4) The Murderer in the Woods

Part 3

Later that night, at the girls' dormitory and in Asuna and Konoka's room, Asuna washed herself up, Konoka prepared for dinner, and Negi checked his books and folders from his class along with Chamo. Matt found a mirror and looks at himself seeing that he is still covered with mud.

"Man, do I look like I dirty muddy dog," Matt said in revulsion.

"You sure are," Asuna commented. "Why don't you just take a bath then?"

"Well, there's the problem. You see, when I first arrived and moved into this room, I've been searching for the shower so I can clean and wash up. But I couldn't find it."

Chamo raised one of his eyebrows. "Wait a minute," he spoke up, "how are you able to keep yourself clean these last few days if you don't know where the bath and showers are?"

Matt looked to the side and scratches his head using his right index finger. "Eh… well… I don't like to blurt this out loud, but…" Matt's face turned a little bit red. "I used a small towel and the hand soap on the bathroom's counter to clean myself every night."

"GAH!" Everyone's jaws dropped, and their eyes widen.

"I'm sorry to surprise you all, but that was the only way to keep myself clean if I have no idea where the showers or bathtubs are."

"Well, that explains why so many towels are in the laundry basket," Konoka said in an awkward mood.

Asuna stepped forward to Matt and says in little embarrassment, "Why didn't you tell us that you have no idea where the bathtubs or showers are? You won't find them in this room."

Matt made a little shock and was confused. "Then, where are the showers and bathtubs? I could really use a good warm shower right now."

"Calm down Matt, and don't panic. First, get your new clothes for you to change. I'll get some shampoo and soap."

Matt heard Asuna, and he digs through his luggage bag and grabs a clean shirt, pants, briefs, and a pair of socks. Asuna got two bottles of bath soap, shampoo and conditioner, and grabbed a towel and a basin with a soap bar inside it. She went to Matt Oda as she saw him standing with his new clean clothes in his arms.

"Alright Matt, you ready?" Asuna asked, and Matt nodded. "Follow me."

The two exited out of the room and Matt followed Asuna down the halls.


A few minutes later, Asuna and Matt arrived at a girls' locker room. Matt felt a little embarrassed, entering a girls' room.

"Uh Asuna," Matt asked in his uncomfortable state, "Why are we in a girls' locker room?"

"Don't worry, Matt." Asuna calmly replies to Matt, "Just beyond those glass doors is where you can take your bath." The two reached the other end of the locker room and the encountered glass doors. Asuna opened them, and both she and Matt went through. "Well…here you go." Asuna said showing Matt the scenery.

Matt's jaw dropped a little of what he witnessed. The whole area around him had a giant bathtub that's big as an indoor swimming pool. The giant bathhouse also contained bubbling tubs on the second floor and showerheads right next to the doors and the giant bathtub.

"This bathhouse is really huge," said Matt in a big surprise mood.

"I figured you would react like that," Asuna said. "Yeah, the truth is Matt, this bathhouse is shared by all the girls in this dormitory."

"Don't the girls feel a bit uneasy if you all took a bath together in the buff?"

"Not at all. I know you're a gentleman from another country. But here in Mahora Academy Japan, this a community bathhouse, and we don't mind at all."

Matt's face turned a little bit red again and looks down at his dirty shoes. "Huh, Mahora Academy sure is… something."

"There are the showers you wanted," Asuna stated and pointed. "I'll be on the lookout to make sure nobody else is coming." Asuna gave Matt the basin that contains the shampoo, the conditioner, and the bar of soap. "I'll hold on to your clean clothes."

Matt gave Asuna the new clothes to wear. "Thank you Asuna, I won't take long." Matt went around the wall that contains a row of showerheads. Each has its cold and hot handle. He took off his clothes and tossed them on the side. He turns and adjusts the handles at the right temperature of the water spraying out of the nozzle. When the water's right, Matt grabbed the shampoo and conditioner, and he washes meticulously.

Asuna, on the other side of the shower wall, laid her back up against it and still watches for any incoming people.

"Hey, Matt?" Asuna called to him.

"Yeah, Asuna?" Matt replied while washing his hair.

"Tell me, what's America like?"

Matt opened his left eye a little. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, you came from the U.S.A., and I want to know what is it like in that country? The people, the food, cities, everything."

Matt takes the shower head and rinses his back. "Well, America is a populated and famous country. There are all sorts of people, food, and types of environmental cities and places in the nation. I came from the western part of the U.S.A. of the state of California. There are other states as well that include different people and food. Like cowboys, Barbeque, Italians, Mexicans, tacos, spaghetti, pizza, and of course Japanese people and food. The whole nation is a mixture of different things from other countries."

