"Funny how busy and distracted you get that you lose focus on what was important at the time. And, as time passes, things that were important way back in time tend to become less significant. I wonder if they forgot about the rose and have moved on. Nah I do not think he could let something like this go because it has hurt one of his precious students. How can I get the focus back? I wonder," said the rose thief.
The thief tapped on the magical glass.
"Why is it so precious to that girl. That girl was in fear of boys until he came. That girl is so afraid of her shadow at times that it makes me wonder if she is fit to be his partner. She confessed and yet she is too afraid to hurt her best friend. She has 'that book' though which she holds dear because of the pactio she form with the kid. She has to be taught a hard lesson if she wants to be with him in this magical realm," said the thief.
The dorm room felt empty and cold to Nodoka. It felt like she was the only person ever in that building regardless of hearing girls walk back and forth outside in the hallway. Yue and Haruna were off at their club meetings.
Nodoka was sitting down on the floor with her legs under her and her arms on the table. Her head resting on her arms. In one hand she had the note that Negi wrote her and with the other hand she was tracing imaginary hearts on the top of the table.
Nodoka sighed, "When I yelled that I wanted him, I hope nobody heard me. Ah no! I hope everyone heard it. Maybe it would back some of the girls off. But, without Negi-sensei here, it feels empty inside."
Nodoka reread the note again and hoped he was alright with Kaede.
"I wished he took me with him. Could have been extremely romantic with him and I gazing up at the night sky seeings all those stars. Kaede asleep as Negi and I...," blushed Nodoka.
Nodoka turned on the television by the remote control that was on the far right edge of the table. On the television was a talk show.
"What do you do when the one that you love betrays that love?" said the tv host.
"Well my boyfriend kept secrets from me. He was dating my best friend while dating me," said the guest.
"How did that make you feel?" asked the tv host.
"At first it made me furious at him for doing such a thing. But, then I got really angry at my former best friend," replied the guest.
"Former best friend? Was it because she betrayed your trust and going behind your back to take away the guy you loved?" asked the tv host.
"Well yes. If she was a true friend that I thought she was. If she told me how she felt toward him without hiding it. Then maybe we still might be friends. They broke up a month after because it was just sex between them," said the guest.
"Just sex? Then he was not fulfilled with you or he was obsessed with it," said the tv host.
Nodoka blushed as she shut the television off.
"Yue-san and I already have come to somewhat of an understanding about Negi-sensei. But, that made me blush when the word sex came up," said the red faced bookworm.
"He is still a kid and I am still one too despite being older then him. All we have done was kiss between friends," said Nodoka.
Nodoka thought she heard a male voice walking by the door as she thought it was the professor. She listen intently as it turned out to be Misora-san.
"Better do some homework. Maybe later today he will be home so I can hug him and...," said a giggling and blushing bookworm.
Kotaro Inugami, once fought Negi in Kyoto, is a hanyo. A rival and friend now with Negi who lost in the second round of the Mahora Tournament.
"Negi-kun! Will you stop a moment?" asked the dog demon.
"What is it Kotaro-kun? Extremely tired and busy," replied Negi.
"How come you been skipping training at Eva-chan's place?" asked Kotaro.
Negi does not want Kotaro involved so he thinks of how to get around certain questions pertaining to the rose and other things been happening connected to it.
"Been busy as a teacher. With all those girls and their ramped up fixations outside of their studies makes me wonder at times how some will graduate in the future," said Negi.
"Teaching that hard?" asked Kotaro.
"Very hard these days," smiled the little professor.
"So have you and bookworm advance in your relationship?" asked the dog demon.
"Um...what...relationship? We are just friends," stuttered Negi.
"Right and I am the King of Japan," responded Kotaro.
"There is nothing going on between her and I. I am her teacher," said Negi.
"Boy when you mature down the road and if you are still here. She will turn your head, but by that time she may have moved on," said Kotaro.
"I really do not know where I will be that far in advance. All I know is I am here now and she is just my student. And a pactio partner that has an extraordinary magical gift," replied Negi.
"So if she moved on you would not care?" asked Kotaro.
"I...,"was all Negi could come up with under these circumstances.
"I what?" said Takane Goodman behind Negi with her hands on her hip.
"You should not ease drop on other's conversations," reprimanded Mei Sakura.
"Oh please with the innocent act. You wanted to see dog boy over there," said Takane.
"Yeah and you wanted to see Negi-kun," blushed Mei.
"I most certainly did not. Every time I am around him I tend to end up stripped of clothes," said Takane holding her arms together in front of her.
"It tends to be your fault," said Negi.
"WHAT? IT HAS NEVER...alright a couple times maybe," blushed Takane remember the first two times she was stripped because of Negi. First near the World Tree and the second at the Mahora Festival Fight Tournament.
"She is getting allergic to being stripped professor. Sorry!" said Mei.
"So Mei how has your training been going," asked Kotaro.
