I'll just tell you how it ended up.
I wasn't able to take all the poison
from the wreathe-fire bee.
Stay with Karen, and don't cause any trouble today. —Koyomi
But even so, Karen's fever went down a little.
Black Scene
Hey, Hachikuji.
U-Um...
Hachikuji?
Is that you, Araragi-san?
Come on, screw up my name!
Araragi-san, if you're greeting me like a normal person,
that means you've gotten boring.
Did something happen?
Harsh!
Hey, you didn't like it, anyway!
That was just me acting, so you'd do it more.
You didn't really think "no" means "no", did you?
Jeez.
Don't push. Danger.
You ruined the opportunity I gave you!
Your "acting" is harsh!
You screwed it up right at the start.
Now the whole joke's wasted.
It's really that bad?!
Hey, Hachikuji.
Wait...
I don't know you.
My friend Araragi-san is dead.
Remove the sexual harassment from Araragi-san,
and there's nothing left but a flea.
No part of me was a flea to begin with!
Sexual Harassment Flea
I don't even want to see your face.
Disappear.
Don't say that!
Senjougahara's said that to me a hundred times,
but when you say it, I really do want to disappear.
So don't say that...
Huh?
I told you to disappear. Why are you still here?
You can't even do that?
Danger Ahead!
I want to restart from a save point!
So what happened?
You seem pretty serious, compared to yesterday.
Serious, huh?
Yeah, maybe.
A lot of stuff's happened.
Well, I won't ask for details.
But, Araragi-san,
you're looking disturbingly pale...
Am I?
You don't seem well.
I took half of Karen's illness, but that shouldn't result in any physical effects.
Wait, maybe Hachikuji can tell?
It was something called a wreathe-fire bee.
It's a totally different type
than your snail, I think.
But it's a problem anyway.
I see.
That is a problem...
But I'm sure you'll be fine, Araragi-san.
You always have been, right?
I hope so...
A lot of stuff is going wrong.
For one thing, my sisters are idiots.
More idiotic than you?
Don't call me an idiot!
What they're saying is right,
and I'd like to respect that...
But they're too rash.
What they want to do is right, but they aren't doing it right, right away.
That's how it feels.
Isn't that what you're always being told?
And if you weren't like that,
I wouldn't be able to take a nice walk around here.
So doesn't that mean that
they've saved a lot of people?
Still, I guess they're just kids.
They don't listen to a word anyone says.
I have to do this thing
while they're still sensible enough to stay home.
Sensible...
Hachikuji, when do you think you become an adult?
Not while you're saying things like that.
In Japan, you officially become an adult at twenty,
but it changes, depending on the era.
Some people say that once you start working, you're an adult.
But you can be an adult without working.
You can become an adult just by aging, huh?
I guess telling two girls in their second and third years
of middle school to grow up is asking too much.
Age-wise, they're kids.
That's the point!
It's natural for a middle schooler to be a kid.
But the fact that
they don't realize they're kids is the problem.
They may still be better than adults
who don't think they're adults.
There's nothing as difficult to deal with
as an adult who thinks they're a kid...
By the way, Hachikuji, how do you think of yourself?
The body of a child and the brains of an adult.
So, you're a detective?!
Then, Hachihachiji...
What were we talking about?
Araragi-san, you're missing a temple.
I see.
I didn't realize. Sorry.
Hachishichiji.
Are we losing temples each time you say my name?!
Hachirokuji.
I'm almost to Senjougahara's house.
We should split up here.
Oh, right.
You're right.
She doesn't like me.
Farewell, Araragi-san.
Be well.
You, too.
But at the time, I didn't know
what would happen to the cheerful young girl
named Hachikuji Mayoi.
Just kidding.
Honestly, I have no idea what will happen.
Episode 5: Karen Bee, Part 6
Tamikurasou
201
Um...
Gahara-san?
A question, Araragi-kun...
If, by some strange coincidence, a hundred sharp pencils
I was carrying embedded themselves in a third party,
would that be an accidental death?
No, it would be murder!
First-degree murder!
The following day's headlines would read, "Man Killed by Pencils!"
Then I'll sharpen more pencils on top of those headlines.
Calm down, Senjougahara!
You may think that's a good line, but it really isn't!
Take off your shoes and come in, Araragi-kun.
Don't worry. I won't tie you up again.
Thanks...
Well?
If I ask, will you tell me why you're
arming yourself so heavily?
I'm going to go and chat with Kaiki.
As you've refused my protection,
I've no choice but to go on the attack.
Kidnapping and protection are not the same thing!
One match can start a fire
Be careful with fire
By the way, I talked to Hanekawa afterwards.
What?
Did Hanekawa-sama...
I mean, Hanekawa-san say anything about me?
Did you just say "Hanekawa-sama"?
One match can start a fire
Be careful with fire
I-I did not.
There is no bullying occurring at my school.
Bullying Is A Crime
You're being bullied? You?!
