(Hi guys. Welcome to the next chapter. This chapter's going to feature some bonding moments with the guys and another of their students. Well enjoy the chapter.)
One morning, Negi, Dustin, Zyphon, Kaede, Mana, and Zazie were running through the Mahora town on their way to class.
"I don't know why you woke us up this early; I mean class doesn't start for another hour and a half." Dustin said.
"Yes, I don't understand it either." Negi agreed.
"Well we thought we'd get a real meal this morning." Kaede explained.
"A real meal?" Dustin asked.
"Hey guys!" a voice called as the group looked over seeing Asuna, Konoka, and Setsuna.
"Guess minds do think alike." Konoka giggled.
"Just what exactly are we going to?" Negi asked until Kaede stopped him.
"We're already here." The ninja answered as they looked seeing they were at the Chao Bao Zi dining car that was packed with customers.
"This is Chao's dining car." Dustin noticed.
"And so many students." Negi gasped seeing so many customers with Ku and Chachamaru waiting on tables while Chao and Satomi were at the cart taking orders.
"I don't think I've ever seen this place so busy." Dustin gasped.
"With the half off prices and specials they have going now, you'd be a baka to pass it up." Asuna answered.
"Agreed and half off is what I love best." Mana smirked until she heard Zazie cough while saying 'cheap'.
"Here's a seat." Zazie said as they sat down at a table.
"What do you think you're going to order Negi?" Dustin asked.
"Well let's see." Negi began to read the menu until two bowls of soup were placed on the table before the two boys. The two looked up seeing Satsuki.
"Here ya go." She said.
"Hey thanks, Satsuki. Though what is it?" Dustin asked eyeballing the food.
"Special stamina soup, on the house," She answered, "You two need the energy."
"You think so?" Negi asked as Chamo perched on his shoulder.
Satsuki nodded, "I heard from Ku and Chao about how hard you two are training. Still, don't overdo it. It'd be bad if you hurt yourselves. You boys only have one body and nothing's more important than your health." She smiled.
"Well you're right about that." Dustin admitted.
"But why us on the house?" Negi asked curiously.
"Because I've noticed you haven't been your energetic selves lately," she smiled again, "No matter how hard your training gets, you shouldn't forget that you boys still have a job to do." She then bowed her head and went back to work.
"Wow, Satsuki's really nice isn't she?" Negi asked.
"Well of course, Negi." Dustin replied.
"By the way, Satsuki was right," Asuna began, "You two have been looking a tad dismal for a bit. What's up?"
"Oh it's nothing, Asuna." Negi said dismissing it.
"Yeah, just having a slow time is all." Dustin added to cover their tracks.
Kaede, Mana, Zazie, Konoka, and Setsuna eyed their partners knowing that ever since they defeat Herrman they've been a tad out of it. Feeling that the two would eventually confess about what was bothering them they let it go and enjoyed their meal.
"Mm, man Negi, this soup is delicious." Dustin said as he sipped it.
"Yes, and very exquisite." Negi added.
"That's Satsuki's cooking for you. She's a genius." Konoka smiled.
Suddenly Negi stood up, "This soup has really brightened my day! I feel as good as new girls! In fact starting today there's a new Negi in town!"
"What brought this up?" Asuna asked.
"I think it's the soup talking." Setsuna replied as Kaede giggled at Negi's energetic outburst.
Later on in class, the girls were in their seats as the boys were giving their lesson, "Ok, class now in preparation for next weeks big test I suggest a study session." Half the girls started groaning until Dustin spoke.
"There will be none of that, girls. Remember your grades not only reflect you, but us as well. And you don't want to get us in trouble do you?"
"Yeah, we don't want another incident like last time." Madoka said eyeing the Baka Rangers.
"So any thoughts on this group session?" Negi asked.
"Ooh, Negi-kun, I have a great study game in mind!" Sakurako raised her hand.
"And what would that be, Sakurako?" Negi asked.
"It's called 'baseball janken'. See you're asked a question and if…" she was cut off as half the girls started voicing their opinions of wanting to go along with her idea while some were voicing disapproval.
