Hinamizawa Hell
"The Truth of Fate" Arc: 3
Ch. 6: Companionship
/
"HAHAHA! We've finally come to another session of the Gaming Club! Everyone, assemble!"
"Keiichi Maebarra! Present!"
"Rena Ryugu, present!"
"Satoko Houjo, present!"
"Shion Sonozaki, at your service!"
"Umm…Satoshi present!"
"Ryuu Maebarra, umm…I guess I'm here too?"
"Mion Sonozaki, the great club president, present!"
"Umm…auau…Hanyuu…p…present!"
"…I'm going home early today…goodbye everyone…"
"HUH? What?"
The school day, as long as it had been drawn out, finally came to an end. With Mizuho and Chie-sensei cleaning up their main room and starting to clear out another side room for unknown purposes, the Game Club members assembled in their classroom and moved together their respective desks. Given that it was the end of the school day, Mion had sent out her classical battle call for the group members to assemble in their extravagant pose, however, with everyone but Rika at the ready, the group fell head over heels with her sudden exit. This unexpected leave of absence, however, didn't stop the others from preventing her to leave, causing Rika to question what her friends were up to.
"Oh no you don't! You're not getting off that easily Rika-chan. Besides, what do you have to do that's so important at home?" questioned Shion, having been let in on Mion's ingenious plan before. Shion and Ryuu, per orders of Mion and Rena, had been club members for awhile now, and with Ryuu's addition to the club after his day work elsewhere, there were now 10 members, not excluding Komoto.
"I…have homework to do…since I wasn't really paying attention in class…" Rika blushed, trying her best not to meet Hanyuu's eyes. Hanyuu just looked to the side of the room, remaining silent for now. It was more than apparent to everyone in the group that Rika was lying to get herself out of this situation.
"Pssh..homework is for later at night. Right now it's time for some fun!" Mion cheered with everyone in response, though Ryuu questioned whether he should be there or not. He wasn't in school per his own wishes to work at his age, and now he felt like a pawn in some giant game in the club. However, he was under orders of Rena, and without question he followed her every command to the point. That, he thought comically, was how much he loved her.
"You guys…I don't want to play games today, ok?" pleaded Rika. She tried her best to get past Keiichi and Mion near the doorway, however, Rena went into take it home mode and took Rika by the hips to spin her around.
"Oh Rika-chan, you're sooo cute when you plead!" Rena giggled. The others just grinned and sweated all the while; fully confident that Rika would not get out of this room. Even Rena could hold a death grip on people if she wanted to.
"You guys…if Rika-chan doesn't want to play, you should just let her go home then…right?"
Hanyuu, for the first time in a while, spoke up to everyone in the group, even surprising Rika in mid swinging on Rena's part. She didn't look Rika in the eyes, but stood nervously on the spot telling the others to stop. Mion looked in Shion's direction, having planned for something like this to happen.
"No. We're the Game Club, and we do whatever it takes to win and have some fun. And right now, I think we all can use some fun after all the work we did the other day, right guys?" resounded Mion with pride. The others except for Rika and Hanyuu cheered in support.
"Everyone…I know what you're doing and…" Rika tried to plead once more to her friends, but this time was taken off guard by Shion taking a box out of nowhere and placing it in front of her.
"Ok then. We'll leave it to random chance then, right Sis?"
Shion placed their mystery box in front of the young maiden. Rika looked confused as to what was going on, and so glared at everyone else in the group. Keiichi spoke up and instructed Rika what to do.
"How's this then? We'll place four balls into the box; 3 colored red and one blue. If you pull out the red ball from the enclosed box, we'll let you leave. If you pull the blue ball, you have to play today's games and our penalties too. You have a 75% chance of winning. Agreed?"
Rika looked at the box, eyeing the two balls Keiichi placed into the enclosed container. She saw firsthand how they were placed in there, and saw no other way that this could be tricking her. Sighing, she gave into their little game and took a shot in the darkness.
"Fine, I'll go along with this little ploy of yours. If I get the red one, I get to go home."
"Then go ahead and decide your fate, Rika-chan…" smiled Rena, darkly this time.
Rika went up and looked at the top of the box for a moment. Sighing again, she put her hand into the opening and pushed past the rubber shield to reach into the container. Feeling around the wood bottom, she heard the rolling of the balls as she wiggled her hand around. Eventually, she found one of the balls and slowly pulled it out to show everyone. Praying for good luck, she hoped it was the red one.
But things are never as they appear to be in the Game Club.
"What! A blue ball?" Rika looked at the blue ball in her hand with astonishment
"What a shame, Rika-chan! Guess luck isn't on your side today. This should make you easy pickings for the penalty game then! O ho ho ho!" piped Satoko from nearby. Rika turned to her close friend with some discontent, wondering why everyone was so adamant on her staying today.
"You guys cheated, didn't you? If I pull the other ones out, then…"
To her second surprise that day, Rika pulled the other remaining balls out only to find that indeed there were only three red balls remaining in the box. She could have sworn that Keiichi switched them out after putting the blue ball back into the box, however, she couldn't find any way for it to have happened.
