Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
KOYOMI VAMP
001
I think its about time I talked about Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade. I believe it's something that I have to do. I met her in the spring break between my second and third years of high school. That meeting was impactful , and also quite devastating. In any case, I thought I had really bad luckof course, this probably wouldn't be the case if I wasn't there, but instead, someone else was in my shoes. Actually, I do think it's quite irresponsible to say that it was really bad luck that got me into this, and that maybe I should just accept that it was all my fault. In the end, I believe that me being there had started that chain of events. That chain of events. Not putting too much thought on such a careless thing, expressing it in that wayjust for the sake of presenting it as "that chain of events", I honestly don't know exactly how large this chain actually was. What event was it that started it all, and followed it, and how did it endI can't come up with a clear picture of it. And that's possible because even now it hasn't ended, or maybe that it hasn't even started yetI honestly believed that, neither putting it as a pretense, nor a play on words. In the end, I couldn't tell how it all played out from any point of view other than my own, and so I leave others wondering for all of eternity, exactly what kind of meaning this chain of events did haveas well as what kind of meaning this chain of events did not have. If I was able to ask them about the story, perhaps I would be able to grasp that muchbut it is precisely because of that, that I wouldn't be able to tell if that was the real story. It wouldn't be the truth, but what they recognized. And that might be enough. However, to begin with (and that is the only thing I can conclude), she was the kind of existence who was in the center of it allKiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade. Having a meaning different only to the observer. Having a different meaning from the observer. And that meaning had nothing to do with the observer. And that would bethat she was a vampire. That said, it would probably be of no use explaining what exactly is a vampire. They're in comic books, movies, games; a concept that's been totally overused. It's probably considered to have a deep relationship with most of the Japanesenot very well related to the culture that was born in this country. I guess it's an old concept that's been floating around in and about nowadays.
002
It's because I'm not good at making friends. I'm sure I said something like that. Remembering back, it was Saturday, March 25, just before the spring break, in the afternoon after the closing ceremoniesat the time, I was taking a stroll at Naoetsu Private High School. I wasn't even remotely in any kind of club activities, either. I really was just taking a stroll, with nothing to do. By no means was I really festive or excited about the spring break starting tomorrow. Not being restricted to a holiday like the spring break, like say the summer or winter break, or maybe even Golden Week, was something that a student should be happy about, but because it was me, and although I was happy that my school life was ending the third trimester by going into spring break, at the same time, a long holiday to me would be way too long, to be honest. Especially since there was no homework for the spring break. For some reason, I didn't feel like staying home. It was just like thatthe closing ceremony ends, we take our report cards in class, and then the class dissolves for a new school term once again, yet I didn't feel like going straight home at all, and having said that, there was really no place to go to, instead looking quite suspicious loitering around the school. There wasn't anything to do. It was more like killing time than it was killing free time. To be honest, though I commute to school by bicycle, the bicycle itself was still in the bicycle shedthe manifestation of my intent not to return home. Though you could call my stroll a stroll. Of course, I wasn't doing any kind of fitness thing. If I was killing time, then there were also things that seemed worthy of breaking in the school as well, but since I was also not in a mood to head back home, I wasn't in a mood to head back inside the premises eitherspeaking of the afternoon following the closing ceremonies, there certainly were a lot of people participating in club activities.
003
Then----Then, that was what was stuck in my memory for the whole day. At night. I was walking around in a small town that was already in complete darkness. In the afternoon, I wasn't riding a bike. There wasn't a clear reason why I was walking by foot, but, there was a reason why I wasn't riding a bike. By the way I have 2 bikes. One is a female-style bike I use for going to school, the other is a mountain bike that I like more. I'll use the latter one even if there wasn't a reason too, but, right now I don't want to ride it. If the bike that was locked up by multiple locks were to go missing, the fact that I went out would be found out by my family. Let's not talk about the past, in the present I'm completely free to do as I will. That's why I'm different from my two little sisters, curfews, not allowed outside at night, they are all no problem (My sisters don't really plan on following the rules anyway) for me. There are times when I don't want my family to know I'm going out. Simply, the times I'm out buying ero-books. "..........." No, well. It looks kind of bad, but I can explain. I couldn't forget Hanekawa's panties from today! ......Am I digging my own grave? But, that's the truth. It can be said that it's something I can't forget for the rest of my life, but I didn't realize the angle would be so clearly implanted into my memories.
