Chapter 5
"I just want to know whether I should risk the world to tell the truth to the girl I love, that's all."
Upon hearing these words, Sasaki closed her eyes and stirred the ice cubes around in her drink. I really didn't know how she was going to react, but I was still a little perplexed when I heard a faint chuckle.
"You really do have a penchant for understating the seriousness of a situation, although you always kind of did. Although I hope I never live to see it, part of me wonders just how glib you would be in delivering the news that the world was ending. Knowing you, it'd be about the same level of annoyance that a person has when they drop the toast butter side down."
Hey, I thought the weird metaphors and analogies were my department …
"Sorry Kyon; but it's something that I picked up from hanging around with you after all that time."
Hunh, talk about a lack of equivalent exchange. You picked up my wit (I'm still debating whether this is a good or bad thing) and yet I've got nothing in return. Oh well; figures that I would only be a giver and not a receiver.
A sly smile drew across Sasaki's face at that moment. Did she know something that I didn't? It wouldn't be the first time I suppose. But I could worry about that later, we've danced around the question at hand long enough.
"I couldn't agree more. The problem is that I'm not exactly the best suited to help you in a situation like this. I don't think I need to remind you about my stance on relationships."
It was true: she and Haruhi were on different ends of the relationship spectrum. Haruhi was always quick to dismiss relationships, but looking closely a person could always tell that there was a longing there for something; in Sasaki's case it's quite the opposite: she values her independence and self-sufficiency more than anything. There were times when I tried to convince her that you don't need to give those things up to be in a relationship, but since I'd never been in one myself at that point, I was putting forth a groundless argument that she easily defeated.
"Knowing what you know now, would your argument change, Kyon?"
She cut to the point with a potentially damning question, one I hadn't really thought about. After all, what reason did I have to, I was surprised that either of us had even remembered those conversations, but really, what other answer was there then:
"No. Never."
Absolutely never. I still think that my relationship with Haruhi has been one of the best experiences of my life, even if it does stay well and truly over.
"Well then, what do you really need me for? You seem as resolute as you've ever been."
I would be, Sasaki, if the situation where as simple as that, but you're one of the few people that I can actually talk to now that knows it isn't. I'm not going to even start on the list of reasons why I never want a heart to heart with Koizumi ever again, and Nagato, well . . . Nagato is Nagato. Despite how you feel about all of this, at least you're sort of in the same power bracket that I am: normal person/weirdness magnet.
I realised perhaps a second too late that I might have used the words "weirdness magnet" a little too haphazardly, as the girl across from me stalled like an old engine. It was rare to see Sasaki surprised about anything, but when she was, there was usually a very good reason. Still, she recovered quickly enough, becoming contemplative.
"You know, I've never considered myself a 'weirdness magnet' but I suppose that's because I never really stopped to think about the situation from an outside of person perspective. Is that another attribute I've borrowed from you, I wonder . . . ?"
At this point I gave my usual noncommittal response with a quick shrug of the shoulders. Still, I certainly hope that she wasn't dragged into this through any fault of mine.
"Even if so, Kyon. It's not like it wasn't an interesting experience. Aside from the unpleasantness of the last situation with them, they were a unique group of compatriots to have around - if a little dysfunctional."
If I had to draw a comparison, I'd say that the anti-SOS made our group look like a loyal and elite military unit.
… Okay, maybe I wouldn't go that far.
"You know, Kyon. I've known you a long time, and I know that you only really keep wandering in circles like this when you really don't want to do something,"
Crap, she remembered.
"But, you're the one who asked me here, and you explained the situation bluntly enough; so I wonder. What's holding you back now?"
It was a legitimate question, but for some reason I was still offended by it. I guess that to me, my relationship with Haruhi, and let's face it, the topic of Haruhi in general, are both extremely sensitive topics, more so than they ever have been.
"Understandable. Still, if you want help you're going to have to give me the details sooner or later. It's not a matter of just telling her the 'truth' about something, or else it would be easy. This is something more than that."
Sasaki was right on the mark again, I couldn't help but wonder if she had in fact gained some of Haruhi's otherworldly perceptiveness, or if I was just that familiar and easy to read to her. Still, at this rate all we were doing was catching up on the past, essentially. And while I do think that it's been far too long since Sasaki and I have done so, now is not the time.
