Hinamizawa Hell
"Revealing Demons" Arc: 2
Ch. 5: Spawning Dreams
Author's Note: Finals are done, and I'm ready to write again! Let's bring on the chapters!
"AHAHAHAH! Say it again! Say that you're sorry for taking him away! SAY IT!"
"…I…didn't…do anyth-"
*Stab*
"DIDN'T DO WHAT?! After all this! Do you even know your Sin? The Sin that brought you to your fate?"
"S..sin? I just…we…"
*Stab*
"You'll never learn…will you Rena-chan? I trusted you…all this time I thought of you…as my best friend! But you went behind me like the others, and took…the one person I cared for most in my life! DAMN YOU RENA!!!"
*Stab, Stab, Stab*
"Arguuuu….Mi…chan…stop…I can't…"
"Finding it hard to breathe now? Don't worry…it'll be over soon…once you choke on your own lies then you can die in peace…"
"…I…never…did anything…Kei-chan…and I aren't…"
"LIES! LIES! LIES!!! You…may have fooled the others, but I know you better! The moment you found the opportunity you tried to snatch him away with your greedy claws! Kei-chan…he'd never betray me! But you…you knew that and STILL TRIED?! No more…it ends here…"
"Mion! Plea..se..I…can't…"
*Final Stab*
"…just go away…ALL OF YOU LEAVE KEIICHI AND I ALONE!!!"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"
She lept from her bed and rushed to the nearby bathroom, feeling as if her throat closed up on her while she gasped to breathe. The empty house and humid night did no better for her situation, leaving her feeling more helpless than ever. As she grabbed the porcelain sink of the bathroom and looked into the mirror, she saw her eyes bulge in terror, her mind in a hay day of rushing thoughts and complications.
Once her heart rate settled down, Mion refocused herself to breathe freely again, coughing for the fresh and life giving air of her surroundings. She immediately turned on a faucet to quench the dryness of her mouth and to splash what cool water there was onto her face. She momentarily sat down onto the nearby toilet top, trying to remember her numbing yet terrifying dream minutes ago.
"I…killed my best friend…why did I dream that?" she said softly to herself. It didn't matter either way, given that the house was empty except for her presence. With Oryu gone, Mion's estate rested solely with her existence and no one else, except for some family members from time to time and servants such as Kasai. Otherwise, she was alone now, no parents or caretakers to watch over her.
She rubbed her temples, trying her best to soothe a weary mind. Leaning back onto the seat, Mion began to remember whatever horrifying nightmare had befell her peaceful sleep.
She remembered walking down a dimly lit staircase, dragging the unconscious body of her friend, Rena. Passing through the dungeon's heavy wood doors, she heaved her friend's dead-like weight onto a cross-like device, strapping down each free limb with leather binds. After setting the device upright, and with Rena slowly coming to, Mion stood before her once best friend and looked her in the eyes, her own glare blank and emotionless.
When Rena had fully woken up and surveyed her area, in an instant she cried out to her friend in mercy and confusion. Mion didn't give in to this reply, and began prosecuting her once trusted companion with a barrage of questions and accusations. Though Rena had denied all these assaults on her character, and those pertaining to Keiichi, Rena had pleaded out once more in hopes of turning her friend's conscious in the right direction.
But for Mion, her own character was hard and unrelenting. She remained emotionless during the conversation, her eyes blank and dull from a lack of caring propensity. However, until the very end of the assaults did Mion's hand begin to bleed, as her own fingernails pierced her palms whilst holding the sharp yet glistening, mid-sized steel katana. At that point, Mion began an excruciatingly painful routine of stabbing her friend countless times; forming cuts and slash marks deep into Rena's body. However, unlike those in history who aim for kill shots, Mion chose spots to cause torture to her friend. She focused everywhere above Rena's collarbone: neck, ears, face and all.