004
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 wasnt a dreamif it was a dream, then the place where I regained consciousness would be my room. But this place isnt my room. Its a place I have never seen before. My sisters who would wake me up every morning werent 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 its the inside 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 surroundingswhat is that thing hanging on the wall? A Blackboard?
005
Dramaturgie. Episode. Guillotinecutter. Those are the names of the people who took Kissshots body parts away---something like that. At least, Kissshot heard about these three peoples features from somewhere-although like this, it is still hard to understand with just this. Like using a different countrys language to explain, I felt confused towards those three names, but with the important stuff, they were too easy. The man called Dramaturgie stole her right leg. The man called Episode stole her left leg. The man called Guillotinecutter stole her arms. The three people each stole a part. That`s why she was in such a near-death situation---such a near-death situation, if she didnt suck my blood, she would certainly die. Although its an immortal body. But it will still die. Towards this point she herself understands the best. Her at that time---already had the determination to die. Life still here, using this beaten-up body and escaping from those three people----uneasily escaped. Why---- I, during her explanation, inadvertently asked. Why steal your limbs?
006
Oshino Meme The old man that happened to pass-by, revealed his name. I thought it was a ridiculous name, here was a person that needed to be rescued, I couldnt say something like that towards him. Even if he had this weird look. Even if he was wearing this weird Hawaiian shirt. As long as he had rescued me---I couldnt point any fingers at him. .......... But he really is a sluggish old man..... Ah....Oshino. Should I add san to it? Should I use honorifics? I feel kind of lost---but, although he is my savior, as long as I dont know his real side, I cant just make any move. An enemy or a friend. I still havent determined if I could be saved. Although making any moves is kind of weird. But, I should at least say thanks to him. Thank you for saving me. No need to thank me. I saw you were alone so I helped you. Thats all, Araragi-kun. Oshino said in an innocent tone. It was uncomplicated. That aside, those three people---after the initial attack got blocked by Oshino, they escaped from the road they came from like on command. In only a moment there were no traces of them.
007
Dramaturgie. A giant who is over 2 metres in height. A duel-wielder who carries giant wavy blades in his two hands. I think that kind of giant sword is a type called Flamberge. Muscular a man that is like a piece of muscle. Also I have a deep image of his headband holding his bangs. He took Kissshot's right leg, and is a vampire hunting specialist. It was a really tortuous process - well, in the end only Oshino knows what kind of tortuous process it was, actually, I dont know why it became like this, either way, he is my first opponent. "Ah............" While sighing, I was walking at night in the small town. The date is March 31. The last day of March. Over the change of time, after 12 o'clock itll be April Fool's Day... ... I should be careful. No, I'm already a high school third year student, Im not saying I have any particular thoughts about April Fool's Day, but, its just a problem with my mood. I dont have any thoughts about April Fool's Day itself, its just that Im not good with days that have events. "Dramaturgie is a vampire." Just now. Before going out, in the classroom on the second floor, Kissshot once again introduced me to Dramaturgie. If anything, this is the first time I have heard of this information. "Vamp ... ... vampire?"
