Tenderness 3 pt 2

Negima! fanfic. After their enforced engagement the young couple attempts to court as well as get their own feelings out in the open. Not the easiest of tasks perhaps, what with all the interference, err, “help" they receive.
(Konoka/Setsuna) Tenderness is a series of six stories divided over likely seven parts due to size. Sequel to Tenderness 2.

Read Tenderness 3 pt 2

Disclaimer: Mahou Sensei Negima etc belongs to Ken Akamatsu and possibly a few others, certainly not myself though if someone would feel like giving the series to me I would not object. ^_^

This is a sequel to “Tenderness 2”. A slight warning: Like with previous parts, please have patience with any and all OOC behaviour.





Tenderness 3 pt 2 of 2
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By Carola “Ryûchan” Eriksson







The ride back was surprisingly quick, which Setsuna figured had more to do with the fact that Konoka sat glued to her side with her head on Setsuna’s shoulder, rather than the driver speeding more than on the ride to the restaurant. In hardly any time at all they were standing on the sidewalk watching the car disappear down the road.

“Its getting dark... do you still want to go for a walk, Kono-chan?” Setsuna was concerned, she herself wanted very much to prolong the evening in whatever way Kono-chan preferred, but what she wanted was of course not important compared to Kono-chan’s safety. “It might not be safe out without my sword.”

Konoka smiled brightly. “I’m always safe with you, Secchan.”

A gentle yank on Setsuna’s arm started them both walking slowly on a path away from the paved areas and out onto the grassier parts of the school. Setsuna had to make another attempt at explaining why Konoka might want to reconsider, feeling it was her duty to do so.

“But I don’t have any weapons with me... if we were to get attacked by something...”

“If we get attacked by something...” Konoka pulled a little more. “...you can just scoop me up and we’ll fly away as fast as we can. Okay?”

“Y-yes. I promise.” Setsuna felt tears sting her eyes a little at Kono-chan’s faith and easy acceptance. Inside she repeated the old oath of hers to protect her precious one no matter what.

“Good.” The response earned Setsuna a tiny kiss on her cheek. “Secchan, are you cold?”

Realizing that Konoka intended to give her back the jacket if she in any way implied that she was Setsuna hurried to assure that she was fine, that the evening air was not nearly cold enough to bother her. Once convinced her Secchan was not suffering, Konoka flashed a playful grin and let go of the hand she was holding. “In that case... catch me Secchan!”

And off she was, running as fast as she could over the grass. Setsuna took a fraction of a second before she realized Konoka had dashed away and took up the chase, senses suddenly on full alert lest anything dangerous should jump out from behind a bush or a tree.

But there was nothing there but the two of them, and while Setsuna could easily run past her beloved Kono-chan she let the other girl remain a step or two ahead of her, until Kono-chan slowed down in a nicely secluded glen not that far from the school buildings yet still away from prying eyes.

As soon as Setsuna was close enough Konoka spun around and launched herself into Setsuna’s arm with a bubbling laugh. Impulsively Konoka blurted “Dance with me!”

“But Kono-chan... I can’t dance!” Setsuna had something slightly panicked in her voice again.

“I’ll teach you! I’ll lead, you just have to try to follow me.” There was another bright smile that Setsuna could not say no to, and in reward, another small peck.

And dance they did, slowly and gingerly with Konoka encouraging Setsuna whom at first was terribly self-conscious and somewhat clumsy. Eventually Setsuna managed to relax enough to think that this dancing thing was perhaps not so bad at all, and as a result they moved a little more gracefully around the grass.

Finally they came to a stop, standing in a loose embrace with Konoka’s arms coming up to wrap around Setsuna’s shoulders. They stood in silence for a while, merely looking at one another.

“Secchan...” Konoka breathed, her expression soft and yearning. “I love you.” Gentle fingers caressed the side of Setsuna’s face. “I always have.”

Silence.

