Chapter Thirty-Eight
A Gentleman's Surprise
The class was bustling with activity, as it always did before the start of lessons. Everyone was in their own little groups, huddles dotted about here and there. The Library Trio chatting nonchalantly about something or other, probably regarding books, Chizuru and Natsumi idly talking with Zazie as to what really happened at the World Tree that weekend. In the corner, stood Mana, surveying everything with her usual emotionless stare. Surprisingly, Evangeline and Chachamaru were also there, sitting in their usual seats at the back, coldly refusing to meet anyone's look. Outside, Kaede sighed as she stood in the hallway, listening to everything happening inside.
"So Kaede…" said Sakurako suddenly, appearing next to her. "What's this the twins have been telling us then?"
"Yes, what all this about you and Luke?" added Misa, grinning impishly, also exiting the classroom discreetly.
Both girls were taken aback by the kunoichi's smile. "Well, what have they been telling you, de gozaru?"
The cheerleaders shared a glance, before Madoka (who'd joined them from the class) finally answered. "It appears that you two…made out," she finished quietly, making sure no one heard her.
Kaede's trademark smile was all the answer they received to their question.
"Y-you mean…?" started Madoka, her eyes growing slightly wide.
"No way. Not you, not him. No way," denied Misa, shaking her head slightly in disbelief.
"They did make a cute couple on that picture though, remember? Before you," she pointed at the ninja, "and that boy tricked us in to thinking you both had died!"
Kaede chuckled slightly. "You deserved that for believing those crazed rumors, de gozaru."
"Only now, it isn't a rumor, is it?" asked Misa, sidling up next to the taller girl. They weren't going to spread something like this without being cautious. The whole rumor/death incident had taught them that much, at Asakura's and Haruna's expense to be honest, but still.
"Maybe, maybe not," replied Kaede, still smiling. Where was the fun in revealing it just like that? It wasn't often she got a chance to tease others in her class, so she might as well enjoy it…
"Miss Nagase," someone said next to her. Her face betrayed a look of surprise as she recognized the voice. A quick glance at the expressions of the cheerleaders faces, staring at someone behind her, open mouthed, eyes wide, almost confirmed her suspicions. The fact which made her doubtful was the almost awe struck look in the trio's eyes. And Luke, at the end of the day, wasn't that awe inspiring…she thought, turning around to face him.
On second thought…
"What?" asked the blonde youth, glancing from Miss Nagase's face to the Mahora Cheerleading trio. "Something wrong?"
Kaede shook her negative, whilst the Cheerleaders, still wide eyed, simply stared. The blonde youth was, surprisingly, wearing something other than his usual worn, and frankly, tattered clothes. He was now clad in a pair of jeans, and a pristine white shirt contrasted sharply with the black jacket he was also wearing. His blonde hair was markedly longer now as well, with several strands falling over his left eye, which he kept brushing out of the way.
Can hardly force Miss Nagase to hang out with someone who looks like they can barely afford to survive Luke remembered Mr. Izashima commenting, and being forced to agree after checking himself out in the mirror. Although, now, standing in front of rumor central and his…friend? Crush? Heck, what is she now anyways?!
Luke felt himself growing slightly red. Aw damn…why did I let him talk me into this? It's never going to work…well, at least the cheerleaders are slightly red too…
Wait, what?! He looked at the trio again, noting how their faces had certain…flushed look to them? Erm…hmm, well, wasn't expecting that…
Clearing his throat, he held something out to the ninja. "Sorry for interrupting, but you left this behind," he said, holding out an envelope. The kunoichi took it automatically, still staring.
"Well…erm….I'd better be, you know, going," he coughed politely, before turning away and walking off, feeling his face burning. It took all his self restraint to prevent himself from breaking into a sprint and running all the way back to Izashima's shop.
The four girls watched him go, staring at his back until he rounded a corner. Then, slowly, they all looked at the envelope.
"K-kaede?" stammered Misa, still red. "What is it?"
"I…don't know de gozaru," she replied, slightly confused. She carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a letter. "What the…?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she read the letter.
Misa leaned over and quickly skimmed read the paper in the taller girl's hands. Her eyes went even wider then before she burst into a fit of giggles.
"What is it…?" started Sakurako, then caught sight of what was written. Her eyes went wide as well and she looked at Misa. No way! she mouthed. Yes way! mouthed back Misa, her eyes sparkling with merriment.
"What's going on?" asked Madoka, catching the silent exchange happen behind Kaede's shoulders.
"Luke just asked Kaede out on a date," answered Sakurako, smiling widely.
"Just like an English gentleman would," added Misa, indicating the letter. "And it's to our little celebration, no less!"
Madoka looked at her friends before sighing. "Well, then I suppose he accepted the invitation then."
Sudden footsteps echoed down the corridor, heralding Negi Springfield's arrival. The cheerleaders shared one last glance before going back into the class, dismayed at being forced to withhold this groundbreaking piece of gossip until break at the earliest. Kaede followed them in, putting the invitation into her pocket, still slightly stunned by Luke's bold move. Suddenly, she broke out into a smile. He'd taken her by surprise yet again, which was one of the things she enjoyed. Out of all the people she knew, only Luke could honestly surprise her again and again, and himself too.
The door slid shut behind them as Negi rounded the corner, Chamo perched on his shoulder, anxiously whispering into the boy's ear.
"This is no good big bro! Even I've searched for information using the mage-net, and nothing! Luke does not exist at this point in time!"
Negi froze. Chamo realized what he had just said.
"Chamo, you're a genius!" breathed the child prodigy.
"Indeed I am," replied the ermine, pulling out a victory cigarette to celebrate his great idea, playing along to Negi's expectations of him.
"But then that would mean he'd need a Cassiopeia…" continued Negi, trailing off as he froze in his tracks. And groaned.
The ermine chuckled slightly. "It's his watch, isn't it?"
"Chamo, this is bad! Last time we had a time traveler here….well, it did not go too well!"
"Whoa, wait a minute here Negi, nothing's definite as far as that guy is concerned, he might not be some sort of crazed time mage to watch out for!"
"Wait, since when are you the voice of reason?" asked the ten year old incredulously, shelving his suspicions for an after school talk with Takamichi. For now, he had a class to teach.
Luke was now sprinting flat out through Mahora, back to Izashima's shop. His breath came in short ragged gasps. He hadn't run like this in ages. The last time was…
Ah, that's right. Library Island. Up a LOT of stairs. And then… He blotted out that particular memory. When it came down to it, it was humiliating to say the least. He'd over reacted in a massive way, and had almost killed himself too. If not for that angel…
He froze suddenly, and groaned as he slapped his forehead.
Oh God no, I forgot to thank her!
He stood still for a second, before simply resolving to thank her as soon as he got the chance. For now though, he had to get back to Izashima's and have a nice long chat. Why?
Girls looking at him flushed + Izashima giving him a drink before he left + certain story he heard from Professor Springfield regarding magical mishapsMeddling.
Luke closed his eyes as he resumed his venture back to the shop, this time walking at a brisk pace. That old man meddles far too much he thought with a smile. Shame he thought I needed a hint of love potion to pull it off though…