Chapter 17: Just an Ordinary Girl
After a good solid five minutes of ranting, raving, and generally losing her mind, Haruhi finally wound down and stood in front of her friends, panting and trembling, her eyes red and puffy from unshed tears.
"You done?" Kazuma asked, sounding bored.
"And you are an annoying asshole with no empathy!" Haruhi snarled at him.
"Well excuse me, Princess," the obnoxious boy said, rolling his eyes.
Haruhi stepped forward, sticking her face in Kazuma's. "You don't get to call me that. Only my dad gets to call me that. You understand, jackass?"
"Sure thing. Princess," Kazuma said, a smirk on his lips.
Haruhi raised a hand to slap him, her nostrils flaring in anger, but then she sagged, deflating. "And...and thank you. For...for saving Yuki and Aqua. I...I don't know...if they'd been hurt…"
"They were hurt, because they get wrapped up in your juvenile antics!" Kazuma snapped. "You're just lucky it wasn't worse!"
"My antics!? My antics!? What have I ever done to you!? I didn't want anyone to get kidnapped or shot, or, or anything!" Haruhi cried, hot tears finally leaking down her cheeks. "This isn't what I wanted!"
"We know. You'd never want Yuki to get hurt," Mikuru said gently, stepping forward and holding up a lace hankie.
"Thanks," Haruhi mumbled, taking it and wiping at her eyes before blowing her nose. She sighed and shook her head, then gave Mikuru a pained look. "Why...why didn't you tell me?"
Mikuru hung her head. "I couldn't. B-before I met Aqua and joined her cult, I, um, I couldn't tell anyone. I'd just say...Classified Information. And, um...Haruhi...now that you do know...they're going to take me away…"
"WHAT?! They can't DO that! You're my friend! I just asked you out on a date!" Haruhi wailed. "I don't even know if I like you like that, but...but I wanted to find out, damn it!"
"I...I was going to say yes," Mikuru said, taking Haruhi's hand in hers and smiling. "I, um, I've never been on a date...in the future...you're just told who your breeding partner will be based upon optimum genetic results. I...I didn't think I'd ever get to just...have fun. But with you, I did! And, um, well, even if...even if I didn't always like that you bossed me around...I was your friend. I hope?"
"I...yes. I guess you didn't have a choice, and now you're going to get taken away," Haurhi said bleakly. Then she rounded on Kyon and Koizumi. "Alright, what are your excuses!?"
"Well, you see, I simply didn't wish to disturb your emotional state," Koizumi laughed, smiling awkwardly. "Besides I don't think you would have believed me if I had said anything. The truth is, I've been trying to shepard you, preparing you for the day that you would come to the realization that-"
It was fake, Haruhi realized as she tuned out Koizumi's words. The smile. The laugh. He was lying. Koizumi was lying to her face. How often had he done that?
"Has one word you've ever spoken to me been true?" Haruhi demanded, interrupting Koizumi
Koizumi jerked back, the smile slipping . "Miss Suzumiya! I've always worked for your best interest, trying to keep you happy and entertained. Haven't you enjoyed the last year?"
"I thought I had," Haruhi muttered. She turned to Kyon, feeling heartsick. "What about you? You gonna lie to me too?"
"Honestly, at first, I didn't believe any of this was real," Kyon said, gesturing vaguely at the carnage at the warehouse. Where were the cops? Why hadn't anyone come? There had been gunshots, the building was half wrecked. What was going on here? "Time travelers? Aliens? Espers? Sliders? I didn't believe in any of it."
"I'd buy that, but you clearly knew about time travel if you went back three years to meet past me. So why lie? Why not tell me! I've been searching for interesting people all my life, and you were right here in front of me!"
"Because…" Kyon sighed. "Because I was having fun. And...I didn't want the good times to end. Plus...telling you didn't seem wise. There was the Data Overmind, and the Organization and-"
"Data What Now?" Haruhi demanded.
"Ah, that would be the alien entity that created Miss Nagato," Koizumi said by way of explanation. "It's a Type III being on the Kardashev scale, and created a series of Humanoid Interfaces to monitor you."
Haruhi blinked, then her jaw dropped. "A Type III!? As in, it can harness all the energy output of an entire GALAXY!?"
"My best estimates would lead me to believe that to be true, yes. It's one reason we kept this from you, from the public in general. Knowing such a being exists, and that it could wipe out our entire civilization with minimal effort...it's a staggering thought, don't you think?" Koizumi mused.
