Negima 4: The Best Christmas Wish

Chapter 11: The Mahora Feast - Part 1

The day after the special lesson from Mister Jerrah and Ariella, another big event was happening at Mahora Academy. Students were decorating tables in the cafeteria as Class 2-A was also amidst the working students.

"Hey. Anyone seen that extra table cloth? I was sure we had an extra." Asuna asked.

"Yeah. It's right over here." a high school student said. Asuna thanked her as the cloth was tossed to her. At the doorway, Negi entered with Kotaro at his side and Chamo on his shoulder.

"Huh. Here she is. I wonder what Asuna is doing here?" Negi asked. Kotaro crossed his arms.

"I dunno. Even Chizuru and Natsumi were gone when I woke up this morning." Kotaro said. Chamo gave Negi an eerie look.

"Dude, you DO realize that you wake up later than the other girls? Heck, they'd be out the door by the time you wake up for class." Chamo said. Kotaro glared at him.

"You trying to make a point ferret?" Kotaro asked. Asuna noticed Negi and gave him a wave.

"Hey! Negi! Great timing! Can you come over here a second?" Asuna called. Negi looked around, seeing some of the students setting up placemats and candles on the tables after the table clothes were thrown on.

"So...what's going on? Is this that "Mahora Feast" thing again?" Kotaro asked. Asuna nodded.

"Yeah. All of us are putting in a little effort to get things ready in time." Asuna said. Nearby, Negi saw Anya setting plates all around, one on each placemat.

"Oh. I didn't know it was this soon." Negi said. Asuna said it was mostly once every four years, exactly the difference today since Negi came to Mahora.

"Well, I guess I'll have to ask Mister Jerrah if he and Ariella could help out. After all, we did invite them to join us. I didn't expect it to be so soon though." Negi said. Nearby, Negi heard someone whistle. He turned to see Fei Ku, pointing towards the kitchen.

"We already know Negi." a voice said. Negi glanced at the kitchen door and saw Jerrah with Ariella.

"I guess you know then." Negi chuckled. He then felt another tap at his shoulder. This time, it was Nekane.

"Nekane? What is it?" Negi asked. Nekane chuckled and asked if he could follow her for a moment. As she walked out, Negi glanced at Asuna, who shrugged to him before he left. He followed Nekane outside towards the front of the school grounds.

"Was there something you wanted me to see?" Negi asked. Nekane chuckled.

"Not something. SomeONE." Nekane said. Negi glared on, more confused than before. But then, he heard a young voice call out to him. He looked down the stairs to see, hurrying up as fast as she could, Carol.

"Carol? Is...Is that really you?" Negi gasped. Carol waved to Negi, hurrying up the stairs and meeting Negi in a hug.

"Negi! It's me! I finally made it!" Carol laughed. As Negi looked on at her, his gaze soon turned to Nekane.

"Well, you invited ME to come spend Christmas with you. So...I decided to invite Carol to come too. But I planned it differently so it would be a "surprise" this way." Nekane chuckled. Negi lightly smiled.

"That is you after all Nekane. You did like to surprise people." Negi said. Nekane smiled, thanking Carol for coming out. Carol smiled.

"No problem Nekane. You know me. When have I had a Christmas without my cousin Negi?" Carol asked.

"Well, you came at the perfect time of the school year Carol. Tonight is the Mahora Feast, a big special party for all the students of the school. From what I saw, it's going to be fantastic." Negi said. Carol awed with excitement, saying she couldn't wait. Back inside, Gregor was moving around tables. Ayaka was judging their placement from afar.

"No. Not there. A bit more to the right." Ayaka said, watching Gregor move the table "Actually...it looked better over there. Could you...ugh. Not that table. THAT one!" Gregor growled softly.

"You know...never forget that I can take my sword here and chop that blabbermouth head of yours clear off!" Gregor snarled. Nearby, Nina and Shade watched, trying to calm and encourage Gregor into keeping his cool.

"I really can't wait for the feast. I have to say that this could be the best Christmas ever." Shade said. Nina smiled.

"I know! And especially since we're "family", you, Gregor and me, this will be great!" Nina chuckled. Gregor eyed the girls from nearby.

"Hey. How come I'M moving tables around and they're sitting over there gossiping like secretaries on a coffee break? I'm a high model battle android, not some robotic maid." Gregor thought. In the kitchen, Yotsuba and Lingshen were helping to prepare different dishes for the feast with Jerrah and Ariella close by, making their own Hanukkah treats to add.

"I doubt any of the students have tried any of our favorites, huh Ariella?" Jerrah asked. Ariella nodded. She mashed potatos to make into potato pancakes as Jerrah fried them. Just then, Wenonah came in with a large apron around her waist and a great big smile on her face.

"Ha ha! Now this is what I like to see! Different communities coming together to make a great feast!" Wenonah chuckled. Professor Takahata grinned.

"I know. I hope the girls are ready for a little "exotic foods" this year." Takahata said. But nearby, he could feel the cold stare from Evangeline.

