6) In Matt Oda We Trust

Part 7

Late that night, everyone is in the dean's office talking about the event that happened at the heist. Everyone, Negi, the dean, and the members, stared at Matt, depressed and worried. Professor Takahata is also included in the room as he also stared at Matt.

"Matthew," Yue called to him, "How did that Anita woman start your phobia?"

"Yeah, I'm kind of curious," Ako followed up. "I thought it was the girls back in your young days that they were teasing you because you were the oddball out."

Matt didn't respond for a few seconds, but then he sighed and speaks up. "I told you everyone that I was afraid of girls when I was young back in my elementary and high school days," he said. "But that was only the half of it."

"The 'half' of it?" Konoka said curiously.

"What's the other half?" Sayo asked.

Matt sighed again. "Let me tell you the whole truth." Everyone started to listen to Matt's story. "It really started when I was in first grade…"


Me and two of my best friends were out on lunch, walking around on the playground campus. Every student was having fun playing until something caught my eye. There next to a large tree are a few students about my age who were troubled and bullied by Anita Mieko, who was in sixth grade. I saw with my own eyes that Anita took one of the student's backpacks and hung it over his head to try to grab it back.

The kid tried hard to retrieve his backpack again, and then he ordered, "Give it back! It's mine!"

But Anita replied, "You want it?" and then she threw the backpack up into the tree, and it hung on a branch. "Go and get it!" she said.

The kid cried so loudly that it made me so sad for the kid and mad at Anita. My two best friends were thinking of contacting one of the playground security adults for help, but I… foolishly made a rash move. My friends saw me walking towards Anita as I was in my angry state. They panicked and quickly try to find an adult for help.

Anita kept laughing evilly at the poor students until I showed up next to her. "Hey!" I yelled her, and she got my attention, "Why don't you pick someone your own size you, you jerk!"

Anita only made a mean look on me and says, "It's none of your business, so get lost, you pipsqueak."

I was so mad about that last comment, and that's when… I messed up. I spotted a small rock on a dirt hill, grabbed it, and… stupidly…

Everyone in the dean's room waited for the anticipation of the next part of Matt's story

threw the rock right to the back of her head.

Everyone in the room blinked and flinched in surprise.

After she got hit on the head, she rubbed it and felt the bump on it. To make matters worse, that attack left a scratch, and it bled. She slowly turned around towards me with a hideous and horrifying evil look on me. She then walked towards me and leaned her head on me.

"You… are… going… to… pay… for that." She growled.

I didn't reply back a word, but I gave an angry look at her.

She then snapped.

She quickly grabbed my arms and did the Cobra Twist on me. I screamed in terrible pain, and the kids who were first bullied watch me in that scary sight. It was so crushing it felt like my bones are going to break.

I thought I would die until my friends, thank heavenly, showed up with one of the playground security people. The adult stopped Anita's rage on me and took her to the office for an escort.

But before she took off, she gave me a scary comment, "You haven't seen the last of me, you rat. I'll get you! I'll get you! I'm going to be your worst nightmare!" When she was gone, I thought she was kidding, but that was wishful thinking.

A few days later, after that scary moment, I was sent out to deliver a letter to another teacher. But out of the shadows, I was grabbed by surprise. I looked up, and they're right in front of me is Anita giving the evil smirk on me.

"Hello little rat, remember me?" she evilly said

I was shocked, but the next thing, she gave me the Cobra Twist again. I screamed in pain once again, feeling that this tragedy would never end.

"What's the matter? Can't you fight back?"

My scream reached the teachers inside their classrooms, and they went out for inspection. Anita heard them coming, so she let go, leaving me painfully immobilize to move.

"When are… you… going to stop this?" I said weakly.

"Oh, not until I suffer you so much and you… to die, you wimpy dog," she evilly answered.

I was so scared, and she fled away.