"Well girls, I feel that if there's a game that sets you in the mood for studying. I say go for it!" Negi said still energetic as he was since morning.
"Then let's go!" Sakurako cheered as some of the girls were dragged into it.
Dustin and Negi turned their backs and spoke, "If we can get them energetic with studying then they're sure to pass the test next week." Negi said.
"And that reflects good on us," Dustin added until two bras landed on his and Negi's heads, "What the?" he picked it up.
"Why is this…" Negi trailed off as Zyphon spoke.
"Uh sirs, you might want to take a look at this."
They turned around seeing some of the girls were losing pieces of their clothes leaving them half dressed and some like the Baka Rangers were down to their undergarments while Rin was cowering in the corner.
"Nosebleed!" Dustin plugged his nose.
"What the hell is this?" Negi cried while Chamo was nosebleeding.
"How is this a study game?!" Dustin called taking Domino by surprise.
"Baseball Janken is like a strip poker game," Sakurako explained, "Lose clothing for every answer you miss."
"Now you tell us?!" Negi cried.
"Come on, Rin! You're in this class too." Kakizaki said as she tried dragging Rin into joining them.
"I don't wanna lose any of my clothes!" the Princess cried.
"Negi-kun, Dustin-kun why don't you two join us?" Haruna offered.
"Like I'd ever!" Negi cried.
"I'm afraid I'll have to pass on this as well." Dustin said until he and Negi were grabbed by the girls and were being asked questions. Before they could even answer the girls immediatley made buzzer sounds claiming they were taking too long to answer and started trying to strip them.
All the rough housing and calamity attracted the attention of Nitta-sensei who always seems to know when students are having a good time and he comes to kill it. He slammed the door opened and called to the girls.
"Girls, that's enough! Do you have any idea what time it is?!" he bellowed followed by a gawk at seeing the boys surrounded by the girls trying to strip them. Fuka and Makie were trying to tug Negi's pants off while Negi was topless and somehow got a bra partially slipped on him. Dustin had his jacket removed and his red shirt had been unbuttoned exposing his bare torso. Nitta trembled as Negi had to quickly explain their situation.
"No, this is not what it looks like!" Negi tried to explained.
"Yeah, there's a logical explanation for all this," Dustin trailed off before saying the first thing that came to them, "We're drunk." Negi and some of the girls face faulted.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?! All of you assume the position now!" he ordered making eveyrone sit in seiza as always.
"Not again!" the girls cried.
"And you two!" he motioned to Negi and Dustin, "I wanna have a word with you both after school!"
Negi started tearing up while Dustin sighed, "Oh great."
Later on, after classes ended, Negi and Dustin were sitting at a table in the teachers lounge with Nitta sitting opposite of the two. The boys listened as the older teacher started going on and on about them not being responsible enough to handle their classes. Negi just sat in gloom listening while losing all his energetic energy from this morning while Dustin just sat there trying to drone him out.
"Even for children teachers, the level of discipline you maintain in the classroom just isn't high enough to keep those girls in line!"
"Yes, sir." Negi answered dismally while Dustin droned out as Nitta continued.
'Oh give me a break. This guy is like the thing that won't shut up.' He thought as he watched Nitta flap his lips but heard gibberish come out of his mouth.
"Dustin Bowers, do you understand me?!" Nitta called snapping Dustin out of his droning.
"Huh, what're we talking about?"
"Didn't you hear anything I've been telling you?!" Nitta asked.
"Um, yeah sorry but I kinda droned out the moment you started." Dustin answered bluntly.
"WHAT?!" he shouted, "This is exactly what I mean about you not being a better role model and example for your students!"
"Then enlighten us, Nitta. What is setting an example? Being uptight, domineering, bossy, a stick in the mud, and someone who can't relate to his students? Because that's exactly you to a 'T'." Dustin argued.
Nitta shot out of his seat, "How dare you talk to me in that tone."
