Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni: Hatahoresatsujin-hen

When They Cry: Secret Affection Murder Chapter

ひぐらしのなく: 傍惚れ殺人

[ Obsession Arc ]

Author's Note: Hello everyone, this is the fourth chapter of my Higurashi story. I hope you like it. You'll find that I cut the Japanese language. I had left only the title to the chapters in Japanese and the suffixes. Originally, I tried to make the story more authentic to the culture. But I want to make this story likeable for readers and by doing so is by making changes. I hope that you will read it, regardless of the changes.

Please enjoy.

Shi-hen: Sai Sokono Tourai

Chapter 4: Closer to Disaster

It was entering a new month since I had dinner at Keiichi's house and Hinamizawa was starting to grow on me more and more each day. The month of June was slowly opening blazing hot days with cicadas coming in packs along with it. Walking to school even now feels like you walked miles in the sun, I had to start bring water bottles with me.

"Geez, its hooottttttt!" Mion whined.

"We know it's hot you been saying it for, what, sixteenth times so far?" countered Keiichi. Soon the two were arguing about the random things.

Rena and I were gulping down some of the water that we brought with us, holding a small conversation of our own. "Miya, did you understand some of the homework?"

"I understood, it was really hard at first but after a little help I was able to know what the problem was. Did you need help Rena?"

"Yeah," Rena embarrassedly smile, "I kind do. I hope it won't be any trouble Miya."

"It's not a problem."

"Damn it, Mion!" We looked over, Mion must had have had a water bottle hidden away because the next thing we knew we were sprayed with partially with water. Keiichi took the full brunt of the hit, being that his face and hair were matted with droplets and shirt turned almost transparent exhibiting the red undershirt.

"Aw~, taking the hit for Rena and Miya. That's so noble of you, Kei." Mion taunted, playfully stick her tongue out. Keiichi redden at her before deflating his anger to us.

"You two alright?"

"Yeah, thanks again Keiichi." Rena appreciatively stated.

I nodded, bowing slightly, "Thank you, Keiichi." Yes, lately I was finally able to say Keiichi's name without holding a blush or getting in embarrassed. One of the few improvements I have made since living here, I'm proud to say.

"You're welcome." He rapidly wheeled too quickly while suddenly scratching the back of his head. Rena giggled at him. I didn't understand why, but it was probably a private joke between the two of them.

"Yo, slow pokes! My grandma moves faster than you guys, hurry up!" called Mion up ahead of us. She started to mumble something inaudible to hear. Rena ran up ahead with Mion leaving me and Keiichi slightly behind to hurry after them. Now that I think about it, they've been do that a lot lately. Weird…

We barely made it in by the bell, when we bumped into Chie-sensei. She had gotten in around the same time as us with her lunch in her hand. And knowing Chie-sensei, it her favorite dish. Chie's eyes were glinting like daggers at the close situation of her losing her beloved curry.

"Children," she said, forebodingly, "Please take your seats so as to start the announcement." We quietly nod, fearing that we would do something that will cause the once peaceful teacher to show her fury despite inadvertent circumstances. We proceeded to head over to our seats, happily trying not to anger the curry lover any further.

"Well, everyone, I have wonderful news. We will be having a half a day today. I took the liberty to volunteer our class to help with the Watanagashi Festival. So let us do our best to finish the work before heading out."

Watanagashi…I've never heard of that before, I thought. The day progressed onward without a hitch, but I was plagued with questions of what was the Watanagashi Festival. Everyone greedily talk about it like it was the most excitingly average part of their lives. But it was odd that I was having this aching feeling in my chest about it.

"Shy, is something the matter?"

My attention was brought back to Rika, whose expression was too wary for my liking, with her hand over mine as a way to calm. Did I looked that confuse that she was to the extent of worrying? Or was it something else that I was looking like?

"Uh, no, no I'm fine…It just I don't know what Watanagashi is." I cracked a smile that was faintly genuine, trying to shake the ominous sense clinging to me.

