Holy crap, this is the third chapter tonight! A new personal best! Anyway, now Atsui and Nodoka are completely alone deep within the shelves of the enormous library. Why in the world has Nodoka pulled Atsui this far away from possible prying eyes? You're about to find out. Oh one last thing, I'm doing the disclaimer now so I don't forget. Disclaimer: Kiba91 does not own Negima or any of its characters. That honor belongs to Ken Akamatsu and his team. I simply own Atsui Dekitane.

We stood there, barely looking at each other for what felt like an eternity, but when I subtly glanced at my watch, I found it's barely been 2 minutes. "U-um, mm, A-Atsui-kun…" I look up at her as I hear her speak for the first time in a good few minutes, taking in her body language. Her arms are held in front of her while her finger touches her lips, she alternates between looking at me and looking away, she almost looks as if she wants to shrink back within herself. "Yes, Nodoka? What's on your mind?" She again alternates between looking at me and looking away. "U-um…I…I just wanted you to know that…I…understand what happened with Yue…" I look at her in utter shock. She understands? She's not here to have various members of the class kill me? I think I need to hear more.

"Well…y-you see, I… I know you never wanted to hurt her…you just wanted to avoid any more pain by letting her go…a-and…and I…I wanted to…thank you for being so kind to her…" So is that all? She wanted to thank me for being kind to Yue and tell me she understands my motives? No…no way this is all. She wouldn't have dragged me on a 20-minute walk into the library just for that. She could've said that when I had first bumped into her. No…there's more. I just need her to tell me. The poor girl looks like she's about to break down if she doesn't. "Thank you for understanding, Nodoka. It actually makes me feel a little better knowing that you do. But…there's a reason why you dragged us all the way here. Please, Nodoka, tell me what's wrong." She looked up at me with I could clearly see was shock, but I could also swear I saw a hint of fear in those eyes of hers before she starts fidgeting.

"Um… Uh-A-Atsui-kun, I… I-I-I just…mmm…I-" I couldn't take anymore at that point. This poor girl looks like she's about to have an emotional breakdown. Before another moment passes, I wrap my arms around her in a warm embrace. "Ah! Uh-ah- w-A-Atsui-k-kun…w-w-what are you…" "Shh… It's ok, Nodoka…just calm down…I can't stand seeing you in so much pain like that…just let yourself calm down and then tell me what's on your mind. Take all the time you need." I can hear the poor girl panting and shaking like a leaf, as though she's about to be assaulted or something. Before long, though, she eventually starts to relax with me, just like I hoped she would. "Mmm…Atsui-kun… you…you feel…so warm…I-I…I feel so safe…mm…" It feels as though every time I hear her voice, she pulls more and more at my heart…in fact, her small, delicate fingers are already gripping at my shirt. And for someone so soft and delicate, she seems to have quite the grip.

I pull back a little, not so I'm letting go, but just so I can look at her more easily. "Ok, Nodoka…can you tell me what's wrong now?" I pause as she looks up at me with those beautiful dark amethyst eyes. There's something about the way that she's looking at me now…it's making my mind almost a complete blank. I ever so hesitantly touch her cheek with my fingers; as expected, her skin is so soft and smooth…it feels delicate, like she could shatter if I'm not careful. "Ah! O-oh…mmmm…" After only a moment to get over what I'm guessing was surprise, she seemed to lean into my hand a little bit. I gently stroke her cheek a little more as I hear her sigh with content. "Mmmm…Atsui-kun…your touch… it's so warm…you're so gentle with me, that I-…I…" My hand slowly and gently moves down to her chin and gently tilts her head up so I can look into her eyes. "What is it, Nodoka? What do you want to say?" She held a small look of surprise when I lifted her head before her eyes melted into an expression that seems vaguely familiar to me, but I can't remember where. "Ah…I…I…" Before we seem to realize it, our faces are slowly nearing each other's, but neither of us made any motion to stop. Another second later, I felt my eyes close and my lips touch hers. They were so soft, delicate and warm…just like her…she tasted sweet like candy, but almost as addictive as morphine.

After a few moments, which really felt like an eternity, we slowly broke apart, looking deep into each other's eyes. She whispered breathlessly, "A-ah…A-Atsui-kun…uh-ah…I…" She suddenly looks down and lays her head on my chest. "Mmm… Atsui-kun…c-could…I-I…y-you…" I wrap my arms around her and hold her close. She has something that she wants to say so badly, I can tell. But she's just so scared…why? Why is she afraid? "I-I…I w-want…to be…with you…f-for a while…" I widen my eyes at what she just said. She wants to be with me for a while? What exactly does that mean? Does she wanna date me, just stay with me for a few hours, what? "What do you mean 'for a while', Nodoka?" She just gripped my shirt more tightly and my arms instinctively held her more tightly. "Just…please… Atsui-kun…j-just…hold me for a while…please…" I can hear her starting to cry as she practically begs me to hold her in my arms. I hold her tightly without hurting her, letting her know that I'm here when she needs me to be. I don't know what this moment will mean for us, but I'm ready for it either way.

Goodness gracious, what is it with me, romance, and drama? And I'm sorry, I know he just broke up with Yue, but I've had a soft spot for shy, adorable ones like Nodoka, and especially Hinata from "Naruto". I'm unsure where I'm going with the story after this. I mean, I just posted chapters 19-21 all in the course of a single night, so I may take a small break to sleep. Look forward to the next chapter with dramatic romance. R&R people! I need reviews!