The Genderbending of Haruhi Suzumiya [Spoilers Aplenty]

[Heatth]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

...? They have the bits about him discovering the headphones on his bed.

Oh, ywah, there is an extra paragraph about he saying how evil the headphones are. My point is there is no reference about he meeting them before the phonecall.

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Furthermore, it's impossible to enter a normal route if you didn't go out with a girl that day, Danchou and I have decided. For ease of writing, mostly.

I can understand and agree with that. This is not related to my point, tough.

[Tyabann]

Originally Posted by Heatth

Oh, ywah, there is an extra paragraph about he saying how evil the headphones are. My point is there is no reference about he meeting them before the phonecall.

Yes there is. You're not looking hard enough. He references the state he left the headphones in during the scenes with the girls.

[Heatth]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Yes there is. You're not looking hard enough. He references the state he left the headphones in during the scenes with the girls.

Hm? Oh, yeah, you are right. Sorry, I was looking for their names and missed it. My mistake.

[Tyabann]

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT:

Spoiler for EXAMPLE:

Premonition (Nagato)

I am going to have to do something about these evil, evil, terrifying, and evil headphones. Even after Nagato apparently destroyed them, they have somehow reconstituted themselves. This is not normal.

Not that I ever thought it was, of course.

Argh, I don't want to think about any of this. I'll just lock them in a box and pretend they don't exist.

I have a heavy steel box containing everything I had kept from my naive childhood, things I didn't want to or couldn't throw out. I shoved the headphones in there, locked it tight, and put it back deep in the recesses of the closet.

Out of sight, out of mind.


As I was sitting on my bed, I had a sudden pronouncement of doom. It came out of nowhere, which is why it was sudden.

For a few precious seconds, I felt as though I was about to die. I felt as though I had simply squandered the last week, that I hadn't accomplished anything. That it was this laziness of mine this was what was going to kill me. That I had made the wrong decisions. That the world was going to end and there was nothing I could do about it.

But the feeling soon passed. It was just a feeling, after all.

Goodnight.

For the Itsuko one, just take everything before he starts to theorize, and add everything in my example after "Not that I ever thought it was, of course".

[Heatth]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT:

Spoiler for EXAMPLE:

Premonition (Nagato)

I am going to have to do something about these evil, evil, terrifying, and evil headphones. Even after Nagato apparently destroyed them, they have somehow reconstituted themselves. This is not normal.

Not that I ever thought it was, of course.

Argh, I don't want to think about any of this. I'll just lock them in a box and pretend they don't exist.

I have a heavy steel box containing everything I had kept from my naive childhood, things I didn't want to or couldn't throw out. I shoved the headphones in there, locked it tight, and put it back deep in the recesses of the closet.

Out of sight, out of mind.


As I was sitting on my bed, I had a sudden pronouncement of doom. It came out of nowhere, which is why it was sudden.

For a few precious seconds, I felt as though I was about to die. I felt as though I had simply squandered the last week, that I hadn't accomplished anything. That it was this laziness of mine this was what was going to kill me. That I had made the wrong decisions. That the world was going to end and there was nothing I could do about it.

But the feeling soon passed. It was just a feeling, after all.

Goodnight.

For the Itsuko one, just take everything before he starts to theorize, and add everything in my example after "Not that I ever thought it was, of course".

heh, Ok, got it.

There are a problem with Itsuko bit, tough. I ended as something like:

Spoiler for Premonition (Koizumi):

Premonition (Koizumi)

There's no way this is happening, right? This has to be a bad dream, right?

I mean, to begin with, how would Koizumi-san have gotten in here? The trellis? No, no one is stupid enough to climb that thing.

This could just be another trick of those blasted headphones, but... I do have to wonder.

Could she have been the one that left these here in the first place? Could everything today, even the things that seemed sincere, have been acts?

How can I tell what's false from what's real?

*I have a heavy steel box containing everything I had kept from my naive childhood, things I didn't want to or couldn't throw out. I shoved the headphones in there, locked it tight, and put it back deep in the recesses of the closet.

Out of sight, out of mind.*


As I was sitting on my bed, I had a sudden pronouncement of doom. It came out of nowhere, which is why it was sudden.

For a few precious seconds, I felt as though I was about to die. I felt as though I had simply squandered the last week, that I hadn't accomplished anything. That it was this laziness of mine this was what was going to kill me. That I had made the wrong decisions. That the world was going to end and there was nothing I could do about it.

But the feeling soon passed. It was just a feeling, after all.

Goodnight.

I added the * part for consistence purpose. But it don't seen to fit with the previous line. If I exclude, however, there is no explanation for what Kyon does to the headphones.

[Tyabann]

DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU PEOPLE

Spoiler for Premonition (Itsuko):

Premonition (Itsuko)

There's no way this is happening, right? This has to be a bad dream, right?

I mean, to begin with, how would Koizumi-san have gotten in here? The trellis? No, no one is stupid enough to climb that thing.

This could just be another trick of those blasted headphones, but... I do have to wonder.

Could she have been the one that left these here in the first place? Could everything today, even the things that seemed sincere, have been acts?

