Disclaimer: None of the anime used in this story belong to the writer. This is a work of fiction done for fun, not money. Please do not sue. You won't get much anyway.
Chapter Six: Summertime Dream
"Hello everyone! I'm back!" Caria declared excitedly
"Welcome back, Buchô!" her club greeted her. They added further comments, saying how good it was to have her back, and how they could do almost nothing without her, but she mostly ignored them as she hurried back into the heart of the lab.
"Ah, it's so good to be back! So, how are our inventions going? What do we still have to work on? And…oh, Miyu!"
"I'm awaiting my checkup, Caria-sama," Miyu informed her.
"Oh, you shouldn't have waited this long for it! Why didn't you get Makimura-sensei or someone to take a look at you?"
"I would not dare allow anyone other than you or Sakura-sama to perform maintenance on me."
Caria set Miyu on the table and began to examine her. "In any case, you seem to be in good condition considering how long you've gone without a check-up. Have you been taking it easy?"
"I have not been overly involved in the training of Kain-sensei and his party. With their numbers, and the additional aid of Allen Black, there has not been a need for me."
"Well, I'm glad to hear it. In any case, I'll soon have you in tip-top shape and you can get involved as much as you want from now on…."
8-8-8
"Well, Mai, here we are—sorry to keep you waiting. These are the results of my investigations."
Miki walked up and handed the folder to Mai. "No, it's fine, Hanabishi-san…that was fast. I didn't wait long at all."
Miki sat down in the seat across from Mai. "Of course, to a daughter of a prominent political family, an investigation like this is nothing. However…I have to admit, there's not much." Mai opened the folder and looked through the papers and attached photos as Miki continued, "It does appear that Kalan Lockeheart, father of Kain Lockeheart, undoubtedly went missing fifteen years ago."
"So he's not dead then?" Mai queried, a serious look on her face.
"Not according to the records," Miki replied. "But no one knows. There's no record of his date of death, no record of his corpse being found anywhere. Everything seems to suggest that, fifteen years ago, he completely disappeared."
"Hmm…." ('So he's disappeared from this world…that wouldn't be strange if he returned to the magic world…to know more, we'd have to check the records they have of him, in Grandall…perhaps see if Saber…if the Queen of Avalon knows anything more…Jynx said that he was investigating something near the old country, related to the Obsidian Star…I wonder if we could find it…although perhaps we should wait before going that far….')
Miki considered the bigger girl. "…So, what now?"
"Eh?"
"Regardless, the investigation of the matter, as far as documentation, ends here. If you're looking for him, it's now become a matter of a personal search. So, what are you planning?"
"Ah, well…there's nothing to worry about," Mai assured her. "We'll handle it from here. Thanks, Hanabishi-san…I think we're closer to finding Kalan now. I owe you one. So of course, if there's anything more that pops up on our side, we'll keep you informed."
"Hmm. Is that so…and who is this 'we' you're speaking of?"
"Eh!? Er, no, that's…."
There was a familiar chuckle behind Mai. "No need to try and hide it, Mai," Riza said as she appeared. "We know all about it!"
"It's so interesting!" Izumi chortled. "Why are you trying to hide it from us, Mai-chan?"
"W-what?"
"Did you think you could hide it from us, Mai?" Miki demanded, smiling slightly. "You've gone and formed your own little exclusive club for finding Kain-sensei's father, and you're planning a trip to America to start looking, right? That's quite unfair of you. Why are you only including certain members of the class?"
"That's right!" Kaoru declared, appearing from off-stage, the right. "We want to help Kain-sensei, too! And going to America on your own!? Completely unfair!"
"You can't do this!" Kanade agreed, appearing from off-stage, the left. "As an official of class 3-A, I demand this privilege be extended to the entire class!"
Mai looked around in fright as the people closed in. "N-no, we weren't really trying to hide it or anything…" she tried.
"No excuses!" Kanade insisted.
"It's rather rude of you, Mai," Miki needled. "Forcing me to find all this information for you and then keeping us all out of the loop…."
"Honya-chan and Kazumi-chan are going, too, aren't they!? And you're keeping us just outside the camp! That's evil, Mai-chan!" Kaoru seemed quite indignant.
"I-I really wasn't trying to keep you guys out or anything…." ('D-darn it,') Mai thought. ('What do I do now? I can't tell them we're going to a country of magic. W-well, maybe I can come up with something….')
"I-it's true that both the new club and the trip to America are true…" she began. "But there's a special place we need to go to in order to look for Kain-sensei's dad. This is America we're talking about, but it's not New York or Los Angeles, or even someplace like Las Vegas…Wyoming is a barren, inhospitable region of deserts and mountains. You've heard Kain-sensei talk about it, right? In order to prepare for it, we've been undergoing special training since the end of the School Festival."
"S-special training?" Riza asked. "Like on a mountaintop or something?"
"Arctic survival training?" Izumi queried.
As is sometimes the case, the Baka Trio had incredible fortune in ignorantly touching upon the real truth. "Y-yeah! That's right! That's why we can't take anyone who hasn't been trained…."
