I don't know how to put it. It was pleasant to see a different Nagato in this new world. Hearing Nagato talk in this matter was unnerving. I wouldn't have minded keeping her the way she was. Even without her quiet omnipresent like aura, I felt relaxed just to know that she still exists. Having nowhere else to go to I signed the application form and became a member of the literature club.
"Is this what you do all day in this club?" I asked, staring at all the books Nagato had stored in the room.
"It isn't called the literature club for nothing. There are days when I can't stand to be inside staring at paper, so I like to take walks around the school." Nagato answered.
"I can guess it get pretty boring being alone in this room."
"It sure does."
This was indeed a very different Nagato. I can't imagine her knowing anything about alien technology, dimensions, and how or why I'm here. Unfortunately she wasn't the one to take my questions to. As much as I enjoy this new world I can't help but to worry for the people in the old. What happened to them? And if possible can I go back?
"If it really gets that lonely, why don't you ask any of your friends to join?"
"I don't have many friends with my personality. I have a very close friend, but she's too busy for club activities."
Although some traces of the old Nagato we're present, there were completely new and unexplored sides to her. I was more surprised at the fact she even has friends then to the fact that she does have many. Just who was this saint of a person willing to take to this bespectacled bookworm?
"Who's your one friend? If they're busy enough to leave you alone by yourself in a club then they mustn't be too close."
"Nope, she's class president. People like that usually have other things to do after school." She half halfheartedly answered.
I never, in all my life expected to hear anything like that in Nagato's voice. I stared at her in wonder. She looked back with a glazed expression. If you gaze into Nagato's eyes, she at least opens them properly. This Nagato had "lazy" written all over her.
"Class president? Who might that be?" I asked, sort of knowing who it might be.
"Asakura Ryoko. She's a great friend. Even if she's too busy to be in clubs, at least she comes home early enough to make me free dinner every day."
"A-Asakura?"
"Yeah, what's the problem?"
Was this really true? Had I been unaware that Asakura been sitting in the same class for the whole day in the same class? I didn't pay much attention to anyone else except Haruhi. I was too busy thinking about this new world to notice. I wonder how much Asakura has changed, if I'm lucky she won't try to kill me. I know she won't as long as Nagato still talks like a human being, but that raises new questions for me. Did aliens, time travelers exist in this world?
"Nothing. What do you do after you get home? Do you read more books?"
"I read at the park sometimes. Or I take walks by myself."
"Those seem to be the only club activities that the literacy club does."
"That's not my fault. There's not much to do with me just alone." She answered and returned to her book. I sat there doing nothing.
"Now that I think about it, you're a member as well." She turned back.
"Yup, you got me... I'll start reading, pass me a book."
"I didn't mean that. Let's meet up at the park to read. I'll give you a book then."
"Tonight?"
"Tonight. If you want."
"Sure, I've got time." All the time in the world. There was nothing to study or get done, I already learned all the first year things. Studying wouldn't be too bad though... Nagato stood up and packed her bag.
"I'm going to go for today. Lock the doors when you leave." She said heading for the door and tossing me the key. What does she expect me to be doing alone in this room?
'Wait! I'm going to go too." I followed. Locking the door behind.
"You know where the park is right?" Nagato asked.
"Yes."
"Meet me at 7:30pm." Nagato said as she walked off.
It was in the late afternoon, about the time I got out of the Brigade clubroom. Nagato an I went our separate and I was looking forward to going home to see if any of my family members have changed. I was mindlessly walking about when I felt a pain in my legs.
"Kyah!" cried a little girl that had just bumped into me. The little brat barely reached my waist height wise.
"What the?" I groaned, holding back tears and rubbing my shins. In front of me was a small girl with brown hair and an aggravated expression. She'd be around my little sister's age. I know for sure that this wasn't in fact my little sister, for no matter how different the reality may be I know she'd never say-
"WATCH THE HELL WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" Screamed the small girl.
I got up from my knees and knocked the little bag of sunshine of the head.
"Kyah!!! What are you doing hitting a small girl?!" She screamed and fell to her knees and started crying, loud... The people passing we're glaring at me. Stop crying! I've got to find to find a way to calm her down. I checked my pockets. Luckily I had a bit of money.
"Calm down! Stop crying! I'll get you some candy or something!" Wrong choice of words. The glares intensified. What was I saying to a crying little girl in the middle of a public street?! She stopped crying. Did it work? I hope not... Just kick me and run away now, it'll be better than actually coming along for candy...
"You have candy?" The girl asked interested in my offer. The middle aged lady down the street took out her cell phone. Crap...
