(Sorry about the wait! Finals are coming up and things are pretty crazy for me! If I'm a few days behind in my usual time frame, I'm really sorry! .

~WOLFEDEN)

Chapter 4: Torment

Part A

"What if…we're at war with demons?" Rika said as she gripped her arms.

Demons…? War…? What?

"If that's true…then…" Rika dug her nails into her skin. "Then demons causing Mion, Rena, and Shion to commit those crimes? It's too strange how all three of them conveniently fall to such a thing! Something is at work here, Hanyuu! Something is influencing the dark desires in their hearts! Their selfishness, lust, and anger are controlling them!"

Rika was silent for a few minutes.

"I know…it's odd. In the century loop, the ones who fell every time were Rena, Shion…and Keiichi. Why isn't he falling like them? Why did Mion take his place? This is insane!"

Rika squeezed her arms tighter.

"…You're right. Perhaps its better this way. Perhaps he's the key to all of this. Or rather…the Keima Family could be the key! They might be the hope that we need! It makes sense, right?"

Quiet.

"Dammit! All we know is that the Keima Family guarded the sword. There's got to be something about them that we're missing! Hmm…if only we had access to their history. If I could find out more about that Family, then we might be able to solve this riddle! It's a long shot, but we have to try! I've lived in these infernal loops for a century and I'm not about to give up after we've come this far!"

Rika stood up and took her bottle and glass. She was coming this way!

I stealthily slipped into the bushes next to the shrine, right near the woods. Rika exited the shrine, carrying her wine bottle and her glass. I expected someone else to come out after her, the one she was speaking to, but he or she never did! Was Rika just talking to herself? Was there really no one there? Could she have just been drunk from the wine? It didn't like this! She was drinking and having hallucinations! Was this Hanyuu just a figment of her imagination?

But what she said nicked at me. Rika said that every time, Mii-chan, Shii-chan, and I always fell to our darkest desires in something called a "loop." We always fell to our demons, as she put it. We had demons? I didn't understand! What did Rika mean by that? I didn't have a demon! I didn't have anything bad inside me! Rena was a good girl! She didn't have anything bad!

I couldn't stay here! I couldn't stay here and hear this anymore! I had to leave! I had to get away from here!

When Rika went elsewhere, to the Saiguden, I think, I sprang from the bushes and ran down the stairs leading away from the shrine. I was skipping steps and almost fell a few times. I was running so fast that I wasn't watching what I was doing. My feet instinctively repositioned myself when I felt like I was going to trip, but that wasn't my problem. My issue was that I wasn't looking where I was going.

I slammed into something. I tumbled down the stairs with whatever this thing I hit was. We rolled all the way down to the last step. We fell on the hot unforgiving earth of the dirt road.

I was holding on to this thing with all of my might. It broke my fall and it acted as a cushion for me when we hit the ground. It felt soft, yet some parts of it were firm. I could hear a heartbeat. What in the world did I fall on?

Takuma was lying there sprawled out on the ground with swirls in his eyes. A very peculiar grin was across his face as he kept saying "ow." I was lying on his chest. He didn't appear to be when I first met him, but Takuma was very fit! His abdomen was very well built! Although…I think that I broke him!

I looked down at my poor injured friend. "Takuma! Oh my…! I'm so sorry!"

"Who's…who's Takuma…?" he muttered in an silly voice. "I'm not Takuma…"

"Hey! Takuma! Wake up! Snap out of it!" I sat up on his waist and grabbed his shoulders and shook him.

He grunted and shook his head. He took his hand and rubbed at his temple. "Argh…what the hell happened…?"

"Oh! Takuma, you're fine!" I let go of his shoulders and rested my hands on his abdomen. I was sitting up straight looking down at him. "At least…I hope you are…!"

"Nah…I'm okay!" He laughed, before wincing in pain. "Ugh…well…the good news is that the kink in my back's gone!"

"Did you break anything?"

He moved his legs, arms, and fingers. "I don't think so. I've been through worse! Trust me! A little fall's not gonna kill me!"

"We fell down three flights of stairs!"

"Oh, well…I guess I'm pretty lucky!" He laughed again. "You're the most fortunate though! Good thing I was your cushion!"

"Ahaha…yeah…um, thanks for breaking my fall…" I turned my eyes away. I felt so bad! I almost killed Takuma! "I'm sorry!"

"Hey, it's okay! I'm fine, really! I'm perfectly-"

He stopped midsentence.

"Hmm? Takuma?" I looked back at him.

His face was bright red. His fingers twitched and I felt his waist tremble underneath me.

"What's wrong?"

He was stammering. Takuma was looking at his lower body.

I looked down. My face was turning red too! My lower half was sitting right on top of his…his…!

"N…N…" I screamed. "NOOOOOOOOOO!"

