The Realization of Haruhi Suzumiya
Original Author: Tanigawa Nagaru
Fan Fiction Author: NagatoYuuki13
Chapter 1
"Well, it's fancy meeting you here." A girl whose voice I knew said after crossing the crosswalk.
"Well, I should say same thing to you too, Sasaki." She was wearing her Kyounen high school uniform with a pink scarf around her neck. "I guess you're heading home?"
(Note: Sasaki appears in volume nine of the light novel and is most likely to take a major role in ten once it is published.)
"Yeah. I haven't been with a walk with you in a while without Tachibana and Kuyou, so let's go together."
"Sure, why not." She smiled gently like a normal girl. It is hard to believe that this girl is the counterpart of Haruhi. Actually, scratch that. I actually can see that. Compared to Haruhi, she is almost the same in taking initiative, but she's less crazier than she is, that's for sure.
"So how is your gang doing? Still being ruled by Suzumiya I presumed."
Yeah. Everything's almost the same as always.
"According to Tachibana, her sealed realities have become less. It looks like you're doing a good job."
I'm presuming that's a compliment, right?
"Of course." She giggled and let out a sigh. "Do you remember when we were kids that we used to do all those stuff ourselves?"
What stuff? Do you mean search for mysteries and such?
"Yeah… I miss those days… Now that I found what I was looking for and even commented as a 'god,' according to Tachibana, there isn't anything more to do."
Then why don't you stick with us? Haruhi has a lot of stuff to prepare for you as an activity.
"I'd love to, but unfortunately, I can't do that. I go to a different school after all."
Oh don't worry about that. Haruhi just forces people to join no matter where they are. Sometimes you don't even know that you're part of the club.
She giggled as if it was a joke.
"Suzumiya really does have those characteristics, huh." We reached a block of the street. "Well this is as far as I go. I'll see you around!" I waved and turned around. Talking to her makes me feel that there is a normal world here. "Oh almost forgot!"
Hm?
"Kuyou told me to tell you to be careful for some reason. But I'm pretty sure it's just an exchange of words."
Kuyou? Hm... Okay I'll try to remember that.
She smiled and ran off.
First Nagato is acting strange, now Kuyou who is supposedly the rival or counterpart of Nagato's organization, is telling me to be careful. Something is going on here.
I walked home seeing my sister in front of the door, looking worried.
"Kyon-kun!"
What's up? Did you overwork Shamisen again?
"This isn't funny Kyon-kun! Shamisen won't wake up!"
What? What did you do?
"Nothing! I just called him as usual, but he won't move!"
I rushed upstairs without even taking off my shoes. Do I care for Shamisen that much? I found the cat lying on the bed with the same expressions as he normally does when I get home. From the movement of his stomach, I can tell he's breathing, but I wonder why he won't get up.
"Don't come in here!" I told my sister when I heard her coming up the stairs.
I examined the cat to see what's wrong. Suddenly…
"It seems a bit rude to examine someone like that when they're not conscious, isn't it?" A familiar women's voice said. "My Kyon-kun. You look taller than the last I saw you."
Ms. Asahina? I thought. Not the one from this time period, but the one from further down of the future.
May I ask if this is your doing?
"Yes, I just put him to sleep."
That explains it. I presume you have a task for me.
"No…" She looked down. "Actually that's not it." She looked back up. "Something's changing in the future."
Huh? What do you mean by that, Ms. Asahina? Is it another doing of Haruhi?
"No…"
Nagato?
"No… Actually the source is coming from different sites. The… um… it's classified information… but it's the one that manages the system for all of the records in time. A little bit like our managers. They're having a hard time tracing it."
Then what do you need me for?
She took a breath.
"In some of the changes in records, your name appears and somehow takes a major role. Right now, the future isn't really changing drastically, but some of it is beginning to be obvious."
Obvious, how?
"Classified information. But it's something you would recognize right away. Also, Nagato-san also takes a major part of the role in those events. I can't specifically tell what they are since I don't have the right authority…"
You've told me that many times and I understand, so it's okay.
"I'm so sorry… A right! A hint… A hint…" She walks across the floor back and forth.
I suddenly brought up something.
"If it helps, Nagato did give me this bookmark."
She jerks forward then faces me.
"Where did you get that? It wasn't even in the records." Her face suddenly turned panicked. "I'm sorry Kyon-kun, but I have to re-check the records and come back as soon as possible to this time-frame."
Okay. That's fine.
She smiled then when I blinked she disappeared from my sight. The cat also wakes up.
"Good morning Shamisen." I said as the cat was stretching its stomach.
I heard footsteps coming from downstairs. A sudden burst of door and a sudden shout came from the girl that came in.
"Is Shamisen alright?" You guessed it. It's our beloved leader, Suzumiya Haruhi.
"Yeah, it turns out he was only in a state of short term hibernation." I made up a lie. "But he's awake now."
"Hm… That's good. I won't want him to be sleeping during the party."
You really want a cat to join our party?
"You say it like he's not important." She cuddled the cat's face and I'm surprised that Shamisen didn't reject her.
Well, whatever. Anyway, how did you find out?
