“Eat.”
“Well then, itadakimasu.”
I put my palms together, before reaching for my chopsticks. At the scent of curry, my stomach had begun making rumbling noises. It seems that it had been waiting for a long time. Although I was mildly disappointed that the ingredients weren’t prepared by Nagato herself, a little fast food once in a while wasn’t that bad either. Looking at Nagato silently devouring the mountain before her, and Asahina-san politely eating her fill, even the rice tasted good.
Even though the three of us were completely silent, I somehow felt that it was the perfect atmosphere, fitting for the dining table in Nagato’s apartment. If Haruhi were here, she would have been so frustrated that she would probably have resorted to talking to herself.
After that, Asahina-san, who looked like she was about to faint, shoved half of her remaining curry rice onto Nagato’s plate. It was only after the three of us had finished eating that Nagato served us tea.
“Thanks for your hospitality. I’ll be going now.”
“Huh? Kyon-kun, aren’t you going to stay with me?”
Asahina-san, who was quietly sipping her tea before, suddenly looked at me with shocked eyes. Even Nagato turned to look at me, her cup still placed by her mouth.
“Well, that’s…”
The desire to say aloud “Well, that’s not such a bad idea” sped through my mind, like a runaway spaceship. Images of Asahina-san, dressed in one of Nagato’s nightgowns, drying her hair with a towel, as well as Nagato, whose hair was still wet, silently gulping down a cup of milk, appeared in my mind before disappearing with a flash. For some reason, Haruhi’s face appeared in my mind, as my memory drifted back to the two bed sheets in the other room. This woke me up from my fantasies, as I said,
“Well, that’s too bad. I’ll come over here tomorrow after school.”
I then faced the owner of the apartment and said,
“Is that all right, Nagato?”
Nagato nodded. Seeing this, I faced a trembling Asahina-san and gave her a slight nod.
“Before I return, just stay here and don’t do anything. I’m sure we’ll figure out a way.”
Those weren’t words of consolation. If anything happened, all I needed to do was have Nagato freeze time again, just like she did the first time when we returned from the 7th of July four years ago. If she could freeze time for three years, I’m sure that a week would be a breeze. I also had a feeling there was more to this matter. My future self wouldn’t just order her to return to the past without a good reason, this I strongly believed. The letter in my pocket further confirmed this point.
Isn’t that so, Asahina-san (big)?
You have to be related to this incident, somehow. Or am I mistaken?
After parting with an Asahina-san who was invoking my strongest desires to protect her, I gazed up at the stars and made my way home.
As I walked, all I could think about was how willing Nagato was to limit her own freedom, as well as her willingness to talk about it. Hmm, Koizumi, maybe you’re right after all.
Maybe the day when Nagato Yuki will become a normal, bookish high school student of the Literature Club, totally unrelated to the Integrated Data Sentient Entity, isn’t that far away after all. When that day comes, even if something did happen, I wouldn’t have to rush to Nagato to ask for her help or give her any additional burdens to shoulder. She would become one of our friends, who could shoulder our problems together.
If that time really came, we wouldn’t have Nagato’s powers to rely on. We would probably be in an even stickier situation then.
But so what?
I never once regretted reverting that world, where Haruhi and Koizumi were non-North High students and where Asahina-san didn’t have any memory of me, back to normal. But I also slightly missed that world. The day that Asakura made the oden, just as I was about to leave—-
Nagato displayed a light smile.
I really wanted to see it again.
I really hoped I could.
Chapter 2
The next day, I, who had wanted to come to school right away, discovered a letter in my shoe locker.
“I knew it.”
So as not to let anybody else see it, I hastily stuffed it into the pocket of my jacket, hurriedly put on my shoes, and ran to the washroom. It was an unwritten rule that all private messages were to be read in the washroom.
I ripped open the envelope and took out the papers inside. There were two of them.
The first one was obviously written by her. It said,
“In ＯＯ town, in the corner of the cross-junction from no. ×× to no. △△, walk south from there. There is a road without any roadmarks nearby. Place the specified object on the place where that road meets the market between 6:12PM and 6:15PM.”
P.S. Asahina Mikuru must go with you."
That's all I can read from that letter. At the end of that letter, there was a string of symbols I have never seen before. It resembled a signature, slightly. But I don't know what those marks mean. Actually, it probably isn't a signature. I don't even understand what the letter is calling for, but I must think of a solution.
“What kind of instructions are these?”
The very-difficult-to-understand letter came with a picture. I held the roughly-sketched map that just wasn't good, and found the place marked with an X. But, if the X point hadn't corresponded with the letter, I would've thought it was a joke.
“I don't get it, Asahina-san.”
So this evening, between 6:12 and 6:15, I'm supposed to put that thing there?
What for?
I re-read it several times, until I memorized what it said. Then I put the letter into the deepest part of my book bag. I cannot let it be found by Haruhi. If it is discovered, I don't have anything I could use as an excuse.
I came out of the washroom and walked up the stairs, thinking.
But, I finally have a clue. This must be the reason Asahina-san came from eight days in the future. This means there has to be something that must be done in this time. And it has to be something that Asahina-san from school cannot do. But why can't she?
