CHAPTER 1


I conduct my daily morning routine, which includes: making my bed, dressing up, brushing my teeth, the usual stuff.

My folks leave early for their respective jobs but they aren't careless enough to forget preparing breakfast to me and sis; a gesture I take for granted more often than not since I always eat less in the morning─ and in rare occasions, not at all. That happens especially when Haruhi has some sketchy activity for us the moment the sun comes up from the horizon.

I take my bicycle, put my bag on the basket, and rush to school. The sound of rubber causing friction to the asphalt road and the ticking of the rear wheel when I stop pedaling on descending paths fills the acoustics of my ears as I watch the now only few cherry blossoms that are still blooming on the trees I pass by.

The weather's not too bad as I thought it would be but my body's just not having it and still feels heavy. It might be the relaxing weather. Every pedal I make feels like I'm pushing a tank with my feet… on an inclination.

My current situation made me ponder if I should switch to mountain bikes. I heard they have gears that cater to every terrain, and this town has its fair share of steep roads. Plus, baskets look good in mountain bikes, right? Probably not…

But I do think that even if I can afford one right now, I'd still be hesitant on giving up this ol' piece of two wheels. It feels like a memento of my past life; that being my middle school years. I believe that in the summer between my final year of middle school and my freshman year of high school, I was reincarnated into another life despite not dying─ because my life back then and my life now couldn't be any more different.

Though somewhat uneventful, those 3 years was the textbook definition of bliss. There was a sense of content with me just listening to Sasaki talking about what's her take on the meaning of life by opening up with the concept of flavored drinks. Kunikida would agree or deny her, and soon after they'll be in a mildly heated debate. Then Okamoto, the class' superstar and the primary reason why most of the boys (myself included) even consider getting up in the morning, would often be seen carrying out her class representative duties.

I wonder when it will happen, Sudou's to-be-dated reunion…


Back then, it'd seem farfetched for me to be hanging out with the likes of Nagato, Ms. Asahina and Koizumi. Not to mention, the hyperactive meltdown that is Haruhi Suzumiya. It has been a wild ride but I guess it's not going to stop from there.

Everything has been a pain in the neck but if this happened to li'l old me back from elementary, he'd be happier than a cheapskate on a bargain sale. Most, if not, all of the recent events felt like it came straight out of some comic book fantasy. The only thing missing is him, taking the place as the main character, to have superpowers of his own. I think what ran through my mind in those days went a little something like this:

"By day, I would be your average kid who takes comfort in the company of dirt while lying on the playground. But few people know my secret identity as…

Psylink!

Notorious to crooks and villains as somebody who they should avoid imminently, he doesn't have much of a physique. But once he bellows the words 'Great Distortion,' the whole ground ruptures and the very air around you shakes.

And despite my destructive powers, you have my word to put my life on the line to protect the Earth from the nefarious plans of my arch nemeses, the Xeno Calfares."

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd be running all over the place… However, I've long buried those thoughts and right now, they just serve as a memory of my childhood.

That's right folks, what you're seeing right now is the new and improved version of myself. My mature and level-headed mind no longer wishes for any of those things to happen anymore, and it has been that way ever since the start of high school.

But around the same time, one unequivocally eccentric girl has challenged that verdict. And the more I spend time with her, the more that notion fades away into obscurity. Fighting about it wouldn't even matter because one way or another, she always gets her way. She's got a presence that's so overwhelming, even the student council can't touch her.

And so I ask you, dear reader: If a girl who's got the entire world at the palm of her hand thinks that my way of thinking is wrong, what can this seasoned veteran of all things strange do besides look at tomorrow in the face and say "Take it easy, man…"?


The turn I made to the lot where I usually park my bike was my portal back to reality. After locking it up at an available space, my trial starts along with the other freshmen as we meet the slope that makes us ask the question "Why did we enroll in this school?" While true, I've grown accustomed at this day-to-day challenge but this time, it's different. So with no motivation whatsoever, I start my walk.

My ride to here whilst thinking about the past might've made me a bit lax but just after a few meters of walking, I'm back to feeling like I'm inside the Gravity Machine. But unlike the Z Fighters, I'm not interested on raising my BP.

I have my head down the whole time, I'm practically a zombie. Its times like this that makes me realize why they named it "North High."

The occasional strong winds that are pounding away at my body makes me feel like I'm in an expedition to the top of Mount Everest. I look forward to the day I come across a Mountaineering Club of some school in one of my commutes.

Just look at me: I'm already complaining like a spoiled brat when I'm only at the foot of the hill. It makes me wish I could just place my two fingers in my forehead and teleport in front of the ga────

Whoa!

While I was raging inside my head, I felt a gale for a couple of seconds, which prompted me to close my eyes and stop walking. Thanks to this abrupt happening, my body is now awake. But something's not right…

I open my eyes and observe my surroundings. The light crowd of people on their way to school are all just standing and giving me curious looks. The girls were holding their skirts down. It seemed natural to me since there was that wind earlier but why were they all staring at me? When I tilted my head up while I continue to check the environment, the answer descended from my vision.

Tremor runs down my spine as I see the building at the entrance of my high school, together with the entrance gate, in front of me.

My feet feels like they're now glued on the floor, my heartbeat grows louder and louder. Before I could even get a full grasp of the situation,

Bam!

I feel a powerful thrust in my back, stopping my thought process. My body slams on the floor, face-down, making me unable to identify the person who tackled me. At this point, I feel a tiny body lying on top of me─ A girl, maybe?

I can't speak. My emotions right now are ranging from "in disbelief" to "in pain". I also can't fully identify who it is because my head can only turn so much. The only people I see are fellow students that are just shocked at the display they're seeing and an indistinguishable portion of the person; a dark brown cardigan and also strands of purple hair. Purple?

As the murmurs in our surrounding build up, her small hands start to elevate her body from mine. Through "heat signature" or maybe just gut feeling (call it what you may), I feel her hovering above me and the purple hair coming close to my head, particularly my ear.

"I am sorry, for this."

After hearing that light, monotonous apology, now I'm 100 percent sure I know who this person is. Do aliens just like hurting people in the back?

She gets to her feet and moves my static body to a face-up position. The sun blocked her face that was looking down on me.

While some other pedestrians came to see what the commotion was about, she starts carrying me effortlessly on her arms. I couldn't do anything about her blatant destruction of my manliness but we were both fixated on fleeing the scene, probably for reasons differing each other. When the ache in my body subdued a little, I ask her:

"… N-Nagato… why…"

"We will explain in full detail at the clubroom."

