Saturday morning I woke to see Ms Asahina standing near me and we startled each other. How long had she been there? Was she watching me?

Ms Asahina said, 'I'm so sorry Kyon, I don't mean to wake you.' In her hands she's holding a vase with lilies.

'That's alright… Where does that come from?' I pointed at the vase.

She said, 'Last night, I remembered I was looking for a place to live 2 years ago, I came to this place and saw the vase of lilies and, and call it anything you want, but I had a strong feeling this was the place for me. So I went out a moment ago and bought it. Do you like it?' She sounded so cute and so Ms Asahina.

'Yes, I like it.'

She placed the vase on the table, then said, 'Anyways, we'll have to be at the cafe near the train station around noon. Meanwhile, we can stay here till then if you want.'

'I suppose it's not safe for us to go around, and accidentally changing history, right?'

'Actually… we are supposed to be inputting information to ensure the future stays its course. Like the lilies i put on the table here. Therefore, if you see something you want to do or say that does not contradict with the future you know, you are free to get involved. I only know a few key events we have to be part of, but that's not to say you won't find some yourself.'

I was surprised by the freedom I was given. I looked at the lilies, and I recalled reading or hearing from somewhere that time was like a river, and history would normally correct its course. Anything we could do that day to help guide the water to the right direction, making the path a little smoother, was well within the rules of time traveling. Ms Asahina trusted that I would make the right decisions, and I was deeply honored.

'Well, in that case, could we go to the train station and walk around?'

Ms Asahina said with a smile, 'Sure.'

A date with Ms Asahina on a Saturday morning - before Haruhi became the lord of us, and on top of that, we were in disguise. No one's going to interrupt us. It's a dream date!

We put on our disguises, changed our voices, and headed towards the train station. Ms Asahina was carrying a bag that had my uniform in it, which I was not sure why yet. We took a stroll around the park and the shopping area for over an hour, until something caught my eyes as we walked by a bookstore. On the window display, one of the books was called Hyperion. That was the book Nagato lent to me, which had a bookmark that informed me to meet her at the park - later we went to her apartment and she delivered her alien speech. Was I here so I would get it for her? Could the fact that she handed this particular book to me meant it carried a special meaning to Nagato? It seemed logical that the reason the book caught my eyes right there right now, no matter how trivial the matter might be, was that I should just go ahead and get the book. After all, I never gave anything special to Nagato. The guilt of it was enough to make me buy it. I told Ms Asahina I would like to purchase a book, and she followed me into the bookstore and browsed around. I picked up the book and took it to the cash register.

'Good day Sir. Would this be all for you?' The lady behind the cash register asked.

'I think so.' I had my voice changer on. She was a bit startled by my menacing manly voice but tried not to show it on her face that might upset me.

'Is this a gift?' She wanted to keep the conversation going.

'Yes I suppose so.'

'Have you read it before?'

'In fact, yes, I did.'

'So have you read the books that followed?'

'Uh,… how many more are there?'

'There are 3 more. If you are buying this as a gift, I would suggest you get them all, that will make a nice gift.'

She got me there. For Nagato, I would buy the full set even if it had ten books assuming i had that much cash with me.

'Okay, take my money.'

She gladly went and picked out the other books, and as a sign of appreciation, she wanted to give me 4 bookmarks, one for each book. I immediately noticed the bookmark that Nagato wrote on. I smiled, as I was certain I was supposed to buy these books after all. I told the lady 2 bookmarks would be enough, but she insisted I should have more.

'Take this please, this one's a horoscope bookmark and we had a hard time selling it… uh, I mean…'

I saw the bookmark and it hit me as something I should take. I thanked her and I insisted that would be all. She still would not give up and insisted on giving me a small bag of snack which would expire soon. I accepted it not just so she was satisfied, but also I felt like I might need it down the road. I began to feel like I was playing a cheesy adventure game and I would need these odd items for completing my quests.