"Not this time Rika-chan. Like you agreed, you're playing with us today." Shion pronounced in her sing-song voice again, smiling.
"Yup, you have to play our game today. So you might as well have fun with everyone else. I'm sure that Hanyuu-chan will be ecstatic to have her partner again." Rena pushed Rika forward towards the group, making sure she didn't try and run away again.
Under the shroud of the mystery box, Keiichi and Mion grinned darkly in the states of their minds, giving one another a praiseworthy nudge from the completion of the first phase of the operation. It was quite simple really. When Keiichi put the balls back into the box at first, he lifted an inner bottom panel and locked it in place in quick succession to reveal only a box filled with blue balls. After Rika picked the ball and he recovered it, he placed the ball back into the box and at the same time lowered the panel to reveal the original set of 3 red balls and 1 blue ball again.
*Never saw it coming!* Mion and Keiichi thought in unison.
/
At mentioning Hanyuu being her partner for the game, as it was usually the norm, Rika suddenly understood what exactly the others were planning. Her friends weren't oblivious to see that even Rika and Hanyuu could have their moments of doubt for one another, and apparently that showed as of late in class and at home. Rika sighed and gave in; interested to see where this was all going. However, she still harbored uneasy feelings for Hanyuu; unsure of how to resolve their dismay from the previous Sunday.
"Fine…you guys win. What game, then, will you want to play?" Rika sighed, looking at the others with wonder. If they were going to do what she thought, then obviously Rika and Hanyuu would be the involved pair.
"That's the spirit Rika-chan. Well then, we're going to play our favorite game: Zombie Tag!"
"What? No board games?" asked Rika again, this time feigning interest.
*Figures, one of the few games which need partners…* she thought.
"Nope. Today will require teamwork. The pairings will be Kei-kun and I, Sis and Satoshi-kun, Rena-chan and Ryuu-san, and Hanyuu-chan and you!" Shion smiled, beginning to think of ways in which to help Hanyuu and Rika, and at the same time get one up on her sister and Keiichi. With Satoshi as her partner, they could easily manage a victory under the right circumstances.
"Wait, what about me Mi-chan?" Satoko looked a little hurt from being left out; however, Mion just smiled and allowed that answer to appear in the next few moments.
"I'll be your partner, Satoko-chan. I think we'll give these guys a run for their money…"
"Eh? Komoto?" A majority of the group except Mion were shocked that he suddenly appeared today. Usually, Komoto would only come a few times in the week, but lately he'd been showing up more. Thankfully for Satoko, he arrived at the school just in time for the club activities. Coming into the room, Komoto found Mizuho cleaning, went up to her and lightly kissed her on the lips. The others, especially Mion and Keiichi, were glad that fate seemed to be working in their favor. However, putting a weapon's expert with a trap master would prove too much in the end, they feared.
"Done with work early today love?" asked Mizuho. Komoto smiled and nodded.
"Yup, and with just enough time to spare for the club too! So I hear its Zombie Tag, right Keiichi?" asked Komoto. Keiichi went up to him and nodded, but at the same time told him of their plan.
"Yeah, but listen, it seems like Rika-chan and Hanyuu-chan are having a bit of a mishap lately. So we're going to try and have them sort out their problems with Zombie Tag. At least it will have them talking to one another again. Just go along with it, ok?" whispered Keiichi. Komoto looked on at the others, but agreed to the idea. He wanted to help as much as he could, but since it was their game he would stay at the sidelines with Satoko. If anything, he had a good idea to get Rika and Hanyuu to talk again.
"Ok, sounds good. I've never played Zombie Tag before, but this should be interesting!"
-Outside 10 Minutes Later-
"Ok you guys, the rules are the same. Four pairs will run around while one pair starts out as the zombie group. The game will last one hour. Whoever is left standing and is not a zombie will be the winner. However, since this involves pairs, the partner can either join the ranks of the living dead with their partner or run away and try to survive. Furthermore, tagging a person is only constituted by physical contact! Just touching the clothing isn't enough. Got it guys!"
"Roger!"
"Oh, if Satoshi-kun became a zombie I would join him without a second thought!" piped Shion, eyeing her sister in a playful manner. Mion suddenly turned on Shion and stuck her tongue out, raising a fist in anger to her.
"Hey! What makes you think I wouldn't do the same for Kei-kun? If he ever became a zombie I'd let him bite me no matter what!"
"Eh, I'm not sure about that Mi-chan. If you became a zombie I'd just put you out of your misery and run away myself…"
"Grr!"
*PUNCH!*
"Hehehe…some man you have there, Sis…" stated Shion, pointing her fingers up in a "V" for victory.
As if Keiichi couldn't joke around more with Mion that day, he managed to earn himself yet another punch to the head in part due to Mion's fist. She fumed at the ears from Keiichi's lack of loyalty, she having just professed that if he were to become a zombie she would let him feast on her brains for the sake of their eternal love, whereas he would place a bullet straight between her eyes in retrospect and run off scot free. For now, Keiichi lied in a heap on the ground, a large bump swelling out of his skull. Shion and Satoshi, as well as the others, almost keeled over in laughter at seeing this small event, however, for Hanyuu and Rika things were different. They just looked at their friend, yet, didn't say a word to one another. It was still unclear whether or not the ice would be broken between the two of them.
