The sound of someone knocking the iron door of the PE storehouse.
Knock knock.
"Girl delivery"
"............"
No, I can't laugh.
That's not the right way to show concern.
In any case, I remove the barricade (with vampire physical strength, it is simple both building them and pulling them down), and after I said to Hanekawa to come in with the body turned sideways, leaving the door as close as possible, I stuck to the wall in order to not get hit by the sunlight that got in at the same time of her entrance. It was already time for sunset, but the evening sun still remained.
Later I am going to bask into the sunlight.
Later I am going to have a full-body sunbath.
However that will be after I talked to Hanekawa.
Hanekawa even today is wearing her school uniform.
This girl doesn't feel like showing me her plain clothes...... or maybe she doesn't like me to see her plain clothes...... but I don't have an obsession over this point, though.
Hanekawa was smiling cheerfully.
It was her usual smiling face.
That too was concern, I suppose.
"What is this?"
In addition, while I was working to block once again the iron door with a barricade, she says this to my back with a tone of voice awfully full of high spirits.
"It looks like I was cleverly locked up in the PE storeroom. What should I do if Araragi-kun played a lewd prank on me?"
"......A prank, you say"
This girl....
Isn't she thinking I could be quite the lecher? Well, I certainly might have showed that side a lot, but I am undoubtedly not a person who likes this kind of lewd talk.
I am more of a gentleman.
"Flashlight, on"
She turned it on, and placed it above the vaulting horse. Since it's a flashlight with a square shape, it doesn't roll. After that, Hanekawa sat on the mat. I sat in front of her.
"Ah--. You are sitting in front, you are trying to peek at my panties"
"You are misunderstanding the kind of man I am"
I said to Hanekawa who was gesturing to pull tight the cuff of her skirt, not bearing it anymore.
"If for example there was in front of my eyes a naked girl, and that girl said to me don't look, I am a man who would be able to not look!"
"That would be normal"
"Guh......!"
Really?!
When did world's common sense change?
"Err, Hanekawa, you just don't know how much of a gentlemen I am"
"Gentlemen is the plural form"
Hanekawa says.
"Well, if that's true, then I am looking forward to it"
"You are looking forward to what?"
"When the new school term arrives, I will be able to see Araragi-kun’s gentle side as much as I want, right?"
"............"
That's -- to say.
Your intuition is too good.
Although in the mail I revealed nothing of that -- and although I had the intention to cover it to the end.
Because Hanekawa will stop me at all costs.
"Therefore you mustn't die"
"......Hanekawa"
"You mustn't die"
She says.
Through the darkness, she is clearly looking at me.
"Thinking in that way is proof that you’re running away from your heart"
"......You are amazing"
I reflect upon Hanekawa's words, and after that I said what I thought as it was.
"You are amazing. When you are in front of me -- it seems like I am a terribly insignificant person. Perhaps if I didn't meet you, I would have died much earlier, I think. There were plenty of situations where it seemed likely"
"That's why I am telling you that you mustn't die -- listen to what I say"
"It is all my fault"
I said.
That already felt like a confession.
"My rash action produced this result -- that time, when Kissshot got my blood, it was like I wasn't thinking it would have become this -- it is something that one would understand if one thought a little. Giving blood to a vampire, what kind of a thing it is -- and yet I"
That she -- eats people.
That there would be victims.
I didn't think that at all -- after I thought so, it escaped. Even afterwards, no matter that I became a vampire and I had my hands full with my problems -- there should have been plenty of time to reflect on it.
No.
To begin with, I said it in the beginning.
In the closing ceremony day, to Hanekawa.
I was the one who said it.
Your blood will be sucked -- you will be killed.
Exactly like that.
Guillotinecutter got his blood sucked.
He was killed.
He died.
I didn't understand what I should have understood.
"Because of me, a person died"
"It is not your fault. Besides...... surely, for a vampire...... for Heartunderblade-san that should be a very natural thing. It's the same thing as us eating cows and pigs"
"............"
If I do not eat I will die.
So she said.
"But -- she thinks of you as my portable food. She didn't feel you as part of the group"
"But your case was an exception"
Life savior.
We are mutually life saviors.
I saved Kissshot--
Kissshot saved me.
