Suzumiya Haruhi:Volume7 Chapter 6

From Baka-Tsuki

Chapter Six

The fateful Sunday had finally arrived.

Like yesterday, I arrived by bike at the square in front of the station before nine; as usual, everyone was there already; as usual, we drew lots in the coffee shop nearby in which I footed the bill; and as expected, I was drawn together with Nagato. Nagato only needed to be told once, and she would never forget what needs to be done, and it's unlikely that she would make a mistake. I ought to learn from her in this aspect. I would have to especially keep my promises with Nagato no matter what. Since Nagato has always treated me well, after all.

As I inquired frequently for the time in the coffee shop, I noticed Haruhi was now even more giddy than yesterday, but I had no time to care about that. Ever since the treasure hunt, she's always been like that, I guess that lull at the beginning of the month was just her feeling unwell.

As Haruhi whispered in Asahina-san's ear, she revealed a meaningful smile. Now that was quite a surreal scene. I really wanted to know what Haruhi and Asahina-san were smiling so happily about, but as Koizumi and Nagato's expression remained the same as usual, I don't suppose anything out of the ordinary will happen.

As I emptied the remnants of my Viennese cappuccino, Haruhi slid the bill before my eyes and stood up.

The time is ten o'clock in the morning.

Even if I were to walk to that cheery blossom filled path, I would still have plenty of time.

As we were to meet at noon, taking into consideration the time it takes to release the turtle and the round trip back, there was still plenty of time to spare.

As I saw Haruhi, Asahina-san and Koizumi walk away, I said to Nagato,

"I'm sorry, but can you go to the library on your own today? I'll come pick you up in an hour,"

"I see."

Nagato placed her coat hood over her head and replied without even looking at me,

"Nagato, do you have any idea what me and Asahina-san are doing?"

"Something necessary."

Nagato murmured, and headed off towards the library. I hesitated for a while and went after her,

"Necessary for whom?"

"For you and Asahina Mikuru."

And you're not included? What about Haruhi and Koizumi?

"......"

Nagato continued to walk forward without saying anything, finally a plain voice came out from behind that hood of hers,

"Maybe we will become involved, though I am not sure yet."

Perhaps sensing that I look dejected as I stand there, Nagato suddenly turned around, and looked at me with her glass-like eyes,

"However......"

Her hair fluttered in the wind,

"We should know very soon. When that happens I would take action. So would Koizumi Itsuki."

Ever since I knew Nagato, her way of expression has always been to jump from point to point without linking them together.

"Our ways forward are the same. For me. And also for you."

As though she'd reached a conclusion, Nagato suddenly turned back to walk silently away again. This time I didn't follow.

"Thanks, Nagato,"

As it was kind of embarrassing, I said it very softly. I wasn't sure whether the hooded figure that was slowly walking farther away heard me, but I'm sure she would understand my feelings. I do not believe that Nagato would not possess such empathy.

This also confirmed something for me. Though we may be different to various extents, I truly believe that I along with Nagato, Koizumi and Asahina-san are trustees to each other. At the centre was Haruhi shining as bright as a star, while we were the planets circling around her orbit. Nothing is ever predictable. If one day Mars and Venus were to suddenly disappear, I'm sure people would be feeling lonely, at least the astronomers would be troubled. Before confirming whether Martians or Venusians even exist, I certainly do not wish to find our neighbors just disappearing like that without even a warning. There were surprisingly many instances when you would go into a panic after finding out things that you take for granted had suddenly vanished. Take my automatic pencil while I was doing my exams for example...... Forget it, you wouldn't want to waste your time hearing my stupid analogies. Anyway, I never again wanted to go through that sense of loss I experienced last December.

As to which road I should take, it was all determined beforehand.

I arrived by the bank of the stream in thirty minutes. The scene of the cherry blossoms flourishing wildly in autumn was nowhere to be seen. Only the trees with their naked branches remained standing, awaiting for the arrival of spring. I walked along the path towards the long bench that overlooked the low-lying river. This was a typical stream where the sediment around causes the bank to be on a higher altitude. The water surface was nearly three metres below the bank. The structure of the bank was well constructed, giving people a neat impression. As there wasn’t a lot of water in the stream, not to mention it was only a few centimetres deep, as well as being downstream, the flow of the stream was relatively calm. By summer, there’ll be merry scenes of kids going down the stream chasing little fishes around. On the other hand, with this being a chilly winter day, no one would want to approach the freezing water.

The shore was normally not as empty as the stream, but the long bench where I sat listening to Asahina-san proclaiming that she is a time traveler was empty today. Though it was a Sunday, it was such a cold day on a morning before the warm sun was shining overhead, no one would come to take a walk by the bank. The cherry blossom path was nearly empty, save a dog walking idyllically followed by its master apparently freezing to death and walking silently.

As I was about to show off my acting skills and pretend to be a philosophical high school student listening quietly to the sound of the stream......

"Kyon-kun,"

Asahina-san walked up the river bank from the steps facing the road. Looks like she remembered to bring the plastic box carrying the turtle. I looked further away and found what seemed to be a luxurious limousine driving off quietly. That must be from Tsuruya-san’s family. I must remind myself to thank the driver, as well.

It was 10:44 in the morning. By the time I reached the edge of the stream with Asahina-san, the watch had just turned to forty-five minutes, our timing was perfect.

"The water......looks very cold......"

Asahina-san gazed at the water flowing very slowly while bringing the box before her and looked at the turtle,

"I wonder if this turtle can grow up normally?"

Showing kindness even to a small animal, our sempai continued,

"Please wait a while,"

She placed the box on the ground and opened the lid. She then took out the box of pet food from her pocket. The little turtle stuck its neck out towards the roof which had suddenly disappeared and looked hesitant. When Asahina-san brought the box of pet food closer to it, and it quickly swallowed the food in one gulp. After just one night, this turtle had already begun to get used to living with humans, Asahina-san’s kindness surely could reach no bounds.

Although Asahina-san was reluctant to part with the little turtle, I’m sorry to say that time’s up. There was only three minutes remaining till 10:50.

"Remember to come back in spring," I said gently to the little turtle as I picked it up. The little turtle did not resist and laid quietly on my palm, not moving an inch.

"When we meet again, I’m sure he will have grown bigger."