"Really…" Kanade said. "A sound excuse. However, why didn't you approach any of the rest of us about it? This is sus~picious!
"We can't let her keep that information if she's going to leave us out!" she continued. "Kaoru-chan, Baka Trio, capture that woman and take the file back!"
Kaoru, Riza and Izumi answered enthusiastically in the affirmative, but allergic-to-exercise Miki just looked on as the other four all leapt at Mai….
And moments later they were all lying in a tangled mess in the middle of the floor, while Mai was all the way at the entrance to the little lounge. "Sorry, minna," she said. "I'll make it up to you later, I promise!" And she hurried out before they could recover.
The four began to grumble and pick themselves up as Miki stared after Mai. "When did Mai-chan become that athletic and fast?" Kaoru muttered, voicing all of their thoughts.
Then Alyssa stepped up to them out the shadows, a sly look on her face. "Well, well…what a mess, eh, dorm supervisor?"
"E-eh? Alyssa-chan?"
"It's true that you can't go on this trip without special training," Alyssa informed them.
"But how would you know anything about that…?" Kanade began. Then they all caught sight of the Japanese specialty, the armband she wore that proclaimed her as the club's honorary advisor.
"W-what!?" Riza demanded in shock. "Alyssa-chan, you're the club's…!?"
"B-but it makes sense for some reason…" Izumi murmured.
"Let's give you a chance to try out for the club, too," Alyssa announced with a huge smile on her face. "We're classmates, after all. Yes, today's a nice summer festival, isn't it? Today's a great day to try this out…."
8-8-8
Before long, Alyssa had gathered these five, as well as Riku, Risa, Matake, and Yukari. Alyssa regarded the nine with a rather bemused expression. "This is just about all that's left of the normal people in this class," she muttered.
"How unfair!" Risa declared when the situation was explained to them. "A personal club spending summer vacation traveling to America!? Just how exclusive can you people get!?"
"I think you're taking this a little far, Risa," Riku muttered. "Still…."
"In any case, what were you saying about a test, Alyssa-chan?" Miki asked.
"Yes, a test." Alyssa smiled at them. "If you pass this test, we'll allow you to go on the trip as well."
"Well? What is this test?" Riza demanded.
"All the new club's members are heading for the summer festival right now." She held up a tiny white badge, a pin shaped in the form of a stylized wing with some writing on it. "Each of them has one of these badges affixed to their chests. If you can retrieve one of these by force—or trickery—from one of the club members, I'll admit you into the club as a special new member."
She left them then to consider this.
"Well," Miki said to Izumi, "if we go to Kain-sensei's home country, you might be able to meet Kalan-san. Two birds with one stone, as it were."
"Wait, Miki-chan! That's not…."
"Wouldn't it be easy to take a badge from one of them while they're off-guard?" Kaoru asked.
"Hmm," Riku murmured, observing the club roster. "It's probably not that easy…."
She showed the paper around. The officers were listed first, including 'President – Mai Tokiha', 'Vice-President – Hinagiku Katsura', and others. The girls perused the names with growing fear and wonder.
"Whoa!?" Riza exclaimed in shock. "This member list…Mai-chan, Hina-chan, Erika-chan, Akari-chan…."
"…And Kiami-chan, Momo-chan, Kenjirô-kun, Hikaru-kun…so many participants from the Martial Arts Tournament," Matake observed. "They don't seem like the kind of people who'd be caught off-guard…." But Kazumi's among them…well done, Kazumi!
"Well, we don't get anything done sitting around talking about it!" Risa declared. "We might as well give it a try! Let's go!"
And so they departed.
8-8-8
"Still, it's quite a challenge," Izumi said as they made their rounds, looking for their victims. "Is there anyone weaker than us from whom we could take badges?"
"There is," Miki said. She pointed. "Those three are our targets."
Approaching, dressed in their fine kimonos, were Nodoka, Yue, and Ami, the Library Trio. "I wonder what this badge is for?" Nodoka murmured.
"Who knows?" Yue said without concern. "It's supposed to be proof of membership or something."
"In any case, it's cute enough," Ami observed.
"Hohoho," Riza chuckled. "We are masterful villains, aren't we? Going immediately after the mildest-looking trio! Away we go!"
And so the confrontation began as the Baka Trio began to stalk the unsuspecting Library Trio….
8-8-8
["And what are these?" The group examined the little badges Miyu had given them. They were shaped like small wings, white and carefully-crafted.
"These are badges for your club," Miyu explained. "Alyssa-sama did not approve of the various names for your club, so she devised her own name. Kalan Lockeheart's group was called 'The Red Wings', so she has decided to call you 'The White Wings'. These badges are presents she has prepared for every member of your club."
"They're quite cute," Kagome observed happily. "We can really have them?"'
"There is one for every member of the club. Please, take them. These badges are your proof of membership, so you must wear them during the festival today, per Alyssa-sama's instructions."
"Yes, that's not bad," Momo admitted. "The name, too. 'The White Wings'…that brings back memories, no doubt…."
"However," Miyu continued, "since that badge is your proof of membership, you must keep it safe. Anyone who loses their badge before departing for America will forfeit their place in the club."