"It seems like were about to go, why don't we talk about when we get there. How is that?" I nodded and Rika semi-smiled. The cute little blunette patted my head, whispering words of "Good girl, good girl…"

But it was that feeling that was lingering over me. Maybe it was just in my head and I was having paranoia of the upcoming cultural event. That was it. Paranoia…it was solely that. Nothing more then ugly paranoia.

Everyone was huddled on the hill, where you could get a view of the whole village, near the Watanagashi Festival were supposed to be held. We were eating lunch, hiding under the shade of the trees there. Everyone was hold a discussion that was starting to become uninteresting in my mind and was making want to yell for someone to tell me about the Watanagashi Festival.

"So what is this festival that everyone is talking about?" I finally mustered enough sense to ask.

"Oh, it just a festival that the village has." Mion said, thoughtlessly. She didn't seem that she wanted to go further.

"What do you do there?"

"Well, you play games and other stuff." Mion said again, trying her best to keep it all short. "Just something tradition they do every year around this time."

"What are those 'other stuff'?"

"Everyone watches this performance done by the priest or priestess of the Furude shrine, and that about it." Satoko added, who also didn't seem to want to explain it in complete detail.

"Furude…That means that Rika would be taking place in the festival also, isn't that right?"

Rika nodded, "Yes, I'll be in the performance. I've been practicing for a while now and I hope I do well on it."

"Oh," even Rika seems to want to keep it short.

I quietly ate away at the food in the bento while everyone continue on with things other then the Watanagashi Festival. There it goes again the horrible feeling in my chest. It was starting to become annoying.

"Well, I'm finished." I stated before packing the bento into my backpack. Everyone looked curiously at me like it was a surprise.

"You don't want to wait until we all finish so we can go with you," Keiichi asked. "Cause I could go with you. If you just—"

"Nah, I'll be fine. You guys finish eat and I'll meet up with you later." I started trekking down the steps. I was trying to ignore the feeling that something was being hidden. I was especially trying to ignore the fact that my friends are the ones hiding it. Maybe some work could get this off my mind of things.

I stopped half way from the bottom, taking in that I forgot my bracelet. I palmed my face. I have to go back up those long steps in the heat…again. I want to go back, but then I would have to face them with insecurity of their secrets. Besides, the bracelet wasn't that special.

"Great another long flight of stairs…" I start to lug the stack of boxes up the steps, leaving some of the others left. For a small village, they really had a lot of place that you have to climb to. Regardless, the boxes weren't going to get themselves up there. I persisted to hurry with the boxes sliding irregularly to the sides at times. My legs were officially aching from moving and running around for everyone.

Being at that the top was almost like finally being a breath after being choked by the high temperature. I hope that the man will send someone like said. The way everyone is going around, I highly doubt anyone would have the time to get up here and help. I started to set up the boxes near the shrine where they said they would some decorations to put up.

Out of the corner of my eye I happen to notice that there was another shrine at the far edge tucked away behind the temple of the Furude Shrine. It didn't seem interesting, just a smaller shrine from the one I near, I guess. So I just ignored it and kept at my work.

After the third and fourth time up the stair way, my clothes were starting to stick to me. There was already a large wet spots under my arms that my vest hid. I was finally at the last boxes of my duty, slumping against the wooden offering well. I looked down at my self, noting that my shirt almost see-through and my shorts plastered tightly at my thighs, underneath them were sores and probably already turning pinkish red from the friction for all I know.

Next time, Chie-sensei thinks about volunteering I might come up sick, I thought.

Involuntarily, I looked over to the other shrine. As I kept staring I found that my interest was growing in regardless of how I didn't care to move at the moment. Though, somehow, almost idiotically, I gotten up and went over the little building. And there with the closely setting sun bouncing of the tiles of the roof was the shrine, slightly bigger then I expected. It was just old, but seemed to be well kept. I curiously watched the flies buzzed around the sacred building, seeing that it was just an ordinary shed.

