(I apologize for the wait... I thought it was going longer Hiatus, but fortunately, I got back on track a few days later...)
The Realization of Haruhi Suzumiya
Original Author: Tanigawa Nagaru
Fan Fiction Author: NagatoYuuki13
Chapter 3
Haruhi jerked up and turned violently. She was silent while staring at me.
"…What did you just say?" That hit the spot. She stomped towards me angrily. "Tell me what you just said…!" She grabbed my collar. Okay maybe I should have been more subtle about saying that name.
"John Smith." I repeated.
Haruhi tugged me close to her face, nose to nose. At least it's not Koizumi. "How do you know that name? Who told you?"
"Calm down and I'll tell you! Now let go!" She looked surprised that she was up to my face.
"Okay, but you better explain yourself."
I sighed in relief. "I'll be glad to. Now take a seat and take that look off your face. It's a bit disturbing for me to explain something when you're looking at me like I'm some type of criminal."
We sat down on the bench and I started to slowly explain everything as if Haruhi was just a four year old child being lectured by her parents how to speak. Well, not exactly like that, but you know what I mean. I told her about the incident about the Tanabata five years ago and how she blackmailed me to do the writing for her. I also told her that she was surprised that it was for Hikoboshi and Orihime. Then I told her about how she asked me if I believed in Aliens, Time Travelers, Espers, and Sliders, and how she left without thanking me after that. Lastly, I told her the last thing I shouted to her.
She looked more excited than the time she created the SOS club, but she also looked like she's suspecting something.
"How did you know all of this? Who told you? Was it John? Where is he? Is he a friend of yours? What is he doing now?" A machine gun barrel of questions.
"I told you! I am John Smith!"
"I'm not that stupid Kyon! John appeared before me as a freshman in North High! There's no way that he could be you since your still at school."
Actually, you are being stupid…
"Shut up! Do you have any proof that you are the John Smith that I know?"
Well… no…
"Exactly! Now tell me-!" Before she can finish her statement, something rustled in the bushes. Haruhi and I stood up. "Who's there?" A person stood up. Actually, let me rephrase that. An elegant looking woman with a female professor outfit suddenly popped out in the scene. Her hair shone through the dark atmosphere of Haruhi's frustration.
"Ah, hello there." The beautiful woman bowed and walked her way to the concrete pathway. "It's been a while, Ms. Suzumiya. Well at least for me it is." She smiled.
"Ah… Eh…?" Haruhi looked confused.
"Well, Haruhi? How is this as proof?" I said proudly. Yeah, I think you guessed who it was. Asahina Mikuru, the one further down the future, appeared in the scene.
"Mikuru-chan?!" Haruhi exclaimed. "What the… Whoa!" Is there anything else you can say? "How, is this…? What the… Kyon explain this!"
What are you being surprised for? I told you a year ago that Ms. Asahina was a time traveler, didn't I?
"Yeah, but…"
You didn't believe me, I know. You aren't exactly the person that I could get my ideas through easily.
"… I still am hesitant that that is Mikuru-chan! I mean, look at her boobs! They're like atomic bombs compared to our Mikuru-chan!" Again, don't say that! "How do I know you're telling the truth?"
I thought you were going to be more accepting in all the mysteries that we encounter.
"I also told you that things like aliens, time travelers, and espers are ultra rare! I can't go believing things like that just by looking at it. That's thanks to Koizumi's mind games. "She took a deep breath. "Anyway, I will say this again. I will not believe that that is Mikuru-chan!"
Damn, she's as hard headed as they come… I turned to Ms. Asahina (big). "What do we do now?"
She winked. "Don't worry. I have a back-up plan." She turned to Haruhi. "Ms. Suzumiya, can you come here for a moment, I have something to show you." Haruhi walked hesitantly. What harm could she possibly do to you? "Come this way please." We followed her and ended up under the small bridge. Apparently the something that Ms. Asahina (big) wanted to show us wasn't a thing. It was a someone.
"Wh-what the hell is Mikuru-chan doing sleeping under here?" Haruhi shouted in surprised. I was surprised myself. I didn't exactly expect this to be her back-up plan to convince Haruhi. "Did you abduct her? Tell me!"
"Please relax. This child you are seeing is the me from last night. She will be awake very soon, so please excuse me for a moment."
"Eh?" Before Haruhi could grab her, Ms. Asahina (big) disappeared in our sight. "… Kyon, what just happened?"
"I told you she was a time traveler didn't I?"
"Yeah, but…" Haruhi changed her irritated face to an excited one. "This is so cool!"
Finally…
"I can't believe it! So that was really Mikuru-chan? Is there anyone else like her?"
"Calm down, Haruhi. Let me talk first about everything else."
Suddenly, the sleeping beauty awoken from her slumber. "Eh…? EHH!?" She screamed. "W-where am I? W-what am I doing here?" She looked up. "M-Ms. Suzumiya! K-Kyon! W-why am I here? What time is it right now?" She was almost crying out of confusion.
"Mikuru-chan~" Haruhi said in her dirty old man's voice. "I can't believe that you were hiding this secret from me… Fufu…"
Haruhi was going to pounce on her, but I got the collar on the back of her neck. "Before you do anything to Ms. Asahina, do you believe me now?"
She looked at me furiously. "Somewhat, now let me go!"
"Ah…" Ms. Asahina fainted.
"Oi, Mikuru-chan!" Haruhi forcibly made me let go, and attempted to wake up Ms. Asahina (small), but she disappeared from our sight. "Where did she go…?!"
"That child has been sent back to her original time plain approximately ten hours from now." Ms. Asahina (big) said behind us, which almost scared our souls out of our bodies.
"Wha!" Haruhi and I screamed at the same time, almost synchronized.