Setsuna could not speak, could not move, could not breathe. Konoka’s tender expression grew worried and then distorted and Setsuna could not understand why until she heard Konoka’s voice, urgent and worried.

“Secchan! Secchan, you’re crying... d-did I say something wrong?”

Suddenly she was crushing Konoka to her, face buried in the other girl’s neck, sobbing helplessly. Konoka was somewhat stunned but still tried her best to comfort, quite alarmed at her beloved Secchan’s reaction to her declaration of love. Konoka had imagined many times and many ways in which her Secchan might react to the truth of Konoka’s feelings for her, but never had she imagined her stoic warrior crying like this.

“Secchan, please talk to me.” A trembling breath, after which Konoka’s voice also carried the faintest trace of tears. “I-is it because... you don’t want... this... the engagement... m-me?”

“NO!” Setsuna pulled back enough to face Konoka, still fighting her tears. “No, never that Kono-chan... I love you, I love you so much, I... I, I don’t have to words for how much.” The dark eyes might have still been brimming with tears, but the honesty and depth of emotion blazed even in the faint light.

“I-its just that I... I’m afraid, afraid of waking up and this, all of this, will just have been a dream.” Setsuna whispered, unable to meet Konoka’s eyes as she confessed her fears. “I don’t know if I can survive that... even if it is just a dream, to have held you, to have had your love, and then... not, I...”

She could say no more and just shook her head helplessly, the emotions too strong for the words she had to use to describe them with at the moment. The message had been conveyed anyway, and Konoka, gently wiping away Setsuna’s tears with the sleeves of the jacket, understood.

“This is not a dream, Secchan. This is real.” A brief, tender kiss. “This is happening. I love you, you love me...” She wrapped her arms back around Setsuna’s neck, a slightly shy but happy smile on her lips. “...through some stroke of luck, daddy and grandpa approves of us...”

“And if you’ll have me, in a few years I would very much like to marry you.”

It was Konoka’s turn to blush and look away after that statement, looking back up only when Setsuna pulled her in to hug her more carefully.

“Do you promise?” A soft meek whisper against Konoka’s neck.

“More than promise... I swear.”

---

By the time Setsuna escorted Konoka back to her dorm-room it was late enough that of Konoka’s two roommates one was already sleeping and the other was walking around in her pyjamas with a toothbrush in her mouth.

“Hey, if it isn’t the fancy date couple.” Asuna grinned and waved her toothbrush at them. “Boy, Konoka, when you said ‘don’t wait up’ you weren’t kidding.”

The couple by the door both looked somewhat bashful but refrained from commenting. Having really already said their goodbyes outside the door – knowing there would be little privacy to do so once the door was opened – Konoka merely handed over the jacket and the two shared a sweet little goodnight kiss.

Asuna smirked as she watched them. “What, no repeat of last night? I’ve got pen and paper out, all ready to take notes.”

Setsuna fled, grateful to be able to do so, and Konoka turned from the door with a happy little sigh, giving Asuna’s toothbrush a playful tap as she passed her by. “Ha ha. Go brush your teeth, funny girl.”

Asuna instead leaned closer, taking a close look at Konoka’s somewhat messy hair. “What’s this?” She plucked a few things from the brown strands. “What’s with all the grass in your hair, Konoka?”

Konoka went beet red.

“...oh my god!” With a gasp the wide-eyed Asuna pointed at Konoka with her toothbrush, making Konoka back up a step to avoid the slightly foamy little thing that was being waved about. “You didn’t! And on the ground!”

Well, there had been ground involved, Konoka reflected, just not perhaps quite in the way Asuna was imagining. Or at least not entirely.

Konoka and Setsuna had embraced for a long time, settling Setsuna’s insecurities and upset feelings. When they finally let go of each other Setsuna had timidly suggested that they should start heading back. They had only managed to walk a few steps when Konoka had stopped and impulsively blurted to the girl a few steps in front of her “Say it again, Secchan!”

Setsuna had turned around and blinked owlishly, apparently not quite following.

