By human instinct, the instant that stick came flying across, everyone who noticed it turned to look in the direction it had come from...
"Hm? No, that's not right!" Suzumiya Haruhi reacted quickly. The moment she realized something, she swiftly turned her head back—only to see that the flying stick was already completely empty. Was he using his speed to bully them?
"This is outright robbery now, isn't it?!" Kyon stared at his empty palm. This was outrageous—far too brazen! If that guy dared come again... if he came again, Kyon would protect the remaining one in his hand.
"Looks like we need to come up with a new plan this afternoon." Stroking her chin, Suzumiya Haruhi fell into thought. If they kept trying to catch Jiu Ming the way they had that morning, they probably still would not catch him, even if he had been holding back the whole time.
The best approach was to change tactics. They could not just wait for him to show himself of his own accord—that would be an insult to her identity as Regiment Leader... How could a Regiment Leader ever say, "It can't be done"?
"A new plan?" Jiu Ming, who had been listening in with pricked ears, yawned. So, what were they going to do? Hmm, should he go a little easier on them?
Fine. When they were exhausted and on the verge of total defeat, he would "happen" to let them find him.
"Keep it up, everyone! I know a place that's holding a real fireworks festival. Once we catch him, we'll go celebrate there!" With an impassioned cry, Suzumiya Haruhi breathed a little life into that scorching noon.
"..." Hm!? This felt bad. Seeing the inexplicably intense fighting spirit suddenly appear in Kyon and the others' eyes, Jiu Ming