Volume 9 - The Dissociation of Suzumiya Haruhi

by Tanigawa Nagaru

  I adjusted my gaze away from the face of the time traveler of similar origin as Asahina-san – the face that would not be able to bring any benefit to my eyes no matter how I look at it.

  “Make this short and simple.”

  I tried to sound as serious as possible. But all I got in return is a cold laugh from the time traveler. How infuriating.

  “Why don’t you give us your name first?”

  If you remained as an anonymous time traveler guy all the time, my perception of you would only become worse.

  Facing my second round of staring attacks, the guy with the face full of sarcastic expressions produced a voice that I had awaited for two months.

  “Names are just a sign of acquaintance.”

  That ridiculing tone is no different from the one in my memory. He shifted his body for a bit, seemingly uneasy.

  “I don’t mind whatever you all call me. There is no purpose to that at all. That is just like you people changing Asahina Mikuru to Asahina Michiru. Totally pointless.”

  What a lover for negative sentences. I should have given my sister a ticket of approval and let her come along. Just a sentence or two from this guy is enough to bring one’s emotions to the bottom of the pit. And how could Asahina-san be pointless?

  “Although you said that.” Sasaki said to that fellow. “At this time and age, even if it isn’t a real name, a salutation would help to make things easier. Even a governmental position or a status, for an ancient Japanese imperial guard or a governmental representative, that kind will do. Just tell Kyon.”

  “Fujiwara.”

  The time traveler unexpectedly replied.

  “Just call me that.”

  “That’s what he called himself.”

  After hearing him give a name that is very obviously made-up, Sasaki shrugged her shoulders at me.

  “In that case, the self-introduction of every member has ended.”

  I suppose this counts as knowing each other’s name. But I did not come here to know all these. After all I can address you all as time traveler (guy), Asahina kidnapper and Sky Canopy Dominion alien, no concern about salutations at all.

  “Um.” Tachibana Kyoko followed. “Next we move onto the main topic.”

  After deliberately “ahem”-ing a few times to clear her throat, this esper girl who has an alien and a time traveler sitting on each of her sides revealed a smile of the door-to-door salesgirl.

  “We believe the existence of the real god is not Suzumiya-san but Sasaki-san here.”

  A bomb dropped suddenly.

  I kept the cold drink in my mouth without swallowing, the thought of spitting it on her face flashed through my mind for an instant, but almost immediately decided against it, and so returned the glass onto the table while swallowing the drink before saying.

  “What did you say?”

  “No, that is what I said. Are there any parts that are difficult to comprehend?”

  Tachibana Kyoko revealed a bright expression and gave a great sigh of relief.

  “Phew…… it is finally said. I always wanted to tell you this. But because there is always no chance to do so, remained in my heart for quite a while. It would be better if Koizumi-kun isn’t around. I even thought of transferring into your school this spring, but those people are really scary. I had reaffirmed this point not too long ago, I really do not wish to see that Mori-san again.”

  That satisfied expression while laughing jovially is no different from a normal high school girl.

  “This is how it is. Just like how Koizumi-kun is bestowed with the responsibility to ensure Suzumiya-san’s safety at all times, we have to do the same for Sasaki-san as well. But, both the aliens and time travelers had joined Suzumiya-san’s side. This causes me to feel very uneasy and helpless.”

  She looked at the two persons beside her and continued.

  “To prevent destruction by a similar body, I can only do this. Koizumi-kun has Asahina-san and Nagato-san but we don’t. Thus, we need a similar replacement and it is finally assembled now.”

  This is not something to be trusted just anyhow. If Haruhi is not the kind of godly presence in Koizumi’s words, I have to ask myself what the heck I have been doing the past year. Nearly being killed by Asakura Ryoko, in actual fact I was stabbed once, an endless summer break, time traveling to and fro, receiving orders from an anonymous future, even more important is that of being fooled around by Haruhi’s sudden impulses, Nagato’s rampage…… if Haruhi isn’t the mysterious events generating machine, won’t all of this be impossible to happen?

  “This is one of the views, one of the realities. But the reality need not necessarily be limited to one only. The surface is just a false façade, while the truth is hidden way below the surface kind of thing, isn’t it a very common style employed in detective stories?”

  If you wanted to discuss mysteries, look for Koizumi. On the other hand, if you want to discuss about novels, look for Nagato instead.

  “Sasaki” I said, “Do you really believe in all these?”

  Sasaki, who was flipping through the café’s menu, raised her head.

  “Hm, honestly speaking, I had always felt intrigued. I am not too interested in myself and have no strong desires. If I could be raised to the status of being godlike just like this, I think it is best if it could be avoided. Even when playing American football, I prefer playing as the quarterback. I would be happy if I could live a life without bringing trouble to others. I especially hate people who like to make a big deal out of themselves. I would feel very offended when I see people like these around.”

  Sasaki waved her hands to catch the waitress’s attention.

  “Oh yes, we haven’t ordered anything yet. Has everyone decided?”

  That prankster smile is exactly the same as those she revealed in the middle school classroom.