Ever since those two days, she caught me by surprise and kept pummeling and slapping me throughout my school years. That is until… she was moved away from the school and never to be seen again. But because of her, my mental youth has created a mental problem to interact with girls around me. The word about Anita and me has been spread around quickly, and every girl watched me with little concern looks on their faces. For sure, they were all staring at me in concern, but my wild imagination convinced me that every girl who looks at me wants to take advantage of me. That's when my phobia started, and why I mostly hang out and handle boys, not around girls.


"Taken from the first story I told you, those girls were increasing my phobia problems more. But the one who started my fear is that big bully Anita Mieko." Matt finished his last words to everyone in the room.

Everyone kept staring at Matt with a concerned look on their faces thinking that Matt, a great young gentleman, cause a rash move onto a girl, especially a bully. Matt sulked as he began to sigh once more.

"Now that she's back, I don't know if I'll ever defeat her with my phobia in the way," said Matt in sorrow. "Maybe I should let this one go."

Negi kept watching Matt in depress feeling so sorry for a sad gentleman, even who lost his parents. Negi pauses a moment, and then he approaches Matt.

"Matthew," Negi calls to him. Matt looked up and sees Negi's firm look. "Never give up!" Matt blinked from Negi's expression, and so did others in the room. "You can't let this woman get in your way and take advantage of your phobia. We can't let them get away with Ayaka and my other students, especially the Crowned Emblem.

Matthew Oda, you are a brave and courageous young man, and you said you would solve any mystery no matter what the situation is. You even solve the last cases with that phobia of yours and still kept pushing yourself to end. I may not be cunning like you, but I need you. You are a special gentleman that I ever met, Matthew. And I want you to keep achieving your dream, the dream that you can solve the greatest mysteries here in Mahora Academy.

Please, Matthew Oda, don't surrender! I'll be with you until the end."

Matt became speechless after hearing Negi's inspiring words.

When the rest of the gang in the room heard Negi's speech, they speak to Matt.

"Matthew," Asuna called, "Negi's right, you mustn't let this Anita gal get in your way."

"You've always solved anything no matter what kind of girl stands before you," Konoka stated with Setsuna at her side.

"We're just scientists," Satomi stated with Chao next to her, "but you Matt-san have inspired us."

"You can't give up," Chisame said with Satsuki next to her. "Even with that phobia of yours, you still can achieve many great things if you keep trying."

"You said you're trying to overcome your fear of girls, and you really are," Mana commented. "Don't struggle; keep going, Matt-san."

The twins, Kaede, and Fei Ku agreed. "We're with you all the way to the end," Fei Ku declared.

"I can't let you, a gentleman, go to waste," Eva commented with Chachamaru next to her. "A reformed shinsou vampire like me needs someone with a gold heart who saved my life."

The athletic girls got together with their fists tighten to show courage to Matt. "That's right, Matt. All for one, and one for all," Yuna cheered.

When Matt heard everyone's inspired words, he stopped sulking. He is moved by everyone's kind hearts that he didn't know what to say next.

"Well, Matt-san," the dean calls to him, "What do you want to do?"

Matt heard Dean Konoe's question and takes a moment to pause. After a few seconds of silence, he stood up with confidence.

"Alright everyone, I've made my decision," he said. Everyone stared at Matt. "I say… let's get those thieves and save the girls and the emblem." The team smiled, and so did Dean Konoe and Prof. Takahata. "I don't know if I can handle Anita face to face, but what matters is protecting those girls and getting that emblem back." Everyone is so grateful to have Matt's confidence back and standing on his feet again. But Matt makes a curious and troubled look. "But those thieves managed to get away clean, and we don't have any clue of where they are being held."

"I thought you might say that," Chao responded cheerfully. "That's why I planned ahead." Everyone looked at Chao in little confusion. She pulled out a hand-held radio device. On the screen shows a yellow dot blinking and beeping. "Before those criminals got away, I quickly planted a homing device on one of the crooks, so we can track them down of where they are hiding. And from the looks of things on this radar, I say they are far up northeast from here."

