Hinamizawa Hell
"The Truth of Fate" Arc: 3
Ch. 5: Misplaced Anger
/
"What's wrong, Lady Bernkastel? You seem…very unsure of yourself right now…"
As sarcastic as his tone sounded that moment, Reimei Ryuu was entirely serious in expression. Through his clothed eyes from what he could tell Bernkastel, the witch of miracles, was feeling insecurity for what seemed like the first time in many years. As odd as it sounded, after watching the spectacle in the translucent floor which played over the events of Rika's life like a movie projector would, Bernkastel's eyes grew wide in speculation and intense curiosity. She acted as though she were at a loss for words; the silence between the two figures in this Meta-world almost too creepy. After gathering her thoughts, Bernkastel's eyes shifted from the floor to Reimei once more.
"It seems…like you have started to make this an interesting game, Reimei-san. Tell me, what have you done so as to manipulate this world? Don't tell me you're slowly cooking the inhabitants of Hinamizawa with a heat wave? Or were you the one to place the journal in the shrine so as to tell Rika something behind my back? It would do you no good otherwise, because her memories will become my memories no matter what. What Rika knows, I shall know without due question…"
Reimei sighed again and sat back in his chair, unsure whether or not he should tell Bernkastel the whole truth or just play with her some more. Weighing his options, he grinned back at her and decided to perform the latter. It would be a fitting punishment for the woman if she were to have her castle crash down once in a while.
"I did nothing of the sort actually. My only action in this game has been visiting Rika and Komoto in their dreams and nothing more. However, this does bring up a different point of interest I wish to discuss with you…" As Reimei grinned on at Bernkastel, a sickly feeling began to grow in her stomach. For some reason, seeing what little that had happened in Hinamizawa began to disturb her in some way. According to her previous statement, she should have been able to see what was ahead in the future. However, it all stopped at the point of finding that odd journal. Why was it like that?
"Go on…" were her only cold words.
"Tell me, how much do you know about your close friend, Hanyuu-chan?" Surprisingly, Reimei unexpectedly received the first smile from the witch in a very long time.
"Hanyuu-chan…was my closest friend. She told me everything she could about her life. Such times, though, were long ago…"
"But…she died in order to give you your powers as a witch. Am I correct?"
Though Bernkastel smiled before, at that moment her upwardly curved lips turned into a frown without emotion. She refocused on her opponent again, trying to discern truth from lies.
"How…could you know of such a thing? I'm sure that time was well before even your own life, Reimei-san…"
"Past…present…and future. Secrets, as best kept as they are, are always open to me so long as I have my eyes like they are. I told you before: Komoto is my counterpart. Our eye traits are unique yet shared in some ways. Be wary of what you think you may discern about me, Bernkastel: I can see everything and anything I want. But tell me, Hanyuu did die for you in the past to give you such power. Am I correct?" Bernkastel should have known better, now connecting two and two together to understand this man's power. Deciding to return to this game of sarcasm and wits once more, she decided to play along with his games and see where it went.
"If that is what you ask, then you should already know. Yes…Hanyuu-chan gave up her life as a demi-god for me in the original Kakera so as to aid Rika's parallel worlds. Why do you ask?"
"Because…I don't think, even now, that you fully grasp what is going on. Can you see the Truth, Bernkastel? Or should I show you more before you realize it?"
In some ways, Bernkastel could be easily angered by her opponents. If something wasn't done exactly as she planned, her anger would get the better of her. If an opponent found the one torture she dreaded the most, she would be unrelenting in her next life. However, here in this Meta-world, Reimei managed to strike a cord deep in her being. She was growing tired of his antics; similar in a way compared to Lambdadelta's own mischief but not to such an extent.
"Reimei-san, then I will suggest you show me more to explain this scenario much clearer to me. Show me…something worthwhile before I become bored again…"
/
The young girl arrived on the steps of the Irie Clinic, the sun at mid point of setting in the distance. As it was getting late that day, Rika had hoped to check up on Hanyuu and possibly bring her home; that or head home alone by herself for the night. She had been concerned with Hanyuu's health all day, and silently prayed that her friend had recovered with just the need for fluids. As she moved from the humid environment of the outside world and now into the air conditioned lobby of the clinic, Rika looked around to find that today no one was around waiting for a doctor.
"Um…hello? Takano-san?"
