This fanfic is currently under construction and the chapters are therefore subjected to minor changes. I apologise for any confusion.

HIS TRUE VALUE

Kyon sighed and leaned his head against the cold white wall behind him. For him, it had been as though time had fast-forwarded itself and now paused.

He closed his eyes. He could hear Asahina whimpering next to him and Haruhi's footsteps pacing to and fro nearby. He could feel Nagato's presence on his other side.

Kyon looked at her from the corner of his eye. She has maintained the same statue-like posture on her seat for an hour, not even bothering to take one of the magazines on the table next to her.

About two hours ago, while Kyon was waiting alone in the shop, Nagato had suddenly appeared out of nowhere before him, with a frightened-looki!ng Asahina in one hand.

"Waa—Na-Nagato-san –" stammered Asahina.

"Koizumi Itsuki is severely injured," said Nagato in her usual monotonous voice.

Before he was able to process this message in his brain, he found himself outside, looking at Haruhi, whose colour had been drained from her face, kneeling next to Itsuki's unconcious, bleeding body and at Asahina, who was crying hysterically.

If Kyon could remember it precisely, the ambulance and police cars came a few minutes after that. The personnel carried Itsuki and four other victims into the emergency vehicles. Haruhi, after a short conversation with the personnel, went with them, just as she did when Kyon was hospitalized.

It was surprising that she didn't bother to look for the criminal. Kyon guessed she was much more concerned for her subordinate.

Nagato had already taken care of that; using her supernatural powers (Kyon couldn't think of any other way), she had knocked down that maniac seconds before taking Itsuki's cellphone to call his Organization.

After the ambulances left, Kyon hailed down a taxi and, together with the two girls, followed Haruhi and Itsuki to the hospital.

Now the four unharmed teens were here, anxiously waiting in the waiting room.

Kyon sighed again. How a perfectly enjoyable afternoon ended into a nightmarish evening like this, was a mystery to him.

"Kyon! What are you sighing at? Koizumi's going to alright, so don't you dare think otherwise!" said Haruhi shrilly. She turned to Asahina. "Hey, Mikuru, stop snivelling! Geez, you should be more like Nagato, being calm even in a situation like this!"

As if you're calm yourself, Kyon wanted to retort. But he decided to keep this to himself; after all, it might be best to let Haruhi vent her frustration.

- -

A man in his late thirties entered the waiting room, led by a female hospital personnel. He wore the familiar anxious expression on his face. Haruhi guessed he was related to one of the five stabbed victims.

"Please wait here patiently, Mr Kondo," said the personnel. "The doctor will soon update you on Mr Miyugi."

The man nodded grimly and the woman left.

"Excuse me, sir, are you also here for one of victims of the knife crime?" asked Haruhi.

The man looked at her. "Y-yes. Miyugi – he's my private secretary." He buried his face in his hands for a moment and sighed. "One of my acquaintances recognized him at the store and called me up. He – he is still a young man, but so reliable and knowledgeable. Can get things done in a minute." He blinked. "God, I – I never expected something like this. "

"Of course, you can never expect something like this," said Haruhi, "I'm sure he'll be able to make it."

"What's bothering me is that – well, I've always taken him for granted," said Mr Kondo. "Even though he's irreplaceable, I never bothered to look at him twice, thinking – thinking he'd be here, struggling between life and death –"

"Hey!" snapped Haruhi, "Don't say things like that! If he's such a trustworthy employee to you, why don't you have more faith in him?! Get a hold of yourself!"

"Haruhi, you should get a hold of yourself as well," said Kyon, "Koizumi's also –"

"Koizumi will be fine!" said Haruhi firmly, her eyes in flames.

Kyon sighed and decided not to say anymore.

"She's right," said Mr Kondo, "I shouldn't say things like that."

"Hmph." Haruhi began to pace around the room. Of course she was right. Even if Koizumi's fighting against death, he'd still win. Haruhi can't forgive him otherwise. She just couldn't imagine Koizumi being gone, not able to smile anymore – no. She must not think about it. She must not think of how she won't be able to hear his voice, the pleasant voice that always complimented her, always agreeing happily with her plans – no! No! No! No!

Haruhi shook her head frantically. Stupid old man! Stupid old man, already grieving over his employee!

If he really does regret not appreciating his employee that much, he should at least trust him to survive. Look at Koizumi – she would always trust him. And he would never break her trust; he was always there to get things done, whatever Haruhi wanted. Come to think of it, he really granted Haruhi's wishes: preparing for trips, planning mystery games, ... You simply can't think of him as unreliable. And of course, she always appreciated him – hasn't she?

Haruhi began to pace around the room faster. She must stop thinking...

- -

Kyon felt like he was watching a walking time-bomb desperate to explode. He began to feel more worried.

He looked sideways. Nagato was still in the same position. She'd make a good model for a sculpture artist, thought Kyon. That aside, perhaps she would know Koizumi's position.

Just as he was to ask Nagato, the door of the waiting room opened. Everyone turned to look at the doctor walking towards them.

© Mademoiselle X

Finally! That's what you probably think. Hehe... Anyway, I apologise for the long wait! Unfortunately, I was hooked on a manga serie and, fortunately, halfway the serie, the main character pissed me off so much I decided to take a break from it.

By the way, Toblerones and pralines for the ones who reviewed and their support! Thank you!! Now I'm going to work on the next chapter where unexpected words from - oops, did I just say something? Well, let's leave that till next time...

One more thing: from now on, I'll be annoucing when the next chapter will come out, to do my readers a favour. So, the next chapter will be either on Thursday or Friday (depends on my mood). Until then! - Mademoiselle X