Sorry to interrupt while you're waxing sentimental, devil boy.
DEVIL BOY
What in the world happened?
You probably can't help brooding over that snail girl, but...
I'd prefer that you didn't commit double-suicide with some local girl because of it.
That's such a glaring misunderstanding.
DON'T SAY SOME LOCAL GIRL.
KANBARU IS A CUTE UNDERCLASSMAN.
This is Suruga Kanbaru.
Oh, I see. So this is Gaen's niece.
Previously Suruga Gaen,
and once Gaen's big sister finished the marriage paperwork, Suruga Kanbaru.
So Ononoki, what are you doing here?
Oh, it's just a coincidence. I wasn't planning on rescuing you, devil boy.
I was just doing my job.
At the job site, devil boy was trying to commit double suicide with a girl I didn't know.
And I thought, "Yahoo, I just have to get in the way."
In any case, thank you, Ononoki.
I keep owing you favors,
but someday, I'll make sure to repay you for this favor.
If you say you're going to repay me,
normally I'd like for you to pile up a giant fortune.
But this time, I'll let you off the hook if you answer my question.
What in the world happened?
OWARIMONOGATARI
SHINOBU MAIL, PART TWO
An armor-clad samurai?
An armor-clad samurai that automatically rebuilds itself when broken up
and has the energy drain skill?
Yeah.
However, I didn't tell Ononoki everything.
I hesitated about relating to Ononoki the situation
that I hadn't prepared my heart for.
The armor-clad samurai's parting words.
An impossible array of the alphabet... "Kiss-shot."
KISS-SHOT
That name not even I call her by anymore... is what was said.
And then, the demon sword "Kokoro Watari"...
Ononoki, do you have any ideas?
That armor-clad samurai...
Does it have something to do with the job you're currently entrusted with?
It does.
Yup, that's right... Indeed, it does. It's within my duties.
But listening to that story,
it's almost completely different from the phenomenon
that was the subject of my field work.
It seems it's become much more violent since I was investigating it.
What happened in these past few days?
In the first place, it wasn't even an armor-clad samurai when I was chasing it.
You know, Ononoki.
What is it, devil boy?
Can I drop this particular case?
Oh no, don't get me wrong. I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine, but... Kanbaru...
We can let Kanbaru go home now, right?
What's that?
In other words, devil boy,
you're going to scrap the promise you made with Gaen?
Going to scrap...
Saying that you would introduce that girl to her,
you borrowed some wisdom from Gaen, right?
It was absolutely necessary in order to save Mayoi Hachikuji.
So you didn't actually have a choice, but still, a promise is a promise.
You've really got some nerve, devil boy.
For you to break a promise you made to Gaen almost makes me fall for you.
I don't plan on breaking that promise.
You have good pectorals.
Don't touch on the subject of my pecs.
I want to touch it.
Don't show an abnormal amount of interest in muscles.
I'm a corpse, so showing an interest in meat is like an instinct...
So what's the reason?
The reason you want to break the promise you made with Gaen.
I'm more than happy to introduce Kanbaru to her, even now.
But the promise wasn't just that, right?
She was trying to make Kanbaru help with the job going on over on your end.
Gaen had said
that she needed Kanbaru's "left hand," that is, her "left arm."
Of course, I was the one that made use of Gaen's wisdom and knowledge.
Kanbaru had nothing to do with it.
Therefore, the promise was made with the condition that Kanbaru herself agree to do so.
But that was a mistake to begin with.
I knew extremely well that Kanbaru would never refuse
if I requested something from her.
As a result, I subjected Kanbaru to unthinkable danger.
I completely roped her in.
As her upperclassman, I was supposed to decline such an offer.
I understand how you feel, devil boy.
But you should give up on that. I can't recommend it.
This is a warning to you as a friend.
I don't remember ever becoming friends with you.
Devil boy, I've thought of you as a friend for a while now, you know?
It's way past the point of no return.
Why hasn't it crossed your mind that even if you were to send that girl home,
that may not be protecting her?
What do you mean?
An apparition affects only by looking, curses only by meeting.
And yet, that girl touched that armor-clad samurai, didn't she?
I see.
So Suruga Kanbaru already has...