She starts running at full speed. I haven't seen her run this much since the sports fest. I feel like she can really give the Mach Five a run for its money. We were going so fast, it almost feels like we're teleporting… Teleporting…

"Please try to minimize your thoughts. I'll be forced to inflict pain again if you do not comply."

After saying that, we reach the clubroom door. Oddly enough, the door was already open. Nagato carries me inside and makes me sit on an available chair. After that, silence with only the breeze to compliment the ambiance. After sitting me down, Nagato stands quietly near the door she just closed.


Now that I have to restrain any movement that would affect my back, I proceed to ask Nagato the motive for her actions in an awkward pose. I feel like a young aristocrat being taught about dining etiquette. I look up to her face.

"So about that explanation…"

"I have been tasked to bring you here the moment we have sensed irregularities from your body. Itsuki Koizumi, Mikuru Asahina and I have decided to rendezvous in this room" she said while still standing beside me. "The only option I had to divert your attention from further thinking of anything else was to hurt you."

I- Irregularities…?

She pans her head to me. "At exactly 8:13am today, after absent-mindedly wishing for it to happen, you were able to increase your stamina, muscle endurance, metabolism, adrenaline and also your thermal homeostasis for you to travel at such a great speed; what appeared to you as 'teleportation.'"

What…?

Rapid steps can be heard from the hallway. It gets gradually louder until it comes to the outside of the clubroom and reveals the one who's making it. It's Koizumi; sweat-faced, breathing hard and leaning at the door like he ran a mile to get here. After catching his breath,

"Is he stable?"

"Yes" answered Nagato.

"My colleagues and I are now checking around the school campus for any potential threats. Did you sense anyone tailing you while you took him here?"

"None."

He then gave a sigh of relief.

"Good. That's a load off my back."

I sat there as I let these people talk about what appears to be important matters. I feel like I'm in one of those situations where my mother meets an old friend at a public place and they decide to talk for hours, then I start counting the tiles on the floor because I didn't know what else to do.

It's obvious something important went down and it's causing these people to be so stressed. But if you ask me to give you a rundown on things, I couldn't answer you.

"Hey, guys..."

I decide to finally speak up.

"If you wouldn't mind me cutting in, isn't it about time for you two to start patching me up and making sense?"

They, especially Koizumi, didn't seem to mind my intrusion. They react as if what I did is a sensible thing that anyone would do.

"Right. Ms. Nagato, if you will…"

Nagato did not give a reply and tended to my care. She starts taking measly steps then stops behind me. She places one of her hands at my source of agony, let out some alien gibberish, and before I know it, I'm back to normal and free again to move as I wish. My imagination made an 8-bit sound effect similar to when you drink a potion in some RPG video game.

Before I address the elephant in the room, I give my thanks to Nagato. She didn't leave my back side. After that,

"…Well?"

Koizumi was getting himself a metal chair while wiping his face with the sleeve of his jacket. I can imagine him also wanting to sit down.

"To be honest, Ms. Nagato didn't need to assist you in healing. You could do it on your own."

Not exactly the answer that I wanted to hear.

"I'll keep it short: What you did back there was you changing the limits of your body in order to achieve what you wanted to happen. In other words…"

He gave a pause while taking a seat. With his elbows on the table and his fingers entwined together like he got some evil plan, he said:

"Data manipulation."

Something's awfully familiar about that phrase...

Koizumi continued, "Congratulations, Kyon. You've been given the powers of Ms. Haruhi Suzumiya."

Oh, brother.

"All of our organizations, including those who aren't affiliated with us, are already going nuts by this strange development. That is why we brought you here; where you'll be safe. Ms. Nagato already made the adjustments in this room however she can prior to this day, Ms. Kimidori stepped in too. And in my opinion, they did a splendid job. Any intangible or invisible data that's lurking around the campus or even outside of it cannot bypass its defense, and any threat that has a physical body will be taken care of by my Organization. Though we won't get to use our powers, you have my word that we will not let anyone through."

I do remember them saying about how the data whatchamacallit is already distorted on this room.

Koizumi raises his head a little to get his mouth away from his hands.

"I'm sure you've got a lot on your mind right now so please, ask away; although I'll have to go soon because I'm badly needed back at the HQ."

A good detective, maybe just even an ordinary man, would ask the rudimentary questions.

"Nagato said she and you guys decided to meet up here the moment something like this happens."

Koizumi retorts, "Oh yes, we've known about your predicament for quite a while. Traces of her powers were found in your body using the instruments we have back at HQ, but the amount was almost nil."

He pauses for a moment.

"Seeing as how we're all in the same page regarding Ms. Suzumiya, I notified both Ms. Asahina and Ms. Nagato about it. It was an emergency that bypassed confidentiality. But after much consideration, we decided it's not a big issue. We were confident that it would disappear but some of my colleagues opposed the decision because they still had their doubts."

Koizumi closes his eyes, "In hindsight, we should've listened to them."

Instruments? Now I'm certain that your Organization is just a guise for a group of professional stalkers.

"Call it what you may."

Will do. And don't you think out of all the people, I should be the first person to know about this?

"We're sincerely sorry. Since it is her powers, we classified your case to be the same with Ms. Suzumiya. We were afraid of what would happen if we told you."

"Afraid my ass, you just forgot to tell me."

I wanted to end the conversation right there, but I need more answers from him. Putting aside my anger, I continued.

"When did this happen?"

"The whole situation is sadly not on full disclosure. However, we have come up with a theory that isn't all that farfetched."

Koizumi begins to move his seat closer to the table and sit straight so he can move his hands freely.

"It was back when the timelines split."

Way back in December, seriously?!

"No, no, no─ back in April; the more recent one."

Oh.

"When Ms. Suzumiya was about to be dropped to the ground near the clubroom building, you risked your life and jumped from the second floor to catch her; a selfless and, somewhat flattering act."

My glare fashioned with a raised right eyebrow was enough for Koizumi to get my message across. He lets out a smile with a little laughter and raises his palms out, letting me know he means no harm.

"So we'll continue. Despite not having anything or anyone catch you, you never made contact with the concrete ground because someone, rather, something came to the rescue. I think you know what it was."

Well I think you lied when you said you were in a hurry because here you are explaining every nook and cranny of what happened that day even though I was there.

