Well, I just love writing these stories. So I couldn't help but write the next chapter for you all! Enjoy!
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It was very frightening to watch how much rage Haruhi could unleash on a single tree.
In all my days of knowing Suzumiya-san; I never once imagined how much ferocity she could dish out. Well; that's a lie. I imagined multiple times. The only difference was the kind of "ferocity" I was thinking of.
And let's just end it there.
Nevertheless; Haruhi was still very mad. She broke and tore at every branch of this poor tree she could get to; taking no time to sit and think about the fact she was taking out her unbridled anger on a living thing that had done absolutely nothing to her. It might have been just a tree; but it was still a living thing.
For a moment; I thought of yelling out to Haruhi and telling her to stop hurting the poor tree.
But I'm not a moron; and part of me already knew that would just lead to a punch in the face.
Yuki stood beside me; still silent as usual. But in this instance; I noticed that her stare made it look like she was in thought. Did it have something to do with that crane before?
I could have sworn it looked like it was mocking Haruhi. Or perhaps it's just my imagination toying with my mind. On the other hand; strange things are not out of place around Suzumiya-san; so expecting that I saw a crane act like a person wouldn't be so far-fetched to some of the things I have already been exposed to.
But I decided I would leave the topic of humanized cranes aside for now. Let's see if I have any luck calming down Suzumiya-san.
"Um…Haruhi…" I said; almost nervously as I inched towards her. Her amber eyes glared at mine as she swiftly turned to face me. I watched her spit the branch that was between her teeth out of her mouth and onto the ground.
I really hope she's had her shots…
"What?" she asked me loudly; her voice still brimming with anger and dissatisfaction. My voice came out dry and unsure.
"Listen; it's not all that bad that we didn't find your monster. It's just one. The world is probably full of these things. We can always look for another one in the future."
The things I were saying would have sounded reasonable enough; if I hadn't mentioned that the world is probably full of more monsters that needed to be found and captured. I figured by saying this; I might be able to reach out to Suzumiya-san a little bit more; and get her to stop being so angry and pissed about this whole situation.
Haruhi moved away from the tree; seeming unsure about what she wanted to do now. I watched her become suddenly calm and relaxed at my exclamation; and the fact surprised me very much. I didn't think saying something like that would actually calm Haruhi down. I had to make sure I wasn't dreaming about all this.
"Are you feeling a little better now?"
"No. We're just going to leave. There's no point of being here if we don't have a Kongamato to capture." Haruhi said; before walking past me and towards the path that would eventually lead to the beach where are tents waited.
The walk back was mostly silent; except for the fact that Suzumiya-san was in the process of barking out her orders to Mikuru and Itsuki via the walkie-talkie in her hand. She gripped it tightly; almost to the point where I was waiting to hear it crack apart from the pressure.
"Report back to base camp, you two! We're leaving this boring island immediately!" she shouted into the device; her hair bouncing and her eyes glazed with annoyance. I wasn't surprised that Suzumiya-san was already getting bored with the situation; but I didn't imagine she'd be giving up on searching for the Kongamato so easily. I barely heard what came out on the other side; but chances are it was probably Itsuki being a kiss-ass as usual.
But to tell the truth; I was very surprised by the fact that we weren't searching the rest of the island for the accursed beast. I had always imagined that Suzumiya-san would be leading us night and day; through quicksand, piranhas and jungle alike; all in search of the great beast that was the Kongamato.
Haruhi Suzumiya wearing her jungle gear; a machete in one hand as she boldly led us where no club has gone before…
Sounds like a bad movie in the making. I'm not giving Suzumiya-san anymore ideas at this point. But I still didn't want to just pack up and go yet. Especially since I'm the one who'll end up doing all the packing up.
"Can't we just stay a bit longer?" I asked as we walked along; prompting Suzumiya-san to turn and face me. The look she gave me was almost poisonous. I could already see she was glaring at me like I had become traitorous.
"When we get back to the beach, Kyon; we're leaving. I'm bored to hell, and I refuse to stay here any longer." She told me; her voice very commanding to the max. I was beginning to feel the extreme bossiness that Haruhi usually portrayed speedily returning.
"Is that really necessary? Why can't we just stay till tomorrow?"
"Because I said so."