With every cut Mion had made, Rena had cried out in shear agony. But when Mion had felt sympathy for her friend, and faltered holding the blade in her bloodied hand, she saw the same thieving, lying, and lustful eyes of Rena. Those same eyes had a goal, much like everyone else Mion thought of at the time: to have Keiichi for themselves.
Seeing those eyes didn't end her onslaught. Mion made sure to cut up Rena's face nice and pretty, causing blood to flow concurrently from the wounds left and right. Rena's once white dress in the light now became nothing more than a red soaked horror; blood dripping into a pool on the floor.
In the final moments of Rena's life, Mion asked her to ask for forgiveness, considering the thought of allowing Rena to live out her remaining livelihood disfigured as punishment for her actions. However, Rena never said anything of the sort, leaving Mion to dish out the final judgment: death. With Rena choking on her blood slowly, Mion had pierced Rena's throat, mainly an artery in the neck area, and watched with great pleasure as what would be one of her last competitors for Keiichi's attention die in shear agony. All the while, she laughed menacingly without regret or fear of her actions; her jealousy and anger for others would not be left unspoken.
"I was a demon in that cruel nightmare…why…god…why is everything feeling as if it's falling apart?"
She returned to her bedroom, shutting the door quickly yet quietly. After laying down on her futon, Mion curled into a tiny ball, softly crying her sadness away. She felt so alone now, so helpless that she wasn't sure that she could handle the weight of the world on her shoulders. Throughout the thoughts rushing through her mind endlessly, however; was the mentioning of one name that was always on her mind and in her heart.
"Kei-kun…I miss you…so much…"
Her body, heart and soul wished for his comfort now more than ever before. With the passing of the weekend, she failed to obtain the chance to see Keiichi that Sunday, having to be called away on business to Okinomiya. Some family members needed aid directly from her, so a better part of the day resulted in fixing any problems and then returning to Hinamizawa by nightfall. After apologizing to Keiichi, she knew all too well from the sadness in his voice that he was disappointed. But, he reassured her constantly that he would always wait for her if need be, and that he would never be angry at her for anything.
"Mi-chan…I'll wait for you. I chose only you to love and no one else. No matter what happens, I'll love you and only you…"
*Kei-kun…you're…mine…and no one elses…*
Weary as she was, Mion's mind finally gave in to her body's fatigue, drifting off into a peaceful sleep at last. As she nestled under the futon's covers, however; Mion never noticed the warm blood seeping from her hands slowly, as if her fingernails had pieced her palms from sheer intensity.
Rika never found the urge to sleep that night, but instead, lounged about that moon-lit time-period to sit on a nearby stairway, sipping on her favorite wine brand and eating tasty treats. Satoko slumbered in peace back in their room, but for Satoko, Rika decided, she would not disturb nearby. Instead, Rika headed to the outskirts of the Furude home, enjoying the outside nighttime. Hanyuu, meanwhile, was off somewhere in the house, probably sifting in a hot bath or eating her midnight creampuff snacks that she thoroughly enjoyed.
The previous encounter that Saturday was none too thrilling for Rika. She wondered what would become of Mion, whether for better or worse, now that so much responsibility would be placed on her shoulders. The politics of Hinamizawa were bad enough, dull even, but for Mion to take upon a family upkeep such as their own and maintain ties to the outside world was more than needed for Mion to endure. Rika sighed at this thought, drowning her worries in the purple wine.
"So…we wait…and pray…and dream…" she whispered.
He slumbered in peace whilst his parents slept that night. They knew full well of his plans over the next two weeks, something that took hours of straight, serious conversation to put in the right direction. His mother was hesitant about all this, given his age on the matter, but even his father was both thrilled and concerned for his son's sake. For someone of his age of 16, Keiichi wasn't nearly considered by anyone to be ready for what he would call a life-altering decision. But to him, he saw this as the only way to quell the problems with his love's life. This was something he promised to do for them, and something he knew he could never regret.
