Prologue
Uneventful afternoons are to be feared if you're a member of the SOS Brigade. Just lounging about in the minimally-lit former Literary Club room after school, sipping the always excellent tea just served to me by Asahina-san, while Nagato sits silently reading in her corner and Koizumi studies the chess board between us, though it's a pointless gesture. He really should focus his energies on games he's more likely to win, like rock, paper, scissors or Go Fish. It's a pleasant enough way to spend the transition between the end of winter and early spring. However, these are the times when Haruhi will barge through the door and make things less boring for her and more complicated for the rest of the world. This time was no exception, as she did just that and said:
"You know, life should really be more like anime!"
Perhaps those words have been uttered from time to time by many a lonely disillusioned person, but this is at least one individual who should never be allowed that thought. Nagato arguably had the strongest reaction among us. Her eyes never left the pages of her book, but they were no longer moving from line to line. Koizumi and I exchanged glances while Asahina-san simply froze and hugged her serving tray just a little closer to her chest.
If for no other reason I should be annoyed with you just for the effect your existence has had on Asahina-san. Of course if Koizumi's theory is correct another part of me is eternally grateful to Haruhi for making this a universe in which Asahina-san traveled back in time, allowing me to spend this time with her.
However, I'll never tell you thank you over that, since you don't know you have any such capabilities, and it will stay that way if I have anything to say about it.
"What are you talking about?"
Haruhi flung her book bag onto the table in the center of the room and spun around to face me.
"Anime! Aren't you listening? I watched some last night and they get to have all the experiences I want to have! Aliens, espers, time traveling, magic, monsters, romance, action and adventure!" She ticked each one off on her fingers as she listed them, then began pacing back and forth while recounting the various plots she'd seen.
Have you been living in a closet your whole life?
Koizumi must have been thinking similarly along those lines, but as usual he is more tactful in dealing with Haruhi. Basically he's a kiss-ass. That annoying smile appeared as it so often does when trying to placate her. "They certainly are entertaining stories for distracting from the everyday normality. I'm sure you've seen plenty of anime before so the fictional plots must seem dull and predictable to you by now." He emphasized the word fictional. As much as his personality annoys the hell out of me at times he certainly has a knack for appearing to agree with Haruhi while trying to get her to change her opinions. A valiant, if rarely effective, effort that usually still leaves me with the lone responsibility of curtailing Haruhi's more insane plans.
"Of course I have. One of the characters just happened to remind me of Kyon, so it got me thinking what if we were all characters in some anime."
Don't put the blame for this on me. And just what anime were you watching? I must remember to check the TV listings when I get home.
She put her finger to her lip and looked contemplatively at the ceiling. I don't really want to think about just what she might have been imagining at that moment.
"It's just too bad real life isn't like that sometimes, that's all."
It seems Haruhi's mind shifted track at that point, as she diverged into other pointless matters of importance to her. I really try not to pay too much attention until she forces the involvement of the rest of us without our consent. The potential crisis seemingly behind us now, I relaxed a bit, but only a bit, as Haruhi's mind is about as predictable as an earthquake, and potentially much more destructive. Nagato silently resumed her eye movement and Asahina-san went to fetch Haruhi's tea. If only that were really the end of it, I would be a much happier person.
The rest of the day continued to be mostly uneventful. Shortly after she had arrived, Haruhi suddenly said she had something to attend to and left with the usual look of determination on her face. Later, the sound of Nagato closing her book was the familiar signal that it was time to go our separate ways. Kozumi and Asahina-san were the first to leave. I'm always slightly jealous whenever someone else gets to walk with her. Today it couldn't be helped. As I was getting ready to leave I felt the slight tug on my uniform jacket that meant only one thing, Nagato had something to tell me, and whenever Nagato decides to speak I can be sure of two things. Firstly, it'll be something important, and secondly, I won't have the slightest idea what she's talking about. She stood there looking at the open door until the sounds of Koizumi and Asahina-san leaving faded away, then looked up at me with her expressionless face. She seemed to be hesitating, and it was unnerving enough that I almost didn't notice that her hand was still gripping the end of my jacket.
"What's wrong?"
"…"
I don't know whether to be annoyed at being held up like this or worried at the intensity radiating out of this stoic girl. Finally she spoke in that monotone voice.
"Suzumiya Haruhi is unstable."
I don't need you to tell me that. Though for Nagato to speak at all it must be something specific.
"There is a conflict between what I want to tell you and what I am allowed to divulge. I am breaking protocol just by alerting you to the fact that I am concerned. Last night at 11:18pm local time this space-time was subtly altered. The fact that a change occurred was recorded but the change itself has not yet been discovered, though there are theories."
"You think this has to do with Haruhi?"
She nodded slightly.
"And we know that she was watching anime last night…so you think something she saw made her change something?"
Another nod. "I cannot be specific, but it is a good deduction. All I am allowed to say is I would advise against going to sleep tonight."
That's easier said than done, you know.
"What's going to happen tonight?"
"I cannot say more, I've said too much already."
Finally she looked away, but was still clinging to my uniform. I don't know what had Nagato acting nervous, but whatever can upset a humanoid interface for the Integrated Data Entity would probably scare the hell out of me. As worried as I was becoming, the sun was beginning to set outside the window. I should really be going soon.
Eventually she slowly withdrew her hand and I went to collect my bag and headed for the door. At the doorway I turned back to see her looking at me again.
"See you tomorrow. Oh wait, tomorrow's the weekend, so Monday I guess."
"…"
On the way home I tried to convince myself that I had been imagining the slight display of emotion I had seen in Nagato today. Anything to lift the feeling of impending doom that her warning implied, though I have no idea why or how my sleeping could have any effect on anything relating to Haruhi. I managed to block out these thoughts by fantasizing what it would've been like to have walked home with Asahina-san. I won't give you the pleasure of recounting the details. On that note, remind me to punch Koizumi the next time I see him.