The Reverie of Haruhi Suzumiya

by Cludensyo Gardeinia

Disclaimer: This is a project made purely out of love. The Haruhi Suzumiya series is an original work of Tanigawa Nagaru. All rights belong to their respective owners. Also, if by some slim chance that guys from Kyoto Animation are reading this, please make season 3 happen already.

PROLOGUE

We are now in the 3rd week of May. With the first day of spring being long gone, I'm greeted with a warm, albeit too warm, ray of light coming from Mr. Sunshine that made its way to the crevice between my curtains. It looks like summer's going to start early this year.

Funny thing is that the ray of light shines precisely at my eyes, like it's mad at me. So if my alarm clock won't get me out of bed, Mother Nature sure will.

Now, before I indulge myself to my seemingly normal life as a high school student, I think it's in everyone's best interest to bring you all up to speed on what has happened these past few days.

After the Fujiwara incident, everything became settled again (thank the gods). But in exchange of this relief, I was reminded that my school's notorious club I am proud to be in, the S.O.S. Brigade's 1st anniversary is coming. Problems never seem to disappear in my life, they just get replaced.

Although thanks to Fujiwara's antics, I was given an idea on how the anniversary would at least start: sneaking up to a certain girl's room and giving her a present personally before the dawn breaks. Of course, the responsibility of picking the gift was magnanimously taken by yours truly. And by "magnanimously taken," I meant the job was dumped to me. Dammit.

I know full well that this peculiar activity (and the fact that I'm a 17-year old male and she's, well, a female) is a one-way ticket straight to prison. In my defense, she isn't really all that innocent of a girl to begin with, although that wouldn't really excuse me from being charged of breaking and entering, and possibly sexual harassment.

Keep in mind that we were already on our way to May so time was not on my side to think of something. Each day passed but nothing came up in my brain. Every single thing I thought of would be too boyish, downright lame, or something only my little sister would appreciate. I don't know if I'm clueless or just indecisive.

Time went on as this issue nagged my mind, like a jingle at some commercial. During my dreadful walk uphill to the school, I felt a tap at the back of my shoulder. Followed by,

"Hey, Kyon. Whatcha doing?"

"I'm walking, I thought that was obvious."

It was Taniguchi; the self-proclaimed ladies' man who've only been with one girl. Well, two technically.

"Hey, you know someday you're gonna need my experience that I've acquired when I was with Suou. I mean yeah, it was short but it's something!"

Screaming about it wouldn't help keeping that a secret.

"Whatever. I don't need this."

After that, Taniguchi wore a sour face, like a kid being forced to eat bell peppers. But he was nice enough that he still accompanied me to that torment of a trek. Speaking of needing that experience, I wanted to ask something to Taniguchi. A sudden gust of wind appropriately placed a leaf in Taniguchi's distraught face. After he removed it, he had this to say:

"…You know Kyon, you didn't need to discuss my failed relationship if you just wanted to ask a question. And besides, aren't you being too snarky this early in the day?"

Sorry, it was just too good not to say.

"Yeah, yeah, my love life's a mess. So what'd you wanna ask me?"

Taniguchi seemed to be in a good mood back then as he just brushed off my jabs after making fun of him. I took a deep breath before my inquiry:

"What kind of present do you give a girl?"

Taniguchi skipped a step, as if it was sign that he understood where this was going. He then proceeded to give me a sharp squint and a devilish smirk.

"So the boy who has received too many gifts finally decided to give back, huh? Whose it for?" he asked with an ever-so-annoying voice. I chose to ignore it and rebutted with an upset tone:

"Just answer the question."

"Oh, come on. You've had your fun with my past. The least you could give me is a name. That'll be my first and last question about it I promise."

After much thought and hesitation, I finally gave in. I first checked the perimeter to see if the mystery girl was around. When I saw that the coast was clear, I got close to Taniguchi's left ear and covered one side of my mouth with my hand.

"Alright, it's for Haruhi Suzumiya."

I was surprised Taniguchi didn't have much of a reaction about it. "Oh…" he said. To me, the lack of emotion on his face indicated that my huge reveal to him wasn't as scandalous as he thought─ which in turn, kind of pissed me off.

