Chapter Two

"Hi, Yuki-chan… You're looking a lot better today. I know I was supposed to have an idea for what to do on our date, but, in all honesty, I've never been on a date, before, so I wouldn't know what to do if I was asked. Do you maybe have an idea?" I asked, really hoping that it would be something that was actually doable, like going to a movie, getting lunch, or visiting the library again.

"I do. I would like to experience what humans know as 'religion'." Yuki said with a completely serious look on her face. I knew her not to be kidding. "You said last night that some people found meaning in religion. I believe that if nothing else, I should at least attempt to understand it, even if I do not wish to then follow it."

"So, you want to go to a service?" I asked. Yuki nodded once in her usual concise fashion. I sighed with relief. Now, to you the reader, I am anything but religious, and have become even more skeptical since I found out that apparently a narcissistic and obnoxious teenage girl apparently had powers comparable to that of a god. However, if Yuki-chan wanted to see what she could see in such practice, Then damnit, I would try to help her find that meaning.

"Sure. I think I know just the place. The services themselves are a bit boring, but I know of a Catholic church nearby that has a particularly friendly pastor. He might be able to help you a little bit…" I said, seriously hoping that this man would be able to assist Yuki in finding meaning in her life.

Just last night, she had seemed so bleak and helpless. Now, she almost looked happy. I took her hand, and led her down the street toward the church. That was, strangely, when I was stopped by the last person I would have expected to see.

"Kyon?" The girl said, seemingly as surprised as I was. I had seen her only recently, and frankly, I didn't expect to see her again.

"Sasaki?"

"What are you doing here?" We asked together. Sasaki laughed.

"Well, you see, I was just…" Sasaki began. But then she stopped and giggled. "Well, never mind. I can see I'm interrupting what I'm sure will be a wonderful date." Sasaki said cheerfully, turning to Yuki and smiling happily at her.

"It's nice to see you again, though… I'm afraid I never got your name… Oh my God! You're so beautiful…!" Sasaki continued, seeming fairly breathless, almost as though Yuki had just punched her in the stomach, "like a porcelain doll… I have to say, Kyon. You have good taste in women…" My friend finished, then stayed silent.

"My name is Nagato Yuki… And you must be the girl Kyosuke dated in middle school…" Yuki said in an almost hostile tone, gripping my hand tighter, and moving closer to me… I looked down at the small girl standing next to me…

Was she jealous? Well, first of all, that's adorable. Second of all, she had no reason to be jealous. I had never dated Sasaki, and didn't plan to start in the future, and third and I suppose most importantly, I could see that Yuki-chan was becoming more 'human' by the day.

"Oh! Nagato-san! You're…" She leaned in to Yuki-chan and whispered, "The humanoid interface… Tell me…." Sasaki said, resuming speaking in a normal tone. "Is there intelligent life on other planets?" Sasaki asked, looking at Yuki hopefully. Yuki sighed.

"Yes. There is intelligent life on the fourth planet surrounding the Pulsar, PSR B1828-10, and also on three of the planets, and four of the moons that surround the Twin Quasars, QRS12021-5 and QRS12022-5 that humans will discover in the year 2042.

"Or rather, they will discover the Quasar. Life on other planets will not be discovered until January 3rd 2104." Yuki said stiffly. I wasn't sure if Yuki was telling the truth or not. Sasaki laughed, and nodded.

"My… The Data Overmind sure has made you surcease of knowledge… Color me impressed."

"If you would please grant us leave, Sasaki-san?" Yuki asked, bowing as stiffly as she had been speaking just a moment before. Sasaki gasped, and nodded, apologizing for interrupting our date and running off.

"Um, Yuki-chan? Were you telling the truth about other planets with life?" I asked. Yuki looked up at me, and I could swear she gave me one of those Mona Lisa smiles.

"As far as you know, I was…" Yuki said with the barest hint of a laugh. I sighed. But finally, Yuki spoke again.

