Story: Negima C+S

You could hardly blame Asuna for feeling a little wary. Given the kinds of weird nonsense that they'd seen magic get up to, and the sort of manipulations that Chamo would perform to have a little fun it was only good and proper that she indulge in a healthy dose of paranoia.

Right now her suspicions were on Haruna - who was enjoying herself far too much - and Yue, who kept on glancing over at poor innocent and confused looking Nodoka. Honestly, she didn't think Haruna was in on anything. She was only being her usual self. Which could be either a help or a hindrance depending on what was more 'interesting'. Yue, though... Her behaviour was probably a clue in what was going on. If they could find something on hypnosis and mind control, -

"Mistress Konoka! We must get you out of those wet clothes immediately!"

Huh? That was Setsuna, wasn't it?

"Ahhh! Setsuna, I can undress myself!"

Asked and answered. Haruna was the first to move, with Asuna very close behind her. Ah! By the waterfall! There were three girls coming out of the water and - Asuna put her hand in front of Haruna's camera before doing anything else.

"Wh-what were they doing down there?" Nodoka nervously asked. "Their clothes are all <i>soaked</I> cle-clean through!" Since Asuna was too busy looking at the girls, she completely missed Nodoka licking her lips. Yue, on the other hand, did not miss that.

"Why don't we find out?" Haruna said, smiling like a shark. "Yoo hoo! Chizuru! Konoka, Setsuna! Over here!"

The three drenched girls turned to look at them. Guh! Chizuru... how did you get to be so big?! That wasn't even fair - no, don't think about that for now. What really matters is sorting out this mess!

"Aha, do please forgive our current appearance," Chizuru said, at least having the common sense to demurely cover herself up. "You see, these two decided to train underneath the waterfall, and I thought someone was in trouble. And so..."

"Oho! A classic misunderstanding!" Haruna nodded. "Yes, yes! That gives me so many good ideas!" Ugh! Was it the misunderstanding, or was it something else that was inspiring her?

"I beg your pardon for intruding," Setsuna said. Aha! Now, here we are. Setsuna was the dependable sort. If something was going on with Yue, then Setsuna would definitely be able to help keep her in check. No question! "Was there something in particular you were searching for, today? Or were you going on another walk?"

"Mind control," Yue said out of nowhere. "We are seeking out the section on hypnosis and mental manipulation."

"For research purposes," Haruna nodded.

"And- and definitely not for the sake of practical application!"

Urgh... Don't say it like that! Now all three of them were looking at their group with suspicion and distrust in their eyes! Don't cause another misunderstanding with your words!

"Why... Would you be interested in something like that?" Chizuru asked. So much suspicion!

"It's not like that!" Asuna frantically waved her hands around. "We - we think that Chamo is up to something and - And we wanted to investigate what it was!"

"That's right," Nodoka added. "We have absolutely nooooo perverted intentions whatsoeeeever! Nnnngh..."

Stop helping, Nodoka! And Haruna, you can stop laughing! Honestly now, are you trying to make the entire group seem like a bunch of perverts? Because it sure seems that way right now!

"I'll come and help!" Konoka said. Oh, of course she would. That innocent and trusting soul. "Hey, hey! Setsuna! Let's go play with them, it sounds like fun!"

"This is no time for you to play," Setsuna said. "Instead, you should finish your training and - nnnrgh!"

The reason for that reaction was plain to see. Even Asuna was a bit caught aback by it. Konoka was deliberately making use of her natural cuteness, adopting the most perfect form of the dreaded puppy dog eye technique that Asuna had ever beheld. At first she didn't think anything of it - a standard tactic to get her to play along.

But then, right at the moment where Setsuna seemed to be about to say 'no' anyway, Konoka did something that was totally out of character. Namely, she tucked her wrists underneath her boobs and... hefted them up a scooch.

"Please?" Konoka asked. "I know this training was my idea, but... But I'd really like to help them out!"

Huh?! Could it be... Could Konoka also be under the influence of whatever Chamo was up to?

The answer to this was, of course, no. Konoka was taking advantage of the fact that she suspected Setsuna was under the influence to manipulate her into coming along.

"Okay," Setsuna gulped. "Very well. We shall accompany them on their quest to find out more about mind control and hypnosis and mental manipulation."

"For reasons other than erotic intentions!" Nodoka hastily added, then whimpered a bit in what Asuna assumed (wrongly) was embarrassment.