*This is…going to be unusual…* thought Rika.
*Rika-chan…I…* thought Hanyuu.
As if on cue, Satoko and Komoto appeared from the school, carrying a bag of items hidden from the others' views. They just grinned at seeing Keiichi suddenly put himself in a position to earn one of Mion's infamous attacks. Before coming outside, though, they had reviewed their plans to put into effect later on.
"Grr…Kei-kun! How could you!" shouted Mion, angry at her lover's betrayal. Keiichi slowly got up, rubbed his head, and grinned slightly.
"Ouch! Hey, hey, I was just kidding Mi-chan. I'd become a zombie for you any day…"
"Psh…doesn't sound like it! Hmph!" Mion looked the other way, mad about her only chance to fight her sister in a battle of wits.
"Ok then guys, we'll pick straws. Whoever gets the shortest one becomes the starting zombie team and counts to 100. After that, it's fair game. You can go anywhere on the school grounds for the remainder of the game. And remember, if you're tagged you become a zombie too!" declared Rena. She held out a bunch of straws in front of everyone, to which they quickly grabbed their stick. In her hand, it seemed like they were all the same length, however; using both hands to cover them and giving no indication to which one was the odd one out, they had to pick with random chance.
"Phew! Safe!" stated Satoshi.
"Guess we're safe too!" Rika said, now moving past Hanyuu to the sidelines. For a mere moment, as Rena's and even Satoko's pairs revealed normal straws, Rika looked at Hanyuu and noticed that she was smiling. For some odd reason, Rika felt Hanyuu would just act like her old, subservient self for this game.
"What? Damn, I didn't think we would become the zombies…" Mion bit her fingernail, unsatisfied with this sudden change of plans. Originally, Rena was supposed to make Rika pick the shorter straw, however; as fate would have it Keiichi and Mion were destined to be the zombies. The original objective was to have Rika and Hanyuu be forced to work together and catch the others, but now it would be less likely. For all they knew, Rika could leave Hanyuu stranded or vice versa by running off by themselves. Rena only smiled on, giggling with Ryuu about Mion's discontent.
"Sorry Mi-chan, but rules are rules. Count on down and we'll begin, ok?"
"Ugh! Fine, 100…"
"Everybody, to the high hills!" yelled Komoto, rushing off with Satoko on hand towards their hiding spots. From there it would be trap making and ambushes for the others.
"99…"
"Quick Satoshi-kun, follow me!" yelled Shion. Satoshi just sighed and followed in pursuit, heading away towards a nearby shack. Once inside they could barricade themselves from the others and manage to hold out until the game was over.
"98…"
"Rena-chan, this way!" Ryuu whispered, heading to the back of the school and around a couple corners. He had a good idea about where to hide, likewise did Rena share the same thoughts.
"97…"
"Hmm…I wonder which way? Auauau…"
Hanyuu looked somewhat worried as to where she should start hiding. However, Rika merely nudged her with a finger and startled her. Once Hanyuu realized what was going on, she found Rika pointing towards the forest and heading out. Hanyuu could only guess that she should follow in suit.
"96…95…94…93…"
As Mion counted down while still holding a small bit of displeasure from the outcome of events, Keiichi began to brush himself off and turned to face the same wall as Mion did. He sighed, realizing the others were already well away from their area.
"Hmm…at least with all the training we've been getting it should be easy to find and tag them, right Mi-chan? Eh…Mi-chan?"
Keiichi looked at Mion, slowly wavering to and fro as she stood facing the wall. Her loud counting became nothing more than murmurs and grunts, whereas Keiichi looked on with confusion. Keiichi noticed her odd behavior quickly, and just as it looked like Mion would fall forward, Keiichi caught her mid-drift concerned about her wellbeing.
"Ah, Mi-chan, are you alright?"
"Mmm…mammm…" Mion's voice went, incoherent…
"Eh?"
"Keeeeeeiiii-kuuuuuuunnn…." Mion raised her head, her eyes comically blank of life and her mouth salivating; her whole being earnestly looking at what seemed like her next meal.
*Oh God…this can't be good! Help me!* Keiichi screamed in his mind, looking at Mion with utter disbelief. Suddenly, Mion threw herself into Keiichi with enough force to knock him on the ground, pinning him down more or less. It was funny to see how she was always on top of him lately…
"MI-CHAN! What are you…"
"BRAAAAAAIIIIINS…"
*Glomp*
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH" screamed Keiichi, crying with laughter and squirming from all the tickling.
Mion had thrown herself right on top of Keiichi and then began to bite him tenderly on the neck, causing Keiichi to feel a mixed flurry of pleasure and at the same time pain. With her tongue, Mion began to playfully tease Keiichi, causing him to scream out in ecstasy and torment; his echo reaching the edges of the playing field. The others looked back from their positions for a mere moment, hearing Keiichi's screams as Mion tortured him.
"What the hell was that?" they all whispered in unison.
Back where Mion was hilariously "eating" Keiichi's neck, and at the same time tickling him to near death, Mion groaned like a zombie, completely in character for the few moments remaining on the countdown.
