By Leitbur
Disclaimer: I don't own Negima or any of the characters. That honor belongs to Akamatsu-sama. I'm just borrowing them. This will be the only chapter with a disclaimer, since I assume everyone will start by reading chapter one first.
Notes: This story takes place five years after Negima is supposed to end, that is, one year after Negi arrived. I say 'supposed to' because it's still running and who knows what Akamatsu-sama will eventually decide to do. As such, characters are older than in the story, most notably Negi is around sixteen years old now. My intent is to add some of the romantic closure that I think will not be possible in the actual story given Negi is only ten, and not all that interested in girls. Also, I will be trying to tie up some of the romantic threads so that not everyone is heartbroken. This forces me to jump to some conclusions about events that have yet to occur in the actual canon, but perhaps may have been foreshadowed or hinted at. All such things will be based on observations I have made, theories read, and conjecture.
All such assumptions used are based off information from volumes 1-14 of the manga. For those of you who read scanlations as they are released, if subsequent events in later volumes contradict what I have said, just know that, if possible, I will try to conform to what's happening in the canon where possible. If it interferes with what I have already set in motion or planned however, just accept that it was still possible when this started, and that's what I plan to stick with for the duration.
I have rated this as M because this is based off Akamatsu's story, and anyone who's read it should understand. Basically strong sexual suggestions and some violence, but more the former than the latter.
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"Damnit, I'm late, I'm late!" Speeding along the pathway on his skateboard, Taro Shirojima checked his watch again and blanched. If he didn't hurry he was going to be late for class again, and the teacher had already scolded him for it last week. Jumping a knocked over trash can and slipping between a pair of university girls headed in the opposite direction who turned back to look at him curiously, Taro sped on, kicking up more speed in his desperate attempt to make it to class on time.
Can I make it in time? He checked his watch again. I can. I'll have to take the back entrance at the top of the hill, but that shouldn't be a problem. Swerving sharply around another corner and shooting up a ramp, Taro breathed a sigh of relief. The building was just ahead, just one more turn, a door and one flight of stairs to run up, and he'd be home free. Kicking on even more speed, Taro went to turn, then felt something strange. The skateboard had hit something, what exactly he wasn't sure, but whatever it had been was big enough to cause him to lose control, and more importantly, his balance. Looking ahead as his momentum threw him forward, Taro gasped. The guardrail, no he was going too fast! As he hit the guardrail high, he felt the momentum flip him over it, and suddenly he was hanging onto the bottom rail by one hand looking down.
The building had been built into the side of the hill, which was why the back entrance was such a shortcut. It had to be a good two-story fall at least. Gulping, and trying to focus on what to do next, he felt his fingers begin to slip, and glanced up just in time to see them separate from the guardrail before the exhilaration of free-fall arrived. Damnit, he wasn't just going to be late, he was going to break his neck. Closing his eyes and bracing for impact, he felt his face collide with something, but it didn't feel like the ground, in fact, it felt… soft, like a marshmallow. The feeling of falling was gone too.
Opening his eyes, Taro found his face pressed tightly into a pair of fairly large breasts. Was he dead? Was this… Heaven? Looking up, he saw the face of a young woman, no more than twenty years old or so wearing a big black… witch's hat? The woman was frowning at him, or was that suppose to be a smile? Pushing himself back slightly he nearly lost his balance as he reached to grab something but all he could find was the girl, who nearly shrieked when his hands reached out and grabbed her chest as something to hold onto.
Suddenly they were on the ground, and as Taro struggled to his feet he noticed that the witch-hatted woman was carrying a broom. She then said, "What's your name?"
Gulping, while ignoring the slight lack of her giving her own name, Taro replied, "Taro Shirojima. Are you… a witch?"
Her eyes moved passed him and she stated rather irritably, "Nodoka, hurry up please."
Turning around, noticing that he was now in a small pathway between two of the school buildings, he spotted another young woman with long dark blue hair that covered up one eye standing there with a strange book hovering in front of her. Smiling sweetly, the woman then said, "I'm sorry, sleep tight Taro." With that she lifted up her hand just above the book to reveal a strange looking eraser, which she quickly moved down to the pages of the book and began to erase something.
Feeling light-headed, Taro stumbled slightly, then blacked out, falling to the ground. A few moments later the other woman said, "Come on Nodoka, hurry up with the new memory or we'll be late for class."
Nodoka replied as she whipped out a feather quill and began to write into the book, "Yes yes, I'm hurrying." A few moments later she stopped writing and said, "Ok, I hope that will work."
The other woman replied, "I'm sure it will, now lets go or we'll be late." Nodoka nodded, whispered something and the book vanished, leaving only a small card in her hand as she climbed on the back of the other woman's broom and the pair took off at blinding speed, leaving the boy lying there unconscious.
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"Ok now, who would like to translate the next part?" The red-haired teenager at the front of the class waited patiently for a hand to go up, even though, knowing the students as he did, he had a hunch that no such hand was coming anytime soon. From the looks of things he'd have to pick one, perhaps one of the girls that was staring off into space daydreaming about something or someone. Sadly that didn't narrow his options down all that much. Finally with a warm smile he said, "Akari-san, how about you?"
A young brunette in the third row window seat jumped up out of her daze, sputtering. "N-N-Negi-sensei, why me, I-" She was cut off however by the 'ding-dong-dang' of the school bell.
