8th: The Resolution of Haruhi Suzumiya

[godbent]

[Voice]

[...Okay, she can do this. She's normal, finally (or so she'd like to convince herself) and because of that it's time to get to business.]

...Okay, Brigade, if you didn't get the memo yet we've lost a lot of members- including Naoki and Yoohoo, among others. [Her voice dips. But then there's a slapping sound and she presses on, her tone getting brighter] But that's beside the point! New feathers, there's a lot of you guys now, and old feathers too, some of you guys must want some excitement in your life, right?! Ever feel that budding sense of your existence here being meaningless?! Well, think no further, because for a short time only the SOS-Brigade is accepting applications for new members to our illustrious ranks!

But some of you might think "Wow I'm lame and have been living under a rock and/or haven't read the guide, what is this completely amazing sounding organization," right? Since you asked, I'll answer free of charge!

[and the following part is transcribed with writing as well as spoken. The symbol itself is shown to the journal in the form of her putting a photo-copied version of it up to the camera]

The Spreading Excitement All Over the World with Haruhi Suzumiya Brigade - SOS-Brigade for short - is the greatest organization ever invented. We're dedicated to finding and solving all the mysteries of this world, thus ensuring that everyone in it can lead a fun and worthwhile life! It's like a form of enlightenment! So basically, people who have experienced something mysterious in the past, have experienced something mysterious recently, or who plan on a mysterious experience in the near future should come to the SOS Brigade for them be solved.

But besides that, we have ensure that people have fun! We have big plans for the coming months! It's Spring, and while we obviously won't get Golden Week, there's always time and need for another Hanami or for contests, attractions, fireworks once we get summer, the beach, the lake, you name it, we're on it! You should fully expect your life to be influenced by our might in the near future! I hope your bodies are ready for it!

So there you have it! And, like I said, we're accepting applications! So hurry up and speak up so that I, Haruhi Suzumiya, can process you and determine if you have the right stuff!

[Action]

[Buuut, once that announcement is made in ther break time for school at about 10:30 AM (and thus replies might be later in the day) Haruhi has places to be. She's being low-key about it, but it is White Day, after all. So, during her lunch break at school she sets off- she had her Winry Day yesterday, but she owes Winry something in return. Thus, with a bag over her shoulder around 12:30PM she's made her way to Winry's house to knock.

From there, back to school, finishing it up, the Brigade meeting... and then loitering around town is her MO for the afternoon. She got chocolate for all of the guys in the Brigade (plus Neku and maybe some others) after all, and even she's not voicing it she expects things back from there. ...And Minato. And Keiichi. But she's not going to press the issue there because even she's not sure she wants them. But if you see her lurking around the square in the afternoon that's why.]

Comments

[emp3thy]

[someone else is loitering around the square, off to the side. He's planning on waiting for the brigade meeting to end and then stalk catch up to Haruhi before she makes it home. He's sitting on a bench, with a box beside him.]

[godbent]

[AND OUT OF THE MEETING. Time to loiter around town this fine afternoon for a while. Where's a good- oh. there's Minato on a bench.]

[emp3thy]

[...Well, she spotted him.

He picks up the box and casually walks over.]

[godbent]

[She folds her arms to glare imperiously. MUST. Not run]

[emp3thy]

[and he.... holds out the box]

This is for you.

[godbent]

...Um. [...she takes the box with little fanfare]

Thanks.

[emp3thy]

Happy White Day.

[and just going to turn and... leave...

Inside the box is a carefully decorated cake with vanilla frosting and strawberries.]

[godbent]

...Yeah.

[she doesn't stop him or look in the box just yet, instead she just... nods. Yeah, that's the fair way to handle it]

[breaks_destiny]

[Guess who's also out of the meeting. He's actually looking out for Haruhi, sure, he brought her Sekai earlier before the meeting but... That doesn't really count as a gift, does it? It was mere luck that he found it.

So he's trying to catch her on her way around to give her what he got for her. He spots her and a retreating Minato quite easily. Nice, he was going to look out for Minato after he was done with Haruhi.]

Ah, Minato! Wait for me!

[Calling as he approaches to Haruhi.]

[emp3thy]

[He wasn't expecting Keiichi to catch up, but then he hadn't seen him leave the meeting yet so that's not actually surprising. Turning back around now to wait.]

[godbent]

[...Oh. Keiichi.

She frowns slightly but STONEFACEs and instead just watches Minato stop. You two is so gay seriously]

[breaks_destiny]

[With Minato effectively stopping, Keiichi focuses on Haruhi... On his defense he flusters a bit now wondering if maybe he should just say that Sekai was as good as a gift... Probably not.]

Uhm... Haru-chan, here, this is for you.

[Taking out from the bag he was carrying a... Pretty porcelain doll and giving it to her.]

Happy White Day.

[emp3thy]

[...A doll? Somehow... Haruhi doesn't seem like a doll person to him. But he'll wait for the reaction.]

[godbent]

[...What is this]

Haa-? [She tries to shift Minato's box to make room for the doll but. What is this. Keiichi are you cray cray?]

[breaks_destiny]

[Right, her hands are occupied.]

Do you want the bag too to carry it all?

[Offering it.]

[godbent]

[...] Yeah. Sure.

[She takes the bag and deftly puts both of those items in it. She frowns at the both of them but then shakes her head. She's still not sure what to make of this]

...Thanks.

[emp3thy]

[be careful with the cake box.... And what she should make of it is that her friends want to give her presents. He waits for Keiichi to decide what to do next.]

[breaks_destiny]

... You're welcome? Anyway, have a nice day.

[What are you saying thanks for? It's White Day, and you're a friend, it's natural they will give you gifts. Whatever, he turns and starts to go to Minato.]

[godbent]

[...Just like that? Her frown deepens and she inhales before exhaling. Should she tell them? Do they deserve to know? Does anyone? Is she ready to-? ...She's not sure. She figures she's said everything she needs to say to them at the hospital. Or other places, but now that the day is-]

...Hey, boys. Wait.

[This is in a quiet tone, not at all commanding]

[emp3thy]

[He hadn't started walking again, but that makes him turn to face Haruhi. What is it?]

[breaks_destiny]

[Well, Keiichi was walking though only as far as Minato himself was. He also turns to look at Haruhi.]

Yeah?

[godbent]

These... gifts. [She tightens her grip on the bag, but avoid looking down at it] What do they- ["imply" - no to vague] Are they- ["not obligatory" but of course they aren't, she expected these and. She thought she was okay with this.

She bites her lip. She inhales once more and then clenches and unclenhes a fist. She's trying really hard not to get mad. It would be so rewarding, so easy to get mad. But Keiichi in the hospital bed comes to mind. Finally, still with a weak voice because she cannot bluster up any confidence for this:]

Would either of you ask me out?

[emp3thy]

[what.... Haruhi, didn't you go over this at the hospital the other day? He'd thought it'd been ended there.] Do you want to be?

[breaks_destiny]

[What is that question. Is she asking them to ask her out or if they would ask her out? Minato steals the words from him though.]

.... No. Honestly, even if you wanted me to, I don't want to do that.

[Then again she probably won't believe him.]

[godbent]

[Minato's answer makes her face flatten, but then she second one makes her smile. Brightly, excitedly. Now that is the answer she wanted to hear! She even laughs a little, so relieved is she]

Good! I don't want to be asked out by either of you! [Even if she may or may not have feelings for Keiichi] That's what I wanted to hear! I knew you'd come through in the end, Keiichi!

[SO EXCITED to not be asked out]