Hey everyone! Now that that stuff in the past couple of chapters is out of the way, I thought I'd get into the nitty-gritty of what comes after that. I live for writing the aftermath of stuff like that than writing that stuff, and it continues onto this chapter.

Also, there's going to be a bit of fun with Haruna with Yuki's mother. I can't wait for you to read this!

Chapter Twenty: Universal-In-Laws

Yuki's parents didn't stay for long at my parents' place. They wanted to be closer to Yuki and spend more time with him. I don't blame them.

They wanted to get to know him more as a boy- at least his father did.

His mother wanted to get to know me more. Now that her only daughter was now a man, she was very excited to have me as a daughter-in-law. After all these years, Yuki and I were now a couple. She was keen on knowing the details, so she and I went out to have dinner following a long day at school.

Dressed in a white summer dress and large, white hat with a pink flower-like bow, she met with me outside this Italian style restaurant. I wore a loose periwinkle blue dress and tan flats. Along with my tan purse and the light makeup on my face. Not to also mention that I decided to rock an awesome ponytail!

"Good afternoon Haruna," she said, beaming at me. "Let's go inside and get settled!"

In reality I'm quite nervous about being there with her. She is after all, my future mother-in-law. Although, she did not appear to be strict at all. Mom called me to tell me about their experience together, and to be honest I think it's because of my mother's occupation where they couldn't really get along.

We took our seats at a table with walls filled with a 360 design of Bergamo, Italy. Tables were outdoorsy and were decorated with candles and clear glasses with gardenia flowers. Fancy with a twist.

As soon as we made our orders, we began to talk.

"I can see why my Yuki chose you," she said with a smile. Was she really trying to be nice or did she have a hidden agenda? "And I've done my research on this world. Magic exists am I correct?"

Jaw dropping, I nodded. "Yeah! How do you know?"

"Your professor walks around with a staff."

"Professor Negi?"

"Yes. The boy teacher. Was he the one who turned my Yuki into the handsome man that he is?"

"No. We have a classmate that specializes in such skills."

Out of nowhere, Chachamaru's voice sounded from behind me. "Forgive my intrusion, but Haruna-san, milady would like to speak with you once you are available."

I turned around to look at her. "Sure."

She then walked away.

"We were talking about a classmate doing magic?" Yuki's Mom continued.

I nodded. "Yes! That was just her servant."

"Servant?"

"My classmate is a vampire, but legend has it she was magically turned into one and not bitten."

Yuki's Mom crossed her arms. "Fascinating! See, this is why my husband and I had to come here. We wanted to see for ourselves. Especially after learning that my Yuki still had children with another woman after becoming a man. Of course it's scientifically possible in our universe, but yours is way behind ours when it comes to artificial human reproduction. At least thanks to the gifts of your friends."

There we go. Talking about science. Yuki warned me about her getting into the matter, because once she began talking about it, it was all she would talk about.

At least she wasn't trying to pry into my life to criticize me.

Covering the side of her mouth, she hissed "Magic!" before lowering her hand again. As the waitress showed up with our orders, she clapped her hands in excitement. "Oh! Such lovely dishes!"

We ate. It tasted great, but the conversation that followed after we left the restaurant and took our time together to that same park where Yuki fought Kaito! I wish I did not have to hear it!

"So I heard you've been sleeping with my son," she began as we sat together on a park bench. "Don't worry. I'm not mad. His hormones have obviously been altered to that of a young male, but please know that if he forced you into it, I'll-"

"I started it," I confessed, expecting to be scolded on how stupid I probably was. He was so tempting though! And all those years of imagining it! I just had to have the real thing once and for all!

Okay. Bring it on. The pissed-off mother-in-law waiting to happen.

Yuki's mother did not budge. "I'm quite impressed. You're just like me when I was engaged to Yuki's father. That's how he entered our universe!"

My eyes widened. "What!?"

Nearby doves flew away. A couple passerby looked in our direction. The wind blew the smell of the clean yet algae scattered river into my nose.

Nothing prepared me for what I had just heard. My mother-in-law revealed that we somehow acted alike in a way. Of all ways, that way! No wonder she didn't talk badly about my mother! They were similar!

"Your mother tells me that she's very open with you when it comes to the discussion of sex," Yuki's mother continued on. "At least you were smarter than me. Making sure you carried that condom on you and all!"

She's just like my mother!

Now we know why there wasn't any fighting between the Kubos and Saotomes! Next scene!

Yuki's parents went back to stay at my parents' place for a few more days. I did talk to him here and there, but he was busy training and preparing for whenever Kaito showed up. He did brief his father on the situation, but they were confident that he'd be the one to take that guy out.

I spent the next week in class focusing on the lessons. English and literature were my strong points with straight A's in every assignment. Anything to keep my mind off of what my future mother-in-law and I had spoken about.

Lunch break was okay of course. Usual rumors and crazy stuff going on. Ako apparently has a guy she's seeing. Then some "major hottie" all the girls are talking about arose from under their radar. There was a freak accident in gym class where he used his shirt to stop someone from bleeding profusely and apparently the girls couldn't stop talking about his muscles.