Though there was no proof of that, that’s all I could say. I avoided Asahina-san’s gaze, who was looking very worried for the little turtle, and made a posture about to toss it out. Just as I was about to make a knuckleball pitch......

"Excuse me,"

A voice suddenly called from behind. I nearly fell into the stream while holding the turtle. After stepping forward clumsily for a while, I finally found my footing and turned around.

"Thanks for saving me last time, Onii-san, Onee-san,"

A young voiced, bespectacled looking boy was bowing gratefully to us. It was the boy that I saved from the claws of death last month in a potential traffic accident. I call him the Bespectacled Boy. Besides, he lives very near Haruhi’s place, so Haruhi would occasionally become his stand-in governess.

"Ah......"

Asahina-san looked quite surprised, and so was I, since I never thought I would ever see him again.

"May I ask what are you doing here?"

The Bespectacled Boy asked with a curious-looking expression that was miles apart from that of my sister as he looked at me and Asahina-san, and then at the turtle in my hand. I was about to ask what you’re doing here.

"I’m on my way to cram school."

I was about to ask when the boy had already answered on his own, pointing to the schoolbag he was carrying behind his back,

"I always walk through this way to cram school, it was the same that time as well,"

The boy bowed once again, and then with a puzzling look, gazed at the box on the ground and the shelled reptile crawling around on my hand,

"Is Onii-san going to release the turtle to the wild?"

"Yeah......sort of."

After answering, I suddenly felt consumed by guilt once again. Both Asahina-san and this boy had eyes revealing their compassion for the little turtle, and asked quietly: "Why do you want to toss such a small turtle into the stream on such a cold winter’s day?" It’s not like I wanted to do this either, but the problem is that I have to do this.

The watch indicates that there was now less than one minute before the indicated time, I no longer had time to look confused, I quickly thought of an idea and said,

"Hey kid, are you allowed to keep pets at home? I mean, if you take this guy home, would your parents be mad at you?"

The boy pushed his glasses and said,

"I don’t think so, as long as I take care of him,"

"Really? Okay then, wait here,"

I picked up the turtle on its back and knelt down beside the stream. The shore we were on was three meters from the water surface, so it wasn’t that far. And as the stream was flowing slowly, I wasn’t worried that the turtle would be washed away.

I gently dropped the turtle just like letting go of a feather, trying to reduce the impact of its fall.

"Ah!" Asahina-san exclaimed.

Sploosh! The turtle fell into the water. Creating ripples of concentric circles, it slowly sank into the water and was now going downstream.

The boy stared at such a scene, he didn’t even dare breath once.

After sinking for a while, the turtle kicked to the shallow surface and re-emerged out of the water. Apparently looking troubled at the ripples that it has caused, it drifted for a while before it began to paddle. It finally climbed up a rock nearby and stuck out its neck. It didn’t seem like it was saying goodbye to us, more like thinking how it has expanded its horizons from a turtle’s perspective.

Eventually, the ripples subsided and only the turtle remains standing on the rock.

I had no idea how accurate Asahina-san’s (big) calculations were, but I have fulfilled her request of "throwing the turtle into the stream". What I do with the turtle afterwards was solely up to my discretion. I convinced myself while taking off my socks. Rolling up my trousers just to be safe, I began to wade into the water, leaving Asahina-san and the boy with their eyes widened. The water was really freezing cold, and the surface was filled with some slimy algae-like stuff which felt gross, but as I’ve always played in the stream with my cousins every time I visit them in the countryside, this was nothing.

"Sorry about that, little turtle."

The turtle lifted its tiny head. When I stuck out my hand, it didn’t attempt to escape, and allowed me to grab it. Perhaps it wanted to say to me: "If you’re going to pick me up, then don’t toss me in the first place." It’s a good thing I wasn’t fluent in the turtle-language. As I returned to the shore with the turtle in my hand, and placed him back in the box, the coldness in my feet went straight to my brain. Man, I’m so gonna get diarrhea when I get back.

I sat on the ground and lifted my feet above to shake off the excess water and said,

"Kid, this turtle’s yours now."

"Can I really have it?"

An observer to all this a few paragraphs ago, the Bespectacled Boy now asked hesitatingly,

"Doesn’t Onii-san have a special reason to release this turtle into the wild?"

I knew this kid was asking due to his curiosity, but like the turtle itself, I don’t have any answers that can satisfy that curiosity of yours. Since even I’m trying to find an explanation for the meaning of my own actions.

"It doesn’t matter anymore. Even the turtle would feel troubled upon being released into the wild in the middle of winter. If you’re willing to take him, I’m sure he’ll be better off than having to soak himself in a freezing river."

Will that do, Asahina-san? Though you said that the instructions from the future has to be absolutely obeyed, my actions had not gone against the instructions at all. Despite that, I was still a bit worried, but I saw that Asahina-san, who has been kind to little animals, had already begun handing the box of pet food to the boy.

"This is the turtle’s basic meals, take it as well,"

She then said like an elder sister,

"Promise me that you’ll take care of him."

"I promise,"

The boy replied slowly, but not in a disrespectful way. He received the plastic box and box of pet food from Asahina-san, and held them tightly with his arms,

"I’ll take good care of him,"

He said passionately. Actually, you don’t have to be so determined about it.

"Oh yeah, kid. I want you to promise one more thing."

There was a need to take a precaution. It was because we didn’t take this precaution the last time around, both Asahina-san and I got punished severely by Haruhi. That painful memory still lingers in my mind till now.

"There’s a girl called Suzumiya Haruhi that lives near your place, right?"

"Yes, Suzumiya-nee-san has always taken good care of me."

For some reason, I shuddered at the name "Suzumiya-nee-san".

"You must not tell Haruhi anything about what happened today. My presence here with Asahina-san......that is the Bunny Girl nee-san, and us giving you this turtle are strictly confidential. Can you keep a secret?"

"Yes."

The boy nodded very solemnly. I guess I can rest easy now. Asahina-san now asked as well,

"Are you sure you’re alright with taking this turtle back with you? Wouldn’t......your mother or family say anything about not accepting things from strangers?"

"Don’t worry. I’ll find an excuse."

