Well, this is a somewhat surprise, ain't it?

After almost two years of no Haruhi related writing, I have decided to return to the beloved series that first gave me minimal notoriety as a writer around these parts. For awhile, I was toying with what I'd do with my series and if I'd even continue The Infinity of Haruhi Suzumiya in the first place. But about a month ago, I got inspiration and decided I would do something new.

This is that new thing. If you've read my story series from Attraction to Normalcy, you'll get a lot of little references in this unraveling tale. However, it is not a continuation of any of those stories, but rather a reboot. It's a different interpretation of what some have called my best story. A much better written and well-thought out interpretation, of course.

Now, if you haven't read any of my previous Haruhi tales, then this is a chance for you start fresh and read something new that I've concocted. Because honestly, this story will actually be finished, and this will most likely mark my final and greatest contribution to the Haruhi fandom. It's going to hopefully be a fun and memorable ride, so stay tuned.

It's good to be back. Enjoy the story, and expect regular updates. Just like it used to be.

~ Hejin57

How old was this bike of mine? As I sat atop the largest street incline I could find in this city, my foot on the brake to keep myself from plummeting downward, I couldn't help but allow myself to wonder the age of my sacred little vehicle. Thinking back, I believed that I've had since I was ten. Time does indeed fly.

You're probably wondering why I'm here in the first place. I've got my reasons. It's a Saturday night, and there's nothing to do. That, and I'm pretty sure that you have no idea what my situation is.

A long time ago, you might have been just like me. In fact, you might still be that way. Let's just assume that for the time being.

You have a strong belief in everything and anything extraordinary. You've dreamed of the day when you'll actually witness espers battling paranormal menaces in the streets. You've wondered when aliens will come visit our race, and what gifts or horrors they might bring. You've hoped for a sweet time traveler to come by your bedside, whisper in your ear, and then take you away to a happier future.

If all these things read true to you, then yes, we were once very alike. I used to believe in those things. I used to hope in my heart that they were true. I didn't know when they'd arrive in my life, or if even at all, but still I hoped.

Well, it's safe to say things have changed. I think differently now.

The funny thing is that my opinion did not change in the way I thought it would.

Today, in this modern day of human society, where we continue to go forward with our lives like ants in one giant colony, I now believe in these things; these espers, aliens and time travelers, more than ever. In fact, I know they exist, without a reasonable doubt.

How did I acquire such knowledge, you ask? Well, before you deduce that I am insane, there's someone you should talk to if you ever get the chance.

She's just a girl. An extraordinary, bossy, and overly eccentric girl. What's her name, you ask?

It's Haruhi. Haruhi Suzumiya. And she, believe it or not, was the reason for everything.

After over a year and half hiatus...

Hejin57 presents

~THE DIVERGENCE OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA~

Haruhi...at times, it has felt like you were a huge thorn in my side. What good have you done for me? Dragged me into a club I never intended on joining, rendered me helpless as you abused poor Asahina-san, and treated me as little more than a glorified lackey.

But despite the pain, and despite my constant annoyance towards you, you've managed to do something useful. You've kept my life interesting. How would I have ever guessed that you'd be the closest thing to God that I'd ever known?

So now that these facts have been established, why is it then that I'm on this incline, waiting for the moment when I decide to take my foot off the brake? I'll be honest to you. Haruhi...she hasn't been the most interesting person for the last few weeks.

Our last weekend city search took place last month. Since then, Haruhi has regularly canceled Brigade meetings after school for no apparent reason. When we do have club meetings, I find myself playing chess against Koizumi the whole time and drinking up Asahina-san's sweet tea. Nagato sits in her usual corner, reading yet another science fiction novel that I don't recognize. Our leader is at the computer, a bored look on her face as she probably surfs the web with no real goal in mind.

All in all, we've done nothing for the last few weeks. Before I had really been a part of the club, before I had really gotten to know Haruhi, I wouldn't have seen this as so much of a problem. But now that I know the truth about all four of my fellow SOS Brigade members, a majority of my being longs for excitement.

And since Haruhi isn't delivering, I've had no choice but to trust in the excitement that this incline might provide. Finally, after what seemed like eons of internal struggle, I take my foot off the break.

My bike rolled forward slowly at first, as if some invisible force was holding it back but gradually failing. I could feel the bike speeding up soon enough, and in seconds I find myself staring ahead as the air around me flies by. I can hear the sound of rubber scratching the ground below. Street lights fly by like globules of light. I rushed past a stop sign, a closed store, a few parked cars, and it seemed like this ride was beginning to deliver the ecstasy I've been wanting all this time.

I closed my eyes and tried to take in everything around me. The wind, the sound of my bike speeding downward; the whole atmosphere was becoming enchanting. Opening my eyes again, I noticed too late that this little excursion might not have been the smartest decision.

From the top of the street, I would have never noticed the medium-sized pothole waiting for me at the bottom. I felt my bike fly up from beneath me as the front tire fell forward into the hole. The speeding world around me came to a agonizing halt as I became weightless for the brief moment. Then came the pain when my body hit the sidewalk, shoulder first. I tried not to yell, but a loud grunt of pain still escaped from lips.