"Your sister called me. She said 'Shamisen isn't feeling well and Kyon-kun is taking too long examining him! He told me not to come in his room, so can you come over?' or something like that. As soon as I heard that, I changed clothes then ran over here."
You ran?
"Of course! Waiting for a cab would be too long! And besides, I'm not like those people who would just be standing there waiting for a cab while you can just use a bit of exercise."
True enough, but it's late. How do you plan to take caution at this time of day?
We both looked outside.
"Ah… That's true… Hm…"
I sighed.
Well, I can take you on my bike.
She turned to me. I can see a slight redness on her face when I said that. Is it really that embarrassing? "… Thanks…"
We came downstairs. My sister was waiting by the rail.
"Is ShamI okay?" She looked like a wife whose husband was in the hospital being treated by some disease.
Yeah, he's fine. He was probably just tired so he ignored you.
"Ignored me?" Her worrisome face turned into a devilish smile. "I'm going to show him…" That's really scary coming from a sixth grader…
Haruhi and I went out the door.
"You're a bad liar, Kyon."
It worked didn't it?
I got my bike ready.
Can you keep your balance on the footing?
"Of course I can." She stepped on.
Don't do that or you'll make us fall.
"Sorry."
I sighed. Well, let's go.
It's seven and the moon is out. The sky is clear and stars are shining bright like you can almost touch them. Haruhi was surprisingly quiet while holding onto my shoulders. I'm just guessing that she doesn't want to be loud since it's already night time and doesn't want to disturb the silence.
"You know Kyon…" Haruhi started, almost whispering. "I've always wondered what there is out there."
You mean in the vast open space?
"Yeah…" She almost sounded melancholic. "I haven't given much thought lately, but whenever I do, I get curious."
I know that feeling.
A shooting star passed by.
"Oh look! A shooting star!" She let go of one of my shoulders.
Hey! Be careful!
"I hope to take the SOS club into a space trip someday." She whispered.
A space trip? I thought. If only you believe me from that time that I told you Nagato was an alien, you could have asked her these kinds of things. But I guess I'll let you find out yourself.
Haruhi kept looking at the sky until we reached her house. She was surprisingly very quiet.
"See you tomorrow!" She shut the gate.
What? No thank you? I sighed. Typical Haruhi…
As I drove myself home by my bike, I was beginning to think something. It won't be long until Ms. Asahina (small) graduates with Tsuruya-san. They are in fourth year after all, and Haruhi, Koizumi, and I were only in third. It won't be long until the SOS brigade break up, or until we search for another official member. Haruhi will probably be searching for another mascot, or change her tastes from the type of moe like Ms. Asahina, but a Loli type moe like Nagato. I won't mind seeing that. But we have a lot more time together, so I stopped worrying about that. Four months is a lot of time to spend together.
… It won't be the same if Ms. Asahina and Tsuruya-san are gone, though. Not seeing a smile-loving girl, or a moe girl in a while is a bit saddening in my life. But might as well move on, right? Nothing can be done. I sighed as my thoughts reached its conclusion and before I knew it I was by my house already. How time flies.
Hm? When I was bringing my bike up the short stairs, I saw a paper lying down on the floor. It had something written on it. It said:
Kyon-kun, I apologize that I can't meet with you right now. I had some important matters to take care of. As I explained to you earlier, the ______ is ________, but when I ____ ____, it was more severe. Please ____ that ________ with you at all cost.
Asahina Mikuru.
A message from Ms. Asahina (big), huh…
I tried to ignore the warning as much as I could, because there has not been a single unordinary happening since the school year… but I can't seem to do that… Not anymore… This message is straight forward. The first blank will be future and the second will be changing. The second set must have something to do with her returning. But the third set is a bit hard to figure out…
… Ah! I give up… I'm just going to consult Nagato or Ms. Asahina later. I opened the door and found my sister sitting down by the door, sleeping. I sighed. It can't be helped… I started to carry her.
I shouldn't be doing this as her older brother, but I was examining her as I carried her to her room. It won't be long until she gets to be like Ms. Asahina (small). You better thank me for telling you to eat those vegetables. The only thing I hope is that she doesn't get harassed by Haruhi…
I found Shamisen lying on her bed. They both seem like husband and wife, considering they're always together. For example, Shamisen has been following her since the beginning of my sister's school year. It's almost like he's observing her. I wouldn't be surprised if this cat turned into a human and get my sister to be his girlfriend.
… Actually scratch that. Even though I consider the cat as part of my family, I will beat the crap out him if he doesn't take of her properly. Okay, now I'm talking about cats turning human. I must be already influenced by Haruhi's ramblings… I sighed.
I noticed that I found myself sighing a lot today. It's been happening since the beginning of the school year. It's probably because of the lack of things to do, or maybe, to be more specific, the boredom of doing nothing that's related to aliens, time travelers, or espers. Well, I think that's about to change very soon.
I went to my room, changed, brushed my teeth, and then went straight to bed.
I hope I don't have to do anything soon…
Do you remember the time I told you about REM sleep and non – REM sleep, then I entered into a sealed reality? That was such a realistic dream. It was like a giant CGI dimension game. It's not like that I fully disliked it, with Haruhi and I… never mind… Anyway, it looks like it wasn't the last one…
I heard nothing, but the ringing silence and adding to that are random beepings… I first thought it was my alarm clock that my sister gave since Shamisen broke my ringing one, but as I tried to reach for it, it wasn't there. I wasn't in my room either. I found myself in an all white room with a glowing green light on each side, like the prison rooms in those sci-fi movies. I was just lying on a plain white giant disk.