The boy straightened his back and said,

"I’ll tell them that as the people doing experiments on this turtle didn’t need it anymore, they were about to throw it away when I happened to pass by. As I felt pity for him, I asked them to give it to me……I’m sure dad and mom would let me have him,"

This kid sure was reliable. I really wish he would teach my sister a thing or two. They were both about the same age, but the difference was so great. This must have to do with the environments that they grew up in.

"Then, I have to go now, my cram school’s about to start,"

The polite boy bowed courteously to us once again. Asahina-san patted his head and said,

"Don’t forget the promise you made last time. Be careful when crossing the roads. Don’t let any accidents happen to you, and study hard. That way, you’ll become a very useful person. And a very important person, as well......"

Looking at Asahina-san sticking out her pinky, the boy revealed a shyness that suited his age, and hooked his pinky onto hers with trepidation. I couldn’t help but smile at seeing the figures of Asahina-san and this boy, one big and one small, standing together.

The boy then let go, embarrassed, and walked off carrying the plastic box as though it were some valuable treasure. Several times he turned around to bow to us. Asahina-san never stopped waving, until he had completely disappeared from our view, and only when I had finally put my socks on over my dried feet and put on my shoes, did she put down her hands.

"Phew......"

Asahina-san sighed deeply. For her, or I should say for the future version of Asahina-san, this boy seemed like a very important figure. If I were to travel back to the Edo Period and came face to face with a historical figure, I would probably feel the same way. I didn’t even need to ask, that’s got to be Classified Information.

"Phew,"

I too breathed a deep sigh. Rather than a depressed sigh, it was more like a sigh of relief that it was all over. My mission with this Asahina-san has now come to a close. The empty can prank, the gourd-shaped rock, the mysterious memory device, and the turtle.

The question was, what do we do next. I haven’t got a clue at all. The final letter #6 made absolutely no mention of anything. As long as Asahina-san doesn’t go out on her own and continues to live in Tsuruya-san’s bungalow, then I shouldn’t need to worry. As the next two days were free, this Asahina-san would eventually return to our original time period. In contrast, I would need to instruct the present Asahina-san to travel back to the past, but that’s the day after tomorrow. For now, I felt a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

"Asahina-san, though you’ve only just arrived, I think you should go take some rest at Tsuruya-san’s place. We’ll take a taxi and send you back, I’ll then go back to the library to pick up Nagato."

"Okay......"

Asahina-san said absent mindedly and walked off. Under my guidance, we reached the road that runs parallel to the cherry blossom path. Standing by the pavement waiting for a taxi, Asahina-san didn’t speak a lot, and seemed rather depressed.

While waiting for the taxi, I was also paying attention to my surroundings, for fear that the Sneering Bastard from yesterday would cause trouble again. It was obvious that bastard didn’t come with good intentions, but as he made it too obvious, he certainly didn’t feel like a scary enemy. To be frank, he hardly made me shiver at all. If it were Koizumi who approached us using that bastard’s manner of speech, I would have felt extremely threatened. If he hadn’t picked the wrong time to make his appearance, then he was probably playing the wrong sort of character.

Aha! I find myself to be more and more reliable now. That’s to be expected, for the past year, I’ve been involved in all sorts of strange occurrences, allowing my vision to expand and my mind to be more open. My life has been put in peril occasionally, but it’s different now. Though I wasn’t as determined as Nagato, I too went through the experience of having to decide what I really wanted. I’ll never misjudge my role and position again.

Though there were hardly any taxis and few cars on the road, it was quite a pleasure in itself to be standing all alone together with Asahina-san, so I didn’t feel anxious with the wait at all. But as I’d already told Nagato to go to the library herself, I would be doing her an injustice if I didn’t go pick her up as soon as things were settled.

......It was pointless worrying. Maybe I shouldn’t even be distracted.

Because in the next moment, I witnessed an unbelievable scene.

At that time, I didn’t check the time on my watch. I never had the time to anyway, so I didn’t know the exact time when it happened, I just knew that it was sometime before eleven.

Here was what happened:

As I waited with Asahina-san on the pavement on the left side of the county road, trying to see if there were any taxis coming our way, a big car came driving slowly. As it wasn’t some highway, so there was nothing wrong with it driving so slowly. Truth be told, at that moment I paid no attention to it.

Yet that approaching car decelerated even more and, without even making a signal, stopped right in front of us.

"Huh?" I suddenly felt suspicious, I don’t think I’ve felt this suspicious before.

This was because the door to that minivan had opened suddenly, and a hand from within had dragged Asahina-san into the car within a few seconds.

"WAH......!?"

By the time I realized Asahina-san had screamed, the green minivan had drove off in full speed without even closing its door. The plume of smoke it emitted felt as though it was mocking my slow reaction. By the time I looked properly, the car had already driven off to the other end of the road, and it became a small dot in the distance.

"What the......"

It only took me about 0.2 seconds to recover my senses. The car had already disappeared from my vision.

Hold it, hold it, HOLD IT!

What the hell just happened? Asahina-san had vanished before my eyes. She was dragged into the car, and that car had sped off and was now out of sight, leaving me standing on the roadside all alone......Just what was this?

"Kidnapped......!?"

And right under my nose as well. I could’ve stopped it if I had reached my arm out, even if it meant I had to grab her body. Asahina-san, who was standing so close to me just a few seconds, was no longer here. Can something this ridiculous actually happen!?

"Damn it!! I don’t believe this!!"

I don’t think I’ve been this terrified since finding out Haruhi had disappeared from the classroom last December. The last time I was this shocked was when I discovered that Asakura had replaced Haruhi in sitting behind me.

"Shit!"

Was it that Sneering Bastard!? Was he behind all this!? If it really was, then I had underestimated him. Could it be that his terrible timing in appearance and choice of character was all just a ruse to distract me? If that was really just a trap to divert my attention by thinking he posed no threat at all……

"ASAHINA-SAN!!!"

A loud sound vibrated my eardrums. It wasn’t the sound of the wind blowing through the cherry blossom trees, but the sound coming out of my now completely pale face.

I took out my cell-phone, I could only rely on help from others now. Anyone would do, as long as I can bring Asahina-san back, it didn’t matter whether it was the police, fire fighters, the Self-Defence Forces or even the Chamber of Commerce. My fingers began to push the numbers on their own, not even knowing who I was dialing. I only knew that I heard a dial tone on the other end and someone answering it,

"What now, Kyon?"