"Eehh!?"
"T-that's kind of a scary thought," Akari observed. "What a scary badge…well, at least all we have to do is not lose it…."
"This sounds suspicious," Mai observed. "What's Alyssa-chan planning this time?"]
Thus warned, the seventeen members of 'The White Wings' journeyed about the festival, enjoying the sights and sounds, games and food, rather ignorant of the real threat Alyssa had prepared for them.
And the prospective members stalked their targets. "Is this really a good idea?" Izumi asked. "If they're in the club, haven't Honya-chan and Yue-chan and Ami-chan undergone severe training, too? And they put us to shame even during the library trip…."
"Never fear!" Riza said. "You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs! We have to try if we want our glory!"
"Besides, why are you so reluctant?" Miki continued evilly. "You'll never see Kalan-san if you're that passive…."
"I told you, that's not…!"
"In any case, I'm going in!" Riza declared, slipping on a festival ogre mask and pulling out some sort of gun. "Watch how it's done!"
"Wait a minute!" Izumi yelped. "Where'd you get that gun, Riza-chan?"
"Don't worry, it's just a tranquilizer gun. It's to deal with the giant crocodiles that live underneath our family shrine."
"The sad part is that our author didn't even make that idea up," Miki muttered.
As the three young friends made their way around, a sudden voice assaulted them. "Yo, yo, yo, ojô-chans! Nice badges you have there! I'm the passing badge-maniac, the Badge Hermit, Batch-Mon! Kukuku…those badges…I like them! If you don't want to get hurt, just hand them over!"
The three stared at her. "What are you doing, Riza-san?" Yue muttered.
"What!? How did you tell!? A-as expected of Yuekichi…."
The other two hurried over and shoved her out of the way. "Just forget about that idiot," Miki said. "In any case, let us have a look at those badges, would you?"
"Ah, they're so cute!" Izumi enthused. "What kind of a badge is that? Can I take a look?"
The librarians withdrew as the two began to press in. "T-these were given to us by Alyssa-san earlier…" Nodoka murmured.
"It's so cute!" Izumi repeated, pressing in on her. "Can I see it? Please?"
Riza was back, and crowding in on Ami. "Well, it's so neat! Can I at least borrow it?"
"W-we're not supposed to lose it…." Ami quavered.
Miki began to push on Yue. "It's quite interesting. Why can't we see? Just for a moment?"
"No, but why would you want to borrow such an ordinary-looking badge?" Yue demanded.
"It's not ordinary at all. Hmm…just look at it, it's so irresistible, this little wing-shaped design…."
"Y-you can't, Miki-san!" Yue snapped, snatching her badge into her own hand and batting Miki's away.
"That's right!" Ami insisted, backing away and grabbing and pulling Nodoka out of harm's way.
"Why not, Yuekichi!?" Riza demanded.
"It's too suspicious, that's why," Yue replied flatly. "You three are plotting something, obviously."
"Grr…fine then! Seize them!" Miki declared. "Sorry about this, but we're going to have to use force…."
Skillfully palming a wand into her hand even as she was grabbed, Yue muttered a chant under her breath and raised it. "Light!"
A blinding flash blinded everyone around. Ami, thinking quickly, grabbed Nodoka's wrist as they were released. "Let's run away, Nodoka!" The three hurried away.
"Grr," Riza growled. "Fine, if that's how you want it! Running into the forest suits us just fine!"
She aimed her gun, but Yue whirled around as the pursuit began. "Wind! Rise and blow!" The resulting gust blew dust and grass, blinding them once again and causing Riza's shot to go wild. When it cleared, the three were gone.
"W-what was that?" Izumi asked in wonder. "Was that part of their special training…?"
"Too suspicious," Miki muttered. "C'mon, let's find them!"
"A-amazing, Yue…you were really like a mage," Nodoka said with wonder as the three paused for breath.
"But…was it really all right to use magic in front of Miki-san and the others?" Ami queried.
"Their actions were odd. For this situation to emerge right after we were given these badges…there is a high probability that this is a trial, or a test given to members of 'The White Wings'."
"Yes, I suppose so," Ami answered. "Still, to use our magic so easily…well, I guess it's fine if it's them. And Alyssa-chan did say that we can't lose our badges, or we'll risk our membership, so we couldn't lose them under any circumstances…."
"Ehh!?" Nodoka shrieked.
"Miki-san and the others should still be searching for us," Yue insisted. "Quick, Nodoka! Your artifact!"
"Let's see the results of your training," Ami agreed.
"R-right." She brought out her card and began to infuse magic in it, letting it rest in the air as she began to chant. "Diarium Ejus – Triad Version. Manifest!"
The three books spread out in front of her, smaller in size but identical to her original book. "Focus, while my thoughts are on: Hanabishi Miki, Asakaze Riza, and Segawa Izumi."
The three books began to fill with the thoughts of their victims.
"Now we can track all three of their thoughts in real time!" Nodoka declared. "Although only in simple form…."
"Good job, Nodoka. Now, let's escape!"
