He was about my height, blonde, standing a good distance away where Tsuruya couldn't reach him without the opportunity for him to dodge first. He appeared to have exerted himself slightly avoiding Tsuruya's attempts to keep him away from Asahina. By the looks of it, it was impossible to get close with Tsuruya in the way, and there was no chance that Tsuruya would leave Asahina's side before this creep was across the seas, a safe distance away from this place.

Yes, "This Creep". Despite his underlying smooth features, his expression negated all of it, if not, it made his overall appearance even more unpleasant to behold. He looked like a type of sly beast, a type of sharp evil grin spread across his face. He continued to stare hungrily at Asahina which only made Tsuruya's glare even more oppressing. Like her, you can tell what he was thinking just by looking in his eyes, if you miss his grin of course.

Without Koizumi here to back me up, I had no idea what was going on, or who this creep was. Luckily Tsuruya was on our side, at least we have physical back up, not that we ever needed it. I can take this scrawny bastard anytime. I think Asahina might be able to explain, if she's recovered from the shock this guy gave her. Tsuruya held our ground.

"Asahina do you know this guy?" I asked.

Asahina shook her head, the guy continued to stare at Asahina. I didn't think he was going to say anything on his own any time soon. I thought it best to be the first one to talk.

"What did you do to Asahina?" I asked walking forward so I was a small distance in front of Tsuruya who was prepared to break every bone in the guy's body if he tried anything funny. That came out a bit ruder than I had intended. It's hard not to keep offense out of your voice when talking to this guy.

He turned and looked at me as if he didn't even notice I was present until I had said anything. Apparently he was aware. He just didn't bother to show concern. Why was he so interested in Asahina?

"Nothing much, I just wanted to get a closer look at her." He said in a way that made Tsuruya tense up behind me. I wouldn't be surprised if she unleashed hell on this guy right here right now. I wouldn't give a damn if she did, this guy probably deserves it.

"Who are you and how are you here?" I asked, hoping he would be at least willing to tell me what he was to be able to exist in this reality.

"Oh, so you're not one of them?" He asked with much interest that he didn't have in me before.

"One of what?" I asked curiously. He knew.

"You're… real." he smiled evilly. "Of course you would be, or else there would be no point to Suzumiya's world now would there? I should have known."

According to my intuition, this was bad. This person knew about the reality, could tell apart illusions and he didn't look, sound, or act at like a person I could remotely put any trust in. Worse yet he did something to Asahina. Why must Koizumi be absent at a crucial time like this? Did you know this was going to happen? Did you sense it coming?

"Who are you?" I asked.

The guy looked at Asahina, then at Tsuruya who was still ready to beat him down if he made any funny movements.

"Not in front of those two. I'd like to have as less trouble here as possible" He said without his sneer. "Maybe some other time, we'll talk. Soon."

He walked in the opposite directing, clearly about to leave the store."

"See you later."

I didn't say anything to stop him, because he probably wasn't going to listen anyway. The first thing I'm going to do next morning is to hunt down Koizumi and ask him who the hell that guy was.

…

The day had ended in a way that I hadn't expected it to when it was time for me to head home. Tsuruya was less than cheerful than she was when we started, but overall she was glad that the whole incident was over without Asahina getting hurt in any way. Tsuruya thought that I was best for Asahina to head home early and get some rest after tonight and gave me a single key to lock down the store while she escorted Asahina home with herself as well. The store did as the host club did. As I made sure everything was in place the lights as well as everything else shut down as I walked by, and the automatic doors closed and did not open again when I passed by its sensor to check. Not really sure about the point if the key, but it didn't really matter to me at the moment.

That that bastard and his sneer. It couldn't get it out of my mind. Why was he here? It must have to do something with Haruhi. Why else would a person similar to Koizumi who knew about illusions be in this place? He must be from the old world, perhaps another faction of some alien, time traveler, or esper fraction.

All I wanted to do was to get to bed. Stacking shelves was much more demanding than what I was required to do at the host club. Maybe so dinner too while I'm at it.

"I'm home!" I called out in the house as I usually did. A habit I still maintained in and out of the reality. There was no answer, it was very unusual for Uru to not answer my call without a "Shut up, I can hear you" or a "Damn, Already?". Despite her very rude replies I was always treated to a nice meal when I arrived home after an exhausting day. Replenished after eating, I was always forced to use my energy once again coping with her wildness in the same house.

But not today.

On the table was a bowl of rice and a few nicely selected leftovers from the previous nights. It appears that Uru has turned in for the night.

…

I got up as early as my body would allow me in the morning intending to go straight to school and then to confront Koizumi to ask him about last night as soon as possible. After an argument about whether I had time to eat breakfast or not with Uru, I sat down and had a few grudging bites of toast which I couldn't help finishing even if I wasn't hungry. It was some good toast, but I'll never admit it. Although I was a little early we decided to head out for school.

Haruhi was among the few people that were in the class when I had arrived. She was sitting there pretty idly until she saw the two of us walk in. Uru went off to her own seat and made conversation with Asakura. I sat down in front of Haruhi.

"So you two really do live together." She said plainly.

"I guess. I've said so before, but she's like a sister.'

"I know." She sighed.

I wondered if Haruhi knew anything about the sneering bastard. It was a long shot but I decided to ask, just for the heck of it.

"Did anything funny happen to you yesterday after school?" I asked.

"No, why?" She asked curiously.

I guess not. Haruhi wouldn't know anything would she? What was I thinking? She's the last person to know, or be concerned for that matter old world and now.

"Nothing, I was just wondering."

"I didn't see you at the host club…" She said gloomily.

