A/N:The thing is that Tooi no Koe is one of my favorite stories online, but I don't have many ideas for it now. So I'm updating One Last Chance today.

Chapter 9 Confessions of a 100-year old Shrine Maiden

Rika Furude stared at the young man in front of her in bewilderment. What on earth was he talking about? Why was he saying something this unbelievable to HER? Did he suspect her of being more than she seemed? If so, then this was one of the first occasions where her true identity was actually suspected by someone who wasn't crazy or losing their mind. She was shocked at this notion, however.

The likelihood of this boy even KNOWING her true identity was close to none; however, he was the closest one to guess that she wasn't a child. How did he know, though? Why was he foolish enough to admit to her that he was a detective? Didn't he know better than to disclose a fact like that in a village that despised detectives utterly?

Perhaps he had no idea of just how much danger he was already putting himself in. She should warn him at the very least of how foolhardy he was being. Even talking to her was risky. Takano could be watching over her at any time with those Yamainu of hers, and she would no doubt be quite eager to turn these boys into her pawns. It had happened before with Keiichi, Rena and Shion. All Takano and Oishii had to do was suggest a few bad things about the village's past and all of them had easily fallen for it, hook, line and sinker.

She didn't want that to happen to Kudo Shinichi. He was far too innocent and she admitted that she was starting to grow fond of him and his antics. He was serious in a way that she could understand and he didn't act condescending towards her at all. Most adults or teenagers just misinterpreted her sage words of wisdom as a kid trying to act like an adult or a smart-ass.

"Kudou Shinichi, I do not understand what you mean by the term. Are you sure you're not making this up? As far as I know, I am nothing but a child."

"Don't lie to me. You act too much like an adult for it to be anything but the truth. Tell me, just WHO are you?" Shinichi challenged.

"I'm caught now, huh? I'm not Rika Furude. I am someone who looks like her and talks like her, but I am not her. I am her alter ego. I am one who has suffered many hardships to get to where I am at today. I have lived for a long time."

"How long?" Shinichi asked curiously.

Rika didn't even turn his way as she replied. "Oh, I'm not immortal, I've just been living for over a hundred years, repeating the same time over and over. What about you?"

"I am one who has also suffered. We can talk about my story later. What I want to know is why you wanted to talk to me about something this painful. If you really have lived this long, why bother trying?" Shinichi asked. "Isn't it better to give up rather than suffer?"

Rika's face turned dark. "True. I once thought the same thing myself, boy. However, I am willing to fight against my destiny. Now, what I am about to tell you must be kept between you and me. Hanyuu knows it as well. For she helps me relive my life over and over. There is someone in the village who kills me. In a few weeks' time...or even less, I will die and everyone else will. If you're in the village at the time, well...you will die, Kudo Shinichi. Are you afraid to die?"

To her surprise, he chuckled darkly. "No. I've faced death too many times to be afraid of it. Death follows me everywhere I go. I am a detective, after all. For two years, I had to deal with a fate worse than anything I had to bear before. I'm glad it's all over and done with."

"What exactly would that be?" Rika asked.

Shinichi frowned. "Let's save that story for another day. So who is this person you don't want me to run into? Are you afraid I'll really be let astray by another person that easily? I believe only what I know with my own eyes."

Rika frowned as well. "Does that mean you don't believe me?"

"No, it's not that. It's just that I don't exactly believe you one hundred percent...yet. Rest assured, your secret lies between me and you. And that weird friend of yours." He said before winking.

"Kudou-san, what was that APOTOX you mentioned earlier?"

She didn't expect his fists to tighten and his face to fall.

"Something that ruined my life forever. That's all you need to know about it. I was mistaken. Don't worry about it."

As he turned away from her, she called after him.

"Hey, don't go announcing that you're a detective to the people of this village! They can't stand detectives."

Shinichi sighed. "I'll deal with it, Rika-san. I'm ready for whatever comes my way. I've gone through too much to let a group of people get me down."

"Beware of people in white vans." Rika said sternly. "They could kill you at any time."

"I'm prepared for that. I've always been one who is high up on the list of people to kill. You could say I know too much for my own good."

With that said, he started to walk away.

"Wait...please, help me. I don't want to die as a little girl again. Can you help me live on?" Rika pleaded. There were unshed tears in her eyes.

"Sure. I never break my promises, Rika-san."

As he left, Hanyuu confronted him.

"Are you sure you're prepared for the long battle that lies ahead?" She whimpered.

"Did you overhear everything?" Shinichi questioned.

Hanyuu nodded. "Hauu...you are brave, but foolhardy. Our enemies are ruthless. If you truly want to win, you have to give it your all."

Shinichi just smiled at her and patted her head. "I don't know. I am certain that I will try."

Hanyuu turned to Rika. "Rika, are you sure it was okay for you to tell him everything?"

Rika smiled. "Hanyuu...I know we have acquired a powerful ally against fate. Now let's see if the other boy also bends to the will of fate."

"Rika. I've never seen you like this before. I swear I will also fight with all my power, too. Now that I am visible to everyone, I can protect them instead of simply watching."

Rika had never felt so happy in her entire life. Here she had a chance to change everything for the better. She definitely would not give up. Never again would she turn her back on her friends and run and hide. Now she would fight for the sake of a better tomorrow.

Takano, come at me with all you've got. I'll be ready.

Takano Miyo frowned as she looked over her plans for the operation at Hinamizawa village. She had to make sure no one discovered her plan too soon. Rika Furude had to be eliminated.

"Rika-chan, you will be a participant in the resurrection of Oyashiro-sama, whether you want to or not."

She grinned evilly.

"Takano, I was wondering what you were up to in here!" Her "boyfriend," Jirou Tomitake exclaimed as he opened the door and peered in at her. "What're you looking at?"

"Nothing of importance, Jirou-chan. More importantly, are you ready to head off to Hinamizawa in two weeks' time?" Takano asked.

"Why?" Tomitake asked.

"Why, to see the Watanagashi Festival, of course! It'll be just like a romantic date!"

Tomitake's cheeks flushed bright red. "Takano, it's not like that at all. You know full well that we're not involved as a couple."

Takano smirked. That was only a lie, of course. Her true intention was to show the world what came to those who mocked Dr. Hifumi Takano's theory. Sooner or later, they would all believe, one way or the other. Once everyone in Hinamizawa died, they would all believe, whether they wanted to or not.

Things were going to be so much fun this year...

Hanyuu sneezed suddenly as the gang sat hunched over a game of old maid.

"Are you okay, Hanyuu-chan?" Rena asked before handing her a tissue.

Hanyuu waved it aside, however. "Hauu...I'm fine. Someone was just thinking about me, that's all."