So apparently almost all of my classes decided to spring up a writing assignment all on one day. Fun. But I like writing, so I deal with it.

inuzuka pau: Well, I would think that hair that's been grown out for that long would imply that she would have some sort of attachment and pride in it. I'm pretty sure it's not easy to keep it all nice looking, so she has to have invested some effort into it. Cutting the hair in this situation would abruptly take away something that they have put a lot of time into, which has now become wasted.

Guybrush007: Hm. I suppose I circumvented the situation... oops? I don't really think I thought of the situation as one to write about. But the issue will slowly begin to be addressed starting in the next chapter.

Silencian: Check your PMs

It would be wise to say that the next update will be a bit slower because I still have upcoming papers to write. We'll see what happens.

I do not own Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu.

Onwards!

Chapter Three

Everybody knows about students transferring to a different school for various reasons. Some do it because one of his or her parents got a new job and the family needs to move. Other times it's because the school is more prestigious. Graduating from it would be better in the long run. Every now and then, someone changes schools to escape bullying.

I couldn't help but wonder why that stupid Smiley transferred to our school though. How could he smile so broadly at every moment? Was he just so GAY that he had to put on that GAY look and be GAY all the time? Come on. Not even gay men are this GAY. And by GAY I mean happy. I wanted to punch his face in so badly. Just seeing him makes me-

Fuck it. I'm punching his face in now.

I'm holding an ice pack to my left cheek in the corner of the nurse's office. I don't really need it, but it was beginning to swell up a bit. My skin shows damage, but my body will patch it up quickly. The seat I'm on is a bit uncomfortable but it's not really on my mind. Instead, I'm watching Haruhi from behind a curtain.

The nurse is doing a basic check up to see if either of us suffered any brain damage. No actual equipment, just basic motor function tests. Of course, I'm fine but the nurse is taking her time with Haruhi. I suppose it's natural to be more concerned about the fairer sex.

The both of us came here from the principal's office. Taniguchi and I received the equivalent of a slap on the wrist and were dismissed, as we were merely recent transfers. Haruhi, on the other hand, was held back. Straining my ears, I managed to pick up on a few phrases, particularly one about Haruhi being a school bully. And that if this continues, she will have no future.

In all honesty, it's not that much different than what she used to do in the SOS Brigade. Her range of contacts, however, has changed. Instead of just being Koizumi, Nagato, Asahina-san, and me, it seems to be made of many more students and maybe Asakura Ryoko as well.

I should confirm whether or not Nagato and Asakura are aliens.

The nurse finally gives Haruhi a clean bill of health, opening the curtains. The both of us stare in silence at the woman as she finishes up the papers and leaves the room. Afterwards, our gazes fall upon each other and suddenly I feel the urge to say something. I take the ice pack that I was holding and put it in a small bin next to me. I don't know what the bin is for, but I don't care.

"So, do you remember me?"

She opens her mouth to say something, but quickly closes it and a wince flashes across her face. She may have an ice pack on her cheek, but it's only there to reduce the swelling. Any pain she feels is still going to be there. Putting on a grimace, she shakes her head.

I immediately feel a frown beginning to form on my face. I was prepared to accept the fact that the Haruhi I know may not have surfaced, but it's still hurts to find out. It puts me back at square one, but that doesn't mean that I'm about to give up. I shrug my shoulders. "That's unfortunate. We could have rekindled our friendly relationship." She scowls. It's an expression that I'm so used to seeing from her. It almost brings back memories. "How's your cheek? Taniguchi tends to hit pretty hard."

She manages to squelch out a sentence. "I don't see why you have to know."

"I'm just concerned about you. Taniguchi doesn't like to hit girls, but you did get on his bad side."

"Hmph. It's just one punch. I've been through worse."

I feel my brow furrow. Considering how women were once considered spoils of war, my concern is natural, but it goes beyond that of just concern. For a moment my temper flares up, but I control myself.

"Worse?" She says nothing, but continues to scowl. "Right, right, I suppose I don't have to know about it." I rise from my seat. "Stay out of trouble, okay? You may not remember me, but I remember you and our friendship." Of course, I also remember all the other naughty little things. But she doesn't have to know. "Stay out of trouble for me, okay? I'll have a head full of white hairs otherwise."

I turn to the door and open it. I hear some rustle of clothing coming from her, but I pretend not to hear it and walk out. She is probably giving me the finger anyway.

Yakuza members like to show their affiliations publicly.

Yakuza members are rambunctious at times and are known for their fixation with tattoos.

Yakuza clans tend to be the ones running clubs, love hotels, and brothels as well as some legitimate services. They also deal with drugs, guns, uncensored pornography, scams, blackmailing, and human trafficking.