"Just as long as they AREN'T named by you, Takahata, or are any kind of rancid noodles such as your "World Delicacies"." Evangeline said. Takahata quietly smirked.

"Yes Evangeline. I'm sure I learned that lesson LAST time." he thought. Just then, Ariella noticed something by Evangeline's legs. It was Richie, now a full grown dog in his early years.

"Oh! Is that Richie? He really grew!" Ariella laughed. Evangeline glanced down at the dog.

"Yes. He's been growing. But I'm making sure he's of some "use"...such as a guard dog that keeps nosy Springfields away." Evangeline thought. Out on the kitchen floor, a middle school student was busy sweeping when another high school student, also sweeping, jabbed her in the side with her broom.

"Ow! Hey! Watch it Mindy!" the middle schooler cried. Mindy, the same girl who bullied Rita and Anya, glared at her. Mindy wore a Mahora Academy high school jacket, flashing off her pink hair in a large ponytail.

"Excuse me? What did I ever do to you?" Mindy asked.

"What did you do? You purposely poked me with that broom again!" the student cried. Mindy huffed, saying that was an accident.

"Oh really? How about earlier this week when you "accidentally" tripped me when I was carrying plates to Professor Takahata? We had to get completely brand new ones!" she shouted. She also mentioned the times that Mindy shoved her around, "accidentally" hitting her in gym class and all the annoyances she caused her during lunch.

"To be frank, I dunno WHAT you're talking about." Mindy said. The middle school student growled as Anya came in with Rita.

"You know something? I hate higher grade students like you. You think you're SO top dog!" she cried. Rita gasped.

"Oh no. What's she doing now?" Rita asked. Anya hurried over with Rita, seeing Mindy gathering together with other high school students. Anya asked if Rita knew that girl.

"Yeah. She's from my homeroom class. Her name's Yokiko." Rita said.

"Excuse me? Exactly WHAT did you just say about our grade...twerp?" Mindy asked.

"You heard me! You're a bunch of bullies that think you can just get whatever you want! There's never an end to you! You're rude, lazy and...and...just plain old hags!" Yokiko cried. The high school students scoffed.

"Old hags? At least we're not grubby little trolls that expect things to be handed to them on a silver platter! We WORK for what we have!" Mindy shouted. Yokiko growled, saying that the only thing they ever "worked for" was getting as ugly as they were now. That caused Mindy to snap, grabbing Yokiko by the jacket collar.

"Oh. That's it. I've heard trash before. But YOU. What YOU said REALLY crosses the line! Prepare for a world of hurt you little trash talking troll!" Mindy growled. But as she leaned back to punch her, Asuna stepped in and grabbed Mindy's hand.

"Butt out Asuna!" Mindy shouted.

"Cut it out Mindy! What exactly are you doing? She's a freakin' middle school student for crying out loud!" Asuna shouted. Mindy growled, telling Asuna exactly what Mindy said about her. Unfortunately, other middle school students gathered nearby Yokiko, supporting her as she backed away from Mindy.

"Ugh. I should've known you side with them. Once a middle school student, ALWAYS a middle schooler. You've even got the brains to match one Kagurazaka." Mindy said. Asuna growled, her hair waving with rage in the air.

"What was that you pink haired donkey?" Asuna exclaimed. Negi hurried to step in, trying to settle the arguement. But he was accidentally shoved down by Asuna. When she realized it, Asuna gasped and apologized.

"Oh man! Negi! I'm so sorry! You okay?" Asuna asked. Just as soon as Negi got back up, they both saw a sign of anger burning between the middle and high school students. Each was agreeing with what Mindy and Yokiko said about the other, arguing with each other. But nearby, the rest of Class 2-A looked on.

"Uh oh. This is bad." Madoka muttered. Sakurako and Kakizaki nodded.

"Don't let what I think is gonna happen happen." Fuka said. Fumika nodded.

"Girls, please, calm down. Let's talk this over." Negi said. But suddenly, Setsuna stopped him.

"Setsuna...what are you...?" Asuna asked.

"Sorry professor. But now is NOT the time to butt in. I can tell. Words aren't going to work this time. You'd only get hurt." Setsuna said. Konoka looked on, riddled with fear, as did Makie.

"You know what? I think there should be a rule! Only HIGH SCHOOL students are allowed to attend the Mahora Feast! Vermin like you can go eat alone at the dorms!" Mindy cried. Yokiko snarled.

"Why? You gonna make pigs of yourselves?" Yokiko shouted. Both sides were snarling, flashing sparks of rage between each other. Negi was utterly speechless, totally powerless to stop this fight.

"We don't wanna see YOU anywhere NEAR the feast tonight! Or you're gonna get it!" the students shouted. Mindy and Yokiko then turned to Asuna.

"Uhh...what?" Asuna asked.

"If you side with them, you're a traitor! Got it Asuna? Remind me that I trust YOU to stand up for us!" they both yelled. Asuna gasped. Wenonah and Jerrah watched from the doorway, Ariella trembling behind Wenonah.

"Oh dear. A storm is brewing. And it's name is "hate"." she said.

TO BE CONTINUED...

END OF CHAPTER