With the cell phone images he's really not as good as Yuki. His wavy jet-black hair was barely in regulations and all over the place as well. At least Yuki had the decency to keep his hair short and straight. No matter how much he looked as though he should be the next big pop star or supermodel.

Kazumi already sensed the biggest scoop on him, so she gave me a tip to find out anything about him as we were heading to lunch Wednesday afternoon.

"I need to go see Yuki," I told her. "Besides, he needs to know before I go around finding scoops on gu-"

As I said it, that same damn guy ran up the hall past us and tripped on a full bucket, slid down a wet floor, and went headfirst into the side of a hallway trash bin. Kazumi and I carefully hurried over to him, and I was the first to reach him. As he lay out, spread-eagled on the wet hallway floor, he did not budge.

Instead of raising her camera, Kazumi quickly moved to lift him up by one arm. A serious look on her face as she caught my eye. "We need to get him to the infirmary! Haruna, this is our cue!"

And we did just that. To the infirmary we went. Ako was quick to have us move him to a bed.

"Yuki must've rubbed off on you!" Ako said, jokingly tapping Kazumi in the shoulder with a fist. "I didn't know you can lift men!"

Kazumi blushed. "Trust me. I've been training in the event Yuki's enemy came back. I think we all have."

My face fell. Kazumi training? Instead of pulling out her camera, she assisted in bringing an unconscious man to the infirmary? That right there is a scoop of it's own!

"But that was years ago!" Ako said. "Anyway, I'll be the one to keep an eye on him. Since Professor Negi has me on strict book reading in the afternoons so I can focus more time on my chosen profession!"

Ako now wants to be someone like Shizuna-sensei, but in a hospital.

Yuki barreled in. "Haru, Kazumi, are you alright? I heard Masayoshi over there nearly knocked you over!"

"Where do you think he was running to anyway?" Kazumi asked, shooting me a look. "Saotome, looks like you're going to need to assist me in some research."

Yuki snorted jokingly, winking at Ako. "I know where he was running to. Haruna, Kazumi, if you don't mind, let's go have lunch together. We can do take it out to World Tree and talk about something."

Kazumi shot him a look and pointed to herself in surprise. "Why me?"

"You'll see!" I told her, smiling. Then I looked over to Ako. "He's all yours!"

Whenever Yuki winks at a particular person, it involves them. As his fiancé that's one thing I picked up from him over the years. Ako likes Masayoshi. She was blushing as we left, taking his hand into hers and awaiting the moment that he awoke.

As we left he infirmary, Kazumi continued to look all puzzled as Yuki and I smiled. Ghost Sayo even showed up. Much to my surprise.

"Eva-chan will meet us at World Tree," she said. "Hope you don't mind Kazumi, but I had to help Yuki with this."

"With what!?" Kazumi was now incredulous.

Hmmm…this is going to be fun.

We took our lunch by the tree. Ate by the tree. Finished up our lunch. Talked about life and even how Yuki and I had similar mothers in a way. Just without all the sex talk of course.

"I'm glad to know the in-laws are getting along!" Kazumi said. "Now, what's the deal with me being here? Is this a big scoop?"

"You can say that," Evangeline said, crossing her arms as Chachamaru sat by her, emotionless. "She originally asked me, but to be honest, I'd rather just sit back and enjoy the show. Speaking of which, they're holding their wedding ceremony out here!"

Kazumi's jaw dropped. "Out here?"

"I want to do it for my childhood friend," Yuki said. "It would mean a lot to her."

"And it would mean a lot for Eva-chan to be able to be present as well," I added. "She did a lot for Yuki while he stayed here."

Sayo looked at us with glee. "Such a lovely plan!"

"But where do I come in with this?" Kazumi asked. "I'm obviously a photographer if that's what you're talking about!"

"Actually," Yuki said, hand behind his head and elbow up with a nervous smile, "Haru and I were wondering if you would do us the honor of being…our maid of honor."

"Professor Negi is going to be the best man," I added. "And Asuna's one of the bridesmaids along with Konoka, Yue, and Nodoka."

Kazumi squealed with delight. "I'd love to!"

As she did that, I shot a now nervous Yuki a look. Prior to this plan, we made a bet. If Kazumi said no and did her scoop and photos, he won. However, she was all about this, so I won.

Well, unfortunately you're going to have to wait for that until later. I have something else that's going on.

The rest of school went without a hitch. Until I overheard something troubling from Sakurako and Natsumi.

"Did you hear?" Sakurako told her. "Shizuna-sensei is out today. Ako didn't realize this until right before lunch."
"Yeah," Natsumi added, "and Masayoshi had to be brought in. I hear he never returned to class."

Yuki and I were busy talking about the lesson as I overheard this. He was in the middle of explaining the chemical combustion of gasoline as it went through an engine when Kazumi approached us. A look of worry was on her face.

"Haruna," she told me, "you don't mind if you and Yuki go to the infirmary and check on Masayoshi will you? People have been pestering me like crazy to get word out that he's okay and not seriously injured."

Yuki shot me a look. "Haru, I hope you don't mind, but I'll do this alone. You can wait for me at Eva-chan's. She wants to talk to you in private anyway."

