(Welcome back fellas to another installment of the Kyoto arc. Last time the gang got a taste of their main enemy from the Kansai Magic Association. Will the group be able ready for whenever she strikes next?)
Negi had woken up the next morning, letting out a yawn while stretching. It had been a long night for him and the others and it didn't help that he had trouble going to sleep after they had rescued Konoka. Even though Dustin and the girls assured they could handle her again if she came back, it didn't really boost his confidence up considering that the enemy had them pinned when they started using dirty tactics like using Konoka as a shield.
"If the enemy is going to do anything like that again, Dustin, the girls, and I will need to be at the top of our game." He said with a sigh while glancing over at Dustin who was sleeping peacefully with Chamo and Domino sleeping on his stomach while Zyphon was in the corner charging up. Suddenly the digital alarm clock next to Dustin went off playing a song known as Lights.
Dustin hearing his alarm play groggily reached over before turning it off, "Ugh I don't like mornings." He groaned.
Chamo and Domino woke up yawning as the bird spoke, "Dustin personally you need a new alarm."
"Hey don't be hating on Ellie she's got a good voice." Dustin replied.
"Morning Dustin." Negi greeted.
"Morning Negi." Dustin yawned as he stood up
"Well come on let's get dressed quickly or we'll miss breakfast." Negi said.
"I know, I know." Dustin said as the boys got ready. After activating Zyphon they all headed downstairs.
Downstairs where the girls were enjoying breakfast, Negi and Dustin happily ate their food. They chuckled as he overheard Ayaka mentioning she didn't remember anything after going to the waterfall temple and Yuna complaining that they all missed the first day.
He and Negi were then approached by Konoka, "Good morning Negi-kun and Dustin-kun, you look a little sleepy." she greeted them.
"Good morning, Konoka." Dustin said after he swallowed.
"Good morning, Konoka-san." Negi said.
"Thanks for last night, I don't really understand what happened but I know that both of you, and Se-chan helped me." She thanked them.
"You don't have to thank us Konoka, we were just doing what any friend would've done in that situation." Dustin told her, before going back to eating his food.
"He's absolutely right, we're just glad you're safe." Negi said.
'But thank god she doesn't care about the details.' Chamo thought.
"I know, but still thank you." Konoka said, before she noticed someone approach them and would ya believe it was Setsuna.
"Ojou-sama, would it be alright if I sat with you?" she said nervously having not completely gotten comfortable with Dustin's words of trying to rekindle the friendship between her and Konoka.
"Of course Se-chan, don't be shy." Konoka smiled cheerfully as she pushed Setsuna over to her spot while the sword girl tried her best to relax but found it incredible difficult.
After breakfast the boys walked through the lobby with thoughts about what they would do on free activity day. Suddenly Negi was snapped out of his thoughts as he was tackled by Makie.
"Negi-kun, come along with our group today!" she shouted, immediately causing a chain reaction with each group.
"Wait a minute Makie-san, Negi-sensei is coming with group 3 today!" Ayaka declared while moving Makie away from Negi.
"Eh! But I asked him first!" Makie said, followed by Fuka joining in the fray as well. Soon enough, Negi was surrounded by his students who were trying to get their little sensei to join them in their group activities.
'Oh what do I do, if I don't pick a group to join today they're going to tear me to pieces.' Negi thought until he noticed group 5, 'Group five is most likely to be targeted given the fact Konoka's in that group. Setsuna alone won't be enough if they strike.'
He then spoke, "Ladies, ladies please allow me to decide for myself." The girls ceased their squabbling to hear him out, "I've decided I shall accompany group 5 today."
This caused a majority of the groups to sigh in defeat while the girls of group 5 being Asuna, Konoka, Setsuna, Nodoka, Yue, and Haruna were curious as to why their group while Rin also being in the group knew too well what this was about.
"Wait a minute, we haven't decided which group Dustin-kun will be in!" Sakurako shouted as she realized they had forgotten their second teacher. All the girls slowly turned their heads towards Dustin, who got an ominous feeling as he stared back at them.
"I better run," He said to himself but before he could bolt the girls swarmed him asking him to join their groups. The poor boy thought, 'Damn my charisma.' He knew like Negi he had to get out of it but unlike Negi he couldn't simply choose that easily until he thought of an idea, "Girls please, there's a civil way to resolve this case of who I should go with."
