Ah...it's good to be writing again! After the four day hiatus; I have a new chapter for all of you! Enjoy!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I almost didn't believe what I was hearing. Not even the clearly serious expression on Haruhi's face was enough to convince me of the events unfolding before my very eyes. Even I couldn't guess that Haruhi would suddenly start losing such important memories.
Which memories am I speaking of? The ones that involved Suzumiya-san and me, of course. The memories of us holding hands, watching the stars in that lonely field, and sharing those interesting kisses. Memories that I couldn't help but want to remember.
Memories that I couldn't help but want to experience again.
Who would have thought that I would want those things again? I certainly did not ever expect myself to want to voluntarily be so close to Haruhi. I also didn't expect myself to ever consider actually going out with her.
But throughout my days with Suzumiya-san; I've found that I couldn't help but become increasingly attracted to her. It was more subconscious than conscious; but it had occurred either way. I had slowly fallen for Haruhi more and more as time passed, until the point came where I could no longer hold it in any longer.
But to my dismay; Suzumiya-san was making it sound like none of it had ever happened in the first place. She was talking to me as if I had been taking too many crazy pills and having too many outlandish dreams. She was talking down to me, as usual.
"Are you sick in the head, Kyon? I don't get what you're doing with showing this sudden affection for your Brigade Chief." Haruhi told me in a scolding tone. Her words were biting enough, and she was speaking down to me as if I was a dog who had disobeyed its master.
I thought of something to say while I still had my head on the desk; but nothing would come out. Besides; Haruhi sounded as if she wanted to talk for awhile. She was more than content with lecturing me in the middle of the classroom, with everyone watching. And we still had a good amount of time before the school day actually started.
"I mean, I can certainly understand. A low-ranked member like you could only help but look up to me, and it was only a matter of time until you probably fell for my brilliant leadership. It's either that, or you're just doing all this as an attempt to suck up to me."
It's always been in Haruhi's nature to give herself more credit than she deserves. I expected her to refer me as an inferior. I just wasn't able to believe the fact that she had forgotten all the things that had transpired between us in the last few weeks.
This all means only one thing. It means that Asakura-san wasn't lying to me, and whether I choose to believe it or not; the universe is already beginning to dissemble. It's a slow process; but I can guess it starts with the smaller details like memories; until it eventually reaches the basis of everything. Once that happens; I assume that what we consider reality will all just abruptly end. Like a film suddenly cut short in a movie theater.
After listening to her lecturing; I found the inner strength to look up and Haruhi, who hadn't changed her facial expression this entire time. She was apparently either confused or awestruck by the fact I had so suddenly taken her by the hand. It wasn't even that big a deal; considering the fact that she had dragged me along in the same way more times than I can remember. Haruhi spoke again; this time with her arms crossed, and a hint of vanity and pride in her voice.
"But I'm sorry to say that I'm not interested. You're just an ordinary human; and I vowed that I would only associate with only time travelers, aliens and espers. Nothing less fits my qualifications."
I sighed deeply, mostly because I was slightly bothered by the way Haruhi was talking. I was getting close to the point where I might say Suzumiya-san had begun to change in these last few weeks. But it seemed like the cup had been dashed from my lips before I could even get the tiniest sip.
"You're lying." I commented; my tone bland and uninterested.
"What!?!"
If I had snickered at the sound of Haruhi's protest, the ending outcome would probably be a punch in the face. I already had seen what Suzumiya-san could do when it came to physical force. I hoped in my heart that when the point in time came that she used it on me; it was the kind that most guys enjoy.
And if you don't get that awful joke; I suggest going out and living a little, if you already haven't been doing so already.
"How dare you accuse me of lying! You've got no right to say that kind of stuff to your superior! That's treason, Kyon! Treason!" Suzumiya-san shouted at me, pointing her usual accusing finger at the same time. I had mostly ignored the stares of my classmates at this point.
