Time to finally end Endless Eight. I'm actually glad that I didn't do the beginning and loop yet. That would kill me and probably you guys as well. But, I will do it as a special thing, same with this 1 manga chapter. I have to keep emphasizing it because there is this one chapter that isn't relevant to the series and it shows character I didn't want people to see JUST yet. You know who it is. No, not Sasaki or any of her so called Anti-SOS Brigade.
I don't own Haruhi Suzumiya
The Endless II
"This is the 15, 532nd loop."
The air went silent. The Kyons could only stand in amazement. Mikuru started crying while Mitsuru was trying to calm her down. The Koizumis only stood quietly at the thought of it all. The mortifying truth was the only thing that everyone could hear. The Nagatos were the only ones who seemed completely calmed about it all.
"Is that true?" Kyon asked.
"Yes." Yukihiko answered.
"Is this the 15, 532nd loop?"
"Yes."
"We've been going through the loop that many times, doing the exact same things?"
"No quite. Over the course of the loops, the 2,391st and 11, 054th where the 2 instances where the Obon Festival was excluded. There were 437 instances where goldfish scooping was excluded. The public pool trip has not been omitted as of this point but there have been various activities during those times. 6,359 instances of playing beach ball, 8,359 instances of swim races, 5,648 instances of Haruhi Suzumiya using the crawl, two instances of Haruki Suzumiya using the dog paddle, 469 instances-"
"Stop." Kyonko stopped him. "We get it."
"I think we are safe to assume that the Suzumiyas do have some unfinished business during the summer." Itsuki said. "Whatever it was, they are most likely unaware of it. That means that we have to find a solution to satisfy them."
They all agreed and headed back home, giving them all a reason to think of a way to end the loop. Though, the Kyons actually wondered about something else.
They have been going through the loop 15, 532 times making it the total number of days being 217, 448. Dividing it by two weeks would make it about 595 years. The Nagatos were the only ones who remembered every single day of all the loops. Every day they have sat quietly, watching it to continue without ever saying a word. Now that the Kyons think about it, the Nagatos, during that meeting, looked completely tired.
I can't imagine what you two are going through.
The next came in and the heat of summer was reaching to new heights. This was going to painful for them all since they now have to do the hard work of having to catch insects in the blazing heat. Not only that, they have to catch only cicadas in the heat which meant extra work. The Suzumiyas were really into it, as always and were getting plenty of the cicadas. The Koizumis think they were doing alright, the Asahinas, seem to be doing a better job tripping and screaming at certain kinds of insects than catching them. The Kyons were doing a decent enough job by their standards. The Nagatos seem to do a good job catching other insects. For example, Yukihiko was able to catch a giant wood spider, as for Yuki was able to catch a Hercules beetle.
Eventually, they finally ended the day by sunset and the results are as follows.
1st: Suzumiyas
2nd: Koizumis
3rd: Nagatos
4th: Kyons
5th: Asahinas.
It was expected really. The chance to become the SOS Brigade wasn't really something the Kyons didn't want to begin with.
"The idea of things like this is really about catch and release." Haruki explained. "If we let them go, they may repay us in some way."
I don't think bugs would want to repay us in any way for capturing them.
They watched the cicadas fly off into the sunset sky. The Suzumiyas looked like they were enjoying it a lot. They both seemed fairly innocent, Haruhi looked younger than herself and so did Haruki as well. It then soon wondered if memories such as these would be erased as well. After all, how can they be unsatisfied with how things are going now?
The next day they began doing part-time jobs during summer. Although it is not uncommon, it is rather cruel to do a part-time job that includes having to wear a full body suit and promote things in the impossible heat. All of the SOS Brigade was wearing frog costume, including frog head, except for the Suzumiyas who were busy discussing something with the manager while they had to stand in the blistering heat, saying how the products are cheap and passing flyers. The Nagatos were the only ones standing completely still holding up a sign that still meant the shop has cheap goods.
Once it was over, the rest met at the employers' room and finally took off the suits. Oddly enough, the Nagatos were not sweating at all.