My attire is also different, really different from my pajamas. I was wearing a white long sleeve top with a white cape split in half. I was also wearing white gloves and boots. My pants were also white with glowing blue patterns at each side.
If I'm trapped one of those dimensions that Haruhi, I would just ignore it, but this one is different. It feels different. Rather than an ominous atmosphere, it was rather empty. Silence covered the place of whiteness.
… Please don't tell me I just died. I still had a lot of things I wanted to do!
Suddenly, sound of a elevator door opened behind me. The face of the person inside is a face I couldn't forget my whole life. Her blue eyes looking at me with her kind, gentle, and cheery face of a girl. Her hair was tied like the last time I saw her. She was wearing the same attire as I am except she was wearing a long skirt and instead of boots, high heels. But I can't forget the day that she tried execute me out of my will and has already disappeared, twice.
"Hello. It's been a while Kyon." Said the girl with a smile on her face.
… You're not the exact person I want to see in heaven, Asakura.
It was Asakura Ryouko standing before me.
"Heaven? What are you talking about?" She giggled. "Oh, no matter. Our head wants to see you."
She turned. I took a few steps back.
I'd rather not. I don't want to get myself killed.
"No worries." She glared back at me. "We won't get you. At least not now."
I tried to take another step back, but I realized I was being restricted by her. Damn! Now my body's moving against my will except for my mouth, my breathing and facial expressions.
… What do you want?
"Our head just wants to take a few moments of your time."
For what? Is it a matter about Suzumiya? If it is, she's doing fine.
I tried not to sound angry, but it sure came out that way. What do you expect from the guy that almost got killed by a person that is right in front of you?
"Please don't panic. It's not a matter about Ms. Suzumiya either."
We entered the elevator and the sound of it going down was silent. When it stopped and opened, I was surprised to see what was below us. It was a big giant ball with green and brown spots on it. It also had a smaller gray ball floating above it. There were also a bunch of stars surrounding it, including a giant one in a distance. You're getting the picture, right? I congratulate you.
Yeah… I'm inside a transparent floor of some type of space ship. Meaning…
…Asakura, where exactly are we?
"Hm? Oh, I think you know already. It's just a waste of speech to tell you."
Just tell me!
"You don't need to shout. You were much calmer the last time I saw you." She sighed. "We are at the Integrated Data Thought Entity edifice."
Meaning your base?
"Correct."
Man this is like a sci-fi movie.
And the reason you're above our planet is?
"My, it is just plain common sense isn't it? It is easier for us to observe you and Ms. Suzumiya this way. Data can also be transferred a lot more quicker this way."
I can understand that. It's just an unpleasant feeling when you know a giant spaceship is floating is above your planet.
"Hm… I'm sorry, but I still don't understand human emotions well."
I already know from Nagato that the two Asakura Ryoukos that disappeared were just transferred back to this Entity place. And this was the one, real one huh? She doesn't look different at all.
We walked silently across the bridge, until we reached the large door.
"We are here."
I can see that.
She smiled then turned to the door. She suddenly said something that I couldn't comprehend. Data language? But whatever she said made the door open. Inside I saw a large white room. There was nothing but a seat in the middle of the room. It resembled a King's seat in the medieval times, except it was white and blue screens on each side of the room. Is everything here almost all white or transparent?
"I have brought the subject!" Asakura said cheerily.
A sound of that resembles Nagato's and Asakura's castings came out or the walls. Asakura replied with the same sound and I am left out in the dark in what is going on.
"Then I shall leave." She turned to me. "Good luck!" She said cheerily then disappeared in a digitalized light. Wait… Why did she say good luck?
"It have been anticipating for our meeting, Kyon." A voice out of the walls called, then suddenly a digitalized like beamed down on the center chair like a dooms day ray. It was an ominous feeling indeed. I was surprised that I wasn't at all scared, though. Wait, I'm contradicting myself, aren't I?
Who are you?
My movements were finally free from Asakura's restrictions.
"My. What a rude question to ask to a person that you haven't even seen."
You're the one who brought me here without my consent.
He laughed. "True enough." The beam of light retreated. A guy that is about my height appeared sitting on the chair. He had silver hair with a slight hue of orange. His eyes were bright yellow. He was wearing white attire with a broad shouldered cape. It's their head alright. I feel like I'm in the scene of a warfare between aliens and humans and I was the one caught in the middle trying to create peace. "It is a pleasure to meet you up close like this, chosen one of Suzumiya Haruhi."
I have a name.
"I do not choose to address you with such identity. After all, if our observations say that you do not prefer to be called by that. Isn't that correct?"
… You have a point.
"From further a due, I will introduce myself. I am… well let's just say I'm the leader of this whole entity."
That's pretty obvious. Now tell me why you brought me here.
"My, don't you want to sit first? It is uncomfortable for you to be standing."
A table-like object suddenly started to liquefy in the empty space. It was a long table, like the ones in a King's dinner. There were teapots and tea cups on the table.