Still struggling with this question, I entered the classroom. The person who greeted me is none other than Haruhi, who was quiet to the point of it being suspicious.
Haruhi raised her head and looked at me,
“How's Shamisen?”
“Ah——”
That's a way to do it.
“Not bad.”
“Ah, I see.”
I sat down on the ice-cold chair, and calmly looked over at Haruhi.
It seems like she hasn't noticed anything. Looking very bored, she sat there with her hand on her cheek, her mouth tightly shut. She looked very distracted. She's always been like this recently. I don't know what she's thinking either, and I don't have the time to find out.
“Hey, Haruhi.”
“What?”
“It's about Shamisen, I have to take him to the vet today. In fact, I have to take him to the hospital quite a lot these couple of days. So, I probably won't make it to the clubroom today. Sorry…”
I was certain she was going to glare at me,
“Go ahead.”
I didn't think she was going to reply so placidly. Was she that worried about Shamisen?
“What's with that expression?”
Haruhi looked at the extremely startled me, her gaze softening.
“Haphazardly loafing around is a definite no-no. But if you have a good reason, I am an understanding brigade leader, I won't pester you the whole time.”
Thinking back about whether or not I've ever seen an understanding, non-pestering Haruhi, I racked my brain, was it possible this was the first time? As I thought this,
“I'll go see him in a couple of days. Tell him I told him to get better soon. And your sister too, she's so cute, even a cat wouldn't hate her.”
She moved her chin around on her hand, looking like she didn't really care. A non-energetic H
aruhi is really not like her, but I have to thank her. I still have the Asahina homework problem to do.
Well, what's this mood? The person behind me just continuously stares out the window, I suddenly have both an odd feeling of deja vu and a feeling that this was new. What is it with this mood? If only Haruhi would be like this even half of the time, that would be good.
“Morning!”
The bell hadn't stopped ringing yet, but Okabe-sensei had already arrived full of energy.
I get it now.
Haruhi's melancholy wouldn't be here for long. If I think about it, this is the first accurate prediction I've seen from the people in the future. According to Asahina-san, she will soon bring us along on a treasure hunt, along with a big group of other people. If Haruhi was like now the other half of the time, it would be quite good.
The good and the bad, now I can be relieved.
Lunchtime, I quickly shoved my lunch down my throat and ran to the clubroom.
If she's not in her classroom, she's got to be here. Just like I thought, Nagato was sitting at the designated spot, reading.
“Nagato, where's Asahina-san?”
Since I brought her there, I should at least show some care.
“…”
Nagato's low gaze shifted onto my body and stopped. She was silent for a little while, as if considering how to tell me.
“Why do you ask?”
“She wasn't any trouble?”
“No.”
Too lucky. When I thought of Nagato and Asahina-san having a pajama party, my heart jumped.
“But.”
Nagato calmly said.
“When she's with me, she's always disturbed and restless.”
Her smooth gaze dropped onto the hardcover book again.
I silently stared at Nagato, wanting to see if any emotion would show itself on her face. Such as a feeling of regret, or a look of loneliness —— But, I didn't see any such expression on the forever emotionless Nagato.
I understand why Asahina-san is restless. Being in an enclosed space with Nagato only is something that can cause the majority of people to become disturbed. Besides me, Haruhi and Koizumi, everyone feels that way. Mmm, Tsuruya-san's probably fine too. But that's not the problem.
Nagato understands Asahina-san's uneasiness, yet still has an attitude like that, that's quite weird.
“Asahina-san and I always need your help, I'm allowed to be worried.”
“Same.”
Nagato didn't raise her head.
“You've helped me too.”
But, the person who has helped me the most is you, Nagato. You have saved my life several times. Pretty much every time something happens, you are the most reliable. I'm not saying Asahina-san and Koizumi aren't helpful, but if you weren't here, there would be even more problems.
“It started with me.”
That wasn't your fault. If we were saying whose fault it was, you can blame me or the Integrated Data Sentient Entity all you want. That wasn't one person's fault. It was because that thing happened that I realized what reality is like. And I got to see Haruhi with a ponytail. If we were saying how much I've changed, that experience really changed me.
“I see.”
Nagato, seeming like she was talking to herself, flipped the page. A chill wind blew by, shaking the windows. I turned on the electric stove.
“What's your leader doing? They've fixed things with the extremists, right?”
“The Integrated Data Sentient Entity never completely agrees. But right now, the main school's giving the orders.”
As I thought, even the aliens struggle internally.
“Are you part of the main school?”
“Yes.”
And Asakura's a pawn of the extremists. Wait, there's only two? Are there any other “parties”?
“The ones I know of are the Moderates, the Innovative, the Compromise, and the Thinking party.”
Not one is the same. Asakura went and tried to kill me to get Haruhi to do something, and created trouble for people around her. Nagato made that Asakura disappear. She's still up in space, arguing, I guess.
My perception of the gods in the sky has changed.
“I am unable to transmit the ideas of the other schools.”
Nagato slowly raised her head, her gaze leaving the page.
“But, I am here,”
said the unshaking voice, there was nobody more reliable than her.
