Cool Edition Redux is a fan based writing set at the beginning of "The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya" but in an alternate universe.
Sliders. The common description is people who jump through different dimensions. As someone who has traveled to a few, I've found this one to be a bit closer to the Omega dimension mostly referred to as the original dimension. This dimension, referenced as Zeta, is a near carbon copy of the original with some varying differences. A consequence of living here is understanding that one day, I'll have to return to the Omega dimension and likely do this all over again under different pretenses. I dread the fact that those I've begun connecting with here will be nothing more than a memory, it's as if this was all a training exercise.
"Suzumiya-san." I heard a voice call out to me, it caused my eyes to snap towards their direction. Long beautiful flowing blue hair bounced in front of me. I knew it could only belong to one person.
"Asakura-san, I think we've reached a point where you do not need to refer to me by my family name."
"Takashi. It usually isn't like you to be so deep in thought during lunch time. Is something wrong? Is it your sister?"
The class rep, Ryoko Asakura and I were on friendly terms. Some would even say that I was likely the most qualified person to be with an AA+ beauty.
"She's still at the hospital." I replied flatly, eyes drifting away from her gaze. I never liked looking Ryoko in the eyes because she was too good at reading me.
"At least you're being a good big brother by ensuring she remains caught up with her school work."
"I'm hardly the big one between us. I'm only ten minutes older." That's right, in this dimension, I'm Haruhi's fraternal twin. A shock to many with how our personalities contrast with each other and yet we somehow end up always doing things together.
"Normally I'd cut through that cool exterior of yours like a sharp knife but today I'll be kind. How's Kyon doing? Has there been any updates on his condition?" The expression on Ryoko's face was genuine. It's strange to see her caring about Kyon like this. After all, I was fully aware of what she's truly like in the Omega dimension. There's also the part where she's partially responsible for his current condition but that's something to talk about later.
"Nothing new so far but the medical staff are confident that he'll make a full recovery."
"Well Takashi, if you need anything…" I cut her off.
"To call you. I know Ryoko. You do an amazing job as a class representative. We'd all be a lot worse off without you." I'd say offering her a short lived smile. Maybe it was a trick of the light but it seemed as if her cheeks flushed.
"Just remember to take care of yourself okay? I mean it. You know the consequences of my wrath if you don't." Before I could reply, she offered me her trademark warm smile and walked off to attend to other duties.
It was much later in the day, I arrived at the hospital. The hospital staff gave me less of a hassle to check in than the previous day, likely just glad that Kyon had so many friends to come and visit him at different hours of the day. Once I made it to his floor, I was stopped by Koizumi on the way to Kyon's room.
"Hey Takashi, do you have a moment?" There was something about his phrasing that irked me lightly. Normally I found myself getting along with Koizumi without much issue and yet, there were times when he said things like this that got under my you really let this conversation wait if it wasn't important Itsuki?
"It's unlikely that I'd allow you to enter Kyon's room without discussing the implications of where things stand right now." He'd seem to be scanning my expression for any cracks in my armor.
"Are you worried that all this frustration she's putting on herself will cause the closed spaces to begin reopening?"
"That would be a correct assumption, however I also come to you as a friend who's willing to help another during a difficult time." He'd give me a light pat on the shoulder that almost seemed reassuring. Before answering him, I looked up and down the halls of the current floor. The nurses appeared to be busy, attending to other patients
"It's very likely that any closed space generation will decrease with Kyon awakening but we both already know that. If this is your way of hoping that I can turn that chance into a zero, I'll see what I can do but this is Haruhi we're talking about. I say one wrong thing and it all goes up in smoke." .
"You both have quite the close relationship which should be expected from twins. However, knowing how both Suzumiyas tend to be dishonest with their feelings at times, I can only deduce that your words would come off as…" I didn't let him finish.
"Harsh? I'll just keep reminding her not to blame herself. No one could have seen this accident coming after all." Koizumi still managed to keep a smile on his face through my explanation. Eventually his face became more serious with his next question.
"I'd be grateful if you could lend your aid in dealing with Suzumiya-san's state. The Agency would be in your debt once again and I'm sure Nagato-san would be grateful."
There was a sigh that escaped me and I simply shrugged my shoulders in response before entering Kyon's room. From my angle I could see the back of my sister's head and without any hesitation I gave her an affectionate chop causing her to turn around to look at me with a look that only read danger.
"What was that for?" She said, still staring daggers in my direction.
"You have that stupid look of concern on your face. Kyon's going to be okay, it's not your fault." My tone was nonchalant while I joined her in sitting by Kyon's bed side.
