Nonsense! Just a bunch of nonsense! No way, no! It was impossible, a nonsensical idea! Tsumugi had just been saying it because he got the wrong idea!
' Maybe you have a crush on her. ' That was his first conclusion when he first heard of the situation!? A crush!? That wouldn't make any sense! Once more, it was a spell. She had to be some enchantress! He never truly expressed an interest in anyone before. Surely, he joked here and there, but it was in good fun or just wanting to see the shocked expressions as he had caused some confusion, like calling a certain Producer his 'girlfriend' once. There was no meaning behind it however. So why would this assumption be made now? He had not been trying that hard, right? Besides, it all had a purpose! One purpose! To get rid of a spell!
Ah, him driving insane and not knowing how to get rid of this… Master would surely be disappointed. She would know how to get rid of something like this in an instant. She would not be playing the games he has, none of that. Then again, she would also be resistant to it unless it was by mere choice. Guess the gap is still showing, of course it would be.
A crush… Hmph! Tsumugi doesn't even know what he was talking about! That man didn't understand, he never would! That sounds too absurd! He only knew what was going on with this woman on the surface! There was not much to her, no reason for him to be interested in a way like that!
Wait no, isn't that a little contradicting? Knowing someone on the surface… Weird. Usually Natsume should have a pretty good idea of what is going on with someone in some detail. But if he were to think about this woman in particular… Not much comes to mind. It is hard to say what she is like. She seems to have a special talent to fool a magician like him, making even him claim that there is not much to her. Honestly, what could he even say about her? He never found himself in a situation like this, being unable to see right through someone. It is as if his magic had no effect on her in any way. And to be completely honest… Maybe that was what made her a little fascinating to him. Only presenting surface level knowledge made things less predictable and while he had a good idea about her here and there it never went beyond his observations. And even then it was more generalized, things you could possibly say about just anyone. Yes, maybe that was what had gotten him curious. When he thinks back, to the very first time the two had talked, when she had introduced herself.
' It is nice to meet you. My name is Anja-Sophia Wolff. But just Ann is fine too. I'll be in your care too from now on. Uhm… What is your name? '
She had even bowed as low as she possibly could, being awfully polite. There was nothing too extravagant about this introduction, she was just awfully polite. And for a foreigner she seemed to be familiar with Japanese costumes, so she acted as anyone would expect her to in this environment. Usually it only takes a few words for the magician to deduct someone but with her it wasn't enough. Predictable, yes, but it was something literally anyone could predict from a new staff member. It was not outstanding, it was etiquette. And then she just kept to herself unless work was involved. It was honestly a surprise that she had even opened up to Natsume when they were talking some time ago, that she presented something unique to her, and specifically her. Something which proved that she was not just a blank, walking slate. Perhaps she had more 'color' than she makes others believe. But that was honestly just an assumption. The only one who could truly confirm such a claim would be Sora perhaps. But Natsume couldn't get himself to ask the younger boy, what kind of Master would he be? It's too embarrassing to admit that he had no idea how to approach someone, nor could read them properly. Besides, he… Well… Would rather figure her out himself, if he were completely honest.
This was the first time he could admit something like this to himself. Because who knows thought about this more closely this might be a test of his abilities. It was intriguing. Getting someone to fall under his spell who might be resistant… It was exciting, he had to admit. Knowing that he would not have an easy time… Yes, it was interesting. He enjoyed the challenge. And a test to see how far he had improved and making his own Master proud… Yes. That would be his goal, for sure! That had to be—
No, it was not that simple honestly. Sure, it might play a factor but it didn't explain his fascination with the idea. After all, he had met a few others who were not influenced by his magic before. So… Why her? Why Ann? Why did this cross his mind now? Again… Why her!? Did that even make sense?
There were several reasons as to why but nothing all too specific to her, why he had chosen her. A spell… That was his very first answer back then. And he didn't care up until this point. He didn't want to consider any other possibility, let alone explore other options and reasonings. Perhaps there was something he didn't want to face… But would be made to face it. And who did he have to thank for something like that? Tsumugi. Talk about the irony here. He had to thank this guy of all people… Somehow. In a way. But also he would love to just leash out as usual, letting out some sort of fury for making him face this rather conflicting thought. He didn't want to think about it, facing it even less. But it just had to be brought up and it had stuck in his head ever since. In fact, it was echoing in his head.
'Maybe you have a crush on her.'
Maybe… Yeah, maybe. Maybe he had a point earlier when saying that. A crush… A crush on who he liked to call an enchantress. Yet he was not even sure if she was, having made such an accusation right on the spot without any proof. After all, she had never said anything about being into proper magic, let alone practiced. And none of her actions reflected any of that either. Was it possible that he was just making up excuses here, one after the other? Honestly, at this point… He hated to admit it, saying in any shape or form that Tsumugi might have been right but… Maybe Natsume was just trying to run from the truth. Maybe something made him not want to face it, not want to have any distractions. After all, he wouldn't even know why he would fall for a woman like her to begin with. Where would he even start?
But was it so easy to answer? Love… In the end it was a complicated feeling which can take many forms. Sometimes you start loving for no reason. Well, could he call it love at this point? Maybe he was taking it a little too far. A crush… Yeah, maybe it had been that or it started to become that. A crush, a possible start to make it turn into love. He really didn't want to admit to it, let alone make himself say it. But it seems that the situation put him on the spot, right into a corner. Either walk around like a moron and miss his chance or fully admit to it and actually try to figure out if it were even possible that she could feel the same. It took a lot of thinking, something he had been doing all by himself in a secluded area, certain that no one would disturb him, let alone find him. Natsume's thoughts were rushing through his head and he was jumping from one to the next. It was almost a mess, though he couldn't really sort it. So many reasons, possibilities, options and images ran through his mind. They only had one thing in common: They involved her, Ann. And the more he thought about it, the more curious he got.
Who is she exactly?
What are her interests?
Why is she here and not at another place? Or overseas at home at least…
Does she do anything except for studying and working? If so, what?
These were just the first few questions but he was wondering about her as a person. He was interested, more than he would like to admit. He wanted answers. He had a desire to get to know her, learn more about her than anyone else can, see if she is truly worth his time. Or if he had been blinded without knowing it. Was she so interesting to him? He wasn't sure. Right now the mystery surrounding her perhaps intrigued him more than anything else. Someone he cannot read, at least not how he would want to. It didn't make him frustrated, no. Excited.
Maybe that was her spell. For most uninteresting and perhaps no one would understand Natsume was prepared for such judgment yet would honestly not bother with it, let alone had he the energy to really care what some randos think. It happened, nothing he could do about it now. Yes, he had a crush on her. He was ready to give in, fully admit to it. However she managed to captivate him, whatever 'spell' she used… It worked. It just worked. And there was no turning back now.
Technically there was but he couldn't pass up a challenge like this. Besides, he had to make sure that she would pay for doing something like this to him. If he becomes so captivated by her, to the point he likes to tell himself that she was some sort of enchantress, then she too shall learn what it means to be a magician.
Putting her under his spell… Not to nullify it. Not to get rid of her spell. Not to prove that he was the superior magician. No, none of that. Not anymore at least. This time he shall focus on putting her under his spell, make her look at no one but him. Make her want to forget every potential partner in her life and focus all of her attention on him. A selfish wish but that is what he desired. That is what he wants to try to make reality, right before she could catch on and defend herself. Even if it might take some time, he was ready. Magic doesn't work right away on her, a lesson he had learned the hard way. But there had to be something… He just needed to figure out what. All while getting to know her all the same.
"FufU, just you waTCH. I'll put you under my spell soon eNOUGH~"