6) In Matt Oda We Trust

Part 4

Later that afternoon, Ayaka, along with Chizuru, Natsumi, Zazie, Kazumi, and Sayo, were in the halls heading towards Matt's Mystery Club. Kazumi held the flyer that contained the information about Matt's club.

"So we're finally going to meet this Matt Oda…in person," Kazumi said in little excitement.

"Oh, I can't wait to see him," Sayo said with glee. "This will be my first time to meet him. I hope he's not afraid of ghosts."

"Well, let's just hope for one thing that Matt Oda is at the club," Ayaka said in a concerning manner. "I've waited so long for this, and now I'm going to see how special this guy is."

"Well, if the girls said that Matt Oda is a great gentleman, then I think we make the right choice to meet him," Natsumi said with a smile.

"You might be right there, Natsumi," Chizuru responded. "I believe this Matt Oda-san is kind and honest as what the people say."

Zazie nodded in agreement with Chizuru.

"Well, we'll know the truth once we meet him," Ayaka stated. The girls continued to walk down the halls and head toward the Mystery Club.


Meanwhile, at the dean's office, Negi, Matt, and some of the Mystery Club members are gathered discussing the heist of the Crowned Emblem. The dean and other girls are shocked to hear about the emblem that's going to be stolen.

"This is really bad," The dean responded in complete concern. "If those thieves get their hands on that most important item in Mahora, then…" There is a pause from the dean as everyone waited for the anticipation. "…I rather not think about the results. We must do everything we can to prevent that happening."

The girls agree entirely with the dean, but Matt and Negi feel out of place about this emblem.

"Uh…, not to be naïve, but what is so important about this emblem?" Matt questioned.

"Yes, even I'm confused about this artifact you're talking about," Negi followed.

The girls and Dean Konoe turned toward Matt and Negi after hearing the two guys' questions.

"That's right, you two," the dean responded. "You don't know too much about Mahora Academy and the city when you arrived here. You young students seem to know so much about it. Go ahead and explained to them."

The girls nodded to the dean and turned back to Negi and Matt.

Asuna starts talking first and says, "Mahora's Crowned Emblem is the most sacred object in this city. It is the symbol of the town and especially this academy."

"This whole place is usually where men and women are gathered here with honor and respect," Konoka followed.

"The guy who started this academy wanted that idea because he was rich but very kind and generous," Chisame noted. "He and his beloved wife worked together on the project to build Mahora Academy and the city with all the hard workers they gathered."

"The project was a success," Satomi continued to talk, "and many girls from different towns and cities came to the academy and enjoyed their lifetime here."

"To make that moment of success, the project leader wanted to commemorate this academy and the city with a ceremony," Yue explained.

"The ceremony took place here at the center of the academy where every student, men, and women were gathered to watch as the leader makes his speech," Haruna said.

"And when the leader finished his speech, he showed everyone the symbol of peace and harmony of Mahora Academy and the city," Misora followed. "And that is… the one and only… Mahora's Crowned Emblem."

"And ever since that day, people and the students will always remember that symbol is the start of their great success here in Mahora Academy and Mahora City." Mana finished the story.

Matt and Negi looked at each with a curious look on their faces. "An intriguing story there, ladies," Matt responded with his right hand on his chin. "Mahora's symbol of peace and harmony to men and women." Matt then makes a firm look. "Well, we can't let that valuable object fall into the wrong hands. We'll get down to business and catch those thieves once and for all."

The dean smiled, and so did the girls. "That's the spirit, Oda-san," the dean said with a grin. "I'm in your debt that you will succeed and save the day again."

"Thanks, Dean. Just one thing I like to know before we plan our capture on the thieves. Where is the emblem located?"

"I thought you might say that." The dean turns towards the girls. "Ladies, would you be so kind as to show these young men the way."

The girls responded with a nod and show Negi and Matt the way.


About a half-hour later, Negi, Matt, and the girls arrived in a huge hall room. It looked like the hall of fame, but everywhere the two young men looked are many old and historical artifacts from back hundred years ago in the glass storages and stands.