"Well...maybe. But...aren't I supposed to be super powerful or whatever? I'm not sure I believe that, but couldn't I have done, I don't know...something!? And why did this… data thingy let Yuki get hurt? Doesn't it care about her?"
"That alien bastard had threatened to remove Yuki more than once. I had to threaten it with telling you the truth just to get it to stop," Kyon explained. "Then it started with the Sky Canopy Dominion, basically torturing Yuki to get her to give in."
"More aliens?" Haruhi demanded.
"Yes," Kyon agreed. "I'm sorry, Haruhi. I would have told you but…"
"But I'm some sort of kaiju in human form and you're all afraid of me," Haruhi said, feeling utterly defeated. "I supposedly have these incredible powers, but I couldn't do anything to save Yuki or Aqua."
"Useless goddess," Kazuma agreed, earning him venomous looks from the others, even Mikuru.
"I just...I need some time to think about this," Haruhi said, turning away. "I don't know how to feel. Everything I thought I wanted and then...why didn't any of you trust me?"
"See, this is why I said we should just tell her in the first place. But whatever. Now that you know, I expect payment," Kazuma said.
"Payment? Haruhi asked, blinking.
"For saving Yuki. I'll accept you isekai'ing Aqua and me back to Belzerg. Oh, and you have to make Aqua a goddess again, that's important to her."
"How about this?" Haruhi asked, and flipped Kazuma off. "You know, I almost felt grateful to you for a moment there. Now I just want to slap you." Haruhi turned away, wandering off from the others.
"Haruhi, wait, I-" Kyon began, hurrying up to her and reaching for her.
She just slapped his hand away. "Leave me alone, Kyon. I just want to be alone for a bit."
"Look, I'm sorry, I never meant for you to learn like this. I just...I wanted us to keep having fun. It's been...it's been great."
"Yeah. Sure. But it was all fake. The whole time," Haruhi said, feeling dead tired. She shuffled further off, leaving the others behind. Koizumi made to go after her, but Kyon and Kazuma stopped him. Good. She didn't feel like talking anymore.
After walking aimlessly along the road for a few minutes, she sat at a run down bus stop and curled up on the seat, letting out all the tears and frustration she felt. After a few minutes of feeling lost, she pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Hey, sweetie, what's up?" her mother's chipper voice said over the speaker.
"Mom, I need you to come get me," Haruhi whispered. "I'm scared."
"Haruhi? Haruhi, what's going on!? Are you OK?! Where are you, what happened?"
"I...I'm at the bus stop on Nakashima street, by the warehouse district. I...I'm not hurt, I just…"
"Ok, ok, stay right there, I'll be there soon. Do I need to call your father?"
"No, not dad. Just...can you come get me?"
"Yes, yes, I'll be there soon, don't go anywhere and call me if anything happens!"
The phone clicked off, and Haruhi curled back into a ball, hiding her face between her knees and rocking back and forth. She didn't know how long she sat there, but she did hear her mother coming. The squeal of tires around the corner and then the screech of brakes as the car slid right past Haruhi, then a door slamming.
"Haruhi, Haruhi are you OK!?"
She looked up to find her mother dashing over, looking completely panic stricken. Her face was smeared with paint, and she had her hair tied up in a bandana and wore a dirty old t-shirt. She must have been working when Haruhi called.
"Hey, mom," Haruhi sniffed, uncurling as her mother scooped her up into a hug. "Sorry to worry you. I just…"
"Shhh, it's OK, it's OK, I'm here now," her mother said breathlessly. She looked like she'd been crying, probably the entire way over to get Haruhi, but she'd forced herself to stop once she got her. Haruhi appreciated that. They'd probably both start sobbing uncontrollably in a minute or two if she wasn't careful. Instead, she pressed herself against her mother, letting the old familiar comfort keep away her fears for just a moment.
"Ok. I won't ask any questions, but...you know you can talk to me, right?" her mother said after a minute, leaning back and smoothing the hair back from Haruhi's face.
"My friends...they got hurt, mom," Haruhi said quietly. "Kidnapped."
"Oh no, oh no, who, who got kidnapped?!" her mother asked, fear splitting her face.
"Just...Yuki, and a freshman, Aqua. They're...they're OK now, but...I was scared."