Of course. Haruhi figures she can just say something; and it automatically becomes the law. I'm starting to believe her Brigade Chief title is severely getting to her head.
"I know what this is about. It's because you couldn't find your monster. Now the rest of have to suffer for it as well."
"Who said I was suffering? Stop acting like you know everything, Kyon!" Haruhi replied; pointing her usual accusing finger at me. The best thing to do right now was to just keep cool and keep relaxed. I was trying my best to avoid getting Suzumiya-san mad right now.
During all this; I couldn't help but notice Yuki having been behind us the entire time; reading her book as she literally ignored the situation. Although I get the feeling she's listening anyway.
"Can't you just be a little nice for once? I mean; you can't even let us stay for the guy you've forcefully kissed all these times?" I pleaded; obviously referencing to myself.
Suzumiya-san seemed to begin thinking on what I said; putting a finger on her chin as she focused. This lasted for a few seconds; before her hands went to her hips; and she glared at me with her large amber eyes.
"You should have gotten it by now! I'm the Brigade Chief; which means my word is law around here! And if you don't like it, Kyon; then that's too bad for you!" Haruhi shouted back at me; dead serious as always. I made no attempt to shut her up with my lips; since I had a feeling something like that might just backfire in this situation.
Instead; I watched Haruhi turn and continue along the path that would lead to the beach. I waited for Yuki to slowly pass me; before following suit.
It didn't take us long to reach our tents; because the rest of the walk involved no talking or arguing; which had been the main thing slowing us down.
Haruhi was obviously not mad at me; but herself. She probably was still angry at her failure for not being able to find the Kongamato. The creature had been so close to her grasp; and then it had been snatched away as quickly as the unforgiving sea can claim a lone shell in the middle of a stretch of sand. It was really sad; actually.
We met up with Itsuki and Mikuru right by the location that our tents had been set up. Surprisingly; they didn't look roughed up or anything. I saw that Itsuki's expression was the same as always. A plastic smile.
Mikuru looked shy and quiet as usual; but it was a relief not to see her scared or nervous this time.
"I'm guessing you didn't find anything?" I said to the both of them; my eyes carelessly shifting their view.
"Nothing of interest. We searched for any sign of the Kongamato; but unfortunately came upon nothing." Itsuki replied; his voice as calm and relaxed as he usually portrayed it..
"We tried Suzumiya-san…." Mikuru added softly; her voice shy enough that I could tell she feared being reprimanded by Haruhi. I waited for the inevitable; but Haruhi broke my expectations apart; passing by Mikuru and crossing her arms in dissatisfaction.
"It's not important. We're packing everything up and leaving. Now."
The sound of Suzumiya-san's voice was as dead serious as it could get. She really sounded as if she wanted to leave at this point; and absolutely no force on this planet would stop her. In truth; no force could stop her; because she was essentially the strongest thing this universe had to offer.
Being God sounds like a really easy job; if you ask me.
"This is unfortunate; but I believe we won't be able to leave until tomorrow. My colleagues won't be returning to pick us up until the coming morning." Itsuki commented; causing Haruhi to turn; her eyes dilating in response.
"What!?! Why wasn't I informed of this?"
"I'm sincerely sorry. It seemed to have slipped my mind."
Yes! The moment I've been waiting for! This is when Itsuki Koizumi finally gets in trouble for something! Where he finally gets scolded like he deserves!
"Fine. It seems we have no choice but to accept the predicament. We stay at the base camp until tomorrow." Haruhi said blankly; suddenly deciding there was no other solution but to accept what Itsuki had just told her.
What!?!?
Frankly; I was pissed. I had been waiting forever for Itsuki to get reprimanded for once! And of course; everything has to fall apart when my moment of pure ecstasy was just about to come. Because if I had been the one to tell her the news of us not being able to leave until tomorrow; Haruhi would surely kick my ass without a doubt.
I hate this cursed luck and the way it plays at my life….
Haruhi still couldn't help but cross her arms in annoyance; however. She might not be complaining; but anyone could tell she still didn't enjoy the fact that she was being forced to stay on this island.
