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|2012-05-13, 03:05
|Link #23121
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
|2012-05-13, 03:08
|Link #23122
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Auckland, NZ
Did I mention that it not only fully opened my eyes to the whole selfcest thing but actually somehow managed to make me support that pairing over any other, even most in vanilla SH?
Damage cannot be undone
thanks to Patchy ♥
|2012-05-13, 03:12
|Link #23123
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
|2012-05-13, 03:14
|Link #23124
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Auckland, NZ
Oh my god. My sword is yours, I am with you guys 100%, now and forever, until the end of time. Etcetc..
thanks to Patchy ♥
|2012-06-02, 07:01
|Link #23125
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Land Down Under
Age: 27
I return! ...from the depths of hell, I return!
|2012-06-02, 09:28
|Link #23126
Sometimes minor editor
|2012-06-02, 13:20
|Link #23127
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
|2012-06-02, 13:24
|Link #23128
The Comet has Come
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Republic of California
Age: 41
"Aren't you dead?"
It has been nearly two years since your last post.
|2012-06-02, 13:44
|Link #23129
Kneel Before Your King!
For what it's worth, I'm also still alive. Not that I ever have much to add anymore beyond sporadic Magical Girl Kyonko updates.
Perhaps you should have named it Mahou Shoujo Yareyare Kyonko after all...
You be quiet.
WARNING: Kogetsu Shirogane cannot be held accountable for any actions taken by someone else. Potential side effects of communicating with this user include headaches, mild confusion, insanity, delirium, and jumping into fires. Do not expose this user to sunlight or water or feed this user after midnight.
... so you think you're a king now...
|2012-06-02, 15:34
|Link #23130
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
Book-Kyon is an extremely unintelligent, overly-passive, downright aggravating protagonist and anyone who likes him should hit themselves in the face.
Spoiler for The Disappearance of Haruki Suzumiya, Chapter 4:
Anyone who's experienced it should know how scary it is to walk alone at school in the dark.
I threw my jacket over my shoulder and walked slowly out of the clubroom. I walked like a ninja, trying to not make any sound while heading downstairs; every time I rounded a corner, I had to make sure no one was around before moving any further. It was exhausting. I had no idea what day it was, but I'd be in serious trouble if I was seen by a teacher. I'd have no idea how to explain this; in fact, I'd like someone to explain it to me instead.
Sweating in the humid air, I made it to the entrance hall.
Let's see what we've got here... Saying that, I opened my shoe locker. Given that I'm wearing them right now, I'm pretty sure that the indoor shoes inside don't belong to me. I doubt that there's any possibility that someone put their shoes in my locker by mistake; given that it's the middle of summer, it would seem that I've wound up in yet another reality. The owner of this locker isn't me, but someone else entirely. This didn't surprise me as much as I'd have expected it to, probably because I'm so desensitized to such extraordinary events.
Nothing doing, then. It's not going to look too nice wearing indoor shoes outside, but it's not like I have any choice. My highest priority is to leave the school complex. As you'd expect, the front doors were locked tight at night, so I walked over a nearby window, unlocked it and opened it carefully. I slowly inhaled the fragrant night breeze and leaped out the window onto the stone steps, where Haruki had awoken me when we had been inside Closed Space.
I waited for about ten seconds. After making sure no one was around to see, I continued onward. It was just as hot outside the building, a typical, humid Japanese summer heat. Having come from the freezing cold of winter, all my sweat glands were now opening up like mad. I wiped the sweat off my face with the sleeve of my blouse and headed towards the main gates.
It was easy once I got outside. I must thank my school's non-existent security: I only needed to climb over the fence and I was out. After climbing over, I picked up my jacket and cardigan, which I had thrown over beforehand, and, looking up at the starry sky, pondered my next move.
Right now, I need to know what date and what time it is. I'm not sure whether I'm in the past or the future, and which it is will make a big difference in what I decide to do next.
Might as well walk down the hill first, since there's a convenience store along the way. If I walked into a nearby residence and asked, what year and month is it today? I'd probably be treated as a demented high school student and locked up by the authorities. It's better to go somewhere where I could find out the date without having to ask someone.
It's so damn hot... My sweat had started to seep through my thigh-high socks. At that moment, I truly hated the inventor of synthetic fiber. I don't even know why I was wearing them, they certainly don't keep me warm in winter. They just look nice. The fact that I was mumbling about such meaningless stuff meant that my brain was beginning to function properly again. Instead of freezing in the winter waiting for spring to arrive, I'd rather be complaining about how hot summer was while waving a fan. I made too many memories during my first summer in high school. Though everything I did was physically and mentally exhausting, once I got it all over with, it really wasn't so bad at all. Come to think of it, I don't think we've had any SOS Brigade-style activities in winter so far.
My mind became occupied with the taste of the hot pot I was missing as I walked down the slope. After fifteen minutes, I finally saw the sign of the convenience store I occasionally go to grab a bite on my way home. At the least, I now know one thing: the current time was before the store closes for the day.
It took a while for me to get used to the coolness of the air conditioning inside the store. During this time, I looked eagerly at the analog clock hanging on the wall.
Eight thirty.
The sun has already set, so that means it's eight thirty at night.
What about the date? What year is it? I grabbed a newspaper from the nearby rack, a sports daily, and browsed very quickly through the contents. Even some third-rate tabloid wouldn't go as far as to fake the date at the top of the page, right?
My gaze stopped on a certain spot. A set of numbers, which some people would consider lucky, had entered my vision.
What year was it? Shoving the paper close to my face as though trying to swallow it, I confirmed the date at the top of the page. The cashier took a quick glance at me, looking annoyed, but I couldn't care less about that.
I stared at the four digit number again and again. If I subtracted the year I had arrived from (where I had still been in the middle of a cold December) from the year on this sports daily... well, even a kid would know the answer to such a simple math question.
So that's how it is, Nagato... I lifted my head from the newspaper and sighed deeply as I looked at the ceiling. The joyously romantic Tanabata festival.
Today was the 7th of July of three years ago.
Tanabata, three years ago... let me recap what happened that day.
The Tanabata of 'this year' was like a rhapsody. After writing our wishes and hanging them out on a stick of bamboo, I had accepted Asahina-senpai's invitation and travelled back in time to this day, three years prior. Afterwards, I met the adult version of Asahina-senpai, who told me to go to East Junior High that night. There, I came across a seventh-grade Haruki about to climb over the gates and was dragged along to help him write a message to outer space on the school's track field with white chalk.
Thereafter, I brought Asahina-senpai (small), who somehow lost his TPDD (a time-travelling device) to Nagato's high-class apartment, and there the two of us slept for three years, allowing us to return to the time we came from.
Which means... This was even easier than a simple math problem. All I needed to do was trace my steps from the first time I came here. That's it! I've finally got the gist of it, the essential step I needed to take in order to restore the twisted world back to its original state.
...That's gotta be it, right?
My legs were trembling, not from fear but rather the thrilling sensation of realizing that something very important needs to be done.
Three years ago. Tanabata. East Junior High. The mysterious signs. John Smith.
As all the seemingly unrelated pieces begin to add up, I finally came to a conclusion. It was a simple yet clear conclusion, I spoke the same line once again,
Which means...
They are here.
The enigmatically charismatic Asahina-senpai (big) and the Yuuki Nagato in 'standby mode'.
The two people who have always helped me the most right were right here in this time period.
I threw down the newspaper and bolted out of the convenience store, thinking as I ran.
The first time when I came to three years ago, that is, right now, Asahina-senpai had woken me up on a park bench near Kouyouen Station and told me it's about nine at night. If I run for half an hour, I should be able to make there in time. However, if the culprit behind all this has also made changes to this time period, I won't find myself there. Either way, I've got to make contact with Asahina-senpai (big) Nagato, or both. I doubt Nagato ever leaves his apartment, so I can go see him anytime, but I'd only find Asahina-san (big) at that specific time and place.
Dressed up like a teacher, this grown-up version of Asahina-senpai had once given me a hint regarding The Frog Prince. He hailed from an even farther future than the Senpai I knew. Remembering this, an image of him pinching his younger self's face while smiling cheerfully floated up from my memory.
That Asahina-senpai will know who I am, no doubt about that.
Though the park in question wasn't far from the station, there were hardly any people around. Maybe it's because of how late it is; this is an ideal time for suspicious types to come out of the woodworks. Is this the holy land for freaks, I wonder? I remember thinking the same thing the first time I came to this time period... I should be careful.
I didn't feel like making a grand entrance, so I kept along the brick walls of the park. Well, it's a wall, but it's only about as tall as my chest, surrounded by all sort of bushes and with a wire fence on top. Hiding without anyone in the park seeing me would be easy in the daytime, let alone at night, though I'd need to be careful in case any pedestrians outside notice me and start giving me weird looks.
Recalling the position of the bench where I had woken up, I slowly moved along the wall to find an ideal hiding spot.
It was nearly nine at night.
I guess what I'm doing is a little like voyeurism, huh....? After sticking my head out from within the bushes, I finally saw what I had been waiting to see.
...There we are.
It felt like watching myself star in a movie, or like watching myself from a third-person perspective in some dreamscape.
But how am I gonna explain myself...?
The bench was illuminated, showered in bright light by the nearby street lamps. Though I was some distance away, there's no way I could be mistaken: the two people on the bench were wearing North High uniforms. Everything was just as I remembered. Though it was a bit far, I couldn't be mistaken, the two people on top were both wearing North High uniforms.
My past self and Asahina-senpai were sitting right there.
That other me was lying horizontally, resting her head on Asahina-san's lap while sleeping. She sure looks happy like that... Being used as a pillow, Senpai would occasionally glance at my sleeping face, or absentmindedly stroke my head or play with a lock of hair.... H-hold on, why am I feeling jealous! This isn't something to feel jealous about!
For a second, I wanted to run up there, shove myself off Senpai's lap, and get pampered like that in my place, but I decided to suppress that impulse. The me in this time did not see my other self then. If I rushed out now, things would just get complicated... right? The space-time continuum was already messed-up enough as it is, the last thing I want to do is contribute to that.
Controlling my irrational impulses, I continued to play the role of a Peeping Jane. Looking back, I'm quite pleased with myself for managing to keep my composure. No, really.
I continued my observation. Asahina-senpai moved his lips, saying something. The me asleep on his lap stirred slightly and slowly woke up. I was too far away to hear anything, but I remember that Senpai said something like Oh, you're awake?
