『Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni』
Yukidomarishi-hen
{Chapter 4}
~ Houjou Satoko's POV ~
I scream loudly. What was this that I was seeing?!
In front of my eyes, I saw my best friend Rika... with a knife aimed at her neck...!
"R-Rika!"
I cry out to her.
"S-Satoko..."
We stare at each other. Both of us are shocked, but probably for two different reasons. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Why would Rika do something like this?!
Tears soaked my face. What was she thinking?! I couldn't believe my best friend would ever try to commit suicide!
Rika drops the knife.
"Satoko..."
Rika tries to speak to me, but it seems as if she couldn't think of anything to say.
"Why... Why would you... try to commit suicide...?"
I couldn't help but cry while asking her.
Rika hesitates for a moment... Then she opens her mouth.
"Satoko... Don't tell anyone about this."
"R-Rika...?"
"Don't be sad. It was just a stupid mistake. I won't do this again."
She doesn't sound like the Rika I know. Who is this person who looks just like her, but isn't her? Who is this Not-Rika?
"Who... Who are you...?"
I couldn't help but ask her. She smiles at me before speaking.
"Mi-. I am Furude Rika. Nipah~"
Her voice sounds normal now... but... This can't be Rika...! This isn't the Rika I know!
"Don't cry, Satoko. I'm okay! Just go back to bed. I promise I'll still be here when you wake up."
I can't listen to this person. Whoever they are... it isn't Rika! But if it isn't Rika... then who is it?
This Not-Rika starts speaking to me in Rika's voice.
"I might have been possessed for a moment. But now I'm me again! Nipah~!"
This person sounds exactly like Rika. They look like her, too. And now they're acting like her?!
Maybe this really is Rika...
I try talking to her.
"Rika...?"
"What is it, Satoko?"
"Are you really you?"
"Satoko. Of course I'm me. Don't worry."
She keeps telling me not to worry, but how can I relax after seeing her with that knife?!
"..."
I'm speechless. I don't know what to do.
• • • • • • • • • •
For the rest of the night, I couldn't sleep. I stayed awake, thinking about what happened.
My best friend tried to commit suicide... She stopped when she saw me...
What if I...didn't wake up in time?
I look towards Rika. She's sleeping now. She looks peaceful, even after that whole event earlier.
Who was that Not-Rika I saw? Was that really my best friend?
...Maybe I shouldn't think about this too much. I can't relax, but I should get some sleep.
I shut my eyes. The sight before me is nothing but darkness. I can't get my mind off of what happened. We were all having fun today, but tonight...
I wonder what's wrong with Rika?