And so for the next few minutes, I laid on the ground, wishing silently that the pain would just magically disappear. When it didn't, I mustered up the courage to get myself up and retrieve my bike. The back wheel was still spinning when I reached it, and though it killed my shoulder, I managed to pull it out of the hole. Mounting my vehicle, I couldn't help but check the time.

Eleven minutes to ten. It was getting late, and I probably should have been home awhile ago. The shortest route would be up that incline, but with the condition my shoulder was in, their was no way in hell I was going to trudge back up there. Sighing to myself, I made my way around the nearest street corner.

I guessed I'd be a little late coming home. Was that really so bad?

My watch told me that it was approaching five minutes past ten, and luckily, I was only a block away from home. Kicking it up a notch, I ignored the pain in my shoulder as I pedaled faster.

Reaching the street I lived on, a smile formed on my face as I thought about the warm bed waiting for me up in my room. But as I readied myself to continue, something stopped me from putting my foot on the pedal again.

From where I was, I could see Haruhi up ahead on the sidewalk. The weird part about it all was that she was walking away from the direction that I was going. I couldn't help but wonder what was she doing around here at this time?

Was she looking for me? From what I could discern, it was just Haruhi, unless the esper, alien and time traveler had gained the ability to become invisible, and they were in on some cruel joke Haruhi was playing on me right now. But that was a little too ridiculous of notion now that I think about it...even for Haruhi.

Maybe Haruhi was looking for me after all. I wondered why. For all I knew, it was probably something stupid that could have been resolved more reasonably. But knowing Haruhi, nothing ever seemed reasonable.

And so, I let her go on her way without revealing myself to her. When she was completely out of sight, I made my way home. After I'd put my bike away and gotten a quick bite from the refrigerator, I could feel my body beginning to unwind as I crawled into bed.

My shoulder stung a bit, but it wasn't too bad. Still, I wondered if Haruhi had really been looking for me before. Maybe if I had come a little earlier I would have run into her. I laughed internally, and one of Koizumi's speeches about parallel universes and the possibilities echoed in my thoughts.

It was a little ridiculous, but my mind couldn't help but think that maybe there was a what-if scenario like that out there. Maybe some other version of myself, in some other version of this universe, ran into Haruhi before she could leave. Maybe that version was even home when she came looking. But what would she want anyway?

"I'm spending the night at your house, Kyon! It's necessary for the Brigade Chief to bond with her lackeys!" Haruhi said, her face practically glowing in the night.

Imagining those words, and the look on Haruhi's face, I laughed out loud this time. Even for her, that would be highly unlikely.

And so, with my thoughts slowly slipping away from me, my mind gave into the bliss of sleep. Tomorrow was another day, and it was then that I would probably ask Haruhi about seeing her on this night...

The morning hike. Have I said before that it always made be feel like Sisyphus? Like the boulder he was forced to roll up a mountainside, going on my daily hike felt like it would be for eternity as well. In reality, I had only about another year and a half of doing it, but even that was still awhile.

My shoulder had only gotten slightly better since last night. I should have probably gotten it checked out, but for some reason I felt too lazy to do so. Now I could only hope that Haruhi wasn't in the mood to give us any excessive labor to do later today. That would definitely not be in my favor.

My journey to homeroom was Taniguchi-free, for once. Usually he catches up with me on the hike to school, but this time he was notably absent. In the back of my mind, I remembered Taniguchi's reaction when he had found out the rumor that Tsuruya had a crush on someone in my class. He had been utterly crazed about it when I last spoke to him, so I'm guessing he's spending more time trying to find out Tsuruya's new love interest rather than join me on my hike.

And honestly, I couldn't wish for more. That guy can be a real annoyance. But still not in Haruhi's league, of course.

And on the topic of Haruhi Suzumiya, she was in her usual seat behind me as I entered our homeroom. Haruhi's eyes were focused on whatever was outside, and it seemed to me like one of those times where she could possibly be deep in thought. So maybe this wasn't the best time to talk to her.

"Hey Haruhi."

I guess I have little self-control. No, this kind of thing was tradition by now.

I heard Haruhi grunt or grumble. Not much of a response.

"Bored again?" I asked her, knowing the answer would be quite obvious.

Haruhi gave me a very serious glare, and I could easily tell that she had interpreted my question as a stupid one. Lucky me.

"What do you think? Of course I'm bored, Kyon! When was the last time something exciting happened around here? As far as I know, we've gotten nothing so far!"

And that's your problem, Haruhi. You don't know. Between closed spaces, Nagato remaking the world, the endless summer vacation, and our first experience with you almost destroying the world because of your own melancholy, it's safe to say that plenty of exciting stuff has been happening around here. You're just unaware of it all.

"I guess we've got an unlucky streak. It happens to all great organizations once in awhile."

I held in the urge to laugh at my own statement. Calling the SOS Brigade a great organization is like calling the Eva 01 cute. They're just not very compatible when used in the same context.

"Well, for your information, Kyon...we're not JUST a great organization. We're the SOS Brigade, and we accept nothing less than perfection. And if I had things my way, we'd have aliens landing on the school track, waiting for us to come meet them!"Haruhi declared, and her voice was becoming so loud that I was beginning to think we were drawing attention to ourselves.

