Volume 7 - The Intrigues of Suzumiya Haruhi Read online

  Volume 7

  The Intrigues of Suzumiya Haruhi

  Prologue

  Suzumiya Haruhi has become very pensive lately.

  Even though she is often melancholic and sometimes easily agitated, she is actually very sociable. Even so, she’s been surprisingly tranquil these past couple days. This quietness from who-knows-where even scares people like me.

  1 ’Photograph’ created by exposing a photographic plate to an electric field instead of light. The electrical properties of the subject being photographed generates a unique electrical field around it, creating an “aura” around it.

  Of course, it isn’t like her to stay quiet, and it definitely isn’t a change of heart. Haruhi never doubts herself. Even if her personality has a slight or subtle change, she will never question herself. Anyway, if such a change were to happen, I would be put in a troublesome situation. So at this moment in time, I wouldn’t bother to try and correct her. How should I put this… there’s a type of quietness that’s like a continuously radiating kirlian[1] photograph in which the light has gone from burning red to a duller orange which is subtly surrounding her.

  Of all the people in the class only one, at most two will be able to realize that she is not quite the same as usual. Of these two, one is me.

  Ever since I entered high school, she has always been sitting behind me and we meet after school every day. So, I can say without exaggerating that if anyone has noticed anything it would have to be me. But even though I say she’s calm now, that bright flare can still give the all-knowing a run for their money. As soon as it bursts forth, the energy that will not stop until it succeeds will show its true colors.

  Note that while she only got second at the event the school organized at the end of last month, Haruhi got first in the marathon held at the school at the beginning of this month. By the way, the winner of the first event was none other than Nagato Yuki, who also got second in the marathon. In a nutshell, the leaders of the SOS Brigade and the literature Club are both amazing and fit to be grouped with the Warlords in the past. And yet again, the school was left to rack its brains and try and figure out what the Brigade was doing. One such student who wondered this was me, a member.

  If I know only one thing, it’s that once Haruhi displays that kind of expression and spirit, I can be sure that she’s planning something. And at the moment she has thought it through, her face will transform back to its enchanting, smiling form.

  Oddly, I don’t actually remember when I discovered this. When was it? I tried flipping through the history book in my mind, searching through for the record that displayed her quiet side gradually disappearing.

  A calm moment is the accurate, unmistakable prediction of a giant tsunami. It has always been like that.

  So……

  It is now the beginning of February, the cold winter is nearing its end.

  New Years has come and gone, and we left the troublesome old year behind almost a month ago. If time seems to have flown by, it’s probably because you’ve kept yourself busy doing a lot of New Years related things during that first month.

  Here, I’m hoping that time will reverse. I have no clue what Haruhi is planning, since I was busy coming to terms with my own situation first. Starting to reminisce about the past year in February is a bit early, but since what I have to say is not unsayable, I might as well tell it enthusiastically and completely.

  At that time, I only had one motto: Finish the unfinished, one by one. As fast as possible.

  When I made up my mind, it was when we were still on the winter trip. It took quite a bit of time before I set it in motion.

  This is the story that starts January the second at the train station we always pass on normal days.

  ………

  ……

  …

  The vacation that had us fighting through a snowstorm and imprisoned in a mysterious mansion on the mountain finally ended on the second day of the new year. The SOS Brigade group that set out for the winter trip to that mountain villa finally returned home.

  “Whew, I’m back.”

  Haruhi said hello to our little town, then turned to face the sunset, closing one eye.

  “I can finally be comfortable. Even though the snow mountain wasn’t too bad, the air you’re used to is the best, although it is a bit stale.”

  Arakawa the butler, Mori the maid and the Tamaru brothers were all long gone, since they don’t go this way to get home. So, the only ones claiming the baggage at the train station in front of our hometown are the tireless and extremely healthy Haruhi and Tsuruya-san, Asahina-san, who my sister was clinging to, unwilling to separate, the forever impassive Nagato, the exhausted Koizumi, the extremely weary me and the cargo, Shamisen. Ha, that should be enough, I guess.

  “Dismissed for today.”

  Haruhi gave the appearance that she’d had lots of fun.

  “Everyone can get some rest. Tomorrow will be the first time this year we visit the temples and shrines nearby, meet here at nine. Oh, Tsuruya-san, do you have any plans?”

  The energetic vigor that’s already making plans for the next day after the vacation ended is very enviable. The problem is, my body, representing that of a normal human’s, doesn’t have a perpetual motion machine built into it. But Tsuruya-san, the person whose vitality can somehow keep up with Haruhi’s, said,

  “Sorry everyone, I have to go to Switzerland tomorrow. I’ll bring some souvenirs back. Please, take this change and donate it!”

  After saying this, she dug into her pockets and showed her clinking and clanging change to Asahina-san.

  “This is New Year’s money!”

  She said, giving all her change to my sister.

  “See you next semester~”

  She waved, leaving the train station with a bright, smiling face. Her posture was relaxed and cheerful. How was this girl raised? For future reference, I want to visit her parents and see what they say.

  Haruhi kept waving until we lost sight of her around the corner of those apartments.