"Now now, Kyon. I think I have a simpler solution for why you're doing it in this case, not that I want to be an enabler," she gave a knowing smirk at that point, just for effect I'm sure, "but you're obviously going over the past to try and give an estimate to the future."
Was that the real reason why my mind had been drifting back and forth throughout the time that I have known Haruhi and the rest of the brigade? Searching for an answer, some other path I could have taken? I honestly don't know how Asahina-san (of either variety) or that Sneering Bastard kept track of all of this, because the inclusion of time travel has made my life needlessly complex, although I suppose that if it weren't needlessly complex that it wouldn't be my life, now would it?
"I very much doubt it." Sasaki mused, bringing the glass to her lips.
More and more, though, I found myself thinking back to the direct events - well, as direct as things ever get around here - that brought Haruhi and I together into a relationship, events that came to a head in this coffee shop.
I couldn't help but think that all the medicine that I had just bought was a really empty gesture, although perhaps if we were really lucky Haruhi would believe that one of these would cure Nagato, and she would get better. But considering the circumstances, I don't think that a quick fix from her is going to help matters this time. This thing that the other entity is doing, whether it be an attack or a probe or whatever, is a sustained effort; things won't get better until it stops. But what if it doesn't stop, or what if it's too late for Nagato?
No, I can't let myself think like that, I won't!
"…if you choose correctly and play your cards right, you can save Nagato Yuki."
The words Tachibana Kyouko had spoken swirled in my head like blood in the water; how long would it be before the sharks showed up? Whoever said that the most dangerous words were like venom mixed with honey was not far off, I wonder if they said that after being in a situation like this…
I rang the doorbell and got an immediate, furious response: "Kyon! Where have you been!"
To be fair, she was justifiably angry. This did take way more time than I had expected it to, but I couldn't tell her the truth of the situation, as usual.
"Sorry, it took a while to find the nearest drugstore. I don't know this area too well."
A short silence on the intercom, then the tone that signified the gate unlocking. I guess even if she wanted to punish me, there were more important things on everyone's mind at this point.
Koizumi greeted me at the door, If he knew what just transpired he was doing an amazingly good job of not letting it on, maybe I underestimated his acting skills in the past. I stepped in and the scent of herbal tea enveloped me, which meant that Asahina-san was doing her job. It added a strange contrast to the mood of the place though: should such a calming aroma really permeate the location of such a stressful situation? It didn't seem right.
Haruhi practically tore the door to Nagato's room in half when she threw it open: "Get in here with that medicine already, Kyon!" An order with which I was quick to comply.
After giving Nagato some of the various pills and syrups, Haruhi decided that it would be best if we watched her in shifts. She and I would be on first, while Asahina-san and Koizumi would sleep in the living room using the bedding that I 'miraculously' found (of course little did Haruhi know that Asahina-san and I were already familiar with the sleeping mats, having used them for three years.)
The pair departed and Haruhi and I took our places by Nagato's bedside while the other two tried to get some sleep. Nagato was asleep, or at least really looked like it. It had been a trying day, and everyone was spent, but Haruhi still looked at Nagato with determination, and compassion. I think that if Haruhi just knew a little more that she'd be able to help Nagato in a second. That, however, was a dangerous wager in and of itself, and I've never been a good gambler.
At this point though, it seems I have two choices: either let Haruhi know that she's a semi-divine powerhouse and see where things go from there (not something I'd be particularly excited for) or join the Anti-SOS and give Haruhi's power to Sasaki, who while being self-aware, would probably be able to control herself . . . probably.
"Hey, why are you so quiet?"
Damn your pinpoint clairvoyance Haruhi; now was not the time that I needed you to be butting in, especially since it concerns you and your powers, not to mention my place in the brigade.
"I just have a lot on my mind. Like Nagato's health for example." Please buy that, please buy that, please buy that - it's even partially the truth!
She gave me an analyzing glare. "Liar. There's something else, something more weighty."
Double damn your pinpoint clairvoyance. Have you been practicing or something?