How can I tell what's false from what's real?

...I can't, can I?

Argh, I don't want to think about any of this. I'll just lock the headphones in a box and pretend they don't exist, and that, today never happened.

I have a heavy steel box containing everything I had kept from my naive childhood, things I didn't want to or couldn't throw out. I shoved the headphones in there, locked it tight, and put it back deep in the recesses of the closet.

Out of sight, out of mind.


As I was sitting on my bed, I had a sudden pronouncement of doom. It came out of nowhere, which is why it was sudden.

For a few precious seconds, I felt as though I was about to die. I felt as though I had simply squandered the last week, that I hadn't accomplished anything. That it was this laziness of mine this was what was going to kill me. That I had made the wrong decisions. That the world was going to end and there was nothing I could do about it.

But the feeling soon passed. It was just a feeling, after all.

Goodnight.

[Heatth]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU PEOPLE

You are the writer. I am only a coder.

Well, thanks. Sorry for the trouble.

Hmmm, I wonder if I should archive this s well. The same for Nagato's exemple.

[Magnificate]

Yuki: ...

Kyon: I can't hear you nodding over the phone, Nagato.

That joke is great in its simplicity.

BTW, I have a question about "Hijack Trigger". Is there going to be a separate "secret" Tsuruya route or are those only slight modification to early days events?

[scify]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU PEOPLE

Spoiler for Premonition (Itsuko):

Premonition (Itsuko)

There's no way this is happening, right? This has to be a bad dream, right?

I mean, to begin with, how would Koizumi-san have gotten in here? The trellis? No, no one is stupid enough to climb that thing.

This could just be another trick of those blasted headphones, but... I do have to wonder.

Could she have been the one that left these here in the first place? Could everything today, even the things that seemed sincere, have been acts?

How can I tell what's false from what's real?

...I can't, can I?

Argh, I don't want to think about any of this. I'll just lock the headphones in a box and pretend they don't exist, and that, today never happened.

I have a heavy steel box containing everything I had kept from my naive childhood, things I didn't want to or couldn't throw out. I shoved the headphones in there, locked it tight, and put it back deep in the recesses of the closet.

Out of sight, out of mind.


As I was sitting on my bed, I had a sudden pronouncement of doom. It came out of nowhere, which is why it was sudden.

For a few precious seconds, I felt as though I was about to die. I felt as though I had simply squandered the last week, that I hadn't accomplished anything. That it was this laziness of mine this was what was going to kill me. That I had made the wrong decisions. That the world was going to end and there was nothing I could do about it.

But the feeling soon passed. It was just a feeling, after all.

Goodnight.

This is one of the things Jintor and I are around for. You know that, right?

Originally Posted by Magnificate

That joke is great in its simplicity.

BTW, I have a question about "Hijack Trigger". Is there going to be a separate "secret" Tsuruya route or are those only slight modification to early days events?

I think the joke has a precedent in the anime, though I'm not sure. As to the Hijack route... if memory serves, a requirement to get on it is the RoutesClear variable, which makes it part of the True/Final Routes. I think. But I'm also very short on sleep and full on Macademi Wasshoi, so who knows if my memory is good for anything.

[Tyabann]

Originally Posted by Magnificate

BTW, I have a question about "Hijack Trigger". Is there going to be a separate "secret" Tsuruya route or are those only slight modification to early days events?

Originally Posted by scify

This is one of the things Jintor and I are around for. You know that, right?

Maybe if you did your job I'd rely on you more.

Anyway, new scene, and then it's bedtime for me.

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning

I'm not into girls.

I say this because that's probably the assumption people will make upon hearing me say that, as I was falling asleep in peace last night, my greatest wish was to wake up with my head still in the comfort of Itsuko's breasts.

See what I mean?

In any case, I didn't wake up in the comfort of Itsuko's breasts; I woke up with my head grinding against tree bark and my back in a large amount of pain.


Itsuko: Rise and shine, everyone! It's morning, and that means, evidently, that it's time to wake up!

Kyonko: Uhhhnnnnnn...


Itsuko is yelling from somewhere close by. I open my eyes a crack, see that the sun has barely even risen, and close them again.

Now Asahina-senpai is yelling. Could you please be quiet, Asahina-senpai?

What a terrible way to start a morning.


Mitsuuru: Koizumi-chan, it's way too early to be alive... shut up and go back to sleep...

Itsuko: Please, we must be out of here before people start coming through, or we might be in rather a bit of trouble. And look, Nagato-san is already awake. You could at least follow his excellent example and get out of your bush.

Mitsuuru: Nagato-san is always awake first! I don't think he even sleeps...

Itsuko: Well, let's ask him. ...Can you sleep, Nagato-san?

Yuuki: Yes.

Mitsuuru: That wasn't what I asked!

Kyonko: Uhhhnnnnnn...


I don't see a point in trying to sleep anymore with that kind of racket going on. I struggle to my feet, praying to the gods to send me painkillers.


Itsuko: See? Even Kyon is on her feet. Get up.