“That won't flatter anymore.”*
On my way back from the clubroom, I met two very familiar faces.
“Hey, Kyon-kun!”
Tsuruya-san was waving wildly. The person beside her asked worriedly,
“Um, is the cat okay?”
“I heard he went to the hospital.”
It's Asahina-san, the normal Asahina-san from this time. She doesn't seem to know she'll be visiting the past again soon.
“Has it had medicine?”
Ah, I see. When Haruhi phoned, Asahina-san must have been beside her, so she knew what we would say.
“It's not serious, but it will take some time to get better.”
I gently shook my messed-up head. Of course the two Asahina-san's don't look any different. If I'm not careful, I will paint myself an illusion that the Asahina-san who is supposed to be lazing at Nagato's came to school. Even if I fell into an illusion, I wouldn't even notice, unless Asahina-san spoke.
“Shami is suffering from hair loss because of stress, that's so unbelievable,”
Tsuruya said while laughing.
“But compared with the other problems, this is quite normal, I guess. It must be because he's not getting enough exercise. Obviously Kyon-kun's house doesn't have mice! In my yard, wild mice occasionally appear! How about you bring your cat over? It's a good way to kill some time.”
“It depends on the situation. When he's healed, I will do just that.”
In this cold weather, I have a feeling he won't want to go outside. When spring comes, Shamisen might become happy. When the cherry blossoms bloom, Haruhi will want us to go appreciate the flowers at some garden.
“Kyon-kun, are you coming for club activities today?”
Asahina-san asked feebly. I think I should just go ask the other Asahina-san what her plans for today was.
“Coincidentally, I have to take Shamisen to the vet today too. I already told Haruhi.”
“Really?”
Like she cared about Shamisen from the bottom of her heart,
“I hope he gets better soon.”
Although my heart became a bit uncomfortable, I have to give off a serious mood and nodded.
“I'll spend the next couple days comforting him. He'll be fine after that. He is male, after all.”
After saying goodbye to the two people who went to buy juice, I returned to classroom 1-5. Since it doesn't have a heater, it seems like it's colder than the clubroom I just visited. I can only depend on the heat from other people's bodies. The highest heat source, Haruhi, wasn't in, as usual.
In order to join a chatting group, I walked towards Taniguchi and Kunikida.
Then, school ended.
I quickly left. There was still a bit of time until the time mentioned in the letter, but I was a little worried about leaving Asahina-san all alone. And, to follow Asahina-san's (Big) instructions, I still need to prepare something.
I went home first, to find the hammer and nails and put them into my book bag. Then I rode my old bike and rushed to Nagato's apartment. On this cold winter day, my ears froze until they hurt. But when I thought of Asahina-san waiting for me at the apartment, I couldn't care less about the pain. Something good was waiting for me there, this was my encouragement. Ever since summer vacation, I've wanted to see this and it was finally coming.
My talk with Nagato in the clubroom also contributed to my change of mood.
No matter what happens, Nagato will protect Asahina-san and me, so I want to protect Nagato and Asahina-san too. Haruhi treats the brigade members a
s private property, so if a nosy person comes along, she will brandish her weapons. At least Koizumi can look after himself. I cannot imagine a dead-tired Koizumi. If he does get too tired and has to rest, I can't ignore him. Haruhi will make me, anyway. She doesn't care if I live or die. Doesn't matter. I've been part of the SOS Brigade for almost a year, I haven't been worn down to a state of no-confidence yet.
″Yo..to" I let the back wheel rise in the air and stopped the bike, running towards the doorbell of the apartment. I pressed Nagato's buzzer.
“…Yes?”
I was relieved to hear Asahina-san's voice.
“It's me. Nothing happened, right? Good.”
“Eh… Yes, nothing… Ah, I'll be there right now. Wait a minute.”
I actually wanted to go into Nagato's room and wait, but Asahina-san hung up the phone immediately.
So I waited there for several minutes, after about five minutes, Asahina-san showed up, carrying slippers in one hand.
Asahina-san looked comforted after seeing me, but suddenly became very serious. Frozen and shivering, she ran my way.
“I borrowed the shoes from Nagato-san. And this is the extra key.”
Asahina-san pointed to the key in her hand.
“This, could you please return it to Nagato-san for me?”
Hm? What's the matter? Since you're temporarily living here anyway, can't you just borrow both the slippers and the key?
“About that…”
Asahina-san lowered her head and looked up at me.
“I think it would be better if I didn't live at Nagato's house.”
Why?
“How should I explain this…”
She used her hand to push down her light, brown hair that was dancing with the winter wind.
“Nagato-san, when I'm with her alone in a room, she's generally very anxious.”
I can't help but stare at Asahina-san.
I have also heard the exact same thing from Nagato. No, I can't imagine for a second how Asahina-san would know what an anxious Nagato would look like.
“Umm.”
Like an adult explaining something to a child, Asahina-san said,
“I've always felt that way. At night, when I'm sleeping… Ah, the rooms are separate, I sleep in the extra room, but Nagato's always standing by my pillow. Lifelessly staring at me…”
Volume 7 - The Intrigues of Suzumiya Haruhi Page 8