"Well, I suppose that I've been wondering, just how far we'd go to help each other out." I had to think faster than her, try to come up with something. Not easy, not even possible, maybe, but I had to try.
"I don't get what you mean, are you saying that this isn't enough for Yuki? That's pretty baseless for you to say, Kyon!"
"That's not what I mean. But I've been thinking: what if something happened, something that threatened one or more of us. Like, let's just imagine that the student council president was actually an ogre -"
"That's not hard to imagine - isn't he one already?"
How can a person whisper so boisterously? "Don't interrupt."
She pouted, and I continued, "Anyways, what if he was going to say, eat Koizumi or Asahina-san unless you resigned from the SOS-Brigade?"
Haruhi shot me her most impressive "Are you stupid?" face to date at me. "That's a stupid scenario; like that would ever happen!"
"Just humour me - the circumstances don't matter. What I'm getting at is, what if you had to leave the brigade to save at least one of them; that's what I'm trying to get across." I really hope that she's still reeling from my admittedly idiotic attempt at an example and doesn't catch on to the deeper meaning.
What happened next shocked me a little. After looking a little depressed, she grabbed my collar in a flash and while I was sure that she was about to scream right into my face, instead she whispered with all the force that a whisper could possibly have: "Idiot! I wouldn't choose to leave, I'd kick whoever was threatening my friends ass! No one gets away with threatening anyone in the SOS-Brigade while I'm around! I'd give them an infinite death penalty if that happened!"
I fell back a little as she let me go, shocked by the abrupt response that I should have seen coming. It was the classic Haruhi answer to that kind of question: "What do you mean I have to choose between A and B? I choose C and you'd better live with it!"
But was that an option in this case, even remotely?
"Listen Haruhi, it was dumb, and I'm sorry, but I had to ask."
She calmed down a little, her face softening even though the fire remained in her eyes. "Well, if you were trying to get me fired up, then you succeeded. I need to stretch my legs though; I can't sit still after that."
I'm sure that Nagato will be fine (as fine as she can be in this situation) if you take a short break. "Asahina-san made enough tea for twenty people. Why don't you grab some, refresh yourself, then get back here.
"Don't do anything stupid, Kyon!" And with that command she got up and made her way out of the room. I didn't really know when she'd be back, but as long as I didn't nod off it would be fine. Still, my eyelids were heavy, and it seemed like I might succumb to sleeps siren call, even in this situation. That is, I would have, had I not noticed out of the corner of my half closed eyes something that instantly snapped me back to alertness:
Nagato's eyes were open; she was awake.
I tried to keep as quiet as possible, since she still didn't look all that great, and I didn't want Haruhi interrupting any conversation we were about to have, still, I almost couldn't contain myself. At least she was still with us.
"I am functioning, although nearly all major systems have been compromised due to the disconnection from the Integrated Data Thought Entity." she clearly whispered to me, while those eyes ensured that my attention would be focused solely on what she was going to say to me.
"Judging from your conversation with Suzumiya Haruhi, I have extrapolated that you have been presented with a choice from the rival factions that have come to the conclusion that your friend Sasaki is the true inheritor of the power that Suzumiya Haruhi now holds."
She got all that from the conversation? I thought that she probably wasn't asleep, but I should have known that she would be this on the mark, it is Nagato we're talking about after all.
"Their incentive for you joining them and transferring the power from Suzumiya Haruhi is my wellbeing. Therefore, you must not accept their offer."
"Wait, you have to correct me, because I thought you just said not to save you."
"That is correct. I am merely one interface among many, I can be replaced, I -"
Stop it, Nagato! I won't hear you talk like that!
I must have actually yelled it, because at this point she paused and looked at me inquisitively.
"I'm not about to just sit back and let you die when there's something I can do about it! I don't care if it means that I have to give Haruhi's powers to someone else, or even if I can never see any of you again! You're not just some interface, some random tool to be exploited and then thrown away when you get broken or burdened!"
"This may be how you feel; but the same applies to you."
I fell silent, stunned by what she had just said.
"Each member of the brigade, myself included, turns to you not only for support, but also for the quality of friendship. This is especially true of Suzumiya Haruhi."
Yeah, I've heard time after time that I'm the "Chosen of Suzumiya-san" the "Chosen of Haruhi" or whatever you want to say, I don't care about that.
