June 16, 1999 -- After school, School Library

[all_onis_are_true]

[Souji was definitely missing.

Hiroshi was unnerved. Souji was not the sort of guy to just up and disappear. Did something happen? Maybe if he looked through the newspapers, he'd be able to find some information that would be relevant.

For some reason, however, he found himself digging further back. A bit of a desperate maneuver, perhaps, but he was beginning to find a worrying trend. Souji was hardly the only mysterious disappearance. For such a small town, an abnormal number of people seemed to disappear. Some turned up dead. Others were never found again.

And then there were the other incidents. Murder-suicides, seemingly rational people convicted for murder. All from a tiny town like this.

He shook his head. Well, all towns had crime, right? Why should this one be any exception? It's only rational. But a weird, nagging feeling in the back of his head couldn't help but poke at things. Yeah murders happen... but here? And why so little investigation?

He leans back in his chair, trying to grasp the implications of things. Maybe this would be something legitimately of interest to the club... Ah, right. He should be heading over there now, huh.]

Comments

[all_onis_are_true]

The supply -- what?! Maya, if you would just explain -- ow!

[And so he is dragged!]

[independent_dollmaker]

[Brief silence in Maya's wake.]

Well, that was unusually bold of her.

[loveandwillpower]

Love must be in the air.

[independent_dollmaker]

Are you sure that was love? She sounded angry.

[kouyouensei]

[Coming over from another part of the library]

Yeah, Yamane was about to do... like, if they like each other, wouldn't they plan ahead a little more?

[loveandwillpower]

They say that love and hate are two sides of the same card.

[independent_dollmaker]

Do they say that? Love and hate seem pretty different to me.

[kouyouensei]

Does it really play out that way? I can get behind a foil but don't they agree to things in advance, at least fight on equal terms, challenge each other's ideas, find some common ground--

[How much has Haruhi thought about this]

[loveandwillpower]

Well, it doesn't have to be a serious love. Remember when that girl had a crush on Hiroshi in second grade and kept stealing his glasses?

[ Minako that was you. ]

[independent_dollmaker]

There's no way I would remember that.

[kouyouensei]

Same here.

[Really unimpressed.]

I just think it's not like either of them the way they are these days. Maya-chan was...

[Serious.]

Let's have a quality gossip sesh with her when she gets back.

[itwasfeyt]

No talk! You and me! Closet! Now!

[And they're off, out of the classroom and down the hall, Maya ignoring everything Hiroshi says before they get to the supply closet and she shoves him inside, shutting the door behind them.]

[all_onis_are_true]

[Hiroshi, being who he is, doesn't really make the same connections that Alice does. All he knows is he's been dragged in a closet, and now he's confused.]

All right, so we are... in a closet. May I ask what is going on NOW?

[itwasfeyt]

[she turns to face him, giving him the full force of her angry, puffed cheeks.]

No... I'm going to be asking the questions here! What are you planning, Hiroshi?!

[all_onis_are_true]

Huh? What do you mean, "What am I planning?" Planning for what?

[Is EVERYBODY going insane lately?]

[itwasfeyt]

Planning to murder everyone! Of course!

[She seems... pretty serious about this.]

1/3

[all_onis_are_true]

[Parsing...]

2/3

[all_onis_are_true]

[Parsing...]

[all_onis_are_true]

[Ding.]

WHAT?!

[Okay, it's technically whispered, but it's about as loud a whisper as you can get.]

[itwasfeyt]

I had a vision. After the ritual, when we we're all walking back! It was you, Hiroshi! You were killing Minako, Souji, and Nui!

[It's basically a loud whisper contest in here.]

It's like you were possessed by a spirit... By Shigetsuna-sama!

[all_onis_are_true]

I... what... that is ridiculous! Shigetsuna doesn't exist, and I certainly would have no reason for killing any of them! What is with everybody lately? I know Souji is missing, but that is no reason for us to lose our heads!

[itwasfeyt]

You kept saying that! But you were also saying crazy stuff! Like, "the ninth is dead". And you nearly attacked me and Maria!

It was a sign, Hiroshi!

[all_onis_are_true]

Ugh... this is ridiculous! I will have you know I am perfectly sane and...

[He trails off. Frowns. Counts on his fingers.]

...Maya... how many people did we tell we were going to do that ceremony to again?

[itwasfeyt]

Umm... [Pausing mid-rage, she thought about it.]

I'm not sure. Everyone in the club?

[all_onis_are_true]

[He counts on his fingers, his mouth moving silently.]

...Nine. There are... nine of us in the club.