#forbidden polycule. the integrity of every relationship depends on nobody ever getting involved with anyone else

[daisyachain]

Equal and opposite to the Tsu/Haru agenda is the theory of Haru/Yuki. The thing that spurred Nagato’s crossing the barrier between human and not and having a complete breakdown is equally her feelings for Haruhi as her feelings for Kyon. She didn’t make the other world for Kyon, as some interpretations hold. She made it for herself and in a last-ditch effort at self-control gave up the need to make a choice to her closest friend at the time. By delegating to Kyon she spares herself some pain from regretting her own actions.

In Haruhi the point is that Kyon recognizes the weirdest girl in the country as just someone just like him. A normal human being. That’s why the story is about their romance and why they’re destined to be together. Koizumi is entirely unsuited because he puts her on a pedestal, for all he calls her ‘charming’ he places the expectations of a god on to Haruhi and resents her for not living up to them (for making him run ragged). Mikuru likewise views her more as a force of nature than a person. She’s not just going to oppose Haruhi in any way. It’s antithetical to her mission.

Nagato, on the other hand, is the observer who really breaks her duty. Turfing Suzumiya is a decision made on a personal level. She’s got beef. That automatically makes their relationship even closer, in a way, then Kyon and Haruhi’s because Kyon does still stay mindful of her powers, blaming her for the Disappearance at first and keeping her at arm’s length (still not dating) even as he reaffirms his feelings for her. Nagato says screw the universe, Haruhi is being a bad friend, not paying attention to my needs, stealing my man, and I am transcending my programming to be mad about it. There’s a tension to their relationship where Haruhi doesn’t know what to do with Nagato in the same way she manages the others. They’re also the only two in the group whose powers are on the same level.

Haru/Yuki offers an opportunity for Haruhi to take the initiative and exercise her growing people skills. Nagato is a challenge to her, someone who she needs to win over, whose loyalty she needs to earn. From the other side, Nagato does have feelings for Haruhi (and those feelings were annoyance). She can relate to the impotence Haruhi feels, knowing just how big the universe is and how much (little) she can do to change it.

Kyon and Haruhi’s relationship is about two likeminded people bouncing off each other, driving each other to temper their worst parts and inspiring each other to act on their beliefs. Yuki and Haruhi’s relationship has the potential to be about two people applying the lessons they learn, making contact where it should be impossible, reaching out across the last part of the world that remains closed off to them. Forging an understanding out of nothing, culminating their character arcs by coming to like each other.