Takane pulled Negi away from the other two so Mei could be alone with Kotaro.
"The training...well its going," said Mei.
"Really? That is good," said Kotaro.
Negi could not hear their conversation, but Takane was ready to ask something of Negi.
"Professor despite my attitude toward you, you did a wonderful thing for all of us after beating Chao-san. I like to get you something as a gratitude," said Takane.
"You do not have to get me anything," responded Negi sheepishly.
"But, I do have to. Just would not sit right with me if I could not," said Takane.
"Honestly you do not have to get me anything. A sincerely thank you from a beautiful girl is enough," smiled Negi.
That simple smile affected Takane. It was like she wanted to pick him up and hug him tight.
"Get hold of yourself. He has such charm with the girls. You are a lot older then even his class," said Takane to herself.
"Why are you red? Getting a fever?" asked Negi who never notices a girl tends to blush around him if they like him even a little.
"No...its not it professor," responded Takane trying to calm herself down.
"Well that is good then," as Negi put his hands onto Takane's without her noticing.
His hands are so smooth and tiny. Yet, strong at the same time.
"Professor what are you doing?" asked the blond magi.
"I would like to check for your temperature if I may?" asked Negi.
Takane leaned down and thought Negi would put a hand on her forehead. Instead he put his forehead onto hers as she blushed beet red.
"There is that redness again. No fever though," said Negi.
"I am alright. I have to go," said Takane.
"Alright then," said Negi.
"Mei, come we are leaving." said Takane as they left quickly.
"So how was your talk with Mei?" snickered Negi.
"What does that mean?" asked Kotaro.
"Oh nothing!" said Negi.
Kotaro was embarrassed but decided to let it go because of Mei.
"Well I have to get back at the school (he lied), and so have a great day," said Negi as he was ready to unpack his stuff in his dorm.
Nodoka bumped into Asuna in the cafeteria in line to get something to eat.
"So...um...Asuna-san, have you heard from Negi-sensei?" asked bookworm.
"Think I saw him dash by me on the grounds. I assume he is back from the mountains, but with the brat, you never know," responded Asuna.
"So he is around then. That is such a relief," sighed Nodoka.
"What? You expected any harm to come to him with Kaede-san being with him?" smiled Asuna.
"No...not really. But, I had my worries that something would cause him injuries," said Nodoka.
"Despite him being a brat kid, he can handle himself quite well bookworm," said Asuna.
"With this thing with the rose, it has got me on edge I guess," said Nodoka.
"This is how it will be if you want to be with him. You have to understand something. If you do not feel like you can handle being in this side of magic, then you should give up any hope of being with him. He will not abandon anything with his quest to be like his dad and to find his dad. I understood no one could change him. We, as his partners, are there for him and ready to defend with him. I know you care for the idiot, but you should never distract him from his quest," lectured Asuna.
"I did not think even if he was in love with me that I had that kind of power to stop him. He would not be the person I fell in love with. I simply want to be by his side throughout this quest of his. Until he is ready or thinks he is ready to love, I hope it is me that he has chosen," responded Nodoka confidently.
"Girl something changed?" asked Asuna.
"No...why?" responded Nodoka looking over herself.
"Because it is not the same bookworm as a couple or so months ago. What happen to that timid and sjhy librarian," smiled Asuna paying for her food.
"Have not changed Asuna-san," said Nodoka as she was next to pay for her food.
"There is a change Nodoka-san. You may not notice it, but the kid has changed you," said Asuna walking to unoccupied table.
"Has he?" said Nodoka following Asuna.
"Yes. In a way I like it," said Asuna as she sat down.
"Well thank you," blushed Nodoka as she also sat.
"That has not changed though, but it is cute. No wonder he finds you cute," said Asuna diving into her food.
"The blushing? Wait. he finds me cute?" asked Nodoka as she is eating gracefully.
"Yesh!" said Asuna with a mouthful of food.
That made Nodoka blush more, but it made her smile. Now hopefully to make her day is to see Negi.
Yue was walking in her floor's dorm hallway when she heard a crash sound coming from her professor's dorm room. To her it was strange because Asuna told her that he would not be back until later.
Yue knocked on Negi's dorm door. There was a scampering sound then the door opened. There standing inside the dorm room was indeed Negi with a bump on his head. Yue just stood there.
"Hello Yue-san, what can I help you with?" asked Negi.
"Oh nothing professor. Just was walking to my room and heard the crashing sound," said Yue.
"Oh sorry! It was my backpack that fell onto me. I hit my head on the table on the way down," said Negi.
"You should get the bump on top of your head checked out," said Yue concernly.
"I am alright. Will have Konoka-san patch me up as she tends to do with my cuts and bruises these days," smiled Negi.
"Well I do not want that thing getting infected," said Yue.
"Do not worry about me. It will be fine. Oh, do you want to come in?" asked the little professor.
"I really should not. I have a lot of studying to do," responded the little philosopher.