I mean, given the way you act,
I can see you might attract a lot of Hanekawa's attention.
But don't say you're being bullied...
That's mean.
I'm not saying that.
I'm polishing her shoes every morning
because I enjoy doing so.
Why do you act like that toward her?
Anyway, you're going to see Kaiki, right?
But, Senjougahara, do you know where he is?
I have a business card from long ago,
one he gave me.
It's a miracle I never threw it away.
Ghost Buster Kaiki Deishuu
Senjougahara, I'm about to say
the worst thing in the world.
Ghost Buster Kaiki Deishuu
But if you fell for this, isn't it partially your own fault?
That's the trap.
You'd never think that anyone who'd give themselves
such a ridiculous title would actually be a con man.
Is that how it works?
So what, Senjougahara?
You called this number, and you spoke with him?
Yes.
He hadn't changed a bit.
As gloomy as ever.
Can I go with you?
If you're going to speak with Kaiki, I want to go...
I can still pretend I didn't hear that.
Unless you wish to die, take that back.
My sister was one of his victims.
Ghost Buster Kaiki Deishuu
He set some bizarre monster called a wreathe-fire bee on her.
She's suffering from a terrible fever.
I've taken half of it upon myself, to neutralize it,
but I don't know what could happen in the future.
You took half of it yourself?
Will you be okay?
My vampiric healing ability is keeping me safe.
It isn't perfect, but...
I see.
Then there's no turning back for you.
But I suppose with your sister involved,
that was never really a possibility.
That's not all.
You're involved, too.
Your trying to deal with Kaiki alone, for my sake, is insane.
Am I wrong?
It isn't only for your sake.
Kaiki is one of the things I need to settle for myself.
To the point where, had he not returned,
I'd have gone looking for him.
Why are you so obsessed?
One match can start a fire
Be careful with fire
Wasn't it a little thing?
That was me tsundere-ing.
Tsundere-ing?
Do you plan to seek revenge on all five of the con artists like that?
It's over.
Aren't there other things you should settle?
Of course not.
Like Oshino-san said, I won't pretend
to be their helpless victim.
I relied on them, and I was betrayed.
My personality isn't such that I still...
My personality...
My personality isn't the issue here.
I won't do that.
One match can start a fire
You have some personality problems, don't you?
But Kaiki is a different matter.
Why?
He's the one responsible for my mom and dad's divorce.
Naturally, I can't blame the entire thing on Kaiki,
and I don't intend to.
But he ruined my family.
I can't forgive that.
If I forgave it...
I wouldn't be myself anymore.
I think that
even without Kaiki, my mom and dad would have divorced.
I think my family would have been split up.
I think it's my fault that my mom left...
But, Araragi-kun,
does the fact that the result would have
been the same forgive the fact that he caused it?
Does the fact that it would have happened,
sooner or later, forgive the fact that he made it happen, out of malice?
Malice
Malice.
Malice is something I have a monopoly on.
I don't know about that.
Ghost Buster Kaiki Deishuu
Kaiki used the crab I met to ruin
my family, all for money.
Because it made no difference...
It's possible that you were a secondary concern for me,
that protecting you was simply an excuse.
And that, in the end, I simply hate Kaiki.
An excuse?
One match can start a fire
Be careful with fire
So I tsundere-ed.
Don't get the wrong idea.
I'm not doing this for your sake, Araragi-kun.
That is
probably not true.
The crab...
The crab that Senjougahara met.
Stop
Beast
Perversion and Sexual Desire
Praying
Flashback Flashback Flashback
This happened when the crab was possessing her.
In Surgery
She couldn't even hate Kaiki Deishuu when it happened.
M*m Broken
That was how the crab worked.
Hand Hand Hand
She should have gotten angry, like a child.
A child who'd lost her mom.
But then, there is
one thing I don't understand.
Kaiki is a con man and a fake, right?
But from what you said, it sounds like he saw your crab.
I don't know.
But a fake with more power than the real thing
is more dangerous than the real thing.
Of course, at the time,
I thought him just another sleazy con artist.
But thinking back,
he may have deliberately feigned incompetence
to draw more money from my father.
He's spending his time taking pocket change from middle schoolers now.
And he got my sister when she tried to stop him.
I see.
Your sister is a hero-man like you.
Stop calling me that!
The Fire Sisters of Tsuganoki 2nd Middle School.
I'd heard the rumors.
Come to think of it, you did hear about them.
Just so we're clear, Araragi-kun,
my impression is that
"right" is a concept that won't work on him.
And "right" is all you have,
which makes you strong against hypocrites,
but weak against someone who's really evil.
I told you I'm not like that...
However,
I won't sit back and let you become a criminal.
I've no intention of committing any crimes.
I'm just going to punish him...
In modern society the two are identical.
One match can start a fire
Be careful with fire
Senjougahara, you might not know this,
but I love you.
Even if you do become a criminal, and end up in jail,
I'd still visit you every day.
But I'd rather be with you all the time.