The books were heavy and I was slightly regretting it, but I had to tell myself it's for Nagato and it's all worth it. I could imagine her smiling back, thanking me - if by smiling it meant not smiling. I did use the word 'imagine'.

Ms Asahina probably knew I was having trouble enjoying our stroll, she suggested we went to the cafe, sat and waited. I agreed. our date was cut short.

We were seated near the back of the room, the second table from the back wall. A couple men were sitting at the last table already.

I was curious and asked, 'So what would we need to do here?'

Ms Asahina replied, 'Ms Tsuruya and the younger version of me would come here for lunch. However, we're not supposed to talk to them.'

'Really? So why are we here?'

'Uh… this was an order from my superior… I thought we're to follow them to school afterwards. Although, I was told to sit at this table specifically.'

'Who are we meeting?'

'I wasn't told…'

'Classified information?'

'No, I really wasn't told.'

It was then Ms Asahina (young) and Tsuruya made their entrance. They sat near the front. If we were not to do anything with them, who were we here for?

The answer soon walked in. A middle-aged women was followed by her daughter and they sat at the table in front of us. They did not sit down facing us, but there's no mistaking who the girl was, with those trademark yellow ribbons on her hair. That was Haruhi Suzumiya, the junior high version. Ms Asahina looked slightly nervous.

The lady, who I would presume was Haruhi's mother, ordered a couple drinks and some sandwiches.

'So, Haruhi,' the lady said, and I had chills down my spine hearing the name, 'How do you like North High?'

They had just visited North High, it seemed.

'It was okay,' Haruhi said with an uninteresting tone.

'Well, Haruhi, you keep saying you want to check it out before deciding, so there you have it. Are you ready to choose which school to go to?'

'I am still not sure, mom.'

'I think you should go to Kouyouen. You will get bored academically at North High in no time.'

Haruhi did not respond.

Their food and drinks came. They ate, and Haruhi's mother commented the sandwich was not good, at which Haruhi responded by saying, 'The sandwich tastes fine, mom.'

I whispered to Ms Asahina, 'What do you think? Should we say something?'

Ms Asahina nodded, 'But may I suggest you use a more charming voice?'

'What's wrong with my authoritative voice?'

'You don't look authoritative.'

Okay, okay… I thought of a new voice. 'There is no spoon.'

I said with a voice, not loud enough to be annoying but clear enough to be heard from where Haruhi sat, 'Hey Yuko, you know what rocks? The North High baseball team, that's what! I heard they're going to win it all this year. They have some talents on their team, don't you think so?'

I winked at Ms Asahina asking her to play along, then I forgot I was wearing the sunglasses, so I quickly pulled them up and winked awkwardly. She got the idea.

'Oh, Ky… Okay… You are right. They are very good.'

'Game on. You know what else? I heard North High is not only great with their sports club. Nearly all their clubs are awesome. Not to mention they have some very interesting people there. There's a rumor that strange things lurk around at every corner there on a daily basis. Guess who are behind them? Aliens, time travelers, espers, sliders... you know most schools have seven wonders - North High has eight!'

Haruhi turned her head and looked at me. Would my disguise disqualify me as a trustworthy person? I probably had to spin it some way when I had a chance.

'Holla,' I waved at her.

'Are you from North High?'

Thinking that it would not be a smart idea to admit I was from North High, for she might try to look me up, I said, 'Me? Oh, no. I wish. I'm from another school from a boring town. Just visiting my grandparents, you know? I totally regret my choice. I am totally bored with my high school life. So… bored... So… insignificant… my grandparents have more exciting lives than me.'

Haruhi's mother turned and gave me a thumb-down look. Sorry, this show was not for you. I thought I would give Haruhi one more push and said, 'I heard this one person, who sent prayers to Orihime and Hikoboshi every year since she's one year old, was in one of the clubs, and her first wish was coming true! She's accepted to Tokyu University! Well, to be precise, her mother made the wish for her actually when she's one...'

Haruhi's eyes glowed with excitement and looked away. I had successfully reinforced her interest to apply to North High. It was quite funny, to think that she would attend North High and join every club searching for excitement because of what I just told her. In a way I felt we were sort of even now.

