Chapter 3

Thursday December 31st, 2009, 12:01:37 PM

I decided to pick up some food for the party at Tsuruya-san's house tonight, which I have an unusual feeling about. I don't know why I feel so strange. Maybe it was the questionable sushi that I had for lunch? It'll go away, I'm sure.

I tried to walk to the supermarket as quickly as I could, since it was a bone-chilling 23 degrees outside and both of my parents had to work today, even though my sister and I have off from school today. I put on a jacket, a coat over that, and a scarf, and made the five-minute-long trek over to the supermarket. Even with all the layers I'm wearing, I'm still freezing. I'm such a weakling. Or was that Haruhi's voice in my head just now?

The bells on the door jingled as I pushed it open and made my way inside. I pulled the scarf from my face so I could breath (I sacrificed the luxury of breathing for warmth) and I started browsing. Honestly, I had no idea what I wanted to bring to Tsuruya's, so I just walked around aimlessly up and down aisles until something caught my eye.

Somehow, I made my way into the sweets aisle. Little known fact about me is that I have a pretty big sweet tooth. Guess I'll bring candy or something. I looked left and right as I walked up aisle 5 until I finally made the decision to pick up a bag of konpeito. I took the bag off the shelf, but nearly dropped it when I turned and saw someone standing to my left.

Asahina-san. The adult version.

"Long time no see, Kyon!" she said sarcastically. I saw her about a week and a half ago when Haruhi disappeared. I stood there dumbstruck, knowing that I only see this future version of Asahina-san when something big is about to happen.

"Ah! You're buying konpeito?" she asked, pointing to the green bag of candy I was holding. "That's my favorite candy. Good choice!" she said, giving me a thumbs up. I swear, I don't care if I meet the Asahina-san from 70 years into the future, she'll still be adorable.

"Let me guess. Something's gonna happen that I need to be prepared for, right?" I asked. Even though she's beautiful and I'm glad to see her, every time I see the adult version of Asahina-san, I can't help but be a bit worried about what I'm gonna have to do to fix whatever problem is going to occur.

"You've got it. Although, I have to tell you. This time, I think 'be prepared' is an understatement. I'm here to tell you to brace yourself." Okay, now I'm scared.

"With all due respect, is there any more warning you can give me than 'be prepared'?"

"Well, I can tell you two things. First, the event will happen tonight, and second, Nagato-san will be able to offer some help. The rest, I'm afraid, is classified information." Really freaked out now. I don't need something huge happening again like when I had to go on a wild goose chase for Haruhi.

We approached the cash register together when I felt her tap on my shoulder. Only it wasn't Asahina-san. This time it was Tsuruya.

"Hey look! I found Kyon-kun. Heheh!" she said. I noticed she was wearing her hair up in a bun and she had two long strands of green hair hanging down each side of her face. She's almost as cute as Asahina-san.

"Oh! Don't show me what you bought! I want it to be a surprise, 'kay?" she said, covering her eyes.

"How do you know I'm buying this for the party?" I asked, joking with her.

"Teehee! I know Kyon-kun is a gentleman, nyoro!"

We each paid for what we were buying and walked out the doors, the bells jingling a little louder as we walked outside together. A blast of cold air hit us both as the doors wooshed open.

"Holy mackerel! Certainly feels like December today, huh?" Tsuruya exclaimed while giggling.

We started walking in the direction of my house; she didn't turn to go a separate way, so maybe she lives in the same direction? There was an awkward silence between us for a while. I don't know her all that well, so I didn't have much to talk to her about. Then, she said:

"Kyon-kun. I kinda wanted to talk to you about something..." Hm?

"Go ahead." I said.

"It's...well...you're...friends with Itsuki-kun, right?" she asked me as she started to undo her hair. What does she want with Koizumi?

"...I...know him well if that's what you're asking." It kinda made me feel weird to be considered friends with him.

"Yeah. I kinda..." she was blushing now. I know how this sentence ends. I put my hand on her shoulder and stopped walking.

"Okay. That's fine, but why are you telling me this?"

"Honestly, Kyon-kun, I have no idea. I don't even know where these...feelings came from, heehee." she said, laughing at herself.

"I think...if he says anything about you or says he likes someone, you want me too...point him in you're direction?" I suggested.

"Well you don't exactly have to tell him that I like him, but..." She's nervous.

"I think I get it. I understand, okay?" I said, turning to smile at her. She smiled back and laughed softly. Then she ran off in another direction. While running, she turned to look at me and waved. Grinning, she said:

"See ya tonight, nyoro! And good idea picking out konpeito! It's my favorite!"