Disclaimer: This is purely fanfiction, anything appearing in here is a homage to the original creators. Mahou Sensei Negima is owned by its creator Ken Akamatsu. Rest of the stuff, except the plot and stuff that you can't relate to, belongs to someone else.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews and support! Hope to hear from all of you!

Poll for Chapter 12 up! Thanks for support in Chapter 11's poll. As I said, the poll will not affect the final destination of the story. Hmm, but I wonder should I make a fanservice for the favorite character?


They sat in silence as the sun slowly made its decent behind the far away hills. While not as breathtaking as the view from the bridge to the library island, the orange glow cast on the city was partially obscured by low autumn clouds. A gentle breeze blew, cool in its caress as he stiffed for a moment as he felt her grip tighten a little more around his arm. Ever since that arranged date, brought upon by a series of "coincidences", Konoka had sat on that bench, not saying a word as she gazed into the distance. Being concerned for his friend, Negi had offered his silent presence to her which she readily accepted. She had held onto his hand as he sat next to her and subsequently slipped her hand around his arm, lightly leaning on his, needy for his support. Negi did not mind to offer what she needed and it was not so bad when a pretty lady like her clung onto his arm.

Minutes passed as they watched the sun set over the horizon and she was finally relaxed enough to lay her head on his shoulder, content in her position. To an outsider, they seemed like a couple enjoying the view and each others' company. "You know, he wasn't that bad," she finally said, breaking the silence. "He's smart, good looking, polite and well mannered."

'Then why are you upset if he were to pursue you?' he wanted to ask, waiting instead to watch her sit up, not taking her eyes off the distance.

"But there's a problem," she sat up and brushed her fingers through her hair, before turning to look him straight in the eye, "I don't think I want to be with him."

Curious. Why?

"It's just…I don't think I will ever love him…" she looked away, "I'm in love with someone else."

That was something he did not expect. The thought was naïve but he thought that she was still single and available as he had never heard her mention that there was anyone in her life. Despite his urge to sate his curiosity, he focused on the topic at hand, "If that's the case, you don't you just decline him if he asks?"

"If only it were that simple." She sighed. "My family had always bore strong ties with the government and royalty, a history that goes back through the ages. Additionally, I'm one of the last available children for this generation," she said factually. "If it's not for love, it can be a marriage of convenience won't it?"

Negi took a moment to fully grasp her situation: The Konoe family was strong politically and financially. Matching with royalty would definitely increase the family standing. It is only logical that this opportunity must not be wasted no matter how romantic the thought of following "true love" may be. "Love is never a consideration is these marriages…if anything, it's more of a bonus."

That was the thing about political marriages for power and influence; it was a hard reality that the feelings for the people involved are not considered though in this case, it would seem that one party seemed keen about it.

"So…" Negi slowly said after a long pause, "what do you plan to do now?"

Konoka stared into the distance for a few moments in thought before standing up with resolution. "Have you been to the University before?"

Negi shook his head, "No, why?"

She grinned and took his hand to pull him up. "Let's go look for Secchan!"


The University was an impressive building of red stone and mortar radiating an invisible aura of accumulated intellect. Within those walls, great minds exchanged ideas, theories were formed and magnificent discoveries were uncovered over the years. As a testament to its long history, pruned vines had creep on the sides of the weathered walls like entrails of growing knowledge reaching for greater heights. Above all, the clock tower stood stoically with silent pride, adding to the sense of grandeur of the place.

In the middle of the courtyard where Negi appreciated his surroundings were markings like a compass, radiating out from the spot where they stood where the words 'Mens sana in corpore sano' were engraved on the rim of the circle. They were waiting for Setsuna. From what Negi gathered, Setsuna was doing a part time degree on biology and this was the first time he would meet her intellectual side.

"Ah, there she is!" Konoka perked with a wide grin.

Negi did a double take when he saw her. She was clad in a typical white lab coat with her hair down which fell to her shoulders and a thick book on top of a laptop in her arm was quite a surprise to him. In addition, she wore a pair of rimless glasses giving the whole ensemble an intelligent vibe which had a unique appeal.

He then noticed a bespectacled man behind her. He was tall, well groomed and was also wearing an unbuttoned lab coat which lightly bellowed with every purposeful step he took. From his posture and with a light upturn of his lips, he seemed comfortable to be around Setsuna. "Secchan, good evening!" Konoka beamed as her friend approached.

Setsuna turned to the unknown man and said a few words to him. The man simply nodded and bade her good night before leaning forward and pecked her on the cheek to which she nervously glanced at her friends but did not pull back. With a quick lingering gaze at Setsuna followed by flashing a friendly smile to Negi and Konoka, he turned and left.

"He did it again, eh?" Konoka teased as Setsuna approached. Setsuna, on her part, went into a deeper shade of red, highlighting the blush that she got from the kiss earlier.

"I told him not to do it," muttered Setsuna who tried to hide her embarrassment while she shifted somewhat awkwardly as Konoka teased animatedly. Negi mused at the contrast of her worry earlier after the date to the relaxed joy of meeting her friend.