Asahina-senpai grumbles and crawls out of the bush he was sleeping under.


Itsuko: Excellent!


She pats him on the head condescendingly.

At that time, I noticed she had several bags with her, the sort you'd get from shopping at department clothing stores. Before I could ask what they were for...


Kyonko: Its--

Itsuko: And now, please follow Itsuko-sensei, everyone. I have important gifts for all of you, and we can't open them here.


I have a horrible momentary experience of deja vu.

Itsuko leads the three of us to... the public washrooms?

She hands each one of us a bag.


Kyonko: What is this?

Itsuko: Your new civilian clothing is inside. We can't possibly go around on a weekend in our school uniforms, now can we?

Kyonko: ...You're planning something. Where did you get these?


I attempt to open my bag and take out the contents, but...


Itsuko: Now now, don't spoil the surprise. Go into the washroom and put it on, then all of us can see you in it. You two, as well.


Nagato heads into the male washroom uncomplainingly. Asahina-senpai, still half in the Land of Nod, follows him.


Kyonko: ...You didn't answer my question. Also, you're far too pleased with our current situation. That means that you're planning something horrible.


Itsuko: Please, who do you take me for? Suzumiya-san? Because you will probably continue to question me until I answer, these clothes were dropped off at our location by my new, ah, acquaintances. I also have my own set.


She holds up the fourth bag.


Itsuko: You don't seriously think I would subject you to the kind of fetish wear that our fearless leader enjoys? You have too low of an opinion of me... it is depressing, especially after our, ah, contact last night...


I'm blushing. Why am I blushing? This shouldn't be embarrassing at all. I hate you, Itsuko. Fine, I'll change into whatever you've bought me. Thank you, by the way.


Itsuko: Fufu, you're welcome.


Alone in a bathroom stall, I finally discover the contents of my bag... an incredibly low-cut, evening dress made of a green silk-like fabric. I doubt it's real silk, but...


Kyonko: I can't possibly wear this in public!


Itsuko's voice echoes from the next stall over.


Itsuko: Why not? I think it'd look darling on you.

Kyonko: You promised it would be normal clothes!

Itsuko: I promised nothing of the sort. I promised 'no fetish wear' and I fail to see how a dress as stunning as that constitutes fetish wear.

Kyonko: I'm not wearing it.

Itsuko: ...You insult my taste...


I hear crocodile tears.

...Speaking of crocodiles, that's another reason I don't want to wear this thing. It has no sleeves.

[CG of the arm markings here]


When I left the bathroom (not wearing the dress) Itsuko and Nagato were already there.

Itsuko was wearing a pink top and miniskirt combo that I've seen before (how is it fair that you get to wear something perfectly normal!?) while Nagato was... wearing... oh god.

A red leather jacket, black leather pants, a belt and collar with spikes, biker gloves... it doesn't match his expression at all, of course. Nagato, if you wear something like that, you have to look angrier.

Argh, what am I saying?


Kyonko: Itsuko...

Itsuko: Doesn't he look so much more interesting like this? I gave him a jar of gel to slick his hair back, too, but he doesn't seem to want to use it.

Yuuki: ...


I... I have nothing to say. I can only wonder what horrible thing she's given Asahina-senpai.


Mitsuuru: Doesn't this look a bit out of-- whoa!


Speaking of Asahina-senpai, he exited the washroom about that time, to be just as surprised at Nagato's appearance as I was.


Kyonko: ...Okay, seriously, how is this fair?


Asahina-senpai is dressed in the sort of suit you'd see in foreign films set in the 19th century, minus the jacket, which he's carrying over his shoulder... honestly, although it might be a little hot for this time of year, it fits his character wonderfully.


Mitsuuru: Really...? I think I'd stand out more than anything...

Kyonko: That's exactly it. You stand out in a good way, senpai. I think you look even manlier than Haruki right now, though in a different way.


Itsuko whispers in my ear.


Itsuko: That'll soon change.


Kyonko: Eh?

Mitsuuru: You aren't wearing your outfit, Kyon-chan?

Kyonko: No, I refuse to be made into a dress-up doll for someone else's perverse pleasures.


You'd know the feeling well, right?


Mitsuuru: Guh, don't remind me. Well, it can't be any worse than Nagato-san's, right?

Kyonko: ...That's true, but I reserve the right to walk around in a dirty school uniform rather than expose more skin than I'm comfortable with showing.


Besides, wasn't wearing 'normal' clothes supposed to be about not standing out!?

Asahina-senpai coughed a bit before answering me.


Mitsuuru: ...I-I'm sure it's something Suzumiya-san would love, then...

Kyonko: I'm not so sure about that... it's a little too ordinary for his taste.


...Over the course of our above conversation, Itsuko had slowly been circling behind Asahina-senpai, and had surreptitiously pulled out from her bag... a pair of huge, fluffy white bunny ears.

And while he was busy talking about Haruki's taste, she slowly... silently... lowered them onto his head, without him even noticing at all.

...In an instant, Asahina-senpai went from “cool-looking” to “ridiculous”.


