Slowly coming up the steps from spying on their ten year old roommate and a classmate, Asuna and Konoka spotted Setsuna waiting patiently outside of the duo's dorm room. Setsuna had her back against the wall with one foot up.

"So where have you two been this late evening?" asked Setsuna.

"Well, we...were...um...," said Konoka hesitantly looking over toward Asuna.

"Just making sure someone was fine," replied Asuna.

"So Negi-sensei is with someone then," said Setsuna taking an educated guess.

"Yeah!" said Konoka amazed at Setsuna's guess.

Asuna opened the dorm door as the three of them walked inside.

"Are you alright Nodoka-san?" asked Negi now nervous because Nodoka's face was inches away from his.

Nodoka began to blush beet red because she wished he would have kissed her softly on her lips.

"Yes...I am fine," said Nodoka trying to compose herself.

"Do you have many suspects as far as the rose being stolen from you?" said Negi as he is oblivious of how many girls adore him more then a teacher.

"Just a few sensei," responded Nodoka.

"A few? Why would anyone want to take that rose?" questioned Negi.

Nodoka being coy said, "Yes a few me and Yue-san came up with. The rose symbolizes something beautiful to us girls."

"Really? All I thought that the rose meant a friend giving another friend a gift," said Negi.

"Definitely a ten year old kid," said Nodoka's inner voice to herself.

"So shall I walk you back to your room?" said Negi.

"Sure!" said Nodoka.

There was deathly silence between the two as they walked to Nodoka's dorm room.

"Well we are here professor," said Nodoka.

A thump was heard behind the dorm door.

"Well until tomorrow then," said Negi as he started to walk away.

Nodoka stared at him and asked politely as she could, "Professor before you walk away I would like to tell you something?"

Negi turned around and walked back to the bookworm and said, "Yes? What is it?"

Nodoka faced turned red as she came close to Negi and gave him a tight hug. Negi just stood there shocked.

"Thank you for understanding about the rose and am happy we are friends," whispered Nodoka.

Negi hugged her back softly and replied, "You are welcome and I would not want to lose our friendship over a rose."

"Move your chest against his chest," said Nodoka's lusty inner voice.

"I cannot do that," replied Nodoka to herself.

They separated as he took her hand by her surprise. He held it in his hand remembering how she held his hand in the infirmary. He let go of her hand as she opened her dorm door and vanished inside.

"What is this quick beating of my heart all of the sudden?" asked Negi to himself as he walked toward his dorm room.

Meanwhile as Negi and Nodoka was still out in the hallway talking, the three young ladies, Asuna, Konoka, and Setsuna, were all around a table eating snacks made by Konoka.

"This...good...,"said Asuna still chewing.

"Thank you," replied Konoka.

"So, what you have told me earlier is that the rose that the professor gave Nodoka-san was stolen from her room. There was no evidence of anyone being inside while they slept," said Setsuna.

"That is right. From what we gather someone or a group of jealous girls took it upon themselves to try and break up the twerp and bookworm," said Asuna.

"Did Negi-sensei ask for your help yet?" asked Setsuna.

"Of course not. He will probably do it by himself like everything else," said Asuna.

"Maybe he will Asuna-san," said Konoka.

The three girls heard the dorm room door open as Negi glided inside.

He saw the three and said, "Hello girls."

"Where have you been? Getting into trouble I bet," asked Asuna.

"No it...was not anything like that. Nothing for you three to worry about," said Negi.

"Whenever you tell us not to worry, we worry even more. Something is up so spill," said Asuna getting mad and worried by the second.

"Asuna-san, leave him be. If he does not want to trust us with what he is involved in. Then who are we, even though we are his partners, to stop him," said Setsuna sternly.

"Sorry, Set-chan but it is the way it has to be for now," said Negi.

Setsuna excused herself from the room as she walked out into the hallway heading toward her room.

"That was rude," said Asuna.

"Goodnight girls," replied Negi as he climbed up to the loft. Negi got into his pajamas and climbed into his futon without saying another word.

Asuna and Konoka just watched their roommate go to bed.