"Like what, alphabetical order by group leader?" Madoka asked dryly.
"Something simple and easy, straw drawing." Dustin answered.
"If you need straws sensei I got plenty here." Yue offered him five straws.
"Thanks Yue, guess all those weird drinks of yours have their perks." Dustin said as Yue shrugged. The boy held each straw up in one hand by the bottom, "Now then one of these straws has the color red at the bottom the group that picks that straw will be the group I accompany today pure and simple."
The girls seeing that's fair enough agreed as one representative from each group took a straw and removed it from the boy's hand. Suddenly a squeal was heard as they saw Sakurako jumping up and down excitedly holding the winning straw, "Yes! Yes I knew it!"
Dustin smiled, "Well then it's decided today I shall accompany Group 1." The girls of the group composed of the cheerleaders and the twins cheered with joy while Negi whispered to Dustin.
"Shouldn't we stick together, just in case that monkey woman attacks us again?" he asked worried.
Dustin sighed, "Negi I hear your concern but we talked about this. That woman wouldn't dare launch another attack after witnessing just what we're capable of. She would take this time to rethink a new type of strategy and I highly doubt she could've come up with a new plan in one night."
"I know but…"
"Look today don't think about the mission, just relax and have fun. Because that's what I'm gonna do." He smirked walking for Group 1 with Zyphon and Domino accompanying him.
"You heard him aniki today is all about us having fun." Chamo said.
"I suppose." He replied letting it go before heading to group 5.
"So ladies what's on the itinerary for today?" Dustin asked group 1 curiously.
"Well we thought about doing a little sightseeing if that's ok with you." Madoka explained as they got in line for the bus.
"No problem at all." Dustin admitted as they boarded the bus while Zyphon followed them through the air.
As Negi and Dustin went their separate ways Kaede and Mana watched, "Well there they go." Mana said.
"If they get in trouble they will call us." Kaede nodded to Mana who nodded.
"Yeah, but I hope there won't be a need for that." Mana said as they went to their groups.
The bus ride there was pretty uneventful for Dustin, all the girls just talked excitedly throughout the ride. When the bus came to a stop, Dustin was one of the first ones off.
"Ah, what a gorgeous day! Things are really looking up." he said happily as he stretched his arms out while he waited for the girls to get off the bus. Once they were all together they first headed towards the nearby park, which was crowded with tamed deer.
Dustin smiled at such majestic animals having read on legends about every animal has a special history. He then noticed the twins trying to pet the deer but they kept walking away from them, "Oh man." Fuka grumbled while the cheerleaders giggled.
"Trouble girls?" Dustin asked as he walked over to them.
"These deer won't let us pet them." Fumika sighed.
"Well duh, deer are sensitive creatures. Haven't you seen Bambi? You can't just walk up to them and expect them to come to you," he explained, "Here watch how it's done."
They watched as he picked up some wheat in the grass and held it out to a young stag nearby, "Here ya go boy. Here ya go," He offered as the stag slowly came to him as he did the same, "Hey there little guy, there ya go. Good boy." He fed the stag who ate peacefully while Dustin gently pat his head.
"Wow he's so good." Sakurako gasped.
Dustin looked over at the girls, "Come on give a try."
So the girls took some and held it our for other stags or does nearby mimicking Dustin's technique and soon the deer were eating out of the girls palms and letting them pet their heads.
"This is fun." Kakizaki admitted.
"See what happens when you're gentle enough?" Dustin asked as Domino was perching on one of the stag's antlers
Soon they left the park and were looking at all the shrines and decided it was picture time. Soon Zyphon was taking pictures of the girls posing in front of the shrine and even took group shots of them with Dustin. First shot was of Sakurako glomping Dustin from behind hanging off him while Dustin smiled, next shot was of Kakizaki and Dustin giving a thumb up each, another shot was of Dustin and Madoka standing next to each other with the boy's arm around the girl's waist while Madoka held his head close while they smiled.