The challenge would be impossible for him, even with the help of a friend, but that wouldn't stop Keiichi at all. He was determined to do this by himself, save the advice and careful watch of Komoto all the while. His journey to complete this task for Mion's sake wasn't easy, that much was certain, but if he wanted to truly be with her then he had to do this no matter what the cost was.
With his alarm quietly going off, Keiichi woke up and quickly grabbed his gear alongside his futon. He made everyone who knew of his situation promise not to tell Mion, for if she knew during the time it took to complete the obstacle of his whereabouts then all would be lost. This gamble was something only he could risk, and something he couldn't lose.
While he tied his shoes on and made sure everything was set, Keiichi then noticed in the shadows of his room that someone was sitting in a chair, quietly watching him. Looking directly into the cold, grey pair of eyes now focused on Keiichi, he acknowledged his friend and spoke.
"And I thought I locked all the doors…" Keiichi joked. Komoto looked at him and smiled, picking up his gear as well.
"Even if you walled yourself in solid steel, my C4 would still bust through. Are you ready Keiichi? Asked Komoto, referring to Keiichi in a more respectable tone.
"Yes…let's do this!" he replied, a fist raised in the air for his upcoming victory.
Monday morning had brought solemn peace for Mion, as she woke up yawning sleepily. The sun had shown bright that day, bursting through the skylight of her room and onto her futon area. With the air hot that day and the cicadas' singing happily, Mion thought it would be a new and better day, unlike the previous depressing days of her grandmother's funeral.
After quickly putting on a pair of cutoff jeans and a white tank top, Mion began to tie her hair up whilst looking over the ingredients for her breakfast that morning. It was around 9 o'clock when Mion started her day, which seemingly went well for once that month.
*I bet Keiichi and I can do something today finally! No work is needed today, so we can actually…heheheh*
Mion blushed at whatever sexual thoughts played over in her mind. Specifically, Mion and Keiichi hadn't done those kinds of things for a while, so Mion was edgy about it lately. Her urges for Keiichi were quite normal, but all the while she felt that her as-of-late thoughts and dreams were just effects from not satisfying those urges. Today, she thought, something would come about to end that problem. For as a matter of fact, Keiichi was supposed to be Mion's slave for the whole summer, and with a new maid outfit that Keiichi could wear she all but giggled with glee to have him try it out. While imagining this, she almost burned her eggs drooling at the thought until the smoke entered her line of smell. As she quelled the near disaster of her breakfast, she suddenly heard a bell coming from outside.
"Ah damnit…One Minute!" she yelled. She set the eggs off to the side burner and quickly put her sandals on, rushing outside to the main door.
*Maybe, it's Kei-kun!* she happily thought.
As she reached the door, Mion quickly opened the gate, half expecting Keiichi to be standing there with a grin on his face. However, taking in the person standing before her, Mion's hopes had completely sunk.
"Ah…Mizuho-sensei? What brings you here?" she asked, confused.
"Sorry to intrude, but there's something I wanted to talk to you about. That and I'm just here to check up on you for a bit. May I come in?" she asked. Mion nodded and allowed her in to her home, making sure to relock the gate door. She led the way into the kitchen, putting the final preparations on the meal and sitting down with Mizuho in the living room. Mion snacked on a piece of buttered toast while Mizuho looked over various decorations and artifacts of the Sonozaki estate.
"So, as you were saying before?" Mion asked non-chantingly.
"Ah…yes. Well, Mi-chan, I know this is greatly unexpected on your part, but I need to inform you that Keiichi and Komoto left early this morning…"
Mion, who had thought her day would go well for the first time in weeks, found that the toast she ate hungrily had fallen from her mouth and onto the plate, sending crumbs onto the floor all around. She lost her appetite quickly, pushing the plate to the side and looking back up to her teacher. Her mood didn't sour, never in front of Mizuho, but it was clearly angered in some way with confusion.