"It was a 'Shinjin'. It caught you moments before slamming on the floor."

Koizumi raises his right hand with the index finger pointing the sky.

"We believe that this contact you made with it is what triggered the transfer of some powers of Ms. Suzumiya to you."

I thought all it ever did to me was teleport me to a further future and to Haruhi's room the day of the anniversary; a closer future.

"One hypothesis states that maybe Ms. Suzumiya simply wished for this to happen."

Koizumi coughs a little, covering his mouth with his right fist.

"My apologies, all that running made my throat dry. *Ahem* we're currently lacking data, as you can see, but I assure you that we are all looking to it."

Suddenly, the starting instrumental of "Natsu no Omoide" was playing. I think I just heard that on the radio the other day. It's coming from Koizumi's phone.

"Yes? Yes… Yes, I know… Okay, I'm on my way."

He closes his phone.

"It was Ms. Mori. I should be going. If you'll excuse me…"

At a moderate pace, Koizumi takes his leave.

"Hey wait a minute. I've got a question:" I said, stopping Koizumi from going to the door, "Why weren't you espers affected by those blue guys the way I'm affected?"

"I'll save that explanation for some other time. Right now, I'm urgently needed back at my base. At least with this, we know now that if Haruhi's powers are ever transferred, even just a fraction of it, to another being, it has the possibility to grow and quite exponentially."

He reaches for the doorframe and then,

"Say hi to Ms. Asahina for me."

Somehow, that offended me. As soon as he steps out, I can hear loud and fast steps abruptly going away. Koizumi has fled the room. Now it's just me and Nagato, who is still standing behind me by the way.

"Um, Nagato?"

"Yes?"

"I'd be really swell if you could stop standing so close to me and take a seat yourself."

"Right."

The alien decides to take the seat Koizumi left. When she finally settled herself, I said:

"All of this stuff is a lot to take in. Like, can I still run super-fast?"

"That is entirely up to you, but it is better if you did not."

A moment of silence.

"…So, what now?"

Nagato was about to answer me but is hindered by the sounds of slow footsteps and heavy breathing out on the hall. The footsteps stop, then the breathing that can be heard near the door got slower and slower until we see Ms. Asahina slowly stepping out from the corner to the center of the doorframe, facing us while wearing her staple smile as a greeting to us. Beads of sweat are rolling down her face that's gasping for air.

"I'm sorry for being late!" she said while suddenly bowing down like those Kung Fu masters when they wanna break wooden boards with their heads.

"It's alright, it's alright. Just come in. You want something to drink?"

"Just water's fine!"

"Ms. Asahina, please stop screaming."

I took a paper cup near the tea set. But as I was about to go to a nearby faucet down the hall, the cup I'm holding already had water in it. It's also rather cold. When Ms. Asahina saw this,

"So it is true…"

I turn to Nagato to explain to me what just happened.

"Sped up condensation and controlling the water's atomic movement."

Ms. Asahina takes the cup with water from the awe-struck me, holds it with two hands while looking at it.

"Is it clean?"

"Consideri─" before letting Nagato finish, Ms. Asahina downs the water.

"Phew…" the time traveler relieves. She places her right hand lightly at her throat. She was about ready to speak but…

"… Huh? What's the matter?"

I stared intently at Ms. Asahina's messy hair, probably the work of that pesky wind outside (and probably the fact the she ran to here.) What follows is what you would expect.

"Eeeekkkk!"

Flustered, she frantically digs her bag to find a hair tie or a scrunchie. Sadly, the only thing that she could use was a rubber band (which I'm guessing she got at the convenience store.) But if used right, it could cause some serious damage.

And so, with her hair all bundled up I had me a sick dose of heaven when I saw Ms. Asahina in a ponytail; an image so eye-catching even Ms. Yuki Nagato benevolently bequeaths some attention. I can always trust her to find the silver lining in every situation.

Now that the problem's taken care of, she can finally explain herself.

"I'm sorry I was late. My higher-ups wanted me to go back to the future because of what happened to you. When the meeting was done and I went back to this time period, I was still in my house so I ran as fast as I could. I met up with Koizumi along the way and he told me everything."

What did your boss tell you?

"I'm sorry" she said, "That's classified."─ A classic line dropped with a Ms. Asahina-styled wink and a finger on the mouth. It's a good life I lead…

Remembering the problem, "So anyway, Nagato, what happens now?"

"The situation is best approached with utmost caution" she said with a lifeless voice.

"We would like you to stay here until we can think of a possible solution."

Wait, can't you fix this?

"I cannot."

Now that surprised me. While we're having our conversation, Ms. Asahina busies herself with making some tea for us. And because Haruhi's probably not going to come anytime soon, no maid outfits for now.

"I am still under probation due to the events that transpired last December."

Still?

"Yes."

Even emergency mode?

"Emergency mode is one of the many abilities I am not allowed on activating."

"Those bastards…"

So back when Fujiwara kidnapped Haruhi, she still couldn't help us even if she wasn't sick. I slam the table with the side of my fist, not realizing Ms. Asahina was about to serve me some tea.

"Careful, Kyon. It almost spilled."

"Sorry, Miss Asahina…"

I take some sips from Ms. Asahina's fine tea and put it on the table. And as if the tea awakened my brain cells, a thought crossed my mind.

"Wait a minute; Koizumi said you altered the space time of the clubroom─ meaning you still have powers."

"That is correct. But the internal cognition system of my interface is not the same as it was before when I tried to recalibrate the world. It has since then been downgraded by the order of my superiors as punishment."

Ms. Asahina gives Nagato's tea while she speaks.

"To extract and to contain powers as immense as Haruhi Suzumiya's, specifications and preparations must be observed─ specifications I no longer acquire and preparations I can no longer make."

So that means; you really can't help me?

"I cannot…"

"Ms. Nagato…"

Ms. Asahina expressed her concerns to Nagato. We embraced the silence afterwards.

"I am sorry… about this."

That's the second time Nagato apologized to me today. It was subtle but I felt her spirit dwindled.

"But isn't this a very delicate situation? I'm, like, freaking omnipotent now. If they just let me be, I might destroy this planet!"

"The Data Integration Thought Entity does not involve itself with your planet, its people or what happens to it. Interfaces like me are only here to observe."

Well why don't I obliterate that Entity of yours so they know how much of a threat I really am?