"I see. But they're alright now?"
"No. Do, um, do you know Tsuruya?"
"You don't mean-" her mother's face went dark for a moment. "Yes. Yes I do. Was she and her family behind this?"
"What? No! Why would you think that!? She got shot, rescuing Yuki and Aqua! It was...it was crazy! There was this other boy, Kazuma Sato and-" Haruhi cut herself off, not wanting to say too much. She could not get her parents involved in this. Or let them think she was insane for claiming to have seen a half-oni, an alien, and a slider with magic powers.
"Oh. Well. Did, ah, did you call the police?" her mother asked, looking worried again.
"I did at first but...I think Kazuma's connected to...some sort of gang. Er, the Silver Masked gang? Anyway, he helped rescue the others and I...I guess I should have called the police."
"Don't worry about it. What matters is that you and your friends are safe. What about...Tsuruya? Is she…?"
"She got taken to the hospital. I think...I think we should go see her."
Haruhi's mother's mouth formed into a thin line, and for a moment she thought she was going to say no. Then she sighed and nodded. "Yes, I suppose we should. I had better give your aunt a call. She'll have to see to this."
"Why would Aunty T need to see to this?" Haruhi asked, feeling a bit confused as she stepped over to the car and slid into the passenger seat.
Her mother groaned and shook her head. "Because she's the best doctor I know about, and considering they're your friends...they should get the best medical care. Along with...other things."
Buckling up, Haruhi glanced over at her mother, who was biting her lip and looking at her, a concerned look on her face. She blushed, feeling guilty. "What?"
"Is there...anything else? You know you can trust me, right? Just...tell me, or your father. We can help. I know what you're going through, Haruhi. The fear, the worry...you can talk to me."
I really think you don't, Haruhi thought. Her mother had never had anyone tell her she was a goddess. Well, aside from her father, but that hardly counted. Her mother wasn't bad looking, even now that she was middle aged. Actually, if Haruhi looked as good as her mother did after having a child and getting that old she would probably be rather lucky. But instead of confessing everything, she just said, "I do. I don't understand what's going on, but I know I can count on you and dad."
Her mother waited a moment longer, studying Haruhi's face. Then she sighed and nodded. "Alright. But really, Haruhi. You can tell us anything. We're here for you. Here, take my phone, call your aunt. You can talk to her too, if I'm too embarrassing. I know you've always wished I were more interesting."
"You're plenty interesting mom," Haruhi said, and meant it. "You came when I needed you."
Her mother sniffed and wiped away a tear, but started up the car. Haruhi leaned back in the seat, and tapped in her aunt's number.
"Hey, Aunty T?" Haruhi said when the line picked up. "It's your niece."
"Haruhi? Why are you calling me from your mother's number? Is everything alright?"
"No, actually. My mom and I are fine, it's just...one of my friends, Tsuruya, got shot. I...I was hoping you could help her."
"Tsuruya? Wait, you don't mean- she's your friend? How? Does your mother know?" her aunt demanded.
Haruhi frowned and glanced over at her mother, who was muttering to herself. She lowered her voice, turning away and whispered, "Ok, why do you and mom not like Tsuruya? She's a perfectly nice girl! She just risked herself to save two of my friends!"
"Well, I suppose. Was anyone else hurt?"
"My friends, Yuki Nagato and Aqua Mizu. They-" Haruhi had been about to say they weren't human, but she bit her tongue.
"Oh! Well, I'll see to them, of course. You're lucky, I'm in town for a few days so I won't have to fly in. East Hospital, I assume?"
"Yeah, that's where we're going now."
"Good, they handle the unusual cases so they should be set up for those three. Don't worry, Haruhi, your friends are in good hands."
"Thanks," Haruhi said, and made to hang up.
"Oh, one other thing. Is there...anything else you want to tell me?"
Haruhi froze, and nearly hit the red button anyway. She swallowed and forced chipperness into her voice. "No, I don't know much about their injuries, and I figure you'll be able to treat them best."
"Anything about yourself? Are you alright? Something you want to let me know?"
"I'm terrified and I feel sick, but...I guess that's what happens when you see your friends get kidnapped by the Yakuza."
"Oh it was them, was it? Well. Make sure you let my husband and your father know. I'd better get going. I'll talk to you more at the hospital."