"What is this place?" Matt asked while he is looking around the whole area. "It seems to be part of a museum."

"This whole room is called the Hall of Ancient Mahora History," Satomi stated. "And this is where many artifacts from different eras from Mahora here, being stored and preserved. It's also part of our lecture for the History classes."

"There are many different objects here that contained from the beginning of the Mahora City and Academy to now," Chao followed up and stated.

"Interesting…" Matt responded, "maybe I can learn something from this historic room."

"Me too," Negi followed.

"But for right now, where's the emblem?"

The two men followed the girls to the end of the hall, where a gold pedestal stood. Everyone got close, and there inside in a cubic glass case is a silver plaque with an object on it. That object logo depicts a shield with a Fleur-de-lis inside it, both upward and downward together, with two gold wings on the side. It's big as the size of a human's average hand.

"That's the emblem?" Negi pondered.

"The plaque is just a show, but the object on it is the emblem," Yue noted.

"It looks exactly the same as the city and the academy's logo," Matt commented.

"That's right, Matt-san," Haruna replied. "You see those logos everywhere in Mahora. This emblem and symbol is a reminder of how Mahora started with the men and women living peacefully together since the beginning."

"If this sacred emblem falls into the wrong hands or harm bestows on it…" Nodoka said but makes a pause. "…I don't know what's going to happen to our city and the academy."

Matt makes a pause for a moment and stares at the emblem that's on the plaque. He then spots an inscription just below the emblem on the plaque. He reads it and says it to his buddies…,

"To the people of this city, Mahora, our holy and beautiful home, is where all of us male and female people will together in peace and prosperity. We have been divided by our gender into our groups since the dawn of time. But from this day, month, and year, Mahora will be a place where all people are equal. This emblem is the holy sign of our city that all men and women will live in the glorious light and under the same sun as we learn, play, and create peacefully together. Mahora is the place where wonderful and magical miracles will rise to us all."

Matt takes a breath and calmly exhales. "A place where we live in peace…, and I want that," Matt claimed.

"The man who started this city is the same one who wrote that message on this plaque and his ceremony speech," Setsuna noted.

Matt takes another pause for a moment, and then he makes a firm look. Matt speaks, "Alright everyone, now that we know what the emblem is and where it's located, let's head back to the club and come up with a strategy to ambush those thieves."

Everyone nodded with Matt, and they headed back to Matt's Mystery Club.


In halls where the Mystery Club is located, Ayaka and her friends are walking as the class rep is in an upset mood.

"I can't believe it!" Ayaka shouted, "Of all the unfortunate mishaps, it had to be today."

"What a shame," Natsumi complained. "We found his club, but there was a sign that says, 'closed for the day.' Talk about dumb luck."

"Maaan, I really want to see him again," Kazumi said in disappointment.

"I want to see him too," Sayo followed while floating over Kazumi's head, "but I guess we'll just have to wait for him some other day."

Zazie, who is next to Kazumi and Sayo, makes a depressed look on her face.

"Oh well, ladies," said Chizuru, "I guess will try again next time."

"But there won't be a next time," Ayaka grumped, "because, with my class rep duties and my clubs, I won't be able to get a chance and see this Matthew Oda until I'm available again." Ayaka and her friends reached the front doors of the building as Ayaka is about to open them. "I swear if that Matt Oda hurts my Negi really bad, then I'll–"

But the class rep was interrupted when she bumped into someone after she opened the doors. Ayaka and the other person fell to the ground.

"Ayaka! Are you okay?" Natsumi panicked.

"Ow, yeah, I'm alright," Ayaka responded as she rubs her head.

"Matt, are you alright?" said a boy with a British accent.

Ayaka recognized that voice and looks up. There she sees Negi kneeling next to Matt, who is on the ground rubbing his forehead, with some of Negi's students standing next to the two men. Ayaka blushes a little, and her friends noticed the Negi and Matt too.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Matt responded. He shook his head and looks up to see who he bumped. There he sees Ayaka and the other girls staring at him. Matt begins to shiver, widen his eyes, and start to sweat.

