Need we warns ye that there be:

<table style="" class="plainlinks ambox "> <tr> <td class="ambox-image"></td> <td style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;"> <div class="ambox-smalltext">

</div></td></tr></table><noinclude>

<pre> <table style="" class="plainlinks ambox "> <tr> <td class="ambox-image"></td> <td style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;"> <div class="ambox-smalltext">

</div></td></tr></table><noinclude>

<pre>

</pre> </noinclude>

<noinclude>

</noinclude> </pre> </noinclude>

<noinclude>

</noinclude>

Arg!

This episode directly follows the previous. The Motorcycle Gang finds themselves surrounded by citizens as a surprised Keiichi still sits on the sidewalk. They panic as they see the frightening expressions of Shion and the citizens. They are interrupted by Ōishi genially introducing himself to them. There are two police vehicles, and he has a uniformed officer and a currently unidentified fellow detective behind him. Shion immediatly turns on the charm and claims that the Motorcycle Gang tried to extort her friend. They protest in vain as other uniformed officers descend upon them. Ōishi asks Keiichi if he is okay, and when Keiichi assures him that the is, he then turns to thank Shion and the others for their timely call. Shion bows and happily thanks him for his hard detective work. As the view passes over a crate of empty beer bottles, Ōishi reassures her that they were heading back to the station when the call came and just had to take a little detour.

He enters the car and gives a satisfied nod towards Shion. However, as his car leaves, she glares at it.

In Angel Mort, Keiichi shares iced coffees and dessert with a uniformed Shion, and he thanks her for her help. She tells him to become cheerful. Still serious, he responds that he has to thank her somehow. Shion happily suggests that the next time she is in trouble he can help her. He immediately promises he will, and when she holds him to his promise and hopes to get in trouble soon, he smiles a little. He points it out, and when he seems confused, she explains that his is not the real Keiichi when he acts depressed. She then springs on him and comically pokes him in his cheeks as he protests that her shift must be starting. She responds that her manager told her to treat him since he saved her from "some punks." With a view of the streets, Keiichi notes that the opposite happened, but this minor detail does not bother her. She continues that he must have been scared when everyone confronted the gang. He asks if they all came from Hinamizawa, and she happily replies that they did: "If someone threatens one of us, they threaten all of us." She explains that for decades they have come to depend on one another. As he expresses some surprise, Shion asks him if he heard of the Hinamizawa Dam Construction Project. When he notes that he knows it was cancelled, she replies that this was only due to the combined efforts of everyone in the village. With a flashback done as an old black and white film, Shion explains that the dam would have flooded many villages including Hinamizawa. She claims that as their protests increased, riot police became violent. When Keiichi expresses shock, Shion claims that they beat her as well. They obtained court injunctions. Her flashback then includes newspapers which highlight the clashes between the potesters and police. Finally, she explains, their support grew enough that the project was put on an indefinite hold. Back to the present, Shion clasps her hands to her chest as she states with her eyes closed that everyone came to the village to fight, and even now, the village retains a strong sense of solidarity. Keiichi agrees that it is impressive that they all banded together; Shion reiterates how the hardship brought them together.

She is interrupted by another waitress asking if she can help at the register. Shion calls back to agree, then clasps her hands to apologize to Keiichi for having to return to work. As she rushes away, Keiichi calls to her as "Mion," and she turns back to him. He thanks her again for everything she did today, and he renews his promise to make it up to her. She smiles as she holds him to his promise. He watches her leave with a pleasant smile.

That night his mother calls to him that "Sonozaki-san" is on the phone for him. He answer.png.pngs by sarcastically declaring that he will not come out for club activities this late. Shion stammers a correction that it is her, then asks if he likes dessert. When Keiichi eagerly declares that he is always ready for dessert, Shion informs him that Angel Mort is looking for someone to taste-test its new menu. He agrees, and she instructs him to come to the restaurant the next day after school. After she hangs up, Keiichi muses that Shion is always doing a lot for him.

The block calendar reads, "Thursday, June 16, 1983." Angel Mort has a sign that declares that its tables are reserved for customers with invitations. A beaming Shion welcomes Keiichi to the restaurant. As Keiichi passes her, she quietly asks him if she can borrow him after she is done with work. He agrees.