"Brilliant Chao," Matt complimented. "I see you are learning smartness from me."

"You could say that."

"So, what are we waiting for?" Asuna said. "Let's go!"

Everyone nodded and exited the dean's office as they are back on track. Dean Konoe and Prof. Takahata smiled still as they starred at the front doors.

"I think Matt Oda will overcome his fears very soon," the dean stated.

"How do you that?" Prof. Takahata asked.

"Call it… a wise old man's intuition."


It is late in the middle of the night as the Mystery team followed the signal from out of Mahora Academy and out to the city's opening streets. They kept walking and following the signal as they exited the city's limits. They were outside onto the grass fields, where the place contained a few storages and houses along the path. The signal became stronger as they closer and closer. Once the signal is at its critical point, they arrived and turned towards where the signal is coming from. Standing there in front of the team is a huge warehouse that's boarded up with broken mirrors.

"This must be the place," Chao suggested.

"Let's take a closer look," Matt commanded as he walks quietly and closer to the front of the building. The rest of the gang followed him quietly, trying to not make a sound.

Once the team arrived at the front door, Matt looked around for a window. He spotted one just on the corner of the building and looks inside. Matt waved his hand to call for the rest of the gang to come over and take a look. Once everyone got together, they all looked inside in undercover.

In everybody's view, there are the captive girls with two crooks standing near them, crooks patrolling on the base floor and the metal walkways, and a huge pickup truck with the stolen gems and money from the robbed stores. Matt couldn't find Anita anywhere or the Crowned Emblem in his sight.

"It looks like they're guarding the place really heavily," Negi stated as he observed the scene.

"You're right, so how do we get inside?" Setsuna asked.

"We can't just barge in there," Chisame warned. "We'll be like sticking a sore thumb out."

"How about a surprise attack?" Sayo suggested.

"An ambush may cause a sudden shoot out, and we may hurt the girls by accident," Yue stated.

While the girls and Negi are talking away, Matt looked around to see if there was another way. When he looked around the corner, Matt spotted stairs that lead up to the second and third floors.

"Hey, guys over here," Matt calls to his team.

Matt pressed on, and his team heard and followed him. The gang arrived at the stairs, and the wood made for the stairs look old, but sturdy enough to climb up.

"We'll go up to the top and figure out our next move from there," Matt says to the team.

Everyone nodded in agreement and climbed up to the third floor where a door is held. The door is made out of hard metal with rusty hinges. Matt turned the doorknob to see if it's locked, and fortunately, the door opened.

The heroic team quietly snuck inside as they were on metal platforms with rails. They looked down to see the captive girls, the crooks, and the truck with the stolen goods.

"So, what do we do now?" Misora asked Matt.

Matt looked around the area on the floor they're on, sees the hanging cranes, the stairs leading to the lower levels, and a stack of covered clothes lying on top of a box. Matt paused to make a plan and then comes up one.

"Okay everyone, gather," he called to his team. Everyone huddled and listened to Matt's plan. "Whisper, Whisper, Whisper" Once everyone understood the plan, they put it in motion.


On the ground floor, where the pickup truck is, the crooks were tossing the lasts bags into the back of the truck before they can escape for good.

"Only a couple more bags of our stolen goodies and we're off," said one of the thieves hauling the bags.

"Roger that," said another thief hauling the bags.

The first hauler went to the two last bags to put inside the truck, but the first bag the thief tried to carry is too heavy. She called the other hauler to come over and help carry the bag to put into the truck. Once the first bag was placed in the trunk, the second hauler says she'll get the other one. But the moment she got to the spot that the last bag…, it was gone.

"What the…?" said the second hauler in surprise.

But then she heard a rustling sound coming from large crates in the back of the warehouse. A few seconds later, the hauler thief spotted a shadowy figure passing behind the boxes. She blinked and ran up to the level-two platform to contact her boss.