If that's the case, there might have been a relationship of mutual trust.
However, that.
"It would be like loving a bright cow...... look, even if they are not cows, there frequently are -- genius dogs, or genius monkeys"
"Are you talking about pets?"
Hanekawa interrupts me.
That's right.
Certainly, even Oshino -- said a similar thing.
Affection towards a pet--
"But for her it is natural -- including the part about me"
"Yeah. Therefore Kissshot is not evil. I am the one who is evil. I am evil -- nobody else is evil"
"I don't think you are evil though. Because good and bad change 180° with the place you stand in"
"You are right"
Oshino said even that.
Each person has a different definition of justice -- he said.
Therefore Oshino.
Obstinately chose to have a neutral standpoint.
"I never thought about it -- Dramaturgie, Episode, Guillotinecutter. Those three -- were the justice of humans"
"At that time you were a vampire -- so it couldn't be avoided. ......then again, don't put it so simply"
"It's even harder not to put it like that. I ended up becoming an enemy of humanity"
"Then do you give up turning back into a human?"
Hanekawa says.
It's not an accusing tone of voice -- but for the present me that was a strict question.
"Have you given up your humanity? Didn't you say you wanted to turn back into a human -- you wanted to go back to reality, didn't you?"
"There was a victim. Now it would be too selfish for only my wish to be granted"
"Since you say selfish, then isn't the present you selfish?"
"Eh?"
"Because"
As to confirm the position of the glasses, after taking a short breath -- Hanekawa said.
"You are trying to run away abandoning all the mess you've done"
"......No"
It's not that, I tried to say, but I fumbled with words.
Hanekawa added.
"Both the heart and the body are running away"
"............"
"After this, you will try to run away. Because of your mistakes, you will try to reset everything. And since there is no reset button in human life -- you will try to disconnect the plug. Am I wrong?"
"......You are wrong"
You are wrong.
I think so.
"It's not that I want to run away, I want to take responsibility for it. The least I can do for atonement is to personally put an end to this immortal life"
"You will just add a sin to your sins"
Hanekawa says.
"Suicide is a sin"
"What what...... Hanekawa, are you a opponent of suicide?"
"I don't mean to take precisely that standpoint, but on that regards, I believe you surely are the same"
"The same?"
"You feel bad when people die"
Explaining the implication, Hanekawa continues.
"Although you are fine with dying -- you feel bad when people die"
"............"
"Whatever kind of person it may be"
"......Are you talking about Guillotinecutter?"
I recollect him.
Although, I interacted with him only few times.
"There are people that should die -- but there can't be people whose death doesn't matter. That's the way I think. That's the definition of me. And using those terms, I already am a person that should die"
"You are currently not a human" {in Japanese, "ningen" means both "person" and "human"}
"That's just hairsplitting"
"I split hairs. If it's for a friend's sake"
"Hanekawa"
I said.
It goes without saying that, if I mention this matter to Hanekawa, I will receive some sort of objection and I will be talked down, I think--
But I still said it.
"Certainly at present I am not a human. I am a vampire. Therefore -- like Kissshot, even I will eat people"
"............"
"I tried to imagine it a little...... just by thinking about it I felt sick. I don't want to live if it's at the cost of eating people"
Therefore I have no choice but to die, I said.
If I can't turn back into a human -- then I have no choice but to die.
"Unlike you, I am a weakling, so if I don't die now, I will surely procrastinate it -- sooner or later I will be unable to overcome hunger"
Portable food.
Kissshot's words.
"Hanekawa -- sooner or later I will see even you only as food"
That's scary.
Although the corpse of Guillotinecutter was scary too -- Kissshot calling Hanekawa that was scarier.
That cognizance.
That common sense, sooner or later it will become my common sense.
If the common sense of when I was a human comes out -- and I acquire vampire common sense.
Undoubtedly I will come to see Hanekawa only as food.
I will want to eat her.
"If that's the case, don't eat"
Hanekawa.
However, without any of the objections I imagined -- without talking me down, she said so with a calm tone of voice.
"Araragi-kun, you can eat me"
"......What are you saying?"
I really didn't understand.
Not what she was saying, her feelings.
"If I can't die for the other's sake, I can't call that person a friend"
"......Err"
As expected that definition was too reckless.
