"Asuma-san? Are you alright?"
"Uh? Eh yeah, I'm good. It's just," he reached a hand to touch the back of his head, "it feels so weird not having long hair anymore, Nodoka-san."
Asuna wasn't able to get over what Ayaka had done to her: cutting her hair and then demanding a date. She had avoided the blond like the plague after she ran out of homeroom, even to the extent of skipping the next class. Out of all the things! A date! Who wants an apology like that! Any sane person would have kicked my ass! They would have had me arrested for sexual harassment! Then Asuna chuckled when she recalled the look of horror that Ayaka had as a boy lifted her skirt to show her underwear to everyone. Serves that Blondie right! Cutting my hair that took so long to grow out. . .
A frown crept across his face. But even after I embarrassed Ayaka that much, she still wants to be near me? What is she? Some sort of masochist?
The boy was sitting on the stairs at the end of a hallway with Nodoka sitting behind him two steps higher. When Asuma had ran out of the room, Nodoka had seen that scared baby deer again and, of course, because of the girl's nature, she had quickly followed after him.
Right now, she was attempting to repair Asuna's botched hair.
"Don't worry, Asuma-san, I'll fix it up really nice. Although, I will miss your beautiful long hair." The girl was snipping at the hair of the boy's neck with scissors. "Um, you want it short or a bit long?" She paused cutting to hear his reply.
After slowly letting out a long, depressed sigh, he hunched his shoulders inward. "Just do whatever looks the best on me, Nodoka-san." The girl resumed her cutting. "You sure know a lot about hair, Nodoka-san. I'm surprised."
"Ah, yes, I have read all about hair and the different styles one can do." The scissors paused. "Plus. . . I- I have to help Paru-chan sometimes as well."
"With what?"
"With. . . with her disguises."
"Disguises? Like Natsumi's costumes?"
"Not quite."
Asuma turned around to stare at Nodoka, almost getting stabbed in the face by her scissors. "What do you mean 'not quite'? What would a girl be doing with guy clothes?"
Nodoka looked at him with surprised embarrassment. She pulled her scissors away from his face and put her knees together to avoid showing her underwear to the boy. "She- she likes 'researching' for her manga, and well, sometimes she goes into the 'field' to get a 'different point of view'."
"'Different point of view'? What does she do? Does she hike up a mountain to change the scenery?"
"Um, no, that's not what I mean. You see, the clothes you borrowed yesterday, they were. . ." She paused. "They were part of a special cross-dressing project Paru-chan was doing and I- I had to style her hair so that it could look convincing."
"CROSS-DRESSING?"
"Asuma-san, please don't yell." She blushed as she nervously glanced around. "Someone could overhear you. We aren't supposed to be out during class time"
"Sorry, I just didn't know any of this." Asuna turned away to let Nodoka continue cutting. "I mean, I've known Haruna for a while now and I had no idea she had such. . . interesting hobbies." Makes sense though. Only Haruna would be into something like that. He shivered unconsciously when he remembered what happened yesterday. So weird. . .
"A day isn't a very long time, Asuma-san." The snipping of her scissors started again. Nodoka smiled to herself. "You would be surprised to learn how many strange hobbies Paru-chan has." His head tilted a bit at her sentence. "Some very unconventional ones."
"WHAT!" Something inside tells me to avoid Haruna at all costs. . .
Nodoka laughed softy. "You have the funniest reactions, Asuma-san." The sound coming from her scissors ceased. "All done!" She ran a hand through his hair, brushing away any stray locks that may have gotten stuck in it. "From the back it looks really good."
"Uh, thanks." He stood up dusting some hair from his uniform. "Maybe we should go back to class already." He offered a hand to the girl. She stared back at him with wide eyes. "Huh, you okay, Honya-chan?"
"I think I may have fixed your hair too well, Asuma-san." Blushing, she looked away when she realized the meaning of her statement. "I- I- I mean you look very nice." She stood up. "It's best if we hurry now."
