Hinamizawa Hell
"Revealing Demons" Arc: 2
Ch. 1: Upbringing
Author's Note: Sorry it's been so long guys, but school has been pretty tough lately. Lots of papers and tons of studying to do so don't get down if I don't update as much anymore. When I have actual free time, I'll be writing more. Hopefully, this arc will be to your liking. I know the chapter is short unlike my usual writing preferences, but I think it will make due as an opening for this arc story, so enjoy.
*How…did it ever come to this…*
This one thought reverberated in the mind of the young man, not in a terrifying action but one of shear sadness and sorrow. Bound in tight rope around his arms and neck, the one known as Keiichi Maebara sulked his head low in the dimly lit area. His body, especially his neck, ached in unusual pain, almost like being hit by a car. Blood trickled down his forehead, probably from hitting the ground from blacking out before. However, though he didn't know the means of how he was subdued, he did know almost everything that had happened up to that point to now.
He knew the happiest of times, the times of repeated fears, and worse for the time being, the one who was perpetrating this crime against him and, from what he could see, his friends in the distance…
They were placed at different "stations", each being subjected to some torture of unspeakable nature. They were alive and well still, unconscious for the time being, but what Keiichi feared the most as he remained kneeling in front of them was when they would awaken, having to witness and submit to such horrible acts. His friends would die, that much he could estimate at that point, only if a miracle didn't occur. He prayed deeply in his mind for such a miracle, however; Keiichi's heart was too broken and his mind too shattered to accept the truth. For all that he had done, all that his friends had accomplished in their lives so far, it would be for nothing.
Keiichi raised his head as the perpetrator stood in front of him, bearing a sickingly sweet smile in the shadows of the room. Keiichi was confused, utterly stupefied, as to what and why this situation was occurring now of all times. He even pondered theories in his head like always, trying to solve the common obstacles and problems in his life. This problem, though, could have been prevented somehow, that much was certain. Deep down in his aching heart, though, he had to guess some fault lied with him…a fault that caused all of this.
As Keiichi sulked his head again, trying to comprehend all that was going on, his perpetrator spoke.
"Don't worry…soon, this game will be mine once and for all…"
"Okay class! We've all done very well this year in catching up with your studies and then some. You've all done well on your exams and I'm pleased to say that next year's studies will be even better. Please, if you will, thank Otome-sensei for her hard work with you all, and I'm pleased to announce you can expect her as Hinamizawa's newest teacher for the older students the next school year!"
"Oh, Chie-sensei, please, I'm grateful…but they don't have to…"
"THANK YOU OTOME-SENSEI!!!" came a resounding cheer of praise and applauds from the students before her.
Before the two teachers at the front, Chie-sensei and Mizuho Otome-sensei, was the entire class of Hinamizawa village's youth. They sat in ordered rank, from youngest in the front to the oldest in the back, applauding Mizuho's outstanding work these past six months. She blushed profusely at the forefront, almost wanting to cower behind the podium from the shear embarrassment of it all. However, she couldn't stop smiling at the warm response for her efforts.
Rika sat in the farthest seat next to Satoko from the front, smiling happily just before Chie-sensei dismissed the class for summer break. It was hard to imagine how everything seemed so different now: from those around her to the people of Hinamizawa, the new shops and stores around the village and even her own body, which had grown a few inches since Christmas. Everything was taken on new shapes and forms; whatever appearance they took, she was sure it was for the better.
In the months that followed December, many changes had occurred amongst Rika and the others, no matter how big or small the changes were. To begin with, Rika and Hanyuu, along with Satoko, had moved back into Rika's main family house. Around March of that year she had decided to forego dwelling on any bad memories of the estate and move back in, reclaiming her initial right as head of the Furude family. Hanyuu gave no objection to any of this, and with that said and done the only thing left was allowing Satoko and Satoshi to come as well. Though Satoko happily went along, deciding to become the main chef for the household, Satoshi declined.
Shion and Satoshi made plans to live together, but given their circumstances the only possibility at the time was to live in Shion's Okinomiya apartment or find another place closer to Hinamizawa. As a solution for this matter, Rika, out of the blue one day, confronted them and offered to give them the old guest house she and her close friends had come to live in for so many years. At first, they were hesitant, but given some thought later they agreed, upon the condition of helping move all the stuff back into the Furude estate.