"I don't think that's possible."

Ms. Asahina chimes into our conversation as she takes her seat beside me while looking at her phone.

"Koizumi just texted me, look:"

From: Koizumi

Subject: Kyon's Powers

Here's what we got so far with our research: Kyon's given powers are estimated to be only at 12038, well currently. But with the pace of its growth, I'm sure that even in one weeks' time it would be double the amount.

To give you an idea how much 12038 is, he can repeat the same events of one week, just like last summer. That's it for now.

-END-

I read it out loud for Nagato, though there's a chance she already knows this. After reading the text, I look towards her.

"How much will that hurt your Entity?"

"Barely."

Crap.

"Well if I still have my powers after 3 months, I'll mop the floor with them."

"U-Umm…" Ms. Asahina jitters, "We know the powers you have right now may just be small, but the fact that it can still grow is too dangerous to ignore."

Nagato carried the speech, "That is why, as stated before, we would like you to stay here; the safest place in the campus. If anything tries to hurt you, we would know where you are right away."

I start to wear a stressed face while allowing myself to be enveloped by the rustles the leaves outside make when hit by the wind. Actually, I'm not thinking hard about what to answer 'cause it's pretty obvious. I bring about this sudden silence for reasons that it felt necessary. The whole thing feels like I've been frozen on a glacier for a thousand years and the gods breathed life unto me once more, only to be riddled with the advancement of technology and achievements of mankind.

I take a glimpse at my company, Nagato only stared back but it seems I startled Ms. Asahina when I looked at her. When I was done "reflecting", I declare my conclusion:

"Alright, I'll skip the whole day and stay here" I said with a forced tone.

After a brief pause, Nagato says "…I s─"

"We're sorry for troubling you!"

Ms. Asahina blurts while doing a 45° bow. Nagato then looks at her. Our resident klutz senses Nagato's piercing gaze. When she returned a look to her while still bowing, Ms. Asahina immediately realizes what she has done. She hurriedly straightens her stance and turns to her while immediately saying "I'm so sorry!" with a bow for sincerity.


The Westminster chime makes them remember what time it is. When they've made their promise that they'll see me later, the pair makes their exit from the room, subjecting me to isolation.

But still, though… having my own powers…

The idea alone is making my basal ganglia emit smoke from processing all of the possibilities. Though Nagato said my powers are tantamount to stale bread compared to Haruhi's, 12038 still sounds pretty big, and will get bigger. It's already been established that I can sprint at record-breaking speed, but what else can I do? Could I lift 2 tons of weight? Could I belch fire? Could I breathe underwater? Could I draw rapid punches like my childhood hero Kenshiro?!

Wait a minute!

Could I… Could I turn invisible and sneak into the girl's locker room?

"!"

Sadly, before my creative smoke fluctuated into a blazing fire of enigmatic passion, Nagato bursts open the clubroom door:

"Do not make any fantasy-like simulations in your brain until we get back" she said, still with calm voice, while outside the hall standing symmetrically with the door frame. Strangely enough, it doesn't look like she used her hand to open the door.

"That's going be hard to follow."

"Bear with it."

After Nagato said what sounded like the introduction to adulthood, a worried reverb of a scream can be heard from down the hall:

"M-Ms. Nagato?! We're gonna be late, where did you go?"

Nagato answered Ms. Asahina's call of distress with her turning towards the stairs and steadily walking away from the room. The door slowly shuts automatically.


As of right now, I am facing the most challenging task any 8-year old has ever encountered in his or her life: trying to figure out how to pass the time for the whole day, alone.

I have no qualms about not going to class today but being left alone in a room while having my imagination constrained isn't really fair exchange. Using my powers is out of the question so my uncalled time for recreation would require some ingenuity. Let's see…

Maybe I could eat my lunch early? No, that's just going to make me fat. By 12 o'clock, I'll still crave to chew something. Um…

Shiritori? What am I thinking, that's just ridiculous!

The whole brainstorming only lasted for about 20 seconds. Wow, this sure is hard. I mean, if I really wanted to, I could make something to help me pass the time using my powers… No, I can't do that. Remember what Nagato said.

Letting my eyes wander around, I see Nagato's array of books, the only lasting proof that this was originally the Literature Club, stationed at the right side of the room. I'm really not much of a bookworm so I'll save that as a last resort. The box, branded by the title "Spoils of War" at its side, where the baseball equipment that was used last year currently resides also caught my attention. Maybe I'll find something in that to play around with.

The difficulty of finding something interesting to do is starting to get a little annoying. And the supposed "S.O.S. Brigade Activity Board" right in front of me isn't making me any better. This makeshift activity board gives off harrowing memories…


It was back in the 1st week of May, after the day of the Brigade's anniversary. Feeling the lack of any celebratory event to commemorate it, Haruhi finally gave the go signal to the anniversary party at the clubroom planned by myself. Maybe I should consider home invasion as a foolproof method of pushing my ideas to a person.

We had everything: a cake, hats, some balloons, a banner, we even bought some of those party poppers that we used when Haruhi arrived at the room to surprise her (like she didn't expect it already.) And guess whose party popper malfunctioned, accidentally popped it directly at Haruhi's face and now has a contusion on the cheek? (Clue: it's not Ms. Asahina.)

Before we ended the party and went home, Haruhi handed each of us markers and letter-sized papers. She told us to write our favorite activity that we did this past year.

"Don't be shy to pour your heart into it! You're welcome to use the backside too."

Leave it to Haruhi to make us write an essay after an extensive and energetic celebration. What's the purpose of these anyway?

"Other than posting it on our website, I'm thinking of putting them on the official S.O.S. Brigade Activity Board."

Which is…?

"Right there."

Haruhi pointed at the blackboard beside the bookshelves.

"That's an activity board?! That's just a blackboard with some pictures stuck on it. That's about as an activity board as a "smiley" being an accurate representation of what people's faces look like."

"I'm seeing more complaining and less writing Kyon. Because of that, I want you to write 3 paragraphs with 5 sentences each or we won't leave the campus."

Tyrannical and imposing; that's Haruhi alright. Everyone else was done already; I was the only one who wasn't. I grew envious on Ms. Asahina's work since hers didn't even have two paragraphs on it but apparently, it was okay.

Eventually, the security had to make us leave the vicinity of the school; all the while my essay still being incomplete.

"Unacceptable" Haruhi said while striding down the slope, "You better give me the finished version first thing in the morning, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah… Sure."