With that, her aunt hung up. Haruhi looked at the phone in puzzlement for a moment, then glanced at her mom. "Mom, why would Aunty T want me to tell uncle and dad the Yakuza were the ones who kidnapped my friends and hurt them?"
"Probably so they can start preparing. Your uncle always did over do it," her mother said absently, her eyes fixed on the road.
Ok, something was up. Her uncle Haruhi could understand someone confusing her uncle with a superhero. The man held records in half a dozen sports and had taught Haruhi a number of self defense techniques that were brutally effective. Someone could probably mistake him for Japanese Batman, complete with the surgically removed sense of humor. But her dad? Her dad was an overweight middle aged salesman who moonlighted as an otaku. Sure, he was great, but he was just about the last person Haruhi could imagine taking on dozens of yakuza.
Then again, her judgement of people close to her seemed to be seriously flawed, so who knew?
When they got to the hospital, the receptionist informed them Haruhi's aunt was treating her friends, who were in stable condition. They would have to wait to learn more. Haruhi slumped into a chair next to her mother, leaning on her shoulder. In a few minutes, she drifted off to sleep, allowing herself to forget her troubles as her mother hugged her close.
Slowly, Aqua came back to consciousness. Everything hurt. This was a mostly novel experience for Aqua, and one she didn't appreciate. In her time as a goddess, pain and suffering had been somewhat muted. Sure, she could get hurt, and she could feel pain, but her divine nature had protected her from the most dire of consequences.
But what had happened in that warehouse…
Aqua shivered and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the memories. That...thing...that looked like a human girl and reached into Aqua's mind, and tried to pry something out of her. Something that wasn't there, but she'd scraped Aqua's body and soul raw in doing so and it had been torture.
But then...he'd come. Kazuma had come. He'd saved her. And when he'd picked her up...Aqua had felt safe. Even safer than she'd ever felt in heaven itself. It had been nice.
"Can you hear me? Are you awake?"
"R-rista?" Aqua croaked, and her eyes slid open slightly. Her vision swam a little, and all she could see were vague outlines. "Am I...am I in heaven again?"
"No, you're not. You're on Earth."
"Oh. I...don't mind...Just...what was it like, Rista? When they kicked you out…"
"She's delusional," another voice, male this time, said.
"That would be the morphine talking, then," Rista's voice said. Only...it wasn't quite right. "Listen to me, Aqua. You're going to be alright. We're taking good care of you. Alright, the rest of you go see to the others, I want to speak to the patient alone."
There was a shuffling sound, and most of the shapes vanished. Then one leaned in and removed the mask over her face.
"Rista," Aqua whispered, smiling. "I thought…"
"I'm not Rista. My name is Doctor Tiana," the woman said firmly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. You look...you look like my friend, Rista. She was a goddess of healing," Aqua said, still feeling exhausted. Her mind swam, even more muddled than normal, and she had a hard time focusing.
The woman smiled faintly, and she did look a lot like Ristarte, the former goddess of healing. Her hair was wrong though, brown instead of blonde, and she had crows feet around her eyes. Goddesses didn't age, so she couldn't have been Rista. Only, wasn't Rista…?
"I'll take that as a compliment. I'm the head of a special department here at East Hospital. I must say, you're one of the more unique patients I've had the pleasure of treating."
"I...I'm human, I...I think?" Aqua croaked. She couldn't remember. "I chose...I chose…"
"You made your Choice? Already?" Doctor Tiana asked, looking startled.
"I chose to slap the Chief," Aqua finished, finally remembering. "I...I couldn't let...couldn't let Kazuma go. Not...not my bestest bud. He's changing, he…" Aqua couldn't finish the sentence. Kazuma was...what? He was different. No, that wasn't right.
"I'm different," Aqua realized.
Doctor Tiana sighed. "I'll treat you as best I can. But your problems go deeper than what modern medicine can do for you. Can you describe what happened to you?"
"The weird girl, and that boy, they...they tried to take something from me, but I didn't have it," Aqua explained. "I don't...is Yuki alright?"
"Ms. Nagato is recovering. She was exposed to some elements that are anathema to someone of her nature. It's troubling in the extreme that those two beings would go to war with one another. Typically they avoid each other."
"Well, as long as Yuki is OK. I think...I think I made her creator angry when I made her a person. She didn't have a proper soul, so I gave her one," Aqua said sleepily.