...NOT ONLY DID SHE TOUCH, SHE PUNCHED.
...gotten herself involved.
PUNCHED
Devil boy, sit up straight.
Sit up straight. Hurry.
Hurry up.
Hurry, hurry.
HURRY, HURRY
Hold on just a second. It will be real quick.
Um, Ononoki...
Don't think you can go back in time or anything.
Just like the case with Mayoi Hachikuji... Devil boy, you don't have enough resolve.
Hey, you, you're thinking you can restart your life at any time, aren't you?
You're thinking no matter when you start, you'll never be late, aren't you?
Even if you make a mistake, even if you're careless, maybe you think you can make something of it?
In the end, the positives and negatives of life even out, you say?
Of course, it's a given that it turns to zero when you die.
So devil boy, if you really care about that girl,
don't be irresponsible and send her home right now.
There's more reason to take her to where Gaen is now.
And have Gaen protect her.
Have Gaen...
SCRAP (HOGO)
Right. Don't scrap the promise, and have the girl be protected.
PROTECT (HOGO)
Indeed.
If we're talking about irresponsible,
sending Kanbaru home now would be much more irresponsible.
I DIDN'T SEEK THE FREEDOM TO RUIN MY ENTIRE LIFE BY BREAKING A PROMISE I MADE TO GAEN.
BUT THAT ASIDE, I WANT TO KEEP MY PROMISE.
I SHOULD KEEP IT.
No... I'll be honest here.
It was a given I didn't want Kanbaru involved in something with a dangerous armor-clad samurai.
Then, asking whether or not I wanted to be involved myself,
it's definitely the case that I don't.
If anything, it's that I can't help but be involved in this.
HE ENTRUSTED ME WITH A MESSAGE.
A MESSAGE TO "MY MASTER."
If the true nature of that armor-clad samurai really is what I think it is...
Even if I think such a thing is impossible,
if even the slightest possibility that it can be exists...
I can't discard that.
Until I know that... I can't go home.
Looks like you've reached a conclusion.
Oh boy, friends really are troublesome.
Starting now, I'll chase the armor-clad samurai apparition you supposedly witnessed, devil boy.
Based on how it disappeared, I don't think I can find it,
but it's my job to go on a fool's errand.
It's my job to step on devil boy's face and to go on a fool's errand.
Stop saying that!
And don't step on my face as part of your job!
So devil boy, you should carry that niece and meet up with Gaen.
And explain to her what the situation is.
When you say it that way, it sounds like Kanbaru is my niece...
In any case, both you guys and I should leave this place pretty soon.
IT'S FINE TO WAX SENTIMENTAL FOREVER IN FRONT OF THE BURNED RUINS.
Soon, things like firefighters and the police will be rushing over.
Understanding when to retreat is a must for a specialist.
Oh, you came to?
Oh, Araragi-senpai! Are you OK?
What's the meaning of this?
I don't understand the situation very well,
but my instincts are telling me I shouldn't miss this opportunity.
Your instincts are amazing...
WHAT ARE THEY TELLING HER?
THEY'RE SAYING TOO MUCH.
I don't think I can quite walk yet.
I'll just sit here and get a piggyback ride for a while.
Oh, fine... Just a little bit longer, okay?
The physical aspect aside, it's a definite that I'm exhausted mentally.
Somehow, I'm feeling out of whack.
Out of whack?
In some way, I'm reminded of the North Shirahebi Shrine.
Araragi-senpai...
Am I proceeding toward that someone you wanted to introduce to me?
Oh... Yeah, we are.
But about that, Kanbaru, I need to apologize to you.
No need for apologies.
In fact, I'd rather you didn't apologize.
Making you bow your head, Araragi-senpai, would be a disgrace for Suruga Kanbaru.
If so, wouldn't me giving you a piggyback ride
be more of a disgrace for Suruga Kanbaru?
KANBARU / SURUGA
You'd be so disgraced you're splintered or something?
No, in all seriousness, it may be more dangerous to send you back right now.
At the least, until we figure out the situation, I want you to accompany me.
For every favor you ask of me, Araragi-senpai, this is how I answer:
Eat up!
Shut up!
Also, that's cute!
WHAT IN THE WORLD DID I ORDER?