"Ah," Negi interjected, "looks like class is over. Please review Chapter Five for tomorrow, and don't forget that midterms will be coming up next month. If you have any questions, feel free to ask." As the class rose and bowed Negi gave a slight bow to the class in return and picked up a pair of books and numerous other papers from his desk, stuffing them into a small briefcase. He waited for his students to file out, many of them with hearts for eyes as they passed him to which he just smiled back, causing multiple blushes and squeals. When the room was clear Negi gave a slight chuckle then walked out of the room.
Almost immediately he collided with a well-endowed female figure, causing him to fall backwards onto the floor. Looking up, he found himself with an upskirt view of the young lady, and gasped, turning his head away quickly. Hearing a giggle above him, a female voice replied, "Still the English gentleman I see Negi-sensei." Looking back again, he saw the woman's face now, which had a warm, loving smile on it. Standing up now, he smiled back and said, "Chizuru-san! How are you? Sorry about that."
Giggling slightly again, Chizuru replied, "Oh that's fine sensei. I'm just on my way to the headmaster's office. I was told he wanted to speak with me."
"Ah," Negi replied, picking up his briefcase again, "I was wondering why you were here and not down at the pre-school building. If you don't mind waiting for me to grab a few things, I'd love to go with you."
Smiling, Chizuru answered, "Why thank you sensei, I'd like that."
Five minutes later the pair were walking towards the administrative building, Negi now brandishing his staff across his back. "So," Negi began, "how are you enjoying student teaching with the preschool classes Chizuru-san?"
"Oh I really enjoy it Negi-sensei. It's what I've been working towards for so long, and it's just so rewarding."
Negi smiled. "That's great Chizuru-san, you know I'm routing for you." Chizuru just smiled back happily. Looking away now, eyes glazing over as if in deep thought, Negi then said, "Chizuru-san, have you heard how Kotaro-kun's doing? I haven't really seen him in a month or two."
"I believe he's off training with Kaede-san again. I worry since he always comes back looking rather beat up and dirty, but he certainly seems to be enjoying himself."
Chuckling lightly, Negi replied, "Well the fact that Kaede-san went with him might explain why Kotaro-kun seems so happy to be out training."
Both Chizuru and Negi glanced over at one another, then laughed. As their laughter subsided they noticed that they had arrived at the door to the headmaster's office. Knocking, they heard the headmaster's voice call for them to enter, to which they complied.
"Ah, welcome Chizuru-san, Negi-kun, a pleasure to see you as always."
"Thank you Headmaster," Chizuru replied. "You wanted to see me?"
"Hmm hmm, yes. As you may well know, Professor Kamiya is getting married next month."
"Yes sir, we're all very happy for her."
"Yes, well what you probably are not aware of is that she has decided to leave Mahora on account of her marriage at the end of the semester. She has suggested to me that I allow you to replace her as the new preschool teacher at that time. What do you think of that?"
Chizuru froze, unable to speak or react in any way. A minute later, tears of joy welling up in her eyes, she answered, "I… I would be honored sir. I've always wanted… thank you Headmaster." Chizuru then bowed deeply.
Chuckling, the headmaster replied, "Well then, I will set you up on a trial period to see how you do. Professor Kamiya will supervise you for the remainder of the semester. If you can prove you are as capable as Kamiya-sensei says you are, then I will consider officially putting you on staff next term. Congratulations and the best of luck."
Smiling broadly, Negi chimed in, "Yes, congratulations Chizuru-sensei."
Wiping the tears from her cheeks, Chizuru thanked the headmaster again, and then bowed again before departing, leaving Negi alone with the headmaster. Glancing back at the door, Negi said, "I think she'll do just fine. This is what she's always wanted after all."
"Hmm hmm, I agree. By the way Negi-kun, I understand you and my granddaughter will be spending the evening together later tonight?"
Negi nods. "Yes sir, I'm meeting up with Asuna, Konoka, and Setsuna later tonight for dinner. Asuna and Setsuna have to leave early though to prepare for their Kendo Club meeting tomorrow morning. Asuna says the club is doing very well right now."
The headmaster nods. "Yes, that's good to hear. Well I certainly hope that you and my granddaughter can enjoy yourselves tonight."
"Thank you sir." With that, Negi bowed and turned to leave. As he walked back down the hallway, he pondered why the headmaster always seemed to be inquiring about him and Konoka recently. True he used to try setting Konoka up on arranged… well he still wasn't quite sure exactly what they were, but according to Konoka he'd stopped doing that as of late. It was about the same time he'd begun to mention all the time he'd been spending with Konoka. He'd asked Setsuna about it previously, and all she'd done was blush deeply and said it was about that.
Without further elaboration, Negi had been forced to guess at what that meant, although even for an English gentleman, he had a strong idea. Well, he didn't have time to ponder it much at the moment anyway. If he was going to have time to meet up with everyone later tonight, he was going to have to get those papers graded beforehand. With that thought, Negi put a slight bit more hop to his step and headed off towards his lodgings.
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Author's Notes:
Yes, I know that Nodoka's diary can't erase and alter memories… yet. This is a theory based on the fact that some artifacts (ie. Asuna's sword) have multiple forms, and can get stronger. Work with me here.
This is one of three stories I'm writing at the moment, all of which can be found on this site. I'm saying this because there may be times when one of the three has a lull due to work on the others. It all depends on how my Muse decides to sing. Hopefully, since I had the first seven or so chapters pretty much planned out in my head beforehand this one should advance quickly, but no guarantees. Feel free to check out my other stories, I always welcome readers. R&R.