"Just because you're an adult and senior sensei doesn't mean you know everything. Negi and I can handle classes our way and you handle whatever classes you're involved in your way!" Dustin continued to argue while Negi just sat there too bummed to even care about what to say.
"You are really tredding on thin ice Mr. Bowers, keep that up with me and Headmaster Konoe will hear about this." He warned the spike head.
"You done? Goodbye!" he stood up and took Negi by the arm pulling him out of his seat.
"Where do you think you're going? I'm not done talking with you yet!" Nitta ordered.
"WELL WE'RE THROUGH LISTENING TO YOU!" Dustin bellowed, "Come on Negi, let's get out of here." They left the faculty room with Nitta frowning.
Soon enough it was late, and both boys were sitting down by the academy statue outside. Dustin sat casually while Negi was whimpering, "I've failed as a teacher."
"Negi, drop that," Dustin said, "Who cares what Nitta the ogre says?"
"But he's right, I…"
"Negi! For crying out loud, you did nothing wrong. It's ok." Dustin calmed him.
Watching from a bush was Zyphon, Mana, Kaede, Zazie, Rin, Konoka, Setsuna, and Asuna, "Look at them. I've never seen Negi-kun so bummed. He's even crying." Konoka said.
"Well things did get a little crazy, and that is mostly our fault." Asuna admitted.
"Dustin's handling what happened very well." Mana noted.
"Can't say the same for Negi." Kaede said.
"Maybe we should…" Zyphon wanted to go to them but Setsuna held his arm.
"Zyphon, wait." She said as he stood back with them as they continued watching.
Negi continued sulking while Dustin sat casually until they looked up seeing Satsuki smiling, "Satsuki, what's up?" Dustin asked.
"Is there something you need?" Negi asked.
"You two wanna come and have dinner?" she offered.
"Huh?" they looked at each other before hearing their stomachs grumble. They looked sheepishly at Satsuki who giggled.
"I'll take that as a yes."
So the boys smiled and got on their feet following Satsuki, "Come on, dinner sounds like a good idea about now." Asuna said as the group followed from behind.
Soon that night at the Chao Bao Zi, many students were having dinner at tables stationed around the car. Negi and Dustin were sitting on stools at the car's counter as Satsuki brought out a wide spread of food, "Ta-dah!"
So the boys started eating and looked like their spirits have been lifted, "Wow it's delicious!" Negi cheered.
"You really are a cooking genius aren't you, Satsuki?" Dustin asked slyly.
"I can hardly call myself a genius." Satsuki answered humbly.
"Sat-chan, good evening." A voice called as the three looked seeing several of the faculty members walk by including Nitta.
"The usual please, Sat-chan." Nitta said.
"Nitta-sensei." Negi whispered as he cowered.
"Just don't make eye contact." Dustin warned him.
Suddenly some college students approached, "Hey Sat-chan, can you squeeze the six of us in?" one asked as Satsuki nodded.
"Sat-chan, huh?" Dustin asked seeing she has her own nickname.
"College students and teachers? You're really popular, Satsuki." Negi said in between bites.
The plump girl smiled and asked, "So guys, you feeling any better?"
"Much better." Negi admitted.
"Best I've felt all day." Dustin added.
"That's good," she began, "You know it's my dream someday to own my onw restaurant. Cooking for people and making them feel good, makes me feel good too."
Negi and Dustin looked amazed at the class cook as Negi spoke, "Well I know you can do it, Satsuki."
"Yeah, if anything Master Darius told me you can do anything if you put your mind to it." Dustin added.
"Hey guys!" a voice called as Chao entered from around back.
"Hey, Chao." Satsuki greeted.
"Evening, Chao." The boys greeted.
"Hey guys, how do you like the food we have?" Chao asked them.
"It's to die for." Dustin said as he continued eating.
"I'm glad, Satsuki and I are quite the team, just like you guys."
"And that's a fact." Dustin chuckled.
"What'd you say? You got a problem with that?!" they heard a sudden commotion and turned around seeing two groups of boys squabbling.
"There's no way impact beats grappling!"
"That's how we like it!"