"Really?" Asuna said in a surprise mood. "How come?"

"I don't know if you took American History lessons, but the reason why long ago when America was discovered and declared for their own nation, many people from different countries come to America in search of better jobs, homes, and especially freedom."

"Wow…"

"No doubt Asuna. That's why my parents moved to America in the first place."

"Sounds like America might be a good place to visit one day."

"Well, when we have the chance, you might like it when we travel there." Matt turned off the shower and put the showerhead on the hook. Matt grabbed the towel that was hanging on the wall and dries himself. "Asuna, can you pass me my clothes?"

"Yeah sure," Asuna replied as she grabbed Matt's new clothes. "Here you go."

"Thanks." Matt grabbed his new clothes and puts them on. He stepped out from behind the shower wall as he was wearing a red and white striped T-shirt, long dark blue pants, and brown slip-on shoes. In his left hand, he had his white tennis shoes that are wet when he washed the mud off of it, and the basin in his right hand. He gave back the basin with the bath detergent products inside to Asuna. Matt picked up his dirty clothes and the two exited the bathhouse.

On the way back to their room. Asuna makes a question to Matt, "Matt, I'm a bit scared about that killer in the woods. Why would someone do something so vicious without no reason."

Matt made a firm and concerned look on his face. "I don't know Asuna," Matt replied, "But we are getting to the bottom of this dangerous mystery even if it's the last thing we do." Matt looked back at Asuna, feeling that she is a bit scared to get murdered by this unknown killer. Matt patted her shoulder to cheer her up. "It's alright, Asuna. As long as we stick and work together, I'm really sure that the killer will never stop us." Asuna smiled at Matt's honest and smiled face.


The next day at Negi's class, Negi just finished his lecture, and every student gathered up their books and writing utensils. While Negi was erasing what he has written on the board, a thought came to his mind. "Who in the world would ever do such a terrible thing? Could it be one of the evil magicians that Evangeline warned me about? If so, I must protect my students… I mean my partners… at all costs."

Just then, Negi felt something patted on his left shoulder. Negi made a small jolt and turned around to see who it is. Stood right in front of Negi is the proficient sharpshooter Mana Tatsumiya.

"Tatsumiya-san," Negi responded, "is there something I can do for you?"

"Yes, Negi-sensei," She replied. "Would it be possible if you let me see this Matthew Oda in person?"

Negi blinked in surprise, but he's not the only one. Some of the girls in the class and the members of the club also heard what Mana said to Negi. Natsumi, Makie, Akira, Sayo, Kazumi, Misora, and even Ayaka got their attention to Negi and Mana.

"What's the reason to see him?" Negi asked.

"I need his help for this certain mission I'm working on," Mana replied. "He might be useful if he is on my side." Mana then pulled a folded paper from her blue jacket's pocket and unfolded it to show Negi a flyer of Matt's Mystery Club. "I just received this flyer two days ago, and it stated that this Matt Oda is willing to solve any kind of mystery."

"You want to see him?" Asuna asked as she, Setsuna, Konoka, Chisame, and the librarians walk up to Mana Tatsumiya.

"That's very rare for you to see someone to aid your secret job," Setsuna commented.

"I've been on this certain mission for quite some time, and it's been rough so far," Mana stated to Negi and a few members of the club.

Negi puts down the chalkboard eraser and grins at Mana. "Sure thing Mana," Negi said with a grin. "We're just on our way to see him as well." Negi grabbed his books, and he, Mana, and the club members exited the room heading straight to Matt's club.

Ayaka, with a concerned look on her face, kept staring Negi and Mana as they left the classroom. Chizuru Naba got close to Ayaka. "Ara Ara, even Mana is interested in this Matt Oda guy," Chizuru said.

"Indeed," Ayaka replied. "Just who is this Matt Oda that we heard so much about?"


At the English Department in the hallways, Negi and the members guided Mana to the room that has Matt's Mystery Club. When they arrived at the door's club, Negi knocked on the door. "Come in," Matt called from inside the room. Negi opened the door, and the gang stepped inside. There they saw Matt with a washcloth in his hand cleaning the dust off from the bookshelves.

Asuna stepped forward a little bit towards Matt. "Matt, there's someone who wants to see you," Asuna said.

"Just give me one second," Matt responded as he cleans the last shelf on the bottom. Matt puts the washcloth in a bucket half-full of warm soapy water, and then he takes a towel to dry the water off the shelves. After that, he puts the towel on one of the chairs and uses his arm to wipe off the sweat from his forehead.