"I was not telling the truth. There are other planets in the universe that support life, but I am not permitted to disseminate the names of them, nor am I allowed, as a representative of the Data Overmind, to advance human knowledge faster than it would advance otherwise.

There are situations in which I can do so, but only if the reason that such knowledge advanced in the first place is because I was here. It is similar to what humans refer to as fate, or destiny, however, it is slightly different, and takes into account human free will, and the individual's ability to understand what I have disseminated."

"Um.." I began… "I didn't understand any of that."

"Then the fact that I have disseminated it means nothing, and I shall not be reprimanded for my actions, it seems." Yuki said. Again, it seemed like she was actually telling a joke, though her deadpan expression always made it hard to tell..

"Yuki-chan… You don't need to be jealous of Sasaki. She and I were never dating."

"I am not jealous!" Yuki snapped, pulling her hand away from mine, and crossing her arms angrily.

I just smiled, though. It was so cute to see Yuki actually getting angry and flustered like this. Maybe she really was 'broken'.

But then, she wasn't as much fun when she was 'functioning properly'. So, if she is broken, I'm glad she is. The fact that she's broken is bringing out both the best and the worst in her, and perhaps the fact that, even at her worst, she seems more human than Kimidori, and Asakura, both of whom could mimic human emotions, but had no true grasp of the human condition. Now that Yuki-chan had supposedly 'broken', it was nice to see that she was coming out of her formerly ice cold shell.

"Listen, Yuki-chan… I really was never going out with her. The fact that we even met was mere coincidence, and honestly, I had barely thought about her once since we parted ways on our way into high school."

"I do not trust her. She is the center of another circle of people who believe her to be a god. I know little beyond that, but I do know that both she and her followers could be dangerous…"

"You're… Kidding, right? I could barely wrap my arms around the idea of there being one girl who had the powers of a god, let alone two, and thinking that I'm supposedly normal, and yet am close to both of them is nearly incomprehensible…"

"Do you trust me, Kyosuke?" Yuki asked me, seeming like she truly wanted to convey something important to me.

"You know I do. I trust you more than anyone else in the SOS Brigade." I replied, putting a hand on her shoulder.

I shuddered at how sentimental I was being. I was usually the hardened cynic about everything. But Yuki-chan was really bringing out a new side of me. My little sister would never let me live it down if she saw me behaving like this.

"Then believe me when I say that the one you know as Sasaki is the center of a rival faction. I know very little about them, though. Would you like me to do research on them? I do not think it would be hard, especially if we asked Sasaki directly."

"No. There's no need to get that far into their business. Whatever they do is their problem. If they try to mess with the SOS Brigade, though, I'll make sure they pay."

"They have already 'messed with us', in the past. They were the ones who made me sick in the mountains, who kidnapped Mikuru Asahina, and have generally kept their eye on us. Just as they represent a dangerous factor to us, we are a potential threat to them. I can sense that Sasaki is less unstable emotionally than Haruhi Suzumiya. However, her followers could be very dangerous."

"Well, I trust you, Yuki-chan… Do what you think is right. But today, you said you wanted to go to church, right? I'm not really religious, but I know how to get to the nearest church…"

"I do as well. I downloaded instructions. Let us go…" Yuki said, sounding very serious.

"Hi, Father Magnus… I know this is short notice, but I brought my girlfriend because she said she wanted to learn about religion."

"Ah… No problem at all.

I'm always glad to have even last minute visitors. It's always good to meet young people who want to reach out to God. Besides, I get too few visitors. Well, come right in. I'm afraid I haven't got a great deal to eat. But I have some biscuits and tea, if you'd like some? May I ask your name, young lady?"

"Yuki Nagato…" Yuki said to Father Magnus. He nodded, and held the door for us. I waited for Yuki to walk in, then went in myself. After I came into the rectory, Father Magnus came in, and pulled out some chairs in the kitchen for us to sit in.