So, using Nodoka's artifact to foil them, the Library Trio was getting the best of the Baka Trio. How were the rest of the girls faring?
8-8-8
Risa stalked after Kiami, Riku reluctantly following her. "Really, now," Riku muttered. "What waste of time are you getting us involved in this time?"
"It's not a waste of time! Don't you want to know about the weird club and their trip?"
Riku hesitated. Yes…she never wanted to admit it, but Kain was as fascinating to her as he was to any of the girls…she generally didn't like to involve herself in too many of the class' stupid endeavors, but there was too much about the class that had been bugging her recently. The inconsistencies of the field trip to Kyoto…the Festival…other events….
"Still, this is crazy," Riku insisted. "We ought to think about this more. If you insist on pursuing this, shouldn't we pick some weaker targets…?"
"Weaker targets? Targets for what?"
The two sisters jumped and whirled around. Kiami was now standing there. ('W-when did she get behind us…?') "W-what do you want?" Riku demanded.
"I could be asking you that. Tell me, what 'targets' are you after?"
"Er…w-well…."
"Hmm. If it's Riku-chan, you shouldn't need them to be too weak. Didn't you perform well at the Festival's Final Event?"
"T-that was…."
"Kiami-chan!" Risa suddenly burst out, pointing at the other girl. "That badge! It's quite neat! Can I have a look?"
"Oh? This?" Kiami fingered the small pin, examining it as if she hadn't seen it before. "You know, I just got it. It is quite interesting, isn't it?" She smiled coyly at Risa. "How close do you want to look at it? Would you like…to hold it?"
Such a kind smile, such a gracious invitation, and it was the deadliest, most terrible threat Risa had ever heard before. She froze in shock and fear, twitching slightly, for several long seconds. Finally Riku, after glancing back and forth between her sister and the taller girl, reached out and took Risa by the shoulders, then slowly turned her around. "Sorry to bother you, Kiami-san. We'll be going now." So saying, she began to march her sister away.
Kiami watched them go and chuckled. "What an interesting thing," she muttered. "So, this is your little test, Alyssa-chan? How intriguing…."
8-8-8
"So are you really going, Erika?" Mai asked as the two beauties walked around the festival, clad in their own fine yukata.
"What do you mean?"
"Well…I mean, on the trip," Mai said. "You…didn't go on the Golden Week trip to Greece, after all…."
"This from the girl who didn't go, either, because she hates taking things from the school," Erika retorted.
"Haha…yeah…what I mean is…you've been reluctant ever since…the Festival incident. You're…well, just what are you troubled about? The most, I mean? Kain-sensei? Your deal with your mother?"
Erika was silent for a moment. "Well…I don't know. What are you getting at, Mai?"
"Well…I was just thinking…." Mai played nervously with her ever-rebellious strip of bangs. "Maybe you should…go ahead and make a contract with Kain-sensei, too…."
"W-what!?" Erika started. "Are you crazy, Mai? You know that…."
"It's not like I want to throw more girls at Kain-sensei, and it's not like I enjoy Kamo-kun's leers about it all the time," Mai said, stating only two of her problems with the contract situation. "But hear me out. We've already talked about how it might be smart from all of us to make contracts before we leave, just in case…it'll help us in case we get separated, communicating with Kain-sensei or even instantly traveling to him. But…even though you say you shouldn't…I almost think you, especially, should make a contract with Kain-sensei. If you want to get out from under your mother's thumb…if you want to escape her influence…what better way than…allying yourself, I guess, and magically, to someone else? No matter what she threatens, she couldn't keep a hold on you if you were contracted to Kain-sensei,right?"
Erika lowered her head as she considered this. "Regardless…I'm already…so attracted to Kain-sensei's blood…I'd almost certainly attack him, if we were linked like that…and…."
"W-well, really, it would only happen if you tried to resist it, right? I'm not fond of the idea, but…I know Kain-sensei would never become your Servant or anything (unless, perhaps, it was a matter of life and death), just as you wouldn't want to make him your Servant, but you can still take his blood without that happening, right? And I think that he'd be willing to give you blood if you needed it that badly. You need blood anyway, after all…if this is better…."
"Maybe…maybe…I don't know." Erika shook her head fiercely. "I…regardless, I-I don't think I'm…quite ready to rebel against my mother in quite that way just yet. We still have…plenty of time for that. And…you heard Alyssa-chan and Jynx-san, right? This trip will likely be safe and uneventful anyway…there's no need to do anything extreme quite yet."
"R-right…sorry I brought it up…."
"No, it's okay…I know you're thinking in my best interest, and I appreciate it."
Involved as they were in their quiet conversation, they did not realize that they had acquired stalkers….
8-8-8
"You've decided to tell Hirai-san and Ogata-san about it all?"
"Y-yes," Kazumi replied. "Once we're back from this trip. I…I'm happy that I've been able to be a part of this…but…my friends are important as well. I can't stand hiding anything from them anymore. I…I don't know if they'll want to be a part of this world as much as I do…but…I just need to see this through with Kain-sensei first…."