I jumped off of his waist and closed my eyes tightly. I kicked him in his side. He flew across the ground and into a tree. I opened my eyes when I heard the tree crack. After a few seconds of looking at Takuma, with his body on the ground and his legs up in the air, I realized what I had done. I gasped and ran over to him. I lifted him up into my arms and propped his head up on my knee.

"Takuma! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it! Honest!"

He coughed and smiled up at me. "Hey…Rena…re-remember when I said I was okay…?"

"Yeah…?"

"Uh…hehe…I lied…" He passed out in my arms.

I took Takuma to my trailer in the junkyard. It wasn't too far away. I was able to manage by myself. He was heavy though! I couldn't carry him because he was too heavy for me, so I had no choice but to drag him across the ground. It looked so horrible! I looked like a murderer who had just killed her target and was now looking for a good place to hide the evidence! I hurt Takuma so badly! I could have killed him!

When I got him to the trailer, I laid him down on the bed in the corner. I took off his jacket and tried to dust it the best I could. I hung it up and tried dusting his pants. I ruined his suit! I was so terrible! I bet it was expensive! It would cost so much money to clean it professionally!

I took his police baton and his gun away from his belt. I put them off to the side. His police baton interested me. It was collapsible and it was fairly long. It didn't look anything like a regular Japanese club! Was this an import? Was it American?

I took a small towel and wetted it. I gently placed it on his head. The poor man was twitching in his sleep. His eyes moved rapidly in their sockets and I could hear him grind his teeth.

I sat by his side and looked after him. This was my fault, so I had to take responsibility for what I had done to him. Takuma…he looked very troubled as he lay there unconscious. I think he was having a nightmare. I could tell by how fast his eyes were moving. What was he dreaming about?

"Ka…ugh…" he mumbled. "Ah…ko…"

I listened closer.

"Argh…I…I wa…uh…"

What was he trying to say?

His eyes twitched. He slowly opened them.

I smiled down at him. "Good! You're awake!"

He blinked twice. "Where…am I?"

"You're in the junkyard! We're in my trailer!"

"Oh, that's right…your special hideout, right?" He tried to sit up.

I put my hand on his chest and softly pushed him down. "You shouldn't move! Please lie down for a little bit longer!"

Takuma blushed a little. "What are you, my nurse or something…?"

"I'm just trying to help you after I hurt you so badly!"

"Speaking of that…you got some kick! Hehe! Ow!" He held his side, where I had kicked him.

"Please take it easy! I don't want you overdo it!"

Takuma lied his down and folded his hands over his stomach.

I repositioned the damp cloth on his head.

"You kinda remind me of my wife, Rena…"

"Eh? I do? I do…?" Now my face blushed.

"Whenever I was sick, she'd put a warm wet cloth on my head like this. She'd give me soup, she'd fluff my pillow, the works!" He smiled at me. I sensed a lot of warmth behind him. "I really appreciate you doing this for me."

"No! I'm the one who hurt you! I want to make things right! It wouldn't be right if I just left lying there like that!"

"Hahaha! You're a cute girl!" He closed his eyes and kept smiling. "Just do me a favor and don't kick me next time, okay? Or knock me down three flights of stone stairs!"

I nodded. "Deal! I'm sorry about what happened! I'm really-"

"Quit apologizing!" He looked at me. He was very friendly to me. Anybody else would be infuriated with me. I got off easy. "It's fine! I'm still alive and kicking so stop it!"

"Oh…okay…I'm…ah!" I stopped myself. "I…I'm glad you're okay."

"Like I said, I've been through worse!" He chuckled. "There ain't nothing strong enough that can take out ol' Hanzaemon here! The gods can't even stop me! Hahaha!"

I laughed with him. I was so glad he was getting back to normal! I'd be a mess if I seriously hurt one of my friends!

Takuma laid there for about a half hour. He was looking up at the ceiling the whole time as he relaxed. I offered to make him tea and a snack, but he declined. He seemed more than happy to just lie there. As long as he was happy and comfortable, then I was happy too!

I made myself some tea and some for him anyway, and sat beside him. I wrung out the cloth on his head and gave him a new one. He thanked me and he looked like he was enjoying the sensation on his head. I really liked that feeling as well. When I was sick, my father would do that for me too. It was as if the cloth absorbed my illness and the water purified my body. It was a classic remedy that worked for just about everything!

"Um, Takuma?" I asked. "May I ask you something? What were you doing when I ran into you before?"

"I was going to visit the Furude Shrine. That's where it was, correct? At the top of those stairs?"

"Uh-huh! That's right! I see you're getting better at locating areas in Hinamizawa now!"

"Yeah! Akasaka Senpai helped me out a little! He gave me directions to the shrine and I was checking it out to be sure I was following his guide correctly! He told me the caretaker of that shrine is a very good friend of his! Ah…what was her name again?"