"Mikuru-chan! Don't scare us like that~." Haruhi sounded like a whining four year old kid who just got scared by a person who is dressed as a ghost that appeared in the dark. Her face suddenly brightened. Here come the questions… "Wow Mikuru-chan! You really are a time traveler!" She states the obvious. Although I thought that wasn't enough proof to prove herself, I'm relieved that Haruhi finally believed that she was a time traveler. "What is the future like? Are there others that I know that's like you? Who are they? Why are you here? Do you get married?" Whoa! Getting personal here…
"Married?" Ms. Asahina blushed for a second then bowed. "Sorry, but all but one are classified information for the moment." She raised her head, sticking her tongue out. Oh, how the bells ring in my head when I see that cute face of hers, especially as an adult. "But now I will tell you what my objective today is." She started to back to the main path. Haruhi enthusiastically followed while my hand was grabbled and being dragged. We sat down the nearby bench.
How nostalgic… This reminds me when Ms. Asahina first revealed herself as a time traveler. Oh how the years pass by…
"So, Mikuru-chan…" Haruhi started. "Tell us what you are here for! Are you here to fight evil syndicates that are trying to change the future?" She hit the nail right on the head.
Ms. Asahina smiled. "Something like that… Let see…" She paused. "I can't exactly tell you details since it's classified, but my main objective was to show you a proof that Kyon is telling the truth."
"What do you have to do with anything with Kyon trying to prove himself as the person that helped me five years ago?"
I forgot to tell her about that.
"Let me tell you further what happened that day. The Mikuru from this period time-travelled with Kyon about two years ago due to an order that was sent by our superiors, which was to send Kyon back three years ago. Now, I was the one that told him indirectly to go towards a certain direction, eventually meeting with you." And her blackmailing me… "In the end, he introduces himself as John Smith to cover his identity due to the fact that you didn't know him very well when you two entered high school."
Silence. Then Haruhi turned to me, giving me a glare. "Kyon…"
"Um… What is it?"
"Why didn't you tell me that you went time-travelling!?" She shouted. She suddenly stood up, pointing at me. "As a founding member of the SOS Brigade, you should inform your leader in every activities that you do, or if you find anything mysterious! You should be ashamed!" Who said I was a founding member? And what is there to ashamed about?
"That's just the point! I couldn't tell you!" I tried to make it clear as possible, but Haruhi ignored my comments.
"Um…" Ms. Asahina (big) cutely interrupted by raising her index finger slowly. "Can we get back on the topic?" I didn't know that she was still this shy. She seemed more serious the last times I saw her. We both sat down. "Okay… Now that we have covered the basics, I will ask this question."
"Sure, what is it?" Haruhi said.
"Do you now believe that Kyon is John Smith?"
"Yeah! Definitely! I'm disappointed that I didn't know this sooner, though…" She turned her disappointed look to me. Blame that to yourself. Not me.
Ms. Asahina sighed in relief. "I'm glad! Now that my job is done. Though…" She paused. "I advise you to be careful of your decisions… I have already told Kyon that the future is changing, but because of this information that I have given you, our superiors are probably having a hard time organizing everything…"
"Why?"
"Although, this was supposed to be classified information, I will tell you that you, Ms. Suzumiya, was not supposed to learn about this."
"…What? Then why did you tell us?"
"Well, most of our superiors voted to make you aware of this, but I was worried it might affect their current status negatively…" She looked worried now. "But there is hope about this so I decided to go through it." She looked at me. "Kyon, although the chances go against it, you are the one going to be responsible for everything that is to happen." She slowly stood up.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I cannot tell you… I'm sorry…" She paused. "Oh, I almost forgot! Ms. Suzumiya, please help Kyon. You are not a regular human being. You will definitely help save this world's future." She bowed. "Please, excuse me." She vanished the next moment we blinked.
"… What did she mean by that…?" Haruhi said. She was just looking enthusiastic a few moments ago. Now she looks like a person carrying a huge burden as huge as the sky on her shoulder. Heck. I'm the one that's supposed to look like that.
"Hey Haruhi…" I called.
"Let's go… Let's talk about his later…"
I don't know why, but I went with it. I got the weirdest feeling that she will do the same thing if I look like that. In a few moments, arrived at our usual spots. With the sunset lights hitting them, the whole crew was smiling towards us.
Once everyone broke off, Koizumi and Asakura came with me.
"Ms. Suzumiya seems confused." Koizumi started. "Was there anything that happened?"
"I just told her something that excited her. She's just probably thinking about it." I replied.
"Are you talking about your meeting with Ms. Asahina, or to be more specific, the one from the future?"
I stopped walking in surprise. "How did you know about that?"
He smiled along with Asakura. "We were spying, of course." Again, it's not called spying once you reveal yourself. Wait… Is spying on others a fad these days? Because I'm starting to notice it. "But anyway, about Ms. Suzumiya. We are now fully aware that you told her about the incident five years ago. Also, we also learned that you are trying to save this girl named Yuki Nagato."
So far so good… So?
"Don't you think all this effort to save this girl from the Integrated Data Thought Entity will end up fruitless?" he said. "Even if Ms. Suzumiya has the power to change the world, no universe, the Integrated Data Thought Entity could do the same thing."
… So are you expecting me to stay here and just twiddle my thumbs and watch my friend, no our friend get executed for no good reason?
"It's not that. I'm just trying to elaborate your reasoning for this matter." He said with his normal expressions.
"I am stating my reason." I pointed at Asakura. "She saved my life, twice, from the hands of the that girl! She was the one who had helped us in silence even though we weren't aware of it! Is that not enough reason?!" I found myself shouting now.
Silence. Then…
"My, Kyon… I didn't think you would dedicate yourself this much for Ms. Nagato." He calmly said. Wait…
"Wait… Did you just say 'Ms. Nagato'?" I said.
"Yes… I'm sorry for the cause of the slight frustration. I am all aware of everything that is going on. Ms. Nagato's disappearance from Earth and memories, about the future changing without her, and how you are going to impact everything based on your decisions."
How…?
"I was also aware that Ms. Asakura here is a humanoid interface and was aware of everything that I didn't know before you said the name 'Nagato Yuki.' Then I asked her who she was, and she, in normal terms, hacked my memories and made me remember everything."
Then what was the purpose of questioning me for?
