Suzumiya Haruhi:Volume9 Chapter 3

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a-5

Monday. Morning.

Thanks to the fact that they spent Sunday in complete leisure, my legs were feeling light today.

As the days began to approach the middle of the fourth month, I, who would no longer go to the first year school building by accident but quickly adjusted to my new seat in the class of 2-5, turned around and spoke to the black-haired head in front of me.

"What's wrong? Defeated a month early by May sickness?"

Haruhi, who had arrived at school before I did, sighed and languidly attached herself to her desk while looking fatigued.

"No..."

Haruhi simultaneously raised her head and let out an "Unh", which grew up to a yawn.

"Just a little lack of sleep. I've been going to bed late. I was busy with a lot of stuff yesterday, you know."

Speaking of which, just what were you doing? Listening to the radio late at night or something?

"Why must I reveal my private life to you?"

Pouting her lips like a crocodile, "Teaching that kid from my neighborhood, cleaning the clubroom, doing weekly remodeling, that's already 'a lot of stuff.' Although I do listen to the radio every once in awhile. Also, I had to gather materials."

While recalling Bespectacled Professor, I asked,

"Materials? What materials?"

"Argh, you're really like a kid aren't you. Really, you should be able to ask more than "what materials" at this stage. I wonder why it is that no matter how much time passes, guys never age mentally? Childlike intellectual curiosity is innocent and charming, but if you've got a face like you're conducting an investigation, it makes me to not want to tell you. You're old enough already, use your own head to figure out what I do."

Is the reason that the more I think about the things you do, the more it seems like you have no place in school, the result of my own misunderstandings?

"Kyon, you listening? It's been a year since you've become a Brigade member. Develop an ability to read your Brigade leader's inclinations and intents, and then act on them ahead of time. With the way things are currently you'll always remain the lame brigade member. Because on my inner list, you're dashing straight to the very bottom."

Laughing with her intrepid smile, Haruhi opened the notebook I use in first period's Japanese class, and with a method I can only see as waving her pen around, stupidly drew some lines on it.

"If you put it into a graph it'd look kind of like this."

On the longest line was Koizumi, and the lines which were footnoted "Mikuru" and "Yuki" were about the same length. If you're wondering about me, mine was about a 5mm line that wasn't raised anywhere near the other meritorious brigade members. This really doesn't make me sad, though.

"Then the Computer Research Society's president's about this long, and Tsuruya is, hmm, already here. Look. You, you're even losing to outsiders! That flyer from before wasn't satisfactory at all, you know."

You're probably thinking something like, "That's pathetic considering you're the most senior brigade member." As to that, the Computer Research Society's president's a generous guy who's donated a grand total of five computers to us and the height of Tsuruya's social status couldn't be placed even after the passing of a Chinese calendar sexagenary cycle. I'll give my sympathy vote to the Computer Research Society's president, so go ahead and raise his line a little more. This is trite.

Haruhi, her expression turned to that of a booing hometeam supporter irritated at the opposing team's stalling, said,

"Stupid! Be more spirited! There's about one month until the SOS Brigade's one-year anniversary. At that time, we'll be rapidly handing out many applications. If some first year brigade applicants come, are you planning on somehow playing out your upperclassman status? 'Cause for your information, I will not be using the seniority system!"

So are you planning on using Nobunaga's system? If it were the Warring States period, in a battle you should capture and imprison the enemy military commander, but at this school something like the student council's opposing influence should be more than enough to treat the cancerous SOS Brigade. Koizumi is the pillar backing up the student council president, and Tsuruya's family, although she appears not to know, backs the Organization. If one of the president's scandalous affairs were to be exposed, he probably has a retinue of foot soldiers to cover it up for him. Although he probably wouldn't want that.

It seemed that Haruhi wanted to continue her sermon mode, but that was that, since both the bell chimed and Okabe-sensei entered the room, thus suspending her plans.

But is that Haruhi still planning on gathering new members? And putting aside her goal, how is she even going to achieve it?

But, even if I worry about it there's nothing that can be done. As for myself, there's Sasaki and Tachibana Kyoko, whom I met on Saturday. I'm anxious about that Kuyoh-something alien, and the time traveler who wasn't there that day but would probably be reappearing soon. It is indeed a pending problem, but I'll admit that if he doesn't come to start a fight, deep down I'm fine with laying it aside.

As for the "if you've got it, bring it on" spirit, I'm fostering that feeling as if it were the larva of a stag beetle becoming a chrysalis. He can lay whatever traps he likes. But I'm going to make him pay a high price when it comes to reparations. Even in boxing, the might of a counter is greater than that of a simple straight. That's the way it always turns out in the boxing manga I was reading. And Haruhi is someone who repays her all of debts and grudges two hundred million-fold indiscriminately.

No, there's no point in meaninglessly wasting words.

There's just one brief thing that I'd like to say...

If you make yourself an enemy of the SOS Brigade, do not think you will live easy.



At lunch break, after giving Taniguchi and Kunikida a few words of nonparticipation, I put down my lunchbox and headed for the Literature Club room.

Even if you look around the school, you won't find a place that has a heavier atmosphere at this current moment, and Nagato Yuki was keeping to her totally predictable movement patterns.

"Mind if I come in?"

Nagato, sitting in her chair reading a Western occult book, didn't raise her head.

"......"

"Let me eat here. The classroom is just too noisy. I figured it's good to eat somewhere a little more calm every so often."

"Hmm."

Nagato raises her head in the manner of a self-rightening doll in a slow motion film, her sweeping eyes float over me, and then return to reading.

"Have you already eaten?"

"......"

With a nod, Nagato's slender neck inclined forward slightly.

Her response seemed pretty questionable, but figuring out Nagato is not something for lunchtime.

"About the alien called 'Kuyoh'......"

Sitting down in the chair and wrapping my lunch box in a wrapping napkin, I said,

"She serves as the hand of the faction that orchestrated the attempt to freeze us to death in winter, right?

Nagato, using her hand as a replacement for a bookmark and returned her eyes to me, replied,

"Yes."

"What was it you said before... um... she's a humanoid whatever that gives off the same aura you do."

"Perhaps."

"Could she have come for -that-, observing Haruhi or something?"

After taking the time required for a star to blink,

"I don't know."

Something like, your mutual cognizance is incomplete, right?

"Yes. That she is interested in Suzumiya Haruhi's data alteration capabilities is unquestionable. It's one of the reasons for her dispatchment to this planet."

Nagato said this in a businesslike manner.

"They, the Canopy Domain--"

A word I couldn't ignore entered my ears, so I stopped her.

"Canopy... what?"

"Canopy Domain."

Nagato, who pronounced this quietly, said,

"That is the Integrated Data Setient Entity provisionally chosen name for them. It is great progress. Until now, we have not even had the concept attaching names."

While holding my chopsticks, I thought of the meaning of the name "Nagato Yuki," and she said,

"From our point of view, it's derived from beyond the zenith direction."

She added in a flat voice.

"And the 'zenith direction' is," I said, pointed my chopsticks at the ceiling, "Over there?"

"..."

Allowing the time for the mental multiplication of seven squared to pass, Nagato replied,

"Over there."

She pointed towards the mountain range outside of the clubroom's window. Although I understand the fact that it's north, it's an existence that cannot be seen no matter your methods, even by radio telescope. It wouldn't really matter which direction it came from. Bothering oneself with location's compass direction is the job of a diviner. And more than that,

"Nagato. Those bastards, are they planning on doing something like throwing us into another dimension similar to the one in the last disaster they forced on us?"

"I am currently unable to see any such indication."

Nagato, who had raised her arm behind herself diagonally, returned her hand to the work of holding her page and said,

"A humanoid interface capable of conducting linguistic contact with us has showed us her form. I predict that for her, hereafter some physical contact will become necessary."

"That girl..."

This reduces the peculiarities about the girl called Suoh Kuyoh by half. There's a lot of things I'd like to accuse the Integrated Data Sentient Entity of, but I will acknowledge just that they have a good sense in interface making. If you compare Kuyoh to Nagato, Kimidori-san, and let's even throw in Asakura Ryoko, the latter are greatly preferable.

Nagato said without emotion,

"I will defend against the basic attacks from the individual known as Suoh Kuyoh. I cannot allow any additional dangers towards you and Suzumiya Haruhi."

Your words are more reliable than any of anyone else's. However, Nagato......

Nagato replied before I could open my mouth.

"Or towards Asahina Mikuru or Koizumi Itsuki."

And you as well, Nagato.

"......"

Towards Nagato's fixated eyes, I answered by putting in my own judgment.

You may not take yourself into consideration, but I am different, and so is Haruhi. You can blow aside Kuyoh and the Canopy Domain, but having no concern for yourself is behavior I absolutely will not allow. Being protected all the time isn't interesting. The things I can do might be as insignificant as common space dust, but there should still be something I am able to do.

"......"

Nagato lowered her eyes back to the pages of her book, and I, who had taken my opportunity to speak, started on my lunch. There's no comparison between these days with the first day she invited me to her 708 apartment room. To think that this silence, uninterrupted by any words, could give rise to such a sense of comfort......



All of the afternoon classes had finished, and after homeroom's completion and the signal for the class-ending ritual had been given, form teacher Okabe-sensei descended from the podium and my classmates noisily began to rise from their seats. Students who did not have cleaning today had no more business in class, so I picked up my bag, stood up, and found that my bag, which shouldn't really have anything in it, rapidly became heavy.

