The Realization of Haruhi Suzumiya
Original Author: Tanigawa Nagaru
Fan Fiction Author: NagatoYuuki13
Chapter 2
I only ran two blocks and I'm already huffing and puffing. I'm guessing Haruhi was right about me not being in shape. Fortunately I was only one more block away from Nagato's apartment. I feel like someone's following me.
Nagato, I'm almost there!
I reached the apartment door in a few more minutes, and I can barely even see. My energy was drained from sprinting. I should exercise more… I reached the dial and typed the numbers 708. Answer, anyone! Koizumi, Haruhi, Nagato anyone!
"…"
"Nagato? Nagato is that you?" I was beginning to feel relieved. Maybe Nagato didn't get abducted.
"…Who is this?" Said a shy girl's voice. Wait this isn't Nagato. Well it sounds like her, but it is definitely not her.
Um… this is Kyon.
"Ah…! Kyon…! Wait, I'll bring you up." The door opened. Damn, what is going on? Was I too late? I got into the elevator and pressed the number of Nagato's floor. In a few seconds, I reached seventh floor. I ran to the door, panting my lungs out.
I pressed the door bell.
"Ah… coming." The door opened slowly and gently. "Kyon… what's the matter?"
"Oh, Nagato." I said. This isn't good… "Is everyone still inside?"
"Uh… Yeah. Come in." This is definitely not Nagato. She had the voice and physical features of her, but her personality is different. Almost like the Nagato in the alternate dimension. I stepped in and it was dark inside.
Is everyone sleeping?
"Yes… I turned off the lights so they won't be disturbed."
Ah… I see.
"Um…" She tugged my shirt lightly. "Can you come in that room with me? I have things to talk to you about." That sounded like Nagato, a little.
Sure. What's up?
We headed towards the room. "It's about Suzumiya Haruhi."
The second we stepped in, Nagato closed the door.
"Okay? What about Haruhi?"
"Suzumiya Haruhi has ceased making data that is observable for the Integrated Data Thought Entity."
Yeah, I was informed. I was also told that you were also ordered to kill me.
"Correct… That is why…" She turned on the lights. Crap… I shouldn't have come in here. "I am going to go through that order." I had my suspicion about this girl looking like Nagato, and it turns out, I should have trusted my guts. Her long lavender hair was all up in the air, looking menacingly with her glowing eyes. She had liquefied spikes surrounding her, pointing at me. The room that we stepped in is also not the room that Ms. Asahina and I slept in during the Tanabata five years ago. It was a room that looks like the place that Asakura and Nagato fought, a corrupt space as the real Nagato puts it. She smiled menacingly. I was frozen, too. Damn…
"I'm sorry about this." She pointed towards me and all the spikes came rushing towards me. Okay, I think now I'm seriously going to die. I closed my eyes, expecting for the spikes to punch holes through me. Instead, when I opened my eyes… I found the girl who has been following me this whole time standing in front of me, all the spikes piercing through her. I know who you guys are thinking about. Nagato, right? Well, the omnipotent data goddess, the book worm that we all know, is not the one standing before me.
"No… This can't be happening." I murmured.
"Kyon… Kun…" With the color of her face almost gone and her eyes almost blank… My sister said those last words… That's right… My sister made the shield for all the spikes… Saving my life…
"Why…? And how did you get here?! You shouldn't have come!" I shouted, crying, but it was too late. Her body glowed and started to fade away.
"Because… you tried to find Shami… for me…" She fully vanished.
"A minor setback. But no matter. You are next." The Nagato said in front of me.
"D-Damn you!" I shouted, being in despair, to the girl who just killed my sister. This can't be Nagato! The Nagato I know was much more logical, more friendly towards me. This cannot be that book loving girl who wished a life to satisfy me and changed the world just for my sake. Her words echoed in my head. "I can now decide what is to do. I am now independent." This cannot be the girl that I knew. I shouted again. "You… You are not Nagato! What have you done to her!?"
The girl smiled. "It seems that you noticed. Too bad… You are correct. The Nagato Yuki that you know has been sent over to the Integrated Data Thought Entity edifice. She is to be punished to the fullest extent of breaking an order, which is complete termination." I knew it. "It is time for you to…" Before she could say her last word, something suddenly appeared, or rather someone. "Another intrusion…?"
"Kimidori-san…"
She looked over to my direction, noticing the blood on the spikes below me. "I'm sorry I got here too late…" She looked melancholic. "But I will explain everything later." She turned to the fake Nagato.
What could be explained about my sister dying? Huh!
"Please calm down for the time being. I will first terminate this interface, and then I will fully explain the situation."
"Oho…" The fake Nagato chuckled. "Assuming you can."
"I think I already have." Kimidori-san raised her hand in front of her. "Initiating release of data in corrupt space."
"Eh?" Suddenly the fake Nagato was wrapped with tree branches. "What is this?"
"Currently initiating the data I have recovered from this planet's ecosystem. You will not be able to move in the time being." Kimidori-san's expression remained unchanged.
"You think this could stop me? You must be joking." The fake Nagato struggled to get out, but it failed. I can't imagine trees will be able to hold a data controlling alien.
"It is no use. Now initiating termination data…" She put her hand in front of her and closed it. "Constrict." The branches seemed to grow tighter together until almost nothing of the Fake Nagato can be seen.
"No! This can't be happening! I am an enhanced copy of Nagato Yuki!" More like a corrupt one.
Kimidori-san moved her arm in a downwards motion, like a hammer. "Crush" The branches suddenly made a clamping sound as they instantaneously closed together. It was silent. Has the fake Nagato been defeated?
"It is alright now." Kimidori-san turned around. "The interface has been terminated from this space and sent back to the Entity edifice." The tree disappeared in sight, and Kimidori-san collapsed. I also noticed myself calmed down, although I feel like I should be.
