Mana saw each other's faces and both grinned.

"Oh Mana, nice to see you." Kaede said.

"You too." Mana replied.

"What brings you here in this forest?"

"Same as Matt's, we're trying to find that killer."

Matt looked back and forth at Kaede and Mana, and he begins to ponder. "You two friends?"

"Just good old fighting buddies." Mana replied to Matt.

"She's absolutely right-degozaru." Kaede responded.

"I see," Matt said with his arms crossed, "I can tell you two look strong and well coordinated with each other." Suddenly there was a rustle from the bushes. Fei Ku and Kaede sensed and turned toward the sound. Everyone wondered what the two girls were looking at. "What is it?" Matt asked. Kaede shushed Matt as she was trying to see carefully of what's coming out from the bushes. The noise got louder as it was coming closer to the group. Then someone popped out from the bush.

It was a thin man who looked about 60 years old. He has a thick, dark and gray mustache and a beard with the length to the base of his neck. He had wrinkles on his cheeks and his eyes were a bit baggy. He had has black hair with a bald spot at the top of his head. He is wearing a brown and ragged overcoat jacket with six buttons, three on each side.

Everyone got a little chill and wondered what the man was doing here. The man stares at the group for while, and then he made a mean look. "Get out!" he called to them. Everyone twitched a little. "Get out of here or you're in deep trouble." The group didn't understand why, but they stepped back a little. "Get out! GET OUT!" He yelled and got closer to them until his whole body appeared in front of the group. Everyone made a shocking expression when they saw something in the man's hand, an ax.

Without any stalling, Matt calls a retreat to the team. "Let's just do what he's says everyone."

"But Matt" Haruna asked. "What about the…"

"Don't worry, for right now let's leave. This guy is scaring me right now." And everyone did as they walked away from the man who is staring coldly at the group. The gang never looked back as they tried to find the exit of the forest. On their way out, a thought came to Matt's mind. "He really seemed aggressive, like he didn't want us to be in his territory."

"Y'know Matt," Mana calls to him. "I think he maybe the murderer we've been looking for."

"What's gives you that idea Mana?" Konoka asked.

"He acted mean and vicious and with those clothes he's wearing, I would say he's the one who been killing those innocents victims these last few days."

"Perhaps Mana," Matt said, "But something's not right."

"What do you mean-degozaru?" Kaede asked.

"Why would a man just kill these victims without any reasoning. And should he be feeling guilty of what he has done to those poor victims."

"Perhaps he was crazy." Yue stated to Matt. "Mental illness, a psycho, probably the reason why he would kill them."

"Yeah not to mention that he has that terrifying ax he has in his hands." Fuka noted.

"I know," Fumika said shivering, "Scary…"

"Well whatever the reason or what that man is doing," Matt said to the gang, "We'll check on him tomorrow, look." Matt pointed to the sky as it was in a red-gold color. "The sun is about to set, and we better get out this forest before it gets dark and that man comes back to get us."

Everyone agreed as they walked through the forest and exited the place.


They arrived outside of the forest and the hill of the World Tree. They reached the top of the hill and see the view of Mahora Academy.

Matt turns to his members, "Since tomorrow is a Saturday, let's meet together again at the Mystery Club and start our search first thing in the morning."

"A good idea Matt." Setsuna stated. "That way we have more daylight for us to search for that killer."

"Exactly, Well everyone, let's head back to the dorm."

Everyone started walking down the hill of the World Tree, except the twins stopped Negi from proceeding. Negi turns around to see the twins holding his arms. They both had their worried looks. "Is something wrong?" Negi asked.

"Negi-sensei…can we help out?" Fuka asked. Negi pondered with one of his eyebrows lifted.

"Negi-sensei, we like to help out to capture that killer." Fumika said.

"But…I don't…" Negi said as he was troubled and worried.

"Don't worry," Kaede explained. "We got their backs, Fei Ku and I, and you too."

"Yeah, if anything happens to them, we'll cover for them." Fei Ku stated.

"We're not kids anymore!" Fuka shouted and complained.

"Yeah, we're big and brave enough to handle a killer." Fumika followed. "Besides we're high school students."

The twins turned around and stared at Negi with their wide and sparkling eyes. "Pleeeaaasee?"

Negi wasn't sure and he paused a moment. He then turns to the twins with a firm look. "Alright, but you might want to tell this Matt Oda. I'll show you where his club is tomorrow."

The twins smiled and stood up towards Negi. "We will Negi-sensei." The twins said in unison.

"And we'll come along too, Fei Ku and I, to catch this killer-degozaru." Kaede told to Negi.

"You can count on that!" Fei Ku exclaimed.


Chapter 5

The next morning in the hall of the English department, Negi escorted the twins, Kaede, and Fei Ku to Matt's Mystery Club. Along the way, Negi and the girls were discussing.

"So what's Matt's club like?" Fei Ku asked.

"We'll it's a bit crowded," Negi explained, "But it is a really interesting club to learn and discover all kinds of mysteries and adventures that are held throughout the world."

"Like what kind of mysteries and adventures-degozaru?" Kaede asked.

"Well like solving that kidnapping incident that Matt did, and he said going on treasure hunt, and exploring undiscovered areas like another world." Negi explained to his students.

"Wow, sounds like fun." Fuka said gleefully.

"Yeah, maybe we like to join the club." Fumika said. "If we feel like it."

Negi and his students arrived at the front doors of the club. Negi knocked on the door and Matt told him to come in. Negi opens the doors and there he sees Matt and the girls getting ready to pack up for the next hunt in Kuyoku Forest. Matt sees Negi and the girls coming inside and close to Matt.

"Hey Negi, hey girls." Matt greeted them. "We were waiting for you Negi to show-up, so we can leave and head back into Kuyoku Forest."

"Right, I see." Negi said. "But before we go, these girls here want to ask you something." Negi shows the twins with their firm looks on their faces.

"Yes girls? What can I do for you?"

"Um, well, uh…" Fuka tries to tell to Matt the truth, but she was a bit nervous. "Well, is it…"

"Is is okay that we help you hunt down that killer, Matt-san." Fumika quickly asked.