Upon turning around, I found that Haruhi had extended her hand and grabbed onto my case. Her hand is quite powerful.

"Wait a second."

Haruhi, who had been sitting, continued while glaring somewhere around my ear,

"Do you remember that we have a math quiz tomorrow?"

"Ah... sort of."

Now that she mentions it, I seem to remember last week our math instructor made an announcement, but I have a great deficiency in keeping such trifling matters in memory. "So you forgot about it after all. Figured."

Haruhi said haughtily with a sigh,

"Because you're like that, you've caused the SOS brigade's members bell curve to drop all by yourself. Since it's a general test, even you should be able to get some points, so at least do that much."

Are you my mother? More importantly, you should move from your seat. You're interfering with people's cleanup duties.

"How can you be so unconcerned? You, bring your math textbook and come here."

Haruhi stood up with great speed and dragged me up to the teacher's desk. The many people on cleanup duty are accustomed to this, and didn't even look at Haruhi and me. Although the fact that their faces were growing weird smiles irritated me.

Haruhi, who had wrested away my textbook, casually spread it open on top of the teacher's desk and said,

"This number 2 example problem on page 9 will definitely show up on the test so make sure to memorize it. Along with this formula. This is a model question, so knowing Yoshizaki, it'll definitely be put in. What about the blackboard? Show me your notes."

In the face of her rapidly-firing demands, all I could do was helplessly obey.

"What's this? There's not anything written here besides what was partway through the lecture! You were sleeping after lunch, weren't you?"

So what, it doesn't matter. Weren't you sleeping today in Classical Literature too?

"If you judge it's safe to sleep, that's fine. It's about whether or not you understand even if you don't listen. But you don't understand, right? Get it? You're being especially wrecked by the maths and sciences, so you need to at least put in some effort."

Haruhi said underlined some problems in my textbook with my pen and said,

These are the minimum problems you must get done, so you need to memorize them. And you can't just memorize the answer because he'll switch around the numbers in the test. For starters, this one, this one, and..."

In this manner, it turned out that I stood there and took Haruhi's special lecture with the teacher's podium between us. The people with cleaning duty who understood the situation fortunately ignored us, and we did them the same favor. This is somehow embarrassing. I'd be glad if you'd at least do this in the club room.

"Idiot. The club room is a place for doing club activities, not a place for studying. It's a real killjoy to be doing something interesting in a place that isn't."[Reader's note: Shouldn't this be reversed? Because "studying" is something boring and the clubroom would be the "interesting" place? Or maybe I just got confused?]

Looking bored, Haruhi pointed out problems that she imagined would appear on the test
Looking bored, Haruhi pointed out problems that she imagined would appear on the test

Looking bored, Haruhi pointed out problems that she imagined would appear on the test, mentioned a complicated method of solving a problem, and didn't release the teacher's podium and me until I'd finally gotten all of the questions she pointed out correct.

"Well, this should do it."

Haruhi rolled up the pen and closed my textbook. If this were to continue for another 5 minutes, my brain would give voices of rejection related to overtime work. Our classmates, who had finished their cleaning, had all removed themselves.

"With this, if you're below average on tomorrow's test there's no cure for you. You'll need surgery. If you can, keep all this in your memory until the midterm."

I really can't give any guarantees. I can't be concerned with things as far ahead in the future as that. I stuffed my poor textbook, which had been crammed full of writing, into my bag and looked down on Haruhi's authoritative eyes, which appeared to be challenging me. I was thinking that I should say something, but no words came out, and I moved my neck up and down as if trying to deceive her.

"Anyways, with this you should be able to pass tomorrow's test easily. If you aren't able to figure out at least half of them, I'm going to reprimand you in the capacity of the Brigade leader. If things become like that, won't it be my responsibility to make you an arithmetic drill? Please put effort into this."

After briskly walking to her desk and picking up her case, Haruhi said,

"Don't lag behind, let's hurry up and go. Mikuru and the others are going to get tired of waiting."

Although it's doubtful that anything exists which can rival those three in the ability to patiently wait for someone, that was my intention to begin with. While chasing the fast-walking Haruhi's hair, which was waving on the top of her shoulders, I began shedding some inner light on my honest side, and found that I hadn't really driven away tomorrow's quiz into the depths of forgetfulness. I just figured that in the break period before math class or some other time, I could ask Kunikida for instruction.

And today, with Haruhi having switched places with my personal Father Time, hmm, how should I put it, today has been classified as another one of those days that I don't care what happens.

In following Haruhi, who exited first into the hallway, I took ten-odd large strides.

The stride of Haruhi, who was walking at a seemingly wind-cutting speed, was as pointlessly authoritative as always, exactly like Shamisen would if he'd heard the sound of a canned cat food lid being opened, and in order to synchronize with that pace, which should belong to someone half her height, I had to command my leg muscles to move at full capacity. Thanks to all this, we were before the club room in a flash, and Haruhi opened the door without knocking, finally coming to a stop once she set a foot in the room.

"Ah, Suzumiya, Kyon."

Asahina, who ran up to us with a pitter-patter, for some reason was not her maid outfit but a normal sailor uniform.

The girl from the future wore a troubled face, and with a fleeting and anxious voice said,

"I've been waiting for you. I was just about to go out to call you. Ah, them, it wasn't me that was waiting, it was them."

So that Haruhi wouldn't have to move, I raised my neck and inspected the room from above the shoulder of her sailor uniform.

"Geh!"

Without thinking, I blurted this with a strange voice.

Nagato was reading a book in the corner of the room, Koizumi was sitting on a table chair, the smile coming out on his face being curtailed for everyday life, and then there was one thing happening which was unpredictable.

Asahina turned back towards the inside of the club room,

"Everyone, thanks for waiting. We don't have enough teacups and so I couldn't prepare tea, um, I did try preparing them one by one from about 30 minutes ago... I didn't really know what to do..."

I understand your distressed expression.

The clubroom is totally overloaded.

There wasn't even a need to check the color of their indoor shoes. I'm sure that one year ago, we all floated about with that same atmosphere. How should I put it, they're "fresh," although that expression may be a little too plain.

The new first year guys and girls crowded the inside of the Literature Club clubroom.

My estimate would be about 10 people.

They all directed their gaze at Haruhi and me, and for some reason made strange smiles.

"... Could it be that you're brigade applicants?"

And what preceded the replies of Asahina and Koizumi was,

"Yes!"

The chorus voice of the ten guys and girls.

Hearing their youthful chorus, which was nurtured by a desire of unknown foundation, my mouth, unharmonized with anyone, came out with its catchphrase.

"Oh boy..."



ß-5

Monday. Morning.

Because that "stuff" happened yesterday, my inner feelings were complicated, though that didn't mean that I let my face slip into a complicated expression. The problem was Haruhi, who was proud of her own skills of intuition that are sharp like a utility knife. After distorting my ill-intending thoughts, she could probably turn them 360 degrees and arrive at the right answer.

At best, I need to keep wearing this mask that I've conjured up.

For better or for worse, Haruhi, who had arrived at school before I did, sighed and attached herself to her desk while looking fatigued somehow.

It's not possible that she's been tired out by the weekday obligation of commuting to school, it's probably something more like a lack of sleep due to watching late-night movies.

Well, this is certainly convenient. I would wholeheartedly like to take a moment of tranquility from the energy-drained Brigade leader, and so I arrived at my desk as quietly as possible and quietly placed my case nearby the desk.

As I listened to what seemed to be the sound of Haruhi's hair and clothing rustling as she slightly raised her head at my back, I continued staring at the blackboard which was undirtied by chalk.

The bell rang, and I continued staring patiently until Okabe-sensei came to harmonize the classroom.

If it's sleep shortage we're talking about, actually I was experiencing the same thing. Yesterday, thanks to being forcefully transplanted into an unrealistic place, my head-clearing had been hard to get.

It's also caused partially by my worrying that the phone might start ringing in the middle of the night.

It's probably because of that.

In the middle of second period's class, Classical Literature, I'd already begun to drift away on my boat. This need to sleep, which is nigh inescapable, is thought to be promoted by the spring sun whose light illuminates the classroom. At my back, Haruhi had long ago started breathing in a sleeping pattern, and there's no way it'd be a problem if the Sleep-Study Clinicians rose just one more man in number...

......It's no good. It's seriously as if from something like Sleep Hell, the strongest of the demons has barged in......

I fell into the hand of the demon of short-term sleep, and I had a dream that was among the worst of possibilities.

A vicarious experience of an event which actually happened...

...... Memories of a day in my third year...... in middle school......



In the boundless tedium of everyday life which I was powerless to fix in those ten-odd years, there were times when I'd be surprised at finding myself thinking about something disturbing.

For example, such things as "won't a missile which the military misfired come and hit us, won't a falling man-made satellite which is still burning make a direct hit somewhere in Japan, won't a gigantic meteor fall and plunge the world into unprecedented chaos," not because I desired a catastrophe which would allow me to feel despair in my daily existence, but just because I happened to think about them.

And when I'd talk to my classmate friend Sasaki about this,

"Kyon, that's a syndrome of modern entertainment. You've been reading manga or novels too much."

She would explain this to me with her usual courteous smiling floating onto her face.

That was a word I'd never heard before.

As a matter of course, I asked her.

What on Earth is that?

