Lights

(Konata)

The group was now sleeping in Sakai residence's living room. Ow… my head still hurts from that hit, she didn't need to hit me that hard, if there is a person who can control when they sneeze, please let me know.

Sakai kun's mother, Chigusa san was really kind and treated and didn't seem to mind the massive sleepover. Haruhi sama has told Chigusa san that we won't be imposing on her long and will find another place to stay soon. As for the explanation of who we are, we are four students on a world tour.

I look towards sleeping Fu chan and Haruhi sama. Then towards… Alan kun.

Alan kun is nowhere to be seen. … He probably went out for fresh air; he is probably thinking what he will do without milk for next ten days.

That's right! I should go look for him, when I find him, I might even have one on one private conversation with him. If it goes well, I might even trigger a flag… there hasn't been a dating sim that I haven't been able to beat. All I need to do is choose the right words. Hmhmhm. I better make sure Haruhi sama won't notice me, since she probably won't like me doing this kind of thing.

(Alan)

… Why did I go berserk? … it was as if the other 'Alan' from my old days was emerging again. Was it just a frustration? I don't know what happened, but thanks to that! I lost milk for ten days!! ARghh! What will I do?

Putting that aside, I am watching a interesting scene in the back yard.

"Yuji! You are not concentrating enough, I know that you can sense the killing intent more accurately now, so you should be able to dodge every swing." Shana seems to be training Yuji, for what purpose I do not know.

"I can't really concentrate with all those people in my house, and it's Christmas too. You still won't let me open up your present from this morning!" Yuji complained… wait… today is Christmas?

This is another thing about dimension travels, it doesn't really take into the consideration of time, and it just randomly sends you into any time period. …If only Mikuru chan was here, then we can at least know what time plane in each world we land into.

"Yuji's present is not important right now, all that matters right now is-" Then alarm clock that was set went off indicating that it was twelve o'clock.

"… I'm still not used to that feeling… it's really odd."

"It's nothing bad isn't it Yuji? Well, we will continue this tomorrow morning. You should get some sleep now." Shana said as she turned around to leave.

"And Yuji, open up that present but don't go around telling everyone what's in there! If you do!" Shana yelled while slightly blushing.

"Alright, Shana… I won't tell anyone, goodnight."

"Night Yuji."

Then Shana went off.

I decided to come out and talk to him.

"Yo."

(Yuji)

This guy who was fighting against Shana few hours ago was greeting me kindly…

"Alan san was it?"

"Yup, that's me." He replied indifferently.

"Why are you out here?" His facial expression can change dramatically, when he was fighting with Shana, his expression was cold… but now, his expression is rather, likeable.

"I couldn't get sleep, it's been a very drastic day… so I came out for some fresh air and I see you two."

"You were watching all this time? How didn't I sense you? How didn't Shana sense you?" Only time when Shana or I couldn't sense someone's presence was when someone's power of existence was too minimal. In fact, I do remember Shana saying that this guy didn't have any power of existence and he existing was a mystery.

Alan gave me a curious look, and then said. "I don't get it? Why does that midget girl and now even you stare at me so strangely? Is there something on my face?"

"No… actually…"

I don't know why but I explained to him about the Power of Existence.

After listening quietly, Alan replied. "Oh… so that's why… so this 'Power of Existence' is a term for a force that makes up the universe right?"

He smiled slightly. "During my travels, I've come across many worlds, and quite a few of them has this similar powers, although each of them has different name for it. Sometimes I wonder, if they are all actually the same power."

I then remembered that he was from another world. "So why don't you posses any Power of Existence?"

"I am not sure, but it is probably because I'm a void."

"Void?" that's another weird term.

"… Sigh… that's right, Haruhi only explained so little, here… I'll tell you about the sliders."

"Sliders, or other worlders are normally are the dead. When people or any individual dies, his or her self is sent to the Dimension of the dead. That's the easiest way of dimension traveling, dying that is."

Alan paused to let me absorb the facts then continued.

"But sometimes, among the dead, there are those who develop strange powers, they gain power to travel across dimensions… they are the sliders. They are the ones who are sent by ruler of the Dimension of the Dead to stop the major problems that occur across the universe."

"So do all Sliders have no power of existence?" I asked.

"No, did you sense your Power of Existence in Fuko? She's a slider too."

I did sense power in Fuko chan.

