Chapter 27: The Arrival of Kyonko-chan
I entered Kanata's store right on time. She welcomed me in and asked me to help fold the clothes and clean up. I was surprised to see Riku working here. So that's where he went today.
"Riku here told me about your slider power" Kanata said to me as I was folding some of the outfits. "I think I may have an idea what it is. A long time ago people from the Real World could travel to and from the Fictional World. They achieved this using a device known as the Tower of Babylon. However somebody destroyed it. Its destruction created division amongst the once united people frustrated over losing something that took them centuries to create. Not everyone from the Real World managed to make it back though. Eventually most of them died off. A trio of survivors managed to survive indefinitely using their newfound powers. There's not much info available on the other two but the one people feared most back then was the one wielding a power known as Void. Using the knowledge that everything in this world is fiction, they can make it so that they can deny the existence of anything thus creating an empty void in its place."
I was afraid. My power is just like Haruhi's; far too dangerous to simply mess around with. With one wrong thought I could accidently destroy this world. I began to despair. How many times have I denied the existence of some of the people in this world? Maybe that's what happened to Itsuki. Kanata asked to clean out the storeroom as I finished cleaning the store.
When I entered the room it was an absolute mess. I couldn't stop thinking about the power I might possess. So many thoughts kept running through my mind, most of them negative. I tried tidying the room but strangely enough it kept getting messier. This only added to my frustration and it got even messier. Alright let's calm down. She said that Void might be my power. It isn't certain yet. I shouldn't worry about that. After all I kept denying the existence of so many people here and none of them have been removed from existence. Maybe Itsuki had something to do after school as well. He does tend to have an unsteady schedule with regards to his 'work'. I tried to fix the room one more time. I was able to quickly tidy it, much faster than even I expected. I went back to Kanata when I finished.
"It's difficult to clean it when you're frustrated, isn't it?" she said to me. I nodded. I didn't even notice that before.
"That room is a space I created to determine one's mental state. Negative and chaotic thoughts tend to cause the room to get messier even without you doing anything. Alternatively calming your thoughts or looking on the bright side causes it to get tidier to the point where someone can clean it without lifting a finger" she explained. So that was to get my mind off things. That was a clever ploy, Kanata.
"Remember even if you do have Void it all comes down to your mental state to use it. If you learn to keep your mind clear of unnecessary thoughts and focus on the task at hand it can be quite a powerful ability" she said to comfort me. After that she told me that I could use that room whenever I want before she said I could go home.
As I was about to leave Riku came up to me bringing a package with him. He said that Haruhi mentioned to him that she would have to go grocery shopping to make dinner. He said that he made it using a skill derived off his slider ability. If it's something Riku made it has to be good. He added a large bottle of strawberry milk to it.
"My slider ability is very similar to the Void. If it comes time to learn how to use it, come to me and I'll do my utmost to help you learn how to use it" he said as he bid me farewell. It's odd how Riku seems to always be helping me. I wonder what his reason for it is. As I left the store I found Haruhi waiting for me outside. I told her that Riku gave us dinner. She looked at it and drooled. So she's tasted his cooking before.
Thankfully this time I was able to keep Haruhi in my line of sight constantly, preventing myself from getting lost. As we headed to her shortcut she grabbed my free hand. I blushed thinking back on the 'confusion' I was causing her. I honestly don't have those feelings for Haruhi. She does however vividly remind me of someone I fell in love with back on the Reality side. We walked through her dimly lit shortcut.
"Hey, Haruhi. Have you ever fallen in love with someone?" I asked although I probably already knew her answer even if she didn't say it.
"Of course not! Love is just a form of mental illness. It causes people to do stupid, reckless, unreasonable things!" she yelled out in response. She does realize she just listed off everything she does on a daily basis. So I guess she really does have those kinds of feelings for Kyon…
"Love for all its bad more than makes up for it with all the good it is capable of causing" I said offering my opinion. Thankfully Haruhi couldn't see my face because I could feel tears running down my face. More of my memories being unlocked, I suppose.
Ahead of us was the street I recognized as Haruhi's. As we exited we found a girl unconscious on the ground. She was wearing a North High uniform. Haruhi was about to call 911 when the girl stirred.
"Food…" she weakly said as she reached out towards the meal Riku made. You've got to be kidding me…she just passed out from hunger? Well at least that is pretty easy to fix. Haruhi ordered me to carry her back to her house so we could feed her. I was planning on helping her even without you ordering me around.
We gave her a sizeable serving of Riku's baked pasta and a glass of strawberry milk. As she ate and drank she began to feel better. Afterwards Haruhi let her take a shower and get changed. Haruhi's clothes were pretty loose on her being smaller than Haruhi (in more ways than one…). When she was all done she introduced herself.
"I'm Kyonko. I'm a student at North High" she said introducing herself. Kyonko? That sounds oddly like Kyon. Am I just imagining things or are the members of the SOS Brigade getting genderbent? Nah that's not it. Alice's sketches from before are just messing with me.
"I haven't seen you around before. What class are you in Kyonko-chan?" asked Haruhi. I haven't seen her around either. Then again I'm still pretty new so that's no surprise.
"Class 2-5 with Okabe-sensei for homeroom" she responded. Ok, something is definitely up. If she was in any other class than 2-5 or 2-9 I could believe something isn't wrong. But I'm sure both me and Haruhi are in agreement when we say we definitely haven't met her before. I'm pretty sure Haruhi would've inducted her into the Brigade for being the epitome of a moe loli. Haruhi took me aside to speak with me privately.
"I think she may be an agent on a secret mission" she suggested. I'm not so sure about that but she's definitely not just anybody. "See if you can't coax out of her what she's up to" ordered Haruhi. I was planning to anyway. I walked back to the living room. Haruhi 'excused' herself and went to bed when in reality she was actually hiding, eavesdropping on us.
"I'm pretty sure neither of us has met before" I told her.
"Well you're always sleeping and Haruhi doesn't care" she said. That's true I suppose. I wonder if Haruhi is fuming right now.
"So then why were you passed out on the road?" I asked her. I'd love to hear her excuse.
"I woke up late and didn't get to have breakfast. Then in my rush to get to school I forgot my lunch. And then club ran late. I was on my way home when I passed out" she explained. Wow that was a pretty decent attempt. She's obviously lying though. I'm always tired and starving and even I don't pass out. Anyways a person can go for days without food as long as water is available, which it was. Maybe she's related to Itsuko's sudden appearance.
"What if I told you Haruki could warp reality, Yuuki was an alien, Mitsuru was a time traveler and Itsuko was an esper?" I asked her. I'm sure even if she lies I can get some reaction from her. She then got up off the couch, cushion in hand. Walking over to the stairs she pelted Haruhi with the cushion.
"God, you and Haruki are insufferable! Grow up and quit listening in on other people!" she yelled out at Haruhi. It did what she wanted it to do. Haruhi said that she and Kyon should quit trying to ruin her fun as she stormed off. Kyonko came back downstairs and sat in front of me.
Continuing from before she added "Then I'd say you forgot Rika is a slider. Anyway that's all I'm saying for now. Night."
Rika? No way, I was right!