Matt blinked and jumped, and so did the members of the club. Matt was a bit scared to see two young girls trying to take on this dangerous challenge, and he wasn't sure if can accept Fuka and Fukima's plea.

"Kaede and Fei Ku will help out too." Fuka stated.

"Yeah, they will cover us and yours." Fumika followed.

Matt observes Kaede and Fei Ku that they were coming in and were both confident. Matt doesn't have any problems with the two tough fighters, but the twins are something else. "I don't know twins." Matt said in a worried mood. "It's just that one false move from you girls and you might get hurt. I'm concerned about that."

"We will be careful." Fuka noted.

"Yeah, will always watch our noon and six." Fumika followed.

Matt was still unsure about the twins to come along of the dangerous case. "Pleaasssseeeee." The twins said in sync with their eyes widen like a dog's sad eyes. Matt still had a worried look. He then looks at Negi, Kaede and Fei Ku, and the members of the club. They all had a facial expression to trust the twins.

Matt took a big sigh. "Alright you can tag along." he answered to them. The twins smiled. "But you have to stay close to us; otherwise it's your life."

Twins looked at each other and nodded. "Thank you Matt." The twins said in unison.

"You sure about them Matt-san?" Chisame questioned in concern.

"I trust them and they trust me. I promise to watch out for them even if it means risking my life for them."

"Matt," Eva calls to him, "you're a man of your honor words."


One hour later, everyone made it deep inside of Kuyoku Forest and searched high and low for the killer. They watched their backs as looked around behind the tall thick trees and inside the thick bushes of the forest.

"Any clues everyone?" Matt calls out to his team with Mana and Chisame at his side.

"Nothing here." Asuna called out with Negi, Konoka, and Setsuna at her side.

"Got nothing here." Satsuki called with Chao and Satomi with her.

"No luck." Yue shouted with Haruna and Nodoka at her side.

"Nothing around here Matt." Eva called with her loyal robot Chachamaru at her side.

"And there's nothing around here too." Fei Ku called with the twins and Kaede next to her.

It seems everyone is at a dead end and feeling like they have been going around in circles. Tch! Tch! Tch! Then with a jolt they heard something in the bushes nearby. Mana wasn't afraid and got out one of her hand-guns. She aimed at the bush that was moving and walked slowly towards it. Everyone else backed up quietly hoping the murderer won't surprise and ambush them. The bush begins to shake even more and Mana still aims her gun towards it. The bush kept moving back and forth, Mana held her gun, and everyone were a little bit scared of the suspense terror. Something popped out of the bush and it was only a furry squirrel. Everyone was relieved and a little embarrassed that a little critter was making such a dramatic scene.

"I guess we were a little scared of this murderer that our minds are playing tricks on us." Matt says to everyone.

"You darn right Matt." Chamo noted as he was on Negi's shoulder.

"Well I'm glad it's just a squirrel." Asuna said. "What else can scare us?"

Boom! Suddenly everyone heard the sound. It sounded like a gun had fired. Matt turns to Mana. "Mana was that you?" Matt asked.

"That's not me." Mana responded.

Boom! Another gun shot fired. Everyone started to shiver a bit. "If it's not Mana who's doing the shooting," Nodoka said frightenly, "then who-"

BOOM! A louder gun shoot was fired. Then something zoomed and passed quickly right in front of Matt's face. Matt chilled and slowly looks to what it was that passed Matt. He sees on the tree's trunk that smoke coming out of the holes. And inside the holes look like pellets, shot gun pellets. Matt knew those pellets and begins to shake. He then makes an announcement to his team. "Gang, we better get out of here before we get…" BOOM! Everyone ducked their heads and looked to where the sound was coming from. "SHOT!" Matt yelled as he finishes his statement. BOOM! "RRUUUUNNN!" Matt yelled and commanded. Everyone did and scurried out of the forest as fast as they can. However the gun shots were tailgating the group and gun pellets were zooming through to the group.

Everyone ran with all their might hoping they make a clear escape from the killer. The gun shots were still fired as everyone covered and duck their heads. Mana however got her gun and starts to shoot in the direction of where the gun shots were coming from. The chase was on until Matt got a glimpse up ahead of them. "I see light!" He shouted. "We almost to the exit, just a little longer." Everyone panted as the whole group went down to their last breath feeling they aren't going to make it.

Mana still looks back and aims her gun to shoot the culprit shooting the shot gun pellets. But just as she was about to pull the trigger on her gun, a tree's branch sticking out struck Mana in the head and then it whacked off Mana's gun from her hand. The gun flicked off and landed in grass. "My gun!" Mana yelled.

"Forget it Mana!" Matt yelled. "We have to get out of here!"

It was down to last few feet of the exit and the shot gun pellets were zooming and passing the team. When they got close to the exit, Matt ordered the group to make a long leap into the opening. At the last few inches, everyone did exactly what Matt said and plunge into the outside area. They made it out and everyone landed on the ground. Everyone breathed heavily and got up on their feet. Matt looks back inside the forest noticing that the shot gun shells aren't coming at the team anymore. "I think we're clearly safe everyone." Matt said. Everyone was relieved and as some of the girls feel their heart pounding hard like a hammer pounding a nail.

"I thought for sure we were goners." Satomi said.

"Y'know we could've use our magic to stop those bullets and that killer from trying to kill us." Konoka noted to everyone.

"Hey yeah," Chisame noticed, "I forgotten about that. I guess we were so scared that our abilities to use our magic slip from our minds."

"Even so," Matt replies to Konoka and Chisame, "You can't do that."

"Why not Matt?" Negi questioned.

"If that killer saw your magic, who knows what he's going to tell to everyone about your revealed secret to the public. It just might make things worse on you guys."

"Oh yeah," Haruna realized, "You got a point there Matt."

"That's a smart thought there Oda-san." said a voice not far from the group. They turned to see who it was, and it was Takamichi Takahata, one of the professors and Negi's magical friend.

"Oh Takamichi," Negi said in a small surprise, "What brings you here?"

"Well Mystery Club people, I have some news to tell you."