After we conversed for a while, Asahina-senpai suddenly said that he felt tired and rested his head on my shoulder... whereupon the bush behind the bench ruffled, and a person appeared.
He was wearing a loose white shirt and tight dress pants. There's no way I'd forget him.
Just before the end of May, he wrote a note asking to meet me in the clubroom, and then gave me that hint about The Frog Prince. He also told me about his star-shaped birthmark, but that's really of no consequence. And then today, Tanabata, he made Asahina-senpai (small) fall asleep, and pointed me in the direction of Haruki, all before disappearing again...
The grownup version of Asahina-senpai.
He'd grown a lot since he attended North High, having come from an even farther future than our Asahina-senpai. This was none other than Asahina-senpai (big). Also, did I mention that he's ridiculously good-looking?
What was happening right now was exactly the way I remember it.
After speaking to me for a while, Asahina-senpai (big) knelt down to pinch Asahina-senpai's (small) face, then stoop up to say something to me again.
It was his mission to bring you here, yet from here onwards, it will be my mission to guide you.
Um... Just what is...
I think that's what's being said.
After explaining everything to the open-mouthed me, Senpai (big) then walked out of illumination of the street lamp, vanishing from view. It was only now that I noticed he was heading towards the exit that was the opposite direction of the one leading to East Junior High.
The me from back then remained behind, staring at the sleeping Asahina-senpai (small), realizing with growing horror that I was going to have to carry him halfway across the city. The me from now, however, didn't have time to focus on that, as I couldn't let myself lose track of Asahina-senpai (big).
I dashed out from the bushes where I was hiding and walked quickly along the edge of the park. There was no longer any need to stay hidden, since, back then, I never noticed myself. At that time, not only was my attention fixed on Asahina-senpai, but there's no way I could ever have anticipated how messed up the time-space continuum in my time period would become. There was no time or reason to pay the me from back then any more attention, who was too busy struggling with Asahina-senpai on her back to be worried about other things anyway.
After passing the next corner I saw him at about a hundred meters away. He was walking with his back facing me, the tapping sounds of his footsteps echoing melodically. He didn't seem to be in a hurry, which suited me, as I was. If I lose him now, then I really will never know why I went through all the trouble to come here.
Walking a bit faster, I shortened the distance between us. His long hair, tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck, seemed to glimmer in the dim light of the streetlamps. It didn't take me long to catch up and call out,
He stopped. The soft tapping of his footsteps ended, and as if in slow motion, he gradually turned around.
I wondered just what he was going to say.
Huh? Didn't we just say goodbye a minute ago?
Did you follow me all the way here? You couldn't have.
Hey, where's my younger self?
It turned out that it was none of the above.
Good evening, onee-chan. He greeted me with a beaming smile on that face that was just as handsome as I remembered. It's been a while. For you, that is. With a relieved expression that reminded me of his younger self, he said, To be honest, I was a bit worried that I'd made a mistake. I'm still a bit unlucky, you know. Either way, I'm really happy to see you again. He gave me a wink. For some reason, my knees wanted to give way, but if I lost focus and melted into the ground now, I'd lose my only chance at fixing all this.
This Asahina-senpai seemed to know what I was going to do next. Trying best to control my tongue, which seemed to have developed a mind of its own, I said, Senpai, you knew I'd come here... you knew I'd return to this time, to this place, right?
Yes, Asahina-senpai nodded, It's because this is a predetermined event.
On that Tanabata, the smaller Asahina-senpai brings me to the Tanabata three years ago, that is, today. You're the one who had arranged for her to bring me here, right?
Yes, of course. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here now, would you?
If I hadn't gone to East Junior High and drawn that graffiti, I wouldn't have told the seventh-grade Haruki now that my name was Joan Smith. Of course, that would mean that the Haruki in his first year in Kouyouen Academy would never have heard of that name. In other words, besides that name, there's no link whatsoever between me and that Haruki who I was just with a few hours ago. The five of us wouldn't have gathered in the club room, and the Escape Program wouldn't have activated. A question suddenly arose in my head. That other Joan Smith he mentioned... could it be...!?
That would be you, onee-chan. The current you, Asahina-senpai (big) flashed me a smile, his teeth the color of a white rose. You must be tired, talking while standing up, especially after all the running you had to do today. Let's find somewhere for you to sit down. We still have time.
His smile and words were enough to dispel all the anxiety and confusion boiling within me. If Asahina-senpai (big) was here, that meant the future still existed. Not the chaotic future that had emerged after December 18th, but the future where I and the Haruki and the Senpai I knew came from.
There's got to be a way back. As if to further boost my newfound confidence, he continued,
Guiding you will be my mission from now on. But after that, you're on your own. I'll be following your lead then, okay, onee-chan?
He then gave me another wink. I nearly tripped over myself.
We returned to the park and sat on the bench where Asahina-senpai (small) and I were sitting a while ago. Before he sat down, Asahina-senpai (big) ran his hands over the bench as though he was touching an ancestral relic. Sensing the seriousness of the moment, I sat down in silence. The bench was still warm with the body heat of myself and Asahina-senpai.
Now, I have a lot of questions, but first:
Senpai, can I make a request?
Asahina-senpai (big) looked confused. What would that be?
I asked quickly, Can I rest my head in your lap?
Having settled myself into such a comfortable position, I looked up at Asahina-senpai and started asking my questions. Did something happen to the flow of time? The time period where I came from is linked to this Tanabata. If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't have arrived here, right? Then, Asahina-senpai... does that mean there's no connection between the future you're from and the altered future I came from?
I can't tell you the details.
I thought not. Classified information, huh?
Not that, Asahina-senpai (big) shook his head, I can't explain it in a way you would comprehend. Our STC Theory is built on specific concepts that are too difficult to convey in speech. Do you still remember the time when I first told you my true identity?
I sure do. While I sat by the river bank, the cherry blossom petals falling, I listened to Asahina-senpai, who I had always thought to be just a babyfaced upperclassman, reveal the shocking truth about his being a time traveller.
Back then, didn't I say things that you could barely understand? That's what I mean. If I explained, you'd just be even more confused, see? Asahina-senpai (big) swept the hair out of his eyes while giving me yet another wink. Ah, that's bad, that's bad. Everything he does is too sexy. Good thing I'm already laying down.
This is a concept that cannot be explained just through words. I can only be comprehend in ways other than that. Do you understand?
Nope. It's like trying to teach a kindergarten kid calculus. I was already feeling dizzy, although come to think of it, that might not be due to his explanation.
Well, anyway, soon you'll understand. You will. That's all I can tell you now.
Soon you will understand. Where have I heard of that before? That's right, it was Nagato. Nagato had told me the same thing before... Wait, hold on.
A flash of inspiration was triggered by the synapses in my brain. Before summer vacation... Nagato mentioned during the giant cave cricket incident, about how computers in the future aren't like what they are now, did he mean...
Wow, that's impressive. You still remember that? You're right, the equivalent to computers or the so-called Internet in this time period, well.., it doesn't exist in a material sense in my time, but rather it exists, shapeless, within our brains. The TPDD is the same.
The TPDD, huh. The object that wasn't supposed to disappear but has gone missing.
Isn't that a time-travelling device?
It's a Time Plane Destruction Device.
Isn't that supposed to be classified information!?
Well, it was classified for the me back then. But in my current case, the rules have been relaxed a lot. The fact that I could come here means I've been working very hard, Asahina-senpai proudly puffed out his chest, allowing me, from my view on his lap, to see the outline of muscle definition under his white shirt. The fact that he's changed that much in only a matter of years still baffles me, but I have no time to drink in scenery like that. I don't, seriously.
I continued to ask, What caused this? The future I'm from has changed, but what caused it?
For more details you should try asking the Nagato-san in this time period. I can only tell you one thing: the change in the time plane where you came from occurred three years from 'now', on the morning of December 18th.
For me, that would be two days ago. So it's the time plane that's changed? In that case... once again, I tried to recall the two possibilities that Itsuko had suggested. Seems that the non-alternate world theory was the correct one.
Yes. Overnight, the STC files... I mean, the whole world changed. Only your memories remained intact. It was a massive time-quake that could be detected even in the distant future.
It's not like I wasn't interested in time quakes or STC files. I simply had more pressing questions to ask.
The future changed so much that even I was dragged into it.... Asahina-senpai, is that why you were waiting here? To change it back?
I can't do it alone, his face darkened. I'll need the assistance of Nagato-san. You as well, onee-chan.
Who's the one behind this? The only person I can think of would be Haruki.
No, Asahina-senpai, retracting his smile, said seriously, It wasn't Suzumiya-san.
It is some new person? Say, some slider from another world or something like that...?
No, Asahina-senpai, for some reason, looked worried as he interrupted me, It's someone you know very well.
After looking at his watch, Asahina-senpai (big) remarked that there was still time and began to reminisce of his time with the SOS Brigade. For me, all the events he talked about had taken place this year, yet for him it must have been many years ago. Being dragged into the club room by Haruki, forced to dress up like a male stripper, making wishes on Tanabata, encountering a murder mystery on a remote island, attending the O-bon festival, the whole brigade gathering together to work on our summer homework, the various things that happened while shooting our failure of a movie... while my memories were rekindled, Asahina-senpai's voice grew slower and slower.
I was eager to hear what my future would be like, but Senpai remained cautious about that, and kept the topic limited to chit-chat.
It may have seemed rough at the time, but those memories are great. After making this concluding statement, Asahina-senpai became quiet and gazed at me silently.
I was thinking about what to say when Senpai picked up my ponytail and let it slowly run through his fingers. He repeated this action several more times, all while gazing at with a warm smile. Huh? What's he trying to do? Come to think of it, this atmosphere is kind of romantic, isn't it? I mean, I only wanted to rest my head in his lap because I was feeling jealous at my other self getting all the attention, but I didn't really consider how it would look to passerby or anything. I'm not thinking properly at all.
Asahina-senpai (big) brushed my bangs out of my eyes, then leaned back and closed his eyes. He didn't say anything, but I could see his lips moving. He seems to be whispering something, what is it? Wait, hold on.... what if this Asahina-senpai fell asleep as well, only to have another Asahina-senpai appear and tell me something confusing and enigmatic as well? If I remained here forever, would I continue to meet Asahina-senpais from different time periods? I, I kind of want to see what he'd look like in middle age... damn it, my thoughts are spinning about like a washing machine, going in circles!