Rika crept into my thoughts. I remembered her having that conversation with herself.

"Furude Rika," I answered.

"There we go! Rika-chan! I was going to say hello and introduce myself when I fell down! Haha!"

I was about to apologize again, but I held my tongue.

"Senpai talks a lot about girl! He really likes her, huh?"

"They're very close, like you said! They've been friends even before I met Akasaka-san! Rika told us about how they first met! Akasaka-san was on an investigation here when he ran into her. They've been friends ever since!"

"I see!" Takuma was very intrigued. He sat up.

"I'm sure there's more to it though. Rika didn't tell us much other than how they met. I know there's a special connection between them!" I smiled widely. "I know! It's so cute! Hauuuuu!"

"How's your special connection coming along by the way?"

I averted my gaze from him.

"Um…well…now that you mention it…"

I remembered that dream I had. It was the dream where Keiichi-kun was holding me…when he was kissing me…when he was touching me…when he was…

"I think I finally understand how I really feel."

"Oh?" Takuma raised his eyebrow with a childish grin.

"I…" I put my hands over my heart. "I think…I really like him. I think…I'm in love."

His smile curled across his whole face. "Really? That's great! You're finally being honest with yourself! That's the first step!"

I smiled too. I didn't blush at all. I wasn't embarrassed. I liked saying that I was in love. I wanted to sing it out loud!

"So, what are you going to do?"

"It's…still complicated. Mii-chan likes him too…and I don't want to take away her chance…"

"This is that Mion girl? The one who hurt your friend Satoko?"

I was quiet.

"Sorry." He played around with the cloth that was now in his hands. "Rena? Can I say something?"

"Sure! Go right ahead."

"I," he said as his smile left his face, "don't know if I like this Mion to be honest."

"What?" I raised my voice by accident. "Why would you say that? You don't know her!"

"I do know that she hurt a very close friend of yours."

"She apologized though! She feels really bad that she did that to Satoko!"

"Even so," Takuma said as he placed the cloth aside. "She still hurt her. If it's as bad as you're making it out to be, then why is Mion getting off the hook so easily?"

What was he insinuating?

"I mean, it's good that they made up and everything and you guys are friends again, but don't you think Mion's getting away with the way she acted?"

I tilted my head at him.

"Rena, I'm kind of worried about what this bodes for the future. Mion showed a side of her that you've never seen before. I don't know what she did, but from the way you're putting it, it must have been awful. Now that you've seen that side, aren't you worried?"

"…Worried about what?" My voice was low.

"If Mion suddenly turned against Satoko, is it possible for her to turn on someone else?"

"But that was a onetime thing! Mii-chan's never gonna act that way again!"

"Are you sure?" Takuma looked me right in the eye. "Weren't you afraid of seeing like that? What if she gets that way again? What if she hurts Satoko again, or Rika-chan? Or you?"

But…Mii-chan was sorry! She regretted everything! She meant every word of it! There was no way that she faked those tears to win us back! There was no way!

"I'm especially concerned about Keiichi-kun."

Huh? What did he have to do with this?

Takuma brought his face a little closer to mine. "Aren't you worried about him too?"

"W-Why would I be…?"

"You said it yourself that you're in love, didn't you? Doesn't Mion like Keiichi-kun as well?"

He was beating around the bush. Why didn't he just come out with it? It was starting to frighten me!

"Please just say it, Takuma!"

"What if Mion got a hold of Keiichi-kun? What if she got to him before you did? What if…she hurts him?"

Mii-chan…hurting Keiichi-kun…? How could…? She liked him! Why would she hurt him?

"If she went after Satoko, there's no guarantee that she won't do it again!" Takuma's voice was stern and he glued his eyes to mine. "Only, she might attack someone else! I'm afraid Keiichi could get hurt if he gets too close!"

"B-B-But…Mii-chan's a good friend…she-"

"Rena." Takuma held my shoulder. "Mion's important to you, I understand that, but you need to be realistic here! You need to see the threat that's right in front of you! If she gets involved with Keiichi, there's no telling what could happen! History could repeat itself, except this time Keiichi will take Satoko's place!"

I tried not to think about it…but I did. I thought about Keiichi-kun at Mii-chan's house. She was holding that wooden chair. She was beating him with it. His blood was covering the floor, his bones were broken because of the chair, and the side of his head was bleeding from where she was kicking him. She was yelling at him and she struck him. He tried to fight back, but she continued to assault him.

She kept hitting him until he didn't move anymore. His blood covered the whole room. The side of his head was caved in. His eyes were opened wide and drool dripped from the corner of his mouth. It mixed with the blood as it flowed across the room like a river. Mii-chan was smiling. She looked thrilled at what she did! She looked so satisfied!

I clutched my head as these visions entered my brain. Keiichi-kun…he couldn't die! He couldn't die like that! Mii-chan would never kill him! This was a lie! It was all a lie! Mii-chan was sorry! She wouldn't do this ever again!