"Ah, wait. Nodoka-san." He grabbed her arm as she started to turn around. "I just want to thank you for everything you've done for me. You've helped me more than you know and I really appreciate that, even though. . . we did have that embarrassing moment yesterday. . ." He blushed when he recalled the memory, then got redder when he noticed how flustered Nodoka was. "It's alright! What happened yesterday was an accident, I know that. So please don't worry, Nodoka." There was a soft smile on the boy's face as he said these words. Who could ever stay mad at Honya-chan? "Please forget about it and thank you again for all your kind help."
"Ah- ah- I- you're welcome!" Nodoka swayed slightly disoriented by Asuma's smile. My head! My heart! Everything is acting weird! She spun around, stepping quickly up the stairs. In her haste, her foot missed a step, sending her face-forward into the hard cement stairs.
"Nodoka!" Asuna had reacted too slow when she saw Nodoka falling. It had been too late when her hand made a grab for Nodoka's blazer. "Nodoka! Are you alright!" She helped up the stunned girl. "Nodoka!"
"Ah, Asuma-san. Thank you." Nodoka paused and followed his gaze when she saw him looking down at her hand. "Oh. This isn't so good." The was a bloody gash in her palm where she had been carrying her scissors. "I must have fallen on my scissors. Huh, but strangely," She smiled up at Asuma, "I don't feel anything."
"What the hell you talking about! You're bleeding, stupid! How can you be so calm!" Nodoka smiled when she heard the slight panic in his voice. "We- we need to get you to the nurse's! Come on let's go!" He started tugging her in the direction of the nurse's office. "Damn, Nodoka! Walk faster!"
The girl stumbled when Asuma tried to make her run. "Wait, please! Asuma-san, you're too fast! I can't-!" Her words were cut off when Asuma picked her up bridal style. "Ah! Asuma-san! T- T- This isn't necessary!"
"Shut up." The air rushed past Nodoka's face as he raced to the nurse's office. "Your hand is bleeding a lot. I don't care if you tell me it doesn't hurt. To me, that is one scary-looking cut."
Nodoka snuggled closer to his chest. He's so nice like Negi-sensei, but at the same time, she allowed her gaze to travel to Asuma's worried face.
He's so different. . .
"Hey Ayaka-chan!"
"What!" Ayaka was impatiently tapping her pencil against her desk as the history teacher tried to teach their class. The class representative quickly lowered her voice when the teacher looked at her. "What is it Chizuru-san?"
"Everyone wants to know why you asked the boy out! Do you like him?" Chizuru clapped her hands above her large chest as Ayaka tried to shush her roommate back into her seat. "Everyone wants to know but is too afraid to ask!"
At this, most of the girls of class 3-A formed a tight circle around her. "HEY! Let me out! We are in the middle of class! This is not permitted!" Ayaka stood up but was forced to sat back down when she saw no exit. "Come on! This isn't fair!"
"You cut Asuma-kun's hair! Don't bring justice in here, Iincho!" There were nods and plenty of 'yeps' at Yuuna's comment.
This is all too pathetic. Chisame was watching the bunch that were harassing the blond class rep. Why can't we ever have a normal day? She sat back in her seat, staring at the pencil in her hand. I can't believed what that idiot did. She flicked her pencil. To think I spent last night with that pervert! She crushed the pencil in her grip, breaking it neatly in two. She didn't like the feeling that was slowly growing inside her. When she woke up hearing Asuma say that last night was 'something', the strange feeling, which she thought she had killed, resurrected with full force. Of course, it was undeniable that she had fun last night, the most fun she'd had in weeks, but now, after having seen him on top of Ayaka, her stomach twisted in disgust at the mere thought of that memory. I will not allow myself to feel anything but irritation and dislike towards that carrot-top!
"Very nice face, girl." Chisame's head shot up in the direction of the voice. "Although, it would be more convincing if you weren't such a powerless kitten."
Chisame's head swerved away irritated. "What do you want, McDowell?"
