"Oh yes. By the way, Araragi-kun," Senjougahara says as she stares at the vacant lot without moving, "I still haven't heard your answer."
"....."
Answer... I guess she's talking about that.
"Um. Senjougahara. About that--"
"Just so that you know, Araragi-kun, since it's already obvious that the two of us will be together in the end, I hate love comedies with tepid relationships where the characters are more than friends, but less than lovers and suffer from molasses-like development towards being lovers."
"...Really..."
"I also hate sports manga that drag out a game over a year even though the team's victory is assured, fighting manga where the main character has to go through an unending number of fodder even though it's obvious that they will win and bring peace to the world are also on my hate list."
"You just repudiated all shounen and shoujo manga, you know."
"So, what will you do?"
She didn't even give me a chance to think about it. And the overwhelming sense that she won't allow any evasions is almost tangible. Even a girl who has brought along all her friends to a confession would most likely not create such an oppressive atmosphere.
"Actually Senjougahara, I think you're mistaken. Or impatient. It's true that I played a small part in the solution to your problem this past Monday, so it may be that your sense of obligation is causing you to make a mistake--"
"Might you be referring to that foolish rule about how people in extreme situations easily slide into a romantic relationship because they lose all reason and are consumed by their instincts?"
"Foolish rule--well, is it really? Of course it would be really stupid to confess while standing on a bridge....but, see, you talked about how you wanted to repay me. I thought about it when you said that--you feel more obligated to be than I deserve...really, though I wouldn't feel very good about taking advantage of your sense of obligation."
"That was just an excuse. I wanted to let you to take initiative and confess. I just wanted to try it. Foolish man. You passed up a precious opportunity. There won't be a second time where I prepare such for someone again."
"............"
Incredible words.
So that really was how it was....
She was trying to lead me...
"Don't worry, I don't really feel that indebted to you."
"...Is that so..."
Huh--
Then what does she mean.
"After all Araragi-kun, you'd help anyone. Of course I didn't understand you this well this morning," Senjougahara continues fluently. "It wasn't because it was me--but to me this is even better. Even if it wasn't me that you saved--for example, if I had seen you rescue Hanekawa-san instead, I think I would have had special feelings for you. Even though I was not special, I think it would be thrilling to become someone special to you. Well...my words are a little grandiose, but simply put, I find talking with you fun."
"...But we really haven't talked with each other that much."
That's an understatement. Monday and Tuesday of last week and today. Because the time we've spent together has been so intense, it's easy to forget that Senjougahara and I have only spoken to each other on Monday, on Tuesday, and today.
Only three days.
We've been in the same class for three years, but we were basically complete strangers.
"Yes," Senjougahara says while nodding her head in agreement. "That's why I want to spend more time talking with you." In order to spend more time with you. In order to love you. "Not like the shallow idea of 'love at first sight' I think. But I am not patient enough to make preliminary arrangements. Still, I may be want to work at getting you to love me."
"...Really..."
Now that she mentions it--that's exactly right.
I have nothing to reply to that.
To continue loving, to persist--love is, by its nature, a proactive emotion. That being the case, what Senjougahara is saying, how she describes it, may be fine.
"After all, when it comes to something like this, it's a question of time. It would have been fine if we were only friends, but I'm quite greedy. If it has to be, I want nothing but the ultimate relationship."
Think that you have been caught by a nasty woman.
She said.
"This is what happens when you are careless in who you show kindness to, Araragi-kun. Contemplate on how you are paying for your mistakes. Nevertheless, even without your words of warning, I can differentiate obligation from such feelings. Since I've been having various delusions about you this week."
"By delusions you mean..."
"It's been quite a productive week."
Really--these words are so frank.
What did I do and what was done to me in Senjougahara's delusions I wonder...
"Yes, you may think yourself unfortunate to have a crazy woman that easily yields to anyone who shows her a little kindness because she is starved for love set her eyes on you."
"....I see."
"You aren't very lucky, are you. Be cursed in everything."
She doesn't even spare herself in her own abuse...
And having that said about me.
Having that much said about me.
...Damn, I feel so lame
I feel so small, damn it.
"That's why having said that, Araragi-kun."
"What?"
"If you somehow decide to decline this request, I'll kill you and flee."
"That'd just be a regular murder! Why don't you die too!"
"That's what you call regular seriousness." (yeah this line gives me a bit of trouble)
"...I see. Is that how it is..."
I contemplate this from the depths of my heart and grieve.
Really.
She's so interesting.
We've been in the same class for three years, yet have only conversed for three days--what a loss. Really, how could Araragi Koyomi waste such an extraordinary time.
That time when I caught her.
I feel that it was really fortunate for me.
Catching Senjougahara Hitagi was really fortunate for Araragi Koyomi.
"I will distain you if you say something cowardly like how you want a little bit of time to think about it right now, Araragi-kun. Do not shame a woman."
"I got it...I feel really ashamed right now. But, Senjougahara. Is it alright if I give a condition?"
"What is it. Would you like to observe as I remove my unnecessary hair throughout an entire week?"
"Out of all everything that you have said up until now, that was the worst thing you've said!"
Both in content and in timing.
I take a few seconds to recollect my thoughts and turn toward Senjougahara.
"I say condition, but it's really more like a promise--"
"Promise...what is it?"
"Senjougahara, from now on no more pretending to see something you don't really see or pretending not to see something that you do see. Let's stop that. If something seems strange just say so. Because we have experienced what we have and know what we know, both of us will most likely continue to have to carry it with us from now on---because we have come to know that things such as this exist. That's why whenever we have differing views we have to discuss them. Promise me."
"An easy request." Senjougahara nonchalantly replies with her usual unchanging expression, yet I can feel that there is much consideration in her reply despite her taking almost no time to reply.
Paying for one's mistakes.
This natural, I guess.
"Well, we should get going. It's gotten totally dark, um...I'll take you home, is what I should say in a situation like this."
"Getting two people on that bicycle isn't possible I guess."
"I have the rods so even though three people wouldn't be possible, two would be."
"Rods?"
"The rods where you place your feet. I don't know what they are really called, but you mount them on the rear wheel. Then someone can stand on them. They just have to hold on to the shoulders of the person in front. We can use janken to decide who gets to be up front. Since the snail isn't around anymore we can make our way back normally. The way we came was too complicated so it's not like I can remember... Senjhougahara, then--"
"Wait Araragi-kun."
Senjougahara doesn't move.
Without moving she grabs my hand.
Senjougahara Hitagi, who has refused contact with other people for such a long time--naturally, this was the first time that she touched me in such a way.
To touch.
To see.
In other words, we are here.
The two of us.
"Just in case, may I put into words?"
"Words?"
"I hate tenuous relationships."
"Oh that."
Think.
A girl that seeks the ultimate, I don't have the skill to reply in English right now. Having said that, I don't know anything other than superficial phrases in other languages. Anyway, I won't decline my second option. So--
"I guess it's better to be fashionable."
"What?"
"Senjougahara facination."