"Good job people!" Haruhi said as she burst through the door with an ice-cream in her hand along with her brother. "You guys did great!"
I'm this close to killing the both of you.
"Right whatever…" Kyonko said still panting. "So, where's our pay?"
"Oh, we didn't do it for money." Haruki said.
"What?"
"Nope, as a matter of fact, we did it to get these." Haruki lifted up the frog heads that once belonged to both Mikuru and Kyonko.
"That's right! I wanted these things for a long time!" Haruhi said as she picked up the frog head that belonged to Mitsuru rubbed her head against them. "These will by our souvenir from working out here, you three can wear it at anytime you want!"
That's it; I'm going to kill them.
Despite what was running through Kyonko's mind at the time, she kept the anger inside her. What was going through her mind was the fact that this has been done over 15,000 times in a loop. She doesn't want her next incarnation to go through this at all.
The next day, they all met up at the Nagato's apartment. The reason for this was to go stargazing and much to their luck, Itsuki had a bulky telescope with him and he brought it with him and set up at the roof of the building. He mentioned that it was his hobby when he was younger. The Nagatos looked up to the skies, almost as if they were phoning home with their eyes. The Asahinas were taken back by the sight of it while the Koizumis and Kyons stood back, waiting for the Suzumiyas to give them a chance.
"Martians should exist." Haruki said looking through the telescope.
I prefer if they didn't.
"They possibly are an underground race, you know, pretty reserved." Haruhi thought about it. "Maybe they're really friendly."
Yeah, like they are possibly setting up a welcome wagon for us humans to finally meet them.
"I'm getting tired of this. Let's look for UFOs instead." Haruki moved the telescope elsewhere.
"Or a flying pig." Haruhi said.
I choose neither.
The Asahinas ended up falling asleep after having to look for any extraterrestrial. The Suzumiyas themselves ended up falling asleep. They ended up using more energy than they thought so they rested on their shoulders. The Nagatos were still looking up to the skies while the Kyons and Koizumis stood together.
"What could they possibly want to do?" Kyon sighed.
"Well, if we had the answer for that, we could have solved it." Itsuko answered. "But I got an idea."
"Am I going to like it?" Kyonko asked.
"Let's see if you do." Itsuko smiled. She approached Kyonko from behind, wrapping her arms around Kyonko's neck. Kyonko was taken surprised and soon felt Itsuko's breath at her earlobe, making her shiver just a little. "I love you." She whispered into Kyonko's ear.
Kyonko just froze from it. Her face was completely red, her heart was beating fast and her mind was blank. She knew that the esper girl loved her but it was a different when someone told her in person. She had no clue what to at this point at all.
"W-what was that?" Kyon asked, slightly taken back by the sudden confession in front of people.
"My idea." Itsuko smiled. "Why not do that for the Suzumiyas?"
This was enough for Kyonko to finally come back to earth. She pushed the esper girl away and covered her chest. "First of all, I don't want to say that to Haruki or Haruhi at all and second, don't play with my heart like that!"
"But I wasn't joking when I said it to you." Itsuko kept her smile.
Kyonko doesn't have a clue what was underneath her smile but she certainly doesn't want to see the esper's face for the time being. This then made her wonder if this was used in those loops as well. That means that Itsuko had confessed, possibly, to her over 15,000 times. She doesn't know what to really think about anymore.
"Well, despite my sister's intentions, why not you do it Kyon?" Itsuki asked.
"Veto."
"Ah well. Then how about I do it?"
"Nii-san, you better be kidding." Itsuko was hoping it.
"I am. I certainly don't want to confuse either of them." Itsuki laughed.
From that point on, they silently looked at the sky.
The next day, they went to the batting field, thinking they need to 'refresh' their memory from the last time they had to use a baseball bat. The Suzumiyas, Koizumis, Asahinas and Kyon were having the time hitting the balls being shot at them while the Nagatos and Kyonko sat out for now. This was because she had to ask them something.