"Well sorry to disappoint you, but it's Haruhi Suzumiya" he said so, as he shrugged. "With how close you two are, something like 'giving gifts to each other' wouldn't be out of the ordinary for me."

"I remember you being uncomfortable with it. What happened?"

After he adjusted his bag by his shoulder, "That was when I was bitter with what happened with me and Suou…" Taniguchi then placed his hands at his nape and took a glance at the swift movements of the clouds. "And being the bigger man, I got over it."

Taniguchi said what appears to be the most shocking thing I've heard that day. After that, we talked more about school and how close we are to being third-years. Looking back, he never answered my question but I had fun with our worthwhile banter. I guess if I were to be optimistic about it, my current predicament makes a killer ice-breaker.

By the time we finished talking, we were already at the hallway, on our way to classroom 2-5. And when he opened the door, there she was…

The morning sunshine made her body radiate as if she was a star who came down from the heavens. It was one of those cloudy days where lightness and darkness take turns. When we got to the room, it was still a little dark and most of the light came from the windows. This girl, whose desk is stationed at the lower right part of the room and whose right cheek was resting on her right hand, was watching the clouds that looked like they were in a hurry. Her hair that only went down to her shoulders along with the ribbons on her hairband was slightly dancing when the breeze would carry them. Now it may not be seen at that time but behind that flowing hair is a face befitting a princess of a prestigious heir. If only she had the personality to match… Taniguchi and I felt like we were stuck at the door. After admiring the view, he said a one-liner before he went to his seat:

"Go easy on her, tiger."

Jerk. And with a farewell tap on my shoulder, he escaped my presence and joined Kunikida. It was also at this moment that Haruhi realized that I was already inside the classroom. She gave a smirk similar with what Taniguchi gave earlier. The difference is when Taniguchi does it, I get angry. But when Haruhi does it, I get scared. Nothing good ever comes whenever she has that look on her face, it's like a bad omen.

Haruhi's gaze followed my movement up to my desk in front of her, like she was a painting hanged on a wall. You'd think after what she did last week she'd show more of her cute side but there she was; still a top-class deviant.

"'Sup?!" she screeched.

"Nothing much. Walking uphill still sucks. How about you?"

Haruhi was letting out so much energy back then, like she sucked some of the sunshine that was hitting her and let it out on her face. I think she just photosensitize like a plant when food's not available.

"Haruhileus obnoxé" didn't answer my question and instead replied with her leaning towards her desk and giving me a mug composed of a crescent smile and eerie eyes, as if pressuring me to remember something important.

"Don't your face muscles get tired when you do that long enough?"

"I exercise them when I get home from school."

Weirdo.

She leaned back and finally stopped being creepy, though a mischievous giggle can be heard as she started sitting upright. Haruhi, now only with a light smile and arms crossed, jubilantly began sharing her face muscle regimen to me that was, by her words, "…proudly organized by myself." And in the middle of her monologue, she managed to sneak in a doozy:

"Anyway, our first class is having a test later."

Gasp.

Her smile suddenly disappeared.

"Please tell me you've prepared for a change."

Haruhi saw me widened my eyes, she gave me a look of disapproval.

"I can't believe someone less-than stellar like you is working under me…"

She then closed her eyes and then loudly exhaled.

"Alright, turn your chair and listen to me…"

My daily tutor with Haruhi seemed to come early that day. Well, I have my negligence to thank for that. Knowing she's there to help me in these kinds of crisis in my life is one of the many things that make Haruhi a friend worth having.

After taking the brutal test that I somehow understood through Haruhi's guidance, I managed to get through the morning. As the fourth chime rang, it was finally lunch. I was still at a loss on what to get our ever-important Brigade leader so I thought I ask somebody, anybody on the clubroom at lunch for advice, not after helping myself with the meal my mom lovingly prepared. Haruhi, of course, didn't come with me. She was probably in a daze somewhere.

As I came face-to-face with the old door of the Literature clubroom, the gentleman inside me insisted I knock first.