"I understand," Kenjirô said. "Personally, I thought that none of you should have been involved from the beginning, but…well, hindsight is twenty-twenty. I have to admit, without you, we may have been stuck in the future Sakura created. You've earned your place…and your right to be here. Now, keep it down. We're being watched."
"Eh?"
Yukari and Matake watched the pair. "I can't make out what they're talking about," Yukari muttered. "Why are they together…?"
"You almost sound jealous, Yukari," Matake teased.
"N-no, it's just…."
"Anyway, do we want to take their badges?" Matake asked. "Alyssa-chan says if we get them, we can go too, but…what'll happen to them? Knowing Alyssa-chan…she might keep them from going…."
"That's a good point…maybe we should just confront them."
"Good idea…."
Kenjirô turned as the two came out of the shadows. "Ogata-san…Hirai-san…good evening. Can we help you?"
"Ah, well…" Matake began, suddenly not quite sure what to say.
"Kenjirô-kun…Kazumi…good evening." Yukari bowed. "We've come to ask you…about those badges…no, about your new club and its trip to America."
Kenjirô nodded. "Alyssa told you that you could join if you took our badges, right?" He smiled slightly. "That's so like her. You aren't going to try?"
"Ah, no…we couldn't just try to steal from our friends like this," Matake began.
"We just want to know what this is about," Yukari said. "You…both of you are our friends, and we're concerned…we know you must have a good reason for doing all this. For…keeping your distance and keeping us in the dark about this…but…we worry…."
"Yukari-chan…" Kazumi began. Kenjirô raised an arm, forestalling her, and then stepped forward.
"We were just talking about that, Hirai-san," he said. "We're sorry for keeping you out of it…but it's for your own protection. What we're involved in here…it's dangerous. Kain is looking for his father…who disappeared nearly fifteen years ago. What his father was involved in…what I became involved in, from the night you first found me unconscious here…it's very dangerous. Yoshida-san, and all the rest…they sort of stumbled into it, so now we have almost no choice but to include her. So everyone that's in our club has been training to survive that….
"I'm sure it's difficult for you to understand…for any normal Japanese middle school students to comprehend just how dangerous this can be…but trust us…it's not Yoshida-san's fault that she hasn't spent as much as time with you, and we haven't wanted to cut you off…but we can't explain this any more than that. It's just too dangerous."
He looked between the two. Then he removed his badge and held it in front of him. "Knowing that, do you two want to take this, and insist on coming along?"
The two stared at it and then looked away, embarrassed. "I-if we take that, Alyssa-chan won't let you go, right?" Yukari muttered. "What's the point of going, if we're just taking your places?"
"R-right," Matake agreed. "We…understand, I think. Just…if this is really that dangerous…just make sure you all come back alive, all right?"
"W-we will!" Kazumi insisted, stepping forward. "We will…we promise…and after it's over…I'll tell you everything…I promise…."
The three shared an embrace, no more words to be said. Kenjirô smiled slightly. Ah, how human girls let their emotions create trouble for themselves….
8-8-8
"So, how do contracts between men work?" Hikaru asked.
"E-eh?" Akari said. "What…?"
"Well, Jynx-san made a contract with Kalan-san, right? Kain-sensei had to make all of his contracts by kissing your classmates…but…somehow I don't think it works that way between men…at least I hope not…."
"I-I don't know," Akari replied, blushing, trying to put that thought out of her mind. "Er…why do you ask, Hikaru-kun?"
"Well, Kamo-kun was talking about those contracts," the young man explained. "Many of the girls are contracted with Kain-sensei, now, and these contracts give exceptional advantages, as well as those powerful artifacts. I think that it might also be a good idea for Kenjirô-kun and I to make contracts as well, but…I hope that there is some other way for us to go about it…."
"Y-yeah…."
"Hey! You two young things! On a date? Well, why don't you hand over those nice badges you've got?"
A dozen burly young men suddenly appeared before the pair. They looked at them in surprise. "Oh?"
"Not a usual summer festival attraction…" Akari began.
"…But I really don't mind," she finished moments later, as all the toughs lay sprawled out on the ground, beaten senseless. "Still, so weak…you should come back after some training."
"Grr…as expected," Riza muttered, watching from safety. "Those two are just far too strong for us…."
"And we can't locate the bookworms no matter how hard we try," Miki added.
"Is it hopeless for us after all?" Izumi asked.
Mai and Erika turned as Kaoru and Kanade came flying at them. A quick slap of hands subsequently sent the pair flying over their heads and they landed roughly on the other side.
"N-not bad!" Kanade crowed as she bounced to her feet. "But we're not giving up yet!"
"What are you two doing?" Erika demanded.
"W-we will get our hands on your badges!" Kaoru declared.
Mai sighed and cradled her head in her hands. "I knew it…Alyssa-chan put you up to this, didn't she?"
"That's right! She told us everything! You can't go on your little trip and leave us behind! That's not fair! We're a class, aren't we? Didn't we all agree to help Kain-sensei out together? Why is it just you!?"
And for some reason, about this point all the rest of the scattered girls started gathering in to observe the scene.
