Even though I had had much explained to me by the new fake Nagato (whom I do not approve of in the slightest), there were a few details that kept nagging at me. Seeing as I had devoted myself to the study Nagato-ology (which sounds extremely stupid even to me, but give me a break, I'm under considerable stress here), I couldn't help but feel that things weren't as simple as they appeared.

The faux-Nagato had implied in her long, dragging explanation that Haruhi and her constant reality warping powers and the inconsistencies they brought up in the world were the main cause of Nagato's blight. I can buy that, but not as the all-encompassing theory here. She may have been the initial cause, the trigger, the first crack in the dam that was Nagato, but I couldn't put aside all the other observations I had made.

The book. The thoughtful look. The blush. The long stare I had received from the unapproved Nagato variant. I couldn't shake the feeling that more was going on than I was being told.

Nagato B, as I had started to call her in her current condition, had left the school grounds by now. When I had asked her where she was going, she had simply stated that she was going home. Even if she wasn't my Nagato, she certainly shared plenty of her mannerisms. Spouting head-splitting jargon if asked a question about her kind or something otherworldly and then turning taciturn, keeping her lips tightly shut only to give curt answers if anything mundane was asked.

As much as I wanted to go home and curl up in my bed and wish to wake up, I couldn't simply leave this be. I had to face this, and that meant going to him. Sometimes, I just hate my life. As if I hadn't received enough crazy rhetoric for one day…

"Hmmm, this is quite perplexing, to say the least," Koizumi said, tapping a finger against his chin thoughtfully before he gave me one of his customary, idiotic grins. "Did she tell you what exactly caused this malfunction in our friend?"

"No."

The two of us were back in the clubroom. I had had to tell Asahina-san, who had arrived before Koizumi, that Haruhi had already left. I could have brought her in on everything right then and there, but I hadn't wanted to make her worry too much yet, especially since I myself didn't know much about the whole thing. But maybe a talk with Koizumi would prove to be more enlightening.

"Hmm, makes sense, I guess… need to know information and such… Of course, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch would it, to assume that Suzumiya-san had something to do with this?"

"Probably not."

"Yes. But we cannot ignore the fact that in our small social group, we are all open to manipulations and other developments."

"You make it sound almost like one of us was behind this."

"And you think that is impossible?"

Hmmm, I guess not, not as such. Well, I wouldn't say that… Ah, I don't know!

"I was thinking more along the lines of social interaction and its results, but since you've opened the door, let's discuss the more unsettling possibilities: for example, there is a member in our group who has always had a rather awkward relationship with Nagato-san, most likely because she is privy to more knowledge about these sentient data beings than the rest of us."

You bastard. You're accusing Asahina-san of this, aren't you?

"She certainly is a suspect, but of course, no more than I am, I'm afraid."

Damn right you're suspect. The fact that you would even attempt to insinuate such things about the sweet Asahina-san is proof enough!

"But let us retrace our steps for the moment. I believe there are far more likely suspects behind this deed."

"Who?"

"Well, off the top of my head, I can think of at least four."

That many? "Who?" I repeated.

"Well, naturally Suzumiya-san, because of her powers."

Of course.

"Then there is the Sentient Data Entity. Perhaps they – or is it an it? – has changed their plans. Then there is Nagato-san herself. Knowing what she has done before and is capable of doing, this is not too far of a stretch either."

I guess you might have a point there, though I don't like it.

"And of course, last but definitely not least, is you, Kyon." The jerk smirked his signature smirk at me.

Huh? What?! You should have your head examined.

"But of course you. Stop being so coy. Everyone is well aware that you are probably the closest person to Nagato-san. And as long as it doesn't – how should I say this? – stray from the platonic, it'll be all right. Not that I am personally against it, but there are other – hmmm – people who might see this and not approve."

"You wouldn't happen to be talking about Haruhi, would you?"

"Heh, but of course, to a certain extent. I knew you were just playing the role of the dummy," Koizumi said, smirking with what was probably one of the most sarcastic looking smiles on his dumb face I had ever seen. "Your relationship with Suzumiya-san is of course of the utmost importance. Like with Nagato-san, I don't think there is a single person she is closer to than you as well. My, my, it must be nice to be so popular."

Don't push it, or I'll smack you.

"Heheh. No need to get upset, but you must admit, you certainly have a unique grasp on the girls in our group, for some reason. It could make one jealous. Hahah."

"Okay, enough. I came to you for answers, and I haven't gotten anything but wild speculation."

"Wild? Oh well, never mind. I suppose I might have jumped the gun on the issue. Before we start searching for a culprit, if there even is one, we should first identify the problem and seek a solution. From what I have gathered, your spa-metaphor might not be completely off the mark. In fact, it seems to work as a rather fitting analogy based on what we currently know."

Yeah, yeah, I'm awesome. So what else is new?

"The Nagato-san we know has been replaced, but not by a physical copy. A sort of mind-swap, if you will. I have been wondering exactly how personal identity applies to such creatures formed from pure data, but apparently, at least when entering the physical plain, these creatures are separated on a similar fundamental level as we are from each other. When a consciousness is housed within a physical body, it also gains certain restrictions, very practical and logistical ones. Perhaps… no, the human brain is capable of a staggering amount of simultaneous processing, even if such capacity is not fully being used to the maximum potential at any given point in time…"

"Hey, stick to the problem: what's happened and how can we fix it?"

"Well, to put it plainly, and in a simple metaphorical manner: the persona, or program, we know as Nagato-san has been replaced, because she has encountered some sort of error in her processing. What that is, I can only guess. She has been replaced somewhere else, while the necessary adjustments are made. A program, or persona, similar to her original mind set has been placed – or maybe it was already there as a fail-safe – and is now carrying on with her duties, as a substitute, if you will."

"Yeah, but what can we do to help?"

"As far as I can tell, nothing really. We must take their word on them 'fixing' the situation all by themselves. Of course, this has me rather wary of the whole situation."

"How so?"

"Can we really trust them that we will receive Nagato-san back as she was? If they do not change anything, she is likely to – hmmm, for lack of a better word, malfunction once again. This is something they wish to avoid, as any observer would. It is more than likely that some drastic changes might occur in her personality. I'm certain that you, like me, would definitely be saddened to see all the progress we have made with Nagato-san disappear."

"Yeah, I was worried about that too, but I've got it covered."

"Really? Dare I ask for details?"

"You could, but I wouldn't answer."

Koizumi gave me a brief, almost knowing smile. "It is good that you are being more secretive with what you know. Even though I would like to know more, I am still pleased to know there are some things you deem important enough not to tell others. Quite frankly, despite my affections for the other two members beside Suzumiya-san in our group, I will always have an ambivalent feeling towards them. They are friends, but I know nothing of their real motives. Just knowing they are also denied such information makes me capable of enduring not knowing myself."

If Asahina-san asked me directly, nothing short of cutting my tongue off would stop me from telling her everything about John Smith. But luckily, she doesn't know to ask. For some reason, I think John Smith should be my secret, especially his connection to Haruhi. Perhaps I'm just angry at the others for having their own secrets and this is my way of getting back at them. Or maybe I'll see myself as being more equal with these extraordinary people if I too have something to hide. Besides, Koizumi probably has a point; it's best to keep my ace close and secret, my real weapon against Haruhi. Well, not exactly against but… well… you never know with her, do you?