"Come. Sit." We both sat, and he raised his hand, then a couple of people appeared. I mean, data humanoid entities appeared. They were dressed like maids. They emotionlessly picked up the teapots and cups. They both served us with tea and silently nodded. I'm guessing that's their way of saying "Here" or something. Then they disappeared.
I took a sip of my tea.
"Whoa!" I shouted.
"I am guessing that you are surprised."
Yes I am. How did you get this taste like Ms. Asahina's tea?
"Through Ms. Nagato's data, of course. We wouldn't get any information if not because of her." He took a sip of his tea then gave out a satisfied sigh. "It is indeed amusing how humans create these kinds of delicacies. Anyway, let us go back to our topic." He put down his tea cup soundlessly. "There is one single reason that I have brought you here."
And what is that?
"I am here to announce that we are calling off all observations of Suzumiya Haruhi."
I don't know why, but that sounded quite disturbing. I am not talking about disturbing like it is perverted, but disturbing as in bothered.
"Why? Is there something that bothered you about Haruhi?"
"There hasn't been any data referring to Ms. Suzumiya about her ability to change anything recently. In fact, that has not happened in the course of a whole year in your time."
So you're saying it's bad that Haruhi isn't doing anything out of the ordinary?
"No, of course not. In fact, we want to let it stay that way. But our role is to observe the character of Suzumiya Haruhi and what made her capable of doing such things, like time loops only detectable by us. Also, sealed realities have stopped appearing in a course of time. The entity has lost interest in such stalemate state."
What do I have to with this?
"You did once thought that you were the most normal minded in your community, weren't you? Well, I am here to discuss some matters with you."
Matters like what?
He took a sip of his tea. "What is to do with Suzumiya Haruhi that is."
Don't say it as if she is a toy to play with easily.
"My apologies. I cannot express my words very well."
Well to me, you sound as good as if Koizumi the one speaking.
"Do I now?" He chuckled a bit. "Anyway, back to the point. Since you are chosen by Suzumiya Haruhi, we are giving you the privilege or making the decision of what to do with her in a course of time."
Don't you have a council or something like that to discuss matters like this with you?
"Well, there is, but I trust you more than I trust them in this kind of matter. After all, some of them were the ones who ordered Asakura to kill you."
Well then… I see your point there.
"I'm glad we are in mutuality of understanding. Now the Integrated Data Thought Entity is facing a couple of problems. First and foremost are the radicals that come in the way, wanting to force change and see how Suzumiya Haruhi react. The second, as I already mentioned, the disagreeing of my council with decisions. Just a little while ago, we decided to stop observing Suzumiya Haruhi. But before we do proceed on such actions, we would like to find out what to do next."
And you're asking me?
"Yes."
He sounded serious. How can someone like me decide something like that? And also, for some reason, I feel like something is slowly lurking on my shoulders, adding weight to my problems.
Well, give me examples of what you want.
"Of course. I had already given you the first one."
Which is to kill me, I know.
"Then there are things such as erase the existence of Suzumiya Haruhi as the potential for auto-evolution and create a new world with the Integrated Data Thought Entity erasing its connection with the Earth."
How can you do that? I mean you say that Haruhi is the most powerful data manipulating person, even more powerful over this entity.
"That is true. But thanks to the data that Nagato Yuki has once again recorded, we can attempt to do as so."
I remember that. During December 18th, when the world, no, the universe was remade. There was no ominous power within Haruhi and all the class or 1-9 disappeared. Nagato and Asakura were there as normal people. So were Ms. Asahina, Koizumi, and even Haruhi. And the cause was Nagato…
"What other choices are there?"
"I'm sorry, but those are all we came up with so far."
Those aren't the choices that I would like to end up with.
"Take your time. We got two days until observations of Suzumiya Haruhi are abandoned, and a conclusion must be made."
Only that much time? And the other option is for me to get killed?
"We cannot manage to fit any other time, thus this time limit was set."
Shoot. Be killed, or the world rearranged…
"Oh, it seems like morning is about to come up in the horizon in your country. Please excuse me. I must conclude this meeting." The table disappeared. I took a last sip of the tea. "Are you done?" He asked.
Yeah.
I stood up and the chair and cup disappeared. "I will see you soon, John Smith."
Ah about that name…
Before I finished my sentence, he vanished in thin air. Then Asakura appeared right beside me.
"Come this way." I came with her.
On our way back to the elevator, I started a conversation.
"Hey Asakura…"
"Yes?"
Was the reason you tried to kill me because you were ordered to?
"Of course not. Well at least not fully." She said in that cheery face. Please don't say that in that face. It makes you look like a homicidal maniac. Wait, you are a little bit.
"What do you mean not fully?"
"What I mean is that a part of me didn't really want to do it, but the other part wanted to change so bad that it took all of my thinking space and just controlled me. I was going astray."
We reached the room I was in earlier.
"I see… Well, it doesn't actually feel right to say this, but it's nice to see you again. I'll Taniguchi that I got a contact from you."
She didn't look the slightest bit surprised. "Alright, I will see you in the near future then." She paused then continued. "Area jurisdiction found. Processing data link. Commencing transportation." A bright light came under me, and then suddenly, the second I blink, I found myself lying down on my bed. My alarm went off.