"Aren't those the college students of the school of engineering and the college martial arts clubs?" Dustin asked.
"Oh, no if they get into a brawl here things could get nasty!" Negi feared until the boys saw Satsuki suddenly brushed past them making her way over.
"What's she doing?" Dustin asked.
Suddenly there was a crashing sound as they saw Ku weilding a pair of martial arts clubs which she slammed into the ground to get the groups attention. They gasped upon seeing Ku and Satsuki.
"It's boss Ku!"
"Sat-chan!"
Satsuki glared at the two sides and spoke, "There's no fighting here and you all know that!"
At that moment the two sides melted into happiness and started appologizing to her and each other. "What just happened?" Dustin asked in surprise.
"I don't know, but one word from her and they all fell quiet," Negi gasped, "Satsuki's more amazing than I thought."
"Well of course, boya." A voice said surprising the two and they turned and saw Evangeline.
"Eva? I mean master?" Negi gasped.
"When did you get here?" Dustin asked.
"A moment ago, actually." The chibi vampire admitted.
"So you also agree about Satsuki?" Negi asked.
"Let me put it this way," Eva began, "Of all the brats in her class, Satsuki's the only one worth the seat she sits in."
"Is that so?" Dustin asked crossing his arms.
Eva nodded, "Yes, it is. She keeps her feet on the ground, but she also thinks about the future, too," she smiled in respect, "She's the real thing."
"I see." Negi said.
"Anyway, I've come to tell you boys there won't be any training tonight. I've decided to go out for a drink, and possibly tomorrow as well."
"Oh arigato, master." Negi thanked her.
"Yeah, thanks a bunch." Dustin thanked her as well.
Eva smiled before walking away, "Don't mention it."
Soon two of the faculty members Seruhiko and Nitta sat by the boys, "Sat-chan, once again you always show us how it's done. You too Chao-chan." Seruhiko said.
Nitta who sat closest to the boys wrapped an arm around Negi and spoke in a surly tone, "Why if it isn't Negi-sensei and Dustin-sensei! This is a treat!"
"Um hello, Nitta-sensei." Negi greeted him still nervous about how he was earlier.
"I think he's smashed." Dustin whispered.
"Hey sorry I was so hard on you boys today. 3A is 3A after all." Nitta continued.
"Uh no problem at all." Dustin answered feeling uneasy by his behavior.
"Say why don't you boys join us for a drink?" Nitta offered.
"Nitta-san, they can't. Perhaps something sweet?" Seruhiko offered.
"Um, ok." Negi answered feeling calmer.
"Here ya go boys." Seruhiko poured the boys each a drink an handed them the cups.
"Well Negi, cheers." Dustin said as the two clinked their cups together and had their drinks.
A few minutes later, as the faculty continued conversing they noticed Negi shedding tears while laying his face down on the counter, "I'm-I'm a…" he muttered.
"Negi-kun, what's wrong?" Seruhiko asked.
"Oh I'm such a sham…" Dustin said acting the same as Negi while burrying his face in his hands.
"Dustin-kun?" Shizuna asked in worry.
"Seruhiko, what'd you give them anyway?" Nitta asked.
By the group of girls who had been enjoying their dinner had noticed Negi and Dustin's shift in behavior, "Are they ok?" Zyphon asked.
"They sound like they're depressed again." Mana noted.
"But they were so happy moments ago." Rin reminded her.
"Well they're with the faculty, so maybe it's not…" Setsuna began but was cut off by Nitta who eclaimed while looking at the bottle from which they poured Negi and Dustin's drink.
"THIS IS AMAZAKE SERUHIKO, SWEET SAKE!" the girls face faulted with some falling to the ground.
Negi started whimpering, "Nitta-sensei, Satsuki. I'm a horrible teacher."
"And I'm a disgrace to the rest of us." Dustin whimpered as well.
"Oh no a crying jag!" Nitta gasped knowing they're only going to get worse.
"Should I make something to sober them up?" Satsuki offered only to be cut off by the boys sobbing.
"I'm so useless!" Negi cried.
"So am I!" Dustin cried as they hung off each other.
