"My baby! Oh, my sweet little child, you're alright!"
"It's just a motorcycle, Mori."
Arakawa could only hold back a laugh as the ex-maid basically launched herself at the bike. With only a few scratches, he could say he had been lucky.
"Don't listen to that old man. He's just jealous his car is bound to the scrapyard." Mori had been continuously requested to remain at the hospital for a few days. Both the radius and the ulna of her forearm were broken, and her legs showed some nasty second-degree burns. Regardless, she didn't have the luxury to rest, so she refused.
"My car's fine. The damage is just cosmetic. But please, I'll call a taxi. Don't ride it in that state." Arakawa's offer was more of a statement, as he was already pulling out his phone.
However, he stopped as a black car stopped beside them. From there, a young girl emerged from the backseats. Both of them knew her very well.
"Kyouko Tachibana." Mori quickly regained her serious persona, ignoring Tachibana's cheerful greeting.
"Oh, don't treat me like that. This is an informal visit." Tachibana brushed aside their cold attitude. "I was hoping to catch Koizumi, but I couldn't help but notice you two. Is everything alright?"
"It's fine. I got into an accident," Mori answered, gripping the handlebar of her motorcycle.
"You don't need to pose; I know some kooky's going on. Koizumi came to my home last night, pretty beaten up. Besides, it's not normal to suddenly be able to use my powers." Tachibana's laid back comments shifted towards a more normal tone. "Sasaki wasn't attacked. Not that I know of, but Suou is very reticent about giving information. I gather Suzumiya is alright?"
"She is," Arakawa answered. "But, when did Koizumi tell you? Let me begin again. Why did he tell you?"
"Besides all of you being captured and being left without any option? I suppose no reason. My powers are not as destructive as yours are, so I couldn't do much. But I was able to give him directions and the means of transport." Tachibana looked up towards the cloudy sky, a drizzle of rain making its debut. "By the looks of it, that was enough."
"I suppose some gratitude is in order." Mori offered out of protocol rather than kindness.
"Well, we are in this together. Koizumi and I reached a consensus. If Suzumiya is targeted, Sasaki can be as well. This isn't an alliance or anything like that, but it's a starter." Tachibana motioned to the car. "So how about we continue our good relations with a nice car ride?"
Mori and Arakawa looked at each other. They were tired from so much action, so many cultist rants, so many otherworldly creatures. And a free car ride did sound nice.
In an empty white void in the middle of an apartment building, Kimidori strolled around.
"Nobody remembers you anymore." She suddenly stated. "The memory manipulation program is complete."
"A different type of death," Kawahara answered, trapped in an invisible cage. "And the gas entity?"
"Erased." Kimidori stopped in front of Kawahara. "The Data Overmind was clear on your punishment. But they also hoped Nagato would bring special data analysis about the gas entity. Which, by the looks of it, that data is sorely lacking."
"She's soft. And so are you."
"You'll give us that information just fine, Kawahara." Kimidori resumed her walk. "How has the Data Overmind never heard of this Ninlil-Shu? Yet, you, a below-average interface, somehow contacted a death cult without our knowledge or consent? Needless to say, the Radical faction was already on muddy waters ever since Asakura, so they were quick to disown and besmirch you. You have no more friends, Kawahara."
"Who knows…" Kawahara looked away, her voice losing strength.
Kimidori stopped walking at a certain point, a door materialising in the void. "I'm sure you'll find an answer soon. I hope you have it when Nagato arrives."
"Oh? Are you going back to lick the Sky Canopy Dominion's boots? How's that joke of a communication attempt even going, huh?"
"Goodbye, Kawahara."
Kimidori entered the door, leaving Kawahara alone in the soundless and empty void. There, she wept, waiting for her demise.
A page flipped.