*Take that Kei-kun! Serves you right!* she grinned darkly, eventually causing Keiichi to give in and get up with her. Keiichi had what looked like a large bite mark on his neck, although it could have easily have been said to be a hickey.
"Geez…Mi-chan, I was just joking before…but that was pretty fun though!" he chimed, beginning to go with her towards the school for the others. In the meantime, Hanyuu and Rika would be left till the end.
"I know, but still…we…want…BRAAAAIIINNS…." Mion began walking like a zombie in their respective direction, really playing out her role as a Zombie Tag player. Keiichi just smiled and grinned.
*Guess she really wants to play this role. Oh well…*
"Mmmm….BRAIIIIIINNS….." joined in Keiichi.
As they slowly dragged their feet for a while till they found a reasonable area to begin searching, Keiichi and Mion started to look for their first victims. They hoped, however, that the amount of time they could spare in the hour would be left for Rika and Hanyuu to resolve their differences and make up. That, they prayed, to hopefully happen in this game.
Little did they know, thanks in due part to Satoko's traps and Komoto's careful planning, this need to resolve disputes would be accomplished from this game. That, and about 20 feet of rope…
/
The two young girls ran up the hill, their lungs on fire as they tried their best to outrun their opponents. With the hill climbing ever so higher, they found sanctuary in the fact that it at least plateaud at some point. By the time they caught their breath and looked back down the hill, they could see the rooftops of their school; that and Keiichi and Mion picking up on the trail of Shion and Satoshi somewhere. It seemed Mion had a lust for her sister's blood after the previous comment was made, and given that were now trying to find a way into an old school shed. Rika could even see Shion and Satoshi crying for help as Keiichi managed to get inside an offset window nearby. Only then were their screams heard, causing Rika to crouch down low near a tree.
Elsewhere, Satoko and Komoto were off conniving god knows what in the opposite end of the area, whereas Rena and Ryuu were nowhere to be found. All that remained in that moment of regaining some oxygen in their bodies was the awkwardness between Rika and Hanyuu. Even after being forced to team up and participate in this game, Rika still held some ill feelings for Hanyuu. However, she still felt guilty for slapping her best friend across the cheek. What she could make of it all, though, was the possibility that she was trying to make the matters worse somehow.
*Therefore…I have to try and fix this then. I'm just as much to blame as Hanyuu is…maybe even more so…* Rika thought all the while.
As they rested at the top of the hill for a few much needed moments, Hanyuu raised her head, sweat beading down her forehead, and looked at Rika. Rika did the same, their glare at one another a stalemate almost. When they both caught their breath again, Rika noticed Hanyuu wasn't acting like her happy self. This time, Hanyuu was much more serious than before. For this, Rika decided to remain in a wise state of mind.
"Wow, that hill was pretty high, huh Rika-chan?" asked Hanyuu.
"It…appears so…" she replied, out of breath.
The awkwardness between them emerged again from the silence in their surroundings. As the light from the sky above rayed down between the leaves of the trees, it gave almost a serene feeling to their area. For a few moments, they said nothing, yet continued to stare at one another. It wasn't until Rika sat down and sighed that the silence was finally broken.
"I guess you and I are at another standstill. It figures…you and I always find ourselves in this kind of situation, huh?" Rika rested her head against a nearby tree limb, enjoying the moment to relax. Hanyuu didn't move at all during this time, only peering into Rika's depths even more; as if trying to figure out a solution to their problem.
"Rika…do you…hate me?"
This sudden question caused Rika to look at Hanyuu wide eyed for once in complete disbelief. She shook her head quickly; shocked that Hanyuu would ever ask such a thing.
"No way! I could never hate you Hanyuu-chan. Why would you…"
"I'm asking…because lately I get the feeling that you and I are growing apart. You haven't talked to me for almost a week since…I've left the hospital and…you always seem mad at me. That's why I'm asking you Rika…" Hanyuu casted a shadow over her face, her purple bangs masking her features. Rika still looked on, trying to sway her opinion.
"That's not true…I…I…just…" Rika tried to compose herself quickly, thinking Hanyuu was getting the wrong impression with each passing moment. "I…don't hate you at all. I could never hate someone I care for so much. You're my best friend Hanyuu…you and I have been through everything together since the cycle of Fate began. You never left my side, nor did you ever give up with our ambitions to break the cycle. If it wasn't for you…I would have lost this game a long time ago and resigned to Takano's dead end. You mean everything to me Hanyuu…"
What Rika said made Hanyuu look up with surprise, some tears forming in the side of her eyes. She smiled weakly at Rika, trying to wipe away the tears. When she calmed down a bit, Hanyuu moved closer and sat down with Rika.
"I didn't know you felt that way about me…Hauu…"
"What, did you think I was keeping you around to torture with sake and spicy food?"
They stared at one another for a moment, and then both burst out laughing uncontrollably. When they were through with their small bout of humor, they both wore smiles on their faces, glad to see some progress was being made after everything that happened. However, there was still the matter of regaining the trust from one another.
