Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4, Interlude 06: The Search:
The Search
Grunt 1: We’re still not picking up anything.
Two men in military uniform sat at desk, discussing amongst themselves.
Grunt 2: I know the PDT System is still experimental, but the first time they tested it, it definitely worked.
This space on this desk was taken up by what looked very similar to an old telephone switchboard, except that it was not old, but sleek and new. The military grunts were hard at work flipping switches, punching buttons, and reading printouts.
Grunt 1: Well, that might be because they were only able to test it by tracking people in Closed Space.
Grunt 2: And that’s only the Brains can’t figure out how to slide yet.
Grunt 1: Yeah, they can’t even get teleportation down.
Grunt 2: Harder than it sounds.
Grunt 1: Still, Closed Space is still part of our own universe, right?
Grunt 2: No one really knows.
Grunt 1: So maybe that’s why we can’t track her down at all. The PDT doesn’t actually work.
Grunt 2: Don’t say that, or the last three hours will all have been a huge waste.
Grunt 1: Speaking of Closed Space… did you HEAR what happened at the main HQ?
Grunt 2: …Yeah. I heard. I saw the building, actually. Completely destroyed. All the people on the upper floors are missing, probably dead, and most of those on the lower floors are at the least injured.
Grunt 1: And, supposedly, it’s all because her and her friends are gone…
Grunt 2: And the world is falling apart as a result. Listen to the rain.
The first soldier listened. The rain was heavy.
Grunt 2: It’s been like that since this morning, and there’s no signs of it stopping. The meteorologists are baffled… Frankly, I think it’s terrifying what an unstable world we live—
A cough from the corner of the room silenced him.
The cough originated from a tall, brown-haired man smoking a cigarette, and, oddly, wearing what can only be described as a “spy outfit”. Black, form-fitting, with armor plates on the joints and fake muscles sown out of Kevlar.
Satou Mori considered the suit his “work clothes”. Everyone else thought he was slightly mad.
Satou: Oi. You two.
Grunt 2: Er, yes, sir?
Satou: Any progress on finding Itsuko-chan?
Grunt 1: No, no sir, unfortunately, the PDT isn’t picking up anything. The machine might not actually be capable of—
Satou: Tch.
Satou Mori flicked his cigarette at them.
Satou: I’ll tell you why it isn’t working. It isn’t working because you lack love.
Grunt 1: ……Sir?
Satou: Love. The key to using that machine is the simplest, and yet most complex emotion of all. Love. Do you, Corporal, have a woman in your life?
Grunt 1: Well, no, sir, my job doesn’t afford me the time for—
Satou: Exactly. You, Other Corporal. Do you have a woman in your life?
Grunt 2: Well, I’m gay, sir.
Satou: Then do you have a man in your life?
Grunt 2: No, sir, it’s kind of difficult to find a—
Satou: Exactly. The PDT system isn’t working because neither of you can feel love. You lack the capacity to reach across the heavens, the infinite heavens, and touch the tender, sweet hands of the one that you hold most dear.
Grunt 2: Uh, so, what do you suggest we—
Satou: Move aside, soldier. I will use this machine. I will find Itsuko-chan. With love.
The two soldiers quickly got of the way as Satou Mori approached the PDT system and sat down. He immediately began flipping switches and punching buttons in a complicated pattern.
It was clear to even an amateur’s eyes that he had no idea what he was doing.
Grunt 1: Uh, sir, I don’t think this is a good—
Grunt 2: Leave it. He’ll have figured it out in ten minutes, and then he’ll be doing our job for us. Let’s go on break.
However, they only made it a few steps outside the door of the PDT room when they were addressed by a very large man in combat gear who clearly outranked them.
Officer: You two. Where is Agent Satou Mori?
The two soldiers snapped smartly to attention.
Grunt 1: Sir! In the room behind us, sir! He volunteered to take over for us while we took our break, sir!
The voice of an old woman came out from behind the hulking officer.
???: Now now, there’s no need to be so nervous. At ease, gentlemen.
The soldiers complied, although their minds were most definitely not at ease. Stepping out from behind the scary officer was another, even scarier person.
She was an old woman in combat gear. Her nametag read “Arakawa”.
The first soldier began to sweat noticeably. The second one was able to keep his cool until the other person stepped out from behind the large officer.
He was a young man with a serene smile and curly hair, wearing a high school uniform.
Kimidori: Emori Kimidori. It’s very nice to meet you all.
Everyone in the Agency knew what it meant when a random high school student showed up at HQ. Especially one wearing that distinct blue blazer.
It meant trouble.
Arakawa: You can tell that kid that he can stop working so hard. …I can hear him hitting the buttons from out here.
It was true. You could.
Kimidori: In fact, you can tell him that I’ve found them.
INTERLUDE END
This is where we break from the outline a lot. Why? Because Day 4 would suck otherwise. (The first rule of Project Tsuji is you do not ask questions.)
The Power of Love will surely succeed! Machine not working? Out of drinks? YOU NEED LOVE!
__________________
WARNING: Kogetsu Shirogane cannot be held accountable for any actions taken by someone else. Potential side effects of communicating with this user include headaches, mild confusion, insanity, delirium, and jumping into fires. Do not expose this user to sunlight or water or feed this user after midnight.
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4, Interlude 05: Acceleration in the Dark Room:
Acceleration in the Dark Room
A shadowed person sits in a very dark room, which is lit only by the light of a tiny, old TV. Currently, the television is tuned into some kind of comedy show.
Shadow A: (Crunch, crunch.) Hahaha, this is bloody hilarious. (Crunch, crunch.)
The shadow is eating trail mix.
Crunch, crunch.
All of a sudden, there’s another shadow in the room. No flash or bang, just a sudden appearance.
It would be unsettling, to non-shadows.
Shadow A: Oh hey, you’re back. (Crunch, crunch.) Have fun today?
Shadow B: Why, exactly, did you go out without me, Number Two? I told you stay inside.
Shadow A: Wait a minute, my (crunch, crunch) show is on. Just wait until it goes to commercial. It’s nearly there anyway.
A few minutes passed.
Crunch, crunch.
Some commercial about a product no one needs lit up the room. The newcomer shadow looked at the television, which muted itself.
Gulp.
Shadow A: So, what were we talking about?
Shadow B: Why you decided to take a walk without telling me.
Shadow A: Ah, you saw. I thought you did.
Shadow B: Explain, please, if you would.
Shadow A: Well, look at it from my (crunch, crunch) perspective. You’re the only one who gets to (crunch, crunch)—
Shadow B: Stop eating the trail mix or I’ll shove it up a few choice locations.
Shadow A: Yes’m. (Gulp.) You’re the only one getting to have any fun.
Shadow B: So…?
Shadow A: You’ve also only really been messing around with one of them. How about some (slurp) fair play?
Shadow B: That’s just how I do things, as you know, Number Two. Do you have a problem with that?
A voice like warm ice.
Shadow A: Yeah, actually. The way things are right now, they’re pretty boring. Predictable.
That was the wrong thing to say, from one shadow to another.
Shadow B: Oh, and you think you could do better?
Shadow A: Yeah, actually.
Shadow B: …
Shadow A: Mmm. Fingers still sticky. (Slurp.)
Shadow B: So, what did you have in mind?
Shadow A: I’d like to set up a few things of my own. Then, once all the pieces have gathered, then. Then you get to do your thing.
Shadow B: Hmm. Fair enough. I suppose I haven’t really been giving you much free reign, have I? Very well, do as you please. Just don’t interfere with my fun, alright?
There is now only one shadow in the room.
Crunch, crunch.
Shadow A: Don’t think I share your agenda, little miss xxxxxx. I’d like a little insurance if you’re going to continue gambling with the fate of my world. (Crunch, crunch.)
The shadow continued to grumble to himself.
Shadow A: Honestly, her and her xxxxxxx is really making me xxxxxx with xxxx and xxxxxx. If she wants to xxxxxx she can just xxxxxx while xxxxxx while she xxxxxxxx and I xxxxxxxxxx. (Crunch, crunch.) Oh, my show’s on.