Ayaka stood herself up and makes a calm question, "Excuse me, sir, but who are you?" Matt didn't respond due to his phobia, and Ayaka and the other girls kept staring at him.

But Kazumi grinned the moment she saw Matt's face again. "O.M.G. girls, the moment you all been waiting for is here," Kazumi said gleefully. Ayaka and the rest of the girls looked back at Kazumi, curious about what she meant. "Everyone, meet the one and only, Matthew Oda."

Ayaka and the rest of the girls blinked in surprise and looked back at Matt. They were all surprised to see this young man, who looks average yet generous, right in front of them. Ayaka kept staring at Matt, but the rest of the girls smiled and got closer to him.

"Oh my," said Chizuru with amazement, "So you're the famous Matt Oda we heard so much throughout the whole academy."

"Wow, finally in person," Natsumi said in great happiness. "I can't believe I got to meet you this time."

"He looks so sweet and honest," Sayo commented as her feet were on the ground. "It's just like what everyone said."

"Definitely," Zazie responded with a grin.

Natsumi walks closer to Matt and sticks her hand out to him. "Hey there Matt, how are you doing?" Natsumi asked.

Matt didn't reply, but instead, he crouched himself with his arms on his head and covering his face. He shivered in fright and didn't want to look up. Natsumi got confused until Asuna explains why.

"Uh girls…, if you remember, he has that phobia problem," Asuna mentioned.

Natsumi flinched in realization and stepped back to give Matt some space. "Oh! I'm sorry, Matt-san. I forgot you have that girl phobia of yours."

Matt still shivers in fright until someone touches his left shoulder. He looked up and sees Konoka smiling at him.

"It's okay, Matt-san," said Konoka, "These girls aren't going to harm you. They are our good friends." Konoka lifts Matthew up and onto his feet.

Matt's still shaky, but he looks back at Ayaka, Natsumi, and the rest of the girls as he endures his fear. He slowly sticks his hand out toward the girls for a shake.

"N-n-n-nice to m-meet you-u-uu, ma'am-m-m-ms," Matt said in fear.

Natsumi shook Matt's hand first, "It's nice and pleasant to meet you too, Matt-san. I'm Natsumi Murakami, no. 28 in Negi's 1-A class."

"It's really a pleasure to meet you, Oda-san," said Chizuru as she came up in front of Matt. "I'm Chizuru Naba, no. 21 in Class 1-A."

"Hello, and it's really an honor to meet you, Oda-san," Sayo greeted as she bowed to him. "I'm Sayo Aisaka, no. 1 also in class 1-A. Again, it's nice to meet you."

"And I'm Zazie Rainyday, no. 31 in Class 1-A too." Zazie greeted Matt with a smile.

Matt makes a little smile while he still has his phobia active. "It's nice to meet all of you," said Matt. "The word about me is getting around really fast."

"Well, of course, Matt," said Kazumi as she comes and walks towards him. Matt noticed Kazumi's presence. "After all, I made those great stories about your success in your last cases."

Matt flinched a little to see Kazumi again. "Hey Kazumi, haven't forgotten your face. We met a while ago."

"I'm glad you still remember me."

Then Ayaka walks up to Matt with her little surprise look on her face. "Oh wow, I can't believe I'm meeting you for the first time," Ayaka said calmly. "He does look sweet and honest like everybody said," she thought. She sticks her hand out to Matt, and he responded back with a handshake. "It's very nice to meet you, Matthew Oda-san."

"Likewise," Matt replied.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ayaka Yukihiro, no. 29 from Negi's 1-A class. I'm also the class representative."

"A class representative? That's a big responsibility," Matt noted.

Then Asuna came forth standing next to Matt and says, "Well Blonde, are you impressed to meet Matthew Oda?"

"Impressed? I'm surprised by him," Ayaka replies, "He's like a…a…"

"Gentleman?" said Haruna finishing Ayaka's sentence.

"…Yeah. I thought for sure that he may be an odd person who takes kids for something… bad."

Matt raised his left eyebrow in confusion. "What? No, of course not," Matt replied in surprise mood. "I would never do something like that. A gentleman like me always cares for kids and adults."

