[Shikijin]

This time the translation of Kizumonogatari comes from me. I PMed omimon, and he has already checked it, so there should be at least some kind of consistency.

Without further ado, here is chapter 8.

Spoiler for spoiler:

In vampire exorcizing, you don't choose a time and a place.

Disregarding time, place or situation, finding a vampire and then exorcizing it, this is their way to do things -- however if they carried out such boundlessly troublesome, extremely dangerous in practice doctrine in this countryside town of modern Japan it would be atrocious.

The mediation between us and them --

Expecting the worst to happen, it's no wonder Oshino selected a battlefield that was deserted, therefore nobody would notice even if there was a fight.

The school's sport field, thinking about it, maybe was not such a bad choice.

A school at night is in a sense a blind spot.

A place so noisy during the day, but when the night comes it transfigurates -- by then nobody watches over it. Undoubtly it is best suited as a field for vampire exorcizing.

Obviously, you can't enter inside the school building.

Since it's a building that possesses rooms which could be damaged by theft, such as the staff room or the principal office, naturally it's protected by a security firm.

However -- if you just climb over the closed school gate, you can enter the sports field.

Therefore.

If it's brief -- there will hardly be any eye-witnesses.

It's a good battlefield.

"......But why it has to be Naoetsu High School?"

"Because it's the high school you attend to"

Towards my question, Oshino answered like that.

"No, what I'm asking is why did you choose the sports field of my high school -- well, since that school is in a place separated from other houses, in itself it may be suited as a place for a battle, however, how can I say it, for me it will be more difficult"

"Difficult? It won't, it will be easier"

Oshino wagged his finger, and said that.

"For you it will be easier to do it, Araragi-kun. Your opponent is a specialist of vampire exorcizing, while you just recently become a vampire yourself, and you are fighting him -- isn't it better to have at least the advantage of terrain?"

"Fake blood? I don't know how to use such gimmick. Do paint work too?" {Fake blood = chinori}

"Advantage of terrain, I said" {advantage of terrain = chi no ri}

Because if it wasn't that you wouldn't be impartial.

It's a free service -- Oshino declared.

Well, I understand his reasoning -- however, as I thought, performing such anomaly at my own school it's not very appealing......

Well, whatever.

Starting over -- let's go with Gakuen Inou Batoru. {Campus superpower battle, a light novel genre}

"......Have I kept you waiting?"

For some reason an idiotic greeting came up.

It's just that, since the other person came here first, even if I wasn't late, I couldn't help but say it.

In the center of the sports field -- a strong-muscled man was sitting cross-legged.

Mouth shut and eyes closed, like he was meditating.

Responding to my voice, he -- Dramaturgie,

"????"

said.

Well, I don't understand what he said.

But after,

"......Ah, in local language -- indeed"

he says, and then he stands up.

He is really huge..... it’s like he will hit his head with the moon if he is not careful.

Huh......?

He is not carrying the flamberges, his wavy blades?

Let alone both, not even one of them?

What?

"Don't misunderstand -- brother"

Though I was now free to doubt the opponent was actually empty-handed, Dramaturgie, in extremely fluent Japanese, opened up.

"I didn't come here to exorcize you"

"............"

What is he saying?

Automatically, I put myself on guard.

I reviewed in my mind the index of ‘Learn Aikido Starting from Nothing' that I left in a bag outside the gate. A technique I could use in actual fighting...... errr.

While I was thinking, Dramaturgie reiterated a statement with the same meaning.

"That man -- complying to the words of that smooth-tongued man I came, but not because I wanted to exorcize you"

"If you didn't come to exorcize me -- then what?"

Smooth-tongued man.

He is undoubtly talking about Oshino -- as I thought even the other party finds him glib......

"I want you to come over to my side"

Dramaturgie said straightforwardly.

Without following procedures, he suddenly brings out the main issue.

"I ask you. Won't you like to enthrall yourself in vampire hunting -- like I do?"

"......I ain't getting what you mean"

I respond to the unexpected development by bluffing.

"The other time you were slashing at me without me having a word in it -- what are you saying now?"

"That time there were Episode and Guillotinecutter. In front of those two, it was impossible to entice you like this. However, a rarity like the subordinate of Heart-Under-Blade, the Iron-Blooded Hot-Blooded Cold-Blooded vampire – it’ll be too sad if it was killed."