"I told you didn't I? I was just trying to elaborate more on your reasoning; to see how much you were dedicated to saving Ms. Nagato. Now… I am quite intrigued about one thing…"
Yeah? What is that?
"Why bring Ms. Suzumiya into this?"
"That's stating the obvious isn't it? You said it yourself just few minutes ago. She has the power to change everything and anything."
"Yeah… That is true, but…" Is it just me, or is he starting to glow? "How if Ms. Suzumiya is harmed in the process of saving her, what would you do?" I couldn't reply to that. "Answer me!" This a bit out of character. His smiling face faded completely into a deadly one. Seriously, is he really glowing?
"Kyon-kun." Asakura suddenly said. "I would advise you to look around." I took her word and looked around.
…What the…? Are you serious? I thought these only pop up when Haruhi's unstable? Gray skies and surroundings. No one in it besides us. This is definitely…
"A sealed reality." Asakura finished my thoughts.
"Ms. Suzumiya is unstable. It's because of what you told her just recently." He took a step forward towards me. "I will take this opportunity to question you." He grabbed my collar. "What would you do if Ms. Suzumiya is harmed?"
In the next second, I left the ground. No really, I did. Koizumi threw me up the air, almost as high as the highest building around here. I didn't know he was this strong… Wait! Crap! I totally forgot about Koizumi's powers.
He appeared in front of me, being surrounded by a red light. "Answer me!" He shouted again. He threw a straight punch to my abdomen, which I barely blocked. Wait, I blocked it? Ah never mind that! I was sent falling anyway! Damn it! I wish Nagato was here to explain everything right now!
… Wait no… That's not right… It's not right for me to ask for her help every time. Being an omnipotent goddess as she is, she might had been tired of all of that. This time I'll protect myself… But how!?
The ground was closing in… At this rate, my body will splatter on the ground… Damn…
… Huh? I thought I hit the ground, but for some reason I didn't… Why?
"I will help you." Said someone's voice in my head… I completely forgot… "Just think of what you want to happen, and manipulation will be engaged." I owe you again, Nagato. Just about one centimeter from the ground, I was floating. I have transformed to frenzy mode. Again, don't ask. I just came up with it.
"Oh yeah?" Koizumi said, appearing in front of me in a speed of light. "Ms. Nagato's powers I presume?"
"Yeah." I pointed at him. "Sorry, Koizumi. But it seems like it will take some time to think."
"I see… Well then, let me destroy you!" Wait what? He charged at me. I barely dodged, but he cut through my shirt cleanly. Shit! That was too close.
"Koizumi! Listen to me!"
He appeared at least fifty feet above me. "If you have time to speak, think of your reason why I should trust you!" He started coming down like a falling star. In fact that's what he called it. "Falling star!" I sidestep about thirty feet away from the impact, which was barely the distance I should be in. Dust and rocks flew over me, as smoke filled up the impact site.
"… you're serious aren't you, Koizumi?"
"Quite." He said behind me. Shit! When did he appear here? He put his palms right next to his waist. "Lighting palms…" He hit my back full-on. Damn! That hurt! If I didn't have Nagato's powers with me, I'm dead. I crashed on a stop light, completely dislocating it from its' post and crashing into the building next to it. Did the lightning god like help him or something?
"I'm not done!" He shouted. "Second Raid!" Suddenly a glowing red object raced towards me. The second it appeared in my sight, I punched it full on. I can't believe that actually repelled it. But in turn everything around me started to crumble. I sidestep every falling concrete and successfully made it next to Asakura.
"You did this to Koizumi didn't you?"
"So what if I did?" That line made me go over my limit of anger and tried to punch her in the back of the head. Suddenly…
"Do not involve her in this." Koizumi was grabbing my hand, floating above Asakura's head, looking like a lion ready to pounce on his prey. Again, he threw me toward our normal spot, making it crumble.
"Come on, Koizumi… You're not understanding the situation!"
"What part exactly am I not understanding!?" He shouted back. "You are risking Ms. Suzumiya's, our goddess', life just to save a girl! Don't you also think of her as your friend?!" He raised his hand and appeared a large lighting spear. "Do you!?" He threw the spear violently as he shouted fiercely. "God's Anger!"
As soon as it was about to touch my face, I said one word. "Disappear." I couldn't believe I just said that calmly. Or maybe that wasn't me, but moving on. The spear never reached me as it was just vanishing in thin air.
"What?" Koizumi said in panic. He raised his hand and appeared thunder clouds in the sky. "Destruction!" He violently threw his arm down like a judge ordering the court to be quiet or someone violently objecting to someone.
"It's no use Koizumi…" I calmly said. The lightning strikes were about an inch reaching me, then vanished. "Listen…" Why am I so calm? I took another step forward, but instead of moving three feet, I moved more like thirty feet, appearing in front of him. I grabbed his shoulders. "I promise to protect Haruhi when the time comes okay? I don't care whoever stands in my way, I will protect her and anyone that comes with me, even if it costs my life! I really just want to save Nagato! She's special to me. She's special to everyone! So please calm down!"
Silence…
Koizumi finally returned his normal face. "… I understand… You seem to be able to anyway. After all I did, you only got off with a few scratches and a torn shirt." He sighed. "Also, Ms. Asakura didn't provoke me to do anything… I did those actions in my own decisions."
"… Wait, then why?"
"I wanted to see if you were really capable of doing your rescue mission and protecting those around you at the same time. I can truly put all my trust in your hands, Kyon."
I sighed then looked Asakura. "So you didn't really have anything to do with this?"
She smiled back. "No. I just spent some of my remaining powers to hack into his memories, but not rearrange them in anyway. I have no power to do that right now."
For once, I trusted her with her word, and for some reason, felt guilty. But something about it still doesn't feel right… "I see…" I glanced over Koizumi, who still has his coat of red electricity of some sort. "Koizumi, why haven't you taken your powers in yet?"
"Ah, well, we are in a sealed reality right now."
Yeah, so?