  The waitress who is dressed simply with an apron wrapped around casual clothes came forward immediately with menus, during this process, the only sound made by the entire crew is that of Sasaki’s “four cups of hot coffee” only.

  Time traveler Fujiwara and alien Kuyoh did not respond, only exhaling a “hmph” sound from the nostrils, while giving an expression of being immersed in eternal speechlessness. I really want to know what the people around us think about us. Even if we reluctantly think towards the bright side, it would be very difficult to think that this is just a meeting of high school students. I increasingly felt that compared to a situation like now, SOS Brigade appears much more normal.

  Tachibana Kyoko, who first started talking, broke the ice again.

  “This would be it. I believe you would have heard of it from Koizumi-kun as well right? The matter about Suzumiya-san creating this world about four years ago. She has a strange power, and yet is not conscious of it herself, unknowingly creating sealed realities. Koizumi-kun and the rest were suddenly awakened and formed the ‘Organization’ which continued till now. Suzumiya-san kept having her wishes come true, bringing aliens and time travelers to her side. But, my companions and myself believe that this power should lie with Sasaki-san.”

  It is just purely thoughts after all. Thinking has no shackles to limit it anyway. But it will be different if actual events had already occurred. This is a country governed by law, and kidnapping is a major offense.

  “Regarding that incident, I would like to apologize. But, this doesn’t seem very likely to succeed right from the start due to strong interference from the future. It is only an attempt. I have no plans of succeeding at all, but at least it is not fruitless, since we can inform you of our existence. This is considered a great step forward already.”

  If I am the moon, I would probably be wondering “why are you leaving strange footprints on me?”.

  “Four years ago.”

  Tachibana Kyoko narrated the events as if she is telling her friends something that happened in the television serial shown yesterday.

  “I suddenly felt that I had received some form of power without an
y omen. It is something that I had knowledge suddenly. Since I do not know the reason, I would much less know why me. What I know is that I am not the only one turning this way, there are other companions too, and this originated from one person.”

  That shining pair of eyes casted beside me.

  “And that is Sasaki-san. Even before I thought about it, I already knew you are the person who granted me the powers. I immediately started looking everywhere for Sasaki-san, on the way meeting my companions. Everyone has the same belief as me.”

  I recalled the members of the kidnapping syndicate who got off the van.

  “Just when we are discussing whether we should make contact with Sasaki-san, and if we were, how, there was something very strange. I don’t know why, but there seemed to be another group very similar to ours, and those people are very similar to us too. However, they seemed to be concentrating on a person that is not Sasaki-san.”

  And that is the ‘Organization’?

  “Yes, they are the ones who treat Suzumiya-san with godlike status. And conflicts broke out between us, thinking that their opinion is wrong. In order to correct them, we met them many times as well. And yet they said we are in the wrong and refused to believe us no matter what. We are unable to accept their views, much less for them to do the same. Finally we talked about breaking off……”

  Tachibana Kyoko nonchalantly looked afar before turning her gaze back quickly.

  “Since then we have not met at all.”

  “And after that?”

  I said. Could there be any more views?

  “So, I wanted to ask you how would you want it?”

  This representative from a faction opposing the ‘Organization’ let out a huge sigh.

  “We firmly believe the powers Suzumiya-san are holding onto now originally belonged to Sasaki-san. However there must be a mistake somewhere that caused it to transfer to another person. And therefore, I hope to change things back to how it was. In that case, the world will definitely move in a much better direction.”

  After that, she looked at me straight.

  “I hope to have your help.”

  “Sasaki.”

  I escaped from her line of sight.

  “Whatever this fellow said, what are your views?”

  “I do not wish to have these unknown powers.”

  Sasaki spoke with a voice of clarity.

  “Although it is not something to be proud of, not only am I an introvert, I am also a below average mortal. Even if I acquire those humongous and unexplainable powers that are beyond imagination, it will only wither with time. I will definitely end up with some mental problem. Hey, it is better if it can be avoided.”

  “She said that.” I said. “Even the person said that herself, why don’t you just give up?”

  “Do you seriously feel it is better to leave things this way?” Tachibana Kyoko showed no sign of retreating. “Do you seriously wish to have Suzumiya-san in control of these powers? Even in the future? In that case, you wanted to be fooled around with by Haruhi for the rest of your life? Do you know that this does not only concern you, but it is everything in this entire world that will be fooled around with by her!”

  That gaze full of urgency turned towards Sasaki.

  “I would like to invite Sasaki-san to reconsider. Compared to Suzumiya-san, you are more suitable. This is something that would never be wrong. You do not have to worry about anything. You just have to continue living in this world unknowingly. I am very sure that Sasaki-san would not twist the world upside-down. I know you can do that.”

  Sasaki fixated her gaze upon me. That smile that seemed to be asking me “Really?” is again totally similar to the one I’ve seen in middle school.

  My head started to ache. I also know that Tachibana Kyoko is very serious regarding this issue and very candid about it as well. Whatever she wanted to say, I have understood to the extent of being impossible to understand further.

  16 A spiritual teacher from ancient India and the historical founder of Buddhism. He is universally recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha of our age.