Who can stick that definition to himself?
"Exactly. Didn't I say it? If you knew the real me you will be disenchanted"
Hanekawa said with a smiling face.
"......What in the world are you?"
"Hmm? I am your friend. That's what I believe, at least"
"With just that much would you normally get involved this far? How could you do so much for someone like me -- or are you the reincarnation of a cat I saved when I was an elementary schooler, a childhood friend who moved, a comrade in arms in a previous life, such kind of person?"
"Not at all"
"I hope so"
By the way, I have never saved a cat.
I haven't any childhood friend who moved.
I don't know anything about my previous lives.
"I did tell you this even before, but -- how can you do so much for me who you just met. If you did that for everybody, you would never have enough bodies"
"I don't do it for everybody, though"
Hanekawa says.
"I am doing it because it is you, you know?"
"Even if you do so much for me, I am a minor, so I can't become your co-signer, you know?"
"Actually, I wasn't planning that"
"Even if I were an adult, I am unemployed anyway, so I still can't become your co-signer"
"It is a different problem, but I hope you get a job"
"Saying that doesn't make it easier!"
"Well, certainly you are not having it easy, but......"
Basically, Hanekawa continued.
"If I have to help just you, then one body is plenty enough"
"......Are you saying you are ok with dying?"
"I don't want to die, but you saved my life twice -- so even if I got eaten by you, perhaps I wouldn't utter a complaint"
I think I will say that it hurts, though.
Hanekawa said such carefree thing.
Though I was not talked down--
I was at loss with words.
She is really -- amazing.
Honestly, words won't do her justice.
"Therefore you mustn't die"
Hanekawa said once again.
"Don't die"
"......And what about responsibility?"
I -- unintentionally asked.
"I was the one who revived a dying Kissshot -- I carefully gathered her limbs, I got back even the heart without being asked to. What about this responsibility? If we say that to die is running away, then if I don't die will I be able to take responsibility for it?"
"Then will you be able to take responsibility for it if you die?"
"I don't know"
Everything was already over.
At this point there is nothing I can do -- I can't try to tip the scales.
There is no person who can stop Kissshot Acerolaorion Heartunderblade completely revived. It is my responsibility she revived -- and she will unabashedly continue to eat people.
The same way she did until now.
From now on it will be my responsibility.
"Guillotinecutter didn't have any chance -- in the time I went to buy something at the convenience store, like a snack between meals, he was chopped up and eaten. Even Dramaturgie and Episode, who went back to their hometown, will never be a match for her. If I had to raise the probabilities, it would be Oshino -- but he absolutely wouldn't do for me anything more than to bring a balance. He draws a firm line -- for him the matter of Kissshot is already over. Besides, even Kissshot from now on won't let her heart be stolen that easily. Nobody can stop that vampire anymore"
"Not even you?"
Hanekawa said, cutting in.
"Can't you -- stop her? Or rather -- aren't you the only one who can stop her?"
Those.
Were unexpected words.
And -- they were something I was failing to notice.
"Kissshot Acerolaorion Heartunderblade...... the Iron-Blooded, Hot-blooded, Cold-Blooded vampire, was it? And you are her only subordinate -- Conversely speaking, aren't you the only one who can stop her?"
"......Ah"
What I was failing to notice.
And what I was leaving undone.
Were that.
Why didn't I notice such a simple thing -- if neither Dramaturgie, Episode, Guillotinecutter or Oshino can do it.
Then I, Araragi Koyomi, who gathered from these four the right leg, the left leg, both arms and the heart have no choice but do it.
That's what I should do.
That -- would be responsibility.
Putting aside what I can and cannot do.
Indeed, I made a big mess.
And yet I'm still -- not doing anything!
I -- will exorcise Kissshot"
I said it with words.
They were deeply accompanied by my actual feelings.
That's right.
That is something -- only I can do.
I will stop -- that Kaii Killer!
If that's what I should do -- I have no choice but to do it!
Inside my head something clicked -- I felt that gears engaged.
"Your facial expression changed"
And.
"While we're at it, let's tell you a good thing, Araragi-kun"
Hanekawa Tsubasa said, as she was further pressing on.