"The boy is interesting, no?" Evangeline A.K. McDowell smirked. "No one else may have seen it but I did: that pissed off look on your face when you yelled at him. And then you even threw your shoe at that fool." She waited for Chisame's reaction but was disappointed when Chisame didn't glance back at her. "Whatever. Lie to yourself all you want." She flipped her hair as Chisame turned to stare at Evangeline with her mouth wide open. "Chacha wanted to ask you if you would still be joining her this afternoon. Of course, the metal bucket was too shy to ask you personally."
"Uh, yeah, yeah." Chisame leaned around Evangeline to look at Chachmaru Karakuri, Evangeline's personal, robotic servant. "I'll be there." The robot nodded her reply.
With a loud sigh, Chisame bent forward in her seat to rest her head on the desk. She frowned in annoyance when she saw the mini vampire still standing near her. "What? I thought that was it."
Evangeline's mouth twisted into an amused smile. "You know the boy isn't normal." Her smile became wider as she saw how Chisame's body stiffened. "You should work fast before something happens to him." With that, she walked away from the girl, leaving her confused. What is that supposed to mean! Is she planning on doing something to Carrot-top?
Evangeline felt the girl stare a hole into her back as she walked back to her seat behind Chachamaru.
"Chacha."
"Yes, master."
"Before you meet up with that girl, I want you to escort me somewhere." Evangeline sat back down then unconsciously bit her thumb. I'll be damn if the old man is planning something with that brat's woman and I don't find out about it! How dare he! He thought that the great Dark Evangel couldn't sense his magic in that Asuna's body! Evangeline bit her thumb harder. I almost did miss it. I would have missed it completely if it hadn't been for that lust spell reeking off her. What kind of sick agenda does that old man have planned? Although, I do wonder if I'm the only one who has figured out? She glanced at Setsuna. The birdwoman seems to be very agitated but, other than that, no one appears to be bothered. She glanced at Mana Tatsumiya, who appeared to be sleeping at her desk. I wonder if she sensed it as well. Suddenly, Mana's eyes flashed open and she turned to stare at Evangeline. The vampire sneered back. Maybe she did, I wouldn't doubt it.
"Young ladies, please!" Evangeline looked at the old, jittery history teacher attempting to calm the class. Stupid fool, he'll never get anywhere when these little girls are so wound up. Then again he was never a capable teacher. . . "Please, we must get back to the curriculum!"
"Hey! Want to go out and find him?" Evangeline eyes moved to the person who made the suggestion. Hm, Ku Fei?
"Yeah! Let's go!" Of course, Akashi Yuuna. . .
"Come on! To the hunt!" Interesting, Kakizaki Misa? She saw the girl run past the distressed teacher and out the door, quickly followed by a hyper Sakurako dragging along Madoka.
For a long quiet moment, all the girls looked at each other and then at the door. Suddenly, everyone was scrabbling through the only way out, shoving and climbing over each other trying to be the first outside.
"Idiots." Evangeline looked around the empty room at the people who were left. Hasegawa Chisame, Tatsumiya Mana, Rainyday Zazie, Hakase Satomi, Yotsuba Satsuki. . . No one I am surprised to see who stayed. "Are you five just going to let the new meat get eaten by everyone else?" The first three ignored Evangeline, but Satsuki Yotsuba, smiled.
Let the new boy rest, yes? I am sure he has a lot on his plate right now. With everyone wanting to befriend him, he must be tired. She arranged her books on her desk. We will all have a chance to become friends, we just have to be patient.
Satomi Hakase, pushed up her glasses with her index finger. "I have no need to 'get to know' such a character. I prefer to use my time wisely and effectively." Yeah right, hiding in your laboratory with all your experiments.
Evangeline stood up. "Chachamaru, lets go. I want to go meet that someone now since we have time to waste." The blond girl glanced at Chisame before exiting the room. She was pleasantly surprised when she saw Chisame glaring at her as she swiftly stood up.
"Asuma-san! Calm down, please!"
