Chapter 8. Rotten Branches

It was Monday, the 5th of September. After spending a weekend full of exhausting events, I hoped fate would go easier on me today. I knew that dealing with one of the two Haruhis wasn't something I could avoid, but could I just have at least one normal day when all I would have to do was go to school, return home, do my homework and go to bed? I tell you, I am the ordinary one in Haruhi's Brigade of weird. Yet still, recently I've been getting into more trouble than any of the rest of us. Ironically, Haruhi was the one enjoying a normal life, despite being the least normal among us. A girl with godlike powers who is a talented high school student and has a crush on her homeroom teacher, and a guy who has no powers but encounters the supernatural and has to fight it every now and then. Somebody up there has a sick and twisted sense of humor.

In case you want to know how our Saturday meeting ended, it's hardly worth mentioning. Haruhi brought me to the costume shop where I made up my mind and decided to wear a Jedi outfit for the cosplay contest. Unfortunately and quite expectedly, I didn't have enough money to order one, so Haruhi had to lend me some of her own. That emptied my wallet, and I also was in Haruhi's debt, much to the annoyance of both of us. Hey, isn't a part of the Brigade leader's responsibilities to make sure no one gets left behind and to help her subordinates?

"If you can't pull your own weight, Kyon, you don't deserve a place in my Brigade!" she responded angrily. "I won't tolerate such failure from you or anyone else. This is your last warning."

I guess I was wrong. And it seems telling the members of her Brigade about purchasing expensive stuff beforehand isn't a part of the leader's responsibilities, either.

But you might have noticed I've said "a weekend full of exhausting events" earlier. Did something happen on Sunday as well? Oh yes. But first things first. There's something I need to do before I tell you all about my misadventures.

"Come in!" said Asahina-san's voice when I knocked on the clubroom's door. Good, she is here. I opened the door to find out that Koizumi and Nagato were here as well, and they were in the middle of a conversation.

"Are you sure about that?" asked Koizumi who was sitting opposite to Nagato. She was holding a book in her hands, but her eyes were on Koizumi. "You haven't detected anything unusual about Shiraki?"

"I am sure," replied the alien girl. "He is a regular human being."

"I was able to tell as much from his aura." Koizumi rested his elbows on the table. "Have you noticed him getting involved into anything uncharacteristic of a regular human? Has he been in contact with anyone like you or me, for example?"

"Investigating Takahiro Shiraki's activities was not authorized. My mission is to observe Haruhi Suzumiya." Having said that, Nagato lost interest in Koizumi and returned to reading her book. Congratulations, Koizumi. Looks like you've managed to exhaust the patience of someone who had been trapped in a time loop which lasted for six centuries.

"Hi." I put my bag on a seat next to Nagato. "Digging up dirt on Shiraki? You know, if Nagato says someone is normal, you might want to believe her."

A smile appeared on Koizumi's good-looking face.

"Consider me stubborn, but I can't just accept the thought Shiraki is exactly what he appears to be. He said he knows Kyoko Tachibana. She is – or was – his neighbor, of all people out there. Add it to what I've said earlier about him when you and I left that café, and this series of coincidences becomes even less likely to be just coincidences. Something is very fishy here."

"Hmph." Asahina-san brought me some tea. This is the moment that makes my life worth living! I am so unworthy to have been blessed by being allowed to have Asahina-san's special tea! "That's what Haruhi said about Shiraki when she first saw him. "Something is fishy here." Now you're just obsessed with him as much as she is."

"Perhaps." Koizumi pulled a board game out of his bag. "If Nagato-san is unable to provide me with any new information, I'll just have to search for it myself. How about playing a game of Kamisado?"

"In a minute," I nodded to his offer. Although I haven't heard about that game before, I'm never against trying something new. Especially since there's always a good chance Koizumi is no better at it than I. "Nagato, I'm going to the city library today. We've been assigned a project, so I'll have to look through some encyclopedias. Wanna tag along?"

Nagato turned her head to me, her eyes wide open without blinking. I knew she loved books more than anything, and a library is like a paradise to her. Of course, I could find all information I needed on the Internet, but… I wanted to give her at least one fine day. I think she wouldn't mind to have one after what happened yesterday.

For a moment, I thought she was about to smile, but the miracle didn't happen.

"I would like to accompany you."

"Good!" I knew she couldn't refuse it. That's our Nagato. "Now… Asahina-san."

Hearing my voice, she raised her little head like a bird. God, how can someone be so cute?

"Yes?"

"I've spoken to Tsuruya. Starting today, she is going to teach you hand-to-hand combat."

"What? But…" With her hands pressed against her chest, Asahina-san closed her eyes tight and started shaking her head in denial. "No, no, no! Why did you…? I don't want it!"

"Do you think that's going to help?" Koizumi was watching us with curiosity. "An interesting decision, but considering what we're up against…"

"I'm sure. It's the least we can do to make you stronger, Asahina-san."

She looked at me as if she was about to cry. I'm sorry, but it has to be done. You have to do it. You must agree for the sake of yourself and all of us.