But I'll at least ask you where we're headed, Araragi-senpai.
Right now, we're headed to the aforementioned rendezvous point.
Let's see... You probably know of it. It's called Rouhaku Park.
Rouhaku?
It might be Namishiro.
Apparently it was Senjyogahara's neighborhood back in middle school.
Then I might remember if I saw it.
In any case, roger that, Araragi-senpai.
Right now, we're headed to that park, right?
And the person you wanted me to meet will be there?
Well, yeah.
But, if so, Araragi-senpai...
Aren't you going in the completely opposite direction?
Huh? But...
I guess we'll go back a bit and correct the route... I'm sorry, Kanbaru.
Well, it's no big deal. I trust you with everything.
Araragi-senpai, do as you want.
ONE HOUR LATER
We ended up in a location that we didn't know.
Come to think, Araragi-senpai, didn't you get lost in the past, or not?
Didn't you say you were about to, but didn't, or something like that?
You know, with Hachikuji...
No, wait. The lost cow isn't here any longer.
But...
You shouldn't make any detours and go straight home as well!
No, but...
Would he actually set up something like this, that's more malicious than harassing?
Besides, even if this "lost" bit is his doing, I don't see the objective for doing so.
What is he planning to do with me and Kanbaru after we lose our way... after we're lost?
Kanbaru, I'm letting go.
Of the daikon?
No, I mean you.
IF ANYTHING, NOT A DAIKON BUT AN ANTELOPE.
EARLIER, EARLIER TO GIVE UP THE BETTER
CALLING
IZUKO GAEN
Hey, Koyomin...
I've been waiting for you. I was anxiously waiting.
I thought it was about time you called me.
So? How is it going right now? Do tell Big Sister Gaen.
Let's see...
A crab?
IZUKO GAEN CRAB
A snail?
IZUKO GAEN SNAIL
A monkey?
IZUKO GAEN MONKEY
A snake?
IZUKO GAEN SNAKE
A cat?
IZUKO GAEN CAT
What do you actually know?
I know everything, as you may know.
That's a joke, a joke. Why are you getting so serious, Koyomin?
If I say five things, one is sure to be correct. It's a dirty tactic adults use.
IZUKO GAEN SNAIL SNAIL LOST COW LOST
Personally, I'd predict that it's the snail.
SNAIL - LOST COW
She got it right.
Simple. I thought the only one you'd have the luxury
to make a phone call seeking help would be the snail.
Just an analogy. So, how is it?
That's exactly what it is... Yes.
Right now, together with Kanbaru,
I was heading to the park where we were supposed to meet up.
But for over an hour now...
IZUKO GAEN
I was imagining what kind of thing it would be, but...
of all those I imagined, that's the smallest one.
Koyomin.
Hurry up and join me, please.
I want to hear the details face-to-face now.
No, I mean, the story is such that joining you is what I can't do right now.
That was why I was seeking some advice from you—
This isn't worth me giving advice.
It's merely someone meddling in your affairs.
If you can't overcome that small an obstacle by yourself, I'd be troubled.
Fortunately, this isn't the first time you're getting lost on your way.
Koyomin,
follow Meme's principle here and help yourself on your own.
No...
IZUKO GAEN
You're not alone.
That's right, you have your reliable underclassman beside you right now.
Then, you can rely on her.
R-Rely on her, but...
What do you think Kanbaru is? Kanbaru is—
Suruga Kanbaru is my elder sister's daughter.
IZUKO GAEN
Such a pity to keep talent like that dormant.
SHE JUST HUNG UP ON ME
Oh, so your phone call is over, Araragi-senpai?
And that look on your face... I assume you need something from your slave.
I don't have any slaves.
Then you don't need my opinion? That's so reassuring.
No, I don't—
I do need it. Kanbaru, if you have any thoughts, let me know.
All right, I know. This way.
I don't know the way to the park,
but if it's near where Senjyogahara-senpai's old house was...
I know the approximate direction by scent.
Let's go!
It's not by sight, but scent?
Come on, Araragi-senpai.
ARE YOU A NINJA OR SOMETHING?
Araragi-senpai, the apparition called the lost cow makes people lose their way, right?
Then all you have to do is to not go down the normal paths.
Around three in the morning, at last...
