It all happened during spring break.
I was attacked by a vampire.
In a time with mobile phones and cars, and when it was normal to travel overseas for a school trip... It’s rather embarrassing to say this, but I was attacked by a vampire.
She was a breathtaking beauty.
A beautiful monster.
A very – beautiful monster.
It’s usually hidden under the collar of my school jacket, but on the nape of my neck, her bite marks remain. Before it gets warm, I’m thinking of letting my hair grow to cover it up, but more importantly - there are probably lots of stories where when one is attacked by a vampire, people like vampire hunters, specialists in killing vampires, or a special division of the Christian Church, or a group of vampires who hunt their own kind will appear to save you- but, in my case, I was saved by a passing stranger.
Because of that, I was able to return to being a human being – I’m fine with sunlight, crosses and garlic – but there were side-effects; my physical abilities had improved. Though I say that, I don't mean my physical abilities, but my metabolism has increased; my ability to heal myself. I don’t know what would have happened if my cheek had been ripped apart by that cutter-knife, but it takes less than thirty seconds to heal the wound made by the staple. Compared to other living creatures, that's pretty fast.
“Oshino – Oshino-san?”
“That’s right. Oshino Meme.”
“Oshino Meme, you say… it certainly sounds like a moe name.”
“Don't get your expectations too high. He’s a thirty-plus year old man.”
“I see. But he must have been a moe character when he was young.”
“Don’t judge real people like that. More importantly, you understand what "moe" and "character" are?
“It’s common knowledge,” said Senjougahara, looking composed.
“They call my character ‘tsundere’, don’t they?”
“…”
I think they call your character a ‘tsundra’.
Small talk.
From Naoetsu High, where Hanekawa, Senjougahara and I go to, it takes about twenty minutes to get to a cram school that was located outside the residential area.
Was located.
A few years ago, because of the sudden influx of famous cram schools, this particular school had closed down due to financial problems. By the time I came to know about this four-floored building, it had already fallen into an awe-inspiring state of disrepair, so what I know of its history is only from rumors.
Dangerous.
Private property.
Access prohibited.
Though the building was surrounded by a safety fence and a mess of poster boards, holes in the fence were aplenty, so entry and exit was both possible and easy.
And in the midst of that rubble was where Oshino lived.
Where he decided to make his home.
Including spring break, it had been about a month.
“In any case, my butt hurts. And there are wrinkles on my skirt.”
“It’s not my fault.”
“Stop making excuses. I’ll chop it to pieces.”
“Chop what to pieces!?”
“Shouldn’t you be nicer to me because it’s my first time riding a bicycle with someone else?”
YOU ARE READING
Monogatari Series
RomanceThe story centers on Koyomi Araragi, a third year high school student who has recently survived a vampire attack, and finds himself mixed up with all kinds of apparitions: gods, ghosts, myths, and spirits.