For Keiichi and Mion, their relationship had finally gotten on the right track. They became a normal couple for once, enjoying their many peaceful days together around Hinamizawa, whether alone or with friends. Physically, they couldn't be much happier at that time, for their consummation of body and soul that December marked a pinnacle in their love for one another. However, to Shion's dismay, the two sometimes were a bit too frisky, even in public. It was safe to say that when their parents were gone, Shion went out to be with Satoshi and Satoko while Mion and Keiichi had the Sonozaki manor to themselves. Thankfully though, most of the time they were normal, except when Keiichi managed to slip up and piss Mion off to the point that she would pellet him with her airsoft pistol.
Amazingly, as everyone else was progressing on with their lives normally, Rena, the member of the group who took every imaginable thing that was cute home with her, managed to hook up with a boy from out of town. At first, her unexpected absences on the weekends didn't seem odd to Rika and the others, given that she was at the dump treasure hunting more than usual, but as time progressed did they finally discover through her father's retelling that Rena had finally found a boyfriend. It came as a shock at first, and her friends even confronted her on the matter one day in class, but all Rena could respond with was blushing and giggles. Not a word or description was given, except her only answer as "It's my secret."
Though the youth of Hinamizawa seemed off to a better start this year, the end of the school year marked the start of summer break for the lot, leaving weeks of freedom for the game club members.
As Chie-sensei dismissed the class, Mizuho began to clean up while the game club members put the desks together for the school day's final game activities. Once completed on both sides, Mizuho and Chie-sensei sat at two desks together, going over some papers and even snacking on some of Chie-sensei's famous curry. Meanwhile, the club members pulled out a board game, simply Monopoly, and began to issue game pieces.
"Alright guys! The final game activity on the school grounds before summer break begins! The game's simple: get the most money and make your opponents bankrupt. The penalty game will be chosen from our ticket box: whatever the penalty written on the paper will be carried out by the loser of today's game." Mion's resilient order to the others pepped up the club members with their usual game energies. The ticket box, which gave a new twist to the penalty games, could result in anything: from wearing a maid's outfit to having to submit to a usual request by the winner of the game. It was an all out battle now to determine the king or queen of Monopoly.
"Ah, those kids really love their games. Reminds me of when I was younger…" stated Chie-sensei.
"Chie-senpai, really, you're not that old. Besides, you can still have fun when you're an adult," replied Mizuho, peering at the others behind her long, blue hair. The other kids really seemed to be having fun in their game today, probably because it was the last school day before summer.
After a while of playing their game, and with Keiichi rivaling against Mion in their usual fashion to become victor, the door to the classroom opened up. Everyone stopped what they were doing to discover Komoto entering the room, miraculously, a bit bruised up. Mizuho instantly got up from her seat and moved to Komoto, caressing his face.
"Komoto-kun, what happened!?" she asked, worried. Komoto just smiled to her, while the others stopped their game and looked on in wonder. Komoto had a black eye and a couple scratch marks around his neck and arm areas. His left wrist was also bandaged a bit, however, seeing Komoto even hurt for that matter was astounding to everyone.
"Geez, you look like you went ten rounds with a bull," stated Keiichi. He got up and went over to get a better look.
"Well, you're kinda right on that one Kei-chan…someone on the range today didn't approve of how I was teaching the class, specifically a burly guy who couldn't shoot if his own life depended on it, and decided to take it up on me. I went easy on him, but he did manage to land a few blows before I broke his right arm…" he sat down on a nearby chair and sighed, stretching his neck a bit with his hand. He looked up at Mizuho who had a fire in her eyes, commonplace in the event someone tried to harm Komoto or her friends.
"Hmm…I'll make this guy…."
"Mizu-chan, let it go. The guy's in the hospital and was fired. Detective Oishi's taking care of it, ok?" he replied, making sure that she didn't let her anger get the better of her. She sighed and shook her head. "…besides, you're a teacher now. You make sure the kids don't become like that guy, ok?" His last statement made her chuckle in agreement.