"Hmm? Oh, hello Rika-chan. I'm guessing you're here to see Hanyuu-chan. She's in room 4 in the right hallway." Takano appeared from a side room carrying what appeared to be her day clothes. It was her day off, and surely she had stayed at the clinic to monitor Hanyuu for awhile before Dr. Irie came back from his dinner break. After that, she could resume the rest of the day as she pleased.
"Oh, good. Is she feeling any better?" asked Rika. She looked concerned yet cute at the same time; causing Takano to wish that she herself could take the young girl home to love as her own child.
"Oh, Rika-chan, if you act so worried like that you'll cause yourself to get sick. Anyway, Hanyuu-chan is still running a fever so she'll be staying the night per Dr. Irie's orders. However, I think if you see her she'll feel much better, but don't give her any incentives to try and go home. Got it?"
"Yup! Nipah!"
Following the same route which Takano had mentioned earlier, Rika went down the hallway to the right and managed to find room 4. The white hallways almost seemed empty of life, except for the noise of the television coming from Hanyuu's room. Peering into the doorway, Rika viewed Hanyuu sitting up in bed watching the T.V. with no interest.
*She's still not looking any better. Is she…*
"AH! Rika-chan!"
It seemed that Hanyuu suddenly noticed Rika standing in the doorway at last, her own daze being pulled out and back to reality. Hanyuu smiled upon seeing her friend, pulling the covers of her bed down to try to move closer to Rika. Rika happily went in and took a seat at her bedside for the time she was there.
"I came by to visit you. We were all worried about you. You gave us quite a scare…"
"Auau, I thought I told you to not worry about me anymore. I just…didn't drink any water…auauau…" went Hanyuu. Rika just grinned at seeing Hanyuu act a little more normal, but still, secretly hid her worries about what was really going on. If anything, she needed to find out what Hanyuu was really thinking lately.
"I'm sorry, but when others worry I worry too. I can't stand by and see my best friend sick like this…"
Rika saw, if for a second, a glint of guilt in Hanyuu's eyes. It was only for a short moment, but what Rika saw was Hanyuu acting like she was hurt deep down for some odd reason. In the next second, though, Hanyuu just smiled again.
"Thank you, but I am feeling much better. I should have drunk more water. I'll be better next time, I promise. Nipah!" This statement seemed to satisfy Rika for now, but as of that moment she was going to try her best to talk openly with her friend. She found no better way, though, than breaking the ice between them.
"Well, if you're feeling so much better than I guess I shouldn't have bought these creampuffs for you from Angel Morte'. Mii…what a waste…"
Rika pulled up her knapsack and undid the strings on the bag. Reaching into the depths of the bag, Rika pulled out a wrapped box of desserts with the "Angel Morte'" logo on it. Like a plan coming together well, Hanyuu's eyes instantly lit up with joy for her favorite dessert.
"AUAUAAUAU! Thank you Rika-chan!"
"Mii…ok, I give. Here you go Hanyu…"
Suddenly, from out of nowhere as Rika pulled the box out, a piece of the wrapping seemed to have lodged itself around Rika's hidden diary. Pulling it forward and trying to give it to Hanyuu with her open arms, the diary suddenly fell to the floor with a loud thud. It didn't take much for Hanyuu to notice the item.
What Rika would get in return, though, was something completely unexpected…
/
"Rika…chan…"
"Oh, um…you missed what happened at the shrine. We found this under the statue…"
"…"
Hanyuu casted her head downwards; a rush of feelings flowing throughout her mind and soul. She gave no indication of emotion to Rika after seeing the journal fall to the floor, but still she gripped the sheets of the hospital bed tightly. With her purple hair covering her eyes, Hanyuu gritted her teeth somewhat as Rika tried to explain.
"…and…we're not sure what it is really. It does have one of the same shards as Mi-chan's…"
"Rika-chan…"
"Hmm? What is it Hanyuu?"
"That doesn't…belong to you…"
As if on cue, Hanyuu slowly raised her head up to Rika, her eyes glowing red with anger. For what seemed like the first time in Rika's life, she became fearful of her friend. Looking into Hanyuu's eyes made her feel like her soul was being ripped in two; the demi-god enraged by such a blasphemous sight before her. Rika's body, without her own accord or intention, instinctively moved away from Hanyuu without any control over her body.