"If I become your comrade"

I ask.

"you’ll give me back Kissshot's right leg, such kind of deal?"

"......You have some nerve for calling that woman Kissshot, but you guessed wrong. Killing Heartunder-Blade would be your first job"

"......Then I refuse"

Out of the question.

The point is that I want to go back to be a human -- there is no way I can become a fratricide vampire.

You must choose words tailored for your listener.

"I see. Too bad. Really regrettable. Right now, I have 53 brethren – I thought the controlling power of your master over you seems weak, so I thought you were fit for becoming a comrade"

The controlling power is weak?

Is it really like this?

Kissshot didn’t — didn’t turn me into a servant?

"53 is still a big number. Are there really so many fratricide vampires? – I finally agree with Kissshot’s words. Well then, if I did as you said, I would have become your 54th comrade"

"Oh no. You would have instantly become the number one"

Dramaturgie said without changing facial expression.

"By the way, I am the current number one"

"......Hmm"

I thought from the beginning that he wasn't an ordinary person.

I am not really surprised.

Because he is the sort of vampire so enthusiastic about exorcizing -- Kissshot is a truly incredible being.

The Iron-Blooded Hot-Blooded Cold-Blooded Vampire.

Kaii Killer.

Indeed.

"Paradoxically, I commend you for trying to make me your comrade but -- the next time entice more skillfully. You won't seduce a woman like that"

Following Oshino's image, I don’t know why but a glib remark came out.

I thought it was a scene where I had to show off.

"I see"

Dramaturgie's answer was just an agreement.

It was a failure.

To say it better, it was embarrassing.

......However, this is a chance.

Perhaps, in order to persuade me, Dramaturgie has left somewhere else those undulating long swords.

No matter how much I realize this body is immortal, to me edged tools are instinctively scary -- this development, just to be clear, is a big help.

Perhaps the things that cut off Kissshot's right leg was--

Dramaturgie's long swords.

Among the limbs cut down, it was the only smooth -- clean wound, that right leg.

With those swords endowed with an undulating blade, slicing in such a way looks on the contrary difficult -- however, if Dramaturgie isn't carrying those swords, I must view it as a good opportunity.

The wind is blowing my way -- maybe.

"Well then, let's begin -- Pitiful boy. Heartunder-Blade's subordinate. It shouldn't take much time, should it?"

"Wait, before that let’s confirm the terms"

I said to Dramaturgie who started spinning his arm.

"I am worried there might be discrepancies between our reciprocal terms"

"Fine. Let's confirm the terms"

"If I happen to win -- you'll give me Kissshot's right leg, is that fine with you?"

"If I win, you’ll tell me Kissshot's whereabouts?"

"I’m fine with that"

"Me too"

Then we begin.

His arm was spinning -- I was saying.

Dramaturgie shot it towards me.

It was a speed you couldn't expect from that gigantic body -- striking with his whole body behind it, it was a punch like a pro boxer.

I can see it.

With vampire eyes, I can see it.

However -- even if can see it, I can't deal with it.

"Au......ugh"

The following instant -- my left arm flew.

It was neither broken nor torn off.

Due to the impact of Dramaturgie's fist, it was pulverized.

"Hi......iiiiiiiiiih!?"

The problem isn't the pain.

At once fear had my body in its grip.

The body -- one fifth of it, disappeared!?

I -- by reflex.

By reflex, and then by instinct --

Ran away from Dramaturgie.

However, it seems that after just two steps my feet twisted and I collapsed on that spot -- it was good it happened, because the place where my head was until some time ago was crossed by a frighteningly fast huge fist.

With my left hand on the ground, somehow I avoided tumbling

However my thoughts are racing -- left hand?

What?

The left arm which should have been pulverised -- is still there?

"..................!"

Vampire -- regenerative power!

Is it really instantaneous?

The regeneration didn't go as far as the cloth that was blown together with the left arm -- but it becoming bare conversely demonstrated clearly the recovery power of the vampire flesh.

I've taken care of confirming things like the physical strength
, obviously I didn't confirm the healing power -- my surprise in this moment was complete. However, reflecting about it, if I think about that time in the beginning, the living hell of when I exposed my figure under the sun -- this recovery power isn't strange.