"It might be a bad thing, though"
"Hm? Good or bad, which is it? Don't speak cryptically"
"For the present you it might be inconvenient, but for the you of a while before it is convenient"
"It became even more unclear, but......"
"Yesterday I went to the library -- I did some research. The night of the day before yesterday you beat Guillotinecutter-san, and you assembled the parts...... well, you actually didn't assemble the heart, but with that you could turn back into a human. However -- I became a little anxious"
"Anxious, you say"
"I was anxious about whether Heartunderblade-san would really turn you back into a human"
Though I wasn't doubting it, said Hanekawa.
"Therefore, I considered the case in which she didn't turn you back into a human -- and I researched if there were other methods for turning you back into a human"
In other words.
She researched -- a method to revert a 'former human' vampire who was bitten by a vampire and turned into a subordinate back into a human, huh.
"......Does such method exist?"
"It exists. Just one"
Hanekawa nods.
"When a servant, who must normally obey the master, injures his master, that master and servant relationship will collapse, and the servant's condition of servitude will end"
"......? I don't understand the meaning but......"
"In other words, if you beat Heartunderblade -- no matter what Heartunderblade-san wants, you can turn back into a human"
"Is"
I.
At first I was just -- surprised for that simple rule.
"Is -- is that so?"
The collapse of the master-servant relationship.
Even now, I can say that it's already collapsing -- by giving the final push.
I can turn back into a human.
So that's how it is.
"I found the same description in several books, so I think it is credible -- for the you who don't want to turn back into a human, and want to die, this might be inconvenient, but it can't be avoided. Because you are the only one who can defeat Heartunderblade-san"
"--That's inconvenient"
Yeah.
After all, if you are well prepared you don't have to worry, huh.
It's something that I hesitate to express as something trite like killing two birds with one stone, it's really--
"It's really -- inconvenient. Everything goes as you think"
"This is what I call scheming. Even if I do say so myself -- I think it's playing dirty.
"You -- know everything"
"I don't know everything. I just know what I know"
Araragi-kun, says Hanekawa.
"With this you have no choice but to turn back into a human, don't you? Because there is no way at this point you can leave Heartunderblade-san be"
"There is no way I--"
"Or will you run away?"
Hanekawa said as a clincher.
"If you still say you will run away, I -- will stop you with all my power"
I wish you would give me a little break.
Of course the responsability remains -- my responsibility of having caused this state of affairs remains, that is something that won't ever disappear.
But.
This mess is -- cleanable.
I can clean up this mess.
If I can do it, I have no choice but to do it.
Better than a simple death.
Better than an easy death, this was really atonement.
Once again I look at Hanekawa.
And once again I thought she was amazing.
Until a little while back, I was thinking only about dying -- whatever I was saying, I was thinking only of punishing myself, and yet I just talk with Hanekawa a little, and before I knew I notice I had set aside that question.
I thought I could not die until I talked with Hanekawa -- but conversely, because I talked with Hanekawa, I cannot die anymore.
Hanekawa surely won't allow me to die even after I exorcise Kisshot and turn back into a human. She will use all kinds of wiles, and she won't let me do that, I think.
I made a troublesome friend.
And -- I made a good friend.
"If that's the case, then the problem is -- whether I can or cannot defeat Kissshot"
The vampire closest to Kissshot.
That would be me -- however, that said, the difference between our positions of master and servant could be fatal. Pulling off a revolution should be no ordinary feat after all.
"I agree. Although I devised plans -- it's not like there aren't holes. The case of you losing would be the worst result, at least for me. You dying as you wished to -- and the Kaii Heartunderblade-san remaining alive. ......I might be eaten by Heartunderblade-san. She viewed me as portable food, so she might remember my face"
"Do you have countermeasures about that?"
"Hm? No, I didn't think that far ahead"
Hanekawa shook her head looking troubled.
"She has a precious lineage, wasn't it? Somehow Heartunderblade-san doesn't fit the mold of existing vampires. It is as you and Oshino said, her immortality is so high that the weak points doesn't look like weak points anymore"
"If we assume fundamentally I am the same as her -- then the problem becomes a difference of career......"
"There is also the mental side"
"Mental side?"
"Whether or not you can defeat Heartunderblade-san with which you lived together all this Spring Break"
"............"