"Hanyuu…" Rika's eyes were wide in terror in seeing her closest friend send a glare which even Death may never want to look into.
Without a moment's notice, Hanyuu slowly got out of the bed and bent down to the floor, picking up the journal. She peered over the item's old yet beautiful cover, and then shifted her gaze back in Rika's direction. Her cold stare was ever prevalent as Rika's heart raced; her fears of her friend growing with each passing moment.
"…"
"…What's wrong? I didn't mean to upset…"
Suddenly, Hanyuu left the journal on the bed and in the next moment was directly in front of Rika's face; her crimson glow gazing into Rika as if searching for something. However, nothing of the sort was found; causing Hanyuu to grit her teeth and move slightly away.
"Rika-chan…you are meddling in things you can not understand. I will only warn you once: stop worrying so much…it will only shred away whatever happiness you have attained so far. Things are to be as they should be…stay content with that for now and everything will be fine in the end…"
*SMACK*
The echo reverberated in the small room of the clinic; one woman's face now facing the wall in bewilderment and the other's gazing at the same face with an intensity which could be matched by no other. In a flash, Rika had clear cut smacked Hanyuu straight across the face; her temper getting the better of her. In a mood unlike any Rika had ever been in, she went to the bed and picked up the journal; shoving it quickly into her bag and leaving the box of desserts on the bed.
And all the while, Hanyuu's eyes were wide with astonishment, unable to grasp what had just happened in a mere 40 seconds. The searing pain of the smack throbbed in Hanyuu's left cheek as she now slowly raised a hand to the assaulted area. She still couldn't take her eyes off the wall; unable to meet Rika's eyes for once.
"Rika-chan…"
"How dare you…ever treat me like a child…and after all I've been through! How dare you…keep such things from me…and drive me into another hell within my mind! How dare you…even consider for a moment that I will idly sit by…and let Evil casually waltz into this village and take it over! Hanyuu…it's time for you to listen well…I will beat Fate no matter what it takes…and I will defeat it whether or not you are on my side! I don't know what has become of you as of late, but cut the crap and get over yourself! I've tried to talk to you, but in all this time you've only shut yourself away even more!" All in all, Rika's wiser self came out to her friend; instilling something which Hanyuu could never forget.
Rika walked away with her bag in hand, stopping midway near Hanyuu; now nursing her swollen and red cheek. It seemed Rika had enough of Hanyuu's mysterious ways; unable to take a hold of what exactly Hanyuu was trying to do in order to protect Rika. Slowly stepping away and leaving Hanyuu to remain in the past of the sudden event, Rika gave Hanyuu some last words; this time, returning to her normal self with a lighter, less tenser tone of voice.
"I hope you feel better, Hanyuu…and I hope you come home soon…."
With that said, the two women kept their backs to each other; Rika moving out into the hallway without another word and Hanyuu back into her bed to wrap herself in bed sheets. However, neither of the two realized that the other cried; for the pain in their hearts and the foolishness in their minds. They didn't even notice the wet tears sliding down their cheeks and into the earth below their feet.
/
"Hey, Mi-chan…is it me or does…"
"The air seem tense? Yeah, my thoughts exactly…"
For many of the village's youth, it was another semester of schooling now that the summer break had finally ended. The remaining days of the eventful summer had resulted in many different happenings for the group of friends. As the other younger students intently mulled over the day's lesson plans under the direction of Mizuho Otome and Chie-sensei, Keiichi, Mion and the others replayed their final days of the summer break in their heads.
For the older group members, specifically Mion and Keiichi, the last few days had been quite eventful. First of all, after helping with moving the shrine statue on that Sunday, Monday had finally come and with that the return of Keiichi's parents. Upon their return, both of his parents had been amazed with just exactly how clean the house had been. At first, Keiichi's father and mother believed they had possibly died on the trip back on the plane; however, seeing Keiichi accompanied by Mion, her mother Akane and her father, they were shocked to discover that it was Keiichi and Mion's own doing while they were away. However, they were astonished more with the appearance of Mion's parents.
-Three Days Ago-
"Why hello there. It's nice to see both of you again. How was your trip?" Akane greeted Keiichi's parents in a very respectful manner; gracing them with her family's upbringing in every way. Her husband remained quietly at her side, unsure of whether or not he wanted to go through with the whole agreement. To Keiichi's parents, it seemed like the time came to discuss a matter of importance involving Keiichi and Mion's future. Mion, all the while, blushed greatly while making small glances at her love.