Heh, as though he could read my thoughts, he chuckled, and said, It's almost time. Let's go.
Pity, I wanted to stay like that a while longer, but I had to come to my senses and get to my feet. He's right, it's time to go. ...Where are we going, anyway?
Ah, right. My second destination.
The time on Asahina-senpai's watch was now ten at night, a time after the other me had completed my role as Haruki the seventh-grader's accomplice (or slave, as some might put it), having finished drawing the graffiti on the track field, a time after I had taken the panicking Asahina-senpai to Nagato's apartment. It was at this time that I had become frozen in Nagato's spare bedroom.
We have to pay Nagato another visit.
Time to pay Nagato another visit.
Before that, Asahina-senpai gave a heart-thumping, glittering smile and said, Isn't there something else you need to do first?
After walking a short distance from the park, we came to a residential area. Following Asahina-senpai's directions, we turned into an alley.
Ahead on the dark path was a figure, slightly taller than me, dashing like the wind. Wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt and long shorts, he moved further and further away, his hair flowing in the breeze.
The figure slowly turned his head. After making sure he had noticed me, I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted without holding back, Please take good care of the Joan Smith who will spread excitement all over the world!
After having a quick look at me, the seventh-grader turned around looked pissed off for some reason and marched away.
He was probably thinking he'd be able to find me anyway if he infiltrated North High, so he had turned
away without hesitation. Looking at that dark hair disappear into the distance, I quietly added, Please remember it, Haruki. You have to remember the name...
I prayed with the bottom of my heart to the 12-year-old Haruki, who would probably continue to me East Junior High's chief troublemaker for some time to come.
Please don't forget that I was here.
I knew the way to Nagato's apartment like the back of my hand. I could practically have walked there with my eyes closed. Keeping ahead of Asahina-san (big), I looked up at the building which I had just visited around twenty hours ago. All of a sudden, Asahina-senpai came up from behind me and put his hand on my shoulder.
...I have a favor to ask, onee-chan.
Seeing how he had let me rest in his lap earlier, it'd be rude to refuse him. Besides, I'm not the sort of person to turn down and honest request from Asahina-senpai.
I'm sorry for the trouble, but could you do the talking? Even as I am now, I don't feel comfortable around Nagato-san.
That's right, Asahina-senpai (small) is nervous whenever he's around Nagato in the clubroom. It was the same the last time we came here. I guess he hasn't changed that much on the inside, huh? That's a relief, somehow. Besides, I can understand. The only person I can think of other than Haruki who could keep their composure even when knowingly in the presence of a time traveller or alien is Itsuko.
That's fine, don't worry about it. I said gently as I entered the number 708 on the keypad next to the entrance. A few seconds later, the intercom gave a knocking sound, indicating someone was listening on the other end.
Silence was greeted by silence and silence was returned to my ear.
Nagato, it's me.
Sorry about this, I don't really know how to explain it. In any case, I'm back from the future. Asahina-senpai is with me as well, the adult version, I mean. Oh yeah, that's 'Differential Temporal Variant' for you, right?
I need your help. After all, you're the one who sent me into this time period to begin with.
Both Asahina-senpai and I should be in your apartment, right? We should be sleeping in that time-frozen guest room.
Beep. The front door's lock opened.
Come in. Nagato's voice coming through the intercom felt so calming. It was as even a voice as usual, without any ups and downs, though to me, although it might just be my imagination, he sounded a litlte surprised.There's nothing that Nagato can't do. Even in this situation he's sure to find a way out. Otherwise, well, I'm finished.
Looking as though he was walking onto a battlefield, Asahina-senpai kept hold of my shoulder, his handsome face frozen in extreme nervousness. Once inside, we took the elevator up to the seventh floor.
We arrived at the familiar door of Room 708.
There was a doorbell, but I remembered that it wasn't working yet, so I knocked on the door instead. I couldn't sense anyone behind it, but the metallic door opened anyway.
A bespectacled face looked down through the gap at me, moved its gaze over to Asahina-senpai (big) and then moved back to me.
Being both expressionless and silent, he was so devoid of any emotion that I really wanted someone to beg him to say something. Indeed, this was the way Yuuki Nagato was when I first met him, the original Nagato from the beginning of the first term, back in spring, as well as the Nagato that I had asked help from the first time I visited this time period.
May we come in?
After a thoughtful silence, Nagato lowered his head about a centimetre or so, then turned back inside of his apartment. I'll take that as a yes.
Let's go, Senpai, I said to the anxious-looking gorgeous man standing right behind me.
Er, yeah, you're right, it'll be fine, he said, more to me than himself.
Now that I think about it, how many times have I visited this place already? From my perspective, this is my fourth time, but chronologically speaking, only my second. I'm so confused by the order of things that I'm surprised my biological clock isn't malfunctioning. What with leaping from winter to summer and coming back three years twice, you'd expect something to go wrong with me, but yet, right now, I'm feeling perfectly fine, not to mention that my thoughts are the clearest they've been since I was born. Maybe I've finally gotten used to all these surreal experiences? If I were someone else, my mind would probably have short-circuited already.
Nagato's lifeless apartment was as cold as I remembered it. It was no different from the time I had first visited back in May. It's really reassuring, this Nagato being the same as the Nagato I've always known. Expressionless and emotionless, he wouldn't panic in any situation. Nagato, the ever-reliable alien.
I took off my shoes and talked through the narrow hallway before coming to the living room. Nagato was waiting there, standing all alone, staring silently at me and Asahina-senpai. If he was surprised by our visit, I couldn't tell from his face. Maybe he too was used to surreal events like me coming to visit him from the future, though I certainly didn't want to do this again.
I guess we can skip the introductions, huh? Nagato didn't sit down, so Asahina-senpai and I remained standing. This is the adult version of Asahina-senpai. I believe you've met each other before, no, wait, that's three years from now, sorry, you will meet each other. Anyway, this here is also Asahina-senpai, so try not to think too much about it.
Nagato looked at Asahina-senpai (big) like an examiner would look during the national exam paper for mathematics. He then looked around the living room before finally fixing his gaze on the figure behind me once again and said, Understood. He nodded lightly, his hair barely even moving with his head.
As I was following Nagato's gaze, I noticed the room adjacent to the living room, separated by a paper door. Can that be opened?
Nagato shook his head towards the room I was pointing at and said Negative. The entire structural composition of that room has been frozen in time.
I felt a sense of both pity and relief at hearing that.
I felt Asahina-senpai (big) exhale a warm sigh of relief. He was thinking the same as I was, it seems. ...If he had seem his younger self sleeping cozily in the same futon as me, how would he have felt?I'd really like to know, but right now it's more important to explain to Nagato what's going on.
Nagato, I'm really sorry for having to keep visiting you so suddenly. Anyway, can you please hear our story? How much had the me in the adjacent room told him already? The history of the SOS Brigade up to Tanabata, was it? I'll just have to continue from there and tell her what happened in the second half of the year, from the melancholic spring, where I had to put up with Haruhi's boredom, to the incessant sighs I made while making her movie. Of course, you were there as well, Nagato. You always came to the rescue. After all that, the world suddenly changed when I woke up the day before yesterday. I wanted to know why everyone has lost those memories of everything that happened, which was why I came here with the help of the Emergency Escape Program which Nagato had provided. It's going to take some time if I go into detail, so once again I recited the condensed version of the story which I told Haruki. For Nagato, that was probably more than enough.
...So, that's how it is. Here I am once again, thanks to you. As evidence was more important than a mere testimony, I took out the crumpled-up bookmark from the pocket of my jacket. I handed the bookmark over to Nagato, like I was handing a spell-charm to a phantom.
... Nagato took the bookmark with his fingertips. He looked past the flowery patterns on the bookmark and studied the text printed on the back like an archaeologist who had just dug out an LCD television from a Cretaceous-era bedrock. It seemed as though he was going to study those words forever, so I interrupted.
What should I do now?
I, er, I wish to restore this temporal anomaly, Asahina-senpai's (big) voice sounded as nervous as his younger self perpetually did. When he's around Nagato, he reverts to being just as jittery as he used to be. Well, that's what I think, at any rate.
N-Nagato-san... Can you please assist us? You're the only person who can restore the altered time plane to its original state. Please, I beg you.
Asahina-senpai (big) put his hands together and closed his eyes as though worshipping a deity. Oh Great Nagato Above, I too am praying for you to show mercy upon us. Please let me return to the clubroom where I can enjoy the tea my Senpai brews, play board games with Itsuko, see you sitting like a reading statue, waiting for Haruki to barge into the room. That's all I wish for.
... Nagato lifted his gaze from the bookmark, and looked straight into the skies. I can understand why Asahina-senpai is so nervous; if Nagato chooses not to help us, there's nothing we can do about it.
The perfect acoustics of the aparment ensured that no sound echoed within it. It was so quiet that it seemed as though time itself had stopped. Nagato and I exchanged glances, and I saw him nod a millimetre or so.
Allow me to confirm. Nagato said. As I was about to ask what he was going to confirm, he closed his eyes. ...... Very soon she reopened them and looked at me with that gaze of obsidian black.
Unable to synchronize, he said quickly, continuing to stare at me. His expression had changed a bit, and it wasn't just my imagination. Itusko had noticed it too. Ever since he met us, Nagato had gradually become more and more expressive; this was the Nagato from the spring and summer, although not the one from winter time.
Her pale lips moved again, I am unable to gain access to my temporal variant of that time period, as he has set up a protective barrier which selectively blocks my attempts.
I didn't understand what that meant, but it made me feel uncomfortable. Does that mean there's nothing you can do?
Disregarding my fears, he continued, However, I now have an understanding of the whole situation. It is possible to undergo restoration. Nagato slowly ran his fingers over the words on the bookmark. He began to explain, accumulating words like a snowball, The temporal converter has made full use of Haruki Suzumiya's abilities and altered part of the world's data.
This familiar voice, so calm and even-toned, reminded me of a music box I had heard when I was a little kid. It soothed the worries within my heart. Therefore, the altered Haruki Suzumiya does not possess the power to create data. In that reality, the Data Overmind is non-existent as well.
I don't quite understand, but it sounds very serious. Everyone besides myself has been given a new set of memories, and not only that, it seems like even Nagato's boss has been erased.
What a mess.