"It's understandable that you wouldn't have heard it before. About the word I just used,"

After that short preface, she continued,

"Reality is not constructed in the same manner as movies or dramas, novels or manga. That's a disappointment to you, isn't it? The protagonists in the entertainment world, one day, suddenly, will find themselves faced with an unrealistic phenomenon, sense trouble, and will find themselves placed in a situation which could hardly be called pleasant. In the majority of cases, those stories' protagonists will, using intellect, bravery, a hidden power, or through developing an unspecified talent, overturn their broken-down circumstances. However, those are stories which undoubtedly can only occur in the fictional world. And it's because they are fiction that they are consequently realized in the entertainment world. If we were to posit that a world like in movies, dramas, novels, and manga was made to be ubiquitously visible in everyday life, then those forms of entertainment would not longer be entertainment, they would be documentaries."

It was a theory I seemed to understand and not understand at the same time, so I truthfully told her so.

Sasaki produced a chortling laugh from the inside of her throat.

"To put it in other terms, something like reality is supported by hard laws, see. No matter how long you wait, aliens will not come to attack Earth, and an ancient evil god will not be reborn from the seas."

How would you know something like that?

Are you trying to say that there are things which absolutely cannot happen in this world?

Even if it's a small, the probability that a giant meteor could hit Earth shouldn't be zero.

"Did you say 'probability?' Listen, Kyon. If we're talking about probability, it's definitely true that nothing becomes impossible. For example,"

Sasaki said while pointing at the classroom wall,

"If you charged at that wall with all your effort, the probability of you passing through and appearing in the adjacent room is not zero. But see, you'd probably say that there's no way you could pass through a wall. However, that's untrue. In the quantum world, in spite of the presence of an electron insulator which should absolutely prevent the passage of electrons, it happens often that at some point the electrons pass through the very object and appear in another location. It's called the tunneling effect. If we consider things using that as a basis, if the chemical elements that compose your body were to be broken down, since there would be nothing but particles which are the same as electrons left, it's not impossible that you could pass straight through the wall without making a hole in the same manner. But the probability is about such that if you were to charge the wall once every second, even if you did this for 15 billion years, it would never happen. That is to say, wouldn't be fine if we called it 'impossible?'"

What the hell are we talking about just now?

When listening to Sasaki's speeches, it usually happened that my own thoughts would gradually become obscure, I would get the feeling that I had been deceived, and the conversation would end.

A gentle smile would open on Sasaki's noble features, and she looked at me from across.

"And moreover, Kyon. If you were to be thrown into a dimension in which the world of those unrealistic stories existed, the question of whether you would be able to act as conveniently as the protagonists who appear in fiction do can only be called exceedingly dubious. If you ask why they can so freely wield intellect, bravery, hidden power, and special abilities to topple adversity, that would be because it was written that way. So, where is the author of your story?"

I don't remember making any kind of response.

The above is a conversation between Sasaki and I which occurred on a day in June two years ago, in our classroom when we were in the third year of middle school. My first meeting with Sasaki was when she became my classmate in the beginning of Spring, but as we strangely got along well in conversation, our relationship came to be one in which we simply talked about whatever pleased us.

Sasaki was, as far as I know, the only student who had completely read the Ellery Queen series.

By the way, I haven't read them myself.

For every type of topic Sasaki would know an amusing outline to give.

Fate had it that Sasaki was even in the same courses as I was in the cram school I was forcibly made to go to, and if I were to say that our intimacy was on a level that, say, at lunch break we'd eat school lunch together, you'd probably get the big picture. I'm essentially the type of human that likes reading things like manga magazines alone during meals, but if it is with this person, I can use my utensils in comfort.

However, we didn't have a single point of contact outside of school or cram school. If I was asked if I considered her a close friend, I think my answer would probably be "no."

Sasaki puts her elbow on my desk such that she is leaned over. Her two black eyes that sparkle nicely with twinkle, among her other well-arranged features, stood out especially. If she were to get rid of her roundabout and questionable terms, she would certainly be attractive, I think.

As a test, I tried saying something exactly as I had thought of it.

"That's an interesting thing to say!"

She made a face as if she had just swallowed down a roar of laughter.

"I've never understood the reasoning behind making the question of whether one is attractive or unattractive an issue in this life. I think that I want to be rational and logical, no matter the time, place, or situation. In accepting reality as it is, emotional and sentimental thought processes can be nothing but obstructive noise. I can't think of emotion as anything other than a crude shelter which impedes human evolution's progress towards autonomy. Especially feelings of love, it's like a kind of mental illness!"

Is that so?

"A long time ago, there was a person who said so. It was a very thought provoking statement, so I still remember it. You probably want to say crazy things like, 'well if love didn't exist, marriage couldn't happen and kids couldn't be made!'"

I stayed silent.

Well then, what do I want to say?

"Just look at wild animals. There are definitely kinds among the rest that seem to love their children, protect them, and raise them. But that doesn't come from love."

Sasaki only moved the bridge of her lips.

It was a smile with the pretense of being evil.

It seemed like she wanted me to ask her a question, so I did so.

"Well then, what does it come from?"

Sasaki said thus:

"Instinct," and from here she made me listen to a one-sided exposition on whether love and emotion were different things, whether they were united, or whether if they were united could they be separated, and when at some point she shifted to a rhetorical analysis on the problem of the difference between whether or not human nature was good or evil, the shadow of a third party fell upon my desk.

It was Okamoto, a person in the same section as us who had come bringing worksheets about our future plans...

...

...

The bell rang lightly, the hearing of which was the end of my refrain.

I woke up just when I was able to recall the facial features of Okamoto. I immediately confirmed my current coordinates. This is the classroom of 2-5 in North High. The break time has unconsciously arrived. Haruhi appeared to still be in dreamland. Her soft, rhythmic breathing ringing near my ears.

Two persons sleeping without getting called up, how rare, in fact nearly a miracle. If it is because we had already been blacklisted by the clear-headed teacher as being hopeless cases...... Hmm...... Haruhi may feel happy, but for someone like me, whose academic results are not exactly desirable, this is not something to be relaxed about.

After all I came here with the goal of graduating, at least that is what my parents planned.

Because I stacked my textbooks to be used as a pillow just now, I rubbed my face with my hand, checking if there are any marks left on my face. In this period of time, whatever I had dreamed of just now seemed to have been totally erased from my memory. Huh? Why do I keep feeling I had missed a very important phrase? Although I remember Sasaki appearing, I am unable to recall what exactly is in the conversation.

I flicked on my temples with my finger, it hurt.

This is the reality. Whatever happened just now was a dream. While it is easy to say that "This is something to be expected", but I have to confirm whether the world I am existing in now is the real one occasionally, waking up the negatively stubborn subconscious of mine that kept drifting into past memories.

Sasaki, Kuyoh and Tachibana Kyoko, although considered real enough, but the side I am standing on is not there, but here. Here being the one of our Brigade leader dozing off behind me now.

This is a fact to never be, or ever be forgotten.

If this reality is ever facing destruction, I would change it back to this old self no matter what. This is what I am determined to do.

Not because I did it because someone told me to, nor was it for anyone, after all I do not wish to be among the ranks of the superheroes or humanitarians, who are of a totally different moral standing than myself. In fact, this is totally for myself.

I had made this decision long ago, right during Christmas last year.



During lunch break, Haruhi disappeared from the classroom. I thus joint my tables with Taniguchi and Kunikida, blissfully enjoying my lunch.

The reason for always mixing with these few friends is not because I find adding more names to my friends' logbook difficult. To put it simply, it is because this two are friends that I get along pretty well with. I have not thought of bringing myself further away from them even till now. I hope to pursue this matter with the school, who failed to sort the classes properly. It is also because of this that I decided to remain friends with this two still.

"Kyon, there is a question I do not know whether I should ask."

Kunikida asked while looking at me innocently, carefully removing the skin from his chum salmon (1). Hearing how natural he spoke about it, I immediately replied.

"What about it?"

"Did you see Sasaki recently?"

I nearly swallowed the prune I am chewing on together with its skin.

"......Why?"

Did Sudou's middle school gathering network reach Kunikida by now?

"Not long ago, I guess it is about the beginning of April." Kunikida put down his chopsticks. "I participated in the national mock examinations organized by the cram school and met her at the exam hall. But I did not really chat with her, and I don't know whether she noticed me in the first place."

Why did you suddenly remember this? The new school term had started for so long.

"Because the results of the examinations came out yesterday, you know, those which recorded the rankings. Just when I was looking for my name, I discovered hers first. She was indeed in her own form. Her total scores were much higher than mine."

Kunikida started moving his chopsticks again.

"And so I thought, I have to get a better score than her next time. This is just a temporary target anyway, a pseudo-opponent. I think Sasaki-san's rankings would not adjust too much, so as long as I get a rank higher than hers, it will be a confirmation of my own abilities. I think Kyon would know which school Sasaki-san aimed to go to, and so I asked."

"No idea."

This coversation must move on as soon as possible, or else......

"Oh, I am unable to take it as I did not just hear anything from just now."

Taniguchi flashed an evil grin.

"You talking about Sasaki? The one Kyon was incredibly intimate with during the middle school days, right?"

You see, this bummer with an incredibly keen sense had already swallowed the bait together with the hook.

I immediately exercised my right to denial, transforming into a loyal disciple of the passiveness sect, concentrating on finishing my lunchbox. Taniguchi is like a cat prancing at its prey, full of curiosity.

"How exactly was she as a person?"

"A very cute girl, and a very clever one at that. You can say that she is strange too if you want to put it that way. Hmm...... I always felt that feeling of strangeness was orchestrated. Yeah, indeed a strange person."