"Yeah well, he was carrying the equipment on my behalf and as the brigade chief, anyone who gets hurt under my watch is my responsibility!" Haruhi replied with her usual fervor. While it was true she had a deep affection for all of her friends, it was clear to me that Kyon was special to her and anything bad that happened to him, she took it extra personally. It was sort of cute to see someone my sister cared so much about.
"I mean it! It's not just because it's Kyon you know. Imagine if this was…" I cut her off knowing full well what she was going to say next.
"Don't you dare say what I know you're thinking Haruhi. This situation isn't your fault but I can at least say that if you didn't stop to argue that Kyon would have likely not had such a bad trip." My statement only caused her to stare at me with playful contempt. She pouted, not daring to utter those cursed words in reply, however before I could continue to berate my sister anymore, we both heard a noise coming from the bed and to our surprise Kyon stared at us both.
"C-could you two not argue so loudly? My head still hurts and I don't think I can handle two Suzumiyas right now." There was a tinge of embarrassment on Haruhi's face that I took as my cue to leave. It was best to give those two lovebirds some alone time.
It was the next day. As expected, most people were happy to see Kyon back in class but somehow the boy who was hospitalized was not the center of attention. There was gossip going on between a lot of the guys in class and fortunately, Taniguchi had the latest scoop on what had class 2-5 in a buzz.
"Did you hear? A boy from 2-3 asked Asakura-san out and he was rejected." Taniguchi started off. With how animated he was, you'd think he was telling a tall tale. There was always a buzz about Ryoko. She was extremely popular, known to be a good cook and every high school boy wanted a girl who could be good at sports right? Still, it was strange that Ryoko was surprisingly absent during the lunch break.
"So? Asakura has quite the list of admirers and just as many who've been shot down. What makes this time so different?" Kyon said, asking the question we were all wondering. This only led to Taniguchi grabbing him by the shoulder and giving what I could only imagine to be quite the tight squeeze.
"Kyon, I know that you and female Suzumiya have such a great relationship, leaving the rest of us behind." That got a chuckle out of me but I could tell he wasn't finished. "But, some of us have dreams of being able to date a woman in the A-rank." Not all of us…
"And you Takashi. Shouldn't you be concerned that someone is trying to steal your sweet Asakura away from you?" The stare that I gave Taniguchi could likely melt steel beams and yet he did not relent, giving me a Haruhi-esque finger point that only reminded me that his convictions when it came to women was stronger than my will to live most days.
"I think what Taniguchi is forgetting to say is that Asahina-san's denial came with something unprecedented." Kunikida interjected which caused both Kyon and I to look at each other curiously.
"Ah yes! The AA+ Asahina-san said that she couldn't date this boy because she was interested in someone else. We all know who that someone else is." At that moment I felt the heat of multiple jealous eyes on me.
"You don't mean me do you?" I said, staring at Taniguchi. He'd give me yet another accusing point.
"Of course it's you Takashi-kun. You're the only person who ever spends genuine alone time with Asakura-san. You're the only one of us who could capture the heart of such a beauty so effortlessly." I couldn't help but feel a bit of heat come to my face as I rose from my seat to try and find a quick way out of this situation. Taniguchi did make a good point. I did spend a lot of time with Ryoko lately. Not to mention being on a first name basis and she'd tell me if she actually liked a guy right? It was the first time I ever heard her say she was even interested in someone. No no, they must have just heard wrong right?
Lost in the pace of my thoughts I ended up bumping into someone. As fate would have it, it was Ryoko. There was just something different about her and I couldn't put my finger on it.
"Oh, Takashi. Class is going to start again soon. Where are you going?"
"Looking for you. You're the talk of the school right now." My statement caused her to turn red in front of me but she did her best to keep her cool.
"Oh you heard about that boy from 2-3 huh? What did you umm…think about it?" My heart fluttered from the question and her eyes looked at me expectantly.
"Oh I'm sure you had your reasons right? A girl like you probably gets asked out all the time. I'm sure he understood why you let him down."
"Y-yeah, I told him that I was interested in someone else but I just figured it was easier to say that because he was such a nice boy, it was hard to tell him no." There was something about how she phrased her words that left a bit of disappointment in me. That's right, Ryoko was a very sweet girl and she probably just wanted to let him down nicely. Of course, there wasn't any way she was interested in anyone, much less me.
"That was nice of you to let him down easy. I'm sure you would have told me if you had a guy in mind or something! A-anyway, we should head back to class." I'd say rather quickly turning on my heels to begin walking.
"Well it wasn't exactly a lie. I am interested in someone. It's…"
A/N: Been a while since I've written a story like this. While it'll take a few chapters to shake off the rust, I do hope that you enjoy this OC centric story!