"Kimidori-san!" I rushed to her and holding her into my arms. "Hold on, I'll get some help."
"No need." She immediately replied. "It only took most of my programming data to break in into this space and set up a termination link. There are also no physical damage, so I will be fine." She was breathing heavily.
"But your breathing…"
"My organic parts weren't fully developed, thus I had the inability to breath well after such a strenuous activity. I think this condition is referred to as Asthma?" She smiled gently.
… Are you sure you're alright?
"Yes, of course. If it was the real Nagato Yuki, though, I would be in a different situation. I am now running my auto-repair program. Also removing impurities in this space." She grabbed to my shoulder. This was a very nostalgic feeling…
"… Nagato, I'm sorry I couldn't get her on time… And I'm sorry…"
I couldn't even say "little sister." It was a bit too emotional for me.
"Oh, as for your sister…" She sat down, now breathing normally. "… Do not worry about her."
I looked at her furiously.
"How would you expect me to not be sad about my sister's death!?" I shouted. Man, I wasn't in control at all. Shouting at a person who didn't even do anything. But making a comment like that…
"Calm down, please." She looked at me. "… Your sister is not dead."
… What do you mean? I saw my sister get pierced by spikes in front of my face!
She nodded. "That is true. However, the entity doesn't find her death relevant to the subject matter. As a result they have set a program that will put any interfaces or organic life forms that get in the way be put at a cell along with all the suspended interfaces."
… Meaning…
"She is not dead. She is just being held captive."
That still doesn't lift the burden off my shoulders. Of course I'm glad that she's alive, but now I'm pissed off at myself. I couldn't even save my sister from being abducted.
"… I understand how you feel…" she said, sounding like she is almost going to cry. "I'm sorry that I couldn't get her in time…" she put her palms in front of her face. Is she crying?
Hey, Kimidori-san… Please don't cry… It's not your responsibility that they decided to do something that you're not even part of. In fact I think it is my burden.
There were a few sobs coming from her. I never imagined a sentient data interface crying. If I didn't know what she was, I would have thought that she was just this fragile looking girl, helping out everyone at school in the student council. "… Thank you, Kyon-kun… I think I understand why Nagato-san and Suzumiya-san has grown close to you."
… Eh?
"Nothing… Anyway…" She wiped off the tear coming from her eye. "You do not have to carry your burden alone. There are raising voices that are going against the movement that the council has decided to do with you. All of us will try to protect you to our extent until the flow of things change."
… I see… What are we going to do about Nagato's disappearance?
"That is to be decided by the Integrated Data Thought Entity."
Speaking of your organization, are you going to be alright? Or have they sent you a punishment of some sort?
"Fortunately, I have blocked every signal that is monitoring me from the Entity, so I will be safe for now." She stood up. "Shall we go?" The room returned to its form. The two futons were still there. I am guessing that these were left here by Nagato when Ms. Asahina (Michiru) stayed here. As for the other futon, I am not sure. Nothing has changed from this room at all… There were also a stack of sleeping bags at the corner of the room. I didn't bother counting them.
We stepped out of the room, and I was shocked. All of the things that we set up were gone. The sleeping bags, the cup of sodas, everything. Even the people have gone missing. What the hell is going on?
"I see… So this is what they have decided…"
What do you mean?
"With all the furniture gone in here, I presume that Nagato was made that she transferred."
Kind of like Asakura?
"Yes."
Then the party? What happened to Haruhi and everyone in here?
"As midnight hit, everyone was put to sleep and transported back into their own homes. Also, their memory of the party that you were having will be remembered as a dream."
So, like nothing happened?
"If my predictions are correct, then yes."
You don't sound so reassuring.
"I'm sorry…"
That's fine. Let's just go downstairs and figure things out tomorrow.
She nodded and we exited the empty room. On our way to the elevator, we were spotted by the old man managing the building.
"Ah… young love…" He said. Don't say that out loud! Kimidori-san didn't react to it as bad as I did. We entered the elevator, reached the bottom floor, and exited the apartment building.
"I will see you tomorrow then." Kimidori-san bowed then turned around. As it turns out, I wasn't supposed to be here, so my bike was not present. Man, I couldn't have wished more for Arakawa-san's taxi right now.
It' surprises me how calm I was then. Experiencing a near death experience. Having my sister abducted by aliens. Nagato being executed and sent to outer space. Our whole slumber party being ruined. Now, normally I would be getting irritated by thinking about these stuff, but I wasn't. Don't ask me why… Maybe it's just me telling myself that everything will be alright…
I walked home silently thinking about other things like how to explain the disappearance of my sister to my parents. If Nagato's organization has planned ahead, they should have done something about that. I'm going to risk myself being in trouble for life asking them later… I'm worrying about Haruhi finding out about Nagato tomorrow, though… What is she going to do…? Should I tell her the whole truth? Nah… She's probably only going to ignore it… But what? I have to do something to save Nagato from being executed and my sister being held captive. Also the mystery of Shamisen missing is not solved, yet…
I sighed… Don't worry. Sister, Nagato, hang in there!
Soon enough, I reached my house. There was a lot of noise inside. There was also music playing… What is going on?
I opened the door seeing a party going on in the living room. What the…?
"Kyon-kun!" I heard a familiar voice. A voice that almost drove me into tears… "Have you found Shami, yet?"
It's my little sister. It's my little sister! But how…? I didn't think of that at the moment. I just grabbed her and hugged her with all my might.
"Ouch! Kyon-kun you're crushing me!"
"Thank goodness…!" I was crying…
"… Kyon-kun? Is something wrong?"
"Ah no! It's nothing…" I let go. "Is there something wrong about your brother worrying about you?"
"No..." She replied. "Did you find Shami, yet?" She changed her tone of voice.