"Still…Hanyuu…after what I said at the hospital the other day…"
Rika looked down at her fists, too nervous to look Hanyuu in the eyes for once. Hanyuu remained silent, letting Rika have her say first.
"Go on…"
"I'm sorry for hitting you like that. I should have never raised a hand to you. I just…felt like something overcame me…an anger I've never felt before…" Somehow, during this moment, Hanyuu picked up on Rika's mentioning of anger. As she methodically thought it over, she allowed Rika to continue speaking her mind. "…and I was angry at you for not being honest with me and the others. Hanyuu…if you know something about what the future holds, then I'm…"
"You're going to assume a lot of things about me Rika-chan…some things you wouldn't ever believe. You even said so yourself that you're questioning whether or not I'm on your side…"
"Are you on our side, Hanyuu?"
"Rika…I have been and always will be on your side. That will never change. However, you and I are meant for different paths in the future. One of us will go on, whereas the other will remain…"
"What do you mean? Hanyuu…you're not going to leave me, are you?"
Hanyuu remained silent for quite some time. She sighed here and there, and her eyes drifted around the area as if to search for something. Just as Rika was about to press on the matter, Hanyuu looked at her again solemnly and replied.
"There will come a day where I will not be here anymore, Rika-chan. You will go on living, and I will eventually die. That time I can not tell you; for all I know I will die of old age and you will remain the granny…" Hanyuu chuckled at this thought, but still, it seemed she was causing Rika more sadness than joy in receiving these answers. "…but that is life, Rika-chan. We will all die someday, whether or not it is today, tomorrow or 90 years from now. Rika-chan, my fate…my destiny will be much different than yours. That is all I know of the future. If you are looking for answers as to what may happen if Evil invades Hinamizawa, then I have none I can give you. All I know is…all I can feel…is that for once, everything is the way it should be. This is the last world…our last world together…and somehow I know you will make me proud in the end. Nipah!"
For what seemed like many years, Rika took this thought to heart and finally understood what Hanyuu was trying to convey to her all along. From what Rika could see, this was her friend Hanyuu; the same yet ever changing demi-god of Hinamizawa. For all she knew, Hanyuu was on her side and still with her in this fight. However, as much as she thought about it, she was still worried for what may lay ahead in their final fight against Evil. Satisfied for the time being with Hanyuu's heartfelt statement, Rika resigned herself to waiting for now.
"Then I suppose you want me to just go on with my life and let things come as they may, right?" Rika stared at Hanyuu again, hoping that maybe somewhere down the line that this choice would work out for everyone in the end.
"That is so. Live happily Rika-chan, and don't worry yourself with all of this. I know we'll pull through again when the time comes, you'll see. You just need to have faith in me, ok?" Hanyuu smiled again at Rika, and with all said and done Rika could only smile back. She sighed again, though, still willing herself to press on and find answers, but if Hanyuu was telling her everything would be fine then she herself should be content…right?
"Fine, I'll do that then. But when Evil does rear its face, I'll be right there full and ready. Got it?"
"Hau! That's the Rika I know!"
They both got up and brushed themselves off, happy that everything was settled. With their bonds to one another stronger than ever, except for their mental states, they hugged each other and looked around their surroundings again. They forgot, during their moments of conversation, that they were still in a dangerous punishment game.
"Muuuuu…"
"Eh? Hanyuu-chan, did your stomach just growl?"
"Muuuu…uuu…uuu"
"Hauauau…it's not me Rika-chan! I ate enough creampuffs before playing the game."
"Then…what is that sound?"
"Muuuuuuu….BRAIIIINS!"
As Rika saw on Hanyuu's ghost white face and mumbling delirium, she turned around to find what seemed to be a zombie-like Satoshi moving forward, dragging his feet with his arms raised. His expression could have been said to be humorous, but in this dire moment Rika and Hanyuu were catapulted into a situation of life and death. As Satoshi raised his arms to try and grab Rika, Hanyuu thankfully pulled her friend away in time, only to fall on one another on a heap in the group.
"UGH! Ow, that hurt!"
"You alright Rika-chan?"
"Yeah, I'm fine…but soon we won't be…"
"MMMMM…..BRRRAAAAAAIIIINS….."
As Rika and Hanyuu looked around again, they discovered everyone else except for Satoko and Komoto was present. However, their friends seemingly converged on the two girls, ready to mockingly feast on their prey. It looked as if Keiichi and Mion did better than they thought in the time Hanyuu and Rika were away. They managed to get Ryuu and Rena, Satoshi and even Shion to join their ranks of the undead.
"Wait a minute? How did you get everyone so quickly Keiichi-sir?" asked Rena, looking scared. It seemed like there were no exits in this situation.
"Funny you should ask. Once we tagged Satoshi-kun, Shi-chan was all too thrilled to give up and become a zombie like us! It was only a matter of time till we found Ryuu and Rena-chan hiding on the school roof!" replied Keiichi, his arms wiggling in a tormenting fashion. Like always, usually when their attackers surrounded an unsuspecting foe, the only outcome was either being tagged, or tagged and tickled to near death. Keiichi and the others seemed like they were in on getting the latter of the choices.