Sasaki said you were strange too, how matching.

"Really? But the symbolism should be different. Sasaki is conscious of her being strange, but when I am pointed out to be strange, I still felt surprised myself. But she understands herself very well. I feel that she is putting herself into a frame that is built on the basis of her understanding of herself, all the time ensuring that she doesn't exceed the frame."

Indeed, from the way she speaks, it does feel so.

"So I wanted to know if she is like this now. After all Sasaki-san attended a private high school with a high promotion rate isn't it? Most students there should be guys. I am a little worried, for if she keeps restricting herself within that frame, won't she feel fatigued?"

Facing Kunikida, who was not exactly carrying a look of concern, Taniguchi stuffed a piece of cauliflower into his mouth before continuing.

"This would have exceeded my operating frequency. I had enough of strange women. Suzumiya is like this too. Wait. No, this is totally unrelated to Suzumiya. Tell me, why do I always have no fate with cute girls? But now that I am promoted to second year, perhaps it is better to target the underclassmen. But there are no connections. I must think of a way to solve this problem before the summer break comes along."

Facing Taniguchi, who started talking like a rapid-firing machine gun for no reason, the most I can offer him is "Just do whatever you want". Upon remembering that I had just met Sasaki yesterday for a gathering with three other abnormal crows, I lost my appetite. This connection between Kunikida and Sasaki is no doubt a coincidence, but hearing the mention of her name at such a convenient time makes one have the "This may be some kind of premonition" kind of unscientific thoughts. Just like a reminder to "Not forget this point" while I am summarizing a story, it has a very unnatural and otherworldly feel to it.

Is it a warning? Looking at yesterday's situation, let's not talk about Sasaki first, Fujiwara and Tachibana Kyoko did not show any signs of threat or pressure. Kuyoh too. Although she always gives a off a very strange vibe, but we have Nagato, and now even Kimidori-san was sent to the shop. That is why I can relax somewhat and treat the entire issue as if it is no big matter.

Thinking about it clearly, the SOS Brigade would be united no matter what. But, it does not apply to their side. Looking at the state of things, they do not have an esper as strong as Koizumi while having a more self-centered time traveler than Asahina-san (big), as well as an alien that seems to know none of the etiquette on Earth...... the connection between the trio is just so weak. And they wanted to raise Sasaki to the status to god, but Sasaki herself refused to agree.

If they wanted to defeat the unbeatable Haruhi on our side, the cast still seem a bit lacking. They should have found more people. The current state is literally neutral. What exactly are they thinking? If they expected a person of the caliber of Tachibana Kyoko to be able to move me, they have really underestimated me.

Just like the headache you get in the morning from sleeping enough but too much, I endured with the uncomfortable feeling as I continued finishing my lunchbox.

Taniguchi's conversation had already turned to the number of first year girls that are of AAA grade and above, but that had already exceeded my scope of interest. She would not be one of those who would want to enter the SOS Brigade anyway.

After all Suzumiya Haruhi and the SOS Brigade's heroic deeds had long reached the ears of the neighboring commoners. This is what I heard from Sasaki as well.



After dismissal that day, Haruhi and I stood up right after Obake-sensei stepped off the teachers' podium and left the classroom immediately.

I originally thought that we would be heading to the clubroom as usual, but......

"Kyon, you go ahead. I have some place I have to visit."

Haruhi threw her schoolbag at me, walking at a pace faster than a Frisbee being thrown out and disappeared quickly.

Could it be that she had sharper eyes than Taniguchi and discovered an AAA grade first year before him and is now running off to kidnap that person? Even if it is so, it cannot be helped. We can only follow her wishes. I had long cultivated such an attitude.

Thus, I decided to proceed to the clubroom at a leisurely pace.

Those first years who joined the sports clubs should have begun their practices by now. One can also see the ex-third years in their level shirt. You can even meet them along the walkways, quite a refreshing feeling. Although "refreshing" is such a cliché word to use, but there are no other expressions to describe this situation.

If anyone wants to join the Literature Club, Nagato can also finally display her airs as a senior, that isn't too bad. But again, she is after all an alien humanoid interface that has to read over three hundred Earth books per year. Even if she had juniors, it is difficult to imagine that they feel happy talking to Nagato with her transparent protective layer. But compared to looking for a book you want to read alone, it is still better to have a buddy to exchange books with. One can then exchange their newly-bought books with the other and would be much more convenient. After all I do not have the ability to critique or discuss the contents of the book after finishing it, so even though I borrowed books from her before, I had never lent her any. I might as well find some day to give her a library card as a gift or something.

The me who had arrived in front of the clubroom would never forget to knock on the door first to confirm that there is nobody inside. This time round, there is no response. I immediately opened the door and found it empty. I am actually the first, how rare.

I threw my schoolbag on the table and sat on the foldable chair. When I felt a sense of boredom, I started wondering why am I feeling this way before suddenly realising.

Oh, it is because the one who is always here no matter what and making one think she stays here permanently, Nagato, is nowhere in sight.

But she could have been late because her cleaning duty delayed her. Or maybe she went to help the Computer Research Society.

While waiting for the other four, I picked up the hardcover book left on the table, seemingly belonging to Nagato, and took a glance at one of the pages. Looks like it is a story about an installation eternally seeking a place it belongs to.



a-6

After remaining frozen for a few seconds, Haruhi immediately issued orders to chase everyone except Asahina-san and Nagato out of the clubroom. The reason is really simple......

"Mikuru, just change first. Of course the waitress one. The cheongsam, I hate to admit, I do not think it suits you. What a waste. Never mind, I will prepare it for you in the future, just bear with it for a while."

"Eh? Change right now?"

Asahina-san gingerly held onto the two shoulders of her sailor uniform, looking at the first year boys and girls walking out of the room obediently.

"Kyaa~"

And she raised her head up like a small parrot. Haruhi immediately pointed her finger at her.

"Mikuru, what are you of the SOS Brigade? I think you should have known it by now. Let me confirm it, tell me who are you again."

"Kyaa~ That, I am......? Eh? What am I......?"

Compared to the unconfident Asahina-san who kept her head raised to face Haruhi, this leader of ours, with confidence exceeding that of the founder of a new religion and is so proud that it is criminal, pointed her finger at the little animal-lookalike third year while continuing in a high pitch.

"The mascot, mascot! Mikuru must have a radically different role. Of course it isn't just limited to this, but the bottom line is still that. If basics like this are not defined it will affect the structures above. So this is how it will go for this impromptu admission exercise. Being a symbol that is easily understood, you have to remain a waitress here. Or else the new members may be confused. First impressions are the most important. Uh huh, I can hire a bodyguard for you. Since Mikuru is gifted with such talents, you should have more confidence and present yourself as a waitress well. Understand?"

Haruhi revealed a scheming grin that is easily understood.

"Do not let them leave later. I will be giving the opening speech on behalf of the SOS Brigade. If anyone dares to attempt escaping, do not feel sorry for them. Just inject general anesthetic and tie them up."

Saying that, she closed the door.

From the inside of the partition-converted wall, one could hear the sound of shirts rubbing against the skin and various "Kyaa~ Suzumiya-san...... Very itchy...... wahaha......" calls. Other than listening to these extremely arousing calls that are mixed with tears and laughter, Koizumi and I are unable to find other things to do and could only turn around and stare at the first years standing at the walkway.

They should have used this chance to escape, but these ten odd first years' eyes are shining with curiosity and anticipation, waiting here, following Haruhi's instructions. I counted eleven people, seven males and four females. Looking at how new the shirts with green stripes that they are donning, it proved that they had been high school students for hardly a month.

Should I say something to them first? Just take it as a senior giving them some words of advice or something.

I took a glance at Koizumi. This purely symbolic "Assistant leader" handsome lad, continued giving his usual relaxed smile. From his bright eyes and relaxed expression, it seems none of this people are part of Koizumi's group. That is to say, this is a scene that can be seen at any club activity in any school: applicants taking a tour of the clubroom. However, the SOS Brigade is not an organization that is recognized by the school authorities, and would never engage in any normal club activities. Does this gang of people know that?

"They should have came only after they knew."

Koizumi told me softly by my ear.

"From my scope of knowledge, every teenager here has no other intentions. Very clearly, all of them are genuinely looking forward to being a member of the SOS Brigade. At least there are no espers, aliens or time travelers in this group."

Since you are so sure about it, I guess it must have its proof. Now that Tachibana Kyoko, the time traveler dude and Suou Kuyoh and whatever else has appeared, even if that gang decided to sneak a few of their comrades into North High's SOS Brigade, it is nothing surprising.

"I had already checked the background of all these newcomers."

Koizumi mentioned it calmly.

"It is even more impossible for them to be from Tachibana Kyoko's side. After all the 'Organization' had already been monitoring them closely. Also, if someone with similar fixtures to Kuyoh-san appears, I am sure Nagato-san would not remain passive. If a time traveler snuck in, that would be even better, for we can get hold of that guy and question their intentions. So it is quite a waste that none of those gathered here could possibly be a time traveler."

Koizumi maintained his jovial look and smile, sweeping a glance across the ten odd newcomers.

"No problematic character currently exists, if we were to talk about any remaining problems......"

Going even lower in volume, I guess I am the only one who can hear it now.

"...... it would only be with the students Haruhi accepted as members. For she definitely would not accept everyone as a member, so the problem lies with who will she choose and how would she go about it. It would be great if even one person is left. Although to those first years who really hoped to join us in our fun, them being mere mortals, I guess that is quite pitiful."