Using the powers stolen from Haruki Suzumiya, the temporal converter was able to alter data concerning past memories in the range of 365 days.
In other words, everyone's memories from the previous December to the December 17th of my originating year has been altered. Yet for memories concerning Tanabata three years ago (now) haven't been changed at all. For that matter, it was thanks to Haruki being able to remember about what happened in Tanabata that I was able to come here at all. So my question is, who's the idiot doing the same sort of stuff that Haruki would do?
Nagato's gaze continued to be fixed on me. To restore the world to its original state, one must travel from here to December 18th three years from now, and activate the Restoration Program just after the temporal converter has executed the alteration.
So, we'll be travelling back to the future? Just asking, but the one who'll be doing the restoration would be you, right?
I cannot go.
Wait, why not?
When Nagato pointed to the guest room, I understood at once.
I cannot leave them alone. According to Nagato's subsequent explanation, in order to allow the time where my other self and Asahina-senpai are sleeping to remain frozen, he cannot perform any time travel himself. He then said in a voice like a phone operator reporting the time, Activate Emergency Mode.
What does that mean? I was getting a bit anxious.
I still don't get it.
Nagato slowly took off his glasses and held them in his hands. As if being dangled by an unseen thread, the glasses in his palms began to float. If I saw a normal person doing this, I would have assumed there were some sort of invisible strings attached to that person's fingers. Of course, that would be normal.
The frame and glass both began to twist and melt into a strange whirlpool shape. In an instant, the pair of glasses turned into another object. I've seen this shape before. It was a shape that would strike fear into the hearts of any human being.
I hesitantly commented, It looks like a very huge syringe.
A colorless liquid filled the inside of the syringe. Just who was going to get jabbed by that thing?
This is the Restoration Program that must be injected into the temporal converter's body.
Looking at the sharp needle sticking out from the end of the syringe, I instinctively turned away. Um... isn't there a more reliable way? I'm sorry, but I'm an amateur when it comes to this. It'd be pretty disastrous if were to stick it in the wrong place, you know?
Nagato's dark eyes, shining like an LCD screen, looked at the syringe he was holding, and said, Is that so?
He spread his hands again, and the syringe once again turned into a whirlpool before morphing into another shape. Seeing the shape of this new object, I breathed a sigh of relief. I could, at least, use this properly.
Another object that'll would create a huge ruckus, huh?
This time it's a gun, although a gun with a short barrel that looks like it's made of stainless steel.
Nagato took the shiny metallic pistol in his hands and handed it to me.
The chances of this penetrating clothing is very high, but if possible, it is better for you to directly targt the temporal converter's skin.
...Does this thing have real bullets in it? It looks a lot like a toy gun.
This is a short-needle gun. The program is infused on the tip of the needle.
I felt more at ease, psychologically speaking, with this thing than with a giant syringe. Holding the gun, I was amazed by how light it was.
Oh yeah, Nagato... I finally asked the question which I had dared not ask a while ago, Who is the culprit? Who's the one that altered the world? If it isn't Haruki, then who is it? Can you tell me?
I heard Asahina-senpai (big) sigh.
Nagato slowly opened his mouth, and without any expression he calmly uttered the name of the culprit to me.
I hate it.
|2012-06-03, 02:57
|Link #23131
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
It looks good, but you might want to make another proofreading pass. There's a couple of places where Asahina-san is referred to as "her", and at least one instance of using "John Smith" instead of "Joan Smith".
|2012-06-03, 14:35
|Link #23132
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
|2012-06-06, 16:39
|Link #23133
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
Sorry for the double post, but...
Spoiler for The Disappearance of Haruki Suzumiya, Chapter 5:
I didn't know what to say. Nagato turned towards Asahina-senpai (big) and said, "Allow me to give you the space-time coordinates of the target."
"Oh, sure." Asahina-senpai (big) stuck out his hand like a dog eager to shake with his master. "Go ahead..."
Nagato softly placed his finger on the bottom of Asahina-senpai's palm, then removed it... wait, that's it? Asahina-senpai seems to think it's fine, though.
"I get it now, Nagato-san. All we need to do is go and fix him, right? That won't be too hard, since he won't have any powers at that point." Clenching his fists, the time traveller seemed determined.
However, the alien then said, "Please wait." Not wearing any glasses, Nagato said, "In this state, you too will be swept into the changes of the space-time continuum. Counteractive measures need to be applied." He then stuck her hand out. "Your hand."
What? Do you want to shake too? I obediently stuck out my right hand. Nagato's fingers, icy cold, grabbed my wrist, making my heart beat a little faster.
Nagato suddenly kneeled down and moved his sullen-looking face towards my arm
"Aaah!" I yelled involuntarily. Nagato not only touched my wrist with his lips, but even bared his teeth. It reminded me of when we were making the movie, when he constantly assaulted and bit Asahina-senpai.
It didn't actually hurt. It felt like one of those love bits Shamisen would give me whenever I was petting her, though the canine teeth sinking through my skin felt prickly, like being jabbed by something without feeling any pain. Maybe Nagato's saliva contains some sort of anesthetic to numb the pain. It's more like being bitten by a mosquito.
After biting on my wrist for about five to ten seconds, Nagato slowly raised his head.
"A data-manipulating stealth barrier and protective shield has been applied to your body surface,"
Nagato said unabashedly. On the other hand, staring wide-eyed at me, Asahina-senpai (big) looked rather amazed. I looked at my wrist, which felt a bit numb. On it were two small holes which looked like vampire bite marks. As I stared at them, the two holes began to heal and disappeared without a trace. The same way Asahina-senpai had been during the making of the movie, my body had also been injected with Nagato's nanomachines.
"You too."
As per Nagato's request, the unnerved Asahina-senpai stuck out his hand. "I-It's been a while since you've injected me. I guess it must've been tough on you, back then, ha ha..."
"This is my first time giving you an injection."
"Oh, yes, right. I forgot." Shutting his eyes tightly, the time traveller stuck out his wrist and accepted the alien's baptism. It took less time for him to be injected than me. Once it was over, he began to cough dryly. "Well, let's go. Onee-chan, the real thing starts now."
Really? Just now? The warm-up sure was long then! Well, I'm just doing my best to narrate for everyone. I don't really want to do this.
"Thanks." I tried to remain calm as I thanked the master of the apartment. Nagato, silent as ever, remained unresponsive. I couldn't find any form of self-awareness in his expression, yet for some reason, I just felt that he looked very lonely. ...Is that really the case?
"I'll see you then, Nagato. Make sure you wait for us in the Literature Clubroom."
Like a doll suddenly injected with life, the alien-made organic being mechanicall nodded his head. "I will wait."
The way he said that was enough to ignite a flame within my heart, although only one as bright as a cigarette that someone had forgotten to put out. Just as I was trying to figure out where it had come from, Asahina-senpai (big) now said, "Just to prevent you from getting uncomfortable," he tightly grabbed my shoulders. "Can you please close your eyes?"
I did as he instructed. Asahina-senpai (big) seemed to be standing right in front of me, holding my hands.
What's with this situation? ...Is he going to give me a kiss?
"Here we go."
I-It's fine. I don't mind if you kiss me, really. Just as I was thinking that, however...
A dramatic dizziness overwhelmed me. It was a good thing that I had closed my eyes, and even if I had them opened, it would probably still have been pitch-black, as though there were a power outage. I now felt like I was in a roller coaster without a seat restraint. I was no longer sure if I had any blood left in my body, or whether it had rushed towards my brain. The sense of weightlessness continued. Though I had closed my eyes, I still felt dizzy. The fact that I didn't lose consciousness was all thanks to the warmth of Senpai's hands.
How many minutes has it been? How many hours? I lost all awareness of time and space. I can't hold on much longer, Asahina-senpai! I feel like throwing up...
As I was ungraciously trying to look for something I could puke in, Asahina-senpai said, "Um... We've arrived."
The sensation of standing on firm ground, which I had thought long lost, had returned to me. The coldness of the ground passed through my socks and into my body. My sense of gravity had also returned, and like an illusion, the urge to vomit everywhere also disappeared.
"You can open your eyes now. Thankfully, we made it to the time and place Nagato-san directed us to."
I lifted my head and saw a bunch of winter constellations glittering in the night sky. They were much cleare than in the summer. I turned around, instantly recognizing the roof of the North High complex looming above the residential housing.
I looked around me, trying to confirm where I was. Though it was dark, there's no way I'm mistaken. I was standing here just a few hours ago; I could still remember Haruki and Itsuko wearing my PE uniform... this is the spot where they had changed. Some coincidence, huh?
So, what time is it?
Looking at his watch, Asahina-senpai (big) told me, "It's four forty-eight in the morning on the 18th of December. In about five minutes, the world will be changed."
The 18th. From my point of view, that would be two days ago. On that day, I went to school as usual, unaware of what was about to happen, and fell into a state of despair as a result of seeing a North High that was completely unrecognizable. Haruki had suddenly disappeared, while Asakura had reappeared; Asahina-senpai couldn't recognize me, while Nagato had become a completely different person altogether.
Everything started here. I am now in the time period when the conversion took effect, and I can prevent it from happening, which is, of course, why I am standing here now.
As I was getting fired up by feelings of intense anticipation...
"Ah, damn it. I forgot to bring my shoes," Asahina-senpai exclaimed softly.
Since we travelled here from indoors, well, of course we wouldn't be wearing any shoes. That's just like Senpai: not even the passage of time could wear away his clumsiness.
"You think Nagato-san will take good care of them for me?" His anxiety relieved my own nervousness. I'm sure he'll take care of them. He managed to preserve a tanzaku for three years once, so I'm sure he won't lose a pair of shoes so easily. I bet they'd still be there even now if you checked his closet... as I thought about all this, a feeling like an electric shock went through my body all of a sudden. It was because I wasn't wearing any shoes, not to mention having leapt from summer back to the freezing winter, making the cold feel all the more intense.
I immediately thought of putting back on the jacket I was holding in my arms, but I noticed Asahina-senpai shivering and hugging himself to keep warm. ...Normally, in this situation, the guy should be lending his jacket to the girl, right? Senpai, however, is wearing a nothing but a loose white dress shirt in such low temperatures.
"Put this on," I sighed, reaching up and placing my jacket over his shivering shoulders.
"N-n-no, there's r-r-really no need for..."
