[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Red_eyes

Yes what you say may be true but although the following point has been brought up, there hasn't been a very good explanation of why she would actually ask for permission to help. If she didn't think that she was helping them, and just wanted to help, she'd just say "I will help you guys" despite anything the band members say.

If it wasn't voluntary help and it was just something she wanted to do, it's equivalent to asking Kyon or anyone of the SOS members whether or not they actually wanted to go play baseball in the baseball episode rather than just sayiing "We're playing baseball" whether they like it or not.

Haruhi always wants to help the human race; she just assumes that no one wants anything to do with her. Haruhi genuinely believes that SOS-dan does good to its club members and the world. I can't imagine Haruhi backing down if the band refused her offer; that's not what she does.

(off-topic rant ahead. Ignore if you wish)

Spoiler:

And there are plenty of people in real life who ask for permission as a formality rather than a process. Haruhi is aware of social norms, and that's why she would say what she say. Frankly, I agree with Haruhi's way of thinking; if you ask a question but desire to only hear one answer, then don't even bother to ask.

I am personally sick and tired of people asking me for a decision, but didn't accept my advice because they already made up their mind and only wanted confirmation. I am sick and tired of being taught to give culturally polite offers like "feel free to drop by" or "We should meet up sometime" to distant relatives whom I have no social links to, and that the relatives are also aware that the offers were false and meaningless. Perhaps it's due to my lack of social skills, or more correctly my deep disgust towards social politics, but I wish I could be more like Haruhi.

If Harhui didn't believe she was being selfish, then there would not have been such a surprise from being thanked.