"Do you trust me, Asahina-san?"

Locking gazes with her, I hoped I wasn't looking scary. Pardon me if I am, Asahina-san. I want you to see the confidence in my eyes and take strength from it. Very slowly, she nodded and blinked, obviously unable to bear the constipated look on my face.

"Okay…" Heroically overcoming the shock from this sudden news, she smiled at me. "I mean, yes. Of course I trust you."


"You keep falling into the same trap, Kyon."

I was breathing heavily, convulsively gripping the hilt of a wooden sword. My left side hurt from countless strikes. It's going to be one hell of a bruise. I wonder how my ribs are still intact. I clenched my teeth, trying to control my emotions, feeling the sweat dripping down my face.

"When you are trying to attack me, you are doing exactly what I want you to do." Dressed in a kendo uniform, just like me, and holding a bokken in her right hand, Ryoko Asakura was giving me another lecture. "You see what you think is an opening in my defense and go for the open spot, and that's just what I am expecting. By doing so, you expose yourself and allow me to hit you. Not only that, your attacks are still raw and blunt."

"What did you expect from someone who has been training for just three days?" I said between my teeth. "What kind of training is this, anyway? I thought I would be, don't know, practicing swings or something. Isn't it too early for actual combat?"

Ever since this so-called training began, we've been doing nothing but clashing swords. Just like the first day, after changing into the uniform and walking inside the abnormally spacious hall, I had to try and block Asakura's incoming attacks, without any explanation about how I was supposed to do that. As for trying to attack her myself, I've had even less help there. Every time Asakura opened her mouth, it was only to comment on my sloppy style and the mistakes I've been making. Just like now.

"No, it's not." If Asakura had a soul, then she was visibly disappointed to the bottom of it. I couldn't tell what the reason was, though. Was it my poor accomplishments or my ungratefulness? Well, whose fault is that? "I'm doing my job, which is to teach you how to fight. I never thought you'd show any decent results in just a few days. But your progress is inevitable. And, in spite of your frustration…" She looked at the ceiling. I followed her line of sight, but I couldn't see anything unusual. "You refuse to give up, which is commendable."

True. Despite the ridiculousness of her training style, I felt I should not turn her offer down. And after what I said when she asked me why I wanted this, there was no going back. It is for the sake of my friends whom I want to protect that I agreed to play Dark Haruhi's game, even though she was the one threatening them. Each time I think about it, it makes less and less sense, but… I couldn't just sit and do nothing in a situation like that. There was no better alternative to accepting Asakura's help, whatever her true motives were.

"It's over for today," said Asakura. "Go and change into your clothes. I believe you are needed elsewhere."

"What do you mean?"

She raised her finger, pointing at the ceiling.

"A Closed Space has appeared right over this apartment. Can you guess who is trapped inside it?"

The sweat streaming down my face suddenly lost all its warmth. Two stories above Asakura's place lives…

"Nagato."

Damn you, Koizumi, I hate it when you are right. Now it's Nagato's turn to be Dark Haruhi's chew toy. Even though Nagato is the most powerful one in our Brigade, she might still find herself in big trouble, given Dark Haruhi's mastery of Closed Spaces.

"Correct." Asakura walked up to the stand on the wall, placing her sword on it. "If I'm not mistaken, that space has been hanging over there for half an hour now. I can't sense Nagato in her own room, which means she is inside the Closed Space. And she can't leave it on her own."

"Half an hour? Damn it, Asakura, why haven't you told me before?!" I shouted. "I could've…"

"You could've what?" She turned to me, freezing me to my bones with her ice cold eyes. "Entered it and rescued her? Kyon, you are still a big child. You know all too well that a Closed Space isn't something you can deal with on your own."

"But… didn't you just say I am needed out there?"

"I did. What I meant by it that you weren't needed until this moment. Hurry up and go if you don't want to miss all the fun."

She didn't need to repeat it again. I considered going to Nagato's room in the kendo outfit, but I thought I could spare a minute to change into my school uniform. Without saying goodbye, I ran out of Asakura's place and rushed upstairs. Two floors are a joke; it's faster to run than to wait for the elevator.

"Kyon-kun?" A familiar voice called for me. "Kyon-kun, is that you?"

I stopped when I saw a face I knew.

"Mori-san?"

A youthful-looking woman was standing in the corridor of the seventh floor. Sonou Mori, another member of the Organization. Just like Arakawa, she was present during Keiichi Tamaru's "murder" on the lone island, and now she is here, when a Closed Space created by Dark Haruhi has appeared. I guess it means other members of the Organization are here, as well.

"We were just about to call you!" Mori-san motioned me to follow her. "Your timing is too impeccable to be an accident. How did you know you had to come?"

"I was given a tip-off." The room 708 wasn't far. Mori-san opened the door and let me in. I wonder how they got it open in the first place. They didn't have to break the door, did they? "You were going to call me? Why?"

"We have an emergency situation," replied Mori-san. "Once again, we have to ask for your help. Yours and Asahina-san's."