The shadow nodded at the television, which regained the ability to speak.
Shadow A: (Crunch, crunch.) Hahaha, this never gets old. Hahahaha (crunch, crunch) hahahahahaaa!
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4, Interlude 06: Acceleration in the Dark Room:
Some commercial about a product no one needs lit up the room.
... Is that really required? I'm pretty sure that applies to like 90% of them.
__________________
WARNING: Kogetsu Shirogane cannot be held accountable for any actions taken by someone else. Potential side effects of communicating with this user include headaches, mild confusion, insanity, delirium, and jumping into fires. Do not expose this user to sunlight or water or feed this user after midnight.
I hate sleep. There is aways cool things happening when you are sleeping.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
My bad, sorry.
No problem.Just found it funny.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4: After School- Walking Home:
Walking Home Alone
I once heard that it’s actually easier on the human body to go uphill than it is to go down, but despite knowing that, I can’t help but feel as though the opposite is true.
I’m walking home now, alone, and at an earlier time than I usually do. This marks a monumentous end to my hectic first week back at school.
…Am I wrong for expecting something more?
With all that happened this week, what with the ripple noises, the temporal distortions, the mysteriously appearing food in my fridge, and the intruders (Haruhi’s “mutant”), I half thought there would have been something more… sinister at work. But so far, nothing has really happened.
…I wonder. Could all of those things be connected somehow? Is there something building up in the background that I’m not aware of…?
It’s possible. I should probably call Koizumi or Nagato tomorrow and talk about all this, though I don’t think they’ll want to hear about my fridge.
Or is all this just my imagination, and I just want something big to happen?
…A few years ago, that definitely would have been true. But now, I don’t know.
What do I want? What do I want out of life?
I wrote on my tanazaku that I wanted to be rich and have a big house with a garden where I can give a dog a bath. Simple wishes for 16 and 25 years in advance.
…But is that all I want out of life? Is it wrong to want more than simple financial stability?
I find myself thinking things like this a lot lately. It’s probably because I never saw myself taking care of the well-being of the universe when I first started high school.
Have I said this before? I’m ruminating.
I guess all I want is for my situation to be understood by someone else. I’d like some help here, actually. All this is too big a burden for me, and the other three are little help.
I sigh out loud.
And with that, I had arrived at the bike racks without realizing it.
One step at a time. First thing I’ll do is contact either Nagato or Koizumi tomorrow, and try to figure out what the root of the weird things this past week is. Then on Monday, I’ll try to smooth things over with Haruhi. We’ll take things from there.
No point in getting worked up over something that hasn’t happened yet.
Unless, of course, it’s already happened. Or, alternatively, is happening right
*KSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHH*
Funny. Just random pseudo-philosophing, but intereting anyway. There is a trope for that, btw.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4: After School- Walking Home:
Walking Home With Haruhi
Kyon: Did you know that it’s actually easier on the human body to go uphill than down?
Haruhi: Really? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Kyon: You’d think so, yeah, but it isn’t, for some reason.
I’m walking home with Haruhi, an unusual occurrence. It also marks a monumentous end to my hectic first week back at school.
And so, to make sure nothing goes awry, and I really don’t have a Sunday dinner guest, I should make sure to deal with this.
Kyon: So, what’s really up? You’re not one to cancel a club meeting just because the faculty yelled at you.
A grumpy look.
Haruhi: Who gave you the right to be so perceptive? …It’s like I said earlier: Everything I try to do recently just… backfires. It’s depressing.
Kyon: And that’s not entirely true. The backfiring, I mean. Wasn’t everything we did over the summer a big success?
Actually, that backfired more than anything we’ve done so far, but…
Haruhi: I guess… but still, the past few days, they’ve been so… unfulfilling. There’s all this stuff going on, but it’s not leading anywhere. There’s no climax, you know?
I don’t know, but I can sort of understand, yeah.
Haruhi: And then, when I think like that, I start thinking about what I really want out of life. Maybe it’s just back-to-school blues, but…
If Haruhi Suzumiya starts having an existential crisis, I don’t know what will happen. Let’s try to keep that from happening.
Kyon: Well, what was it you wrote on your tanazaku again? That you want the earth to rotate backwards? And that you wanted the whole world to revolve around you?
Isn’t that what you want out of life?
Another grumpy look.
Haruhi: Those are things that are supposed to happen sixteen and twenty-five years from now! What on earth am I supposed to do in the meantime? Also, I’m surprised you of all people even remembered my wishes.
Kyon: How should I say this…? They’re the kind of wishes that are hard to forget.
Haruhi: Hmmph.
Kyon: …You know, Haruhi, I’ve been thinking.
Haruhi: What?
Kyon: What if the gods don’t just grant wishes for no reason? What if they only grant them to people that deserve them, to people who work hard for their wishes?
[Note: I stole this from Umineko, sue me, but I think it’s a fairly universal concept.]
Haruhi: …
Kyon: So if you really want the earth to rotate backwards, I’d say you should aim to make that happen.
Another grumpy look—no, wait, it’s a smile.
Haruhi: Stupid. That’s not the Tanabata wish I can actually aim for, is it?
No, I guess it’s not.
Haruhi: …Thanks for trying to cheer me up, though.
No trouble at all. The safety of the universe, and my emotional-well being, depends on it.
That’s my only motivation here.
Without either of us noticing, we had arrived at the bike racks at the bottom of the hill, and this is where our ways part, I suppose.
Haruhi: I’ll see you on Monday.
Kyon: See ya.
…
I should make absolutely sure she’s fine.
Kyon: By the way, about our search for evidence of the mutant turning up nothing… I said before, right? They’re not careless enough to let you find them in one day.
Haruhi: Stop trying to comfort me by spouting out sappy lines, Kyon. Later.
Geh. I’m rather proud of that one, thank you very much.
At least she’s back to her usual self.
I seem to have to do keep doing that a lot recently, that is, cheer her up. Maybe it really is just back-to-school blues, as I’ve been feeling much the same way recently.
Especially in how there are weird things going on with seemingly no point to them.
I’ll have to contact Nagato or Koizumi tomorrow and bring this up, but there’s no point in worrying about things until they happen.
Unless, of course, they’ve already happened. Or, alternatively, are happening right
*KSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHH*
Kinda cute, really. Liked how Kyon wanted tomake sure Haruhi was OK, but keep saying it was for the "good of the world".
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4: After School- Walking Home:
Walking Home With Tsuruya-san
Kyon: Did you know that it’s actually easier on the human body to go uphill than down?
Tsuruya: Huh, really? Never woulda guessed.
Kyon: It’s true.
I’m walking home with Tsuruya-san, who I’ve only really met once before this.
Exactly what am I supposed to talk about?
For that matter, she’s still attached to my arm. The rest of the students in the Going Home Club are staring at this blatant public display of affection. This is extremely awkward. Please let go of me, Tsuruya-san.
Tsuruya: Nope~.
Worth a shot.
I am extremely, extremely glad that Haruhi went home early. I do not want her to see me like this. Of course, since rumors have a way of getting back to her somehow, I’ll have to find a way to defuse this eventually.
Argh, and why is the only thing I can think of in this situation is how Haruhi is going to react? I can’t believe myself. I’ll never get a girlfriend like this.
Kyon: So, um…
Tsuruya: How’re things in tha Brigade?
Kyon: Uh, well, as strange as they usually are.
Tsuruya: Mikuru-chan said somethin’ about hunting all over tha school for a “mutant” o’ some kind…
Kyon: Aha. Ahaha. That’s just our Brigade Chief being paranoid of rumors.
Is she trying to push her breasts up against my arm like that? This is making it hard to think.
Tsuruya: Ah, yeah, rumors can be troublesome. This one probably started with that lunatic running all around the school. I tried to use my “senpai’s authority” to stop him, but, well, he wouldn’t stop.
Ahaha you certainly have a lot of authority Tsuruya-san wait what?
I stop short.
Kyon: You actually met him?
Tsuruya: Eh? Why so serious all of a suddens?