"Come on, Suzumiya-san! Let's go for a swim! The water looks so nice…" Mikuru said happily as she took a surprised Haruhi's hand. The expression on her face seemed very shocked about the fact that it was Mikuru who forcing her to do something for once. Nevertheless; they both went into the privacy of tent number two to go and change into their bathing suits that somehow had made it along; even though Haruhi had made it a big point that we weren't on this island to have any fun.
"If I catch you spying on Mikuru; I'll rip your head off!" Haruhi managed to shout at me before she fully entered the tent. She sounded quite serious; and sighed after watching her finally disappear into the interior.
But I couldn't help but realize she failed to mention not spying on her changing as well. Like I've said time and time again; she is quite a strange girl.
And so; I sat in the sand beside Itsuki; watching as Haruhi and Mikuru splashed each other in the waves ahead. It had actually started as Mikuru splashing Haruhi; who had merely stood with her arms crossed; as if refusing to have any fun at all. But it didn't take long for her to finally get into the laidback mood; and her resistance had become futile. Even though she wanted to stay mad; she couldn't help but have a little fun.
And if she could get her mind off the Kongamato; that would certainly be nice.
"It's essential that we continue to keep close watch on Suzumiya-san. We don't want any more possible catastrophes anytime soon." Itsuki said next to me; his eyes almost creepily watching as Haruhi and Mikuru splashed water at each other in their bathing suits. Although it wasn't a bad sight to see; I couldn't help but almost feel a boil of jealously in my veins.
"You always say something like that. Don't you have a care in the world that doesn't involve Haruhi?"
Itsuki turned to face me; the smile already returning. You didn't have to be an idiot to get an idea of what he was probably going to say next.
"Of course. And when the time comes; I'll disclose that information to you."
Great answer. He basically told me he'll inform me when he feels like it; if at all. I'm not really surprised…
Yuki Nagato had been sitting on the other side of me the entire time; her eyes glued to a book as usual. I hadn't really noticed she was there; until she had just decided talking out of the blue. In the same robotic, monotone and flavorless voice that she always used.
"That was not a regular specimen of the Gruidae family. It was not a life form native to this planet at all."
Although her voice came out monotone and emotionless as always; what she was beginning to tell me was not only confusing; but quite unexpected as well. I couldn't help but respond as I usually did when she said things like this.
"What?"
"The crane. It was not one of the life forms that humans find familiar. I analyzed the data surrounding it for the time we had encountered it; and I discovered that the composition of data that it was made up of did not match the same data layouts that most organisms on this planet abide to. It was very out of place. But the fact is apparent that the crane was something not of the Earth."
I was already getting confused. Was Yuki talking about the crane? I was just beginning of forget about that; and Yuki just suddenly brought it up again. And now she was saying that it wasn't even a crane in the first place? This was already sounding stranger than even I could stomach…
"So what was it then? An alien or something?" I asked her; now becoming inherently curious. I watched Yuki look up from her book; staring ahead into space as she spoke. Her voice began to almost sound confused; though only a little.
"I was unable to completely analyze the data. There were some considerable errors in my calculations. I am unable to provide an answer to the origins of this crane. It is unfortunate."
I can't believe this. Even Yuki Nagato has no idea what the crane actually was?
This obviously meant that the situation required more attention. Whatever the crane actually was; it had been able to conceal its true origins from an alien being like Yuki. Which had to mean it was experienced with that sort of thing; and it probably was intelligent in its own right.
But what could it be? And why would it take the form of a crane? I thought of the possibility of the Kongamato being some sort of shape shifter; but quickly dismissed the notion. It didn't seem very credible anyway.
Yuki remained silent now; having gone back to reading her book. So in return; I became silent as well; content with now watching Haruhi and Mikuru continue to splash each other in the sea ahead.
I think I need to start complimenting Haruhi on her looks more often. Maybe if I act like Itsuki all the time; she won't beat me up for anything and everything. Now there's an idea…
When night finally fell; I took the liberty to gather wood for a campfire. Actually; Haruhi took the liberty to tell me to gather wood for a campfire; and I simply obliged without much input in the matter at all. Suzumiya-san was expecting me to do everything she asked at this point; and they only thing that stopped me from arguing was the fact I didn't want to get her mad or angry. Because I could clearly remember the outcome of the last time I had gotten her mad. And I didn't want a similar situation all over again
And so; the five of us sat around this campfire; the stars shining brightly above us. I was sitting beside Haruhi, with Yuki only a few feet away from us; still reading the very same book she had been indulging before. Mikuru and Itsuki were across from us, and I could have sworn their hands had been touching for a moment. Or perhaps not. Maybe I'm just seeing things.