"How the hell are you expecting me to calm down? Honya-chan has blood gushing out her hand!" The boy looked at the nurse then at her assistant. "She's gonna be fine right!"
"Asuma-san." Ako Izumi, reached for a towel that was being warmed in a heater and handed it to him. "Put this around your neck. It'll help with the stress, well, I think it will. It always helps me. . ."
"Thank you, Ako-chan." Asuma put the warm towel around his neck. "It feels kinda nice. . . wait! What are you talking about! I'm not stressed!" He jumped to Nodoka when the nurse finally turned away from her. "You good, Honya-chan? How does your hand feel?" He put a hand to her forehand. "Your head feeling fine?"
Nodoka blushed. "Yes, yes, Asuma-san. I feel good. My hand stings a little but I'll live."
"You can go back to class now, Nodoka-san. Just be careful not to push yourself too much." Ako neatly piled some bandages. "It's a good thing only your left hand was wounded. Imagine having to write when your right hand hurts." The girl reorganized the materials she had used back into the cabinet. "But, I'm sure you'll be fine with such a nice guy looking after you." She smiled at the boy.
"Ah, um, yeah." The boy stammered in embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his head. "I was just worried that's all." He then unexpectedly beamed brightly at Ako. "Thank you, Ako for helping Nodoka-san and keeping me calm."
It took a while for the girl to find her words. "Oh, yes, you're very welcome! Although, I failed in keeping you calm. There was so much blood. . ." Ako shivered, "I even made you clean up most of it. I'm so sorry. . ."
"Nonsense! Who knows how wild I would've got if you hadn't been here. So I guess we helped each other out." He turned back to Nodoka to help her up. "Alright let's get outta here."
"O- Okay. Bye Izumi-san." Asuna held the door open for Nodoka. "Ah, thank you!"
"You know, Honya-chan, I've gotten to know you better these two days." He smiled as he stepped through the door. "It's like all the crazy stuff that has happened to me almost seems worth getting to hang out with you."
They walked down the hall in silence as Nodoka tried to gather her scrambled thoughts and Asuna smiled idly to herself. They both paused when someone called out to them. "Asuma-san! Nodoka-san!"
"Negi!"
"Negi-sensei."
Their young teacher came running to them. "I'm glad you are both alright! I was worried when you two left the classroom so suddenly." He paused to catch his breath. "I was looking everywhere for you, Asuma-san. How are you doing?"
Asuma shrugged. "I've been better but still, I guess I can't complain." The worried expression on Negi's face held it's place. "I'm really fine, Negi." The younger boy still wasn't convinced. "How about we talk later, huh, Neg?"
Apparently satisfied, Negi nodded. "Okay, but I suggest you two hurry to your classes now. Third period is about to start. I don't want you two missing anymore classes." He gave them his most authoritative glare, which ended up being cute instead.
"Ha, Negi! Alright, we won't miss another stupid class, but shouldn't you be. . . Hey," Asuna tilted her head, "you seen Chamo? It feels like I haven't seen that rat in like forever."
"Nodoka! Negi!" Haruna and Yue came sprinting towards the group.
"Asuma-san." Haruna walked slowly up to the boy, who backed up unconsciously, causing a hurtful expression to appear on the girl's face. "About what I did yesterday, I really wasn't thinking." She blushed, gazing down at the floor in shame. "My mind sorta blanked out, like how in mangas, the main character loses it and forgets all the crazy stuff they did, except I remember what I did." Her eyes suddenly widened as a wide grin spread on her lips. "Have you been having this effect on other girls as well, Asuma-kun?" She glanced up at Asuna then at Nodoka, who quickly broke eye contact. "What-"
"HEY! THERE HE IS!" A group of girls came running toward the people standing outside the nurse's office. "It's that new kid!"
"What is this?" Asuna took an unconscious step back. "Are they talking about me?"
"Oh no." Nodoka glanced from the orange-haired boy to the oncoming herd of females. "I think you should probably run-"
All at once, the girls were on top of Asuna, knocking her to the floor and smothering her. She felt the girls touching her everywhere then someone sat on her waist. When she looked up her heart froze. "MISA-CHAN!"