Fuka and Fumika each got a separate shot to be with Dustin and soon Zyphon took a picture of Dustin and all three of the cheerleaders sitting down with Sakurako behind Dustin laying her head on his, while Kakizaki and Madoka were on each of his sides leaning their heads on his shoulders. Dustin then got into a picture with both Narutaki's as the twins were glomping him from both sides. Dustin even offered to get a shot of the girls with Zyphon and Domino which they graciously accepted.
Dustin then noticed a lot of people were gathering around with most of them being boys. Smirking he called the cheerleaders over, "Hey girls anybody up for making a little extra spending money?" he smirked.
"Seriously?" Kakizaki asked.
"What'd you have in mind?" Madoka asked.
"Just this." Dustin gathered them closer and whispered something resulting in a smile growing on Sakurako's face.
"Oh that's perfect!"
"It's clever." Madoka added.
"I like it." Kakizaki finished.
"Then let's put on a show." Dustin said.
Soon Dustin went over to the group and spoke into a mike, "Testing one two! Good afternoon ladies and gentleman and welcome to the first ever Birds of Prey show!" his announcement caught everyone's attention as Dustin continued, "And here they are for the very first time, the Birds of Prey!" he walked off as Zyphon unleashed a bit of smokescreen for stage affect and played recorded music.
Soon the audience saw three figures through the smoke and they emerged when it cleared revealing the cheerleaders each holding a cordless mike as the three started singing while the music played. The three started dancing as they sang together impressing the audience. Dustin saw the audience was throwing money into a jar he sat down and saw it was slowly filling up.
The audience cheered as they continued tossing money into the jar for a wondrous performance. After escaping the audience they counted up their profits, "Wow look at all this money." Sakurako gasped.
"We were such a hit." Kakizaki added in delight.
"What'd I tell you girls, wasn't it a good idea?" Dustin asked.
"It was a great idea Dustin-kun, glad you thought of it." Madoka said.
"I'm just full of ideas." Dustin chuckled.
When Dustin got back to the inn, he saw Negi in the lobby who looked completely and utterly dismal, while Chamo sat by his side and stared at the young mage with a worried look as he ate. Suddenly Negi grabbed onto his head like he was having a seizure, then suddenly jumped up and started rolling around.
"Hey Negi, what's the matter, did something happened when you went to Nara?" Dustin asked.
"Nothing except aniki acting all jumpy throughout the day." Chamo explained.
"What?" Dustin asked turning to his pal.
"Sorry I know you said not to worry about the possibility of being jumped today, but I just couldn't help it." Negi sighed.
"UGH!" Dustin groaned, "Why is it when I want you to listen to me the most you don't?"
"I tried to enjoy myself really I did!" Negi whined.
Chamo sighed, "Every corner they made he'd tense up. Even Setsuna was less jumpy than he was while she was at Konoka nee-san's side. And not even Rin could convince him to forget about the mission for today."
Dustin put a hand on his face shaking his head, "Negi, you and me in the bath now."
"Um ok." Negi said as the two headed for the bath unaware of two figures around a corner had been watching them.
Soon the two boys and their familiars were in the bath that was reserved for teachers given the time. Dustin chose the bath feeling it would be better than their room since the girls could just as easily barge right in on them.
"Look Negi I admit I'm just as concerned about running into monkey lady as you are, but that's not about to stop me from enjoying my fun. I know both you and I are different in taking news and handling situations, but panicking right from left isn't going to help any of us."
"I know," Negi sighed, "That is admirable about you Dustin. You can be calm, collected, and ready for anything. While look at me I panic before assessing the situation." Negi sank his face in the water.
Dustin sighed, "I may be calm and collected Negi but sometimes I tend to jump into action without knowing what my opponent is capable of. That's where you come in."
"Me?"
"That's right, while you may panic; you think things through and come up with a countermeasure. How else do you think you were able to defeat Evangeline?"
Negi recalling that admitted he did come up with a strategy against Evangeline in their final fight. Even though some were tactics he made up as he went along, the fact he was able to improvise proved that even when under pressure he was able to pull a trick out of his pockets.
"You're right Dustin; I have done some amazing things even when under pressure." Negi realized it.
"That's why you and I compliment each other," Dustin smiled at his success in calming Negi, "And that my friend is what makes us a perfect duo."