“I love you!” Konoka’s declaration was spoken with a strong voice, a hushed voice would not do for the powerful need in her heart right then. “I love you Secchan!”

Setsuna had blushed and smiled. “I love you too, Kono-chan.”

Unable to hold back Konoka had jumped at Setsuna in a flying tackle, one that whether due to the fact that Setsuna was unprepared or because the grass was slippery, had them falling down, kissing.

Konoka had wanted this moment for so very long, a moment when her Secchan loved her back and wasn’t afraid to say or show it, that she had no thought of restraint. Setsuna’s reasons were very much similar, and with no-one there to interrupt them... neither of them knew how long they rolled around in the grass, kissing deeply, touching heatedly and crossing quite a few boundaries before they came back to their senses. It had been nothing short of amazing.

Still, Konoka thought as she watched her roommate draw her own conclusions about events, it was probably not quite what Asuna thought they had done.

“I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about Asuna. Go finish brushing your teeth already.” She tried to turn from her far too inquisitive friend as she began changing out of her dress.

“Ooo! Is that a hickey?”

Oh boy.

---

The next day the unfortunately not-so-well hidden hickeys caused quite the pandemonium as a few of Konoka and Setsuna’s classmates spotted them and had no compunctions about interrogating the two or speculating out loud on their own. A few accidentally blurted remarks from Negi added to the buzz, and by midday the entire class were well aware that Setsuna and Konoka were dating and supposed to get engaged. Even in class the two were to some degree the recipients of much joking and teasing for a while, but after a particular event involving Asuna and, of all people, Mana, that had the class rep getting rather upset and putting her foot firmly down on any further misconduct, things calmed down somewhat.

There were of course still the occasional uproar, like the particular morning when Negi read his students full names for the attendance list, and when he came to student number fifteen he cleared his throat and pronounced with a bit of extra care the name “Konoe Setsuna.”

When the blushing young warrior replied to the name, the class of course erupted in various comments and questions for some time, especially from the class paparazzi whom was working on a school newspaper article about the school’s suddenly quite popular ‘princess and knight protector’ couple. Setsuna groaned over her new-won fame but found it all in all to be a terribly small price to pay for having Konoka by her side.

Besides these occasional bursts of embarrassing activity and interest things were calm, or at least as calm as they ever were in Mahora. A few other chaotic events that were unrelated to Setsuna and Konoka took place, but there was nothing that interfered with the pair’s continued dating.

They went to the movies, and they went shopping. They went for a boat ride, and for a picnic in the park. They went for another, less fancy, dinner date, and they had one date at an amusement park. Everything went very well in that department, very well indeed.

So well in fact that Setsuna, nervous and jittery, found herself taking a secret trip into town to scour a certain type of shop for that perfect thing. It proved to be much harder to choose a specific one than Setsuna had ever thought it would be, although to be fair she had not spent much time considering such things before she found herself in a relationship with her precious Kono-chan.

Next on her agenda was something somewhat overdue that she had completely forgotten about until just that day.

So it was that Setsuna found herself outside of principal Konoe’s office, taking a moment to use a few breathing techniques to keep herself from breaking out in an uncalled for but still impending terrified sweat. She fell back on every ounce of martial arts discipline she knew to keep her features and movements calm when she felt anything but, and knocked firmly on the door.

Setsuna’s elderly employer had been surprised to see her without a scheduled patrol-related meeting, but he had been friendly and welcoming, spending a few moments on pleasantries with the girl he had chosen for his granddaughter. Finally though Konoemon gently urged the tense warrior to state her purpose.

“Sir, I have come to ask for your permission to p-propose to Konoka-ojousama.” Setsuna bowed at the waist, as deeply as she could, and waited.

The old man blinked and scratched his beard. “Setsuna-kun? Is my memory deceiving me when I recall you being present for the omiai which my son-in-law and I arranged to have you children properly engaged?”