"Rena." Takuma spoke again. "I'm sorry, but I that's what I honestly think. You need to be careful around Mion. You need to protect your friends. You need to protect yourself. But most importantly…you need to protect Keiichi!"

I gasped.

"Who else will?" He smiled at me. He was trying to calm me down. "You're his one true friend, aren't you? You have the power to save him! You can protect him from anything!"

I looked back at him. "…What…do you think I should do, Takuma?"

"You have to do what you think is right." His voice was stern again. He wanted to make this as clear as possible. "You need to do whatever it takes to safeguard Keiichi and your friends! But promise me something, Rena!"

I watched him.

"Don't do anything stupid. If you need help, you let me know! You're a very smart girl and I know you can handle this on your own, but I want you to be careful! I want you to think long and hard before you make a decision! I don't want you to make a mistake that you'll regret! I'm always here if you need someone to talk to! You can do this, Rena! I know you can save Keiichi!"

Takuma was back on his feet in another hour. He walked me home to my house. The walk to my home was very quiet. Takuma did most of the talking. He spoke about his daily trips to Hinamizawa to learn the area and to take care of business for Akasaka-san. I nodded and spoke very little whenever he finished a sentence. I couldn't focus on saying much else.

When we came to my front door, Takuma wished me a good day and I did the same. He turned one more time to see me.

"Remember what I said, Rena." He grinned. "You need something, you call me, okay? I know you'll do the right thing!"

He walked off into the distance.

I entered my home and stood in my living room. I held my arms and closed my eyes. I saw Keiichi-kun's face. He was smiling at me. He was speaking to me. He was saying how he enjoyed my cooking, the time we shared together…and that he loved me.

I then thought of Mii-chan. She stood behind him. She was holding a heavy rock in her hands. Mii-chan was laughing and smiling wickedly. She swung the rock down. Keiichi-kun's skull broke. His blood splattered onto my face. Some of it got in my mouth while some of it fell on my nose. It ran down to the tip. The blood dripped into my nostrils when I inhaled.

Keiichi-kun was laying before me again, dead. Why was I having these strange hallucinations? Why did I have to keep seeing Mii-chan murder the one I loved? Why was she doing this to me?

My stomach was hurting. I wrapped my arms around myself and squatted down. My stomach was burning…it was itching…and something was rolling inside of me. It kicked against me. It kicked me hard. I felt so sick.

I was sweating and groaning as each kick's strength grew. I was screaming out in pain. It hurt so much! Why wouldn't it stop? What was the meaning of all this?

I lifted my shirt up out of my skirt. I looked at my belly. It was itching. I sunk my nails into my skin and scratched and scratched and scratched.

Itchy, itchy, itchy, itchy, itchy, itchy, itchy!

I broke the skin. Pieces of my skin got under my nails and blood dripped down from my belly. It wouldn't stop! The itching wouldn't stop at all! It just wouldn't!

It kicked at me again. I screamed louder. I was screaming so hard that I was crying. It hurt…! It really hurt…! What was happening…?

I kept scratching at myself until I tore deeper into me. I scratched through flesh and muscle until I saw it...

There it was…it was inside me…it poked its head out of my stomach and was looking up at me.

I stopped crying and groaning when I saw its dark blood ridden face. It was black as night and it was misty. Its eyes were piercing deep into me. I saw its fangs. It was licking the blood, my blood, off of its face. I couldn't speak at all. I couldn't do anything but watch.

It wafted up to my face. I tried to look away, but a wisp of smoke held my face still. It was cold and it felt like someone's hand was touching me. It was strange. It showed me its fangs again.

"N-No…" I cried. "No! No, no, no!"

"Don't deny me…" it whispered.

It drove its fangs into my skull. It licked my brain and all around my head. I tried in desperation to shove it off of me, but my struggle was to no avail. It was devouring me. I was losing my grasp on this world. I was losing everything…

Part B

I was walking along a dark and lonely road. It was the main road leading to the school. I was walking casually, singing to myself. I heard the cry of the cicadas in the toxic night air. They were really crying. They were sobbing and wailing. It was painful. They were crying so loud that I thought my eardrums had burst. I could have sworn I felt blood trickling from my ear.

The moon was looking down at me. It was shining…it was on fire. It was a ball of pure flame. Every now and then, embers flew off of the moon and fell to the Earth like rain. The fire grazed my skin as it fell, but I wasn't burned. It dampened my clothes like water. What kind of world was this?

Something was in my hand as I walked. I tried to look down at my hand, but my neck wouldn't move. My eyes were locked ahead of me. I wasn't in control of my body at all. Something was controlling me.

I came to the school. I stood there for a few seconds. When I entered, I began swinging the object in my hands. The walls around me splintered, the wooden doors shattered, and the floor had several craters in it. I was still singing to myself. Was I…smiling…?

