Chapter 2

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009, 2:57 p.m.

"So, about this party we're having..." I said to Haruhi, after a few moments of silence in the clubroom. Asahina-san was not asked to put on her usual maid outfit today, which definitely was unusual....and unfortunate. Koizumi was taking down the Christmas decorations, Yuki was reading some other novel, and Haruhi, in her usual spot in front of the computer.

"Yeah? What about it?" Haruhi answered, a little agitated.

"Where are we having it?"

As if on cue, the door burst open and Tsuruya-san appeared with a huge grin on her face, showing her cute little fang.

"Ah! If it isn't our 6th Brigade member!" Haruhi exclaimed happily. She's a brigade member now?

"Harunyan, It's absolutely no trouble at all, nyoro!" she said. What's not a problem?

"Really? That's awesome" Haruhi said back, wrapping Tsuruya in a hug.

"Does someone wanna explain what's going on here?" I asked, feeling left in the dark.

"I got a call from Mikuru-chan last night asking if there could be some sort of SOS Brigade bash at my house for the new year. I said, megassa, it's no problem, nyoron!" Tsuruya explained with a thumbs up. Is that what Haruhi asked Asahina-san to do yesterday? I can't believe Haruhi made Asahina-san invite us over to Tsuruya-san's house!

"Are you sure this isn't causing you any trouble, Tsuruya-san?" Koizumi asked, asking the question for me.

"Don't be silly, Itsuki-kun! My parents said it's totally cool if you guys come over! They'll be out anyways." Tsuruya replied. "You guys can be over by 7:30 on Friday! I'll have the karaoke machine set up and everything! Oh, it'll be so much fun, megassa!"

"You here that, Brigaders? 7:30! Don't make our hostess wait!" Haruhi announced. "Oh, hold on a sec, Tsuruya-chan!". Haruhi went over to her desk, pulled out a yellow piece of paper a wrote something on it with permanent marker. She stapled it into a circle and went back to Tsuruya.

"You now have an official role in our Brigade as event coordinator, since this will be the second event the SOS Brigade has held at your house!" she said, placing the band around Tsuruya's arm.

"Thanks, Harunyan! I'm really honored. I'll see you guys then!" Tsuruya said as she walked out the door.

Just listening to those two made me really exhausted. Haruhi got her bag and walked out.

"That's it for today, you guys. Same time tomorrow!" she said, and she left.

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009, 3:00 p.m.

Haruhi told me the Brigade meeting was cancelled today, which I could see coming, because she was in a pretty bad mood. Telling me the meeting was cancelled was the only thing she said to me today, and her head was buried in her arms on her desk all throughout homeroom. She seemed so happy yesterday, though.

I went to the clubroom to tell everyone who might've shown up there to go home, and of course, they were all there, waiting for Haruhi. After that, I went to my locker to get my coat and then go home.

As I was walking down the hallway, I passed through the art wing, where all the art and music classes are held. As I approached the music room, I heard some sort of classical melody being played on the piano. I thought all the teachers would've left by this time.

My assumption was correct. When I looked inside the room, it wasn't a teacher playing the piano. It was Haruhi. I still don't understand how she's so talented. I stood by the doorway and watched her, since she was playing so well, not to mention her eyes were closed. I don't think I could ever be so musical even if I had a third arm.

After she finished, she turned the page in the music book she was playing from. She then looked my way and jumped from her seat.

"Oh. It's just you. Why were you watching me anyway, creeper?" she said as she crossed her arms and glared at me.

"You just screwed your way out of receiving a compliment, Haruhi." I said, smiling.

"...who cares." she replied quietly. Then she sat back down on the piano bench.

"Do you mind telling me why you're so upset? It's kinda scary to see you so bummed." I asked, walking into the room and sitting down on the bench.

"Fine. But if you laugh or tell anyone, I'll kick you so hard where the sun don't shine that you'll have to change your name to Kyoko!" she said with a straight face. After a short pause, she said "I always get kinda annoyed at the end of the year if I don't accomplish anything big or find anything out of the ordinary." she said, staring out the window.

"But what about the SOS Brigade? Didn't you accomplish something in establishing it?" I asked, trying to make her feel better.

"Yeah, but this is the 16th year of my life and I haven't found any espers, time travelers, or aliens yet! That's the whole point of the club anyway." she replied, looking at me this time.

I thought of something to say to cheer her up, but I decided to change the subject instead. "So...when did you learn to play the piano?"

"I've been learning since I was seven." she said, showing no anger in the sudden change of subject, thank God.

"What song was that, just now?"

"Gymnopédie No.1 by Erik Satie."

"...you play very well."

"I thought you weren't gonna compliment me" she said sarcastically.

"Guess I changed my mind." I said, smiling at her. She smiled back, her first smile today.