NAMISHIRO (ROUHAKU) PARK
...we arrived at the park.
Huh?
Of all things, it's only been three hours since I made the phone call.
She couldn't possibly have gotten impatient and left already.
But Araragi-senpai,
most people would go home if they were forced to wait for three hours in the middle of the night.
If you say so, that may be true, but...
I know.
Just like I got lost on my way,
maybe Gaen, who we were going to meet, met some sort of apparition phenomenon.
Is it unthinkable that possibility is what's causing her not to be here?
Kanbaru, I have a favor to ask.
Eat up!
That's not it.
It may be useless, but I'd like to split up and comb the entire park.
If you find something, holler at me.
So I just need to scream?
Don't scream. I'd be the one that gets arrested.
Roger. Will serve you.
ARRESTED (TSUKAMARU)
SERVE (TSUKAMATSURU)
Araragi-senpai! Found her!
It doesn't look like there's anyone there...
No, no, Araragi-senpai.
See? Look closely.
Sh-Shinobu!
Oh, if it isn't my master! You're pretty late.
She's so cute...
Hey, Shinobu. Why in the world are you here...
Ka ka!
Monkey, huh...
That gave me a hard time for sure.
Indeed, I found this kitten to be one tough customer.
A cat, indeed...
LET'S PUT ASIDE THE PERVERT FOR NOW.
Well, you know... by "monkey" I'm not talking about this girl.
It was wearing a raincoat and galoshes, but it was someone other than her.
Someone else?
In any case, it was an apparition I'd been fighting
somewhere out there until just recently, together with the cat.
Wh-What are you talking about?
AND A CAT?
WHAT CAT?
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON IN THIS TOWN RIGHT NOW?
It was a competition you'd dream of, in all sorts of ways.
Well, this is nothing more than a scratch, nothing serious.
What about on your end? Were you all right?
Y-Yeah. After parting ways with you... Let's see. About that darkness...
No need.
I was briefed on that already.
It seems I've had all sorts of misunderstandings for over 400 years now.
The epitome of clumsiness, indeed.
You heard? From whom—
I don't have to even tell you.
I heard from the little girl who stomped on you.
The little girl who stomped on me?
Well, I have no idea what you're talking about...
Shinobu, you're the only one that's stomped on me with a bare foot, you know?
I didn't say it was a bare foot.
Drats! So this is what they mean by the saying "the tongue ever turns to the aching tooth"!
Though it looks like you're aching as much as you can ache...
More like, you have a cute footprint clearly left on your face.
What the...!
Yeah...
I secretly wondered this whole time what happened while I was unconscious.
If you saw it, then say something!
You just continued riding piggyback on your upperclassman, thinking it was funny?
Well, normally a marking of that sort
would be so resentful that I'd want to peel the skin off your face.
But against my will, the doll-girl has saved us...
So this one time, I'll graciously forgive her.
"Has saved us"? Come now...
What really happened to you, Shinobu?
Well, it's not worth mentioning.
While the cat and I were being assaulted by a monkey...
When we were having a tough time...
That doll-girl suddenly appeared, and, impressively enough, joined forces with us.
What was that special move of hers?
"A RULEBOOK MOSTLY FILLED WITH EXCEPTIONS"
"Unlimited Rulebook," or something?
She used it to blow off the right half of the monkey's body.
And, after she saved you,
Ononoki told you what's happened since that incident, or something?
Then...
Assuming she heard about the darkness there,
then, did she hear about the armor-clad samurai afterwards as well?
No, that doesn't seem to be the case.
Well, I'm glad both of us are safe and sound.
No, I guess we're not quite safe just yet.
Apparently, the so-called master of the Hawaiian-shirt boy
is going to restore the pairing between you and me?
Doll-girl said that it'd be good to meet up with you for that reason.
Yet, I arrive here, and neither you or that master are around.
So...
So... that's why you were sleeping under the swings?
What kind of idea is that?
How do you think outside the box like that?
Even if you were tired from an unexpected battle,
at the least, if you're going to sleep, there are other places—
Master, we should talk about that later.
Unfortunately, it seems we're not quite done fighting just yet...
It seems the battle isn't quite over just yet.
The battle for us seems to be what's coming up now.