The door to my classroom opened. A little boy looked up at me as I barred his exit. I saw the kids and the club. I saw Satoko, Rika, Mii-chan, and Keiichi-kun, sitting at their desks, about to play a game. They looked at me and smiled. They bid me welcome and gestured at me to come in.

I squeezed the object in my hands. I lifted it up with one hand. I swung it down.

The boy's head popped open like a watermelon. The juice splashed onto the floor and stuck to the walls. It covered the whole upper half of my shirt. It covered the metal baseball bat I was holding. I lifted it to my lips. I kissed the metal and licked along it. The juice was so sweet. It made my mouth scrunch together. I enjoyed it…I enjoyed the taste.

The other children rose from their seats and stood in the corners of the room. I walked inside the room nonchalantly. I sang my song a little louder. The kids were terrified of me. They all stared at my weapon. I looked at all of them. I ran my eyes along each of their faces until I found the one I wanted. I found my target.

Mii-chan covered her mouth after I struck the boy dead. I didn't mean to kill him; I just wanted him to get out of my way. She backed away from her seat, but I approached her.

Satoko stood in my path. Her eyes were very dull and she didn't have any reaction to what I had just done. I gently pushed her aside with my bat and walked past her. I stood before Mii-chan, whose back was against the wall. She was cowering. I smiled at her warmly. This would all be over soon.

I swung my bat at her leg. Bone cracked and blood sloshed around. Mii-chan collapsed to her other leg; she was kneeling and grabbing at her broken leg. I swung again. Her arm snapped. Mii-chan cried out and whimpered. I was about to swing down upon her head.

I stopped. This would be too quick for me. It wouldn't be painful enough. I wanted her to pay for threatening Keiichi-kun's happiness. Striking her like this wasn't satisfactory to me. I needed something more.

I looked at the windows. I got an idea. The bat connected with the glass. Shards scattered across the room. Some penetrated my clothes and got stuck in my hair. This was perfect.

I took a fairly large piece, about the size of a little finger. I walked over to Mii-chan. I seized her by the face and applied pressure to her cheeks, which made her mouth open. She tried to shut it and tried to break free. I kicked at her until she stopped resisting. When she was still, I shoved the shard of glass into her mouth.

I dropped the bat and threw my fist into her cheek. My punch was fierce and the impact sent a shockwave through my arm and up to my brain. The sensation was wonderful. I punched again…and again…and again…and again…

Mii-chan was bleeding. Blood spilt from her mouth. She was begging me to stop. She apologized and begged for mercy. I could barely make out her pleas because of the glass in her mouth. I was excited by her shrill cries!

I stopped punching and decided that this was enough. I threw one last attack: an uppercut. When my fist connected, I heard the glass penetrate the roof of her mouth. Mii-chan was looking at me. Her eyes were losing their beautiful sheen; the emerald shine had lost its luster. Those precious stones were now black.

Mii-chan slumped to the ground. Her blood was on my knuckles, my palms, and on my arms. I licked at my knuckles. Her blood was much sweeter than the boy's. It was just like honey. It tickled me as it dripped down my throat.

Satoko and Rika didn't move. They were just looking at me. I didn't see any expression in their eyes. Keiichi-kun was the same way. Didn't they care about Mii-chan's death? Didn't they care that I just killed their friend?

What if they knew what I knew? Did they know that Mii-chan was a threat to Keiichi-kun? Did they understand that she could hurt him just like how she hurt Satoko? They did! They must have! They would have protected her otherwise! They allowed me to do this! They allowed me to get justice!

I looked at Keiichi-kun. I outstretched my arms to him. I held him close to my body. He didn't say anything and he didn't hug me back. He didn't have to do anything. I was happy just the way we were.

I stroked the back of his head. I flicked my finger gently against the hairs on his neck. I rubbed his waist and brushed my lips against his shirt.

"Keiiiiiichi-kuuuun…" I sang his name. I smiled, though I was smearing the blood on my face against his shirt. "I won't let anything happen to you! I'll protect you from now on…I'll save you from this sad world…!"

I opened my eyes. I was lying on the floor of my living room. Was…that all a dream? It was so real…just like the other dreams I had. I had killed Mii-chan…I brutally murdered her. What in the world caused me to have such an awful dream?

I recalled the monster that emerged from my stomach. Did it make me have that nightmare? I didn't understand…! I didn't understand anything at all! What was going on in my mind?

My feelings for Keiichi-kun…they were much stronger than I thought. They created that illusion of the monster. They created this nightmare. That's all they did. It wasn't real. None of it was.

I looked at the time. It was already nightfall. I grunted. I was supposed to make Satoko a treat and return to the clinic. It was too late for me now. The ohagi would take too long to prepare and the walk to the clinic lengthy from my house. Even if I hurried, I wouldn't make it until much later. Satoko would already be asleep. I didn't want to disturb her.