Wouldn't they all be used to this by now? It's not like Haruhi's usual demeanor is anything new to them.
"I know what you were dreaming about too. I didn't really know you liked it rough, Suzumiya-san."
I will tell you now that the above phrase was among one of the dumbest and idiotic things I have ever had the notion to say. I know why I said it; but I wasn't smart enough to think of the consequences of saying it. And they were obviously painful consequences.
Almost immediately did Suzumiya-san's face twist into anger that I could barley describe with words. There was a very hot blush on her cheeks; and it gave me the impression that this might be the expression she would be wearing if I had done something as stupid as walking in on her showering or something equally private.
I had no time to react when she decided to grab hold of me. All I could feel was someone forcibly grabbing my arm, and then twisting it so it was locked behind my back. Haruhi's grip was extremely powerful for her gender, and I had to do everything in my might to stop myself from squealing like a little girl. The hold she had me in was every painful. It was almost as painful as the embarrassment; because I knew the whole class was watching this.
"WHO TOLD YOU ABOUT THOSE DREAMS!?!?" Haruhi screamed into my ear to the point where I would be using hearing aids in the near future. I could imagine her teeth already pointed and sharp, and her normally amber eyes now having become the color of fiery magma.
"It was a….wild guess?" I replied weakly, while I could see the rest of the class just watching us like we were the main event in a circus. Our homeroom teacher couldn't even move, and I assumed that was because Suzumiya-san exuded a certain petrifying fear when she got this angry.
Suzumiya-san threw me down into my desk, having let me out of her vicious hold. I checked my arm to see if it was broken; and she merely had her arms crossed in obvious disapproval. She glared at me with more intensity that I could describe. My classmates seemed to almost be enjoying the show. And this show in particular involved me being put into Haruhi's submission.
I've already had more than enough bad dreams about that stuff. The one where she liked whips and leather was the scariest. I really don't' need that in real life too. I've got enough anxiety to begin with.
"You better stop saying stupid things, Kyon. I won't be so easy on you next time."
You call that easy? I can only imagine what hard is. No. I think I'd rather not imagine it at all. It'll give me a headache.
It's safe to say that Suzumiya-san lost the urge to talk to me after that. She had managed to silence everyone with her loud screaming, which really wasn't much of a surprise.
And my school day just started as usual.
Classes weren't so boring today, as I found the will to stay awake throughout most of them. I honestly don't know if this is because of Suzumiya-san having screamed in my ear, or perhaps it was because I was getting the feeling that I didn't really want to be going to the clubroom after school.
But I never have much control over what happens to me; and I found myself already on my way to the clubroom. It must be fate that has decided this become the one place I must always commute to after my classes end. It reminds me of the myth of Sisyphus again. Just like I was to always continue on my daily morning hikes; I would continue to go to the clubroom after school. But I guess it was better than having to roll a boulder up a hill for all of eternity.
I was greeted by the usual faces this time around. No one was missing. I was almost expecting someone to not be present this time around. Koizumi was sitting in the middle table as usual, but he looked like he was deep in thought, and he didn't greet me like usual. Nagato-san was reading another one of her novels, and Mikuru was in the process of brewing her tea.
I wasn't surprised to see that Suzumiya-san was already using the clubroom computer as amusement for whatever boredom she was experiencing. If I had to bet money on the fact that she almost always was doing something useless on it; then I would be swimming in yen by now.
The sight of Yuki Nagato could not help but spark sudden memories in my head. Images of the blue-haired Ryoko Asakura already penetrated my thoughts, and I found myself speedily walking towards where she was sitting.
I don't really know what expression I was wearing on my face; but I could see that Haruhi gave me a momentary glare as I approached Nagato-san. Even though my footsteps were clear and obviously towards the silent alien; she still took no time to look up from her novel and acknowledge me.
"Nagato-san." I said quickly; ignoring the fact that she still continued to read her novel, Yuki's eyes didn't even make the slightest hint of movement, and if I didn't really know better; I might have said she doesn't even realize I'm here. Either that; or she was just ignoring me.
