Title: Behind The Mask of Kindness
Series: Boundless Kakera, Chapter 15
Fandom: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Summary: Keiichi the Traveler was on his way to a quaint village when he met a human girl named Rena Red. Poor thing had no idea what he was getting himself into. Little Red Riding Hood AU.
Posted: December 12, 2024
Once upon a time, wandering through the world was a wolf with no home, the most dashing creature ever seen. This particular wolf was anything but malevolent, despite common belief about wolves and their villainy. In fact, he had been well known to uplift the hearts of those who were plagued by despair, and he had done so through words that inspired and healed like magic.
The wolf used his silver tongue out of honest intentions. Not once did he demand payment of any kind. Each time someone had asked him what he would like in return for the help he provided them, he'd always say to the person, "I have what I want when I see your smile. Living with the knowledge that those I meet are living happily is more than enough for me."
Such bona fide benevolence earned him the name 'Keiichi', a title that told nothing but truth for he was indeed 'the noble one'. How fitting.
One day, Keiichi got word about a quaint village surrounded by so many lush trees, where songs as soothing as that of lullabies always played in the forest. Hinamizawa was its name.
The wolf hummed to himself, "Hinamizawa, Hinamizawa… That village does sound delightful to say. I must know if it is delightful to see!"
Just thinking about that place made his tail wag with excitement. Born a globetrotter, he could not ignore what he had heard.
And so, at the behest of his unbridled curiosity, Keiichi the Traveler set out to visit the village known only through rumors.
He ventured through the thick woods, a vastness of lush trees reaching for the stars. True to what whispers said, there was indeed a symphony of music wafting through his surroundings like calm wind. Orchestrated by the chirping cicadas from the summer, this song sounded so pleasing it made his footfalls melt into the background. These singers told him that he was getting close to where his heart desired.
As Keiichi continued making his way to Hinamizawa, the wolf soon met a human girl, who was neither younger nor older than he was. She was the fairest maiden Keiichi had met yet. Her short hair carried with it the charm of eventide, an orange so warm he wondered if it was a gift from the sun. And her eyes were like lively oceans, a vibrant blue spangled in stars. He could stare into them forever…
Most notable about this girl's appearance, however, was the little red hood adorning her head. To the benevolent wolf, the hood was something of a crown fit for the humble and modest.
The girl seemed to be finding food, judging from the picnic basket she was carrying.
Keiichi approached her, greeting, "Hello, miss!"
She turned to look at the wolf and beamed, "Oh, my, a wolf! Never have I expected to meet one on a day like this! What brings you here?"
"I heard rumors about a village that was beautiful beyond imagination. Hinamizawa, I believe it is called. I hoped to see for myself what the place is like," he bowed. "The name is Keiichi."
She bobbed a curtsy to him. "A pleasure! I am Rena Red. I live not too far from the village you speak of, and I have been there every once in a while. It is indeed an arresting sight."
"Rena Red…" the wolf articulated with fascination, her name sweet upon his tongue like dessert rivaled by no other. "Could you perhaps aid me in finding Hinamizawa? I simply must be there as soon as possible! Are there any shortcuts?"
Rena Red shook her head. "There are no shortcuts, not any I know of at least," she stared up at the darkening heavens, a herald of the moon's arrival. "Furthermore, the night is fast approaching, and it is unwise to travel through these parts during late hours."
Even if immensely disappointed, Keiichi nodded, "I suppose it would be prudent for me to find shelter and wait until the sun rises. Very well then, I shall leave you be and go somewhere safe."
"Perish the thought! I will take you home with me," resolved Rena Red.
"Really? Are you sure? You need not force yourself to be generous with me. I am sure I can get by somehow…"
"I insist, Keiichi. We all live together in the same world, do we not? It is only natural that we look after one another. And believe me when I say," she grinned, "I would be very delighted to have you around for company."
"Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Rena Red! Your kindness matches your beauty, which transcends every ocean sunset imaginable," he eulogized.
Charmed, the girl merely giggled, "You cute thing, you!"
With that settled, Keiichi and Rena Red strolled through the long path together. His new friend held onto his arm tight, as though he was the very thing she would never let go of.
"Rena Red, what a strong grip you have!" remarked he.
"All the better to hold you with, Mister Wolf!" chirped she.
After some time, the pair finally arrived at their destination. Before them stood a secluded house that displayed the likeness of a mushroom. Its roof was as red as the little hood worn by the maiden accompanying him.
"Your home looks nice, Rena Red," Keiichi admired, "Must be quite cozy to live in."
Rena Red nodded. "Yes. Mother and Father have certainly left me with a wonderful place to own in their passing. Now come along, my dear wolf. We should not dawdle any longer," she ushered him into the house.
Inside was a world of wonder for the wolf. He discovered what appeared to be a tree situated right at the heart of the interior, its branches scattered throughout the ceiling to hold the house together. There was more to this mushroom home on the inside than outside.
"Keiichi, you are the very first person I have ever invited here as my guest. I do wish to honor that fact by preparing something special for you. Consider it a gift! While I get it ready, could you wait here? At least until I call you over?"
"Of course, of course, Rena Red! I have no qualms with such a request. And I so love surprises!"
Elated, the human girl thanked him before sauntering toward one of the wooden doors. After she had opened it, she then walked down the set of stairs that led her somewhere beneath the house.
Keiichi sat down on the couch, exercising a good deal of patience. His eyes wandered around the room. The wolf saw many things: a carpet that resembled a bear, a deer head mounted on the wall, a tanuki donning a hood not unlike the one worn by Rena Red, and other various creatures. His new friend sure had excellent tastes in decor.
Curiously, he could not find any portraits or photographs, not of Rena Red or her family or anything really. What a shame. Keiichi would have loved to meet Rena Red's deceased parents, to see the smiles frozen in time.
"Mister Wolf!" Rena Red finally called out to him from below, "Do come down, your surprise is ready!"
No more words needed to be said. The excited wolf leapt off the couch, rushed down the stairs, and reached the room that awaited him.
Greeting him was a table with all sorts of strange tools; some of them looked disturbingly sharp.
His smile flipped upside down in an instant.
Horrified, he whispered, "Wh… What is the meaning of this? I don't–"
"Keiichi~! Do turn around please!" sang a cheerful voice behind him.
The cowering canine did as told.
Rena Red gazed upon him with those sparkling oceans for eyes, grinning with those shiny pearls for teeth. In the maiden's hands was a hatchet so cold that his imagination ran wild and caused shivers to run up his spine.
"What a… dangerous weapon you have…" whimpered Keiichi.
Her song of a voice rang out in titters, and it sounded oh so wrong to the wolf given what was transpiring. "All the better to hurt you with, my cute pelt."
Rena Red lunged forward before swinging her hatchet at him.
The blunt end of it smashed against his head, sending him to a slumber from which he would never awake.
In life, there are many kinds of wolves. Most are wolves in the literal sense. Some of them typically keep to themselves and mind their own business.
The most dangerous wolf, however, is one capable of counterfeiting compassion and generosity. This particular wolf can be so deceitful that very few are able to distinguish it from someone as pure as a young, sweet girl. One must always be weary of such a creature, lest they face the sinister intentions behind the mask of kindness.