The rhythmic ticking of the clock was starting to get monotonous. Usually the sound never bothered me, but today it became especially irritating, or should I say eerie. I noticed the pounding of the keyboard begin to not only increase in volume, but also in speed. Haruhi was anxious. And to be honest, I was anxious too.
"Nagato-"
"It's fine."
As soon as I opened my mouth, the pseudo-alien quickly gave an emotionless response. But those two words were all I needed to calm my nerves in that moment. Unfortunately, that was the only moment.
The clock ticked on. And on. And... you get the point. Everyone kept doing their usual mediocre tasks. Haruhi furiously typing away at the machine she stole from The Computer Club, Nagato sitting like a statue—occasionally turning a page, Miss Asahina being a "maid", then me and Koizumi playing some sort of board game.
The clock kept ticking. I was getting paranoid. Can't any of you hear it? That monotonous ticking?
"Checkmate."
Koizumi's victory snapped my thoughts back to reality. That's right, after our game of checkers ended, we decided to give chess a try.
"You've been losing at these games a lot lately."
As much as it annoys me whenever Koizumi states the obvious, he's right—I have been. Only recently.
"It's rather strange..." Koizumi began resetting the board. "You're usually not so tense."
So he has taken notice.
"I honestly don't see the problem. It's not unusual to have days like these, and I much prefer it this way."
I think all of us do. But what about Haruhi? Is she satisfied?
"Umm, more tea?"
"Huh?" I look to see Miss Asahina and her tea kettle.
"Oh, sure."
She pours me another cup. Normally I would happily drink it dry without a second thought, but instead I found myself pausing.
"Is... something the matter?"
Yes.
Yes, something is.
"I-I can fetch you another one if something's wrong with it."
No.
Nothing is wrong with it.
"It's fine, Miss Asahina." I set my cup down.
The tea wasn't the problem. It's just that I realized I'm now on my 7th cup.
She sighed in relief, smiling. "Okay then, I'll go make some more!"
"Nn..!" More?! Why the hell are you going to make more?
Is this an example of the days you'd rather spend, Koizumi?
And Haruhi... why haven't you said anything? You've been glued to that computer for hours!
"It's fine."
My racing thought process came to a halt.
Setting her book down on her lap, Nagato was looking directly at me. I couldn't explain it, but the look on her face... it was a subtle change; nobody else would probably see it, but I certainly did.
Nagato appeared... irritated.