"Please look behind you." I looked behind me, and of course…
"Ah… I see what you mean… Alright, I'll let you off then." I let go of his shoulders.
"Thanks. Excuse me." He flew off. I was wondering if he really is one of the lowest members of his organization because that power was extreme.
"Koizumi-kun got his rank up because of the raise of his powers. He is now second in chief." Asakura said. So it's just like his position in the brigade. By the way, it's not exactly respectful to read someone's mind, you know?
She smiled back. I sighed.
In a few moments, the giant fell. It was spectacle to see Koizumi and other espers take it down. A few moments after that, the sealed reality collapsed, and everything returned back to normal. It was night time. We walked Asakura back home. Koizumi said it was only gentlemanly to do so. When we passed by her apartment, it was really depressing… I think you know why. We walked her up to her room, which was two floors below Nagato's former apartment room, and made our way down.
"Say, Koizumi…" I started as we went towards my house.
"Yes?"
"Did you even try to hold back when we were fighting? I mean you looked dead serious."
He laughed. Hey! Matters like life and death isn't something to laughed at! "I already have told you that I am not a good enough actor, didn't I?"
So… you…
"Yes. I was dead serious on trying to kill you." Don't say it in a straight face! You make yourself look like a homicidal maniac.
I sighed. "Why? Was that really necessary?"
"Well, I believed so. I mean, if the most important being in the human race is hurt or killed, what would happen to everything that everyone has worked for? What would happen to everyone? That's what our organization is still trying to avoid. That is why we are still fighting giants in those sealed realities." He looked at me slyly. "Wouldn't you do the same?"
"I guess…" I lamely replied.
"You don't sound so reassuring. Well…" he walked in front of me. "… If you break your promise, our organization will come at you full on. No matter what your reasoning is, no matter what you say…" He glared. "… We assure you that you will regret it." He smiled. "Well then…"
"Koizumi!" Damn, why are you so useless when you're not in a sealed reality. If you're wondering what just happened, Koizumi almost got hit by a drunk taxi driver. If I wasn't in reaching range, he could have been dead, or had a really serious injury just now. "Damn! People are so freaking careless…!"
"Ah…" Koizumi's face got all the blood drained out of him. "… Thank you…"
"Geez… You were all omnipotent just then. Look at you now." I jokingly said. "Call Arakawa-san and tell him to pick you up. You might not be able to walk in your condition right now." I patted his shoulder.
"… Y-yeah… Thank you again…"
We parted at that intersection. Man… What a day… My neck is sore. It's already seven o'clock, and I just remembered that I needed to look for Shamisen. Oh man… My sister's going to be mad…
A few moments later, Kimidori-san appeared in the next block.
"Good evening, Kyon-kun." She smiled at me.
"Ah, good evening to you, too, Kimidori-san."
We started to walk together. "How was your day?"
"A little strange…" A little strange, I say… Heck it was out of the ordinary! "I'm sorry for bringing this up, but why didn't you teleport where I was earlier when I was experiencing something…"
"Hm? What do you mean?" She asked, really looking as if she didn't know what was going on.
Well… I was almost killed…
"Eh!?" This time she almost jumped. "Then why didn't I receive any communication?"
I'm sorry to bring it up! But… Is it possible that you cannot go into sealed realities, because that's where I was in.
"No, we are capable of going into such dimensions. But… I didn't receive anything…" She looked a bit panicked. "I'm so sorry! I almost failed my objective and I'm sorry that I almost failed to save your life! I really am!" She was bowing several times. Well it wasn't really an almost since you didn't appear at all, but I didn't bother saying that.
"That's fine, but…" Suddenly something popped in my head. "Is it possible for communication to be blocked through your data thingy?"
"There would be some difficulty on doing so, even for the Integrated Data Thought Entity since it's a special type of signal, but it can be blocked." Great… Now there's even a risk of the communication being blocked. How if they can track it?
"Ah… I see… That's enough… Other than that, it was just an ordinary day."
"I don't consider meeting a time traveler ordinary though…" Kimidori-san said. Wait…. "If you're wondering how we knew about that, Asakura-san has informed us about it."
So she's really on our side of the bargain, huh? "What did she tell you?"
"Basically everything that happened."
"Everything, huh?" I paused. "Wait! Even the scene in the sealed reality?"
"Yes." She stuck her tongue out. "I acted well, didn't I?"
Yeah… You bet…
"I'm still very sorry, though… I couldn't do anything or didn't know anything that was going on until we were informed."
We meaning…?
"The President of the Student Council and I."
"That non-caring bastard?" She laughed a little. "Hm? What's funny?"
"Oh, it's nothing… It's just I remember the President's face after you exited the door." According the Kimidori-san, he looked like his face was about to erupt in redness. An alien humanoid being embarrassed? That's the first. "It seems that you made him think a bit about his opinions, which is the first time that someone has ever done."
"Yeah, I bet." I found myself chuckling a bit.
"Well, I think we should part here." We stopped at the grocery store.
"Groceries?" I asked.
"Yes… I'm running out of food…" She smiled gently. "I'll see you tomorrow." She waved at me as she entered the store. From what I saw from Nagato, they do really eat.
I started walking towards my house again. I suddenly found myself thinking about what happened today. Trying to prove something to someone as hard headed as Haruhi, a time-traveler revealing herself to what they say the cause of a major time-quake, and a friend trying to kill you just because he doubts you. What a day! Things like these haven't happened in a long time… I hope Haruhi didn't wish for this because I'm going to smack her if she did! … Then again, as I've said before, I enjoy these kinds of things, too, so I can't really blame her for anything. The things that I said I graduated from are all coming back to me in a crash course. It's not like I don't like it, but I can't say I like it either. I'm contradicting myself, again, aren't I?
I sighed, reverting my thoughts back on saving my friend… Oh how, oh how am I going to go through this…? I almost passed my house gate just because I was thinking. How this bothers me…
"I'm home!" I shouldn't really be shouting since it's already eight o'clock.
"Ah, Kyon-kun…" My sister said, passing by.