She nursed me.
She looked after me with constant supervision.
To save me from being burned by the sun, she too threw her body under the sunlight.
And -- she was my life savior.
The life I tried to throw away--
She didn't went as far as sucking it away.
That may be closer to the affection humans have toward pets--
But still.
For example that time when we were above the roof--
We laughed, that time.
"--I can take care of the mental side"
Putting it all together, I said it.
"I will definitively exorcise her"
"Yes"
Hanekawa nodded.
It looked like there was still something she wanted to say, but she decided to leave it unsaid.
In exchange -- she says "Well, then".
"Of course I will assist you. I have my responsibility as a plan deviser. If there is something I could do, don't hold back and say it"
"Don't hold back -- huh"
"Ahaha, well, even if I said that, I didn't have in mind a further ecchi service though"
Even if she added a paragraph, was Hanekawa really trying to change the atmosphere, laughing cheerfully in that way -- no way.
Therefore this was a misunderstanding...... good grief, wasn't that manner of speaking a lead-in to skillfully direct the conversation, huh.
Why was she trying to assist me with this subject?
Assist me with things like setting up battle tactics!
Really, what silly things are you saying to this gentlemanly Araragi Koyomi, don't hold back, of all things--
"Hanekawa."
"Yes?"
As Hanekawa tilted her head to the side, I said in my most gentlemanly manner, "Could I touch your breasts?"
"............"
Hanekawa's facial expression froze while her head was still tilted.
Nevertheless, she was still keeping her smiling face.
A heavy air got a hold of the PE storehouse.
What should I do when there is this heavy atmosphere......
"Your breasts"
"I heard you"
Uhmmm, Hanekawa looked up, then down.
After that she looks back at me again.
"Why would you need it?"
"I need it at all costs"
I say.
I make up my most serious facial expression.
"You didn't see it. How Kissshot Acerolaorion Heartunderblade in her complete form looked like.
"Hm? Well...... I have seen her 12 and 17 year old forms, so it's not like I can't imagine what she looks like as a 27 year old"
"It is probably beyond your imagination"
I say, raising my index finger.
"She possesses breasts that are beyond your imagination"
"......Breasts"
"I fear of losing while I am distracted by those breasts. Those breasts will probably shake a lot in the middle of battle. That's why I want to gain some training on female breasts as a countermeasure"
"Oooh"
Hanekawa groaned.
"That's a surprisingly stupid reason......"
"D-Doesn't it make sense to you?"
"......Hmm"
Hanekawa quietly closes her eyes and brings her eyebrows together as if she had a headache.
"......Fine then"
"Huh!? Really!?"
Why?
Did she concede some parts of it made sense!?
"Wait a moment"
She says.
First Hanekawa unfastens the scarf and take off the school sweater -- then she extract the cuff of the blouse inserted in the skirt. While I was puzzled over what she was doing, she also winds both arms around her back, and inserts her hands under her blouse.
Some seconds passed.
From inside her blouse, Hanekawa pulled out her unhooked bra. With practiced hand she quickly folds it, and she hides it under the mat she was sitting in.
After that, she looks at me.
"Well then, touch them"
She said.
"............!"
I didn't wish for this much!
What is this situation!?
I can't get my heart ready.
S-She didn't need to take it off!
She didn't need to take off anything!
"E-Eeeeh?"
Besides, what is this?
Somehow, the moment she took off her school sweater and unfastened her underwear, it seemed like her breasts inflated...... is it an optical illusion?
No, vampire eyes are immune to illusions.
Hanekawa now, at least from what I can observe from over the blouse, wouldn't lose to Kissshot, no, possibly she possesses a bust that cannot even be compared to.
Moreover the shape was also splendid.
Although she took off her underwear and they should have lost their support, it was like they were defying the laws of physics -- it's as if Hanekawa can disregard gravity while being an earthling.
This is beyond imagination.
Of course, it was because I thought Hanekawa was qualified for it that I made that request, but even so, it was very rude to say it was for training.
Hanekawa Tsubasa.
She can have a fair match with Kissshot on her own.
It was unthinkable Hanekawa had such breasts!
B-But.....?