"Asahina-san?" I began to take off my shoes, but Mori-san stopped me.

"Don't bother. You might want to keep them on. As for Asahina-san, she's not here yet. But she will arrive any minute."

"I don't understand." I moved carelessly, and my beaten-up side ached like I was punched by an invisible fist. I winced at the sudden pain, but it was gone the next moment. No, it doesn't seem like a bone fracture. "What do you need us for? Moral support?"

Before Mori-san could answer, I heard the ringing sound of an intercom bell. I cocked my ears. Someone inside the room was speaking.

"Is that you, Arakawa-san? … Yes. Is Mikuru Asahina with you? Come in and get up here. We are waiting for you."

That was Daichi Koizumi's voice. Itsuki's father was here. Good grief, I could do without another run-in with this person. Well, it didn't really matter. Moving without making any noise, like a ninja, Mori-san sneaked out into the corridor to meet the coming guests. Hey, what about my question? Oh well.

Accepting the inevitable, I made my way into the room and saw Daichi and another man I haven't met before.

"Good evening, Kyon-kun." Daichi stretched out his hand for a shake. Huh. That was a lot more different from our last meeting. Koizumi mentioned that I had earned some of his father's respect before, so I obliged and shook his hand.

"Koizumi-san." I turned to the other guy. He was roughly my age, maybe a couple of years older. I guess bowing to him would be too much.

"This is Hanigaru," introduced him Daichi. "Or rather that's what he prefers to call himself. He is our Closed Spaces expert."

"I am not your expert, Daichi." The guy named Hanigaru glared at him with an offended look on his face. "I'm not even a part of your Organization anymore. For all intents and purposes, I shouldn't even be here."

Like I said before, Hanigaru was a young man who was slightly older than I. He had spiky black hair, pale skin and brown eyes, and his face was forever stuck in an annoyed expression. What is he so pissed about?

"So you are the human I was told about," said Hanigaru. A spark of curiosity lit up in his dull eyes. He was looking at me as if I was some kind of a scientific showpiece. "One of Suzumiya's lackeys. I'm not impressed."

"Don't listen to him, Kyon-kun," Daichi interrupted a second before I was going to snarl back at him. "This is his usual friendly attitude."

"Oh no, I would prefer that you listen to me, young man." Hanigaru scowled at Koizumi's father again. "What I'm saying is it's a shame you waste the best years of your life on that girl. I know better than anyone that she is a huge piece of the nastiest trouble you could possibly imagine. If I were you, I'd stay away from her as far as possible. Actually, that's what I've been doing for a few years now, and there wasn't a single day I've regretted my choice. You should try it as well."

Such healthy attitude. What's this guy's problem?

"You seem to dislike Haruhi a lot. What did she ever do to you?"

"Do you mean, apart from cursing me and dozens of other people with the ability to walk into those wretched Closed Spaces?" Hanigaru raised an eyebrow. "Forcing us to calm down storms that arise inside her mind? Do you think it's a blessing?"

I… I had to admit that I never thought about it like that. As unpleasant as he was, Hanigaru had a point. I should've known that some espers aren't glad about their duty to vanquish Celestials spawn by Haruhi's negative emotions. Come to think about it, whenever Haruhi gets a new idea how to fight her boredom and drags us along, doesn't Koizumi always say something like, "Suzumiya-san is having a lot of fun, which reduces the chance of a Closed Space emerging"? I was dumbstruck by this revelation. Koizumi was just as pissed off at Haruhi as Hanigaru. The difference is, Hanigaru was much more sincere about it.

"I know what you're talking about," I nodded. "I've been to Closed Spaces a few times. It was no fun at all."

"Yet you remain by Suzumiya's side." He was staring at me inquisitively. "Why? Could it be that you consider her… a friend?"

I nodded once again.

"Don't try to understand it, though. It is not a rational thing. Just accept it as the truth."

"My, my." Hanigaru's mouth shaped into a sad half-smile. "Is it a voluntary choice? If so, then you and the Organization have more in common than I thought. Which will do you no good."

Whatever. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. I decided to switch to more important matters at hand.

"Koizumi-san," I addressed to Itsuki's father, getting straight to the point. "Where is Itsuki?"

"Where else could he be?" snorted Daichi. "Inside the Closed Space that has formed over this building, of course. He and a few other espers went there to investigate, but not before they noticed that the entrance was right here, in Nagato's room… And Nagato herself has vanished. She must be inside the space, as well."

"It's not… it's not like the last time, is it?"

"Definitely not," shook his head Daichi. "Itsuki's body isn't here anywhere. The same can be said of his team. But they've been out there for too long, which makes me suspicious. This may not be a regular Closed Space, created by Suzumiya-san. That's why Hanigaru is here."

"He called me and said it was an urgent matter, and that he needed me to come over and lend him some help," Hanigaru sighed and pulled his hands inside the pockets. "After three years have passed, you're acting like nothing happened, Daichi. Do you even feel any qualms about that?"