Itsuko: Well then, enough idle chatter. We need to figure out what to do with our, ah, luggage, as we obviously can't carry our uniforms and undergarments around town.

Kyonko: .......Well, can't we just give them to your 'acquaintances' to look after?


And wash?


Itsuko: That was my suggestion, but it seems like Nagato-san does not wish to meet with them.


Mitsuuru: I don't either.


Said the bunny.


Itsuko: So, I asked Nagato-san if he had any ideas, and he came up with these.


With a flourish, she pulls out several long strips of paper, with incomprehensible characters written on them. They look a little like prayer slips.


Kyonko: So what are those, exactly?

Itsuko: I'm not exactly sure, but Nagato-san says that if we stick them on anything, anyone intending to steal that object will be incapable of doing so. It's a charm that grants protection from theft, in other words.

Kyonko: Wait, I thought Nagato couldn't use his data manipulawhatever.

Yuki: I am capable of performing minor modifications like this. They will go unnoticed.

Kyonko: If you're sure...


The bunny put up his hand.


Mitsuuru: Wait just a minute, 'Itsuko-sensei'. How do we know that these things actually work?

Itsuko: Well, aside from such evanescent concepts as 'trust'...


She sticks one of the charms on the front of her skirt.


Itsuko: Try stealing my chastity, Asahina-kun. I'm certain you won't be able to.


...Where did that come from?!

The bright-red bunny nearly fell over.


Itsuko: So if no one has any more objections... the plan is to place our unclean clothing beneath a park bench, and while we are away, my 'acquaintances' will come and claim them for cleaning later in the day. They will be able to take them, as it isn't 'stealing', I'm given to understand.

Kyonko: And what about my uniform?

Itsuko: You could always wear your dress.

Kyonko: No.

Itsuko: Too bad. Oh well, stick it with the rest of the clothes and I'll tell them to replace it with something more to your liking, then.

Kyonko: You should have thought about what would be to my liking in the first place!


Itsuko simply laughs.

Asahina-senpai and I do as instructed, finding a random park bench and piling our things under it. He still hasn't noticed the bunny ears... Should I tell him...?


Mitsuuru: ...I'm not trying to outdo Koizumi-chan or Nagato-san or anything, but... here. It might come in handy.


He hands me what looks like a large band-aid.


Kyonko: What's this?

Mitsuuru: ...It's what we use to heal ourselves, in my time... normally, I shouldn't be able to talk about it, but it looks like those rules don't apply in this world.

Kyonko: Figures. So how do I use it?

Mitsuuru: Just place it over any nonfatal wound, and it'll instantly re-size to cover the whole injury... it exudes some kind of nanomachine that more than dectuples the body's natural healing rate. I don't really understand it myself...


Dectuples!? That's insane. I guess all technology from the future is like that, though.


Mitsuuru: Oh, but you can't take it off before it's finished healing. It'll drop off automatically when it's done, but if you remove it too early, it won't work again and you'll have to use another. ...I don't have that many, so try to be careful, alright?

Itsuko: Oh ho? What's this we have here?

Mitsuuru: Gah!


Itsuko had been listening at his shoulder the whole time, but had only now chosen to make her presence known.

Forced to explain it all over again, the bunny eventually gave her one of his magical healing bandages too.


Kyonko: So... now what should we do, in the meantime?

Itsuko: I was just about to get to that, actually. Gather round, class.


I think the “teacher” bit is getting old, Itsuko.


Itsuko: Very true. I'll cease.


We stood around her in the dawn's light, listening to her instructions. I think it's pretty fascinating how humans tend to defer to authority if it asserts itself.


Itsuko: Nagato-san, I'd like you to perform a search of the school grounds and the surrounding area. See if there's anywhere we can stay that's less dangerous than this.


He nods.


Itsuko: Also, try to remain hidden. I have suddenly realized that the outfit I gave you is horrible for recon.


You should have thought of that to begin with too!


Itsuko: As for you, I'd like you to head to the library and check out as many history books as you can carry... we need to see if there any fundamental differences between this world and ours.

Kyonko: Looking in a history text was one of the first things I did here, actually... but I suppose it's worth a second look.

Itsuko: Indeed. I, of course, have my own investigations to follow. As for Asahina-san...

Mitsuuru: Why am I last?

Itsuko: Do you have that pocketwatch that came with your suit?

Mitsuuru: Well, yeah, but...

Itsuko: Put it on. Now, your mission is very important. I need you to run around the city, checking to see if there are any structural differences. We need to find out as much as we can about this place, whether we'll be living here or not.

Mitsuuru: The entire city?

Itsuko: The entire city. Oh, and be sure to check the time every few minutes, as well. You don't want to lose track, of course.

Mitsuuru: ...And why am I being given the hardest job?

Itsuko: Because you complain the most. Well, now that that's all settled--

Mitsuuru: I haven't agreed to a--

Itsuko: We'll meet back here at seven in the evening. If you finish your assignments before then, feel free to wander around aimlessly. That concludes today's lesson.


She claps Asahina-senpai on the shoulder in an intentionally Haruki-like fashion.