Before Negi could reply, they were interrupted by Chamo and Domino telling them that someone else was entering the bath. They turned their heads towards the exit to see Shizuna enter the bath with only a towel on, which caused Negi and Dustin to go wide-eyed and blush so hard their faces were red like tomatoes.
"Ara, Negi-sensei, Dustin-sensei, you both did great today," Shizuna greeted them with a smile, then crouched next to them, "Would you like me to wash your backs?" she asked them.
"N-No that's alright!" Negi squeaked.
"Yeah, I mean we already took care of it!" Dustin blushed.
The two tried to move away from her, but the female sensei lightly pulled them back to her. She let out a small chuckle, "The truth is Negi-sensei, I know all about your little secret," she told him shocking the two boys and their familiars, "You are a mage, right? And since Dustin-sensei is a close friend of yours then he would be one as well." the two boys looked at her in shock.
"Eeeh, d-did you hear that from the Headmaster!" Negi asked.
"I wouldn't know about that, but I have a request," Shizuna said, then gained a thoughtful expression, "I want to see Negi-kun's and Dustin-kun's magic!"
"I-I can't do that! I-mmff!" Negi was cut off by Shizuna grabbing both their heads and burying him into her bust.
"Please show me boys!" Shizuna begged while Negi's and Dustin's arms began flailing about.
Dustin thought, 'Oh God I'm in the chest of the hottest teachers in Japan.' Until suddenly he and Negi stopped flailing.
Shizuna then spoke, "What's the matter boys, feeling a little frisky?" she purred.
The two suddenly got free as Dustin spoke, "Uh, you can hit me if you want to Shizuna-sensei but aren't your boobs smaller than they usually are?" Dustin asked shocking Shizuna.
"Actually, I agree with Dustin. dDd your breasts get smaller Shizuna-sensei?" Negi asked as he scratched the back of his head knowing it's bad to ask a girl that especially a woman.
"Wha-how rude, with these babies I happen to be the fourth largest in class, you know!" 'Shizuna' said, sounding a little offended at the two boys comments on her breasts.
"Fourth largest in class, who are you?!" Negi shouted.
"Spy!" Dustin shouted.
"Damn, I've guessed you've figured it out, so I've got no choice. One moment I'm a big breasted teacher and the next, I'm a breaking news reporter," the imposter began as she took off her disguise, "My true identity is 3-A seat No.3, Asakura Kazumi!" she announced.
"Asakura-san?" Negi gasped in fright.
"Kazumi?" Dustin gasped in shock.
Kazumi smirked as Sayo appeared beside her wearing a towel wrapped around her body, "And my trusted assistant Sayo Aisaka."
"I'm so sorry Negi-kun, Kazumi insisted I join her." Sayo apologized with tears of guilt.
"This is bad Aniki, she's found us out! Erase her memory!" Chamo told Negi.
"Ras Tel-" Negi began while Dustin was about to make his own move, but they were both stopped by Kazumi.
"Hold it," she interrupted them as she pulled out a cell phone from her towel, "You see this phone, don't you dare make a move! With one press of this send button, I'll send your secret straight to my homepage for the world to see!"
Dustin and Negi were nervous having been trapped in a situation where they couldn't fight back, "Why're you doing this?" Negi asked with teary eyes.
Asakura let out a small chuckle at the question, "Because it's a scoop, it's all for the sake of the scoop! Sorry about this Negi-sensei, but I'm going to have you and Dustin-sensei cooperate with my global ambition." she told him.
"A-Ambition?" Negi asked, worried.
"That's right, I'll have the eyes of the world on me with my discovery of real live mages! I'll have exclusive interviews, and the newspapers and magazines of the world crawling at my feet," Asakura explained her vision of fame, "And you two, Negi-sensei and Dustin-sensei, will star in TV dramas and novels produced by me, you two will even get a Hollywood movie as we go worldwide!"
"Well being in a movie doesn't sound so bad." Dustin admitted.
"So that means you'll join me?!" Kazumi asked happily.
Dustin was about to answer until Negi interrupted, "Dustin!" Negi cried as he flailed his arms, "I-I don't want any of that, if everyone finds out that I'm a mage, I'll be turned into an ermine!"
"No prob! I guarantee you both will have an equal share in the profits, Dustin-kun, Negi-kun," Kazumi told them with a thumbs up, then placed her hands on Negi's shoulders, "So how about it Negi-kun, do you feel like showing me some magic now?" she asked.