I gave Haruhi empty promises while I tried my best to walk my tired body, worn out from heavy thinking, home.


"Hmph."

I give a scoff to close off my reminiscing. Seeing as how I'm still not preoccupied, I rub my left cheek and decided to leave my seat. I refill my cup with the remaining tea Ms. Asahina made and start exploring the four corners of the S.O.S. Brigade.

Having brought it up, I go to the activity board to check what the rest of the Brigade's fondest memory in the yesteryear. And to answer your question: No, I still haven't finished mine.

For Koizumi, it was the summer retreat at the Tamaru mansion, written in slick characters with mildly sharp corners. Ms. Asahina's was the Christmas show that we put on for the kids back in December. Hers was written in kanji that's both elegant and adorable, as expected from a former Calligraphy Club member. She even said she enjoyed wearing the costumes, mine being the cutest. I think my heart just exploded.

Nagato's paper looks like it was printed with how clean and precise the spacing is between the characters. Hers is a little straightforward compared to Ms. Asahina and Koizumi; it was the first S.O.S. Brigade's search for mysterious phenomena, which is an understatement for me. Though she did add that the little tournament we had against the neighboring Computer Club comes close.

"Fond memories, huh…"


The fatigue-inspiring weather makes me belt out a yawn that rang in chorus with the leaves outside. I'm pretty sure that some students from the adjacent building have seen me by now. They're probably turning the sighting into an elaborate ghost story, or just talking about an odd North High student that is not attending classes and hanging out in the Old Building. I just hope they don't report me to the teachers.

The more I revolve myself around the table placed at the center of the room and search for any interesting things in the place I'm already well acquainted with, the more I realize what's really going on right now.

I've been placed in lockdown here at the S.O.S. Brigade clubroom.

Sure I see no bars and the "cell" doesn't look that depressing, but I think when they said "stay here and don't do anything until we get back," I was already a dog they've put on a leash.

Am I mad about it? A little, yeah. But like I said, this is the brand new me. And new me sees the bigger picture. Though no matter how much I act to be mature, the fact is I'm still a teenager. And I'm pretty sure it's a natural thing for youths to hate people who contain their freedom.

Haruhi's powers are a force to be reckoned with, I know that too well. And if I find my situation troubling, imagine what they would do to Haruhi once she figures out her powers. She'd probably be placed in a location more appalling than this. But I bet if it's the guys from Koizumi's group who manages her, they'd treat her like royalty. I mean she is kind of like a goddess to them.

If it ever comes down that, I'll fight with all I've got to set Haruhi free. Sure my powers might be long gone when that happens but I as long as I still got Nagato, Ms. Asahina and Koizumi, I'm sure we'll figure something out.


My voyage that consisted of walking around the room for numerous times bears fruit the sudden discovery of a deck of cards. Koizumi must've left it when we cleaned the room back at January. With this, I can finally partake in a quintessential game of Solitaire.

Playing for quite a while did a number on my time of confinement as I hear the second and third bell ring while playing. After 27 games (and 0 wins), I rummage through the aforementioned "Spoils of War" located at the top of the broom closet.

I find the tennis ball that Koizumi and I used to play catch outside once. I get a seat and started repeatedly bouncing it against the stagnant door. And for the record, the reason I'm not at the computer right now playing a video game and having the time of my life like any average high school boy is that outside of "The Day of the Sagittarius III" and its sequel, the top-of-the-line computer doesn't boast any other video games. Really makes you wonder why we still have it.

After doing it for a while, the whole activity felt rhythmic; I would throw the ball to the ground, it would bounce to the door and back to my hand.

Ground, door, hand…

Ground, door, hand…

Ground, door, hand…

Ground, door, hand…

Ground, door… hand?

After clenching my fist to ratify the absence of the ball in my hand, the door creaked. I didn't realize that I closed my eyes to, I guess, "get the feeling" of the accidental symphony I'm orchestrating. I lifted my eyelids and a figure of a high school girl with a bewildered look has opened the door. She must've wondered what's causing the thuds she heard. She recognizes my sexy face and the wrinkles in her forehead get more pronounced.

"What are you doing here?" said the girl, with some spunk in her tone.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Well I asked first so you answer first" the girl demanded. I should just tell her the truth. It'd be really pointless to lie to her.

"I'm skipping classes."

"Really…? Since when did you become such a delinquent?" Haruhi asks in a mock-ish manner.

"Since today actually."

"Oh?" she asked. "I could've used that attitude when we were recruiting members back in April."

After accepting my cryptic statement as nothing less than a fact, Her Outspoken Highness enters the room and feels it fitting to make me her company. It doesn't look like she'll be asking me what my reasons are anytime soon.

"I've been hearing some rumors about a 'Ghost Boy in the Old Building,' I didn't think it was you. The guys from the Newspaper Club are gonna be so disappointed."

What about you?

"I knew from the start it's just bogus nonsense. Take it from someone who's been following ghost stories all through her life. They'd have to do better than that to fool me!"

She probably cancelled all the 14 plans she had on her head the moment she knew it was me. No wait, if it's Haruhi, she'd probably just catch it with a giant bug net and hope for the best.

While going to her throne that is the seat at the computer vivaciously and with a smile to boot, she glances at the mess I made with the cards on the table. While doing so, I order:

"Okay, your turn."

Quickly lifting her head to me, she voices a sound of confusion:

"Huh?"

I rephrase, "Aren't you supposed to be in class or something?"

"Well…" Haruhi pushes her chair back, takes her seat and proceeds to put her feet at the top of the desk in front of her. Does she know where she's pointing the end of her skirt?

"!"

Apparently she does, as Haruhi stops her final leg (her right one) midway from her desk and slams the both of her feet on the floor. The irk look and the blush across her cheeks beautifully contrasts each other as both her hands are now pulling her skirt down. When settled, she clears her throat and proclaims modestly like nothing happened earlier,

"We're currently having a long seatwork; History."

She starts to stretch her hands and back while talking, making her speak words with highlighted intonations and some soft moans.

"I finished early and wanted… to powder my nose so I excused myself out of the room. While out *mhmm* I figured 'Hey, why don't I investigate on that boy who got "speared" from the back at the school entrance?' so… I went around and now I'm here."

And in true Haruhi fashion, she just nonchalantly informed me about her loitering around the campus during class hours. I guess I'm not one to talk. And to add: the place was quiet enough to hear Haruhi's cracking body all the way to where I'm sitting, although only a vague amount.