Getting up, Hanekawa walked towards me (at each step her chest showed a movement that exceeded imagination, so I shut my eyes, and I couldn't move, like I was paralyzed), and then she immediately sits in front of me -- lining up her arms on both sides, she pulled tight her dorsal muscles, and with a jerk she threw out her chest.
In that posture, her breasts seem even bigger.
Undoubtedly this could be said asserting one's chest.
Moreover, since it was quite a thin blouse, the whole image of Hanekawa's breasts could be said to be within a hair's breadth of being explicit.
"Araragi-kun"
"Eh? Ah, what?"
"Since you are going to massage them, massage them right"
"R-Right?"
"I think you should massage them for no less than sixty seconds"
"Si-sixty seconds......"
No way.
The hurdle is too high.
What is she meaning with massage them right?
Before I knew it changed from touching to massaging.
Crap, now I can't say it was a joke......
What am I doing to my precious friend?
"Don't go easy on me!"
"Y-Yessir!"
As told, I prepare both hands by reflex.
I prepare them, but aside from that I don't move.
At any rate, because of vampire grip, I can't really avoid to go easy, but I don't know how much force I should use. To begin with, should I touch them from above or from below...... and I haven't the slightest idea of what to do after the first move.
Certainly they won't fit inside the hands......
Therefore I hesitate going from the front.
Maybe like approaching from the side -- no no.
Uh, there is a more pressing matter though.
"H-Hey, Hanekawa"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Could you turn your back?"
I say with a vanishing voice.
"It's hard to do it while seeing your face"
With just the light of the flashlight, maybe Hanekawa wasn't able to see me well, but being a vampire I could see perfectly her facial expression.
Her face was already flushing.
She was biting her lips.
It's hard.
"............"
Remaining silent, Hanekawa suddenly nodded meekly, and faced in the opposite direction.
I could see the roots of her braids.
I never looked at it carefully, but what beautiful hair...... there really are no signs of damage. I guess it habitually receives a careful grooming.
"Ugh......"
Ah, but even now it's hard.
Since Hanekawa turned her back, I have to move my hands around her body, but in this case her arms neatly aligned on the sides are slightly in the way......
"Ra-Raise your hands over your head"
"Is this radio gymnastic?"
Despite saying that, Hanekawa raised her arms.
With this the way was opened.
And then I slip my arms under those armpits -- obviously, going this far, our body are on the brink of contact. Actually, because Hanekawa is facing the other way, if I try to touch her breasts, naturally it will feel like I am hugging her from behind though.......
Even perceiving the distance is hard -- should I cross my arms? No, is it easier to grasp if I keep going normally?
I open my fingers.
Hanekawa had not moved at all from before -- but even from behind I understand she is nervous. However, I am certain I was nervous.
My heart is racing.
"Y-You won't get mad afterwards?"
"Don't worry. I won't get mad"
"Really?"
"Really"
"......Okay then, just in case there is a trial later, please say 'Araragi-kun, please fondle my bra-less boobs'."
Snap!
I have the impression I heard that sound.
It must have been the sound of Hanekawa's veins popping out. Or maybe it was her facial muscles who popped out.
"A...... A-Araragi-kun, p-please, fondle m-my bra-less boobs"
"No, it won't do saying it in such a low voice. That makes it seem as if you are hating it and I'm forcing you to say it against your will. You must state in a much louder voice what you want me to do to what, by your own will"
"Araragi-kun! P-please fondle my bra-less boobs!"
"......'It is really an honor to have my boobs massaged by Araragi-kun'"
"It is re-really an honor...... to have my boobs massaged by Araragi-kun......"
"Err......'I developed these lascivious boobs for the sole reason of having Araragi-kun massage them'."
"I developed these l-lascivious boobs for the sole r-reason of having Araragi-kun m-massage them."
"Really. It didn't looked like it, but you are pretty perverted, Hanekawa"
"......Yes, I am incredibly perverted, I am sorry"
"You don't need to apologize. No matter how perverted you are, it's not like someone would be bothered by it"
"Th-That's right, ehehe"
"Well then, concretely, in what ways are the boobs of the perverted and serious class rep lascivious?"
"I can boast that th-their size, and their softness...... are peerless in their lasciviousness!"
Aah.
I see, now I get it.