I looked around the front to the doors, observing the lock on the double doors. Why would anyone put a lock on the door? I shook my head, trying to get it out my head. This is has nothing to do with me. If someone wanted to put the lock on then it is their business. Leave now before you do something stupid. I nodded, wheeling around to go back into the work grounds.

…

…

…

THUD

I jumped, practically whirling around to the shed. The loud thud came from the within it, I know it did. Nervously, I stalked over on to the steps, listening to it creaks but mostly for another sound. My hand extended, brushing against the wooden door. I drew my body closer door, placing my ear to it.

There was nothing. Not even a squeak of the floor boards could be heard. There was something or someone in there. It has to be.

THUD

I leaned back with my heart beating to more rapid pace. It is obvious that someone is in there.

I called, but it came out almost like a quiet whisper, "Is someone in there?" There was still nothing. Not a single indication that something could be inside.

"Is someone in there?" I tried again, this time a little louder then before.

Nothing….

"What are you doing over there?" I felt my breath stop short, turning around.

"Rena…"

The orange haired girl stared, guardedly and uneasily at me.

"What are you doing here?" she repeated.

Trying not to shaken, "I heard something in here."

Her eyes widen and pupils dilated to specks. I opened my mouth, but closed them quickly as she quickly went up the stairs and fetched me. She tugged at my arm, trying her best to get me as far away from the place.

"Rena, what's wrong?" She didn't respond only maintain the fast pace of getting me as away from the shed. I was growing tired of this sudden action that I started to struggle. I persisted on prying her fingers off my wrist and was successful.

"Rena, didn't you hear what I said? I think someone is in there. They might need help and we should get it…" Rena was silent and stood in her place, close to the shrine. "…Rena…? Rena, are you listening to what I'm saying?"

…

…

There it was again. The dark feeling that was coming over me. It was now creepy and ill-omened that my chest grew tight. I gulped, scared at the situation that was falling over us.

"Oyashiro-sama…"

"Huh?"

"Oyashiro-sama…he would have cursed you if you went into the Ritual Tool Shed." Rena looked over her shoulder, her smile wide as the crescent moon.

"W-who is Oyashiro?"

Her grin became wider as if it looked like her face would crack at any moment, and said in an ominous low voice "Oyashiro-sama is the guardian deity of Hinamizawa. He curses all those who break his rules. But Miyako-chan is new, so it's understandable that you didn't know this." Rena turned fully to me, her bangs hiding her eyes. I back away a bit, letting out a nervous laugh.

"Rena, stop playing with me. There is someone and we should get help. Besides, curses and anything like that doesn't exist. And surely, Oyashiro doesn't exist."

Rena tilted her head, "Yes he does. He exists and punishes anyone that says otherwise. He curses anyone that denies his existence."

"But he couldn't possi-"

"HE EXISTS!" her voice screamed. Her eyes resembled the eyes of a hissing cat with her teeth gritted together in anger. Minutes passed and I was shaking and Rena seemed to calm a bit, but she was still under the control by her belief. She gave a small smile, "He exists…You'll know soon enough," the girl turned, "Let's get back to the others. It's almost time to go home now." And with that, she walked. I was too scared to move, a fear that I may be lashed out at like moments ago.

I looked over my shoulder, there had be no moment or sound since earlier. Another part of my imagination. No, it one something that went on in there, but too petrified to care or to find out.

I silently trailed behind Rena, not welcoming any closeness between the gaps that was between us.

It was a silent walk home and I was sort of grateful. When Rena and I returned to the others, everything that happened between us disappeared. Rena was her usual happy self. She was laughing and smiling without any effort on her part. It was almost unbelievable.

The thud sounds, Rena's freighting cry, the unexplained nervousness, all were but what seemed like an illusion as I continued to amble silently behind everyone with the sun setting to the side of me. Keiichi talked away with Mion and Rena until Keiichi was elbowed in the ribs. Mion gave him a look, though I couldn't read what it was. Casually, Keiichi fell back to my side.