"Kazumi I don't think Negi-kun's looking too well." Sayo said as they looked at Negi
Negi was about to have a mental breakdown having enough on his mind with the Kansai folk and the monkey woman, but this was about to push him over the edge as Dustin put a hand on his shoulder signaling him to calm down and let him do all the talking.
The spike haired boy turned to the reporter, "Kazumi before you go blasting our secrets public I have to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Have you forgotten what we talked about?" Dustin asked with disappointment.
"What we talked about?" Kazumi tilted her head.
"Remember when Sayo was loose in the girls dorms and you wanted to expose here just for a story?" Kazumi started recalling as Dustin continued, "I told you to think about the feelings of others instead of yourself."
Sayo nodded remembering Dustin saying what he told the reporter. Kazumi realizing what she was doing was just her going back to her same old tactics about getting scoops for herself and not thinking about others feelings. She turned to the boys before pulling them into an embrace which calmed Negi down and make Dustin relax.
"I'm really sorry guys; I really fudged up didn't I?"
"You did, but the fact is you learned from your mistake before doing anything drastic." Dustin said as she let the boys go.
"Thanks guys, but listen I'd still want to know about magic. I promise on my life I'll keep it a secret." She pleaded.
"How can we trust you?" Domino asked skeptically.
"Well…" Kazumi clicked delete on her cellphone erasing the files she threatened to send, "Does that prove my trust?"
"Hmm, I suppose it wouldn't hurt since she was willing to do that. Negi?" Dustin asked.
Negi not wanting to disrespect Kazumi after doing such an act of trust sighed, "Alright Kazumi Dustin and I will tell you everything.
"As long as you have no tape recorders on standby." Dustin added.
"None at all," Kazumi said showing their hands and smirked, "And if you wanna check under my towel…"
"Let's not be hasty." Dustin interrupted with a red face.
So Negi and Dustin told Kazumi and even Sayo all that happened between the two before coming to Mahora and even the events that took place in Mahora up until their point in Kyoto.
"And that just about covers it." Negi said.
Kazumi and Sayo were surprised, "Wow Negi-kun a real mage, and Dustin a spirit warrior? That's like fab-o!"
"It does sound exciting we know." Dustin answered.
"We had no idea that your teaching lives were essential to become a full mage and spirit warrior." Sayo added.
"Well they are essential, and right now this mission we're on is of the utmost importance by order of the headmaster." Negi said.
Kazumi and Sayo look at each other seeing their professors have on lot on their plate even for boys their ages. "You know what, Sayo and I are gonna help you two."
"What?" the boys asked.
"It's least I could Negi-kun after all you've done for me." Sayo said.
"Likewise Dustin-kun for setting me straight." Kazumi added.
"But how can you help us?" Negi asked.
"As ace reporter I know a multitude of facts and all, not to mention when it comes to gathering information I happen to be the best. Plus by acting as your manager I can guarantee that any of the other girls that don't know your secrets will not get in the way of your business and such."
"And being a ghost I can sneak into anywhere and collect my own kind of information." Sayo added.
"It does sound very generous and clever." Dustin admitted.
"Well aniki whaddaya say?" Chamo asked.
Negi thought about it before answering with a smile, "Alright girls, we accept your offers."
Sayo and Kazumi giggle until Chamo spoke, "But you know if ya want this partnership to be official, how'd you girls like to make actual partnerships with the boys?" Chamo smirked.
The boys caught on as Kazumi spoke, "You mean make pactios with them like you talked about?"
Domino spoke, "Exactly, that way if anyone found out you two did know their secrets none of you would be punished."
"But to perform a pactio we'd have to…" Sayo began as she looked at Negi and was focused on his lips, "Kiss." Negi blushed at Sayo's nervousness.
"I know it's awkward, but it's better than the alternative using blood." Dustin said.
"Well, I'd be up for it." Kazumi admitted.
"And you sweetie?" Chamo asked Sayo who blushed.
"Well if Negi-kun doesn't mind…"
Negi blushed, "Well not at all, after all I've already done it twice."
"As have I." Dustin admitted.
"Which would make me and Sayo both your third," Kazumi grinned while pinching the boys faces, "You little Casanova's you!"