"Every slider has own unique power in addition to the power to move across dimensions."

"That still does not explain what his 'void' is."

"Void is a term that sliders use for a person from a reality."

"We are living in the reality right now."

Alan sighed then said. "In my world, every one of you are considered fictions, you all should not exist."

"It works in vice versa as well; I should not exist in these universes of yours. Yet, somehow I'm here. Still my existence is considered non existent. I can use this to my advantage to create voids."

"So are you the only Void?"

"No, there is one more… and I know her quite well…"

Alan didn't say anything for a while. We both looked up at the Christmas sky. If what Alan said is true, how many different worlds were there?

"… Wait, if Sliders are composed of the dead, that means you are dead too?"

"No I'm not dead, I was just unlucky and was sucked into this dimension, and I'm suspecting it was Haruhi who did that."

I listened in awe as Alan explained to me about Suzumiya san's powers. How the power that existed inside Suzumiya san was the one that could undo the reality.

Then Alan abruptly said. "Enough of my story, I want to hear what has been going on in this dimension, can you tell me your story? Looks like this training sessions has been going on for very long."

"Well… it's a very long story and I'm really tired right now. Not that I don't want to tell you…"

"No problem! I can use my Slider power, try to formulate in your mind the story you want to tell me."

…I did so just because I probably have nothing to lose, and I have a feeling I can trust this guy despite him attacking Shana.

Alan laid his hand on my forehead then, I felt as if time was going by really fast. I could feel Alan reading all the information I wanted to tell him.

When Alan let go, it felt as if Alan and I have been talking for a long time.

"That's my power, sharing information really fast, not very useful in battle but I can use void for battle so I'm content."

"Very interesting story… can I ask you something Yuji?" Alan asked mischievously.

"…?"

"Just who is Shana to you?"

"…" I could feel myself blushing… hope Alan doesn't notice it.

"Hahaha, you don't have to answer… but you've told me that you wanted to protect this city and everyone you love right?"

"Yes." I answered confidently.

"Then I would like to teach you something so it might help you in future. Can you handle more training?"

…I thought about it, I did learn a lot from Flame Hazes especially Shana… but learning from Alan could mean that I learn something that Flame Hazes don't have. It could help.

"Sure."

"Then it's a deal." Alan stretched his hand out and we shook hands."

Then a small light appeared from Alan and floated above me.

"What is that?"

"… We just call it light, no one knows what it does, but in Fuko's world… there are rumours that it is the feeling of an individual."

"Since it came out of you, it might be yours." I asked him.

"Maybe…" Alan muttered.

I extended my hands upon the light to grab it. To my surprise the light dissolved into my hand.

"Well, if I'm not mistaken Yuji, you have morning training tomorrow, so you should go and sleep. I'll come back in soon."

He was right, I was tried… "Night."

(Alan)

…This was the first time I saw my own light. I've seen many lights in Fuko's worlds… Either way… I'm dead tired.

I continued to stare out into the night sky when I heard someone from behind me.

"Alan sama! What are you doing out here not sleeping?" I turned around to see, Konata with Chococornet in her hand.

"Oh, Konata I was just about to go back to sleep… but I'm just too tired to go back in."

Konata sat next to me; does she want to say something? She didn't display that aura of playfulness right now.

"Alan… Kun, I saw the calendar before coming here and it is Christmas." Konata was munching on her chococornet as she spoke.

"I've noticed it too… sigh; we better find a way to calm Haruhi down for missing it. She will go crazy if she found out that she missed Chirstmas."

Konata said quietly, "I wanted to give you something more but I didn't have enough time, I just found out right now you see… so I went to and bought … here." Konata, while blushing handed me a carton of strawberry milk. "I've never given gifts outside of mmo before… so I'm bit nervous."

… I was speechless, I was really grateful and opened up the carton to drink it but none of the milk reached inside of my mouth.

"Damn it Haruhi…" I had forgotten that Haruhi had placed a seal near my mouth again. I put the milk down and still smiled at Konata.

"Thought alone is fine… sigh… ten days huh…" I was really getting tired so I leaned on Konata. Then Z…zzzz

(Konata)

He didn't couldn't drink the milk but YES! Flag triggered! Remember to save to watch both paths!

--

(Tuna)

--; I'm just too lazy to proofread today... maybe some other day.