First, the story is split into two volumes, and this limited edition set includes both volumes. The individual volumes have different ISBN numbers: 978-4-04-429211-9 (first part) and 978-4-04-429212-6 (latter part). Limited edition also includes a small full-color booklet with a short novel (Suzumiya Haruhi no Hiwa - Secret Story) and some illustrations and what not.
The story is a continuation from the last volume, and because the last volume was released over 4 years ago, I could not make sense of what was going on, so I actually reread "Suzumiya Haruhi no BUNRETSU" from scratch. It took a while to get back into reading (Japanese) novels, by the way.
Most of the story is split into two space time continuum (or whatever you want to call them), but thankfully, it gets easier and easier to keep them apart in the head as the storyline separates further and further apart, until they merge, of course. Alpha line is the peaceful one and Beta line is the troubled one. Which one is the "normal" one? I'm tempted to say Beta, but in reality, both are.
The key character who makes the Alpha timeline so... calm is Watahashi Yasumi. Obviously, I can't really say much about her because it would spoil things. All I can say is that I really liked her from the beginning. In fact, she is probably my favorite character within the Haruhi universe, although that doesn't mean Tsuruya-san is no longer my favorite character. You see? Watahashi isn't, well, whole.
After reading these two volumes, I'm left with a couple of impressions. One is that Haruhi is really amazing, as in beyond imaginable amazing. Another is that Kyon is as powerless as ever. In fact, he should stop stressing over things and just let things be.
The mini novel, "Suzumiya Haruhi no HIWA" explains the origin of Kyon's verbal habit, "yare yare," and it has something to do with Sasaki.
yare yare....
