Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni: Nan Demo-Hen

2. The Tragedy

We spent a week normally despite of what happened at Watanagashi that night.

Tomorrow's Saturday, so today I can still have a game with the club.

Today's game is a game of poker, which of course, I won against both Rena and Kei-Chan... Both Rika-Chan and Satoko-Chan were the spectators.

And the punishment game is a truth or dare game.

"OK, Kei-Chan, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"I dare you to kiss Rena. In front of all of us."

He shook in surprise along with Rena.

"Are you serious?"

I nodded.

"Well, is it a hand kiss, cheek kiss, or?"

"What do you think, you dense junk? In the lips!"

This immediately caused both Rena and Kei-Chan to blush heavily.

"Fine but if she hates it then it's on you!"

He then looked at Rena, their eyes staring into each other. Kei-Chan's face was that of hesitation, while Rena... I don't know how to explain it but I think it's... Dreamy?

And a second later...

"Ahhh screw this!"

He pressed his lips onto Rena's... And to my shock Rena kissed back, and even started to hug Kei-Chan.

After a minute they pulled out for breath.

"Satisfied!?" He asked in embarrassment.

The 3 of us nodded.

Now it's Rena's turn to play.

"OK, Rena, Truth or Dare?"

"Truth, Mii-Chan!"

"What do you think of Kei-Chan?"

And that question hit the jackpot, as she flinched and blushed heavily.

"W... Well... I... Keiichi-Kun is kind, manly, selfless.... Whatever he need, ever he got, ever he want... I want to cherish them...."

Her breathing became heavy, and I have no choice but to stop the game.

"OK, Rena. Take it easy... Club's over! All of you are free to go home!"

I began to be irked by Rena's answer. What did she mean?

That thought lingered onto me until tonight.

I decided to call her, I'm worried.

I dialled up the number of Rena's landline, and it connected.

"Mr. Ryugū speaking." It's Rena's father.

"Hello, umm... Sorry to interrupt whatever you're doing right now but can I talk to Rena?"

"Oh, Reina went to Maebara-San's home not too long ago. Is there anything that you want to tell me?"

"No. Sorry to bother you."

"That's OK." He then hung up.

I dialled up Kei-Chan's landline afterwards.

However during the first attempt the call wasn't answered. I tried it again and it connected.

"Hello?" It's Rena's voice.

"Hello, Rena. This is Mion, how are things going over there?"

"W... Well... I wanted a sleepover tonight and Keiichi-Kun said that I can, since his parents are away."

"Oh I see... Can I talk to him?"

"NO! I mean... He's already asleep. I don't want to wake him up so suddenly." The shout in the beginning of her words surprised me... What's wrong with her?

"Oh.. I.. I see! Well, sorry to interrupt your lovey-dovey night!"

"That's OK... Mii-Chan!"

"Goodnight!"

"Goodnight, Mii-Chan~ I love you." She then hung up.

I love you?

The way she said that is kinda off... But I decided to shrug my bad feelings off and went to bed.

2 hours have passed, and I can't sleep a wink. I kept thinking about her last words.

I got up from bed, and dressed up in my casual wear.

I also brought a flashlight along the way since Hinamizawa is a rural village... Lesser lights shine on the paths.

I walked my way to Kei-Chan's home, and knocked the door.

"Rena? Rena! I know you're still awake!"

No answer.

I kicked the door open out of impatience, and continued to call out to her.

"Rena!? Kei-Chan!?"

No answer... It's quite... Too quiet! Are they totally asleep already!?

I climbed up the stairs to the 2nd floor where Kei-Chan's bedroom is. The 2nd floor consists of only a straight narrow hallway with his bedroom on the left of the stairs. The door of the room is a sliding door.

In front of the bedroom door I knocked again, and yet no answer.

I tried sliding the door open, and to my surprise, it's not locked.

"It's not locked? Wha--?"

I froze as my sight laid on what's in front of me inside the bedroom.

There is Kei-Chan sitting at the end of the room, his neck slit and his eyes were that of fear. A billhook was present beside his body.

And what's more... Right next to him...

Rena's body. There was a rope tied to one of the ceiling's foundation, which ends up on a noose around her neck.

It was like a pinata as her eyes were lifeless, and her expression is that of depression. Her neck also seems to have maggots crawling out of it as I focused my sight on her.

And on the floor, is a note that says May Oyashiro-Sama bless both of us in the next life! We will be Together, forever!

I knelt down, I couldn't believe at what is present in front of me.

"Ahhh.... Ahhh...."

A total silence surrounded me for a moment before...

"AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

My friends... 2 of my closest ones... Died tragically!

I cried and sobbed on the floor, my tears causing a puddle to form on the floor.

I'm too ignorant that I let them both died horribly.

I need to call the police and the director.

-To Be Continued