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Arg!

This episode does not have a Prologue or the opening titles with the music. Instead, it opens in the Realm of Time Fragments with the opening credits as part of the background.

The hand of Eua languidly grabs a fragment and brings it to her face. She emits a laugh and then remarks to Satoko who stands in front of her that all of the pieces on the game board are moving as she wishes them to. Satoko corrects her that she is just getting started. With a grin, she adds that Rika needs to suffer far more. Lying on her couch, Eua lets her fragment float away. She sits up and notes that Rika thought that she had escaped her hundred years of torture only to be dragged back into the cycle of tragedy. Satoko remains silent as Eua continues to observe that each loop is a "sharp burr, digging into the cat's mind."

Satoko brightens and thanks Eua for her gracious gift. She adds that she is now able to force her "stubborn Rika" to capitulate. Eua laughs and responds that no thanks are necessary as a new fragment appears over her left hand. In the fragment, Rika and Hanyū stare back. She continues that Satoko's antics allowed her to stave off her most detested state: boredom. Haughtily, Satoko insists that she does not know what Eua finds so interesting about her, but she is glad that she enjoys it. Eua focuses on the fragment, smiles, and emits a small laugh.

She then addresses the "child," as she points her staff next to Satoko's left cheek, which startles Satoko. She reminds Satoko not to forget the most important of facts: Satoko has rolled the dice and joined the game; she can no longer withdraw. Satoko reacts without responding. Eua continues that as long as her death follows that of the "cat," she will always travel in the same fragment. However, should she die before the "cat," she will be transported to a fragment where the cat does not exist. Satoko startles, and Eua asks her if she does not object to these conditions. Satoko regains her composure and insists that she would hardly make such a careless mistake. She walks away from Eua, Eua giggles in response, and agrees that of course Satoko would not.

The scene shifts to Rika waking up. She looks up to see Hanyū staring down at her with glistening eyes. They are in their own plane of time fragments. In her Adult Voice, Rika scolds Hanyū for being too close. Hanyū meekly retreats whilst issuing apologies. Rika observes in her Adult Voice that Hanyū is not "au-au-ing" this time. Hanyū startles, but Rika closes her eyes and tells her never mind. Rika slowly rises, softens her attitude, and suggests that since she has Hanyū here, they should have a constructive discussion. She concludes that since she is here then a tragedy occurred again. Hanyū suggests that Rika take a little break if she is still in pain, and she should not force herself.

Rika sighs as she stands and adds that if Hanyū is promising that a tragedy will not happen in the next world she will lie here with her eyes closed. She then asks if Hanyū will rescue her, ending with a somewhat sarcastic "Ne, Oyashiro-sama?" The still sitting Hanyū bows her head and emits an apology. Rika wonders what she should do and what she should have done. Becoming agitated, she insists that she told Keiichi to give the doll to Mion, but it did not work and nothing changed. He and Shion snuck into the Saiguden, and Kimiyoshi went missing.

Hanyū starts to ask about the person who killed her, and Rika interrupts to conclude that it was probably Shion. She then spats that if someone's power was not so lacking, she might remember who. Hanyū asks her to calm down and review the things that she can remember for hints. Rika sighs that it is enough. She laments that she does not want anyone to die anymore: her friends or the villagers. She apologizes that she also does not want to die anymore. Hanyū stands and embraces her as tears flow from Rika's eyes and the sounds of the higurashi c rying begins.

The scene shifts with the sound of the higurashi doing what they do to an arial view of Hinamizawa during the morning. Satoko's voice calls out to her. The scene, with higurashi, focuses on the entrance to the Furude Shrine. Rika sits at the top of the steps while Satoko runs up to her asking what is wrong. Rika insists that there is nothing wrong; she just remembered a really scary dream. Feigning happy cuteness, she looks up and insists that she is fine with a not terribly convincing "Nipaa~."

