I suddenly regained consciousness.
It really feels like being reborn.
No, a better way of saying it would be it feels like being alive again.
“Ahh! It was a dream!”
I wanted to say something like that.
Of course, it wasn’t a dream---if it was a dream, then the place where I regained consciousness would be my room.
But this place isn’t my room.
It’s a place I have never seen before.
My sisters who would wake me up every morning weren’t here either.
“...”
But.
I felt like until the dream ended, I had slept over and over again.
So? Is this...a ruin?
I realize that it’s the insides of some sort of man-made building... the windows were sealed up by thick boards using nails, the fluorescent lights on the ceiling were all broken....
Then I realized myself.
I was sleeping on the floor.
This floor was made of linoleum.
There were cracks all over it.
I moved my head, taking a look around my surroundings---what is that thing hanging on the wall?
A Blackboard?
And... desks?
Chairs?
... A school classroom?
I say it’s a school--- but it isn’t Naoetsu High, this I can still tell.
Although--- there is this feeling that this isn’t a school.
I am an active high school student no matter what.
Even if it’s not my own school, I can understand when it’s the same, that’s why this place, I can tell whether or not this is a school.
With that being said... what is it?
It’s not a school, but a place where there is a blackboard, and a large number of desks and chairs.....?
Ahah, I know.
This is the atmosphere of a cram school.
The building of a cram school.
... But with that being said, no matter how you look at it, it is a closed down cram school.
Windows, fluorescent lights... it feels like a collapsed cram school?
Probably because it was too dark I could only see that much--- too dark?
Huh?
Why could I--- inside a room that has its windows sealed, and where there isn’t a single beam of light... see so clearly?
I know it was very dark.
I could tell there definitely wasn’t any light.
Initially I shouldn’t even be able to see my own fingers--- in this very dark situation, but, I could see.
I could see very clearly.
No....but is this really how it is?
It's probably because my eyes just opened, and so my senses are still not right?
While I was in this unnatural train of thought, I was getting up---
“.......hurts”
At that moment, I bit the insides of my mouth.
Hmm?
Why are my canine teeth so long?
I’ll stick my finger in my mouth to check--- so.
When I move my finger, my hand also moves, at the moment I realized--- sleeping there on my arm that I was going to move, was a little girl.
“......”
Eh?
Little girl?
“....ahhhhhhhhhhh!?”
It really is a little girl.
Her age is about 10 years old?
Wearing a fitting dress, a blonde girl--- skin that’s the kind of white where it’s like it’s transparent.
Shushu, lightly breathing---
She was asleep.
Sleeping sweetly.
“...”
I totally don’t get the situation.
Why am I here, also where is this place, and who is this blonde girl, I don’t know any of this... but in this situation there is one thing I do know.
Especially with the girl.
With a girl that I’ve never seen before, this situation already has an illegal taste to it!
“H, hey... hey, wake up.”
With the blonde girl’s body, I started holding her in a place that won’t be a problem (like the arms), and started shaking.
“Hm~m”
Then, the blonde girl, really unwillingly said.
“5 more minutes...”
A blonde girl that says such a built-in phrase.
She went back to sleep.
“Like... like I said, wake up!”
I didn’t care about her, and so I continued to shake the blonde girl’s body.
“... a few more minutes.”
“How long do you want to sleep?!”
“... about 46 hundred million years?”
“Another earth will arise!”
I screamed the rebuke, then covered my mouth in a panic.
So.
Right now it’s----4:30.
No, if it’s a watch, I can’t figure out if it’s in the morning or the afternoon.
Cellphone, cellphone.... found it.
The time the screen showed, was 16:36.
Date is.....March 28th!?
Well..... I remembered the last time I checked my cellphone, at that time---the date just switched, it was March 26th.
That means---two days have already passed here?
“.......No.”
Even if this isn’t a dream....just how much of this is real?
This time in order to not wake the blonde girl, I lightly pulled myself out from under her head.
First I need to confirm what this place is....
