Suzumiya Haruhi:Volume4 Chapter5

From Baka-Tsuki

Chapter 5

"......"

I still didn't know what to say. Nagato now turned towards Asahina-san (big),

"Let me give you the space-time coordinates of the target."

"Oh, sure."

Asahina-san (big) stuck out her hand like a loyal dog eager to shake hands with its master.

"Go ahead..."

Nagato softly tapped her finger on the back of Asahina-san's (big) palm, and then retracted it... That's it? Though Asahina-san (big) looked content with it.

"I understand now, Nagato-san. All we need to do is to go and mend 'her' up, right? That won't be hard, since 'she' wouldn't have any powers by then..."

The time traveler seemed determined as she clutched her fists, the alien then said,

"Please wait."

Not wearing any glasses, Nagato said,

"In this state, you too would be swept into the changes of the space-time continuum. Counteractive measures need to be applied."

She then stuck her hand out.

"Your hand."

What for? Does she want to shake hands? I obediently stuck out my right hand. Nagato's icy cold fingers grabbed my wrist, causing my heartbeat to go faster for a while.

"..."

Nagato suddenly moved her sullen-looking face towards my arm.

"Whoa!"

I yelled involuntarily. It was an unavoidable reaction, I guess. Kneeling down, Nagato not only touched my wrist softly with her lips, she even revealed her teeth. It was like during the making of the movie, when she constantly assaulted Asahina-san and bit her.

It didn't hurt, actually. It felt like one of those soft unhostile bites Shamisen would make whenever I caressed him. Though the canine teeth sinking into my skin felt a bit prickly, like being jabbed by something but not hurting at all. Maybe it was because Nagato's saliva contained some sort of anesthetic to numb the pain. It was more like being bitten by a mosquito.

After biting my hand for about five to ten seconds, Nagato slowly lifted her head.

"Your body surface has been applied with a data-manipulating stealth barrier and protective shield,"

Nagato said without even blushing. On the other hand, cupping her mouth with her hands, Asahina-san (big) looked rather amazed. I felt a bit numb and looked at my wrist. On it were two small holes which looked like vampire bite marks. As I stared at them, the two small holes began to heal and disappeared without a trace. Like with Asahina-san during the making of the movie, my body was also injected with Nagato's nanomachines.

"You too."

Under Nagato's request, terrified Asahina-san stuck out her hand.

"...It's been a while since you've injected me. It must've been tough on you, back then..."

"This is my first time giving you an injection."

"Oh, yes, right. I forgot..."

Shutting her eyes tightly, the time traveler stuck out her wrist and accepted the alien's kissing baptism. The time it took for her to be injected with nanomachines was shorter than mine. Once it was over, she began to cough dryly.

"Well, let's go. Kyon-kun, the real thing starts now."

Really? The warm-up this time sure felt quite long! Then again, I was only doing my best to narrate this for everyone, even though I really didn't want to do this.

"Thanks."

I tried to remain calm as I gave thanks to the mistress of the apartment. The silent Nagato remained unresponsive. I could not find any form of self-awareness through her expression. Yet for some reason, I just felt Nagato, who was standing upright, felt very lonely. Was it really because she was lonely as I had speculated?

"Nagato, I'll see you then. Before Haruhi and I arrive, make sure you wait for us in the Literature Club room until then."

Like a doll being injected with life, the alien-created organic being mechanically nodded her head.

"I will wait."

Such a sentence was enough to ignite a mysterious flame within my heart. Though it was only as bright as a cigarette butt that someone had forgotten to put out. As I was about to figure out where that little spark came from, Asahina-san (big) now said,

"Just to prevent you from getting uncomfortable,"

she tightly grabbed my shoulders.

"Can you please close your eyes?"

I followed as she instructed me to. Asahina-san (big) seemed to be standing right in front of me, holding my hands.

"Kyon-kun."

This soft chanting sounded just too pleasant. Was she going to give me a kiss?

"Here we go."