Keiichi then embodies every manga and anime stereotype of the perpetually hungry male character as he devours desserts in rapid succession. Waitress Glasses-chan presents him with a large plate of "Tropical Cinnamon Love Affair." Before Keiichi can attack it, both hear a crash. They turn to see that Shion has spilled a dessert on the crotch of what When They C ry Wiki can only describe as a representative of the lower species of Otaku. Shion makes very humble apologies, and Keiichi wonders out loud to Glasses-chan if she tripped. The Fat Otaku wears a "magical girl" t-shirt, lasciviously insists that she clean it. Glasses-chan explains to Keiichi that the Fat Otaku intentionally tripped Shion. This shocks Keiichi, but Glasses-chan explains that they really cannot do anything about it since they have to keep their customers happy as Shion approaches the Fat Otaku 's soiled crotch with a cloth. As he excitedly wriggles his soiled area in anticipation, Shion closes her eyes and reluctantly brings her cloth towards the area in question, only to be stopped by Keiichi. He embraces the surprised Shion as he angrily demands the Fat Otaku shut up and leave before he repeatedly applies his foot upon his rather ample hindquarters. The Fat Otaku angrily protests that he is teaching her a lesson. Keiichi retorts that it is the Fat Otaku that needs a lesson as he calls him the Standard Japanese for "bastard," "asshole," and "a representative of the lower species of Otaku": 手前 (temae), as he draws back his fist in Dramatic Anime Hero Fashion. . . . . . only to be spinning into a vortex of anime light by a single slap from the somewhat magically transformed Fat Otaku over the protests of "Kei-chan" from Shion. He comes to lying on a couch in changing and locker room. Shion dotes on him. Keiichi regretfully realizes that the Fat Otaku beat him up. Blushing and with glistening eyes, Shion apologizes to him for him getting hurt over her. Keiichi apologizes that he could not even win the fight he started. Shion smiles and assures him that it does not matter since she is just glad he helped her. There is a moment of cute between them.

Outside, Keiichi waits for Shion. She arrives dressed as Shion usually dresses. She apologizes that it is late, says they much hurt, and grabs his left arm to his surprise. As twighlight descends, she reintroduces herself as "Sonozaki Shion." In a montage of her window shopping in Shishibone City, she explains that her older sister is "rough around the edges," and "somewhat overbearing, while I'm a bit more refined and mature." For his part, Keiichi asks her what Mion has told her about him. She responds that she has told her about the club, about how he got her good, then how she got her back. She surmises that the two seem really close. As they look at glassware, Shion takes him by the arm and pulls his arm against her breasts; however, Keiichi reacts in shock and pulls away quickly to her surprise. She playfully admonishes him for overreacting: "Linking arms with a girl can't be that embarrassing, can it?" Blushing, he tries to deny that he is embarrassed. He then crosses his arms and declares that if she wants his arm that bad he can have whichever she wants! He offers his right arm, and with a giggle Shion pounces on it. She declares that he never fails to entertain her.

Now with night having followed twighlight and fallen, Mion continues her explanation that there are some softer parts of her sister that she is not fond of. Keiichi asks her if they do not get along; Shion insists that that they get along well enough, but she dips her head which allows her bangs to darken and obscure her eyes as she adds that there are a few things that do not sit well with her. Keiichi simply listens with some surprise. After some more walking, Shion exclaims and rushes to a window that has numerous dolls. Keiichi recognizes the place. Shion turns to him as she asks if she asked him would he buy one for her. He grabs the back of his neck as he rationalizes that he does need to make it up to her for the day, so he does not mind treating her. She points to the same doll he won and gave to her. Keiichi is surprised and starts to question her on that point, but she presses the point that he said he wanted to treat her, though she concedes that it is expensive. Keiichi replies that he does not mind the cost since it is the thought that counts. He enters the store to call out that he would like to buy a doll from the window only to be greeted by Mion. Both comically react to their respective presence as Shion is darkly obscured by the door. She then makes her presence known by smiling and waving at Mion as Mion demands to know why Keiichi would be there.

With a scene break showing the city, Shion reminds that she has been telling Keiichi that she has been telling him that she is Mion's younger sister as the scene becomes comic. She then slyly reminds him that he has been calling her by her name all along, as Keiichi protests, and her sister demands to know what is going on. Shion insists that she only wanted to see what her "darling Kei-chan" was like. Still comically depicted, Keiichi turns to Mion and insists that it was she who called him the day before. Mion protests that she has no idea what he is talking about. Shion then gleefully adds that she was the one who brought Keiichi the boxes of lunch. Comically horrified, Mion tries to tell Shion that it was her, but Shion silences her by teasingly suggesting how unlike her that would be: "how bold!" As Mion shakes her head repeating "It's not! (じゃない・janai), Shion calmly tells Keiichi that it was her all the time. With a view of the store outside at night, a chibi Shion "pops" as a bubble to ask "miss" to wrap up her doll for her! As she exclaims that it is her first gift from her beloved, a horrified chibi Mion pops up crying, then a confused chibi Keiichi follows.

The block calendar reads "Weekend, June 18, 1983."

At the Furude Shrine, Keiichi helps with the construction of stalls for the Watanagashi Festival. He takes a sip of a drink during a break and happily celebrates it. He then turns to see Rika practicing with a wooden hoe. He calls out to her and she responds happily. Two villagers express satisfaction with "Rika-chan" and her efforts. Returning to work, he is past by a silent Mion who then turns and slyly asks him if he is working hard. He notes that "Mion" is as well. As she walk away, he stares back at her but then smiles.