Anita Mieko is on a giant metal platform that overlooks the ground floor. She watches her minions work as she held the Crowned Emblem in her hand. Ayaka and the others were tied up next to her as they tried really hard to break free.

"Face it, girls," Anita said to the captive Mahora students. "You'll never escape. And as long as you're our ransom prisoners, we can get anything we want in our way."

"That's what you think," Natsumi revolted. "Matt Oda, the great mystery-solving gentleman, is going to stop you no matter what."

"Even with that phobia of his?"

Natsumi looked away after hearing the last words of Anita.

"He still might be afraid of girls, but he's not ever going to give up," Chizuru said bravely.

"That's right," Ayaka spoke up, "so give it up or face the consequences."

Anita smirk evilly even more. "Strong and courageous words you got there, girls," she said. "But Matt Oda will never defeat me because I was the one who weakened him with that phobia of his. And there's nothing you can do to save him." She then laughed evilly as captive girls starred at Anita with a glare.

Just then, one of the haulers came up and approached to Anita. "Boss, something fishy is going on behind the crates," the goon noted. "Probably an intruder."

"What? Interlopers in our hideout?" Anita said in surprise. "Find them. Otherwise, we won't make a clean escape."

The hauler saluted and dash off to the crates. But then a light flashed in Anita's eyes. It annoyed her, and she looks around where the light is coming from. There she sees a moving shadowy figure holding a flashlight behind a pillar, holding support for Anita's platform.

"Troublesome pests," Anita moaned as she walks toward the light leaving the captive girls in the open.

On the top floor, Matt is hanging on a hook with his left foot on it and his left hand holding onto the chains attaching the hook. He looks at Chachamaru, Akira, Mana, Fei Ku, and Misora, who are holding tightly onto the chains that are connected to Matt.

"Looks like they took the bait," Matt noted to his team. "Alright you girls, lower me."

The girls nodded as they lower Matt and the hook for Matt to reach the captive girls and free them. Matt kept descending down toward the captive girls as he is looking around, making sure that none of the crooks, especially Anita, aren't looking at Matt's rescue attempt. As soon as he is close, Matt calls out to them.

"Hey, Ayaka, girls," Matt called silently. The captive girls heard and noticed Matt coming down and smiled.

"Matthew-san, you're here," Natsumi said with glee.

" Shh! …Just stay calm, ladies," Matt warned. He lands on the platform and starts to untie the ropes that are tied to the girls. "As soon as I free you, get out of here to safety."

"What about the emblem?" Chizuru asked with concern.

"Don't worry, we'll get it back, I swear."

While Matt unties the ropes, Ayaka realized something. "Hey Matt-san," she called to him getting his attention, "aren't you afraid of girls?"

Matt paused a moment, but he then went back, untying the ropes. "Yes, I still am, but I still got to rescue you before it's too late. I may be a little scared of you girls right now, but a gentleman must help people in need first, before worrying about their fears."

Ayaka smiled, knowing how brave Matt is.

After Matt unties the last captive, the girls all stood up and looked at Matt with a grin.

"Thanks Matt-san," said Chizuru, "we owe you one."

"And that's very kind of you," Zazie followed up.

Matt makes a command, "Okay girls, let's get you girls out of here, before–"

Suddenly Kazumi spotted something and shouted, "Matt, look out!"

Matt turned around, but… SMACK! A slap on his face, and he was pushed to the floor of the platform. He slowly looked, and in a big fright, he sees Anita glaring at him. Matt's eyes widen in fear, and he's immobilized.

"So, you thought you're trying to get away and trick me?" Anita said with an evil smirk. "Well, not close enough."

Anita then snaps her fingers. After that sounding command, Matt looks around and sees all of his team members, including Negi and Chamo, are captured by Anita's minions. Some of the members wore the cloth covers that Matt found on the top floor as shadow people. What's worse is that Matt also saw Ayaka and the rest of the girls being captured again with their hands raised.

"We're sorry, Matt," Asuna responded in guilt.

"They drove us into a corner," Setsuna followed.