Sometimes, I don't know why I'm dating you.
But I love you so much, I don't need a reason.
If you're going, then let's go together.
You can protect me...
I'll protect you.
Oh, no.
So incredibly cool...
If I were a man,
I'd be so jealous of your manliness that I'd kill you.
Terrifying!
Terrifying
I'm glad I'm a woman
because I can love you...
I understand, Araragi-kun.
I'll do as you say.
Then you'll take me to Kaiki?
Yes.
But in exchange, I do have a request.
A request?
If you dislike the presumption implied by the word "request,"
then call it a condition.
A condition required before I'll take you to Kaiki.
What will you do?
I'll do it.
I'll do it gladly, no matter what it is or how many there are.
I have just one request, Araragi-kun.
By meeting with Kaiki, I intend to resolve things with myself.
Just like my master cut...
I mean, Hanekawa-san cut her hair.
That is a remarkable mistake to make.
My Master
And not anything I can pretend I didn't hear!
I am not being threatened.
You're being threatened? By Hanekawa?!
No matter where I am,
it's natural that I should kneel before Hanekawa-san.
No matter where you are?
Just as Hanekawa-san...
As Hanekawa-san cut her hair.
Just as doing that let her move forward,
I'm going to settle things with my past by meeting Kaiki.
I'm going to move forward.
So, what's your request?
What must I do, for you to take me with you?
I can't say yet.
It's something you can't tell me?
Once things are settled with Kaiki,
no matter what the outcome,
I'll tell you then.
Then there's no difference if you say it now.
If I said it now, it wouldn't be foreshadowing.
It's foreshadowing?!
That's right.
After you die, I'll have to spend
the rest of my life alone, regretting that I didn't say anything now.
It's foreshadowing my death?
That's right.
And in the climactic scene,
the telescope you gave me for
my birthday features as an important item.
There isn't a scene involving a telescope!
Just tell me what it is...
Screw the foreshadowing!
Then let's forget the whole thing.
Fine... I'll do it.
All right.
Then let's go.
Let's protect each other.
Room 201
I promised I'd meet him at 5:00 PM.
Right...
Then I'll be going back to my house.
Very well.
Then come back in the early evening.
Yeah.
Don't do anything on your own, okay?
Of course not.
Have I ever lied?
Don't worry.
This time, it's to get you to hear my request.
I might lie, but I'll keep my promise.
All right...
Well, then that's okay.
Yes.
This is a trade.
And...
Even I'm starting to get a little tired.
You've been up all night,
even if you were unconscious for a while.
Kaiki isn't someone you can deal with on no sleep.
Well, I think I deal with no sleep better than most.
As a former vampire.
But rest up anyway.
You might not be able to sleep tonight.
Onii-chan?
Oh, you're up?
Good morning.
Karen-chan is gone!
When I got up...
She wasn't there...
And she can't be fully healed yet!
Calm down, Tsukihi-chan!
Her shoes are gone,
and it looks like she changed her clothes...
Calm down.
Do you have any idea where she'd go?
Anywhere she'd be likely to go?
None...
I think she'd go to that Kaiki guy's place.
But I don't know where he is...
Does that mean Karen-chan does?
She shouldn't.
She let him go once.
I'll look for her.
You wait at home.
But I want to go, too.
If you find her, there's a risk she'll persuade you to go with her.
You really don't trust me, do you?
I don't.
But I do worry.
But more than that, I'm mad!
Think.
If I were Karen, what would I do?
First, I'd want to get away from the house.
No Cars Please
Because if I found her, I'd take her back.
That much is certain.
The problem is, what then?
What then? What then? What then?
Black Scene
Be quiet...
You're being too loud for me to sleep.
When you panic,
that panic is transmitted directly to me.
Shinobu,
do you know what's going on?
Basically.
Your sister's almost as reckless as you are...
Come to think of it,
you once searched for me when I was lost.
I remember those days.
Can I ask if you're going to help me?
Ha ha.
Unfortunately,
I'm not in a position to refuse any request you make.
The question of which of us is the master
is a complicated one,
but you're certainly the stronger.
I've told you a bunch of times that
the bonds of a vampire are bonds of the soul, right?
Thus,
for any order you give me,
no matter how much I may want to refuse, I cannot.
It isn't an order.
I'm not in a position to order you.
Then I won't do it, idiot.
What you just saw
was me saying I'd help you, but I'd rather not say so myself.
So please allow me to save face by calling it an order.
Why couldn't you tell?
My showing up right now, when I should clearly
be sleeping was obviously so that I could help you.
You're a tsundere, too.
Then it's an order.
Get off your ass, and find out where Karen-chan is, already!
Oh, no... Oh, no.
What cruel fate forces me to obey the orders
of a lesser being like this human?
But I cannot disobey an order...
You can't do anything without me around.
You're so cute.
Ha ha.
Your sister's blood is structurally similar to yours.
So I can tell where she is by the smell.
She doesn't seem to have gone very far...