Monogatari Series:Kizumonogatari/Koyomi Vamp 010

010

"......In other words, you are saying that every time she eats one of the stolen limbs, the body of that child grows?"

Hanekawa -- showed her understanding like that.

It is April 1st, immediately after the sunset -- Kissshot is still sleeping. The vampire has days and nights reversed -- even for me it was the same, it was awkward to drag the honor student Hanekawa out at very late night hours, so I endured and rose early.

A barrier is placed in the ruins of this cram school.

So said Oshino.

I was told it doesn't just conceal the existence of Kissshot and me, it even makes it difficult for ordinary persons without a guide to reach here. For this reason I made an arrangement with Hanekawa so that she comes nearby, and after the sun sinks I directly go to meet her.

Hanekawa has come at the time promised and at the place designated.

With her usual uniform.

"Yo."

Hanekawa greeted me with a raised hand.

It was an outgoing behavior that doesn't make me feel the awkwardness.

This moderately informal interpersonal distance puts me at ease.

"Did you bring me the thing I requested?"

"Sure. As you see."

"Good. Thank you. Well then, this way."

And then -- I guided Hanekawa to the ruin of the cram school.

Private property, no trespassing.

We pass through the fence where this sign is affixed (even the fence that surrounds the ruins of the cram school, appropriately for a ruin, is full of holes here and there), and we enter inside the building.

Oshino was out negotiating, and Kissshot was sleeping. I have talked to Kissshot about bringing Hanekawa, but she didn't seem particularly interested. Because it might be a complicated conversation, we should have spoken in another classroom, but Hanekawa wanted to see what Kissshot looked like.

Therefore, for talking to Hanekawa, I chose the same room on the second floor where I am usually passing time. On a corner Kissshot was indulging in indolence, this was the setting. It goes without saying that because planks are nailed on the windows of this room, even starlight doesn't enter. Having vampire eyes I don't have any problems, but Hanekawa has a normal eyesight, so I prepared a flashlight -- well, everything was prepared by Hanekawa though.

And then I, after some gossip (after all since Spring Break I haven't come in contact with newspapers or television), talked with Hanekawa until the morning of today -- Hanekawa was listening attentively, looking very interested.

Honor student.

Her curiosity towards the unknown may be beyond average.

I told her everything I could tell her.

I didn't want to hide anything from her.

Despite today being April 1st, I didn't want to lie to her.

And then, when I finished talking about the 'growth' of Kissshot's body -- Hanekawa

"......In other words, you are saying that every time she eats one of the stolen limbs, the body of that child grows?"

said this.

"Although it is weird calling a vampire that lived 500 years 'that child' -- this is what happened, right?"

Humph.

A moderate comprehension.

Exactly, I nodded.

"The right leg...... from the knee, she grew about two years ahead......, right, once the remaining limbs gets collected, maybe she can perfectly go back to her original looks...... of a 27 years old, I think"

"Hmmm --"

"Well, talking like Freeza-sama, with the left leg and both arms, she is saving two transformations for later."

"Ah, that's easy to understand."

While talking, Hanekawa was watching Kissshot, who was sleeping wheezing over the prefabricated bed Oshino built.

Though a vampire, with a quick glance she didn't look like anything other than a lovely 12 year old girl. The image of me and her being together inside an abandoned building could be really perceived with a tinge of criminality.

I only pray Hanekawa doesn't view it this way.

"Well then, it's my fault -- maybe."

"Eh? What?"

"That Araragi-kun met a vampire."

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

Why do you think so?

Although I said I told everything I could tell, without wanting to hide anything, even I am not that much of an idiot. I thought I completely omitted the few passages about Hanekawa's panties and ero-books?

However this agitation was completely missing the mark.

"Don't they say speak of the devil and he shall appear? That proverb is relatively valid for ghost stories. Speak of it and -- the Kaii will approach from the other side."

"Hmmm. However, I didn't--"

Ah.

That.

That day I -- heard it from Hanekawa.

We spoke about a vampire.

At night, I went out alone and--

"--No, it would be ridiculous. If that was the case Hanekawa, a vampire should have appeared even for you, who mentioned it to me."

"It's not like it had to. The likelihood did nothing but increase. ......Besides, even in front of me... for appearing, he has appeared, right?"

"Hm?"

"Araragi-kun."

Ah.

That's right.

I am a vampire.

I see -- midway on the route to face Dramaturgie, the reason why in that place and time I unexpectedly met with Hanekawa, possibly, may have been because the chances of that had been raised.

There is an appropriate reason for meeting Kaiis.