"It is not that attribute to which I refer."
Wait, it's not?
"You, more than anyone else, have had an effect on the physical and emotional state of Suzumiya Haruhi. It is thanks to you and you alone that she has developed in the way that she has to this point. You are more than her friend; you are her foil, her anchor. Whether or not she is conscious of this, it is the case."
This was the point when it finally dawned on me what must have been perfectly obvious to everyone else. Or, rather, I always knew it, but it was the point that I never wanted to admit to myself. That is…
"You and Suzumiya Haruhi need each other."
That Haruhi and I had come to respect and rely on each other. She may have started off as a brash, almost intolerable spoilt child that saw people as nothing but tools for her own amusement but over the short time that we've been in the SOS Brigade though, she's changed. She takes the feelings of others into account now; she knows that there are limits, and she's displayed genuine compassion for those around her, especially us in the brigade, or should I say, her friends.
"The Brigade will survive without me. She cannot without you, and you cannot without her."
Those words, delivered from Nagato without emotion or emphasis as usual brought my trip down memory lane to a grinding halt. Even though a person might argue against it, I still view the fact that I chose this dimension over the alternate one that Nagato created as killing the alternate versions of the people closest to me. Sometimes I still wake up in cold sweat, seeing that emotional Nagato's pleading face. The choice still haunts me to this day.
"There has to be a way. Kimidori-san is trying to come up with something, you just need to hold on. And if worse comes to worse, then -"
"Consider it my request." Nagato looked at me. I couldn't help but think that this was the closest that she could come to pleading. Damn it, Nagato, any other day I'd be doing flips over your making a request; but to ask this?
"Alright." For now, you win. I'll do everything I can, short of choosing the other team. It's the least I can do to try and repay her for all that she's done for me.
I just hope that trying to return the favour doesn't cost her everything.
That tense conversation sapped me of the will to sleep. The night passed slowly, until finally morning came and Haruhi ordered everyone to head home in order to grab more supplies before meeting back up at Nagato's apartment (before you ask how we would get in again, Haruhi grabbed the apartment key). I wasn't going back home though; I could live with smelling and looking like something that just crawled out of the ditch, but there was something vitally important I had to attend to.
I went to the café, the same one that the SOS-Brigade so often frequented. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at it the same regardless after the events of the last few days. I'd be just as happy if someplace else broke my wallet from now on, but that was the last thing on my mind at the moment.
The group was already sitting down before I arrived, with one notable exception: Kuyoh Suou was gone, nowhere to be seen. I didn't really know where she might be, and I didn't care either. What she was doing right now added to her already creepy nature, if I never saw her again, it would be far too soon.
The Sneering Bastard and Tachibana looked like they were having an argument, although they both stopped when they saw me walk in. Sasaki just looked like a girl enjoying her day in a café, albeit with some strange friends.
"So, you've made your decision I take it," Tachibana said with something that wasn't quite a smile on her face. I guessed that she was confident that I'd make 'the right decision', "So, what will it be?"
This was the biggest gamble I had ever made, and hopefully would ever make. Lady Luck be with me; whether you look like Asahina-san, Haruhi, or anyone else, just be by my side.
"I'm staying where I am."
It really did seem anticlimactic, but at the time that might have been one of the most important sentences that I have ever uttered in my short existence. I said I had spent the night sleepless, and while part of that was worrying about Nagato, just as much of it I spent thinking about everything that had happened between the Brigade members, how they had promised to stick together, with Koizumi and Nagato even saying that they would choose the SOS Brigade over their own factions if it came down to it. I was sure that Asahina-san felt the same way as well, even if she didn't say anything to the effect. And yeah, I also thought a lot about Haruhi, but right now there were more pressing concerns.
The three of them had completely different reactions: Sasaki's didn't really change at all; she just held that same intrigued smile that she always seemed to wear these days. Tachibana seemed to be riding a roller coaster from shock to despair on a fairly regular up and down motion, and Fujiwara, well, he just started snickering, which soon turned into outright raucous laughter. I wonder what's so funny to him, although I might not want to know.
"I knew that you wouldn't choose our side, I guess you don't care enough about that doll of yours after all."