"I can make some tea. I know it is not extravicant like your other mix drinks though," said Negi.
How could she refuse his invite? She loves him almost as much as Nodoka does. His eyes are twinkling and that smile is driving Yue madly for him.
"Alright one cup," said Yue as she walked inside the room.
"Do not mind the mess. I will prepare some tea. Please sit," said Negi as gentlemanly as possible.
"I cannot believe I am in this room alone with him. Is that what Nodoka experiences?" said Yue to herself.
"So you said studying? Is that class lessons?" said Negi hopefully.
"No I still do not like studying in that area. I am studying magic spells from my pactio item," replied Yue.
Negi was now depressed at hearing Yue still has not change her perspective of class lesson studies.
"Well how is that going?" asked Negi.
"The book has a lot of information that can be overwelming at times. But, it is a good reference whenever I want to learn anything about magic," responded Yue.
"That is good," praised Negi.
Yue suddenly glowed after his praised of her.
Negi brought over the tea and cups. He poured them each a cup of tea. Yue took small sips.
"Can I ask you something?" asked Negi.
"What?" stammered Yue.
"Have you notice Nodoka-san changing in any way?" asked Negi.
"In what way? Her personality may have slightly had a makeover if that was what you were referring to?" responded Yue.
"Kind of! Lately her moods are becoming stronger," explained Negi.
"Maybe because of you professor. She still is in love with you and that probably will not change," said Yue as her heart was breaking.
"It is just something else going on inside her pretty head," said Negi ignoring the 'is in love'you part of Yue's comment.
"I have not had the time to talk with her much these days since some professor has been keeping her to himself," smiled Yue.
"Sorry!" said Negi as he looks down at the floor.
"It is fine with me professor. She is safer with you anyway," said Yue.
"I really do not think that is the case. She may be safer away from me," said Negi.
"You really think she would be safer with me or Haruna-san? You are a magi in training. I just started with this magic. Haruna may have some powerful drawings, but they hardly last that long," said Yue.
"I guess you are right," responded Negi.
"Plus professor, she would be unhappy if you two could not see each other. Julio Cortazar once said, 'Human history is the sad result of each one looking out for himself.' So it would be better if you spent time with her," said Yue.
"But if she gets injured or worse, I do not know what I would do," replied Negi.
"Knowing you professor, you will be able to handle anything," smiled Yue as she put down her cup and got up.
"Leaving already?" asked Negi.
"Yes!" smiled Yue.
Negi got up to walk Yue to the door as she tried to grab the handle and slipped backward toward Negi as the door swung open. Yue was on top of her professor facing him. At that moment Nodoka was at the door just staring.
Yue looked behind her and saw bookworm simply with that blank stare.
"It is not what it looks like Nodoka-san. I...well we...," said Yue.
"It...is...your...business. I have to go," said Nodoka as she dashed off out of sight.
Yue looked back at the professor. Their face was very close to each other.
"My God I am so close to him. No Yue you must not," said Yue to herself as she got off of Negi as fast as possible.
"Lucky I was able to cushion your fall," laughed Negi.
"Sorry professor for that scene," bowed Yue as she was about to dash off to her dorm.
She was gone before Negi could say anything as Negi's dorm door closed.
Nodoka was already in the dorm room she shared with Yue as Yue opened the door. Both of them just looked at each other trying to find what words to say to each other.
"I...am sorry Nodoka-san," was all Yue could say at that moment.
"What for?" said Nodoka.
"Well you know. What you just saw?" asked Yue.
"What did I see? Someone on the professor on the ground inbetween the door. One would think that you fell while trying to opening it," smiled Nodoka.
"You are not upset of what you saw?" asked Yue confused.
"Why would I unless you did something else after I left?" giggled Nodoka.
Yue blushed, "No I did not do anything else with him."
"Why not? You looked comfortable on him," kidded Nodoka.
"You sound just like Haruna-san when she teases you," said Yue.
"Do I?" smiled Nodoka.
"YES!" yelled Yue out of frustration and embarrassment.
"Calm down. I was just teasing you. How does it feel to be on top of him?" snickered Nodoka.
"It felt wonderful," said Yue as the words just slipped freely out.
"Yeah it does. His arms make you feel protected. Those eyes of his are so dreamy that it makes you feel at ease. And my heavens, that smile can melt me everytime I see him do it," gleamed Nodoka.
"Yeah!" smiled Yue.
"Well I know he is safe and sound within the grounds of this campus I can relax," said Nodoka.
"You should go see him. I know you are dying to," said Yue.
Nodoka blushed and said, "Yes, but I do not want to disturb him."
"He has a nasty bump on his head. You should go over there and treat it," said Yue giving Nodoka a good excuse to see him.
"But he has Konoka-san for that," replied Nodoka.
"You treated his wounds in Kyoto so go over there and do it," said Yue.
"Fine!" said Nodoka as she went to the medicine cabinet and got out some stuff for his bump.