"It is good to meet you, Father Magnus. Kyosuke tells me that you are a representative of the one you call God." Yuki said in flawless Welsh, having noticed his heavy Welsh accent, causing me to twitch slightly. If she was so blatantly obvious about the fact that she was this ignorant of human customs, Father Magnus would at least become a little bit suspicious.

"Well, Miss Nagato, I wouldn't dare to say that I represent God. Only the Pope is allowed that highest of honors. I am merely his earthly servant. But, I must say that I'm deeply impressed with your use of my native language. You needn't speak Welsh to me, though. I am fluent in Japanese and in English." Father Magnus said.

I got Yuki-chan to translate later what she had said to me, and I realized that Father Magnus was just under the impression that Yuki was highly intelligent, which, she was, and is. Now, I'm not half so worried that her secret will be exposed.

"Yes, Father Magnus. I am curious as to how Christians demonstrate their faith in God." Yuki said flatly in a completely serious tone.

"Well, the Catholic Church encourages its congregants to come to Mass at least once a week to pray, and reach out to God through song and prayer.

In addition, each week, we have what is called Communion, which is the giving of a wafer of sacramental bread, and a sip of wine that the priest blesses, turning it into the body and blood of Christ, as Jesus did at the Final Supper in the Bible. Many Catholics and Christians in general also come to church on important holidays such as Christmas, and Easter, and say prayers at meals and bedtime."

"So Catholics practice physical transmutation of common household foodstuffs and ritual cannibalism and offer praise to Him at night? Do these rites involve bloodletting and ritual sacrifice amongst the congregation?" Yuki asked, shocking both Father Magnus and me.

"No!" Father Magnus and I shouted at the same time. After a moment, Father Magnus composed himself again, taking her extraordinarily literal interpretation of this rite in stride, and even finding humor in it. That impressed me even more than the fact that he didn't kick her out immediately for her suggestion.

"Miss Nagato…"

"Feel free to call me Yuki…"

"Yuki, then. Turning the bread and wine into body and blood is symbolic of the events that supposedly took place at the last supper, in which Christ said Take this bread and eat it. This is my body which shall be given up for you.

Then he said 'Take this wine and drink it. This is my Blood, the Blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all that sins may be forgiven.' He was saying in a veiled way that he was going to die and that he died for the sins of his people."

"And what is 'God' named? What do we call him, if indeed it is a man?" Yuki asked in her same no-nonsense tone.

"Well, many people have called him by different names in the past. The Jews have called him Yahweh in the past. The Muslims call him Allah, and most Christians simply call him God. There is only one God, and so, there can be no confusion as to whom we are referring."

"But what about the one you called Jesus? Is he not the earthly manifestation of God?"

"Well… I suppose he was in a sense. However, Jesus is actually the son of God. He was born of a virgin, and died for our sins on the cross, and ascended into Heaven. God is believed to have three forms: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit."

"And how do we think of God as seeing us? Rather, are we servants? Or perhaps we are in the category of slaves, carrying out his will without question on earth?"

Father Magnus laughed. It was certainly an extreme belief to think of humans as slaves of God. But some did think that way.

"Well… Perhaps the term 'slave' is a bit extreme. God didn't condone the enslavement of his children in Egypt, and I can't imagine that he condones it in modern day either. The term 'servant' isn't entirely inaccurate, but that term applies more to priests of the Christian faith. God's worshippers are simply worshippers.

We love and adore God and want to please Him, so we worship and try to emulate him in thought and deed. And in fact, most Christians and indeed Jews as well see humans as God's children. Genesis 1 states that on the sixth day, God created Man, whom He named Adam. Then, finding that Man was lonely, he took one of Adam's ribs and created Woman, whom he named Eve, and told them to bear children and prosper. So in that way, all humans are God's children."

"I suppose this is simply curiosity. But I have read the history books of most of the known world. Wars have been fought over God. The Crusades, the Inquisition. All faiths seem to believe that their God or gods are the one true God. Does anyone truly know who the real God is, or rather, is there only one correct faith, and all others are simply idol worshippers?"