Every now and then, Yakuza clans have been known to help out in times of crises, such as in earthquakes.

Finally, a Yakuza clan often has an office building in public with a billboard that openly displays the clan's particular insignia to show that it owns the place and most likely has a hand in the local dealings.

We're not like most Yakuza.

Japan has a thing for conformity. They prefer to avoid being the unusual person, the person to speak up and do something. The Yakuza adopt almost the exact opposite. They're immediately recognizable among a crowd and aren't afraid of the fact that everyone knows that they're Yakuza. They'll threaten citizens with any idea they can muster to get them to do what they want. And it will happen because Japanese citizenry have issues when it comes to doing what needs to be done.

Not us though. We do things differently around here. Our clan runs clubs, love hotels, and brothels as well as some legitimate services. We also deal with drugs, guns, uncensored pornography, scams, blackmailing, and human trafficking. We do everything they do, and maybe a little more. We just do it in a manner that doesn't expose ourselves.

And we don't help people. Usually.

Taniguchi is still fuming, bothered by the fact that he is unable to get his revenge. To a person who doesn't know him, it would appear that he's only angry. But it's really much worse than that. He's been known to have a short fuse when his plans don't go right. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he's selfish or spoiled, but I would at least assume that he had planned to get back at Haruhi.

"So, she's your friend, huh?" It's the first time he spoke to me since the incident at the rooftop. He had been silent the entire time since we walked from the school to my apartment. I started on my homework again on my little desk. I didn't try to get Taniguchi to do his.

"Yes, although she doesn't quite remember me. It was all the way back in elementary school."

"Hmph. You took a hit for her, but it did you no good in the end."

"True, if you look at it that way." He's always got his head on women. He does his job, learning what it takes to be a Yakuza leader of our particular clan of brothers. But his hobby is girls. "But if you look at it the way I see it, it could be said that she owes me a favor. Your punches do hurt, after all."

"Yeah, right. Maybe if you can get her to suck your dick with your idea of favors, then I'll start looking at it your way." He leans back and lies down. "The bitch is a total waste of a good face. Looks pretty, but she doesn't have what I like."

Oh, if only you knew. "She's got her own school gang. She has to have some sort of talent come out on top."

"Doubt it. There's got to be someone who's sharing that power with her, or even above her." He sighs. "Still, you are right about that. She had command of a group of people. She's got to be good for something. She can fight, but I don't see anything else so far."

"It's too early to tell, sempai."

He shoots me a dirty look. "You know, you seem very supportive of her."

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"… You like her, don't you?"

I had a feeling he would ask that. "Maybe."

"Well, I won't exactly say that I approve of it. I hate the damn bitch. Still, this is the first time that you've expressed interest in the fairer sex, Kyon." He puts up a small smile. "I want to see how this turns out for you."

"Stuck between business and pleasure, are you?"

"You could say that." He leans back. "I never knew that you were into the bad girl type."

"I don't know if you can really put her into the bad girl category. She was such a nice girl when we first met. She may have acquired a naughty side, though." She was developing one before we came to this world. I hope she still has it.

"I can understand the appeal they have, but I don't know if it's something I really want to get into." He pulls out a cigarette. Out of habit I light it for him, spinning trick and everything. "Anyway, Kyon, keep this Sunday free. We've got work to do." He stands up, moves to the window, and opens it.

"Work, you say?" Today's Friday, so…

"Yup, work. Wear your suit."

We just leave it at that. Neither of us really has to discuss the topic of "work" further, especially now that the window is open.

We have no plans for today, so as soon as I part ways with Taniguchi after we walk onto school grounds, I'm essentially free. I walk up the stairs to the second year's floor and enter my classroom. I make my way to my seat, but I can feel a few people staring at me. It would seem that the news about yesterday has begun to spread.

It's not an entirely new feeling. The other students often stared at me when I was in the other world. I ignore them and sit down. I take out my pencil and get ready for note taking, but I notice that the room suddenly has become very quiet.

"Hey."

It's Haruhi. I turn to see her standing figure that looms over my sitting one. "You're in my seat." Her hair is still long, but there is only one ribbon in it this time. It's the familiar look that I'm used to: running across the top of her hair with two tied off points to the side. I was unaware that she was in my class, or that the teacher gave me her seat. The old man probably knew I was kissing up to him and gave it to me out of revenge. She's got a band-aid running across the top of her right cheek where Taniguchi punched her. Kind of cool.

"It might have been your seat, but it's mine now." I turn back to face the front of the class. "Did the mandatory attendance policy start to kick in?"

"Last chance, asshole. Get out of my seat."