Wait a second...what am I saying? She'd draw attention to herself if she walked into a damn room. I bet that idiot Taniguchi was already snickering to himself over there...

It was about this time that I remembered what I was going to ask Haruhi.

"Hey" I began, treading carefully with my words, "I could have sworn I saw you walking near my street the other night."

Haruhi seemed surprised at my statement. She crossed her arms and replied with noticeable uneasiness in her voice.

"You need to get your eyes checked, Kyon. I've got more important things to do than to go looking for you. You better get that through your thick skull quickly!"

Maybe it was my imagination, but it almost seemed like Haruhi was turning a little red. I decided that I would leave this ambiguous for the time being.

"I'm just saying what I saw. Maybe it was someone who looked like you."

Yeah, that's a stretch. But this wasn't the time to argue with Haruhi.

"Maybe it's an alien who became my doppelganger. Or maybe you just have an overactive imagination. Anyway, I'm going to go do some research during the lunch break, so it's your job today to make sure the club room isn't all messed up for after school. If I come back and it's not spotless, they'll be a major fine for you to pay!"

I looked at Haruhi and wondered why she had to tell me to do such a dreaded task.

"But Asahina-san keeps the room tidy all the time. Wouldn't I just be messing up her excellent handiwork if I tried cleaning it myself?" I said to Haruhi, hoping I would get through her thick skull for once.

"Mikuru-chan is busy during the lunch break. That's why you're going to do it. The Brigade Chief has no time for excuses." Haruhi stated, and it was about this time that I realized it was no use. In the end, my shoulder would be in just a little more pain after today.

Forgive me for trying to use you as an excuse, Asahina-san. As you might understand, sometimes Haruhi makes us act in very questionable ways.

When lunch break came, I found myself in my alternate routine again. Instead of spending it with Taniguchi and Kunikida, I was heading to the clubroom. It was one of my rituals by now, but instead of sacrificing virgin girls, I was sacrificing myself to appease a God. But in all honesty, I've stopped being annoyed about it like I used to be. Despite how much Haruhi can get on my nerves, I still come to her club.

Maybe's it's Asahina-san's tea. Maybe I'm just there to listen to Koizumi. Maybe I'm lecherous and like to stare at Nagato. No, definitely not that.

Either way, it doesn't really matter why I went. The point was that I still went.

Opening the door to the clubroom, I was greeted by two familiar faces. Well, only one of them actually greeted me.

Koizumi looked more serious than usual, but he still took the time to acknowledge my existence.

"Kyon-kun. Good to see you."

Nice to see you too, esper. I took my usual seat, giving Nagato a passing glance. She had ignored me so far. Peering over, I could see she was reading another one of her sci-fi novels. Something new, I guessed.

"So what theory are we discussing today? Haruhi's not here, so it's practically an open forum." I said sarcastically, but Koizumi didn't even chuckle. He set his hands neatly in front of him, and something was already telling me that this was no time for jokes.

"It's funny you asked. Would you happen to know anything about the concept of a parallel universe?"

Strange how I was thinking about that just last night. Hopefully Koizumi wasn't reading my mind. But now that he's talking about parallel universes, I can only assume that Haruhi is the root cause of it all. To hell with assuming, I know it's all her fault already!

"I've heard of them. There's probably one where I'm either evil or a girl. What's your point?"

Koizumi chuckled this time. Putting his hands on his lap now, he directed his gaze at Nagato.

"I think Nagato-san can take it from here. As it is, I have little information on this matter. But I can assure you...it has everything to do with Suzumiya-san, as you might already be thinking."

My gaze now switched from the esper to the alien. Nagato closed her book, and looked directly at me. Her eyes showed such little emotion, but even that hint of restlessness in them was enough for me. I waited silently, wondering what this alien had to say.

"I have been given permission to relay forthcoming data. Though my alternate self is not aware of it, the data will continue to stream from its source point. Events are about to come to pass that were not projected by the Integrated Data Thought Entity. And you are the reason for this." Nagato told me, and as usual, I was not surprised. Whenever something happened, either Haruhi caused it, or I did. That was just the way it is.

"So what are you saying, Nagato? Is something wrong with the future or something? Maybe Asahina-san's people know about it." I asked, hoping for a less complicated answer, but knowing I'd probably get the opposite.

Nagato blinked once. Rarely do I see her do that.

"It has yet to be determined if they still exist."

What? I felt my heart skip a beat. Now this was getting a little more serious than I had previously thought.

"What does this all mean, Nagato?"

A simple question. All I wanted was a simple answer.

The lithe alien girl seemed unable to say anything for a moment, as if she was processing everything that had just been said. Then, she opened her mouth, and her voice was strangely quiet, but grave as well. Still, I could somehow make out her words.

"Divergence has begun."

Divergence. If I had only known then what would be in store for me from here on out. Divergence was just a word, of course, but when it came to Haruhi Suzumiya, that single word had suddenly become so much more...

Divergence begins, and what a beginning it was. Hope you've enjoyed it. A new chapter will arrive soon enough!