"…"

My gesture was responded with a benign sound of nothingness. While the door moved on a slow, rotary motion after I pushed it, my droopy eyes saw a small figure at her iconic place in the room that is near the window, doing her usual escapism into the world of books. Her pale skin bloomed as it was hit by the rays from outside, complimenting her overall aesthetic. With a height as small as hers, one could easily mistake this North High uniform-cladded girl for a life-size doll if she wasn't occasionally adjusting her lavender purple hair when caught by a light breeze or her almost perpetual flipping of the pages in her book.

Having entered the room, I noticed Nagato had company inside. It was Ms. Asahina, as evidenced by the packed lunchbox with a very cute arrangement laid out on one side of the table; in other words, a meal most men can only dream of eating. When I asked Nagato where our muse is,

"Mikuru Asahina is… buying a drink."

Why would she buy a beverage when she can make some tea right here?

"Did Koizumi come?"

"No."

I shifted to the side of the table in front of where the packed lunch of Ms. Asahina was and took a seat. I got the feeling I won't be able to resist being that close to taste paradise.

"Nagato, you are aware about a certain event that's going to happen soon, right?"

"I am" Nagato said, without leaving her eyes on the book.

"Then you must know what I gave Haruhi, right?"

"Correct."

"So you'll tell me?"

"I will not."

"Why not?!"

"Do not think too much of it. Calculating the affinity between you and her with respect to both of your desires and habits, the likeliness of you to pick an acceptable offering is very high."

"Now what's that supposed to mean…"

I think she was just dodging the question. But come to think of it, Haruhi hasn't even opened her present but she was already on the verge of crying tears of joy when I gave it to her.

"!"

Our talk was interrupted by the sound of a can being dropped on the floor from the hall outside, followed by a high-pitched and quiet shout of "Oh, no…" I quickly turned my attention to the door that I left open and what I saw was a sight for sore eyes.

A presence befitting a goddess graced us with her petite, slender body, her long, hazelnut-colored hair, her lips warm enough to thaw any cold man's heart, and lastly, her well-endowed chest that has baffled many scientists with how it has met the perfect proportions in terms of size and shape. It was Ms. Asahina, on all fours while trying to pick up her dented drink. Her face was so red I thought steam was gonna come out if she wasn't careful. Of course, between Nagato and me, I was the only one who was high as a kite.

Ms. Asahina used the wall behind her to sort of climb her way up in order to stand because her legs were shaking. I tried to give her a hand but she refused while rapidly waving her palm towards me.

"I-I-I-I'll be alright!"

In tune with her legs, her voice was also shivering. And like the heiress of Aphrodite that she is, Ms. Asahina entered the room with poise as she stumbled from left to right for the most part of her travel from the hall to her seat, during which she was keen on not making eye contact with me─ Although I caught her stealing some looks to me due to my undivided attention to her (which F.Y.I., considering what she was doing, was hard not to do. I mean, even Nagato was looking.)

And every time she does look, the saturation of her reddish face gets higher and higher. I again went out of my way and offered her my help but she again rejected my offer. All we could do was watch Little Miss Ditzy take the most dreadful walk she may have ever had.

When she finally does get to her seat, it looked like the awkward phase was over… But that was before came the ear-deafening silence.

As you would imagine, the atmosphere was just suffocating. And it's not like it was my first Mexican standoff on who can stay quiet the longest but the mere fact that there was something obviously bothering Ms. Asahina and she played it off like it's no big deal aggravated my composure and curiosity.

In contrast to me, Nagato reverted into her natural state of reading a book, never questioning why Ms. Asahina acted that way. But since this is Yuki Nagato, whose brain is just a fountain of knowledge, she probably had the answer already.

Ms. Asahina started eating her rolled omelette with anxiety written all over her face. I had enough of the farce, so I slammed both of my hands on the table like a boost as I stood up.

"Ms. Asahina!"

She yielded to my powerful voice.

"Y-Yes!?"

"You better tell me what's the matter with you right now or so help me I'll squeeze the truth out from you."

The adorable belle's trepidation grew.

"W-W-What are you talking about, Kyon, I-I said I'm fine. Tell him I'm fine Ms. Nagato."