Chapter 6

Later that late morning at the dean's office, Negi, Chamo, Matt, the Mystery Club members, and volunteered girls were gathered as Dean Konoe makes an announcement to the mystery club. "Matt and Mana," the dean said, "I want to thank you for finding those victims and reporting them to the police. The medical team at the victims' hospitals did the autopsy reports including a medical examination on the girl who miraculously survived."

"So what did Professor Takahata want us to see you for?" Matt asked.

"I have the information reports on the victims, and I thought you might to read it. There's something in them that strikes you Matt." The dean took the reports out from his briefcase and gives them to Matt.

Matt takes the reports and reads them thoroughly. "What does it say Matt-san?" Konoka asked. Matt held his index finger up telling her to hold on one sec. After careful reading, Matt twitched and gasped a little. The girls and Negi saw Matt jumped feeling that he notices something.

"This is very intriguing, Dean Konoe." Matt said.

"I thought that might strike you." The dean replied.

"What is it?" Haruna asked.

"Listen to this everyone." Matt announced to Negi and the girls. "According to the autopsy reports and the medical examination of the girl we saved, they stated that the victims weren't killed by a weapon. The medical team claimed that there were no metallic chemicals or lead inside the bodies or the DNA." This surprised the girls and Negi, even Chamo that made him twitched.

"Wait," Yue interrupted, "but if this is true, does mean that man we saw the other day…"

"If you're thinking right Yue, then yes." Matt responded to her in a firm look. "He couldn't kill those people." Mana was a little impressed by Matt's intelligence, and Kaede too.

"But what explains the gun firing this morning?" Eva asked.

"That I'm not sure. But I couldn't think he was trying to shoot us, using by these reports we learned."

"But if he didn't kill those poor people," Nodoka continued the questioning, "Then who did?"

"Not 'who' Nodoka," Matt gives everyone that confirmed look again like he knows something. "What killed them?"

Everyone paused a moment thinking Matt is onto something. "What do you mean?" Chao asked.

"Listen carefully." Matt starts to read the reports again to his members. "What the medical team did uncover from the bodies is some sort of disease within the scratch marks and their DNA. They found traces of saliva carrying infection inside of it."

"Infection…?" Satomi wondered, "But that means our killer is really…"

"No doubt miss scientist." Matt points out to everyone. "The killer…is an animal."

Everyone was surprised and made a quick flinch. They would never expect a wild animal living in a forest close to the academy. One questioned gave every girl, including Negi and Chamo, the thought why would a wild animal live so close to the academy?

"I been training and visiting in the mountains and saw a lot of wild life creatures," Kaede spoke up. "but I never thought one would come close to the academy."

"No Kaede, something's not right." said Matt trying to prove her wrong. "An average wild animal shouldn't be so close to the opening area of the school grounds, not at least within a few miles of the academy. It makes them stand out and draw harmful attention. Judging by the location of where Kuyoku Forest is, there are no mountain passes connecting to it. Something is really odd, and I'll bet that man we saw is in trouble."

"What makes you say that Matt?" Chamo questioned.

"I betcha that man was actually protecting us and trying to kill that murderer. He was actually shooting the killer we were looking for this morning. He might be in danger if he's not careful of what kind of creature he's up against." Everyone kind of agreed on Matt's point, maybe that man didn't want to hurt anyone. "I think we owe him a favor for saving our hides. And that favor is helping him." Negi, Chamo, and the girls all nodded of Matt's theoretical statement. "Come on there's no time to lose, we must help him." Matt rushes to the front doors and out of the dean's room. Everyone else followed him and Dean Konoe stayed behind in his chair.

When they were gone, the dean smoothes his beard and grins. "That Matt Oda-san sure is something."


The team reached back into Kuyoku Forest again in hopes of finding the man again. They searched high and low for the man. After a long a search, the twins spotted the man in a great surprise. The twins called the others to come forth to the scene. When the rest of the team arrived the twins pointed to the man lying down on the ground with his face towards the grass. Everyone rushed and checked the man. When they got close, in the man's right hand carried a shotgun, and his pants on the right leg was ripped and on his leg had severe cuts and blood all over on it.

"He looks so bad." Haruna stated.

"No doubt." Eva responded.

Just then the man twitched his head making everyone stepped back a little. He turns to the voices he heard and looks up to see who it was. "(GROAN)…you kids again…?" he slowly speaks. "What are you…doing here? I told you…to get out."

"Don't worry," Matt replies to the man. "We're here to help you. We know what's going on." He gave the man a firm look. "Please let us help you to stop that killer." The man saw Matt's face with a firm look knowing he's honest and is eager to help him. After a few seconds, the man gave Matt a worried but sympathy look.

"(GROAN)…Please help me…" he calls to everyone while he was breathing heavily. "Pick me up…I can hardly move." Matt, along with Chachamaru, Chao, and Haruna, picked up the man, and Mana grabbed his shotgun, since she knows how to handle guns. "Carry me that way…please." the man pointed in the direction of where the team needs to carry him. They couldn't figure out why, but they followed the man's order and quickly carried him in the direction the man guided them.

After about a few minutes of walking, the team came upon an interesting surprise. In front of them is a small wooden cabin that's one story high and about a perimeter of 24 yards. The man orders the team to put him inside, and they did exactly what he said. Chisame opened the front door and everyone went inside. As they got in, everywhere on the walls they saw all kinds of hunting equipment: nets, bear traps, skinning knives, carrying sleds, you name it. On one side of the cabin contain an oven, sink, stove, and a refrigerator, just a small kitchen. On the other side of the cabin contains a bed, a small drawer, and a small bathroom.

After examining the whole room, Matt, Chachamaru, Chao, and Haruna put the man down on top of the bed and bed sheets. Satsuki got some towels to put them underneath the scratched leg. The man was breathing harder than before. Matt noticed it and took his hand and feels the man's head. After Matt flinched of what was wrong with the man, Matt quickly acted.

"Quick! Get a cold towel or ice bag!" He commanded to his members, Negi, and volunteers. "This man has a terrible fever."