No… Sorry…
Her face grew being excited to gloomy. "That's okay… At least Haruhi-nee chan came over to play with me. Mikuru-nee chan, Tsuruya- nee chan, and Koizumi – nii chan is also here."
Wait… is? You mean…?
"Hey Kyon! Is that you?" A booming voice came out of the living room. "Come over here!" That is her…
I went to my living room. I noticed everyone but one person was here. "What are you all doing here?"
"Your sister called us that she was feeling lonely, so we came over and decided to accompany her tonight." She stood up. "You could have called us to help you look for Shamisen."
Well, I thought that you would rather stay home so I didn't bother.
"Stay home and let our precious member be lost? Never!" She gave me a thumbs up. "We will certainly look for him tomorrow!"
I'm worried that if I bring up the subject I'm about to ask that is will turn out as the way I don't want to… Here goes…
"Hey Haruhi…"
"Yeah?"
Have you seen Nagato around?
"…. Huh? Nagato? Who's that? Have you been dreaming while walking?"
Crap… It is as I thought…
"Never mind. Just forget it… I'll be upstairs resting, so just give me nudge if you need anything."
"Will do."
Everyone was too busy playing Mahjong to notice I was here. I went upstairs.
What the hell is going on? It seems like what everything Kimidori-san told me was wrong. My sister, instead of being held captive up in space, was here at my house, thank goodness. As for everyone in the party, instead of being in their houses, ended up in my house. Lastly, Nagato seemed like she didn't exist at all! It's not like I'm accusing her of lying, but I am wondering about something. Was there something wrong that messed with Kimidori-san's judgment of the situation and came up with the wrong conclusion? Or did the Integrated Data Thought Entity anticipate for us to think what we thought earlier and changed the outcome.
That means Kimidori-san is in danger… Ah crap! Wait, no if that's the case then why didn't they pursue her earlier when she was with me and killed me in the process? I'm confused now, resulting me to end up to stop thinking for the night. Since I was in my pajamas, I just jumped on my bed, and fell back asleep. It was one o'clock… How long is Haruhi and them going to stay up…?
I fell right to sleep once I closed my eyes, which was convenient. I had another dream… It was all white around me, but there was no beeping. I was wearing my North High uniform and I was just standing up. I looked around then found the person I wanted to see right in front of me. She was also wearing her North High uniform, with her lavender hair almost glowing. Her liquid helium like eyes staring at me, I said her name.
"Nagato…"
Her silence was pleasure to my ears. This was Nagato alright.
"I do not have much time…" she said in a monotone voice.
What do you mean?
"This link between me and your dream will disappear shortly. Thus, I will make this meeting quick."
Wait… What?
"Keep the bookmark I gave you with you at all times. It will call upon every other interfaces if you are in trouble and act as a transporting device. They will come to your aid to protect you."
… That explains how Kimidori-san knew where I was.
"Correct." She paused, closing her eyes, thinking about something. "Give me your arm."
…Okay?
I did as I was told.
"This will be an alternative if the program in that bookmark fails." She bit my arm. I didn't even feel it… It's kind of like the time during the Tanabata five years ago when Ms. Asahina and I came to her house and got injected by Nagato's nano-machines. "This will activate emergency mode if you are in trouble. This will artificially give you the same abilities I have in a limited amount of time."
Wait… Your abilities?
"Yes. Data Manipulation."
Are you serious?
"Yes. It will be engaged if any threat comes to within fifty feet. Once engaged, the program will access my battle capabilities and apply it to you."
And how long is it going to last?
"The starting time will be approximately two hours in time. Every usage, it will decrease by five minutes."
And what happens after all of this is spent?
"Don't worry." She looked up at me. "I won't let that happen. I will try my best to connect once again in order to protect you. That is the purpose I set for myself."
Ah… Thank you Nagato… I will definitely save you. Don't worry!
There was silence for a little while. "I see…" She started to glow. "It is time."
We will definitely come for you! I promise!
She nodded. Half of Nagato's body has disappeared. Then she said quietly. "Once again… In the library…"
"Definitely." I nodded. At the last glimpse of Nagato, I could have sworn I seen a smile, but that's probably my imagination. I waited for a few seconds and sighed. Isn't it about time for me to wake up?
And yes it is… I blinked and there I was staring at the ceiling. It was only six o'clock, but I felt like getting up, and I only got a total of five hours of sleep, for my mind at least. As for my body, it's six, but it doesn't make much difference. I got up and got ready. As I came downstairs, there was one question that floats in the air. Why Nagato? I'm pretty sure that's pretty obvious, but still, why her? If you were in her situation would you have done the same? Anyway, I'm done with asking questions for now. Let's just hope that this morning is normal…
I was going an early breakfast, but on my way there, something surprised me.
"Hey!" I shouted. "What are you doing in the middle of our living room?" I was talking to Haruhi, who was looking sleepy, changing from her pajamas to her uniform.
"Hm…? Oh, Kyon it's you…" She said sleepily. "Ah! Kyon! What are you doing here!?"
It's my house, Haruhi.
"Ah, whatever! Go look somewhere else!"
Your saying that, but your undressing in front of everyone sleeping around you.
She threw a pillow at my face.
"Just go!"
I turned around. Whatever… Geez, you don't mind changing in front of the classroom, but you mind changing in front of me?
"Don't leave any of your clothes on the floor. My parents aren't going to be happy if they see it lying around."
"I'm not a child Kyon."
"My, my… What have we gotten here? Haru-nyan, changing in front of Kyon-kun?" Tsuruya-san said getting up, yawning.
"Ah! Tsuruya-san! I didn't know you were up! It's not what it looks like…!" Haruhi tried to explain herself.
"It's fine, it's fine…" She slid off her sleeping bag. "I'm just going to the restroom, if you don't mind." She walked towards me. "Don't worry, I won't tell Mikuru-chan." She giggled uncontrollably when she said that.
… Wait what now?