Please, go ahead. You can kiss as many times as you like, the more passionate the better. Just as I was thinking this...

The dramatic dizziness had begun. It was good that I had closed my eyes. Even if I had them opened, it would probably be pitch-black as though there was a power shortage. I now felt like sitting in a roller coaster with my seat-belt taken off; I was no longer sure whether the blood in me had left my body or was rushing towards my brain. The sense of floating weightlessness continued. Though I had closed my eyes, I still felt dizzy. The fact that I didn't lose consciousness was all thanks to the warmth felt through Asahina-san's (big) hands.

How many minutes has it been already? Or even how many hours? I lost all awareness of time and space. I can't hold on much longer. Asahina-san, I feel like throwing up...

As I was ungraciously trying to look for something that I could puke in...

"Um... We've arrived."

The long lost sensation of my feet standing on firm ground was back again. The coldness of the ground passed through my socks and into my body. My sense of gravity was back as well. Like an illusion, the urge to throw up also suddenly disappeared.

"You can open your eyes now. Thank goodness, this is the place that Nagato-san had directed us... And the time as well."

I lifted my head and saw glittering in the night sky a bunch of winter constellations. As the air was cleaner, the stars were much clearer than in the summer. I turned around and instantly recognized the roof of the North High complex looming above the residential housings.

I looked around me, trying to confirm where I was now. Though it was dark, I couldn't be mistaken. I was standing here just a few hours ago. I could still remember Haruhi in her ponytail and Koizumi in my PE uniform as well.

This was where Haruhi and Koizumi had gotten changed. It should be a coincidence, I guess!

Now then, what time was it?

Looking at her watch, Asahina-san (big) told me,

"It's four forty-eight in the morning on the 18th of December. In about five minutes, the world will be changed."

From the moment I hit the "Enter" key on the 20th and traveled back three years in time, the 18th would be two days ago. On that day, I went to school as usual, unaware of what was about to happen, and I fell into a state of pandemonium as a result of seeing a North High that has completely changed. Haruhi has suddenly disappeared, while Asakura had reappeared; and Asahina-san couldn't recognize me, while Nagato has become a completely different person altogether.

It all started here, I was now at the time period where the conversion took effect. In other words, I could also prevent it from happening, and that was why I was standing here now.

As I was getting fired up by the intense anticipation......

"Oh no! I forgot to bring my shoes!"

Asahina-san (big) exclaimed softly.

As we traveled directly from indoors, naturally we weren't wearing any shoes. As expected from Asahina-san, not even the passage of time could wear away her clumsiness.

"Would Nagato-san take good care of them for me?"

Her anxiety briefly relieved me of my own nervousness. I'm sure she'd take good care of them. After all, she managed to preserve a tanzaku for three years. So she won't lose a pair of shoes so easily. You can always go to her apartment and check her cupboard......

As I calmly thought about these, an electric-like sensation went through my body all of a sudden.

That was because I wasn't wearing any shoes, not to mention having to leap from summer back to the freezing winter, so the cold felt even more intense. I immediately thought of putting back on the jacket I was holding in my arms; that was when I noticed Asahina-san shivering while tightly wrapping herself with her arms. Well, wearing only a long-sleeved blouse and a tight mini-skirt in such low temperatures, I suppose it's only natural that she would be freezing like hell.

"Put this on,"

I placed my jacket over her shivering shoulders. Even I was pleased by my own act of chivalry.

"Oh, thank you. I'm so sorry about that."

There's no need to apologize, it was nothing. If you hadn't waited for me three years ago, I'd never be able to return to here. Just this point alone was enough, even if it meant I had to strip all my clothes for you.

Asahina-san (big) gave me a smile, which perfectly combined sexiness and cuteness, and would soften the legs of more than half of the audience, then said seriously,

"It's almost time."

Maybe it was good that we forgot to wear our shoes, as we didn't make any sound while walking. Despite that, Asahina-san (big) and I still didn't dare to breathe loudly as we walked in small steps towards the entrance of North High. We stopped by the corner and like hunters following their prey, we only stuck our heads out and stared at the path ahead of us in the dark.