Kyon: What did he look like? Please, I have to know, Tsuruya-san.
Tsuruya: Um, well, he was pretty tall… about Itsuki-kun’s height, and… he didn’t really look like anything, ta be honest with ya.
Someone nondescript. Hmm.
Kyon: So you wouldn’t recognize him if you saw him again?
Tsuruya-san, in thought, unconsciously leaned against me. Gah.
Tsuruya: Hmm, probably not, nah. I don’t have a good memory for faces, ya see.
Kyon: Ah, that’s okay, Tsuruya-san.
That’s too bad, but I guess it’s better that I don’t get uninvolved people involved in this. Speaking of which, can you let go now, Tsuruya-san?
Tsuruya: But if ya’d ask me what tha girl looked like, hooo boy, she’s pretty distinct. My memory of her is as clear as day, nyoro~.
Tsuruya-san ends her sentence in an extremely cute fashion as she explains about the girl wait. What girl?
Tsuruya: Obviously pretty short. Still taller than Mikuru-chan, but bless her, everyone’s taller than Mikuru-chan. Not much in tha chest department, though she made up for it by having this reaaaally cute ponytail. …Though, her personality didn’t seem too pleasant, the way she glared at me like that.
…A short, petite girl with a ponytail with an unpleasant personality.
There’s lots of those, I’m sure, but one person I’d never seen before until this morning comes to mind. A person I even gave Tsuruya-san’s shoes to.
…God dammit.
Goddammit!
She was with the intruder. So that’s why she was trying to steal my shoes!
Wait, on second thought, that doesn’t make much sense either. …Still, I’m going to have a few things to say next time I see her. Thank you very much for that, Tsuruya-san.
At that moment Tsuruya-san’s grip on my arm got even tighter, cutting off my circulation. As a result, the sensation of a pair of small, fluffy pillows pressing against me got even more intense.
Kyon: Ghhhh! I—what? What’s wrong?
For Tsuruya-san had dropped her usual smile, and was focusing on a point about twenty meters behind us.
Kyon: Tsuruya…san?
Tsuruya: Eh? Oh! Sorry, Kyon-kun! Nyahaha! Got distracted there for a minute!
She then noticed my hard-to-describe expression.
Tsuruya: Oh, am I squeezin’ ya too hard? Sorry, sorry.
Her grip loosens. Thank god, I was either about to lose my lower arm, or my sanity.
Tsuruya: Welp, c’mon then, time’s a wastin’! Let’s go!
She pulls me forward, and I have no choice by to comply.
In due course, we reach the bike racks at the bottom of the hill. This is (un)fortunately where I will have to separate with Tsuruya-san.
I tell her this, and she finally loosens her hold. I feel as though a great weight has been lifted from me.
Tsuruya: Ah, that’s fine. I usually get my driver to pick me up here anyways. Ah, here he comes now!
In any case, now that I’ve actually met one of the intruders (Girl A) I have to inform Nagato of this. I’ll be sure to call her first thing in the morning, when I’m fully rested.
I’ll have to figure out a way to explain away Tsuruya-san’s weird behavior when Haruhi inevitably finds out, also. And is that a limousine?!
Tsuruya: Er, yeah, haha, my family’s pretty well-to-do. Didn’ ya know?
Kyon: No, no I did not, actually.
I would not describe a family that possesses enough limousines to spare one on picking their daughter up from school as simply “well-to-do”. In fact, I get the feeling I may have to worry about rumors making their way to her father, or perhaps her Family, as well.
What have you gotten me into, Tsuruya-san?
Tsuruya: Welp, I guess I’ll see ya around, Kyon-kun.
Kyon: Uh, yeah, yeah, see ya.
I give a quick wave and turn towards where I park my bicycle every morning. I don’t want her driver to get a good look at my face.
A tap on my shoulder. By reflex, I turn around.
Tsuruya: Ah, that’s right. Almost forgot~.
She stands on the tips of her toes, and reaches around my neck, pulling me downward.
…! Her face is… so… close…!
And then, closing her eyes, she
*KSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHH*
Awesome. Naturally. Everything with Tsuruya is awesome by defaut. She keep messing with Kyon by pure mischivousness. Interesting Kyo keep thinking in Haruhi, anyway. Btw, you can get that scene and still go to the ordinary girl routes right? It would be interesting see how it would effect them. Specially Divine and Co-operation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4: After School- Walking Home:
Walking Home With Girl A
Kyon: Did you… know that…. it’s actually easier on the human body… to go uphill than down?
Girl A: Yeah, I…. I heard something about that once. Something about how… your limbs are actually better at it…. Or something.
Kyon: …Something like that.
I’m walking home with a girl I’ve pretty much never met before. A fitting end to a weird, weird week.
I’m also carrying an LCD monitor, and panting really hard. The reason for the latter is that we’re now at the bottom of the huge hill that our school sits on top of, having run down here in retreat from an angry Computer Research Society.
…I’m beginning to regard events like this as normal. Someone help.
Girl A: God… I hate that hill.
Kyon: So do I. Every day, up and down…
Girl A: The city should just get it over with and install an escalator.
Kyon: My thoughts exactly.
My kingdom for an escalator!
Of course, then it would have been much easier for the Computer Society to catch up to us.
Girl A: Speaking of which, here they come now!
Kyon: Tenacious, aren’t they…
Girl A runs inside the bike compound, runs straight to my bike, oddly enough, and… unlocks it?
Kyon: Hey, how did--?
Girl A: You’re slow. Get on.
Kyon: Yes, mistress. Who’s pedaling?
Girl A: You, of course. You think my feet can reach those pedals?
Kyon: Good point.
CSP: Death to those who would shame the Computer Research Society!
I shove the monitor in the basket in the front of my bike; I’ll have to keep it steady with one hand, I guess. Girl A hops onto the seat, her arms on my shoulders.
Kyon: We’re gonna be going fast, so you might want to hold on tighter than that.
Girl A: Hmm? Sure, I guess that’s fine.
She folds her arms around my body, and I can feel a softness pressing against my back. So, she has breasts after all, huh…?
CSP: You will pay for what you have taken from us!
And now is not the time to be thinking about that!
We clear the compound just as the President and his goons reach it. A narrow escape!
CSP: Nooooooooooooooo!
His cry of anguish resounds in our ears as I pedal in an effort to gain a lot of distance. Closer at hand, Girl A is trying not to laugh.
Girl A: Pffffffffhahahahahahaha!
And failing. And, for some reason, I start laughing too.
Kyon: Hahahahahahahaha!
Girl A: Ahahahahahahaha!
We must look even loonier than before.
Kyon and Kyonko: Hahahahahahahahahaha!
What a rush.
---
The Computer Society President sat in the middle of the bike racks in tears, utterly defeated. His minions, gathered around him, offered him words of encouragement. But he paid them no heed.
Eventually, however, he got to his feet, brushed the dirt off his clothes, wiped his eyes, and lied to everyone that he was perfectly fine.
Spectacled Minion: So, uh, what do we do now, President?
CSP: Nothing. We wait.
Fat Minion: Wait?
CSP: Don’t you see? They’ll have to return to school on Monday. We can get our revenge then.
A sick, boiling laugh rose up in his throat.
CSP: Mwwwaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahhahaahaha! Glory to the Computer Reseaaaaaarch Societyyyyyy! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Fat Minion: A-Are you okay, boss?
Lightning struck. Even though there weren’t any clouds in the sky.
---
Kyon: …That’s probably what’s happening right now.
Girl A: Hahaha, that’s great. I love it!
It didn’t take long to get to Kitaguchi Station with that kind of adrenaline going through our veins.
Girl A: Seriously though, thanks for the ride, and all your help. I kind of wish I had more to offer you than seventy yen…
Kyon: It’s not really out of my way… although, you could answer a question for me, I guess.
Girl A: Sure. One question in payment, then.
Kyon: Could tell me where you got that new uniform from, just to satisfy my curiosity?
Girl A: …New uniform?