I sat by my bed thinking, what has just happened. An alien inviting me over to their lair just to get my advice? Sounds a bit cheesy, but it seems that is the case. I sighed. My body is perfectly rested, but my mind isn't. It feels weird. I went out my room, brushed my teeth as usual, and then got ready. I went back into my room to get my stuff, and suddenly the door started opening.
"Kyon-kun~…" My sister said sleepily. "Time to… Wah!" It looks like I surprised her that I was up before her. She usually wakes me up after all.
Oh, you didn't need to wake up. It is your day off from school after all.
"Uh… Okay…" She said sleepily. "Oh, by the way, Shamisen was right next to me when I woke up."
I know. I put him next to you.
"Oh… Okay…"
As the door closed, I started to think about my two choices for Haruhi : either to die, which I definitely do not want to, or to erase all Haruhi's abilities. For some reason, I don't feel right about that. I mean if you're going to get something stolen from you that you didn't even know was yours, then you find out about it, you would get pretty mad, wouldn't you? Maybe I should give him other options instead of those. But what?
It was pretty much confused on what to do… So I stopped thinking for a while… The Integrated Data Thought Entity is probably the most powerful next to Haruhi so it will be pretty difficult to disagree with them, probably even harder than Haruhi herself. But I was more relaxed than I wanted to be. I sighed and started to walk my way to the door. I was just about to grab my bike to leave, and then there was someone standing in front of the gate. You'll be surprised who it was. She doesn't usually come up to people like this.
Ah… Good morning Nagato.
"Good morning" She said with that monotone voice of hers.
What brings you here this morning?
I exited the gate and started to walk slowly.
"I traced some data of Asakura Ryouko from this area. As I result I followed it to ensure your safety." She looked at me up and down. "No physical damage is shown."
Yeah… Your boss talked to me last night. Asakura was the one who transported me from here then back.
She stopped walking.
What's wrong?
"It is not of your concern. Let us proceed on." She said once again in her monotone voice, but the first part of that sentence doesn't fit the meaning of your tone.
Okay, then.
We walked silently, which was pretty usual in normal circumstances. But the aura that Nagato was giving me was a bit more colder than usual. An aura that fills with worry, or something like that.
We finally reached school, which took a while actually. I usually take my bike and park it in a parking lot and just walk from there. While I was entering the gate, I saw Taniguchi walking with Kunikida as usual, except Taniguchi was wearing a mask, kind of like the ones you wear when you have a cough.
What's up? Not feeling so hot, Taniguchi?
"Yeah… It must have been something I ate. I was feeling alright yesterday." He coughed.
Yeah, well I have news for you that will brighten your day.
"Yeah? What is it?"
Asakura called from Canada and she wanted to see how everyone was doing. Also she wanted me to say 'hi' to you for her.
"What?!" His facial expression suddenly changed. "You're not kidding, right Kyon? Because if you are, I can't trust you anymore." Are you sure you're sick, because your face just changed all over.
Yeah. Not lying. Unfortunately the number was blocked so I couldn't get the number. Sorry.
I lied.
"That's enough man… You're the best, Kyon!" He gave me a tap on the shoulder then proceeded through the gates.
"You sure gave him a thing to smile about today." Kunikida meekly said. "Well, I'll see you around."
Yeah.
They walked off.
Looks like this will be just another normal day…
"Of course not!" Haruhi shouted while her sharp ears heard me from the distance. "I have club activities planned at the end of the day, so you better come!" he pointed at me. You don't need to do that, you know.
Whatever… It's not like I have anything to do afterschool.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Bring clothes that you can sleep in."
Why?
"We're having a slumber party all night!"
We're not kids anymore, Haruhi.
"So? It's not like we can have this all the time. And besides, age doesn't matter as long as you have the spirit for it."
You have too much spirit for your own good.
"See you! And if you don't show up, heads will roll!" She ignored my last statement. Of course. Typical Haruhi. I noticed Nagato was gone so I went in. I wonder what other choices I might come up with to discuss with him.
I put down my bag on the table and suddenly a couple of my classmates came up to me.
"Hey, is true that Asakura-san called you?"
"Yeah. I was surprised myself."
"Then it is true."
What is?
"That you and Asakura are having a long distance relationship!"
What? No! Of course not!
"The sign that you're denying it makes it a bit suspicious." She said with a naughty look at her face. "Well, if it's true or not, at least we finally heard from her. Tell us anything that comes up if she calls again."
I sighed. "Will do."
Who spread this rumor? Taniguchi? … Nah… After all she ranked her A+++ or something like that, so he wouldn't do that. I won't bother it too much. I already got a lot in my mind.
Snow started to fall again.
Today's classes, unfortunately, went pretty fast. There was also nothing to at lunch but eat and update the SOS brigade website, which was almost nothing. I just put the clubs past activities and the future ones that Haruhi puts in a list every week. And every week or so, the number of activities diminishes. She probably is getting used to the normal life, thank goodness. Or it probably is my imagination.