"Ah. That makes sense. Well. So that's what's happening. Hmm. I'll need to talk to some of the others. Thank you, Aqua. Here. Drink this. They're rare, but I think we can spare one for you."
A glowing vial of blue liquid was held up, and Aqua wrinkled her nose at it. "Mana potions taste yucky."
The doctor sighed in exasperation. "Take your medicine, dear. Just think of it as bubbly."
"Fine." Aqua reluctantly drank the potion, and felt a little better afterwards.
"I'm going to give you a little something else in your IV, to help you sleep," Doctor Tiana said, reaching up and injecting a vial of liquid into Aqua's drip. "You'll feel better when you wake up."
"Thanks, Rista," Aqua mumbled. "Oh, sorry. I forgot…"
Doctor Tiana smiled sadly, then shook her head. "Your welcome, Aqua. Sleep well."
As Aqua drifted off to sleep, she imagined Kazuma was carrying her in his arms, back to their house with all their friends. Megumin and Darkness were there, but also Yuki, and Mikuru, and even Koizumi.
A part of Aqua frowned. This wasn't right. What she was imagining...she wasn't a mortal lover.
But the rest of Aqua just wanted to stay in Kazuma's arms forever.
Trembling slightly, Mikuru pulled out her chair. She glanced over at Wells, who wasn't eating his dinner. Instead, the cat moved forward, rubbing himself against his mistress's legs and purring. Sniffling, Mikuru picked the cat up and hugged him close. "I'll miss you, Wells. You were a good kitty."
Wells meowed, sensing his servant's mood but uncertain of the cause. It was so hard to find good help these days.
With a sigh, Mikuru set Wells down. "I'll leave a note for someone to look after you...hopefully Kyon or Haruhi see it and will make sure you have a good home."
Wells meowed again, then jumped up on the table, regarding Mikuru skeptically.
"It's OK, you won't go hungry," Mikuru promised, then forced herself to sit. She closed her eyes, composing herself, then managed, "A-Agent Meido, r-reporting as ordered."
Meido! The electronic voice thundered in Mikuru's mind, making her squeal in pain and panic and cover her head with her hands. What is the meaning of this!? You have broken cover and violated every conceivable part of the TPDD's charter!
"W-well, I...I had to! H-Haruhi was upset, and um, keeping her happy was-"
Your mission was to keep Haruhi Suzumiya pacified and under surveillance to ascertain the cause of the time quakes in order to stabilize the time planes! Instead, time quakes are spreading and increasing in magnitude! You have failed, Meido.
"W-well..." Mikuru squared her shoulders, and pressed forward. "I don't regret it! You...you were wrong! I should have just tried to be Haruhi's friend! That's what she needed, not a toy! I could have helped her, somehow! We should have just told her the truth and asked for her help, she's a good person, I know it! And I-"
Mikuru suddenly went stiff, then slumped, her body losing all motor control. She tried to move, but she could barely even breathe.
The Board has reviewed your file, Meido. You were a mistake to commission as a Time Agent in the first place. Your career is a series of blunders. Those who approved your commissioning will be censured. As you are a liability, and a trained Time Agent, you will be decommissioned immediately.
The air warped around Mikuru, and she found herself laying on a flat metal slab, far in the future. She was in the decommissioning chambers. Also known as the incinerator.
"No, please!" Mikuru gasped. She managed to sit up, then throw herself off the slab. Trembling, she crawled towards the exit. Behind her, the pilot lights glowed to life. She screamed in pain, as her TPDD was ripped out of her head. Dazed and stunned, she lay on the floor, unable to move again.
She closed her eyes, whimpering and whispered, "I'm sorry, Haruhi. I would have really liked to go on that date…"
But instead of flames, Mikuru felt the air warp around her again. When time calmed, Mikuru gasped and sat up. She looked around, and found herself in one of the utilitarian apartments of her time. "What?"
"It's alright. You're safe. Agent Meido was decommissioned, as scheduled."
Mikuru blinked, then turned to see a woman about a decade older than her smile at her from a nearby chair. Then Mikuru blinked again. The woman looked oddly…
"Are you...are you my mother?" Mikuru gasped.
"No!" the other woman laughed. "And before you ask, no, I'm not your older sister either. I'm you."
"What!? But, but, but agents are forbidden from meeting their future selves! It could cause a time quake!" Mikurku babbled, trying to edge away from herself.
"It's a bit late for that for you," her older self said, sounding amused. "Besides, I'm not really you. Just...well, I suppose a possible you?"
