『Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni』

Yukidomarishi-hen

{Chapter 5}

~ Maebara Keiichi's POV ~

When I look at the clock, I see that it's five minutes past the time I'm supposed to meet Rena. She's probably on her way over here to pick me up. I guess there's no reason to leave now. She'll be here soon enough.

I can't help but think about yesterday. Rika-chan looked upset or something when I gave Rena the doll... Now that I think about it, Rika-chan was staring at the doll, too. Did she want it? If she did, she should've just asked.

I hear the doorbell ring.

When I open the door, I am immediately greeted with a smile.

"Good morning, Keiichi-kun!"

It's Rena.

"Good morning."

I leave my house, and begin running down the road. I see Rena chasing behind me, trying to keep up.

"Slow down, Keiichi-kun!"

I'll play with her a little bit.

I call after her while running.

"Hehehe... Come on, Rena! If you don't hurry up, I'll leave you behind!"

"No! Keiichi-kun!"

"I'll definitely leave you behind!"

"Why are you so mean?! Why?!"

I come to a stop. Rena slows down to a walk, and comes towards me.

Okay. I'll try turning around.

I turn around, and look Rena in the eye.

"Relax. Of course I wouldn't leave you behind. I'll wait for you. I'll wait forever."

"What? Forever? Haoo..."

Rena blushes up. Success!

I gently rub her head.

• • • • • • • • • •

Me and Rena arrive at the schoolhouse. We walk down the hallway towards the classroom.

Just as I'm about to open the door, I stop. I notice something strange. No... It can't be...

There's no trap.

Satoko always has a trap ready for me, but today, there's nothing. It's just a normal doorway.

I turn my head to look at Rena. She sees it, too.

"I wonder why there's no trap today? I wonder?"

"I don't know, Rena. Something doesn't seem right."

I open the door and step into the classroom...

...Nothing happens.

I shift my gaze toward Satoko's desk. She's sitting there with a strange expression on her face. She almost looks scared.

I walk over to Rika-chan and whisper in her ear.

"Hey, Rika-chan. Do you know what's wrong with Satoko?"

"She saw something very scary last night. I would like if you wouldn't ask about it. Okay, Keiichi?"

"..."

I remain speechless. I want to help Satoko. I don't like seeing my friends upset.

"Keiichi?"

Rika-chan calls my name. She wants me to agree to her request.

"...Yeah."

I look back at Satoko. I wish I could help her...

Satoko...

• • • • • • • • • •

Throughout the day, I couldn't help but worry about Satoko. She didn't seem to be doing well today.

At lunch time, she barely ate anything. And during P.E., she didn't play with any of us...

Rika-chan said that she had seen something scary last night... I wonder what she saw? It must have been something awful.

When the day ended, Satoko immediately left the school and went home. Rika-chan followed behind her.

• • • • • • • • • •

Me, Rena, and Mion walk home together. By the looks on their faces, I can tell we are all thinking the same thing. We are all worried about Satoko.

"I wonder... what's going on with Satoko...?"

I ask myself this question, but I guess I accidentally said it out loud.

"I hope she's okay... I hope..."

Rena speaks first.

Mion notices the sad looks on our faces, and tries to cheer us up a little by joking around.

"She's probably going through a change. After all, at her age-"

"Mii-chan! That's not something you should talk about in front of boys!"

"Aha ha ha ha!"

Rena interrupts Mion, but she just laughs it off. However, neither me nor Rena laugh with her. It's kind of sad. Mion's just trying to cheer us up, but we can't get our minds off of Satoko.

What was it that she saw? I really want to know.