"You wanna go down to the pool, Negi?"

Negi awoke with a start. He groggily looked at his alarm clock; he couldn't see the time, though, due to Chamo sleeping right in front of it.

"What time is it?" Negi said, his voice betraying his tiredness- he had been out late the previous night training with Evangeline again. He raised himself up so he could see who was talking to him.

"It's a bit past noon," replied Konoka. "Did you want to go to the community pool with us?"

Negi flopped back down onto his bed. All he wanted to do was go back to sleep; Konoka had asked so nicely though, so he muttered, "Yeah, sure."

"Great!" said Konoka. "Asuna'll be back in a minute; she went to go round up some more people to come with us."

Negi rustled around in his drawers; he knew he had packed a pair of swimming shorts. Finally, he found them, and he snuggled down under his covers to change. Just then, the door opened, and Konoka gasped.

"Wh-what? Asuna… how many people want to come with us?"

"It's the middle of the summer," replied Asuna. "My offer attracted quite the crowd." She looked around the room. "Where's Negi?"

"Changing," replied Konoka. "Under his covers."

"I'm gonna go scare him," Asuna said quietly. She snuck over to the loft and climbed the stairs slowly. When she got to his covers, she ripped them off, only to comedically fall down to the ground below, but not before letting out an exasperated sigh.

"What is it?" asked Konoka, running over to Asuna to help her up.

"That little brat!" replied Asuna. "He went back to sleep!" She tore up the stairs leading to his bed; she activated her harisen and swung it in Negi's direction. Negi opened his eyes just in time to see the fan swinging towards his face; he put up an incantationless magical barrier, and Asuna's harisen simply bounced off the shield. She continued to swing wildly at him, while those who had gathered outside the door started to laugh, enjoying the show.

"Alright, alright already!" Negi said, deactivating the magical barrier and dodging to the side before Asuna's fan could hit him again. "I'm up!"

Asuna settled down. "There, now was that so hard?" Everyone, including Negi, shared a laugh.

"Okay, you guys," said Haruna from the back of the group, "we'd better get going to the pool before it gets too hot for us to walk." Everyone agreed, and they all slowly began to file out into the hallway. Negi noticed that someone was missing.

"Where's Akira-san?" Negi asked.

"Not sure," replied Asuna. "She wasn't there when I went around collecting everyone…"

Everybody was anxious to get swimming, so the trip to the pool didn't take very long, and as soon as they got there, everyone jumped in, Negi included. Well, almost everyone- Yue and Nodoka simply sat on some lawnchairs, trying to get some sun. "We'll swim a bit later," they said.

Negi got out of the pool to head over to the diving board, when he noticed a tall figure emerge from a swimming lane further on down. When she shook her very long black hair out of her eyes, he recognized her immediately.

"Akira-san!" Negi yelled. That got her attention; she looked up and, seeing who it was, broke into a smile.

"Fancy meeting you here, sensei," she said, walking over to him. "You all managed to get all of 3-A out here, didn't you?"

Negi laughed. "Yes, well, you can blame Asuna for that. If you don't mind me asking, what were you doing?"

This time, it was Akira who giggled. "Well, Negi-kun, if you really want to know, I have my regional swimming finals tomorrow. I was practicing for the 100-meter relay."

Negi's eyes widened. "Congratulations on getting to regionals," he said.

"Thanks," said Akira, blushing slightly. "I'd better get back to practicing. If you guys can't come tomorrow, I'll just tell you about it on Monday."

Negi grinned. "Sounds like a plan." Suddenly, Akira reached her arms out and pushed Negi into the water. By the time he had gotten back to the surface, Akira was already back to her practicing. Negi heard laughter behind him; he turned around to see Paru and Konoka in hysterics.

"Oh, come on, it wasn't that funny," Negi said, a bit of a low growl in his voice. This just served to make them laugh harder. Scowling, Negi launched himself underwater and began to swim.

Monday morning rolled around, and Negi found himself once again in front of class 3-A, ready to teach them English. Just then, Akira walked in.

"Akira-san!" said Negi. " How'd your regionals yesterday go?"

Akira looked extremely happy that someone had asked her about it. "As a matter of fact, Negi-kun," she said, "I placed in the top three, which means I'm headed off to the national competition in three days."

"Wow, Akira-san, that's amazing!" Negi said.

"Th-thank you Negi-kun," she said quietly, her blush returning.