During puberty even I experienced the common perplexity of why I was born in this world...... but now, at the age of seventeen, I finally found the answer to that question.
I was enlightened.
I lived for the sake of this day.
I existed for the sake of this moment.
The person called Araragi Koyomi was born in this world just in order to experience the day of today...... no, that's not it. It is not on a personal level anymore.
Surely this world has existed this long just in order to make me experience the day of today.
From this point on the rest of history will simply be a throwaway match!
"That is to say, normally it's impossible to massage the tits of a friend!"
I ran away.
I was the one who threw my hands up, I made three steps back and I started crying.
It was a posture exceedingly close to prostration.
"It doesn't happen! It doesn't ever happen!"
"......Chicken"
Hanekawa said in a terribly low tone of voice.
Without even turning this way.
Without even looking at my posture exceedingly close to prostration.
"Chicken. Chicken. Chicken chicken chicken chicken"
"I am a chicken. I am a coward. I am sorry. No matter what you say, I don't have words to reply with. Please forgive me. It is my fault. I got caught up in the moment. I took advantage of Hanekawa-san's kindness, but thanks to her involvement, I came to my senses"
"Do you think it ends with this? Do you know how much resolve it took me to sit here like this?"
"N-No, someone like me cannot even have the slightest idea, but while we are at it, I would like to hear how much resolve it was"
"Honestly, I thought it wouldn't have ended just with having my breasts massaged....... Ah, so that's how, my first time will be on a mat in the PE storehouse"
"Isn't it too early for that resolve!?"
"Well, it happens"
"As if!"
Girls these days are confident, but...... under no circumstances!
"And yet, after you terribly teased me and humiliated me, you didn't even touched me with a finger......!"
"That's why I am apologizing, you know"
"If you apologize that will be it. Huh. I am in a position that, if you apologize to me, I am obliged to forgive you. Huh"
"I think it's really inexcusable, but please forgive me, stylish spectacled class rep!"
"......This is the first time someone made such a fool of me"
"Eek"
Was it about the breasts?"
Or was it about the glasses?"
Maybe it was the class rep?
"Araragi-kun...... am I so unattractive?"
"............!"
Stop it stop it stop it!
Don't bully me by saying such lovely words!
"I-It's because if I massage your breasts in this situation, perhaps I will regret it for the rest of my life!"
I may regret even not massaging your breasts.
But I chose to regret not massaging your breasts rather than regret massaging your breasts!
"I-In exchange, could I massage your shoulders?"
"Shoulders?"
"Yes. Shoulders. I want to massage your shoulders"
"......Well, it's a deal"
We came to an agreement.
I massaged Hanekawa's shoulders.
Rub rub rub rub.
Whoa, they aren't stiff at all.
I heard that with a bad eyesight shoulders get stiff easily...... she is a healthy girl. In this way, even if I, who am no masseur, massage her, it won't feel good at all......
Obviously she has no meat at all in these places.
I can clearly feel the shape of the bones -- is this the clavicle?
Uh...... That's all.
Wait wait, not yet.
Rub rub rub rub.
60 seconds like this.
"I-It is over. Thank you"
On top of massaging her shoulders, I ended up thanking her.
What servile character I have.
"Was it enough?"
"Y-Yes. The continuation is on the internet"
"As if you could massage on the internet"
"Th-Then, the continuation is in the new school term"
"Yeah. That's more like it"
Hanekawa nods.
Her braids shake at the same time.
"You made it this far with a girl"
As I took off my hands from her shoulders, Hanekawa got up and walked, going back to where she was before on the mat, but she didn't sit, she turned this way while standing.
"So don't tell me you are going to lose"
"I will win" {polite form}
By now I must go back to my speech pattern, it seems I continued to use polite expressions with Hanekawa all this time.
However, it was not only this.
I could say it clearly.
"I will win" {informal form}
I was able to say it.
"Even at the cost of your breasts!"
"Actually, it was better to leave that part untold"
There was a slight difference in spirits.
Hanekawa said "that aside" and cleared her throat once.
And after that she said.
"This one is the final battle"
"Yeah -- it's the closing curtain of Gakuen Inou Batoru"
The moment I said that.
Outside the PE storehouse -- a thundering noise resounded.