"So when did you notice the loops?" Kyonko asked.
"The 8759th loop." Yukihiko answered for them again. "It has become recent since then."
"Then, why didn't you do anything about it? Why didn't you two tell us?"
"It is our job to observe."
That was actually understandable. The Nagatos hardly participate in certain activities but they do end up being part of it. The only time they took the initiative was back when they first explained that they were aliens. Even so, they were the most reliable super natural beings on their side so, did they really have a fatigue looked on their faces or was that just her imagination?
They continued their list of summer events. Every day, they did something, seeing actual fireworks, Goby fishing contest, test of courage, karaoke, a movie marathon, sea bathing and even bowling. They kept on going without ever stopping. But, even with everything they did on the list the Suzumiyas had, it didn't seem like they were satisfied. The Kyons knew this but they don't have a clue what to do. They had plenty of time but nothing was coming. This kept going until they finally reached 30th August.
They were in the café by the station as always. Haruki took the list from his sister and marked off everything that was on it.
"Looks like we finished everything." Haruki said.
"But was that really everything to do for summer?" Haruhi asked. "Do you guys have anything that we can do?"
The table was silent. The Kyons were looking at the table, being skeptical but are trying to think of something that can break the loop. The Koizumis drank silently; the Asahinas looked at the table while the Nagatos looked blankly into space.
"Well, never mind." Haruki said. "We did everything on the list so, it should be enough."
No it isn't! You two are the only ones not satisfied!
"Then we'll be heading back home." Haruhi said. "We were going to do something tomorrow but we can rest instead. Kyon pay the bill." Haruhi said as she passed it to him.
"We'll see you guys in the clubroom!" They both said at the same time.
At this point, Kyon and Kyonko had to think of something to do. Kyon was the first one to get out of his chair and suddenly, something hit him, along with everyone else like a 10 ton weights against the chest. It was the déjà vu sensation but this was stronger than all the others. This was proof that they really have being going through the loops over 15,000 times. That meant that if they don't do anything now, they would end up repeating the loop. They can't have those twins leave! But what can they do? What can Kyon or his sister possibly do? What the Suzumiyas said must have a hint somewhere, but what was it? It was something that the Kyons were worrying about but they left it untouched. But what was it? What was the thing that their predecessors didn't do? This isn't the point to think anymore, someone has to end it somehow! It doesn't matter what; all they have to do is just shout something!
As they reached the door, Kyon had finally remembered the one thing has to work.
"I haven't finished my list yet!" Kyon shouted it out.
Everyone didn't have a clue what he was saying. Even his sister didn't have a clue. The people in the café turned to him, thinking he was crazy while the Suzumiyas turned to him.
"What?" Haruki asked.
"My homework!" Kyon shouted again.
"I don't get what you're saying."
"I'm saying that my summer homework has to be done otherwise my summer won't end!"
"Did you hit your head or something?"
"Kyonko, you agree with me don't you?"
Kyonko soon finally understood what he was going on with this.
"That's' right!" Kyonko got up as well. "To make this summer really fulfilling, we have to finish our homework!"
"Are you both idiots?" Haruhi asked.
"Itsuki, Itsuko, did you two finish your homework?" Kyon quickly asked them.
"No." Itsuki answered. "We've been moving around so much, we couldn't do much of it."
"Then come to our house and we can finish it!" Kyonko quickly filled it up. "Same goes to Asahina-sempais and Nagato-sans!"
"That's right! Bring all your notes and questions and we'll get it done in all one fell swoop!" Kyon shouted. "Koizumis, Nagatos, let us copy your notes!"
"Got it!" Itsuki answered.
"Then we'll start in the morning tomorrow! We'll finish it in one day!"
"Kyon, Kyonko!" Haruki called out at him.
Haruki and his sister came up to the two. They had their pride at full force and were ready to do something almost drastic. It was evident with Haruki grabbing Kyon's shirt and pulling him to his face.
"You do not plan any of this got it?" Haruki was basically spitting at him now.