"What's wrong? Do you have another fever? Did you go out today?"
"No… I didn't… It's just…" She started crying out of the blue and crashed towards me. "I miss Shami!" She shouted while sobbing. Geez… Were you that attached to that cat? Also, you're getting more and more like Ms. Asahina, which isn't really a bad thing… Actually scratch that. People will flood through our door if you keep this up and I'll have to do the clean up.
"I'm sorry… I can't find him anywhere…" I hugged her. "I swear on my life that I will find him for you, even if it goes through the depths of space." For some reason, I sounded like someone from a sci-fi movie introducing his main objective, like to find the lost princess of the galaxy of Vega. I hope I don't have to go to space to find him, though. "Anyway, let's eat… I'm starving."
"…Okay…" she miserably said. I never imagined her to be this emotional. I picked her up, bridal style, and her face slightly turned red. I put her on the chair and got some leftovers from the fridge. Besides the my sister's sobbing, it was pretty much a quiet dinner. Right after dinner, we put everything in the sink and let my sister take care of it since she said so. I went upstairs and just slammed my whole body into the bed.
Man… My whole body is sore… Probably a side effect of me going into… Did I say frenzy mode? Yeah… But thank goodness I had it, because I would have been erased from the earth if Koizumi got I direct hit on me with those attacks. I still couldn't believe that Asakura didn't do anything… I sighed and closed my eyes slowly. I eventually fell asleep and, again, began dreaming. It was in a white room again. I was hoping to see Nagato again, but I saw someone else.
"It's nice to meet with you once again, chosen one."
Don't call me that. It's a bit too much. With his silver hair glowing in white light, and his yellow eyes looking at me gently, the head of the Integrated… whatever entity is in front of me. Or maybe I should say, former head. Ah, who cares…
"What do you want?" I asked bluntly while walking towards him.
"Oh, nothing in particular. I just want to speak with you, that's all."
"I see…" I paused. This is a bit too weird… "I have one question."
"What is it?"
"What happened to you? Did your entity like kick you out?"
"No… They attempted to terminate me." That's basically the same thing… "But they failed since they didn't have the capabilities of doing so, thus they sent me to a cell that temporarily sets my data abilities suspended for the time being."
"Did you even attempt to fight back when they were doing so?"
"No… I was interested in how things will turn out, so I let them do it." Let sleeping gods lie, huh? "It's fun this way."
"Fun? I thought most of your kind didn't have the capabilities of having fun."
"According to you, Ms. Nagato had fun, didn't she?"
True… But she's a special case…
"Special how?" He looked at me slyly. How many times have people look at me with that look today. Bored people can count.
"That doesn't matter." I felt my face being hot. Am I being embarrassed? What is there to be embarrassed about? The head laughed. "What's so funny?"
"Your temperature seems like it is rising, so I am guessing you were a bit disturbed by the question." You think? How would you respond to someone asking you how special a person is to you. Wait, maybe you would respond normally. "Sorry… I just got bored by the moment. Anyway… How does it feel to have Nagato-san's power?"
I'm wondering how he knew about that . "It felt great! It felt like I can do anything!" I proudly said. It was all true though.
He laughed a little. "I see. Anyway enough about us and our powers. How is your sister doing?"
"How did you know about her?"
"Does that really matter?"
… You got a point there… "She's doing horrible. She misses her cat and she got sick because of your organization 's doing."
"I see…" For some reason, he was looking down. Is this person feeling bad for my sister? Since when? Well if that's the case then maybe I should take back what I just said. "Well, I hope you give her my best regards…"
"I will…"
"It's time…" he glowed. Already? Anyway, that's fine. Something came up in my head.
"By the way, I never learned your name."
He grinned. "You'll know my identity soon enough."
"Huh? Wait…" Before I could finish my sentence, he vanished. What does he mean that I will know it soon enough? Do I already know him? Ah… Too much to worry about… Too little time to worry about these things. And I think I'm about too...
The ground suddenly shook. What the…? It also started cracking. Between the cracks were… Stars? Okay, this is weird… Am I in space?
"Corrupted space being restored. Eighty percent until full restoration." Someone suddenly said out of nowhere. "Ninety…. Complete." The crack suddenly expanded and created other cracks that is going around the room. It eventually made the whole room break into tiny pieces. What the hell is going on here…?
"Subject found…" A girl said floating above me. She was wearing a white attire… I don't even need to explain it. It was the Integrated Data Thought Entity's clothing, let's just leave it at that. She was with two guys. "Commence termination of organic life form." They all charged at me. I couldn't move since there wasn't any surface behind me to move at, and it seems like I can't access Nagato's powers in a dream… Or can I?
Come on, frenzy mode, frenzy mode…! Ah damn, their almost here! Now's not the time to not respond! Come on! Suddenly…
"Kyon-kun! Wake up!" A opened my eyes and found myself in my room. I panting like crazy and I was drenched in sweat. What was that dream about…? No… that was a nightmare. If it wasn't for my sister waking me up, I could have been dead. "Kyon-kun, what's wrong? You were screaming and thrashing around like an angry dog was chasing you." She said worriedly. Oh it was worse than dogs, I can tell you that…
"It's nothing…" I lied. "Just a bad dream… By the way…" I noticed her clothes and felt my face going red. "…Where did you get those clothes?" She was wearing really short shorts and a terribly revealing shirt. Where did you get those? And why am I blushing? It's my sister!
"Oh, this… Haruhi – nee chan gave this to me. She said that it would make you happy, so I wore them to sleep with you."
That Haruhi… Giving my sister ideas that she's too young for.
"Wait, you slept next to me? With those clothes on?" I asked, feeling my face like it's going to explode.
"Yeah… I wasn't feeling good last night, so I crept up next to you… Is there something wrong with that?" She asked with a puppy face. Don't make that face with those clothes on!
"Well… Not really… But you see…" I got up and went towards her ear. "… You only wear those clothes when your next to someone you care for." I whispered.
"I do care for you, though, Kyon-kun!" She pouted.