It was Haruhi’s voice. As it all happened too suddenly, not to mention I wasn’t completely back to my senses, I ended up calling Haruhi. By this time my brain was already not functioning properly,

"Haruhi we’ve got a problem! Asahina-san’s been kidnapped!"

I called for reinforcements without even thinking......

"Wha? What are you talking about?"

Haruhi’s voice sounded very casual. Feeling anxious, I yelled once again,

"I said Asahina-san’s been kidnapped! If we don’t hurry and rescue her......"

"Hey, Kyon,"

Haruhi spoke in a nearly elegant voice,

"I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but before you decide to make a prank call, you ought to sort out your script and try not to be too ridiculous. What’s wrong with your brain? Saying stuff like this. Mikuru-chan’s standing right next to me. If you had said it was Yuki, then I might have still believed you."

"No! It’s not Nagato! It’s Asahina-san......"

By this time I suddenly realized, it was useless no matter how I explained it to Haruhi. That’s right, right now in this time period, Asahina-san was with Haruhi. Only that it was the original Asahina-san from this time period, and not the Asahina-san that appeared in the broom closet. Speaking of that Asahina-san, the one that just got abducted by the car......

"You fail for making such a lame prank that gets exposed so easily. Besides, pranks are supposed to be funny. I don’t have time for this, you idiot Kyon!"

"No! Wait......"

The phone was cut off.

My hand trembled as I held the cell-phone. I shouldn’t have called Haruhi in such a situation where every second counts. I didn’t even need her to tell me that I was an idiot. Even when asking for reinforcements, I shouldn’t have asked Haruhi for them......

The phone began ringing.

Without even finding out who it was, I answered it.

"Hello?"

It was Koizumi’s voice. Before I could speak......

"Don’t worry. Suzumiya-san and Asahina-san aren’t with me right now. Well, I told them I needed to go to the bathroom and excused myself,"

Who cares about that!? That’s not the issue here, what’s important is......

"Koizumi! Asahina-san has......"

"I understand the situation. Leave it to me, they should be coming to you soon,"

"Who’s coming to me soon?"

Feeling very baffled, I lifted my head. As if on cue, a taxi had stopped right in front of me. It was a black taxi. I wasn’t sure which cab company it was from, but it seemed familiar. I remember riding on such a taxi when Koizumi conned me to visit some "Avatars".

The back door of the taxi opened.

"Get in, hurry!"

The passenger in the back seat waved to me, and I quickly leapt into the car. Sitting in the familiar car was a familiar figure. Before I could digest the situation, the door had already closed and I was instantly thrust back to my seat by the sudden force caused by the car moving off.

"We’ll now begin the pursuit,"

A clear crisp voice said by my side, it sounded familiar. As I’ve met her during the summer and winter, I couldn’t have so easily forgotten her name.

"M, Mori Sonou-san?"

"It’s been a while,"

It’s actually only been a month since we last met, so it wasn’t exactly a while. But, what was Mori-san doing here? And she wasn’t dressed in the familiar maid uniform, but in an office lady attire that could be found everywhere.

Mori-san revealed her usual smile and said,

"Didn’t Koizumi explain to you before? I too am a member of the ‘Organization’. The maid was just one of my disguises, and that was only limited to the time I spent with you."

As though trying to assure me, Mori-san turned her gaze towards the driver’s seat and nodded,

"And it’s not just me. He is the same as well,"

Lifting up the left hand which was on the steering wheel, the driver exchanged glances with me through the rear-view mirror.

"Arakawa-san......"

"Greetings."

He was a butler who could cook brilliantly before, but now he was a taxi driver driving at top speed. The elderly gentleman now said,

"There is a limit to being aggressive. They’ve gone too far by kidnapping that adorable lady. We won’t let them get away with this."

As he stepped on the gas pedal once again, I was thrust even further into my seat. A fear began to creep on me as I realized I was riding in a car that was driving at a terrifying speed, yet at the same time, my stiff brain was beginning to become flexible once again.

Mori-san and Arakawa-san. I knew they were both Koizumi's accomplices, I also knew the maid and butler appearance was just their part-time job. Yet I never thought I would meet them again in this situation, it’s as though they had expected Asahina-san to be kidnapped and sent a car to support me......Aha, that’s it,

"Now it all makes sense,"

I finally managed to speak,

"So you guys and Koizumi knew Asahina-san would get kidnapped, and so have been closely watching us while standing by in case it happens, right?"

"On the contrary,"

Mori-san said while giving a female version of Koizumi’s smile,

"Our initial target was them, not you. When we saw their car approaching you, we knew things were getting bad. We did not expect them to take such an action."

"Who do you mean by ‘they’?"

The image of the Sneering Bastard from yesterday appeared in my head.

"Didn’t Koizumi tell you this as well? The people that have kidnapped Asahina-san are of a group hostile to our ‘Organization’."

If that's the case, then it didn't matter whether they were time travelers or espers, their actions were equally unforgivable.

"Why would they want to kidnap Asahina-san?"

"Maybe they were getting desperately anxious. They probably resorted to such means in order to secure their privileged position in the future."

Privileged position?

"Yes. I think they plan to use her as a bargaining chip with the future authorities. The problem for them is that they've got the wrong person. They should really be kidnapping the Asahina Mikuru-san that is with Koizumi right now,"

Mori-san described something unbelievable as though it were a daily occurrence.

"It doesn't seemed like they had planned this action properly, and this was only decided hastily. We would need to investigate why they would suddenly decide to take action now."

The appearance of that Sneering Bastard was also quite sudden. A new group of time travelers, could that be caused by that bastard's appearance?

As though able to read my mind, Mori-san nodded and said,

"The fact that they've joined forces this time means they're serious. We cannot simply do nothing about it."

"Excuse me, is the 'Organization'......"

I stopped short of saying "my ally".

"Standing on our side?"

"We simply wish to maintain the status quo, is that not enough?"

As there was nothing to bargain about in the first place, I didn't know whether that was too little or too much. Those bastards, the people that had kidnapped Asahina-san, just what were they thinking? Or rather, who on earth were they? If they weren't on our side, were they our enemy? And if so, what kind of enemy?