My gaze narrowed and I involuntarily clenched my fists. "Don't you dare say that about Nagato, and don't you dare imply that I don't care about her."
"Is that so?" he said with the grin starting to border on sadistic glee. "I don't see how you can say that with a straight face, because you've doomed her anyways."
I was about ready to jump over the table at this point and turn that grin into a Glasgow smile, but Tachibana, perhaps sensing my intent to kill, stopped me.
"Fujiwara, please just leave. He's made his choice, and he'll have to live with it regardless, and you're making it worse." She looked at me, not with hatred, but deep disappointment.
"Whatever, I'm out of here anyways, I knew that this stupid group wouldn't get anything done."
Good, leave, because if I ever see you again I'll repay you for everything, and I mean everything, you've ever said and done.
As he waltzed out, Tachibana started to follow, I heard her say under her breath, "I hope you know what you've just done."
I hope that I do too, but at the moment, I can't say for sure, because I have no idea what to do now aside from go to Kimidori-san and hope that she's been able to come up with something.
In the meantime, the girl that would have been god, or at least a god analog of sorts, simply remained seated, oddly silent considering all that had just happened. I was about to ask her what was up with her demeanour, but before I could she simply smiled and said, "I'm sure that you're wondering what I must be thinking, but I think that we'll be able to talk about it some other time, hopefully not in another three years."
With that, she left, although I was not alone at the table, because my thoughts weighed me down. All I could do now was hope that my choice was the right one. I didn't have long to contemplate it though, as I had to be back at the apartment sooner than later at this point.
I got up and went onto the street, my mind deep in thought. Perhaps too much so for my own good, because the next thing I knew I was flat on the ground. I thought I had ran into a pole initially, until I looked up and saw a black uniform, surrounded by black hair, and a pair of black eyes (starting to see a trend here) staring at me with as much intensity as someone that looks that detached can manage, which is enough to be creepy.
Kuyoh Suou stood before me, a carbon copy of a black obalisk that one might see in Egypt. As much as I was creeped out by her, at the moment I was far too angry with what she or her bosses were doing to Nagato to care. But right as I was about to launch into a angry tirade, which upon looking back I'm relatively sure she wouldn't have understood most of it, if any, she interrupted me, the words pouring out like molases.
"_ _"
I really don't have time for this right now, but if she's here, then she's here for a reason.
"_ understand."
Understand? All I understand is that right now you're hurting one of my friends, and you'd better have a damn good explanation for it.
"We_ I_ _ do not_"
Wait, are you trying to say that you don't understand, understand what? Why you're here, what you're doing? At this point her mouth clamped shut, and she gave a slight nod to the first part of the sentence. Then the girl tried again to form a cohesive thought.
"_ all attempts _ communication _ end in failure."
She cocked her head to the side, making her gigantic head of hair wave like an inky ocean. Whatever it was she was trying to get out, she obviously thought it was something important, but if it was, then why was she telling it to me of all people?
"You _ interaction _ subject: Nagato Yuki _ subject: Kimidori Emiri _ communication success rate _ 90% +/- deviance."
Wait, you can't be saying what I think you're saying…
"You mean, this isn't an attack? It's an attempt by your boss to communicate with Nagato and Kimidori's boss?"
Another ever so slight nod.
Oh, brother.
Add another incident to the long list of disasters that have been caused by one person trying to reach out and touch someone, although in this case it's more an example of a cosmic being beyond comprehension trying to reach out and touch an equally incomprehensible one. But hopefully this time the disaster could be averted.
Kuyoh, I may think you're creepy, but right now you are almost beautiful enough to kiss.
"_ is kiss _ another _ communication format?"
Er, poor choice of words. At any rate, I grabbed her hand, almost afraid that mine would pass right through like she was a ghost, but thankfully that wasn't the case. And with her in tow I double timed it to Nagato's apartment. Looks like Lady Luck took the form of the strange girl behind me, but at least now I had an idea.
At least now there was hope.
Looking back, I still can't believe that we got out of that situation so easily. It was utter chance that Kuyoh was there in the street, although perhaps a more divine force was at work. Sometimes I wonder just how much you can really affect without realizing it, Haruhi.