I don't pay any attention to her threat. "Nice hair." I still don't know whether I like it short or long.

Regardless of my own personal taste, it is the last straw for her. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her pull her fist back. As it extends to connect with my face, I calmly, but quickly, lean back and watch as it misses entirely.

Technically I'm cheating. I'm so much more physically able than her that it's not even funny.

Oh wait, it kind of is. The horrified look on her face that then quickly shifts over to anger makes me wonder whether or not she would have issues domestic violence in the future if she ever gets married.

Oh wait, that's going to happen. Almost forgot my near-sick infatuation with her.

She pulls her hand back to strike again, but this time I easily stop her fist by pushing it away from me. I reach out and grab her by the bow of her uniform before pulling her down to face me. I turn towards her surprised face

Have a taste of your own medicine, Haruhi. "I think it would be best for you to wait for your new seat," I gently say. She yanks with all her strength, but she only comes free once I let her go. Her golden eyes stare into mine for a bit with rage and contemplation, then moves to the corner behind me just as the teacher enters the room. His eyebrows rise when he notices that she's in the room and quickly leaves. I'm assuming that he's going to get another desk, but he's also a bit afraid of her.

Most people are afraid of school bullies anyway, and teachers are no exception. It's something about the fact that the Japanese citizenry don't like to stand out, even if it's for the right thing. What was the saying again? It was something about the nails that one hammers in.

The whole class stares at the two of us. I'm used to it by now, although I'm unsure if Haruhi is. Eventually the teacher enters through the back door of the room with a desk and chair. His forehead still has creases and it looks a bit shiny with sweat. He's most likely too afraid to get close to Haruhi. I get up and walk over to him.

"I can help you with this, sensei." I take the desk and chair from him, one hand for each item. I walk back to the corner Haruhi is in and I place it down in front of her. Then, in the most polite manner, "Have a seat, Haruhi. Class is about to start." She's absolutely enraged, but keeps it within her as she sits down.

Throughout the entire lecture, I can hear the other students whispering to each other, mostly about wondering why I am on a first name basis with her.

When I pulled her down by the bow of her uniform, I briefly got a nice view of her chest. It almost surprised me. She had a bra on, of course, but I realized that I had never gotten to see any of her most intimate parts.

"Touch with your hands, not with your eyes."

I wonder if I should have chosen to look at them instead of touch them that night. After all, with Haruhi's case, she wound up touching me anyway.

I should have asked if I could sneak a peek.

Class is over now. Haruhi, to my knowledge, has gone home while I have nothing with to do with Taniguchi today.

Time to go to the club building. So far, I've run into just about everyone save four people: Kunikida, Kimidori-san, Koizumi, and Nagato. Kunikida is somewhere in this school. Similar to the old world, Kimidori-san either never existed or simply vanished. And Koizumi…

As for Nagato, she's the only member of the Literature Club. Everyone else graduated last year and it is on the verge of being cut down by the student council.

One thing I always had trouble dealing with was what Nagato told me on the day that the SOS Brigade went to the temple to gather holy water. After we had fashioned our stakes and left Haruhi's residence, I had talked to Nagato about any recent data changes and she replied that there had been none. In the old world, where I was still coming to terms with my true nature, I had rejected what she said. I didn't want to believe that my family was made up of vampires and that they had been passing down this secret blood for generations. It confused me, as Koizumi had told me that I, at the very least out of all of them, was human. Did they not know the truth about me or did they choose to feed me false information? Nagato must have known, however, and she must have known before I even met her.

The club building is located across from the main building. It's different than my old school, where the two were next to each other. I wonder if Nagato was still the same.

Impossible. After seeing so much difference in this new world, there has to have been some facet that changed. After walking down the hall, I arrive at the Literature Club's doorstep. My hand rises before curtly knocking.

I hear bolts and nuts sliding. The door opens a tiny crack with a small chain dangling between it and the doorframe. Golden eyes behind a pair of glasses stare back at me through locks of light purple hair. I blink and the world becomes blue once more.

She's a normal human tinged in gold. "Is this the Literature Club?" I undo my vision.

She nods.

"Can I come in?"

She closes the door and the locks slide again. The door does not open. Something slides underneath it and I pick it up. It's a club enrollment form. I take out a pen from my pocket and begin to fill it out. It's only one page, so it's easy to finish it and I slide it back under the door.

The metal on metal sliding occurs and the door opens up a tiny little bit once again. She peeks out again at me.

"So am I a member of the Literature Club now?"

She shakes her head before her meek voice reaches my ears. "The ap-approval process will take some t-time."

"How long am I looking at?"

"Monday… m-maybe…" She closes the door on me. The locks slide into place and this time there is no paper that comes under the door.