"So that's the one that got you interested."

After making a long stretch with her back, "Yeah, it's way better than 'ghost boy'. I like how North High's finally getting more interesting!"

Basing from how she's leisurely chatting with me about that incident, I can deduce that Haruhi doesn't know I'm the guy that was tackled and that Nagato was the one who tackled me─ which means North High's very own "Ultra Detective" never got far with the mystery.

Now hold on there, that's not possible. Last I recall, our names and faces are infamous throughout the campus─ thanks to our boisterous leader. Even if we say that the people who saw Nagato crash into me are mostly freshmen, they'd still recognize us and see that we live up to our reputation. Was it Nagato, was it Koizumi, or has the chain of gossip in North High gone weak?

When she felt her muscles are already relaxed, she points her chair slightly away from me, leans her back to her makeshift reclining office chair, straighten her legs, and put her hands at the back of her head for support.

"Anyway, I passed by all the Brigade members' classrooms on my way here and I only saw Nagato present. What's up with that?" she asked while tilting her face with one eye shut towards me.

"Beats me."

And in case you missed it, the golden rule of keeping the world from utter destruction is I wasn't allowed to tell Haruhi the many exploits I've been having ever since I became associated with her, including this. I tried to actually leak to her my secret life but I was met with outright rejection.

I stand up to get the ball Haruhi ricocheted somewhere. After finding it, I shuffle back to my seat. As I was about I turn back to the direction my seat and continue making the tennis ball kiss the floor and the wood that makes the door,

"You drank tea?"

Stopping me midway, my attention goes back to her. Haruhi saw the cup that I just drank tea with, intriguing her.

"Yeah, M─", remembering the predicament, "I-I mean, I brewed some. I'll get you a cup if you want."

After wondering why my tongue slipped, "No thanks" she opposed, while slowly averting her gaze from me and turning to the blackboard, "I tasted sewer water better than your tea."

"You tasted sewer water?"

Her eyes widens after she heard her dis backfired.

"Idiot…" she whispered, her head stoops whilst closing her eyes and curling her forehead.

A brief pause takes place as Haruhi swallows her defeat. She reverts back to looking at the board where the supposed "Bulletin Board" is, which led to her scanning the whole flat like she's a tourist letting the view sink into her. A deep breath can be heard while she's doing this. Nothing wrong with taking a little trip down memory lane I suppose.

The leaves outside felt responsible for the loss of any noise so they make up for it when a gust of wind flows past them, making them rattle once more. This only further set the mood of tranquility as Haruhi once again pops a question that wouldn't put anyone but me on the hot seat:

"Kyon, what do you think of the S.O.S. Brigade?"

The ball flung elsewhere. Just when I was about to get back to it…

"C-Come again?"

"The S.O.S. Brigade: What is it to you?"

I can feel loads of sweat just flowing out of my head.

"L-look, if this is because of my unfinished essay for the activity board, then I'll give it to you tomorrow, honest!"

"It's not about that, just answer the question."

Curse you, peaceful sounds of nature! Without a doubt, this is more than just a mindless question she threw at me. And knowing the circumstances, I have to be careful with the answer I'm about to say.

"I, uh..." Come on, prefrontal cortex, don't fail me now! "It's… a place where I get to hang out with Ms. Asahina and Nagato?"

Haruhi's faith in me giving a decent answer escapes her.

"Anything else?" she asked with spite.

"Well, I…" tension levels are now through the roof, "I-It's a club that makes me feel like a superhero?"

WHAT?!

Of course, the discombobulated look on her face is understandable. Right now, being buried 32 feet under with wet cement would be an act of mercy. I can see my soul now crossing the Sanzu River…

However in an unusual turn of events, her demented mug later transforms into a face imbued with pity and happiness. Her loud exhale through the nose rocks her head by a centimeter, probably holding her little laughter. Does that mean…

"5 points."

Success, a favored answer!

With a look of satisfaction, Haruhi checks the time with her new watch.

"Shoot, class is almost over! I better go."

Her easygoing body gets up and makes a run for the door. But before she goes,

"Haruhi."

"What?"

"How's that new watch treating you?" I asked with an underlying flair.

"Terrible. I'm always itching to take it off when I reach home. And also, poor choice for the laces; I don't think orange is really my color."

…Seriously?

"But I guess I like it enough." She showed me a determined smile, "Because this way, I get to count every second you waste whenever you're late for any of our historic activities!"

Typical. But somehow, I don't feel mad.

"Which reminds me, are you gonna attend my special tutorial class at the end of the day?"

Probably no.

"Oh, I see… You'll also not attend the club meeting today?"

That is correct.

Haruhi is now looking down at me from her left side while her right hand is on the doorframe. She then gives me a smug face, followed by,

"This is the part where I'm supposed to be impressed and say 'Wow, what a rebel', right?"

I'm living on the edge, baby.

"Hmph, then I guess there won't be any club meetings today. The other guys wouldn't be around anyway."

I guess so.

"I'll allow this charade no other day than today. Alright then, see ya!"

She bids farewell with an energetic tone. When she was about to turn,

"And don't call me 'baby' ever again."

"Sure thing…"


After Haruhi broke the sound barrier when she headed for our classroom, I stand up to once again recover the lost tennis ball and close the door that escaped our leader's laid back sensibilities. When I got to the door, I bump into Nagato as she was about to enter the clubroom. This led to me taking a few steps back.

"S-Sorry about that, Nagato."

"…"

With Nagato's height, I'm forced to look down being this close to her. In doing so, I notice her holding a packed grilled noodles in a bun from the nearby store at her right hand and a concrete block-esque book at her left. And seeing how the fourth bell just chimed:

"Are you gonna eat lunch right here?"

Nagato looks up to me like a choreographed robot dance.

"No…,"

She puts out her right hand to me,

"It's for you."

Oh.

"I, uh…"

I actually have some food from home made by my mom but I'd be kinda insensitive rejecting Nagato's offer after she's gone out of her way. So instead, I shyly said:

"…Y-You gotta drink?"

Those dark-colored eyes that seemed like it was fished out from the depths of the sea serve as Nagato's answer to my question. With a quick blink, she starts gliding away to the stairs.

"No Nagato, wait."

She stops.

"…"

"…Turn back here."

