Ten hours have passed since severance. No new data has emerged relating to the cause of this anomaly, and all available data indicates Suzumiya Haruhi to be the root of the situation. For what reason? Something within Suzumiya's sub-conscious may have caused this problem, but for what reason?

Kyon.

Kyon has been lying still for several hours now, but he does not sleep. Perhaps he wishes me to believe he is sleeping? He knows there is no way to deceive me, at least not like this. So why does he pretend? Is it to prevent any communication between us?

Yes. Itt has become apparent that lying has caused Kyon some sort of pain. Kyon is preventing me from causing him further harm. Minimizing damages. Reducing risks. Acceptable, logical behavior.

No. All processing power must be diverted to discovering the nature of this area, and the reasons for our entrapment. Kyon can be dealt with later. The data composing this area is too complex not to have full attention placed on it.

There. A gap in the coding. Definitely Suzumiya's work, with the sheer complexity put into this zone's creation. Much like Closed Space, only... there is no threat. Instead, it appears certain requirements must be fulfilled before we are freed. Suzumiya wants something. This area will not be broken until her wants are fulfilled, whatever they may be.

And it is doubtful that the requirements are the destruction of an Avatar this time.

I've never been one to think anyone needs to earn my respect. I just haven't ever been arrogant enough to think my respect was worth earning. Because of that, it has never been hard to just trust people and believe in them. But at the same time, whenever someone loses my respect and trust, it's always so much harder.

But this is the worst. Someone I have even referred to as Our Great Goddess (Jokingly, of course... sort of.), someone who has saved my life more times than I can count (Or probably know), someone who has been there to help me always... That person casually let me know they were lying. Sorry, "enhancing the truth". So what do I do?

No- that's dodging the question and making an unanswerable one in the process. What I should say is, "Do I forgive it?".

Just as I pride myself on being a trusting person, I also pride myself on forgiving others. I mean, look at how much Haruhi has had to be forgiven. If I can forgive Haruhi for all the stupid things she drags me into, I can forgive Nagato too. I just need to know why. I have to ask.

"Nagato."

The silent android turns towards me.

"Why?"

She seems puzzled for a moment.

"Specify your query."

As if there was anything to talk about besides her actions earlier...

"As I previously stated, there were orders. I fulfilled my orders."

So I rank lower than orders from her master now? What happened to friendship? God knows (Or Haruhi knows?) that was a low blow.

"..."

Silence. Nagato looks troubled, but says nothing. I guess she doesn't have anything more to say. But as I turn back again, she responds.

"Kyon, what emotion is it that feels like a heaviness in the chest?"

That voice, one completely different from the cold and detached one normal for Nagato, is like the voice of a lost and confused child. It's the voice of a Nagato I met in another time, another place... a Nagato that still wears glasses and is a normal girl who heads the Literary Club.

It's the voice of a very human Nagato.

Kyon stares, mouth open. No response. Was the query too odd? I repeat.

"Kyon, what emotion is it that feels like a heaviness in the chest?"

He appears to wake up out of his stupor.

"Well... err... I guess that's regret? Or anxiety? I don't really know how to explain it..."

Regret: a sense of loss, disappointment, dissatisfaction. Anxiety: distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune. Both fit current states well. Is this why I am so uncomfortable?

Yes. An apology is the correct way for humans to express their regret. Human mannerisms are much easier than emotions.

"I am sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

More silence. Kyon still does not face this direction.

"Nagato, when you... checked my heart earlier... was it necessary to actually touch me? I mean, it didn't bother me too much or anything, but you usually can just pull these things out of the air, right?"

An odd burning sensation is apparent in my cheeks. Is this what is considered a "blush"?

"I... do not know what reason I had for those actions."

This is most definitely a "blush". Why are all of these very human emotions appearing so suddenly? Unlike Asakura Ryoko, who's master allowed her many unnecessary programs and thoughts, I never had those human ideas. But suddenly these dormant programs have become active...

It's this dimension. Suzumiya Haruhi's plans are starting to take shape. For reasons unknown, it is apparent that reserve programs have been initiated. Programs that simulate human behavior far too greatly. Programs deemed unnecessary.

Kyon says nothing, does not point out the obvious. I feel... relief? Yes, most definitely relief. The more time that can be spent analyzing the situation, the more likely we will be to escape. What does Suzumiya want? What is her wish?

What does she hope to gain by bringing these programs up?

That was most definitely a blush. The second one today, even (Unless the first was just a part of Nagato's acting?). This is a bit disturbing.

Wait, since when is Nagato showing human emotion bad? That Nagato from before, the normal one in the alternate reality... she seemed happy. Or content at least. Who's to say a little more emotion would do Nagato any harm?

No, that's not really the question at all. What's more important is why Nagato is changing so quickly. She has always been so cold and logical, so why has that changed? It all started when we entered here...

Haruhi.

Somehow, it doesn't surprise me that girl is behind all of this.

But what does she want?

In all honesty, I don't really know where this story is going anymore. It seems to have derailed itself after last chapter, and I feel like this one just isn't cutting it. Still, I hope you all enjoy it at least (People seemed to think I had abandoned this story). Oh, and sorry for the update times. Things are a bit hectic right now.