Satsuki reacted and grabbed a small clean washcloth from on top of the sink and soaked it with cold water. Once the towel is fully wet, Satsuki brought it to the man and placed it on top of his head to cool down the fever. While everyone waited for the man to recover from his fever, some of the girls looked around the cabin. Kaede observes all the hunting equipment on walls, Satomi looks around in the small kitchen, and Yue examined the small bathroom that only contained a shower and toilet. The twins were examining a few pictures that were on top of the drawer, until one of them got their attention.

"Oh, this guy is cute." said Fuka.

"Yeah he sure is." said Fumika.

This got Matt's attention. "What is?" Matt asks the twins.

"This cute pet." Fumika pointed out.

Matt got closer to the picture that the twins pointed out. The picture shows in an open field with the man holding his shotgun upright and a Kishu Inu standing on his side. Seeing this, Matt never expected that the man had a dog with him, but he pondered about this picture. He grabs the picture, looks at it again thoroughly, and rubs his chin.

"This is strange." Matt wondered.

"What is?" Fuka asked.

"Well, it looks our man here has this dog as a pet. These Kishu Inus are very loyal to their masters from what I heard, and want to stay close by their side, but how come we haven't seen him?"

Then they heard the man struggling in grief and pain as he tries to speak. "I have to stop him…I got to stop him." The man slowly opened his eyes towards Matt while he is breathing heavily. "He was my good pal,…but now…I have to stop him."

"Stop who?" Matt asked. "You mean this dog?" The man nodded while he was in pain. Matt looks confused and didn't understand. "But…why you need to stop your…" Just then Matt paused and looks back at the man in sadness. Matt was in a state of figuring out something in his mind. After a few seconds of silence thinking, his eyes widen and his jaw opened. "Of course…" Matt responded in a great yet calm surprise. He quickly put the picture down and makes an announcement to his team. "Listen up! I know what we must do. Thank you for everything mister and I know how to catch this 'murderer' you seek." Negi and the girls were confused of what Matt was saying. "Satsuki, Chisame, Satomi, Konoka, Nodoka, and Narutaki twins, you stay here and help this man; the rest of you and Negi, come with me into the forest." Matt opens the door to the cabin and looks back at his team. "We've got ourselves a killer to catch." He said with a firm look and grin.

"Wait Matt!" Fuka called to him, "Please can we come with you."

"We promise we won't be in your way and we'll do our best to help." Fumika followed.

"We don't want to sit here and do nothing." Fuka said.

Matt wasn't sure again, but the twins gave that dog-eyed look again and said, "Pleeaaase." Matt wasn't sure, but he couldn't help it, so he agreed and the twins tagged along. Everyone else, expect the girls who stayed behind, rushed out the door, and followed Matt into the forest again.

Konoka and Nodoka looked out and see them running into the woods. "Be careful!" Konoka shouted to them.


The team rushed through every bush and tree branch that was in their way, and came across a small opening. Everyone stopped as Matt makes a word. "This is good here; we should expect the murderer to come by here soon."

"You seem to know who this 'murderer' or 'killer' is." Chao said.

"Of course, since I know why that man was also trying to go after the killer as well."

"Really Matt? How do you know?" Mana asked.

"Because he knows this killer like the back of his hand, and he's been after it ever since he lost his friend."

"Friend? What friend?" Haruna questioned.

Just then they heard a noise coming from the nearby bushes. It got louder and louder knowing the killer came closer to the group. Then the gang heard something else. GRRRRR! It was a growling sound and an aggressive one. The team turns toward where the sound was coming from. Setsuna, Mana, and Kaede got their weapon gear ready. Then something popped out from the bushes. What stick out first is a white furry paw and its hair was oily and sticking up. Matt saw this and he knew he was right all along who the killer was. Out came from the bushes completely into the team's sight is a white Kishu Inu, but its eyes were bloody red, its fur was so oily and dirty, and had foaming saliva from its aggressive mouth. It growls even more as it stares at the team.

"Hey…isn't that the same Kishu Inu from the guy's picture?" Fuka asked.

"Yeah what's it doing here?" Fumika followed.

Matt made a horrified and scared face after seeing the dog. "I knew it." he said shockingly.

"What Matt?" Kaede asked.

"That's why that man wanted to stop this dog. Our killer all along is this white mutt." He paused and gulped. "A rabid Kishu Inu."


Chapter 7

Every girl including Negi gasped. The rabid dog kept staring at team aggressively as it was ready to attack. Negi and the members panicked a little.

"What do we do with him?" Setsuna questioned Matt while she was shivering her body.

"It's too late to save him," Matt responded, "only one option." Matt sighed, "We have to kill it."

Everyone looked at Matt with their mouths opened a little. "What…but…but Matt…" Asuna spoke in fear.

"No Asuna," Mana interrupted her, "We have to. If we don't, that dog is going to kill more innocent people that pass by this forest as we speak." Everyone understood Matt's words, but everyone struggles of this situation. They all paused a moment with a frightening confusion and stared at the rabid Kishu Inu. Then after, their faces became firm and raised their fists up. They were ready for a deadly battle.

"Alright team," Matt calls to everyone. "Let's do this." Kaede nodded as she took out one of Kunai and throws it at the Inu. The dog growled as it quickly moved out of the way of the knife. The knife sticks to the ground. "HUH!?" surprised Matt when the Kunai missed the dog. Then the dog was nowhere in sight. "Where it go!?" Matt shouted as he was looking for the killer dog.

Everyone looked around to find where the dog has hidden itself. "Stay on your feet." Eva commanded to everyone. Tch! Tch! Tch! Just then they heard the bushes surrounding the team making noises. Everyone concentrated carefully to figure out where the dog is going to pounce on the team. The bushes kept rustling until Eva sensed something. She turned around and, "Yue! Haruna! Look Out!" Yue and Haruna turned to see what Eva is looking at, and in front of them is the dog leaping towards the two librarians. The two girls flinched as it got closer by the second.

Then in quick haste and perfect timing, Fei Ku leaped and use her martial arts kick to knock the dog out of the way. The dog was pushed back into the bushes and Fei Ku landed safely on the ground. "How'd you like them apples?" Fei Ku said with great success.

"Thanks Fei Ku, you saved us." Yue complemented her in relief.