“N-no sir, I was indeed present.” Slightly unsure whether or not she was meant to answer the question Setsuna still did, fearing to seem impolite, and straightened hesitantly to be able to look at her intended’s grandfather for what she had to say. “It is just that I wanted to personally ask for your approval before approaching Konoka-ojousama.”

Quietly, with some hesitation. “You know what I am, sir.”

Konoemon slowly made his way around the desk, speaking as he walked. “Indeed I know who and what you are, Setsuna-kun. You are a fine young individual of many good qualities that I have looked for in a mate for my only grandchild, and as for your... additional abilities, I have come to the conclusion that they will only benefit coming generations of the Konoe line.”

Setsuna’s eyes went wide as saucers as she began to grasp what the principal was saying. “F-future line... ?”

“Children, Setsuna-kun!” A gnarled hand came to rest on Setsuna’s shoulder. “I wish to see happy, healthy great-grandchildren in due time. And your children are likely to inherit your wings, are they not?”

Never ever had Setsuna even in passing had a thought of children in regards to herself, and certainly not in the context of having them with Kono-chan. Although she knew well that Kono-chan was required to give birth to an heir, what that meant when Kono-chan was set to marry her had somehow passed by completely unnoticed.

Setsuna blushed a furious red.

“There there Setsuna-kun.” Konoemon patted her shoulder and grinned. “You will have years yet before you need to work on my great-grandchildren.” A pause. “In fact, I am counting on there being no need to worry about any surprise appearances of great-grandchildren before the wedding, that is one of the reasons I do not mind allowing you and my granddaughter to live together for the remainder of your time at this school.”

Seeing that his words were not exactly helping the violently blushing girl, Konoemon tried to steer the conversation away from potentially sensitive areas. “So, Setsuna-kun, since you have come to ask for my blessing I assume you have prepared a proposal to Konoka. When do you intend to ask her?”

The girl in front of him almost visibly shook herself back to attention. “I haven’t planned in any detail, but I hope to ask tonight, sir.”

“Make sure you two drop by when you get back, I would like to see my grandchild’s happy face after you have proposed.”

“Yes sir!” Setsuna bowed deeply again. “By your leave, sir.”

“One moment, Setsuna-kun.” Konoemon put a hand on her head in a strangely affectionate gesture. “I’ll ask you to remember that you are a Konoe now, Setsuna-kun. It is an old and respectable name, and you should not be so quick to bow so deeply now that you wear it. I would like to see you hold your head high, like the honourable person you are.”

“At least there is no reason to bow so deeply for your future grandfather.” He smiled kindly at the surprised girl. “Now go, and remember I’ll be expecting you later tonight.”

Setsuna sketched a more brief but still polite bow and scrambled for the door.

---

It wasn’t that the date they had planned that particular day was specifically special, or rather, that it was any more special than any of the ones leading up to it. It wasn’t that the day in question had a specific meaning, no anniversary of their meeting or particular number of days that they had been dating, nothing like that as far as Setsuna knew. It also wasn’t as if she had planned a special thing, an event or a speech or a particular approach... Setsuna just knew that it was time.

Her heart demanded that she would show Kono-chan her love and commitment, offer herself and whatever there might be in her future to her beloved one in the most sincere way she could think of.

Yes, technically they had already agreed to get engaged, and most likely the principal would make it official any day now, now that Setsuna’s name had been changed as promised. But Setsuna still wanted to ask Konoka on her own, so that for both their sakes they would know that their engagement was out of love.

Normally, Setsuna felt sure, people would probably be nervous when they intended to propose to their girlfriend. That wasn’t quite the case with Setsuna, she had been more nervous speaking to the principal – and Master Eishun whom she had called on the phone after leaving the principal’s office – than she was about meeting Kono-chan. Certainly, there was some anxiety regarding whether or not Setsuna would manage to word things right and not make a spectacle out of herself, but she had at least been blissfully spared the worry that Kono-chan might not say yes.

