Volume 7 - The Intrigues of Suzumiya Haruhi

by Tanigawa Nagaru

  “Kyaa~”

  As if losing all her strength, my petite senpai fell limp all of a sudden. I hurriedly supported her with my body. Asahina-san stuck to me, as if wanting to leech my body heat, but for some reason, I wasn’t the least bit happy.

  “Asahina-san, do you really not recognize that fellow?”

  I asked a wobbling Asahina-san, who had at least regained the strength to stand. “…He’s probably… another time traveler…” Asahina-san said softly.

  That was exactly what I thought. If I were to put it in words, I would say that he shared a similar aura with Asahina-san, and based on my skills of deduction, I had come to the same conclusion. However, I had absolutely no idea why he had come all the way to the past. He had specifically come to this area and picked up something important to us, and I don’t think his motive was to see me and Asahina-san crawl around in the flowerbeds for thirty minutes.

  A new time traveler. One that held feelings of animosity towards Asahina-san.

  For some reason, this thought made me shiver more than the freezing winter wind. Just like how there were different cosmic entities present, it seemed that time travelers had their different agendas. Call me paranoid, but I also suspected that Koizumi’s ‘Organization’ had some inner conflicts within it. What these factions had done up until now, I have no idea. All I knew was that they were beginning to step on the stage, slowly revealing themselves to us.

  “So there are different types of time travelers after all…” I sighed. As if wanting to reply me, Asahina-san opened her mouth and said, “Erm… Well…” Unfortunately, that was all that she said, as she hurriedly shut it, before proceeding to open it again. Her eyes drooped low, as she said:

  “I’m sorry, it’s classified information. Even if I wanted to tell you, I’m prohibited from doing so.”

  Don’t worry, it’s fine with me. Don’t think of it too much.

  “B-But… This is something important. That guy may just show up anytime again… And maybe even during unstable periods like this…”

  Unstable?

  “Yes, unstable. I’m supposed to be with Suzumiya-san in this current time period. Since he saw me here, it could have messed things up…”

  That kinda makes sense.

  I once again took out the crumpled letter from my pocket and began reading it. If, according to Asahina-san (Big), Asahina-san and I meeting with that guy was a predetermined event, the only way that would be possible, with Asahina-san (Mikuru) still being together with Haruhi and Koizumi would be to arrange for Asahina-san (Michiru) to be together with me when the event triggered.

  The memory chip in my hand was probably covered in sweat right now. Although it seemed that luck was on our side, seeing that the stranger returned the chip to us, I felt that I had a pretty bad day today, running into someone like him. As I pocketed the object, I once again felt rage building up within me. Even though we had just parted, whenever I thought of that guy’s sneering face, I would be boiling all over. Someone who wanted to harm Asahina-san, and was even equipped with a pass to hop between the past, the present and the future, was way beyond my league. Even so, I definitely wouldn’t allow him to, and I’m sure Tsuruya-san wouldn’t either. Haruhi would probably never forgive him, and the same goes without saying for Nagato and Koizumi.

  “Will we meet him again?”

  “I suppose so.”

  Asahina-san said so with terrified eyes, which were still darting around in fear, as if she was looking out for something. The only consolation for the day was that Asahina-san still didn’t notice she was clinging tightly onto my wrists.

  “That person said something about a predetermined event… He must be similar to me. Furthermore…”

  Asahina-san abruptly stopped, leaving her sentence hanging in midair. Classified information?

  “Yeah.”

  Asahina-san finally detached her body from mine.

  “I’ve never seen such a bad guy before. What about you, Kyon-kun?”

  No matter how I look at it, or how I think of it, he still drives me mad. I hated him for shouting at Asahina-san and me. It was bad enough to shout at me, but at Asahina-san too? Oh forget it, it’s probably the first time anyone has done so anyway. Nice to meet you? Nice my ass!