"No." Daichi frowned. "You are alive and well, and still bickering, as usual. What more could you possibly want?"

"Never having to deal with you espers would be just fine." Hanigaru rolled his eyes. "What did you mean when you said it might not be a regular Closed Space? Did something change during my retirement?"

"I don't mind telling you about that. However, I'm afraid you'll have to be reinstated as a member of the Organization first. This kind of information is classified."

"Ah. Forget I ever asked, then." Hanigaru craned his neck. "Looks like we have new visitors. Old man Arakawa and… wow."

The door of Nagato's room opened, and Arakawa stepped inside. Asahina-san and Mori-san were behind him. My personal favorite moe girl tried to remain unseen, hiding between those two, but then she noticed me.

"Kyon!" Her angelic face, darkened with worrying and fear of the unknown, was beautiful nonetheless. "And Koizumi-san, and… um…"

"Is that the time traveler?" Almost as if he could read my furious thoughts, Hanigaru got his eyes off Asahina-san's body and turned to Daichi. "I've never seen one before. I can hardly tell the difference between her and an ordinary person, like this… Kyon."

He's probably thinking what a stupid nickname I had. I don't disagree, but the last thing I want is a person I barely know laughing at it.

"This room is getting more crowded than I prefer." Hanigaru raised his hand. "All right, let's get to business. The reason why Daichi wants me here is to explain why he can't send another team of espers and why he has to rely on Suzumiya's friends. Watch this."

Hanigaru made a sudden stabbing movement with the hand he had raised before. I blinked. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but they weren't wrong. Hanigaru's arm was extended, but his wrist vanished completely! All I could see in his jacket's sleeve was darkness. It was just like Herbert Wells' Invisible Man. Asahina-san was watching in awe, too.

"As I've mentioned before, I used to be a member of the Organization, so I am an esper, just like them." Hanigaru nodded his head at Mori-san and Arakawa. "But I am different. My powers are more versatile, and I was never above experimenting with them. What you are seeing right now is my probing ability. I can stick my hand into this Closed Space and tell you about its properties."

Hanigaru's face took on a contemplative look.

"This is truly amazing. I don't recall Suzumiya ever creating a masterpiece like this. I didn't believe my own senses when I probed it for the first time."

"Get to the point, Hanigaru." Daichi was starting to lose his patience.

"The Closed Space I am probing right now has a very dense environment. Which analogy should I draw… Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to move underwater? That's because water's density is a lot higher than that of the air. It restrains your movements, making them slower, and you have to apply more force to move your limbs. That's the kind of the Closed Space Itsuki went into. And that's where your alien friend is."

"You can tell all that just by shoving your hand inside it?" I was having a hard time trying to comprehend everything he just said.

"And I am proud to say I am the only one who knows this trick!" Hanigaru smiled, baring his teeth. "Not even Itsuki can pull this off, and his potential is fairly the strongest in the whole Organization. I actually regret I've never bothered myself showing him a thing or two, but I don't miss him bad enough to rectify this small mistake."

"I see. You're something of a prodigy, then."

I didn't know that espers' powers varied in potential. So Koizumi is the strongest? Now I'm kinda curious. Perhaps I should question him about the full extent of his powers.

"But still, what you've described doesn't sound like a problem to someone like Nagato."

"Hush. I'm still talking." Hanigaru waved his finger. "This space's density is much, much higher than water's. Its environment is so dense that any unlucky esper who wanders inside it loses their ability to move. Entirely. And it's more than just that. It doesn't stop them physically, but mentally as well. Itsuki and others are inside this Closed Space, frozen and completely unaware of their surroundings. Their powers are a liability now. The space affects everyone who has the ability to enter it. Which is why…" He pointed his finger at me. "You and your time traveler friend are going in."

"What?"

I didn't notice Asahina-san was standing near me until she clutched my arm. The prospect of going into a Closed Space again wasn't cheerful at all. How many times has she actually been inside one? I think the pitch-black space with the invisible monster was her first time.

"That's right. Because you are a human with no special powers, and, as I was told, your friend had lost her time traveling device, which reduced her to a mere human being, we can send you in safely. You will be able to move inside this space's dense environment freely, because you will be two walking anomalies. Then you will just have to locate Itsuki and others and find a way out."

This Hanigaru person surely knew how to make himself useful, impressing others in the process. I imagine the Organization lost much when he left. But why did he really leave? Simply because he hated to be Haruhi's toy soldier? Or was there another reason?

"And what are we going to find in there?" I asked. "Furthermore, how do we find a way out?"

Hanigaru withdrew his arm. I could see a breach in the air which closed itself momentarily. The retired esper bent the fingers on his reappeared hand.

"Not my problem."

Is he serious? That's where his help ends? That's not even half of the job we are supposed to do here!

"Hanigaru…"

"You asked me a favor, Daichi." He looked at Koizumi's father with a peevish expression. "You wanted me to explain what was happening inside this Closed Space. I just did. You never said anything about actually solving your issue. Besides, if you want to leave a Closed Space, you have to enter it first. Will you volunteer to accompany these poor children and help them find an exit?"