If there are anybody who is trying to send themselves to the lion's mouth now, I would of course stop them due to humanitarian reasons. But if it is too late, don't blame me.

I took a glance to my sides, noticing that these nearly-a-dozen first years are really nothing special in terms of physical appearance. The reason for them looking a bit childish is probably because they are still middle school students just last month. There are people trying to hide their laughter, as well as pairs of girls talking and giggling among themselves. Don't know why, I felt that the stares from the girls seemed to be grading Koizumi and myself. Is this my inferiority complex causing a hallucination here?

Just when I am silently staring......

"Okay, sorry to keep everyone waiting!"

"All of you can come in now. Also, Kyon, because there are not enough chairs, go borrow some from other places. There should be some at the Computer Research Society or other clubrooms."

Seems she wanted to order me around like an odd-jobs worker.

"What do you mean? Don't just stand there, go now! The first years on that side, please come in! It is alright! Quick, come in now!"

Haruhi started making some agile and abstract signals.

"I will go help too. If there is a need to carry over ten chairs, I am afraid he cannot finish it in a single trip."

Koizumi moved his back away from the wall he is lying on, I can only helplessly nod at Haruhi while sweeping across the classroom quickly with my eyeballs.

Asahina-san in her waitress costume is standing beside the table, maybe it is due to the sudden change in the ratio of boys and girls in the clubroom, she became really shy and her face turned red like a lady from a wealthy family seeing the world for the first time, huddling her shoulders close together. On the other hand, Nagato did not change her posture at all.

Koizumi and I knocked on the numerous doors all over the clubroom block, finally gathering enough to have a chair for each person. After returning, we saw the first years had lined up in a row like in troop inspections.

Haruhi was at the leader's seat with her chest puffed up, Nagato in her usual permanent spot while Asahina-san, stoned in a corner, unsure of how to proceed. Upon seeing my face, she revealed an expression of some relief. The clubroom that usually has a low population density now holds over three times the usual amount of people, so it felt rather unnatural looking at that. Guess even people other than Asahina-san will feel threatened.

Koizumi and I placed the foldable chairs along the perimeter of the table. Just when I wanted to address the first years for a bit......

"All of you please take a seat."

The Brigade leader snatched away the opportunity to do so.

The ten odd first years slowly settled down after the usual formalities of offering seats to each other. Koizumi moved his chair to the side of the wall and sat on it, carrying an expression of the chief presiding examiner's assistant. Just when I wanted to take a seat as well, I discovered that there are no chairs available for myself.

"Huh?"

The foldable chairs originally available in the clubroom are enough for all members and a visitor. With the additional ten chairs borrowed, there should be just enough for the first year applicants as well as ourselves. Why are there not enough? I did a head count again.

The total number of first years present are...... Twelve? Did I count wrongly? There are eleven when I counted at the walkway just now, seven males and...... five females. I observed intently, but still failed to identify who did I miss out just now. It felt that everyone was here and it would be impossible for me to know who exactly did I leave out anyway. One thing that can be confirmed would be that I have a poor photographic memory.

It can't be helped, I can only stand here. At this moment, Asahina-san started panicking again.

"Ah, ah...... there are not enough tea cups, That...... I still want to make tea...... how......"

While it is not impossible to go steal some Styrofoam cups from the cafeteria, but making tea for those first year applicants, is it reasonable? Just when I wanted to ponder about the question......

"There are some paper cups in the shelves. Just use those."

Haruhi made a conclusion. Asahina-san hurriedly took out the air sealed pack of paper cups, before anxiously continuing.

"Kyaa~! Sorry, there is not enough water, have to get some......"

"Kyon. Water. Use the highest temperature one."

Receiving the edict from Lord Haruhi, I can only force some expression of unhappiness, both hands holding onto the kettle and running off.

When I ran back, panting, the only welcoming factor is the expression of Asahina-san, apologetic yet so cute that it makes one happy at the same time. "Thank you, Kyon.". This is enough.

Not knowing when it began, the first years that could now be described as "dozen" in quantity kept their attention focused on Asahina-san in her waitress costume, putting the kettle onto the cooker.

Haruhi proudly continued.

"Our brigade has an exceptional courier and waitress, you can look all over the country, but the only club that have cute waitresses making tea for free is us."

"Ah, Eh, Yes......" Asahina-san shyly replied.

"Oh......" The first years responded.

Are you all idiots? This is not something to be proud about. This is not where curious people should come.

"And" Haruhi acted all high and mighty and said with a bright smile "Mikuru's tea-brewing skills are forever innovating, the tea in the last meeting tasted somewhat weird, it is really interesting, and I like the name a lot too."

"Ah hah, That...... Yes, that is my new creation. Very good." Asahina-san started to lose herself like a loyal dog being praised by its owner.

"Oh......" The first years responded again.

I think you all had better stop "Oh"-ing. This is the time to turn back and run away. Because that whatever tea had a medicinal taste to it. How do I put it...... although it is improved by Asahina-san's image, it is still something that is really difficult to have a high score. Other than Haruhi who has a habit of finishing the tea in one gulp, it is not to be recommended to anybody else. It can even be used as a dare.

When Asahina-san was happily preparing tea, Nagato continued sitting in her corner to read her book, ignoring everything happening around her. Koizumi had totally turned into an inspector. I can only stand beside the door like the Door God (2) while listening to Haruhi's speech.

"Alright everybody. You all indeed possess the will to join the SOS Brigade. Although the student council's continual disturbance prevented us from advertising on a major scale, I had known right along that willed first years would definitely appear. Indeed, the most important factor is to come here voluntarily. Seriously speaking, I had surveyed the first year classrooms for a few times, but everytime I went, I did not see any difference between all the first years. But from now on, you people are now better than those first years that are not present here. Regarding this point you can have full confidence in me. But, just this is not enough. The reason for the existence of my Brigade is totally different from those cultural clubs you see everywhere else, and thus there must be a clear line drawn in the members recruited. I guess you people must have understood the history of the SOS Brigade well before coming here right?"

I guess it must be quite a headache to be experience such a questioning method. After all a question like this isn't very clear in the first place.

"Do you all have anything to ask?" Haruhi concluded.

I guess it could be described as unexpected, for among the first years', a burly-sized guy with short hair raised his hand.

"I have a question."

"Tell me about it."

"I am actually not too about sure what the club does. I only found it interesting, and so I came. Because since middle school I had heard a strange club existed here. Once I came to North High, upon discovering that it really does exist, I curiously popped by. Although my intentions are a bit strange, but is it okay even if it is so?"

Haruhi immediately stood up, giving a magnanimous smile at the guy while walking closer to him.

"Alright, you shall end here."

"Huh?"

She grabbed the collar of the guy's shirt, dragging him away with the power of a mini hoist crane, opening the door and walking into the corridor before finally letting him go.

"What a waste, you failed right at the first stage of the Brigade entrance examinations. It must have been hard on you, please polish up your skills before coming by again."

She locked the poor guy out of the room before turning back.

"You all should never underestimate me. Me, as the leader of the SOS Brigade, carries the responsibility of saving the world by overloading it with fun. It is not an exaggeration even if I said that I had never thought of anything else other than that. So even when it comes to recruiting new members, I have no plans to make any concessions. Such problems left unsolved will gradually become bigger and cause decay."

The ones frozen are not limited to Asahina-san, but includes all first years and myself as well. Since when did the Brigade entrance examinations begin? These first years are really unlucky, they have not even tasted the tea made by Asahina-san yet, even though in paper cups, but they will be deported already.

"I will make it clear first, I am very strict when it comes to humor. First, vulgar topics and any acts of imitations are strictly rejected. Those who do extreme stuff to make people laugh are not to pass. They are to win by conversations only. I think the original theory for people laughing is......"

Why must we have a debate about laughter right now?

"Haruhi."

Because members below the assistant leader are not useful at all, I shall speak instead.

"What exactly is happening now? Isn't the person from just now too innocent? What exactly are these so-called Brigade entrance examinations? Is the person deported once they say something you do not like to hear?"

"I am not so high and mighty. I wanted to hear them saying that are more productive and with more gusto. Answering questions is something that is really simple, all you have to do is to use your brain and match the level. The factor that will gauge the standard would be by asking questions."

"So what you are trying to say is, the person from just now", I pointed in the direction of the door and continued "Questions like those are of too low a standard?"

"To put it honestly, that is true."

Haruhi returned to the leader's seat as if nothing has happened, faking a smile of a gentle female senior and sweeped through the first years that is now lacking one person, and said.

"So, any other questions?"

Needless to say, nobody opened their mouths again.



Maybe because they had cowered under the threat, when Asahina-san handed the tea to the various first years, the first years sat down quietly, remaining totally silent.

The only person speaking is Haruhi herself, she is just like a storyteller narrating the chronicles of Shinshaku Sanada Jyuu Yuushi (3), detailing the events that happened since the inception of the SOS Brigade. Because the contents are partly exaggerated, one does not have to trust it totally.

Because a person left, I dragged the vacated chair over and sat down beside Koizumi. The passive assistant leader seemed to be smiling at the grand total of eleven (is it really eleven?) first years, appraising them. I might as well do the same. After all Haruhi seemed to find no need for any self introduction and did not ask for any of their names, neither their birthday nor class. Just when I wanted to give them a nickname each according to their physical appearances, my line of sight fell very naturally on a particular person.