Matt then turns to the group and speaks, "Okay, so who is it that needs to see m–"

Matt blinked and widen his eyes when he sees Mana staring at him. But her demon eyes were a little bit scary that when Matt saw her eyes, he begins to shake and breathe heavily. Mana kept staring at Matt making him even more scared. Matt couldn't hold it, and he swiftly hid behind the podium. Mana is a little bit confused, but Negi and the members of the club sweatdropped. Asuna and Chisame walked up to the scared Matt.

"It's alright, Matt," Asuna cheered him up. "Mana's our friend and classmate."

"She may be tall," Chisame continued, "but she really is a good person."

Matt lifts his head up and looks both at Asuna and Chisame's faces with their gentle and honest faces. After a few seconds of silence, Matt slowly stood up and turns towards Mana. He slowly walks to her with his trembling hands and sweaty head. Matt sticks his shaky hand out to Mana.

"H-H-H-Hi there, miss," Matt said in his frightening mood. "I-I-I'm Matthew O-Oda. Call m-me Matt fo-o-or short-t."

Mana shook Matt's trembling hand and smiles at him. "Hello there," Mana greeted. "I'm Mana Tatsumiya, no. 18 in class 1-A, Negi's class." Mana crosses her arms and begins to stare Matt in a definite thought. "You look so honest and kind, for a young man who has a fear of girls."

"I assume you heard that Matt has this gynophobia from the news and reports," Yue said to Mana.

"Precisely, but I didn't come here to chat with Matt because he's been famous for the news." Mana turns to Matt. "I came here because I need his help."

Matt blinked and speaks again, "Oh, you must have got one of the flyers of my club."

"Sure indeed," Mana replied as she showed Matt the flyer about Matt's club. She then gives Matt the report. "Three days ago, I was doing some patrolling in the woods around the academy when I suddenly heard a man screaming. I went to investigate the sound, but when I arrived, the man was dead covered with severe cuts and blood." Mana closed her eyes to remember and visualize everything she has encountered during her patrol. "But he wasn't the only one. A couple more people, another man and a young teen girl, were killed during the process of my patrolling." She opened her eyes and stares at Matt with a firm look. "I'm on the job to track this killer in the woods, and I need your help to do it."

Matt jolt in surprise and blinked his eyes. "Hey, you're so fortunate because my members and I are in the same case too."

"Well, that's really convenient."

"We are just about to leave the room and head to Kuyoku Forest to track down the murderer. You are welcome to join us, Mana."

"I appreciate that Matt Oda." she patted on Matt's left shoulder.

"Before we leave, where are the other members anyway?"

Chisame replies first to Matt, "Satomi and Chao got to do an experiment in the lab for a science assignment, and Satsuki needs to do some cooking in the cafeteria."

"Eva and Chachamaru went to the tea ceremony club, but they say they will meet you again tomorrow." Haruna followed up.

"I see…" Matt said, rubbing his chin. "That's alright. This is enough members today to investigate the woods again." Matt grabbed the keys to the club. "Alright, let's head to the forest."


It was in no matter of time the gang entered and proceeded deep into Kuyoku Forest being careful and on the lookout for the killer. They all searched high and low for the killer, but all they could see are the thick trunks of the trees and bushes.

"I'm getting a little bit… scared," Nodoka said timidly.

"Don't worry Nodoka," Matt responded to her, "I said this before, and I'll say it again. As long we are close together that killer won't–"

"HEY-A MATT!" The twins shouted, popping out from a bush.

"GAAHHH!" Matt screamed and jumped high into the air as he grasped a tree's branch with his whole body hanging under it. He was shaking so much like he is shivering from a blizzard. "Don't do that, Narutaki twins! You know I'm still a bit scared of girls."

"Sorry about that Matt," Fuka replies in regret to him.

"We forgot about that," Fumika followed in grief.

"Oh look, it's Matthew Oda." said a girly voice not far from the group and the twins. Incoming were Fei Ku and Kaede walking towards the gang. Fei Ku made the call.

"Hey girls," Negi calls out to Kaede and Fei Ku, "What are you doing here again with the twins?"

"Like always," Fei Ku replied, "We're training in tip-top shape."

Matt let goes from the branch and landed on his feet. He then wipes himself to clear off the dust from his clothes. "Well, you gotta be careful here in this forest," Matt says to the girls. "We're still on the hunt of tracking down that killer."

"You are still going on that murdering case?" Fuka wondered.

"We have to," Negi says to the twins. "It is our only way to protect the citizens here at Mahora, and we will not stop until we apprehend this maniacal fiend."

"Wow, you guys are really brave," Fumika claimed.

"Well, we're cautious as well," Chisame stated.

Then at that moment, Kaede and Mana saw each other's faces and both grinned.

"Oh Mana, nice to see you-degozaru," Kaede said.