Shut up and wear it. I have a cardigan on anyway. Besides, if you hadn't been waiting for me three years ago, I'd never have been able to come back to this time. That alone is enough; if I had to, I'd even strip off all my clothes for you. ...Please don't ask me to do that though.
Asahina-senpai (big) gave me a smile so perfect as to turn to butter the legs of half the audience, and then said seriously, "It's almost time."
Maybe it's a good thing that we forgot to wear our shoes; we didn't make any sound as we walked along. Despite this, Asahina-senpai (big) and I didn't dare breathe loudly as we headed to the entrance of North High. We stopped by a corner, and like hunters following their prey, we stuck our heads out and stared at the path ahead of us in the dark.
There weren't a lot of streetlights in this area, though there was one just outside the gate. Though the light was dim, we could still easily see if anyone was standing underneath it.
"Here he comes..." Asahina-senpai's hand, now much warmer than it was, landed on my shoulder. I could feel his intense breaths blowing into my ear. Normally, this would be very distracting, but now wasn't the time for things like that.
The culprit, the space-time converter, emerged from the shadows and into the light.
He was wearing a North High uniform. Nagato had told us about him, the person who had altered our world, separated the members of the SOS Brigade, and turned everyone into normal human beings. With the exception of myself, that person had altered the memories and history of everything else.
Right now, he had begun to make his move.
I couldn't rush out yet, as I had to wait until everything had changed. That was what Nagato told me: I had to with that person had finished altering the world completely before I injected the Restoration Program, otherwise the history where I activated the Escape Program would never have happened. I don't quite understand, although both Nagato and Senpai seemed pretty clear about it. I'll just trust the advice of the professionals. Nagato would never lie. He's always been standing by our side with a serious look on his face...
I tightly gripped the needle gun and waited silently.
Walking in regular strides, that person arrived before the gates of North High. He stopped, lifting his head to look at the school complex shrouded in darkness.
His uniform, loose on his thin frame, flickered as the wind blew.
He didn't seem to notice us. This was thanks to the nanomachines Nagato had injected into us, creating a stealth barrier and protective shield on the surface of our bodies.
That person suddenly lifted one arm and made a gesture as though grabbing onto something in the air. It didn't look natural. It looked as though he was being controlled, though I knew that wasn't the case.
"Whoa..." Asahina-senpai (big) exclaimed, "That was a powerful time quake. He had such power... I still find it hard to believe even after I've seen it with my own eyes."
With my own eyes, I didn't see any changes. The night sky was still dark, yet Asahina-senpai (big) seemed to have witnessed that person use some method to cause a massive change to this history of this world. Well, he's from the future, after all. It's not too surprising that he can see it.
Asahina-senpai (big) had put his arms around me protectively. Normally we, too, would have been swamped by that person's alteration of the world, but Nagato's bites had protected us. Both he and Senpai were a big help, and it seems that the course of action I've taken was correct. What follows next, well, I can't afford to screw it up here at the last hurdle.
I held my breath when I saw that person put down his arm and suddenly turn his head in our direction. At first I thought he had discovered us, but it turns out he was only looking around.
"Don't worry. Right now, he's been reborn. The time quake, the alteration of the world, it's over. Onee-chan, it's our turn now," Asahina-senpai (big) said in a stiff, serious tone, giving me the signal I needed.
I emerged from the darkness and walked towards the gate. There was no need to hurry; he wasn't going to run away. He was still standing there in front of the gates, even as he noticed me entering the radius of light surrounding him. The only thing that changed was his expression. When I saw the look of astonishment on his face, I suddenly became full of melancholy,.
"Hey there," I called out to him. I greeted him as though seeing a friend I hadn't met for a long time. "It's me. We meet again, huh?"
I guess it was obvious from the way Senpai was talking, huh? Of all the people I knew, aside from Haruki, there's only one who could make him feel so uneasy. Think about it a little. After today, December 18th, the secret lives of the SOS Brigade members had suddenly vanished. Despite this, their personalities remained intact... all save one. The one whose actions, expressions, and mannerisms had completely changed stood under the dim night sky, wearing a North High uniform, a lanky, frail figure without a clue in the world as to what was going on. He didn't understand why he was here, like a sleepwalker waking up in a strange place...
"Nagato," I said. "This was all your doing, wasn't it?"
He was wearing glasses. It was the Nagato I met on the 18th, the Yuuki Nagato that was just the last remaining member of the Literature Club. Neither an alien nor any mysterious entity whatsoever, just a very shy bookworm.
The bespectacled Nagato looked even more surprised, not understanding what was going on. "W-why... why are you here?"
"I was just about to ask you the same question. Do you even know why you're here?"
"...Taking a walk," Nagato mumbled while his eyes widened. His glasses reflected the street light overhead. I looked at him and thought,
No, it's not like that, Nagato.
He was only feeling tired, having to spend all day being turned around in circles by Haruki, while busy saving my life, as well as being secretly active in various unknowns behind our backs - it was only natural that he'd be fatigued by it all.
Not long ago in Nagato's apartment, this was what the Nagato three years ago told us:
"The erroneous files accumulated in my memory database will trigger an anomalous reaction. It can be foreseen that this is unavoidable. On December 18th three years from now, I will reconstruct the world." He continued calmly, "there are no counter-measures available, because I do not know how such errors could occur."
But I do.
I know the reason behind Nagato's inexplicable, abnormal actions, and just what those erroneous files he had been accumulating were.
It's the most basic desire. Even for an artificial intelligence run by complex programs, even for a humanoid interface without ever having such things installed, after living for a some time, it's natural for him to develop such a desire. You'll never understand it, but I do. Haruki probably does as well.
I continued to observe Nagato's troubled expression unreservedly. He now looked even more uncomfortable. Seeing how miserable and confused he looked, I can't help but yell inside,
Nagato! This is what we call emotions!
It's because you were designed not to have any emotions to begin with, the reaction you felt was was far greater. You probably felt like screaming, like going ballistic, like yelling out loud, 'you asshole! I've had enough of you', right? Even if you didn't think that way, what you did was totally understandable. Your actions can be forgiven, because I was partly responsible too.
I'd become too reliant on him. I'd gotten used to letting Nagato take care of everything. I always thought that as long as Nagato was on our side, I could just sit back and turn off my brain. What a fool I am. I'm an even greater fool than Haruki! I have no right to condemn Nagato for this.
This is the reason that Nagato came up with the stupid idea of changing the world.
An anomalous reaction? A programming error?
You sure are annoying. It's neither of the two.
Nagato just wanted one thing: a normal world like this.
He only preserved my memories, while altering those of everyone else, including himself.
And so now I finally understood the answer to the question that had been puzzling me for the past few days.
Why was I the only one to remain unaffected?
The answer was simple. It was because he had wanted to let me make the choice.
Is the altered world better? Or is the original one better? Under his well crafted script, the final decision rests on me.
"Damn it," To hell with choosing! I never had a choice!
If I had only wanted the SOS Brigade, I didn't have to return at all. I could just start it up again in the new world. Haruki and Itsuko might be attending another high school, but that wouldn't be too much of an obstacle. We'll just treat it as a hobby. Our mysterious club can have meetings at that coffee shop. Haruki can come up with his usual ridiculous ideas, Itsuko can grin all the time, Asahina-senpai can look extremely distressed, and I'd just look in the other direction and frown. An image of that scene floated into my mind in an instant. The Nagato there would probably look troubled as well, but would still quietly read his book.
Even so.
That wouldn't be the SOS Brigade that I knew. Nagato wouldn't be an alien. Asahina-senpai wouldn't be a time traveller. Itsuko would just be a normal person, and Haruki wouldn't possess any extraordinary powers at all. It would just be a simple, normal, happy club.
Am I fine with that? Isn't it better that way?
How did I used to think about it? Just what did I think about Haruki's constant troublemaking, extending beyond the boundaries of common sense?
What a pain.
Enough already!
Are you stupid!?
I've had enough of you!
My heart began to hurt.
I'm just a normal high school student, forced to take part in an endless number of difficult situations, constantly complaining yet still managing to live to tell the tale. Yes, that was the role I've been playing since the beginning.
Now then! Yes, you! You, Kyon! I'm talking to you! I've got to ask myself a very important question, so listen carefully and answer me. There's no getting out of this. Just a single 'YES' or 'NO' will do. Now, are you paying attention? Here comes the question:
Don't you find such a weird and extraordinary school life fun?
Hurry up and answer, Kyon! Think carefully. Well? Can't I ask what you think of this? Hurry up and tell me! In a world where I was being spun in circles by Haruki, attacked by aliens, hearing a time traveller explain wild theories, putting up with an esper's philosophical babble, trapped in Closed Space where giants go on a rampage, living with a cat that speaks, making an incomprehensible leap through time, and not to mention having to follow a strict rule of never letting Haruki know about any of this, allowing him, the commander of the SOS Brigade to happily continue his pursuit of mysterious events, all while completely oblivious to the huge mess he was getting us all into.
Don't you find such a world interesting?
Or, did you think that was just too annoying, and wanted to tell him that enough was enough? I mean, since you've always thought of him as such an idiot and had decided to ignore him and all. Well? Is it true? Is that what you really think?
'That world was hardly interesting at all.'
You sure? According to what you said, you find the Haruki in the original world very annoying. No matter what crazy ideas he comes up with, you would always feel nothing but melancholy. Of course it makes sense that you wouldn't find such a world to be interesting. And don't tell me it's not true! You know it is.
Yet, in reality, you're secretly enjoying all of this. Because, see, that world is interesting.
You ask me why I say that? Let me tell you why.
Didn't you hit the 'Enter' key?
You know, the one for the Emergency Escape Program Nagato left behind for you.
'Are you ready?'
The answer you gave for that question then was a resolute 'YES'.
The Great Nagato Above went out of his way to offer a stable, normal world to you, and you had to go and turn it down. Ever since you met Haruki Suzumiya back in April, you've taken that loony bin of a world for granted. You actually want to return to a crazy world where aliens, time travellers and espers wander freely around the school? Why is that? Aren't you the one who was complaining all the time about how miserable you are?
If that were really the case, then why didn't you ignore the Escape Program? By choosing to stay in this very normal world here, you'll know Haruki, Asahina-senpai, Itsuko and even Nagato as ordinary high school students, and lead a happy life as usual under Haruki's leadership. You could wave goodbye to all those surreal experiences forever.