"It's nice to see you again, Sonozaki-san. I see Mi-chan has taken care of our child while we were gone." Keiichi's mother smiled heartily at Akane, ushering in a friendly atmosphere.
"Why yes, she has. However, to be blunt, I'm sure you and your husband are wondering why we are here to greet you. I know you must be tired from your trip, but I'm finding it hard to contain my excitement for our children…" replied Akane. Her husband merely grunted silently in the back, causing Keiichi to become somewhat nervous.
"I suppose this is about my son taking your lovely daughter's hand in marriage! Well, I can find it only fitting that my great son takes such a woman to be his wife!" If Keiichi's father could say anything to them after getting back from a trip, it would entail some embarrassment along with it. From this small and simple statement, Mion's father seemed like he was ready to bash both Keiichi and his father's head in, causing the artist to cower behind his wife a little.
"Dear, know your place, please?" asked Keiichi's mother.
"Dear, I told you to be nice!" said Akane in a sing song voice filled with an intent of death if her husband didn't restrain himself. It had been hard enough to have Mion's father accept the marriage agreement, but now that he was in the room it seemed like it was unbearable to see his daughter be given away to someone he thought of as unfitting. Although, given everything happening it could all be attributed to his fatherly instincts.
"Well then, we'll let you get settled in again and then we'll talk this all over some tea. I am quite eager to discuss Keiichi-san and Mi-chan's intentions for one another. Isn't that right you two?" Akane smiled in the two lover's direction, causing them to blush together nervously. They nodded their heads, unsure of how this whole event would turn out.
When Keiichi's parents were finally settled in and sitting in the living room with some tea on hand, the long draught discussion unfolded itself unto everyone in the room. Keiichi and his parents sat across from Mion and her respective parents; their seating arrangement almost symmetrical. Over the course of the next hour or so, both parents had come to terms with exactly what Keiichi's previous journey had entitled to him: the right to marry Mion upon her approval. Given that it was already approved on her part with utmost pleasure, Mion was more than happy to reiterate her intentions of marrying Keiichi. Both of their parents agreed, however, they would only accept it on the condition that it would be a long engagement; the actual marriage taking place after college was finished for the two.
With most of the formalities out of the way, Keiichi and Mion had one more important thing to discuss. Mion announced to both her parents and Keiichi's how she felt entirely with being home alone in the estate and at the same time dealing with the pressure of being the head of the family. Though she had already gone over Shion's offer to uphold her share and right to the family's estate, Mion voiced her wishes for Keiichi to live with her during their engagement. However odd this idea was to both of their parents, the conversation didn't last long with the acceptance of both parties on hand. Mion's parents were fine with it, even with Akane forcing her husband to agree, whereas Keiichi's father was all for it. However, his mother was rather hesitant to the idea; still taking in just how much things had changed at this point of her life.
After talking it over with their parents for a couple of hours, eventually Keiichi's mother, with persuasion on Akane's part, accepted Keiichi's wish to move out and in with Mion. In his mother's foresight, she realized Keiichi's change since going on the trip and how much he had matured. He didn't seem like the truant he had been in his early childhood nor the Keiichi who worried too much or even overreacted to every little thing. He was much stronger, smarter and for once clear headed in his will. For that, she had to accept he was now a man and not a child anymore; the age of adulthood well on him already. Even while looking at Mion, she could tell something astonishing had occurred in her relationship with Keiichi; a newfound respect for him and for herself. If anything, Mion seemed more outright with her feelings and her opinions to live her own life. Little did everyone in the room know, though, of how Mion's inner Oni had appeared after succumbing to the Hinamizawa Syndrome.
With all parents in agreement, it was decided Keiichi would move in with Mion after the first week of school and, from there, live with her during the period of their engagement. After that, they would be husband and wife with no one else telling otherwise. All said and done, the meeting went as smoothly as it could possibly go for the two lovers.