"You can turn around now." Haruhi commanded.
"You know, there are restrooms in this house that you can change in." I said while turning around.
"Yeah, so?"
"So… Ah… you know what… Just forget it…" It's pointless to argue over this with her. "Anyway, want some breakfast?"
"Sure. Whatever there is." She said. You know, you should really sound more thankful when someone offers you something like this.
"Cereal any good?"
"Yeah."
"My, now acting like husband and wife, are we? Fufu… I see…" Tsuruya-san said while coming in the kitchen.
What exactly do you see?
"Tsuruya-san, you want some cereal for breakfast?" I asked.
"Yeah, sure. Let me just wake up Mikuru-chan and Koizumi-kun." She said with her smile that shows her fang. That fang is distracting… "How about your sister? Should I wake her up, too?"
No don't. It's still her day-off.
"Ah. Okay!" She said cheerfully.
Ms. Asahina was sounding like a whining puppy when she was waking up. Koizumi, on the other hand, sounded like a drunken man who was getting his bottle of sake taken away. His hair was also funny looking. You act as a model when you are awake, now what do we have? As soon as the two woke up, we ate breakfast.
"Itadakimasu!"
Yeah… Even though Haruhi and everyone else was here, it felt nice to have a normal morning. I wouldn't mind if it was like this, actually. With your parents out almost all the time, and you only see your reflection on the table while eating breakfast, it gets pretty lonely… Although I was pretty happy, I still wished for this whole gang to be complete.
I remembered something… I have to confirm with Kimidori-san what has happened with Nagato's memories with everyone. When I asked Haruhi last night, she doesn't even remember who she was. And also, how much time we got left until Nagato's execution. We have to do it soon… If not, we're going to be too late.
Fortunately, everyone was awake early, so everyone took a bath, but Haruhi. I'm guessing that she took a bath the night before. For some reason, I'm getting weird thoughts… I banged my head against the wall… Ow! Dang that hurt! Once everyone was ready, we all got out of the house. I wrote a note to my sister saying "We will find Shamisen." And well all signed it. Waiting outside for us is a stretched limousine driven by Arakawa-san.
"I had preparations for this morning's transportation."
Yeah, I think you over prepared. I mean, a limousine as a drive to school? Do you pay Arakawa-san enough for this?
"Wow, Koizumi-kun! You out did yourself this time!" Haruhi shouted, somehow looking all excited.
"Okay, since when did you get excited over vehicles?" I asked.
"I don't!" She said proudly. "Let's go!"
… And yet you're the first one to get in… Ah, never mind.
"It sure was nice, feeling rich and all, but don't you think this is a bit going too overboard, Koizumi?" I asked.
"As for our organization, nothing is too much for Ms. Suzumiya. And I get the feeling she is not the only one enjoying this." He looked at me weirdly.
"… I guess." I replied, regretting my answer. I was the last one entering the limousine.
"Full speed ahead!" Haruhi shouted.
"Yes, ma'am" Arakawa-san said through the speakers. "Destination please."
"North high please, Arakawa-san." Koizumi said.
"Yes sir." And he really drove fast. I think he was going a bit, just a tiny bit, over the speed limit.
"Is that you really you, Arakawa-san?" Haruhi asked, looking all surprised.
"Yes, it is nice to see you again, Ms. Suzumiya."
"You're a driver?"
"Yes, I do this as my part time job."
"Wow!" She turned to Koizumi. "How come you never told us?"
"Well, you never asked." He said calmly with his normal expression. How can you stand her with that tone?
"Ah, no matter."
The whole trip was quiet besides the beginning. Haruhi spent all her time sightseeing outside the window, while Ms. Asahina and Tsuruya-san were laughing about something. Koizumi was just sitting there with his usual gesture, and as for me, I was just sitting normally. Instead of going the way that I usually go while riding my bike, Arakawa-san took an indirect route. I'm guessing he just wanted to drive us around more?
We reached the gates of North High.
"Thank you for the ride!" Haruhi said while exiting the limousine.
"Anytime." Arakawa-san replied through the speaker. As soon as we all exited the vehicle, he drove off. I realized I had to go.
"Hey, Haruhi."
"Yeah?"
"I have to go and do something today. So I don't think I will be at the clubroom today."
"… Oh, that's fine then."
You sounded a bit hesitant there.
"What are you babbling about? If you have things to do, I understand."
Okay, then. I'll see you at the classroom.
"Yeah…"
I started to jog towards my shoe locker, and then to the student council office for some reason. Wait, why? Because I need to ask another person that is related to Nagato's organization about what is going on. The Student Council President to be precise. He was the one who tried to suspend the Literature club to go on and force us out of the club room. We had to write either short stories or poems to prove that Nagato still runs the club. It turns out that he just wanted for Haruhi to be less bored.
I knocked and Kimidori-san opened the door.
"Ah, Kyon-kun, we were expecting you."
Ah good morning. Wait… we?
"Yes. Please come in."
She opened the door and it wasn't just her and the President of the student council that was there. There was one of the ENOZ members that has not graduated yet, Zaizen-san, sitting on one side and I also noticed President of the Computer Club sitting in the other.
"Ah, Kyon. We're glad that you can make it."
Don't address me with that nickname!
"What did you need me for?" I asked.
"Oh my. I thought you were the one who wanted to ask us something important. Was I wrong?" The President said while putting his index finger at the bridge between the lenses between his glasses.
Not really… Well, I wanted to clarify things actually.
"And what are those?"
Well, for example, Kimidori-san, things have gone differently from what you have told me.
"I apologize. We also only noticed that recently." Kimidori-san bowed. "It seems that the Integrated Data Thought Entity, has anticipated our thoughts and changed the events that were going to happen according to the records or the data we possess of what is going to happen…"
I didn't fully understand that, but I think I get what the basic premise. Also, what happened to the memories that Nagato have Nagato in them?
