Chapter 2: Secretive Promise

"Kono-chan" really had nothing better to do at home, after she realized she had fallen asleep for a few hours after her tears dried out from crying all night the day before. Jumping on the couch in a child-like way, she turned on the television hoping that it would help her get her mind of what her girlfriend said last night. But then again, it was useless. She continuously switched from channel to channel until she heard the door's bell has been lightly pushed by someone behind that door. Konoka lazily stood up from the soft couch and opened the wooden door. She found herself in for a surprise that she, herself, did not see coming.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KONOKA!!!"

Her former Ala Alba teammates had came to greet her and wished her a pleasant birthday. Despite the fact that she was happy to see everyone again after a few months or so, she had tried to track down someone from the crowd… apparently, that person is nowhere to be seen. Not only Setsuna was not there, but neither was best friend, Asuna.

Konoka's face had a sad look on her face… again, but she managed to hide it from the people with happy smiles and packed of presents in their hands by a simple low bow of gratitude.

"Thank you, everyone!" The princess thanked, trying to put on a smile, whether it is fake or not. "Why are you guys here?"

"Oh Konoka, you're asking a question you know the answer to," The sly artist said, smiling happily as she carefully handed Konoka her present.

"We came to wish you a happy birthday, Konoka-san!" The bookworm replied, also handing her own present to the Kyoto's princess.

"I thank you all," Konoka bowed again, with a real actual smile this time. "Why don't you guys come in?"

Konoka invited her friends in and set her birthday presents on the coffee table.

"Please make yourself at home," The healer said with a bright smile as she closed the door.

"Wow, so this is your house!?" A red-hair reporter said as she held her camera to take an overall picture of the neat house.

"It's impressive," Even the net idol was truly impressed at how organize it was.

"It's truly is, nin nin!" The ninja said, summoning her copies to take a quick look around the house.

"There's even a campfire!" The white haired ghost said as she flew near the warm fire, even though she knew how well she wouldn't be able to feel the heat.

"According to my research, the location and this house's features could be the best in town…" The purple hair girl began on and on with her rambles of knowledge.

The green haired robot walked in front of Konoka and handed her a small nicely wrapped bottle. "This is from Master. She couldn't make it today."

"Oh, thank you, Chachamaru-san!" Konoka said, taking the weird looking bottle that seemed to contain an unknown specified liquid.

The yellow hair Chinese girl placed the newly cooked Chao Bao Zi's cake on the large wooden coffee table, setting it next to the birthday presents. "Is it okay if we have a party tonight in here, Konoka-san?"

The princess gave a light nod without any hesitation, "Sure, I don't mind."

Konoka giggled at the joyful atmosphere and the usual attitudes that her friends had. She was glad to see her friends again, but surely, deep in her heart somewhere, the thorns were not yet pluck out. She still could not bring out a true smile.

She didn't feel like asking this, nor does she want to ask this. But something was just telling her she must know, "Where's Asuna?"

The noise around the room was completely silenced by the question that was brought up by Konoka. No one dared to speak as they nervously gaze at each other from across the room.

"So…?" Konoka asked again, having a rather suspicious look on her face.

"Asuna-san is with my master. It seems that master needs to speak with her," The green hair robot spoke up after everyone decided that they shouldn't answer for some odd reason.

"Uh… yea! Asuna is with Evangeline-san!" Everyone followed along, saying it almost in a synchronize way, as though they had practiced for days.

'That was weird…' Konoka thought to herself.

"Now then! We should get the party started before nightfall!"

Everyone cheered with joy, as they carefully watched their tongues, hoping that the secret would not slip out.

…2 Hours Later…

Konoka tried her best to not cry. Yes, it could have been the best birthday party she have ever received, if only her "Secchan" was here with her. She glared down at the presents just beside her. They were all wrapped nicely by her friends (except the one that belonged to Ku Fei).

"What are you waiting for? Open them!" Haruna rushed the healer to open what were in store for her.

Kazumi already had the camera ready in hand, and everyone else just sat and watched. The tension in the air grew, but Konoka didn't feel really excited, and it was quite obvious why.

…30 Minutes Passed…

Everyone went back to either gamming, or telling scary stories while wrapping up themselves in warm blankets they took from Konoka's cabinet. On the other hand, even though Konoka was participate in the fun birthday events that everyone set up just for her, she wasn't paying half of her attention toward to what she was doing, leading to countless of careless mistakes she made in card games.

"I'm going out for a bit, I just forgot I need to buy something," was Konoka's excuse for relieving herself off the heavy burden of stress she had in mind. As soon as her front door was closed, and her steps were no longer heard anywhere near her house, the group began to cuddle in close circle and talked quietly as possible (just in case if the princess popped out of nowhere like she always does).

"Hey, isn't this a bit harsh for Konoe-san, keeping a secret like this from her," Chisame, oddly enough, started the conversation.

"But we made a promise with Setsuna-san!" Nodoka reminded everyone, as she, too, was concerned.

"I guess there's no choice but to see how this would end up, I mean she can't hide it forever. And it's Konoka's birthday today as well," Yue added.

"There's nothing we could do. We'll just have to watch what would happen."

I totally rushed in this chapter! I didn't even have time to edit TT^TT

Sorry to say but I think I would be one day late to finish this story; meaning I am going to have to complete it tomorrow because of my busy schedule! Sorry Kono-chan! I'll make it up to you! TT^TT

Well... I hoped you enjoy anyway! Again I DID NOT EDIT ANYTHING YET! So if you see any mistakes, please do tell me.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING OF NEGIMA!

Please review everyone, it makes me happy and encourages me to write (or type...) ^^

-Seiren