However, Rika always had a plan…
"Then tell me how you got all those bruises then?" connived Rika, smiling deviously.
"Ah, well you see Ryuu didn't give up easily…"
"Next time try not grabbing by injured arm cousin!" spouted Ryuu, nursing his arm in a way which seemed like he hurt it again. Keiichi just shrugged it off and refocused on the two girls again.
"Oh, but that doesn't explain the hickey marks on you and Satoshi, does it?"
"EH! Umm…well I did that to Kei-kun, but…" Mion flustered a bit, trying to dissuade the others from such a topic. However, Shion stepped in and made a prideful stand.
"I on the other hand did that to Satoshi-kun after he bit me and allowed me to remain a zombie in as a symbol of our undying love! Satoshi-kun and I will remain together even after death itself! That's why…"
"Umm…Shi-chan, I know we're in love and all, but you just let them escape…"
"I know I love you Satoshi-kun and…what? A re?"
In a comical way, Shion looked dumbstruck on the spot as she watched Rika and Hanyuu bolt down the tree line into the deeper parts of the woods. The others just looked at Shion as she allowed the two small girls to merely run past her in her moment of declaration. It didn't take them long to push the thought away and start to follow in pursuit.
"Damn it Sis! You let them get away!" yelled Mion. She gritted her teeth at Shion, wondering why her sister could be so dramatic in the worst of situations.
"Why did I let them get away? The question you should be asking yourself is why you guys let them get away!" retorted Shion. She and Mion sent electricity between their eyes, their tempers rising with each moment.
"Hey you guys just chill, ok?" stated Keiichi.
"Muu…yeah, we'll catch them if we keep…"
"QUIET YOU TWO!" yelled Shion and Mion.
*Gulp* "Yes ma'am…" said Keiichi and Satoshi in unison. However, they both thought of something else at the same time.
*Must be that time of the month again…*
/
"Rika-chan, that was amazing! How did you know that would work?" asked Hanyuu, panting as they made their way towards another tree line. Rika smirked as they ran faster to their safe zone.
"Hanyuu…I'm willing to try anything if I'm put in a situation like that. I just happened to utilize Shion and Mion's rivalry of boyfriends for the moment, that's all." Rika prided herself for her quick thinking, but all in all that's just what it was that moment.
As the two girls ran faster, they could feel the other's catching up on their tail. Shion and Mion seemed like they were bloodthirsty, almost as if the victor would be decided by whomever would tag the girls first, whereas Keiichi, Satoshi and the others looked on desperately. While the two girls ran and looked back on the others, they didn't happen to notice the trip rope at their ankles. Once the two girls tripped the rope, they suddenly felt as light as air; their views suddenly perceiving the world as flipped upside down.
"Woah!"
"HAUAUAUA!"
Mion and the others came to a screeching halt, realizing that their two friends had set off probably one of Satoko's infamous traps. Rika and Hanyuu dangled at the top of the trees from thick rope, circling while trying to keep their clothes from falling over their faces.
"Geez, you guys ok?" asked Ryuu, putting a hand over his eyes to block the glare from the sun.
"Yeah…but if this is one of Satoko's traps, she can't be too far off…"
Right on cue, everyone heard from a nearby bush Satoko's ever distinguishing laugh. She rose with Komoto from their hideout, chuckling together at the other's misfortune.
"O HO HO HO! You can never beat the great trap master Satoko Hojou! O HO HO HO!"
"Totally fell for that one guys! Too bad, looks like we win!"
"OH AS IF! ZOMBIE HORDE, IT'S FEASTING TIME!"
"Eh?"
As Mion ordered everyone to surround their new prey, Rika and Hanyuu watched on at Satoko and Komoto's utter misfortune. In light of their successful trap, it seemed that they had forgotten to take into account that in order to win all other opposing teams needed to be tagged. With Rika and Hanyuu almost twenty feet in the air, that only left the young trap master and warfare expert as the most likely targets.
"NO! Stay away!" piped Satoko, trying to find an exit. Satoshi and Shion moved in on her quickly, tackling her with tickles and zombie-like sounds. She began to cry out in laughter as they relentlessly hit her funny bone countless times.
"Keiichi…Mion…if you two think you're going to stand a chance then…" Komoto tried to stand his ground, his fists raised in the air like this was a life or death situation. He narrowed his eyes, ready for anything that would come his way. That's when he suddenly realized Ryuu and Rena were at his heels, holding him down for an unexpected attack.
"Get him you guys!" squealed Rena, giddy in the fact that she would aid the others in beating Komoto. Ryuu and Rena casted mischievous eyes while smiling darkly at Komoto.
"Roger that!" resounded Mion, throwing herself into Komoto with Keiichi at his side. Their attack was much worse, causing Komoto to literally cry tears of laughter. He squirmed all around, trying to escape this never ending torture. However, as it seemed there was a small ray of hope for escape as he slowly crawled out of the fray, he felt his feet being dragged right back into the melee with another barrage of tickles coming.
"AAHAHAAHAH…Ok…I…AHAHAH…Surrender….AHAHAHAHAH…QUIT IT DAMNIT…AHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH!"