"Wow… I'm afraid I couldn't answer that very accurately, Miss Nagato. To argue that just because someone doesn't worship the same way as I do, that they are wrong, or flawed would be terribly arrogant, and an offense to God… Or so I believe."

"And on what proof do you base your beliefs?" Yuki asked. At this, I could only shake my head. I should have explained the difference between fact and faith before we came. Depending on the person, asking where the proof of God was could cause a nasty situation.

"Proof, Miss Nagato? Well… I suppose there isn't any actual proof. People accept the existence of a higher power on faith. They accept God into their lives on faith that He loves them, and that through their faith and good deeds, they will ascend into Heaven after death."

Yuki looked at Father Magnus blankly for a moment, the glanced away before looking back at the priest rather sadly.

"I… Don't understand. How can you accept something for which there isn't proof?" Yuki said, sounding almost saddened by her lack of understanding. "Proof is the basis for all scientific discovery in the world."

"Miss Nagato. I can tell you are by nature a girl with a brilliant mind, and also highly logical in nature. Perhaps it would be difficult to explain why you should believe in something that you can't prove. But religion is a beautiful thing for those who accept it because it helps many find meaning in life, and helps them through sickness, fear, danger, and grief.

As Christians, we believe that God takes into Heaven those who have been good in life, and so, we accept those people's deaths because we believe that they have gone on to a better place. We accept sickness, pain, and evil in the world because we believe that they are tests of our faith in God, and believe that if we are strong, that we can 'weather the storm' as it were. Faith and religion are two very different things, and run on completely different principles. Does that make sense at all, Miss Nagato? "

Yuki nodded at him with an uncertain smile, and Father Magnus continued.

"I've found that if I can reach just one person a day, and make them smile, then my mission for the day has been completed.

I believe that I have been put on this earth to bring happiness and joy into the lives of those around me, and if I can do that for just one person a day, then I believe that the world has become a better place. Miss Nagato, every man, woman, and child needs to find their mission on this earth, and fulfill it. I can see a great mission in you, Miss Nagato. I wouldn't claim to know what it is, but whatever you choose to do, I'm sure that it will brighten the world in ways that I couldn't possibly even comprehend."

"D-do you really think so, Father?" Yuki asked, showing a vulnerable side to her that was rare, but had become less rare of late.

"Everyone has the potential to change the world, Miss Nagato, no matter who they are. Some have the ability to do so more than others. Would you like a copy of the Bible? You seem like the erudite type. Perhaps reading something about God would help you understand it better than merely talking about it."

"I have read and memorized the entirety of the Bible, the Koran , and the Book of Mormon, in ten different languages. It is not for lack of access to the Bible that I do not understand. It is for lack of ability to identify the scientific possibility of many of the events in the Bible that I do not understand.

For example, I understand that it is impossible for the entire world to be flooded in a mere forty days and nights, nor is it possible for that much liquid water to exist on earth. Water cannot be created spontaneously.

It travels in cycles between gaseous, liquid, and solid forms, falling from the clouds in the sky and collecting on the ground, melting, and soaking into the earth, and evaporating, and forming more clouds to then fall once more. That much water has never, and can never exist on Earth in liquid form."

"My… You're a very scientifically minded young lady…" Father Magnus said, rubbing the back of his head, trying to find the words to express what he was trying to say.

"You see… As Christians, we generally believe that God has the ability to make things happen that can't be explained by science. The things that happened in The Bible are often considered 'works of God'. It is commonly accepted that no man has ever lived past 122 years of age.

There have, of course been people who live long lives for humans, and the oldest woman in scientifically recorded history is Jeanne Calment, who died at the age of 122. But, the idea that Methuselah lived to be 969 years of age was likely symbolic, along with many other aspects of the Bible. Do you understand, Miss Nagato?"