In this world, Haruki would just be a normal guy who likes to boss people around; Asahina-senpai would no longer be a time traveller from the future, but just a cute little senior; Itsuko would be a talkative, board-game-obsessed beauty without any backing from a mysterious Organization; and Nagato would just be a nervous and humble bookworm, not having to carry any burdens or use any amazing powers to observe or protect someone. Though most of the time he'd remain expressionless, every once in a while, maybe he'd laugh at some stupid joke, turn red with embarrassment, and stick his nose back into a book. Who knows? I bet I could even get him to open up a little if I spent some more time around him.
Ah, such an idyllic life that would be, and yet.
And yet you have forsaken it.
Just why did you do that?
I'll ask you one last time. Answer me truthfully.
Do you find Haruki the troublemaker and the nightmarish events that he causes to be interesting? Hurry up and answer!
"Of course I do," I answered, "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize it was fun. So don't ask me something so trivial ever again." If someone had actually said they don't find that interesting, then that person would be a blithering idiot. Her wits would be thirty times dimmer than Haruki's!
I mean, hell, there are aliens, time travellers and espers out there!
Just one alone would be intriguing enough, but to have all three around at once? And with Haruki included, at this rate, I'll never be bored. If someone tries to argue this, I'll beat her face in.
"That's just how it is," I said to myself. You could say I've finally been enlightened.
"I still prefer the original world. This place just doesn't suit me. I'm sorry, Nagato. I prefer the you from before. Besides, you look better without glasses."
This Nagato looked at me with a very puzzled face, and said, "What are you talking about...?"
The Yuuki Nagato I know would never say something like that.
The current Nagato has no knowledge of the three days I spent in this world. He's just been reborn, and has never met me. He'd have no memory of the time he looked shocked when I barged into the Literature Clubroom.
The only memory this Nagato has of me is the fabricated memory of the library.
Several months ago, Haruki and I were trapped in that grey Closed Space. According to what Itsuko said, that was a new world created by Haruki.
Somehow Nagato had managed to steal that power from Haruki and used it to create this world.
Sure is convenient, huh? Whenever you feel like it, you can just start over, or change the world to the way you want it to be.
However, a normal person would never be able to achieve a thing like that. It's better that they give up trying. I sure as hell didn't want to start all over, which is why I returned from Closed Space to begin with.
This incident was caused by the transferal of a godlike omnipotence from Haruki to Nagato. Haruki was completely unware it had happened, while Nagato lost control and altered the universe.
"Nagato," I walked towards the tall figure standing there, frozen. Nagato stared back at me.
"No matter how many times I have to say it, my answer is the same. Please return everything to normal. You as well. Let's live to fight another day in the clubroom, alright? If you give me the signal, I'll be there for you. Haruki's calmed down a lot recently, so there's no need for you to use such a dangerous power to forcefully change the world. Just keep everything as it is."
The eyes under the glasses betrayed a sense of fear.
"Onee-chan," Asahina-senpai, who had followed behind me, said, "It's useless trying to explain to this Nagato-san. Because even he has changed. This Nagato-san is just a normal person without any power at all..."
Something suddenly occurred to me.
The Haruki in this world had called me Joan. Without any god-like or demon-like powers, she had barged into North High without hesitation. His eyes glittered brilliantly after I told him my story about the SOS Brigade, exclaiming loudly: "Sounds like fun!"
Carrying a wide grin at all times, the Itsuko here said she had feelings for Haruki. Wearing my gym uniform, that straight-A transfer student would sometimes wear a complicated expression.
Giving me an invitation to join the Literature Club, this glasses-wearing Nagato would reminisce about the fabricated memory he thought we shared together with me. The smile on his face was like the sun rising out of the horizon. I can't help but want to see it one more time.
I had realized that I would never see these people again. To be honest, I kind of missed them, but... their existences were complete lies. They were not the Haruki, Itsuko, Nagato, and Asahina-senpai I knew. It's just that it was a pity I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to them, but I've already made up my mind. I them to go back to being the SOS Brigade I'd always known.
"I'm sorry." I took out the gun and pointed it at Nagato. Upon seeing his terrified reaction, I felt like a criminal, but I can't stop now that I've come this far."
"Everything will be back to normal soon, okay? We'll be able to go to a lot of different places again, have our Christmas hotpot, and then go to the mansion on the snowy mountain. You can even be the Great Detective this time. A Great Detective can solve a case right after it's occurred, you know? That'll be--"
"Onee-chan! Look out-- AAAAH!"
As Asahina-senpai screamed out, I felt someone ram into my back. The impact nearly caused me to fall over. Even the shadow of the streetlight above was shaking. In that shadow was the silhouette of another person. What in the...? Who is it!?
"I can't let you hurt Nagato san!"
I looked over my shoulder and saw the face...
Of Ryou Asakura.
I couldn't bring myself to say anything, as I had suddenly noticed. I noticed the thing that had pierced its way through my abdomen. It was a thin object, thrust all the way through my body. It was cold. So cold. The sense of disorientation I felt far surpassed the sense of pain. Just what what going on!? Why was Asakura here?
"Ha ha ha." His grin looked like that of an expressionless mask that had suddenly learned to smile. Asakura backed away from me, pulling out the blood-soaked katana which he had impaled me with. Losing my balance, I fell to the ground, spinning like a top. Though he had been standing before me all this time, Nagato's legs gave way as he slumped to the ground, saying fearfully "Asakura... san?"
Asakura-san flicked my blood from his blade. "Hi, Nagato-san! Don't you worry about a thing. As long as I'm here, I'll eliminate anyone who threatens you. After all, that's why I was created." He smiled and continued, "That's what you wished for, after all, isn't it?"
That's a lie. Nagato would never have wished for anything like that. He's not the sort of person that kills a bird just because it's not singing the way he wants. Absolutely no way. When Nagato started to act abnormally, this Asakura that was re-created also began to act in an abnormal way, becoming something like his shadow... a shadow that now landed on my body. His silhouette blocked the moon from my vision.
"Allow me to do you the honor of sending you on your last journey. When you're dead, everything will be fine. It's your fault Nagato-san is suffering in the first place. Oh, does it hurt? I'm sure it does! Better enjoy it while you can, because it'll be the last sensation you'll ever feel in your life."
The thin blade was slowly lifted above his head. It looked as though Asakura was going to cut me in two. My blood wasn't stopping Is this really the end....? I struggled to think as my mind became cloudy. I was losing my sense of what was real.
This is your mission, isn't it, Psycho Asakura? To act as backup to Yuuki Nagato...
The katana began to fall...
In the blink of an eye, a hand stretched out from the side of my fading vision.
Someone had grabbed the blade of the sword, and with bare hands as well.
Bare hands...!? Where have I seen this before?
My vision was becoming more and more blurry, so I couldn't tell who it was. There's not enough light, anyone mind turning it up? He was standing in front of the bright streetlight, so I couldn't see his face properly. All I knew was that it was a tall, short-haired guy... wearing a North High uniform... not wearing glasses... that's all I could see... Hey, Itsuko! ...Where's the girl in charge of lighting when you need her!?
"What...?" Exclaiming softly was Nagato, who was sitting on the ground. His glasses reflected the light, so I couldn't see his expression clearly. Was it fear? Or confusion?
"Why?! But you're...!? Why..." Asakura yelled. He seemed to be talking to the person who caught the blade with his bare hands, but the guy remained silent.
Asahina-senpai sounded as though she was right next to me. "Oh, hell... Onee-chan, I should have known, but, still..."
"Nee-chan! Nee-chan! ...No! You can't!"
There seemed to be two Asahina-senpais. One was the adult Asahina-senpai, while the other was the little Asahina-san. Both had tears all over their faces, and were shaking my body. Hey, both of you, quit it, that hurts...
...Wait, what? What was Asahina-senpai (small) doing here? While I could still understand the adult Asahina-san holding me in his arms and crying, since he came here with me to this time period; but just where on earth did the little Asahina-senpai come from? Ah, I understand. It's one of those illusions, that recollection of your whole life that you see when you reach the end of it.
This was scarier than the pain of being impaled and seeing blood flow non-stop out of your body.
Damn it, I'm about to die.
As I wallowed in regret for not having written a will, I felt someone appear above me. That person picked up the Nagato-made needle gun that had dropped to the ground.
A familiar voice, yet I could not remember whose, spoke, "Sorry about that. I have my reasons for not rescuing you right away, but don't hate me for it. After all, it was painful for me too, you know? Anyway, we'll take care of the rest. No, I already know what to do now, and you will as well. So go get some sleep."
What's she talking about? And who was she talking to? Do what? Who's taking care of what now? The images of Asakura's fatal strike, the bespectacled Nagato supporting himself with his arms while kneeling on the ground, the two Asahina-senpais, and Haruki in a different school uniform had all fused together.
Slowly, gradually, I fell unconscious.
One chapter and the epilogue, 6018 words remain.
|2012-06-06, 19:30
|Link #23134
Senior Member
It's good to see you guys are still going.
|2012-06-07, 06:51
|Link #23135
Sometimes minor editor
Edit: Oh, and I almost forgot: *hits self in face*
Last edited by scify; 2012-06-07 at 08:02.
|2012-06-07, 08:58
|Link #23136
Kimi no na wa?!
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Hong Kong
You happy now?
...Actually, reading your post made me imagine a really hard facepalm. And since Kyon is one of the most famous facepalmers on the internet...
All in all though, Kyon's character is what makes Kyon who he is.
Last edited by s07195; 2012-06-07 at 09:26.
|2012-06-07, 12:57
|Link #23137
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
|2012-06-07, 14:12
|Link #23138
The Comet has Come
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Republic of California
Age: 41
He's just not use to being the main character, and being forced to realize he's the main character.
He's use to thinking Haruhi is the main character and he's the sidekick who gets to "talk" under his breath (snark).
|2012-06-08, 03:50
|Link #23139
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Nice. I like the use of the picture there.
|2012-06-09, 16:27
|Link #23140
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
Spoiler for The Disappearance of Haruki Suzumiya - Chapter 6:
Swish, swish. A swishing sound whisked past my ear.
As I slowly regained consciousness, my mind groggily began to think.
Maybe it was all a dream? From what I remember, it seemed like a very interesting dream. Usually when you wake up, you find a dream interesting for about five minutes, but when you begin to brush your teeth, the details start to become blurry, and by the time breakfast is ready, you'll have forgotten about it completely. Before you realize it, all that's left in your mind is the impression that sure was an interesting dream. I've been through that experience many times.