"Well…I guess it's a good thing we ran into the trap, huh Hanyuu?" asked Rika, the blood slowly rushing to her head.
"That is so. Nipah!"
/
As the group walked home, except for Komoto and Mizuho for they had left by car already, they laughed about their fun game from before. With the normal rules applying to the penalties, given that Rika and Hanyuu had won the day, the others were dressed in what was said to be rather intimate and fitting clothes.
Mion and Keiichi both wore maid outfits; however in Mion's arsenal of cosplay clothing she failed to remember removing one of her collars and chains. Granted, this entitled the two to both wear collars which were chained to one another. Their made outfits, very stylish ones at that, were very suitable to the two. Black dresses donned with white maid aprons had displayed their rather submissive penalty for that matter.
"Well…there goes my maid-less streak. And it was a record too…" sulked Keiichi, giving up on his dismay of wearing such clothing. Mion just smirked at his side, her hands behind her head as they walked.
"Nah, it suits you I think. Plus the collar isn't so bad, right Kei-kun?" Mion looked at him with a seductive look, causing Keiichi to wonder if she would literally rape him later with love. Not that he didn't mind, it was who they were; two perverts in love.
For Satoshi, Rika picked out a cute puppy dog set; complete with ears, tail and paws. Shion, on the other hand, was dressed like a cat; black ears, a long tail and even a small collar with a large bell. Satoshi merely went on as if it were normal, though was timid when other villagers looked on at their unusual attires. Shion, though, smiled on; unable to keep herself out of an unlikely bout of "take it home" mode. Rena merely looked on with a small pout, sad to see that Shion took her characteristic cute mode away.
"Nyah! Satoshi-kun looks soooo cute! I'm definitely taking you home with me, you cute doggy you!" singed Shion.
"Muu…I mean…graw…yes master…" sighed Satoshi. Once Shion patted his head, though, did he manage a strong smile in her direction, blushing all the while.
For Rena and Ryuu, though, they had no choice but to wear baby-like clothing; bibs, small hats and all. Ryuu was even forced, thanks in part with efforts from Keiichi, to suck on a pacifier. He stomped on the way back home, a wish for vengeance with each crater he left behind in the dirt.
*Going…to kill…Keiichi…with bare hands…* he thought, jokingly of course.
"Wow, I think it suits you very well, ya baby!" smirked Keiichi, getting the final chop in on Ryuu that day. Just as Ryuu was about to sucker punch Keiichi, Rena came up with a look in her eyes, suddenly grabbing Ryuu and swinging him around.
"AUAUAU! I'M GOING TO TAKE YOU HOME WITH ME!" squealed Rena, as the others distanced themselves from her dangerous "take it home mode" routine.
*Just…let me die God…please…* thought Ryuu again, crying while still sucking on the pacifier.
Finally for Satoko, Rika and Hanyuu decided that they would get some small form of payback as punishment for her part in this little plan of Mion's. Instead of some cosplay which was in the form of some maid or animal, she was forced to submit to three days of pampering Rika and Hanyuu. During that time, Satoko would have to refer to them as "Master", clean the house, and even do everything they asked. She was, on the other hand, not satisfied with this penalty.
"WHY THE HELL do I have to get the worst penalty out of all you guys? Explain to me again how the others get to only wear cosplay and I get stuck with being your personal slave for three days?" spouted Satoko, anger flushing her cheeks red. Rika idly just turned around and gave her an answer.
"Well, you did set that trap on us and even tried to leave us for dead in the game…" stated Rika, looking at Satoko with one eye.
"Nano desu! And besides, you didn't get the worst punishment anyway…" replied Hanyuu.
"Yup, rules are rules Satoko, so deal with it. At least you're not a slave for a whole summer like Kei-kun was." Mion smiled at the thought of having Keiichi as a slave again for three whole months, but she instantly brushed it off given that they would be moved in soon together. After marriage, Keiichi was hers for life.
*Oh, the fun I will have…muhahahahha!* she thought darkly.
"Wait, if I didn't get the worst punishment, then who did?" asked Satoko, confused. The others stopped walking and looked at one another thinking this over.
"She's right guys, I was thinking that too. By the way, what did Komoto get for a punishment?" asked Keiichi, rubbing his chin a little in thought.
"Oh, I let Mizuho-sensei decide that one. But it was funny; after he tried pleading to me for mercy Mizuho-sensei came right up behind him and graciously took up the offer. The look on his face was priceless as he went home; Mizuho driving the car with him in the back seat; a chain wrapped around his neck as a mark of slavery. And all the while, Mizuho hummed a tune that showed she was the happiest woman on Earth that moment."
"Hmm…I wonder what she'll do to him?" stated Shion.
Everyone thought this one over for a bit, then like lightening hitting a dry tree it dawned on them to think otherwise. Just thinking of Komoto pleading for mercy in their house as Mizuho did some dastardly act against nature on his pour soul sent shivers down their spines. They all imagined Mizuho dressed in tight latex, holding a chain to Komoto's collar as he cried in mercy. The maniacal laughter of their teacher as she whipped Komoto for pain and pleasure gave each of them a sickly feeling in the back of their minds.