No one answered for a few moments.
Finally the President brought up his statement.
"The Integrated Data Thought Entity has thought of Nagato Yuki as a threat, or at least its radicals did, and memories concerning her were also in the same level of concern for them. Now that they have taken over, they have decided to do to things. First one is to kill you…"
I know that.
"… and secondly, to erase every memory that is related to Nagato Yuki, whatsoever."
… What did you say? Then… why?
"The reason why we remember her is unknown. The only thing we know is that every person that we have asked about Nagato Yuki did not even show any sign of hearing the name anywhere.
"It's true." Zaizen-san brought up. "When I was asking Mizuki-san if we could invite her to play for our band again, she asked who she is. I thought she was playing at first, but everyone in my class doesn't seem to remember who she is."
"It's the same with my club." The Computer President brought up. "I was bringing up Nagato to the conversation on how she can help us to hack into others systems who trying to hack us, but they kept saying 'who's that', or 'what are you talking about?'"
Them too, huh…?
"Everyone in this room has experienced the same problem as you are, Kyon." The Student Council President said. "That is why I have brought them here."
For what reason? You didn't need to get them into this.
"I was just giving you examples of some of the examples around you."
So these two had no relation to what we are going to talk about?
"Not directly. They, for some odd reason have been excused from the data that has been applied to the others." He looked at the two. "Sorry to bother you. You may leave if you wish."
"It's fine. I am curious what is going on, anyway." Zaizen-san said. The Computer President said the same thing.
"Okay. Continuing on with our conversation, Kyon." He pointed at the seat in front of me and I sat. "Nagato Yuki has sent us a message, or rather an order to protect you. Please keep in mind that every action that you make may lead to something else.
I know that from pure common sense. What does that have to do with anything?
"Let me finish!" He pointed at me. "I mean if you go and risk yourself in a situation like last night, we might not get there in time. Just to let you know."
I know that already… I have one more question in mind.
"What is it?"
… How long do we have until Nagato's termination?
"… From my current knowledge, it is at approximately December 24th at 12:00am. That is when she will be terminated."
"You sound like you don't care!" I shouted.
"You are clearly mistaken, we do! What do you think is the reason we are carrying out her commands?"
"That is not what I meant!" I slammed my hands on the table, standing, causing the chair below me to fall. "I mean aren't you going to try and save her? You have the abilities don't you?"
"Our data capabilities are not enough to against the whole Entity, even though we are one of the most higher ranks of it. There is no point to it!" He slammed his hands on the table.
"Isn't there a percentage that you may succeed?!"
"Common logic disagrees with the odds!"
"What odds!? If you're trying to save a friend that is going to be killed for no good reasons, don't you want to save her no matter what the obstacles are?!"
"You two, stop with this pointless argument!" Kimidori shouted, halting our heated conversation. "There is no outcome to this, so I advise you to save your energy towards something else."
The president (student council) sighed. "You may leave, Kyon."
But…!
"Leave! You're presence is not needed in here. We have other matters to discuss." He turned to the other two who had been quietly sitting. "The same with you two. Please guide him out."
The two nodded and Zaizen-san came towards me. "Come on, Kyon." I sighed and just followed.
The door shut behind us and we were all silent.
"… So Nagato-san isn't here?" Zaizen-san started.
"… No…" I replied. "She is… being executed that is not even right…"
"That's terrible… Everything I heard sounds crazy, but from your intensity, I think there's a chance I believe you…"
Thank you, Zaizen-san.
"Man, I knew there was something abnormal about the SOS Brigade…" The president (Computer Club) started. "… but I never thought of it like that. Nagato being an alien is a bit too much…"
Yeah? Well get used to the abnormality that is going to be forever next door to your club room.
We all laughed a little, despite the mood that was around us.
"… Well, Kyon-kun… Tell us if you need anything. I'll be glad to help you out."
"Thanks…" I sounded a bit melancholy.
"I'll see you around then." Zaizen-san went downstairs towards the music club room.
"I'll take my leave, too" He waved. "And Kyon…"
Yeah?
"… Try to take it easy." He turned around and walked to his class.
He's right. I hate to admit it, but the best way to be right now is to be calm. Barging into the Student Council room just to argue with the President (SC) is a bit pointless. Maybe I should go apologize to them later. But no matter how I try to be calm, I just can't help but to worry about Nagato! We only have a week until December 24th. How am I supposed to think of a plan to save her…?
Damn… Now I'm confused. This is way too much! If this is a giant chess game, then I am pretty sure that Nagato's entity has maybe about 1000 steps ahead of us… There is no way that we can break through, unless there is a major error in their system thingy, which is almost impossible…
… I'm sorry Nagato, I think I'm just about to lose hope…
The day went as if it was trying to kill me. First one is that when I passed by the culinary class room, I knife just barely missed me. The teacher sent the student who did it to another class to prevent it from happening again. Then, when I was trying to find Shamisen in the school yards, a baseball almost landed on my face while looking at the sky. Then there was car that almost hit me right when I stepped out the school. Fortunately, nothing happened to me besides feeling very close to death. Coincidently, Haruhi was with me the whole time except the time after school.
… In the end, I didn't get to bring up Nagato to Haruhi. It's probably because I was afraid of her answer that she doesn't know her or we never met her. I don't know… To pass my time and to get those thoughts out of my system, I decided to walk around aimlessly to look for Shamisen, whose disappearance is still a mystery. Where could that cat go? I went by the Koyounen Station and asked if they saw a cat pass by here. Unfortunately, they didn't.
I ended up just walking home, having nothing accomplished.
"… What a terrible luck I have being caught in all of this." I whispered to myself. I couldn't say anything else. After all, even though I don't admit it, I love being in these situations.
That's it. I am going to tell Haruhi tomorrow about Nagato, even if the feeling of her rejection kills me.