"Oh, that…" I said feeling a little guilt. "I got another job."

Haruhi frowned. I hadn't really thought about the people I'd be missing if I changed.

"Isn't that right?" Asakura said jumping in between us as usual, Uru followed behind.

"I didn't see you last night at the host club. I was wondering where you had gone." Asakura smiled. "No biggie, we're both Koizumi's regulars, aren't we Suzumiya?" She asked Haruhi who blushed as she gave a small nod without looking at me.

"He's working at the supermarket." Uru said. "Right?"

I don't remember mentioning that. Haruhi looked more concerned.

"Supermarket?" she asked.

"You're working there now? I never thought Tsuruya would allow you late shifts with Asahina. She does guard her like a mother bear you know." Asakura laughed.

"Tsuruya?" Haruhi asked. "She let you work then?"

I nodded.

"You're getting paid much?" She asked.

I was about to shake my head frantically but corrected myself and nodded instead, catching myself at the last moment.

"Good." She said with a small smile, but still appearing to be thinking about my job change.

The bell rung and it was now first period. After this class, I'll be going straight to Koizumi.

…

I speed walked to Koizumi's class the minute first period had finished, with the intention of having the nice little to talk usually reserved for our lunch hour. I looked into his classroom to see if he was there or not. This was the first time seeing him in his class, I've wondered from time to time where he sits and how friendly he was with the people around him. Now was not the moment to confirm this. This reality was filled with illusions and there wasn't a chance I was going to find out. Speaking of which, this classroom seemed to be filled only with illusions. I didn't see his smile anywhere in the groups of people.

This was strange. Where was Koizumi during the school hours? I guess I never really stopped to think about it. I always assumed he was present for his lessons. Then again I only see him during lunch time, and he could have only come to eat food for all I know.

That was that and I don't think I'll be seeing him any time soon. My desire to speak with him will have to wait. I couldn't help feeling that there was someone else that I needed to meet besides him.

That's right, there was Asahina. I need to make sure if she was okay after last night's incident. If I'm lucky she might know a few things as well. I headed to the sophomore floor and found it no different, filled with illusions without a sign or anyone I knew. I decided to go over to Asahina's classroom.

As I was walking I bumped into someone around the corner. To my surprise it was Haruhi who seemed very happy about something.

"Haruhi?"

"Kyon?" What're you doing up here on the second years' floor?" She asked.

"I had to meet someone." I replied.

"Alright then, don't be late for class!" she added walking past me and out of sight before I had the chance to ask her what she was doing here too.

That didn't matter now, there was too much to do in the very little break period after the first class. As Haruhi says I shouldn't be late for the second one implying that it starts in a few minutes. I went over to Asahina's class as fast as I could without running. I was almost there when I saw someone standing outside the classroom. He stuck out from the rest of the illusions and I was pretty sure he wasn't just one either. Could it be, the sneering bastard? He's probably looking for Asahina too. I'll show him.

I walked right behind him and grabbed him hard by the shoulder and spun him around. I was just about to harshly interrogate him before I noticed that he was not wearing a sneer, but a smile, a stupid smile.

"Kyon! You surprised me there." Koizumi said as I hurriedly took my hand off of his shoulder.

"What are you doing out here?" I asked him.

"I would ask you the same." Koizumi said, sounding a litter more serious than usual.

"I was looking for Asahina." I replied looking over his shoulder to check if she was there. Indeed she was not.

"You won't find her in there." Koizumi said.

"Why not? Do you know where she went?"

"Yes. In fact I think I have a good idea."

"What? Tell me." I asked, wanting to tell him about the sneering bastard. It felt more important to find out where Asahina was first.

"Before I do tell you I believe there are some things that you need to tell me first." Koizumi said, his smile dropping slightly.

"And that is?" I asked confused.

"I do not think Asahina is just an illusion and I believe that you know of that as well. I would like you to enlighten me."

"Well… I…"

"She has asked you to keep her a secret from me. Am I correct?" He asked.

How did he know? This is Koizumi after all. No use fooling someone who already suspects something. Of course it was a hard thing to do from the start, but I wouldn't be breaking Asahina's promise telling Koizumi if he already knows..

"Yeah." I said avoiding his eyes. "You're not… upset, are you?" I asked not wanting to lose anything between me and Koizumi. "She made me promise before I could ask anything. After all she's the only person besides you I've seen in a long time from the old world. Heat of the moment, you know…"

To my relief Koizumi smiled.

"I understand. I'm glad you did not break the promise. Next time I ask you to put a little more faith in me than Asahina here. As I have told you before she could be the one not to-"

"Speaking of whom… Where did Asahina go?" I cut across.

Koizumi paused to recover from my interruption.

"Yes about that, now I ask you Kyon. Have you ever seen Uru and Asahina together simultaneously? Never wondered how either will react to see someone who looks exactly like themselves?"

To Our Beloved Readers: Thank you all for waiting this long for the net chapter. As most of you will know, the Autumn line up of anime has started an with the many roles Jun has secured this season I have been very busy catching up with them all. On top of most of the work I have now it's been hard settling down to write. Being that, it's a crucial time in this story as well, and it's been a challenge planning what I should write for the future. I find two weeks to be a very short time considering how busy I am. I'm also trying to get the next chapter of my OC story as well (try it out).

I've gotten though most of the first episodes for the new releases and I will say that I'm very satisfied with this season and look forward to the other late season releases as well. I hope all of you people are also having a good time keeping up with the new animes and haven't missed my updates too much. Look forward to the next chapter please!

Thanks for Reading: LordPlagus777