"Sssssooooo, what's up?" Keiichi asked. I didn't say. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, this time more alarmed. I still didn't answer; I wanted to keep the incident away for a while. Keiichi suddenly fell silent also. Mion and Rena threw glances occasional over their shoulders. I said nothing to anyone and went separate ways later on.

I walked through the door, now officially tired by today and hoping that we won't be volunteering tomorrow. I walked into the living room when I observed that a waist coat discarded on the couch. The coat was my mother's. I went in the kitchen and still didn't find her.

I heard a small creak, looking at the basement door swing carefully. Curious, I decided to check on it and went to it. Down another stairs today, I found that my mother was listening to her large headphone with her music blasting. I quietly grinned at her. My mother…the largest child in our two people family. It amazes me that she was the way she is. But one can admire her up beat attitude, even me.

Taking my time down, my mother dance and swayed, swinging her fingers in the air to the high notes. With out a second thought, I tapped on her shoulder, expecting her ever lasting grin shoning like always. What I didn't expect was her spinning around with an ax in her hand ready to split my skull in two. Her right arm rose with both her hands clutched to the handle, prepared to make me a corpse any second. I stumbled back, landing ungracefully on the dusty floor. Mom's eyes widen in shock, lowing her weapon with ease.

She swiftly pulled down her headphones, "Miya, are you alright?" her voice became so high that it almost hurt to hear.

"I'm alright. What are you doing down here, practicing to be an ax murder?" I asked picking myself up of the floor.

She rubbed the back of her neck with her free hand and slightly grinned. Her back pressed against the shelves, exhaling the scare she felt. "No I'm not. I was making some rearrangements in the basement." she gave small laugh, "To think we've been living her for almost two months and we still haven't clean up the place. Besides, one of these day's I want to invite some of our neighbors over since they were kind of enough to invite you to dinner a while back." Her grin became bigger, "Especially their son~" I felt my cheeks become a bright pink.

"It is nothing like that!" I yelled, running after her as she threw her brownie haired head in a cackle. The evening went on, we ate dinner and mom having lovingly pick at me about my relationship with Keiichi. When the subject of work came, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"That reminds me…" she got out of her seat, rummaging through her bag, "The museum was planning to get rid of this," she brought out a little chipped lacquered stick with some floral designs, "After long hours of convincing, they let me have it. Can you believe it, a historical item in our house that they let me have. I'm still unable to believe it myself." She pulled, revealing the jagged hidden blade inside it. I nearly choked on the drink I had. Her eyes glittered at the Japanese dagger in her hand.

Of course, me being the sane teen, I had to take if from her, "Mom, lets play with the dangerous toy later okay?"

She gave me a childish pout on her lips, returning to eating. We finished and washed the dishes and headed for bed. Mom went ahead as I put a way the last of the food. I stretched a little heading to living room.

RING RING

I looked over to phone, confused. Who would call at a time like this? I grabbed the receiver and placing it near my ear.

"Hello, Himura residence…."

"…."

"Hello…?"

"…"

"If this is a prank, it isn't funny," I said frowning at the phone by the continuous silent treatment, "I'M HANGING UP." Emphasizing each word slowly.

"Don't hang up…" the voice didn't sound like someone I knew, "Don't hang up…"

"W-who is this?" An image of Rena came flashing in my face, leaving me breathless. I was even starting to shake. "Who is this?" this time a little forceful.

"Oyashiro-sama…"

My heart uncontrollably ran rapidly in my chest. I didn't realize I was shaking that badly until I had to steady my hand on the receiver. In a crazy way, I thought I was going to hear the same thud from earlier, but it never came.

"Guardiandeity of Hinamizawa…"

Again, Rena's face smiling crazed slipped into my head. Her blue slit pupils watching and staring gleefully at my scared face. Rena's grin that made me frightened where I almost forgot the thing in the shed behind the Furude shrine. If she saw me now, would she still feel the same way?

"CURSES ANYONE WHO DENIES HIS EXISTENCE"

"…Oyashiro-sama?"

Beep Beep Beep Beeeeeeeep

The line went dead.