"Well, that's not what I meant." This is going to take a while if I go around trying to not explicitly tell her directly. I went towards her ear again. "… It's like you're sleeping with someone… Let's see… Like a boyfriend…?" That's a subtle way to put it, right?
Silence… My sister didn't move, but her face was slowly turning red, no extremely red. "Kyaa~!" She screamed while covering her face. I figured she would have a reaction like that. "… I-I'm sorry! I-I'm g-going to change r-right away!" She ran out of my room. Well that matter is over with… She seriously needs to avoid Haruhi's idiotic advises and comments. For all I know, she could be the next moe girl that Haruhi is going to replace Ms. Asahina with. I sighed and hoped that that isn't the case. I wouldn't mind seeing my sister in a maid outfit, or a bunny… Gah! What am I thinking!
I slammed my pillow at my face, trying to avert my thoughts to something else. Anyway… What was that dream about? Are they slowly hacking into my dreams just to kill me? Dreams are supposed to be an area where you could just rest, not get yourself killed! Geez… I guess they don't care about privacy much. I sighed and took a quick shower. I rushed downstairs to eat my breakfast since it was already seven o'clock and it takes me at least thirty minutes to commute from here to my school.
My sister was eating cereal at the dining table. "Hey, don't bother dressing up for school. I wrote a note for your teachers already, and I'll get it to them afterschool." I told my sister. "Rest for today, got it?"
"Okay…" Her face was still a little red. Was it because of this morning? I sighed, grabbed my toasted bread which just jumped out, and headed out.
It was a thoughtless commute. I didn't really think of anything, or worry about anything at the moment… I don't know why though… It's just something doesn't feel right… I don't remember what happened yesterday… Damn! Now I have one less day…
I sighed… As soon as I reached the gates, I saw Haruhi's lethargic face. "What's wrong now…?"
"Nothing… It's just I was thinking of something…"
"About what? About the other day?" We started walking.
"… Yeah… I'm still wondering what that adult version of Mikuru-chan told me…" I would feel the same way… Being told that you are not a normal human isn't really one of the pleasant things to hear. "What did she mean by that…?"
I sighed. "I'll tell you that detail later… For now, can you set up a meeting for afterschool in the clubroom?" She looked surprised.
She touched my forehead. "Do you have a fever, Kyon?"
"I do not!" I removed her hand from my forehead. "I have something important to tell everyone."
"Alright." She smiled brightly. "I will!"
I remembered something. "Oh yeah, Haruhi."
"Yeah?"
"Can you make sure that Tsuruya-san isn't in the clubroom today? I don't want her involved in this…"
"Involved in what?" She asked, looking a bit disappointed.
"Just try to keep her out. I'll tell you later."
"Okay… If you say so…"
"Thanks…" Haruhi went upstairs with me, but I went the other direction. I needed to do something.
I knocked.
"Ah, Kyon-kun. This is unexpected." Kimidori-san said greeting me. "Please come in." I stopped by the Student Council room to discuss something with the President. I wasn't really sure what it was either, though… But I felt like I needed to stop there. "Take a seat. The President will be here shortly."
"Where is he?" I asked while taking a seat down on the metal chair.
"He is collecting information from the Entity."
Wait, so he's…
"Yes… He is in the Integrated Data Thought Entity edifice."
"What the hell is he doing there? Don't tell me he turned sides!" I sounded mad. If he changed sides, I'm going to smack him into the other galaxy.
"No, no, no!" Kimidori-san repeatedly said. "He is currently undercover, collecting information that will be needed currently. For example, the status of Nagato-san's termination. He is still also trying to change their minds on executing her, but his efforts had no positive results…"
"So he is worried about her… And her I thought he was thoughtless person." I sighed.
"It is true…" Kimidori-san smiled, and then suddenly busted out a really bad sounding series of coughs. She collapsed to her knees.
"Kimidori-san!" I rushed to her, tipping over the chair I was sitting on. "Are you alright?"
"Yes…" She coughed again. "It's just the imperfections in my body are acting up." The last cough sounded like the others, which wasn't pleasant at all, but this one had blood in it. "… Oh dear…" She fainted.
"Kimidori-san!" I was going to carry her, but suddenly she started to glow.
"Commencing data for recovery… Engaged in three… two… one…" She started to float. This looks like scene straight out of a sci-fi movie… It was quite a sight. Suddenly… "Data was not engaged successfully. Going into emergency mode… Hibernation…" She gently floated down with her eyes closed.
"Kimidori-san…?" No response. I put my hand in front of her nose. She's not breathing. "Kimidori-san…!" I shook her. "Kimidori-san! Please wake up!" My words won't help! Man… Damn it! I was about to put my mouth into hers, just like they do to make someone recover from not breathing. Kimidori-san, please forgive me!
"What are you doing in this room?!" Someone shouted behind us, which almost gave me a heart attack. "That's indecent!" The President of the Student Council has returned.
"Ah! I'm glad you're back! Kimidori-san is not breathing! Do something!"
"Calm down, Kyon."
"… Huh?"
"She's going to be fine. She just went in hibernation mode."
"Hibernation mode? What's that?"
"It's a mode that we interfaces go in when our organic parts malfunction." Don't put human parts included in your machine terminology.
"So… She is just sleeping? Are you sure she's going to be okay?"
"Yes. She's going to be awake at the end of the day."
I thought it was hibernation mode, but that's fine… "I'm glad… Anyway, what happened in there?"
"Oh, Kimidori-san told you?" He started walking towards his desk. I carried Kimidori-san on my back. "Well, let me tell you that the case with Nagato Yuki isn't going well… I've been trying to change their mindset, but they are too dense and absorbed by their ill-will." He sighed. "Kyon…" The next thing he did surprised me. He was bowing. "… I'm sorry…" He raised his head, looking all melancholic. "I guess interfaces like us don't experience free will as much as you humans, so I didn't think of the other possibilities…" He raised his index finger towards the bridge of his glasses.