I went down low; speaking directly to Yuki at a face to face level. I tried my best to make my voice sound as serious and genuine as I could possibly muster. It was no easy task, especially since I had nearly had my ears blown out not too long ago. I could still hear a faint ringing that sounded like Suzumiya-san's voice.
But I still managed to say what I needed to say.
"Ryoko Asakura rebuilt herself. She's come back to finish what she started. Everything we know is at risk. You have to tell me what you know about all of this, Nagato-san!"
I'll admit something, and that is the fact that I sounded very cheesy when I said those words. If my life was a big story; then I'd have to say that the author is a bad writer, and he needs to go out and get himself a life; because he's obviously wasting it away with his awful dialogue.
But this was not the case, as the words coming out of my mouth were clearly my own. It took a few seconds for Yuki to even look up from her novel and acknowledge me speaking, and even longer before she even began to speak herself.
But the way she was speaking wasn't normal for her. Her voice was monotone; but there was hint of annoyance in it. She sounded like she was actually bothered by the fact I was taking her attention away from her reading. In fact; she talked to me like I was some sort of insane asylum escapee.
"I do not believe I have read that novel. If it is possible; I would like to be left be."
After saying that; Nagato-san blinked once, before mechanically turning back to her book. I was left speechless. I'm guessing the expression on my face was worthy enough to be laughed at.
This is a joke! This is all a really big joke! Yuki has developed a sense of humor; and she's playing a mean practical joke on me. It'll take a few seconds for her to realize that I've registered it, and then she'll turn around and explain how she thought it was amusing. She'll start talking like usual in no time!
But nothing like this happened. I should no better than to think lying to oneself will cause such things. Yuki simply continued to read, and I could have sworn that my jaw had dropped to the floor like it does in cartoons. At least it would have if human anatomy allowed such a thing.
"Kyon! Stop looking so dumb and do something useful!" Haruhi scolded me from across the room, her voice loud because she had large, bulky headphones on. It was true to say that if she wasn't currently using the clubroom computer, I would have normally listened and checked up on the webpage or something.
But she was doing whatever useless thing she was doing, so that wasn't really possible. Besides; I had a feeling Haruhi almost didn't want to be disturbed right now.
I sighed. What the hell am I supposed to do now?
Nagato-san had clearly forgotten quite a lot of important information. No; she was just turning human! She was losing her status as a humanoid interface, and becoming an actual, living, breathing human being. I wouldn't be complaining if this was a good thing!
What was next? I didn't even have to ask at this point. If Haruhi was truly losing her power as God; then it would be expected that Mikuru wasn't much a time traveler anymore, and Itsuki didn't have esper abilities like usual. They were probably both normal, rational high school students now.
Exactly what was I complaining about? Isn't this all the exact life I had wished for some time ago? Isn't this what I had been longing for since the day I had met Suzumiya-san?
It was, but it isn't anymore. I don't want a boring life anymore!
I can't let this all slide by. I have to make sure they've really forgotten. I need to see what Koizumi knows.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Koizumi actually remembers something. A hint of his power, a philosophical anecdote; anything. Heck; I think I could even be in the mood for one of his long-winded speeches again. His smile would be a nice addition too.
Luckily; Suzumiya-san had decided to put on those headphones on to hear whatever she was watching on the computer. Come to think of it; what the hell was she watching anyway? And why did she need the headphones for it? Perhaps this was her private time with the computer, and I could easily expect a punch to the face if I decided to sneak a peek at the screen.
I think I've had my fair share of injuries today. I'm in more of a mood to speak with Koizumi anyway. I'm in the mood to be reassured that I'm not surrounded by normal people!
And starting a conversation with Koizumi is just what I did after I sat down in front of him. I was the one who started the conversation with him for once. Never in a million years did I imagine I would so willingly wanted to talk to him like this. In fact; I was almost disappointed by the fact that he wasn't smiling at me.