Satoko stares back at her not terribly convinced. She lowers her head slightly and insists that Rika does not look "fine." Rika's feigned smile breaks. Satoko, with her bangs obscuring her eyes, kneels down to Rika's level. She places her hand on Rika's head, and Rika starts to cry. Rika clutches Satoko and Satoko embraces her shoulders. Rika repeats her name as she cries into Satoko's shoulder. She asks why it is happening and why does she have to keep doing this. As the higurashi return, Satoko grins slightly. She rubs Rika's back and suggests that if her nightmare was that horrible, then perhaps it was not merely a dream but a sign.

Rika separates a bit from Satoko and asks her what she means. Satoko explains that she would assume the sign came from a god. She looks in the direction of the shrine and suggests that it could be Oyashiro-sama. Rika looks at the shrine with some confusion. Satoko continues to explain that Oyashiro-sama is the divine protector of Hinamizawa, and he must be trying to tell her something through her nightmares. Rika asks what he could be trying to tell her by putting her through all of this. Satoko admits that she cannot tell her, but she insists that Oyashiro-sama is not an evil deity. She continues that the deity simply wants Rika to be happy. Rika rubs her eyes as she retorts that the deity is not telling her anything, and there is no hidden message. She laments that no matter whatever she does, the nightmares never end, and they will continue.

"Ne, Rika," Satoko interrupts. She promises that she will not tell anyone if she answer.png.pngs her honestly. Rika startles a bit at the question. Satoko continues to ask if Rika has done anything to make Oyashiro-sama angry, or has she even thought about it. Rika startles again. Satoko asks her again. The scene pauses with the two of them on the steps and the higurashi discussing quantum theories in the background. Rika finally responds that she has not as she looks away from Satoko. She stands and walks towards the chōzuya. She brightens and insists that she is a good priestess.

The higurashi move on to discuss number theory while Satoko stares back at her with blazing eyes and the music strikes a note of discord. "Liars," she quietly says. ]Rika turns to ask her if she said something. Satoko stands and claims that she once heard Rika talking in her sleep. She claims, to Rika's surprise, that she said that she hates living in "this hick village," and wants to leave and "go to Fancy Name Academy instead." She asks Rika if one of Oyashiro-sama 's rules is to never leave Hinamizawa. Rika insists that that rule applied to the past, and now people can go on trips and travel to Okinomiya to shop. Satoko asks her if she really wants something so blasphemous. Rika pauses in embarrassment, then insists that there is nothing wrong with wanting with wanting to go to a certain school. She protests that she has a right to dream.

Undaunted, Satoko reminds her that she is Oyashiro-sama 's priestess as well as her his reincarnation. Rika responds that she does not care about that, then grabs her head as she screams that she was born into the role and never had a choice. Satoko watches her cry a bit, then walks to her and places her hand on her back. With a smile, and a "Ne Rika," she asks her why she wants to leave Hinamizawa as the higurashi c ry. There is a view of the village from the shrine. While the higurashi continue to c ry, the music turns pleasant Satoko turns from Rika to face the village and tells her to appreciate how beautiful it is. The wind blows and Satoko asks her to appreciate how nice the weather is. She explains that the village always took care of them, and they have played in its various areas. Despite this, Satoko continues, Rika refers to it as a "hick village." If she was Oyashiro-sama, Satoko claims she probably would think Rika is a little ungrateful.

Rika looks down. Satoko walks towards her and suggests that Rika might wonder if Oyashiro-sama is punishing her with nightmares. She recommends that Rika clear her mind and think of all of the good things about Hinamizawa that she has forgotten. She embraces Rika as she assures her that if she does this, her nightmares will end. Tears well up in Rika's eyes. She apologizes. She realizes that Satoko has had bad times in the village as well, but she has only thought of herself. Satoko tells her that it is okay, and she is just happy to be here with Rika. Rika says Satoko's name. However, despite this and the moving music, Satoko's eyes are obscured by her bangs. Rika thanks her, the higurashi discuss whether or not to rehabilitate the gold standard, and Satoko grins as her eyes blaze in a manner to justify becoming the image for the episode.

