『Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni』
Yukidomarishi-hen
{Chapter 3}
Rena was rubbing the doll against her blushing face. Keiichi had a proud smile on his face, believing he made the right decision. Mion was hiding her true feelings toward the event by acting sarcastic. Satoko was just watching the whole event unfold. And me... I was in shock.
Even though I had seen this whole event two times before, I was still afraid of what would happen because of this. This world will end the same way as those two times.
Should I give up?
I must've looked upset. I saw everyone staring at me.
"Hey, Rika-chan?"
Keiichi was the first to speak up. Rena followed after.
"Are you okay? Are you?"
"Huh? Oh. Yeah. I'm fine, don't worry. Nipah~"
The very next moment, Rena was hugging me tightly. She seemed like she was going to take me home.
"Haaooo...! Sooo cute! I'm taking you home with me! I'm taking you home!"
Everyone laughed at Rena's reaction. She was able to make all of us happier when she acted like this. Even Mion looked less upset than earlier. However, I know she's actually really sad on the inside.
"See you later, guys!"
Mion waved to us as she hurriedly rode her bike off to work.
Keiichi's stomach rumbles.
"Eheh... I guess I'm kind of hungry. You guys wanna get something to eat?"
"I'm sorry, Keiichi-kun. I'd love to, but I've got to cook dinner tonight!"
Rena apologizes to him.
"We can't do it either, Keiichi-san."
"Yeah. We've got to do some shopping before we go home."
"If we could we would, though."
Me and Satoko are also unable to join him. Keiichi doesn't look upset by this, though.
"That's okay. Maybe some other time. I guess I'll see you later, then."
Keiichi soon leaves as well.
"Goodbye, Satoko-chan, Rika-chan!"
Rena smiles at us as she rides her bike away. The look in her eye tells me that she will probably kiss the doll goodnight, tonight.
"Come on, Rika. We got to get going, too."
Satoko hurries me along.
• • • • • • • • • •
After shopping, we head straight for our house.
I couldn't get my mind off of what happened today. Keiichi gave the doll to Rena. Mion will eventually tell Shion about the situation, and everything will follow after that. Shion will end up killing us.
Fate has already been decided, and I haven't even spent a day in this world.
Should I just give up on this Hinamizawa?
• • • • • • • • • •
"Rika... What are you going to do?"
Hanyuu questions me later that night.
I sit near the window, a glass of wine in my hand. I like drinking wine, but Hanyuu hates it. Hanyuu can't eat or drink anything. However, because our senses our linked, she can taste what I consume. Whenever she annoys me, I purposely get drunk to shut her up.
"This Hinamizawa is doomed. I should move on to the next Hinamizawa."
"Rika..."
I place the glass of wine down, and walk into the kitchen. There, on the counter, is a large knife. I pick up the knife, and point it towards my neck.
All I have to do is end it. I can leave this world before the tragedy begins. I don't want to live in a world like this. I already know what's going to happen. What's the point in living in a world that's destined to have a bad end?
I don't want to live in this Hinamizawa. I will go search for the next Hinamizawa.
I move the knife closer to my neck...
At that moment, I hear a scream. I shift my gaze to the source of the scream. That's when I see Satoko. She's standing there, staring in horror at the sight before her eyes.