I walked towards the room’s (classroom) door without making any sounds--- the door was unlocked. One side was opened, and it looks like there aren’t any traps on the door. The possibility of being imprisoned in a mysterious facility was gone with that. (It sounds silly, but it’s really scary)
Ah, before we talk about the cute blonde girl, kidnapping a guy like me won’t earn anyone anything...
After you exit the door, you see a stairwell.
Written on the floor here was [2F].
Second floor?
There were stairs going up and going down.
I thought about which direction I should go---usually you’ll go for the first floor.
First, if you can’t exit this building you can’t do anything else.
There seems to be an elevator across from the stairs, but there’s no need to confirm, that elevator won’t work.
I went down the stairs.
“.....Well, the phonebook inside my cellphone still has Hanekawa’s number and email there, that shows the meeting with Hanekawa after the closing ceremony in the afternoon was real....then the even further past memory, should be real too.
That pair of panties definitely wasn’t a dream.
Although it felt the same as a dream.
“The money inside my wallet lowered, and the receipt is here....that means, the thing about buying female magazines for young people was real too.”
But, I pretended to not notice that and continued speaking.
“But, what happened after that.....doesn’t look real at all!”
It wasn’t a nightmare.
Did I mess up something?
Like say----a woman was hit by a car....., and then I saw it......, and fainted right on the spot?
Hm.
Although it’s impossible, however it was the first time.
Then..... with an unconsciousness me, someone moved me to here......no, it’s not like that. I mean this kind of development is impossible. For something like this, you’ll be fine if you call an ambulance normally.
But, the time shown by my cellphone was correct.
Oh no, away from home for 2 days, feeling should be 3 days.
Although this isn’t the first time I have slept outside for no reason, three days is almost across the danger line. Thinking back to my sisters’ weird behaviors, it could possibly be very cute...., but I need to report back.
At this moment I.
Once again---thought about leisure things.
But this thought, at the instant I walked out of the building, turned to thin air. Dodged the rubble scattered near my feet, metal pieces, glass pieces, boards and cans that I can’t read, and cardboard boxes (But, why can I see in such a dark place?), outside of the building, the instant I appeared in the dense grass where there is no one----at that moment.
Body.
My whole body----combusted.
I should have realized.
The evening sun which I can already call it that----why is it so blinding?
But it was already too late-----my body combusted.
“Giahahahahahahahahahah!”
I used a scream that isn’t like a cry.
I can’t say it hurts.
Hair, skin, flesh, bone, everything---- combusted.
It was burning.
In an incredible speed----burning.
“Ahahahahahahahahahah!”
Vampire.
Weak against the sun?
A dark being that is a vampire, can’t beat the sun?
That’s why I said----no shadow.
But what does that have to do with me-----
“Idiot!”
Towards me who is trying to extinguishing the flames on my body, and using a lot of knowledge and rolling on the ground (I think I read somewhere that you can extinguish the flames on yourself like that), inside the building, ringed a sound like that.
I looked up.
As I was burning, moisture already gone, using these eyes, looked at the place where the sound was coming from---right there was the blonde girl who was just sleeping.
The girl looked at me with noble eyes, towards me---
“Come back here quickly!”
Screamed that.
With that being said, because it hurt too much, my body couldn’t move according to my will---seeing me like that, the girl suddenly decided, she dashed towards the outside of the building .
At that moment.
Just like me----the blonde girl’s body combusted too.
But, she didn’t care about herself, running towards me, then holding me who has collapsed, just dragged.
The flames got bigger as it burned.
She was dragging me just like that.
I felt her strength.
Strength that was bigger, compared to normal kids.
Such small arms, should be praised for having such strong brawn ----but it didn’t have enough power to carry me.
Just dragging.
Burning, while dragging.
Burning but still able to use strength, indeed a big character, -----but, even with that, the girl dragged me to the insides of the building, that means away from the sunlight, and it was after a certain amount of time.
The real surprise was what happened after.
My body.
And the blonde girl’s body’s surrounding flames, in the instant it entered the shades---disappeared like magic. Not just that---not even burn marks were left.
Surrounded by such incredible flames.
Not even the clothes were burned.
The hooded parka and camouflage pants.
