Epilogue

"Mind explaining what happened back there?" I asked as Koizumi in and I made our way to the school grounds. Both of us were in casual tuxedos, if there was such a thing. He kept making teasing gestures saying we looked like a couple, but I'd give him a dirty look and he'd drop it.

"Simple," he said as we waved to a few classmates, already entering the building. "You saved this dimension."

"I got that," thank you Sherlock. "I meant how."

"We're not exactly sure. It would appear you had some help though."

"What? From your organization or something?"

"Hardly," he chuckled at that. Were they not into helping, I wondered. "We believe it was Miss Suzumiya who made the final call in where your loyalties lay."

"My loyalties?" I asked shaking my head, "like what?"

"Well, you were getting awfully close with that Haruhi weren't you? That's why you wouldn't return to this world easily. That's what Miss Kimidori told us anyway."

"So she talked to you too?" I sighed. Naturally under those circumstances the head of the department would come out and explain the situation. "It wasn't that though, I just thought there was nothing I could do."

"Even with all our clues you gave up so easily," Koizumi summed.

"Hey, it wasn't like you gave any easy clues," I said giving a stern look.

"Then you must have missed the easy ones," he countered waving to someone I didn't recognize. I thought, briefly, it was one of his esper buddies. "Either way, you figured it out and got back here."

"But how?" I asked again. He was beating around the bush, as always.

"We're not entirely sure," he shrugged, stopping when we reached the doors to the school auditorium. Loud noises could be heard from inside and lights were flashing through the window; even with black construction paper draped over.

"Koizumi," I said looking at him intently. "I have a theory but it sounds crazy. Randomality."

"I'm sorry Kyon," he laughed his same Koizumi laugh. "Randomality isn't a word."

"No," I said softly. "More of a state of mind I suppose."

"For now, we're pretty certain only Miss Suzumiya has that answer. Like before, though, she seems to have forgotten the whole thing. She thinks it was simply a dream. It's too bad, I was curious as to her position in this whole event."

With that being said, he pushed open th double doors. Green lights poured out and smoke spread around our ankles in a very nice effect I might add. Then again, of course I was impressed, I made the damn smoke screens.

Koizumi walked in first, and just as quickly vanished into a crowd of students. Maybe he just vanished.

I looked around, gazing at the finished product thoroughly. Cardboard cut outs of monsters and aliens hung on the walls. Balloons in green, black and orange shades drifted above the crowds. The music playing was loud and fast, making everyone in the room dance along.

I smiled and stepped in looking for any familiar faces. Tons of our classmates were present, all enjoying themselves even with the weirdness of the hour. I spotted Miss Asahina somewhere in the crowd, red faced and trying to keep up with Miss Tsuruya who was doing some strange dance that fit the theme.

I scanned the room some more until my eyes fell onto Nagato. She was, for once, wearing something besides her school uniform. A deep blue dress, simple but it fit her well. I smiled and waved as I walked over, "Nagato," I said and she looked over at me. Even with so much excitement she was emotionless. Probably forced to be here under Haruhi's orders. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

She didn't say anything, only stared. I swayed a bit to the beat, almost waiting for her to speak. When she didn't though, I spoke back up, "listen, about what happened. I don't suppose you could tell me anything useful?"

She mouthed something but it was too loud to hear her soft voice. "Sorry, I can't hear you," I said trying to coax her to grow louder. She didn't though, only mouthed quietly again. "Never mind," I said with a light chuckle. I waited a while longer before asking my next question, "Something's been bothering me though," I started, "what did Miss Kimidori mean when she said you were in too deep to pull back?"

Nagato's gaze shifted a moment as though she wanted to say something, but instead she ignored me or pretended not to hear. I sighed and shook my head looking around some more, "where's Haruhi? Do you know?" Before I could finish the words, Nagato was pointing near the stage. Sure enough, there was Haruhi setting up some kind of mike stand. "Oh thanks," I said starting to walk off, but I turned back to Nagato a moment later, "hey thanks for the clue." I said trying to get some reaction. Nothing. "Have fun tonight, alright? You deserve it."

I had to fight my way through the crowd of dancing students, but it was well worth it. Haruhi jumped down off the stage the moment I was close enough to spot. She chose to wear some kind of pale yellow and white flowing dress that looked more Greek goddess than alien. I guess it suit her. "Kyon, this dance is amazing!" She screamed over the noise. "Just wait until the entertainment starts!"

"What entertainment?" I asked frowning now. We never talked about any entertainment…

"The SOS brigade is going to perform of course!" She laughed, even over the speakers beside us. "It's all decided. Koizumi is going to do keyboard, Yuki is going to play lead guitar, Mikuru will dance and play tambourine, I'll do lead vocals and guitar and you can do secondary vocals and bass."

"What?" I screamed, voice cracking a bit, "when did you decide this?"

"We talked about it while you were busy with the smoke screens," she said all smiles.

"I don't know how to play bass, and I'm not going to sing either," I insisted.

"Sure you are," Haruhi laughed some more, "come on, it'll be fun!"

I made the loudest groan I could to get the point across but followed her back stage to prepare. Nothing was ever normal with this girl!

And with that note lingering in my mind, I couldn't help but smile inwardly.