The girl turned to the bystanders and explained. "This idiot behind me is my older brother. Sorry for causing a commotion in the middle of the street. As much as he'd fit the profile of a serial child molester, I can assure you that he'd have no chance against me!" The little girl haughty said and puffed out her flat as a board chest. This kid... is a demon...
…
The brat sat next to me eating ice cream that I paid for with the only money I had left.
"This is some pretty good ice-cream." She slurped. Stop fooling around, I know you're trying to irritate me. I'm not falling for it.
"I feel kind of bad forcing a hobo to buy me food." She gave me a sadistic smile.
"What's your name little kid? I want to track down your parents and slap your mother for conceiving you." I gritted through my teeth.
"Don't insult my parents! They've very nice people!" She argued.
"Where are they?"
"I don't know, I ran away and I got lost."
"Where do you live?"
"I don't have a home."
"You don't have a home? That's impossible. Don't be embarrassed if you don't know your address. I have a sister just your age and she doesn't know any better either. Let's go to the police station, they'll be able to help."
"No! I can't be seen!."
"What are you talking about? Why?"
"Do you have a home?"
"What kind of question is that?! Of course I do. I was just on my way to it until I bumped into you."
"Good, let me stay there."
"No. My parents won't allow it. It's obvious you're just trying to leech off of me even more. I have a feeling I'll be cheated even more if I take you to my house. Go home."
I got up and continued to my house. Just who was that girl? What was she trying to do black mailing into bankruptcy. I arrived at the front door of my house and knocked. There was nobody home. I rang the bell and continued to knock.
"What the?" I checked under the mat and found am extra key. I almost never have to use this one. I opened the door and went in.
"I'm home!" I called. It echoed through the house. Indeed nobody was home. I went all around to check. The rooms were empty, no traces of anyone to be found. I called my mom. Nobody answered. Then my dad. The same, no answer. Both numbers were out of service. Just what the hell is going on? Does my family not exist in this world? Where's my little sister?
I sat in the empty house. Getting hungry, too lazy to look for food. Watching some boring game shows on TV, wondering what to do now that I have no money, no food, no parents. I can get a part time job. Nah... it's almost time, I better head off.
I wonder what could be stressing both Nagatos enough to enjoy reading and in this case taking walks. Even so, having an evening stroll relieves some of the uneasiness of losing my family. I've yet to find out how much more relaxing it could be to read books in the park at this time of night. Nagato was sitting at the bench, reading under a light post.
"Hey, whats up?" I waved.
"So you came." She replied.
"Yeah, why'd you ask?"
"I was starting to doubt it because you were late."
"Late?" I checked the clock. It was a few minutes past the promised time.
"It's only been a few minutes, did you think I'd forget about a promise I made?"
"No, there are so many reasons to miss an appointment with a person like me. It wouldn't have mattered if you hadn't come. So don't go out of your way just for me, I'm sure you had better plans tonight."
"Don't say that. I feel that this is the best thing for me to do right now. I could use some peace and quiet." I sat down next to Nagato. She handed me a book.
"While reading of course." I added.
We sat there reading for a considerable amount of time. I couldn't check the time cause it might give Nagato the idea that I didn't want to be here. So this Nagato wasn't the most optimistic person in the world. I felt like talking.
"So where do you live?" I asked curious to compare both Nagatos from both worlds.
"I live in that apartment complex over there." She pointed to a building sticking up from the trees. She lives in the same place.
"Who pays for your apartment?"
"I've bought it out. I inherited some money from my parents."
"Inherited? Where are your parents now?"
"I never knew them. Don't feel bad, it's nothing to feel sorry about. Makes one wonder if she had any to begin with." She got up and closed her book.
"I've got to go now. It's time for dinner. Maybe next time I'll invite you. Asakura's probably made enough for two tonight."
"That's a shame. I'd love to go with you next time."
"Ha..." Nagato laughed. She was headed in the other direction so I couldn't see her face. I was sure she was smiling...
…
I walked home back to my empty house. I walked inside ate a small bowl of rice and got ready to sleep. It was still early but what else did I have to do at the time? My cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hello Kyon, this is Koizumi Itsuki. This is a miracle indeed. The fact that this call was able to get through means that these worlds were connected after all."
To The Beloved Reader: This chapter took a while to think up and plan. I've squeezed some of the events I planned to put in this story to the later chapters so the plot isn't too rushed. I apologize but I expect the next chapter to have a lengthy Koizumi explanation (as almost all of my stories do). I hope I satisfied everyone with this new chapter release. With my busy schedule, late at night is the only time I get to write these, and I don't usually have time to check it over 100%. If there are any spelling, grammar, or misc. errors please tell me so I can get it fixed pronto
Thanks for Reading: LordPlagus777