My father hadn't come home. He was working late again. I decided to get ready for bed. I didn't feel like going treasure hunting. I wasn't up for anything.

My phone rang. That was probably my father. He was going to tell me what I already assumed from his absence. I picked up the receiver from the living room.

"Hello? Ryuugu speaking?" I said groggily.

"Mii! Hello, Rena!"

Rika! What was she up to?

"Oh! Rika-chan! What can I do for you?"

"…Satoko and I missed you at the clinic…" She sounded disappointed.

"I'm sorry! The time slipped away from me! I'll make it up to you both! I'll make some ohagi and some cookies for you and Satoko-chan tomorrow!"

I heard her laugh. "…Okay! We'll forgive you in that case!"

I laughed as well. "How is Satoko-chan?"

"She's feeling much better! Her head is completely healed! She doesn't have to wear a bandage anymore! Irie and his nurse fixed her up! Nipah~!"

"Good! I'm so glad!"

"Satoko's back to her old self! Mii stopped by and brought her a present!"

Mii-chan…

"O-Oh…really?"

"She gave her one of her imported games! That's really nice of her, huh?"

"Yeah…it is! I'm happy for her!"

"…Mii cares a lot about Satoko!"

"She…she does."

I knew she did…but yet I disagreed. I loved Mii-chan…yet I hated her. I…I…

"Are you okay. Rena? You're very quiet."

"Huh? Me? No, I'm great!" I laughed and smiled to myself. "Hauuuu! Rena's happy right now! Rena's going to make Rika-chan and Satoko-chan lots of treats! They'll be so yummy!"

"…Good! Rena should be happy! She'll be getting a treat herself tomorrow!"

"Hmm? Why? What's tomorrow?"

"Keiichi's coming home!"

My heart was in a flutter. Keiichi-kun was coming back? Really? I was so excited!

"He really is? That's awesome!" I hopped up and down. "How did you find out? Did he call you or something?"

"He called Mii and then she called to tell me the good news! I just finished talking to Satoko as well!"

Keiichi-kun told Mion first…?

"He called her…? That's good!" I squeezed my fist.

"He should be home late tonight! He said he would see us in class tomorrow!"

I smiled, even though I was clenching so hard. I was trying not to think about it…that dream…I really tried not to…

"Rena? You're quiet again…"

"I'm okay, Rika-chan! I'm just a little tired is all! I'm sorry to have worried you! Um…well, it's getting late. We should get some rest now! I'll see you tomorrow then, Rika-cha-"

"Just a minute, Rena!" Rika caught my attention with her sweet voice.

"Ah…yes?"

"…You weren't…at the Furude Shrine today, were you?"

My mind froze for a moment. I had completely forgotten. I had seen Rika talking to herself…and she was drinking too. She spoke about things I didn't understand. She said Mii-chan, Shii-chan, and I all fell to our…demons. When I thought about that word again, my stomach began to ache. The pain snapped me out of my short trance and I swiftly thought up something. I couldn't let Rika know I was eavesdropping on her! She could get mad at me! I didn't want another rift in our friendships! I should have told Takuma to tell Akasaka-san! The two of them would do something! I was worried about her, me...and everyone else. Though I felt that way…Mii-chan…

"Was I there? Was I? I don't know what you mean, Rika-chan! Ahaha!" I was smiling the whole time. "Rena went off treasure hunting and she lost track of the time! It took a lot out of her!"

"…Are you sure, Rena?" Her tone changed. It was deep.

"Of course!"

It was quiet on Rika's end for a while. Did she believe me? Did she?

"…Okay then." Her voice returned to normal. "If you say so! I trust you!"

"Alright! I'll talk to you later, Rika-chan!"

"Sleep well, Rena! Be careful for me…won't you?"

Rika hung up the phone.

A cold wind swept over my body. What did she mean by that? Did…she know that I was lying? Her voice…it was just like at the shrine! She didn't sound intoxicated, so what was the purpose behind that tone? Why did Rika sound so different?

I held my stomach. It stung. I ran for the bathroom and flicked on the light. I was still in my school uniform and my shirt was out of my skirt. I had pulled it out when my stomach began itching. I scratched at it until I tore myself open. That's…when I saw that…thing…!

My heart was beating loudly. My shirt was already un-tucked. Did that mean…? Did all that happen…? I slowly lifted it up. I had my eyes closed. I stroked around my flesh with my fingers.

It was flat. I felt just my own skin. I didn't feel any cuts or anything. I looked down. The gash I had made earlier was completely gone! If it was gone…then why was it still aching? The pain felt as if one thousand needles were driven into me. Couldn't I do something to stop this pain?