"Same goes to you Kyonko!" Haruhi did the same as her brother.
At this moment, they both started shouting at them at them.
"We are the leaders of the SOS Brigade not you! If you're going to do something with the Brigade, then ask us first! Any member making any decision without our approval is a crime almost to the death penalty! Now get that to your thick skulls!" In one final gasp for air, they finally let it out. "WE'RE COMING TOO!"
Kyonko stirred from her bed. She got up slowly and noticed a mess all over her floor. She figured she go check on her brother. She headed off to Kyon's room. She was about to open the door only for Kyon to do so first.
"Morning." Kyonko said.
"Morning." Kyon answered.
Kyonko looked behind her brother and noticed the mess as well.
"Looks like you hit the nail."
"I guess."
Today is September 1st. they broke out of the loop. The only thing that can prove it is the memories such as the Obon festival, the swimming pool, and the homework. The homework they did that day was unforgettable because they had to do hours of it just to get it finished. By the time the Kyons finally got into bed, they swore, much like how a RPG game had a life bar, magic bar and a limit break, theirs were so low; they knew that they would die from even the weakest hit from a level 1 Chihuahua without it randomly doing a critical. The memories were still playing.
The Suzumiyas were already finished so they actually spent time playing games with the Kyons younger siblings as well as helping the rest of the SOS Brigade on the homework in Kyon's room.
"Don't just simply copy it Kyon." Haruki told him.
"Yeah. After all, our math teacher, Yoshizaki is very thorough about it."
"Alright already." Kyon said.
"So are you guys having fun?" Kyonko asked.
"Absolutely not." They said at the same time.
"But, I'm willing to let it slide." Haruhi said.
"I guess it's ok for now." Haruki said, still having his eyes at the TV screen. "I don't hear that pencil moving!"
"Yes sir!" Kyon quickly returned to writing.
The opening ceremony was over and the students would have either gone home or decided to hang around school for a while. For the Kyons and Koizumis, they met up at the SOS Brigade clubroom. The Asahinas said that they would be there in a bit while the Suzumiyas decided to go on their searches for something weird in school as always.
"The Suzumiyas are basically the perfect human beings, being able to do well in both the academics and sports." Itsuki said shuffling cards. "It was possible that it was like that for them since they were young. That was why homework was not something they were ever concern off."
"And which is why they never thought that they were going to enjoy sharing the work together." Itsuko finished what her brother left off.
The Kyons could have headed home really but they ended up coming back here and ended up with the Koizumis for now. Though, they were surprised that the Nagatos weren't going to come. It looks like Kyonko was right about them looking completely tired. Understandable, after going through a loop like that, a normal person would have lost their mind.
"It's still hard to believe that we've been going through a loop like that." Kyonko said.
"That is understandable." Itsuko answered. "Because as of now, we do not have any memories with our past incarnations from the past 15, 531 other loops. That's because we, the 15, 532nd repetitions, were the ones to return to the normal time stream. Though, if you want full details about it, it would be better to ask the Asahinas."
"You guys up for a game of poker?" Itsuki finished shuffling the deck.
"I'm in." Kyonko said. "How about it Kyon?"
"I guess, but neither of us have money." Kyon said.
"Then no bets." Itsuki began cutting the cards.
The Kyons were going to stick with what the Koizumis said but they knew they had hints. From all the déjà vu sensations they had to go through, the most important was the end, were probably from their predecessors. It was thanks to them that they finally broke out of the loop and returned to where they are now. They aren't going to look at it in any other way otherwise, what their past incarnations had through would have all been in vain.
Kyon had a look at his hand and turned to the other players.
"Want to swap a card?" Itsuko asked.
"Nope." Kyon answered.
"Same here." Kyonko joined.
"Neither do I." Itsuko joined.
"Then we'll be showing our cards." Itsuki said placing his down.
Itsuki had a pair while his sister had 2 pairs. Kyonko showed hers being a 4 of a kind. Kyon finally placed his card showing a Royal flush.