  “Then, let’s go home. Everyone be careful on the road. It’s still the winter trip until you get home.”

  If anything were to happen on the way home, Koizumi and I physically wouldn’t be able to take it anymore. Nothing weird should show up on the way home from the station, anyway.

  I glanced at Nagato. Her abnormality inside the mysterious hotel on the mountain had vanished into thin air; she was now back to her emotionless, impossible-to-read state. As I thought this, her eyes moved and met mine. She nodded her head slightly; that wasn’t just an illusion, I think.

  I looked over at Asahina-san. She had been relaxed and laid-back during the trip. The carefree-ness had become nervousness while in the (Hall of Snow Mountain Syndrome), but upon reflection, this was for the best. Now is when she really made an entrance. I stared at her, full of affection, but sadly, she didn’t notice my look at all and continued talking with my sister as if they were the same age.

  “Well, see you tomorrow! Don’t be late. Oh, and don’t lose your pochibukuro, there’ll be stalls everywhere tomorrow.”

  After Haruhi said that, I took hold of my sister’s hand, held onto the box Shamisen was in, said farewell to Haruhi and Asahina-san and got on the public bus.

  “See you later, Mikuru-chan!”

  While I was pulling my struggling sister to her seat, I saw Asahina-san keep looking over and waving to my sister. Sorry, but I don’t really feel like waving now. Well, if it were Haruhi or Koizumi, I would definitely shout goodbye.

  So, as soon as I got home and liberated myself from Shamisen and my sister, after a few minutes, I called t
wo particular brigade members I had just left at the stop.

  Why?

  Because I wanted to finish what I regret leaving incomplete as soon as possible.

  2 Fukuwari and Sugoroku are the games the group played while on the trip to Snow Mountain in the story Where did the cat go?

  And since it was because I was lazy that this awkward situation occurred, I’m very sorry, so I want to teach the old, lazy me a lesson. We should go to the me from a while before the trip. That time at the mysterious mansion on the mountain, it was because Nagato and Koizumi were bright that they managed to keep the worst-case scenario from occurring. But no one can guarantee that something like that will never happen again. Actually, I think that this had to happen someday. The fun at the mountain villa was delayed because of this problem, and the surroundings even disappeared along with the members. There was enough time afterwards at Tsuruya-san’s resort while we played Fukuwarai and Sugoroku[2] for me to make a decision.

  I have to go. I have to return to that time-space with Nagato and Asahina-san.

  Yes, back to the dawn of December the eighteenth…

  There’s no time to rest off the weariness. First, I phoned Asahina-san, and since we had just separated, she was quite surprised.

  “What’s the matter, Kyon-kun?”

  “There’s a place I want to go with you. Today, preferably.”

  “Eh……? Where?”

  “December the eighteenth of last year.”

  She was both shocked and puzzled.

  “Ehhh……? Wha- What’s happening?”

  “Please take me and Nagato into the past, two weeks ago, to be precise. Then we can work together to try and reverse time.”

  “Tha-, me send…… no, that device cannot be used when I feel like it. It requires lots of consideration and authorization by many other people.”

  I bet that authorization will be easy to get. The vision floating in my mind’s eye is of Mikuru (Big) winking at me, even blowing me a kiss.

  “Asahina-san, contact your boss or somebody like that right now. Explain it to them, and say that I want to take you and Nagato back to the dawn of December the eighteenth.”

  I guess since I was brimming with confidence, Asahina-san’s sighs that occasionally leaked through the phone became silent.

  “Wait, wait a minute.”

  Of course I’ll wait. I’ve always wondered how you communicate with the future, but all I’m hearing is Asahina-san’s quiet breathing. This background music didn’t last ten seconds, and was quickly replaced by a confused voice.

  “I don’t believe it……”

  “It’s been authorized. Bu-Why……? It was so easy……”

  That’s because the future is now resting on my shoulders — but I didn’t say that. How should I say this, I don’t want to talk for much longer on the phone.

  “Let’s meet in front of Nagato’s apartment. Can you make it in 30 minutes?”

  “Uhh, wait. Give me an hour. I want to double-check. Oh, and, we should just meet in front of Nagato-san’s apartment, there’s no need to go in.”

  I happily agreed and hung up the phone. After thinking of Asahina-san’s cute and shocked face for a while, I set my face and reined in my feelings. In the time before departure, nothing that would make me laugh appeared. That guy should understand me best.

  And another person, who will know what I’m up to even if I don’t tell her. But I should make sure. I picked up the phone again.

  An hour later……

  I came too early. I was so happy, I rode my bike as fast as I could. I stood in front of the luxurious apartment, almost freezing to death. 15 minutes later, a cheerful person ran up to me. It looked like she didn’t have time to change, and didn’t think of changing either. She was still wearing the clothes she was wearing when we came back from our trip. Actually, I was too.

  “Kyon-kun.”

  Asahina-san looked at me full of wonder.

  “I still don’t get it. Why did your request go through so quickly? Furthermore, my boss even commanded me to take Nagato-san too, it has to be the three of us…… and when I asked him what the outcome would be, he only said that it was top-secret. And…… he even said I had to follow your orders. Why?”