"What's happening? You are only running away! Heartunder-Blade's subordinate!"

"......Don't call me in such a weird way!"

Seeing the regeneration of my left arm, my head cooled down.

Even the terror vanished somewhere -- that's right.

That's totally right.

My adversary is a monster -- but now I'm a monster too.

What should I fear?

"OOOOH!"

I roar -- while performing a backflip.

As I thought, my mobility increased.

And I even thought that things like a backflip, without using at least a trampolin, or possibly some CG, were impossible for me -- and then.

I stiffened, and for the first time I faced Dramaturgie.

"Ooh. You seem resolute"

"It's thanks to you -- because of that I will pardon you for my clothes"

While I'm speaking, I think.

Dramaturgie.

A vampire that kills vampires.

Kissshot said that it would be good to grasp in advance vampires' special characteristics -- vampires' special characteristics, if I remember correctly --

They are weak to the sun. Dislike crosses. Dislike silver bullets. Dislike holy water. Dislike garlic. Dislike poison. Die when a stake is driven through their heart. Are these their weak points? Besides, talking about special characteristics...... well, basics of the basics, they suck blood, moreover draining energy while doing so. They don't project a shadow, and they don't have a reflection in the mirror.

Surely Dramaturgie -- which is now illuminated by the moon, doesn't have a shadow.

I am the same.

Canine teeth -- or perhaps I should say fangs.

Since my opponent Dramaturgie had often the mouth close in a straight line, I couldn't observe this.

After that -- immortality?

Nearly infinite recovery power?

Eyes that can see well even in the darkness?

After that the power to turn the body in things like fog or darkness, there is even healing power in the blood of a vampire, I believe -- however, I've come to think that there could be no meaning in pondering about it though.

I don't mean to look down on Kissshot's advice, but -- because we are both fellow vampires, in strengths and weaknesses, all in all, I guess we are fairly matched.

I am immortal, he is immortal too.

If it comes to that -- experience and potential will decide everything.

About experience, I can't but acknowledge he is one step ahead -- or perhaps I should say it's not a matter of just one step. {To be exact, in Japanese it's about days ahead}

While I have read the manual of aikido just a little while back --

"The hell with it!"

Maybe it's the influence of Kissshot, but while I shouted old style words that I wouldn’t use in my entire life-- I flung myself at Dramaturgie.

"I thought you were going to use some strategy -- but personally I appreciate such straightforwardness"

While talking -- Dramaturgie unleashed on me exactly that kind of straightforward attack.

Straightforwardness.

You could even say it was dull.

No matter how big the fist, no matter how frightening the speed -- if I see it three times, I grow accustomed with it. Well, if I was still a human it would be different, but now with vampire eyes -- three times is plenty.

Facing forward.

I avoided that fist facing forward -- and then with a delay, I grabbed the arm that looked like a log -- even beyond that, it looked like an earthen pipe.

I use the force of the punch of my opponent.

Like that -- I flow into a locking technique.

Learn Aikido Starting from Nothing!

"(1) Grab opponent's arm -- (2) Pull it forward -- (3) Strike with all your strength!"

Now, as far as explanations meant to teach a technique to a novice go, the wording seems a tad too rough, but it did the trick.

A giant exceeding two meters, without even a falling technique, fell hard, face forward, on the not so well maintained sports field.

No -- I threw him.

And while I'm at it, I pin down Dramaturgie's back with a knee – and I pull completely backward his shoulder joint.

"Ho-How's that?"

"......Crafty"

Dramaturgie said, with his face buried on the ground.

"The straightforwardness was greatly preferable -- it appears that you didn't lose the common sense from when you were a human. Well, it's reasonable -- I can understand since I once was a human too"

"......What? Don't talk nonsense, just give up already! If you don't, I will break this arm --!"

Wait, what was that?

Although they sounded frighteningly like the words of a guy who is coming from behind.

Although it sounded like an introduction.

......Common sense from when I was a human?

Common sense -- way of thinking?

"Ah......"

That's right -- it was that.

I've done a locking technique...... now what?

What comes after this?

I break him -- wasn't it?