Kyon: The one I saw you in this morning was rumpled, as though you had slept in it. Also, you seem to have new indoor shoes that came out of nowhere.
Girl A: …Ah, you… noticed. Um. A friend of mine has connections, so she managed to get this to me today.
Kyon: The same friend you’re giving this stolen monitor to?
Girl A: Uh, yeah, actually.
An underground network of thieves, huh?
Girl A really seems to have trouble carrying the monitor by herself.
Kyon: You know, I could carry that for you the rest of the way…
Girl A: Oh, God, no. I mean, I’d be grateful, but the people I’m meeting, um, don’t take to strangers that well, so…
Kyon: You’re sure?
Girl A: Yes, yes, it’s fine.
Kyon: Well, see you around, then.
Girl A: See you around!
I realize as I watch her struggle with the monitor towards the café, that I never actually asked her name. I never thought of it, simply because… I somehow got the feeling I’d known her a long time?
I’d have called out to her, but… “one question”, huh?
I’m a moron.
The only thing left to do now is go home, and first thing tomorrow I’ll contact either Nagato or Koizumi, and try to figure out what the root of the weird things this past week is. I don’t doubt that they’re all interconnected.
And given the way she suddenly showed up, Girl A and her Thieves’ Guild are probably some part of this too.
And then on Monday, I’ll also have to smooth things over with Haruhi and try to avoid the attention of the Computer Research Society. …I wonder how much that monitor cost, anyway?
I certainly have a lot of things to
*KSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHH*
Extra awesome! More then Tsuruya's! Good job with that one, really. There is a creepy feeling that they share a good chemistry. It was intentional? Kyon-chan knows the truth, but he don't.
CC was awesome too. There will be a ravange? I hope seeing more of they in the future. Again, it is possible have that scene while going to any route right (exept for ESPer)?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Refer to the now-Beta flowchart for how this is supposed to work, I guess.
Wow this was a lot of work.
It was a good scene overall. The parallel between then was good. Specially how each girl react to Kyon's random knowledge ('whatever"/interest/"I know that too").
There is a thing. If I understood Itsuko's route well, Kyon will be obcessed by curious about Itsuko because she is hot interesting and he is a boy fulled by hormones right? If so, it wouldn't be interesting having he thinking on her while going home alone? I a whole new scene focused on he thinking on her or just few extra lines in Going Home- Alone. (I would preffer the former, but is you who is working )
Also, why would he wait tomorrow to call Itsuki/Nagato? Wouldn't be more natural caling in the same day? It is not like Nagato has anything else to do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Note: The static effects here have to extremely sudden for these to have the effects I want them to have.
Ok. How 'sudden' it should be? The player should be, at last, able to read the sentence right? (and have it cut in front of his/her eyes)
Latter I comment about the interludes. In advance I can only say Satou is a good name and he is awesome. For "some reason" he remember me Yusuke...
I...I like your Mori-san (m). I like him a lot. "Slightly mad" indeed.
POWER OF LOVE, I SAY!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Heatth
I hate sleep. There is aways cool things happening when you are sleeping.
There's also quite a data explosion whenever I leave for one of my little vacations, forced or otherwise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Heatth
In advance I can only say Satou is a good name and he is awesome.
I said.... POWER OF LOVE!
__________________
WARNING: Kogetsu Shirogane cannot be held accountable for any actions taken by someone else. Potential side effects of communicating with this user include headaches, mild confusion, insanity, delirium, and jumping into fires. Do not expose this user to sunlight or water or feed this user after midnight.
Satou: Exactly. You, Other Corporal. Do you have a woman in your life?
Grunt 2: Well, I’m gay, sir.
Satou: Then do you have a man in your life?
Grunt 2: No, sir, it’s kind of difficult to find a—
Satou: Exactly. The PDT system isn’t working because neither of you can feel love. You lack the capacity to reach across the heavens, the infinite heavens, and touch the tender, sweet hands of the one that you hold most dear.
Grunt 2: Uh, so, what do you suggest we—
Satou: Move aside, soldier. I will use this machine. I will find Itsuko-chan. With love.
I was going to post something (remotely) funny (to myself) here, but I decided against it.
...So, in all seriousness, did Satou Mori come off as a pedophile to anyone other than me? I mean, sure, Itsuko's developmentally accelerated, but still.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaisos still
The first rule of Project Tsuji is you do not ask questions.
This is the first I've heard of this rule; was this enforced because Heath kept asking questions regarding your logic?
...So, in all seriousness, did Satou Mori come off as a pedophile to anyone other than me? I mean, sure, Itsuko's developmentally accelerated, but still.
It makes him less of a pedophile and more of... I don't know.
Keep in mind that we have no idea how old Mori is.
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4, Interlude 05: The Search:
The Search
Grunt 1: We’re still not picking up anything.
Two men in military uniform sat at desk, discussing amongst themselves.
Grunt 2: I know the PDT System is still experimental, but the first time they tested it, it definitely worked.
This space on this desk was taken up by what looked very similar to an old telephone switchboard, except that it was not old, but sleek and new. The military grunts were hard at work flipping switches, punching buttons, and reading printouts.
Grunt 1: Well, that might be because they were only able to test it by tracking people in Closed Space.
Grunt 2: And that’s only the Brains can’t figure out how to slide yet.
Grunt 1: Yeah, they can’t even get teleportation down.
Grunt 2: Harder than it sounds.
Grunt 1: Still, Closed Space is still part of our own universe, right?
Grunt 2: No one really knows.
Grunt 1: So maybe that’s why we can’t track her down at all. The PDT doesn’t actually work.
Grunt 2: Don’t say that, or the last three hours will all have been a huge waste.
Grunt 1: Speaking of Closed Space… did you HEAR what happened at the main HQ?
Grunt 2: …Yeah. I heard. I saw the building, actually. Completely destroyed. All the people on the upper floors are missing, probably dead, and most of those on the lower floors are at the least injured.
Grunt 1: And, supposedly, it’s all because her and her friends are gone…
Grunt 2: And the world is falling apart as a result. Listen to the rain.
The first soldier listened. The rain was heavy.
Grunt 2: It’s been like that since this morning, and there’s no signs of it stopping. The meteorologists are baffled… Frankly, I think it’s terrifying what an unstable world we live—
A cough from the corner of the room silenced him.
The cough originated from a tall, brown-haired man smoking a cigarette, and, oddly, wearing what can only be described as a “spy outfit”. Black, form-fitting, with armor plates on the joints and fake muscles sown out of Kevlar.
Satou Mori considered the suit his “work clothes”. Everyone else thought he was slightly mad.
Satou: Oi. You two.
Grunt 2: Er, yes, sir?
Satou: Any progress on finding Itsuko-chan?
Grunt 1: No, no sir, unfortunately, the PDT isn’t picking up anything. The machine might not actually be capable of—
Satou: Tch.
Satou Mori flicked his cigarette at them.
Satou: I’ll tell you why it isn’t working. It isn’t working because you lack love.
Grunt 1: ……Sir?
Satou: Love. The key to using that machine is the simplest, and yet most complex emotion of all. Love. Do you, Corporal, have a woman in your life?
Grunt 1: Well, no, sir, my job doesn’t afford me the time for—
Satou: Exactly. You, Other Corporal. Do you have a woman in your life?
Grunt 2: Well, I’m gay, sir.
Satou: Then do you have a man in your life?
Grunt 2: No, sir, it’s kind of difficult to find a—
Satou: Exactly. The PDT system isn’t working because neither of you can feel love. You lack the capacity to reach across the heavens, the infinite heavens, and touch the tender, sweet hands of the one that you hold most dear.
Grunt 2: Uh, so, what do you suggest we—
Satou: Move aside, soldier. I will use this machine. I will find Itsuko-chan. With love.
The two soldiers quickly got of the way as Satou Mori approached the PDT system and sat down. He immediately began flipping switches and punching buttons in a complicated pattern.
It was clear to even an amateur’s eyes that he had no idea what he was doing.