The reason I met a vampire--

"One can also think about it this way. Thinking that rumors precede Kaii's very existence -- Thinking that because the rumor is made, the Kaii arises. It's along the lines of the so-called folklore."

"Because they exist the rumor comes out, because the rumor comes out they exist -- huh. It looks like the question about whether you like the egg or the chicken meat."

"Hmm? I personally like eggs."

The joke wasn't understood.

Unexploded ordinance.

"......You know everything."

"I don't know everything, I just know what I know."

"I see."

Nodding.

I return the conversation to the main thread.

"Leaving aside rumors and so on, Hanekawa -- yesterday you were looking for a vampire of your own will."

And because of that -- I was mad.

Today, of course, she is not doing such things though.

"For what purpose were you doing that? A higher being -- was it? Did you want to make small talk or something--"

"Well, it's not like I was seriously searching for it. I would be asking for the moon. In some way, I don’t know how to say it -- have you ever felt a desire for a change in your life?"

"A change......"

In my case, more than a change in my life, it was my ecology which changed.

As I thought, it's unbearable.

Though -- she is an honor student.

Even Hanekawa, class reps of class reps, on occasions won’t know how to say something, I was a little surprised.

No -- since she is human, that is natural.

Because even for me who became a vampire the troubles didn't end.

In fact, the troubles have rather multiplied.

"It is an escape from reality, in the end."

"I want to go back to reality."

"You can go back, I am sure."

So Hanekawa told me.

They were words that didn't have any guarantee behind, but -- they were words that made me happy.

"However, although I said I want to be of assistance -- if it comes to such a monstrous story, it doesn't look like there is much I can do."

"It's not true."

I say.

I point with a finger -- the luggage Hanekawa brought -- which has been placed in a big backpack.

"They may be change of clothes and what else, but I thank you for bringing me daily necessities."

"Please, it's fine. At least this."

Hanekawa blushed.

"That aside, how about quickly changing clothes? Your clothes are worn out."

"Uhm."

"When I was picked up by you in such a state I was obviously surprised. Er, can't you borrow some clothes from the man called Oshino?"

"He has only aloha shirts......"

"An aloha is ok."

"If it's LOHAS sure it's ok."

I tried to line up words that were just similar.

Incidentally I don't know the meaning of LOHAS.

However, that aside, there is obviously a limit to how much I can move with these clothes. It would be nice if I could use the matter creation power like Kissshot, but there is no way I can do such thing.

"I see -- errr."

Though.

Obviously, I have a certain unwillingness to change clothes in front of a girl...... if I change clothes I must undress even the lower body.

"But we are not in such a hurry...... I'd say."

Ah.

Now I realized.

Without reflecting about it, yesterday night I asked to Hanekawa "Bring me a change of clothes"...... a change of clothes in this case is not only shirts and trousers, aren't underpants included too?

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

Err......

Errrrr......?

"W-Well -- anyway, I think I can change at least the upper body."

While I pretend to be calm, I stretch a hand inside the backpack Hanekawa brought me. Hm, it's packed splendidly...... Well, she didn't put in only clothes...... so I open the zipper, and they have been packed above the change of clothes.

That is, the underpants were topmost.

"An M size fits you?"

"Y-Yeah......"

"I don't know whether you use as underpants briefs or trunks, so I prepared both"

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

It was an unnecessary concern.

No...... I'm sorry. It's my fault. My head doesn't really function too well. It's Hanekawa who had to buy briefs and trunks for my sake, surely she must have felt embarrassed......

"Hm? What's wrong? Won't you change clothes?"

"I will......"

I say, and I take out a plain shirt folded below the pants. No matter how I look at it, it's brand new. Notwithstanding that, without putting it in a bag, I see that she also cut the tag, and it seems that Hanekawa, after the purchase, washed it once, and after putting it in the dryer brought it to me.

You didn't need to go that far......

Are you taking pity on me, I wonder.

For the time being I decided to take off the clothes of the upper body which were worn out, and I went through the arms in the sleeves of the plain shirts.

I do it and,

"Please wait."

Hanekawa said.

With that voice she halted my movements, but, oh no, now I am half naked......

"I was right -- I thought it yesterday too. Araragi-kun, your physique is changing a little."

"Hm?"

Now that you mention it.

Just a little -- more muscular?

No, it's not just a little -- I've got a small six-pack.

"I was right."

Hanekawa repeated.

"Yesterday when I noticed you from behind I was unsure you were really Araragi-kun -- the attachment of your muscles was different. I have the impression they are becoming slender, or to better say tenser."

