Chapter 11
I spent the rest of the filming standing as far away from Koizumi as I could, trying to think about him.
We had to film and re-film the 'haunting' scene because apparently Asahina wasn't scary enough and Nagato wasn't scared enough. I just wanted to leave. There was a big lump in my throat and my heart beat was going nuts. Even when anyone mentioned his name made me angry.
When Haruhi released us I pedalled off pretty sharpish. I didn't want to talk to anyone right now.

The rest of the day passed much like the first half. Very quickly. I kept missing things. One minute I'd sit on the sofa and then the next thing I know it's an hour later.
I really hate this immortality business.
I wish it could use it as an excuse for not doing my homework.
I went to bed an hour earlier, hoping I would sleep and that I wouldn't dream.
Fat chance with my luck.
Koizumi was the star of my dreams. Every last one.
The next day dragged, even for someone who was experience time at an accelerated pace. You could hear Haruhi's mind ticking, like a bomb waiting to explode. She couldn't hide her excitement, whispering, "Hey Kyon...I've got a brilliant idea" and then refusing to tell me. At lunch Taniguchi and Kunikida asked if they would be needed again and I shook my head.
"Haruhi is the main star, the director and the producer. So essentially, this is all about her. Supporting characters have been kept to a minimum, so as not to dim Haruhi's light"
It took Taniguchi a while to process this for he chewed thoughtfully.
"I see. Well that's a shame cause I heard Asahina was some kind of bunny-girl ghost...it must be fun to oggle that all day...*sigh*"
Kunikida nodded in agreement and then put in, "Nagato is pretty cute too, don't you think so Kyon?"
They both looked at me, expectantly.
"Er yeah I suppose..."
Taniguchi slapped Kunikida on the back so hard that he spat rice all over my desk(lovely) and chuckled.
"Nah Kunikida! He doesn't like the quiet Nagato types! He likes the loud, freaky, Haruhi types!"
He laughed at his attempt at wittiness. All I could think of was no, actually, I prefer the polite, charismatic types...and then I realised who I was thinking of.
Taniguchi must have sensed something, because he announced,
"Ooh Kyon's gone all red! Are ya thinking about Haruhi?" and as a confirmation of my luck, Haruhi appeared over me, scowling. Uh oh.
She glared at Taniguchi and Kunikida, then grabbed me by my tie and pulled me up. Releasing me, she growled,
"Kyon, you better not have been thinking about me you pervert!"
I held my hands up in innocence.
"No! No I wasn't I swear!"
She pouted some more and then plonked herself down at her desk.
"You're such a pervert Kyon."
Taniguchi stuck his thumbs up at me.
I face palmed. Great.

Walking to the clubroom with Haruhi, (she decided not to race off without me so I figured she wanted to talk) I felt scared. I didn't want to see Koizumi. He essentially comes on to me for an entire year,kisses me, then tells me we have nothing and then kisses me again. What is going on? Does he not want me to like him? In fact, do I even like him that way...I mean...
A tap against my skull interrupted my thought train.
"Thinking about Itsuki?"
I stopped dead.
"Ha n..no..."
I giggled nervously. Why can Haruhi be so perceptive at times?
She raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Mikuru told me that you might have fallen out"
I almost sighed out loud in relief. At least she doesn't know the truth...
"Well you need to kiss and make up. Tell him you're sorry or whatever. I don't want there to be any awkwardness in the brigade because you two have fallen out"
"Har..."
She stopped.
"I don't care why you fell out...I mean I'm sure he didn't do anything that bad. I mean, it's only Itsuki! I just care that you make up"
She smiled slightly and for a second I thought, maybe she's changed?
But then she grabbed my tie and pulled me onwards. That would be a 'no'.

