red_savant

 
-1-
Asuna: I’m home!
 
Splash: Welcome back to daily life at Mahora <3
Konoka: Aha!
Asuna’s back!
Setsuna: Asuna-san…!
 
Konoka: Welcome home, Asuna!
Asuna: Gya?!
He-hey, Konoka, what’re you doing?
Konoka: It feels like you haven’t been home in forever!
 
Asuna: Oh, right.  Hey, Setsuna-san, it’s been a while.
 
Asuna: Ah…
 
-2-
Setsuna: We have most eagerly awaited your return, Your Highness, Princess Asuna!
Asuna: Hang on there, what are you saying, Setsuna-san?!
 
Setsuna: Your Highness hails from an ancient lineage that holds the throne of a kingdom whose history stretches back into antiquity.
To speak on the same level as your august self is something that one such as I is unworthy of.
 
Setsuna: I most humbly beg forgiveness for the many, many offenses I have unknowingly caused you with my rude conduct!
As well!  This incompetent, Sakurazaki Setsuna, as your schoolmate, shall perform any and all services you deem necessary with the greatest measure of her power, in public or behind closed doors, without the smallest part of embarrassment or shame!
Asuna: H-hey… Konoka.  What exactly brought this about?
Konoka: Uh… for now, Asuna, it might be better to play along… but I’m kinda worried too… [I think.  Bloody Kyoto-ben.]
 
Setsuna: Now then, please, Your Highness.
Asuna: Wha…
 
Setsuna: This floor is filthy, Your Highness.
 
Setsuna: Please allow me to wash your exalted back, my Princess!
Asuna: …!
 
Setsuna: Please, Princess!  Turn your back this way-
 
-3-
Asuna: Give it a rest already, Setsunaaaaaa!
Your princess is Konoka, right?!
Setsuna: Eeeee?!
 
Asuna: God, I can’t believe you!  Iinchou acted the same way she always does, but you…!  Honestly, Setsuna!
Setsuna: I-I-I-I-I’m very sorry!  Please forgive me!
Konoka: Oh, come on, Asuna.
 
Konoka: For all of Secchan’s life, she’s been taught that it’s right to give deference to people of power.
Once she’s found someone to serve, it gives her the greatest pleasure to do so.
Asuna: That’s… that’s a pretty rough lifestyle.
Konoka: I thought about it a lot myself, and it bothers me too, but she really only gets worse.  I’ve found that out personally.  [Not sure about this one, which worries me, since this is a good glimpse of Konoka’s character and mindset.]
 
Asuna: Well, I do like it when she’s all diligent, but…
Setsuna-san!  Aren’t we friends?
 
Asuna: At least… I thought that we were… friends…
Do you… not think so… Setsuna…-san…? [Trolling Setsuna for fun, profit and to get her to stop performing dogeza when you walk by.]
 
Setsuna: Asu-!  Asuna-sa-!
Asuna: I… really thought we were best friends… and yet you… *hic*… you don’t think so…
Setsuna: N-n-no, that’s not…!  That is, I… ah… I… please forgive me!
 
Asuna: No… I can’t forgive you.  Not unless you call me ‘Asuna’, like you always used to.
Setsuna: Wha?!  N-no, until now I have always called you ‘Asuna-san’, as was fitti-
Asuna: Call me ‘Asuna’.  Keigo is forbidden!  [Keigo being the speech level Setsuna was using before.]
Setsuna: Wha-?!  B-b-but…!
Asuna: Say it.  “My bad, Asuna”.
Setsuna: Th-that’s impossible!
Konoka: Asuna’s learned how to handle Setsuna too, looks like.
She’s completely playing with her.
 
-4-
Asuna: Honestly, Setsuna-san…
 
Asuna: [I can’t really read most of these bubbles, but she’s saying that she really was hurt by Setsuna’s politeness, I think.]
Splash: *In the middle of the sermon.
So sit down there and…
Setsuna: I’m truly, truly sorry.
 
Setsuna: I can make no excuses for my actions, Asuna-san.
Truly, this means I am no longer worthy of…
 
Asuna: Oh, for crying out loud!  I am telling you to cut it out!  Are you stupid, Setsuna-san?!
You will be my friend for my entire life!
Even if you run off to some far-off corner of another freaking world I will chase your ass, so get used to the idea already!
Setsuna: Eeeeee?!
 
Setsuna: …Yes, Asuna-san.
 
Asuna: …Right.
Konoka: Ehe.
 