Daichi closed his eyes, turning black in his face. Judging by the exchanges between those two, now I really wanted to know what happened between them in the past. The arrogant esper bared his teeth once again.

"Didn't think so."

"Then… do one last thing for me, please?" Daichi manned up and straightened back. "Send Kyon-kun and Asahina-san in. You are the only one here who is talented enough to do it without going inside the space themselves."

"Such sweet, sweet flattery. You can be truly nice to others when you want to, Daichi." Hanigaru approached me and Asahina-san, putting his hands on our shoulders. "Are you ready, kids? This might feel a little dizzy. One thing before you go: in case you die inside the Closed Space, don't worry – nobody is going to find your bodies until it dissolves. Say cheese!"

"Wa—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Hanigaru pushed us away from him. A sudden bright flash of light blinded me for a moment. I could hear Asahina-san's short shout, and then I fell on something soft and abrasive. I blinked. My sight cleared. I could see orange sky high above me, with clouds slowly drifting across it.

"Kyon?" Asahina-san's face appeared over me. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." I sat up and looked around. A vast desert was before my eyes. The substance I was sitting on was sand. Well, good thing this Closed Space doesn't take our vision away. It was actually a very pretty view. "What about you? Are you hurt?"

"No," she shook her head. "I'm fine. Um… Kyon? What is that?"

She was pointing at my left side. I looked down and was stupefied by what I saw. Something long was attached to my left side by a belt, which was buttoned to my undercoat. Where did this come from?

"What the…"

I got up on my feet. Once I was standing up, I noticed another detail. On the long item's end, the one closer to my left side, was something which resembled a… sword hilt?

"Is that really a sword?" asked Asahina-san with fascination in her voice. "Where were you hiding it all this time, Kyon?"

"I wasn't!" I grabbed the hilt with my right hand, filled with surprise. I have no idea why I had a sword all of a sudden, but it was so cool I was trembling with rapture. Eager to see what this sword looked like, I pulled the hilt and…

"You've gotta be kidding me."

It didn't have a blade. I was holding the sword hilt, but there was nothing else. I fiddled it in my hand, carefully examining it, but there was no sign of a blade every sword is supposed to have. I closed my eyes and facepalmed with my free hand. I don't know what's stranger: the fact that something I didn't have appeared in my possession, or that it was an unusable weapon.

"Look!"

I turned around and saw some figures a few steps away from us. Five people were standing motionlessly. One of them was wearing a North High uniform.

"Is that Koizumi?" I ran up to him for a closer look. Koizumi's eyes didn't move, and neither did a single muscle on his face when I approached him. I patted him on his shoulder. Nothing happened.

"This is Koizumi-kun's mother, Hotaru-san!" Asahina-san was timidly looking at the woman in front of her. She was right, it was indeed Koizumi's mother, standing here like a statue. "And Keiichi-san, and Yutaka-san… And I'm not familiar with this lady."

"It's just like Hanigaru said." I tried to push Koizumi, but it was like trying to push a tree. He still didn't move a single inch. "This Closed Space froze them in place. They can't move, and I think we have to agree on what he said about their awareness as well. They don't even recognize we're here."

"But where is Nagato-san?" The time traveler looked around, and a moment later she pointed a direction. "And what is that pillar?"

Asahina-san's finger was pointing at a tall white object on the horizon. I had to squint because the setting sun's rays were hurting my eyes. Wait, it's the first time I see the sun in a Closed Space. Haruhi's subconsciousness can only create gloomy replicas of our city, with glowing blue Celestials as the only source of light. Yes, this space definitely isn't her work. "As if it wasn't obvious enough already," said a little mocking voice inside my head. Yeah, silly me.

"It's not a pillar." Squinting helped me make out the white thing's small features. "It's a tower."

It was approximately a hundred meters high. The tower was covered with small black dots, which had to be windows, and it was embraced with a spiral line from the bottom to the top. No, it's still too far away to be sure what exactly that tower was. We need to come closer for a better look. Might as well find something there.

"We can't do anything for Koizumi and the rest just now," I said. "And that tower is the only other thing that's here. Maybe Nagato is inside it. Let's go, Asahina-san."

"Sure. Kyon… Do you mind if I…"

A soft blush appeared on her cheeks, her eyes hid behind her gorgeous hair, increasing her cuteness by as much as 37 percent. Asahina-san wavered for a moment, and I felt her hand in my own, with our fingers intertwined before I could say a word. My heart was pounding so hard and fast as if it was trying to break out of my chest and run away screaming with joy. Could I refuse her and take my hand away? What kind of stupid question is that?

Still holding the useless hilt in my other hand, I and Asahina-san headed towards the white tower. Walking on sand wasn't easy. I felt it get inside my shoes and through my socks, rubbing my toes. Asahina-san must be having the same problem now, but she didn't complain, so neither did I. After all, this moment was so perfect and heartwarming, despite the nature of the place we were in and the reason we were here. It's like it was created for the very purpose to let me and Asahina-san enjoy some time together.