"Don't thank her yet." Matt told Yue and Fei Ku as he pointed his head towards the dog in the bushes. The dog slowly stood up out from the bushes and slowly starts to walk back close to the team. The dog was now even more aggressive than before and its mouth had more foam. The girls and Negi flinched to see this shocking surprise.

"But…my kick should really knocked it out cold." Fei Ku exclaimed.

"Unfortunately Fei Ku," Matt said, "rabid dogs never stop being aggressive and give up. They keep attacking until they collapse."

"ARF! ARF!" The dog charged and leaped into the team once again.

"Look out!" Chao shouted. Everyone quickly dodged the attack of the rabid dog. Then the dog ran into the bushes again to hide itself from the team.

"It went into the shrubs." Yue stated.

"Stand your ground!" Matt shouted and commanded. Everyone did as they looked all around of where the next attack the dog would strike. They can hear the bushes rustling all around them. Then suddenly in a flash, the dog leaped out from the bushes and behind Kaede. Matt quickly turned towards the dog and shouted, "Kaede! Behind you!" Kaede quickly turned around, and in an instant second, she took out one of her Kunai, and she slice and pushed back the dog, leaving a scratch mark on the right side of the dog's neck.

"That was close-degozaru." Kaede said in relief. But she and the gang flinched when the Inu slowly stood up again and started growling at the team. "It still doesn't want to give up." Kaede moaned. The dog quickly rushes back into the bushes to hide itself once again.

"No c'mon, not again!" Haruna complained. The bushes around the team began to rustle as they know the dog is encircling the team once again ready to pounce on them. The Inu leaped into the air and targeted Negi. Negi turned to the dog and screamed in fright, fortunately Asuna stop the pouncing dog by using her harisen and knocking it back to the ground again.

"At this rate, that mutt is going to keep attacking us out of the blue by surprise." Asuna stated and complained.

"We won't be able to predict where that Kishu Inu is going strike next if he keeps hiding itself in the bushes again." Yue stated.

"If only we had some sort of clear advantage that we can spot that doggy from a good view." Chamo said as he popped onto Negi's head.

Matt heard Chamo's words and starts to look around the vicinity. He looked thoroughly and quickly around the forest for a good advantage. Then he sees the thick branches high up in the trees. Matt blinked and hatched an idea. "Everyone quick! Get up in the trees!" he shouted to his members as he pointed to the big branches in the trees. "Once were up there, we have a clear advantage to see our killer, and that dog won't catch us from those branches up there."

"A brilliant idea, Matt!" Setsuna declared.

Then the team saw the dog slowly getting up as it is ready to start fighting again. "Hurry Everyone!" the twins shouted. Negi got his staff and flew up with Asuna and Matt, Yue uses her pactio card to summon a witch's broom and uses it to fly up with Haruna at her side, Chachamaru grabbed Mana and uses her hovering rockets to fly up, Setsuna uses her wings and grabbed Fuka to fly up, Eva uses her magic to grab Fumika and fly up, and Kaede, Chao, and Fei Ku jump from tree to tree to climb up with the rest of the gang. The Inu quickly recovers itself as it saw the team flying up into the trees. It quickly reacted as it race towards a tree and jumps high into the air, pulling himself from the tree he climbed. It tries to bite Fei Ku as she was about to reach a branch, but the dog missed her foot about a few inches apart. Everyone was on a thick and tough branch in the top part of the trees as the dog landed to ground feeling more aggressive than ever before.

"That was close." Fuka said.

"Too close if you ask me." Fumika followed.

"That crazy mutt won't reach us now." said Haruna with a cheeky mood.

"Yeah but it still wants to fight, look." Yue told everyone as she pointed the dog started to jump over and over again to reach the team.

"I know for sure he can't reach us," Matt stated to everyone, "So we need to use this time to take down that mutt. Hurry and attack everyone!"

Kaede got her Kunai and throws them at the dog below. The dog missed some but a few got stuck on his body. Although the attack made contact, the Inu kept standing and eager to fight back. Yue summoned her lightning spell to send an attack at the dog hoping to fry it up, but the dog was still on its paws.

Mana watched this terrifying fight as she begins to moan. "If only I had my gun, I can easily kill this mongrel in a blink of an eye." she said with her left fist tight.

Matt heard Mana's complaint and turns to her. "Don't worry Mana, even without your gun, we can still win this fight." Matt said comforting Mana. The fight was still going as Kaede, Yue, and Haruna, kept throwing objects at the dog. The dog is wounded a lot, but it was still up on its paws.

"It still wants to fight," Kaede said in surprise, "and I'm running out of Kunai-degozaru."

"We're running out of magic too." Yue said to the team as she was panting tiredly.

"How can this dog keep going?" Haruna complained as she was panting hard as well.

The twins saw the three tired girls down to their last breath. "Don't give up! You can do it!" Fuka shouted.

"Yeah keep it up!" Fumika followed. She had her left hand on a small branch that was connected to the tree. Suddenly the branch Fumika held snapped off and she lost her balance. She tries to gain back her balance, but she slipped and fell. "AAAHHH!"

"Fumika!" cried her twin sister. She kept falling until she landed on a bush. The noise got the dog's attention. Fumika rubbed her head to snap out her dizziness from the fall, but when she opened her eyes, the rabid dog was right in front her. Fumika turned white and completely froze herself in fear.

"Oh no!" Fei Ku cried.

"Fumika is in trouble!" Asuna yelled.

"What do we do? What do we do? What do we do!?" Negi cried and panicked.

"I'll aim right on the dog's head and completely knock him out cold-degozaru." Kaede said in a panicked yet anger mood.

"NO DON'T!" Matt shouted to Kaede. "One false move and you might hit Fumika by mistake!"

"But what are we supposed to do!?" Chao yelled at Matt. "We have to help her!"

Matt watched Fumika in fear as the dog got closer to her. Seeing Fumika in a fearful matter made Matt worried as a memory came into his head.


"Of course not!" Fuka exclaimed.

"W-w-we aren't afraid, o-o-of anything." Fumika followed.