Asuna: By the way, Konoka, what’ve you been up to all this time?
Konoka: I’ve been studying.
 
Setsuna: Studying? [aside]But we go to an escalator school…[/aside]
Asuna: Huh?  This is a reference guide to magic, isn’t it?
Konoka: That’s right!
 
-5-
Konoka: I want to become a Magister Magi, you see.  [Marq, what’s the proper term again…>]
I’d better get started studying, hadn’t I?
And I made a promise with Secchan for the future already, too.
 
Asuna: What?!  Seriously?! [aside]The future is a little…[/aside]
Konoka: Isn’t that right, Secchan?
Setsuna: Y-y-yes.  Th-that is, yes, I…
 
Konoka (flashback): When that someday comes, just like now…
I want you to stay by my side as my partner, Secchan… [The glossed kanji for ‘Partner’ are ‘kenshi-sama’, kenshi meaning ‘swordsman’.]
 
Setsuna: But I wonder… if that’s alright…
To be like Ojou-sama said…
 
Setsuna: No… It’s not as though I have anything to complain about.
Even now, I’m so happy that my chest feels like it could burst open… but…
 
Setsuna: The future…
 
-6-
Mana: The future?  Weren’t you working as the Konoes’ daughter’s Partner?
Setsuna: That… is true, yes, but…
 
Setsuna: I wonder if it is right for me to devote myself in this way…
If I have any worth to Ojou-sama as her Partner… things like that.
 
Mana: Honest to god, Setsuna.  You’re decent with a sword, but in everything else, you’re like a grade-schooler.
Setsuna: I am not a grade-schooler!  You are!
 
Setsuna: Mana!  You yourself continue to do such mercenary work – how does that make you feel?!
As long as it brings in money, is that it?
 
Mana: …Haven’t I told you yet?
 
Mana: …You know about the Muzashi Mahora Protection Agency, right? [aside]It’s pretty big.[/aside]
Setsuna: What?
 
-7-
Setsuna: N-no… you can’t be saying that the unknown person who anonymously donates a large sum of money every year, the ‘Rich Uncle of Muzashi Mahora’, is you…?
Mana: No… it’s not really something I can boast about.
 
Mana: I happened to run across the place during a job.  They take in and keep the kids who have nowhere else to go… but
It’s not like I really look after the kids.  I just throw money at them to make myself feel better… it’s self-deception.
 
Mana: What’s actually needed there is a good basic structure.  That is, education.
Especially in economics… you need cash and organization to better your lot in life, after all.
 
Setsuna: Ah…
 
Setsuna: Huh?
 
Mana: I’ve told you about the man who picked me up out of the dirt, right?
Setsuna: Yes…
Mana: That man’s wish was ‘to make children smile’.
 
Mana: I’ve decided to devote the life he gave me to that man’s ideal.
My future, until the very end, is already packed.
 
Setsuna: Mana…!
 
-8-
Mana: Haha… well, Setsuna, how’s that for a consultation?
Did I surprise you?  Has your image of me been turned on its head?
Setsuna: N...no, that’s…
Setsuna (thinking): How… how could this be…
That Mana had such a lofty goal, such unshakeable and admirable convictions…!  I am ashamed of my own conduct…!
 
Mana: Well, all of it was a lie.
Setsuna: Wha?!
Mana: That was a lie.
Setsuna: Which part?!
 
Kaede: What might you two be speaking about?
K­u Fei: Na?  The future –aru?
 
Mana: That’s right.  Any thoughts about what you want your future to be like, Ku?
Ku Fei: Hm.  I want to go on an ascetic training journey, you know –aru?  Last summer vacation taught me how wide the world is, after all.
 
Ku Fei: And my final objective is Negi-bouzu!
Mana: Ha ha ha… that’s a rather high final objective.
Incidentally, how do you feel about your former student being your final goal?
Kaede: He certainly does seem to be the pinnacle of difficult challenges at this point.
 
-9-
Setsuna: Heh… how very like her.
 
Setsuna: Kaede, have you thought of anything?
Kaede: Hm?  Hm… nothing of any particular significance, no.
Setsuna: Well then, what purpose is there in spending your days in fierce training?
Kaede: I suppose it is simply routine.
Setsuna: I see…
 
Kaede: In the future… What I would like to become, or what I would enjoy doing…
Well now… I have many friends to love, like my masters…
Delicious food every day, enjoyable training… sleeping well and no problems on the toilet… [I’m not kidding.]
 