"They consist of a rival group hostile to the 'Organization', a band of time travelers opposing Asahina Mikuru-san's faction, and an extra-terrestrial cosmic entity different from the one that created Nagato Yuki-san,"

Mori-san explained clearly to me,

"We had a feeling that they would join forces sooner or later, after hearing Koizumi's report about the incident in the snow mountain. Those three forces are probably forming an alliance, no, we believe they have already formed an alliance. Suzumiya Haruhi-san was a gamble worth taking for them, it's either win-all or lose-all,"

The whole car shook as though leaping upwards. Upon reaching a cross-junction, the black taxi charged through the traffic lights without stopping, and didn't even slow down when going through a S-curve, continuing to move ahead at top speed.

"Then, Koizumi and you guys......"

Already feeling dizzy, I said,

"Already knew that there was another Asahina-san? And you also knew that this Asahina-san from a week later would stay in Tsuruya-san's place?"

"If it weren't for her, the other Asahina Mikuru-san would have been kidnapped instead, and it would have been right in front of Suzumiya Haruhi-san's eyes."

Things would really be bad if that were to happen. No one could know just what action Haruhi would take.

"In that case......"

The Asahina-san from the future was acting as a decoy for the present Asahina-san. In order words, in order to protect her past self from getting kidnapped, she would have to allow her future self to be kidnapped instead, right? So that's how it is. It was necessary for Asahina (Michiru)-san to travel back to the past after all. To be honest, I could have handled all those instructions from Asahina-san (big) all on my own without any problem, but now I understood why she wanted me to bring Asahina-san along, or there would be no meaning to it. The other time traveler. The turtle and the boy. And the kidnapping. Only Asahina-san (big) would know the full story.

As I was busy going into deep thought......

"Don't let them out of your sight, Arakawa,"

"I know."

Their voices now directed my attention to the front of the car, I could now see the teal minivan ahead of us. Both vehicles were now cruising at insane speeds. Ever since the pursuit began, it wouldn't have been surprising if there were three to four accidents on the way. Judging from his drifting techniques while disregarding the traffic signals, Arakawa-san's driving skills were well beyond that of a normal butler, but more like that of a WRC driver.

The kidnappers' car now headed towards the mountains and very soon went past the forest park, where we had our outdoor shooting for our movie back in autumn, and went even further north. There was nothing but mountainous roads there. Damn! Just what do they plan to do with Asahina-san in such a god forsaken place? Unforgivable!

My gaze remains fixed on the rear of that teal minivan. It was the same car as the one last time. The exact same model as the one that nearly ran down the Bespectacled Boy last month. There's no mistake about it. The guys on that car were from a different world from ours.

Driving at an insane speed, the kidnappers' car now left the tarmac road and entered a really mountainous road. Arakawa switched gears elegantly and followed them closely behind. The roads were basically carved out from the edge of a cliff, and the curves were just wide enough to accommodate two cars drifting past it, they weren't even equipped with safety rails. If either driver lost concentration for even a moment, they would plunge with the car straight into the depths of the ravine.

As though trying to distract our attention, a cell phone rang, but it wasn't my cell phone. Mori-san took out her cell phone and answered,

"Understood. Everything will go according to plan,"

She gave a simple reply and then hung up, and then said to the front seat with an elegant and clear voice,

"Arakawa, we're almost there,"

"No problem,"

Arakawa nodded and said with a very reliable voice, and switched to a low gear, disengaging the engine. Before I could even ask what he was doing,

"WHOA!"

The car came to a rocky unpainted round curve, just before the road turns into a corner. From that corner where we were headed, a police car rushed out, and did a beautiful drift before stopping horizontally across the road, blocking all access forward.

Without anywhere to go, the minivan was forced to brake, creating a cloud of dust as it decelerated rapidly. When one of its wheels stuck over the cliff for a moment, my heart nearly stopped, but the kidnappers were just as skilled at driving. Forcibly shifting its position, as though performing a car stunt, the minivan spun for one and a half turns, creating an annoying screeching sound. It nearly bumped the side of the police car when it finally came to a halt in a parallel position.

Arakawa-san also did the same and stopped the car in a parallel position, albeit slowly and safely. Surrounded from both sides, the only route the minivan could go was straight down the cliff.

"Arakawa, stay here and standby,"

Upon saying that, Mori-san opened the door and stepped out of the road. I followed her and got out as well, as I was about to rush to the minivan, Mori-san grabbed me by the shoulder.

Mori-san stopped me with a look in her eyes, then said to the kidnappers' car in a clear voice,

"Please turn off your engine and step out of the car. There's still time for you to comply."

She still said in a solemn tone, yet it sounded different from the one I heard in the lone island mansion or in Tsuruya-san's snow mountain mansion.

A police officer stepped out of the police car, and I was stunned to see the person wearing that tidy police uniform. Under that police hat raising his thumb towards me was the face of Yutaka-san, the younger sibling of the Tamaru brothers. Sitting on the driver's seat was his older brother, Tamaru Keiichi-san, who gave me a polite salute with his friendly face.

So were they the ones who Mori-san had spoken on the phone?

"Release Asahina Mikuru-san at once. Your plan has failed. There is no need to make things any more complicated than they already are."

Mori-san's authoritative voice had shifted my attention back to the minivan. As the windows were coated with a dark film, the interior could not be seen. Just as I was about to lose my temper and rush towards the minivan, even if it means giving it a kick, the engine had already gone silent and the slide door had also begun to move. Does this mean they no longer intend to resist?

But, when I saw the kidnappers reveal themselves, my eyes were widened with astonishment. The kidnappers, who remained silent, were not some tough-faced macho-men, but a group of young men and women you'd find anywhere in the street. Even if I were to remember each of their faces, the biggest impression they made would be that they didn't look sinister at all.

However, those doubts were soon cast off into the distance when I saw Asahina-san looking exhausted inside the car. Carried by the last woman to come off the car, Asahina-san seems to have lost consciousness as her eyes have closed, looking completely like a clay statue.

Absolutely unforgivable!

I was once again stopped by Mori-san for trying to rush over again.

"I'm sure you all understand now, but allow me to repeat this again: If you even lay a finger on her......"