"Heh, you really need to teach me how to use a gun sometime soon Komoto-san. I'll even bet I can beat you in competition too with enough practice!" Keiichi mused. Komoto just grinned at him.
"Yeah, we'll see about that. I'll make sure to take you up soon, since summer starts tomorrow for all of you. By the way, what are you guys up to?" asked Komoto, looking at the board game they were playing.
"It's Monopoly, Komoto-senpai. We've almost done actually," replied Rika. She put her character piece out of play, leaving Hanyuu, Satoshi, Mion and Keiichi as the remaining players in the game. Keiichi went back to sit down, next to Mion who was snickering a bit.
"What's so funny Mi-chan?" Keiichi looked at her with a confused expression. Everyone else did likewise, not understanding why.
"Oh, no reason, just that I'm about to beat you," she said confidently.
"Eh? What are you talking about? I mean…oh hell…."
Keiichi gasped, seeing Mion's trap right before his eyes. In his path was a consecutive lane of owned properties on the board, each with high stakes and payments for rent if you were to land on any of the controlled spaces. However, for Keiichi's sake, he had a small chance: roll a six and no less, and he'd land on a safe spot, ensuring his chance to survive one more turn. Hanyuu and Satoshi went before his turn, falling to Mion's lane of death and becoming bankrupt. They surrendered their pieces, leaving Keiichi with his soon to be final dice roll.
"Come on…lucky number six!" Everyone watched as Keiichi shook the die in his hand, and threw it onto the board. The die spun and tumbled, time slowing down as it tilted between a one and a six. As it fell, it seemed like it would be in his favor, however, at the last moment the die's momentum fell on a lousy two. Keiichi's piece landed on an overcharged land space, leaving him completely bankrupt.
"And I'm the winner! Game over Kei-kun!" triumphed Mion. She grinned playfully at Keiichi, giving him a devilish smile with her tempting lips. Keiichi blushed and gulped, in fear and wonder. "Now that that's settled, I wonder what Kei-kun's penalty will be?"
Rena brought forward the penalty box, to which Keiichi prayed that the penalty would be fair. As he reached down reluctantly into the box, he pulled out a folded piece of paper, to which he proceeded to unfold and reveal to everyone else.
Upon looking at the penalty, Mion and the others only laughed. Keiichi looked at them, with a shear blank expression.
"T…the winner's…s…slave for the entire…summer?" he looked scared from his standpoint, even deciding whether or not to commit suicide on the spot in fear of succumbing to Mion's penalty.
"Kei-chan, sorry to break it to you, but I think you're mince meat now…" stated Komoto, patting him on the back.
"My condolences Kei-chan…" stated Mizuho, looking a bit sad.
"Don't worry Kei-chan, you can do it. It's only Mi-chan, and she wouldn't hurt you. Nippah!" went Rika happily.
"Auu…Keiichi-kun, don't worry. Rena-chan will make sure that Mi-chan goes easy on you, I will!" she stated, smiling in a cute fashion.
"Ho ho ho! Kei-chan is done for!" went Satoko.
"Muu…Keiichi-kun…don't get down about it. I'm sure Shi-chan will make sure Mi-chan goes easy on you," supported Satoshi.
"Auauauau…Keiichi-kun, it'll be ok. Mi-chan will be nice, right?" asked Hanyuu innocently.
Keiichi just looked at everyone before him, and back to Mi-chan, whose eyes glared evilly in his direction. It was as if he had a death wish from Mion; hard to believe though that he was her lover. He got up from his desk and apologized to everyone suddenly.
"Well, I see how it is. I'm sorry if I caused any of you trouble over the years, but I think my time has finally come. Time to do the deed and leave this world…"
As Keiichi playfully acted to contemplate suicide, Rika and the others just smacked him upside the head, preventing him from doing so.
"Aww, come on Kei-kun. I won't be that hard on ya! Besides…" Mion went up to him, making sure the next words mentioned in his ear could only be heard by him "…who said my tortures will be un-pleasurable?" Shee picked Keiichi up from the floor, leaving him stunned and blushing madly.