/
Though everything went well on Keiichi and Mion's part, Rena's last days of the summer vacation were filled with trips to the trash dump in search of new, cute treasures, and spending time with Ryuu. She herself had also considered moving in with Ryuu in Okinomiya, however, she decided to finish school first before doing so. As for Shion and Satoshi, they spent their final days of the vacation working at the clinic and finishing summer classes. Satoko, however, spent her days at home cleaning and preparing for another school semester. Though she was home for most of the time with Rika, she likewise felt odd about the air about all of them; her thoughts dwelling on the awkwardness at home.
"I agree with you guys, and I think I know why…" murmured Satoko. She distanced herself from her two housemates in order to talk privately with Keiichi, Mion and Rena for awhile. Thankfully, her other friends didn't notice.
"You do?" asked Rena, listening intently.
"It doesn't take an idiot to see this. I mean, just look at them…"
All pairs of eyes from their side of the room fell on two individuals; Rika and Hanyuu. The single distinguishing fact relating to how awkward everything felt was first seen in the positioning of their desks. It seemed like Hanyuu and Rika intentionally moved their desks away from one another. Rika now sat on the side closest to the windows with a contemplative mindset, whereas Hanyuu sat closer to the front; a dazed look on her face. Second, in the remaining days of summer vacation, neither had mentioned even a syllable to one another. This creepy tension only furthered any uneasiness the group now felt.
"…Rika-chan and Hanyuu-chan…haven't talked to each other in almost 4 days. Even so…eating dinner with the two felt so wrong…" Satoko casted her eyes to the ground, replaying over every encounter the two had with one another. In her mind, it seemed like Rika and Hanyuu avoided one another at all costs. Only at dinner did they gather up enough courage to eat together at the same table. When the eating was done, though, Rika went to help Satoko clean up whereas Hanyuu went back to her own room to sleep off whatever emotions she bottled up.
"Did something happen between the two of them?" asked Keiichi, concerned for his friends.
"I'm not sure. They don't even look at one another in the eyes. Ever since Rika-chan came home after visiting Hanyuu at the clinic, she wouldn't say what happened. But…I hear her crying when she's alone in her room. All she said to me was that she "was hurt and had hurt someone"…"
"Then…I'll take it that both of them had a fight…" responded Mion. She couldn't help but see her friends at odds with one another, and so tried to devise some way to fix what had happened between the two. She remained silent for awhile, thinking over a scheme in her head.
Unbeknownst to the group members, Hanyuu sat at the front with full attention even in her dazed appearance. Her ears perked up upon the others mentioning about what had happened days before. She only casted her head down, silently hurting on the inside.
As the other's looked over in Rika's direction, they found her looking outside the window without any care as to what the class was doing for work. She found some interest in the wind blowing the leaves of the trees around them, if only to take her mind away from her thoughts. In the recent days, she hadn't felt well enough with how everything ended between Hanyuu and her that prior day. Though Rika was glad Hanyuu's fever broke and that she was able to return home later the next day, she hadn't said a single word at all to her.
After watching them for awhile, Keiichi nudged Mion from her own contemplative thought and came up with an idea. Gazing into Mion's eyes, he realized she had the same thoughts; a plan to get the two to start talking to one another again. Even Rena followed along with this same idea.
"Mi-chan, if you're thinking what I'm thinking, then it's gotta work!" murmured Keiichi with confidence. Mion smiled right back at him, grinning at his quick thinking and likewise mindset.
"My thoughts exactly! Why not use what we got at our disposal and make something of it…"
"If this works, we can fix whatever happened between the two, I'm sure…" giggled Rena, as all three of them eyed their two friends on the opposite sides of the room.
And so began the operation to repair Rika and Hanyuu's broken relationship, and like many other times before, it would come down to the efforts of the Game Club members; trickery, wits and all.
/
Is it alright to cause pain, only to have one see the light?
This I have asked myself every day of my life.
From the time I was able to think,
To the day I could no longer feel.
Was I right in hurting someone I loved?
Or was I wrong in attempting to try…
I was told if you cared about someone,
That you help them all you can.
I tried to help; I did all I can…
But that wasn't enough this time.
This time, my friend didn't want help.
And so, I felt the same pain,
Of being lost as to what to do…
Because my own friend too
Was trying to help me.
And there we sat, looking at one another,
Knowing we were two opposing forces,
Which could not help the other.
On that day, I said to Hell with the impossible…
And from it, I sought to change the world,
So that such state of loss, could never be felt again…
Next time on "Hinamizawa Hell", Arc 3 Ch. 6: Companionship
Are you with me?