Grunt 1: Uh, sir, I don’t think this is a good—
Grunt 2: Leave it. He’ll have figured it out in ten minutes, and then he’ll be doing our job for us. Let’s go on break.
However, they only made it a few steps outside the door of the PDT room when they were addressed by a very large man in combat gear who clearly outranked them.
Officer: You two. Where is Agent Satou Mori?
The two soldiers snapped smartly to attention.
Grunt 1: Sir! In the room behind us, sir! He volunteered to take over for us while we took our break, sir!
The voice of an old woman came out from behind the hulking officer.
???: Now now, there’s no need to be so nervous. At ease, gentlemen.
The soldiers complied, although their minds were most definitely not at ease. Stepping out from behind the scary officer was another, even scarier person.
She was an old woman in combat gear. Her nametag read “Arakawa”.
The first soldier began to sweat noticeably. The second one was able to keep his cool until the other person stepped out from behind the large officer.
He was a young man with a serene smile and curly hair, wearing a high school uniform.
Kimidori: Emori Kimidori. It’s very nice to meet you all.
Everyone in the Agency knew what it meant when a random high school student showed up at HQ. Especially one wearing that distinct blue blazer.
It meant trouble.
Arakawa: You can tell that kid that he can stop working so hard. …I can hear him hitting the buttons from out here.
It was true. You could.
Kimidori: In fact, you can tell him that I’ve found them.
INTERLUDE END
Ok, Satou is awesome. Besides this, I loved the namless grunts. A ity we will never see then again.
Backing to Mori (because this scene was basically tro introduce him), from where his personality come from? I mean, Sonou barelly speak in the canon, so from where did you put this over top personality?
Oh, well, he is awesome, anyway. So, who cares? I guess he is somewhat similar to Mori from Haruhi-chan.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
This is where we break from the outline a lot. Why? Because Day 4 would suck otherwise. (The first rule of Project Tsuji is you do not ask questions.)
I don't agree the Day 4 sucks that much. I would like to see more of the seitenkan brigade in their first day on the other world. Also, there is a lot of Tsuruya here, which is aways good.
But these interludes are also great, so, whatever. An idea: how about making that one before Walking Home? That scenes don't fallow directly from the previous ones, anyway. Also, their begining (random talk about go up/down hill) would work pretty good as a begining after an interlude. Also, it seens that it has a lot of interludes here, so having then interrupted by normal scenes might be a good idea.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4, Interlude 06: Acceleration in the Dark Room:
Acceleration in the Dark Room
A shadowed person sits in a very dark room, which is lit only by the light of a tiny, old TV. Currently, the television is tuned into some kind of comedy show.
Shadow A: (Crunch, crunch.) Hahaha, this is bloody hilarious. (Crunch, crunch.)
The shadow is eating trail mix.
Crunch, crunch.
All of a sudden, there’s another shadow in the room. No flash or bang, just a sudden appearance.
It would be unsettling, to non-shadows.
Shadow A: Oh hey, you’re back. (Crunch, crunch.) Have fun today?
Shadow B: Why, exactly, did you go out without me, Number Two? I told you stay inside.
Shadow A: Wait a minute, my (crunch, crunch) show is on. Just wait until it goes to commercial. It’s nearly there anyway.
A few minutes passed.
Crunch, crunch.
Some commercial about a product no one needs lit up the room. The newcomer shadow looked at the television, which muted itself.
Gulp.
Shadow A: So, what were we talking about?
Shadow B: Why you decided to take a walk without telling me.
Shadow A: Ah, you saw. I thought you did.
Shadow B: Explain, please, if you would.
Shadow A: Well, look at it from my (crunch, crunch) perspective. You’re the only one who gets to (crunch, crunch)—
Shadow B: Stop eating the trail mix or I’ll shove it up a few choice locations.
Shadow A: Yes’m. (Gulp.) You’re the only one getting to have any fun.
Shadow B: So…?
Shadow A: You’ve also only really been messing around with one of them. How about some (slurp) fair play?
Shadow B: That’s just how I do things, as you know, Number Two. Do you have a problem with that?
A voice like warm ice.
Shadow A: Yeah, actually. The way things are right now, they’re pretty boring. Predictable.
That was the wrong thing to say, from one shadow to another.
Shadow B: Oh, and you think you could do better?
Shadow A: Yeah, actually.
Shadow B: …
Shadow A: Mmm. Fingers still sticky. (Slurp.)
Shadow B: So, what did you have in mind?
Shadow A: I’d like to set up a few things of my own. Then, once all the pieces have gathered, then. Then you get to do your thing.
Shadow B: Hmm. Fair enough. I suppose I haven’t really been giving you much free reign, have I? Very well, do as you please. Just don’t interfere with my fun, alright?
There is now only one shadow in the room.
Crunch, crunch.
Shadow A: Don’t think I share your agenda, little miss xxxxxx. I’d like a little insurance if you’re going to continue gambling with the fate of my world. (Crunch, crunch.)
The shadow continued to grumble to himself.
Shadow A: Honestly, her and her xxxxxxx is really making me xxxxxx with xxxx and xxxxxx. If she wants to xxxxxx she can just xxxxxx while xxxxxx while she xxxxxxxx and I xxxxxxxxxx. (Crunch, crunch.) Oh, my show’s on.
The shadow nodded at the television, which regained the ability to speak.
Shadow A: (Crunch, crunch.) Hahaha, this never gets old. Hahahaha (crunch, crunch) hahahahahaaa!
Crunch, crunch.
Gulp.
Slurp.
INTERLUDE END
That seens pretty random. Anyway, where was Sahdow B if you don't get her scene? Doing something else, I hope?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vivify93
...So, in all seriousness, did Satou Mori come off as a pedophile to anyone other than me? I mean, sure, Itsuko's developmentally accelerated, but still.
...Holly f* you are right! I haven't noticed this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by vivify93
This is the first I've heard of this rule; was this enforced because Heath kept asking questions regarding your logic?
Well, is not like this will stop me. My name has two t, by the way. It is just a misstype, tough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
It makes him less of a pedophile and more of... I don't know.
Keep in mind that we have no idea how old Mori is.
He seens to be older then 18, at last. I would say over then 25. If Itsuko is 15, then he is still a pedophile, no matter how mature she is. He is not a lolicon, at last...
Oh, wait, I am not sure how the law work in Japan. The legal age is pretty early right? So he might not be considered a pedophile after all. (it is still creepy to me, tough, if you assume he is 10 years older)
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4: After School- Walking Home:
Walking Home Alone
I once heard that it’s actually easier on the human body to go uphill than it is to go down, but despite knowing that, I can’t help but feel as though the opposite is true.
I’m walking home now, alone, and at an earlier time than I usually do. This marks a monumentous end to my hectic first week back at school.
…Am I wrong for expecting something more?
With all that happened this week, what with the ripple noises, the temporal distortions, the mysteriously appearing food in my fridge, and the intruders (Haruhi’s “mutant”), I half thought there would have been something more… sinister at work. But so far, nothing has really happened.
…I wonder. Could all of those things be connected somehow? Is there something building up in the background that I’m not aware of…?
It’s possible. I should probably call Koizumi or Nagato tomorrow and talk about all this, though I don’t think they’ll want to hear about my fridge.
Or is all this just my imagination, and I just want something big to happen?
…A few years ago, that definitely would have been true. But now, I don’t know.
What do I want? What do I want out of life?
I wrote on my tanazaku that I wanted to be rich and have a big house with a garden where I can give a dog a bath. Simple wishes for 16 and 25 years in advance.
…But is that all I want out of life? Is it wrong to want more than simple financial stability?
I find myself thinking things like this a lot lately. It’s probably because I never saw myself taking care of the well-being of the universe when I first started high school.
Have I said this before? I’m ruminating.
I guess all I want is for my situation to be understood by someone else. I’d like some help here, actually. All this is too big a burden for me, and the other three are little help.
I sigh out loud.
And with that, I had arrived at the bike racks without realizing it.
One step at a time. First thing I’ll do is contact either Nagato or Koizumi tomorrow, and try to figure out what the root of the weird things this past week is. Then on Monday, I’ll try to smooth things over with Haruhi. We’ll take things from there.