What he said just now suddenly made me feel depressed. I would feel the same way. If someone took all your freedom away and had the power to take away your existence in just a snap of finger, what would you do? Silence filled the room.
"… There's no need to apologize…" I reached for the door. "Excuse me…" I opened the door, then came up with something. "One more thing…"
"Yes?"
"Come to the Literature or the SOS Brigade room later. I have something to tell you."
"… Alright… I will."
I smiled and bowed my head quickly. "Excuse me…" I closed the door with him looking outside the window. I didn't know that interfaces like him will ever feel sad, but apparently, they do. Nagato once said that emotions were an unnecessary object to have. She has a point, but I feel sorry for them. Not being able to think on their own, not being able to feel anything is a pretty sad thing. They might not usually show it, but I am sure that they are very scared and sad. But who am I to judge?
I continued walking towards the infirmary and dropped off Kimidori-san. Now that I look at her face closely, she does not look bad… No, actually, she looks pretty damn cute. I couldn't have minded to put my lips on hers… What am I saying!? I got frustrated and stomped my way out the door.
… I'm late…
Once I opened the door, I found our teacher looking frustrated that I disrupted his class.
"And what excuse do you have young man?" he took off his glasses.
"Ah, well, I passed by Ms. Emiri Kimidori this morning, and she didn't look so well. Unexpectedly, she fainted and I took her to the infirmary."
The whole class was silent, some of the girls looked worried, and some of the guys gave me glares. What did I do?
"… I see… That's very gentlemanly of you. But do inform us next time." How exactly?
"I will." He nodded and continued with the lesson. I made my way to the window seat, which is where I still sit in all these years…
"Did Kimidori-san actually faint?" Haruhi whispered behind me.
"Yes." I whispered back. "You could check the infirmary if you want."
"… I see…"
"See what?"
"Nothing… Look forward. The teacher is looking at you."
I looked forward. "Is there something you would want to share to the class?"
"Ah, no. Sorry." I stood up and bowed. Man… What a morning.
Lunch came and a mob of girls and guys quickly went over to my desk. The girls were looking all worried and asking "Is Kimidori-san alright?" while the guys were glaring at me and saying, "you better not have done anything to our beloved Emiri Kimidori, or we'll kill you!" I didn't realize that there was also an Emiri Kimidori fan club in this school. Or rather, I didn't even believe of it existing. I'm saying the same thing, aren't I? I can't help but let out a sigh.
I found a quiet spot in the class room to enjoy my meal. Taniguchi and Kunikida, unfortunately, saw me and sat at the table.
"I can't believe how lucky you are, Kyon… What magic spells do you use?" Taniguchi said.
"What in the world are you talking about?" I asked.
"What I mean is that you have all these girls surrounding you inside your weird club. For example, I heard that you're going out with Asakura." Definitely not true. "You have Suzumiya and Asahina-sempai with you all the time…" I see what you mean now. "The incident this morning." That was made up, well partly. "… And I heard that you are also seeing another girl… Nagato Yuki was it?"
I dropped my chopsticks. It's not that I am shocked that he would hear such a comment, but it frustrates me how he doesn't know her. "Where did you hear that?"
"What do you mean, Kyon? It's been going around for at least two days now."
"We didn't even have school yesterday, or the day before… How could that rumor even existed?"
"I think Asakura-san might have started it." Kunikida brought up. "Maybe it was meant as a joke." Thanks Asakura… Now I see why the guys were all up at me this morning. Nice one, Asakura… I'll get you for that.
"Joke, or not…" Taniguchi suddenly said. "He is one lucky guy." I'll take that as a compliment.
I sighed and exited out the room, leaving the two idiots talking about girl problems. Seriously… Is it that necessary to get with someone? Knowing Taniguchi, he will stop at nothing to get someone that is in his rankings.
I stated to walk around, maybe to settle my stomach. No actually, don't think about it. I found myself walking towards the tree that Haruhi is usually lying down. I didn't find her there, but I just stared at it for some reason. It gives me a nostalgic feel about the school festival two years ago… Besides seeing Ms. Asahina in a maid costume among her girl classmates, even though I don't admit it, I enjoyed Haruhi's performance with the ENOZ band. Nagato looked like she was also having fun as she was just sliding through those chords.
I decided to lie under it. No wonder Haruhi likes this spot. The grass was almost as soft as the most comfortable couch… The shade of it also helped keep the sun away from my sun, even though it was already overcast. It was relaxing… Despite the relaxation I was feeling, I was getting worried about Nagato… What was she feeling when she got taken away? Was that why she was looking worried? Is she lonely as she's just waiting for the day I come and rescue her… I don't know…
"I didn't expect you to be here…" Said a girl's voice. I turned my head to see who it was.
"Oh, Tsuruya-san. Hello there." Her deep green hair waved in the air. "What brings you here?"
"Oh, nothing… I just hang out here at times…" She said smiling energetically. "Can I sit next to you?"
I moved over. "Sure." She sat down next to me, shoulder to shoulder. I guess I don't mind that…
"Hopefully Haru-nyan doesn't get jealous over this." She said, giggling.
Huh?
"Nothing…" She looked up. "Everyone seems happy… and I'm happy about that." She turned her face me, tilting her head slightly. "… But for some reason, you don't seem very happy."
She's as sharp as usual… "Ah… Well… You see…"
"I know… You're worried about Nagato-san."
Eh…? I turned to her violently. "You know about Nagato, Tsuruya-san?"
"Somewhat.. I vaguely remember her…" She looked down, recalling how she remembers Nagato. "She was a silent book girl, always sitting by the window side… Almost as she is observing others… Being sad…" She smiled. "Or at least, that's how I viewed her in the beginning…"
"It's true… Nagato was like that…" I replied.
"… But as time passed by, she seemed to lighten up, like she participates a lot more…" She showed her fang this time. "I was very happy when I saw her like that. But…" She frowned. "… For some reason, she just disappeared. No one mentions her name anymore… I thought she was just taking a sick leave, but it's as if she never existed…"
I changed my mind… Maybe I should invite her to the meeting… "Hey, Tsuruya-san…"
"Yes?"