  Since we wasted most of our time unintentionally destroying the flowerbeds and meeting up with that strange fellow, it was already three in the afternoon. Haruhi had requested that we meet at four. Even if I dragged Nagato from the library and brought her to the station, there would still be some time remaining. I couldn’t just let Asahina-san hail a cab all on her own seeing that the person driving the cab may very well be one of our enemies. At this thought, that sneering bastard’s face came into mind.

  Even if my heart bleeds at my lost cash, I had no choice but to sit on the same cab with Asahina-san, and after leaving her at Tsuruya-san’s residence, board the same cab back to the library.

  As I hailed down a cab and boarded it with Asahina-san, Asahina-san suddenly asked me: “Erm, what is Tsuruya-san’s house address again?”

  “Erm, I’m not too sure myself. Which street was it on again?”

  Hearing our conversation, the young driver turned back and told us politely: “Do you mean the big Tsuruya mansion? If that’s the case, you can leave everything to me.”

  Wow, you’re great, Tsuruya-san. It was a good thing she was the only one with the Tsuruya surname in this area. This way, I would be able to save back on the costs of making a phone call.

  The driver was a really talkative guy. He knew from a glance that we were high school students, and could even tell which grade we were in. He then proceeded to tell us about how his son was still an elementary school kid, and how he planned to send him to a well established private high school. Before we knew it, we had already arrived at Tsuruya-san’s mansion.

  After getting out of the cab, Asahina-san repeatedly thanked me and the driver, before disappearing within the walls of Tsuruya-san’s house. This way, it would be impossible for some new time traveler to harm Asahina-san. You can rest assured, Asahina-san, knowing that you’ll at least have someone to rely on.

  “Please head to the library.”

  I said to the driver, my tightened spirit finally being able to relax a little.

  After I reached the library, I found Nagato already standing by the front counter waiting for me. Standing upright while reading such a thick hardback, I really admired her for not feeling the least bit tired.

  “Sorry for the wait.”

  “It’s okay.”

  Nagato shut the book with a dull thud, before returning the book, which better resembled a dictionary to me, to the topmost shelf. After that, she walked to my side, as we hurriedly headed for the exit.

  Fumbling with my fingers, I finally managed to pull out the memory chip from my pocket.

  “Nagato, do you know what this is?”

  Nagato turned her head and looked at the memory chip in my fingers, not bothering to stop as we headed out of the library.

  While I was returning to the library just a while ago, I phoned Nagato to tell her about the past happenings, including the letters in my shoe locker, and the sneering bastard.

  “…I see.”

  Nagato nodded her head, without revealing a bit of emotion on her face, as she answered me in her usual monotonous voice.

  “This is a broken memory chip. However, the data inside is still undamaged.”

  As I looked at the chip again, I found that it was in fact broken in half. What was the use of it then, even though the data was preserved?

  What kind of data is held within?

  “Although the majority of the data is not lost, a major portion of it is nevertheless corrupted, and it seems that several crucial files have been either damaged or lost.”

  So it contains something even Nagato has no idea about. If Nagato didn’t know about it, no human possibly would. I wondered who I was supposed to mail this to. Was he even human?

&
nbsp; “Data restoration in progress. Attempting to replicate and substitute lost or damaged data with similar hits.” Nagato said, suggesting that she had already scanned the entire contents of the memory chip and was currently attempting to restore it to how it was before.

  “Inferences can be formed.”

  “This memory chip contains a myriad of damaged data. However, there are also two hundred and eighteen pieces of different data that has been recently input. This memory chip is meant to be inserted in a transmitter. If played in correct sequence, it is possible to formulate a basic theory.”

  As I was about to ask Nagato what was she saying, Nagato said simply:

  “Something that Asahina Mikuru is currently using: The basic foundation of time travel.”

  “However…” Nagato continued,

  “Even if someone obtained the data, based on our current level of technology, it would be impossible to deduce what the data meant. Although it is still insufficient for someone to formulate the basic theories of time travel based on it, it is crucial to time travel. Without it, it would be impossible for humans to travel through time. This chip contained the basic foundations for time travel, including the correct method to move through time planes and the sort.”