"So I'm thinking that we go looking for another strange creature soon. Perhaps we could make a trip to the Loch Ness and see if we can find that big swimming dinosaur that people say lives in it!" Haruhi announced to us; her voice sounding much happier than before. The flickering light of the campfire cast an orange glow on Suzumiya-san's face; and it just made her already alluring features more pronounced.
I think I failed to mention how close she was sitting next to me. I wasn't surprised when I felt her hand wrap around mine; and I could feel her begin leaning against my shoulder. I almost blushed; mostly because she had still been in her bathing suit this entire time.
"Sounds like it might be difficult. Especially since we don't own any submersible vehicles that I know of." Itsuki commented from the other side of the fire. Even though he sounded like he was disagreeing with Suzumiya-san's idea; I got the notion he was just being a kiss-ass as usual. I had to stop myself from groaning.
"We'll do it eventually. Mark my words; I'll make sure to remember!"
I couldn't help but smile. I did enjoy when Haruhi was like this. When she could just be over-optimistic and full of energy. I was glad she had mostly forgotten about the whole Kongamato thing; and her old self was returning. In the back of my mind; I found myself almost enjoying when she was being just a little bossy from time to time. I guess the repetition has gotten to my head.
It's safe to say that I had no time to react before I felt something suddenly plant itself on my lips. And that something was Haruhi's lips; which had come faster than anyone with a right mind could react. These kisses were like ambushes in way; as they always came before I could do anything at all.
I suddenly felt myself now being pulled closer to Haruhi; and her kissing had become rough and almost forceful with each passing second. In fact; it was beginning to get close to uncomfortable. And that was without mentioning the fact that Itsuki, Mikuru and Yuki could see the entire thing in front of them.
I took no time in pulling away from Haruhi. This was almost a little much.
"What are you doing?" I said; sounding confused at her sudden attack.
"What? That's what you're always waiting for, Kyon. The affection you mentioned the other day. And I was giving it to you. Unless you don't want it!" Haruhi replied; her voice making the last part sound like a threat. I sighed; readying myself for an explanation of my own.
"No, no, no! It's not that. You're just being too forceful with the way you show it. You can't just assume that people like being bossed around with everything."
Haruhi blinked back at what I said. She wasn't really catching my point. I guess I had no choice but to show her.
"Here. Let me give you an example."
Slowly; I inched my face towards Haruhi's. I might have been inexperienced in many things; but I wasn't as clueless as you might think. The kiss I had begun to give Haruhi was a gentle one; as I intended to show her how much better a kiss could be if you prolonged it and took it slow. I closed my eyes for a moment; and I could feel a blush coming on as I realized I was still doing this in front of everyone. I couldn't see Haruhi's reaction; but I got a good idea of what it might be when I felt her arms wrap around my neck. And as I said before; she was still in her bathing suit.
Oh; if Taniguchi could see me now……
He'd never let me live it down.
After a few more seconds; Haruhi and I departed from one another. I opened my eyes to see her blinking in wonder. She looked as if she had just seen heaven.
I didn't know I had that much of an effect. It was just a slow kiss. I certainly didn't think it was all that special.
"That was….different." Haruhi managed to say; with uncertainty at the end of her statement. I couldn't help but slightly grin. It seemed I might have finally stumped Suzumiya-san; because she was clearly having trouble scolding me about that kiss.
At the corner of my eye; I could see Itsuki still smiling as always. Mikuru had an almost surprised expression on her face; which could have been shock; or something else entirely. Yuki was indifferent for the time being; until she decided to break the short silence with her autonomous voice.
"I am still partially confused. Human beings find pleasure in exploring the mouth cavities of one another? I do not see what discernable end this meets; except for the spread of bacteria and other such foreign substances. This requires further study."
I don't know if Haruhi was blushing; but I probably was. Nevertheless; I hoped that Suzumiya-san didn't catch on to Yuki's figure of speech.
But I have to say; for a humanoid interface; Yuki Nagato sure has a lot to learn about what it means to be human. Quite a lot to learn…..