  “I’ll tell you in Nagato’s room.”

  As I said this, I entered Nagato’s room number into the machine by the door and rang the doorbell. There was a response immediately.

  “……”

  “It’s me.”

  “Enter.”

  The door opened, I walked in. Ah, I can’t forget Asahina-san, she’s still baffled. After I waved to her, she seemed to wake up and hurried to catch up with me. Every single time we come here, she’s scared. It’s almost like it’s her habit now. In the elevator, Asahina-san was turning over and thinking about many questions. She looked quite nervous, but also puzzled.

  That expression didn’t change, even after Nagato opened the door and ushered us in.

  Nagato looked like she not only had time, but was very composed about everything too. She was in her apartment, but had already changed into that familiar sailor uniform. Reflecting, I feel that this appearance was especially comforting. I think this, not because I secretly have a sailor fetish, but because this person could fully understand the feeling of serenity in my heart.

  That time, when I saw a short-haired person wearing a sailor uniform holding a knife, as I was losing consciousness.

  If Nagato were to wear something else, I would probably feel very uncomfortable. I know I would still recognize her, but this sailor uniform has nearly become her trademark.

  “……”

  Without speaking, Nagato pointed to the room, suggesting that we should sit down. Then she walked to the kitchen to make some tea.

  So, I used this time to outline the basic details for Asahina-san.

  “I don’t believe it……”

  Asahina-san’s eyes were wide as plates as she muttered.

  “What history was changed, how can it be, I didn’t feel a thing……”

  That’s not a surprise. No matter how I look at it, the only one with a clear memory of those three days is me. That me could not have done anything if it weren’t for Nagato’s hints and amazing ability to act.

  “A worldwide time-space change and direct interference with the future…… these things coincidentally happened at the same time.”

  Asahina-san’s voice trembled, her gaze drifting away. The table now had three cups of tea. It was tea Nagato had steeped for us, and she cut in on my explanations to Asahina-san once in a while.

  “Really.”

  Asahina-san was very startled by these comments, and her tea was untouched, it’s probably cold already.

  “……”

  Nagato expressionlessly stared at Asahina-san, then shifted her unreadable gaze onto me, and then turned back to Asahina-san.

  I think I know what Nagato wants to say. I had told Asahina-san that it was because Nagato had set things in motion, so the world changed on December the eighteenth. It was lucky that the Emergency Escape Program had worked, and I had returned to the Tanabata four years ago. But this resulted in Asakura Ryoko attempting to assassinate me, fortunately a failed attempt. Before fainting, I saw myself, Nagato and Asahina-san, seemingly from the future, restore the world to its original state. Only saying this, she might not understand what the hell is going on, so Nagato wants to add some footnotes.

  Considering this wasn’t all the information. The Tanabata four years ago also had an Asahina-san (Big) waiting for us. I still hadn’t told her this, since I don’t know if telling her would be good or bad. The Asahina-san now doesn’t know anything. In other words, Asahina-san (Big) is hiding something from her.

  This Asahina-san seems to be communicating with the future on a regular basis, so if it were important, someone, even if it wasn’t Asahina-san (Big), maybe her boss or someone even higher up, someone would probably tell her. Hey, I don’t know how time tr
avelers communicate.

  But I can mostly tell what happened. “When I asked him what the outcome is, he only said that it was a secret.” were her words exactly.

  Asahina-san probably doesn’t know anything, because no one is telling her.

  I don’t know the reasons for this, but if I think about it, it seems about right. As a time traveler, she’s kind of unprepared — that’s what I’ve thought before. Almost falling into an endless August, the mysterious mansion…… and if Asahina-san had given advice from the future before this kind of event, it would have been avoidable, but she didn’t. Why?

  Nod. I see.

  If Asahina-san (Big) doesn’t know anything, it would be too weird, because she, in the past — Asahina-san now — has already done these things. So, if these events and adventures were avoided, her future history would change. So it is required that, no matter what, we have to go through these things.

  This is all my theory, and the result is that we will all end up helpless to change anything, like Nagato.

  But since it’s like this, isn’t Asahina-san quite pitiable? Every time something happens, she’ll always be scared to death. The number of times she’s been shocked may even surpass the number of times I, a person from this time, have been startled. Moreover, Asahina-san’s reasons for coming to the present are very suspicious. If it was only Haruhi that needed to be under surveillance, an anti-theft video camera could do the job.

  There has to be a real reason. Asahina-san herself does not know. But, the her a little while into the future does seem to know……

  Lost in thought, I heard a cold, crisp voice.

  “I want you to do something for me.”

  Since it’s Nagato, I would do almost anything that she asks.

  “Please don’t say anything to the me in the time we are visiting.”

  Any talk at all? Do “Um” and “Ah” count too?

  “If it’s possible.”

  Nagato’s normally expressionless eyes showed her thoughts, for once. Her black pupils showed that this was really a passionate wish. For me to reject this request, it would be akin to trying to catch the moon in the lake.

  “Got it. Since you said it like this, I’ll find a way.”