I looked over to where Evangeline was sitting. Sure enough, she was sitting there, looking in my direction and returning the thumbs up that my fiancé gave her. Chachamaru firmly nodded in my direction.

This is going to get interesting.

I'm used to Eva-chan's log cabin anymore. Every single weekend that I had the chance, I'd sleep over. Obviously so Yuki wouldn't be alone. Nodoka and Yue were together as friends despite the fact they both liked Professor Negi.

He's Asuna's though.

Ayaka would stop by and see how things were going on the weekends. To ensure none of us were up to any mischief. Nodoka and Yue would use my extra pillows to look like I was there. A skill which surprised me when Nodoka showed me.

Evangeline knelt across the kotatsu from me, arms crossed and eyeing me as Chachamaru silently knelt beside her. Both of them appear to be all business today. As usual.

"I can't believe that this is going to be the final year that I get to spend hosting you two over here!" Evangeline said with her typical English voice. "Chachamaru, it feels like it was just yesterday that I agreed to house Yuki since he came from another universe."

"Master," Chachamaru asked, "I've always wondered, why exactly did you decide to host him? And grant his wish to become a man?"

"He impressed me as soon as I got a glimpse of him. When I initially met him in that infirmary, I could easily tell that he was hiding something. Soon after, he began to display his hidden talent. His supernatural powers that were bestowed upon him from his ancestors in his universe.

"Learning that he arrived in a ship already had me curious. And from what the Robotics and Jet Propulsion gathered regarding his obviously inaccurate ship, he would be stuck here and need some form of assistance. I have already grown used to being confined to school grounds, but to be confined to a universe other than my own, I'd probably go mad."

Chachamaru was the next to speak. "So that's why. Haruna, please know that we did not intend on you getting involved."

"But the two of you eventually fell in love with each other," Evangeline quipped, smiling. "No one could have seen that. I honestly thought he'd be yet another body to form a pactio with the professor."

Chachamaru went red. "Two guys…"

I snickered. "I'd laugh if he did that."

Someone knocked on the door. Chachamaru got up and answered it. I turned to see whom it was, only to drop my jaw in shock at the sight of Satomi and Chao. They gave me a rather uneasy look as they joined us at the kotatsu.

Sitting back down, Chachamaru nodded to Evangeline.

"The two of you had something you needed to tell her?" Evangeline continued. "Chao?"

"Yuki's parents fixed the ship for us," Satomi told me. Her eyes now concerned. "I don't know why, but they did it."

"They didn't have to," Chao said, even more worried than before. "It has already been planned that Yuki would stay here with us. Not to ever return to his universe."

"Because he has me," I remarked. "He's not going anywhere. Even with a fixed ship."

"They also reprogrammed it to travel to the exact universe and time now," Satomi added. "Apparently the algorithm and the digital coding must have been completely off."

They were talking in that "scientific genius gibberish" again. Yuki called it that a lot. Mainly because his parents would talk about work at the dinner table a little too much. He didn't care during his pre-teen years and I know why.

That was when he started crushing on his late best friend.

Noticing my boredom, Evangeline cut the subject short. "Ladies, as much as you're intrigued with the scientific stuff, please understand that Yuki isn't here yet!"

So then we got into another conversation. Evangeline and Chachamaru talking about their affinity for some good Japanese tea. They talked about the history and such. Much to the boredom of our science-loving friends of course!

Yuki's arrival took us straight out of it as soon as he arrived. As soon as the front door flung open, he stepped in, but his face was frozen. Mortified.

"About time you got home boy!" Evangeline snarled. "Chachamaru and I have been entertaining your guests for the past hour!" Realizing the look on his face, she cooled off a bit. "I bet you have a damn good explanation based on that face of yours. Maybe you can get your mind off whatever it is and listen to these two so we can get them home before dark."

He nodded then joined us at the kotatsu, kneeling beside me. Six of us to the table. Satomi and Chao filling Yuki in on what happened with his machine. Telling him that he was free to go home if he wanted to. A conversation that lasted a mere fifteen minutes.

"No!" he objected. "I'm not leaving Haru. I'm obviously meant to stay here, and I don't know what my parents are playing at. I am not going to return to my universe. Not in this state."

Evangeline evilly smiled and crossed her arms. "You know boy, I can turn you back into a girl if that's what you like."

"No way!" he immediately replied. "I'm not going back to that state!"

Satomi nudged Chao. "Well Yuki, I'm glad you chose to stay. Now Chao, didn't you say there was that homing device we needed to work on? For one of Chachamaru's weapons?"

Evangeline looked at Chachamaru. "What kind of weapons?"

"Bullets Milady," the robot replied without any facial expression. "For future use in the event Kaito challenges us again."

"He is the revengeful type," Chao said, shooting Yuki and I a warning look. "That one time he nearly took out Library Island is bad enough. You two better prepare for when he returns, because I doubt he'd go back to where he came from."

Yuki firmly nodded as I grabbed his hand. "I'll be ready."

"We all will be," Evangeline said, eyes narrowing. "That imbecile is a mere joke to me!"