"You don't get it, Yûki-san," Mai pressed. "This is dangerous business we're involved in…I'm sorry, but we can't explain any more than that. We can't take anyone who hasn't undergone severe training…."
"And you want to take Kain-sensei to such a place!?" Kanade demanded. "How can we allow that!?"
"How can she even ask after seeing Kain-sensei in action during the Festival…?" Izumi asked.
"If it's that dangerous, wouldn't it be better to leave it to the police?" Riza demanded.
"If only that was possible," Hinagiku sighed, stepping up next to Mai. "Unfortunately, this is something we have to do on our own. Rather…this is something Kain-sensei has to do on his own. None of us ever tried…to exclude anyone. Those of us who are involved…are involved by chance. You should consider yourselves lucky if you haven't become involved…."
Miki, watching this carefully, walked forward and put a hand on Kanade's shoulder. "Well, if Hina says so, I guess we have no choice," she said finally. "As interesting as this looks, I admit I don't relish the idea of crazy danger, but if it's Hina and Erika and the rest…well, if anyone can handle this danger, they can."
"Ah…oh…all right…" Kanade muttered with a sigh. "I guess it's pointless right now…." Her sister Haruna, who had been dragged along behind her but had been watching this nonsense from the sidelines, moved in and put a placating hand on her shoulder.
"Mai! Ah…everyone!" Kain, flanked by Momo, Kagome, Chisame and Rei, finally joined the group. "What's everyone doing here together?"
"Ah, nothing at all, Kain-sensei," Kanade said. "Hey, would you like to eat yakisoba?"
"Yakisoba…? Sure!"
"All right, class activity, let's go!"
8-8-8
Lina descended the steps from the plane and stretched. "Gah, what a mad flight," she muttered. "As if coming from the magical world wasn't enough…just because I had the stupid idea to see the crazy old man…I should have gone straight to Grandall, and I could have avoided the big plane travel."
She scowled. "Taking too long…are you coming to the magical world or not? Well, I guess I'm going to have to drag you there, kicking and screaming!"
8-8-8
"Summer…it's all about…."
"THE BEACH!"
Swimsuit-clad, the beauties spread out across the beach as they commenced their summer vacation in earnest. Freed from their hellish training, many of the girls were all-too-eager to enjoy the sand, surf and sun.
"This is your first time at a beach in Japan, isn't it, Kain-sensei?" Akari asked.
"It's my first time at a beach anywhere," Kain admitted.
"Ah…that's right…your home is far from the beach…."
"Well, shall we go?" Mai suddenly demanded, slapping Kain on the back. "If you don't hurry up, we'll have the fun without you."
As she hurried past, Kagome grabbed him by the arm. "Let's go, Kain-sensei!"
The group hurried down to the edge of the surf. They gathered in a semi-circle. Yue, Nodoka, and Ami were all dressed in their school-issue swimsuits. Momo wore the same, but Kagome had a dark green one-piece swimsuit, and Mai wore a yellow bikini. Erika and Hinagiku were also in bikinis, red and pink, respectively. Kazumi was in a white one-piece. Kiami wore a black bikini, Akari a blue one-piece, Nanami in a red bikini, and finally Rei and Chisame in white one-pieces. And the boys, Kain, Kenjirô, and Hikaru, all wore…basic swimming shorts. The only matter of concern, of course, is that they were not engaged in horrible faux pas of wearing Speedos.
"So…what…do we do at the beach?" Kain asked.
"Ah…well…."
"We can always play volleyball," Riza said. She was dressed in an off-white one-piece with a daring v-cut.
"Or we can sunbathe," Miki suggested. She was dressed in a light blue one-piece with a short skirt attached.
"Or we can go swimming or make sand-castles!" Izumi added. She was dressed in a magenta bikini with a sarong.
The group started. "You three!" Mai exclaimed. "What are you doing here!? This is supposed to be a trip for our new club…!"
"You can't keep interesting things from us…you know that, Mai," Miki said.
"We're just here by coincidence! Coincidence!" Riza insisted.
"How amazing that we've run into you!" Izumi enthused.
A dramatic laugh brought them up short. Kanade was perched on a rock, Kaoru flanking her. Kanade wore a halter-top bikini, one half of it white and the other black, with the bottom black as well. Kaoru was in a shoulder-less one-piece, orange and yellow striped (vertically) with a white fringe at the top. Standing some distance behind Kanade, an exasperated look on her face, dressed in a light blue one-piece, was Kanade's sister Haruna. "We've come for you, Mai-chan!" Kanade declared. "All of you! We're not giving up on our chance to go on this trip! Let's go, Kaoru-chan!"
"Right!" The two prepared to charge.
('Tch.') Mai prepared herself. ('So it's come to this after all…I guess I should try and just knock them out quickly….')
"That's enough!"
The strength of the command cut them all short, and they all turned to stare in surprise at Rakasu. She had spoken with authority and glared imperiously at the pair of girls. She would, perhaps, have been even more striking had she not been in a swimsuit of her own (in her case, a blue-and-red one piece). Still, the sight of the ever-happy and cheerful and supportive Rakasu indignant was more than enough to frighten them into silence.
