Chapter 8: growing up

Thirteen hours passed since Nagi was rescued from the royal garden..

Nagi woke up in her room, unable to understand how she ended up there, she said, "Hayate is here too, in my room, I thought my wish would let him be with Athena; he loved her. Maybe he is feeling responsible towards me, this isn't right. I will.." She paused, when she felt a gentle tug on her hands; it was Hayate, holding her hand. She just looked at him, staring into his baby blue eyes.

"Ojousama, I am happy to be with you. I know you think I love Athena, and I did, but in the past, now I feel for her the way I feel for a friend. Things between us can never go back to the way they were."

"Really Hayate? How can you be so nice? I mean if you will be like this, then you will never be happy." She was not able to say anything else because he suddenly embraced her. It felt warm and gentle. Her thought process froze for a while, and she started blushing. She said, "H-Hayate? What are you-?"

Hayate said, still embracing her, "I may not love you, ojousama, but you are still most important to me, and I can never afford to lose you. So will you allow me to stay with you? Is the bond that we share, well enough for you? Meeting you that day was the best thing that happened to me."

Nagi felt his word reached her heart, they were sincere. She thought, this is fine, we may never be lovers, but we will always be good friends. Nagi nodded her head in agreement.


In the coming days, Nagi's behavior towards Hayate changed; she was not trying to get his attention, and treated him normally like everyone else.

She did not get angry when Hayate talked to other girls nor did she stop him from being nice to them. She did not call him on a whim. She hardly spent much time with Hayate, except in school and when she needed something. She did not get annoyed when Hayate complimented Maria's good looks.

Hayate was a little bothered because of this. He was under the impression: Nagi maybe angry with him.


Nagi was in her room, putting on her camisole. She said "Hey Maria! This is tight, will you check if it is stuck."

Maria looked, and then said chirpily, "you are growing up. And your height, I just noticed, you look a bit taller too." Maria then suggested, "We should go for a little lingerie shopping today."

Nagi was embarrassed, but also very happy on this long awaited development. She said, "Yes," coyly.


Nagi and Maria, returned from shopping three hours later. They did not take Hayate on this trip.

Nagi entered through the door wearing a white sheath dress, she bought that day while shopping. Hayate was looking at her new outfit in awe. "You are looking beautiful!" slipped out of his mouth. He then shouted at himself in his head, shoot! you say that to her in such weird tone, and why did you ogle her?... But is she looking attractive?... she is a child, he thought.

Nagi said with a graceful smile, "thanks Hayate," and went to her room.