Like there was nothing.
The blonde girl’s soft dress, was in the same situation too.
“Eh, eh, eheh.....?”
“Really.”
Towards a dazed me----the blonde girl spoke.
“What kind of idiot would suddenly walk right under the sun--- I take my eyes off you for a second, and you do something like that. Does thee have a death wish? A normal vampire would evaporate in an instant.”
“....Eh?”
“Don’t let there be another time where you go out when the sun is there. Having immortal powers, you’ll burn, regenerate, burn, regenerate in an eternal loop. Whether the regeneration power runs out or the sun disappears first---, you’ll still get a taste of what hell is like. So, that is what it means to be an immortal vampire---”
“Eh------eh”
Vamp----ire.
Then, indeed---this, wasn’t a dream nor a mistake.
“Then, then, you..... you are?”
Blonde hair, dress.
Then cold eyes.
No, the age is too different---the dying her that I saw, even if I can’t accurately determine her age, but---with just looks, it’s at least 27 years old.
It’s totally different from the ten year old her.
Moreover, the limbs.
Right arm, left arm, right leg, left leg, the blonde girl has them.
The ten year old girl, has these limbs like sticks covered in flesh.
Compared to the her with limbs missing---it’s clearly different.
But---
But there are similarities.
For example, the insides of her mouth when she talks, there are white teeth--- and the likes.
“Achem”
She nodded her head.
Suddenly using a confident attitude, she raised her chest and said.
“It is I Kissshot-Acerolaorion-Heartunder-Blade, you can call me Heartunder-Blade.”
Then she continued with the shocking speech.
“I’ve only created two subordinates in four hundred years----hm, looking at your regeneration powers, you turned out pretty good. There doesn’t seem to be any signs of going berserk either. It’s just that it was a bit worrisome when you wouldn’t open your eyes.”
“Sub—subordinate?”
“Yes, so thee---hm. Now that I think about it, I don’t know thee’s name. Uhm, well. The name you had up till now, doesn’t hold much meaning to the you now. Anyways, servant.”
She laughed.
Miserably laughed.
“Welcome, to the Night World.”
“.......”
Araragi Koyomi’s little short of 17 year life, should have just ended.
But, it wasn’t like that.
It’s just that, in a way it ended.
I felt that the meaning changed a little.
I---just like how it was written in words, was reborn.
Vampire.
Manga, movie, games, like veins that scatter endlessly--- to more than half of the people it’s an ancient being.
But, to me, to a highschooler in this generation, vampires are rarely heard about.
You can almost say absolutely unknown.
Just like what the name suggests, a blood-sucking oni.
At best, it doesn’t like the sun, has no shadow---that much I know, moreover it’s something I realized when I talked to Hanekawa.
And then---what was it? Right, doesn’t like garlic?
I’m not sure.
That why I said---I don’t know anything.
When a vampire sucks blood---the thing about the one being sucked will turn into a vampire.
If blood was sucked, you’ll become a comrade.
If blood was sucked, you’ll become a subordinate.
To force humans to give up humanity---I totally didn’t know.
Comrade.
Subordinate.
I thought I’ll die for sure.
If one person’s amount of blood was offered of course you’ll die--- it was because I had the determination to die, that I stuck out my neck to her.
But---who would have thought.
The determination to become a vampire, I had none.
But, there is no point in saying this---just like regret standing in front of you.
Me after having her suck my blood, absolutely absurdly, turned into a vampire.
No need for proof.
This body that combusts under the sun.
This body that burns and then instantly regenerates.
These eyes that can see clearly in the darkness.
Then the canine teeth inside my mouth---fangs.
With only these things, it’s clear enough evidence.
Things like having a shadow or not---there’s no need.
“Where...where is this?”
But.
To this idiot Araragi Koyomi, that’s me, let’s not face this reality at the start, first start asking her from this point.
Second floor.
The place where I regained consciousness, the place us two returned to.
At least this place is a ruin for sure, in this 4-floored building, windows sealed by boards----in other words, a room where sunlight can’t enter, it seems to be here.
Uhm.