I opened up the medicine cabinet. I spotted a bottle of painkillers. There were only two pills left. I uncapped the bottle and devoured them whole. My hands held my stomach until I didn't feel as much discomfort. I wish I had more pills. I would have swallowed twenty pills if it meant ridding me of this feeling. I would have to get more pills. Better yet, I think I would go see Dr. Irie. Maybe he could examine me and give me something if the pain persisted.

That night was the one of the roughest I had in a while. My bed was so hot. My body was hot even if I slept outside of the covers. I detested nights like that. I cracked the window open at one time, but the night breeze didn't cool me down at all.

Too many things were on my mind. Mii-chan, Rika, the talk of demons, and this Keima Family Rika mentioned were all irritating me. Though the subject of Mii-chan bothered me greatly, so did the idea of demons. Why would demons be in Hinamizawa? According to the legends, they were no longer were a part of the village! Oyashiro-sama was our guardian! He protected us from anything, even demons! Why would they suddenly return to Hinamizawa?

I recalled that disease, Hinamizawa Syndrome. It was spoken to us a month ago. It apparently involved a virus, caused by parasites that existed only in Hinamizawa. These parasites were responsible for the psychological disorders that residents of the village suffered in the past. Only, Rika said that she believed it wasn't a disease. She said the cause of the Syndrome was demons.

If that were true…then every Hinamizawan would have a demon inside of them. Were these demons the parasites? Were the demons responsible for the psychological disorders? Did the demons warp a person's mind into seeing things that weren't real? Was that what happened to me...like when Mother left…in Ibaraki…and was it happening even now…?

That hallucination I had, where I clawed open my stomach, and that creature. Was that a demon? Did it show me that vision of me killing Mii-chan in cold blood? What was going on? Was there a message that I didn't understand?

And what of the Keima Family? I never heard of anybody by that name! Rika knew who they were, for she said their names. How come she never told any of us about that Family? Who were they exactly? What purpose did they have with demons and with Shii-chan, me, and Mii-chan?

I kept asking myself questions until I fell asleep. I was lying outside of my covers, curled up against my pillow. I didn't dream that night. It was a welcomed change of pace. I didn't want to dream at all, afraid that I might have another nightmare. I was scared enough as it was. I didn't need another reason for me to be frightened.

When the sun rose, I cursed it. I had finally started relaxing when I had to wake up for school. For school…wait! It was the next day already? That was good! Keiichi-kun returned! I would get to see him!

My worries flowed out from me the second I saw his face in my mind. I needed to see him! I needed him to tease me and laugh with me! I needed him by my side again! That day was going to be perfect!

My father had come home very late last night and he was still asleep on the sofa when I was ready for school. I left him a note and some breakfast for him in the refrigerator. I had to get to Keiichi-kun's house soon! I was going to be late for our usual meeting time!

I had packed a special lunch that day. I made ohagi for Rika and Satoko, and I made some fresh steamed vegetables and beef! I knew Keiichi-kun and everybody would enjoy this! I couldn't contain myself! I was so happy!

I ran to Keiichi-kun's house. The mailbox was filled with letters, packages, and a few bills. The spot in front of the door was dusted off. His house seemed a lot brighter now than it ever did. Keiichi-kun was really home!

I knocked on the door and beamed. His mother answered me. She was in her apron and she was smiling at me.

"Rena-chan! It's so good to see you again! I've missed you coming by here!"

"Ahaha! Welcome home! How was the trip?"

"It was fine, thank you! Everything turned out very well!" His mother cocked her head when she heard thumping coming from upstairs. "Keiichi! Rena-chan's here for you!"

Keiichi-kun bolted down the stairs with his messenger bag on his shoulder. His hair was a mess and his clothes were wrinkled! He looked funny!

"Keiichi!" His mother scolded him. "You overslept didn't you? That's very rude to present yourself to a lady like Rena-chan that way!"

"Geez! I'm sorry! I was sleeping so well!" He frowned.

"Hmph! Well, have a good day! Take care of him for me, Rena-chan? He could use a young woman like you!"

"Ah! Uh…hauuuu…I know I'm inexperienced but…thank you for saying so…"

"Rena! Don't talk about marriage!" Keiichi covered my mouth and dragged me away from his house. His face was bright red. His mother was laughing as he ran away with me.

After we were a couple hundred meters from his house, Keiichi-kun took a deep breath. He slapped himself and turned to see me. That trademark grin was across his sunlit face.

"Good to see you again, Rena! Sorry about what happened back there! Hehe!"

"No! Not at all!" I laughed. "I'm happy to see you so lively in the morning!"

"Hehe! It's good to be back! I couldn't tell you how much I wanted to get back to Hinamizawa! Everything was so boring over in the city!"

"Really?" I started walking with him. "I thought the city would be interesting for you! You haven't been there in a while!"