She scowled at them and continued, "I didn't bring you here in order to fight with your classmates." She stopped scowling and returned to her usual happy smile. "We all came here to have fun together, one last time as class 3-A before the trip!"
"Y-you brought them here, Rakasu-san?" Hinagiku demanded.
"Of course I did, Hinagiku-kaichô! As I said…I hoped to enjoy one more great adventure with the class before the trip comes. So…we're all here!"
Indeed, in addition to these six invaders, Matake, Caria, Yuki, Riku, Risa, and Yukari were all present as well, dressed in various swimsuits of their own. With their varying degrees of enthusiasm, they leapt in to start the festivities.
"W-well, if Rakasu-chan says so, I guess we're done," Kanade sighed. "Okay…we'll let you go for now…at least until we get to America!"
"'We', Kanade-san?" Erika demanded. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, nothing…it's just that Rakasu-chan has already scheduled a trip for us this summer…we thought we'd like to see this wild, wild 'Wyoming' that Kain-sensei is always talking about, you know? Who knows, maybe we'll meet up by accident…."
"Y-Yûki-san…" Mai began.
Kain strode forward and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Just leave them be," he muttered. "We can't hope to dissuade any of them now. I think, if Rakasu-san's in charge of it…it should be all right, you know?"
Mai sighed. "I guess so…there's no helping it…."
"Kain-sensei, Kain-sensei, let's play!"
"Hai, hai…."
And so the enjoyable beach vacation began….
8-8-8
"Well, well…now the entire class knows about our trip to America," Kiami murmured as they took a break to eat cold desserts. "And, the magic world aside, they'll all be following us to Wyoming. This is a dangerous time, you know? Very dangerous…."
Yue and Nodoka looked up from their shaved ice. "What are we talking about?" Yue demanded.
"Naïve, Yue-chan!" Kiami declared. "That level of naïveté will lead to death on the battlefield. This is not a time to be eating shaved ice…not for young maidens like you."
"Kiami-san, you're the one who asked us to get a treat with you…."
"Naïve! Sweeter than that Azuki condensed milk melon mango shaved ice you're eating!" For those who may not be familiar with that particular play-on-words, the Japanese words for 'sweet' and 'naïve' are the same. "Understand this…it's not really up to me whether one of you or any of your rivals wins Kain-sensei's heart, but I thought I should give you some advice, since you seem to be stuck in the mud. You two…should think of some particular, some deep approach towards Kain-sensei before we leave for America."
This suggestion discomfited the pair. "B-but Kiami-san, Kain-sensei is our teacher, a-and not ready for…romance…and besides, what do you even mean by deep…?"
"Teacher, teacher, teacher," Kiami said mockingly. "Yes, we've heard it many times. But you're really naïve. You may think you have some sort of advantage in the competition for Kain-sensei's heart because you know about his past and his history as a mage. You have plenty of competition even in that group…Mai-chan, Hina-chan, the enthusiastic Kazumi-chan, for instance…but don't think you have that much of a lead over the girls who are still ignorant. Look at everyone out there having fun with Kain-sensei. One step slower, and someone else might steal him away…."
Later, the two walked along the beach as the sun began to set. "Even if Kiami-san says that…" Nodoka murmured.
"It's true we are lucky, knowing about Kain-sensei's magic and being in a position to support him," Yue admitted.
"Konoe-san is cute and all…" Nodoka said.
"Among others…Risa-san is interested in Kain-sensei, even if it's just his image," Yue continued. "Still, she's pretty, elegant, and she has style…if she ever got serious about Kain-sensei, we'd be in trouble. And Riku-san, her sister…in all honesty, although she doesn't promote it, she's even cuter, and her feelings are pure. And that's not including all our own members. For instance, Kazumi-san…she's so beautiful…."
"We don't stand a chance," Nodoka finished, feeling her breasts.
"Nodoka still has a chance," Yue replied, feeling her own flat chest. "Unlike me, whom no one would ever lay eyes on…."
"Uuu…we kinda killed the mood…."
"Kain-sensei has Mai-san, too…she's beautiful, and is a princess from the magical kingdom to boot…."
"Mai-san…I wonder what she really thinks about Kain-sensei…."
"I wonder…." Yue turned back to her. "Nodoka, why don't you invite Kain-sensei out tomorrow, just the two of you?"
"Ehh!? I-I can't do that! B-besides, Yue should be the one to do that, right? Yue should be the one who confesses to Kain-sensei…after all, you haven't told him that you love him yet…."
"Ehh!? T-t-that's impossible!"
"Why not? If you don't speak up, nothing will start! That was how it was for me, too! Come on…be brave…."
"No way! I can't say something that stupid!"
"Why not, Yue?"
