Darkness, pain, a cold metal table. Voices.
"Why are we using a kid for this again?"
And then, I woke up in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room.
I brushed a strand of long black hair out of my face, wait, that's the wrong color and length, right? I saw a mirror and moved to it. I saw my long hime-cut black hair. I looked down at my breasts and felt for my crotch. This doesn't feel right, but I couldn't remember anything else.
Suddenly words appeared in midair.
You're probably confused, they said, we can see and hear what you do, but we can't read your thoughts. Write in the diary on the desk to communicate with us.
I looked around and spotted the diary in question, a small pink book sitting on a desk next to the bed. I hesitantly walked over to the desk and sat down. I picked up a black pen sitting next to it and prepared to write. I hesitated. I didn't even know where to start with my questions.
You are a slider, the words said, this is one who can manipulate space. Slider specifically refers to the ability to "slide" between universes. We are an organization dedicated to the research of sliders and the multiverse. We have forced you to perform a mental shift into the universe and body in which you currently reside. Your original identity is irrelevant. You are now Sakamoto Kazuko. You are to assume Kazuko's life in order to observe a particular being. Any questions?
Sakamoto Kazuko? That sounded Japanese. I thought for a minute, then wrote.
What's wrong with my memory?
We have sealed most of your personal memories. Kazuko is about to enter her first year of high school. She was born in Japan but spent most of her childhood in the United States due to her father's work. She just recently moved back to Japan. We have provided you with an augmented reality system to aid you in your observation.
Why me?
You were the closest slider, among other reasons that will remain hidden for now.
My head span. I'd been kidnapped and forced into another universe? It was so surreal. Was it true? Was I just having a mental breakdown? Impossible to tell. I wrote another question.
Why should I obey you?
You are not fluent in Japanese and lack social skills. Should you disobey us, we will deactivate your augmented reality system. The illusion that you are Kazuko will break, and you will have no way to survive on your own in your new life.
What's this being I'm supposed to be observing?
A girl by the name of Suzumiya Haruhi. Now get dressed, it's almost time for you to leave.
I then heard a voice from outside the room's closed door.
"Kazuko," said the adult feminine voice, likely Kazuko's mother, "breakfast is ready."
I saw a school uniform in a closet and figured I should put that on. I moved over to the uniform and prepared to put it one when something occurred to me. They could see everything I could see. I blushed and closed my eyes and took off the pajamas I was wearing. They were pink. I then came to another realization. I wasn't wearing a bra, and I had no idea how to put one on. I looked around for one, finding it in a drawer. I struggled with it for a few minutes before spotting a laptop on top of a dresser. I opened it, clicked on Google Chrome, and googled "How to put on a bra," I followed the steps I found and managed to get the bra on.
I then put on the school uniform. Sailor fuku? I didn't think high schools still used that style. Oh well. I left Kazuko's, no, my room and went down a flight of stairs near my room. Arrows floating in midair directed me to the kitchen. I sat down at the kitchen table and prepared to eat.
"Itadakimasu," I said.
I ate a typical Japanese breakfast and prepared to go to school.
Once again, arrows directed me to the school.
After climbing one of the longest, steepest hills imaginable, I was directed to the correct classroom. I looked around and noted that one long haired girl wearing a yellow hair ribbon seemed to be glowing. I guessed that was Suzumiya. She didn't look particularly special, though she was pretty. I noted that the boy sitting in front of her was also glowing, though more faintly, but why was he special. He looked even more average than Suzumiya.
"Hi," said a voice.
I looked. The source of the voice was a blue-haired girl.
"I'm Asakura Ryouko. It's nice to meet you."
"Oh, I-I'm Sakamoto Kazuko. It's nice to meet you. I'm new in town, so I don't really know anybody."
"I'm in the same boat," the girl said with a beautiful smile, "Do you need help finding your seat?"
"It's alphabetical order by surname, right? I think I can figure it out, thank you though."
I found my seat, right in front of the average-looking boy. Soon enough the homeroom teacher came in and we set about introductions. I paid attention to Asakura's, then zoned out until it was my turn.
"I'm Sakamoto Kazuko," I said, "I'm new in town and I like literature and computers. Please treat me kindly."
I zoned out for the average boy's introduction, and was snapped back to attention by Suzumiya's introduction.
"Suzumiya Haruhi," she said authoritatively, "I have no interest in ordinary humans. If there are any aliens, time travelers, sliders, or espers here, come join me. That is all."