"I'm surprised you haven't asked me yet."
A voice snapped me back to the present. Sasaki was looking at me intently, waiting for something the sly way that Shamisen often does when he's waiting for his favourite treat. Still, I couldn't help but wonder just what Sasaki meant.
"Has it really slipped your mind again? The answer might even help you reach a solution to your current predicament, yet you really don't realize, even after recollecting the event, just what you're failing to ask?"
Stop goading me already! Between this time and when you didn't seem surprised that I chose Haruhi over you…
At this point the grin widened to an outright smile, it looks like in usual fashion I had stumbled across the answer by complete accident, but nonetheless I was thankful for doing so.
"As long as you admit that, then I'm fine with telling you why." She closed her eyes and seemed to be thinking of just how to say what she was about to share with me, as if it was of vital importance; I certainly hoped that it was, and since Sasaki wasn't one to over exaggerate anything, so my hopes were high.
"I didn't look surprised on that day, because I knew, with almost absolute certainty, that you would choose to continue being with Suzumiya-san. It's just that simple."
Forgive me for being incredulous, but does this mean that you're a time traveler or an esper as well?
She laughed at this point, a boisterous one that surprised me coming from her. I hadn't heard her laugh like that in years. Mind you, I hadn't seen her for years either, but that's besides the point.
"It's nothing magical, Kyon; just good observational skills, and some shared history."
Why do people keep saying things that leave me completely lost these days?
"I'll elaborate. Although I'm sure if you thought about it for a little while that you might have come to the same conclusions that I had, still, an outside observer tends to come to these things more quickly than someone actually in the situation, so I'm not surprised."
She took one more sip of her drink before continuing.
"You see, Kyon. You may have forgotten, or may not consider it important, but do remember that you once shared something in common with Haruhi: a love of the supernatural."
Sasaki was right, but like she said, I didn't really see a point to what, if anything, this meant.
"You don't see a point, yet, but rest assured there is one. You see, even though recent events have conspired to prove me wrong to an extent, do remember that I was one of the main factors in dissuading you from that."
Once again, I kind of don't understand where this is going. Sure, you and I used to have arguments (not very heated ones, just discussions) over the paranormal, and I was always on the losing side of the equation since there was no real proof. In the end, I accepted that embracing such things was at the very least fruitless, if not downright silly.
Sasaki's face took on a more somber expression at this point, as she continued. "Well, you see Kyon. At the time I thought that I was doing you a favour in preparing you for the challenges of the real world, and helping you get over those kinds of notions that most people wouldn't find acceptable. But after you accepted my debunking of the supernatural, something within you slowly but surely changed."
Wait, was she serious? I didn't notice anything that drastic.
"You didn't because to you, you are yourself. It's like when a person loses so much weight or changes so much that friends don't recognize him anymore, but the person himself doesn't think he's changed much at all. You see, while you still believed, you were more open with people, more outgoing, happier. Sure, you still had your wit, but mostly you were just one of those kinds of people that everyone says has his head in the clouds."
I do remember my parents and teachers scolding me about something along those lines, but when they stopped I just thought they had gotten the message, not that I myself had changed.
"I think that even though you didn't realize it, eventually you stopped talking to most people, myself included. Perhaps you stayed away from me because I was the one that changed your worldview, so you just subconsciously started shying away from me; I'll admit, looking back, it wasn't entirely undeserved."
Did the events really happen like that? I didn't think that things progressed in that fashion. But still, it was a long time ago, and if Sasaki was right, then perhaps I didn't even realize things were changing, even though they were. After all, is her theory really so far fetched when you take into consideration the fact I never bothered to get in touch with her for three years?
"You shouldn't feel bad about it though, Kyon. You didn't realize what had happened after all. But even though you didn't see me again for so long, I did see you out with your friends, and that's when all of this dawned on me."
Sasaki's expression took a complete 180 at this point, becoming cheerful again, nearly optimistic.
"You see, Kyon. When you were with everyone in that group, it was the first time I saw you happy, actually happy, in years. Sure, you might have complained while you were with the Brigade, but you were genuinely enjoying yourself after the rocky start. Moreover, when you were with Suzumiya-san was when you were at your happiest, and even though I don't know her nearly as well, I don't think it's out of the question that the same applied to her."