I opened the door, finding my sister sleeping on the floor, again. Is this going to be habit as long as Shamisen is gone?
"Ah, Kyon-kun… Welcome home…" She said, sounding weak. Something was different about her. Her face was all read, and even though almost unnoticeable, she was breathing harder than usual.
"Hey, is something wrong." I took off my shoes.
"Oh… no…" She said while standing up. "Nothing is… ah…" She fell towards me.
Hey! What's gotten in to you?
"Nothing… I just feel… A little hot…" she said weakly.
"Hot?" I touched her forehead. It was hot! You don't even need a thermometer to see if she had a fever. "What have you been doing?"
"I was…" She said. Her mouth was moving, but no words were coming out. It's that bad?
Don't talk. I'll call mom and dad and tell them to come home right away.
Ah, damn. I forgot that they went on a business trip across the country. Maybe I should call the doctors instead? Nah… I don't want my sister to leave the house… Ah, I know!
I picked up the phone and dialed a number. It rang.
"Hello?" The girl answered.
"Ah, hello Kimidori-san?"
"Oh, Kyon-kun. You sound a bit tired."
"I'm sorry to bother you right now, but can you come here right away?"
"Sure, but what's wrong?"
My sister has a fever, and it will be a bit of a problem to get transportation.
"Ah! Sure, I will be there in a few seconds."
Seconds…?
My pocket flashed. Oh, she means to use the bookmark… Luckily, my sister's eyes were closed. Kimidori-san materialized in front of me. "Get her into her room for me."
We rushed to her room. Man… Is my luck this bad?
"I have analyzed that she has a fever…"
That's pretty obvious.
"According from her memories, she was walking around town, looking for her cat… Then…"
Then what?
"Made contact with someone…"
A guy?
"No. It was a girl… It was her teacher…"
And?
"… That person was not a normal human being…"
… What now?
"She was a humanoid interface, sent by the Integrated Data Thought Entity… To get information…"
What kind?
"Information like where you live and where you are usually after school…"
Don't they already know that?
"It doesn't appear that way." She put her hand on my sister's forehead then glowed. "It seems that Nagato-san refused to provide that information in order to protect you."
"Ah…" My sister's facial expression became more relaxed. "So Nagato knew this would happen from the start, huh…?"
"… It does seem like it." Her eye twitched, looking like she had a sudden pain.
What's wrong?
"It's just… this virus is not an earthly virus… so it's taking quite more than I expected."
Don't tell me that this was caused by your Entity!
"… Unfortunately yes…"
… Damn it! What does my sister have to do with all of this?
"I do not know, but it seems like they want you to be caught in a trap."
… A trap?
"I am not sure…" She twitched again. "… But you must be cautious at all times…"
After a few minutes, my sister's face came back to normal. Kimidori-san put retreated her hand from my sister's forehead, and sighed in relief.
"You needn't worry any longer… She's now fast asleep."
I see… Thank you…
I guided her to the door.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble that the Entity has caused you… I am not in power at all, so I cannot do anything…" She began to sob, again.
"No… It's fine… It's just a bit too much to have my sister in it… As long as you're not cooperation with them, it's fine…"
There was a few moments of silence, then Kimidori-san left. I was left standing in front of the door alone with the sunset light reflected upon my face. I must feel very depressed to find myself go into that detail. In fact, I am that depressed… yet so mad…! They have no right to bring my sister into this at all! That's it… I am going to tell Haruhi everything tomorrow, definitely!
I went to my room then slept without changing.
It was a dreamless night. No rather I just don't remember the dream I had. After ten hours of sleep, morning came. It was seven-thirty in the morning… Wait seven thirty?! Crap I'm late!
I rushed to the bath room, brushed my teeth, fixed my hair, and went bustling downstairs.
Before I could go out the door, though, I wanted to see something.
"Are you feeling better this morning?" I went into my sister's room.
"Ah, Kyon-kun." She said while lying on her bed. "Yeah… Sorry about yesterday…"
It's fine… You should have called me right away. Don't make your brother worry like that in the spot.
"Sorry… Oh, by the way Kyon-kun…"
Yeah?
"Why are you in uniform?"
… What do you mean? I have school.
"It's Saturday…"
… It is? Are you serious?
She nodded then closed her eyes. She fell back asleep. I don't blame her. After getting a foreign virus, especially an unearthly one, I would probably feel the same way.
I forgot that it's a Saturday… That means I can't tell Haruhi anything today… It's going to be pointless to call her because she will just think of it as a joke and just hang up in the middle of my explanation. It's better to tell her personally. According to her, important matters should be discussed in person. This is a very important matter.
Since there was nothing to do, I decided to go back upstairs and take a really long bath… It's supposed to relax a person in stress, and I am in complete stress so I think you understand. Filling the bath is a pain. You have to wait for the water to heat up then wait until it's full, which is about ten minutes… But once I got in, all the thoughts in my head seemed like it was suddenly all removed. I don't know if I should be happy about that, but it sure made my morning…
"… What am I going to do…?" I suddenly said. My voice echoed in the bathroom. Suddenly my phone started vibrating. I picked it up and saw who it was.
…Haruhi, huh?
"Hello?" My voice echoed.
"Oh, Kyon. Are you in the bath?"
Yeah, so don't get any ideas now.
"What are you talking about, idiot!?" I heard a sigh. "Whatever. Anyway, come to our meeting place in the weekends again okay? At nine make sure to be there."
Yeah. I got it.
A beep ended our conversation. Are we going to go for a city-wide search again? I sighed hoping that we are not… I thought this was going to be resting day for all my efforts for searching for Shamisen and the thing to save Nagato, but I guess not. In a lot of ways, though, I'm kind of glad. I can't spend my days like this while my friends are in trouble, can I now. What do you think?