Although I can regenerate, it’s better if I avoid combusting.
Didn’t she use the term [evaporate]?
“Hm”
While turning her blonde hair, the vampire started to speak.
“Indeed, although I call this place a [Cram School]--- but a few years ago it closed down. Right now it’s just a ruin. Like that, it became convenient for hiding.”
“Puun...”
So it was a cram school.
Then a ruin.
But, hiding? What a weird phase.
It’s like we had to hide.
In order to look after an unconscious me, she chose an empty place?
“Then, Kissshot, next question---“
“Wait”
She.
Kissshot stopped me.
“Didn’t I let you use Heartunder-Blade to call me.”
“Too long. Heartunder-Blade? I bit my tongue twice just saying that line. How can a name cause you to bite yourself? So, Kissshot is shorter....Or, can I not call you that?”
“....No”
Kissshot seems to have said something, but she shook her head.
The blonde hair lightly shook.
“Well, fine, you can call me whatever you want---I have no reason to refuse.”
What an intriguing line.
Ah, a foreigner’s last name is it Kissshot or Acerolaorion? With that being said, is it okay to just call her that suddenly?.....But would a human’s way of thinking work with a vampire?
“Then, what is the next question?”
“Well....I became.....a vampire?”
The second question, is the question I most need to ask.
For facing reality, it’s a very important question. If it’s not like this, I can’t seriously accept it.
The one I most want to ask, is another.
“Of course.”
Kissshot answered clearly.
“There is no point in explaining now---thee is my subordinate, my servant. Be honoured.
“Servant....”
Although it was just said.
Hmm...servant.
Inconceivably I don’t feel like hating it.
“Then—why did you turn into a child’s body? Last night.....no, two nights ago? When I met you---you looked like an adult---“
“I’m sorry I look like a child.”
“No, I don’t mean that.”
Just like an adult.
Although---the limbs were cut off.
That’s what I want to say.
“Thee’s blood, I sucked it all.”
She showed me her teeth----then she laughed.
It’s not like it’s something to laugh about, laugh.
“But this degree wasn’t enough----that’s why, we became connected. Even with that I only kept my life. With that being said, I kept the minimal degree of immortality, the majority of vampire powers became limited---so inconvenient.”
Even with that.
Life was kept---she said.
Don’t wanna die.
The image of her crying and calling---suddenly crossed in my head.
Right now inside Kissshot’s speech, I can’t see that image at all.
Right now I realized.
Right now I just realized.
I really---- helped this woman.
Helped, a vampire.
Sacrificed my own life---
“The limbs are like this, only the shape regrew. Well, the insides are empty—with that being said, it should be no problem......However, the master servant relationship needs to be clear, servant. Even though I’m like this, I’m a vampire that has lived for 500 years. The master servant relationship should be clear, you being turned into a vampire just recently, should never speak with a peer-like speech.
“Ha, haa.”
“Huh, an ambiguous answer---do you really understand?”
“Um, umm---I understand.”
“Then as a sign of obedience to me rub my head!”
She said majestically.
....
Rub head.
Uwa, her hair is really soft.
Although there is a lot of hair, it’s really smooth.
“That’s enough.”
“....That’s the sign of obedience?”
“You don’t know that?”
She looked at me with contempt.
Vampires use a different set of rules.
“So ignorant. But regardless of ignorance, thee is smart for being obedient towards me---I really created a good servant. But, servant.”
Kissshot continued speaking.
Staring at me with cold eyes.
“Thee saved my life. The poor and exposed me, was saved by thee. So I’ll, specially allow you usage to your ill-manner tone, and allow you to call me Kissshot.”
“Call, calling you like that---“
So calling her Acerolarorion was better?
It isn’t a bad line.....but, looking at it, there is no need for another title.
But.
I took note of what Kissshot said.
---Limbs are like this.
---Just the shape regrew.
Indeed, although the body of the ten year old girl is rather small, but the Kissshot now still has limbs.
Just the shape?
Inside is---empty?
“Moreover...in the future, I might still need to borrow thee’s power.”
“Ha?”
What was that.
Spoke at the part I took note?