Then there are the times when I've had dreams that were hardly interesting, but the details were crystal clear, and remained etched in my mind for quite some time. Maybe those were more dream-like experiences, just like that night when I was trapped in Closed Space with Haruki, an experience that really occurred, but had subconsciously been treated as non-existent.
That was the first thing that came to mind when I opened my eyes.
The ceiling was white, so I wasn't in my own room. Translucent orange sunlight dyed the walls (which were as white as the ceiling) all sorts of colors. I wondered if it were morning or evening.
My, my.
For a mind that had just started to clear, this voice sounded as pleasant as church bells would sound to a faithfully religious person.
You're finally awake. You were sleeping quite comfortably.
I turned my head to look for the owner of the voice. There she sat, on a chair next to my bed, using a kitchen knife to slice the apple in her hand. Swish swish- the apple skin peeled off smoothly, drooping downwards.
Normally, I would say good morning, but the sun's setting right now. Itsuko Koizumi revealed a gentle smile. She put the apple slices onto a tray and placed it on my bedside table. Itsuko then took another apple from a paper bag and smiled again as she said to me, Thank goodness you've finally woken up. I was really at a loss for what to do. Ah... you look quite confused. Do you not recognize me?
I was about to ask you the same. Do you know who I am?
What a strange question. Of course I do.
It was easy to tell which Itsuko this one was just by looking at her clothes.
She was wearing a sailor uniform.
It belonged to North High.
One of my arms was on top of the blanket. Nearby hung a bag with some kind of fluid inside it, which was currently flowing into my arm. I looked at the contraption and asked, What day is it today?
Itsuko revealed an expression that, for her at least, was one of astonishment. Is that really the first question you are going to ask after waking up? It seems like you already have an idea of your own situation. As for your answer, it is now past five in the afternoon on the 21st of December.
The twenty-first, huh...
Yes, today is the third day since you went into a coma.
Third day? Coma?
Where is this place?
A private hospital.
I took a look around. It was an impressive single-bed ward. For me to actually be checked into a single-bed ward, my family must be quite rich. I never realized.
A friend of my aunt happens to be the warden of this hospital, so you're getting the special treatment.
Turns out my family isn't rich after all.
Well, thanks to the intervention of the Organization, you can stay here at a low expense for a year with no questions asked. That said, I'm relieved that it only took you three days to wake up again. No, no, it has nothing to do with money. My superiors practically tore me apart for allowing something like this to happen to you while under my observation. I even have to prepare a letter expressing my remorse.
Three days ago... that'd be the 18th. What was I doing on that day? ...Ah, I remember. I was on the verge of death due to massive blood loss, and so they must have sent me to the hospital... No wait, something isn't right about that.
I anxiously looked at the hospital gown I was wearing, then placed my hand on the right side of my abdomen.
I couldn't feel anything. Normally a wound would feel numb, but it hardly even itched. It'd be impossible to recover from such a horrifying wound in three days.
What was the reason for my hospitalization? Because of the coma?
So you have forgotten. Well, I suppose I can't really blame you for it, as you took quite a heavy blow to your head.
I touched my head. All I can feel is my hair; there's no bandage or even any protective netting on it.
What is most amazing is that you didn't suffer any external injuries nor any internal bleeding. Your brain functions were, or rather, are working normally as well. Even the doctors were baffled. They did not know what was wrong with you.
But..., Itsuko continued, We witnessed how you fell down the flight of stairs. It certainly looked horrible then, and to be honest, I think all our faces went white. The sound of you crashing to the ground was so loud that I would not have been surprised if you had fallen unconscious for good... would you like to hear how it happened?
Go ahead.
Accordingly, as I was walking down the stairs of the club complex, I tripped or something, and tumbled downwards, landing on my head. Wham! I then stopped moving. The way Itsuko described it sounded as though it really did happen.
Things were pretty chaotic after that. We had to call an ambulance and get the unconscious you to the hospital. Suzumiya-san's face was all pale: it was the first time I ever saw him with that expression. Oh, the one who called the ambulance was Nagato-san. It was his calm reaction that saved your life.
...How did Asahina-senpai react?
Itsuko shrugged her shoulders and said, He reacted pretty much how you'd expect. He grabbed hold of you and cried while calling your name over and over.
So what time on the 18th did all that happen? Which stairway was it?
I fired out questions in rapid succession. The 18th was the day the world had changed and I went into a panic, after all.
You even forgot about that as well? It was right after noon, just after the SOS Brigade had finished its meeting. It happened just as the five of us were about to go out shopping.
You don't even recall that? Are you sure you are not faking your amnesia?
It's not important. Just continue, please.
The smile on Itsuko's lips became gentle. The agenda for the meeting, hmm, was for what to do on Christmas Day. Suzumiya-san said there was a party for small children near his place, and that the SOS Brigade would make for a guest performance there. This was so that Asahina-san's reindeer costume could be put to good use; according to Suzumiya-san, he's going to dress up as a, ah, 'sexy reindeer' and hand out presents to the children.
Are, are you sure that's really an appropriate thing to have at a children's party?
Yet, it wouldn't be realistic to just have a reindeer, and since Suzumiya-san is busy helping to host the party, he decided to let one of the other members dress up as Santa Claus and ride Asahina-san onto the scene. In the end we had to draw lots... who do you think was the lucky winner? Do you remember now?
I have absolutely no recollection of it at all. If a person could remember something that doesn't even exist in her memories, then she'd be an impressive liar. She'd need to be checked into another hospital. I guess it's pointless trying to tell Itsuko that, though.
Well, never mind, just know that you were the lucky one. As we had convinced Suzumiya-san to make the reindeer costume 'less sexy', we had to go out to buy materials, and it was when we were walking down the stairs that you fell.
That makes me sound really stupid.
Hearing me say that, Itsuko raised her eyebrows. As you were walking at the back of the group, no one really saw how you fell. We only saw you falling from the side, like this, Itsuko demonstrated by deliberately letting the apple fall from her right hand before catching it with her left, you tumbled over and over. She continued to peel the apple skin. We quickly rushed towards you, who had become motionless. Suzumiya-san said he felt there was someone at the top of the stairs. He said he saw someone's leg disappear behind the corner there, but it disappeared thereafter. I found it strange as well, so I did a bit of research. At that time, there was no one else in the building besides us. Even Nagato-san shook his head when I asked. Whoever it was, they disappeared like a phantom. We've been waiting for you to wake up all this time so we could ask you who it was that pushed you...
I definitely didn't remember that. At this moment, I'm sure that would be the most appropriate answer. It was just a normal accident. I was careless, all I can say is 'tough luck for me!' I guess I'll leave it at that.
...Only you came to visit me? Where is Haruki? I had wanted to ask, but in the end didn't.
However, Itsuko chuckled and said, You've been looking around the room all this time. Are you looking for someone? Don't you worry, we've been taking turns looking after you. There's always been someone by your side... ah, I think it's about time for Asahina-san to arrive.
I was unsettled by Itsuko's gaze; she looks as though she's talking to someone who actually believed her April Fool's joke, and is lost for words as a result. What is she trying to insinuate?
Oh, well, nothing really. I was just feeling a little envious. You could say that was a stare of envy.
Why are you saying this to a patient who hit her head?
While we regular members are taking it in rotation to watch over, the Commander sees it as part of his responsibility to worry about the safety of his members...
Itsuko had elegantly peeled off all the skin from the apple. She then sculpted it into a rabbit shape before placing it on the tray on the bedside table.
Suzumiya-san has been here all along. Since you were admitted three days ago, he has never left this room.
I turned towards the other side of the bed, where Itsuko was pointing.
And there he was.
Wrapped tightly inside a large sleeping bag was Haruki, his mouth slightly agape as he snoozed away.
We were worried about you, both him and I. She sounded so sad; it felt like some soap opera.
You should have seen how distressed Suzumiya-san looked... No, we'll leave that for next time. Anyway, is there not something you need to do right now?
Why does everyone love ordering me around like that!? Asahina-senpai (big) did it, and now even Itsuko... but I won't begrudge them. I couldn't care less if all those apples Itsuko sliced up were an offering to some deity.
Yeah, I said.
I really feel like drawing on his face. Maybe next time I'll have the chance to do that.
I sat up straight and stretched out my arm to touch that seemingly angry looking face of his.
The Haruki in the other world still had long hair, while this one keeps cutting it short. I think it's sort of a waste... and as if to interrupt my feelings of nostalgia, the head beneath that short dark hair began to move.
Haruhi had woken up.
...Nnn...hnn? Haruki groaned as he struggled to open his eyes, and by the time he realized who was pinching his face... WAH!? He tried to jump up at once, but failed miserably as he had forgotten that he had zipped herself inside the sleeping bag. He rolled and crawled about like an caterpillar, but eventually managed to get himself free, proceeding to point a finger at me and started cursing, Kyon! Damn you! Damn youuuuuuu! Why couldn't you let me know when you're going to wake me up!? Ah, damn it, now that was a shock...
That's asking for the impossible. Still, seeing you yelling and cursing about is more effective than any medicine for me.
Wipe your drool off.
Haruki's face twitched, he quickly wiped his chin, and then stared at me with that scowl of his. You... you drew something on my face, didn't you!? Admit it.
I was tempted to.
Bah. Well, whatever. Don't you have anything to say?
I gave him the reply he was expecting, Sorry to make you worry.
Well, I'm glad you are. After all, worrying about the well-being of the brigade members is one of the responsibilities of the commander! Haruki's angry yelling sounded to me like a chorus of angels. At that moment, someone in the hallway softly knocked on the door. Itsuko instinctively got up and pulled it open.
As my third visitor standing outside saw me, Ah, ahh, aaahhhh... He proceeded to make a series of frantic sounding noises. Standing there with a vase in his hands, was none other than the second-year North High schoolboy whose childish appearance made him look as though he belonged in middle school.
Hey... Senpai, hey there, I wasn't sure whether I should say 'long time no see'. For me, at least, I don't know how long it's been.
Sniff... Tears started to trickle from Asahina-senpai's eyes, Oh geeze... Nee-chan... I... Oh...
I really wanted to give him a big hug. Asahina-senpai was probably thinking the same thing, but he seems to have forgotten to put down the vase, and only stood there crying.