This harmless thought gave me cold sweat all of a sudden. This isn't a game, Kyon. It's a Closed Space, created to trap the espers and Nagato here. And you and Asahina-san just happen to be immune to its effects. Do you think it's an accident, or maybe an oversight on Dark Haruhi's behalf?

Don't be so naїve!

I get it now. This Closed Space is a trap. But the real prey isn't Nagato, or Koizumi, or his mother, or anyone from the Organization. They are merely a bait, placed here to lure me and Asahina-san. But which one of us is the target? Is it me? Is it Asahina-san? Or both?

I stopped a few meters away from the tower.

"Kyon?"

"Show yourself," I muttered while lifting my head. Is there any chance Dark Haruhi was watching us like the last time? Is this tower where she resides? Is Nagato a prisoner here?

"Kyon!" exclaimed Asahina-san's voice. "Your sword!"

I looked at the hilt I was holding and didn't believe my own eyes. It had a long metal blade now. I wanted to pinch myself to make sure it wasn't some kind of an overly long and weird dream, but both of my hands were busy. So I just had to accept what I saw. My right hand was holding a katana.

"When did it appear?" I asked Asahina-san. "Sometime during our walk?"

"No," she shook her head. "I think it appeared just now. But why?"

I didn't know the answer to this, either. Am I going to fight with it? But it's too early. I suck at kendo, and Asakura herself said that my skills have yet to begin improving. So why did I have a real katana when I couldn't even handle a wooden sword?

"Asahina-san." I pulled my hand out of her grip and raised the sword, holding the hilt with both hands tightly. "Stay behind me. I don't know the meaning of this, but there must be a reason why I have a weapon."

"Ehh… Yes, Kyon."

The line on the tower I saw before was actually a spiral staircase. I couldn't see any doors on the tower's white surface, only creepy black windows which looked like empty eye sockets. I raised my head as high as I could, trying to see what was on the top. Making a few steps back, I was able to see something that resembled… a chess piece. A black chess piece, clearly visible against the tower's white wall.

"Do you see what I see, Asahina-san? What is that black thing?"

"Huuuh… Hmph…"

And then, when I expected it the least, the chess piece moved. I shuddered, raising my sword higher and preparing to block a possible attack. The thing jumped off whatever it was standing on and began falling.

"Kyaa!" shouted Asahina-san.

What the hell…? Next moment, the chess piece had red wings, but its fall didn't slow down a little bit. Like an ink stain on white paper, it grew bigger and bigger as it was approaching the ground – and us. I frowned and noticed the chess piece had arms and legs. It had a human body! And the thing I mistook for wings was a red cape. No, wait. The cape was red only on the inside, but black on the outside.

"Is that you, Batman?"

As soon as I said those words, the figure in the cape vanished from my sight. Where did it go? I turned around, trying to spot it, but with no success. The caped person had disappeared. Before I could even swear through my teeth, the ground shook under our feet.

"Kyon!" Asahina-san grasped my jacket so intensely she might accidentally tear off a piece of cloth. "What's happening?"

Sand splattered everywhere I was looking, and something long and black protruded from the ground and reached for me and Asahina-san. Tentacles? No… Tree branches? In a desert? Idiot, you are in a Closed Space! I dodged a black branch that was aiming for my head and swung my katana, cutting it in half. Two more stretched out in a screaming Asahina-san's direction. I cut the first one without any effort, but the time traveler was between me and the second one.

"Asahina-san! Duck!"

"What?"

"Get down, I said!"

She fell on the sand, covering her head with arms, and I slashed through the branch just in time. I looked around, but couldn't see any more other things coming to attack us. Letting out a heavy breath, I allowed myself to relax for the moment and lowered the sword.

"Are you okay?"

Asahina-san's eyes opened wide, and she wailed in terror as a thick black line wrapped around her waist. Before I could even react, another branch lifted her in the air, coming from under the spot Asahina-san was lying on, and soon all I could see was a small crying spot on the branch's end high above me.

"ASAHINA-SAN!"

It was lifting her higher and higher, carrying her to the top of the tower, as far as I could tell. And I couldn't even cut the damn branch, because Asahina-san would fall on the ground. I'd only end up killing her with my own hands. I laid my eyes on the spiral stairs. There was only one path ahead of me.

"Hang on!" I shouted, gripping the katana's hilt, and ran towards the staircase. As soon as my foot landed on the first step, more branches appeared, crawling out of the closest window. Looks like those "eye sockets" aren't as empty as I thought. Cutting through them with one swing, I began climbing up, but then something grabbed my ankle, and I fell.

"Ah crap!"

The staircase didn't have a banister. I was very lucky not to fall off. I looked back and saw another bunch of branches that was holding my leg and attempting to drag me closer to the window. I don't think I want to go there…

"Hah!"