"What do you mean, 'why not'?" Yue demanded. Then she fell into lecture mode. "Please think about it! Kain-sensei was so troubled after you confessed to him, right? Furthermore, we know that Kain-sensei won't be able to move on until he finishes with the issue of his father. And also, we know that Kain-sensei is the kind of person who finds it difficult to refuse another person's feelings! And so that's why! If I were to confess to Kain-sensei now, it would clearly only serve to add to his worries! Even if it's true that, by spilling out my feelings to him, no matter what happens, I'll experience a certain level of accomplishment and emotional catharsis, doing so is still too selfish of me! It's a foolish act that completely ignores Kain-sensei's feelings! Call me a coward if you will, for I will not protest! I just think that we should…."
Nodoka had been trying to get a word in edgewise during this rant, and finally burst out, "S-sorry! I-I get it already, Yue! I'm sorry!"
As Yue fell silent, flushed and breathless, Nodoka began to giggle. After staring in embarrassment for several moments, Yue burst out laughing as well, and they shared a long laugh together.
"That…was so weird…" Nodoka gasped.
"Exactly. And to think we're rivals in love…."
"Ah…feels so good…."
Yue and Nodoka perked up at the sound of this new voice. They climbed the mound of rock in front of them and peered carefully over it. "That's…" Yue whispered.
"K-Kain-sensei and Mai-san…. They're alone. Could it be…?"
The two were walking next to each down to the beach. Both had added light jackets to their clothing. Mai stretched contentedly. "Ah…this is just the break I needed from all that hellish training…" she muttered.
Kain laughed slightly. "Even after all this, I'm surprised that you can keep up with us so well," he admitted. "Still…you, and everyone else…not just our club members, but even Rakasu-san, Yûki-san, Hanabishi-san and the rest…everyone's working so hard to help find my father…I don't know how to go about thanking all of you…."
"Yes…well," Mai began, "Rakasu-san aside, I think Yûki-san and the rest mostly just want to go to America. You really don't have to trouble yourself on their account."
"Perhaps." He smiled slightly. "I had a great time before. It's odd to think about…but I really don't have a lot of experience with 'having fun'…."
"Me either, really," Mai admitted. "I was always so obsessed with fulfilling my obligations to the school…I don't know…maybe subconsciously I sensed my past…and felt I didn't deserve to have fun. Of course, my life hasn't been totally bad. I've done things with Momo and Kagome before, but it was just…always secondary for me."
"And yet, even so…you needed this as much as I did, but you were going out of your way to make sure I was enjoying myself today. I really want to thank you for today…and, more importantly, for all the help you've given me in preparing for our adventure."
"W-what? What are you talking about? If you're going to thank me, you should thank everyone else as well…."
"I know, I was just talking about that, but still…."
"Muuu," Yue murmured as she watched the pair. "As I thought, those two have something special going on between them."
"Really?"
"Yes. Then again, whether that 'something special' has anything to do with romance or not is disputable…."
"I see…regardless, that Kain has learned the fine art of flirting with girls, right?"
"W-what?" Yue turned in surprise and saw not Nodoka, but some other girl talking to her, standing between her and her friend. The figure moved forward and leapt into the air.
"FIREBALL!"
Kain and Mai glanced up in surprise as the flare of power above them came into existence and watched the burst of fire dropping on top of them. They sprang back and out of the way.
"W-what is this!? An attack!?" Mai sputtered.
"N-no…this is…."
The figure landed in the midst of the smoke arising from the spell's blast. She stood there until the smoke cleared, revealing her fully and dramatically. "L-Lina!?" Kain demanded.
"That's right! Lina Inverse has arrived!"
F I N
Author's Note: Sun, Sand, Surf and Summer
A more peaceful chapter of mostly fluff, again largely adapted from the original Negima. Alyssa has prepared a test for our intrepid travelers, and gotten things more complicated.
There is, perhaps, a slight missing element from these parts, which heavily featured Iinchô Ayaka Yurihiko. The Yurihiko family is wealthy and Ayaka is an ojô-sama, so she was the one used for information…as Asuna's rival/friend (similar, but perhaps worse, to Usagi/Rei from the original Sailor Moon) and as the major shotacon chasing Negi, her enthusiasm for their teacher caused her to go berserk upon finding out the truth (more or less) about their trip. Since I jettisoned the annoying girl, Miki Hanabishi, a political ojô-sama, who was a master of investigating, made a perfect replacement for that angle. However, despite her penchant for stirring up trouble, she was not aggressive enough to lead a true flaming war against Kain's club, so enthusiastic Kanade was the one left with the energy and leadership to do so.
Now, I kind of left the part of where they got their information from (regarding the secret club) blank, but it was actually less stupid than the original manga had. The mischievous twins Fuuka and Fumika found out…Eva allowed them to sneak into her resort and overhear the group talking about their plans, and they gleefully spread the word around. In doing this, Akamatsu-sensei completely forgot about the rule that those who entered the world couldn't leave for twenty-four hours. So I just left it to Miki's mysterious information network.
(Upon later review, it seems they were perhaps at a school courtyard as a group discussing their plans, not the resort…and while this bypasses the whole 'sneaking into the resort = impossible' element, it's even less likely that they'd be discussing their plans in the whole big group outside the resort).
Anyway, as much as they're having, it's getting time to wrap up the summer days and move on to the trip. Kain party, +1…onward!