I stayed a few more minutes in the bathtub, and then got out. I drained all of the water and just watched it swirl around the drain. Even though all the water was gone, I can still feel the steam coming out of the wet bathtub wall. I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around my waist, and then exited the bathroom. For some reason, my sister was in my room, going through my drawer.
"You should be sleeping."
"Oh, Kyon-kun. Ah!" She covered her eyes.
What?
"Why don't you have a shirt on?"
I just got out of the bath.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" She came running out of the room. Is she in that phase where girls are embarrassed to see guys half naked? Well, it certainly helped my cause since I was just going to ask her to leave anyway. I closed the bathroom door and my room's door that my sister left open. I changed and then got downstairs immediately. Crap, it's already eight-fifteen…
"Hey! Promise me you're not going to do anything today but rest, okay?"
"… Okay…" She said, not complaining. Her face was a bit red, though.
I exited our house, unlocked my bike, and went full speed on. I don't want to repeat what I did… yesterday… That's right… The slumber party never happened in Nagato's house… Crap, now I'm feeling all depressed again. I shook my head, trying to get it thinking straight again.
I arrived at the usual spot. For some odd, but fortunate, reason, Haruhi wasn't there. Besides her, everyone else seems to be here.
"Where's Haruhi?"
"Ah, Kyon. Hello. Ms. Suzumiya said that she should be here in a few moments, but I am surprised that you beat her to it." Koizumi said with his, again, normal expression.
That is unusual isn't it?
"It indeed is." He looked over my shoulder. "And there she is now."
I looked over and there was Haruhi and… oh crap…
"Ah…!" Haruhi was apparently surprised on seeing me coming before her, even though I've already done that many times. "Wow, Kyon. You're on time this time."
"Yeah… And why did you bring her with you?"
"What are you talking about? She's been part of our club for the longest time."
What? She transferred to Canada two years ago! Don't you remember?
"… Huh? Are you a complete idiot or something?"
Damn. She won't listen. I turned to the girl. "What's going on, Asakura?"
She smiled intently with a puzzled look on her face. "What do you mean, Kyon? Is this some type of joke? Because it's a little… well out there…"
Don't screw with me, I thought.
"Well, are you sure you're feeling well? I heard your sister had a fever yesterday."
From your so called entity? "Yeah… She did." I tried not to sound mad, but my voice came out a little tense. "How did you know?"
"Kimidori-san told me yesterday when she passed by my apartment."
Kimidori-san? What was she doing passing by your apartment?
"She was dropping some of the plans for our class for the Christmas parties. She's a busy person, even busier than me."
I was still confused by what's going on… What's Asakura doing here? Was she sent to kill me or something? Because if she is, I can call Kimidori-san to kick her ass right now, or I could do it myself. But I'm not going to do it in front of Haruhi and the others; especially we're in the middle of the city.
"Ah, whatever…" Haruhi said. "Kyon probably had a horrible nightmare last night." I did not! "Let's go!" We went to the café and ordered our drinks. Everyone sat in their usual spots, but Asakura sat in Nagato's spot, which was right next to me. I almost fell trying to move away as far from her as possible.
"Why are you acting like an idiot, Kyon?" Haruhi asked, looking at me with a baffled look. You're the one being an idiot right now. Do you not recall anything?
"I'm not. There's just something weird about this seat."
"Oh. Do you want to switch?"
Nah… It's fine.
"Okay… Don't say I didn't offer." I won't. "Okay, let's start with today's meeting." She took two markers out of her mini bag around her waist then grabbed six tooth picks. She marked two of the toothpicks red, the other pair blue, and left the two blank. "We are going to postpone looking for the mysteries of this town and help Kyon find Shamisen." She reached out with the tooth picks upside down. "The red pair will look at the main streets of the city, the blue pair in the suspicious places, while the two that are left are going to search in the parks for possible hiding spots." Where are those suspicious places exactly?
I sighed. Anyway, I think I know who the unmarked picks are going to be picked by. Haruhi reached out to everyone in the table, letting us choose the toothpicks. I got the first unmarked one, like I expected. The second one was picked by Asakura, like I thought, again. Haruhi looked somewhat disappointed. The red pairs were Tsuruya-san and Haruhi, and then the blue pairs were Ms. Asahina and Koizumi. I swear Koizumi, if you do anything to Ms. Asahina, I will put your lights out forever.
"Remember Kyon, this isn't a date with the most popular girl in school! We're just helping you to find Shamisen, got it?" She violently sipped the last of her drink. You told me the same thing when I was paired up with Ms. Asahina two years ago. "We'll rendezvous here at twelve o'clock! Remember to contact each other if you found what we're looking for!" We exited the café, and then pointed at me. "Remember. Twelve o'clock exactly, got it?" What did I do? Ah whatever. At least I got paired with the person I want to.
When the groups separated, Asakura took my hand. "Let's go." Even though it was very unpleasant her holding my hand, I couldn't help my heart race faster. Her face is cute, and I am a guy that has its urges at times. We reached the road right next to the river bank. She let go of my hand. "So I presume you have questions for me?"
You think? "Yeah, I handful of them. One was the one ask you earlier. Why are you here?"
"Well…" She cupped her hands together catching some falling leaves. "… to be honest, I got tired."
Got tired? What do you mean?
"I mean I got tired of trying to force things out of Ms. Suzumiya. I have been trying to get myself out by orders about four hundred years from now, but they didn't let me go."
Four hundred years ago, including when Haruhi caused the time loop?
"Yeah…"
Why were you trying to go back?
"Well because there was nothing to do up there but observe on alls end… I could not do anything since my mission was forcibly aborted by Nagato-san deleting my data here on Earth. Twice in the matter of fact."
Yeah, I was there, I thought. "What made them change their mind?"
"They didn't." She looked worried now. "I told you. I was tired of being ordered to go and not to go places, so I engaged to Emergency mode and transported here."
