Rin's plan was (not) meticulously crafted: become an invisible observer, a phantom in the hallways of North High School, and most importantly, avoid Haruhi Suzumiya and her orbit at all costs. His initial thought was to turn into a shut-in, dedicating his free time to his PC and consoles. But he knew that wouldn't be enough. He needed to be physically present at school, so he devised a new strategy: calculated movements, quiet corners, and obscure paths, all while keeping a watchful eye on Haruhi's movements from a distance.
For a few blissful days, it worked. He reveled in the peace of normal school life, even making a few new friends—classmates from last year who, by happy coincidence, also shared a penchant for quieter spaces. Through casual observation and the stray thoughts he picked up, Rin learned more about Haruhi. She was indeed a loner, but by choice, a self-imposed isolation because no one, it seemed, could meet her ridiculously high standards for "interesting."
Then, the "coincidences" began. One time, in a crowded hallway, Rin tried to subtly weave around her, but their shoulders brushed. Haruhi, sharp as a tack and brimming with restless energy, immediately noticed him. "Rin Takakura," she mused, her gaze assessing, "the popular kid who isn't in any clubs." Rin offered a polite, practiced lie about still settling in, and Haruhi, with a dismissive wave, declared him "boring" before moving on. Rin let out a silent sigh of relief. A few minutes later, Haruhi's eraser bounced harmlessly near his feet. He pretended not to see it, letting it lie.
Another encounter: buying soda from a vending machine. Rin, upon seeing her approach, quickly grabbed his drink and left, making sure his retreat looked like a natural departure, not an overt avoidance.
And then, yesterday. It was almost comical. They were walking towards each other in the corridor, and Rin moved to the right. Haruhi, simultaneously, moved to the right. Rin immediately shifted left. Haruhi, with identical timing, shifted left. Rin could see the irritation mounting on her face. Before he could react again, she seemed to decide on a collision course. But Rin, with his enhanced reflexes, smoothly sidestepped her, narrowly avoiding the impact. He was trying his best to be an observer, but being in the same school made frequent, accidental meetings almost inevitable.
During P.E., fate, or perhaps Haruhi's latent powers, dealt another blow to his carefully constructed peace. A rogue volleyball, seemingly with a mind of its own, soared directly towards her. Rin, without thinking, darted forward and caught it just before it could make contact. Haruhi watched him, a flicker of something new in her eyes. "Quick," she muttered, "and… different." Rin, ever eager to disappear, downplayed it, trying to melt back into the anonymity of the crowd.
More "coincidences" piled up. He found himself inexplicably placed in her group project. She would choose the seat directly opposite him in the library. Rin tried to become a gray blur, as unnoticeable as possible. But he could feel her curious gaze, a lingering scrutiny that prickled at his senses. And when he caught fragments of her thoughts, they revolved around a growing fascination with anything "unordinary." She was bored. Terribly, profoundly bored, and desperately seeking excitement.
One lunchtime, Rin was enjoying the quiet solitude of the rooftop, his bento half-eaten, when the door creaked open. He knew that determined stride, that restless energy. Haruhi.
She walked directly to his table and sat down opposite him. Her voice, though soft, carried an undeniable firmness. "Takakura-kun," she began, her eyes boring into his, "this school is incredibly dull. Everyone is so… normal. I'm looking for something interesting." She leaned forward slightly, her gaze intensifying. "And you… you're different."
Rin's internal alarms blared. He knew this moment was coming. He braced himself, expecting the inevitable gravitational pull into her orbit, assuming, of course, that Kyon would still be her unwilling sidekick.
"I've decided," Haruhi declared, standing dramatically, her hands on her hips. "I'm going to create a club to find aliens, time-travelers, and espers!" Her finger shot out, pointing directly at him, her eyes blazing with a fierce, uncontainable energy. "And you, Takakura Rin, you are going to help me start it!"
Rin stared, his lunch utterly forgotten. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. He had meticulously avoided this scenario, planning every move, every escape route. Kyon was meant to be the reluctant participant, the one dragged into her chaotic whims. Now, it was him. A deep unease mixed with a strange, worried anticipation settled over him. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was about to become The Melancholy of Rin Takakura, and he had no idea what kind of reality-bending chaos she was about to drag him into.