"I grasp the concept of symbolism. However, I understand that many Christians interpret the Bible literally, and I wonder why they would interpret something so impossible as truth."

"Well…"

"And if Adam and Eve married each other, and had as children; Cain, Abel, Seth, and three girls, then the boys could only have married their sisters. If both Cain and Seth had both male and female children, then the furthest relation that their children could marry would be their cousins.

If this continued, it would create the same problems that generations of incest always causes for all of humanity, which would inevitably cause humanity to die out. The idea that humanity began with two people is, therefore, impossible."

"Well… Again… The idea was not so much to state with absolute certainty that two people started the entire human race, but that God made humanity in His image. Whether Adam and Eve existed, and were the first humans is debatable.

Even as a minister, I can accept that the theory of evolution is highly convincing. Perhaps, though, it was God that caused evolution to occur. The point of God is to say that nothing happens by accident, and that everything is part of a larger plan…

Now, I would love to continue to wax philosophical with you, Miss Nagato. However, I have a meeting that I must attend in about ten minutes. So please pardon me." Father Magnus said, standing and bowing politely to Yuki-chan and I, showing us to the door with a smile.

I must admit that I was amazed at how much Yuki-chan spoke that day. It seemed like she was really coming out of her shell. As we were walking out of the rectory, though, Yuki hissed, and looked from left to right, then grabbing my hand tightly, and running from the rectory at full speed, turning a sharp corner, and jetting across the street.

I was amazed that we weren't hit by a car when we did that, but soon, we were almost half a mile away, and I was sure that we had escaped whatever Yuki had been running from. But then, she ran straight into Kimidori-san.

"Hello, Nagato. Hello, Kyosuke-san. It is good to see you again."

"L-listen, Miss Kimidori…" I said nervously. "I-I'm sorry for hitting you last night… I jusr…"

"There is no need to apologize. I comprehend your romantic interest in Yuki Nagato, and recognize the male tendency to want to protect their woman from harm. I will not continue to berate you, nor will I attempt to start further conflict.

"However, it is logically next to impossible to protect Yuki Nagato forever. She has already begun to malfunction due to her involvement in the Brigade. Whether it was good for her is something I will not debate. However, there will come a time when you will have to let her go. Please do not feel resentment toward me for saying this… but…"

"There's no need to go on. I'm familiar with the phrase 'don't shoot the messenger'. But I can't and won't accept that there is no way to save Yuki-chan… Love isn't supposed to be rational. Tell me, though… Logically, what are the odds that Yuki-chan can be saved."

"I do not know if I can call it 'being saved'. But the odds that she will be able to avoid being recalled is exactly 0.00011439%. Nagato… Do you concur with my conclusion?"

"I-I do…" Yuki-chan said nervously, looking like she was about to cry. I felt her body cling close to mine as she grabbed me, pulling me toward her. I couldn't help but feel like Yuki was getting cuter and cuter by the day.

"Well I don't!" I said firmly, pulling Yuki-chan into a tight hug. "Miracles can happen. I've seen firsthand some of the most bizarre things I could possibly imagine. Tell me, Miss Kimidori…" I said, adopting a nearly psychotic grin.

"This seemed even to give Kimidori-san pause and Yuki-chan certainly seemed scared. "What would the odds be if I alerted Haruhi to the current situation? If I made her aware of her true powers, and of what went on around her on nearly a daily basis?"

"That could potentially be catastrophic for all of humanity. Haruhi Suzumiya is a well intentioned young woman, but a slightly unstable one. Were she to become aware of her potential, it could easily spell the end of all humanity.

"But, even the Data Overmind hasn't got the power that Haruhi Suzumiya possesses, and she could in theory turn events in your favor. It would take time to do the exact calculations, though… Are you insinuating that you actually plan to inform Miss Suzumiya?"