"Ease up on the face Kazumi." Dustin said getting her to let the boys go.
"Well Domino shall we get to work?" Chamo asked eagerly.
"Let's, but we should probably do it out of the bath." The bird suggested.
"Agreed." Dustin replied as the four got out of the bath while Chamo and Domino started drawing up two separate circles for each of their masters.
"They're all set." Chamo affirmed.
"All that they require is your attention." Domino added.
So they went to a circle each with the girls kneeling down to the boys level, or in Sayo's case lowering her legs down into the ground to match Negi's height.
"It's all up to you crazy kids now." Chamo explained.
"Well Negi are you ready?" Sayo asked while blushing.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Negi admitted.
"And you Dustin?" Kazumi asked.
"Always." He smirked prompting Kazumi to smirk as well.
"Then so am I."
"Then let's see some fireworks!" Domino cawed.
And on cue Sayo went forward planting her lips on Negi's as he returned it, 'My first kiss, and it feels wonderful.' Sayo thought in happiness.
Kazumi leaned in planting one on Dustin who also accepted the gesture, 'Wow for having kissed two girls already Dustin knows his stuff.'
As they kissed their pactios circles glowed as Sayo was filled with magic while Dustin's spirit energy fused with Kazumi as well, "PACTIO!" the crow and ermine cheered.
Soon the light died down as two cards appeared each with one of the girl's pictures on it. When they broke their kisses they gazed at each other, "And that's it?" Kazumi asked.
"That's it." Dustin said.
"Well what'd ya gals think?" Domino asked.
"I-I really liked it." Sayo blushed.
"Same here." Kazumi admitted with a grin.
"Well nee-sans' here ya go these are your cards," Chamo distributed the girls their pactio cards, "While Aniki and Dustin here hold onto fakes which they can use to summon or contact you."
Negi and Dustin smiled while they laughed with the girls before Dustin spoke, "Listen Kazumi about what me and Negi said about your…" he motioned to her chest.
"We want you to know we never meant to insult you." Negi added.
Kazumi smirked, "It's ok. And who knows give or take a few years and my breasts will reach Shizuna-sensei's size," she started stroking Dustin's cheek making him go red again, "I bet you'd really like that wouldn't you Dustin-kun?" she purred while pressing her bosoms into his chest making him pant.
"I'd rather not dignify that with an answer." Dustin panted.
"Hey, what's going on in there?! What's with that light show?!" came a familiar voice from the bath's exit. A second later, Ayaka, Makie, Yuna, Fuka, Kaede, and Mana came through the exit and found the four of them, needless to say, most of them weren't happy with the scene that was in front of them.
"Asakura-san Aisaka-san, what is the meaning of this?!" Ayaka screamed as she and Makie bum rushed their classmate.
"What are you doing naked with Negi-kun and Dustin-kun!" Makie half-asked, half-screamed, while Kazumi and Sayo screamed for help.
"Uh, I think I'll be leaving right now..." Dustin muttered as he began moving towards the exit.
"Right behind you!" Negi agreed.
"Wait a minute you two." Kaede said as she and Mana blocked their retreat.
"What were the both of you up to in here?" Mana crossed her arms eyeing them suspiciously, while her gaze was mostly focused on Dustin.
Dustin chuckled nervously, "There's a perfectly logical explanation for this girls… bye!" he grabbed Negi as they bolted for the exit grabbing their clothes unaware they were missing their familiars while the two tall girls chased after them.
After the girls beat down Kazumi she laid on the floor with a bruise on her head while Sayo popped up from the ground looking nervous, "Owie." Kazumi rubbed her bump.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Sayo said.
"Nonsense Sayo it's perfect." Domino answered.
Chamo popped up to Kazumi, "Nee-san the crow here and I have another interesting proposition for you if you're interested that is?"
"What kind of proposition?" Kazumi asked.
"Something that could make us very rich." Chamo smirked.
"Hmm, I'm listening." Kazumi smiled interested in what the ermine had to say.
And that's the chapter for now folks
Pactio standings as of now:
Negi: Kaede, Rin, Sayo.
Dustin: Mana, Kasuga, Kazumi.
(Don't miss next time everybody. See you all next time.)