There weren't a lot of street lamps in this area, though there was one just outside the gate. Only the area under the light was illuminated. Though the light was dim, one could still make out whoever was standing under that lamp.

"Here she comes......"

A warm hand landed on my shoulder. I could feel Asahina-san's (big) intense yet sweet breathing blow into my ears. Normally, I would be spellbound by it, but I wasn't in the mood right now.

The space-time converter emerged from the shadows and into the light under the lamp.

A North High uniform. That was the person Nagato had mentioned. "That person" was the culprit who had altered our world, separated the members of the SOS Brigade and turned everyone into normal human beings. Only my memories remained, while the memories and history of everyone and everything else were totally changed.

Right now, "that person" had begun making her move.

I still couldn't rush out yet, I had to wait till everything has changed. That was the advice Nagato gave me. I must wait till that person had changed the world completely before I could inject the Restoration Program. Otherwise, the history where I activated the Escape Program would never have existed. I didn't quite understand what Nagato meant, though Nagato and Asahina-san (big) both seemed pretty clear about it. They must be pretty familiar about the flow of time, a person like me would never understand. Since I'll never get it, I might as well follow the advice of the professionals. That Nagato would never lie, she has always been standing by our side with a serious look on her face......

I tightly grabbed the short needle pistol Nagato gave me and waited silently.

Walking in regular strides, "that person" arrived before the gates of North High. She lifted her head to look at the school complex that was shrouded in darkness and stopped.

Her sailor uniform skirt flickered as the wind blew.

She didn't seem to notice us. This was all thanks to the nanomachines Nagato injected into us, creating a stealth barrier and protective shield on the surface of our bodies.

"That person" suddenly lifted one arm and made a gesture as though grabbing onto something in the air. It didn't look natural, it's as though she was being controlled, but I knew that wasn't the case.

"Amazing..." Asahina-san (big) exclaimed, "That was a powerful time quake. She actually had such power... I still find it hard to believe even after I've seen it with my own eyes,"

Even with my own eyes, I still don't see any changes. The night sky was still dark. Yet Asahina-san (big) seemed to have witnessed that person use some method to cause a massive change to the history of this world. She was from the future after all, so it's not surprising if she could see it.

Asahina-san (big) leaned herself tightly onto me. Originally, we too would have been swamped by "that person's" alteration of the world, but we were protected by having Nagato bite us. Nagato and Asahina-san (big) were indeed helpful, it seems the course of action I've taken was correct. What follows next would be the action needed to resolve this matter, I can't afford to screw up at the last hurdle.

I held my breath when I saw that person putting down her arm and suddenly turn her head in our direction. At first I thought she had discovered we were peeking on her, but it turns out she was only looking around.

"Don't worry, she hasn't discovered us. Right now she has been 'reborn.' The time quake... The alteration of the world has ended. Kyon-kun, it's our turn to move now,"

Asahina-san (big) said in a stiff and serious tone and gave me the signal.

I emerged from the darkness and headed towards the school gate. There was no need to hurry, as she was not going to run away. As expected, when "that person" noticed me standing under the street lamp, she was still standing in front of the school gate. The only change was the expression on her face. When I saw the astonished look on her face, I suddenly felt melancholic all of a sudden.

"Hi there,"

I called out to her. As though seeing a friend I haven't met for a long time, I approached her.

"It's me, we meet again,"

I was able to guess a bit from the tone of Asahina-san's (big) voice. Of the people that I knew, besides Haruhi, only one person could make her feel so uneasy. Think about it. After the 18th, the secret personal profiles of the SOS Brigade members had suddenly vanished. Yet all their personalities remained intact, all save one, whose actions, expressions and mannerism had changed completely.

Under the dim night sky, wearing a North High uniform, the tiny figure stood there not knowing what was going on. She didn't seem to understand why she was here, like someone suffering from sleepwalking who had suddenly woken up and begun to look around...