Kono-chan had after all already said yes, repeatedly and in many ways.

As things turned out it was a good thing that Setsuna had made no specific romantic plans for her proposal, as the date in question ended up being hijacked by a group of their friends, led by Haruna and an apologetic Asuna, turning the supposed date into a playful group outing by the beach. It did not matter so much to Setsuna as Konoka was having a good time, however she did need some time alone with her girlfriend. Taking her chance as the others divided up for some ballgame Setsuna quickly grabbed Konoka by the hand and asked her to come with her for a walk.

She led the smiling Konoka away from the beach and the curious gazes of their friends, until she found a secluded little patch of grass behind some trees and bushes where they had a shot at some privacy. As soon as they stopped Konoka grinned mischievously, put her arms around Setsuna, pulled her close and proceeded to kiss her in a way very much not suitable for an audience.

The brunette frowned when far too soon her Secchan disentangled herself from the passionate embrace and took a step back. When Secchan then took another step back as Konoka reached forward to rectify the situation, the frown got company by a cute pout.

“Secchan, what’s wrong?” Something had to be wrong, because Secchan did not refuse Konoka’s kisses for no reason.

Setsuna cleared her throat and fiddled around in an inside pocket of her jacket before finding what she was searching for, taking a moment to get the surprisingly resisting lid on the small black box to open, and then she went down on bended knee so fast that she accidentally ended up on both knees instead of one. Quickly realizing her mistake Setsuna shot up again and did over, winding up on one knee this time.

Taking a moment to check herself and nodding in satisfaction at the pose, although the thought did occur to her that she did not know if one particular knee was the custom or not, Setsuna then looked up to face the stunned Konoka and thrust the open box towards her on arms as straight and rigid as rulers.

“Kono-chan!” The girl in question jumped slightly at the somewhat loud exclamation of her name.

“I love you. You are my life, my reason, and my purpose.” Setsuna gentled her voice a little. “I am not worthy of you, but if you will have me I will spend the rest of my life trying my best to make you happy.”

Oh this proposal thing was a snap after all, Setsuna thought somewhat relieved that the words had come to her. With renewed determination she bounced the small box a little higher towards her Kono-chan who was by now holding both hands to her mouth.

“Kono-chan, will you ma-HAAaaaAA...!”

Only Setsuna’s quick reflexes saved her from getting the falling branch on her head, but try though she did she was not quite as able to avoid going down in a tangle of arms and legs as the limb suddenly falling out of the tree above also brought with it the twins and Makie.

“Darnit, now see what you did!” Asuna said angrily at the accidental troublemakers, stepping out from one of the bushes surrounding the glen. Reluctantly and in some cases sheepishly others, like Haruna and Kazumi, stepped out of the bushes as well.

“Guys, I can explain what we’re doing here...” Asuna began, looking and sounding very apologetic, but neither of the two she was addressing was paying her the slightest attention.

Setsuna crawled out from the human heap and began a frantic search on all fours. “The ring! The ring! Where did it go?”

Her search was ended by a warm voice calling for her attention. “Secchan... Secchan, come here.” The ring had jumped out of the box almost straight at Konoka when the box flew out of Setsuna’s hand, and so the happily smiling, almost glowing, girl stood holding the ring out for her girlfriend to take.

Holding out her hand, and specifically her finger, when her Secchan took back the ring Konoka swallowed hard, then almost whispered her answer, voice filled with emotion. “Yes. Yes I will, my Secchan.”

The ring was quickly placed on the waiting finger by a widely grinning Setsuna, then they were in each others arms, lips coming together...

“HOLD IT!” Asuna called them back to their surroundings. “Sorry guys, but this is why I’m here.” She fished out a small box from her own pocket and tossed it at Konoka, who caught it surprisingly deftly with one hand. “The principal told me to tag along with you guys today even if I had to be sneaky about it, so that I could give that to Konoka without ruining Setsuna’s surprise.” She put a hand behind her head and looked sheepish. “The others weren’t part of the plan, sorry.”