"Well… I don't know. I wouldn't welcome the end of the world any more than you would…" I replied. "But, I would welcome Yuki-chan's disappearance even less. If it comes to that, then you can tell your Data Overmind that I certainly plan to inform Haruhi of her true potential, and that he can suck my c…" At this, Yuki gripped my hand tighter and I stopped. "Yuki-chan has managed to steal some of Haruhi's powers in the past…" I finished, feeling slightly lame.

"K-Kyosuke… I-I was malfunctioning then…" Yuki whimpered nervously, looking deeply uncomfortable. "I overrode my inherent power limiter due to my mounting errors, or rather, the limiter had what is akin to a computer virus, and didn't stop me from stealing Haruhi's powers. I was fixed when you hit Yes on the computer, if only temporarily. I don't think I could do it again except under extraordinary circumstances…"

"Like I said, Yuki-chan… I don't know if I believe in God or not. But I've seen miracles happen before my own eyes…" I replied, taking Yuki's hands firmly in my own, and pulling her in to kiss her.

"Besides. It ain't over til the fat lady sings…" I finished with a laugh. Both Yuki-chan and Kimidori looked at me rather lopsidedly.

"What? I'm afraid your reference doesn't make sense… Is it a reference to a video game?" Kimidori asked. I sighed and shook my head.

"No, no. It's just an old saying based in opera…" I said, fairly nonplussed. "You know how everyone in an opera is morbidly obese?"

"Why is everyone in an opera obese?" Kimidori asked. I sighed. It was taking longer than I wanted to explain all this.

"Well, opera singers need to have strong voices to hit the notes they need to hit. The easiest way to accomplish that is to have a little meat on you… Or so I've heard."

"That isn't true. I was created by the Data Overmind to have accurate proportions both heightwise and weightwise for a healthy young woman of my apparent age, but I have a pretty good opera voice. I've memorized most of the lyrics for Der Freischtuz, Pagliacci, Carmen, Orpheus, and Rigoletto along with a few Russian, and Czech operas that you've no doubt never heard of. If you don't believe me, Nagato can attest to it."

"She… Is not lying. I have heard her singing. She… Has quite a talent and a passion for singing." Yuki said nervously. Yuki was behaving very uncharacteristically today. She showed jealousy in the morning when Sasaki came across us. She was interested in learning about something that had nothing to do with science or academia, and now, she seemed almost shy and timid, like Kimidori was frightening her.

"I'll take your word for it. But Yuki-chan and I need to go. I don't really want our date to end before it even really began."

"Please, Kyosuke-san. I know you love Nagato. But please understand that she won't be around forever. It would not satisfy me to see you hurt."

"I won't shoot the messenger if you don't interfere in my business." I said, feeling as hostile toward her as I no doubt sounded. Kimidori merely smiled at this.

"If and when Miss Nagato is recalled, I give you my leave to attempt to induce as much physical harm on me as you like.

It will not bring Miss Nagato back, but I comprehend the human concept of misplaced rage and aggression and the human notion of revenge. Besides… I have heard that there are men and women both in the human world who experience sexual pleasure in the presence of what you would likely term 'sadomasochistic play'." Kimidori continued, not giving any sign of being embarrassed over talking about such perversion as she was broaching.

"W-what the hell are you talking about!? This has nothing to do with sexual pleasure, or misplaced rage, or revenge! I hit you last night because you were the one upsetting Yuki-chan with your long winded and pessimistic speech about who and what she was! I'm not going to torture you if she's recalled! What the hell do you take me for? Even Haruhi has more sense than that!"

"I see. That's a relief. I would hate to have to request permission from the Data Overmind to repair such large pieces of my body were you to bring me to a hidden torture chamber that you keep beneath your basement and put me in your Iron Maiden, or stretch me out on the Rack, while sticking white hot needles under my fingernails and in my eyes, and pouring molten lead on the soles of my feet even as you crush my fingers with your thumb breakers…" Kimidori said with a wide and gregarious smile.