  “Can someone come to this conclusion based on this memory chip?”

  “Yes.” Nagato replied emotionlessly, without slowing her pace. Since she didn’t, I obviously couldn’t either. Although I suddenly had an overwhelming desire to hand the memory chip to her, seeing that it was a crucial thread of the time travelers’ fate, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

  “Of course, it could be a decoy.”

  Since Nagato was the least likely to joke about such things, I took it seriously.

  “This is not the only one. There must be other copies somewhere.”

  Come to think about it, that kinda makes sense. Who in their right minds would leave something important like this in the hands of someone who just happened to pick it up? This was probably a decoy, whereas the real chip was already being ferried safely to who-knows-where. Asahina-san (Big)’s smiling face, with an eye closed and her index finger by her lips, suddenly surfaced in my mind. However, knowing Asahina-san (Big), she could have had some difficulties in doing that, and as such secretly sent me to do it for her.

  “Oh, one more thing, Nagato.”

  I said as I hurried to catch up to the short haired silhouette.

  “Sorry for today.”

  I’m sure Nagato’s footsteps slowed down, as she lifted her head and looked at me.

  “It’s my fault for not telling you I would bring Asahina-san along today when I called you last night. Asking someone for help without explaining things clearly to them, how would I have felt if someone had done the same to me?”

  Nagato looked at me without saying anything, as if I was being interrogated by those cold eyes. After walking about ten steps, I surrendered.

  “Asahina-san told me to apologize to you. I’m sorry.”

  “…Is that so?”

  Nagato said as she looked at the road before her once again, and continued walking. About 5 seconds later, she said again:

  “Is that so?”

  Just outside the train station, Haruhi and Asahina-san looked like tired puppies, as they leaned on each other for support. Koizumi stood beside them, once again with a smile on his face.

  After we had all gathered, it was time to report our findings of the day, as we entered the familiar coffee shop. Of course, the reports were always the same ever since last year. Although I did meet some strange guy, I didn’t tell Haruhi about him. Fortunately, “I didn’t discover anything strange or mysterious” didn’t warrant a scowl from Haruhi this time, which was something I was relatively new to.

  “It’s fine, days like this are bound to happen anyway.”

  I’d like to know what would happen other than days like this.

  Seeing the way Haruhi drank her cup of cappuccino, I could tell that she is in a pretty good mood. “Let’s meet up again tomorrow. Those mysterious events are bound to not expect us looking for them for two days straight, and as such may let their guard down! I can feel something exciting happening tomorrow, like running into something paranormal just around the corner!”

  For some reason, I suddenly recalled that incident where Asahina-san and I were shouted at by some stranger from behind. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that he had been monitoring us for some time then, and upon thinking about this, my glass of milkshake seemed to abruptly turn into a glass of black coffee. Just you wait, you sneering bastard! The next time I see you, I’ll bring you straight to Nagato or Haruhi, and let you feel their wrath!

  I wonder if I really had a pained expression on my face, for Haruhi continuously looked at me, as if wanting to say something, but lacked the courage to say it. In the end, she didn’t do anything, other than reveal an unfathomable smile.

  “So, we meet again tomorrow, understand? I believe that if we change the day, the situation will change too. If we keep sticking to the same schedule, wouldn’t that be boring? I have a feeling that mysterious things are easier to find on Sunday. Maybe it’s because Sunday gives you the impression that it’s meant for lazing off, which is something those mysterious things may be doing! Just like how I feel that I won’t be so friendly on Monday, I’m sure mysterious things will be lazing about on Sunday! I’m sure of it!”

  So did that mean Haruhi’s mood was set according to what day it was? Oh well, it’s not like I’ll be able to get any rest tomorrow, seeing that we’d be having yet another city-wide search. But what am I fretting about, didn’t Asahina-san (Michiru) already tell me this before? The only thing that soothed my heart was Asahina-san giggling, as she talked to Haruhi about something.