No point in getting worked up over something that hasn’t happened yet.
Unless, of course, it’s already happened. Or, alternatively, is happening right
*KSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHH*
Walking Home With Haruhi
Kyon: Did you know that it’s actually easier on the human body to go uphill than down?
Haruhi: Really? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Kyon: You’d think so, yeah, but it isn’t, for some reason.
I’m walking home with Haruhi, an unusual occurrence. It also marks a monumentous end to my hectic first week back at school.
And so, to make sure nothing goes awry, and I really don’t have a Sunday dinner guest, I should make sure to deal with this.
Kyon: So, what’s really up? You’re not one to cancel a club meeting just because the faculty yelled at you.
A grumpy look.
Haruhi: Who gave you the right to be so perceptive? …It’s like I said earlier: Everything I try to do recently just… backfires. It’s depressing.
Kyon: And that’s not entirely true. The backfiring, I mean. Wasn’t everything we did over the summer a big success?
Actually, that backfired more than anything we’ve done so far, but…
Haruhi: I guess… but still, the past few days, they’ve been so… unfulfilling. There’s all this stuff going on, but it’s not leading anywhere. There’s no climax, you know?
I don’t know, but I can sort of understand, yeah.
Haruhi: And then, when I think like that, I start thinking about what I really want out of life. Maybe it’s just back-to-school blues, but…
If Haruhi Suzumiya starts having an existential crisis, I don’t know what will happen. Let’s try to keep that from happening.
Kyon: Well, what was it you wrote on your tanazaku again? That you want the earth to rotate backwards? And that you wanted the whole world to revolve around you?
Isn’t that what you want out of life?
Another grumpy look.
Haruhi: Those are things that are supposed to happen sixteen and twenty-five years from now! What on earth am I supposed to do in the meantime? Also, I’m surprised you of all people even remembered my wishes.
Kyon: How should I say this…? They’re the kind of wishes that are hard to forget.
Haruhi: Hmmph.
Kyon: …You know, Haruhi, I’ve been thinking.
Haruhi: What?
Kyon: What if the gods don’t just grant wishes for no reason? What if they only grant them to people that deserve them, to people who work hard for their wishes?
[Note: I stole this from Umineko, sue me, but I think it’s a fairly universal concept.]
Haruhi: …
Kyon: So if you really want the earth to rotate backwards, I’d say you should aim to make that happen.
Another grumpy look—no, wait, it’s a smile.
Haruhi: Stupid. That’s not the Tanabata wish I can actually aim for, is it?
No, I guess it’s not.
Haruhi: …Thanks for trying to cheer me up, though.
No trouble at all. The safety of the universe, and my emotional-well being, depends on it.
That’s my only motivation here.
Without either of us noticing, we had arrived at the bike racks at the bottom of the hill, and this is where our ways part, I suppose.
Haruhi: I’ll see you on Monday.
Kyon: See ya.
…
I should make absolutely sure she’s fine.
Kyon: By the way, about our search for evidence of the mutant turning up nothing… I said before, right? They’re not careless enough to let you find them in one day.
Haruhi: Stop trying to comfort me by spouting out sappy lines, Kyon. Later.
Geh. I’m rather proud of that one, thank you very much.
At least she’s back to her usual self.
I seem to have to do keep doing that a lot recently, that is, cheer her up. Maybe it really is just back-to-school blues, as I’ve been feeling much the same way recently.
Especially in how there are weird things going on with seemingly no point to them.
I’ll have to contact Nagato or Koizumi tomorrow and bring this up, but there’s no point in worrying about things until they happen.
Unless, of course, they’ve already happened. Or, alternatively, are happening right
*KSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHH*
Walking Home With Tsuruya-san
Kyon: Did you know that it’s actually easier on the human body to go uphill than down?
Tsuruya: Huh, really? Never woulda guessed.
Kyon: It’s true.
I’m walking home with Tsuruya-san, who I’ve only really met once before this.
Exactly what am I supposed to talk about?
For that matter, she’s still attached to my arm. The rest of the students in the Going Home Club are staring at this blatant public display of affection. This is extremely awkward. Please let go of me, Tsuruya-san.
Tsuruya: Nope~.
Worth a shot.
I am extremely, extremely glad that Haruhi went home early. I do not want her to see me like this. Of course, since rumors have a way of getting back to her somehow, I’ll have to find a way to defuse this eventually.
Argh, and why is the only thing I can think of in this situation is how Haruhi is going to react? I can’t believe myself. I’ll never get a girlfriend like this.
Kyon: So, um…
Tsuruya: How’re things in tha Brigade?
Kyon: Uh, well, as strange as they usually are.
Tsuruya: Mikuru-chan said somethin’ about hunting all over tha school for a “mutant” o’ some kind…
Kyon: Aha. Ahaha. That’s just our Brigade Chief being paranoid of rumors.
Is she trying to push her breasts up against my arm like that? This is making it hard to think.
Tsuruya: Ah, yeah, rumors can be troublesome. This one probably started with that lunatic running all around the school. I tried to use my “senpai’s authority” to stop him, but, well, he wouldn’t stop.
Ahaha you certainly have a lot of authority Tsuruya-san wait what?
I stop short.
Kyon: You actually met him?
Tsuruya: Eh? Why so serious all of a suddens?
Kyon: What did he look like? Please, I have to know, Tsuruya-san.
Tsuruya: Um, well, he was pretty tall… about Itsuki-kun’s height, and… he didn’t really look like anything, ta be honest with ya.
Someone nondescript. Hmm.
Kyon: So you wouldn’t recognize him if you saw him again?
Tsuruya-san, in thought, unconsciously leaned against me. Gah.
Tsuruya: Hmm, probably not, nah. I don’t have a good memory for faces, ya see.
Kyon: Ah, that’s okay, Tsuruya-san.
That’s too bad, but I guess it’s better that I don’t get uninvolved people involved in this. Speaking of which, can you let go now, Tsuruya-san?
Tsuruya: But if ya’d ask me what tha girl looked like, hooo boy, she’s pretty distinct. My memory of her is as clear as day, nyoro~.
Tsuruya-san ends her sentence in an extremely cute fashion as she explains about the girl wait. What girl?
Tsuruya: Obviously pretty short. Still taller than Mikuru-chan, but bless her, everyone’s taller than Mikuru-chan. Not much in tha chest department, though she made up for it by having this reaaaally cute ponytail. …Though, her personality didn’t seem too pleasant, the way she glared at me like that.
…A short, petite girl with a ponytail with an unpleasant personality.
There’s lots of those, I’m sure, but one person I’d never seen before until this morning comes to mind. A person I even gave Tsuruya-san’s shoes to.
…God dammit.
Goddammit!
She was with the intruder. So that’s why she was trying to steal my shoes!
Wait, on second thought, that doesn’t make much sense either. …Still, I’m going to have a few things to say next time I see her. Thank you very much for that, Tsuruya-san.
At that moment Tsuruya-san’s grip on my arm got even tighter, cutting off my circulation. As a result, the sensation of a pair of small, fluffy pillows pressing against me got even more intense.
Kyon: Ghhhh! I—what? What’s wrong?
For Tsuruya-san had dropped her usual smile, and was focusing on a point about twenty meters behind us.
Kyon: Tsuruya…san?
Tsuruya: Eh? Oh! Sorry, Kyon-kun! Nyahaha! Got distracted there for a minute!
She then noticed my hard-to-describe expression.
Tsuruya: Oh, am I squeezin’ ya too hard? Sorry, sorry.
Her grip loosens. Thank god, I was either about to lose my lower arm, or my sanity.
Tsuruya: Welp, c’mon then, time’s a wastin’! Let’s go!
She pulls me forward, and I have no choice by to comply.
In due course, we reach the bike racks at the bottom of the hill. This is (un)fortunately where I will have to separate with Tsuruya-san.
I tell her this, and she finally loosens her hold. I feel as though a great weight has been lifted from me.