My legs softened at the sight of her sinister-looking smile. Who would have thought that such a beautiful lady would have such a terrifying smile? This makes the smiles Haruhi makes whenever she has something in mind pale in comparison.

Perhaps sensing I was nearly petrified, Mori-san turned towards me with her maid-like smile once again, and then turned back to those bastard kidnappers,

"Release her and I will let you go. It doesn't matter whether you return to your own organization or wherever. Otherwise......"

Mori-san's smile was now more terrifying than before, I think I'm about to faint. If I were one of those kidnappers, I'd probably shrink into a pea upon seeing such a smile.

Yet those kidnappers weren't intimidated at all, but simply snorted and released Asahina-san. The Sleeping Beauty Asahina-san now leaned against the wheel and sat on the ground. These kidnappers merely saved their asses by treating her as though she were a fragile object. If they even dare try to toss such a beauty, I'm seriously gonna yell like mad and give those bastards a taste of my fury.

"I will have the towing company return the car to you later. Please walk down the mountain from here."

Mori-san pointed solemnly towards the cliff. Though she asked them to "walk down the mountain", but the problem was that they had no climbing equipment. She was basically giving them hell, but for some reason, I felt extremely satisfied.

"Looks like we have no choice,"

One of the kidnappers said, as though oblivious to her current situation,

"We kind of expected it, but we still failed. I guess this was all pre-determined,"

Dressed in red and still sitting inside the car, the one that spoke was the woman who carried Asahina-san out of the car. No matter how I look at her, she is relatively young, about the same age as myself.

As though trying to flirt with me, that lady gave a smile like a flower blossoming,

"Nice to meet you. I never thought we would meet under such circumstances, despite this, I'm still deeply honored. I had originally planned to find a suitable occasion to pay you a visit."

The lady made some gestures with her body language. Besides herself, the others had already stepped out of the car. The university-student like guy that came out last gave a stern face while shutting the door, and then headed for the nearly steep slope. After seeing one after another disappearing into the forest in the winter, it seems Mori-san and Tamaru Yutaka-san had no intention of bringing them to justice.

I desperately wanted to run over to Asahina-san's side, but Mori-san's hand still remained on my shoulder. The kidnapper lady now giggled,

"Don't you worry. Your precious time-traveler hasn't been harmed at all. We merely let her smell some anethetics and put her to sleep. Who knows, she probably wouldn't remember what had happened. To be honest, we were quite surprised that she would fall asleep so quickly. Is she used to getting knocked out like that?"

Despite the departure of her comrades, that lady - or I should say, young girl - still remained nonchalant. Mori-san, just how long do you intend to let her continue with her cockiness? She's a kidnapper, an unforgivable kidnapper! By the way, if you Tamaru brothers are going to be dressed like that, I'm sure your costumes comes with handcuffs, right?

As I was about to protest, one of the doors to the minivan that should have been empty had now opened.

"This is no fun,"

The guy sticking his head out suddenly revealed a smile five times more evil than if Koizumi were to smile evilly,

"I can't believe we got cornered so easily. If you want your Sleeping Beauty back, you can have her. We were supposed to last for a little longer, but now things have become worse for us."

He remained seated casually on his seat. It was the bastard from yesterday, the second time traveler with his own agenda. The Sneering Bastard continued,

"This is a pre-determined event, too. For us as well, that is. So you can't blame us."

"You must leave as well, please,"

Mori-san said like an elegant big sister, her lips revealing a smile as deadly as a poison ivy,

"Or do you wish to remain here longer? We will gladly prepare a sleeping bag for you."

"Don't even bother,"

The Sneering Bastard gazed at Asahina-san, snorted loudly, and then stared at me with an evil eye

"Our mission this time did not end in failure. We merely allowed history to follow its course. Great job guys, whether it's you or Asahina Mikuru. Oh yeah, let me ask you, how does it feel to have your limbs manipulated like a puppet? I definitely won't be pleased, as I hate following arranged scripts, especially ones where you already know the ending!"

"Well, I wouldn't mind if that were to happen to me,"

The kidnapper girl said.

"You tell me, how many futures have been decided? It requires a bit of skill to follow through to the correct outcome without deviating from the intended path, you know. While anyone can dance easily, it's very difficult having to dance correctly as instructed."

"Hmph! You can dance all you like! I never expected anything from you people,"

"Oh really?"

The kidnapper girl said amusingly,

"I personally wouldn't mind at all. Since our objectives are the same, let's continue to work together!"

His handsome face distorted by hatred, the Sneering Bastard began staring at me once again. Let me put this straight, as a regular receiver of Haruhi's intense glare, your staring is nothing compared to hers. If you want to play a staring game with me, you're all the more welcome to do so.

Perhaps sensing my hostile aura, the bastard muttered,

"Fools! Every one of you! I just can't understand. You're all so tragically ignorant!"

The bastard held the handle to the car door and threw this parting shot to me,

"I'll be back. We'll run into each other many times, you fool! But that's my job."

It seems like that's all he wanted to say, as he slammed the door shut after saying that.

No one present made any movement. Mori-san maintained her terrifying smile, and just stared at the kidnapper girl. While I couldn't move thanks to Mori-san holding me back. The nameless kidnapper girl remained standing with a smile, then as though thinking of something, she approached the car and opened the door.

Even if she didn't do that, I already knew the car was now empty. There was no one inside, and the bastard who basically had a sign saying "I hate you" on his face had vanished without a trace. I couldn't care less whether he traveled through time or space, to see such an eyesore of a freak disappear in front of my eyes was a thing worth celebrating.

"I should take my leave as well,"

Clapping her hands as though accomplishing her mission, the kidnapper girl looked at the mountainous path below her,

"I guess I'll walk back. Oh, you can do whatever you want with that car. You can keep it, it's yours,"

"Thanks,"

After replying, Mori-san finally let go of my hand. Like a mother bird worried about its offspring left in their nest, I hurried towards Asahina-san,

"Asahina-san!"

I carried her by her shoulder, her faint breathing and slight chest movements was prove that she was still alive. I was about to turn around to swear indignantly at that kidnapper girl, but she had already climbed down the cliff.