"Oh, um, is this that multiverse theory stuff? I, um, I failed that test...I don't know how I still became an agent," Mikuru admitted.
"Why, because of me! I make sure all versions of myself are marked with passing grades and become Time Agents," her older self laughed.
"But that...that's...that makes my head hurt," Mikuru muttered, trying to understand just what was going on.
"I understand. Most days I'm so confused I can't hardly make heads or tails of anything. But I keep on trying, to fight for the future. So the world doesn't end up this way," the older Mikuru sighed. "Most of the time I succeed. Or you do? I guess I failed in my timeline, because this future still exists."
"That doesn't make any sense," Mikuru muttered.
Her older self smiled and shrugged. "I know, I think it's silly myself, but what can you do? It's worth it, to make sure someone has a happy ending, right?"
"I guess?"
"Good. Well, let me explain what's going to happen. Or at least, what I remember happening when I was you. Or at least, a possible version of you and another me did this," older Mikuru said.
"Can I just call you Big Me? Because trying to keep track of this is making my head hurt, and I just had my TPDD yanked," Mikuru pleaded.
"That's what we usually do, yes, Little Me."
"Oh good. Um, so, can I go back?"
"Yes, you can. You haven't failed yet," Big Me said with a gentle smile. She held out a glowing object. "Here. A special TPDD. Just for you."
"Oh!" Mikuru eagerly took the object, and felt the TPDD slot itself back into her head. "Um, but I thought I was decommissioned."
"You were, and as far as the TPDD is concerned, you're dead," Big Me agreed.
"Is it just me, or is it really confusing that the Time Police Defense Department uses Temporal Plane Displacement Devices?" Mikuru asked.
"No, no, every Mikuru I've ever talked to agrees. It's very silly."
"Oh good," Mikuru said, feeling relieved. Then very, very confused.
"Anyway, this device isn't connected to the TPDD's mainframe. It's special. It doesn't have as much power, and can't make very large or frequent jumps in time. Only small ones, and only rarely. Use it only when you have no other choice."
"Um, OK," Mikuru agreed. "But, ah, does it have a calculator?"
"Yes, and I included the answers to your next few history and literature exams too. You don't need the stress of studying right now."
"Oh, thank you! I always get so confused about what has and hasn't happened yet…"
"I understand, do I ever! Now, one other thing: There's a rogue agent in your time plane. You have to stop him."
"Fujiwara?" Mikuru guessed. "Is he...really my brother?"
"He's one possible variation of a potential sibling of ours, yes," Older Mikuru said sadly. "And, well...he's kind of a big meanie."
"I could tell. I was glad Kazuma knocked the big jerk silly," Mikuru said seriously, even though she felt guilty about wishing anyone ill.
"That won't be enough. Fujiwara is dangerous. He's not part of the TPDD either, though he's connected to it through a few other rogue agents. You have to stop him and his plans."
"What are they?" Mikuru asked eagerly.
"Um, well, you see...I don't know. They're always different," Big Me admitted. "But the important part is this: Don't let him get Haruhi, or Sasaki. I'm sending you back now. We likely won't talk again, and if we do, you'll be the Big One, and you'll be talking to a little version of ourselves. I hope that never happens. Sometimes, we do win, and the future can be bright."
"Ok. What about Yuki?" Mikuru asked as she felt time shift around her again.
"Her too. She was a good friend, and her power could be devastating if in the wrong hands" Big Me answered.
"And Aqua?" Mikuru asked, but it was too late. She vanished from the future, hopefully for the last time.
When Mikuru awoke, she was lying in her own bed. Her real bed, in her apartment, and Wells was sleeping at her feet. She sat up, picking up the cat and hugging him tightly.
"I'm back! I'm sorry if you were worried, Wells! Oh, I'm free! No more reports! No more censuring! I...I can just be a regular girl!"
Wells yowled, unappreciative of the sudden outpouring of affection and the interruption to his nap.
Letting the cat go, Mikuru sat up and tried to think. What should she do? Well, first, she was going to be honest with her friends from now on. Even Koizumi. It was too hard to keep secrets anyway. As for the second…
"I won't let you hurt my friends, Fujiwara. Even if you might be my brother from another timeplane," Mikuru vowed.
Then she lay down and went back to sleep. Two near death experiences were enough excitement for one day.