Suzumiya Haruhi no Tsuisou - 316: The Star is Mikuru

[slave_of_suzumiya]

Work is still insanely busier than usual. Hopefully we'll be able to get enough new staff to alleviate the burden soon...? Anyway, that's irrelevant to this. Enjoy new Suzumiya Haruhi no Tsuisou!

Oh, also, the Yuki-chan OVA is apparently out. I haven't watched it as of yet, but I have the special edition of volume 9 of the manga which includes the OVA on its way to me in the mail, so once I have it and watch it, I'll provide my thoughts like I did back during the broadcast.

So we went to the dojo to see the Calligraphy Club's event and... What the heck!?

古泉 Koizumi: Seems we have a full house.
The dojo was absolutely packed with people. On top of that, most of them had the Asahina-san fliers we distributed.
ハルヒ Haruhi: Heheh, just as planned.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Woah, what's goin' on? Are all these folks 'ere just for the Calligraphy Club's event!?
Tsuruya-san looked around in bewilderment at the unexpected success of the event. The members of the Calligraphy Club, including Asahina-san, had a similar reaction.

男子生徒Ａ School Boy A: Asahina-saan! Look over here!
男子生徒Ｂ School Boy B: Do your best, Asahina-san!
Completely oblivious to the reason for these cheers, Asahina-san looked around her surroundings somewhat flustered.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Wait, did all these folks come 'ere just to see Mikuru?

ハルヒ Haruhi: That's right! We made sure to advertise she'd be here at this time.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Wow, I see. I'm amazed at how many people ya got to come here!

ハルヒ Haruhi: The plan is to burn Mikuru-chan's cuteness into their retinas here, then win all the votes in the Miss North High Contest!
鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Right, nice idea! I made the right choice leaving it to y'all!
みくる Mikuru: ... Eeeeh? N-no way, I-I c-couldn't~!

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Huh? Was that Mikuru just now?

As soon as she said that, Tsuruya-san shot off in Asahina-san's direction. We followed shortly after her.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: What's wrong?

みくる Mikuru: Ah, Tsuruya-san... Nothing, just that, the club president suddenly asked me to write out there...

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Aah, sounds great!
みくる Mikuru: B-but... I don't like being the center of attention, what if I mess up and disappoint everyone...

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Wouldn't they be more disappointed if ya didn't even try?

みくる Mikuru: Eh...? M-may... Maybe so. But still...

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: You'll be fine! You're better than ya think ya are, just have some self confidence!

みくる Mikuru: Tsuruya-san...
鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: I'll be rootin' for ya all the way!

みくる Mikuru: ... ... R-right. I'll do it.

ハルヒ Haruhi: That's the spirit, Mikuru-chan! I'm rooting for you too!

みくる Mikuru: Eh? Uh, thank you...?

And so–
みくる Mikuru: T-th-thank you everyone... F-for coming here today...
Asahina-san finally opened the Calligraphy Club's event in front of a huge crowd.

Asahina-san stood before everyone and greeted them. She was clearly nervous, both her voice and her legs trembling.
男子生徒Ａ School Boy A: You're doing great, Asahina-saan!
男子生徒Ｂ School Boy B: Hang in there!

みくる Mikuru: Hieeeh!
Her expression stiffened, intimidated by the crowds cheers.
鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Mikuru, I'm here for ya~!

みくる Mikuru: Tsuruya-san...

みくる Mikuru: T-the Calligraphy Club's Writing in Large Letters event shall now commence!

Asahina-san gave a polite bow as she accepted a giant calligraphy brush from an assistant.
みくる Mikuru: Here... we go.
She then dunked the brush into a bucket of ink, thoroughly soaking it. She then closed her eyes for a moment, composing herself. And then,
みくる Mikuru: Let's go!

With a shout to pump herself up, she began drawing black strokes on the white paper.
みくる Mikuru: Wawah!? Kyah!

... She was doing fine until she tripped over the the end of her hakama, falling over along with the brush. Oh boy, she's got ink on her clothes now.
However the whole thing was adorable enough for the crowd to laugh it off and continue shouting words of encouragement.
鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Mikuru, fight on!

She got to her feet again, her face bright red all the way to her ears as she took a deep breath and gripped the giant brush firmly again before putting it back to the page.
みくる Mikuru: ... Ungh! There!

To say that the word she chose to write surprised me would be an understatement.

みくる Mikuru: T-the word I've written for you today is “Future”... I chose this word to represent the hopes and dreams everyone holds for each of their futures.
It's just a coincidence. It's got to be. But...
Out of all the thousands of words she could have chosen from, I'm glad it was this one.

As the applause rang out, Asahina-san's face turned red again.