Just a little earlier, Nodoka opened her dorm door as she heard a thump behind the door. Nodoka close the door as Haruna laid sprawled on the floor next to the door.

"Oh my God! What happen?" said Nodoka shaking.

"Serves you right Paru for trying to listen," said Yue coldly.

Haruna rubbed her nose and fixed her glasses that were crooked on her face from being hit by the door.

"Are you alright?" asked Nodoka.

"Yeah I am fine," replied Haruna trying to wipe tears away from her eyes underneath her glasses.

Yue turned her attention toward her best friend and asked, "So how did it go?"

Yue, just for a second, hoped it went bad.

"He was so sweet and understanding. Think I am falling deeper for him," said now a glowing bookworm.

"Great! So what did he say about the rose?" asked Yue.

"Well he understood the circumstances and ask if he could help find who stole it with me tomorrow," said Nodoka.

"Aw you two are spending time together alone," said Haruna smiling.

"I guess," said a blushing Nodoka.

A little pain in Yue's chest all of the sudden came about from hearing Nodoka and Negi are going to be alone together.

"Damn it breathe. Close your eyes and think of books and calm down before Nodoka notices something is wrong," said Yue to herself.

"Yue-san, is something wrong?" asked Nodoka.

"Nothing is wrong Nodoka-san and everything is fine. Must been something I drank," said Yue.

"Sure it is," chirped Haruna.

Yue shot Paru a dirty look.

"So what did you two do outside in the hall in front of the door?" asked Haruna.

"Not much else that you did not hear," said Nodoka never going to mention her intimate hug and how Negi took her hand into his hand.

Negi woke up anxious the next morning ready to get going for a very busy day teaching and helping one of his students fine that elusive missing rose.

Konoka was awake earlier then usual as she had her head in a book.

"Studying Konoka-san?" asked the professor as he climbed down to the loft.

"Yeah your assignment you gave us. I totally spaced out yesterday and forgot to read the play," said Konoka still looking at the page of the book.

"You do not have to read all of the play at once," replied Negi.

"I am off to the baths before all the girls will be there I hope," said Negi.

"With your luck professor, every girl in this dorm will be down there," giggled Konoka.

Negi headed toward the bath and made it without any interruptions.

He stripped down and climbed in relaxing for a bit until he heard a voice.

"Nodoka-san and Paru-san are still asleep. Might as well get here early before class," said a girl's voice.

Negi looked at the direction where the voice was coming from and started to panic.

There standing there looking directly at the ten year old was Yue in just a bath towel.

"Um sorry professor," said Yue as she turned around and started to head back to the girl's changing room.

"I am getting out anyway. You do not have to go," said Negi.

Yue turned around and said to herself, "This is a unique opportunity to be alone with him. You are almost naked, but your body is not like most of the class."

Negi helped her into the steamy pool.

"Professor you do not have to leave. I will not look," said Yue already did look at Negi.

"But, I do not want you to be uncomfortable," said Negi.

"It is not a big deal. Not like I am in love with you or anything," said Yue almost blushed when she said that trying to hide the fact she lied.

"Can I ask you something?" said Negi as he looked into Yue's eyes.

"Wha... are you looking at?" asked Yue.

"Your eyes. Safest area to view," smiled Negi.

"Sure what do you want to ask?" said Yue calmly.

"Why did Nodoka worry about her telling me that the rose I gave her went missing from your room?" asked Negi.

Yue pondered a bit and said, "Well you do know how she feels toward you right? I think in her belief that you would chastise her for losing the rose and end up dismantling your friendship with her. More importantly if she feared she lost you would definitely tear her up inside because when you love someone so deep and hurt them. A piece of you tears as well. Nodoka-san was scared to admit that kind of fear in itself existed between the two of you. She never feel deep for anyone in her life until you."

Negi was shaking a little hearing someone was so in love with him. He still cannot fathom the thought since he is ten years old.

"You told her you will help her track down the person or persons who stole the rose. She is so very happy just to spend the time alone together like you two did in Library Island. Just use your judgment professor about what you tell her and what you do from now on," said Yue.

"Right!" was all the kid teacher could say as he was still in a thinking mode of analyzing all Yue said.