Konoka opened the box, finding a small note from her grandfather as well as a ring. Handing the box back to Asuna she said softly “Thank you Asuna.” She looked at the ring and added. “Thank you grandpa.”

Then, beaming happily, Konoka put the somewhat more plain ring than the one she herself wore on Setsuna’s hand, and sealed the promise with a kiss. This time the kiss was long and deep and enthusiastic, and their company, despite cheering and whistling and even clapping, did nothing to stop them.

---

Konoka and Setsuna did not remain with their friends for long after the somewhat tumultuous proposal, instead they made their way back to the school to go see Konoka’s grandfather before intending to sneak off to a place where they could be alone, namely Setsuna’s room.

It took a good long while, visiting Konoemon, as the old man was full of well-wishes, sentimental memories, and just generally unusually chatty. They did not mind, of course, and both made sure to thank him for his thoughtfulness in providing a ring for Setsuna, but they did have an itching to be alone.

Finally they managed to say their goodbyes to Konoemon and set out for the dorms, but once there Konoka and Setsuna were met with a surprise. With Konoka clinging amorously to her neck Setsuna blindly opened the door and they stumbled inside, already kissing.

Then a throat cleared none-too-discreetly and an amused voice spoke up “Did you lose your way?”

Jumping apart, startled, Konoka and Setsuna stared uncomprehendingly at Haruna, whom apparently was just changing out of the clothes she had been wearing when they saw her last.
“What... what are you...” Setsuna blinked. “Did I get the wrong door?”

Haruna chuckled. “Don’t tell me that with all the sneaking around going on today, nobody thought to tell you two that you’ve had your rooms reassigned?”

“Reassigned?” Konoka echoed with some interest.

“Yeah, the two of you got the dorm room Yue, Nodoka and I used to have, I got yours” a grin and a victory sign directed at Setsuna “and Yue and Nodoka got a double a bit further down the hall from our old room.”

She continued unconcerned with the dumbfounded expressions she was facing. “Apparently Eva-san spent most part of the afternoon overseeing the moving personally, though Chachamaru, Kaede and a group of others were involved too.”

“Eva...”

“...-san?”

Setsuna and Konoka exchanged a look, then they bolted for the door. Belatedly a “Thanks Paru!” drifted back to the open door as the bespectacled girl went to close it.

“Honestly, kids today. Hmm... where did I put the box with the rest of my drawing equipment, anyway?”

---

Racing down the corridors Konoka and Setsuna travelled the distance from Setsuna’s old room to the room next to Konoka’s old one in something akin to record time. Konoka was giggling slightly, excited by the prospect but not knowing just what to expect, while Setsuna... Setsuna was chanting in her mind all the way there.

Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi...

Once there she flung the door open and shouted “YUUNAGI!”

“Oh?” Konoka looked at her fiancée curiously. “Can it answer you?”

Setsuna blushed instantly and, in a belated move to not appear quite so desperate to find her precious sword, stepped aside to let Konoka enter the room while Setsuna closed the door.

Inching slightly sideways Setsuna tried not to be terribly obvious as she scanned to room for any sign of her prized weapon, not much caring if anything else in her possession was there or not. In truth Yuunagi was the only item Setsuna owned that had value and meaning, the rest of her Spartan belongings – or Spartan until Evangeline had gotten hold of her wardrobe, anyway – Setsuna could have or lose should it come to that. All other things she cherished were of the kind that could not be put in material objects, like the memories in her mind, the feelings in her heart, and the people that meant something to her, specifically her beloved Kono-chan.

Although... Setsuna glanced at her finger where the ring rested with an unfamiliar but not unpleasant feeling. That was not true anymore, that Yuunagi was the only thing she owned that she cherished beyond description. She touched the ring and smiled in wonder.