Let me clarify first. I meant no harm or designs. She is a girl.

Among all of the first years listening to Haruhi's one-man show, the girl seemed to be the only one who showed any sign of interest.

Hearing the repeated homeruns at the baseball match, she let out a low cheer; hearing the lone island killer mystery, she covered her mouth in shock, before regaining her smile after knowing the truth; hearing the exaggerated showdown against the Computer Research Society, she nodded her head repeatedly; hearing about Sakanaka-san's pet's incident, she again let out a small smile.

What a pure and innocent first year.

Calculating from the heights of their head, she seemed to be about the same height as Nagato. As for weight, she should be lighter than her. The hair seemed like it had been dried with a hairdryer after a perm, curling up like a smiley face at the ends. This can be taken as a unique feature. I don't know if it is because the uniform is not too fitting, the uniform seemed rather loose when taking a closer look.

The more I look at her, the more I feel subconsciously that I had seen this girl somewhere before. But, I am confident of never seeing her before at the same time. Not only those a year younger than me, but it doesn't even seem to be the case even when all the girls I had met since the past are included. In my mind, no matter how I tried to lengthen, shorten or straighten the hair, I still have no recollection of any kind. Could it be that she is the sister of one of my friends and thus looking a bit alike her brother? But I do not seem to know such a brother either. This mystery felt as bad as choking on spicy tofu.

I guess my gaze must not have been too polite, but the girl did not seem to notice, intently concentrating on listening to that one-man show. Her expressions kept changing, and looking at them is really interesting. That is a listener type of girl who would trust any lies, allowing the speaker to feel excited and satisfied.

"......This should be all. Our SOS Brigade thwarted the evil plan of the student council president, allowing the Literature Club to continue to exist. But they must be like those villains in the superhero shows, never learning their lessons, instead extend their dirty claws onto us, but those who will lose eventually are still them. SOS Brigade and I would never fall halfway, it has always been this way till now. And, indeed, this will not change in the future either!"

And that seemed to be the concluding sentence. Haruhi raised one of her hands and stopped for quite a while.

Just when I thought of carrying the cup of tea that has turned cold by now to another corner while some sightseeing, Haruhi started giving me weird eye signals, even winking at me once in a while later on. With her jaws opening and closing like that, what exactly is she trying to hint at?

Just when I am painstakingly thinking of a way to reply to Haruhi's signals, a tiny clapping sound entered my ears. Those clapping sounds from those palms that could be described as "small" are not very loud, and the owner of the palms is the first year girl I noticed just now.

Under that girl's lead, the rest of the first years suddenly realized and immediately started clapping as well, Asahina-san who was looking left and right also frantically started clapping.

Haruhi nodded her head, seemingly satisfied, at the same time giving me a look of guilt. This can only be blamed on you for not planning it properly in the first place, things like this must be told before the event.

Haruhi whizzed her hand up to stop the clapping.

"You all should have remembered the summary of the history of the SOS Brigade. I planned to get right into the second stage of the Brigade entrance examinations, but thinking that you people need some time to prepare as well, so the activities for today ends here. Those with guts, please come again tomorrow!"

At this moment, I noticed the armband on Haruhi's hand no longer read "leader" but "examiner".

"Alright, dismissed!"



After the first years left in quick paces, Haruhi turned on the computer while humming away, telling the outside world she is in a good mood while clicking around with the mouse.

Because Koizumi and I first split up to return the foldable chairs, when I came back and tried to talk to Haruhi, the computer had already booted up.

"What exactly are you planning to do?"

I asked the brain beneath the hairband of Haruhi, rhythmically moving to her movements while opening the usual foldable chair with my symbol on it.

Haruhi who skimmed me a glance gave me an expression of happiness, how irritating.

"Now that those first years who wanted to join the Brigade had gathered so much courage to come here, but none of your actions will entice them to join us. I think they may not come again."

"Maybe."

Haruhi continued touch typing quickly while saying the following.

"If the end result is that, I do not really mind. If they gave up just because of this, I do not want them to join us either. I only hoped to find some people with zeal, but just zeal is not enough, that first year have to pass all my Brigade entrance examinations as well. The obstacle course is not only long, but the obstacles are of a high level as well. After all the SOS Brigade of ours is not desperate enough to recruit those who came here to watch the show."

Actually the reason for existence of this organization in the school is near to zero, and did not lack any members all along. Even if we look from the perspective of the student council, they do not want to see first years being sacrificed like an offering to the gods. And I am determined to prevent any situation when we increase the population density of this room exponentially. After all Asahina-san's tea is not infinite. Preparing enough cups and water is already quite a time-wasting matter.

"Do you really plan to recruit new members?"

I looked at Haruhi, who is taking a whiff of Asahina-san's newly made tea.

"Nagato, Asahina-san, and Koizumi too, were all forced into the Brigade by you. So I am wondering if you spotted any first years that just entered this school that would ignite your fetish for kidnapping?"

Break time walks should still be continuing at this moment of time, after all she seldom stays in class.

"Totally none."

Haruhi said with a concluding tone.

"At least I haven't spotted anyone who could be a mascot. But I suppose there should at least be some people with other special characteristics, and are those that I have never imagined. The kind that would give you a surprise. Not those you can see everywhere, but those with a super unique character traits! Also, if all of them are those commoners, won't it be too uninteresting? If all of them are just moving towards a particular direction, wont it be too repetitive? Librarians wearing spectacles are introvert and quiet, short haired and active girl joining a sports club and things like that, it is just too boring."

Isn't that good? It beats having those with a strange character or a flaw in their characters. I, on the other hand, welcome anybody.

"I am totally uninterested in that kind of people. Although the many varieties of human character could be matched in different ways, But some thought should be paid into the matter before the matching. This is proof of how humans' creativity are worsening with the progress of time!"

Such questions shouldn't need you to worry about them. This doesn't sound like something the you who dragged Asahina-san in back then would say.

"Isn't Mikuru a unique talent? So of course it is alright."

Even if you put it that way, humans had lived this way for so long till now, I am sure there would be some way to continue living in the future. Beats using all kinds of senseless creativity and end up making Earth fly off or something.

Haruhi revealed her teeth as if she is trying to bite the sides of her cup off.

"I wanted to look for people with more creativity or unique traits! It would be best if the first year would be the direct opposite of me, and inject some fresh air. It is because I wanted to confirm these traits that I thought of the Brigade entrance examinations. I think we can use the elimination method. Otherwise, I should be able to notice someone with a unique mental structure at first glance when we meet again."

Haruhi put down her cup and put her hand back at the mouse.

"What I am making now is the Brigade entrance examination's written paper. That is what I am doing last night as well. I always wanted to step out into the upcoming future with my own power! Kyon, the ancestors have got it right, we should always model after others and change ourselves. That is to say to never look down but look up beyond the grasp of our own hands. If humans do not have the "I have to get there" kind of determination, he or she will only keep dropping down!"

Such teachings that would cause calluses to grow in your ear could be told slowly to the ears of a horse. Besides, that is how Icarus died, from getting too near the sun. I always think that there should be a limit to everything. A common advice was to eat only 80% full isn't it?

Asahina-san noticed that my teacup was empty and rushed forward with her teapot.

If Asahina-san, who had totally regarded herself as a waitress by now, were to work at a coffeeshop, I am afraid there would be a sharp rise in her salary. I am unable to control such imaginations of mine. Now that we think about it, where did her activity funds in the current time frame come from? Is it paid by the time travelers' organization?

Because the population in the room decreased, the clubroom had also returned to normal and I could be slightly at ease. Other than Nagato who would never change her reading position no matter what and Haruhi whom I had just argued with just now, other members had returned to their usual seats with the relaxed atmosphere.

Sitting facing me, Koizumi took out yet another new board game and put it on the table.

"How about a round?"

Seems to be Classical Renju (4). Since it is rather boring here, I shall just treat this as some mind exercise and play a few rounds with you. But before that you must first tell me the rules.

"It is not much different from conventional Renju. You just have to remember the rules."

I followed in the lead of Koizumi, putting pieces onto the board while learning how to play through experience.

We continued playing like this till it is time to leave school. Unconsciously, I had already won against Koizumi continuously for a few rounds by now. I don't know if it is because I learn fast, or is it Koizumi that is plain weak. No matter what, these activities that does not help academics in any way continued for a while. At evening time, when Nagato closed her book, after waiting for Asahina-san to change out of her clothes, we left school.

How many first years would come knocking on the clubroom door tomorrow......



ß-6

No one came to the clubroom. Let's not talk about Haruhi who kept running around the school, seldom would Nagato not arrive by this time. Did she go to the Computer Research Society side? Koizumi had after all entered an elite class of sorts. Reaching the second year, it is only unavoidable that they have to pay more attention in the various aspects. What a troublesome class he entered. I heard that the form teacher of the ninth class is someone who is more interested in the prospects of the students rather than educating them. Koizumi seemed to have seriously thought about the issue as well. Or else he would never have chosen to enter such a class that is difficult to even catch your breath. If he had relied on the 'Organization' for help, I think he would have no problem entering any university he wanted. But Haruhi's choice of school will most likely be his anyway. As for me, a thought so long away should be entertained only then. A year and a half later I ought to have known my standard better. If we made a comparison on the basis of usual results, the chance of Koizumi and I entering the same school would be smaller than an ant hole. As for Haruhi...... Hmm, that is not something I have control over. Just let her go somewhere where she can express her own abilities.