While I will admit that the two of us kind of danced around the subject for longer than most people would have been able to tolerate, I really didn't think it was that obvious that Haruhi and I were starting to mean that much to each other.
"But you were. I think perhaps that you were the anchor that she needed, a way of becoming grounded without having to give up her dreams; likewise, for you she represented the determination and wonderment that you had lost. You see, it was obvious that you would choose her to me, because you two need each other."
Those five simple words struck me deep. A phrase so simple: 'you two need each other'. And yet, it means so much to hear it coming from someone else, for the second time no less, to have validation that you're not just trying to force something to work that had no chance.
"You see, Kyon, I can't help you come to a decision regarding this. But what I can tell you is that while your course of action may change the world, who's to say that it still isn't the right choice to make? I believe that everyone should have a chance to pursue what they believe is the truth, and for you, that truth is being with Suzumiya-san."
I came here looking for help, but Sasaki may have done more than that. She put a lot of stuff into perspective - some of it a little depressing, but all of it was something I think I really needed to hear. Plus, it was more than she owed me, if she even ever owed me anything.
The rest of the meeting really wasn't worth mentioning, Sasaki and I took some time to actually catch up on what had happened in our respective lives during the three years we were out of touch. It was nice to spend something close to a normal afternoon together with a friend, especially because of all that's happened recently. I was a little rejuvenated when I started my walk home. Despite that though, the situation still sat there in my mind, like a fly buzzing around in your room that never lets up: just when you think it's gone somewhere, you hear that buzzing again.
Er, what, that buzzing is actually my cell phone. I flipped up the top and saw the 'incoming text message" alert flashing across my screen. When it loaded though, there was no name, strange. But the message itself was even stranger, and more captivating:
"I can help you solve your dilemma. Come to the park, look for me at the bench where you first learnt about time travellers. I'll be waiting."
That was it - nothing less, nothing more. Dubious, no doubt, but if this was from the person I thought it was from, then it suited her style quite well. Still, how would I react if I saw Asahina-san (big) sitting on that bench? I somehow doubted I might be able to control my emotions at the moment, but I suppose that this was inevitable either way, so I might as well get it over with. Besides, if she can actually give me a solution to all of this, then maybe I can forgive her after all.
The activity in the park was petering out by the time I got there; the meeting with Sasaki had taken more time than I thought, although I didn't mind. The amount of people there was so thin that I could easily see the person sitting on the park bench. Like I had suspected, I had trouble controlling my emotions. From this distance though they obviously didn't notice, and casually waved me over like I was a long time friend.
I have to admit, I never thought I'd see you again, and part of me really wishes that you had kept it that way.
"Now, now. Is that any way to talk to a person that might help solve all your problems?"
The Bastard flashed his trademark sneer.
Author's Notes: I'm not dead! Huzzah!...? Anyways, my sincere apologies for the delay between part four and this part. This was a delicate chapter to write for me, since it went deeper still into the events that I am having play out in novel 10 (which, by the way, is not done yet, there's still the climax of that story itself after all...) and delved more of the relationship between Kyon and Sasaki. Also, with school starting up it's been busy for both me and Arty Esbee d'Arc, whose continued and fantastic betaing is still greatly appreciated.
At any rate, I hope that this was worth the wait, and that the next chapter doesn't take me as long to get to you all. In the event that it does take a while though, I hope that it will continue to be worth it for you, the audience. Rest assured that unless I post saying otherwise, that this will never, ever be a dead or abandoned piece of fiction. I've got to see it through to the end, for my sanity, as well as yours.
Reviews and comments are as always, greatly appreciated. If you want me to respond to your review, then please just let me know and I'll be happy to get back to you as soon as I can.
EDIT: I'm reuploading this chapter because for some reason the site isn't recognizing the first copy I uploaded. Sorry for any confusion this causes.
EDIT2: Fixed some minor quibbles that JonBob pointed out. Of course, this also means that the next chapter is ready!
Finally, the disclaimer: I, of course, do not own any of the characters of the Haruhi universe, please don't sue me (strangely flattering as it would be).