Itsuko: Better hurry, or you'll be late. Late, for a very important date.


Grumbling, the bunny runs off, closely followed by the punk rocker Nagato. After they're both out of earshot, Itsuko bursts out into peals of laughter.


Itsuko: Ohhhhhhhhhohohohohohohohohohohohohohoho~!

Kyonko: ...You're a terrible person, you know that?

Itsuko: Oh, you must admit that the ears look very amusing on him. Besides, it's his own fault for being too oblivious to notice them.

Kyonko: ......You're a terrible person, you know that?

Itsuko: Your accusation, while painful to my heart, is probably true. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must proceed on my investigations.

Kyonko: ...What kind of investigations?

Itsuko: Investigative ones. Toodle-oo~.


She skips off, enjoying life far more than she should.

...Well, I guess I'd better head off to the library to wait for it to open-- wait.

I'm broke, and I forgot to ask Itsuko about food arrangements.

Looks like today is going to be a hungry one...

And it looks like this scene is a huge one.

It's far bigger than I expected it to be, since this wasn't even in the outline and I was only going to write it as an explanation for the events in the Kyonko and Itsuko paths. Regardless, I got sort-of inspired.

Please enjoy. I love Itsuko.

[Kogetsu Shirogane]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

Mitsuuru: Nagato-san is always awake first! I don't think he even sleeps...

Itsuko: Well, let's ask him. ...Can you sleep, Nagato-san?

Yuuki: Yes.

Mitsuuru: That wasn't what I asked!

Awesome.

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

Alone in a bathroom stall, I finally discover the contents of my bag... an incredibly low-cut, evening dress made of a green silk-like fabric. I doubt it's real silk, but...

... Shall I say it?

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

A red leather jacket, black leather pants, a belt and collar with spikes, biker gloves... it doesn't match his expression at all, of course. Nagato, if you wear something like that, you have to look angrier.

At first, I thought this was a reference to Gekisou, but the only part that really matches is the jacket.

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

Mitsuuru: You aren't wearing your outfit, Kyon-chan?

Kyonko: No, I refuse to be made into a dress-up doll for someone else's perverse pleasures.


You'd know the feeling well, right?


Mitsuuru: Guh, don't remind me.

SCARRED 4 LIFE!

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

...Over the course of our above conversation, Itsuko had slowly been circling behind Asahina-senpai, and had surreptitiously pulled out from her bag... a pair of huge, fluffy white bunny ears.

And while he was busy talking about Haruki's taste, she slowly... silently... lowered them onto his head, without him even noticing at all.

...In an instant, Asahina-senpai went from “cool-looking” to “ridiculous”.

Is this going to be shown? Please, tell me this will be shown.

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

She sticks one of the charms on the front of her skirt.


Itsuko: Try stealing my chastity, Asahina-kun. I'm certain you won't be able to.


...Where did that come from?!

The bright-red bunny nearly fell over.

......

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

Mitsuuru: ...And why am I being given the hardest job?

Itsuko: Because you complain the most.

Awesome.

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

Itsuko: Better hurry, or you'll be late. Late, for a very important date.

Sadly, I didn't even get what you were going for with him until this line... It's okay, you can't possibly catch 'em all... Shut up!

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

Kyonko: ...You're a terrible person, you know that?

Itsuko: Oh, you must admit that the ears look very amusing on him. Besides, it's his own fault for being too oblivious to notice them.

Kyonko: ......You're a terrible person, you know that?

As much as I hate to say this, I gotta side with Itsuko here.

[Khu]

You read all that just then.

o_o;

[Heatth]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 6: A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning:

A Flashback that Takes Place in the Morning

I'm not into girls.

I say this because that's probably the assumption people will make upon hearing me say that, as I was falling asleep in peace last night, my greatest wish was to wake up with my head still in the comfort of Itsuko's breasts.

See what I mean?

In any case, I didn't wake up in the comfort of Itsuko's breasts; I woke up with my head grinding against tree bark and my back in a large amount of pain.


Itsuko: Rise and shine, everyone! It's morning, and that means, evidently, that it's time to wake up!

Kyonko: Uhhhnnnnnn...


Itsuko is yelling from somewhere close by. I open my eyes a crack, see that the sun has barely even risen, and close them again.

Now Asahina-senpai is yelling. Could you please be quiet, Asahina-senpai?

What a terrible way to start a morning.


Mitsuuru: Koizumi-chan, it's way too early to be alive... shut up and go back to sleep...

Itsuko: Please, we must be out of here before people start coming through, or we might be in rather a bit of trouble. And look, Nagato-san is already awake. You could at least follow his excellent example and get out of your bush.

Mitsuuru: Nagato-san is always awake first! I don't think he even sleeps...

Itsuko: Well, let's ask him. ...Can you sleep, Nagato-san?

Yuuki: Yes.

Mitsuuru: That wasn't what I asked!

Kyonko: Uhhhnnnnnn...


I don't see a point in trying to sleep anymore with that kind of racket going on. I struggle to my feet, praying to the gods to send me painkillers.


Itsuko: See? Even Kyon is on her feet. Get up.