“Hey...basically.”
“No, you shouldn’t be so excited, servant. With you being a servant it is evident for you to serve your master. If thee rubbed my head, isn’t that obedience to me?”
She said it with her chest rise.
Well, although I say chest rise, it’s only a ten year old body. Absolute no boobs.
Although I say chest rise, it has the feeling of a stretched back.
....Also, [chest rise] this phase means [rising your chest and speaking out], I don’t see that meaning at all.
But...there is no use no matter how much I rebuked.
I didn’t get a normal answer.
This matter I’ll leave for later---it’s about time for the question I want to ask the most. The padding for this question has already been set up.
“Why---turn me into a vampire?”
“Hmm?”
“I had the determination to be killed---when you sucked my blood.”
The traffic lights changed too.
Faces from all sorts of people crossed---although there was only four people.
Ah, isn’t it five people?
I can’t remember.
“...It’s nothing, no reason. After your blood gets sucked by a vampire, no matter who you are you’ll turn into a vampire. That’s it”
“So---it’s like that.”
It’s like that.
I---struck my neck out to her?
Had the determination to be sucked dry.
Also the determination to be killed.
But---
The determination to not be human, do I have it?
“Ahh, to me this is just right, do you know why?”
Kissshot of course didn’t change--- she even spoke with an arrogant tone.
“To thee, it is something you have to do.”
“...Like you said, borrow my power?”
---The matter where you have to borrow my power.
“Right. Although thee’s blood by itself allowed my body to recover---the me right now, is far from full power. So from now on, thee needs to take actions.”
From---from now on?
“Of course. Finishing prior work, then move. That’s me, the iron-blooded, hot-blooded, cold blooded vampire, Kissshot-Acerolaorion-Heartunder-Blade”
“....”
Title, too long.
With the name added how many letters is there.
I think just cold-blooded fits.
“I should----“
Unknowingly, I wanted to ask---but if it’s like this, the topic will go the wrong way. If Kissshot wanted to do that, I think it’s right too---but, I have more important matters to ask her.
As the answers to the padding questions, there is still some use.
So I asked the question I most want to---ask.
The thing I most want to hear.
“I.”
The decision is final, this is what I said.
Tightly stared at her.
Towards the answer----I already have the determination.
“I---can’t turn back into a human?”
“Hm.”
So.
Kissshot----didn’t answer with the same reaction I had imagined.
I thought she’ll be mad, or think it’s weird, things like being confused---those were the reactions I had predicted, but, to let me understand, she nodded her head.
“That’s---what I thought.”
Said it like that.
The prediction on this side was wrong---but the other side’s prediction was right.
Even the point about what I’ll ask.
I was seen through from the beginning.
“I can understand why thee would have these feelings.”
“Can understand?”
A higher being.
It’s just as what Hanekawa said, at least, looking at it from the beginning, her being a vampire indeed saw human as a lower being compared to them.
According to her---humans are a lower being.
Then---
Why be unhappy about becoming a vampire, stuff like that.
Towards wanting to turn back into a human, stuff like that.
I thought she will say something like that, but----
“I understand.”
Kissshot, said that.
“I was also invited to become god, but I refused.”
“G, god?”
“It’s something from the past.”
Anyway, she said that.
Although we’re back to the original topic, but this thing seems like something I shouldn’t touch.
“Wanting to turn back into a human---in other words, ‘turn back into what you were originally.’ That’s what I think. Although I said “Welcome to the Night World”, but I didn’t think thee’ll accept it.”
“So it’s like that---“
I once again, noted I didn’t listen to the answer to the question.
“Then, what can I do. I--”
“.....can turn back.”
Kissshot, lightly said.
The eyes looking at me, were still cold.
You can say its sight is piercing.
“Turn back.”
But---staring at me with a sight like that, she said “can turn back”, so she declared, clearly.
“I swear on my name.”
“.....”
“Of course....servant. For that, you need to listen to me, as my servant you don’t need to be shy, but, this isn’t a command but a threat, if you want to turn back into a human, then be obedient to me.”
Then of course--- she, laughed miserably.