Free The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa Page A

Perhaps this Asahina was from an earlier time than the previous one. I have no idea. I had no way of knowing. The only thing I did know was that I’d be running into the Asahina from a different time period again.
    I carried Asahina on my back and she wasn’t exactly light, but at the same time, I wouldn’t say she was heavy, so she was somewhere in between the two. Naturally, my steps began to slow. I’d be inclined to blame the innocent-looking face that was softly breathing into my ear. The back part of my neck she’d been breathing on was all itchy.
    I did my best to avoid being seen by any people walking by as Ifollowed the directions from the adult version of Asahina. I must have walked for approximately ten minutes through an increasingly uninhabited area. I turned a corner to arrive at my destination.
    East Middle School. A place I knew as Taniguchi’s and Haruhi’s old school. Speaking of which, a familiar-looking person was clinging to the school gate. I couldn’t possibly mistake the small shadow who was attempting to climb the metal gate.
    “Hey.”
    I began having doubts upon opening my mouth. The fact that I could recognize this person was quite a mystery, if I do say so myself. I could only see this person’s back and she was noticeably shorter. Her straight, black hair was at a length that couldn’t be classified as long or short.
    Maybe it was because I couldn’t think of any other acquaintances who would be determined to climb over the school gate late at night.
    “What is it?”
    I was finally starting to feel like I had gone back three years in time. In fact, I actually had gone back in time.
    The face that turned to look at me while she remained clinging to the gate was definitely younger than the face of the SOS Brigade chief I knew. But there was no doubt that those shining eyes belonged to Haruhi. The fact that she was haphazardly dressed in a T-shirt and shorts didn’t make any difference. At this point, three years ago, Haruhi was a first-year in middle school. Was she the one Asahina wanted me to assist?
    “Who are you? A pervert? Kidnapper? Awfully suspicious.”
    The hazy glow of the streetlight illuminated the surrounding area. I couldn’t read the minute expressions on her face, but the middle school first-year Haruhi was obviously glaring at me as though I was a suspicious person. Between her sneaking into school in the dead of night and my wandering around carryinga sleeping girl on my back, which would be considered more suspicious behavior? There’s a question I don’t really want to think about.
    “What are you doing here then?”
    “Isn’t that obvious? I’m trespassing.”
    You don’t have to announce your criminal activities to the world. There are times when you shouldn’t be aggressive.
    “Perfect timing. I don’t know who you are, but if you’ve got time, give me a hand. Or I’ll call the cops.”
    I should be the one calling the cops on you. Still, I made a promise with the other Asahina. But yeah, I go back in time and I still have to deal with Haruhi Suzumiya.
    Haruhi hopped down from the gate and opened the padlock on the bar. “Why do you have the key?”
    “I stole it when I had the chance. Piece of cake.”
    That totally makes you a thief. Haruhi slowly slid the metal school gate open and beckoned me inside. I approached the girl, who stood about a head shorter than she would be in three years, and readjusted my hold on Asahina.
    As soon as you passed through the main entrance to East Middle School, you would be on the school grounds and the school building was located beyond. Haruhi began walking across the dark grounds in a diagonal direction.
    It’s a good thing that it’s dark. She won’t get a clear look at my face or Asahina’s this way. Certainly, Haruhi had never entertained the notion that she’d run into Asahina and me back during her first year of middle school, so we needed to keep it that way.
    Haruhi headed straight toward the