Matt looked back at Anita with his phobia still active. Anita then got closer to Matt with her evil look.

"It's too bad for Matthew Oda," Anita said evilly. "You were close, but I'm always the big boss around here, especially to cowardly dogs like you who always follow my rules because I have the advantage."

Matt shivered a lot in fright, but he makes a question, "Wh-Wh-Wh-What are you doing h-h-h-here in Jap-p-p-pan? I th-th-th-thought you m-m-m-m-moved away, never t-t-to be seen a-a-a-a-again."

"Oh, you didn't know?" Anita said with little surprise, but then she evilly laughed haughtily. "You're such a nobody. I guess I should tell my side of my story." Matt was still scared, but he listened. "You see… when I was young, my parents gave me everything I want because I was born from a rich family. My parents didn't care how bad I am. They just want to keep me happy.

As soon as I arrived in school, everyone treated me like I was the leader of the pack. I always get what I want. I was the main boss of the campus until somebody stood against me."

Matt knows who it is, and that's himself. Anita glares at Matt and continues her monologue. "Because of you, you little rat, everyone is so afraid of me that they all ran away from me. But I still have the power to get what I want, with the help of my cohorts.

I was at the top of the world until my parents got a call from Japan. They needed them, including me, to go back there for some financial problems. You see, my family line came from Japan, just like you, Matthew. But once we arrived and spent a month in Japan, my family lost our fortune, and we were totally worthless.

I ran away from that terrible fate and started to live on the outskirts where I gather a group of thieves, so I can still get what I want. Many years past, and we have been pulling many heists. Tonight is the last night to pull a heist because once I buy my own lot, I'll be the number one criminal and leader to have everything I want.

And there's nothing you can do, Matthew Oda. Why? Because you're a scaredy-cat, who's afraid of girls and women."

Matt wanted to stop Anita's evil plan, but he is so scared that he couldn't move an inch. He kept on shivering and shaking like a hopeless and cowardly dog.

"Oh… what's a matter?" said Anita in sarcastic sympathy. "Afraid to stand up against like before?" She got close to Matt. "Maybe this will help."

Anita then quickly kicked Matt. He screamed in pain while he is shivering in fright.

"Hey!" Asuna yelled.

"Stop that!" Konoka shouted, "You're hurting him!"

The librarians took verbal action.

"Knock it off, you jerk!" Yue shouted.

"Please! Stop it!" Nodoka screeched.

"Stop this, you monster!" Haruna commanded.

"Let him go!" Satomi shouted.

"You snake! Stop it!" Fei Ku yelled.

"Stop this now, Anita, or I'll shoot you!" Mana commanded.

"Stop it! Stop it!" The twins cried.

Eva and Chacha watched Matt Oda in grief.

"Let sir Oda-san go!" Chachamaru shouted.

"You stop this, or going to regret it!" Misora yelled with her athletic friends beside her.

Anita kept kicking Matt while he cries in pain and fear. The girls and Negi wanted to help him, but the minions kept them from freeing to save Matt. They can only watch Matt suffering in pain feel sad and sympathetic.

Then Anita raised her right foot over on Matt. She then tries to squish his head. "I'll make sure you never ever mess with me again," Anita said in her evil and snickering mood. Matt cried, wishing that this horrible nightmare would stop forever.

"Don't you dare kill him, you dirty dog!" Asuna shouted. She got Anita's attention and looks at Asuna. "If you do, you're going to be so sorry you ever mess with me!"

"That goes for me too!" Setsuna followed.

"Me three!" Konoka shouted.

"All of us too," Akira shouted as she and the gang all glared at Anita.

Anita evilly scrunched her eyebrows. "Why do you girls care so much about him?" she said in a gruff. "He just nothing but a coward who can't even stand up and face a girl. All he does is take one look at you and runs away. He's no hero. He's a worthless piece of junk that's just in some girl's way."

"YOU'RE WRONG!"

