Chapter Four

Celebration

The girls stared at him, no reaction visible on their faces. Timed seemed to slow.

Uh-oh

Negi caught his expression and smiled weakly. Luke shot him a puzzled look. In response, the child held up his hand and slowly lowered each finger. With a sinking feeling, Luke realized he was counting down. As his last digit fell sound blossomed like an explosion as the girls began talking excitedly to the new student at once.

"Are you really from England?"

"How old are you?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"How long will you be staying?"

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Do you know Negi?"

And so on. Luke stammered out his answers, his mind whirling as he tried to keep up with the conversations.

Well, looks like I've given a good impression.

The whole thing lasted an hour before he received any respite from the barrage of questions. He flopped down onto the sofa, mentally exhausted. The girls had given him a warm welcome and were properly getting into the party atmosphere. A trio of girls Luke had learned were known as the cheerleaders were currently singing karaoke in one corner of the room with a fair audience applauding their efforts. The blonde youth was forced to admit that they were good. Shame he wasn't anywhere near as skilled. Good thing he had managed to avoid being dragged up to the stage. In the kitchen, the girl with freckles was still helping out, now with the distribution of food, along with the twins. Negi and Kotaro had been dragged off towards an area of the room designated for dancing, and Luke tried hard not to betray his amusement at the sight of two eleven year olds dancing with girls about five years older. He leaned out and grabbed a drink off a tray being carried by one of the twin girls. She smiled at him before scurrying off to give everyone else refreshments.

Must be nice, to have so may people around.

He downed his drink in one gulp, enjoying the sweetly taste. He gazed at the celebration occurring in his honour. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. He felt a presence next to him all of a sudden and turned to his left. He nearly yelped when confronted by the short haired girl from earlier. She seemed to be looking at him, but he couldn't be sure, as her eyes seemed permanently closed. She still wore the smile he had seen her with earlier. Gathering his scattered wits, he managed to finally speak.

"H-hello."

The girl's smile grew wider as she answered. "Hello, Mason. My name's Kaede Nagase. Nice to meet you de gozaru."

"Nice to meet you too, Miss Nagase," replied the youth, still slightly taken aback by her sudden appearance. She was surprisingly tall yet still seemed to avoid looking out of place.

"So, what do you do in Mahora?" asked Luke, making conversation.

"I'm a student here, and I also help run the Academy Walking Club," she replied promptly.

"You're a student?!"

"Is it so surprising?"

"Since when do secondary school's allow twenty year olds as students?!" he blurted out without thinking.

"What?"

Luke blinked, and suddenly it hit him. Please don't tell me she looks older than she really is!

He seemed to have slightly annoyed her with that remark. "Are you telling me that you thought I was twenty?" she asked, her smile gone.

Oh no…

"Er…" A gentleman is always honest! "Yes."

The girl looked at him for a bit, her expression unfathomable. Then without another word, she stood up and left him. He cringed inwardly.

Really smooth, Luke. Just like a proper gentleman. Why didn't you just keep your opinions to yourself? A good overall impression has just been ruined by a bad personal one.

Luke couldn't shake the feeling that his error in judgement was going to cost him. A shame really, she had been rather striking too….Wait, none of that. I'm here for the world tree, nothing more. Friendship alone might complicate things, let alone a crush. His resolve hardened within him. Of course, keep your eye on the prize. My memory is at stake here. That's all. If not for the loss of it, I would never have even considered coming here. He looked about himself at the girls around him and allowed himself a small chuckle.

Or would I?

"And?"

"He thought I was twenty!" replied Kaede. There was a hint of annoyance mixed with shock in her voice. Mana smiled at that.

"Just like the time we went to the cinema," she said, shaking her head. "I suppose it's just one of those things."

Kaede thought at that. "I guess you're right de gozaru. It is his first day here, but still, to blatantly label me as twenty…"

Mana sighed. "Well, maybe things are done differently where he comes from. Either way, that was just one conversation."

"Why don't you go and talk to him then?" shot back Kaede. Mana was taken aback by that.

"Why me?"

"Because you're the one who's sure there is a misunderstanding de gozaru."

Mana shrugged. "Another day perhaps."

They both looked back at the celebration currently underway.

"There is going to be one mess tomorrow," Kaede finally commented.

"Indeed. Still, it was worth it."

"Was it?"

Mana looked at her and nodded. "It shows the new kid who he will be encountering in the dorms from now on."

"Since when do you care about the new kids?"

"Since when did you care whether he thought you were twenty or not?" countered the sniper.

Kaede smiled at that comeback. "It's a pride thing. Every time I hear something like that I'm convinced I'm ageing prematurely de gozaru."

Mana actually laughed at the last comment.

A bird sang outside. With a colossal yawn, Luke peeked out from beneath his coat. Daylight was streaming in through a window, and the fresh air was making him dizzy. He sat up, slowly. He had fallen asleep on the couch, and the room was a scene of devastation. Luke groaned inwardly. This is why I dislike parties. It's always the host who has the task of cleaning up the mess. With another groan he dragged himself from his makeshift bed and made his way to the bathroom.

Well, better get ready for today. Lot's to take care of after all.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, he set about cleaning his new dorm. It took him just under an hour, much to his surprise. Also, he had managed to do so without waking his room mates. Luke was filled with pride. Hah, such a job done quickly and quietly. I'm getting better at this. His brow furrowed in concentration. But who are my room mates? I'm sure it was mentioned to me yesterday, but I can't remember…

Whilst pondering this dilemma he failed to notice the faint stirrings from the beds.

Who was it? Dammit, why can't I ever remember anything important!? I must've written it down somewhere… As he began to methodically search his person for any signs of a self addressed note, his new room mates awoke.

"Mornin'" he heard two high voices squeak in unison.

"Good morning, de gozaru."

Luke froze.