Tsuruya: Ah, that’s fine. I usually get my driver to pick me up here anyways. Ah, here he comes now!
In any case, now that I’ve actually met one of the intruders (Girl A) I have to inform Nagato of this. I’ll be sure to call her first thing in the morning, when I’m fully rested.
I’ll have to figure out a way to explain away Tsuruya-san’s weird behavior when Haruhi inevitably finds out, also. And is that a limousine?!
Tsuruya: Er, yeah, haha, my family’s pretty well-to-do. Didn’ ya know?
Kyon: No, no I did not, actually.
I would not describe a family that possesses enough limousines to spare one on picking their daughter up from school as simply “well-to-do”. In fact, I get the feeling I may have to worry about rumors making their way to her father, or perhaps her Family, as well.
What have you gotten me into, Tsuruya-san?
Tsuruya: Welp, I guess I’ll see ya around, Kyon-kun.
Kyon: Uh, yeah, yeah, see ya.
I give a quick wave and turn towards where I park my bicycle every morning. I don’t want her driver to get a good look at my face.
A tap on my shoulder. By reflex, I turn around.
Tsuruya: Ah, that’s right. Almost forgot~.
She stands on the tips of her toes, and reaches around my neck, pulling me downward.
…! Her face is… so… close…!
And then, closing her eyes, she
*KSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHH*
Walking Home With Girl A
Kyon: Did you… know that…. it’s actually easier on the human body… to go uphill than down?
Girl A: Yeah, I…. I heard something about that once. Something about how… your limbs are actually better at it…. Or something.
Kyon: …Something like that.
I’m walking home with a girl I’ve pretty much never met before. A fitting end to a weird, weird week.
I’m also carrying an LCD monitor, and panting really hard. The reason for the latter is that we’re now at the bottom of the huge hill that our school sits on top of, having run down here in retreat from an angry Computer Research Society.
…I’m beginning to regard events like this as normal. Someone help.
Girl A: God… I hate that hill.
Kyon: So do I. Every day, up and down…
Girl A: The city should just get it over with and install an escalator.
Kyon: My thoughts exactly.
My kingdom for an escalator!
Of course, then it would have been much easier for the Computer Society to catch up to us.
Girl A: Speaking of which, here they come now!
Kyon: Tenacious, aren’t they…
Girl A runs inside the bike compound, runs straight to my bike, oddly enough, and… unlocks it?
Kyon: Hey, how did--?
Girl A: You’re slow. Get on.
Kyon: Yes, mistress. Who’s pedaling?
Girl A: You, of course. You think my feet can reach those pedals?
Kyon: Good point.
CSP: Death to those who would shame the Computer Research Society!
I shove the monitor in the basket in the front of my bike; I’ll have to keep it steady with one hand, I guess. Girl A hops onto the seat, her arms on my shoulders.
Kyon: We’re gonna be going fast, so you might want to hold on tighter than that.
Girl A: Hmm? Sure, I guess that’s fine.
She folds her arms around my body, and I can feel a softness pressing against my back. So, she has breasts after all, huh…?
CSP: You will pay for what you have taken from us!
And now is not the time to be thinking about that!
We clear the compound just as the President and his goons reach it. A narrow escape!
CSP: Nooooooooooooooo!
His cry of anguish resounds in our ears as I pedal in an effort to gain a lot of distance. Closer at hand, Girl A is trying not to laugh.
Girl A: Pffffffffhahahahahahaha!
And failing. And, for some reason, I start laughing too.
Kyon: Hahahahahahahaha!
Girl A: Ahahahahahahaha!
We must look even loonier than before.
Kyon and Kyonko: Hahahahahahahahahaha!
What a rush.
---
The Computer Society President sat in the middle of the bike racks in tears, utterly defeated. His minions, gathered around him, offered him words of encouragement. But he paid them no heed.
Eventually, however, he got to his feet, brushed the dirt off his clothes, wiped his eyes, and lied to everyone that he was perfectly fine.
Spectacled Minion: So, uh, what do we do now, President?
CSP: Nothing. We wait.
Fat Minion: Wait?
CSP: Don’t you see? They’ll have to return to school on Monday. We can get our revenge then.
A sick, boiling laugh rose up in his throat.
CSP: Mwwwaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahhahaahaha! Glory to the Computer Reseaaaaaarch Societyyyyyy! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Fat Minion: A-Are you okay, boss?
Lightning struck. Even though there weren’t any clouds in the sky.
---
Kyon: …That’s probably what’s happening right now.
Girl A: Hahaha, that’s great. I love it!
It didn’t take long to get to Kitaguchi Station with that kind of adrenaline going through our veins.
Girl A: Seriously though, thanks for the ride, and all your help. I kind of wish I had more to offer you than seventy yen…
Kyon: It’s not really out of my way… although, you could answer a question for me, I guess.
Girl A: Sure. One question in payment, then.
Kyon: Could tell me where you got that new uniform from, just to satisfy my curiosity?
Girl A: …New uniform?
Kyon: The one I saw you in this morning was rumpled, as though you had slept in it. Also, you seem to have new indoor shoes that came out of nowhere.
Girl A: …Ah, you… noticed. Um. A friend of mine has connections, so she managed to get this to me today.
Kyon: The same friend you’re giving this stolen monitor to?
Girl A: Uh, yeah, actually.
An underground network of thieves, huh?
Girl A really seems to have trouble carrying the monitor by herself.
Kyon: You know, I could carry that for you the rest of the way…
Girl A: Oh, God, no. I mean, I’d be grateful, but the people I’m meeting, um, don’t take to strangers that well, so…
Kyon: You’re sure?
Girl A: Yes, yes, it’s fine.
Kyon: Well, see you around, then.
Girl A: See you around!
I realize as I watch her struggle with the monitor towards the café, that I never actually asked her name. I never thought of it, simply because… I somehow got the feeling I’d known her a long time?
I’d have called out to her, but… “one question”, huh?
I’m a moron.
The only thing left to do now is go home, and first thing tomorrow I’ll contact either Nagato or Koizumi, and try to figure out what the root of the weird things this past week is. I don’t doubt that they’re all interconnected.
And given the way she suddenly showed up, Girl A and her Thieves’ Guild are probably some part of this too.
And then on Monday, I’ll also have to smooth things over with Haruhi and try to avoid the attention of the Computer Research Society. …I wonder how much that monitor cost, anyway?
I certainly have a lot of things to
*KSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHH*
Refer to the now-Beta flowchart for how this is supposed to work, I guess.
Wow this was a lot of work.
Note: The static effects here have to extremely sudden for these to have the effects I want them to have.
I liked the interaction between both Kyons.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Technically his' first kiss that we know of was Haruhi, so...
True.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Here's some more.
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4, Interlude 05: The Search:
The Search
Grunt 1: We’re still not picking up anything.
Two men in military uniform sat at desk, discussing amongst themselves.
Grunt 2: I know the PDT System is still experimental, but the first time they tested it, it definitely worked.
This space on this desk was taken up by what looked very similar to an old telephone switchboard, except that it was not old, but sleek and new. The military grunts were hard at work flipping switches, punching buttons, and reading printouts.
Grunt 1: Well, that might be because they were only able to test it by tracking people in Closed Space.
Grunt 2: And that’s only the Brains can’t figure out how to slide yet.
Grunt 1: Yeah, they can’t even get teleportation down.
Grunt 2: Harder than it sounds.
Grunt 1: Still, Closed Space is still part of our own universe, right?
Grunt 2: No one really knows.
Grunt 1: So maybe that’s why we can’t track her down at all. The PDT doesn’t actually work.
Grunt 2: Don’t say that, or the last three hours will all have been a huge waste.
Grunt 1: Speaking of Closed Space… did you HEAR what happened at the main HQ?
Grunt 2: …Yeah. I heard. I saw the building, actually. Completely destroyed. All the people on the upper floors are missing, probably dead, and most of those on the lower floors are at the least injured.
Grunt 1: And, supposedly, it’s all because her and her friends are gone…
Grunt 2: And the world is falling apart as a result. Listen to the rain.