Anita heard the scream and turns towards Konoka, who made the shout. "At first, Matt Oda-san is scared of me, but when he rescued me, I just met the most wonderful man of all. He did everything in his power to rescue us from the kidnappers, no matter if that phobia of his is still on him. He became my very best friend after that, and we enjoyed many wonderful things together, especially I always liked his cheery smile on me." Matt slowly opened his right eye as he listened to what Konoka said. "Go ahead and call him a 'wimpy dog.' But to me, he's the greatest friend I've ever encountered in my life."

"The same for me," Nodoka called out. "Matt may not interact with girls at first, but when he started to get used to my friends and me, he was like a wonderful sun shining on all of us like he gave us a wonderful day. That's why I don't think he's a coward. I think he's a marvelous man who can overcome and succeed many obstacles, no matter what blocks him. Especially, I owe him for saving my life at the clock tower."

"I know what you mean," Eva followed up. "He was afraid of me, but he risked his life to save a cold-hearted girl like me. I was moved by him the action he did, and I wanted to stay close to him. Because I don't owe him a favor, he is a brave and kind man I have ever met."

Negi and the girls were a little surprised by what Eva said. "Master…" Chachamaru said softly.

"That's right, Anita," said Satomi calling for her. "We're pretty smart, me and Chao, but we couldn't clear our names from our nemesis Nami without the help of Matt Oda. He kept on pushing himself to save us from life in jail. And he did it because not just to clear our names, but he is very compassionate and kind when he knew we were in trouble."

"Matt is not just a 'wimpy dog' like you say," Chao said. "He is one true blue gentleman that always helps a lady's problem, no matter if that fear of his is still going on in him."

"We can all say the same thing," Ako shouted as the whole team nodded in agreement. "I mean, I wouldn't be here without Matt's bravery. He saved me from the Mahora Spring Wrap-Up Games, and he defeated that Mako sabotager. My athletic friends and I are very proud of him."

"My friends are right!" Negi shouted in agreement. "Matthew Oda is the kindest and honest man I have ever met in my life. And I don't think he is a coward, weakling, or useless like you say. He has a heart made of gold, and he is the most talented and incredible man who can solve mysteries and cases whatever he comes across. Not even his gynophobia will get in his way."

Ayaka and the girls are moved by the words from their friends, so they decided to take action. "They are right!" Ayaka shouted first in her group. Anita heard, and so did Matt. "I just met Matt Oda for a moment, and from what I heard, he is really kind and bold. I mean, he may have that phobia, but he dared to rescue us from you girls no matter what."

"She's right!" Sakurako agreed, "It doesn't matter if his fear gets in his way, he managed to rescue us with all of his might and skills. And that's what counts so good in him." The other two cheerleaders agreed with Sakurako.

"I think he's the boldest and honest man that we ever encountered since he first arrived at the academy," Natsumi stated. Chizuru, Kazumi, and Zazie nodded in complete agreement.

Matt's fear stopped for a moment as he listened to what his members said. But Anita gritted her teeth as if everyone cares a coward.

"Why?" Anita asked in anger, "Why do you care so much about him as if he is part of your family?"

"That's because of one thing, Anita," Asuna responded in anger. There is a pause as everyone looked at Asuna. "…He is part of the family." Matt widened his eyes when he heard what Asuna said. Anita blinked in surprise. "You may not know it, but Matt is a wonderful guy, and I think he's already part of the class 1-A family."

"That's right," Misora followed, "he's just like all of us. He's more than a friend. He's a gentleman who is always with us forever in our family."

"As class representative," Ayaka called out, "Matt Oda is the best man to be here at Mahora Academy. And I would think living with us together is the best for Matt and all of us."

"Living together…" Anita said softly, "with… Matt?"

Ayaka nodded, and then she speaks, "…And that's why Anita…" She then turns to Asuna and the rest of the class, including Negi, as they nodded in agreement. "The truth is…" Then they all said in unison…

"WE LOVE HIM!"

