"Ah, we're finally back. It feels like we've been gone for years. I'm so happy, aren't I, Setsuna?" Stepping out from the Starlight Path, Konoka stretched her arms wide and spoke to the girl beside her.

Setsuna offered a slight smile. "Yes. I wonder how the students from our old class are doing now." "If you're that curious, why don't we just go see? It's not that far anyway," Hayato clapped both their shoulders and strode ahead towards Mahora Academy, visible nearby.

After returning to the real world from the world of Kū-ru (Sky Rail), Yomi and Kagura immediately re-entered the virtual domain for training, while Hayato brought Konoka and Setsuna back to the world of Mahō Sensei Negima! (Magic Teacher Negima!).

The location of the Starlight Path was almost exactly where it had been last time, just a short distance from Mahora Academy. The three entered Mahora and headed directly for Class 3-A of the junior high division, but regrettably, the students occupying the desks were no longer familiar faces, but entirely unknown girls.

The trio then proceeded to the faculty office. It was only upon hearing from the Headmaster that they realized four years had passed since their last departure. The former students of Class 3-A had not only graduated junior high but had even completed high school. Some had advanced to the university division, while others, due to the merging of the magical and mundane worlds, had already begun their careers, developing steadily along their respective paths. Naturally, a portion of the students had gone directly into the magical realm to undertake work that ordinary people could never handle.

As for Negi, he had officially entered the magical world two years prior, striving for the peaceful development of both worlds. Many of the students who went to the magical world did so with some intention of assisting him.

Learning all this, Konoka and Setsuna felt a touch of wistfulness, yet they were genuinely happy that their former classmates now led their own separate lives.

Next, under the Headmaster’s guidance, the three went to the university division to visit some former students... There were over a dozen original Class 3-A students enrolled in various majors in the university department. Seeing each one individually would require a considerable amount of time.

To ensure no one’s time was wasted, the Headmaster had already notified everyone via telephone beforehand. Moments later, the two parties met in the university division’s cafeteria.

"Konoka!" "Setsuna!" "And Teacher... you really came!"

Meeting after four years, these former problem students hadn't grown cold due to the long separation; instead, they were beside themselves with excitement. They rushed over in a flurry of motion, and Konoka and Setsuna were equally thrilled. Everyone immediately embraced, exchanging enthusiastic greetings.

Of course, Hayato was left out of this reunion. After all, four years had matured everyone considerably, and they had developed a sense of propriety, understanding the unspoken rules of contact between the sexes.

"Teacher, are you married yet? If not, you could consider me." "Teacher, my chest has gotten so much bigger, do you want to feel it?" "Teacher, how far have things progressed between you and Konoka and Setsuna? Have you done it yet?" "..." Watching these familiar girls cluster around him, chirping various strange things, Hayato felt profoundly exasperated. Honestly, they still lacked a sense of decorum.

Naturally, there was much to discuss during this reunion—trivialities of daily life, the various changes between the magical and mundane worlds, and, of course, individual romantic entanglements. Hayato didn't interrupt them, occasionally responding to the girls' teasing either seriously or lightly.

It wasn't until midday that the three parted ways with the students and headed toward Konoka’s hometown, Kyoto.

On the train journey to Kyoto, Konoka suddenly sighed. "Ah, I really envy them. They get to live their days without a care in the world. When will we ever be able to live like that?" Setsuna stiffened upon hearing this and immediately adopted a serious tone. "Please rest assured, Ojou-sama. I will absolutely exert every effort to protect you and strive for the life you yearn for." "Mmm," Hayato nodded and added earnestly, "It may still be a long way off, but that day will surely come."

"Oh dear, Teacher and Kiri-chan, don't be so serious! I was just saying it casually," Konoka said, shaking her hands with an embarrassed laugh upon seeing their expressions. "While I envy everyone's leisurely life, I don't dislike my own life either. Being able to stay with Kiri-chan and Teacher forever is enough to make me perfectly content, and I'll be seeing my parents soon too, so don't worry." "It’s good that you think that way," Hayato smiled slightly, but before he could finish, Konoka suddenly adopted a serious expression and stated gravely, "However, this time... I divined beforehand that something unimaginably momentous will occur once we reach Kyoto."

"Something unimaginably momentous?" Hayato and Setsuna exchanged glances, both taken aback.

"Yes, and it's something that will decide the fate of our entire lives... earth-shattering!" Konoka spoke, her expression utterly solemn.

Not long after, the three finally arrived in Kyoto and headed toward the Kansai Sorcery Association. Although Konoka wasn't a Seer, her divination skills could not be ignored. Consequently, Hayato and Setsuna were somewhat tense during the journey, worried about what sort of great event awaited them, especially Setsuna, who vigilantly guarded their surroundings.