The first soldier listened. The rain was heavy.
Grunt 2: It’s been like that since this morning, and there’s no signs of it stopping. The meteorologists are baffled… Frankly, I think it’s terrifying what an unstable world we live—
A cough from the corner of the room silenced him.
The cough originated from a tall, brown-haired man smoking a cigarette, and, oddly, wearing what can only be described as a “spy outfit”. Black, form-fitting, with armor plates on the joints and fake muscles sown out of Kevlar.
Satou Mori considered the suit his “work clothes”. Everyone else thought he was slightly mad.
Satou: Oi. You two.
Grunt 2: Er, yes, sir?
Satou: Any progress on finding Itsuko-chan?
Grunt 1: No, no sir, unfortunately, the PDT isn’t picking up anything. The machine might not actually be capable of—
Satou: Tch.
Satou Mori flicked his cigarette at them.
Satou: I’ll tell you why it isn’t working. It isn’t working because you lack love.
Grunt 1: ……Sir?
Satou: Love. The key to using that machine is the simplest, and yet most complex emotion of all. Love. Do you, Corporal, have a woman in your life?
Grunt 1: Well, no, sir, my job doesn’t afford me the time for—
Satou: Exactly. You, Other Corporal. Do you have a woman in your life?
Grunt 2: Well, I’m gay, sir.
Satou: Then do you have a man in your life?
Grunt 2: No, sir, it’s kind of difficult to find a—
Satou: Exactly. The PDT system isn’t working because neither of you can feel love. You lack the capacity to reach across the heavens, the infinite heavens, and touch the tender, sweet hands of the one that you hold most dear.
Grunt 2: Uh, so, what do you suggest we—
Satou: Move aside, soldier. I will use this machine. I will find Itsuko-chan. With love.
The two soldiers quickly got of the way as Satou Mori approached the PDT system and sat down. He immediately began flipping switches and punching buttons in a complicated pattern.
It was clear to even an amateur’s eyes that he had no idea what he was doing.
Grunt 1: Uh, sir, I don’t think this is a good—
Grunt 2: Leave it. He’ll have figured it out in ten minutes, and then he’ll be doing our job for us. Let’s go on break.
However, they only made it a few steps outside the door of the PDT room when they were addressed by a very large man in combat gear who clearly outranked them.
Officer: You two. Where is Agent Satou Mori?
The two soldiers snapped smartly to attention.
Grunt 1: Sir! In the room behind us, sir! He volunteered to take over for us while we took our break, sir!
The voice of an old woman came out from behind the hulking officer.
???: Now now, there’s no need to be so nervous. At ease, gentlemen.
The soldiers complied, although their minds were most definitely not at ease. Stepping out from behind the scary officer was another, even scarier person.
She was an old woman in combat gear. Her nametag read “Arakawa”.
The first soldier began to sweat noticeably. The second one was able to keep his cool until the other person stepped out from behind the large officer.
He was a young man with a serene smile and curly hair, wearing a high school uniform.
Kimidori: Emori Kimidori. It’s very nice to meet you all.
Everyone in the Agency knew what it meant when a random high school student showed up at HQ. Especially one wearing that distinct blue blazer.
It meant trouble.
Arakawa: You can tell that kid that he can stop working so hard. …I can hear him hitting the buttons from out here.
It was true. You could.
Kimidori: In fact, you can tell him that I’ve found them.
INTERLUDE END
This is where we break from the outline a lot. Why? Because Day 4 would suck otherwise. (The first rule of Project Tsuji is you do not ask questions.)
LOOOOOOOOOOOVE.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon
Spoiler for September the Fifth, Day 4, Interlude 06: Acceleration in the Dark Room:
Acceleration in the Dark Room
A shadowed person sits in a very dark room, which is lit only by the light of a tiny, old TV. Currently, the television is tuned into some kind of comedy show.
Shadow A: (Crunch, crunch.) Hahaha, this is bloody hilarious. (Crunch, crunch.)
The shadow is eating trail mix.
Crunch, crunch.
All of a sudden, there’s another shadow in the room. No flash or bang, just a sudden appearance.
It would be unsettling, to non-shadows.
Shadow A: Oh hey, you’re back. (Crunch, crunch.) Have fun today?
Shadow B: Why, exactly, did you go out without me, Number Two? I told you stay inside.
Shadow A: Wait a minute, my (crunch, crunch) show is on. Just wait until it goes to commercial. It’s nearly there anyway.
A few minutes passed.
Crunch, crunch.
Some commercial about a product no one needs lit up the room. The newcomer shadow looked at the television, which muted itself.
Gulp.
Shadow A: So, what were we talking about?
Shadow B: Why you decided to take a walk without telling me.
Shadow A: Ah, you saw. I thought you did.
Shadow B: Explain, please, if you would.
Shadow A: Well, look at it from my (crunch, crunch) perspective. You’re the only one who gets to (crunch, crunch)—
Shadow B: Stop eating the trail mix or I’ll shove it up a few choice locations.
Shadow A: Yes’m. (Gulp.) You’re the only one getting to have any fun.
Shadow B: So…?
Shadow A: You’ve also only really been messing around with one of them. How about some (slurp) fair play?
Shadow B: That’s just how I do things, as you know, Number Two. Do you have a problem with that?
A voice like warm ice.
Shadow A: Yeah, actually. The way things are right now, they’re pretty boring. Predictable.
That was the wrong thing to say, from one shadow to another.
Shadow B: Oh, and you think you could do better?
Shadow A: Yeah, actually.
Shadow B: …
Shadow A: Mmm. Fingers still sticky. (Slurp.)
Shadow B: So, what did you have in mind?
Shadow A: I’d like to set up a few things of my own. Then, once all the pieces have gathered, then. Then you get to do your thing.
Shadow B: Hmm. Fair enough. I suppose I haven’t really been giving you much free reign, have I? Very well, do as you please. Just don’t interfere with my fun, alright?
There is now only one shadow in the room.
Crunch, crunch.
Shadow A: Don’t think I share your agenda, little miss xxxxxx. I’d like a little insurance if you’re going to continue gambling with the fate of my world. (Crunch, crunch.)
The shadow continued to grumble to himself.
Shadow A: Honestly, her and her xxxxxxx is really making me xxxxxx with xxxx and xxxxxx. If she wants to xxxxxx she can just xxxxxx while xxxxxx while she xxxxxxxx and I xxxxxxxxxx. (Crunch, crunch.) Oh, my show’s on.
The shadow nodded at the television, which regained the ability to speak.
Shadow A: (Crunch, crunch.) Hahaha, this never gets old. Hahahaha (crunch, crunch) hahahahahaaa!
My name has two t, by the way. It is just a misstype, tough
That's why I never double the "t". You yourself said it was a typo; if your name is Heath, then I'll say Heath. Sort of like how I'd call someone whose username was "SaylaGril" "SaylaGirl". Unless this hypothetical girl was shooting for "Grill" and not "Girl"... Then I'd call her "SaylaGrill", but you get my point.
...So, in all seriousness, did Satou Mori come off as a pedophile to anyone other than me? I mean, sure, Itsuko's developmentally accelerated, but still.
My first impression was Alex Louis Armstrong, but less muscular.
That's why I never double the "t". You yourself said it was a typo; if your name is Heath, then I'll say Heath. Sort of like how I'd call someone whose username was "SaylaGril" "SaylaGirl". Unless this hypothetical girl was shooting for "Grill" and not "Girl"... Then I'd call her "SaylaGrill", but you get my point.
Ah, thanks for the consideration then. I did remember have already said it was a typo.
However. I am using "Heatth" from now on. After discovering is actually a common name I think having something to distinguish is good. So, while is a typo, I am stiking with it. (it is even my msn nick now)
But thanks anyway. It was kind of you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sute443
Am I the only one who had Umineko flashbacks when Mori was talking about love?
And I thinking he was inspired on Yusuke from Clannad. I guess I must stop being lasy and go play Umineko...
2009-10-05, 01:28
I haven't noticed this. 