"Alright, Koizumi. Tell me what the hell is going on, and how I can stop it. I know you have information of some sort." I asked with the seriousness of a court judge.
It was obvious that I sounded like I was almost interrogating Itsuki Koizumi. My tone of voice and manner of speaking were far from carefree. I was not necessarily in a good mood either, probably due to the various difficulties and mishaps I had already gone through today. From having to sprint my usual hike to school, to my arm being nearly broken by Haruhi; I definitely wasn't Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky today.
"What are you talking about?" Itsuki replied, with a tone of confusion and utter disbelief that I had never heard him sound like before. There was no plastic smile on his face. Instead; he wore a look that might allude to him believing I was just some crazy outcast who had nothing better else to do than to bother other people with his ramblings. I'll admit that I sounded very much like Suzumiya-san right now.
"You're joking, right? I'm guessing if I said you have esper abilities; you'll think I'm crazy?" I commented, raising an eyebrow. It wasn't taking much to realize that Koizumi had absolutely no idea what I was talking about at all.
"This sounds you're trying to play a joke on me. You almost had me fooled back there."
Itsuki actually gave me the same plastic smile that I was usually expecting from him, but it wasn't making me feel better like I thought it would. In fact; I was beginning to feel progressively worse with each passing moment.
"Have you been playing a lot of games lately, Kyon-kun?" Mikuru said from beside me, as she served us her usually magnificent tea. The only problem was that the aroma wasn't really warming my heart like usual. The fact that Asahina-san was already labeling me as a crazy was just making my mood drop deeper.
"No." I replied blatantly, not even taking the time to drink the tea that was just served to me. I watched Koizumi already starting to drink it, and he probably was savoring every last drop of the hot liquid. He certainly looked as if he was enjoying himself. And that was not helping my mood at all.
So this was it then. Everyone had forgotten all the important things that made them special. Nagato-san wasn't an alien anymore. Koizumi had lost his esper abilities, along with all that knowledge of his. I could easily tell that Mikuru-chan wasn't classified as a time traveler anymore; because her question to me about why I was asking Itsuki if he was an esper was more innocent than usual. I wasn't even going to bother asking her if she knew anything anyway. As sweet as Asahina-san is, asking her something like that would just be waste of time.
What's the point to even trying to fix all this?
Asakura was right. There's nothing left for me to do to stop a forthcoming destruction. If all the extraordinary people around me have lost all the things that make them extraordinary; then that just leaves me surrounded by normal people.
Except for Suzumiya-san, of course. If we're all still here; then that must mean she still has an ounce of her god-like power left.
Is there even hope anymore? What am I supposed to do to convince Haruhi that there's still irrationality, insanity and ridiculousness in this world?
The root of this problem lies in Haruhi losing her faith in all the things she has searched far and wide for. All of the time travelers, espers, sliders and aliens. She used to be surrounded by them; and now she's not anymore. She's not surrounded by them because she's starting to believe in them less and less.
But Koizumi said she's got some rationality! Why the hell is all this happening if she can actually think rationally?
I should just face the facts. There's no proof to convince her. All of the proof went away when she started losing her faith in the strange and bizarre.
Ugh, I'm starting to wonder why I joined this ridiculous club in the first place. Haruhi is the same bossy person I've known since the day I've met her! Nothing about her is a trait that would be considered ideal. I still can't help find her to be too eccentric for my tastes. She's still too crazy of a girl for me! Why do I still hang around her then? Taniguchi would say something along the lines of me being attracted to her. But that's not even true!
I'm forgetting so much lately. If this goes on; I'll forget what Asakura told me yesterday. I can only hope I don't forget what kind of power Suzumiya-san holds before it's too late.
If that happens; we're all going to end up being screwed over. And I'd like to live in this universe just a little bit longer. I really don't think that's an unreasonable thing to ask.