"Alright class, quiet down," Negi said. "Give me a minute to find my roll book, then I'll take attendance."

Class went by fine for both teacher and students; once Negi dismissed them, they all left- all except for Akira, who only got up after everyone had left.

"Can I help you with something, Akira-san?" Negi asked.

"Actually, yes," she said. "The nationals, in three days… I happen to have an extra ticket. A friend I had bought the ticket for originally can't make it. I was wondering… maybe… if you wanted to go with us."

Negi's eyes grew wide again. "You want me… to come with you?"

"You don't want to?" Akira asked, a bit of hurt in her eyes.

Realizing she had misinterpreted his answer, he quickly added, "No, that's not it at all. It's just kind of funny, I was thinking to myself that I wanted to go see you, but I didn't have a ticket."

"Well, now you do," Akira said, smiling. "If you want, my parents can come pick you and me up before the meet. It's going to be in Kyoto."

"I'd love to go!" said Negi.

Akira smiled. "Until then, sensei." She bowed and exited the room.

"I think I'm going to enjoy this," he said to himself, packing his books up and leaving.

Three Days Later

After Negi's class let out, Akira met up with him in the hallway.

"You ready to go?" she asked.

Negi smiled. "Been packed since yesterday. We need to run by my room so I can get my bag, then we can head out."

After Akira and Negi got his bag, they walked out to Akira's parents' car. They were waiting outside for them.

"Mom, Dad," Akira began, "this is my English teacher, Negi-sensei."

"It's a pleasure to finally get to meet you," her mother said, shaking Negi's hand.

"Likewise," said her dad, who also shook his head. He turned to Akira. "I hope you don't mind, Akira, but you'll have to sit in the back with Negi."

"Not a problem at all," she said, winking at Negi. "What's that supposed to mean?" Negi thought.

The car took off down the highway; Negi soon found that Akira's father was a very fast driver. Soon, though, Negi got a bit tired; he laid his head back against the seat and was asleep in a minute. Akira looked over at Negi, just in time to see him fall over, his head coming down onto Akira's lap. She was a bit shocked at first ("This… is a bit awkward…") but when she looked up into the rearview mirror and found her dad smiling at her, she decided she didn't mind Negi being there at all. She started lightly stroking his hair, not wanting to wake him up. "I feel like Ayaka…" thought Akira, then blushed at the thought of her ever loving Negi as much as Ayaka did.

It wasn't too long before they got to the place where her match was going to be. Negi woke up slowly; once he realized where his head was (facing her body, no less), he snapped his head upward, preparing to apologize for falling asleep on her- only to find that Akira herself had fallen asleep on the ride there.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," came her mom's voice from the front of the car. "We're here."

That got her to wake up. "Oh, man, I can't believe I fell asleep…" she said. Remembering that Negi was asleep on her, she looked at him, her face growing a bit red. "Did you have a good nap, sensei?"

Negi smiled. "Yes, very comfortable." They both laughed.

"Come on," her dad said. "You're going to be late."

"Sorry, dad," she said. They got out of the car, and Akira turned to Negi. "I have to head in so I can get ready. I'll meet you and my parents after the meet."

"Okay," said Negi. "Oh, and by the way, I need to tell you something."

Bending down a bit, Akira asked, "What is it?" In return, Negi gave her a quick kiss. "Good luck," he said.

Akira's face grew bright red. "Erm… thanks," she said, speeding off towards the locker room.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked himself as he and Akira's parents went into the spectators' area. "I just wanted to give her a bit of inspiration…"

"The match will begin in fifteen minutes," said the announcer, over the loudspeaker. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have here with us today, one of the youngest swimmers to make it to the national championships: Akira Okochi, here representing the Mahora Academy high school swim team- before she's even in high school! That's right, folks- she's only 14, and in her last year of middle school." The crowd began to cheer, with Akira's parents and Negi yelling the loudest.

After fifteen minutes, the first racer took off. "Do you have a program?" Negi asked Akira's dad.

He looked a bit confused. "Now that I think of it, Negi-kun, were they even giving them out?"

"I didn't see anyone passing them out," Negi replied.

"I didn't either," Mrs. Okochi said.

"Odd," remarked her dad. "Why'd you want to know?" he asked Negi.

"Just to find out when Akira-san was racing," replied Negi.

"She's going last," said her father.

"That long of a wait?" Negi asked, to himself.