Asahina-senpai grumbles and crawls out of the bush he was sleeping under.


Itsuko: Excellent!


She pats him on the head condescendingly.

At that time, I noticed she had several bags with her, the sort you'd get from shopping at department clothing stores. Before I could ask what they were for...


Kyonko: Its--

Itsuko: And now, please follow Itsuko-sensei, everyone. I have important gifts for all of you, and we can't open them here.


I have a horrible momentary experience of deja vu.

Itsuko leads the three of us to... the public washrooms?

She hands each one of us a bag.


Kyonko: What is this?

Itsuko: Your new civilian clothing is inside. We can't possibly go around on a weekend in our school uniforms, now can we?

Kyonko: ...You're planning something. Where did you get these?


I attempt to open my bag and take out the contents, but...


Itsuko: Now now, don't spoil the surprise. Go into the washroom and put it on, then all of us can see you in it. You two, as well.


Nagato heads into the male washroom uncomplainingly. Asahina-senpai, still half in the Land of Nod, follows him.


Kyonko: ...You didn't answer my question. Also, you're far too pleased with our current situation. That means that you're planning something horrible.


Itsuko: Please, who do you take me for? Suzumiya-san? Because you will probably continue to question me until I answer, these clothes were dropped off at our location by my new, ah, acquaintances. I also have my own set.


She holds up the fourth bag.


Itsuko: You don't seriously think I would subject you to the kind of fetish wear that our fearless leader enjoys? You have too low of an opinion of me... it is depressing, especially after our, ah, contact last night...


I'm blushing. Why am I blushing? This shouldn't be embarrassing at all. I hate you, Itsuko. Fine, I'll change into whatever you've bought me. Thank you, by the way.


Itsuko: Fufu, you're welcome.


Alone in a bathroom stall, I finally discover the contents of my bag... an incredibly low-cut, evening dress made of a green silk-like fabric. I doubt it's real silk, but...


Kyonko: I can't possibly wear this in public!


Itsuko's voice echoes from the next stall over.


Itsuko: Why not? I think it'd look darling on you.

Kyonko: You promised it would be normal clothes!

Itsuko: I promised nothing of the sort. I promised 'no fetish wear' and I fail to see how a dress as stunning as that constitutes fetish wear.

Kyonko: I'm not wearing it.

Itsuko: ...You insult my taste...


I hear crocodile tears.

...Speaking of crocodiles, that's another reason I don't want to wear this thing. It has no sleeves.

[CG of the arm markings here]


When I left the bathroom (not wearing the dress) Itsuko and Nagato were already there.

Itsuko was wearing a pink top and miniskirt combo that I've seen before (how is it fair that you get to wear something perfectly normal!?) while Nagato was... wearing... oh god.

A red leather jacket, black leather pants, a belt and collar with spikes, biker gloves... it doesn't match his expression at all, of course. Nagato, if you wear something like that, you have to look angrier.

Argh, what am I saying?


Kyonko: Itsuko...

Itsuko: Doesn't he look so much more interesting like this? I gave him a jar of gel to slick his hair back, too, but he doesn't seem to want to use it.

Yuuki: ...


I... I have nothing to say. I can only wonder what horrible thing she's given Asahina-senpai.


Mitsuuru: Doesn't this look a bit out of-- whoa!


Speaking of Asahina-senpai, he exited the washroom about that time, to be just as surprised at Nagato's appearance as I was.


Kyonko: ...Okay, seriously, how is this fair?


Asahina-senpai is dressed in the sort of suit you'd see in foreign films set in the 19th century, minus the jacket, which he's carrying over his shoulder... honestly, although it might be a little hot for this time of year, it fits his character wonderfully.


Mitsuuru: Really...? I think I'd stand out more than anything...

Kyonko: That's exactly it. You stand out in a good way, senpai. I think you look even manlier than Haruki right now, though in a different way.


Itsuko whispers in my ear.


Itsuko: That'll soon change.


Kyonko: Eh?

Mitsuuru: You aren't wearing your outfit, Kyon-chan?

Kyonko: No, I refuse to be made into a dress-up doll for someone else's perverse pleasures.


You'd know the feeling well, right?


Mitsuuru: Guh, don't remind me. Well, it can't be any worse than Nagato-san's, right?

Kyonko: ...That's true, but I reserve the right to walk around in a dirty school uniform rather than expose more skin than I'm comfortable with showing.


Besides, wasn't wearing 'normal' clothes supposed to be about not standing out!?

Asahina-senpai coughed a bit before answering me.


Mitsuuru: ...I-I'm sure it's something Suzumiya-san would love, then...

Kyonko: I'm not so sure about that... it's a little too ordinary for his taste.


...Over the course of our above conversation, Itsuko had slowly been circling behind Asahina-senpai, and had surreptitiously pulled out from her bag... a pair of huge, fluffy white bunny ears.

And while he was busy talking about Haruki's taste, she slowly... silently... lowered them onto his head, without him even noticing at all.

...In an instant, Asahina-senpai went from “cool-looking” to “ridiculous”.