Mori-san came to my side and approached Asahina-san's sleeping face. She placed her fingers onto Asahina-san's neck and smelled the side of her lips,

"She's fine. She should be awake in another two hours. Please carry her to the car,"

I was of course in charge of the carrying work. I was already used to carrying Asahina-san. This was also one of my jobs for which I do not wish to be replaced.

Once we got back to the black taxi, Arakawa-san looked gently at Asahina-san like a grandfather would look at his granddaughter,and then he looked with concern at me as well. I allowed the exhausted Asahina-san to sit in the back seat, and I naturally sat beside her. Though I panicked at first, all I want to do was yell "Banzai" now that I've saved Asahina-san. If those guys had succeeded......no, there's no need to think about that anymore, that was now impossible.

Can I believe in pre-determined events, Asahina-san (big)? For you to go to such lengths, it means this event is absolutely necessary for this Asahina-san to go through in order to become you when she grows up, right?

As my attention was now focused on the sleeping face of Asahina-san, who seemed younger than me, I didn't notice Mori-san had also climbed onto the car, and had completely forgotten to say hi to the Tamaru brothers as the car drove off. It was only after a while that I came to my senses.

"Where do you wish to go from here?"

Mori-san asked. I now realized the taxi was heading back the original route along the highway.

"......Please take me to the library,"

I wanted to see Nagato as soon as possible before I could relax. After giving my destination, I slumped onto my seat. My exhaustion level was comparable to that of Asahina-san's.

I had thought that my work was over after releasing the turtle and picking it back up, I never expected to go through seeing Asahina-san getting kidnapped. Though I was mentally exhausted, I still managed to slowly move my lips,

"Mori-san......has Asahina-san been attacked by those people before? Have they nearly kidnapped her before without me knowing? And would they ever......"

"She has not been kidnapped in this time period."

Huh? Then what just......

"This shows that my deduction was correct. She is indeed unharmed in this time period. This is because her future self has acted as her decoy."

Mori-san's face was now full of compassion,

"Asahina-san is being watched over by many people. By you, by Nagato Yuki-san, and by us......like you, we do not wish to hand her over to anyone."

Just like how I trusted Koizumi, I guess she was also someone I could trust.

"As for other details, you can ask your gorgeous maid. I mean the one from the even further future, the beautiful and mature big sister, that is."

That was the most objective suggestion I've heard so far. I was about to see her even if you didn't tell me to. I sighed and asked something I suddenly thought of,

"Mori-san, are you one of Koizumi's superiors? You don't seem to refer to him in a deferential way."

Mori-san chortled and gave a smile which didn't reveal her age,

"That doesn't mean anything. It is usual for colleagues from the same company to address each other on friendly terms outside. It's the same for us."

It's pretty obvious she was dodging the question, but I was hardly interested in the rank and hierarchy of the "Organization". If I really want to know, I'd just interrogate Koizumi. Though like Mori-san, it's likely he won't reveal anything. According to Koizumi's style, if he really wants to tell me, he'll do so even with no one prompting him. This may the 'Organization's' way of revealing information. Sooner or later, even if I didn't ask, Koizumi would eventually explain everything to me and chatter away.

Until then, I'll just quietly wait for that moment to come.

I got out of the taxi outside the library, and with help from Mori-san I once again carried the Sleeping Beauty that is Asahina-san.

"Please take care. I hope we meet again someday,"

Mori-san said once again with her gentle and friendly maid-like smile. Arakawa-san also gave his silent butler salute. They then headed north along the highway in their taxi. Who knows, when Koizumi brought me to visit those 'Avatars', it could have been Arakawa that was in the driver's seat. I guess I'll ask him next time. Even if it wasn't, I'll still have to thank him nonetheless, and the Tamaru brothers as well, for that matter.

As I carried Asahina-san to the entrance of the library, I noticed Nagato was there waiting for me. Nagato stood quite straight, as though she didn't feel cold at all. Before I could speak......

"It is good that she is fine."

Her eyes turned towards the sleeping face of Asahina-san lying on my shoulder,

"I have heard about what happened."

From whom? Koizumi?

Nagato slowly shook her head, and stretched out one of her hands at an even slower speed.

In Nagato's hand was a letter. Next to the illustration was printed a number:

 #5.

Turns out the missing letter from the future was sent to Nagato instead. I didn't even need to ask who the sender was. Still, Nagato told me anyway,

"It was from Asahina Mikuru's differential temporal clone. We met about an hour ago."

So you were here, Asahina-san (big). Only you went to see Nagato instead.

"Did she say anything?"

"She asked me to do her a favour."

Nagato said calmly and stretched out her finger, placing it on Asahina-san's smooth forehead.

"......Umm......huh......Wah!?"

It was a magical finger, as Asahina-san had opened her eyes just by the touch of it,

"Wah! Kyon-kun......Huh? Why am I being carried by you? And, N, Nagato-san......"

I guess Shamisen would feel just as uncomfortable as Asahina-san right now whenever he's being picked up against his own will. While she had been struggling since the moment she woke up, I had actually wanted to carry her a little longer, but since Nagato's watching, I'll just have to put her down. The anesthetic that Mori-san said would take two hours to wear off has seemingly been dispelled by a single touch from Nagato, as Asahina-san didn't seem to wobble as her feet touched the ground once again.

Her eyes looking a bit red, Asahina-san looked teary-eyed at me,

"Um......has something happened to me? After giving that little turtle to that boy......Ah, that's it, a car suddenly stopped in front......"

And after that, you were knocked unconscious. I told everything to Asahina-san, who doesn't remember anything, as it had happened. Upon hearing me describe the details, Asahina-san's face went from pale to red to pale again. It was only when I concluded with the end of the condensed version of the car pursuit, that she surprisingly revealed a smile,

"So that's how it is. Turns out I'm useful after all, I protected my past self in this time period. Thank goodness,"

Asahina-san's optimistic smile had blown away all the fatigue within me. She was right, if it wasn't for this Asahina (Michiru)-san, the kidnappers may have resorted to extreme means to kidnap Asahina-san (small). And they would have done it right in front of Haruhi. Even if Koizumi had wanted to stop them, there's nothing much he could do if he were to keep his cover intact. Things would become serious indeed if that were to happen. Haruhi would be royally pissed and Koizumi's faction would certainly not sit by and do nothing. Yet, those kidnappers should have realized by now, even kidnapping the harmless Asahina (Michiru)-san didn't go as well as they might have expected

This time, I didn't rely on Nagato's powers to rescue Asahina-san. If Nagato had been involved this time, I wonder what might have happened? Those people should know the consequences very well if that happens. There's no way four mere kidnappers could beat the formidable Nagato, but I'd certainly look forward to such a scene.