"Nagato,"

I said,

"This was all your doing, right?"

Wearing glasses, it was that Nagato. After the 18th, this Nagato Yuki was just the mere remaining member of the Literature Club, she was neither an alien or any mysterious entity whatsoever, just a very shy bookworm.

The bespectacled Nagato now looked even more astonished, not understanding what was going on,

"...Why... why... are you here?"

"I was about to ask you that, do you even know why you're here?"

"...I'm taking a walk,"

Nagato said uneasily while widening her eyes. The glasses on the girl's face that I was looking at reflected the light of the street lamp. I looked at her like that and thought,

No, it's not like that, Nagato.

This girl was only feeling tired. Having to spend all day being turned around in circles by Haruhi, while busy saving my life, as well as being secretly active in some unknown location behind our backs - it was only natural that she would become fatigued by it all.

A while ago in Nagato's apartment, this was what the Nagato three years ago told us:

"The erroneous files accumulated in my memory database will trigger an anomalous reaction. It can be foreseen that this is unavoidable. On December 18th three years from now, I will reconstruct the world."

She continued calmly,

"There are no counter-measures available, because I do not know how such errors could occur."

But I do.

I know the reason behind Nagato's unexplicable, abnormal action, and just what those erroneous files she had been accumulating were.

It was the most basic desire. Even for an artificial intelligence run by a complex program, even for an android interface who never had such stuff installed, after living for some time, it was natural for her to develop such a desire. You'll never understand, but I do. And probably Haruhi does as well.

I continued to observe Nagato's troubled expression unreservedly. Yet the dream girl from the Literature Club now looked even more uncomfortable. Seeing how helpless she looked, I can't help but yell inside, Nagato! This is what we call emotions!

It is because you were designed not to have any emotions to begin with, the reaction felt from you was far greater. You probably felt like screaming, or going ballistic, or just yelling out loud, You stupid girl! I've had enough of you! Right? No, even if she didn't think that way, what she did was totally understandable. Her actions can be forgiven, because I was partly responsible, after all. I've become too reliant on her, having gotten used to letting Nagato take care of everything. I always thought that as long as Nagato was helping, I could switch off my brain. What an idiot I was, an even greater idiot than Haruhi. So I had no right to condemn her for this.

That was why Nagato - this girl here, came up with the silly idea of changing the world.

So was it an anomalous reaction, or a programming error?

Boy, you sure are annoying, it's neither of the above.

This was what Nagato wished for - a normal world like this.

She only preserved my memories, while altering the memories of everyone else, including herself.

It was now that I finally understood the question that was puzzling me for the last few days.

Why was I the only one to remain unaffected?

The answer was simple, it was because the girl had wanted to let me make the choice.

Is the altered world better? Or is the original one better? Under her well crafted script, the final decision rests on me.

"Damn it,"

To hell with choosing! I never had a choice!

If I had only wanted the SOS Brigade, then I didn't have to return at all. I could just start over in the new world. Haruhi and Koizumi may be studying in another high school, but that wouldn't be too much of an obstacle. We'll just treat it as an out-of-school hobby. This mysterious club can meet as usual at that coffee shop. Over there, Haruhi would come up with some ridiculous stuff, while Koizumi would grin all the time; Asahina-san would look extremely distressed, and I would just look away with a scowl on my face... An image of that scene floated in my mind at once. The Nagato there would probably look troubled as well, of course she would still quietly read her book. Yet still...

That wouldn't be the SOS Brigade that I knew. Nagato isn't an alien, Asahina-san isn't a time traveler from the future, and Koizumi's just a normal person, while Haruhi wouldn't possess any extraordinary powers. It would just be a simple, normal and happy club.

Am I fine with that? Isn't that even better?

How did I think about it at first? Just what did I make of Haruhi's constant trouble-makings beyond the boundaries of common sense?

What a pain.

Enough already!

Are you an idiot!?

I've had enough with you!

"......"