Aren't you overdoing it a little? She just bumped her head and fainted. I knew from the start that Kyon wouldn't sleep forever. A sense of relief could be heard within Haruki's voice, and she continued without even looking at me,
As I've already mentioned before, the SOS Brigade works 365 days a year! Nobody is allowed to take a day off. I'll never accept a lame excuse like bashing one's head on the stairs and going into a coma, absolutely never. Do you understand, Kyon? The price for going AWOL for three days is very high. You'll be fined! Not just a regular fine, oh no, but there's overdue charges on top of that as well!
Itsuko began chuckling, Asahina-senpai's giant tear drops trickled endlessly to the ground, while Haruki turned her face away. At first glance, you'd think that he looked pissed off.
Looking at them, I nodded my head and shrugged my shoulders, saying, All right then, including the overdue fine, how much do I need to pay in total?
Haruki turned to stare at me, the smile on her face beaming so brightly that it was hard to believe he was angry a second ago. He really is a simple guy.
In the end it was decided that I'd have to pay everyone's bill in the coffee shop for three consecutive days. As I pondered whether to terminate my existing time deposit...
One more thing...
There's more?
Yup. I still haven't gotten around to the compensation for all the trauma you've caused. Oh, okay, I got it. I'm gonna buy you a 'sexy Santa' outfit, and you're gonna wear it at our Christmas party! You have to act extra cute while wearing it, okay? If you refuse, I'll kick you into an alternate dimension! You're wearing that to the kids' party too, you hear me!?
With a gaze as bright as the light from a prism, Haruki once again began ordering me about.
I didn't mind it at all.
Being awake didn't mean I could get discharged right away. After the doctor came to have a look at me, I was sent to be examined on all sorts of machines. It was so annoyingly complicated that it felt as though they were trying to remake me into a cyborg. After spending the rest of the day on all kinds of checkups, they told me that I'd have to spend another night here. Tonight will be the first night I've spent in a hosptial, and I guess it's worth experiencing that at least once in my life.
Haruki, Itsuko, and Asahina-senpai were just about to leave when my dad and brother came to visit me. Haruki was very courteous when speaking to them. I never knew he could be polite like that. It's kind of surprising.
While I spent time talking to my family, my mind was occupied with various thoughts.
If things continued the way they were, what would've happened next? Nagato, Itsuko, Haruki, and Asahina-senpai would just be regular human beings without any supernatural background whatsoever. Perhaps even then an interesting tale could be written, but there would no longer be any need to learn about the truth of this world, nor would there be any need to worry about any changes caused. It would just be a normal story without any connection to the current dysfunctional world.
I probably wouldn't play any role in that story. All I could do there was just peacefully live my normal high school life and graduate without incident.
'Which world would I be happier with?' I think I know the answer to that now.
It was only in this, the present world, that I could be happy. Otherwise, why would I risk losing my life just to come back here in the first place?
What about you? Which world would you choose? I'm sure the answer would be pretty obvious, right? I can't be the only one that would come this conclusion.
After my family went home and the lights in the ward went out, the only thing I could do was stare at the ceiling. After a few minutes of this, I decided to close my eyes.
I had apparently spent the past three days, in this world that is, sleeping.
In that case... if the world had become like that, that meant that it'd been changed.
This world had already been changed twice. The world that was distorted by Nagato had changed once again to the original world as it is now. So, who was it that made the second change?
It couldn't be Haruki. For those three days, Haruki didn't have such powers, and for that matter the Haruki of this world didn't even know the world had changed. Who, then, could it be?
Well, there's only one person who could have saved my life by grabbing Asakura's sword with his hands... that would be Nagato.
That aside, before I lost consciousness, I saw two Asahina-senpais. The second one wasn't the adult Asahina-senpai, but my senior, Asahina-senpai, the adorable little upperclassman from the future.
There was also another person, the owner of the mysterious voice that spoke to me near the end. I knew I'd heard that voice before. I tried to recall who it was, but very quickly I realized I didn't even need to bother.
That was my own voice.
I see, so that's how it is.
In that case... I would have to travel back to that time period again. I'd have to go back to the early morning of December 18th, and I had to go with the Asahina-senpai and Nagato of this time period. Only then could the world be restored to its present state.
Asahina-senpai would be responsible for bringing me and Nagato back to that time period, while Nagato's mission would be to amend his past self, who had gone astray for the past three days. Although, I don't know whether he'd use Haruki's powers or the powers of the Data Overmind.
'I too had a role to play in this as well' is what I thought anyway. If I hadn't heard myself speaking back then, I wouldn't be here today. In order to preserve my present existence, I would need to go back and say this to my past self: Sorry about that. I have my reasons for not rescuing you right away, but don't hate me for it. After all, it was painful for me too, you know? Anyway, we'll take care of the rest. No, I already know what to do now, and you will as well. So go get some sleep.
I repeated these lines over and over again in my head, making sure to memorize them. While I couldn't guarantee that they were exactly what I said to myself back then, the meaning should come across.
In place of the me who got run through by a katana, my role I was fated to play was the one who used the needle gun.
As for the reason why I couldn't save my past self from being impaled by Asakura, I understood that as well; from the tone of my future self's voice, it didn't sound like I ran over in a hurry. Asahina-senpai, Nagato and I must have hidden somewhere nearby beforehand. We had to be sure that we didn't move too early or too late: we had to wait until I got stabbed by Asakura. Why was that? Well, you see, because to my past self, that was something that had already happened. To paraphrase Asahina-senpai, it is a predetermined event.
It was now very late at night, but I wasn't in the mood to sleep. Instead, I was waiting.
Waiting for what, you ask? I was waiting for the only person in the SOS Brigade who had yet to visit me, of course! It'd be a joke if he didn't come.
I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling for a long time. It was only much later, when visiting hours were long over, that my patience was rewarded.
The door to my private room slowly opened, the light from the corridor casting the shadow of a tall, thin figure on the floor. Standing there was the last person to come visit me, Yuuki Nagato.
As always, Nagato spoke without any emotion. I am responsible for everything that has happened, he said.
For some reason, hearing this voice made me feel nostalgic.
My punishment is currently being assessed.
I lifted my head and asked, Assessed by whom?
The Data Overmind, Nagato said calmly, as though it had all happened to someone else.
The thing is, Nagato had known for a long time that he would create a ruckus on the morning of December 18th, because I had gone to visit him three years ago with the adult Asahina-senpai. He knew all along, and he tried his damnedest to prevent it from happening. Yet there was no way to stop the tide. Sometimes, even if you know what's going to happen, you can't avoid it. But couldn't it have been possible to avert it...?
I suddenly thought of the behaviour and mannerisms that Nagato had displayed after the summer, which had been slightly different from before. But, Nagato, I said, if you knew you were going to go astray since three years ago, you could've told me at any time, couldn't you? Whether it was after the school festival, or before the baseball tournament, I would've been able to take action earlier than that specific time on December 18th. All that would've needed to be done would be to call everyone and travel back to three years ago again.
Nagato's expression was as cold as ice. If I had told you prior to the incident, my astray self would still have been able to erase all your memories concerning said incident and alter the world. In any case, no one can guarantee that something that hasn't happened will ever occur. The best I could do was to keep you in your original state when December 18th arrived.
Didn't you leave an Escape Program for me? That was more than enough already! As I was thanking him, I began to grow angry, but my anger wasn't directed at Nagato, nor at myself.
His blank voice echoed through the walls of the ward, I cannot guarantee that I will not go astray again in the future. As long as I continue to exist, my internal errors will continue to accumulate. This is a very dangerous possibility.
BULLSHIT! Relay this message for me.
Hearing my yell, Nagato's head tilted back about two centimetres. He even blinked.
I reached out and grabbed that ghostly pale hand of his. Nagato didn't resist.
Listen carefully, because I want you to tell this to your boss. If he ever thinks of making you disappear, then I'm going to let all hell break loose. I'm gonna get you back, no matter what it takes. I may not have any powers, but I'm pretty good at provoking Haruki.
I did indeed have a trump card in provoking Haruki. All I needed to do was tell him the following:
My name is Joan Smith.
That's right. While I have no special abilities to speak of, that great idiot Haruki is possessed of enormous power. If Nagato disappeared, I'd tell that moron everything. I'd tell him until he believed me, and then we'd embark on a journey to rescue Nagato. Even if Nagato's boss hid him away or eliminated him entirely, Haruki'd think of some way to turn the tables. Hell, I'd make him think of a way! Itsuko and Asahina-senpai could even lend a hand! With all of us together, who'd give a damn about the opinion of some data being or other at the edge of the universe!?
Nagato is our friend. If someone from the SOS Brigade was to go missing, Haruki would never let the matter rest. Not just Nagato, but if Koizumi, Asahina-senpai, or I had suddenly left, even by our own volition, an idiot like Haruki wouldn't give us up so easily. He'd resort to anything to bring us back. That's Haruki Suzumiya, the pushy, self-centred, inconsiderate and troublesome God-King of the SOS Brigade!
I glared furiously at Nagato, If your boss even tries to do anything funny, then I'll make Haruki recreate the world from scratch! We'll create a world similar to the one from the past three days, where you exist but the Data Overmind doesn't. I bet they'll be damn disappointed if that happens! Observation target? Observation my ass!
My anger intensified as I spoke. I had no idea how big an Overmind this thing had, but he'd be pretty smart, right? He was probably one of those people that could calculate pi to the hundred millionth decimal point in just two seconds and do all sorts of advanced math tricks and stuff.
Assuming that's true, then I have something else to tell him.
I'm sure it'd be a piece of cake to give Nagato a more human-like personality. Before he turned into a psycho killer, Asakura was quite popular, not to mention being open and friendly. He'd even hang out with his friends over the holidays. If you could create someone like him, why did you make Nagato a lonely bookworm sitting and reading by himself in the Literature Club? What, were you thinking that if his personality wasn't like that, then, then it wouldn't look like a Literature Club, therefore he wouldn't have attracted Haruki's attention? Who made a decision like that!?
At this point I noticed I was practically crushing Nagato's fingers, yet the book-loving Humanoid Interface didn't begrudge me at all.
Nagato simply looked straight at me, and then slowly nodded his head, I will relay the message.
His calm voice then quietly added, Thank you.
I forgot what costume I stuck poor, ever-suffering Mitsuuru in at the start of the book, so I went with the reindeer. I feel it's funnier this way.
1277 words left.
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