Nitta and Seruhiko tried to keep them from making a scene by calming them, "Negi-kun, Dustin-kun don't be silly. You're doing a greta job!" Seruhiko began.
"Never mind what I said earlier. I shouldn't have said those things." Nitta added.
"But it's true!" Negi cried.
"And I made it no better by mouthing off!" Dustin sobbed through his hands.
"Dustin-kun, please try and calm down." Chao tried to calm him.
"Hey guys! Did you start without me?" another voice called as everyone looked seeing Takahata approach. "Negi, Dustin, how you guys doing?" Takahata asked.
"Takamichi?" Negi asked calming down.
"Taki?" Dustin asked as Nitta sighed in relief that the boys were ceasing their bawling.
"Takahata-sensei is kawaii as ever." Asuna blushed making the others face fault.
"Seriously?" Rin asked the older girls who shrugged their shoulders.
"Well with Takahata-sensei here they should be calmer." Mana believed.
"You know Eva's been telling me how strong you boys have gotten," Takahata spoke to the boys, "How about it? We agreed once, when you kids were younger, that we'd have a future match. Is now that time?" he asked hopefully. Much to his surprise Negi and Dustin only looked at him on the verge of tears once again.
"But I'm not stronger though!" Negi burst into tears, "Not at all!"
"And I'm no better!" Dustin sobbed.
"Boys, what's wrong?" Takahata asked in worry.
"The truth is, Takahata, they were given a bit of amazake by accident, so…" Nitta explained sheepishly.
"All I've ever done is run away!" Negi cried.
"And I'm nothing but a disgrace!" Dustin cried.
"Don't say that boys, cheer up." Takahata tried calming them but was proving to be ineffective.
"We're horrible teachers!" the boys cried as they held onto each other.
Dustin looked forward at Chao with his face red and eyes full of tears, "I've failed as a teacher and being your disciple Chao! I'm sorry I'm a disappointment!"
"Dustin-kun." Chao gasped never seeing him so sad even if the amazake was to blame.
The two cried and cried until their faces dropped on the counter, "Negi-sensei! Dustin-sensei!" Satsuki gasped.
The girls rushed over, "Are they ok?" Konoka gasped.
Domino perched on Dustin's head and pecked him a few times but got no response. Kaede leaned in and listened to them lightly snoring, "It's ok, they just passed out."
"Master Roswell would be heartbroken if he ever saw his boy like this." Zyphon said.
"I think it's for the best we don't speak a word of this to anyone." Takahata suggested.
"Agreed." Nitta agreed.
"What do we do now?" Asuna asked.
"Bring them inside." Satsuki said as Ku and Mana picked the boys up bringing them inside the car that had a room in back complete with two beds.
"They can sleep in here tonight, since it's best we don't move them." Chao said.
Ku placed Negi down on one bed before removing his jacket while Mana did the same with Dustin. "Will they be ok?" Rin asked.
"Don't worry, I'll stay behind and look after them as well." Zyphon assured as Chamo and Domino perched on his shoulders.
"You leave the rest to us." Ku added.
"We'll be back tomorrow and see how things are." Kaede said as the girls and faculty took off.
Satsuki, Chao, and Ku went back inside the car seeing Negi whimpering in his sleep, "I'm a bad teacher." He sniffled.
Satsuki smiled as she pulled the covers over and covered Negi up. Ku approached and patted Negi's head making him relax in his sleep. Chao went over to Dustin and covered him up as well. She noticed his hair was in his eyes so she gently brushed it away. She blushed as she gazed at his sleeping form.
'Dustin-kun. He has such a beautiful face. I know he would never call himself a terrible disciple. In fact I could never ask for a better disciple.' She thought before leaning down and planted a kiss on his forehead. She, Satsuki, and Ku quietly slipped out as Zyphon went into hibernate mode.
When the sun rose the next morning, it's bright glow shined off the boys faces making their stir in their sleep before opening their eyes, "Morning already?" Negi groaned.
"My eyes!" Dustin groaned before dawning his sunglasses, "Oh God, my head!" he felt his head.