But even if I broke him -- since my opponent is a vampire, he would recover immediately.

"Da-Dam--"

And yet.

What Dramaturgie was talking about was not only limited to that -- even if I noticed I don't think I could have done something, but I realized the real meaning behind his words after my hands, which surrounded his earthen pipe-like arm, were amputated with a cutting sound.

They were cut?

No, it's not that -- it seems I cut them myself.

Because I grasped his hand which morphed into an undulating blade.

"Gh......guargh!"

This time it was clearly painful -- a real pain.

A sharp pain.

From now on it seems I can use this metaphor knowing what I am talking about.

I instinctively leapt back, creating some distance from Dramaturgie's body -- my clipped hands fallen before on the ground vanished.

Looking at it, they were already back on my wrists.

They were repristinated.

This regenerative power...... growing new hands didn't feel like a lizard's tail -- it was simply a "they're back".

And the vanishing after the cut......

It wasn't a vanishing, it was more like an 'evaporation'.

That's what you can call a handy system.

It's not like I can leave behind my hands on school's sports field!

Dramaturgie, taking his time, or rather with a movement that could be called even slow -- rose up.

He couldn't help but taking time.

Anyway -- it was because now his hands were morphed into wavy blades.

"............"

Shape-shifting power!

Vampire's – shape-shifting power!

This guy -- turned a part of his body into weapons!

Even that day it was like this!

Even if it was at night, no, exactly because it was at night vampire eyes should have seen it -- I still had the common sense from when I was human, and because of that I deemed it impossible!

Thinking he put away his swords to persuade me was an idyllic delusion.

The two swords from the beginning -- were one with Dramaturgie.

"......What happened? Are you already done?"

Dramaturgie says.

Despite having the high ground, his stern facial expression doesn't crumble -- it's like he has honed his keenness even more.

Our experience -- is too unequal.

From the start there was too much difference.

Even if we are both vampires -- I can't do what he is able to.

Swords of that size and length...... if I try to face him in these conditions, I think I won't even be able to get close to him. Even under normal circumstances that large build seems to have twice or thrice my reach --

"I asked you if you are already done. Won't you answer? What you did now -- was this country's 'judo'?"

It was aikido.

But for as much as I can tell, it's not like I am an expert.

The point is, that technique was a fluke -- not only it's impossible for me to do it a second time, but also I fear a retaliation even with a variation......!

Damn, why did I have to come bare handed?

I didn't think they were a part of his body, alright, but that aside I did notice my opponent was using swords, I should have thought it was better to bring weapons!

If I had at least a cannon...... heck, at least anything, I just don't have such connections!

"......Hm?"

No...... wait?

Don't I have -- a trick?

If it's like that --

"............"

"I see. You give up -- fine for me, then here I come. Until your immortality runs out -- or until you scream you want to die, I'll chop up your body"

Dramaturgie moved -- I moved too.

However, I moved backward.

Withdrawing -- the intention was to run in the direction opposite to Dramaturgie.

"! Are you running away?"

Dramaturgie cried.

However my action is not an escape and not even a flight.

It's a stubborn -- withdrawing.

Withdrawing in order to come from behind.

It's not like I haven't yet come up with a clear idea -- it's 'the hell with it'. I don't have time to hesitate -- it's a little awkward, but I just have this trick left.

As expected, in sheer walking ability I am better than Dramaturgie. It's a rough estimate, but Dramaturgie should weigh more than 200 kg -- now that he morphed his arms into swords, it might be close to 300 kg.

No matter how fast are the fists.

It doesn't mean he can move his whole body that quick.

It would be the weirdest movement of mass ever.

Of course he may be running faster than a human, but with a base weight of 55 kg, I shouldn't lose against Dramaturgie -- I'll make the best of this advantage!

That said, this isn't fleeing.

I'm not randomly escaping.

There was a specific destination -- 'advantage of terrain'.

Although I didn't attend it very diligently, I spent two years in this school -- I know at least the PE storehouse's location.

Taking a good distance from the pursuing Dramaturgie, I managed to reach the storehouse -- and kicked open the iron door. It should have been locked, and even if it wasn't I didn't have time to unlock the small bolts one by one.

And then -- my expectation lands bingo.

That's right.