"I see…" Ayaka responded calmly.

"Well, I like to chat with you girls more, but we've got a mystery on our hands. And we like to get to the bottom of this very soon. I hope we can talk some other time again and soon."

"Oh, okay… Well, it's nice to meet you for this first time."

"Yeah…, thanks for letting us greet you," Natsumi said. "I think you are really a great person."

"Oh…, uh…, thanks," Matt said shyly.

"C'mon Matt," Chisame interrupted, "we got some crooks to capture." Matt nodded to Chisame.

"Well, see ya later, Ayaka. See ya later, ladies."

Matt, Negi, and the members of the club went inside the building and headed toward Matt's Mystery Club. After that, Ayaka and her friends continued to observe Matt.

"Wow…, I guess I was wrong about Matt," Ayaka said. "He really looks like a nice guy."

"He sure is," Sayo stated. "I hope the next we meet him again, we get to know more about him."

"Absolutely, Sayo," Kazumi responded and winked at her.

"Oh my, my, my…, he certainly is friendly and nice," Chizuru said with delight.

"It's no wonder everyone in our class likes him," Natsumi commented.

Zazie nodded in agreement with Natsumi.

Ayaka almost grinned, but she makes a thought. "Still…, why would they need to be around him so close?" she said curiously.

"Who knows…, but I'm thirsty," said Kazumi.

"C'mon Ayaka," Chizuru called, "let's get ourselves a drink, and we can see Matt Oda-san later."

"Okay girls, let's go," Ayaka replied.

Ayaka and her friends walked away and headed toward the streets of the city to find a juice bar.


As time passed and it was late afternoon, Matt, Negi, and the members are finishing up discussing the plan of capturing the thieves inside the club. Matt showed everyone on his chalkboard the last steps to apprehend the criminals.

"…Once we surrounded them, we have the advantage to capture the crooks and save the emblem in one piece," Matt stated his plan. "It's simple as pie if the plan goes smoothly. We'll call the police, turn the crooks in, and Mahora's emblem is saved. Sound good?"

Everyone entirely agrees, knowing that Matt's brilliant plan will be a success.

"It's a good plan, Matt," Fei Ku complemented. "Those thieves won't stand a chance."

"As long as we play our cards right, then capturing them will be a walk in the park," Satomi noted.

Everyone is ready for action…, except Matt Oda noticed that Asuna was spacing out and thinking something.

"Hey Asuna, penny for your thoughts?" Matt called out to her.

Matt got Asuna's attention, and she looks back at him. "Oh, sorry… It's just… I'm thinking about something about you that's bothering me."

"What is it?"

"It's this Mieko gal, I'm thinking. You get shaky when you hear that name. What is it about her?"

Her question got attracted to the whole club and got them curious. They all looked back at Matt and wondered the same thing.

"I wonder about that too," Konoka said curiously. "You acted timidly when you hear that name."

"I noticed that too," Setsuna stated. "Why is that? What's your deal with her?"

"She is the leader of the thieves, so why are you so freaked out about her?" Haruna questioned.

Matt got a little nervous and didn't want to answer, but he thought he would tell the truth…a little. "Well…, let's just say I had a problem with her back in my younger days," Matt stated nervously.

"What kind of problems?" Ako wondered.

"Oh y'know, um…, problems… like not getting along well. That's all."

"That's it? Just an unfriendly meeting?" Yuna said with little confusion.

Matt shook his head and snaps himself out of it. He gives a commanding tone, "Look, let's just focus on protecting the emblem and plan our capture on the thieves tomorrow. Okay?"

The rest of the gang looked at each other for a moment, and then they looked back at Matt.

"Okay, Matt…" Chao responded, "but if there is a problem about this girl you know, inform us."

"I will."

Matt and the gang got their stuff together to close up the club for the night. But Evangeline, the shinzou vampire, kept staring Matt while he isn't looking.

"Master, what's wrong?" Chachamaru asked as she is right beside Eva.

"…I sensed something wrong about Matt," Eva calmly responded. "And I don't think Matt has a problem with an 'unfriendly meeting' with her."