"Huh? Are you holding a wedding here?" Upon reaching the sphere of influence around the Kansai Sorcery Association headquarters, Hayato noticed the area was adorned with red lanterns and festive banners, as if someone were getting married, which made him wonder.

"I don't know," Konoka replied, equally perplexed.

"Could it be your father is taking a concubine?" Hayato guessed mischievously.

"N-No way, right?" Setsuna sweated nervously.

Konoka, however, seemed quite calm, laughing as she replied, "Impossible. Father is terrified of Mother. Even if he had the desire for that sort of thing, he wouldn't have the nerve."

You, daughter, are rather blunt... Hayato was speechless for a moment.

The three continued forward, filled with curiosity. As soon as they passed through the main gate, they saw the place was also decorated with celebratory lights and streamers, the festive atmosphere even more pronounced. Several women dressed in shrine maiden attire stood in two neat rows. Upon seeing the arrival of the three, they bowed in unison. "Welcome home, Ojou-sama Konoka, Young Master Hayato."

Eh? Hayato felt a slight unease, vaguely realizing something.

"You're finally back," Kontei Eishun emerged from a building across the way, smiling as he spoke to them. "Your father-in-law informed me of your impending arrival. We discussed it, and we decided to settle your affairs. All the necessary preparations are complete; we are just waiting for you two to exchange vows."

"NANI?!?!"

The three froze on the spot. Hayato finally understood the reason for the decorations. He also finally understood what the momentous event Konoka had divined was: it wasn't someone else taking a concubine—it was he and Konoka who were getting married. In a sense, this truly was an event that would decide their entire fate!

"Why such surprise? Don't you want to marry?" Kontei Eishun looked at the three stunned faces and sighed. "The last time you left, you were gone for four years straight. As a father, I worried constantly about not seeing my daughter for four years—her safety and her lifelong happiness. Since you've returned now, you'll clearly be leaving again. I don't want to wait until we're elderly and frail to see our daughter married. So, the best time is now. You'll settle the marriage today... Well, Konoka is eighteen now, it’s time for her to marry."

Indeed, although Konoka’s actual age was slightly under eighteen, she had left with Hayato when she was fifteen. By the reckoning of this world, she had already passed her eighteenth birthday.

"Regardless, isn't this a bit too sudden?" Hayato felt a bead of sweat run down. Although he wasn't against marrying Konoka—it was going to happen eventually, after all, he wasn't dating her just to be a scoundrel—but to have it happen so abruptly, he wasn't mentally prepared at all.

"Your opinion isn't what matters; what matters is my daughter's feelings," suddenly, a beautiful woman emerged from behind Kontei Eishun. Her features bore a slight resemblance to Konoka's. Hayato recognized her as Konoka's mother. She waved her hand dismissively, seemingly ignoring Hayato’s presence, and addressed her daughter. "Konoka, your father and I have arranged this wedding for you. What do you think?"

Her dismissive attitude rivaled that of Yuuri-sama. Hayato began to understand why Kontei Eishun was such a gentle soul.

Konoka had indeed been surprised to hear of her wedding being arranged, but by now, she had collected herself. Listening to her mother’s question, she tapped her chin in thought for a long moment before finally breaking into a bright smile. "Yes, I will follow Father and Mother's arrangement and marry Teacher."

She actually agreed? Hayato’s body trembled slightly.

Konoka's parents, on the other hand, seemed overjoyed. "Good, that’s my good girl. Then, right now..."

"Wait, I have one condition," Konoka suddenly interjected.

"What condition?" Kontei Eishun and his wife were momentarily stunned. Hayato was also surprised; it was strange that someone as soft-spoken as Konoka would set a condition.

Under everyone's questioning gazes, Konoka took the hand of Setsuna, who was still slow to react, and smiled. "I want to stay with Kiri-chan forever, so Kiri-chan must participate in this wedding too."

"Eh? You mean...?"

Facing her parents' confusion, Konoka's face was alight with smiles. "Kiri-chan will also be Teacher's bride."

"O-Ojou-sama Konoka!!" Setting aside how utterly bewildered everyone else looked, Setsuna, who had just recovered from the shock of Konoka's wedding, became instantly flushed, her face burning red, flustered and at a loss. She clearly hadn't expected this celebratory fire to spread to her.

Kontei Eishun and his wife exchanged glances.

Hayato, as the groom-to-be, felt immense pressure, but if Setsuna actually agreed, it seemed like a development that everyone would be delighted to see.

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