Just when I am slowly reading Nagato's book, the person with the ability to beautify the world with all sorts of colours finally arrived.

"Ah, Kyon."

A walking anion that attracts anything around it, Asahina-san, carefully closed the door and put her bag down like a small squirrel who had just returned from picking acorns.

"I still thought I am a little late today, how unexpected that no one else had arrived yet. Where is Suzumiya-san?"

"I don't know where she went right after lessons. But it is spring now, maybe she had the desire to suddenly run a few rounds." Just like the flowers storing up their energy in winter for blossoming in spring, or the seeds of the Camellia. It is not like I did not have the feeling of wanting to run around, because the winter this time round seemed exceptionally long. In order to let Asahina-san change as soon as possible, I immediately stood up, but after taking just a step, I turned my head back, "Asahina-san".

"Hm?"

Facing the clothes rack with both of her hands extended out to take the waitress costume, Asahina-san let go of the costume. "Hm, I remember."

Changing to a serious expression, I continued while selecting my choice of words.

"What exactly do those bastards hope to achieve? I meant for coming back to this time frame. Looking at the state of things, it doesn't seem to be to observe Haruhi, I really cannot guess what is his purpose here."

I said this while feeling frustrated. Would it be alright if I tell her that the time traveler Fujiwara had came again? Regarding him calling himself Fujiwara and the Sasaki issue, which is more important? Should I say it at all?

"Um......"

Asahina-san pressed onto her lips with her fingers: "That person's motive is...... That, I am not told of. Hm, but I think he did not come here with the motive of doing anything bad. This is my personal opinion, since my superiors did not issue any orders, I guess this must be the case." She seemed to find it really hard to talk about the issue, I suppose she don't want to touch any of the classified information.

I recalled Asahina-san (big)'s side profile while saying: "Did that bastard come from a time that is related..... linked to our time frame?"

This is the question I cared the most about.

"It should be unquestionably linked."

Asahina-san continued while categorizing her thoughts: "That guy is the same as myself...... that......, he came to the time frame through a similar method. Using the TPDD to move time...... this....... Because it will leave a mark on the time plane......"

At this moment, she suddenly seemed to realize something: "Eh......? This matter, it is supposed to be classified information, and yet I am able to say it. Why?"

Although I wanted to ask as well, but I am mysteriously able to understand the concept behind it.

"Asahina-san, what is TPDD an acronym for? Can it be told?"

"Time Plane Destruction Device....... Eh?"

Asahina-san hurriedly used her hand to press against her mouth, at the same time widened her eyes.

"Liar...... it is supposed to be classified."

That is a phrase I knew of already. Because in Tanabata four years ago, I had heard about it from the mouth of Asahina-san (big). It must be since then that it became declassified.

"It seemed to contain some very dangerous words, what exactly do they mean?"

"That...... When we are crossing the time planes......"

I looked at the mouth of Asahina-san opening and closing, and wondered in my heart what fish is she exactly trying to imitate. At this moment......

"...... No, I can't say it. It seems not all of the restrictions had been lifted."

That is a more comforting tone. But I have the same thoughts as well. If one knows too much of knowledge exceeding human intelligence, the end result would definitely not be something good. Like if one hears something top secret about the country is leaked, that person will definitely be silenced or enter the wanted list of the Interpol. This had always been a fact.

I shrugged my shoulders, Asahina-san revealed a smile.

"Sorry, Kyon. This is all I can tell you for now. But, in the not-so-distant future, I can definitely tell you more. For the restrictions to be lifted just a little, it shows I had done something useful today."

Asahina-san revealed an expression like a dandelion that had successfully blossomed and repeated: "Definitely, in the not-so-distant future."

That is exactly the smile I wanted to keep out of others reach by locking the room. Did anyone capture her smiles in a photo? I really hope to be able to store up this current moment. But, I did not bring a camera, nor did I lock the door, much less hang up the latch. What I got was her smile.

I believe you, Asahina-san. Your hard work will definitely be rewarded. I am very clear about this point. I also knew what you did in order to grow up this way. Even though I do not know how many more years must the current Asahina-san in front of my eyes live before she can become Asahina-san (big), but to me, personally, I hope she does not grow up that quickly.

Because, the closer this senior who looks even younger than me gets to the elegance of Asahina-san (big), it meant that the time for our parting draws even nearer.

Since this is so, I hope that she can maintain her current state and thought process, and not develop a more selfish one. Everyone will miss you, especially Haruhi. Without anyone to hug on cold days, that person will definitely feel very regretful.



I guarded the door on the corridor while reading Nagato's book. At this moment, the female leader whose wind that her fingernails stir up are also powerful and influential, together with the assistant leader that acts like a free bodyguard cum aide, walked towards me shoulder to shoulder.

I saw the smile on Koizumi that looked like it really came from his heart and only had a single thought. What an untimely bastard. If you came alone we could have shared some secret talk. Now that you are sticking so close to Haruhi, it is totally impossible to talk now. I originally planned to share my thoughts on Tachibana Kyoko with him, but that guy would have probably heard it from somewhere by now. It may not even be surprising even if I told him Kimidori-san is working at the shop. It is very rare to find a person with so little excitement in his life.

"Is Mikuru still changing?" Although I do not know where she come back from, but Haruhi does not seem to be breathless. She seemed really happy when she walked towards me, and after pushing me aside, stuck her head in without even knocking on the door......

"Wa, ah, wait, wawa!"

Asahina-san produced cute screaming sounds.

"It is only your back zipper that is still undone, small things like this does not matter."

Haruhi grabbed my shirt collar and dragged me into the clubroom. Haruhi's description of Asahina-san is really very accurate. In her costume, Asahina-san had her back facing the window, with her hands frozen midway, stretching towards her back. This is everything that I saw. Haruhi is like a soccer ball kicked beyond the last line of defence, revolving around the back of Asahina-san, completing the last time in the changing process. But all she did is pull up the zipper and put up the hairband anyway.

...all she did is pull up the zipper and put up the hairband anyway.
...all she did is pull up the zipper and put up the hairband anyway.

I returned Nagato's book back to its original position, turned my head and faced Koizumi with his head sticking in, appearing to be like a peeping tom observing the female bath at a higher platform in a public sauna, and asked: "What did Haruhi and you do before going here?"

"Nothing much." Just like a seal swimming in the sea, Koizumi slid into the clubroom and closed the door without changing his expression of nonchalance:

"We only happened to meet on the walkway on the first level, we are definitely not carrying out some secret mission behind your back."

"Really?" That would be good. Even if you didn't call me along, I would not have any bad impression of you. But again, even if Haruhi wanted to go demand activity funds from the student council, I am sure you would have just followed along anyway. If it is really so it will be a headache, I don't really want to be involved in any school conspiracy story.

"The student council president isn't someone without any brains. Even if he wanted to find trouble he would have found a more convenient time."

Koizumi sat on the permanent seat of his while facing Haruhi with a smile:

"For example, if we started doing some mass advertising to recruit members, it would immediately......"

"I did not have any plans of doing any major advertising......" Haruhi immediately responded from her desk.

"...... But we cannot just go without advertising. Putting a leg into the cultural clubs' open house was because we felt we must at least do a bit of work. I guess it meant the so-called checking on your enemies? Just as I had expected, the student council president indeed pop by and gave some cold advice. Just look at it yourselves, my checks against the enemy had succeeded."

If you are behaving this way just to see how the student council responds, I guess I can give you the title of Adviser. But again, didn't you just think of this? You are just commenting on an incident after it has passed.

"Does that matter? As long as the ending is the same, the process does not really matter. Working really hard to earn one hundred thousand yen, and picking up a one million yen note, returning it to the owner and then getting one-tenth of the amount as a sign of thanks has no difference at all."

It is way different. If working, one may have some luck with the opposite gender (Taniguchi Theory). What's more important is it is not that easy to pick up a one million yen note. But the leader started rocking her chair and changed the topic.

"The recruitment exercise failed to work at all. But, while there are no interesting first years back then, they may be hiding somewhere else. There are also those who are wondering if they should come forward. But after the weekend, they should have found the answer to whatever thoughts they have."

Haruhi revealed her pearl-white teeth and took out a piece of paper.

"So I pasted this on the notice board of the school."

I took the piece of A4-sized paper. It has Haruhi's handwritten words on it: "Notice of holding of Brigade entrance examinations. Limited to first year students."

Hearing me say that, Asahina-san stopped preparing her tea and turned her head over, continuously blinking her eyes.

"Only limited to first years students?"

"Mikuru likes the fresh and active kind as well? We should eat sashimi that is caught on that day itself since it will be nicer. So of course we will be aiming for those newly-arrived and jumpy ones."

Exactly which fishery port is this?

"But, this......, there is no mention of the SOS Brigade here at all......"

Seeing how observant Asahina-san is, Haruhi replied smugly: "If we were to mention the SOS Brigade like this, the student council president and his gang will come over and make noise. This is just a concession, a concession. Although I am very unwilling, but in order to win the enemies, sometimes, taking a step back is important as well. We just have to mention the Brigade entrance part. After all there are no other brigades in North High.

There is no cheerleading brigade in this school, and so we SOS Brigade are the only ones who are remotely linked to the word "brigade". If there are any else it will be strange.

"No, Haruhi." I asked a more fundamental question.

"What is the so-called examination? Don't tell me you have to take an examination in order to enter?"

"Yes."

Why did you give such a nonchalant expression?

"What exam is it?"

"That is a secret."

"When is it held?"

