[inkyubasu]

Originally Posted by Twisted Reality

That's certainly a take. It's probably why he disturbs Kyon so much is that Koizumi really has no compunctions about walking into a guy's or girls personal space for his own purposes, and with a smile. He does it with Haruhi anyway.

I always took it to be him teasing Kyon. There are a lot of hints to suggest that Koizumi might actually like Haruhi. Namely, that he openly expresses his jealousy for Kyon's and Haruhi's "unconscious bond of trust." He also admits that he admires Haruhi's energy and finds her attractive. Of course, we're not sure whether to take him all that seriously.

However, he certainly spends a lot of time worrying about Haruhi's mental status and is always constantly encouraging Kyon to look at things from Haruhi's perspective as a person and not just an insane girl to be brushed off. He really does care about her, but he has to look after her from a distance. It might not be surprising for him to be attracted to her, especially if he were to discover that Haruhi, was just in fact, a reasonably normal girl compared to what Haruhi's inner-spaces and powers might otherwise indicate.

But Haruhi picked Kyon. That's the end of that.

If his attraction to Haruhi is real, than it wins me respect points for him. He's such an accommodating character, but it never seems to drive him insane. He deliberately loses games to Kyon (even picks out different types of games). He's Haruhi's toadie. He nudges Kyon in Haruhi's direction when he can. He's Brigade's resident psychologist. He's Haruhi's Ritalin. And he does it all with an pleasant and effete demeanor. He's set himself up to be a facade. A half-person either Kyon's or Haruhi's eyes. He's nonexistent, invisible, as far as Mikuru or Yuki are concerned.

Spoiler for Also. . .:

In the alternate timeline, he's still fiercely protective of Haruhi. However, Haruhi apparently grew rapidly bored of Koizumi. Then Kyon shows up and reveals that he is "John Smith." In either world, Kyon is a man of mystery to Haruhi. Sadly, Koizumi loses again, even in the alternate timeline.

In any case, it's hinting that Koizumi would be attracted to Haruhi even if it weren't his job.

I also look through your examples and a lot of it can be interpreted otherwise.

Spoiler for Sasaki:

I don't remember the petal part, but I'm certain that Koizumi was just a bit offended that he thinks he'd get along with Sasaki just because they're superficially similar. Certainly, they both love philosophizing and going off into the deep end, but relationships are never really all that simple. Koizumi is simply pointing out that a man of facades would be necessarily compatible with Sasaki. Kyon might think he's too dissimilar to Haruhi, but if anything, it makes him perfectly compatible.

For the most part, he is taking this from Haruhi's point of view. Would Haruhi get jealous if Kyon suddenly revealed that he had a relationship with Sasaki in the past? Yes. Koizumi is simply revealing this to Kyon because he's interested in pushing Haruhi and Kyon together. If Kunikida and Taniguchi believed that there was something "special" going on here, why shouldn't Koizumi? Or Haruhi for that matter? This is yet another example of Koizumi forcing Kyon to empathize with Haruhi.

I also suspect that Kyon is actually the "power source," so to speak. Since I think Sasaki's unusual status is a result of Kyon's more-than passing interest in her. I believe Koizumi actually even speculates this.

Spoiler:

I also thought he liked Haruhi... even if it were just for the sake of the story (to give Kyon a rival) and in volume 4 I was certain, since in the Yuki-verse he liked her, and in the hospital he was jealous of Kyon... but there is evidence against it, and don't forget he didn't know Kyon in the Yuki-verse and at some point he even compared Haruhi to Kyon (["As for my standards, Suzumiya-san possesses traits that are likable. Of course, you possess them as well"] - Volume 2)

You said there are lots of clues about him liking Haruhi, and yes, there are in the first 5 volumes... however, about him liking Kyon there are a lot more, and they keep growing in numbers as we read the latest volumes...

Now, about him just teasing Kyon, I also thought it was because of that... but there are some examples that can't be understood from that perspective, for example:

- The "job" proposition... there is no point in him saying that just to mock Kyon as he didn't understand what Itsuki meant... and it's clear that he knew Kyon didn't understand it (since he started smiling just before saying the disturbing part)

- The character song... It's written as if he were talking to Kyon, so: "Am I a radical while in closed space?, I wish to put an end to the decay when I look at you... It's worrying" could have two meanings, or he hates/envies him a LOT (as much as to inspire rage just by looking at him... which I highly doubt it) or he likes him and would like to change the situation; both considering decay as his situation of just being a marionette in a greater play (the closed space in the lyrics)

- "Icchan"... that cracked me up while reading the translation... but when hearing it the drama, it's clear he was disappointed because Kyon didn't follow the idea... (even Nagato tried that one XD... Yuki-rin... cute)

- The comparison in volume 9... let me quote it from the translation...

["For example, if I have a friend of the opposite gender whom you do not know of suddenly appearing in front of you, how would you feel?"
"Do you have any?"
I lifted my body outwards while asking that. Even if this guy has a girlfriend behind my back, it wouldn't be surprising at all.
Koizumi gave a bitter smile.
"This example is perhaps not very good. My situation does not seem very appropiate in this case. So if Asahina-san had a very close male friend in the past, and they are still rather close even till now?"
Of course I wouldn't feel good about it.]

It's obvious he is using an example to help him and Haruhi to be closer (Isn't that a vital part of his mission?), yet he used himself as the subject of the example, while the most correct one would have been Asahina or, maybe in a lesser way, Nagato. He even looked disappointed when Kyon didn't care.
Koizumi is a smart chara, yet his example was totally out of context

- About the petal, he is holding it when he says that he wants to know Kyon's version of the story because he is a bit mindful as how he is seen through Kyon's eyes

About him being a facade, I totally agree, that's why I'm so attracted to the character, he is indeed a "mysterious transfer student", his real self is pretty much unknown... which makes him tasty for my intellect...

And that's also why, as I said in the first post, there is NO solid evidence on the matter... there are as many clues about him liking Haruhi as he liking Kyon... but the user Question asked about Koizumi's gay tendencies, so I recopiled the evidence on that scenario... yet, I'm sure I can do the same to state otherwise...