Anita blinked in surprise, but Matt…

When Matt heard those words, something made him freeze and immobilize as if he was in a deep sleep. Everything stopped and went blank on him until he reached into his subconscious mind.


As Matt opened up his eyes again, he was in the same subconscious void when he had two dreams ago. After realizing that, Matt looks around to see if he can find the girl version of him.

"Hey! Miss! Where are you!?" Matt called for her.

But then he spotted something slowly coming out of the ground. There in front of them are the same shadowy female silhouettes glaring evilly at Matthew Oda. They were all different sizes and shapes as they got closer to Matt.

But when they were getting close to them, Matt's eyes scrunched, and he tightens his fist. He gave them a firm look and then…,

"You don't scare me," he calls to them.

Suddenly the shadow women stopped, and their evil looks became surprised. "That's right," Matt said firmly. "I'm not afraid of you women anymore, because I finally understand about women." The shadow women just stood still and stared at Matt with great shock.

A few seconds later, Matt heard a voice. "Matthew?" he turned around toward it. Stood in front of him is the womanly version of Matt. He saw her and smirked a little.

"Is it really true?" the woman version of Matt said.

"Yes," Matt responded. He then crosses his arms in confidence. "I finally get it why I need to be around women and why I understand them."

"Then tell me. What did you learn?"

Matt smiled. "I afraid of girls because I was so young back then because of my past. My child's imagination made me believe that all women are scary and dangerous. When Anita bullied me, I was so lost and scared of girls that I didn't even want to get near them. But that was only back then.

I've been trying to do my best to overcome my fear of girls and women, and it worked. But it's like you said, why do I need to be around with them? I was confused and lost about that until something happened."

The woman version of Matt calmly smiled at Matt. "What is it?" she asked calmly.

Matt happily answers, "A group of good friends of mine showed me the light. And that's when I realized why women are so kind and honest like me."

The woman version closed her eyes and smiled. "…The class 1-A," she replied.

"That's right. The moment I heard they said that they 'love me,' I was astounded and moved by them. I thought all those girls were treating me like I was a kind and honest gentleman just helping others out. But it was more than that.

They treated me like I was their beloved brother or father. Never I thought a group of wonderful students from Negi's class are my best friends to love and cherish someone. They might be students from a class, but they are special people that can understand not only true friendship but love for each other as we are one big happy family." Matt sticks his hand out to her. "And I think we should be together again, huh me?"

The woman didn't flinch, but she smiled and reached out her hand for Matt.

As the two grasped their hands together, a bright light appeared from their hands. It spread all over in the void and onto the shadow women. The light blinded both Matt and his woman's version for a moment.

When the light disappeared, Matt, still holding onto the woman's hand, looks back, and still smiles. The woman looked, and she smiled too. In their view, they see that all the shadow women have been turned into the girls of class 1-A. Then a door of light appeared behind the girls as they kept smiling for Matt, letting him go through the door of light.

"So, are those girls your best friends," the woman version asked.

"No, not my friends," Matt replied, "but my wonderful family."

Then all the girls walked toward the door, and Negi and Asuna appeared from the door as they called out to him.

"C'mon Matt," Negi called.

"It's time for you to join us," Asuna said happily.

Matt and the woman version looked back at each other and smiled. "Come on me," said Matt. "Let's go."

"Thank you, me," the woman version said happily. "I'm back with you again."

The two held their hands together as they raced to the door and stepped into the light.


After Matt's sudden freeze, he then makes a firm look and starts to move. Matt quickly grabs Anita's foot that she is trying to squish him and trips her over. Matt got back up on his feet and firmly stares at Anita. She got back up and sees Matt in his positive and bold state.

"Anita," Matt called for her, "there's one thing you should know about me." Matt then puts his left hand on his hip, and he uses his right hand and arm to point at Anita. "Nobody, and I mean 'nobody,' hurts my friends."

Everyone, Negi, the class, and Anita, became startled by Matt's sudden and confident state.