008
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"
009
Before explaining the situation to Hanekawa, though, there was something I had to do -- in addition, of course, it was too late in the night. Hanekawa did me the favor of temporarily going back home. I promised to tell her everything tomorrow night. And then I returned to the usual cram school ruins -- Oshino was missing, but I reported to Kissshot, who was waiting in a class room on the second floor, that I succeeded in getting back the right leg. "Well done" Kissshot said. "Well, being my subordinate, it is of course -- thou hast received my power, the likes of Dramaturgie are no match for thee" "Though he made for an adequate opponent...... that guy knew when to give up" "Hmph. Well, it is because among the three Dramaturgie was the most discerning -- I don't really mean to scare thee, but with the other two things won't go this way" "So it seems......" Episode. A guy who carried a gigantic cross on the shoulder, he looked dangerous -- also, that priest-like looking man...... Guillotinecutter. That guy is hiding something nasty. He gave me this impression. "However, right now for the time being thou canst rejoice, because with this thou art certainly one step closer to a human" "Really......?" Thanks. I have the impression I got further away from being a human instead, though......
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 being reversed -- even if for me it was the same, it was awkward to drag 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 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.
NOTES
1. Lifestiles Of Health And Sustainability. Market segment made of ecologically conscious consumers
011
Episode. He carries on his shoulder with one hand a gigantic cross, three times his height, the cube of his weight, a guy with a white uniform and sanpaku eyes. [1] He is -- a vampire hunter, I hear. He hunts vampires aiming at monetary rewards, you could say he is a hit man. And then -- furthermore in addition at the same time. He is -- a half vampire. Hunter and half. According to the angle he could look as nothing but a youngster, but on the contrary he is a specialist of vampire exorcism who stole from Kissshot her left leg -- this is Episode. "............You are late" Three days since then -- April 4th. [2] The line-up of ill-omened numbers subtly makes me uneasy, but even if I fuss over such a thing that I have no control over, I still can't do anything about it. I try to check the time on my wristwatch, and I notice I forgot to put on my wristwatch -- then I think I'll check it on my cellphone, and I forgot even my cellphone. Disconcerting. As I thought, I am not calm. Well, whatever -- because when it comes to it, the person I want to get in touch with, Oshino Meme, a vagrant-like person, doesn't own a cellphone or a PHS. [3] But then, as said by the person himself, it seems he is an idiot with electronics. Well, the cellphone is a tool that seems rather barely related to spirits and Kaiis. That aside, the night of April 4th. Once again I went to the school field of Naoetsu private high school at night.
012
I guess it was because of the difference in volume between the left leg from the joint and the right leg from the knee down. The transformation of Kissshot who ate her own left leg was dramatic. I was surprised by her growth from the 10 years old looks to the 12 years old looks -but this time, even if I knew from the beginning her body would have changed, I was still even more surprised. After she got back her left leg, Kissshot in a single blow grew up to match my age appearance. 17 years old. She may have even became taller than me. Obviously, in the interval between 10 years and 17 years, even humans undergo the bigger change in appearance, from 'the period of the secondary sexual characteristics' on to 'the growth period' -- to add a concrete example, the size of her bust became astounding. If she were to swagger throwing out her chest like she did until now, it would become something terrific. Even her looks became more adult-like, and at the same time even the design of her dress changed into something more chic. The hair grew further, and was collected in a ponytail. An impressive result. Though no matter how she looks, Kissshot is 500 years old from the beginning. "Hmph." Kisshot was satisfied. It seemed so even when I got back her right leg, but somehow Kissshot has this feeling of satisfaction each time, and because she doesn't try to hide her happiness, even I, who practically acted like her 'arms and legs', am happy to see that. Because it is worth doing it. "I feel the conditions of my body have greatly improved -- thou could say I almost recovered my immortality." "I see. ......Then could you be the one in charge of the next battle?"
