Suzumiya Haruhi no Tsuisou - 317: Mikuru's Big Selection

[slave_of_suzumiya]

So, my copy of the Yuki-chan OVA arrived! It was about 60% Endless Eight remake, 20% chapter 39 of the manga and 20% Mikuru's 'melons'. About half the manga chapter was cut off, and the ending of the episode makes me question the prospects of ever getting season 2, as Kyon arranges to copy Nagato's homework, but copying Asakura's homework is a plot point setting up Kyon's participation as a member of the North High Festival Committee...

Anyway, I have a huuuuuge update for you today, so enjoy!

みくる Mikuru: Whew...
With the event and her major role in it safely completed, Asahina-san stood exhausted in the corner of the dojo.
キョン Kyon: You did great out there, Asahina-san.

みくる Mikuru: Ah... You came to watch. It's thanks to you that we were able to do this at all with the rain. Thank you very much.
キョン Kyon: No, I didn't do much at all. But, I'm glad it all worked out.

みくる Mikuru: Right.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Mikuru, bravo! I knew ya could do anythin' ya set yer mind to!

みくる Mikuru: Ufufu. I did trip over at one point though...

ハルヒ Haruhi: That only made it even better! Crowds just love the cute clumsy girl stereotype.

みくる Mikuru: I-I don't understand what you mean by that, but...?

ハルヒ Haruhi: Anyway, the point is you made a great performance out there, Mikuru-chan!
みくる Mikuru: Uh, um...
It's only natural for Asahina-san to react like this to a stranger from another school who she barely met this morning addressing her as if they're best friends.

古泉 Koizumi: It was quite impressive indeed. It must have been difficult to focus on your penmanship with so many people watching you.

みくる Mikuru: It's the first time I've ever done something like this, so I was a bit nervous going in... But it all turned out well in the end. Hehe.

ハルヒ Haruhi: Nice one, Mikuru-chan. As a reward for your efforts, Kyon's treating us all to a meal.
キョン Kyon: I never agreed to that! I don't mind treating Asahina-san, but I've no reason for the rest of you.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: He will? In that case, I'd like to get some crepes tomorrow.
キョン Kyon: Tsuruya-san, I just... Fine, whatever...

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Alright, Mikuru! That's how it's done~

みくる Mikuru: Thank you.
Not at all, for your dazzling smile, I'd be willing to buy every piece of food at this festival, Asahina-san.

ハルヒ Haruhi: Oh right, there's something I'd like to ask you for future reference, Mikuru-chan.

みくる Mikuru: Sure, what is it?
ハルヒ Haruhi: What do you actually wear under a hakama? Mind if I take a look?

みくる Mikuru: Ha... Haeeeh?
キョン Kyon: Hey, stop that Haruhi.

ハルヒ Haruhi: But it'll bug me forever if I don't find out!

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Ahaha! Y'all are really somethin' else~!
And so we continued our small talk with a laid back atmosphere. If you were to see this as an outsider, you would never even suspect that none of us had met before today.

??? Somebody: Uh, excuse me for interrupting.

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: I need to speak with Mikuru Asahina-san.

みくる Mikuru: Ah... You're from the planning committee...

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: It's Kimidori. We of the planning committee came to see your Calligraphy Club event.

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: Both the performance and the crowd's reaction to it were magnificent. I'm glad we could relocate the event for the rain.

みくる Mikuru: Th-thank you very much.

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: This may seem sudden, but... We'd like to nominate you for the “North High Festival Best Event Performance Award”.

みくる Mikuru: Eh!? You mean me...?
鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: That's amazin', Mikuru!

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: In accordance with this, we'd like to request you do another performance at the festival's closing event. We've already spoken with the president of the Calligraphy Club, so all we need now is your own consent.

みくる Mikuru: Huh... ...
After thinking it over a little, Asahina-san looked Kimidori-san straight in the eye...

みくる Mikuru: Understood... I'll do it!
She spoke clearly as she said that.

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: Thank you very much.
I never thought Asahina-san would say ok to that so easily. I honestly thought she was going to turn it down...

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Ya sure 'bout this, Mikuru?

みくる Mikuru: I'm fine. I feel like... I can pull it off somehow.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: I see... Well, I'll be rootin' for ya!

みくる Mikuru: Right, thank you, Tsuruya-san.

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: ... But, I'm not sure if the schedule will allow you to do both this and the Miss North High contest.

みくる Mikuru: Eh?

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Uwaaah! Hey, Mikuru! Ya better go get changed already! If ya don't wash the ink outta that hakama soon, it's gonna be ruined! C'mon, hustle!
みくる Mikuru: Eh? Oh, uh, right...?

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: I'll handle it from here, ya better get movin'!

And being hustled along by Tsuruya-san, she went to get changed.

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: ... Um?

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Ah, sorry 'bout that. I'll take care of the Miss North High stuff, nyoro~ As you were sayin'? Doin' both would be pretty tough, huh?

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: That's right, doing both the Miss North High contest and a calligraphy performance would be difficult. We had an oversight in the scheduling, we deeply apologise for this.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: I see, I see. In that case, she can withdraw from the Miss North High contest.
ハルヒ Haruhi: Eh?
喜緑さん Kimidori-san: Shouldn't we confirm with Asahina-san herself first?

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: No need to worry! We can consider the matter resolved now!

喜緑さん Kimidori-san: ... Understood. If you do change your mind on the matter, please be sure to contact the committee before 6:00 PM tonight. If you'll excuse me.

ハルヒ Haruhi: ... You sure about this?
鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Yeah, I've achieved what I wanted from this now.
ハルヒ Haruhi: What you wanted?

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: I just wanted to help Mikuru gain a little more self confidence. I figured... puttin' her in front of a huge crowd at the competition would help.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: But she's already pulled that off today with the Calligraphy Club's event. So it doesn't really matter anymore.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Sorry, I know how much effort ya put into her publicity.

ハルヒ Haruhi: No, it's fine. Being picked for that... “Best Event Award?” thing means you should probably focus on it instead.

ハルヒ Haruhi: Just getting that many people to come see this event feels like an accomplishment to me. You think so too, right Koizumi-kun?

古泉 Koizumi: Indeed. Perhaps this turnout was for the best.
Oi oi, you're not going to ask me at all?

ハルヒ Haruhi: Oh, your opinion doesn't matter anyway though?
キョン Kyon: ... I guess not.

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: Glad to hear it! I'm really grateful for your efforts!

鶴屋さん Tsuruya-san: From the bottom of my heart, thanks!

Just seeing the smile on Tsuruya-san's face was enough to lift my spirits.
I'm sure I've made all the right decisions today. I know it in my heart.

Afterwards, Tsuruya-san went back to her class to help tidy up at the Yakisoba Cafe. As such, I'm now here to see Haruhi and Koizumi off.

キョン Kyon: Are you coming tomorrow?

ハルヒ Haruhi: Of course! There's no way I'd miss seeing Mikuru-chan being presented her Best Event Performance award.
In Haruhi's mind, just being nominated apparently means she's already won the thing. Well, that's typical Haruhi.

古泉 Koizumi: Naturally, I'll be back as well.
キョン Kyon: I see. I'm sure Asahina-san will be glad to have you cheering her on.

ハルヒ Haruhi: See you tomorrow, Kyon.

古泉 Koizumi: Good work today.
キョン Kyon: Yeah, see ya.

And the two of them walked off into the rain as always. But today, I found the sound of the rainfall to be rather comforting.