If there was a chance for him to redo anything, he would have placed a bet.
This chapter was a combination of the manga, light novel and anime, I guess though for some of it was definitely following the manga. Let's begin.
In the manga, as I said in the last chapter, the meeting was right after the Obon festival. While in the anime and light novel, they did the meeting after having to do summer jobs. Speaking about the meeting, in the light novel and anime, the Nagatos explained the things that was included and excluded during the loop while the manga, she explained the activities that was and wasn't done during the pool, like Haruhi doing the dog paddle twice… I want to see a Haruhi doing the dog paddle! Those with a deviant art account and is an amazing artist, please, as a request, DO ONE FOR ME!
Now, the summer jobs were done before the cicada hunt in the manga while the light novel and anime was the other way round. The manga decided to stick with Mikuru carrying a sign while the others had to deal with flyers. The anime and light novel had them handing out balloons. Now, because I went with the manga, meeting at the Obon festival, during the cicada hunt Kyon questioned how Haruhi could be unsatisfied doing fun activities.
When Kyon asked when Nagato noticed the loop and why she didn't do anything, this was done during the meeting in the light novel and manga. The anime on the other hand did it in certain parts of the loop. It was omitted during the end of the loop which I find odd. Not only that, the anime one did it during the batting field as well. I do find that to be an odd decision but I decided to go with the anime one, seemed to be a good idea at the time. I guess I wanted to show some form of concern from Kyonko.
As for the suggestion from Itsuko, I did it as more of a request as well as for my own benefit as a yuri fanboy. You see, the original was Koizumi giving him an idea that might work. I decided to not only have her give the idea, but also to have her convey her feelings. It was obvious to begin with but come on, when you actually hear the person who loves you to say 'I love you' like that, it's a different feeling. I decided to have Itsuko to have her plastic smile why? I'll leave it to you to figure it out.
Now, Kyon shouting that they would do the homework together is the same as the anime. Actually, it's the same in the manga and light novel as well. But unlike the others, the manga decided to show how the homework session went. I didn't want to use all of it, like Mikuru running out of juice, though it is funny, but I wanted to show enough of what happened. The light novel did have something like it but it wasn't like the manga with Haruhi basically shouting what Kyon did wrong and stuff. Not to mention Kyon never asked if she was having fun during the session in the light novel as well, only in the manga.
Wow. Endless eight has more changes in three completely different media than any anime series I've known so far. Amazing isn't it?
Well, I had fun during the Endless Eight chapters actually. Though, once I'm officially done though, I have to do special chapters of Endless Eight as well as the manga only chapter I didn't want to use yet. You know what's really odd about me? I'm not like most of you with the anime form of Endless Eight. As a matter of fact, I actually enjoyed it.
(Author smiling behind an invisible shield as people throws stuff at him)
I don't know why. I guess I like the tiny little differences. I find it somewhat fun, including the fact they played around with the idea of Endless Eight. I mean, with a title like that, and after seeing the loop 3 times, I immediately knew that it was going to keep it up until they did it eight times. It was the same thing with Final Fantasy 13 with the prologue showing 13 days before the game begins.
Think about it. Eight is the symbol for infinite once on its side. Endless eight is just saying infinite in a rather redundant way. Final Fantasy 13, 13 is the number for bad luck; it took 13 days before the entire Fal'Lcie ordeal. If you want to dwell any further with it, you can say that FF 13 is considered the black sheep of the FF series because it has the number 13 on it.
Personally, FF 13 is not the worse of the FF series. 12 is, game-play wise, the worse of the series. Once you know how to exploit the license board and gambit system, then you no longer need to think.
Put it this way, fight against a boss in the game, Mist, Shuffle, press Mist available, Shuffle, press Mist available, repeat until time limit end, switch one party member, Mist, Shuffle, press Mist available, Shuffle, press Mist available, Rinse and Repeat.
Ok, I better stop here, this is TOO long an author note. I'll see you again with a DIFFERENT manga chapter. Till then, see ya!