"It's okay to be scared girls." He then patted their heads. "When you show your fear, it tells me you need help. And a good and honest person like me is destined to help that person to regain your smile again."


"Is is okay that we help you hunt down that killer, Matt-san." Fumika quickly asked.

"It's just that one false move from you girls and you might get hurt. I'm concerned about that." Matt said.

"We will be careful." Fuka noted.

"Yeah, will always watch our noon and six." Fumika followed.

"Pleaasssseeeee." The twins said in sync with their eyes widen like a dog's sad eyes.

"Alright you can tag along." Matt answered to them.

The twins smiled and looked at each other and nodded. "Thank you Matt." The twins said in unison.

"You sure about them Matt-san?" Chisame questioned in concern.

"I trust them and they trust me. I promise to watch out for them even if it means risking my life for them."


After the memory, Matt shook his head and makes a firm look. Matt needed to act and think fast, so he started to look around his surroundings on the ground. Then just about a few yards away from his position, he spotted Mana's gun on the grassy ground. He looks back at the dog again, and he begins to shift his eyes left and right thinking of a plan. After a few seconds, Matt blinked and jolted as an idea came to him. "Everyone stay here." He told to his members. As they watched Matt hopping down from branch to branch, everyone was confused of what Matt is doing.

"Matt what are you doing?" Eva asked.

"I promise to protect the twins, even if it means risking my life." Matt responded to Eva with a smile and firm look.

Eva paused for a moment and then she flinched. "Matt, NO!" Eva yelled.

Matt landed to the ground safely and looks at the Inu with its mouth foamed up, who is about to attack the scared Fumika. Matt looks around the ground, and he spots and picks up a small rock with his right hand. He then flicks the rock with his hand and hits the back of the Inu's head. The dog turned around to see who the culprit was. "Hey you mongrel!" Matt yelled to the rabid dog. "Come and get me!" The dog growled ferociously and makes a leap to Matt Oda. Matt ducked the attack and the Inu landed in the bushes. Matt makes a run for it to retrieve Mana's gun on the ground. The Inu got up and chased after Matt Oda. Fumika watched Matt run away with all his might from the rabid dog. The others high in the trees observed Matt Oda as the Inu was behind his tail.

"Run Matt! RUN!" Fei Ku shouted.

"Don't look back!" Haruna yelled.

"What the heck is that Matt Oda thinking!?" Asuna screamed.

"I don't know," Chamo replied, "But he better get away from that crazy rabid killer fast."

Eva stared Matt feeling so worried. "Please be careful." Eva said while panicking.

Mana watched Matt Oda run away from the Inu with confusion. "What is he doing!?" Mana thought to herself. She looked up ahead to see where Matt is heading, and then in surprise she saw the gun she dropped on the grassy ground. "My gun! Matt you're crazy!"

Matt jumped over every bush while he was in pursuit by the Inu behind him. He was just a few feet away from the gun as Matt breathed hard as he can to gain his speed. The Inu observed the runaway Matt and he makes a leap to him. The dog opened its foaming mouth and when it got close to Matt, it bit Matt's left fist. Matt reacted and he screamed in terrible pain. "Matthew-san!" everyone shouted as they all saw Matt in pain. Matt turned his body and tries to pull his left hand out of the dog's mouth. Matt uses his right hand to hold onto the Inu's nose so it can open up the mouth to breathe, but Inu's mouth was still gripping to Matt's hand. Matt struggles and suffers this pain as he saw his hand starting to bleed and the dog's teeth going through the muscles. Matt frantically looks around the area for some way to get him free from the Inu's mouth. He then spots brown mushrooms with white polka-dots on it. Matt grabs one with his right hand and shoves it into the Inu's eyes. The dog's eyes sting when the mushroom's powder made contact, and it causes the Inu's mouth to open, making Matt's left hand to be free. Matt grabbed his left hand, which is scrunched up in pain, and makes a dash to the gun. The Inu tries to shake off the mushroom's powder from its eyes.

Within inches, Matt leaps towards the gun and grabs it. Using only his right hand, Matt set and loaded the gun as fast as he can. The dog recovered from the powder and spots Matt on the ground. The Inu makes a dash to Matt, eagerly to kill Matt for good. Matt turns to the dog as it was coming in on him. He quickly loaded the barrel and positions the gun with his right hand. "Matt! LOOK OUT!" Fuka and Fumika yelled to Matt. The Inu makes another leap aiming for Matt's head. Matt turns around and aims at the Inu. It was all so fast, but then…BOOM!

Negi, Chamo, and the girls' jaws dropped in shock as they saw exactly what happened. At that moment, in the Inu's mouth had the gun and Matt's right hand, but in a flash, Matt pulled the trigger and the bullet shot through from the mouth to the head of the dog. The Inu's eyes suddenly froze as Matt knew he shot the Inu right to the brain. Using his left arm, he opened the Inu's mouth to release Matt's right hand. He let go of the Inu and it collapsed to the ground.

Everyone from the trees, including Fumika on ground, were amazed by Matt's bravery and daring task. The gang from the trees started to descend and landed safely to the ground. Everyone was still amazed by this heroic scenery.

"Matt did it…" Chao said calmly. "He really did it…"

"…Incredible…" Setsuna said in astonishment.

"Un…be…lievable…" Mana said in a complete surprise.

They all watched Matt seeing the bravest act he ever done. The twins eyes started to widen as tears came out of them. The twins scrunched up their mouths and started to cry. The two young girls race towards Matt with their crying faces. "MATT!" the twins shouted as they got close to Matt. Matt turned to see the twins coming in close and makes a big hug around him.

"Oh Matt! You're alright!" Fuka cried.

"We were so worried about you!" Fumika followed.

Matt watches and hears the twins crying as he hugs them back firmly. "Oh girls, I'm glad you're okay…especially you Fumika."

Fumika looked up to Matt with her tearful face. "Thank you Matt-san." She said while she was crying. "You saved my life. I'll never forget your heroic deed to me."

"Matthew-san that was the most brilliant and boldest act I've ever seen." Asuna complemented him as she and the others came close to Matt.

"That was so sick Matt!" Haruna shouted giving him a thumbs up.