"Do you mind coming to the clubroom afterschool? I have something to tell you and everyone else."
"Sure. What is it about?"
"I'll tell you later."
"Okay…"
"Thanks." I looked at my watch and it was about time to get back in. "Let's go, Tsuruya-san. It's almost time for class."
"Okay!" She said cheerily. After that, I sighed in relief that she remembers Nagato. I don't know why, but I always feel like my mind is clear when someone remembers her since she disappeared.
Class resumed and it went quick. Nothing in particular really happened, turning our afternoons boring at the time. It wasn't long until the classes were done, and it was time to go to our club rooms.
"Ah, sorry, Tsuruya-san!" Haruhi said while on the door. Tsuruya-san was outside. "There's a private meeting between all the official clubroom members today, so you can't come in." That's your excuse?
"Hey Haruhi!" I called her.
"Oh, Kyon, there you are. Do you mind explaining to her what we're doing in the clubroom?"
"Ah… Sorry. That's just it. I forgot to tell you that I told Tsuruya-san to come."
Haruhi looked at me like I've done something major. "Make up your mind, Kyon! I tried my best just to fulfill your request and now you're cancelling it?" Sorry! Humans make mistakes you know. Haruhi started to stomp her way back in.
"Sorry about that…" I said to Tsuruya-san.
"It's fine. So what's this about?"
"I'll tell you once we get inside." I let her go first and closed the door behind me. Koizumi was sitting, looking serious in his seat. Asakura was helping Haruhi do something. Ms. Asahina was brewing her tea. And… The President of the Student Council isn't here yet…
"So Kyon…" Haruhi said while sitting on the computer seat. "… What's this all about?"
"Wait, just a sec. There's another person coming in." I said, while leaning against the door.
"Who? Is it a new brigade member?" Her face suddenly filled itself with excitement.
"Well… Not exactly…" Someone knocked. "Ah, I think he's here." I turned around and opened the door.
"Sorry I'm a bit late. Papers were needed to be finished." The President of the Student Council said.
Haruhi suddenly stood up. "What is he doing here?!" I remembered that she was still mad at him for what he almost did to this clubroom a year ago… I should have told her. "You're not making him close our clubroom, are you Kyon?"
"Calm down Haruhi. That's not what he is here for. He needs to be here for everything I have to say."
"… Okay…" She sat down. "But, the second I hear something about the club being planned to be closed, I will give you the death penalty and make you run the track ten laps a day for a week! You got that, Kyon?"
"I got it…" I turned to the President (SC). "Sorry about that… Take a seat anywhere. You too, Tsuruya-san."
"It's fine…" He walked towards Asakura and looked at her intently. I wonder why… Tsuruya-san grabbed a seat next to Ms. Asahina.
"So, Kyon, is there anyone else?" Haruhi asked.
"No, that's about it…" I took a seat. "Okay, the reason I asked Haruhi to set up a meeting is because I have something important to tell you." I took a breath, starting with my opening statement. "Everyone here knows about Nagato, besides maybe Ms. Asahina, am I right?"
Everyone nodded. "Um… I do, remember Nagato-san… I just didn't bring it up because I didn't think everyone did…" Ms. Asahina brought up. "… since no one is talking about her…"
"That's the very reason why we're all here, Ms. Asahina." I told her.
"Eh?"
I turned to everyone. "Nagato, Yuki… She was a very interesting girl, I thought… And I thought she was crazy since she brought up all this alien stuff two years ago… But something changed that made me trust her more than anyone…" Haruhi flinched a little. "… It's that she saved my life several times. I think you recall one of those times, right Asakura, Koizumi, and Ms. Asahina?"
They nodded.
"… But I'm not the only one that cares for her. You all do, don't you? She has helped everyone in here, at least once!" I shouted. Wow, I sound like a preacher that's announcing that I will be their savior… "And as her friend, don't you think we should pay her back?" I stood up. "Don't you think that we should just stay here and let a friend go in trouble?"
"No!" Koizumi enthusiastically said. Didn't expect that from you.
"Then I am here to ask all of you for assistance and company to save Nagato." I said boldly. "Our friend that is accused of something that is not even right and is being punished for it. Will you help me through it?"
After my short speech, which felt endless, there was silence… No one seemed to move from their seats. They were all staring at me like I'm some kind of statue. Suddenly…
"Don't you think that's obvious, Kyon?" Haruhi brought up. "If a brigade member is in trouble, I will crush anyone in my way just to save them!" Haruhi stood up. "I will help you, John!" she said proudly.
"I agree." Koizumi stood up. "Nagato-san is an important figure to this organization, and an important friend. I have the obligation to assist her with all my might."
"I guess, I will assist, too." Asakura stood up. "My abilities aren't to their fullest right now, but I'll try my best." Whoa! Didn't expect you to stand up.
"I-I'll help too!" Ms. Asahina shouted. The first time I've seen such determination in her eyes. Lastly the President (SC) stood up.
"Thank you everyone…" I bowed. I felt a tear coming down my cheek.
"Okay, so John. What's the plan?" Haruhi brought up.
"I prefer you call me Kyon. And as for the plan…" Crap, I didn't think of that…
"You don't have one, do you…?" Haruhi said, looking at me slyly. Mind reader… "How do you expect the SOS Brigade to go to this rescue mission without a plan?"
"Ah… sorry… I got carried away that I forgot about that…"
She sighed.
"We'll take care of that." Said the President (SC). "I will inform you of everything later."
"Okay then!" Haruhi enthusiastically said, but then her face turned awkwardly gloomy. "But… Kyon…"
"Yes Haruhi?"
"What do you need me for? What can I do to help you? I'm just a girl, not some kind of omnipotent figure that has powers or anything…" She sounded melancholic. "And, what can all of the people in here do…?"
"Haruhi…" I said sighing. I turned to Koizumi and nodded towards him.
"Ms. Suzumiya, I think it's time we tell you about what you are…" Koizumi calmly said.
"Eh?"