My heart began to hurt.

A normal high school student who was forced to take part in many troublesome situations, constantly complaining to Haruhi yet still managing to live to tell the tale. That was the role I've been playing all along.

Now then! Yes, Kyon! I'm talking to you! I've got to ask myself a very important question, so listen carefully and answer me. You can't refrain from answering. Just a single "yes" or "no" would do. Now listen up, here comes the question:

Don't you find such a weird and extraordinary school life fun?

Hurry up and answer, Kyon! Think carefully. Well? Can't I ask what you think of this? Hurry up and tell me. In a world where I was being turned around in circles by Haruhi; attacked by aliens; hearing a time traveler explain wild theories; putting up with the philosophical babble with an esper; trapped in a Sealed Dimension where giants go on a rampage; living with a cat that speaks; making an incomprehensible leap through time; not to mention having to follow the strict rule of not letting Haruhi know all of these, allowing the commander of the SOS Brigade to happily continue her pursuit of mysterious events, while completely oblivious that she has made a huge mess.

Don't you find such a world interesting?

Or did you think that was just too annoying, and had wanted to tell her enough is enough? Since you've always thought she was an idiot and had decided to ignore her. Well? Is it true? In other words? Is that what you really think?

That world was hardly interesting at all.

Are you sure? According to what you said, you find Haruhi in the original world to be very annoying. No matter what wild ideas she would come up with, you would always feel melancholic. Of course it's natural that you wouldn't find such a world to be interesting. And don't tell me it's not true! You know it is.

Yet, in reality you're secretly enjoying all of this. Because that world is interesting.

You ask me why I say that?

Then let me tell you why,

Didn't you hit the "Enter" key?

You know, the one for the Emergency Escape Program that Nagato left for you.

Are you ready?

The answer you gave for that question then was a resolute "yes."

Am I right?

Our Great Goddess Nagato went far out of her way to create a stable world for you, and you had to turn down Her offer. Ever since you met Suzumiya Haruhi back in April, you've taken that idiotic world for granted. You actually want to return to a crazy world where aliens, time travelers and espers wander freely in school. Why is that? Aren't you the one who was complaining all the time about how woeful you are?

If that were the case, then why didn't you ignore the Escape Program? By choosing to stay in this very normal world here, you'll know Haruhi, Asahina-san, Koizumi and Nagato as ordinary high school students, and lead a happy life as usual under Haruhi's leadership. Since Haruhi doesn't have any powers, you could say goodbye to all those surreal experiences.

In that world, Haruhi would just be a normal girl who likes to boss people around; Asahina-san would no longer have the attribute of being a time traveler from the future, she would just be a very cute character; Koizumi would be a normal high school student without any backing from some mysterious 'Organization'; and Nagato would just be a timid and humble bookish girl, not having to carry any burden or use any amazing powers to observe or protect someone. Oh yeah, though most of the time she would remain expressionless, she would still laugh heartily at some lame joke, and then blush furiously. Who knows, she could be a person who could slowly open herself up if I spend some time with her.

Such an idyllic life that would be, and yet you have forsaken it.

Just why is that?

I'll ask you one last time. Answer me truthfully.

Do you find Haruhi the troublemaker and the nightmarish events that she causes to be interesting? Hurry up and answer!

"Of course I do,"

I answered as such,

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize it was fun. So don't ask me something so trivial anymore."

If someone had actually said they don't find that interesting, then that person would be a blithering idiot. His wits would be thirty times dimmer than Haruhi's.

I mean, there are aliens, time travelers and espers out there!

Just one alone would be intriguing enough, but to have three sorts of interesting characters all at once! With Haruhi included, some powerful force is bound to be triggered. At this rate, I'll never be bored. If someone had made any objections to that, I think I'd beat him to a pulp at once.

"So that's how it is,"

I said to myself. You could say I've finally been enlightened.