Looking up from her admiring of the silver band Setsuna spotted her sword at last, securely placed on a stand in a small and elegantly decorated fake alcove at the back of the room together with other weapons or work-related items in Setsuna’s possession. Hurriedly Setsuna drew the sword to inspect that no damage had befallen the blade in her absence, and only once satisfied that Yuunagi was safe did she take a moment to admire the elegantly written scroll on the wall and the potted bamboo arrangement below it.

There was a note on top of her calligraphy box that turned out to be from Nagase Kaede. ‘Begging your pardon for the rudeness, this one has handled your weapons with outmost care de gozaru. /Kaede’ it said, making Setsuna smile a little over her classmate and new fighting companion’s way of phrasing herself even in writing, and she felt somewhat relieved. The ninja was one of those people that could be trusted to understand the importance of a weapon and treat it accordingly, so Setsuna felt no need to examine the rest of her equipment.

“Secchan, we need to go shopping.” Konoka walked out of the kitchen, her first point of inspection, tapping a finger to her chin. “Asuna has kept my cooking equipment, so I’ll need to buy a new set.” Already she was running a list of things in her mind that she would need.

For some reason while they both moved towards the other, Konoka and Setsuna discovered the bed at the same moment.

“Oh.” Konoka said softly, her hand moving up to a slightly pinkish cheek.

Setsuna on the other hand turned an instant glowing red. “T-t-t-there has been some mistake, surely.”

Instead of the expected two-level bunk bed that was the standard for the shared rooms of the dorm there was a large, dark-wood four-poster bed tucked into the recessed section of the wall otherwise intended for a bunk bed. It was not ornate, but it was large and luxurious compared to the standard beds, and... it was also the only bed in the room.

A red ribbon was tied to one of the posts, attached to a small card. Konoka walked over and read it, untying the ribbon in the process, then offered it to Setsuna whom seemed almost frightened to look at it.

The card simply said ‘Enjoy!’ and had in lieu of a name a small drawing of a grinning chibified Evangeline with fangs.

Setsuna found her voice with a start. “IamdreadfullysorryKono-chanIamsureitisjustamistakeorpossiblyajokefromEvangeline-sanIwillgotalktotheprincipalandgetthingsstraightenedout...”

“Ee? You don’t want to share a bed with me, Secchan?” The disappointment was clear in Konoka’s voice. She continued in a slightly sad, quieter voice. “And I was so looking forward to being able to sleep holding you or being held by you tonight, too.”

Speechless Setsuna stared at her beloved as Konoka daintily sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand across the bedspread and not meeting Setsuna’s eyes. How could she even consider refusing any request made by her Kono-chan? With visions of a future that held an inhumanly large amount of ice-cold baths running through her head, Setsuna walked over to the edge of the bed and crouched down in front of Konoka, her hands on Konoka’s knees.

“If that is what you want, Kono-chan, then I have no reason to protest it. But are you sure?”

Konoka smiled and put her hands on Setsuna’s face. “We love each other and we will get married. Sooner or later we are going to share a bed, Secchan, and for the rest of our lives too. Yes of course I’m sure.” Her expression changed to something peculiarly mischievous. “And sooner or later we are going to use it for what you were thinking of too, my Secchan.”

Setsuna jerked upright, blushing if possible even more than before while gesturing and stuttering desperately. “W-w-w-w-what? Kono-chan, I-I-I...”

Laughing softly Konoka caught the flailing hands, knelt on the bed to give a small and silencing kiss. “Relax Secchan, I was only teasing you.... well, maybe not only teasing, but anyway, take it easy. Why don’t you come here and we can lie down for a bit.” Her words were followed by a gentle tug on Setsuna’s hands as Konoka moved further in on the bed.

Still reeling somewhat and frankly feeling just a bit worn out, Setsuna acquiesced without further protests, and lay down next to Konoka. Konoka immediately wrapped herself comfortably around her warrior with her head on Setsuna’s shoulder, sighing contently as Setsuna’s arms hesitantly came up to circle her. They lay in silence for a long time.