They both washed up as Negi was preparing to leave. He tripped over Yue's short legs as she tried to grab him from falling. With his magical strength he pulled her up off of the water and on top of him on the floor protecting her.

Their lips met by mistake, even though Yue loved it inside, as Yue immediately got off of him and was apologizing for trying to save him, for the kiss, and for landing on top of him.

"No worries Yue-san. Mistakes and accidents happen," said Negi.

"That kiss was no mistake professor," replied Yue to herself as she blushed.

Yue threw a towel toward the professor so he could cover up.

Negi looked down and blushed beet red and quickly tied the towel around his waist.

"Thank you," said Negi.

Yue's gazed away and said, "No problem. I am going to finish washing up so will see you in class."

"Sure!" as Negi walked away.

Yue got back into the steamy pool and started to wash up. She was remembering how soft Negi's lips were and how she was on top of him.

"I cannot think that. Nodoka-san is in love with him," said Yue to herself.

"So why did you not confess to him Yue-san?" said a male white ermine.

"Chamo is that you?" asked Yue.

"Yes it is and I saw the whole thing at the end," said Chamo.

Yue began to become furious and scared at the same time.

Yue begged Chamo to not tell Nodoka-san or anyone what happen with her professor.

"So how was the kiss?" asked Chamo.

"Why you...should never ask a girl how a kiss is," replied Yue angrily.

"Must been good since you are blushing," spoke the perverted ermine.

Yue sighed.

"Alright your secret is safe with me. One day though you need to confess your feelings because it is not healthy for you to bottle up your emotions," said Chamo as he scurried away somewhere.

Yue got up as most of the class now coming out of the changing room and into the bathing area.

"Are you alright Yue-san?" asked Kaede.

"Yeah I am fine," replied Yue as she hurried toward the changing room before someone would notice tears streaming down her cheeks.

Eva finally over her allergies as she emerged from her soft bed surrounded by her dolls.

"Master how are you doing?" asked Chachamaru.

"Fine, thank you," replied Eva rubbing her eyes trying to wake up.

"Does that mean you are well enough to attend class today?" asked Chachamaru.

"I suppose it does mean that unfortunately," sighed Eva hating school every day she is trapped at Mahora.

"Breakfast will be ready with tea shortly," said Chachamaru happily.

"Alright I am going to shower up before then," replied Eva.

A few minutes later Eva sat down as Chachamaru brought out breakfast and the tea.

"Very good Chachamaru," complimented Eva on breakfast.

"Thank you Master. By the way, Negi found out about the missing rose and is going to help Nodoka-san find out who took it," said Chachamaru.

"Oh really, so boya be helping Miyazaki-san? That should be interesting," replied Eva.

"Because of her feelings for him?" asked Chachamaru.

"Precisely Chacha. Here was a girl who was almost deathly afraid of boys and instantly once my apprentice shows up in this hell hole of an academy, she falls head over heels for him. You do not think it is strange?" said Eva coldly.

"But, Master it just not Nodoka-san who is falling for the professor," said Chachamaru.

"You are ONE of them Chachamaru," said Eva with an evil grin.

"I...cannot...just..." stuttered Chachamaru.

"You did not think I would not notice how you have changed since boya got here," said Eva.

"I cannot have 'feelings' because I am not human," said Chachamaru.

"One does wonder Chacha about that since you are half magic. And with the technology of Chao-san and Hakase-san making up the other half, you seem to feel more then you will admit when it comes to the professor," said Eva.

Chachamaru could not respond as she walked away to do some cleaning before class started.

The Narutaki twins tried unsuccessfully pulling their weekly prank on Negi as he side-stepped what was waiting for him as he approached the door to the class room.

Ayaka piped loudly, "Girls have you no shame picking on the professor."

The twins looked down after being scolded by the class rep.

"It is alright Miss Yukihiro-san. The twins met no harm," said Negi.

The twins looked at their teacher and beamed brightly as Fuka stuck her tongue out at Ayaka.

The whole class laughed with the exception of Eva and Chisame who thought it was childish.

"So did everyone read or at least attempt to read the play that I told everyone to read?" asked Negi.

