Office by Alex Penny
“If you say that being fake is evil, I will be that evil. If it is bad to deceive, I will be the bad guy.”
Even if I’m making a hypocritical judgment.
Even if I’m making a hypocritical decision.
Even if his opinion of Araragi Tsukihi is hypocrisy, Araragi Koyomi will gladly be that hypocrite.
I’m not Oshino Meme.
I’m not Kaiki Deishuu.
I’m not Kagenui Yozuru.
Of course, I’m not the Fire Sisters or the Valhalla Combo.
Araragi Koyomi is - Araragi Koyomi.
“I don’t care about being liked. I’m fine with being a horrible human being,”
I said - with a posed look.
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 12 (emphasis mine)
One of my favorite parts of Nisemonogatari was how the characters would steal each other’s catchphrases. Hitagi did it to Mayoi, too.
“Kagenui, no brother would let out his little sister’s embarrassing secret [that she’s not human]. I don’t even care about checking on something like that.”
“……. ”
To put it in words that Hachikuji Mayoi might use, this is the courage to continue keeping a secret.
“Because it’s for family, I can lie. I deceive them. I make trouble for them. I annoy them. I can borrow something from them and not return the favor. But still, I think that’s okay.”
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 12 (emphasis mine)
“Oi, Heart Under Blade, let’s fight.”
Without a hint of hesitation.
Facing the vampire of legend, she had no intention of backing down.
This specialist of the immortal.
To put it simply, a demon hunter - Kagenui Yozuru.
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 12
This isn’t so bad that I can’t handle it.
If I get to touch my little sisters’ breasts as much as I want starting tomorrow by going through this, it’s a small price to pay.
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 12
“Where are you going? In order to do what?”
“To them. In order to fight.”
“For what?”
“For my little sisters.”
“What do you gain from that?”
“I gain nothing. I just lose a bit of my time.”
…
“If your choice is to fight, I guess it can’t be helped - if you were to die, I would end up dying along with you. In order to protect myself, I can’t not fight alongside you.”
“…are you saying you’re going to help me?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea; I don’t want to do this - I really really don’t want to do this. I couldn’t care less what happens to your tiny little sister. I can’t help but help you in order to protect myself.”
“Your tsundere act is getting a bit tiresome.”
I said - and started laughing.
“Hmm- didn’t you want to die? Weren’t you a suicidal vampire?”
“Hmph, I’ve already forgotten about that early phase of my character. And I won’t be so reserved like the middle phase either. Right now, I’m just a donut-loving mascot character.”
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11
“You can laugh after stealing the first kiss of your only 2 sisters? Are you even human!? You have less integrity than a hamster! This couldn’t be by accident!? You were aiming for it from the start!? You must have done it while she was sleeping in Karen’s case too, right!?”
“No, you’re mistaken. In your case, it was when you were sleeping, but in Karen’s case, it was when she was sick.”
“You’re the worst! Everyone, here is the worst human in the world! Here’s a criminal who sexually abuses his family!”
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11
To be honest, Hanekawa told me this once.
During the events of Golden Week.
“Araragi-kun. You might be able to be a star, but you’re unable to be a hero.”
It was difficult to hear.
But her words were true.
Hanekawa’s words were always true.
I’m not an ally of justice.
I’m not an ally of humanity or ally of monsters either.
I’m their ally.
I’m just a regular older brother.
- from Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11
“Karen-chan.”
I said, turning around. Karen was about to sit down where I had been sitting until now.
“Yes? What is it, Nii-chan?”
She said, looking back at me.
“Could you die for me?”
“Yes, I could die for you. So what do you want?”
… Her answer was as expected, but she still looked so cool… You’re definitely a carbon copy of Kanbaru. Really, if she weren’t my little sister, I think I might have fallen for her. If only she weren’t my little sister…
“Then, could you die for Tsukihi?”
“…yes, obviously.”
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11 (emphasis mine)
“So, to put it more generally, the enemy of justice is another brand of justice.”
“…”
“War is when that reaches its logical limit. Even the Fire Sisters’ justice must be the enemy of justice for someone else. As long as you stand for something, somehow, you can be twisted to be the enemy of justice.
- Araragi Koyomi speaking to Araragi Karen in Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11
“Oh really? Well, I value Kanbaru-sensei much more than our front gate. Besides basketball, we also played tag inside a jungle gym togethe- wait, I take that back, our destroyed front gate is much more important!”
Karen plays the straight man a little late.
Wait, it’s fine that you finally realized it, but the thought of you and Kanbaru playing tag in a jungle gym gets my imagination running… I want to hear the details.
- Araragi Karen and Araragi Koyomi from Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11