Aiming carefully so I wouldn't accidentally chop off my own leg, I managed to cleave through one of the black boughs. The grip weakened, and I was able to get closer and cut off the rest of them, but then even more crept out of the hole in the tower and reached for me. There's no end to them! I got up and tried to get away from them as fast as I could, only to face more of the cursed things stretching out of the next window.

"You aren't stopping me!" Yelling from the top of my lungs, I struck as hard as I could, severing the branches and clearing my way. I figured that I had to cut through them as fast as possible and run upstairs, so none of them had the time to grab me from behind. And because there was no banister, I had to be careful not to fall. The higher I get, the deader I will become if I fall down.

The tower was about one hundred meters high…

Working in a rhythm, I was making my way to the top. Step, step, step – cut; step, step, step – cut…I was trying to strike the branches as closer to the windows as possible, so they wouldn't remain an obstacle. And I was moving fast enough so they didn't have the time to bend, aim at me and thrust. I had no room to dodge something like that. I kept that in mind as I continued to swing my katana at the black branches in my way. How many times have I already done that? Dozens, hundreds? Barely a few minutes have passed. How far was the top of the tower? I dared look not. All my attention was focused on swinging, cutting and watching my step.

And at last, the stairs ended, and the white wall with its countless windows was below me. On the top was a plain round court, as white as the whole tower. I sighed in relief when I saw a short petite figure standing near the edge. Nagato, I found you!

"Hey, Nagato!" I went up closer to her. Just like Koizumi and his team, she was immobilized. Wait… Not quite. She was standing still like a statue, but her lips were moving. Very slowly.

"Nagato?"

No response. Her eyes were staring at one spot, and she most likely didn't acknowledge my presence. However, her mouth was moving without producing a sound. It was opening and closing at an agonizingly low speed. Didn't Hanigaru say nobody with powers would be able to move in this Closed Space? It seems like he wasn't entirely right. Not even a space like this could stop Nagato completely. I bet she is trying to use her data manipulation ability, but her fast-paced spell-casting speech was slowed down to a near halt. "Near" was the key word. I sighed helplessly. Even though the hold on Nagato wasn't 100% perfect, she still couldn't do much to solve the situation. It's up to me to find a way out.

Wait a second. Where is Asahina-san?

The ground under my feet shook once again. I spread my legs in order to keep my balance. Hold on, I'm on the top of the tower now, not on the ground. Why is the tower shaking?

With a deafening noise, a huge crack appeared on the white floor. More black branches, longer and thicker than before, showed before my eyes. Protruding from the hole, they were tying together and taking on a bulky shape. I heard a girl's screams. A particularly thick branch was holding Asahina-san who was screeching relentlessly now, and in the blink of an eye she was covered with other black boughs, hidden from my view, her screams muffled beyond hearing.

"ASAHINA-SAN!"

But shouting didn't help a slightest bit. Meanwhile, all the branches formed into a creature which looked like a monster from a video game. It was twice as tall as me, and as wide as a bus. Raising my sword, I asked myself how I was going to fight this thing. I didn't have a single clue. All I knew for certain was that attacking the monster's torso could harm Asahina-san. So what was I left with? Its arms and legs, too thick for my katana to cut?

A huge fist flew to my face. I took my feet off the ground, bending my knees simultaneously, allowing myself to duck faster than if I had just sat instead. The giant's arm moved right above my head, while I used the opportunity to strike its leg. I didn't manage to cut too deep. The leg was as thick as an average log, and my sword barely scratched it. With the corner of my eye, I noticed the fist was rapidly falling on my head, so I rolled aside, holding on to the sword as dearly as if it was my life. I heard a loud crack! when the giant hit the floor, giving me a good impression about what will happen if that fist connects with my body. Getting up on my feet, I backed a few steps away, trying to figure out my next move.

The branch monster turned around quickly, swinging its arm. I had enough distance to try and block it with my blade, but the blow was too strong. It made me lose my balance, and the creature spun in the opposite direction starkly, hitting my still sore left side.

This mighty hit beat the breath out of me and sent me flying. Desperately gasping for air, I felt the sharp pain in my body and hazily realized that a couple of my ribs aren't whole anymore. I hit the floor, but my movement wasn't over yet, and I felt the solid ground disappear from under my body as I rolled over the edge. I stretched out my left arm and grabbed something, stopping my fall. I looked up to see what it was I was holding. It was warm and thin, and my hand could feel the touch of a soft stocking… Nagato's ankle! Trying not to think what would've happened if the monster tossed me in a different direction, I raised my right hand and held the sword's hilt in my teeth, like Roronoa Zoro, and used my now free hand to climb up. Oops, I'm terribly sorry, Nagato, I didn't mean to see that. Nice angle, though.

While getting back on the steady ground, I've noticed a bunch of boughs still protruding from the hole in the floor and connecting to the monster's body. This gave me an idea. It's going to be a tough thing to pull off with my broken ribs, however… The giant raised its fist, targeting me again, and when it lunged at me, it was rather easy to dodge. Ducking under its arm, I ended up behind its back and struck the branches – or should I say "roots" this time? – with all strength I had, cutting through them as if they were butter.