"Mine too." Negi groaned.
"Where are we?" Dustin asked as they looked around seeing they weren't in their respective dorm rooms.
"We're still at the dining car." Negi realized.
"We stayed here all night?" Dustin asked as he put his jacket back on.
"Looks like." Negi nodded as he dawned his jacket and glasses.
Dustin looked seeing Zyphon in hibernate mode while their familiars were curled up on a counter, "Zyphon, wake up." Dustin switched his modes and he awoken.
"Morning master Dustin, how did you sleep?"
"Well I don't know, exactly." Dustin admitted.
"Are we here alone?" Negi asked.
Zyphon looked outside the car, "Actually, no."
They exited the car seeing Satsuki sweep up around the dining area surrounding the car, "Satsuki?" Negi asked himself.
Satsuki feeling she was being watched turned around and saw her sensei's were awake, "Good morning Negi-sensei and Dustin-sensei."
"Satsuki, I'm so sorry about last night." Negi appologized.
"Yeah. I had no idea what I was saying." Dustin added.
"Oh so you two remember?" Satsuki asked.
"Unfortunately." Negi answered.
"They say the English are good at holding their liquor." Satsuki joked promping Dustin to chuckle.
"Yeah, but my dad can never know about me drinking even if it was accidentally." Dustin said in fear of what his father would say or do if he found out he drank at such a young age.
As the boys sat at a table, Satsuki continued sweeping until Negi spoke, "You surprise me Satsuki," The class cook froze looking confused at him, "You know what your dream is for the future. And every day you're out here making it happen."
"So are you… With your job and your training." Satsuki cheered him up.
"But that's just it, I'm not." Negi answered looking down.
"Negi." Dustin gasped.
"Someone told me once…" he began thinking about Herrman from before and what he said about him during their fight, "And they were right on the money, too. Even with all my training to be a teacher, and with all my training to become stronger… It's all a front! Nothing more than avoidance. A way to not think about the past. And yet here I am… a teacher. How can I even face them, knowing what I know?"
Negi was suddenly cut off by Satsuki who put a hand on his shoulder, "Negi, you've got it all wrong. It's not a lie at all."
"Satsuki." Negi gasped as Dustin and Zyphon watched.
"Whether it grew from a need for vengeance or from deciding to run from something… Strength is still strength! So there's nothing to be ashamed about." she explained.
"I-I." Negi trailed off only to receive a playful slap on the back by the girl which was enough to almost make him fall forward.
"So cheer up already!" she said.
Negi's shocked look started shifting to a smile, "Satsuki… Yes, you're right. I shouldn't have told myself otherwise. I will keep getting stronger and never let my choice seem like a mistake!"
"Way to say it Negi." Dustin said as the two did their handshake. They chuckled before Satsuki approached them and ruffled their heads making them laugh.
"You two are going to do just fine."
"Thanks, Satsuki." Negi smiled.
"Say, to make up for the scene we started last night would it be all right if Negi and I helped out around here after class?" Dustin asked.
"Yes, would that be all right?" Negi asked hopefully.
Satsuki smiled, "Of course. We could use a few extra hands around here."
"Negi, Dustin!" a voice called as they saw Kaede, Mana, and Zazie walk over.
"Ohayo, girls." Negi greeted them.
"Are you two feeling any better?" Mana asked.
"Much better." Dustin answered.
"Especially me." Negi added.
The three looked at Satsuki and smiled, "You did it again, Satsuki." Kaede said.
"It was nothing," She said sheepishly, "Say since you're all here, why don't I make us some breakfast?"
"Super." Zazie answered.
"We'll help too." Negi offered.
"Yeah, we can get used to the stuff now for tonight." Dustin added.
"Ok, come on." Satsuki said as she brought them in the back to go over some of the stuff in the dining car.
(And that's the chapter. Negi and Dustin had a bit of a rough day, but with the help of Satsuki their spirits have been brightened back up. Don't miss next time where it's Dustin's birthday and it's gonna be a party. See you then.)