"Okay everyone, I'll be heading out soon. Let's clean up the room before I close up today," asked Chie-sensei.
"Phew! All done." Rika finished putting the last desk in the original position and looked to the others. Mizuho had finished packing her things, while the others put the game and other materials away.
Once done, everyone began to exit the classroom, however, Mion was held back a bit, leaving Komoto and Keiichi to look back.
"Eh? Something wrong Mizuho-sensei?" she asked.
"Yes, actually. I need to discuss something with you for a bit," she replied, looking sincere to Mion. Mion looked back to Keiichi, smiling.
"You can just wait for me outside slave. Hold my books too while you're at it," Mion tossed her books into Keiichi's head, sending him outside the classroom in a playful manner. Komoto just followed him out, closing the door behind them and helping Keiichi outside to wait with. The others went their separate ways with Satoshi as the oldest member now.
"So what did you need to discuss with me, Mizuho-sensei?" asked Mion. She sat down next to the front desk with Mizuho, wondering what was going on. Mizuho seemed a bit hesitant at first, but once she looked into Mion's eyes she seemed calmer and clear headed.
"Well, first, let me ask you. How's your grandmother doing?"
"Actually…not too well. She's been coughing a lot lately and…"
Mion went silent a bit, dwelling on the mornings when she and her mother had to help Oryu into the bathroom or to at least eat something. Mizuho saw this and already knew too well what was going on.
"Mi-chan, I'm pretty sure I know the outcome. You're grandmother had fears about all this before, and she spoke with me on her concerns. I know Oryu doesn't have much longer in this world, so I'm sure you understand that."
Mion looked up to Mizuho with wide eyes, surprised that she knew so much about her family's affairs.
"Yes…you're correct. Many of the elders don't know yet and that's why I'd hope you keep this a secret," replied Mion solemnly.
"Mi-chan, I just want to talk to you about your grandmother's wishes. She approached me last December and into January about some things. First, she told me all about her illness and how much time she was given before it progressed into higher stages. I already suspect that Oryu will pass soon, maybe even within this month." Mion only nodded to this, looking a bit sad. "…Second, she informed me of your position as heir of the Sonozaki family. I know how hard this may be on your shoulders and I'm sure that will affect your studies to some degree after summer break. So to make up for this, I want you to know you have my full support for any help with homework or your studies, ok?"
"Thank you, Mizuho-sensei. I really appreciate that," Mion smiled at this a bit. She was happy to know that her schooling wouldn't be affected that much.
"And…one more thing. Mi-chan, I want you to also know that I'm here as a friend as well. I'm not just your sensei, ok? If you feel stressed or need to talk to someone, I'll always be here for you." Mizuho smiled at Mion sincerely, earning her a gracious bow back from her.
With that said, they went back out to their awaiting lovers, tired after a long day of work.
"Well, take care!" Komoto and Mizuho waved goodbye as they drove away from the school in Komoto's van, leaving Mion and Keiichi walking back home together. The two teenagers waved them off, and took their own path down the dusty road towards Keiichi's house. His parents wouldn't be back till late that night, so Keiichi had planned to have Mion come over and have dinner with him.
As they walked along the road under the bright blue sky, while the cicadas sung they peaceful rhythms in the air, Keiichi turned to Mion with something on his mind.
"So what was it that Mizuho-sensei wanted you for?"
"Nothing really. She wanted to discuss something about my schoolwork for next semester…that's all…" Mion didn't show it to Keiichi, but the thought of her grandmother's health was dampening her mood a bit. She knew her grandmother's passing would be inevitable, but for the sake of her family and friends, especially Keiichi, she hid whatever sadness she could.
Keiichi nodded and didn't pay anymore attention to it. He was just happy, looking forward to Mion's dinner later.
Mion lied in her futon late that night, having enjoyed her time with Keiichi that day. It was almost blissful for her; spending her days with the guy she loved with all her heart and to all her heart's content. As her nightwear was spread across the futon, she sighed in pleasure at the thought of Keiichi, thinking on his smile, his charms, and his devilish eyes. Even more so, the fun she had with her new "slave".