What happened to Haruhi's memories? Why doesn't she remember that you supposedly transferred out?
"I took care of that. I averted her memories about me and put in other details." She smiled. "It would be a bother to answer a lot of questions that I don't have the information to, don't you think?"
There is some truth to that… I presume you did the same thing to everyone? The manager of your apartment, all of our classmates, and a lot more?
"Yes. Well except for the other interfaces and the ones that somehow didn't get affected by the entity's program to erase all memory data that is related to Nagato-san." She frowned. "Unfortunately I used most of my data manipulation ability to do all those, so I am almost powerless. But thanks to that, I won't be tracked by the Integrated Data Thought Entity. At least until I have enough signal for them to become aware of me missing."
So they didn't send you to kill me?
"As much as I would enjoy it…" She said, sounding as she was joking. "… No, they didn't."
Be serious with me, Asakura!
"I am being serious, Kyon. Well, I wasn't serious on the part when I said I would love to kill you, though."
Come to think of it, Nagato said that the program in the bookmark would activate when there was a danger coming to me within fifty-feet. It will either call out other interfaces that are against their own entity, like Kimidori-san, or force me to go into "frenzy mode." I call it that because battle mode is not very original.
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"
"Yeah, that's it for now… Even though I don't trust it a hundred percent."
"I understand, but in time I hope you will believe me." Like that could ever happen. You attempted to kill me twice for crying out loud. That isn't really the easiest thing to forgive.
"Yeah… I hope so too…" I said in return. "Anyway, let's put this aside. Haruhi will probably get mad at us for being late."
"But it's only…" She looked over her watch. "Oh my, it's already eleven thirty… My internal time management is also not in good condition. Sorry about that."
"Yeah, forget it. Let's go." She nodded and we started walking back. "Asakura, one more thing…"
"Yes?"
Which side are you on? The radical's or Nagato's?
She smiled. "Think what you think for now, Kyon… I'll let you know in time."
That doesn't sound so reassuring.
"Well, I'm not the only one that has secrets, am I right?" She looked at me weirdly, like I'm some stalker. Hey, you don't have the right to do that.
I sighed. It wasn't very long until we saw Haruhi's disappointed face, standing on top of the bench, looking at us as if we were her children that disobeyed her.
"Kyon, you're late! Penalty!" Aye ma'am… I'm already used to this anyway…
We went into the café again, and bought ourselves some lunch. By ourselves, I mean me. Then Haruhi once again let us choose our groups anonymously. I, once again, got the unmarked pick. I waited for my other person, but I wasn't happy to know who it was… Unlike last time, there was a bright smile on Haruhi's face. Did you really wanted to be paired up with your so called lowest rank member?
"All right, time to move out! Make sure to go through standard procedures and rendezvous here at two. Got it? Good!" Standard procedures? What does that mean?
The group split up, and Haruhi dragged me along to the road next to the river.
"Wait, I thought we were supposed to go to the park?"
"I changed plans. Besides…" Haruhi looked like a grandfather who became proud of his grandson having a girlfriend, or having intercourse with her. "… You and Asakura went this way."
What the-? How did you know?
"Tsuruya-san and I started to spy on you guys."
It's not really spying now that you told me.
"So, what kind of relationship do you and Asakura have? Huh? And what's this about her killing you? Are you accusing a girl of attempted murder? Who's this Nagato girl? And why are you picking sides to choose, huh? Are you going to betray the SOS brigade for another club? I'm disappointed in you!" She ended the bullet worth of question with that statement.
"Geez…" I sighed. Looks like I finally have the opportunity to tell her. "Haruhi…" I looked over her and she was staring at the water.
"It's just not fair…" she whispered.
"What are you talking about?"
She almost jumped. "Whoa Kyon! I forgot you were here."
Thanks… Anyway Haruhi I have something to tell you.
"Ah…? What is it? A love confession? Are you going to two time Asakura?"
"I'm not two timing anybody, and that's not it!" I think I might have went overboard there.
"Geez Kyon, it's only a joke. Learn how to take one." She sighed. "Anyway, what is it? I'm pretty sure it's useless, but tell me anyway."
Don't say it's useless until you listen. Here goes… "Haruhi, are you sure that you don't know Nagato?"
"Yeah? I've never met a Nagato before."
Well you have.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"The day you dragged me to the clubroom and decided that you own it, there was a girl sitting in the corner, reading silently."
Silence.
"That was Nagato Yuki. She was the one you said was a valuable member of the SOS Brigade and will never be completed without her. She was the one who comes up with alternate choices if Koizumi doesn't have one. She was the one who helped the Brigade all these times, and we returned the favor by saving the literature club."
There was still silence.
A few minutes later, finally…
"Ah… so this Nagato Yuki has been a part of our group, you say?"
"Yes, do you remember her now?" I got my hopes up that she would.
"I see…" She was smiling. This isn't something to be smiling about. "… So you're trying to prove someone's existence of someone I never met before?"
You have met her before, Haruhi!
"No I haven't! I'm not going to fall to your lame jokes Kyon! If there is Nagato Yuki at all in this world, why don't I know her?"
"This isn't a joke damn it!" We were arguing now.
"Yeah, and what you said that Koizumi was an Esper, and Mikuru-chan is a time-traveler wasn't a joke either! Enough with this farce, Kyon! It's not funny!" She started to stomp away.
"Haruhi…!"
"Enough! Now let's continue our search." She commanded.
Shit… She won't listen… What do I do? Is there no hope at all? Is there definitely no way that Nagato could be saved? Am I really out of my head? Every hope is blacking out of my eyes.
… Then suddenly I remembered something. My only shining hope. The thing that I haven't spoken in a year.
"Haruhi." I called her.
"What? I'm already annoyed as it is, so this better be good."
I took a deep breath. "…Do you remember the name John Smith?"