In my school, during PE there are baseball lessons --!

I grabbed a ball from the lot in the cage.

And then I remember.

The contents of the baseball textbook, bought together with the manual of aikido --!

I'm glad that after I finished reading the aikido manual, because there was still time left, I read it in advance -- it would be a disaster if by chance I read classical music!

"(1) Hold aloft -- (2) Place lower body's strength in the upper body -- (3) Swing down the arm!"

Nonetheless, as I thought, for a novice the contents are too rough.

It seems I'm no good at choosing reference books.

However -- the ball still flew in a straight line towards Dramaturgie.

For a guy like me who doesn't have a past in being a baseball teenager, of course it was the first time throwing the ball this way (unfortunately, baseball in PE was an elective choice. I personally chose soccer), counting even the aikido technique of before I must be a guy with beginner's luck -- that hard ball hit Dramaturgie on a lung.

"Guh......"

The movement of Dramaturgie who was charging like a heavy motor car stopped -- he crouched down on the spot.

The ball was rolling around -- as I thought, it seems even a vampire has internal organs that work like internal organs, his respiration was difficult. Thinking about it, if you stab the heart with a stake a vampire dies -- then it's natural lungs too are working.

If it's like that, even an attack against sense organs should be effective.

He is immortal, but you can work around it.

Alright, just like that – I grabbed another ball.

The cage was still stinking full of balls.

However, my control was stinking too.

My beginner's luck seemingly spent, after that I threw five consecutive balls, but I didn't even grazed the squatting Dramaturgie.

Absolutely, I was just digging the ground near him.

It looks like I dug so deep that afterwards I must level the ground over there with the roller used by the baseball club or something, however if I can't hit with such powerful balls there's no meaning.

And he is such a huge target too......!

I can't climb the Major mound like this!

Climbing the Everest seems simpler.

"......You really are a man that has both craftiness and straightforwardness"

While talking, Dramaturgie rose up.

And then once again -- he dashes towards me.

"But even that -- it's a single use only technique!"

"............!"

Currently the distance between me and Dramaturgie is about 25 meters -- is it? With his legs...... he can close it in three seconds!

If this happens, entering the PE storehouse was a bad move...... even if I want to run there's no place to run!

I'm in despair.

Already half giving up, I threw the ball that could be my last --

"Hun! Such soft ball, even if I took it, it should have been clear from the beginning -- you won't stop me with one or two balls!"

While he was saying that charging forward -- the ball exploded in his face.

And then that ball stopped Dramaturgie.

It's not like his previous remark was wrong.

It isn't necessary to take it back.

The last ball.

The ball I threw -- wasn't a soft ball.

It was a hard ball.

Or perhaps it's better to say it was a shot.

It's the iron sphere used for shot puts.

".................."

Who is the guy who put a shot in the cage of baseball balls?

As expected, it looks like this one did damage him -- Dramaturgie covered his mouth with the two wavy blades, and groaned.

......The regeneration was slow?

About vampire wounds, my left hands or both wrists did heal instantly, didn't they?

Is it because it was a shot?

No, to begin with, why did the shot hit -- if I recall, surely that throw seemed even too stable for me -- or better, could I normally throw a shot that way?

What is the reason -- wait, I get it, it's the weight!

I could have noticed when I kicked open the iron door.

Becoming a vampire -- my physical strength increased.

To me now, a hard ball used for baseball is too soft -- and too light. Therefore, excluding the beginner's luck of the first throw, my control was upset.

Something like a shot is just right -- no.

Even a shot was still too light.

Then --

"Now you'll see!"

Before Dramaturgie raises his face.

I manage to drag out from inside the storehouse -- used to level the ground, a concrete roller.

It's the roller used by the baseball club.

Holding it in one hand I lifted it up...... and I majestically held it aloft.

"If I can't hit not even a big target...... I must use a bigger ball!"

And then, I placed lower body's strength in the upper body and --

I swung down the arm!

"..................!"

I was on the verge of waving it down.

Dramaturgie, although he still hasn't been hit, was crouched on the spot flopped down -- seeing his blade arms pointed towards the sky, I stopped the swing at the very last moment, and I threw that roller I was holding to the ground.

It made a frightful dent in the ground.