"I still prefer the original world. This world just doesn't suit me. I'm sorry, Nagato. I don't like the present you, I prefer the Nagato from before. Besides, I like you better without glasses,"

This Nagato looked at me with a very puzzled face,

"What are you talking about..."

The Nagato Yuki I know would never say something like that.

This girl would have no knowledge of these three days, when I discovered something was wrong up to now. That was to be expected, because this Nagato had just been reborn, and so has never met me. She would have no memory of looking shocked as I barged into the Literature Club.

The only memory this Nagato had was the fabricated memory in the library. Besides that, the memory we share now all happened since she changed the world a while ago.

A few months ago, I was trapped in the grey Sealed Dimension with just Haruhi. According to Koizumi, that was a new world created by Haruhi.

Nagato was probably using that power. Somehow she managed to nick or steal that mysterious power from Haruhi and used it to create this world.

That sure was a convenient power. No matter who it is, they will always have the thought of wanting to start all over, or wishing that things would go back to where it would be favorable for them.

Yet, a normal person would never be able to achieve such a wish. And it was better that they gave up that thought. I myself didn't want to start all over, which was why I returned from the Sealed Dimension with Haruhi.

This incident was caused by the transferral of a god-like omnipotent power from Haruhi to Nagato. Haruhi was unaware of it all, while Nagato lost control and went forward to change the world.

"Nagato,"

I walked towards the stiff tiny figure standing there. Nagato remained motionless and stared back at me.

"No matter how many times I have to say this, my answer is the same. Please return everything to normal, including you as well. Let's live to fight another day in the club room. As long as you give the signal, I'll be there for you. Lately Haruhi hasn't been going astray for no reason now, so there's no need for you to use such an unhealthy power to forcefully change the world. Just keep everything as it is."

The eyes under the glasses betray a sense of fear.

"Kyon-kun..."

Asahina-san tugged at my sleeve and said,

"It's useless trying to explain to this Nagato-san. Because even she has changed. This Nagato-san is just a normal girl without any powers..."

I suddenly thought of something.

The long haired Haruhi in that world called me John. Without any god-like or demon-like powers, she was just an ordinary schoolgirl who barged into North High without hesitation. Her eyes glittered brightly as she showed great interest in my story about the SOS Brigade, while exclaiming, "Sounds like fun!"

Carrying a wide grin at all times, the Koizumi there said he fancies Haruhi. Wearing my PE uniform, the straight A transfer student would show a complicated expression.

Giving me an invitation to join the Literature Club, this bespectacled Nagato would reminisce her fabricated memory together with me. The smile on her face was like the sun rising out of the horizon, I can't help but want to see that smile once again.

I realized I would never see these people again. To be honest, I kind of missed them. It's just that their existences were all fabricated. They were not the Haruhi, Koizumi, Nagato and Asahina-san I knew. It was a pity I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to them, but I've already made up my mind. I want to go back to the Haruhi, Koizumi, Nagato and Asahina-san I knew.

"I'm sorry."

I took the gun out and pointed it. Nagato instantly froze on the spot, seeing her reaction, I felt extremely criminal. But I've come this far, so there's no point in hesitating.

"Everything would return to normal very soon. We'll be able to go to many different places again, have our Christmas hot pot, and then go to the mansion in the snow mountain. You can be the Great Detective this time. A Great Detective that could solve the case just when it has occurred, right? That'll be......"

"Kyon-kun! Look out... KYAA!!"

As Asahina-san screamed out, someone rammed into my back. Thud! A loud shudder caused me to shake, even the shadow under the street lamp was shaking. In that shadow was the silhouette of another person. What the? Who was it?

"I can't let you hurt Nagato-san!"

I turned my head over my shoulder and saw the pale face of a girl.

Asakura Ryoko.

"What the..."

I couldn't say anything, as I suddenly felt something icy cold jabbed into my abdomen. It was a flat object that was thrusted deep into my body. So cold. The sense of disorientation far surpassed the sense of pain. Just what was going on? How can this be? Why was Asakura here?