Hrm... Asuna didn't like this much. It seemed to her as though Konoka was also under that twisted ermin's ploy already. That wasn't good. In fact, it was very bad! She would probably have to take a few steps to ensure that things didn't get too bad...

<hr>

Nodoka was a quiet girl. A withdrawn girl. A girl who was a little afraid of what others would think of her. And yet, in spite of that, she couldn't stop herself. Couldn't stop staring. As the three soaked through girls stripped out of their damp clothes and into some spares that Haruna - for whatever reason - had carried with her, Nodoka couldn't stop staring. Every time she tried another headache hit her. Worse and worse and worse. It felt so much better to stare. To watch. To study their bodies and wonder what they felt like. What it would taste like if she ran her tongue along every single inch of exposed flesh. Setsuna's thigh, Konoka's waist. Chizuru's stomach.

It felt... Good. It felt right. To think these thoughts. To toy with these thoughts. It was fun. It was exciting. It was, without question, proper and pleasant for her to think this way.

"Are you alright?" Yue asked from a little too close. Nodoka nearly jumped out of her skin! "You seem to be watching them a little too much."

"I'm fine!" Nodoka complained. "I am! I'm perfectly fine and healthy and -"

"Thirsty?" Yue interrupted, pushing a can into her grip. An opened can. With a straw in it. A can that Yue must have already drunk something from. Ah! An indirect kiss? Nodoka swallowed the end of that straw and sucked on it like she would a dick.

That thought didn't even strike her as strange until about five seconds later. Suck on it like she would a dick? Where did that thought come fr- Ughhhh! Another headache!

"Nodoka, I'm really worried about you," Yue said. "The hypnosis and mind control section isn't far away. Whatever is going on, I will work it out."

That was the trouble. Nodoka wasn't entirely sure anymore whether or not she <i>wanted</i> to have it sorted out. Actually... It would be kind of nice if she could help Yue feel like this as well. When she stopped fighting it and gave in, it felt good. Really good. Really, really good...

And what sort of best friend would she be if she hogged this wonderful feeling to herself?

<hr>

Chizuru wasn't the type to get worried easily. Nonetheless, she was a little bit lost in thought right now. Something was bothering her, and she had to get it out while they were being left alone.

"Why didn't you tell them about Setsuna?" Chizuru whispered to Konoka.

"Two reasons," Konoka whispered back. "First, Haruna would tease her. And that would be terrible." Right. Of course. "Secondly, I'm not entirely sure that we <i>can</i> trust them."

Well, wasn't this a sight? Chizuru felt like she should be beaming with pride. Konoka was finally showing some real leadership qualities!

"You think they might be enemies?" Setsuna asked.

"I think that maybe a few of them might be under the same influence you are," Konoka said. "Look over there. Nodoka's watching us change."

"Should I punish her?" Setsuna asked a little too eagerly. By punish it was obvious she meant something quite risque. Perhaps putting the girl over her knees and spanking her, or some other deviant play. "May I? Please?"

"No, Setsuna!" Konoka patted her on the head. The normally serious girl mewled like a newborn kitten at the contact. Goodness, she was far gone. "Finish dressing. Then go and keep an eye on Haruna. I expect she's going to cause some mischief for us down the line."

"At once Mistress!" Setsuna saluted. Then dressed at a record pace and skipped off to find Haruna.

"Um... Just so you know?" Konoka whispered. "I think... Setsuna might try to brainwash me, the same way she's being brainwashed. Please watch her carefully. Just in case. Okay?"

"Eh? You want me to stop her?" Chizuru asked. That was like sending an ant to fight a cat!

"Normally you wouldn't win," Konoka said. "But... You should be able to subdue her if you make it seem like erotic play. At this point she'd probably play along with it."

Amazing. Simply amazing! To think that Konoka could grow so much in such a short time. She's becoming a truly capable leader in her own right. All it took was the right sort of motivation and - How cute! She was doing it for Setsuna's sake!

"There, there! You're working so hard - " Chizuru began. Then stopped when Nodoka fainted out of her hiding place. "... We should probably keep a close eye on her as well."

1. The group finds the mind control section and splits up to search it.
2. Back to Ku Fei, what's she up to?
3. Satomi tries out this net idol thing with Chisame.
4. Ako seeks more opportunities to use the spell on unaware classmates.
5. Something else