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

What kind of person are you to be able to recognize from behind a young male student you almost didn't get in touch with.

That's what bothers me.

"Mumble mumble."

Suddenly, it appears Kissshot has opened her eyes.

Incidentally, when she 'grew' even the attire and the hairdo were remodeled -- with the 10 years old looks she had a fluffy dress with a bobbed hair, but now that she is 12, the dress had a little more adult-like design, and the hair became long.

"Becoming a vampire changeth thy figure, because the regeneration power tryeth to keep the flesh in the most healthy of conditions."

"Eh?"

"Zzz."

Asleep.

Saying just that, she fell asleep once again.

Is she awake, is she sleeping......

However, didn't she inadvertently tell a wonderful thing?

Well -- it may be. Undoubtedly, after becoming a vampire, even the nails don't grow -- I can neglect entering in a bath.

I can't find that out in just one week, but certainly even the hair shouldn't have grown.

And there was also that.

I am meaning -- the moderate muscles of my body build.

And this means that if I go further I should be able to become, like Dramaturgie, strong-muscled, and I should also be able to shape-shift a part of my body into weapons--

"......She fell asleep."

"Well, when she woke up she didn't look very well."

"That's -- her 500 years."

"It's a self-allegation, though."

"......However, I feel like I don't believe my eyes."

After saying so Hanekawa added "Please excuse me", and started touching my upper body. She slowly stroked the abs, and after that near the chest.

Stroke.

Stroke.

......Crap, I am a little aroused.

It's like I am subjected to a tasteless prank.

"......Judging from touch, you are identical to a human. However, somehow, you seem more elastic"

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

It was simply intellectual curiosity.

Well, it may have been that.

"......Identical to a human, you say. Hanekawa, have you touched the body of other men?"

"Eh? Oh no, I didn't, of all things."

Flustered, she took away her hand from my body -- although late, she was a bit embarrassed.

"That's right. I blurted out conjecture. Not good. ......Would you quickly put on your shirt?"

"O-Okay."

I dressed.

It may have been M size, but it felt a little large -- but well, there is no problem in it being large.

Also I like its plainness.

"Hm. It looks good"

"Ah. Thanks -- or rather, I'm sorry. When all this ends, I'll immediately pay you back."

"It's fine. I have my New Year's money I've saved up since I was a child."

"Don't use such things!"

I can pay back the money, but I can't pay back memories!

She is a bottomless girl......

If I carelessly ask a favor something unlooked-for will happen.

"There are two parkas, they are packed below. Ah, for trousers are jeans ok?"

"Yeah. The preference goes to ease of movement"

"I judged waist size and cuff tucks with eye measurement, so if they seem tight or short tell me. I'll go buy new ones"

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

Even if they are a little tight, even if they are a little short, I will endure.

I thought.

Even if I can't try them on here, I thought that for now I'll check the rest, and I rummage the bottom of the backpack.

And.

There I found a bag.

That was -- the large size paper bag of a bookstore.

It appears there are ten books inside.

"......?"

I tried taking it out, and

"Ah, that's a present."

Hanekawa said.

"Yesterday you bought a book of Aikido, right -- you left it in front of the school gate. Based on our conversation from earlier, it was to fight that big man, right?"

"Well -- kind of."

She referred to that Dramaturgie as 'big man'.

Unexpectedly she has some nerve.

"In the end, I felt the baseball textbook I bought together was more useful."

"Ah. The book you were reading when I met you."

"Does it matter?"

Yes, nodded Hanekawa.

"Well, having the caution of making preparations towards a fierce battle is a correct approach I think -- I just thought that you were having a misunderstanding."

"Well, I know -- you say it's just haphazard?"

It's because yesterday she was watching.

My clumsy battle style.

The resigned to luck, I'll -entrust-everything-to-you battle style.

"Certainly, if by reading a manual one immediately mastered something, nobody would have problems."

"Ah, no, no, I wasn't meaning that."

Said Hanekawa.

"Aikido and baseball are things that humans do, right?"

"......? Well, certainly to Dramaturgie a locking technique was meaningless -- No, since his recovery power was not that great, if that time I broke the arm, there might have been some effect."

"Hm. Talk about brutality. However, it's not even that. I was not talking about being on the receiving end, but about what one can achieve. I am talking about what you could do."

"Eh?"

"Aikido is a technique of humans -- baseball too is a sport of humans. At the present time certainly you are gifted with a strength superior to that of humans, and even if you use aikido or baseball, I think that on the contrary it would restrain your strength in vain."

"A--Aaah."

Right.

At present -- a baseball ball was too light for me.