Itsuko: Well then, enough idle chatter. We need to figure out what to do with our, ah, luggage, as we obviously can't carry our uniforms and undergarments around town.

Kyonko: .......Well, can't we just give them to your 'acquaintances' to look after?


And wash?


Itsuko: That was my suggestion, but it seems like Nagato-san does not wish to meet with them.


Mitsuuru: I don't either.


Said the bunny.


Itsuko: So, I asked Nagato-san if he had any ideas, and he came up with these.


With a flourish, she pulls out several long strips of paper, with incomprehensible characters written on them. They look a little like prayer slips.


Kyonko: So what are those, exactly?

Itsuko: I'm not exactly sure, but Nagato-san says that if we stick them on anything, anyone intending to steal that object will be incapable of doing so. It's a charm that grants protection from theft, in other words.

Kyonko: Wait, I thought Nagato couldn't use his data manipulawhatever.

Yuki: I am capable of performing minor modifications like this. They will go unnoticed.

Kyonko: If you're sure...


The bunny put up his hand.


Mitsuuru: Wait just a minute, 'Itsuko-sensei'. How do we know that these things actually work?

Itsuko: Well, aside from such evanescent concepts as 'trust'...


She sticks one of the charms on the front of her skirt.


Itsuko: Try stealing my chastity, Asahina-kun. I'm certain you won't be able to.


...Where did that come from?!

The bright-red bunny nearly fell over.


Itsuko: So if no one has any more objections... the plan is to place our unclean clothing beneath a park bench, and while we are away, my 'acquaintances' will come and claim them for cleaning later in the day. They will be able to take them, as it isn't 'stealing', I'm given to understand.

Kyonko: And what about my uniform?

Itsuko: You could always wear your dress.

Kyonko: No.

Itsuko: Too bad. Oh well, stick it with the rest of the clothes and I'll tell them to replace it with something more to your liking, then.

Kyonko: You should have thought about what would be to my liking in the first place!


Itsuko simply laughs.

Asahina-senpai and I do as instructed, finding a random park bench and piling our things under it. He still hasn't noticed the bunny ears... Should I tell him...?


Mitsuuru: ...I'm not trying to outdo Koizumi-chan or Nagato-san or anything, but... here. It might come in handy.


He hands me what looks like a large band-aid.


Kyonko: What's this?

Mitsuuru: ...It's what we use to heal ourselves, in my time... normally, I shouldn't be able to talk about it, but it looks like those rules don't apply in this world.

Kyonko: Figures. So how do I use it?

Mitsuuru: Just place it over any nonfatal wound, and it'll instantly re-size to cover the whole injury... it exudes some kind of nanomachine that more than dectuples the body's natural healing rate. I don't really understand it myself...


Dectuples!? That's insane. I guess all technology from the future is like that, though.


Mitsuuru: Oh, but you can't take it off before it's finished healing. It'll drop off automatically when it's done, but if you remove it too early, it won't work again and you'll have to use another. ...I don't have that many, so try to be careful, alright?

Itsuko: Oh ho? What's this we have here?

Mitsuuru: Gah!


Itsuko had been listening at his shoulder the whole time, but had only now chosen to make her presence known.

Forced to explain it all over again, the bunny eventually gave her one of his magical healing bandages too.


Kyonko: So... now what should we do, in the meantime?

Itsuko: I was just about to get to that, actually. Gather round, class.


I think the “teacher” bit is getting old, Itsuko.


Itsuko: Very true. I'll cease.


We stood around her in the dawn's light, listening to her instructions. I think it's pretty fascinating how humans tend to defer to authority if it asserts itself.


Itsuko: Nagato-san, I'd like you to perform a search of the school grounds and the surrounding area. See if there's anywhere we can stay that's less dangerous than this.


He nods.


Itsuko: Also, try to remain hidden. I have suddenly realized that the outfit I gave you is horrible for recon.


You should have thought of that to begin with too!


Itsuko: As for you, I'd like you to head to the library and check out as many history books as you can carry... we need to see if there any fundamental differences between this world and ours.

Kyonko: Looking in a history text was one of the first things I did here, actually... but I suppose it's worth a second look.

Itsuko: Indeed. I, of course, have my own investigations to follow. As for Asahina-san...

Mitsuuru: Why am I last?

Itsuko: Do you have that pocketwatch that came with your suit?

Mitsuuru: Well, yeah, but...

Itsuko: Put it on. Now, your mission is very important. I need you to run around the city, checking to see if there are any structural differences. We need to find out as much as we can about this place, whether we'll be living here or not.

Mitsuuru: The entire city?

Itsuko: The entire city. Oh, and be sure to check the time every few minutes, as well. You don't want to lose track, of course.

Mitsuuru: ...And why am I being given the hardest job?

Itsuko: Because you complain the most. Well, now that that's all settled--

Mitsuuru: I haven't agreed to a--

Itsuko: We'll meet back here at seven in the evening. That concludes today's lesson.


She claps Asahina-senpai on the shoulder in an intentionally Haruki-like fashion.


Itsuko: Better hurry, or you'll be late. Late, for a very important date.