"Heh…Kei-kun, you'll never trump me when it comes to getting what I want. Ahh…today was really fun. Too bad I didn't use the handcuffs like Shi-chan had suggested…"
She rolled sideways, preparing to drift off to sleep. Her body was tired and drained from all of her previous activities with Keiichi, especially from their intimate pleasures. However, just as she was about to close her eyes, a flash of light from the hallway caused her to cover her eyes quickly. Once her eyes adjusted to the change in luminosity, she found her mother standing in the doorway, looking equally as drained as Mion.
"Hmm? Mom, is something wrong?" Mion asked, concerned. She yawned and got up from her futon.
"No, dear. It's just been a long day for the family. Your grandmother…wasn't doing well on her medication today. I tried to talk to her about taking something else Dr. Irie suggested, but she won't listen or even open her door for me. I was hoping that you could go and talk to her, maybe even get her to take these pills…" Mion nodded without question and took the medicine from her mother.
After grabbing her slippers, she moved down the hallway with her mother at her side, gliding past the various decorations and rooms of the Sonozaki manor. Upon going down a darker hallway and walking up to a closed door, Mion softly knocked on the panel, waiting for a response.
"Akane…I told you I'm not…"
"Grandmother, it's me…"
"………come in…."
Mion slid the door open and closed it behind her, leaving her mother to stay outside for the remainder. Once inside the dark room, Mion cautiously tiptoed forward and stopped halfway. She kneeled down and made out the figure of her grandmother on a futon, softly breathing.
"Let me guess, your mother wants me to take that rancid medicine, right?" Oryu asked, coughing a bit after. Her voice sounded courser than before, seeming almost as dry as a desert.
"If you don't take the medicine, you'll be in more pain. I don't want to see you get worse than you should be…" Mion pleaded with her grandmother, but remained silent for an answer. After a few tense moments, Oryu sat up, turned to her grand-daughter and sighed. She took the medicine and swallowed the pills with a glass of water. Once done, Mion smiled and started to get up, hoping to go back to her room. However, she was stopped, as Oryu had something important to say.
"Mi-chan…I'm sorry…"
Mion looked up to her grandmother, surprised at this sudden act of forgiveness.
"For what?"
"Since the time I was born, this family's traditions have always been dark. Even when I was a child, I underwent the same training to be the next heir as you are going through now. Our honor and duties to Hinamizawa should never be compromised…but to do that we make many sacrifices in this family. Mion…I'm sorry I couldn't provide a normal life for you or Shion, and I know I've been unfair to you two and your mother over the years when you didn't follow the family traditions…I guess with death coming for me that I needed to somehow get that off my chest…"
Mion was stunned to see her grandmother so frail, both in body and soul, before her. Oryu, in all the time that Mion had known her, had never showed such tendencies for weakness or asking for forgiveness. Mion remained seated, not sure of what to say.
"Umm…grandmother…I've never hated you for any of this. This is what our family was based on…we just love Hinamizawa so much that we pay higher costs to make the citizens remain happy…" was all that she could muster. Oryu smiled weakly at her.
"I'm glad you understand that, Mi-chan. With my time coming soon, though, I just want you and Shi-chan to know that. When I'm gone, it will be up to you to take my place and watch over Hinamizawa; till another takes your place just as you will for me. You must promise me, though…"
"A promise? What of?"
"Mi-chan…promise me…you will live a good life. Don't live one of regrets like I did. But, most importantly, promise me…that you will protect those you care about unlike how I was able to do so…"
Mion shed a few tears at this promise. She happily accepted this without question, holding her grandmother's hands in the process. However, as Oryu had smiled in response, she coughed again, this time, more violently than usual. Her mother heard the fit, and rushed into the room, trying to help her mother.
Mion brought her grandmother to the bathroom like usual, but once her mother helped her to the sink, Mion looked back to the ground, her eyes wide in speculation.
She saw the blood drops from her bed to the bathroom, trailing the path. So much blood this time, she pondered, that Mion began to question really how much time was left. Her grandmother wailed again in a coughing fit, to which Mion rushed to get Kasai for some help. She was sure that this night required another hospital visit, but unlike the others, Mion feared that the time for Oryu's passing was on the horizon, and this time, might be on her doorstep within the next week.