"Hee hee,"

To me, her grin looked like that of an expressionless mask that has suddenly begun smiling. Asakura then backed off from me, pulling out the blood-soaked dagger which she used to stab me.

Losing my balance, I fell to the ground like a spinning top. Standing before me all this time, Nagato's legs gave in as she slumped to the ground and said fearfully,

"Asakura...-san?"

As though greeting someone, Asakura-san waved the Swiss army knife that was drenched in my blood and said,

"Hi, Nagato-san. Don't you worry, as long as I'm here, I'll eliminate anyone that attempts to threaten you. That was the reason why I was created."

Asakura smiled and continued,

"It is what you have wished for, isn't it?"

That's a lie. Nagato would never have made such a wish. She's not the sort to kill a bird simply because it's not singing as she wants it to. Absolutely not. As Nagato began to act abnormally, this Asakura that was re-created was also acting in an abnormal way, basically becoming a shadow to Nagato......

Asakura's shadow slowly landed on my body. Very soon her silhouette blocked out the moon from my vision.

"Allow me to send you on your last journey. As long as you're dead, everything will be fine. It's your fault for making Nagato-san suffer in the first place. Does it hurt? I'm sure it does. Better enjoy it while it lasts, because that'll probably be the last sensation you'll ever feel,"

The wide dagger was slowly lifted, the tip of the blade was pointed to my heart. I was bleeding non-stop. Is this the end? ...I struggled to think as my mind became blurry. I was losing all sense of reality. So, Psycho Asakura, is this your mission? To act as back-up to Nagato Yuki...

The dagger began to move downwards...

In the blink of an eye, a hand stretched out from one side.

"...!!!"

Someone had grabbed the blade of the dagger, and with bare hands as well.

"Who the...?"

Bare hands...!? Where have I seen this before?

My vision was becoming more and more blurry, so I couldn't tell who it was. There's not enough light, anyone mind turning up the light? She was standing in front of the bright street lamp, so I couldn't see her face properly. All I knew was that it was a short-haired girl...wearing a North High uniform...not wearing glasses...that's all I could see... Koizumi! ...Where's the guy in charge of lighting when you need him!?

"Huh...!?"

Exclaiming softly was Nagato, who was sitting on the ground. Her glasses reflected the brightness of the street lamp, so I couldn't see her expression clearly. Was it fear? Or was it astonishment?

"Why? But you're...!? Why..."

Asakura yelled. She seemed to be talking to the girl who caught the blade with her bare hands, but the girl remained silent and said nothing.

Asahina-san sounded as though she was right next to me,

"I'm so sorry... Kyon-kun, I should have known, but still..."

"Kyon-kun! Kyon-kun...... No! You can't!"

There seems to be two Asahina-sans. One was the adult Asahina-san, while the other was the Lolita Asahina-san that I knew. Both had tears all over their faces, and were shaking my body. Hey, both of you, that hurts...

...Huh? What was Asahina-san (small) doing here? While I could still understand the adult Asahina-san holding me in her arms and crying, since she came here with me to this time period; but just where on earth did the little Asahina-san come from? Ah, I get it now. It's one of those illusions, a recollection of one's whole life as one reaches the end of his life...

Now this was scarier than the feeling of pain and seeing blood flow non-stop out of your body.

Damn it, I'm about to die.

As I wallow in regret for not having written a will, I felt someone appear above me. That person lifted me and picked up the needle-gun that Nagato made that had dropped to the ground.

A familiar voice, yet I could not remember whose, spoke,

"Sorry about that. I have my reasons for not rescuing you right away, but don't hate me for it. After all, it was painful for me as well. Anyway, we'll take care of the rest. No, I already know what to do now, and you will as well. So go get some sleep for now."

What's he talking about? And who was he talking to? Do what? And whose taking care of what? The images of Asakura's fatal strike, the bespectacled Nagato supporting herself with her arms while kneeling on the ground, the two Asahina-sans, and Haruhi in a different school uniform had all now been fused together...

I gradually fell unconscious.

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