Kazumi Asakura decides to check on her cousin Akio Asakura. When she learns he drives a blue Nissan Fairlady Z S30 that's tainted with a dark past, Kazumi becomes concerned for him, while Negi senses a dark and frightening presence within the car. Takes place after the Mahora Festival.
Disclaimer: Maho Sensei Negima is property of Ken Akamatsu and all related publishers. Wangan Midnight is property of Michiharu Kusunoki, Kodanshita, OB Planning, and Namco.
Chapter 7: Those Who Pursue the Devil Z Part 4
(Earlier at lunchtime, Osaka Metropolitan Area)
"Haaaahh" sighed Konoka Konoe. "Why does grandpa keep doing this to me?"
"I know what you mean." replied Setsuna Sakurazaki.
"Mou! I'm not ready for marriage yet!" exclaimed Konoka. The grandaughter of Mahora's headmaster was once again set up on an omiai by the latter, who still thinks he could find the "perfect match" for her. The results however have so far been less than satisfactory, particularly as far as Konoka was concerened. Even her companion and bodyguard, Setsuna, was feeling the strain. This latest stunt ended bringing the pair all the way to Osaka (which was well within the jurisdiction of the Kansai Magic Association), at a family restaurant along the Hanshin Expressway. Konoka was even dressed for the occassion, wearing a traditional kimono.
"True indeed, even if the headmaster means well." replied Setsuna.
"Even if he promised this guy was going to be closer to my age, I'm not giving him the time of day!" said Konoka.
"Well, let's at least be nice to him, if he's that young." said Setsuna.
"Yeah yeah!" said Konoka. Their banter was interrupted by the entrance of two young men.
"Uh, I don't know about this niisan." said the younger of the two. "I mean, I have little experience with girls."
"Don't sweat it Maki" replied the older. "Just talk to her. You'll be fine."
"Oh alright" replied the boy named Maki. Eiji and Maki Kamiya were a pair of brothers engaged in car tuning, and were both natives of Osaka. Interestingly, they were contacted by the Konoe family through a few connections, and Maki was chosen in the omiai with Konoka (hence their venue of meeting), with Eiji acting as the nakodo (matchmaker), hence Eiji was given all information about Konoka, including her picture.
"Hey Maki! There she is!" said Eiji, pointing to where Konoka and Setsuna were seated.
"Eh?" replied Maki, taking a good look at Konoka. 'Well, she looks pretty.' he thought as he and Eiji approached the girls.
"Huh?" gasped Konoka, checking out Maki. 'He is kind of cute... kyaaa! What am I thinking!?' thought Konoka, trying to hide her blush.
"Ojyou-sama, daijoubu!?" asked a concerned Setsuna.
"Eh? A-ah, yeah! I'm okay! It's nothing" said Konoka quickly.
"Um, pardon me, but are you Konoka Konoe?" asked Eiji.
"Ah, well, yes!" said Konoka.
"I'm Eiji Kamiya. This is my brother Maki, who's supposed to meet you." said Eiji.
"Uh, domo" said Maki almost shyly.
"Domo" replied Konoka. "Ah, this is my companion Setsuna."
"Konnichiwa!" greeted Setsuna.
"Hey Maki! Come'on!" whispered Eiji.
"Uh, may we?" asked Maki.
"Oh, uh, please do" replied Konoka.
(9 hours later, approaching the Wangan)
Lunch was a rather quiet affair, with Eiji doing most of the talking. In a nutshell, Konoka just tried to grin and bear with the omiai, while Maki had difficulty even talking, especially under the watchful eye of Setsuna. After lunch and dessert, the girls decided to head back to Mahora. Since the brothers were on their way to Tokyo to spend the summer break there, they offered the girls rides. Each of the boys had a race-tuned Lancer Evolution, so they were paired such that Setsuna rode with Eiji while Konoka rode with Maki. This was Eiji's idea to try and get Maki to open up a little, though it took a lot of convincing to get Setsuna to agree to such arrangement, plus Konoka decided to sleep for most of the ride. Fortunately, Maki made a little progress when Konoka woke from her nap realizing they were still a long ways away from Mahora, and they got caught in traffic.
"So how did you end up with a 10-year old as an English teacher?" asked Maki.
"Ehehe, somehow it was arranged that way, and the dean, my grandfather of course, was part of it." said Konoka.