Most of the hands were raised by his students.

"Asuna-san, can you tell me what the play was about?" asked Negi.

Asuna sighed and told the little professor she did not have time to read it.

"That is because she cannot read pass a teen magazine," said the class rep.

"What did you say?" asked Asuna to Ayaka.

"Just commented on your reading level is all monkey-girl," snickered Ayaka.

"Moving on. Zazie-san? Can you tell me what the play was about?" asked Negi.

The whole class looked toward the quiet juggler.

Zazie just stared blankly and shook her head no.

"Eva-chan, can you?" asked Negi.

Eva hated to participate in class but said, "William Tell is about the political question of tyrannicide. He was a French hero of the French revolution. A marksman who had great accuracy."

"Wow Eva-chan I am amazed at your acute knowledge," said Negi.

Eva smiled big that she showed off in front of the class.

"What three jobs were held in the opening act by the three men?" asked Negi.

"Fisherman, herdsman, and a hunter," said Nodoka before anyone could answer.

"Very good," smiled Negi.

All the class looked directly at Nodoka.

"Teacher's pet I see," grumbled Chisame.

"Another question about the first act. What event cause someone to want to cross the water with a ferry boat?" asked Negi.

"It was a murder of the Seneschal and the character Baumgarten killed him in his house," said the blond class rep.

"Last question, where was Tell born?" asked Negi.

"Burglen?" questioned Misora.

"Right! For the rest of class I expect everyone to either reread the play or start reading it," replied the ten year old professor.

"Now where am I?" said the mysterious voice looking around.

"A clock tower that does not work. A field of flowers. And I am still nowhere close in finding him," sighed the voice.

As the bell rang to end class, Negi asked if Nodoka would stay behind for a minute or two. Some of the girls became jealous and others were whispering gossip as they left.

"So what did you want to see me about professor?" asked Nodoka.

"Do you have to work today?" asked Negi.

"No, and a matter of fact were we suppose to do something together?" asked the petite bookworm.

"We were going to find out who took your rose," said Negi.

"Oh yeah I totally forgot about that," replied Nodoka.

"After school then?" asked Negi politely.

"Sure!" said Nodoka as she walked out to the hallway and met Yue there.

Later after school ended, Negi met Nodoka outside by the fountain.

"Waited long?" asked the professor.

"Not very long," said the bookworm.

Matter of fact she would wait for him as long as he needed.

"Shall we tackle Library Island and look up some things before we commit ourselves to do anything further?" asked Negi.

"Yes!" replied Nodoka.

"Alright let us go," said Negi.

As they were walking toward Library Island, a soft breeze blew Nodoka's hair away from her eyes.

Negi looked at her face and said, "You have a beautiful face and sensual eyes Nodoka-san. You should let more people see how pretty you are."

Nodoka blushed badly at Negi's comment. But, at the same time inside she was beaming with joy.

"I...do not know what to say," stuttered Nodoka.

Negi smiled.

Nodoka all the suddenly tripped and began to fall until Negi grabbed her into his arms and caught her as she was leaning with her back facing the ground.

"Um...thank you," said a blushing librarian.

"No problem. Should watch where you were walking," said Negi.

Nodoka put her arms around Negi's neck and pulled him down.

"There you go Nodoka-san. Give him a big passionate kiss," exclaimed Nodoka's inner voice.

Nodoka blinked and realized what she was doing and release her grasp around Negi's neck. Negi pulled her back to her standing in front of him.

"Sorry!" said an embarrassed bookworm.

"Sorry about what?" said Negi oblivious.

"Oh nothing then," said Nodoka.

"You missed another chance. When will you have enough courage like you did at the festival to kiss him again," said Nodoka's inner voice.

Nodoka took Negi's arm and put her arm around it.

"So I do not fall again," giggled Nodoka.

"Alright by me," replied the professor.

The Narutaki twins saw Negi and Nodoka arm to arm walking toward Library Island.

Nodoka was beaming by the way she looked according to Fumika who is one of the twins.

"Did you see that sis?" asked Fuka.

"Sure did sis," replied Fumika.

A/NWilliam Tell info was found in Wikipedia.