She humored Ms. Asahina's wish.

"Mikuru Asahina is not fine. She is actually─"

"No, Ms. Nagato! Don't─"

Ms. Asahina tried to stop her. In doing so, she accidentally knocked off her lunch from the table. And to honor the sanctity of that special dish, I gallantly tried to save it.

I calculated by mere sight the trajectory of the box and estimated the time it was to clash with the ground. And swift as the breeze outside, I dashed to their place and dove for the chef d'œuvre, catching it just before it hit the floor. I then said,

"Listen, Ms. Asahina…"

"Oh, I see… So it was for Ms. Suzumiya after all."

Shortly thereafter, Ms. Asahina calmed down when I gave her some context─ so much that it might've made her a bit gloomy.

I retreat back to my seat after the stunt I did. For a while I didn't feel the left side of my body but any man who would say t'was not worth it is no man.

There was, however, some rice that got on the floor. Never in my life was the concept of "germs" been so blurred in my head.

"I'm really sorry for freaking out. I didn't realize it was for Ms. Suzumiya. What's the occasion?" she asked as she continued eating her meal.

Holding my left shoulder, I said:

"The S.O.S. Brigade's first anniversary."

Ms. Asahina swallowed her rolled omelette, with the end of her chopsticks put near her mouth. She had her widened eyes blinking, indicating this was news to her.

"Wow…" she said, as she set her sight to the room's ceiling then proceeded to fix her gaze to the table. "Has it really been that long…?"

I think it's a big reveal for all of us. Nobody would've thought an illegal organization can last for over a year.

"Hmm…"

Snapping out from her moment of epiphany, Ms. Asahina began rattling her head. I decided to join her.

"Well, why don't you just give her something cute? It's a safe bet because every girl likes cute things. It's in our blood!" Ms. Asahina said with much vigor.

"I wouldn't count on that. We're talking about Haruhi here; the girl's a walking jigsaw puzzle. And since it's the first anniversary, I'd like to spruce things up even just a little."

"I have a question."

Our beloved bookworm announced her incoming question while still reading. Come to think of it, has Nagato ever asked us about something?

"With the knowledge that whatever item you'll be picking as your token of appreciation for Haruhi Suzumiya will have no bearing with the result, why, still, do you seek advice?"

As soon as she finished talking, I was placed deep in thought. I don't know, really. Whenever I think of something as special as a present, it shouldn't be something that you thought of on a whim. There's that satisfaction you get when you see the expression they make when they receive your gift that you've gone to great lengths on preparing or something that you know they really wanted. That's probably what Haruhi thought when she planned that Valentine's Day gift you all prepared for Koizumi and me. And besides, let's not rule out the possibility that I might screw up and give her a gift she won't like. With my luck, there's a good chance that would happen.

"…"

I kept spatting words that I didn't realize Nagato was already looking at me. Those obsidian eyes gave a stare that felt like she was recording every word I was saying. And with that, I was placed in a frigid stare down with Nagato.

After a couple of seconds, she ended our session with a blink.

"I see."

She returned her eyes to her hardbound book titled "Book of Songs". Don't know what it's about but I think it's a novel.

By the time lunch ended, I still wasn't able to decide what to give Haruhi. Ms. Asahina, fulfilling her role as the reliable upperclassman, was kind enough to help me find an eligible gift when class ended (Best. Day. Ever.) Nagato wanted to come but we didn't want to trouble her, although I think she wouldn't really mind considering she doesn't do much in her spare time. Nevertheless, she let us be.

There wasn't a club meeting that day so we went straight ahead. As for why, Ms. Commander in Chief said this while we were on the way to the clubroom:

"Aha! I see what you're doing."

"And what exactly am I doing?"

She turned around to me like a whirlpool.

"The surprise is in the clubroom, right?"

If I said yes, can we stop making a scene in the hallway and go already?

"Uh-uh-uh~."

She started wiggling her finger and struck a pose like those parents who are scolding their kids while shaking her head.

"Kyon, you juvenile boy, this won't do."

She then stood straight with hands on her waist.