"We can begin once those willing to join come by."

I read the words on that paper again. Other than the "Notice of holding of Brigade entrance examinations" written in extra large font, the only other line is "At Literature Club clubroom" that is written in smaller font.

Haruhi turned her chair to other other side and looked out of the window: "Entrance, Literature Club, if these two words fail to make a first year understand, I don't want that guy. Our SOS Brigade namesake had already spread among those cleverer ones. It is best to avoid those who don't even know this. I don't want those idiots who will come here and still ask me "What do we do here"?

You are one of those idiots yourself.

Asahina-san placed the kettle onto the cooker and looked afar:

"First years...... New members? ......" That tone of reminiscence, is it because she realized that she was already third year and would be leaving the school in less than a year's time?

I passed the paper that would only make those not in the know become more confused back to Haruhi: "I hope there would be someone who really comes, those people who have a screw loose in their mind and want to join the SOS Brigade."

"I do not want people with a screw loose. But, you are right, I hope some people would come. Or my painstakingly prepared Brigade entrance examinations would be wasted."

Remembering that she had started working hard on the computer since last week, so this is what it is for? Let me take a look.

"No way."

Haruhi stuck her tongue out at me: "This is after all a Brigade secret, not something a small fry like you can read. If you wanted to take a look, rise in your ranks."

I did not want such a high rank in the first place, so I immediately gave up wanting to do so.

Haruhi, who turned on the computer, clicked on the mouse while continuing:

"But, in actual fact, the examination questions could not really be described to be as complete. Yesterday, while I was making that notice I thought about it. I am so serious that I even lost sleep over it. Because this is part of the responsibility of the Brigade leader after all. Although I just pasted the paper up and it is unlikely for someone to arrive so quickly, in case someone really does, we shall just do the practical examinations first."

How many stages are there in actual fact? I meant that exam of yours.

"This is a secret as well." I pray for the unfortunate bloke who had to go through all this while moving to sit facing Koizumi. Taking a closer look, he already had the board and the pieces ready.

"How about a round?"

I thought it would be Chinese chess again, but it seems to be Classical Renju (4). Since it is rather boring here, I shall just treat this as some mind exercise and play a few rounds with you. But before that you must first tell me the rules.

"It is not much different from conventional Renju. You just have to remember the rules."

I followed in the lead of Koizumi, putting pieces onto the board while learning how to play through experience.

We continued playing like this till it is time to leave school. Unconsciously, I had won against Koizumi continuously for a few rounds by now. Don't know if it is because I learn fast, or is it Koizumi that is plain weak. No matter what, these activities that did not help academics in any way continued for a while.

Haruhi seemed to be entering something into the computer, Asahina-san reading some coloured book on traditional tea making, Koizumi and I continued playing. How boring.

"......?" Wait, it seems strange, Too abnormal.

I raised my head and took a look around the clubroom, after noticing the abnormality, both Haruhi and I shrieked.

"Huh?" "Eh?"

"Where's Nagato?" "Where's Yuki?"

"Ah?" Asahina-san sat up.

"Talk...... Talking about it, we indeed haven't seen her. But as per normal, I made tea for her too." Beside the book I placed on the table lay Nagato's tea cup. It is not drunk by anybody and had already turned into cold green tea.

I heard a click sound. Taking a look, Koizumi kept the various pieces and closed the portable board game set. The eyebrows on that handsome face curled upwards. That is his only response. The assistant leader remained silent.

"Could she have gone to the Computer Research Society to help?"

Before I stood up, Haruhi had already hurried out of the clubroom like a rabbit. What exactly is with such a rush? It is just Nagato not at the clubroom......

Haruhi returned with a speed faster than a boomerang thrown by even the most skilled.

"They said she did not drop by."

"Ah, th-that, could she be involved in a committee meeting or cleaning duties?"

Asahina-san offered a more cheerful proposition, but I have never heard of Nagato being appointed as the head of decorations, disciplinary mistress, head librarian or anything related to higher postings.

There was a saying that went "things will straighten themselves out as we go on" (船到桥头自然直). Isn't this very appropriate for times like this? But Haruhi beat everyone in taking out her phone and made a phone call.

"Tip-tap. Tip-tap" went the indoor shoes of Haruhi against the floor.

After a few seconds.

"...... Ah, Yuki?"

She seemed to have picked up the phone. I felt a bit more relaxed.

"What happened to you today?" After remaining silent for about ten seconds, Haruhi, with her ears pressed against the phone, had a sudden change in her facial expression.

"Eh, at home? ......It can't be!" Haruhi's mouth formed a "?" shape.

"Fever? You caught a flu? Did you go to the hospital? ......Oh, you didn't? Medicine?"

Koizumi, Asahina-san and myself were looking at Haruhi at the same time.

Nagato had a fever?

Haruhi frowned with a heavy expression: "Yuki, you should have contacted us at times like this. We were so worried. Did you sleep well...... Ah, sorry, did I wake you up? ...... Is it? So sorry. But...... Dummy...... How can you say this is nothing! I can tell just from your voice, are you fine?"

Haruhi continued talking loudly while bringing her bag nearer to herself.

"Yuki, it is alright now. You return to sleep first." Following that, Haruhi asked for a few directions from Nagato before hanging up and putting the phone down.

She stood there, biting on her nails: "This is not something as simple as "oh no". We should have noticed this earlier. Kyon, Yuki did not come to school today. Did you know that?" If I knew, I wouldn't be passing my time aimlessly here, watching you prepare some lame notice or play Renju.

"What a bother. Yuki's form teacher has some problem with his or her brain. He or she could have at least informed me. She is not fit to be a teacher if he or she is unable to do something as simple as contacting!"

Although you are only finding any random target to vent your anger on, this is the only time I agreed with Haruhi's words of anger. Why wasn't I informed?

It would be alright even if it wasn't a teacher. They could have at least sent someone to come inform Haruhi or myself.

Nagato, why didn't you tell me that you will not be coming to school, which is actually quite an extraordinary event?

"Mikuru, change quickly!"

"Ah, yes, yes!"

"You must be fast!"

"Yes!"

Asahina-san started taking off her waitress costume without even waiting for Koizumi and I to take our leave.

Haruhi was so determined to leave school quickly that she seemed to find turning off the power switch of the computer a hindrance. Koizumi and myself as well, dashed out of the clubroom right after picking up our bags.

Although sounds of Haruhi assisting Asahina-san in changing could be heard from the other side of the partition wall, those two are totally silent, which is quite abnormal.

I must make use of this opportunity.

"Koizumi."

"What's the matter?"

"Did you know that Nagato would be taking sick leave today right from the start?"

"If I did, what would you do?"

"I would blame you for not mentioning it. According to the severity of the situation, there is a possibility of suspending you in the air as a punching bag."

"I swear to god I did not know about it."

Koizumi returned a smile that seemed somewhat flinty. Those that are under a transparent glass mask.

"Nagato-san is not one who would have a fever due to the violation of Earth's viruses and bacteria into her immune system. She is not a martian from the past. I am afraid it is the same situation as last time."

Images of chilly winter currents flooded my mind once again. A ski resort with snowflakes everywhere, an unreal mansion standing on the dark shadows of the snow mountain. An enclosed space. It is an experience that would make anyone dislike winter.

And Kuyoh. A doll-lookalike girl with hair resembling that of the waves in a violent ocean. The humanoid interface of the Canopy Domain.

I am wondering what exactly her motive in appearing is. She did not do anything yesterday. I thought that was because of the presence of Kimidori-san.

"Their invasion had started once again, those intelligent lifeforms existing beyond Earth, unrelated to the Integrated Data Sentient Entity. Obviously, their first target would naturally be Nagato, the strongest wall of defense of the SOS Brigade."

Koizumi's explanation had an unprecedented level of seriousness.

"Once they force Nagato into an inoperable state, those left would be us humans who regard Earth as our mothers. What a waste, the 'Organization' are effortless against these thought entities. Although the situation on the time travelers' side is unknown, Asahina-san should not be able to do anything much currently. But......"

The only members left would be Haruhi and I. I am very clear of the fact that I am the most powerless. But for Haruhi......

Once she knows who Nagato fell sick for, Haruhi would probably torture that person till he or she does has all her skin torn off before deciding to stop. Even if it involves turning the world topsy-turvy, she would definitely rescue Nagato. Now what? At this time now? Should my trump card be used at this time?

"I don't think so." Koizumi's voice had exceeded calm and is progressing towards desolation. Is this some hallucination caused by my mental state of being?

"That may be their motive. Do you know that it is because the trump card can only be used once and not twice that it is effective. Any rash activity may just lead to the enemy's advantage. In addition, this can be said to be a better situation already. I do not have any problems now, Asahina-san too. If they decide to launch a full-fledged attack, we would not have been able to move around freely at this time. There are no reports of Tachibana Kyoko taking any rash action. The same should apply to the time travelers' side. This must be a solo mission by the aliens not from the faction of the Integrated Data Sentient Entity. Since it is so, we should treat it with a more serious attitude as well."

Just when I had squeezed my reply up to my tongue, the door opened with a slam and Haruhi rushed out, holding onto the arms of Asahina-san. Her first sentence when she opened her mouth was: "Alright, let's get moving to Yuki's house!" She screamed in an expression close to scolding before running ahead of us.

Obviously......

Members who dare to oppose this leader of ours do not exist at all.



————To be continued in "The Astonishment of Suzumiya Haruhi"


(End Volume 9 Chapter 3)



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