"What do you mean? Where is Kei-kun?" she asked, trying her best to keep her emotions under control.
"…I can't tell you where, Mi-chan. I promised not to, just like many others have. I know it sounds odd, very, very weird and strange, but I promised to keep it a secret until Kei-chan comes back and tells you himself. Knowing what's going on will only cause problems, trust me," Mizuho told Mion this while staring directly into her eyes, implying the seriousness of the situation. Mion acknowledged this with some fear, and now realized just how much things were becoming mysterious to her.
*Everyone…they're…keeping something from me. What is it?*
"…no one…cares…" she murmured. Unfortunately for her, Mizuho heard this and witnessed Mion suddenly send tears onto her now noted bruised hands. Mizuho guessed Mion may have fallen or injured them somehow, but at that moment what concerned her most was Mion's feelings.
"Mi-chan…I know this is unfair to you in so many ways, but you need to trust us. Kei-chan's going away for awhile to do something for the both of you. I know how insane it is for even Kei-chan to bring it up, but he's determined with all his heart to accomplish this for you…"
Mion sobbed for a bit in her arms, not wanting Mizuho to see her like this. However, she was only able to calm down when she sat next to Mion, softly rubbing her back to comfort her. After calming down and now brushing away her tears, Mion tried to make sense of it all.
"Why is he doing this? What is he going to accomplish by leaving?" she asked, wishing to get some answers. The one thing she did get, however, from Mizuho's next response just stunned her completely.
"Well, Kei-chan's being tested. And from the get go he was tested by Komoto-kun. He wants to prove something to everyone. Seeking Komoto-kun's help, Kei-chan had to prove to him that he wasn't going to give up.
"What? What do you mean?" she asked, enthralled in Mizuho's story.
"It's like this. You see, on Saturday night…"
"…so that's what this is all about? And to do this, you want my help?" Komoto asked, completely interested in Keiichi's plan.
"…That's what I was told. I need to do this for Mi-chan and I if we're ever going to be…"
"…Kei-chan, I agree with you on what you feel for her, but you're still too young to understand that…"
"Understand what? That I love her and will do anything to prove that? Komoto-san, I came here for your help. I've told you what I'm going to do and I need you there beside me while doing it. I know I'm asking a lot of you, but please, this one time, help me?!"
Komoto saw the stern look in Keiichi's eyes, a fire never seen to him before in his entire life. Keiichi was completely honest and sincere to Komoto, and at that moment he could have completely given in to aiding Keiichi. However, Komoto was never satisfied with that kind of judgment. He wanted Keiichi to succeed completely and without failure, but for that Keiichi had to prove something to Komoto.
"Anything huh? You think your plan's that easy…you want my help then you need to prove yourself to me. Outside…now!"
Komoto had startled Keiichi, instantly jumping off the couch and moving quickly outside, but from Mizuho's perspective she knew all too well what was about to happen. And for that, she wasn't going to step in and argue. Komoto would be entirely right in every way. If Keiichi really wanted this to happen, then he would need to prove it. As they went outside, with Keiichi wondering what the hell was about to happen, Mizuho went along and stood at the sidelines, hoping Keiichi knew what he was doing…and wanted for that matter after all that happened.
"How do you want me to prove this?" Keiichi asked without regret or fear. Komoto stood a ways away, cracking his knuckles. He faced him, glaring at Keiichi as if dissecting an enemy opponent.
"I'll give you as many chances as you want, but once the sun rises out in the distance then its over. You want to do this so badly for her then prove it to me by beating me in a fight. Use any method you want, but I'm telling you I won't go down lightly."
Keiichi understood completely. It was almost 1 in the morning, and that gave him a small chance of beating Komoto with at least 5 hours to use. He looked over Komoto a bit, and with a few minutes of studying his opponent, Keiichi had found a way to win.
"Any time you're ready…and remember: I fight back!" Komoto said, raising a taunting hand in the air. Keiichi understood, and took a fighting stance in turn.