She did so. After putting the ball I had in my hand at the table inside, I flicked my wrists away from me and presented both my palms and their backs to Nagato, free of holding anything as she watches with an unchanging face. After I declare "One, two, three", I swipe my left hand in front of my right hand and lo and behold, a barley tea drink, bottled, appears in my hand out of thin air.

Her face didn't even flinch (tough crowd.) Perhaps I'll get a reaction if I try to close my act with a catchy phrase.

"GREAT DISTORTIO─"

Finally, Nagato responds to my magnificent act─ by transferring the bread into her left hand and giving me a haymaker of a punch to the stomach, dropping the drink.

"Stop using your powers" she said with a programmed-like voice.

"Roger… that..." I said like a person who spent his evening screaming at a concert.

Despite this, she helps me get up after I lay down to the floor and was left tormented. Nagato gets the drink and joins me to returning to my detention room, me crippling my way in of course.


So here I am, blessed with powers of unknown limits besides whatever 12038 caps and I've only used it three times, two of which was making beverages. This is turning out to be less of a gift and more of a curse.

I keep staring at Nagato to guilt-trip her as I hug my own belly while sitting. And yes, she hasn't done anything about her punch to me earlier. This is probably revenge for not listening to her. Scratch that, this is definitely because of it.

"How am I going to eat the food you bought for me like this?"

"Chew, then swallow."

And as to compliment that savage line, she turns the page as loud as possible. I can feel that thunderous rustle slit my skin as she said that.

The pain eventually leaves my body and I start to eat the bread Nagato gave me. In every bite I would take I would open my mouth so wide and make it a point that every chew has to have as much noise as possible, like an animal gnawing tough meat.

This reckless abandonment of everything you shouldn't do while eating is all part of my cunning plan of making Nagato uncomfortable (assuming she knows that feeling) and submitting her to talk to me. But my efforts appear to be for naught as Nagato ignores this, which I'm not all that surprised.

The exaggerated munching tactic is not making any effect so I figured it's time I rely on my wits to break the silence.

"You know, Nagato, not talking to me will influence my imagination to break free again." I said as I wipe a string of noodle that got on my cheek.

"Shall I hit you then?" ever so blunt, Nagato hits me with a crisp question while still reading her book, as if politeness is the least of her worries. Her sheer response made me choke on my food so I had to wash it down with the barley tea.

"NO. *cough* No, no… *coughs* Why don't we just have a chat?"

After a pause, she closes her book and pans her head to me, signaling a truce.

"What will we be talking about?"

I move my seat closer to her.

"Um…"

Giving the cogs inside my head a little grease, a topic pops up. And with a snap of my finger, I fired away at Nagato.

"You know that book you recommended to me? I just finished it."

"Oh…"

Deadpan as always, Nagato gave her stifling response. But I think the tension's lighting up a bit because I sense a tiny fraction of interest coming from her direction. I don't know; the MSG from those noodles might be getting the better of me.

Here's the anecdote: a few months ago, I asked Nagato if she could lend me a book that I can read. Call it spontaneity. She then browsed her "little" collection that she has in the clubroom. And after 10+ meticulous minutes, she finally made up her mind by handing me a story about a young boy and a young girl who met and fell in love; a far cry from what Nagato usually reads.

"Yeah, it's still at home so I can't give it back to you today. I'm sorry."

"How was it?"

She asks briskly the moment I finished apologizing to her. Excited, are we?

"Well for one thing, the story's a lot simpler than what you've given me from the past. But I do have some issues with the guy. He was so dense the book formed a gravitational field; dust from my room started revolving around the darn thing."

"The book was written by Tetsuroku Hasano in 1967; a time when the Gre…"

As if she didn't even hear me, Nagato proceeds to tell the plot of the book, along with its facts, in great detail while I metamorphose into a sponge; trying to get an idea of her explanation that, to me, sounds more like an incantation to some arcane magic. Was it naïve of me to think I could have a normal chat with Nagato?

From the bits and pieces that I do pick up, her interpretation of the story sounds very different to mine because she introduces out-of-left-field things like Freud's school of psychology, Japan's agricultural market from the '60s, and ancient Egypt's idea of afterlife─ from a story about young adult romance need I remind you. It brings up the question of whether or not Nagato is having a bad case of "Sasakîtis." But the main distinction is: Sasaki's soliloquies build up and have a point by the end, Nagato's seems like she makes them up as she goes.

Fifteen minutes into listening her giving me a crash course of a seemingly innocent book, my conscience bailed as my aching brain decided that it's time to take a rest─ with the lesson to never talk about books with Nagato ever again.


I wake up from my afternoon siesta. The maroon-shaded clubroom tells me it's already evening. Nagato enters my eyesight in her usual place while (surprise, surprise) reading a book. It's hard to figure out whether or not she ever left when lunch break ended.

An announcement for the remaining students on their club activities can be heard from the neighboring building. This prompted our book enthusiast club member to stop reading and pay her attention to the sound outside. When it ended, Nagato closes her book─ which any S.O.S. Brigade member knows is our closing anthem in any, or lack thereof, meetings that we hold inside this room.

Leaving the campus, I knew already that being blessed by Ms. Asahina's euphoric aura or seeing Koizumi wasn't a feasible thing, but I would've thought that I would bump into Haruhi even if it's this late. I would've asked if there were any assignments that were given today, any upcoming tests, just anything about class. I know that me being studious is some "blue moon" event but it happens. I mean, if it interests me.

I take my body home by instinct as I place my mind deep in thought. Not paying attention to the road wasn't a problem as I've already mapped out the crosses and the traffic lights en route to my house. As long as nothing unusual happens, I should be fine. Speaking of unusual…

"…"

It's been minutes now since we've passed the usual corner that I part with Nagato but she's still walking behind me, straight-faced and tight-lipped. The plan was I walk her to the corner, say "see you tomorrow," and then ride my bike the rest of the way. I feel like I'm being followed by a daring stalker.

"Uh…, Nagato?"

"Yes?"

"…What are you doing?"

"Escorting you."

We talk while we carry on our march to my home. I remember a similar commute like this, it was also awkward but in a more innocent way. And before you ask, she denied riding at the back of my bike so I really have to walk.

"I understand all the uptightness but this is just too much."

"Having the capability to manipulate data however you wish automatically makes you a target of multiple factions from across the uni─"

"I know. I get that, but still…"

There was a quick moment of silence that was only filled by the sound of the soles my shoes make when hitting the concrete. Nagato's didn't because she walks as light as a feather.