"I still find that hard to believe. Even if he's from Wales, he sure is quite young to have finished college."
"Surprising isn't it? In fact he's also quite a fighter."
"Really?"
"Yeah! There was this fighting tournament, and he finished second overall! He even beat one of our other teachers."
Maki was surprised. "That good huh?"
"Yeah!" said Konoka. She then checked the time. "Oh my! Asuna's going to be worried about me being out so late!"
"Is that so?" said Maki. He then noticed they reached the exit ramp to the Wangan Expressway. "We're about to hit the Wangan. I'll speed up so I can get you home fast."
(BGM: Feel The Moment)
"Eh?" piped Konoka.
Maki made it through the exit ramp. Once he reached Wangan, he shifted gears and hit the throttle.
"KYAAA!!!" yelped Konoka as the car lurched forward, soon reaching 300 km/h.
(in the other Lancer Evolution)
"Hey! What's he doing!?" exclaimed Setsuna. "Ojou-sama might get hurt!"
"Don't worry, Maki knows what he's doing" said Eiji, who also gunned it.
"EEP!" gapsed Setsuna. "What the hell??"
"You thought we were joking about racing along the Wangan?" said Eiji.
(in Maki's car)
For a moment Konoka was panicking. This was the first time she rode so fast in a small car. She then looked at Maki. His determined look surprised her.
'Eh?' thought Konoka. 'Somehow he reminds me of Negi-kun when he's fighting. Ack! What am I thinking again!?'
Konoka quickly turned away after feeling her face burn up. She wondered what she felt at that moment. Was she somehow attracted to Maki?
'No way! I don't feel that way towards him!' Konoka told herself. 'It's just the ride. Yeah that's it!' "EEK!" yelped Konoka as she felt the car move as they manourvered around some slower cars.
"Daijoubu?" asked Maki.
"Ah, eh, yeah! I'm fine! Ehehehe!" said Konoka quickly, putting a smile on her face.
"Hmm, okay" replied Maki, keeping his full attention to the road.
Konoka turned away again after hearing Maki's reply. Her mind was swimming with those strange thoughts and her heart was pounding. She decided to just keep quiet, ignoring the night lights flashing by and the road skimming below them as they sped along the Wangan.
After about 15 minutes of high speed running, Maki finally slowed down to reach the exit ramp that would take them to Mahora Academy.
(end BGM)
"We're almost there" said Maki.
"EH!?" gasped Konoka, jolted out of her reverie.
(10 minutes later, Mahora Dormitories Parking Area)
"Haaah. That was quite a ride!" said Konoka.
"Told you I'd get you here fast." said Maki.
"Ojou-sama, daijoubu?" asked a worried Setsuna.
"Um, I'm okay Se-chan" replied Konoka cheerfully.
"See? Nothing to worry about." said Eiji.
"So where will you two go now?" asked Konoka.
"We'll be staying at a friend's place around here" said Eiji.
"Okay. Se-chan and I will be turning in now. Goodnight guys!" said Konoka.
"Oyasumi!" said Setsuna.
"Goodnight ladies!" said Eiji.
"Goodnight, Konoe-san" said Maki.
Setsuna looked carefully at Maki, which made him a little uneasy. She and Konoka then proceeded towards the dorms.
"Not bad there bro!" said Eiji.
"I don't know." said Maki. "I think I kinda like her though."
-TBC
A/N: This was another challenging chapter to write. Since I have very little information about the Kamiya brothers other than what's known from the game (eg their ages and occupations, or if Maki's in school, or if Maki might already be taken), trying to come up with a good conversation between them and Konoka and Setsuna was difficult. The main thing about bringing these people together was the fact that all come from the Kansai area, but in different cities, so I thought this might be an interesting idea. I don't intend to have anything develop between Konoka and Maki, so KonokaxSetsuna fans don't have to worry (besides, I'm sure Maki's much more interested in cars than girls).
Another thing. Actually playing and listening to the soundtrack I suggested for this chapter (Feel the Moment) actually helped.
RyoTheSaiyan:
So far the Wangan Midnight anime is up to episode 12, just after Keiichiro and his Supra RZ make their first appearance (and first challenge against the Devil Z and Blackbird), and it's in this episode where the RGO crew and Gatchan are introduced.