NOTES
1. Japanese for "from A to Z". In kanji "1" looks like "-" and "10" looks like "+" 2. slightly homophone verbs
013
Guillotinecutter. A man with a hedgehog looking hairdo resembling a catholic priest. He has slit eyes that make him appear calm. A human. A human -- that repudiates the existence of Kaii. A human -- that erases the existence of Kaii. He doesn't carry weapons. A specialist of vampire exorcism based on faith. Kissshot called him the archbishop of a 'new religion', and the shadow commander of the black team serving under the umbra fourth group of the dark special duty forces. Half-vampire Episode described him as nasty, even Kissshot said to be on guard against him, a cleric. That -- was Guillotinecutter, who had stolen both arms from Kissshot. "Oh, did you run here -- much appreciated. However, not being able to turn your body into fog is a sign you are still new at this." Guillotinecutter said. With an overly polite tone -- narrowing his eyes. "............!" I was at a loss for words. I didn't have a word to reply with. We are at -- the sport field of Naoetsu private high school. At the same place where, at the end of the last month, I had fought Dramaturgie, and where I battled Episode last night-- Guillotinecutter was waiting for me. He was embracing in one arm the body of Hanekawa Tsubasa.
014
The following day, April 6th. Daytime. In other words for vampires it is night, I and Kissshot were sleeping as usual in the room with shut windows at the second floor of the cram school ruin. I was awakened. By Oshino Meme who last night in the end didn't come back, and not even made an appearance - where did his commendable manner of yesterday go, he was laughing frivolously with his flippant impression as always. "Good morning, Araragi-kun," "......I am tremendously sleepy," "Just come here already," While my eyes continued to still be half asleep, I was dragged out by Oshino into the corridor -during this commotion, Kissshot continued to sleep soundly, without turning over once in her sleep. She is a tranquil girl. Maybe she has no such thing as worries. "What is it -- Oshino?" "Hm? No, we are in the corridor...... Well, Heartunderblade might not wake up, but as a precaution let's go to a floor above. Let's go to the fourth floor." "The fourth floor......" No matter how asleep I was, I could tell at least that. "But the windows there are open. Think what would happen if the sunlight hit me." "It's all right. Today it's raining." "Rain?" Really?
015
"Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy--yahhoo!" That-Was the first thing Kissshot with her complete form said. That night, when she woke up I handed over the three parts Oshino gave me to her-- regarding the heart, she was perplexed, but I told her the truth of the matter as it stood. Kissshot, liquidating the question with an easygoing "I see", bit into that deep red heart as if it were an apple. The rule is that you must not be present when a lady is eating. That means I went out into the corridors. And then after a little while -- I heard that gleeful scream. It was -- a voice of joy from the bottom of the heart. I opened the door and went back inside the classroom. Complete form Kissshot was standing there. It was the woman I met that day under the streetlight. The golden hair. It grew further, and it was a little done up in the nape. The chic dress -- it was even much taller than me. Honestly, I thought she was beautiful. It's different from being lovely, or cool -- I think that maybe, in my life until now, I've not even once felt such beauty before. No. Even that day I -- thought so. Undoubtedly -- it was the complete form. It was the looks of the complete her.
NOTES
1. a "youtou" is a sword that has a supernatural air about it. Sometimes the term is rendered with "demon sword" or "enchanted blade", but "youtou" in itself doesn't imply neither evilness or magic 2. Kokorowatari = Heart Crosser 3. Should be "Boys be ambitious" 4. ABCD stands for American British Chinese Dutch. The names of these countries in Japanese are respectively "Amerika", "Igirisu", "Chuugoku", "Oranda". Araragi for D answered "Doitsu". In case someone wanted to know, Igirisu and Oranda come from Portuguese "Ingls" and "Holanda", while Doitsu comes from the Dutch "Duits"
016
At a time like this, I didn't know of a place to stay -- going back home is, of course, impossible. On the other hand, even assuming there was another abandoned building like that cram school ruin, I didn't have any spirit left to search for it. I was being chased by time. The moment of sunrise was getting closer hour by hour -- I was quickly driven into a corner. In the end. I thrust not one hand, but both inside my brain, tampering with it for tampering's sake, thinking for thinking's sake -- and I chose as a temporary shelter the PE storehouse of Naoetsu High School. Temporary shelter -- it was really a temporary sheltering. However, this windowless PE storehouse blocked by an iron door in itself seemed fit for hiding me, a vampire, during the day. I chose it in desperation, but it was not such a bad place. The day I fought with Dramaturgie, I didn't give up and I repaired the iron door by brute force, I am glad from the bottom of my heart I put it back, I thought -- no, I didn't think it. There was not a thing to be glad for. I got it all wrong. "W......wwwwwwwwwwWwWwwwwWw." My teeth keep chattering. My body doesn't stop shivering. Why. Why. Why didn't I notice that. Kissshot Acerolaorion Heartunderblade -- is a vampire. A vampire. Weak against the sun.