The giant shivered and wheezed as the boughs it was composed off began to rot and crumble. Looks like I've hit the jackpot! The monster collapsed on its knees, falling apart and ceasing to exist. The cage around Asahina-san broke down, revealing the unconscious girl… And then I was blinded by a sudden flash of light.

"Look, Daichi-san! They are back! All of them!"

A familiar voice cut through the momentary silence. Mori-san…

"Itsuki! Hotaru! Are you alright?"

"Father? What… Why are we here? We were supposed to… Kyon?"

I had to do some very intense squinting to regain my sight, but it was still very blurred and muzzy. I could tell we were in Nagato's apartment again, though. The Closed Space had vanished.

And so had the sword in my hand. And the belt, and the scabbard. There was nothing on my left side… except all this blood…


You can easily guess what happened next. Nagato was unfrozen, just like the others, and tended to my injuries immediately. Hanigaru was gone long before we had returned – in fact, he left as soon as he sent me and Asahina-san into the Closed Space. Nobody missed him, except Koizumi, who was upset he lost an opportunity to meet with his old friend and former associate. I told the present company about everything that happened in the space, including the mysterious caped figure. Koizumi suggested that I saw Dark Haruhi in the flesh, but neither he nor Nagato could confirm this theory because both of them were frozen and couldn't see anyone. When Asahina-san recovered, she vouched for my incredible story. Of course, she was unable to see my fight with the branch giant, but it was enough for everyone to believe that I wasn't embellishing anything.

That night, I was a hero. And Asahina-san's admiration which was shown on her face was the best reward I could ask for, even better than Daichi's firm handshake and Tamaru brothers' patting on my shoulders. But I didn't need all those honors and praises. I wanted to go home where a soft bed in a dark room was waiting for me. Arakawa gladly volunteered to take me to my place where the happy reunion occurred, but in the morning, I didn't feel fresh and rested at all. Good grief. What's the point in sleep if it doesn't help you regain your energy?

I was walking up the hill the North High school was standing upon when the voice of the girl I had to see every day since the first day of this month called for me.

"I've heard about your yesterday deed," smiled Asakura brightly while catching up with me. "I told you your progress was inevitable. Glad to see that my lessons begin to bear fruit so soon. Well done, Kyon!"

"Oh, you're glad, aren't you?" I stopped to give her the most furious look I could make. "You know what, Asakura? Screw you, screw your lessons, screw your master! Screw all the sick games you and Dark Haruhi are playing with us! I'm fed up with all this crap, so just stop bothering me, okay?!"

Asakura withstood all my ranting, smiling nonchalantly. I turned my back at her and headed to school, hoping that this day will be peaceful for a change. I wanted some normal life more than ever.

"Don't forget to come over today, Kyon!" I heard Asakura's voice behind me. "You won't like it if I will be forced to drag you to my place myself."

I clenched my teeth. I had no choice there and I knew it. I could do nothing about Asakura and her stupid kendo training. But there was something else I could do without Dark Haruhi getting in the way. This idea visited my mind as soon as I woke up this morning.

"Hey, Tsuruya-san!"

A girl with long green hair turned around at the sound of my voice and broke into laughter instantly.

"Kyon! Why, hello there!" She approached me face to face, curiously glaring at me. "Why do you look so angry? Did something happen to you?"

"Tsuruya-san, I have a question for you." Her shining eyes, full of energy, were locked on me. "Do you happen to be a master in any kind of martial arts?"

"Huh?" Tsuruya tilted her head, and a naughty smile appeared on her face. "Just how do you know that, nyoro~? I don't remember telling about it even to Mikuru."

"Tsuruya-san, listen. This is important." I looked around to make sure nobody is eavesdropping on us and lowered my voice. "I'm asking you to teach Asahina-san whatever skills you know. She must learn how to fight, and as soon as possible."

Tsuruya crossed her arms over her chest.

"You are giving me the creeps, Kyon. What is this all about? Are there any douchebags harassing my Mikuru? Just tell me their names, and I'll bash their stupid heads!"

I put my hand on her shoulder.

"I wouldn't be asking you for this if it wasn't of the highest importance. But I can't tell you all the details. I'll just say there is a certain someone giving our entire Brigade hell, and Asahina-san is the most vulnerable. Tsuruya-san." My face was so close to hers our foreheads were almost touching. "She may not carry any weapons. But nobody ever said she can't use her own fists. Please, train her. Start today and train her every day until she is strong enough to deal with any kind of danger."

The smile vanished from Tsuruya's face. She could tell I was dead serious, and this matter wasn't something to joke about. And she would do anything for Asahina-san. She nodded, returning me the serious look.

"You've come to the right person, Kyon. Don't worry, I'll share whatever knowledge I have with Mikuru. But… May I at least know what is going on?"

"Sure." I let go off Tsuruya. "As soon as we get it sorted out ourselves. Thank you, Tsuruya-san. I'll see you around!"