"I am sorry that this is all I can do right now…"

I stopped, and turned around to see a Nagato that has her face looking down with a distance that's farther than I originally thought.

Not much can be seen but I saw bitterness in those dark brown eyes. I sigh in despair.

"Fine, do as you like."

She starts looking up my way again with no change on her expression.

"Right."

We continue walking.

"I guess since you're on a roll, you'd also like to spend the night with us, right?"

"May I?"

"No."

Imagine what my whole family would feel if I brought a girl home with me, and so suddenly at that. It was fine when it was Ms. Asahina and Sasaki but Nagato actually wants to sleep in my house─ although my parents met her already, having been there with the rest of the Brigade last summer. I owe a lot to Nagato and she does have good intentions…

"Look, Nagato…"

I just can't do it.

"Walking me to my house was generous of you but I think sleeping in my place would be overdoing it."

Once more, I stop walking to turn around and look at her. She stopped too as a response. I narrowed the space between us by taking a step. The street lights that are just turning on along with the intermittent headlights that pass us piqued the sparkle in her eyes and highlighted strands of her hair. As a speeding car fly past us, I grab her shoulders and give her my solemn promise:

"I'll keep my thoughts in bay."

"You said that this morning" she denounced.

"Well this time I mean it."

Nagato looks up to me, she must've doubted the sincerity of my words. Her distant eyes lock with mine, making sure I don't betray her trust again.

"I will see you tomorrow."

Those were the words that escaped from her soft lips. She never was a good talker. And yet, nobody can say "Yes" or "I see" quite like her.

Her knee-sock-wearing legs begin walking to the direction of her apartment, and her small figure became smaller and smaller in my vision. But not long, she stops. With no rush, she turns back to me and said a little parting gift for my forgetful head,

"Book."

"Sure…"

And thus, we went our separate ways; me in the hopes that my long day will finally be over.

…What, can't a guy sprinkle a little romance in his life? It was the book dude!


I greeted the interior of my house with a loud exhale before shouting "I'm home!" My sister, who opened the door, stands on my right side.

"Wow… You look so tired I can almost see wrinkles on your face."

"Good evening to you too."

She lets out a giggle, "Food's ready. Mommy and Daddy are waiting for you in the dining room."

I need not my sister's confirmation when its alluring smell is the first thing that enters my five senses the moment I stepped inside our abode. Tonight's dinner brandished a succulent amount of beef at the table. I ought to ask "What's the occasion" but alas I never bothered and just continued stuffing my face with meat. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

To me, this timely banquet is the reward for the tribulations that I faced this day. By no other means than coincidence, my parents and I were at the same page. Or maybe… it's the work of my powers.

That moment of clarity gave me mixed thoughts about it. On the one hand, I'm glad it's not a drink anymore. I mean, it's food but it's been, by far, the best thing I've done with my powers (me being the judge of course). On the other hand, I just flat-out lied to Nagato yet again─ in a matter of minutes to add insult to injury. I wouldn't be surprised if she's outside my house right now insisting to come over. Actually…

I get up and move one of my curtains aside so I can check but Nagato's small figure is nowhere to be seen.

"Huh, strange…"

I shrug my shoulders then return my worn out body to my bed. Just so we're clear, I am now in my room. I just finished washing myself and currently preparing for 8 hours of pure bliss. But I bet there are three to seven agents from Koizumi's blazing circus group hiding from the shadows outside my house in case any freak gets the smart idea of kidnapping me. It's a little unnerving to have eyes now in constant state of prying onto my daily life but I guess it's necessary. I can't think of anything else the Organization would do after what happened last month.

I frown upon the idea of anybody being taken hostage but let's say, for the sake of argument, I did get nabbed; how demeaning would it be that in the short list of guys that can be kidnapped in the S.O.S. Brigade (the number is "two"), I turn out to be the first male to be tied onto a chair, left alone and helpless in an old warehouse with a single dangling light bulb on? I think I watch too many shows on TV.

"Sigh…"

Having Haruhi's powers does take a lot out from you. And I'm even doing anything, I'm just thinking about it. It's at a point where being put in "cryostasis" inside one of those huge tubes doesn't look so bad right now. I mean I don't have to worry about the heat (in fact, I'd be frozen) and I wake up in the future, what's not to love? But after remembering that I hold within me the powers that can make that come true at any moment, I made a barrage of thoughts bluntly saying "Not gonna happen, not gonna happen, not gonna happen…"

Clocking in past 9 o'clock, I realized that sleeping in this night will have some struggles. I did sleep in a considerable amount earlier. I almost feel bad for not borrowing a difficult book from Nagato for problems like this. I might not even need to reach the second chapter to get my doze on.

Why do we even need sleep? (I see the irony of this question but I digress) If it's to rest the body then it's nothing a simple sit on a chair or a lie in a bed can't fix. What I mean is: Why is it a necessity for us to shut down our consciousness to really get some rest? Is it the dreams? I doubt it. Keep in mind, there are times when we don't get to have dreams because the brain's too tired, but it doesn't totally shut down.

In my opinion, it is for situations such as this. We encounter problems throughout the day, even the most trivial ones. And as we all know, trying to solve those would mean we'd have to think about them, equating more work for the brain.

Now I'm no doctor, but I think sleep exists so that the brain can secure itself that you wouldn't be tempted to think about problems while you're, say resting your head on a table or lying on top of a bed and blankly staring at the ceiling. Sleep is literally the epitome of serenity.

I think it's normal to ponder about things that you wouldn't normally do at late hours because we unconsciously want to solve things. So even if you classify any problem that you think is not important, the mind wouldn't care because it's desperate to keep itself busy. That one time when you were twelve and you entered the wrong classroom but didn't notice until they started the roll call is now stuck in your head until you get tired or until you think about a more daunting problem. I might have just realized the perks of not keeping in touch with a lot of people from my middle school.


After I dissected a topic that comes as common sense to most people and see that I'm still up and about, I went down to my kitchen to drink some warm milk. With past experiences backing it up, it should prove to be effective. I drank it bottoms up and fatigue, my old friend, starts creeping up to me. I took my time climbing the stairs as my body weight shifted from one leg to the other. I lie down in my comfortable bed to let its coziness embrace me and whisper a word to wrap up my evening:

"Finally…"

...

...

.