Hi, I'm Justin Tanaka-san.I'd like to thank you for reading my fanfic! :) It may be my first one, but I want to establish myself as a strong writer here on the Fanfiction following story continues the plot after "The Disassociation of Haruhi Suzumiya." Beware of spoilers, k? Anyways, please enjoy, "Absolute Conviction."I yawned.

It had been a relatively average day so far. Well, as average as one's day can get when close to Haruhi Suzumiya.

It was already after lunch, and I felt myself slowly become more drowsy as the day progressed. As I droned in and out of class, my eyelids began to close as the substitute teacher gave a lecture with absolutely no enthusiasm whatsoever... something about rhetorical devices.... My peace was not meant to be, however. As sleep began to take its hold on me, I was then harassed by the ever-animated pest behind me.

"Hey, Kyon! I had this awesome idea about what the club could do next week!"

Geez, why do you always choose the perfect timing to bother me? Plus, how can you be so full of energy? This hot sun would make anyone lazy.

I groaned.

"Kyon! Aren't you listening to me? Geez!"

I then had the delightful experience of having my chair pulled back with such force that my head hit her desk and bounced off. In a reaction oh so familiar, I stood up and yelled,

"What was that for?"

"Are you stupid? Obviously, it was to wake you up. Honestly, you can be so sluggish at times. You should try be more like Koizumi. That's why he's the Vice-Chief, and you're a lowly member!"

Like hell I'd be like him. He can be a total kissass. And frankly, I believe I have made it clear that I have no intention of becoming a Vice-Chief, Assistant, or whatnot.

I then retaliated, exclaiming,

"There are better methods of getting someone's attention, and also, we're in class right now!"

Speaking of which...

I facepalmed and sighed; the entire class had switched their focus from the dull teacher's lecture to the performance Haruhi and I were giving. I would definitely hear something about this from Taniguchi later.

"Uh, excuse me..." the teacher hinted for us to settle down. I profusely apologized and took my seat, and I didn't have to look back to imagine Haruhi's pouting expression at this point.

Although I continued to make a conscientious effort to maintain my focus, I slowly began to drift off to sleep again, and this time, I enjoyed a good four minutes of rest until the class was dismissed. My precious nap was disturbed once again by one of of Haruhi's cruel awakenings, this time choosing to pull the seat from underneath me.

Dammit, Haruhi!

Haruhi: 2, Kyon: 0. Ugh.

Of course, despite the great pain I was now in, Haruhi wasted no time in grabbing my tie, pulling me to a standing position, and dragging me out of the classroom. By the time I was lucid, I found myself in another random, empty hallway of our school, once again being held by my tie.

Seriously, is this extortion?!

"So, Kyon! That annoying substitute teacher had to interrupt me before, but now I can tell you what I have planned for this weekend now!"

I actually think that it was you that interrupted his class, instead. Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but please, continue!

"Oh? Lets hear it, then."

"Try to guess it! Since next week's Golden Week, I figured that we could get together and all! So, so, guess! Mmhm!"

Averting my eyes from her close, grinning face, I guessed.

"Citywide search for miscellaneous, bizarre occurrences or things? Or perhaps extraterrestrials?"

"Nope!" Still grinning.

"Uh, Koizumi or Tsuruya's got some special event planned?"

Haruhi shook her head.

I seriously don't know! Agh....

"...Karaoke?"

"N-o Nope!" Her smile had turned into a look of concern. "Com'on, Kyon, try harder! Don't disappoint me!"

I don't have an obligation to do this, you know. Heck, the only reason why I'm here and not drinking some of Asahina-san's amazing tea in the clubroom is because you're holding me by my tie! Then again, why aren't we discussing this in the clubroom? And why are you treating me like some poor child who can't solve a simple math problem?

"Seriously, I don't really want to guess; the chances of me guessing correctly are probably low, considering you wouldn't pull me out for something you'd consider ordinary."

Haruhi thought a moment, and said,

"Fine. I'll tell you. But as punishment..."

Great. =_=

"That'll be a secret, for now." Winking, Haruhi then gleefully said in softer voice,

"Onsen!" (Note: Japanese term for hot springs, but commonly used to refer to the inns around them.)

"Eh?" I blinked. It wasn't nearly as crazy or bizarre as I was expecting.

"On - sen! You know, a trip to the hot springs!" Haruhi was brimming with excitement, like a little child. "Oh, and I already took the liberty of asking Tsuruya to accompany us, too! Mm-hm!"

As I was thinking to myself that Haruhi's idea wasn't that bad, after all, Haruhi exclaimed,

"So, it's a good idea, right?"

"Yeah, it's a great idea," I replied, "but why tell me first? Was there a need to drag me all the way out here just to propose your idea of a hot-spring venture?"

I could have sworn that Haruhi's face turned slightly red as she stammered, "N-n-no reason! I just wanted to make sure you were fine with it and all....."

Huh? Did she just.....

"Well, uh, I was planning for next week and all, so... are you available?"

"Yeah. I didn't really have anything planned anyways. I was expecting to stay at home and play video games with my sister, and that's really all."

Haruhi's grin reappeared.

"That's great then! Ah! We're late for club! This is your fault, Kyon! If you're last, then you receive a penalty! A penalty, I say! See you then! Hahahaha bye!" With that, Haruhi dashed off in some direction.

Wait... what...?

As I walked to the clubroom, several thoughts were making their way through my head. A hot-spring trip would be fun, and just the thought of being with Asahina-san and Tsuruya-san..... it was too much to handle! But Haruhi's behavior struck me as a bit odd. She seemed normal, yet there was something odd when I confronted her about asking me first. I continued to ponder, and to my dismay I then realized that I was hopelessly lost in a series of empty hallways.

....

How the hell did she find her way back?

And that's that! The first chapter's done!

Thanks!