"You too," Mana replied.

"What brings you here in this forest?"

"Same as Matt's, we're trying to find that killer."

Matt looked back and forth at Kaede and Mana, and he begins to ponder. "You two friends?" Matt asked.

"Just good old fighting buddies," Mana replied to Matt.

"She's absolutely right-degozaru," Kaede responded.

"I see," Matt said with his arms crossed, "I can tell you two look strong and well-coordinated with each other."

Suddenly there was a rustle from the bushes. Fei Ku and Kaede sensed and turned toward the sound. Everyone wondered what the two girls were looking at. "What is it?" Matt asked. Kaede shushed Matt as she was trying to see carefully of what's coming out from the bushes. The noise got louder as it was coming closer to the group. Then someone popped out from the bush.

It was a thin man who looked about 60 years old. He has a thick, dark, and gray mustache and a beard with the length to the base of his neck. He had wrinkles on his cheeks, and his eyes were a bit baggy. He had has black hair with a bald spot at the top of his head. He is wearing a brown and ragged overcoat jacket with six buttons, three on each side.

Everyone got a little chill and wondered what the man was doing here in the forest. The man stares at the group for awhile, and then he made a mean look. "Get out!" he called to them. Everyone twitched a little. "Get out of here, or you're in deep trouble." The group didn't understand why, but they stepped back a little. "Get out! GET OUT!" He yelled and got closer to them until his whole body appeared in front of the group. Everyone then made a terrifying look when they saw what is in the man's hand: an ax.

Without any stalling, Matt calls a retreat to the team, "Let's just do what he says everyone."

"But Matt," Haruna asked. "What about the–"

"Don't worry. For right now, let's leave. This guy is scaring me right now."

And everyone did as the team walked away from the man who is staring coldly at the group. The gang never looked back as they tried to find the exit of the forest.

On their way out, a thought came to Matt's mind. "He really seemed aggressive, like he didn't want us to be in his territory," he thought.

"Y'know Matt," Mana calls to him. "I think he may be the murderer we've been looking for."

"What's gives you that idea, Mana?" Konoka asked.

"He acted mean and vicious, and with those clothes he's wearing, I would say he's the one who's been killing those innocents victims these last few days."

"Perhaps Mana," Matt said, "but something's not right."

"What do you mean-degozaru?" Kaede asked.

"Why would a man just kill these victims without any reasoning. And should he be feeling guilty of what he has done to those poor victims."

"Perhaps he was crazy," Yue stated to Matt. "Mental illness, a psycho, probably the reason why he would kill them."

"Yeah, not to mention that he has that terrifying ax he has in his hands," Fuka noted.

"I know," Fumika said as she shivers. "Scary…"

"Well, whatever the reason or what that man is doing, we'll check on him tomorrow," Matt said to the gang. "Look." Matt pointed to the sky as it was in a red-gold color. "The sun is about to set, and we better get out this forest before it gets too dark and that scary man might come back to get us."

Everyone agreed as they walked through the forest and exited the place. They arrived outside of the forest and the hill of the World Tree. They reached the top of the hill and see the view of Mahora Academy.

Matt turns to his members, "Since tomorrow is a Saturday, let's meet together again at the Mystery Club and start our search first thing in the morning."

"A good idea Matt," Setsuna stated. "That way we have more daylight for us to search for that killer."

"Exactly. Well everyone, let's head back to the dorm."

Everyone agreed and started walking down the hill of the World Tree, except the twins stopped Negi from proceeding. Negi turns around to see the twins holding his arms. They both had their worried looks.

"Is something wrong?" Negi asked.

"Negi-sensei… can we help out?" Fuka asked. Negi pondered with one of his eyebrows lifted.

"Negi-sensei, we like to help out to capture that killer," Fumika said.

"But… I don't…" Negi said as he is troubled and worried.

"Don't worry," Kaede explained. "We got their backs, Fei Ku and I, and you too."

"Yeah, if anything happens to them, we'll cover for them." Fei Ku stated.

"We're not kids anymore!" Fuka shouted and complained.

"Yeah, we're big and brave enough to handle a killer," Fumika followed. "Besides, we're high school students."

The twins turned around and stared at Negi with their wide and sparkling eyes. "Pleeeaaasee?" the twins said with their huge begging eyes.

Negi wasn't sure, and he paused a moment. He then turns to the twins with a firm look. "Alright, but you might want to tell this to Matt Oda. I'll show you where his club is tomorrow."

The twins smiled and stood up towards Negi. "We will Negi-sensei." The twins happily said in unison.

"And we'll come along too to catch this killer-degozaru," Kaede said to Negi.

"You can count on that!" Fei Ku exclaimed.