As she was saying this, my mouth was hanging open in abject shock. Then, I seemed to get my sense of humor back, and I said

"Hold on! Who told you about my torture chamber underneath the basement, hidden behind the bookshelf that can only be opened by pulling on the Bible…" I figured going for a sense of irony couldn't hurt in this case. Yuki-chan seemed to take me seriously, though, because she looked at me, horrified.

"K-Kyon… Y-y-you mean…"

"I was joking, Yuki-chan. The only things in our basement that could hurt anyone are the nails that are scattered on the floor that everyone is too lazy to pick up. Miss Kimidori just has an overactive imagination… Or maybe an overactive sex drive… I'm still debating which one." I said, rolling my eyes at Kimidori, who laughed at my rather obscene joke.

"You are funnier than I thought you would be, Kyosuke-san. You always seemed like a hardened cynic to me." Kimidori said, sounding just as cheerful as she had through our whole conversation. At this comment, I flipped her off, but it was Yuki-chan's turn to speak up.

"Kyosuke may seem the hardened cynic. But he is actually the most optimistic and kindest member of our group. Miss Suzumiya is an unbridled sexual sadist… "

No argument from me, there.

"Koizumi is outwardly friendly, but underneath, his personality is a mystery, given his slick and untrustworthy demeanor."

Definitely agree there.

"I am… a malfunctioning unit, so my personality is perhaps unknowable, and Mikuru Asahina is perhaps the least trustworthy of all of us. She appears to be bashful and timid. But her real personality may be far more malevolent. Of her, I am still unsure."

Not sure what to say about that statement.

"But of all of us, Kyosuke is likely what holds us all together. Haruhi Suzumiya was the element that reacted to Kyosuke's catalyst.

"So if you want to look to the heart of our organization, Kyosuke has always been the heart, just as Haruhi Suzumiya is the soul. Thus, your argument has never been so invalid, Emiri Kimidori. I suggest you 'make yourself scarce' as the humans say."

"I see. You have left me with a great deal to ponder, Kyosuke-san. I must confer with the Data Overmind. Your threats and your behavior require considering. Goodbye, then… For now." Kimidori said, seeming to disappear in a flash. I blinked, and it seemed as though she had never been there. I looked over at Yuki-chan, and saw that once more, she was crying.

"Yuki-chan… Why are you crying? We scared her off for now. Whatever happens in the future is still open."

"I-I'm afraid, Kyosuke. I have only felt this emotion you call fear very recently, and it hurts. It makes me feel as though I am going to vomit, and I become dizzy.

"My chest hurts, and I lose 34.10253% of my deductive reasoning ability. My ability to think and respond appropriately to situations becomes subpar for one of my station, a-and, it makes me even more scared. I don't like this feeling. I'm not…"

I silenced Yuki-chan with a kiss, and took her hand gingerly, and led her into a café, ordering drinks for both of us. Obviously, we couldn't have alcohol. Nobody would be dumb enough to believe that we were adults. But Yuki-chan got a ginger ale, and I got an espresso.

"Yuki-chan… You are probably the only person I know who would break down the feeling of fear into its physiological and psychological symptoms. You should consider yourself lucky that you only lose 35% of your deductive reasoning. Most people lose almost all of it when they're frightened. But remember that humans get scared easily.

We're an illogical and unreasonable race. We don't usually rise to the occasion, but rather… Humans are the type to fall to the lowest common denominator. That's why group thinking is so dangerous. When you form a group of five or more people, the likelihood that the group will fall apart is high. This is because when the dumbest person finally panics, the others slowly begin to fall to his level.

Smart people can 'dumb down'. Dumb people can't 'smart up'. But I've gotten off my point. My point is that fear is common in humans. And just like finding meaning in life, people find all different kinds of ways to deal with fear. Some pray. Some drink. Some eat… Others play games. Once you find a good way to deal with fear, you'll find that it isn't quite as horrifying."

"Th-thank you, Kyon…" Yuki-chan said, reverting to calling me 'Kyon'. I wonder why.