"Oh, that letter......"

Asahina-san's eyes were now fixed on Letter #5.

"When was it sent over here?"

Just a while ago, but it was sent to Nagato.

"Sent to Nagato-san......"

Raising her eyebrows, Asahina-san said softly to her fellow brigade member's slim figure,

"N, Nagato-san. Could the one who sent you that letter be......Ah?"

"I can't tell you."

Nagato flatly turned down her question. The poker-faced alien said in a tone like a teacher teaching her students,

"Sooner or later you will understand."

She then said to Asahina-san, whose cherry-like lips were opened as she stood stiffly there,

"As you of all people should know best."

Like a snowman that had just spoken, Nagato turned around and put on her hood once she finished.

From her eyes, I knew that she did not meant "I don't want to tell you". Turns out I wasn't the only one who feels that "You'll understand even if I didn't".

Sandwiched between two silent female brigade members, I suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable, so I decided to open that letter.

The contents of Letter #5 were as below:

"Everything is now over. Please tell the Asahina Mikuru there to return to her original garrisoned time period. You're free to decide what the destination time and location would be."

Free to decide......huh? How I hoped this line could be interpreted differently under different circumstances, just once would do. Of course it would be better if Asahina-san were to say this directly to me.

Forget it, I can think all I want, it just couldn't be possible. Even if that wish were granted, I probably wouldn't dare do anything, and would be so overwhelmed that I'd simply faint. By the time I'd come to my senses I would have realized Haruhi had awoken me by knocking on my head, damn it! That is why I never allow myself to have wishes that are too ridiculous, especially not like Haruhi who would wish for the rotation of the Earth to go backwards. Wishes that you don't want to become true are better off staying ungranted, and the world should stay as it is.

And so, my priority was now to send Asahina-san to her original time period. I placed my hand on the shoulder of Asahina-san, who seemed to be lost in thought, and showed her the details of Letter #5. Though she was more concerned about who the sender was, she still went and read the letter from beginning to end. She gave an expression of understanding something and said,

"Understood. My mission has now ended."

She then said with a lonely expression,

"But now it would become an indirect order. Without your instruction, I can't return to my original time period,"

Yet Asahina-san quickly dispelled that thought and was smiling at me once again,

"I will show you one day that I can accomplish something all on my own as well. By then I will be the one saving Kyon-kun. Though I don't know when that'll be, it'll definitely come......"

Your wish will come true. As long as you don't forget the meaning to achieving that goal, and never lose your determination towards achieving that goal.

I looked at my watch, but I didn't feel like watching the time,

"Let's see, what's the destination time......"

This Asahina-san appeared in the broom locker at 3:45PM six days before today. She said she arrived at "4:15PM, eight days from now", so her destination ought to take place after 4:15PM that day. If it were set before that time, then it'll create lots of confusion. As far as I avoid having two Asahina-sans appearing at the same time, I guess it'll be OK to set the time difference between departure and arrival by 62 seconds.

"It'll be Tuesday two days from now, right? How about 4:16PM at that day? In that way, you would only be absent from that time period for about a minute or so. Let's pick the same location as well, inside the broom locker in the club room,"

"You're right......if it's that time, only Kyon-kun would be there,"

"Uniform and indoor shoes."

Thanks to Nagato reminding us, I remembered that the clothes this Asahina-san was wearing were all borrowed from Tsuruya-san. Her sailor uniform had been left at Tsuruya-san's place. I also realized that if I escorted Asahina-san back to Tsuruya-san's place, I would miss the scheduled meeting time. Yet I barely managed to rescue Asahina-san, I really didn't want to leave her all alone again.

"In that case, Asahina-san, you should just go straight to two days later like that. I'll try to find a way to get your uniform and indoor shoes back from Tsuruya-san today."

"Then I leave it all to you. Oh, and......"

After bowing deeply, Asahina-san looked straight at me, as though forgetting what to say, she opened her little mouth then shut it again. Was it because Nagato was around that she didn't dare speak?

"It's nothing......Um, I think I'll tell you when I get back,"

Though I was concerned, it didn't seem like anything important. If I'll know about it the day after tomorrow, then I didn't mind not knowing about it now.

How I wished the time traveling device would be activated now, but Asahina-san probably wouldn't let me have a glimpse of that. Seems like she would need to be alone in order for her to travel, so we entered the library and escorted Asahina-san to the ladies' bathroom.

"Kyon-kun, I'm really thankful for your help these last few days. That includes Koizumi-kun and Tsuruya-san as well."

You can thank Koizumi anytime, for Mori-san you can do so when you see her next time. As for Tsuruya-san, I'm sure she'll understand even if you didn't say anything. Of course, I'll relay it to Tsuruya-san as well anyway.

"Well then......Kyon-kun, Nagato-san, see you later,"

Asahina-san still looked hesitant to enter the bathroom when she went in. Once the bathroom door had closed, no more sound could be heard from inside. Nagato then lifted her head and quietly said to me,

"She has disappeared from this time period."

It's over, is it? The rest will have to wait till two days later. I accompanied Nagato out of the library and breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Nagato, for the past two days, I've come across time-travelers that're different from Asahina-san and people that oppose Koizumi's organization."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. So I was thinking, those aliens that you've mentioned may also have appeared somewhere out there,"

"Are you afraid?"

Nagato asked me without moving her head, she then gave me her own answer,

"I'm not afraid."

You're right, Nagato. I think the same as you do. I'm sure Asahina-san and Koizumi would agree as well. Since we all agree on the important things, let's continue to be friends.

Nagato continued walking forward without saying a word, and I followed silently as well.

There is no need to say things that are plainly obvious, on this I'm pretty clear. The SOS Brigade is not an organization with five individuals, but a single entity whose name is called "the SOS Brigade". I know very well about this, and so there is no need to talk about it with someone who knows it even better than I do.

(Chapter Six End)

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