Kaede: …Yes.
I am quite satisfied with my life as it is right now.
 
Mana: Ah…
Setsuna: N-no, that’s not quite what I meant…
 
Setsuna: The firmly self-confident Mana… Ku, with her gaze set so far up… and spontaneous Kaede…
Am I the only one lost…?
 
-10-
Splash: The Case of Attendance Number 4, Ayase Yue
Yue: Ah…
M-m-my future?
Setsuna: Yes.  I apologize for asking so suddenly.
 
Yue: I-I-I beg your pardon!
Especially now, when I’m so busy, and have had to turn away so many other good people asking for help!
Asking someone’s plans as a couple is incredibly presumptuous, not to mention rude, particularly given the fact that I haven’t even confessed to him yet – and in fact, I haven’t even decided the location yet!
 
Setsuna: Um, Yue-san, what on earth are you talking about?
Yue: What am I talking about?  Obviously, my future with… Negi… sen…sei…
 
Setsuna: Yue-saaaan!
Please, wait!  [aside]She’s fast![/aside]
 
Setsuna: Ha… haa…
Are… are you alright?
Yue: Th… this is a road, so… naturally…
 
Yue: I’m not thinking especially concretely about it, but…
If possible…
If I can help Negi-sensei in any way…
 
Setsuna: Help Negi-sensei…?
 
-11-
Setsuna: W-well, surely if you set up a personal consultation with him, you could come up with something…
Yue: No, I don’t want to do that.
 
Yue: If possible, I’d like to use my own power…
To see if I can stand with him…
 
Setsuna: Yue-san, what are you planning…?!
 
Yue: When I look back at what I’ve achieved thus far, I’m embarrassed for myself…
And I wonder if I would have been able to do anything at all if I hadn’t studied at Ariadne…
 
Haruna: What?!  What are you saying?!
Splash: The Case of Attendance Number 14, Saotome Haruna
Haruna: Naïve!  Naïve!  Way too naïve!
 
Haruna: With a hard nut like Negi-kun, all you can do is build up history with him!  That kid’s a dumbass!  A real moron!
Setsuna: Ah, beg pardon…?
Haruna: [Okay, I have no idea what she’s on about.  Probably something about how he was stupid to Chachamaru, or something.]
Setsuna: Eh?  What’s Chachamaru-san done…?
 
Setsuna: S-so, Haruna-san, you…
 
Haruna: Naturally, I’m going back to the Empire and starting over! 
I’ll take over both worlds with this pen of mine!
Setsuna: She’s quite energetic…
 
-12-
Kazumi: I plan to follow Negi-kun and the others.  Though I guess I still can’t report any of it yet, eh?
Splash: The Case of Attendance Number 3, Asakura Kazumi
Kazumi: But when the two worlds are integrated… well, just you watch!
 
Setsuna: Of course.
 
Makie: Somehow, studying’s got to be kind of fun recently!
Splash: The Case of Attendance Number 16, Sasaki Makie
Makie: Look, look!  This is the last quiz we took.
I guess all I really had to do was apply myself, huh?
 
Setsuna: Huh…
 
Yuuna: The future?
Splash: The Case of Attendance Number 2, Akashi Yuuna
Yuuna: I think I might like to get married to Papa…
Setsuna: What.
 
Chachamaru: Y-yes… I will be doing my best as Negi-sensei’s private assistant.
Splash: The Case of Attendance Number 10, Karakuri Chachamaru
Chachamaru: If possible, I would like to become better qualified…
Setsuna: Private assistant?!
 
Chisame: It’s normal not to have decided on the future yet, isn’t it? [aside]We’re friggin’ middle school students.[/aside]
Splash: The Case of Attendance Number 25, Hasegawa Chisame
Chisame: W-well, I guess if he asked me, I wouldn’t mind working as an advisor for the brat, though.
Setsuna: Advisor!
 
Setsuna: Everyone is so amazing…
Their paths go in different directions, but everyone sees their own clearly…
And what am I doing?  Just drifting along, letting my feet take me where they will…?
 
-13-
Setsuna: As Ojou-sama’s partner, and as Negi-sensei and Asuna’s friend… is that really appropriate of me?
No… I can’t make them worry about me. 
This is my own problem.  I…
 
Konoka: Secchan!
Setsuna (thinking): I…
Setsuna: Ojou-sama!
Konoka: Kya!
 
Setsuna: Th-that’s right.  To protect Ojou-sama is the one vow I will never be shaken from.
 