Grumbling, the bunny runs off, closely followed by the punk rocker Nagato. After they're both out of earshot, Itsuko bursts out into peals of laughter.


Itsuko: Ohhhhhhhhhohohohohohohohohohohohohohoho~!

Kyonko: ...You're a terrible person, you know that?

Itsuko: Oh, you must admit that the ears look very amusing on him. Besides, it's his own fault for being too oblivious to notice them.

Kyonko: ......You're a terrible person, you know that?

Itsuko: Your accusation, while painful to my heart, is probably true. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must proceed on my investigations.

Kyonko: What kind of investigations.

Itsuko: Investigative ones. Toodle-oo~.


She skips off, enjoying life far more than she should.

...Well, I guess I'd better head off to the library to wait for it to open-- wait.

I'm broke, and I forgot to ask Itsuko about food arrangements.

Looks like today is going to be a hungry one...

Awesome, this scene is awesome. Not only because it is an exelent explanation for every weird thing in Kyonko's and Itsuko's scene (specially about their clothes), but it is also funny as hell.

Itsuko is particularly mischiveous here, I would wonder why if I wasn't so busy laughting. Anyway, she was a bit too careless, which is strange considering her scene with Kyon. Maybe she noticed, too late, it is not time for joking?

About their clothes, they are all awesome/funny (exept Itsuko's). Mitsuuru's fit him very well. (I beleive there is somewhere a fanart with him with similar outfist, does anyone still have it?) There is a problem with then, tough. I hate to be picky here, but these are going to be their 'casual clothes' until the end of the game, right? If they are not, it would be better just not having then, too extra work and space. Fortunatelly, I believe it is perfectly possible to have then wearing it with few to no problm (exept, maybe, Mitsuuru's bunny years, but he cann just ditch then eventually).

Oh, almost forgot. The first few lines are hilarious. It remembered me Kyo's conversation with Nakagawa.

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

It's far bigger than I expected it to be, since this wasn't even in the outline and I was only going to write it as an explanation for the events in the Kyonko and Itsuko paths. Regardless, I got sort-of inspired.

Given this is one of my favourite scenes so far I am glad you got so inspired.

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Please enjoy. I love Itsuko.

Hell, yeah. Itsuko is awesome. I didn't know I would love her so much, thak you for that, Kaisos.

[GDB]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Please enjoy. I love Itsuko.

Same. Gotta wonder if some of Itsuko's antics are just her own coping mechanisms, though. I mean, Mitsuuru won't stop bitching, Yuuki has to devote most of his energy to maintaining and repairing himself, and Kyonko is quite possibly going insane/having a breakdown/is the source of this mess (as far as Itsuko is concerned).

She pretty much has to assume the leadership role or else they could quite possibly be doomed. Having that much responsibility thrust on someone is bound to add some high levels of stress. Especially in a completely unknown situation, even to those who are trained.

Also, does this scene mean that Kyonko blew them off in her route? Or was Kyon out longer than he thought, and she managed to have their meeting while he was unconscious?

[Selofain]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler:

A red leather jacket, black leather pants, a belt and collar with spikes, biker gloves... it doesn't match his expression at all, of course. Nagato, if you wear something like that, you have to look angrier.

...There'll be a sprite for this, right (and the others too, of course)? Cuz I'm totally looking forward to that. Yum.

Ah, I particularly enjoyed this one. It's been a while and I've forgotten how fun their interactions are.

Originally Posted by Heatth

About their clothes, they are all awesome/funny (exept Itsuko's). Mitsuuru's fit him very well. (I beleive there is somewhere a fanart with him with similar outfist, does anyone still have it?)

You mean this, perhaps?

[Heatth]

Originally Posted by Selofain

You mean this, perhaps?

Amazingly, no. Actually, I believe I was thinking in the full version of your sig.

But, yeah, that image is probably closer.

[Tyabann]

Originally Posted by Heatth

Amazingly, no. Actually, I believe I was thinking in the full version of your sig.

But, yeah, that image is probably closer.

Take what Yuuki's wearing, throw the jacket over his shoulder, add the pocket watch, stick it all on Mitsuuru, and then add big fluffy Easter Bunny ears.

[luap1138]

Awesome scene. Itsuko tricking Mitsuuru into cosplaying the white rabbit from "Alice in Wonderland" was the best part. Makes me wonder though - would Itsuki pull the same kind of antics on Mikuru if he was given the chance?

[Kogetsu Shirogane]

That all depends on if he thought "Kyon's desire to hit him for it" outweighed "Kyon being enamored with Mikuru's appearance."

[s07195]

I get back from Taiwan and I see...what? Another 4-5 pages? Damn it's been hard to catch up, and that's just backlog since I've last posted. Might as well start a backlog checker in my sig to show where I'm up to.

In the premonition scene, I get a feeling that both worlds are going to be destroyed or something.

...And taht's all I'll be commenting on for now.

What, were you expecting more? Well I've just gotten back from Taiwan and it's 2 AM in HK now and *goes off ranting* ...or my name's not *cue truck passing by*