At that time though, I saw a rare sight. No, a once in a life time sight in this world. I saw a shed, no tinier than a shed, but I saw moisture from Nagato's face that's coming down her beautiful, right eye. It must have been me imagining things, but no matter how much I rub my eyes, I really saw it.
"N-Nagato, what's wrong." I struggled bringing my voice up. I was too shock to speak.
"Nothing." She said in her monotone voice. Not even a sign of a sob.
Then what's that on your cheek?
She took her index finger and gently touched her cheek, feeling the moisture that's on it. "It is merely a discharge of liquid from my eye." She blinked.
Before I could say what I was going to say, the bell suddenly rang. If Nagato says there's nothing wrong, I shouldn't judge her. But as I walked out of the door, I could have sworn to hear her mumble something.
The afternoon classes weren't so great. I won't go into the details, but it involves Haruhi.
Then school ended…
"See you guys at Yuki's apartment!" Haruhi's voice is cheery as usual.
"I don't have a ride home. Crap."
"That is no problem. I can just take you there with me."
How?
He lifted his hand. "Like this." A cab suddenly loomed over the horizon. How does this keep happening?
Ah, thanks.
We went inside the cab and I noticed the person driving. Of course I'm pretty sure I know who it is already. He was wearing his butler suit with his gray, almost silver mustache, smiling.
"Hello, Arakawa-san." Koizumi greeted.
"Good afternoon. Destination?" He replied humbly. He was the same when we were chasing the kidnappers who kidnapped Ms. Asahina (Michiru) about a year ago.
"At Kyon's house, please."
"Right away, sir." The car moved smoothly as if we weren't moving at all.
"So what's the deal?" I asked.
"You sound like I'm supposed to have a hidden purpose of taking you in here." He said, smiling.
You always do. It's not normal for you to not have one.
"Not normal? I thought you preferred it that way."
I'm not saying that I like that you always have topics for me.
"True enough" His smile vanished. "Now, let's get to the topic I called you for."
Oh dear…
"And what is that?"
"It's about you meeting with the Integrated Data Thought Entity."
"How did you know about that?"
"It told you, didn't I? My organization is somewhat connected to every institute that is concerning, Ms. Suzumiya. That includes Ms. Nagato's institution."
I sighed.
"Okay. What about it?"
"I have been informed that you are the main person to decide what they are going to do with Ms. Suzumiya in the time being."
Yeah… So?
"You are to decide the fate of this world… That's what Ms. Nagato's entity wants you to decide. Or was the information I got wrong?"
Decide the fate of the world? What are you talking about?
"Didn't they inform you that they were going to stop observing Ms. Suzumiya?"
Yeah? That doesn't mean much, or does it?
"It does." He looked serious. "If one of the factors that Ms. Suzumiya wants around her disappears, she will surely sense it, and it might endanger her stability."
I see that, but I still don't get why the world depends on my decisions.
"Do you recall her behavior in our first year?"
Yeah. What about them?
"Her noticing such phenomenon might lead her into another great sense of adventure. And what usually happens if she doesn't find them?"
She gets bored.
"Exactly. If she is in a state of boredom, then sealed realities will appear more frequently once again. We don't want those to happen again."
To be honest, I don't really care.
"Huh?" He looked at me.
I mean whether Haruhi decides to whether look for stuff like aliens again or not, it's her responsibility to whatever happens. Isn't that what I have been saying for the past three years?
His smile returned. "Your trust for Ms. Suzumiya has not been diminished even a tad, hasn't it?" The car stopped as we reached our destination. "Well, I am glad that it is that way, although I advise you to be careful."
Yeah? Of what?
"Just in general, whatever you decide tonight, will definitely change the world as we know it now."
I sighed.
"Got it."
"I will see you at Ms. Nagato's apartment then." Koizumi waved off, and so did Arakawa-san.
Thinking about what Koizumi said, I have now came up with one conclusion.
This could turn out bad. Why? Well it's Haruhi we're talking about. The head of the entity said that they have the data that Haruhi has to change the world entirely, and attempt to do it. But who knows? The program thing might fail and Haruhi will notice Nagato gone. She will either be sad that her silent bookworm of the clubroom is gone, or will struggle to find another one until boredom. I don't need to review what she does when she's bored, so I'll skip that.
I couldn't help myself bringing out a sigh and going into my house. Why a slumber party of all the things to do…?
… I only have tonight to decide, huh… Damn! Why couldn't I have more time?
I stepped in the house and found my sister crying. She was almost like Ms. Asahina during the time when she couldn't return to the future.
"What's wrong? Did I guys from your school hurt you, because I can easily beat the sense out of him"
"No… Shami…" she sobbed. "Shami ran away!" She continued crying.
What? Shamisen ran away?
"Yes…" she continued sobbing while trying to wipe her nose and eyes. "I was going to give him punishment for what he did yesterday…" Okay…? Not the thing to say. "… But it was only a joke! I was going to feed him… and … then…" she was crying really hard now. Seriously, she worries about Shamisen a bit too much.
Okay, I'll try to find him…
"Really?" She sounded a bit more lively.
Yeah… Just call Haruhi and tell her that I need to do something.
"Okay…" She sobbed. "Thank you, Kyon-kun."
It's not like I'm trying to miss Haruhi's slumber party activities, but it's my sister I'm talking about. And since it's Shamisen, she'll probably understand.