Konoka: Just as I expected of Secchan!  You really are my knight <3
Setsuna: Ojou-sama, please, don’t force yourself-
Konoka:  Oh, Secchan, I’ve told you to call me Kono-chan!
 
Konoka: Secchan <3
Setsuna: Ojo… Ko… Kono… Kono…
 
Konoka: Secchan~
Setsuna: Ko-Ko-Kono-cha…
 
-14-
Konoka: Alright, say ‘ah!’
Okay!  Now, where’s my ‘thank you, Kono-chan’?
Setsuna: Th-thank you, Kono-cha… cha… no, I can’t do it…
Konoka: That’s no good!  If you don’t say it, I won’t give it to you!
 
Setsuna: No no no no no…
 
Setsuna: Well then, I’ve taken the liberty of preparing your suite.
Sleep well, Ojou-sama.
Konoka: Eh?  Where will you be, Secchan?
Setsuna: Please don’t worry about me.  I’ll be directly below you, one floor down.
Konoka: Oh!  Can’t we sleep in the same room?
Setsuna: Th-that’s not it, Ojou-sama, but-
Konoka: No arguing!
 
Setsuna: Calm down, Setsuna… what are you nervous about?
Really… this is such a large room…
 
Konoka: Se…cchan <3
 
Konoka: We’ve… been together a long time now.
Isn’t it about time… we really sealed the contract?
 
-15-
Setsuna: I see it!
This…!  This is it!  This is the path I must follow…!
[Eva is not amused.]
 
Setsuna: Noooooo!  That isn’t a future at all!  It’s nothing but a delusion!
What on earth is wrong with me?!  I’m worthless!  I am a failure of a human being!  I’m nothing but a pervert!
 
Setsuna: E-E-Evangeline-san?!  Um, no, I was… that is…
Eva: Setsuna.  You… seem to be developing in the same way as Chachamaru.  You fantasize the same way, at least.
 
Eva: I see…
 
Eva: You’re a dumbass.
 
Setsuna: Wha…
 
-16-
Eva: You’re the one who looked me in the face and told me you didn’t have to choose between the two, you idiot!
Do you have any idea how long I’ve wasted watching you and wondering why you were pulling the long face, you bloody pigeon?!
Setsuna: Aaaah!  You’re completely correct!  I’m sorreeeeeee ow ow ow!
Wait, what are you doing?!
Eva: What, never heard of denki anma before?! [‘Electric massage’, a BDSM technique wherein the woman steps on… things.  Don’t Google it.  Just don’t.]
Setsuna: N-no I havenaaaaa!
 
Eva: You’re pathetic!
Setsuna: I’m sorry…
 
Setsuna: …In the middle of the battle, I felt the bonds that stretched between all of us.
But now I feel like Asuna-san and Negi-sensei are going on ahead…
I hate my own weakness…
 
Eva: Hahaha… well, you’re a complete fighter-type.
It’s only natural for that to happen to a warrior in times of peace.
 
Eva: You would have said that before [as in, before their ‘sword or the heart’ fight], too.  You couldn’t stop thoughts like that in peacetime.
You’ve come full-circle, looks like… normally, I’d call that one of the perks of growing up, but…
 
-17-
Eva: You are bloody boring.
Setsuna: I’m sor-ow ow ow ow!
 
Eva: Man, this is actually kind of fun in itself…
Setsuna: I give up!  I give up!
 
Eva: …Psh.  You…
Is there really nothing you want to hear from them…?
 
Setsuna: Ah…
 
Eva: Both of those two have paid prices for where they are.
The boy we don’t know about just yet, and that Kagurazaka Asuna, well…
…Well.  That’s not something you’ll hear from me.
 
Setsuna: Wha…
Negi: Master!
 
Eva: What is it, bo-
Oh, you’re here too?
Asuna: Oh, come on, Eva-chan, don’t make that face!
Oh, and Setsuna-san’s here too.  [aside]What are you two up to?[/aside]
Eva: Well now… It’s been a while, but I guess you two did say you’d have time today.
 
Setsuna: What did Evangeline-san say just now?
What have Negi-sensei and Asuna-san done…?
 
-18-
Eva: That reminds me, you were both my disciples, right?
Negi: Y-yes.
Eva: Come with me for a bit.  We’re holding one last training session.
Splash: An irretrievable price paid for an irreplaceable daily life… What is this ‘last’ training session?!
 
Setsuna: Negi-sensei… Asuna-san…
 
Eva: Heh…
 
Negima will continue next week.