'And oh, little girl, someone once told me there was definitely some evil spirits at North High. It's not for the faint of heart. Some people wear different hair style with different color each day to ward them off. Far out.'

Ms Asahina was doing a 'cut it' sign. I supposed I should stop - but I couldn't help going one more.

'Be nice to the guy sitting in front of you in class. You never know how special that person can be.'

I agreed I went too far there… that came out sounding totally stupid. Ms Asahina stole my move - she was doing a facepalm.

Haruhi's mother tried to talk some sense back to her girl, 'Haruhi, take your time. Your family supports your decision. You will be great wherever you choose to go.'

'Thanks, mom.'

'Anyways, you sure you will be fine with me leaving you here?'

'Yeah, I'll be fine.' She looked at the time and said, 'Mom, you should leave.'

With that, Haruhi's mother paid for the food and left. Haruhi sat quietly for a few minutes. It seemed like she was about to meet someone else?

Haruhi's finally got bored sitting, turned around and said to me, 'Are you a rock musician?'

'You better believe it.'

'You look pretty cool!'

Wait, Haruhi actually did not think I looked ridiculous?

'Uh, thanks.'

'What instruments do you play?'

'What else, the electric guitar, of course.' I did my invisible guitar strumming move.

'Awesome.'

'Come to think of it, you should check out the all-girl band Enoz in North High. God knows, they are FAR OUT.'

'How do you know so much about North High? I hardly hear anything that exciting about the school from anyone I spoke to today.' She turned to Ms Asahina and said, 'And who are you, the quiet one?'

Uh oh.

'I… Mi…'.

For some reason I only just realized that Ms Asahina did not turn on her voice change device. I whispered to her, 'Ms Asa - Yuko - your voice!'

She covered her mouth so fast she slapped it by accident. Ouch.

'Hello, Ms Suzumiya,' someone was calling her. Who would have thought, our savior could be him.

'Thank you for meeting me today!' It was Taniguchi, the younger version. He put his bag on the chair next to him and sat down. I could tell there's a camera in it.

Haruhi slurped up the last of her drink, and said, 'Let's call it a day.' Then she began to leave.

Taniguchi was confused, 'But I just got here.' He followed her to the front door.

Haruhi turned around and told him, 'I had no time for normal human beings!' She briefly looked at the young Ms Asahina and Ms Tsuruya, then stomped off.

Poor Taniguchi, even though I always thought of him as a loser, that had to be the worst date I had ever witnessed, and to think I could partially be blamed...

He stood there for a moment, then turned around for his bag. He tried to sound cool and hummed, "I for-for-forget my bag….' He grabbed the bag, then left. Priceless.

Ms Asahina said, 'Oh gosh, Kyon, do you think Ms Suzumiya recognized me?'

I laughed and said, 'Don't worry. In the world we live in, people of the same sex are recognized by their hair color, hair style, eye color and their clothes. The faces are 90% interchangeable… unless you are Kunikida, who has a generic face of a girl... good thing he's wearing male clothes or I would have mistaken him as Nagato's sister.'

Ms Asahina felt assured, and said, 'Kyon, please remember not to wear that wig and sunglasses in our present time in front of Ms Suzumiya.'

'Thanks for the reminder. We're pretty lucky she didn't see me in them yesterday - uh, the day in our time we came from.'

'Yes. Anyways, I now have to leave you alone for about 5 minutes. I will be back for you. Okay?'

I said yes and I did not ask for details. I supposed I could keep watching the young Ms Asahina and Ms Tsuruya from far, as they struck up a long friendship. However, if I thought the crazy encounter at the cafe was over, I was badly mistaken. A group of 6 people just walked in and joined the 2 behind our table.

'What took you so long?' One of them said impatiently.

'Especially you, Itsuki, you called this meeting.' Another person said.

I turned around, and there he was, a younger version of Koizumi with his trademark smiling face.