"After you've been here, no place can top this village! I mean, we have the festivals, the friendly people, the food, the air, and the club activities! No place but Hinamizawa has that stuff!"

"Ahaha! Glad to hear it!"

"Although, there's one thing that's more important than any of those things…it's what makes Hinamizawa Hinamizawa…" Keiichi-kun's voice lowered.

"What's that?" I blinked at him.

Keiichi-kun halted and spun around to face me. His dazzling smile made my heart pound. The sun hit him just right. He looked like a character in a romance novel. His voice made my cheeks turn red.

"It has Ryuugu Rena…that's the best part…"

I hid my face behind my satchel. "Hauuuuuu…."

"Hahahaha!" Keiichi-kun dropped his hand on top of my head and rubbed it. "Yep! You're still the same, Rena! Haha! I missed doing that!"

"You-You're so mean…!"

Keiichi-kun continued laughing. It was contagious. He made me laugh too!

"Yo, Kei-chan!"

Mii-chan descended down upon us. She came from behind and threw her arms around our shoulders. She laughed louder and harder than the both of us. I was happy to see her, but…

Keiichi-kun broke free and turned to her. "Mion! Where'd you come from? I thought you were going to be at your waiting spot!"

"Hehehe!" She chuckled. "Where's the fun in standing out in the open? I'd much rather hide in the bushes and scare the living daylights out of you!"

"Yeah…you haven't changed either." He scowled.

"Hey, hey! How long's it been, Kei-chan? Two years? Three years? You went and got all grown up! Look at you!"

He cracked a tiny grin. "I've been gone for only a few days!"

"A few days is plenty long! I mean, just look at me!" Mii-chan struck a pose. She put her arms behind her head and puffed out her chest. "Uncle Mion's got a little bigger since she last saw you! I even impress myself sometimes!"

I was blushing. "Mii-chan…!"

"And look at Rena!" Mii-chan grabbed my shoulders and made me puff out my own chest. "She's grown a little bit too!"

"Mi-Mi-Mii-chan!"

Keiichi-kun examined me with his hand on his chin.

I tried to cover myself, but Mii-chan wouldn't allow me to! She had me in such a hold that I couldn't move my arms!

"Don't look at me!"

"She has gotten a little bigger…" he said with a smile.

"Ah! Keiichi-kun…!"

"But she's still a lot better than you, Mion! She's more modest! I prefer hers any day!"

"…Hauuuuu…." This was his first day back and I was already embarrassed!

Mion let go of me and put her hands on her hips. She smirked. "Oh really? Then I don't suppose you want to play with mine then?"

Now his face was cherry red. "W-What?"

"C'mooooooon!" Mion stuck out her chest once more. "Don't you want to try them out, young man…?"

Keiichi-kun growled and stuck out his hands. "That's it! Get over here, Mion!"

"Ahahaha! You'll have to catch me first, Kei-chan!"

"I'll kick your ass!"

"Guys!" I spoke up. "Should you really be doing that…? It's…it's not right! We're still so young!"

Keiichi-kun stopped his pursuit and looked back at me. "What about when we're adults? Would it be okay then?"

Hadn't he said that before? I know he said that in that strange dream I had when he was in my trailer…but wasn't there another time as well…?

"Will it be okay…? Will it…? I dunno!"

"Aww! Kei-chan, you're freaking her out again!" Mion spoke.

"Hahaha!" Keiichi-kun petted my head. "Sorry, Rena! I just missed fooling around with you guys!"

I wiped my perplexing demeanor from my face. I smiled widely at him. "I…I missed that too!"

"It wasn't the same without you!" Mii-chan slapped his back. "That's for sure! Good to have you back, Kei-chan!"

We all laughed and continued our walk together. Mii-chan spoke about the new catalogue of games she was interested in. Keiichi-kun spoke about the art galleries he had to attend for his father. He didn't seem all too thrilled about it! I told him how much we missed him and that we needed to have a club activity. Mii-chan immediately began pondering about the activity for today, to celebrate Keiichi-kun's return. Satoko would be so overjoyed to see him and Rika too! Mii-chan had only this one more day of her punishment! After that, she would be free!

Everything was back to the way it was! The club was back together, Mii-chan and Satoko made up, Satoko's wounds were all healed, and Keiichi-kun was happy! I couldn't ask for a more perfect day! I would get to spend time with my friends and enjoy a nice club activity! I would also see if I could get Keiichi-kun to come treasure hunting with me afterwards! It was going to be great!

My stomach was hurting again. It was itching too. I scratched through my shirt, but it didn't make it go away. I scratched and scratched, but to no avail. I felt a sharp kick. I gasped and held myself. Was it…happening again…?

"Rena! C'mon!" Keiichi-kun called out to me. He and Mii-chan were way ahead of me. "Let's go!"

"Sorry! Coming!"

I jogged until rejoined them.

I hoped all of these things would all go away…I hoped…