017
Kissshot Acerolaorion Heartunderblade. The iron-blooded, hot-blooded, cold-blooded vampire. The legendary vampire. The Kaii Killer, the King of Kaiis. She is a vampire. She has dazzling golden hair and a chic dress, a beautiful vampire, so beautiful your blood freezes -- no further exposition is needed. It suffices to say -- she, of whom I am a subordinate, is my final opponent. "Kissshot......" I brushed aside the barricade with all my might, and I opened the iron door of the PE storehouse -- outside the sun had already sunk, and she was there in the center of the sports field. The ground at her feet was cracked. It must have been the impact of the landing. In fact, she sank ankle deep in the sports field. On Kissshot's back, those bat-like wings were missing -- being her subordinate I grasp it by instinct, she undoubtedly arrived here from above the roof of the cram school ruin with a single running long jump with no approach run. She waited for the sunset. And she -- jumped to my location. However, that was still incredible. Even if it was the same running long jump with no approach run, I patted myself on the back just because I jumped a maximum of 20 meters -- and yet Kissshot very easily jumped some kilometres. Of course, at that time I was not aiming at a record, I firmly intended on landing in the sand pit, so it must not be used for a comparison -- but if I were asked if I could jump from here to the cram school ruin, there is no need to say I would not be so sure about it. I closed the PE storehouse's iron door with a hand behind my back.
NOTES
1. kuchisake-onna is a legendary woman with a slit mouth 2. also called Eight Hot Hells, from the Buddhist scriptures 3. the second kanji of "nerve" is that of "breast"
018
Afterword. Or to better say, the story from now on. The next day, after a long time I was roused out of bed by my two sisters, Karen and Tsukihi, and I headed to school. The older brother returned home after a journey of self-discovery that lasted for two weeks and the parents didn't say anything special, while the sisters only burst into a loud laughter. Since in fact I believe I did something for which there were no words, and that could only be laughed at, I think I can only agree with them. Anyway, today starts the new school term. I headed to school riding my bike. It has been two weeks since the last time I rode my bike. I dont think you can forget how to ride a bike just because you experienced a little hell. The arrival. At the gymnasium the class grouping was posted. "Ooh" A miracle happened. My name and that of Hanekawa are within the same board. Well, miracle may be too strong a word for that, but I was a bit elated. It was an emotion I didn't feel at the class change in the second year. I don't know what was the true nature of that emotion, anyway it was wonderful that we got to be in the same class. From among the crowd of students who raced to confirm their own class, I found Hanekawa and called her out -- because the very picture of a honor student like her is rare even at Naoetsu High School, I spotted her immediately. She had changed her hairdo. That is to say, she had only split her single braid in two to the sides, but just by that her image changed considerably. "Oh my, it's Araragi-kun......yoo-hoo." Hanekawa had a tired look on her face. Her shoulders were dropped, and she was dejected and slouching. There has never been someone so down because of the new school term.
NOTES
1. It is worthy to note that "kizumono", from the title, means not only "damaged goods", but also "a woman who has been deflowered" 2. The original Japanese word, "kousei", has many homophones 3. in Japanese "immortal" means also "undead"