A shot was so-so -- a roller finally felt adequate.

Because all parameters were simultaneously increased, it was inevitably hard to become well aware of it, but for the present me, the techniques of humans -- may on the contrary become a hindrance.

"Therefore what you should read now, my thought, are these."

Saying that, Hanekawa opened the paper bag I took out from the backpack, and exposed the contents to me.

They were manga.

Moreover, all Gakuen Inoue Batoru.

Boys in school uniform on the front covers.

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

"I tried searching, but I couldn't find vampire high schoolers as main characters, so I tried choosing stories where the main characters are boys who use ESP."

"Y-you tried choosing......"

"Perhaps, in this way"

She opened a page.

A main character-looking boy was running on the wall.

"The present you should be capable of a movement that disregards the laws of physics."

"Haa......"

I was involuntarily taken aback -- no.

Isn't this idea unexpectedly not so bad?

On the contrary -- it is fairly good.

You didn't lose the common sense from when you were a human -- said Dramaturgie. His words suggested he, like me, was a former human. And in the actual fight, as foretold, because I was thinking inside the box of that common sense, I got into an unnecessary pinch.

Since I could even backflip -- I should be able to run on walls.

"Ah...... well thought."

"I tried going on reading, it was fairly interesting."

"Hummm......"

It was a manga I didn't know, but certainly it seemed interesting.

"The books I personally recommend are romances, but thinking about the purpose, the ones more immediate should be manga. Because by memorizing with a picture is easier to leave something in memory."

"I agree."

"Well, please let me give them as a reference. Also, I think you better still go choose them to your liking."

"......Thank you."

However...... when we talked last night, I didn't tell to Hanekawa that I had yet to face Episode and Guillotincutter later, and yet these quality preparations......

As I thought, she is no ordinary person.

"Here. This is a book card for those occasions."

"The preparations are too good."

"Hmm? Was cash better?"

"Cash sucks!"

What the heck am I saying!

Anyway......, I am grateful for receiving so much concern from Hanekawa. Book card included.

Well, I really don't have any money.

I spent too much on books.

"You are a big help, Hanekawa. I will absolutely repay you."

"No. What I can do is just this."

"Just this -- is more than enough."

To tell the truth -- it's reassuring.

If she turned the other way, I would have really been helpless.

I can't call Oshino a friend -- and Kissshot was the source of the circumstances, moreover a vampire.

I've never thought that just being able to chat with another person would soothe me this much.

No -- she is not another person, she is a friend.

"Truly -- thank you."

"No way, in times of trouble we have equal standing. If there is something else you want me to do, Araragi-kun, feel free to say anything. This was the best I could do now though"

"Yeah. I'll rely on you."

"That's right. Now let's clean this room."

It is in total disorder, Hanekawa said.

Well, this is an abandoned building, you know.

The instant I said it, Hanekawa has already started moving -- hey, wait a minute, I won't force you to do this much.

"Don't bother, it was like this from the start."

"That's even more the reason why you mustn't leave it untidy. Any place that you can tidy up, you must always tidy it up -- Hmm? What is this?"

Hanekawa picked up something from a corner of the room.

For a moment I didn't understand what the heck it was that. However it became immediately clear. That was similarly a large bookshop bag -- however it's not the one Hanekawa brought, and neither the one I bought yesterday, in which there were the aikido, baseball, classical music books.

However it was a bag I recognize.

And then I realize.

Yes.

That was the bag with the two ero-books, which I should have thrown away the first day of the Spring Break.

"Mumble mumble"

In background Kissshot was talking in her sleep.

"I forgot to say to thee. The bag thou wert carrying which looked important fell on the roadside, so when we came here, I took care picking it up for thee"

"Y-You there!"

"Zzz."

Fallen asleep.

Ooh...... Hanekawa was staring at the contents of the bag.

A female high-schooler was staring at an ero-book of female high-schoolers......

"Let's see, you met a vampire returning from a bookstore -- wasn't it? At March the 25th? The night of the day you crossed path with me?"

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

Amazing!

What phenomenal intuition!

H-Hey wait, aren't you by any chance making my most unwished-for misunderstanding!?

"Ehhehhe."

Hanekawa raised her face, and looked at me with a grin that covered her face.

The flashlight was illuminating her from below, and that made her looked like a Kaii.

And then she takes out a book from the bag, and opens it to a certain page. In that page, dreadfully, an exceedingly ridiculous scheme, namely 'Special feature: class reps with glasses' unfolded.

Hanekawa with a very soft -- purring voice said.

"Hey. What is this?"

Translator's Notes

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