I was almost going to smash my toes......

"What kind of pose is that? Dramaturgie"

"It's as it looks. I give up"

Without the stern facial expression crumbling -- with the tone of voice used until now, so said Dramaturgie.

"Being hit by that thing with your strength, it's not something I can bear -- it would take me two days to recover"

"Eh......?"

"You seem to have misunderstood -- vampires don't get to recover damage in an instant. Well, among other things my linage is those weak at regenerating -- however, even so, your linage is the exception. It's must be because you are Heartunder-Blade’s subordinate"

Is...... is that so?

Nevertheless I, without swallowing Dramaturgie's words, didn't lower my guard. At once I quietly extend the hand towards the roller slammed on the ground.

"Didn't I tell you? You are number one"

"............"

"Even if I lose because of potential, I thought I could have room for victory thanks to experience -- but it appears that it's impossible. I can't hunt you"

"No -- way"

Even though I am inferior as far as experience goes -- I have the upper hand with potential.

I wasn't conscious of that -- even now I don't have that sensation.

"Perhaps you'd prefer I spoke this way? I'll never fight you again, just spare my life"

Dramaturgie said that without even making a smile. The damage from the shot looked healed -- but he didn't seem yet ready to fight.

Quitting here -- he is quite the pro.

A professional.

While we were both still fine --

"......Kissshot's right leg. You’ll give it back to me"

"Ok"

Dramaturgie nodded, and then.

He transformed his blade arms, turning them back.

"Now it's kept hidden in a certain place -- but I'll hand it over to that smooth-tongued man immediately. Is that fine?"

"......Yes"

"Then it's settled"

So he said and -- suddenly, his shape began to blur.

I thought it was an optical illusion, but it wasn't.

Even if vampire eyes can be mistaken, it wasn't an optical illusion.

His body was melting into darkness.

Shape-shifting power.

He changes his body into fog -- and like that.

Dramaturgie disappeared -- however, after his shape disappeared completely -- just his voice alone, resounded in the field.

"Heartunder-Blade's subordinate"

"......What is it?"

I reply to the darkness.

"I'll ask you once again. Shall you become our comrade?"

"Impossible"

I said clearly.

No matter how many times he asks, the answer won't change.

"I don't find any appeal in such a thing"

"............"

"One time of Gakuen Inou Batoru is enough"

I didn't get a reply.

It seems he finished turning into darkness.

Will that guy keep his promise?

I became a bit anxious, but then I changed my mind and thought it will be fine. Because Oshino will work to make that promise true.

However, even without that, I have a hunch that Dramaturgie the vampire will surely keep his promise.

Straightforward and simple.

A vampire that was once a human too, huh?

If possible, I wanted to ask him a more detailed account -- I did think that too, but it was absurd.

We just don’t mix.

His side tried to exorcize me and Kissshot -- our side wants to get back the limbs from those three.

That's why.

"......By the way, right leg GET"

With this, it's one fourth.

If I look at the time, just a few minutes passed, however I felt like I lived five times -- no matter my immortal body, that was hard.

Although hard -- still 3/4 to go.

Well then, I'll go back tidying up......

In addition to the regenerative power, I didn't really feel any body exhaustion, but mentally I was extraordinarily worn out. I put in order the balls and leveled the ground...... but what about PE storehouse's iron door?

I kicked it open.

......Well, there’s nothing I can do.

I placed it back in its place.

"Let's see...... well, I did pick up the scattered balls, right?"

It happened when I raised my face.

There's no need to repeat it now, its vampire eyesight -- I noticed that long away from the storehouse, in the shadow of the school building on the other side of the sports field there was someone.

Someone -- who?

It's not Dramaturgie...... don't tell me, is it one of the other two?

Episode, or Guillotincutter?

It can't be...... they should become my opponents only later. Then...... maybe it's Oshino?

While professing neutrality, the truth is he is secretly watching over me -- just like the mentor of the main character of a shounen manga!

I don't remember you made me your disciple!

However it makes me a little happy -- wait.

I've made such misunderstanding, however that someone isn't even Oshino. In order to see better the shadow of the school building, I changed my angle and took ten steps closer, my eyes in the end grasped that figure.

I silently stared at the pair of pupils over there.