"I have to admit again, you were amazing as last time." Setsuna said with delight.

"That was something I'll never forget Matt-san." Chao said with smile.

Eva smirked, "For a young gentleman that was one of the most memorable acts I've ever seen in my eternal life." She then opened her right eye to Matt. "I'm starting to like you even more Matthew Oda."

"I too am delighted to your heroic act, Matthew-san." Chachamaru said with delight as she bowed to Matt.

Kaede and Fei Ku came in close to Matt. "You are one brave young man." Kaede complemented to Matt. "Matthew-dono I am moved by your courageous act-degozaru."

"Mmm-hmm, you are one brave shiny knight-gentleman." Fei Ku said with glee.

"Thanks you guys," Matt replied to everyone, "I know it was crazy, but I had to do something to save Fumika." He then sees Mana right in front of him. "Mana, I do believe this is yours." Matt gives the gun to her. "It's already on safety."

Mana receives the gun, and then she smiled. "In all my years of shooting, I never expected a young man like you to wield one of guns to do something so heroic." She puts her gun away and grins at Matt. "You really are something, a gentleman to go beyond the limits." Matt smiles back at Mana.

"Yes Matt," Negi said with a smile, "You really know how to shine in front of us."

"Y'know Matt, you might be a gentleman and done a crazy and dangerous thing," Chamo stated, "But you've shown us a sight like something that I want to remember. You impressed me."

"Gee, thanks you guys." Matt replied.

"Hey guys!" cried a girly voice. The gang turned to see who it was and it was Konoka along with Nodoka, and Satomi up from the rear. Everyone waved to see Konoka and the other girls again. "Well did you get it?" Konoka asked as she approached the team.

"Sure did." Asuna replied as she shows Konoka the dead Inu on the ground. Konoka, Nodoka, and Satomi were a bit surprised, but they were glad that rabid Inu is finally over.

Then Matt groaned in pain as his left hand started to sting again. His groaning caught everyone's attention. "Aaah…it stings." Matt moaned in pain.

Satomi crouched to Matt on the ground. "Here let me see." Satomi said as she observes Matt's injured hand. "Oooo…looks bad. The Kishu Inu bit you?" Matt nodded. "I see. No problem we have the solution." Satomi turns to Konoka. "Konoka." she called to her.

Konoka nodded and pulled out her pactio card. "Adeat." she commanded. She turned into her Kansai Kimono dress again and this time she has huge fans in her hands. She got close to Matt and told him to stick out his injured hand. As Matt did what Konoka said, she waved her fans as a cool sparkling breeze blew on Matt's hand. Matt watches as the bite and blood marks started to disappear from his hand. Matt widens his eyes a little with great amazement.

"Pretty cool huh?" Satomi told to Matt. "Konoka has the magical power to heal any injury from anything."

"Wow," Matt said in surprise, "Am I really lucky to have magical friends like you."

Then they heard someone else coming towards the group. It was Chisame and Satsuki, along with the man who is feeling much better and can walk with both of his legs. The three spotted the group and the dead Inu on the ground.

The man ran up to the dead dog and slowly starts to frown in shock. He looks back at Matt with his sad expression. "Is he...?" he said while whimpering.

"Yes…he is dead." Matt said calmly as he nodded to the man.

The man looked back at his good dog and started to cry in sorrow. Tears came down from the man's sad eyes, as the Mystery club members stares at this sad and painful sight. The man lost his best friend.


Chapter 8

Later that afternoon, everyone, including the bearded man, is in the dean's office. The dean is at his desk sitting as the man is standing right in front of him. Everyone else sat on a chair or couch as they listened to the man's story.

"So tell me mister, how did this all happen?" Dean Konoe asked.

The man closed his eyes for a second and took a good breath. He then begins to stare at Dean Konoe, "My good pet and I were very good friends. We lived together peacefully and happily throughout our cherish lives. I was a hunter and my Inu was a pointer. We lived in the forest as our job to make sure no wild animals infiltrate the academy. We made a great hunting team and stopped from bears, mountain lions, and wolves from coming into the academy. We were like a close family." The man paused a moment. "But one day, a terrible thing happened." Everyone listened closely to the man's sad part of the story. "We were at a stream for a break when all of a sudden a wolf leaped right in front of us and attacked. My friend blocked the attack and started to fight back, while I was getting my gun loaded. The wolf bit my friend on the neck, but I manage to trigger my shotgun and kill the wolf. My friend was a little bit injured, but he came out strong. After I checked the body of the wolf, I realized something horrible." The dean and the members are waiting of the suspension of what happened next, but Matt knew what happened next. "The wolf had rabies." Everyone, including the dean, jolted a little in shock. "When I found that out, my intention was to save my friend from that terrible disease by killing my pet. But I was too squeamish to do that. I thought my friend would survive the illness, so I brought my friend back to the cabin and tied him up to a tree to see if my theory is correct." The man closed his eyes as a tear ran down from him. "But the next morning my theory was wrong. I awoke from a growling sound and there from my window, my Inu went into an aggressive rampage. Its mouth is foamed and its eyes were bloody red. There was nothing else I can do, so I grabbed my shotgun and loaded it up. But then I heard a snap. I jolted and rushed outside to see if my friend was still there. But when I was out, my Inu was gone and the rope broke. And that's how this happen, killing those innocent people from these last few days."

The dean closed his eyes. "Unbelievable," he said in a calm matter, "I'm sorry about your dog. I know you done the right thing to save its life." The man nodded, and the dean opened his eyes again to the man. "For your righteous deed, I will exclude you of any murdering activity and the charges for the victims. I will make sure that the police will not apprehend you of this heinous crime. I think you have suffered enough from this tragedy." The man smiled and bow at the dean thanking for his pardon. "So what are you gonna do?" the dean asked to the man.

The man firmly looks at the dean, "I'm gonna move out of the forest and out of this academy. I'm going move on and live in a new and better life from here. This place holds too many memories of my late friend."

The dean smiled. "I understand, and I hope you have a good future out there." The dean said.

"Thank you sir." the man bowed and replied. He then turns to Matt, Negi, and the girls and gives them smile. "Thank you for everything guys."