"Need I remind you that this is the Haruhi Suzumiya; the very same Haruhi Suzumiya who created the prestigious S.O.S. Brigade─ an organization built upon back-breaking labor whose sole mission is to build bridges between bizarre entities and our cruel, cruel society─ who you're testing here?"

A quick reminder that she was preaching nonsense while some of the students stuck on clean-up duty were still in their classrooms. I had a good reason to feel embarrassed.

Haruhi pointed her index finger at me like she was whipping something. Either it was for effect or she wanted me to smell her nail because it was so close to my face. I backed off a little.

"If you think a momentous event like the Brigade's 1st anniversary will be celebrated by a simple surprise party then your brain has been rotting in a cesspool for over a year."

"You're one quick to judge, how sure are you that whatever I have in mind would be automatically lame?"

"You're planning it."

"…Point taken."

Haruhi reveled on her small victory with a hair flip and a scoff.

"Unless the door in the room magically transports us to Teide in Spain─ to camp and shoot signals to aliens under The Milky Way galaxy─ there's no way you'll make me go. Nice try."

Then she took off on the opposite direction to the clubroom. She didn't say there wasn't gonna be a meeting that day but I think it was pretty clear.

So there I was going on a dat─ buying a gift for Haruhi with Ms. Asahina. This situation is nothing short of a miracle not only because it's Ms. Asahina, but also because she's already a senior. Great, now I feel bad…

But I suppose that all the more reason the find the best present we can buy. Knowing Haruhi, she'd be upset if a weak gift is what I'll be compensating for her high (even wild) standards. But if push comes to shove, I'm betting on her soft, possibly fictional, heart that she'll find it to be simple but adorable.

It was only around this time that I pieced together the present we were supposed to buy and the places Haruhi and I went the other day. She was suggesting to me what to get for her. Honestly, that girl… I had one of those "Aha!" moments geniuses are fond of using while Ms. Asahina clapped to me with amazement.

We spent so much time walking around but the sweet sight of Ms. Asahina also trying her best overwhelmed the stress and fatigue I felt in my body.

Finally, after pretty much exploring the whole shopping district, we've finally settled with the one we saw at some watch store; a rectangle-framed clock held by 2 synthetic leather laces. It wasn't our first option because we were on a budget.

"I'll go talk to her."

Ms. Asahina went ahead and talked to the clerk. At one instant, I thought that Ms. Asahina released her inner Niccolò Machiavelli and devised an idea to swindle ourselves to a discount, but then I remembered it was Ms. Asahina.

What followed was, I can only describe, a conversion between two fairies. Their words with each other had so much politeness that the air around them started secreting honey.

At the end of their long chat with each other, Ms. Asahina decided to say to the lady that we came back for the watch. Surprisingly, the shop clerk agreed selling it to us at such a low price. After putting it on a box and handing it, she had an enamored smile and touched the side of her face while looking at the both of us. Turned out I was wrong; never underestimate the power of a goddess.

We walked out the door. Above us was a clear, starless sky with no moon. The setting might not be something to write home to but any night shared alone with Ms. Asahina is something you don't forget. In fact, that night was extra special since I got to see a side of Ms. Asahina that I've never seen before.

"You know ever since we've known each other, back there was the first time I really saw you as my upperclassman."

"Hm?" she mutters.

"Great Senior Asahina; it doesn't have much ring to it but I like it."

"Did I do something?"

"Saved us a couple of bucks is what you've done."

"I don't understand" she expressed with a confused face.

"But didn't you… Just forget it."

"What did I do?!"

The clueless girl started panicking. Teary-eyed, she asked me questions from our little trip earlier; all had descriptions that were blown out of proportion.

"Was it because I was staring at the blue dress so much that it scared off customers inside the boutique?"

"No."

"Was it because I screamed so loud earlier that the people thought a monkey escaped from the zoo?"

"There was a loud noise of something dropping, and we don't even have a zoo."

I remember being slightly fascinated that Ms. Asahina knew about zoos considering where she's from.

"Was it…"

She gasps for air.

"Was it because my fat and heavy body broke a part of the bench we sat earlier?!"

"It was old and brittle!"