In a few moments, Komoto rushed forward and delivered a painful blow to Keiichi's abdomen, almost taking the wind from his lungs in the process. This punch, however, was just a gauge to see how much Keiichi could take. Taking him too lightly in the beginning, however, was a mistake on Komoto's part. Keiichi easily had more fight in him after just a simple punch, recovering quickly and grappling Komoto in response. Throwing a few useless blows into the air, Keiichi managed to land one on Komoto's cheek, but barely grazed him.
Mizuho, all the while, watched as this fight brought back good memories of day's past. She smiled and closed her eyes, deeply remembering those old times and thoughts. She remembered the time she went through the same test, but in a drinking game of sorts. Even after, Komoto wanted to take her on in a match, but the fight ended in a draw with no clear winner. It was one of those first times Mizuho really got close to Komoto, and now Keiichi was getting that chance to be a closer friend to him.
Komoto felt the impact from the blow on his cheek, but brushed it off. Keiichi was a good fighter, but with no experience in technique he was as useful as a twig. Komoto fell back, taunting Keiichi to charge him. Angered by these taunts, he rushed forward into his opponent, but fell to the ground in a somersault and was pinned down.
"If this is all you got, then you're not good at all for her, you know?" Komoto gestured. He began to send hits into Keiichi's body, causing bruises all over. Keiichi gasped for air with every blow, feeling weaker and weaker by the minute. However, he only grit his teeth and endured the pain, but none the less never giving up to this assault of blows. He countered with his own, taking Komoto off guard a bit. Even with one on his better punches, Keiichi managed to make Komoto bleed from the lip.
After spitting out some blood, Komoto looked at Keiichi and smiled in a way that was sickly twisted and evilly.
"Not bad, not bad at all. Now let's turn it up a notch…"
Komoto rushed into Keiichi now, who couldn't believe how fast he was. It occurred to him that Komoto had just tested him before, and now was completely serious. If he was going to act, his next few moves would need to count.
Seeing techniques never used by Komoto, Keiichi braced for impacts and pains never known, as his opponent attempted to make him submit. Every lock, every hold and every near breaking of his bones were felt all around, causing Keiichi to nearly pass out multiple times. Throughout these hours, which seemed like lifetimes over and over again, Keiichi was tossed, turned, thrown, grappled, pinned, and lifted upside down by his feet from Komoto's end. Though he prayed for the chance to find his objective, the plan almost seemed like it wouldn't be put into action. He needed something, a key that would offset Komoto at the right time.
What amazed Komoto throughout this was that, with almost the time limit up, Keiichi had not once complained or faltered in his determination to win. His will to fight on only grew stronger, something Komoto could easily fear in an opponent. But with just 5 minutes to go before the first speck of the sun would rise over the horizon, Komoto decided to end this once and for all.
"It's been fun, Kei-chan, but you're not gonna make it. Time's almost up, and you're almost down for the count. I'll make this quick, I promise…"
Keiichi stood breathing heavily for air, but never released his balled up fists. Komoto was right, though, that his body was nearly done and KO'ed. He stumbled as he counted down his final plan in his head once and for all. The time was right, and he had what he needed to end it. It was all up to Komoto now.
With one final rush and quick grab, Komoto held Keiichi by his throat against the house, pinning both his arms with his body. His cold, grey eyes peered into Keiichi, sending shivers down his spine to some degree.
"Say your prayers, Kei-chan…" marked Komoto, just as he cocked his fist for one final blow to Keiichi's abdomen. However, just as the sun was about to peak over the horizon, Keiichi pulled his now free arm and held what was a knife at Komoto's throat. He stopped his arm midflight just as the sun reigned over Hinamizawa, and just as the cicadas were about to begin their evanescent songs.
"…Tough luck…I've got you…" Keiichi laughed, trying his best to keep calm and controlled through the neck grasp.