  If there is a need to make an assumption, Haruhi is like a time bomb, except without the timing readout. Even the timer is totally random, impossible to predict. And thus an explosion cannot be predicted as well. A person like her, for some reason, had the mystical power to control the world. Unless one has the benevolence of Sakyamuni Buddha[16] or Jesus Christ, would be unable to bear with it.

  But, this is a conclusion that is made under the circumstance that she is not aware of the aforementioned.

  I understand it very well, so does Koizumi, Nagato and Asahina-san. But, that girl does not know about it all. It is just like this, it is just a very straightforward and innocent problem like this.

  I faced Tachibana Kyoko again.

  “I am of course able to understand your theory, but what do you plan to do now? No matter how one thinks about it, Haruhi indeed has the ability to defy all laws and realize wishes to a certain extent, although it isn’t a good thing. For example, making cherry blossoms bloom during autumn and things like that. But, doesn’t Sasaki have such a power now? Wouldn’t that be impossible then? No matter how you insist that Sasaki is a god or something, the reality would not change.”

  Haruhi would usually not really let her subconscious drift too far from reality. You can even say they do have a bit of logic if you look at them differently. The most is her use of wish papers in temples to bind me to a lowly position in the Brigade. That person seems to love this current world quite a lot as well, and would no longer do strange things to destroy it already. As for sealed realities and Avatars, it is only a shortcut for Koizumi to earn some extra pocket money, not really something of great danger.

  “It is really so.”

  Tachibana Kyoko changed to an expression of sadness.

  “Although it is really so, but I always felt that Sasaki-san would be more suitable. You might understand Suzumiya-san very well, but you should understand Sasaki-san equally well right? After all the amount of time spent together is about the same too.”

  17 When a person scores a ippon in judo, they win the match. An ippon is scored when the opponent is thrown onto their back, pinning an opponent for 25 or 30 seconds, or for opponent submission.

  Third year middle school and first year high school would of course be very similar from a timely perspective. But, the closeness is different. I did not form some strange brigade together with Sasaki to waste time outside school, as for the amount of conversations, Haruhi wins by scoring an ippon[17]. She always sits behind me in class and slaves me around in the Literature Club clubroom after school. This is an unchanged rule since the formation of the brigade. And while I had activities with the SOS Brigade, there is a one year gap where I had no form of communication with Sasaki. Even if I had a habit of maintaining very good relations with an old friend, I can’t possibly just leave the current activity grounds like this. Not only Haruhi, Nagato, Asahina-san and Koizumi had been with me for so long, I also help them sometimes. Even if for that three brigade members, I cannot possibly change Haruhi to other people, and do not wish to.

  Even if one recalls that Haruhi is a mysterious bomb that puts any ideas popping into her mind right into action, I cannot possibly just leave her alone like this. I haven’t even shown her the trump card yet. Won’t that be an opportunity to show the better side of myself in a major crisis?

  “And I think Sasaki would not agree. I think it is better if you stop now. Koizumi would still be okay, but if you do anything to irritate Nagato, Haruhi will explode in a chain reaction. At that time, I do not know what would happen.”

  “And that is why I hope to deactivate Haruhi’s powers so that you all would not have to worry all day.”

  Tachibana Kyoko put her palms together, as if praying.

  “We are not even thinking of our own benefit, just look at Koizumi-kun, just maintaining the status quo is already so difficult, but if it is Sa
saki-san, there would not be a need to. I am really hoping from my heart for stability in the world.”

  “Even if you put it this way I can’t help it at all.”

  Sasaki let out a small sigh, and turned towards the direction of the counter.

  “Our hot coffee is coming way too slowly.”

  She fiddled with the ice cube in her glass with her fingers while acting nonchalantly.

  “Kyon, I suddenly have a query. Grade school student, middle school student, high school student, university student…… Of all these names, why is the high school student written differently from the rest? Is this something worth thinking about……”

  “Sasaki-san!”

  Tachibana Kyoko seemingly hurriedly screamed out loud, but immediately lowered her head, embarrassed. She seemed really disheartened. I am starting to sympathize with her. You really found the wrong target. Although to me it could be a little…… but Sasaki, among my friends, is someone who is very normal. She is not the kind of idiot who would agree immediately when others ask whether she wanted to be a god.

  Hey, I am sounding more intelligent already.

  If Sasaki is still Sasaki, then no matter whom she must go against, she would never agree. Tachibana Kyoko seemed to have found the wrong person. She is not this kind of person.

  I used my fingers to point at the other two who just listened without contributing: Fujiwara and Kuyoh and said.

  “What do they think then? I know you wish to make Sasaki god, but what do your companions think? Have they reached a consensus too?”

  Of course, the reason that I would ask something like this is because judging from the expressions on the two weirdoes, I predict that they did not really take Tachibana Kyoko’s opinion to heart. Fujiwara seemed really bored while looking at that cold glass, Kuyoh did not look at anything, just staring at the ceiling with a look of blankness.

  Tachibana Kyoko, with her brain drooped low, looked left and right through the gaps between the strand of her hair, upon seeing no response from the time traveler and the alien, drooped even lower.