Within himself, Negi wondered who that unknown man was. The man had pleasant looks and was evidently intelligent; additionally both Setsuna and he were approximately the same age. His behavior with Setsuna shows his relation to her might be more than just mere friends…

However, Setsuna never mentioned about him or any other men before; why though? Of course, it was perfectly normal for another man in her life, after all it has been eight years where things change. Konoka seemed to be taking it well, as if it was common knowledge but neither of them mentioned about that man. So who was he?

Though even if they were together, it was none of his business...was it? And what is this uncomfortable feeling in his heart?

Snapping out of his thoughts, Negi realized that he had drifted off. Konoka's teasing had taken a serious tone as she told Setsuna of her date with the prince. "He seems like a nice person. But…" Setsuna was sympathetic. The slight upturn of her lips conveyed her thoughts on that matter which said that she understands the predicament of her friend. "Ojou-sama, I think the prince sounds like a nice person. Maybe if you just talked to him…"

"But he seemed so determined and grandpa might just force it on me." Konoka sighed with an arm across her chest and a finger tapping pensively on her chin, "We may have to speak to dad soon."

From the corner of his eye, Negi could have sworn she flicked a glance at him. Setsuna seemed to contemplate for a moment, "Yes; that may be the best course of action."

"Eh, is there something I'm missing here?" Negi finally remarked, not wanting to be kept in the dark. He watched as Konoka's grin widened while Setsuna nodded approvingly.

"Negi-kun, do you have any plans for the beginning of the year end holidays?" He replied 'No' with an inkling of what comes next, "Would you like to visit Kyoto? I'm sure dad would like to see you again!"


They ended up in a simple eatery having a nice dinner together. It was a cosy place of soft lights, comfortable seats and an atmosphere conducive for light chatting over a meal accompanied with glasses of wine. Negi ordered a portion of lamb stew which Setsuna went along with it while Konoka got a garden salad. Though there was a feeling of simple pleasure of having dinner together, Negi cannot help but feel caught into something...Perhaps he could find a way to get more infomation out of them. At this point of thime, though, he was sittimg with the ladies who were reminiscing about the times of their youth in Konoka's home estate.

"Remember the time when we got lost in the woods?" Konoka said , as she pressed her fork into her salad, "the woods that Otou-san warned of foxes? May be we can visit there again now that we are older. Perhaps we can meet Mo-chan again!"

'Mo-chan?" Negi enquired.

"We had chased a butterfly into the woods," Setsuna explained, "and Konoe-osama was right about the warnings of foxes in the area when we found an injured kit on the trail. Ojou-sama had named it Mokoto"

"Secchan tore a sleeve to bandage her!" Konoka beamed at her friend. "She was so amazing to know what to do!"

Setsuna blushed, "Ojpu-sama was the one who insisted on healing it, I just offered to do what I can."

"I'm sure it's grateful for what you did," Negi appraised them.

"But Otou-san was really upset for disobeying him, wasn't he? He wanted up to clean the whole courtyard!" Konoka then bashfully picked at her meal, "Secchan, you didn't have to take the responsibility for everything…it was my idea, you just came along."

Setsuna responded by looking down shyly, "If it's for you, " she meet Konoka's eyes, "I would do it again"

Negi watched as a special moment passed between the two friends, appreciating the deep connection between both of them. He finally raised his glass, "Well, here's to both of you, for being courageous and compassionate. May you meet Mokoto-chan again and hopefully, she remembers your graciousness!"

Dinner passed and they planned to return to their residences.

Being a gentleman, Negi volunteered to walk them home and bid them good night. By the time he made his way back, it was already late; the lamp lit streets were deserted. It was then he realized he had forgotten to mention to Setsuna about their morning flight. Perhaps if they chance upon each other again, he can discuss about it with her.

He was not a stranger to walking alone at night but he had a feeling that he was watched. He paused in his tracks and making a quick glanced around. All was quiet… a little too quiet. Now that he paused to look around, he noticed the atmosphere seemed suspicious as it felt chillier than usual...

As he searched for anything out of the ordinary, he did a double take when he thought he saw a familiar figure standing next to a tree only to find it gone by the time he refocus his view.

Cautious but not paranoid enough to investigate, he continue on his way, alert and ready to spring into action till that uneasy feeling passed.

Unbeknown to him, if he had investigated, he would find the spot where the figure stood cold and frozen.


In another part of school, in the room within the student dormitories, a certain girl was humming a tune as she flicked through an album, admiring the subject and candidness of each picture. She paused at times to lightly stroke a favored picture affectionately. When she finally reached the end, she took a stack of new photos and slotted them in the album. When it was finally done, she looked over her handiwork and giggled girlishly at a picture of him pulled around by the princess. "Negi-sen-sei," she drew out his name sweetly, gently closing the album.

She picked up a hair bush and started to brush her hair. Soon, it would grow long, just the way he will like it. All was going to plan. Soon, she will be the perfect girl for him, she mused as she brushed her hair which was growing to the length that he seem to like; just like the many girls he had went on dates with.


A/N: I know this chapter is a little short... but good things come to those who wait ^_^ Hope to hear from you!