In the shade of a statue, Keiichi sits and declares himself tired out. A girl's hand offers him a drink, which he accepts thinking it is Mion only to see it is Shion. She happily announces herself as the thoughtful sister. Keiichi growls back that Standard Japanese for " bastard bitch," "asshole," and "a representative of the lower species of Otaku": 手前 (temae). She giggles indulgently at his frustration and reminds him that it was he who mixed them up. He mutters in frustration but cannot refuse a refreshing drink, which he gulps down, only to be shocked by Mion behind him screaming "SHION!" She is holding two drinks. As he coughs and sputters, Mion demands to know why she is hanging around him again. Shion condescendingly replies that, unlike Mion, she is being considerate of others. "Speaking of which," she asks why Mion is holding two cups of barley tea. This shakes up Mion who stammeringly tries to insist that she was really thirsty as she gulps down both cups. Shion continues tease her sister by observing how she looks gulping down the drinks. For her part, Mion declares she hates her. Shion laughs until the are interrupted by the sound of a camera. The sound belongs of course to the camera of Tomitake Jirō who stands with Takano Miyo. He greets them, and Mion returns it. Takano specifically greets Shion, noting that she often come around. Jirō focuses on Keiichi and identifies him as the transfer student who he heard about. Keiichi asks him if they have met before. Jirō compliments him for remembering passing him on the road a few times, then he introduces himself as a photographer from Tōkyō. Takano then asks Keiichi if he knows her. Keiichi sheepishly confesses that he does not, and Mion explains to him that she works at the nearby clinic. She tells him to let her know when he come for his next appointment only to playfully add that she will prepare her biggest needles for him. Ōishi arrives, and Takano returns his greeting and asks if he is scoping out security for the following morning. He laughs and greets Jirō and remarks that he must love visiting Hinamizawa. As he bids them goodbye, Shion calls out to him while Mion glares at him. Shion says she would like this year's Watanagashi Festival to happen without an incident. Ōishi laughs and waves as he descends the temple steps and jokes that he now has his work cut out for him. Mion continues to glare at his direction as Jirō asks if he is correct that Ōishi talked about Oyashiro-sama's Curse. Mion quickly takes Keiichi by the hand and tells him that she is hungry. As they start to leave, Takano muses that she wonders who will die and who will disappear this year. This causes Keiichi to stop and turn and ask her what she means as the higurashi c ry. Mion stares darkly ahead. After a pause, she flatly insists that it is a boring story. Shion darkly asks Mion if she has never told him the story. Mion keeps pulling on his hand, but Keiichi does not move and asks what they are talking about. After gripping his hand tightly, Mion lets it go. She announces that he better hurry or she will eat all of the snacks perpared for volunteers. He responds that he understands, which causes her to pause for a moment, then run off.

Keiichi stares after her for a moment until he is interrupted by Takano asking if he believes in curses. When he turns with a start, Jirō asks if he knows about the Hinamizawa Dam Project. When he responds that he does, Jirō explains that the villagers who opposed it set up their base at the shrine to Oyashiro-sama in the hope he would favor them. Jirō dismisses such as superstition until something happened. When Keiichi asks what this was, Shion interjects that the Construction Manager was murdered. This stuns Keiichi. With a grainy black and white flashback, Shion explains that his attackers used pickaxes, then dismembered him and disposed of his parts. Jirō continues that one of the attackers got away, and the victim's right arm remains missing. Takano then describes a couple who supported the project who fell from a cliff. While the man's body was found, his wife's remains missing. Mion takes up the flashback describing how the Shinto priest of the shrine who opposed the project died suddenly. His wife left a suicide note and disappeared. Jirō then adds that the wife of the younger brother of the deceased dam support was found beaten to death. Jirō deems it interesting that all of these events happened on the night of the Watanagashi Festival. Keiichi sweats as he listens to Takano muse that everyone who was involved with the dam project is dying off one by one, and this has sparked the belief in a curse.

Jirō asks Keiichi what he thinks. He gathers himself and tries to solemnly deny the existence of a curse. Shion laughs in relief as she claims she knew he would think rationally about it. Takano suggests that if it is neither a curse nor coincidence, it certainly makes one wonder what will happen next. Jirō explains that she believes a person or group is responsible, and the two go back and forth. As the scene focuses on Hinamizawa's official higurashi on a tree, Shion claims that they have evidence that the people of Hinamizawa are involved. Agitated, Keiichi denies this, but Shion insists that every year one person dies and another disappears. When Keiichi demands to know what that means, Takano describes the legend that in the past, the villagers offered up human sacrifices to Oyashiro-sama. Keiichi stammeringly repeats "Hu-human sacrifices?!" Takano explains with a giggle that the victim would be wrapped in a bamboo mat then thrown into the swamp. Keiichi asks if what she means when she says a person disappears is that the person is sacrificed to Oyashiro-sama. Shion insists that someone will be killed in the name of the curse, then another will be offered as a sacrifice. As the scene progressively focuses on the plaque that reads "Furude Shrine," a terrified Keiichi concludes that someone in Hinamizawa is responsible.