Matt stood and smiled back. "Don't mention it, and you're welcome." Matt said in a calm and happy matter.


That sunset afternoon, the man has his entire hunting equipment and luggage bag in a big wagon. He has a huge travelling backpack on his back and he wore a fedora on his head. He arrives at the front gates of the academy and stops for a moment. He then looks back at the academy and the forest he was in as one last look before he leaves this entire place completely. He smiled and turns towards the gates. As he passed the gates, Matt spotted the man leaving the academy, and Matt races towards him.

"Hey mister!" Matt shouted. "Hey! Wait up!" the man heard Matt's voice, turned to him and waited for him. As Matt got close to the man, he catches his breath and begins to ask. "We haven't introduced ourselves, I'm Matthew Oda. What's your name?"

The man grins at Matt, "Tarou, Tarou Ryo."

"Tarou Ryo…" Matt said as he shook Tarou's hand. "Well…so long."

"Goodbye Matt-san." Tarou replied with a wink. "May your future lead you to great happiness."

"You too." Matt replied with a smile. Tarou turned around and started to walk away. He kept walking down the streets and into the sunset.

Matt kept watching Tarou as he disappeared into the light. Then Mana, Fei Ku, Kaede, and the twins spotted Matt and went up to him. Matt hears them coming and turns towards them. "Hey girls," Matt said, "What's up?"

"Hey Matt!" Fei Ku shouted, "We want to let you know that the girl you saved the other day, well she made a full recovery and she's going back to school on Monday."

"That's great." said Matt in astonishment.

"I still can't believe you risked your life to save Fumika, my little sister." Fuka said with delight.

"That was still the bravest thing you ever done-degozaru." Kaede said.

"I agree," Mana followed, "You must've done something that great with your family."

Matt paused and scratches his head. "Well to be frank, I don't have any family members here. I did it because I had to save someone from great harm."

The girls blinked from Matt's words. "No family members?" Fumika questioned. "What do you mean?"

"Well basically I'm the only member here in Japan. My parents have already died a while back."

The girls then made sad expressions on their faces. "Don't you feel lonely Matt-san?" Fei Ku asked in her worried state.

"Don't feel too bad ladies." Matt said in a calm matter. "I got Negi and the other girls in my club. They're my great friends, so I shouldn't feeling too lonely."

Even so, the girls are little bit worried that Matt is an only child and has no other family members here in Japan. Just then Chisame came into the scene and called out to Matt. "Hey Matt!" He heard Chisame's voice, "The dean wants to see you."

"Well I got to go girls." said Matt, "Have a nice night, and I'll see you on Monday." Matt left with Chisame on his side as they went to the dean's office.

The twins, Kaede, Fei Ku, and Mana watched Matt as they began to think something.

"You know, not only we owe Matt something," Fuka said, "But I think we should help Matt Oda's loneliness."

"Yeah sis," Fumika followed, "He does look like he's hurt from his late parents."

"I agree but what can we do?" Fei Ku pondered with her arms crossed.

Mana thought carefully, and then she blinked. She took out a folded paper and opened it up. She looks at it and grins. "Y'know, there is one thing we can do to help Matt."

"What is it Mana?" Kaede asked.

Mana held the paper in front of the other girls to show what it is. The girls observed and the paper is the flyer to Matt's Mystery Club. "And I think Matt Oda will be pleased."


That Monday afternoon, Negi, Chamo, and some of the girls were in Matt's club. Negi is reading a magazine article with Asuna, Chamo, and Konoka, Chisame is doing criminal justice research on her laptop, the librarians were reading some of the mystery books Matt brought from his home country, and Eva and Chachamaru were quietly sitting on their chairs.

Eva turns to Matt who is wiping the chalk board. "So whatever happened to the Inu Matt?" Eva asks.

"Well they took him in, and cremated him." Matt responded. "They stored his ashes safely."

"Sad to say he lost his friend." said Chachamaru. "But it can't be helped."

"I know Chacha," Matt replies to her. "That's what life is. It's the only option to save those creatures, even though it feels like it's the wrong thing to do." Eva and Chacha agreed and nodded. Just then Matt heard a knock on the door. "Come in." he called out.

The door opened and, "Matthew-san!" said the twins who ran up to Matt and hugged him. Negi and the girls see the twins hugging Matt.

Matt jolted a little as he stares at the happy twins bracing his waist. "Fuka, Fumika." said Matt. "What are you doing here?"

The twins let go Matt's waist and both twins side by side smiled at Matt. "We want to join your club." Fuka said happily.

"Yeah, it's our way saying thank you for helping me, and we owe you something good." Fumika followed with delight.

This got Matt and everyone in the room astounded. "Really girls?" Matt said in surprise.

"They're not the only ones." said another womanly voice. Matt and the gang looked to see who said that. At the door were Mana, Kaede, and Fei Ku standing and grinning at Matt Oda.

"Mana, Kaede, Fei Ku." Matt said. The three girls got closer to Matt and each held out a registration form.

"We owe something really big for what you had done last Saturday." Fei Ku said. "And this is it."

"Mmm-hmm, and wanted to help you of your pain of your lost parents and your loneliness-degozaru." Kaede followed with joy.

"I can learn a lot of good things from you Matt-san." Mana said calmly with delight. "That's why I'm joining with you too."

Matt looked back at his members who were all smiling at him. "Go for it Matt." Asuna says to him. "I know you and the girls are going to be great friends." Everyone else agreed of what Asuna said.

Matt smiled and looks back at the girls. "I don't know what to say expect, welcome to the club."

The twins smiled wide as they hugged Matt Oda again. "Thank you so much, big brother!" said the twins in unison.

"Big brother?" Matt said in confused mood. Matt stares at Mana, Kaede, Fei Ku, and then his team members, all giving him a loving smile. Matt smiled too as he turns to the twins who were happy and still hugging Matt. "You're welcome, little sisters." he said calmly and happily and hugging the twins.

To be continued.


Author's Note

"Kuyoku" got its name from "kurai joryoku" which means "dark evergreen."

The Kishu Inu is a type of Japanese dog.