Kyon shifted on his sleep, uncomfortable from sleeping on the living room's sofa. He pulled on the blanket, feeling warm and cosy for a few moments before it was snatched once again from him. His living room was back to normal, thanks to Nagato. He didn't realise how devastated everything was until they got back. Nagato did her magic, restoring his house for the second time in less than 24 hours. And after that, Kyon lent his bedroom to Haruhi. Sleeping in an actual bed while Nagato treated her was the best thing he could offer.
Another page flipped.
The faint whirring of wind outside was gentle. Strong, but a non-factor. Even so, the mere presence of the sound soured the mood of Kyon, waking him up. His sister, thankfully, had been isolated and shouldn't even know that anything had happened that night. Regardless, Nagato had his sister's memory manipulated.
Speaking of which, the alien was sitting next to the windows, using the sun's dim light to read a book. Kyon could tell she was tired. It took her a few seconds longer to read a page and turn it.
Nagato glanced up as if sensing he was awake. "Good morning."
"Morning," Kyon answered automatically, taking a moment to comprehend he had been caught. "Did the world end yet?"
"No." Nagato closed the book, standing up from the dining chair she had placed beside the window. Then, she sat down at the coffee table in front of the sofa. "Your symptoms disappeared yesterday morning."
"Oh, yeah." Having just woken up, his voice was lower than usual. "Didn't you say they would get worse?"
"I did." She tilted her head, indicating something to her right. "However, you were not in a vacuum."
Kyon followed her line of sight to find Haruhi asleep on the other side of the couch. With a furrowed brow and covered up to her nose with the blanket, Haruhi slept peacefully with barely a sound. Her face didn't have any cuts, and her eyes weren't injured. Judging by her posture, the wound in the back of her head was no longer present either.
He pondered for a moment before asking. "When did you bring her here?"
"Forty-seven minutes ago. I had to force REM sleep, or she would continuously wake up. However, that would only exacerbate her nightmares."
"Nightmares?" Kyon got up from the couch, looking at Haruhi. "It doesn't look like she's having them now."
"No. I am monitoring the situation."
That answer pressed Kyon to ask. "It's okay, Nagato. You've already done enough for today, no, for the whole month. So I'll watch her over."
"Understood." She wasn't satisfied by the development, but the fatigue that plagued her body forced her to accept it. "I am not content with my performance. I will improve."
"Well, at least you're positive about it." Kyon pointed out, remembering Asahina's concerns in the previous night.
Nagato got up from the table, locking eyes with Kyon. "I failed in my task of protection. Yet, Haruhi Suzumiya was happy when I displayed my emotions. Conflict begets enhancements."
"I've never heard you say anything like that, so it's good to hear. But I feel like I've missed a lot of things in these two days." He scratched his head. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"
However, Nagato shook her head. "Not now."
The doorbell rang, its noise travelling throughout the whole house. Haruhi mumbled something, covering her ears in the process. Nagato knew somebody was coming, so she was doing him a favour.
Kyon snapped out of his drowsiness, quickly passing by Nagato and entering the hallway. There, he noticed his sister sluggishly climbing down the staircase.
"Morning…" Kyon's sister greeted him, ignoring the entrance and heading towards the kitchen.
"Brush your teeth." He answered back, forcing her sister to turn around and return to the first floor.
He then reached the entrance. Kyon hesitated for a moment, looking through the peephole and opening the door.
"Good morning, Kyon." Koizumi greeted him warmly. Besides the plastic bag he was carrying, he sported some casual clothes of cold colours, replacing his beaten up school uniform. If Koizumi had any signs of fatigue, he either masked them or had somehow slept them away.
"I didn't expect you so soon," Kyon replied, taking a look at what Koizumi was bringing. "Is everyone on your end alright?"
"They won't miss a few days of pain, that's for sure. But they'll be fine, don't you worry. Regardless, I promised to come, so here I am." He pulled the plastic bag up. "I brought something special for Suzumiya and everyone else too."
"Well, come on in." Kyon guided him in, but Koizumi didn't follow.