The scene shifts to the twilight sky, with the wind picking up to blow through the trees, and the higurashi increase their c ries. Shion notes that the Watanagashi Festival is the next day. She laments that she does not want anyone to die or disappear. She pauses as the wind blows her hair. Keiichi can only repeat that it is "tomorrow." Takano helpfully muses who will die and who will disappear as the wind blows her hair. Keiichi stands with a stunned expression as the wind blows his hair.

The paper calendar reads, "Sunday, June 19, 1983." At the festival, Rena begins to enter Cute Mode as she celebrates the effort made this year. Behind her stands Keiichi who appears nonplussed, while next to him, Mion has a smile. She replies to Rena that it is because everyone in Hinamizawa are there. Rena sees Satoko and Rika walking. Rika is wearing her miko clothes. Satoko excitedly and formally greets them while Rika blushes and bows. Rika's appearance sends Chibi Rena rapidly into Take Home Mode which generates a satisfied "Mii" from Rika. Mion adds her encouragement by noting that it is almost time for her dance. Rika blushes and confesses that she is a little nervous. Satoko tells her she will be great, and Keiichi promises to cheer her on from the audience. They all cheer together which causes Rika to happily smile.

Keiichi finds himself looking for everyone amongst the stalls. He takes a few steps then sees Rika walking with her ceremonial hoe. Keiichi complains that he cannot see anything with the crowd. Shion pats him on his left shoulder then tell him to follow her.

Some distance away, Keiichi finally realizes that they are walking away from the festival. When he complains to Shion, she hushes him and tells him to remain quiet and follow her. She peers over a bush and happily directs his attention. He looks and sees Jirō kneeling before the doors of the Saiguden with Takano right behind him watching what he is doing. They focus and see Jirō say something which causes Takano to smile in satisfaction. Keiichi grows irritated and asks Shion if she brought him there just to show him this. She affirms it, and he protests that he thought she was taking him to watch Rika's dance. Shion teases him about wanting to watch Rika dance so badly, then suggests that if that is what he is into she may have to reevaluate her opinion of him. Exasperated, Keiichi announces that he is leaving, only to have Takano call out to him. He and Shion turn to see Jirō and Takano smiling as they peer down at them. Jirō compliments Keiichi for being smoother than he thought, "hooking up with your girlfriend," out there. Shion asks him if that is not what he and Takano are doing. Takano playfully replies that, unfortunately, they are not doing anything they would enjoy watching. When Shion asks them what they are doing, Jirō laughs as he sheepishly asks them not to tell anyone that they are breaking into the Saiguden. Keiichi quickly wonders why it is a secret and asks if they plan to steal something. Jirō assures him that they just want to see what is inside.

Takano playfully flips her hair then explains that the Saiguden is the "forbidden" storehouse for old ritual tools. Only members of the Furude Family and a select few may enter since outsiders would defile the sacred site. The scene focuses on the lock on the door as Keiichi protests that that sort of means they should not enter it. Takano walks towards it as she agrees but insists that the answer.png.pngs to all of her curious questions lie behind the door. Jirō opens the lock, and Takano thanks him. She then turns her head back towards Keiichi and Shion and genially notes that they are their partners in crime now and asks them if they would like to come in an look with them. Keiichi stammers that they do not, but a blushing and excited Shion grabs his arm and says it sounds interesting. Keiichi protests that they are not suppose to go in since it is a sacred building. Shion replies that since she is part of the Sonozaki family, she has some idea what type of tools are in there. Her eyes narrow as she explains that she wants him to see them.

As the end titles music starts, Keiichi continues his protest, but Shion brings her face closer with a begging look. She insists, as the scene passes over the smiling Jirō and Takano, that if he enters and is bored then he can leave, but she thinks he will be quite fascinated by what is inside.

She then darkly asks him if he is afraid of the curse. Keiichi stammeringly insists that he is not afraid of any curse. Jirō takes a cigarette and announces that he will stay outside to keep watch and invites him to enter: "A young guy like you might find the stuff in there pretty fascinating." Keiichi thinks for a moment, then starts to walk as he agrees but promises he will leave if it is not interesting. Shion excitedly responds that is what she wanted to hear as she begins to walk.

"You've made your choice, then," Takano observes as she starts to open the door for them, "let's go." Keiichi and Shion walk towards the door as the scene fades into the end titles.

Adult-Voiced Rika returns to announce the third chapter.