  “That’s all for today.”

  Haruhi then gave us the command to dismiss, before reminding us to meet up again tomorrow.

  I certainly had lots of things to think about today.

  As I rode back home on my bike, various thoughts raced through my mind, from the things Koizumi said to me in the morning, to the two Asahina-sans; from the chattering, unknown stranger, to Nagato’s expressionless face, and last but not least, Haruhi’s bemused expression in the coffee shop. For one who had never been settled on by so many worries before, this was certainly a plague of troubles. But of course, I wasn’t someone who would let his worries get ahead of him. I still had things to do, I reminded myself, as I trudged through the snow towards the convenience store.

  After purchasing an envelope and some stamps, I headed towards the shopping mall.

  I entered the pet shop, and began looking at the different dogs and cats present there. Unlike Shamisen, these animals were of pure breed, and I found myself strangely fascinated by them. As I tried my best to pull myself away from the urge to purchase one of them, I dragged my body towards the turtle counter, and found out that the Chinese Box Turtle was pretty close with the Golden Coin Turtle. If possible, I would like to bring Asahina-san here one day. I could picture her picking up one of those adorable puppies, her eyes sparkling in the process, as she made a shout of “Kyaa~”. That was something I had seen my sister do before, and I had no doubt Asahina-san would be the same.

  I lowered my gaze back at the counter, and began thinking, “Which one should I buy?” The turtles there were basically hunched together and resembled unmoving rocks. Each seemed to be fond of another, and I found it hard to separate them. I know that many people liked turtles, but sometimes I wonder if I really imagine too much. However, seeing that I was about to fling one of these poor guys into a freezing cold river tomorrow, I began questioning myself, which would they prefer? Being trapped in a small and crowded place like this, or set into the free but punishing wild?

  As if realizing I was staring at him, one of the golden coin turtles quickly turned away and attempted to escape. However, maybe it was due to his poor balancing, he stumbled and fell into the water. Being in the cold water w
as probably an unpleasant thing for him though, as he quickly climbed back out to the safety of the land.

  All right, it’s you then.

  I quickly motioned for the shop assistant and pointed at that turtle, before telling her that I wished to purchase it. The shop assistant, whom I have no idea if she’s only working here or if this is her family’s business, revealed a huge smile on her face, and quickly went to fetch a tank. After that, she began teaching me how to take care of turtles, what to feed them, etcetera. To tell you the truth, all of that didn’t matter to me, since all I wanted to do was fling this poor guy into the river. But seeing her explain to me so patiently, I had no idea what I was supposed to say. When she asked me why I wanted to buy a turtle for a pet, I had wanted to tell her that it was something I couldn’t tell her, something secret, something classified.

  In the end, as I tried to make up a suitable explanation as to why I had wanted to buy a turtle, the shop assistant had already decorated the tank with several marbles, filled it with water, picked up the golden coin turtle, and placed him gently into the tank. “This comes free with the turtle,” she said to me, smiling.

  She was smiling as she led me all the way to the cash register. She must really like turtles.

  “If there’s anything you would like to know about turtles, you can come and find me anytime.”

  After that, I paid for the turtle, since the tank and turtle pellets came free with the turtle. I felt sorry for the turtle, who would most likely be thrown into the river tomorrow. Too bad, buddy. That’s fate for you.

  As I felt a slight pain in my chest, I carried the tank out of the shopping mall, placed it into the basket in front of my bicycle, and started pedaling. Even though it was already dark, I couldn’t go home yet. There was somewhere else I had to go first.

  “Hi, Kyon-kun! I knew you would come today! Good evening!”

  Even though stars were shining in the sky, Tsuruya-san radiated a certain aura that made her stand out from them, as she opened her front door. I decided to park my bike inside Tsuruya-san’s mansion this time.