"We need to talk about what happened last night." The ESPer's tone was serious, though his smile didn't waver.
Kyon crossed his arms, knowing it was about Haruhi. "There isn't much I can say. She got injured, Haruhi thought it was all a dream, and then she saved our butts."
"And do you believe that? That somehow, she felt no pain sustaining such a grave injury to the head. And then, attributed it all to a dream?" Koizumi replied, leaning against the door frame. "Don't misunderstand me. I don't have an answer either. Only Suzumiya herself would know."
"I have lucid dreams as well. So what's the issue?"
"But it wasn't a dream, Kyon. Suzumiya using her powers, whether she believed it was a dream or not, has some real implications. All this time trying and lying, hoping that her powers would fade from disuse… All for nothing." He sighed, shifting his weight. "And perhaps all of this was my fault."
"What do you mean?" Kyon asked, noticing a leaf wandering into the entrance.
"Ever since she created this club, closed spaces have become a rarity. I was under the belief that this meant her powers were remaining stable. But if what that Cult said is true, Suzumiya exudes energy without realising… This could be troubling. I reckon that regardless of Suzumiya's emotional state, her powers still grow and have to be released in any way. By being happy and accomplished, that energy is exuded from her body. And that beacon of energy is what brought that plight here."
"So? Do you want Haruhi to be anxious and frustrated again? All because of some rambling?" Kyon's expression hardened at the implication. "Do you even have any proof of that being true?"
"Of course not. But the Agency… I should have known. Of course, we had contingency plans from earthquakes to foreign invasion, but this situation was completely unexpected. And the only solution, which is what you said, is something I would never propose." Koizumi entered the house, closing the door behind him. "All in all, I am sorry for this misstep. Everyone has suffered needlessly for my mistakes, and I'll find a solution as soon as I'm able."
Koizumi steeled himself and bowed, much to Kyon's agitation.
"Come on, nobody is blaming you. If the only solution is objectively worse, I prefer the status quo we worked hard to build. Cause when you're given a choice, your true self comes out to decide." Kyon turned around, walking towards the hallway. "I decided that I preferred this world in December, so if there's someone to blame, it's only me. And look outside. The sky is clearing, classes will resume soon, and everything will be back to normal."
The ESPer giggled and sighed, relieved. "You know, Kyon, I've been missing these talks. Being a few days without you has been awfully troubling."
"You only say that because you couldn't dump all your work onto me." He jokingly answered, closing the entrance door. "But well, I could have done with fewer near-death experiences."
"Speaking of which," Koizumi removed his shoes in the genkan with a simple move. "Is Suzumiya recovering well?"
"Looks like it, at least. That reminds me, she was, eh, conflicted about you." Kyon admitted, inspecting Koizumi's expression.
"I gathered as much." Koizumi lost his trademark smile ever so slightly. Suzumiya had told him to be less uptight and true to himself, and then that fiasco in the classroom occurred. He couldn't be any more disappointed. "I do have a lot to think about."
"By the way." Kyon switched topics, sensing the discomfort from his partner. "Do you seriously have a contingency against foreign invasion?"
"Perhaps I do. Who knows?"
As they headed towards the living room, Asahina climbed down the small staircase. It didn't look like she had slept very well, but her mood was certainly more upbeat.
"Good morning, everyone." She greeted them with a smile. "Is Suzumiya awake?"
"You can't hear her voice booming, so I guess she isn't," Kyon answered.
"Okay." She climbed down the remaining steps before facing them with an uncharacteristically serious expression. "I think that… this isn't over."
"And 'this' is…?" Kyon didn't fully understand it, but Koizumi did.
"We're not in the clear." Koizumi continued. "Whatever that Cult was, it was only formed ad hoc to test the viability of Suzumiya's powers. It would explain the raw recruits and why only one truly dangerous member was there. So when the main branch comes by, which they will, we will have to be ready."