“Remember when we used to sleep together as children?” Konoka asked softly, the peace of just holding each other slowly settling both girls into a state of semi-dozing.

Setsuna yawned and squeezed Konoka a little tighter. “We never slept like this though.”

A soft giggle. “Not while you were aware of it, no.”

An eye cracked open to peer down at Konoka affectionately. “Is that so? What else did you do to me while I was defenceless and sleeping?”

“Oh, nothing...” A soft kiss to Setsuna’s shoulder. “I wasn’t old enough to want to do more than squeeze the stuffing out of you back then, after all.”

The body underneath Konoka’s shook gently with an amused laugh. “I did tell you that I have loved you since we were children, didn’t I?” Konoka continued, drawing feather-light little patterns on Secchan’s chest with one hand.

Clutching Konoka a little tighter Setsuna blinked against a sudden moisture in her eyes. “I remember how the day we met I had been told that I might get to see the young ojousama if I was lucky, and I had secretly been hoping that I would.” Setsuna smiled at the memory. “The first time you smiled at me... I think that was when it happened.”

Konoka pushed up on one arm just enough to look Setsuna in the eye. “When what happened?”

“When you claimed my heart.” Setsuna answered immediately and without a trace of hesitation.

With a delighted squeal Konoka caught Setsuna in a kiss, previous drowsiness forgotten, putting her all into it. Moaning Setsuna rolled them over, and soon, being happy, in love and alone, things got very heated between them.

Konoka’s legs were locked around Setsuna and her hands had yanked Setsuna’s shirt out of her pants and made an opening through which they were occupied with exploring the skin on Setsuna’s back. Setsuna on the other hand was dimly aware that one hand was squeezing something round and rather soft where it lay, pinned underneath their bodies, while hungrily devouring Konoka’s tongue.

That was when the door flung open with a thud and a loud voice calling out “Pardon the intrusion!” followed by a number of voices calling out even louder “SURPRISE!” and the lights turning on and the sound of a group of people moving quickly into the room.

Setsuna and Konoka froze.

“Oh... my... god.” Asuna groaned, beet red as was the larger part of the party group behind her when they spotted the entangled couple on the noticeably single bed, with the exception of Kazumi who was already taking pictures with a delighted gleam in her eyes. “We, err, thought we’d throw you a room-warming and engagement-celebration party...”

The equally embarrassed couple raced to disentangle themselves and straighten out clothing that had ended up askew, before Konoka turned to their sudden guests with a perfect smile and a graceful gesture to come further into the room. “Please, come on in then... I’m afraid we don’t have anything at all in the refrigerator yet, so we can’t really offer you anything to eat or drink.”

“Oh that’s ok, we brought everything with us!” Asuna was ridiculously relieved that Konoka decided to act as if the group had not walked in on anything, and she was more than happy to do the same. “Right guys?”

Belting out a rather shaky cry of confirmation the rest of the group hurried in with various foods and drinks, arranging the table until it was overflowing and setting an assortment of games around the room as well. Someone brought a heap of sitting pillows as well, and soon enough Setsuna and Konoka was sitting side by side among their friends, some undefined drink in their hands while waiting for a slice of chocolate cake.

---

In a cottage some distance away a diminutive blonde was leisurely sipping the tea made by her robotic companion, a small smirk lurking at the edge of her lips.

“You are very kind, Master.” Chachamaru observed in her ever calm and mild voice.

Evangeline snorted and looked away. “Nah, don’t be fooled... I only did this because I was bored... and because it might come in handy to have the future leaders of the Kansai and Kantou Magic Associations, not to mention the old goat, be indebted to me.” She took a sip of her tea. “Nothing else.”

“I see, Master.”

“What! What do you see? What!” The suddenly flustered Evangeline began waving her arms in front of her servant, scowling. “I haven’t told you to see anything!”

“Acknowledged, Master.” Only one who was very familiar with the automated young woman could have spotted the ghost of a smile on her placid countenance at her master’s ranting.