"Oh no, it was the bench…"

Crestfallen, she leaned at the metal fence beside the sidewalk and the waterworks started dripping from her face covered by her palms. I went closer to her and tried my best to comfort her. Not to be mean, but when I saw Ms. Asahina crying her eyes out for something that wasn't all that bad I felt happy for no discernable reason.

Never change, Ms. Asahina…

After I've expressed my deep gratitude to Ms. Asahina, we parted ways at a junction. Though it was already dark, she said she'll be fine walking from there. In retrospect, I never got to ask what was bothering her back at lunch.

I pedaled with a tired look as I tried to reach my home. The cold breeze on that evening only reminded me that spring hasn't truly ended yet, although cold nights in the summer aren't all that rare either. Back then, I wanted to cover my mouth with a mask to keep my face warm.

After ringing the doorbell of my house, my little sister answered the door. She greeted me with a face that was somewhere between shocked and confused.

"What's that, Kyon?"

"It's a present."

"Really, for who?!" she asked with glee.

"It's for Haruhi. Don't touch it, okay?"

"Okay…" she said with a grin on her face, acting like I was up to something. Well, it wasn't like she was wrong but I think she got the wrong idea.

I joined my folks for a nice dinner along with my sister. After that I took a long bath and headed for my bed, to finally rest my head that thought too much and my feet that walked too much.

In the midst of my slumber, I heard something that sounded like a small rock hitting glass. It was coming from my window. I slowly got up and tried to see who was causing the ruckus. Actually, I knew exactly who it was even before I parted the curtains.

A reliable streetlight made me see that a young man wearing a North High uniform, whose face is enough to woo any fair maiden, was holding a pebble in his hand. And it looked like he was about to throw another one if I didn't heed his call. After opening my window, I gave Koizumi a squinted face and just stared at him because I thought it would make him go away.

"Good evening."

He gave his greetings with a polite tone and a familiar smile that's enough to light up the whole street. Beside him were the fellow Brigade members: Ms. Asahina and Nagato. Out of all of them, only Ms. Asahina was wearing her pajamas and a night gown, the rest was in uniform. Guess she was pretty tired too.

"I'll be downstairs with the present in a while" I said.

Koizumi and his company didn't need to say their agenda as to why they're meeting up with me in this fine evening. As hesitant as a hermit, I went outside not before letting out a massive yawn. Having two layers of thick clothing didn't do much for my sensitivity to the cold weather.

"Gosh, you look so tired. Just what did you and Ms. Asahina do?" Koizumi disingenuously asked.

"Shurrup." I said while I was yawning. I saw Ms. Asahina yawn too but I didn't have the spirit to appreciate it.

"Here." I extended my hand that was holding the present towards Koizumi. "Give it a good whirl before you throw it to me (well, the 'other' me.)"

"I'll try my best" he accepted as he reached for the box that was as wide as a notebook with his hands and held it to its sides.

"Well, we best be going now. Goodbye, Kyon" Ms. Asahina uttered.

It was a crying shame I was too exhausted to admire the spectacle that was our lovable upperclassman on a night gown. A fuzzy memory states that her getup, accentuated by her ponytail that was tied midway to her long hair she carefully positioned at the front of her shoulder (or was it just on her back…? I dunno) made her look so mature. Alluring but not skimpy, adult yet youthful; that night's fashion statement was another fine addition from The House of Asahina.

She and the others turned around and walked away but Koizumi suddenly stopped and turned his head to me,

"Oh, before I forget," he paused, "Happy anniversary"─ A statement sealed by his patented smile.

"Happy anniversary" I responded with a faint smile.

I stayed outside until I couldn't see them waving back at me anymore. Plus, I was getting used to the cold breeze. Once I was in bed, I tuckered into the sheets and readied myself for the day tomor─ er, later.

And that concludes my reminiscing. A week passed since then. Now we go back to the present "me" that's battling with my inner voice on whether or not I should leave my bed. Being left with no choice, I slowly opened my eyes─ cherishing the transition of my vision from a dark but peaceful state to seeing my messy room. And, as if on cue, my little sister entered the room to wake me up.

[The 1st chapter's on it's way. Please look forward to it.]