"I'll be back in a few. Make sure to call them."
My sister nodded then I exited out the door.
Now, where could that feline be? He's probably at my sister's school, sleeping and not noticing that everyone left. Yeah, that's where he is probably.
"He is not." Said a girl's voice out of nowhere. I looked around, and it seems that no one is there.
"Please show yourself. I'm tired and I'm too lazy to figure out who it is."
She did come out. I haven't talked to her in a while. "Hello there, Kyon-kun."
"Ah. Kimidori-san." Her emerald like hair reflected the light of the sunset as it snows. She was wearing her restaurant outfit. "What brings you here, and do you know where our cat is?"
"I'm just walking by as a stroll. As for your cat, I think you'll find out soon enough where he is, but he is not at your sister's school though."
I see. Thank you.
She is a humanoid interface like Nagato, so I think I can trust her in what she is saying.
"I'll see you then." She smiled gently then walked off.
Then my sister's school is a no-go, huh? Where to go next…? Maybe I will go to Nagato's house after all. Luckily I haven't even stepped out of my gate.
When I came back in the house, I was prepared to make up something for my sister. But when I came in, I found her in the same spot where she was crying, sleeping. It looks like she was exhausted about crying earlier. Like last night, I carried her into her room.
... Okay, I am not kidding. If I wasn't his sister, I think I could have gone over my limit while just looking at her. Gah! Now is not the time thinking of perverted things like this. I set her down at her bad, and grabbed her notepad. I wrote: Don't call Haruhi anymore. I decided to go and searching for Shamisen with her along with your Onee-chans and Onii-sans. Don't worry. We'll find Shamisen. –Kyon.
I set the note right beside her, and went upstairs. Sleeping clothes… Sleeping clothes… Ah, never mind. I'm just going to bring my normal pajamas with a white T-shirt. After all, it is just a sleep over, right? And so, I packed, grabbed my bike, and left. I already found the sun half way down the horizon. It's that late already? Well… I better hurry before Haruhi gets irritated and gives me a penalty. "Heads will roll" she says… The last time she said that was two years ago. Ah, sweet memories… or not…
Well, I should start to head over Nagato's apartment. Who knows what I might find there? And so I grabbed my bike and left. Good night, sweet sister, and sweet dreams.
As soon as I got there, someone's usual line comes along.
"You're late, Kyon! Penalty!"
Believe it or not, since the beginning of the year, I have not been the last one appear in every meeting. In fact, it was either Nagato or Koizumi that appears the last one.
"Can you give me a break…?"
"No! A total no!"
I should have expected that. Wait a minute… You don't do anything to Koizumi or Nagato when they're late. Why me?
They're a higher rank than you and have more responsibilities than you!
And you call the list you gave me yesterday not a lot?
I sighed. "Fine… What is it this time?"
"Oh… You'll see." Haruhi giggled maniacally. I really have a bad feeling about this.
"Yahoo!" Tsuruya-san said cheerily while looming over the block. "Ah, I see that everyone's here."
"Tsuruya-san, you're late. What's up?"
"Ah, sorry Haru-nyan. Family business." She stick her tongue out. "Any way, let's have fun tonight, nyoro~!"
"Well that's fine."
You don't punish her?
We went into Nagato's apartment, and to our surprise it was a bit different than we have seen last time. Instead of just the table in the middle of the room, there were also other items in the room. Unlike the last time we visited her, the curtain was changed from plain to blue. There was also a small television next to a gigantic book case, which was not surprising. There was a cabinet of plates right next to her sink, also with chopsticks and other utensils.
"Wow, Yuki!" Haruhi said. "This was completely different from what we saw last time." Indeed it is. Normally you wouldn't say that, but it's Nagato we're talking about. It seems like she is interested in a lot more things other than books, but of course, it wouldn't be Nagato if she wasn't reading at all. That is her signature to every of us.
"Let's get the party started!" Haruhi said cheerily and everyone also cheered, except for me and Nagato. Tsuruya-san brought sodas and Haruhi brought the sleeping bags for each of us. As usual, she's prepared. Ms. Asahina, Koizumi, Nagato, and I just watched them prepare each thing. And the party started.
It started as normally as a party would: music, games, and other things that Haruhi will conjure up with. As for my punishment for earlier, I had to just follow each order by Haruhi in each games, like touch an identified object, at least to me. I was blindfolded. It was such a pain, but surprisingly fun. We also had a talent show at the end. Haruhi, of course sang with her angelic voice. Totally different from her character! Ms. Asahina just stood there with her cuteness as her act, which Tsuruya-san and Haruhi laughed at. Koizumi and I were forced to rap, and, as you would expect, it went horribly. Lastly, the feature presentation: Nagato's song.
"Yuki, you sing?" Haruhi surprisingly asked.
She nodded as a response.
"Awesome! Let's here it!"
She nodded, and then took a deep but silent breath. "Select." I'm guessing that's the title of the song. A peaceful tune suddenly played into the background. There are hidden stereos here, too?
"In a room so small~ and bare of things…
Lost within infinite pages…
I strolled ~ down through ~ the endless halls…
Of this new tale ~ I wrote for you…"
She continued to sing with a beautiful, sad voice. A voice you wouldn't expect from Nagato.