Even I am surprised at this kind of change in her. Still, the greatest change of all is that she's no longer an alien. She's merely a human now, with emotions, needs, wants, and all the baggage that humans come with. She has no powers and is no longer in a position that creates an image of being untouchable or unreachable.

Nagato Yuki can be used.

That is, of course, if she really is just a human. She could have been merely feigning her stutter and acting timid to hide her status as an alien from me. It will take further deliberation, but what matters first is if I get into the Literature Club. Even if she has the coloration of a human, I am not about to bet that my vision is infallible.

And then there is still the issue about Asakura Ryoko. The two of them were related by profession in my old world. Judging by the fact that Asahina-san and Tsuruya-san are still friends, I'm willing to bet that Asakura and Nagato have some sort of connection.

There are exceptions to this rule, however. Kunikida, despite being my friend in the previous world, does not know me. I will have to gently bring up the subject of friends around Nagato to make sure that she doesn't suspect me of anything. I begin to walk around the floor, feigning interest in other clubs while thinking about how I should approach the issue. She doesn't seem to be one to interact with others, and the locks on the club door only reinforces the idea.

As for Kunikida, it's only a matter of time before I speak with him. I did not have the opportunity to find him, nor did I run into him in the hallway yet. Perhaps I will have to do some digging around to pick up information about him to use. However, he can wait.

I'm more interested in finding Koizumi. I've always felt a bit shady about him. He had connections to espers with powers and was part of a larger association whose sole existence seemed dedicated to worshipping the ground that Haruhi walked on.

I can only wonder just what this world turned him into. He's here at this school. I know that much. But until I run into him, see who he really is in society, see how he acts, and how he moves in his surroundings, I don't think I'll be able to safely do some investigating on him. He could have eyes and ears all over the school, for all I know.

Personally, I was always a bit annoyed by him. He never did too much to actually make me hate him, but what he did always bothered me because he never said no to Haruhi. He was almost always in veiled awe of her, praising her powers. Unlike me, who fell in love with her and may now have potential psychotic issues about morality in general, I don't know his emotions towards her.

It's not what he'll be like that I'm afraid of, but it's the fact that I don't know what he'll be like and what he's doing during the time that I don't know. Once I can figure him out, it will be easy to deal with him, maybe even take him out of the picture entirely.

I'm done sightseeing. I move through the hallways and head back down the stairs. I begin to make my way to the exit, but someone calls my name.

"Oh, Kyon, I didn't expect to see you here." Asakura's voice comes from my left, so I turn to face her.

"Good afternoon, Asakura-san." I hate how I have to add the honorific term. "I hope Taniguchi hasn't done anything too bothersome lately." I don't like her, but my line of work demands that I put up with her in hopes of gathering information and remaining hidden.

"No, he hasn't been too bothersome. He'll try to strike up conversations, but he hasn't been touching me." She tilts her head to the side. "I haven't seen you in the club building before. Are you looking for a club to join?"

It would be best not to lie to her.

Or instead I can act embarrassed. "W-Well, no, not… not really." I look to my right to break eye contact with her. One of my hands goes to scratch the back of my neck. "I couldn't really find one." I wonder if I can find a way to blush on cue. That would be very helpful in the future.

"Really?" The word by itself means one thing, but the sound of her voice implies that she picks up on my embarrassment. "We have a lot of interesting ones, you know. We even have a paranormal club, if you're interested in that kind of thing."

"I looked into that club too, but… all they did was just read ghost stories."

"Well, that's too bad. Hopefully you'll find one that suits you. Maybe you should try one of the sports clubs." She moves to the stairs that I just came down from. "See you later!"

After waving to me, she turns around and moves up the stairs. I blink and watch her golden retreating form for a moment before turning away to go back to my classroom. She's human as well.

I begin to make my way back to my classroom to pick up my bag. I leave the club building and start walking to the main school building. My ears begin to pick up the gossip and rumors in the open area.

"Did you hear about that guy in Suzumiya's class?"

"Brave kind of guy."

"Messing with the wrong people."

"Past lovers!"

"Got into a fight."

"Best friends!"

"Stopped a punch for her."

"What a mysterious transfer student…"

"A role model."

"Cute guy."

"Hero."

"No, just stupid."

Yes, that last one just about sums up most rumors. Still, hearing these offers me a sense of how the social environment has changed since I've stepped onto campus. I haven't gotten onto the bad side of anyone just yet, but I'm beginning to show up on the students' radar as someone who seems to be a good guy.

Haha… good guy.

Whatever. I need to get my bag and go home. I've got work tomorrow.

I apologize to anyone who really is a homosexual.