"Good afternoon, Asuma-kun~!" Her hands moved to the front of Asuma's uniform jacket. "We are going to have a ton of fun today~!" The rest of the girls followed her lead, sitting around them in a tight circle and keeping Negi and the others away. Asuma glanced wildly around at the faces surrounding him, noticing those of Sakurako and even Madoka in the bunch.
"B- B- But WHY? You already have a boyfriend, MISA!"
"There's just something about you, Asuma-kun! Something. . ." she stroked his now bare chest with one finger, "there's something about you that makes me feel all crazy inside~!" She grabbed his shoulders with both her hands, pinned him to the floor and lowered her face down to kiss his neck.
"AH! NO NO NO! STOP!"
Negi glanced at the group of girls, unable to get past the four who blocked his path. "Please, girls! Remove yourselves, NOW! I am a teacher and this behavior is unacceptable!" He struggled to keep his voice from sounding hysterical. "Please! Stop this madness!"
"HEY!" Haruna shoved one of the girls back. "What gives you guys the right to sexually harass Asuma-kun without me!"
'Haruna-san!"
"Paru-chan!"
Haruna smiled sheepishly. "I was just kidding!" She then glared defiantly at the human barrier blocking their way to her screaming classmate. "Now move the hell out of our way or I'll kick your asses!"
"Oh yeah?" A girl with short, brown hair stepped in front of Haruna. "I'd like to see you try, four-eyes!" She grinned when Haruna let out a low growl. "Saotome Haruna. I've heard of you. You're famous all over campus for that magical-girl manga you draw. . . and for the perverted manga you do on the side." The brunette's grin became challenging. "This is the perfect opportunity to get some juicy experience. Why don't you stop trying to act cool and we'll let you in on the fun?"
"Ah, very tempting indeed. . ." Haruna rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she looked around at her friends. They actually seemed like they believed that she would take the brunette's offer. "AS IF I'LL SHARE MY PET WITH ANYONE ELSE!" She jumped the girl and a heated hair-pulling, nail-scratching battle began.
Has everyone gone mad! Negi glanced desperately from the now fighting Haruna to the bunch ganged up on Asuna, not knowing what to do. What should I do! What can I do! I can't use magic or else all these girl might see me! And, as a teacher, I can't fight students! What if I hurt them? Yue's whisper broke him out of his confused, mental dilemma.
"Asuma-san looks like he needs help, nh? Would using magic be acceptable in this situation, Negi-sensei?"
Negi glanced with dismay at Yue then down the hall. "I'll- I'll go get Takamichi! He can handle this types of situations right?" The redhead ran before any of the girls could respond to him.
"I wonder what should we do, huh, Nodoka?" Yue's eyes moved from the scene to her friend. They showed some surprise at the tears that were beginning to form in her eyes, so in an attempt to distract Nodoka, she changed the subject or at least she tried to. "Doesn't Asuma-san look awfully like Asuna? I mean they have the same exact personalities and even the same rivalries. The only thing that's different is their gender. . ." Yue stopped talking when tears started to fall down Nodoka's face. I totally fail at comforting. . .
"I think I'll go help Negi-sensei find Takahata-sensei!"
"Nodoka!" Yue stepped forward to follow Nodoka when Asuma suddenly broke out of the mob wearing only his boxers. She managed to catch his despairing gaze before the girls overtook him again. How strange. He even has that same look Asuna gets when Negi-sensei unintentionally humiliates her in front of Takahata-sensei. I never would have thought I'd see that same expression anywhere else. Something in Yue buzz with uncertainty. Could there be a deeper connection between the two? Even with the assumption that he is her twin brother, the similarities between Asuma-san and Asuna-san are just too much, not even Fuuka-san and Fumika-san are that alike. Yue continued to stare at the group in which Asuma disappeared into.
Why do I have that feeling that something strange is going on here. . .