That was Hanekawa Tsubasa.

"............Eh?"

Eeh?

Why -- is she here?

Don't tell me, did she follow me?

Did I leave traces?

Although I drove her away so rudely......

I was confused, unable to do anything, I was just standing up like an okimono, so -- guessing I noticed her even at this distance, Hanekawa walked towards me.

Briskly.

I even thought I could hear the sound of her footsteps.

Urgh......

She is three times scarier than Dramaturgie.

Why is a girl this scary...... is it because it's Hanekawa?

An honor student -- class rep of class reps, Hanekawa Tsubasa.

"What was that?"

She suddenly uttered.

It looks like that expression won't allow me to use the ploy I came up with before Hanekawa got close, 'play dumb'.

I was seen......

She has seen...... everything.

That is to say, even if she saw just the last minute it was still definitively an out...... I lifted a roller with one hand.

"After that, I searched for you. For a moment I lost sight of you, however this bag was dropped in front of the school gate"

While talking, she pointed out the bag she was carrying with her right hand, which I undoubtly left at the school gate, and which contained the aikido manual, the baseball textbook and the classical music recommendations book.

"I was unsure you were inside the school, because you should have climbed over the gate"

"............"

Despite being a honor student, she is too aggressive.

However -- it was a blunder leaving the books outside the gate. I can't believe how just because of that this happened, although I had no way to foresee it......

"Say, Araragi-kun -- because it's was from a distance I couldn't see it well, but...... somehow, didn't you do something that looked taken out from a romance?"

"......It's not your business"

I said it with all my might.

Damn.

I got back Kissshot's leg, with that I thought I could write one thing off, I felt like I got a momentary relief -- and still.

And still I have to hurt Hanekawa's feelings.

"Rather than that, why are you tailing me? I don't get it at all. I told you not to follow me around -- don't be a bother by acting like a friend"

"......Araragi-kun, you are not a person who says such things"

Hanekawa's eyes -- were really scary.

They are not cold like those of Kissshot -- if I am forced to say, they are probing eyes.

They are piercing, penetrating -- such kind of eyes.

They make you aware of your shallowness, even unpleasantly -- such kind of eyes.

"I feel sorry for having made you say that -- but right now the truth is that you are in a situation that forces you to say such a thing against your will, right?"

Hanekawa -- presented me the bag she was carrying with the right hand.

I took it.

If she simply came to deliver lost property -- this exchange should be over.

"I was late to notice, sorry"

she continues though.

"If that's the case, I want to be of assistance"

"......Don't be pushy"

I said with a strained voice.

"Don't read too much into it. I was just bored being with you. I like to be alone"

"That's a lie. You are not a misanthropist or angry against the world, that much I can tell. Araragi-kun, you seemed to enjoy talking with me at least"

"That's because I was after your fortune!"

"But my family is not that rich!"

"Then I was after your Dakara!" {a bottled water brand}

"If you are thirsty say it so!"

I bit my tongue. {he meant to say "karada" (body)}

"I meant to say I was after your body!" {"[...]dakara karada[...]"}

"The Dakara or the body, which is it!?"

"The body!"

I yelled.

I don't understand what I'm saying anymore.

"And that's why if you show me your panties another time I will make peace with you!"

"Got it"

Toward that -- Hanekawa was extremely calm.

Not perturbed, not moving an eyebrow.

With a spontaneus action she turned up the skirt of the uniform.

And then she exposes to me the underwear inside.

They were dark grey underwear with felt texture.

It was a dull design without patterns or ornaments, but consequently it drew out the inherent flavor of raw materials.

"Satisfacted enough? Can you see them well?"

"............"

"If you like, I can take off my blouse too"

Hanekawa --

With the skirt pulled up, said this quietly.

Ah!

That time -- for the first time.

At last I felt like I met Hanekawa.

Without missing each other -- we met face to face.

Yes.

She is a good person, but -- it's not only that.

She is strong.

People like me -- aren't a match for her.

"......Please forgive me for saying cruel things"

I -- bent forward as much as I could, bowing my head.

Hanekawa was still turning up her skirt, but obviously I didn't bow because I wanted to have a good look at the inside.

It was in order to apologize.

And also in order to make a request.

"Please be my friend"