The Contemplation of Haruhi Suzumiya

"Where are we?"

I wish Haruhi were dreaming. She isn't.

"Kyon, why are the stars gone?"

A single streetlamp lit up a cone of space that enveloped us both. Haruhi was wearing her typical North High uniform, along with her yellow hair ribbon.

"I'm a little worried about leaving this street lamp."

I nodded in response.

After about 15 minutes of waiting, I saw a girl walking down the street. She stopped at out street lamp, and immediately said, "Bus Stop".

This didn't make much sense. There are no clouds and no stars, and now all streetlamps are bus stops?

"I am the stars. Here is my friend, the moon."

Stars (that was her name?) pointed to nothing. I could only conclude that the moon was imaginary.

It wasn't a totally hopeless case. I knew where we were. This was one of those closed spaces where Celestials roam and cause havoc. Whenever Haruhi has a rough time, these closed spaces appear, and must be cleaned up by espers. Koizumi should be here for the job, yet he isn't.

I remember how I got out last time. A little bit of romance couldn't hurt. I didn't want to do it in front of another girl though.

"Moon, come with me."

Now two girls became three.

"I am the moon."

"I am the stars."

"..."

The moon and the stars stared at Haruhi.

"Uh, huh?"

She was the chief of the SOS brigade yet she was not exactly paying attention to the conversation.

"I am the sun!"

Smiles came to the faces of the moon and the stars.

"Now that the sun is awake, we don't need the stars."

"I shall be leaving now."

So the stars left, leaving the moon and the sun (Haruhi).

The moon spoke.

"The sky may be dark, but let the sun find the trail."

Haruhi grasped my hand and took a few steps forward. We were leaving behind the streetlamp, the only source of light for kilometers on end.

After walking very carefully, we managed to find one store that had neon lights. Inside there was none other than Koizumi Itsuki and his eternal smile.

"There are no Celestials to defeat," he noted.

"Are we stuck?"

"Depends on how you see it. You could live here forever. I don't see any need for basic necessities."

"What does that mean?"

"Food, water, and rest are irrelevant in this world. It's just a bit gloomy I suppose."

"I think I would prefer the real world," I replied.

"Turn around."

Haruhi was gone and so was the moon. The sky was suddenly blue. I looked up, and scanned around. Finally, I found the moon, still visible during the day.

I turned around again. Koizumi turned into Haruhi.

"This dream isn't over yet, is it?"

"Nope," said the sun.