"I guess…I have it easy, right guys?" restated Satoko nervously. The others were quick to agree, causing Rika and Hanyuu to laugh deeply.
As the others looked on, they thought in unison of their successful plan that day. They even managed to have Hanyuu and Rika fix whatever seemed broken between them. Happy to know that they did a job well done, they said their respectful goodbyes at the crossroads and headed home for the night, exhausted from a long day of fun and play.
/
"So it seems like Hanyuu-chan is confident that everything will be alright. That is more than enough for me to know that the future is in good hands. Reimei-san, if this is it then I will take my leave from this place and return to a game that is much more interesting than this one…" stated Bernkastel.
They were again in Reimei Ryuu's Meta-world room, sitting while drinking tea idly. Bernkastel finished her cup and rose from her seat tired of the man's lack of effort in showing her the purpose of his presence in this world. This only caused Reimei to frown in her direction, and at the same time giving him an idea.
"So you still don't see the Truth in this world, huh Bernkastel? That's too bad; because I'll say otherwise that things are about to really get interesting. It's all part of the path they all follow…that is, just until that path leads off a cliff unto infinite paths. Whatever happens after that point, I assure you, you will have your fill of amusement; whether you want it or not!" he retorted, stopping Bernkastel dead in her tracks.
She turned around and studied him for a bit, trying to determine if he was telling the truth or not. To this, she decided to come up with an old trick of hers to get a quick answer. Smirking, she sat down in her chair again and faced him head on; willed to see just how far this rabbit hole of his went.
"If you are so knowledgeable about Truths, then why not make this a small game of ours? If you are truly connected to Komoto Hagara's former eye abilities and then some, then you will already have knowledge of the use of Blue Truths and Red Truths; just like in Battler's game. State for me in Blue some theory which is plausible but could be refuted, and therefore keep my interest in seeing this through. Or state a definite truth in Red if you really wish to seal the deal. What do you say?"
"No…that's too boring even for me, Bernkastel."
Surprisingly, Bernkastel wasn't expecting Reimei's sudden distaste for her idea. She sat perplexed as to his state of mind, wondering exactly what he wanted from her. In the next few moments, though, Reimei would create something different for her to become interested in.
"Then what do you suppose, if not using the truths to…"
"I said I was bored with your truths, not the entire concept of them. I'll go along with your game, but this time I'll use my own form of truths. How about this then Bernkastel…"
Reimei rose from his seat with a smirk, standing tall in the center of the area, his body directly in the center symmetrically with the light and dark halves of the shifting contrasts of the room.
"Hmm?"
"You forget, everything to me is about a balance. And in that balance comes the Truth. So here is my own rendition of the use of Truths. First…" Reimei allowed the room to shift to either light or dark, depending on the means to his ends. "You will state a question which you would like to pose to me. Anything at all, except a direct question like "What is the Evil in Hinamizawa?". In response, I will give you answers. First, I will state something in Black. My Black Truth is something that is a fact. Second, I will use my White Truth: anything which I will deem as a solid truth. If I combine the two, I will give you a Twilight Truth: that which is definite law that can not be refuted in any way, shape or form. Do you accept my proposal?"
If there was one thing about this man, Bernkastel thought, it was his hidden ability to keep interest in the smallest of things. She only smiled and nodded in response. Taking no time to prolong the matter, she moved forward in her seat and announced her first question.
"Ok then, allow me to start. My first question is: Why have my memories stopped at the finding of the journal?" This question, which had been nagging Bernkastel's mind for some time, finally came into discussion with Reimei. He smiled, as if already knowing this was to be her first question.
"In Black: The journal was purposely left there many years ago for this world…" Just as Reimei said this, everything became black in the room except for the white outlines of their bodies and the objects around them. As well, words encircled them in a blaring white light, conveying his exact words. He then continued. "In White: A journal is used to convey a message to someone in time, whether it is for them or someone else. A journal can also be used to store a memory for later use." Just like before, the room became white except for the black outlines and the black words encircling them again. Bernkastel looked on in amazement at this display of using truths.
"But that doesn't answer my question at all, Reimei-san…"
"Let me finish…in Twilight: Bernkastel's memories stopped upon Rika finding the journal because this world is a new world. That, and Bernkastel's memories are incomplete!"
Like Reimei intended from the beginning, he was hell bent on shattering Bernkastel's image of this world. And to do so, he started with this sudden fact. For all that Bernkastel had, her memories, her entire being even, were incomplete. She sat back in her chair, now with a look of disbelief, unable to form the next words out of her mouth.
Everything one knew would crumble down, in more ways than one.
/
Memories are nothing more than times,
Remembered when we feel the need to.
For in our memories we hold our Past,
But that still doesn't make up the Present,
For we need to hope for a Future,
To know our Destiny.
I wrote everything I knew into a book once,
To convey my Future hopes,
That one day a Sin from the Past,
Would be forgiven in the Present,
To save everyone we loved and cared for.
Especially the Mother,
Who Sinned in the first place,
Without ever intending to.
This I do for you…
Next Time on Hinamizawa Hell: "The Truth of Fate" Arc, Chapter 7: The Beginning of the End.
Could you ever believe this?