"Logic is truth~ that is what ~ I thought…
It's the role… Handed to me…
It's who I am.. Oh yes; enter…"
This song… it hit me… This is about the time when Nagato took me to the other world, a world of normal and nothing of the ordinary. It was also a song of sadness, maybe her own sadness. I never thought that Yuki would make such a song…
"… I know that's how it should be…
But now there is a … Disk error…"
Silence loomed over the room. I looked around and I saw Haruhi tearing up a bit. Tsuruya-san and Ms. Asahina were the same thing. Koizumi just sat there, closing his eyes in amazement. As for me… Well I will let you decide how I felt.
Finally…
"Wow Yuki…" Haruhi said, wiping her eye. "… I never expected this…"
"Yuki-nyan is amazing…" Tsuruya-san said.
"So this is the hidden story of Ms. Nagato." Koizumi whispered to himself, but I heard it. What he said was true though. There is perhaps a hidden sadness inside Nagato. I can't imagine someone not feeling that after all these years, counting the repeats, being alone in this room.
Now the weird thing happens… Twelve o'clock hits and I felt a little dizzy. Fortunately everyone was getting ready fall asleep, so I just went with my conscience and fell asleep.
… I hope Haruhi doesn't get up and do anything to my face while I'm sleeping.
There was those sounds again; the sounds meaning beepings in a bare room. I was wearing white attire, in a white room. I'm in the Integrated Data Thought Entity edifice. So, this time was set for me to be transported here again, huh?
I found my escort , Asakura Ryouko, standing next to the elevator.
"Welcome back, Kyon" She smiled cheerily.
Yeah…
"You sound tired."
Yeah, well Haruhi just finished a party.
"I see." She put her hand at the elevator door, and then it opened. "Shall we proceed?"
Yeah…
Our walk to the main room was quiet. No one spoke a word. I was just watching the Earth below as it spins slowly on its axis and the countless stars around it. You have to wonder. How far did this thing go from just to get here? It's pointless to think of that. For all I know they might have travelled in the speed of light, or even faster. We reached the room, and Asakura said the code for getting in.
It was the same in the room, nothing but a chair in the middle. I was a bit surprised though… Instead of the gallant person I saw last night, it was a more serious looking one that appeared. He had the same hue of hair as Asakura, and cold blue eyes that will kill you in a glare. His expressionless face was proof that he had not been around humans much.
"You must excuse my master. He is attending other matters." What's with the emphasis of attending?
"Ah, I see. Well, I have a message for him. Can I wait?"
"Due to the time limit, no you may not."
Time limit? Wait what do you mean?
"The decision for Suzumiya Haruhi was reached. We no longer need you."
Then I came here for nothing?
"Oh, well I will take my leave then." Right when I was going to take a step out, I became frozen.
"I'm sorry, but that won't be necessary."
What do you… You don't mean… I have the most horrible feeling going up my stomach.
"The curiousity has gone far enough. Thus the decision to kill you was made and we shall observe how Suzumiya Haruhi reacts to it.."
What?! Wait, whoa… That is totally not democratic!
There's no time to think. Spikes are liquefying above me for crying out loud. I can feel every sweat gland from my body opening up. Yeah. I'm frightened… Damn, I'm going to die aren't I? The spikes came rushing towards me like rain.
Suddenly…
"Warning! Warning! There has been an intrusion of data communication. An identified source is hacking our system."
"Stop it immediately!" The person in the center shouted. I could have sworn that the spikes reached me, but the second I blinked, I found myself in a different location. I was also fully awake, since I saw the moon above me and my clothes were on. Thank goodness… Right when I was going to Nagato's name to thank her, it was a different person.
"Kimidori-san?"
"I am glad that I made it in time."
What's going on? What happened to your leader?
"That is information that you do not need to acquire. There is one trivial matter that I am pretty sure concerns you."
What else besides aliens trying to kill me?
"It's about Nagato-san."
That one struck me.
"What about Nagato?"
"She is being executed as an order from the Integrated Data Thought Entity."
What!? On what grounds? There is no way a girl like that can do anything wrong.
"On normal circumstances, that is correct, but in this case, it is different. As you can see from earlier, the council of our organization has found the decision to kill you was the best. Thus, the closest source from you was sent to kill you. Do you have any idea who that is?"
No… Wait, it can't be…
She nodded. "It's Nagato-san. It seems that she failed to do as she was told."
Then why did your leader ask me on what to do if she was ordered this in the first place.
"He wasn't aware of what was going on, and so did Nagato-san. It is the Entity's radical's acts that caused this."
Then why is Nagato being punished if your leader didn't even approve of it?
"That is the problem." She looked worried. "He is missing…"
What?
"Yes… It was approximately 7:49am when he disappeared."
… That was about the time I woke up…
"Yes… If my suspicion is correct, I think that his data was put into stand by until this whole thing is done. I'm sorry… My actions were restricted by a program to tell you until now."
Damn… Wait…
"Kimidori-san, where's Nagato?"
She looked a bit worried. "Well…"
Shit… I ran towards Nagato's apartment.
"Ah! Kyon-kun!"
Nagato, hang in there!