Hitagi Senjogahara.
A name i know—it's.
How would i not—it's.
It's.
i mean, it's the name of Big Brother's lover—and the person Nadeko tried to get rid of with a "charm."
A name i may have been thinking of even more than Koyomi Araragi's for these past two months.
How could i not know it. How could i forget it.
"Oh. Good. So I just barely made it in time," she says, not sounding particularly reassured.
But that feels off in its own way—in fact, when i saw her talking to Koyomi—when i stole glances of them—she looked more like a regular girl.
Is this how she is when she's angry?
"You just barely made it in time? What makes you think so?" asks Nadeko—i honestly want to know. "Unless you're somewhere less than a second away, you could hardly say that." i glance at Big Brother Koyomi and Miss Shinobu. "Are you here already?"
"Oh, please," shoos Miss Senjogahara, "I'm at home eating potato chips."
“...ls this a joke to you?"
"I was watching TV and eating chips and was surprised by how closely the phrase 'channel surfing' resembles 'chattel servant,' so I thought I'd call Araragi to let him know."
“…”
It's a joke to her.
Is she trying to defuse the situation?
Or is she just self-possessed as his girlfriend?
i'm pretty sure she shouldn't be, in this situation...
A truly mysterious person.
"But I do think I made it in time," Miss Senjogahara says, quickly putting us back on topic. She's admirably good at it. "I mean, if I were calling after you put an end to my man, I'd have to commit murder."
What got saved here was my future, she quips, her tone not changing one bit.
"Thank you very much, Sengoku. For saving my future."
“…”
"Well, technically, it'd be homicide by assault, battery, intimidation, and unlawful confinement—but anyway, Sengoku, allow me to get straight to the point. Let's make a deal."
"A deal?"
"You can kill me, so could you spare Araragi?" There's so little behind Miss Senjogahara's words, like she's asking you to go buy her a soft drink with her own money. "I offer you this entire future of mine that you just saved. So spare Araragi—and while you're at it, Shinobu, if she's still alive too."
"...What are you even saying?"
"Don't get me wrong, I don't care one way or another about that ex-vampire Iolita, but she's Araragi's treasure. If she isn't alive, there's no point in keeping him alive..."
"That's.. .not what i meant," i tell her, wondering what Miss Senjogahara could possibly be thinking.
But i stop right away.
It doesn't matter.
"No."
“…”
"i'm going to kill Koyomi, and i'm going to kill you. And i'll kill Miss Shinobu too. That was my plan from the beginning, so i'm not interested in your deal."
"Oh. That's too bad."
I guess it can't be helped, Miss Senjogahara accepts readily.
While her reaction is disappointing, she continues, "In that case, from here on, please just listen to the advice of someone who's older than you. Think very carefully about the order in which you kill us three."
"Huh?"
"You absolutely mustn't kill Araragi before Shinobu—it will sever her link to him, and she'll regain her original powers as a legendary vampire. She'll gobble you down in no time."
“...i see."
True.
Her advice is priceless—without it, i'd have killed Big Brother first because he means more to Nadeko.
"You're right. Got it—"
"And you know, I think you should probably kill me first."
Otherwise. I'm going to kill not just you, but everyone, Miss Senjogahara utters the words like they're any other.
"E-Everyone?"
"Everyone means everyone. What else could I mean?"
“…”
They're dreadful words,
She's not even an aberration—just Big Brother's girlfriend.
"Don't underestimate my random venting."
“…Okay. In that case, i'll start by killing you—then Miss Shinobu, and Big Brother last. Will that do?"
Thank you, Nadeko says.
Nadeko can thank someone who's generous to her.
People who are kind to Nadeko are good people.
"I don't need your thanks. Instead, Sengoku, would you listen to a request of mine?
"Huh?"
W ha? Why's she starting to sound like a pushy salesman?
"Oh, it's nothing much—you're a god now, who's to be worshipped, the master of that shrine, so why not heed the request of a little old commoner? I'll even make you an offering, how about that?"
"...i'll listen, at least."
i'm interested.
What is Miss Senjogahara going to say here?
What might the kind of person who becomes Big Brother's lover request of Nadeko—of a god?
"You can kill us in that order, Sengoku. But could you give us some time?”
"Time?"
"Now that you're an aberration, won't you be existing forever so long as people worship you? In that case, what's wrong with waiting a bit? Like a day, two days, a week, a month, or...half a year."
Those last words, half a year.
For the first time—i sense a strong nuance in her speech. If your murderous intent is the real deal, then you shouldn't mind. If it's not just an impulse but the real deal—if it's not some temporary emotion but how you truly feel, then you should be able to wait.
"Half a year... What's in half a year?" i ask in return.
"Graduation." Miss Senjogahara doesn't even try to keep it secret. "We've been working very hard for a while now so the two of us can graduate together. I'd feel bad for Hanekawa, too, if all that effort went to waste."
"...Graduation."
i can't believe it. i can't believe the word—such an everyday word, would come up here at this moment.
A word we take for granted.
Graduation...
Nadeko can't go to school anymore. She's no longer human, all her hair is snakes, and she's been trying to kill her object of affection, yet—graduation?
Nadeko.
No, I react to Miss Senjogahara—
"Kh...ah hah, hahah. Ahaha... Heh."
Like so.
i burst out laughing—how can i not?
i guess i'm quick to laugh even as an aberration—oh what a needless character trait.
Really. i don't need it.
"All right... Then i'll wait for half a year."
"Ah. Thank you very much," Miss Senjogahara expresses her gratitude once again.
But i still sense no emotion in her words.
While it almost feels. like i'm talking to voice synthesis software—this must be none other than her natural voice.
The natural voice she uses with Nadeko.
"Half a year…" i confirm, "until graduation day, to be precise. As soon as the ceremony is over, walk yourselves to Kita-Shirahebi Shrine. i'll be waiting for you there?'
"What? We can't celebrate first?"
“Nope."
What is she even thinking?
Well—the same goes for Nadeko.
"At any rate, the six months are just a 'stay of execuetion'... You better not do anything like hold hands with Big Brother during those six months."
"My goodness," i hear from the other end. It feels like Miss Senjogahara has a smirk on her face. "You're trying to poison our relationship or something."
i'm not laughing at that one.
It's not even a good joke...
At the same time, i feel like i don't hate her—if only Nadeko had talked to her.
If we'd exchanged words—maybe things wouldn't have turned out this way.
The thought goes through Nadeko's head.
If i didn't feel jealous, hostile, hateful—and murderous just because she is Big Brother Koyomi's girlfriend.
If only i didn't make a wish—and knew.
If only i knew her.
Maybe things wouldn't have turned out this way.
Now that i think about it, Nadeko never once tried to get to know anyone.
Ah ha.
That's why—it turned out this way.
"If, Miss Senjogahara.. ." Nadeko says. "If we'd met in some other way—you and i might have become friends."
"Not a chance," i get shot down with no room for compromise.
"Pardon me, but I hate cute brats like you even more than I hate the person I used to be, Miss Nadeko Sengoku."
The call ends. No farewells.
Folding the cell phone closed in the ceaseless torrent, i agree with her wholeheartedly.