"I don't know where to search, but… I want to help too. Because whatever happens, I don't want to be used anymore." Asahina added without too much fervour.
"Let's have this chat later after you all tell me what's going on. But in any case, I'm sure you two can have a day of recess. No drama for a day." Kyon shrugged, the mood of the conversation lighting up. "But if you guys need anything, just ask. I'll ignore whatever idol I find in my pockets next time, okay?"
"W-Well…" Asahina sheepishly started. "I am a bit hungry."
"Whose beautiful voice said…!" A voice appeared from the living room, its door being flung open. "Hungry?!"
Haruhi emerged from the room, her hand locked with Nagato's.
"Oh, Koizumi, when did you get here?" Haruhi showed no signs of drowsiness as she barged into the conversation. "It doesn't matter. Now that everyone's here, how about we have a super-duper Brigade breakfast?"
"How do you have so much energy?" Kyon rolled his eyes.
"Simple, don't be grumpy, and you'll have as much energy as me," Haruhi answered like it was a fact.
"I support the super-duper breakfast plan." Nagato's completely serious tone deeply contrasted with the silly proposal.
"Alright, we got two votes. So who else is with me?!" Her enthusiastic words quickly prompted a positive answer from both Asahina and Koizumi.
"Okay, four to one. Kyon, you're not eating today." Haruhi waved him off.
"Oi, I live here. Why do you think you even slept here?"
"Cause your sister, the real host, let us in. You're more like Shamisen but bipedal."
Haruhi turned towards the rest of the Brigade and herded them into the kitchen. As she was about to enter, she spun around and approached Kyon.
"Do you have a sec?" After that, Haruhi's upbeat attitude dropped a few notches.
Kyon nodded and followed her away from the kitchen entrance.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, somewhat worried.
"No. I'm going to give you some advice." She said like it was no joking matter.
"I didn't ask for any."
Haruhi glanced at the kitchen door. "Too bad, I have something in mind, and I have to tell you." She touched the back of her head, expecting a wound. Instead, feeling nothing out of the ordinary, she caressed her hair and then fixed her messy fringe. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I am. I didn't sleep much, but at least I feel fine." Kyon knew that wasn't the point of this situation, whatever it was. "And you?"
"I don't know. I had a dream and…" Haruhi stopped, thinking of her explanation." A few dreams, I guess. But in one of them, you were there. And you said something like, just wish it away. I didn't listen to you, and I got into a nightmare."
"Okay?" Kyon remembered saying something like that, but he didn't expect Haruhi to admit it.
"Hey, I didn't finish. The point is, I should have listened to you. A few days ago, I said that a brigade member shouldn't act selfish, and I should have included myself there. I think I just wanted everyone to be glad of my help, for some reason. And because of that, it looked like everyone got hurt." Her words were coming out of her heart.
"Well, you couldn't have known that."
"Oi, shut it. My advice is this. If someday we get into trouble, you should insist in… I mean, as a member of the Brigade, you should try… Argh, you know what, it doesn't matter. The point is, next time we have to do a brigade activity, let's do it together. Like, the whole Brigade. No splitting around and being picked off by, I don't know, a talking cat. You got that?"
Kyon thought she was pretty reasonable until that last part. "What do you mean, 'picked off'? This isn't Scooby-Doo."
"Just agree with me, okay?" Haruhi was pretty flustered, but by that point, she sounded defeated.
"Fine, but I'm not sure why you needed to tell me specifically."
She faked a cough, her tone regaining vigour. "Cause I know the others listen to you too. Besides, you've been slacking in your brigade duties for two days. So you're going to need to step it up and take the punishment."
"Punishment? I don't even get sick leave?"
"You made me stay here to take care of your sis. You need to pay back my services." Haruhi's smirk grew by the second.
Kyon sighed, slightly amused. "Good grief, I'm pretty sure you decided that on your own."
"I did you a favour, and this is how you repay me? Cold!"