We got to the clubroom and surprisingly, Haruhi just went and sat down. No one else was there yet.
"We're taking a break from filming today. I have work to do, plus I need to figure out how we're going to incorporate advertising for those model and electronics shops. And YOU need to figure out how you're going to make up with Itsuki"
She said pointing at me. I face palmed again. She humphed and turned the computer on.
Asahina seemed surprised at us having a break from filming, but I was kicked out so she could change into her maid costume. I stood leaning against the door, when Nagato turned up. She said nothing and handed me one of her ribboned book marks.
I was about to talk but she walked into the clubroom and closed the door after her.
I looked at the bookmark. It said;
Meet at the station. 9pm.
De ja vu much? I wonder what this is for?
I was stood staring at the bookmark when Koizumi turned round the corner. My hear skipped a beat. We stood staring at each other and I opened my mouth to speak when Haruhi called me back in.
I went inside and sat down, Koizumi across from me. I looked down at me hands. This couldn't be more awkward. Haruhi must have noticed this because she called Koizumi over to take notes as her second in command. Asahina placed a mug of tea in front of me and as she did so, she leant and whispered in my ear, her long orangey hair concealing this from Haruhi.
"Kyon-kun, you need to talk to Koizumi before-"
"Oi Mikuru! Where's my tea"
Haruhi's loud obnoxious voice called.
Asahina snapped up.
"Y-yes!"
Haruhi winked at me and then carried on chatting away to Koizumih.
Soon enough, because we weren't doing anything, Haruhi got bored and decided the meeting was over, pushing me and Koizumi out of the room so she could strip Asahina.
She winked at me again as she slammed the door in my face, leaving me and Koizumi alone in the corridor.
The silence was enmeshing. He was stood with his back to me, looking out of the window. My desire to hold him increased until I couldn't stand it any longer.
I wrapped my arms around his body from behind and pulled his close. He ed to speak but I tilted my face to meet his, bringing my lips to embrace his own.
He pushed me away, but immediately looked guilty.
"Why Koizumi..."
He looked down at his shoes, his fists clenched. His mouth twitched.
"Oh fuck" he spat.
I had barely a moment to register the fact this was the first time I'd ever heard him swear because Haruhi slammed the door open.
"You can go now, see you tomorrow"
She waved and pranced off down the corridor.
I clenched my teeth and stormed in. What the actual hell is going on? Does he like me or doesn't he?
"Um see you later Kyon-kun"
A sweet voice spoke. Asahina bowed and daintily waltzed out of the room. I grabbed my coat and bag and swiftly followed her example. I didn't want to see Koizumi.
I pulled out Nagato's note.
What now? Tsuruya's a slider? Taniguchi's a vampire?
I don't think I can take much more weirdness.
I got home and changed and just sat until the clock said 8:30, trying not to think.
I cycled to the station and realised it wouldn't be just Nagato and me.
Asahina and Koizumi were waiting there with her too.
"Hello Kyon-kun"
Asahina was the only one who greeted me. Koizumi didn't even look at me.
"This way" Nagato quietly said, leading us in the direction of her apartment.
No one said anything on the way there.
Am I the only one who doesn't have a clue what's going on? If it turns out that Taniguchi is a vampire or something I'll scream.
We assembled in Nagato's living room. A room too familiar now. Nagato spoke softly.
"The Data Overmind have supplied me with the means to reverse our immortality-"
"No Nagato-san" Asahina squealed. I saw a brief flash of concern on Koizumi's face but then I realised I was staring at him and stopped myself.
Nagato stared Asahina down and continued.
"Mikuru Asahina, there is no cause for alarm. I will test the reversing data and if you should detect an anomaly in the space time continuum, you should be able to go back in time and reverse the effects;correct?"

Asahina nodded, embarrassed to have been stared at for so long.
"To reverse the changes, there is a protocol you must use,the code name is 'nirvana', but you must find the keys to activate the protocol."
"But Nagato..."
I tried but she held up her palm to silence me.
"It will be fine"
I swallowed nervously. She looked at us all in turn and raised her arm, palm skywards. A syringe gleamed there. She brought it down and aimed it at her wrist.
"Nagato! N-"
Koizumi tried, but it was too late.
Nagato had disappeared.