Negi noticed that many of the racers were extremely fast; he started to wonder if Akira had what it took. Finally, it got to the end. "Now, for our last swimmer," the announcer said, "Akira Okochi!!!" The crowd roared again, and again, Akira's parents and Negi were the loudest cheerers, although all the yelling was starting to take a toll on Negi's voice.

Akira took off, her arms and legs pumping. Negi found himself thinking about how good Akira was at pretty much everything. "She's a beautiful girl," he thought. "But I couldn't try anything with her parents around… could I?" He tore his attention from her and back to… her. Her swimming. She was nearing the finish; when she tapped the edge, everyone cheered for her.

"The judges will need about five minutes to figure out who had the best times," said the announcer. "Please don't get too anxious." He gave a short laugh, then cut the intercom off.

"I hope Akira-san does good," said Negi.

Mr. Okochi smiled. "I'm sure she will."

After the five minutes were up, all 15 swimmers made their way to the edge of the pool. The guy came back on the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, we will now present the awards." Negi leaned forward, eager to see what place Akira got in. She didn't get in fifth…. Or fourth…. Or third.… or second.

"Could she have gotten first place?" Negi asked himself.

"And the winner," said the announcer, "of the 15th annual national swim-off is…" He paused. "Akira Okochi, from Mahora Academy!" The noise in the crowd was deafening; even though Negi had almost lost his voice, he still found enough voice to cheer for her one last time. Akira received her medal; she waved to the crowd and winked at Negi; he felt his face grow red.

Akira soon met up with them; her parents hugged her tightly. "You were awesome!" they said.

"Thanks," she replied. Looking over at Negi, her smile grew wider. "So, how was your first swim match?"

"I think I might do this again," he said, and he and Akira shared a quick laugh. They all got in the car; when her dad turned it on, he saw that it was already 9:30 at night.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Mr. Okochi asked his wife.

"Definitely," she replied, a mischievous grin on her face. They pulled out of the parking lot and got back on the road. After awhile, Akira asked, "Where are we going?"

Her parents smiled. "Well, we don't want to drive home tonight, so… we're staying at a hotel tonight."

Akira and Negi looked at each other. "This can't be good," Negi muttered.

"My thoughts exactly," replied Akira.

They soon pulled into the hotel parking lot; Mr. Okochi barely missed hitting a stopsign as he pulled into a spot. He and Mrs. Okochi went in to make reservations, leaving Akira and Negi alone in the car.

"You do realize we'll probably have to spend the night in a room together tonight," said Negi.

"I think we'll manage," she said, smiling at him. Negi felt his face grow red. "Was her smile always that beautiful?" he thought. Soon, mom and dad came back.

"Well, this is what we're going to do," Mrs. Okochi said. "Me and daddy are going to stay in a room, and you and Negi-kun will be in the room next to ours." Akira and Negi looked at each other, both with an "I knew it" look in their eyes. They unloaded their stuff into their rooms; Akira went to go take a shower and Negi flipped on the TV. After Akira finished with her shower; she came out of the bathroom; Negi was about to ask her something when he noticed something odd about her- she was completely naked.

"Um, Akira-san," he said, feeling an explosive nosebleed coming on, "you kind of… well… forgot your clothes."

She simply said, "I know."

Fishing for a change of subject, Negi asked, as he averted his eyes, "What time is it?"

Akira laughed. "It's party time!!"

The Next Day

Negi got up, as usual; he got dressed and went down to breakfast. He made his way over to Akira's table, where she was chatting animatedly with Ako, Yuna, and Makie. He heard Ako ask about the previous night, and heard Akira reply, "Oh, me and Negi-kun got to spend the night in a hotel room last night."

Makie looked like she was going to cry. Negi felt it best to step in then.

"Hey, Akira-san," he said. Akira looked up.

"Good morning to you, Negi-sensei," she said. "How'd your hour and a half of sleep go after we came back?"

He laughed. "Not bad, not bad." He winked at Akira. "I had a lot of fun last night." Negi took off before anyone could say anything.

Akira looked over at Yuna and Ako, only to find looks of horror on their faces. Yuna spoke up first: "You didn't… really… did you?"

Akira's face grew bright red. "Oh, come on, Yuna, no way! Besides, he's only ten…"

"So then, what did you two do last night?" asked Makie.

"Oh, that's going to be a secret," replied Akira. "But I will tell you this: Last night was one night that neither of us will be forgetting anytime soon."