"If you want me to pay for the next time we go out, you can just say so."
"W-We're not going out, those are Brigade activities!"
As Kyon and Haruhi kept bickering with each other, the rest of the Brigade mulled over the past few days' events. Only one thing was clear: between Cultists, Gods and beasts, and rogue interfaces, if Suzumiya hadn't acted, everything would have ended up badly.
"They keep talking," Asahina said, peeking out of the kitchen.
"If Suzumiya is alright, then we don't have to worry." Koizumi's voice was firm, but his drifting focus told another story. "Let's be thankful it ended like this."
"I will conduct an investigation." Nagato didn't need to peek out of the room to hear the conversation. "Kazumi Kawahara was a symptom of something greater."
"I must say the same. Our numbers wouldn't have been halved if the Agency were ready. But, as I said, we're lucky our worst injury was a broken arm." Koizumi rubbed his eyes. "We barely know anything about the Cult, much less their objectives."
"Yes… I also have some questions." Asahina chimed in, steping back from the door. "But I'm not sure if I can be trusted anymore. I thought I was doing the right thing, and I only played into their hand. I never expected mind-control to be so subtle."
"Your brain waves are normal. Without the gas entity's influence, that won't be the case." Nagato's explanation eased her concerns a little.
"But what I have inside… I don't know how I talked that language or why those things followed me."
Nagato shook her head. "Without comprehension, removal is impossible."
"I'll look into it as well." Koizumi offered. "After all, if the occult got that thing inside your body, it will make it leave."
"If it isn't much of a bother… thank you."
Asahina didn't have much time to express her gratitude as Haruhi and Kyon battled their way into the kitchen. The mere sight of them interacting brought a smile upon the rest of the Brigade. Even Nagato looked more lively.
"The Brigade is back in action!" Haruhi declared. "See how some petty typhoon wouldn't be able to do anything? We sure showed it! So let's celebrate with breakfast, the best meal of the day!"
She pushed her hand forwards, prompting the rest to stack them.
"I suppose we made it out, somehow," Kyon said, placing his hand above Haruhi's. "I can't say I've done much about it."
"I feel pretty beaten up, but at least we're back together." Then, it was Koizumi's turn to place his hand above Kyon's.
Nagato followed him, looking at Suzumiya. "Sacrifice with purpose."
"I… just hope we can get along." Asahina quickly muttered, unsure of what to say.
"Come on, Mikuru! We've beaten a typhoon, mother nature! Say something with passion!" Haruhi urged with enthusiasm.
Ashamed from being the sudden focus of the group, she blurted out the first thought that popped into her mind. "I hate wind!"
"Weird, but okay! One, two and…!"
They all cheered in unison, all united.
As the weather cleared and clouds started to become scarce and transparent, only one thing became clear. Nothing would be the same after this incident. The domino effect had started, and something deep inside the universe had cast their sight over them. There were too many questions left unanswered, too many variables left to check while Haruhi kept her nightmares for herself.
But something so immense was sluggish. And for the moment, nothing could stop the Brigade from having a bit of respite.
A/N: Sequel soon.
The end of the beginning. Thank you to everyone who has stuck until the end. After a final re-read to catch any mistakes and a week for me to rest, I'll start writing the sequel. Hopefully, I have more than two or three chapters written down by the time the first chapter comes out.
This story began with only a few ideas. One, I had a few horror elements I couldn't fit in "What remains of her". Two, I wanted Kyon to take the backseat and Haruhi to be blinded temporarily so she'd be sceptical of everything she hears (hence the title! Which I regret deeply, she wasn't blinded!). And third, I wanted to try and write in the third person. It was fun? But like the rest of my stories, I either go first person or I ramble.
Overall, I feel like the story deviated a lot from its horror elements but I believe it's still an enjoyable experience.
And like always, thank you for reading and to everyone who reviewed! I still hesitate reading the reviews, but I do read them all.
I hopefully see you all at the sequel!