Komoto looked at him, wide eyes bulging from being defeated in such a manner. He failed in some way during the fight, but the outcome was certain. Keiichi had won via a knife to his throat, but the major fact was: the knife was Komoto's own.
He let Keiichi down slowly, now allowing him to breathe better. He didn't more from his spot, but only looked at Keiichi as if for the first time seeing him in a new light.
"How…did you get that? That was in my…"
"I knew you had a knife somewhere on you, Komoto-san, so I just needed to find it. I know it sounds…weird, but I wasn't feeling you up for no reason…"
It was then Komoto blushed at remembering how Keiichi had previously grabbed at his boots, legs and upper chest area. He couldn't tell that his opponent was looking for something, but thought Keiichi was just trying to get a hold of his clothing to fight back with. Now it all made sense to him, for which they both laughed at.
"…you got me, Keiichi. You really got me…maybe I was just too easy on you or I didn't take you seriously…but you beat me fair and square."
"Some people these days don't have that kind of faith in us kids. I'm young, I know that, but it doesn't mean that my goal is immediate. I can do it when the time is right, but I want to secure that goal with…"
"Keiichi, save it. You don't need to ever explain yourself ever again…I won't ever doubt you after this day, so with that you have my trust and respect. I'll help you as best I can to achieve your goal, for your and Mion's sake…"
He smiled in response, shaking Komoto's hand in reply. It was over now, and all that Keiichi could do is smile and collapse into Komoto, not having another care in the world but that of sleep.
Mion sat in disbelief at hearing this tale of Keiichi actually defeating Komoto to some degree in a fight. She fell back into her couch, her eyes wide with amazement. That was Keiichi's true nature, which was certain to Mion. He never gave up, for anything at all to accomplish a goal. Mizuho smiled at this in reply.
"I didn't think he could beat Komoto-kun, but he proved us wrong. And now, they're out completing this task. So right now, I hope you understand that we need to abide by Kei-chan's decision, ok?" Mizuho asked with earnest regard.
Mion looked at her and then the floor. Keiichi was doing something for them, that much she knew, and in addition it was a gruesome task to accomplish. She acknowledged this, and at least knowing this alleviated some of her worries. But for the most part, not seeing Keiichi for some time caused her worry.
"How long…will it be till I see him again?" she asked.
"…If I had to say, it would be three days before the Watanagashi festival that he returns. So please, bear with the time and wait for their return like I am doing." Mizuho got up and patted Mion on her back, making her smile a bit. She would wait for Keiichi's return, and bear with the time for now. If he was coming back then, and with his parents leaving around that time altogether, Mion and Keiichi could really be together once more.
"Ok…I give. I'll be just as patient as you," she replied sincerely.
"Good. On another note, how are you doing around here? I haven't seen anyone lately at this estate." Mion held her knees in her arms and looked outside, away from Mizuho's gaze behind her long, dark blue hair.
"Actually, it's been pretty lonely. Just me around here till I'm needed for family business I suppose. That's it…" she said, sadly.
"Hmm…I see. Well, Mi-chan, stop by my house if you're not busy. If you want, we can spend time together, seeing as how our men are out and about. What do you say?"
Mion considered this idea for a moment, but without question responded in turn. She wouldn't pass up the chance to have some fun when Keiichi was away without her having in any say of it. To bear with this period of two weeks up to Watanagashi, Mion would make it a priority to spend time again with friends, no matter how much the words of his name went through her mind.
*Kei-kun…*
So you thought it was a fallacy, to think that the boogie man real…
But did you know that there are things far terrifying than a little creeper…
As that as a woman's wrath?
Or even the demon born from it?
And all the while, there's nothing you can do to stop it,
From snatching you in the night, and spilling your blood,
While it cries tears of sadness, tears of joy, and tears of madness…
Next time on Hinamizawa Hell: "Revealing Demon's" arc, Chapter 6: Lost Friends.
Can you believe in this?