The newspaper in the Maebara home's gate reads "Saturday, June 11, 1983." The scene shows an arial view of Okinomiya, then a baseball diamond. The scoreboard reveals that it is the bottom of the 9th inning with the Okinomiya Tigers leading the Hinamizawa Fighters 7-6. Rena cheers on the team while Rika watches with concern and replies that this is their last chance. The Tigers' left-handed pitcher adjusts his hat. From the bench, Mion laments that they were crushing them until that pitcher came in. Rika turns to her and compliments her for the two home runs she hit. In the batter's circle, Satoko stretches. Rika continues that Mion's bat actually connects with the ball, unlike Satoko's to the latter's irritation.

The batter before Satoko hits a routine ground ball to the shortstop, but the first baseman comes off the base when he catches the throw. Rena and Mion cheer on Satoko who confidently predicts that she will hit a home run. Mion asks Rena how she has done previously; Rena thinks a moment and then replies that she has struck out every time. Rika spreads her arms wide as she describes how far away Satoko's bat has been from the ball. Mion watches confused for a moment, then turns sly as she declares she can see what Satoko is doing.

Rena interrupts to call out to Keiichi who, naturally, is standing just outside the outfield holding a golf club. Rena calls to Satoko who is at the plate that Keiichi is there to help. For his part, realizing the situation, Keiichi blushes deeply. Satoko haughtly sighs and voices wonder at what he is doing. She focuses on the first pitch and sends it over a building, winning the game. She gloats as she literally walks the bases and the pitcher pounds the mound swearing. Mion turns to the unseen Irie to remind him of his deal with the team.

The newspaper reveals the date to be, "Monday, June 12, 1983."

The scene reveals a grill ready then plates of prepared meats for cooking. Rena arrives with Keiichi and Mion. She rushes up to Rika and Satoko who are already at a grill. Satoko teases that if only Keiichi arrived a little later, she would have eaten all of his meat. Keiichi teases back as he places his hand firmly on her forehead that he would use his superior reach to snatch the best pieces from her. As she struggles against his hold, he genially promises to leave her the peppers. Rika helpfully adds that she will let Satoko have lots of roast squash. The area around her eyes turn blue as she repeats "squash" in shock. Mion continues the teasing by promising that she will let the coach know how much she loves squash. Sensing the blood in the water, Keiichi "marvels" at how Satoko will enjoy squash for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Satoko comically starts crying as she goes full chibi. She calls out to Rena, to Keiichi's justified concern, as Rena punches him in Violent Take Home Mode. Hugged by the dotting Rena, Satoko reminds her that Rika and Mion also teased her. With a view of the sky, Rena's blows are heard.

In a fragment appears a montage of meat grilling, Rena, Satoko, and Mion cooking while Rika tastes some of the meat. Irie's talking face is reflected over them. Then Satoko laughs to herself. A semi-chibi Shion embraces Satoko. It is revealed that Irie is talking to Keiichi who stares ahead. The scene reveals that Eua is holding the fragment as she views it. She emits a small laugh.

Back in present time, dirty paper plates and cups have accumulated on the table. Satoko tosses a bunch of them into the garbage bag held by Rika. She asks Rika if she may ask for a favor. Keiichi walks up with a tray and asks Rika where is Satoko. Rika explains that she went shopping for dinner. As Keiichi views the various kids packing and cleaning up, he muses that she picked just the right time to do so. Rika observes that, unlike him, Satoko is really clever, "Nipaa~?!"

A bicycle speeds down the road towards Okinomiya. Satoko arrives at Teppei's dingy apartment building. The scene shifts to inside where she has joined him and two other of his friends for a game of mahjong. Teppei reveals a ron. His friend tries to argue that he still is in the game, but Satoko interrupts him to inform him that she has a double ron. She skillfully tips over her tiles one at a time by passing her finger across from them. The other player joins in the first's shock. The first gasps, "yakuman." He then pleasantly concedes to Teppei that he and "Satoko-chan" wiped the floor with him and the other player. The other agrees. Teppei raises his hand for a "high-five," which Satoko initially demurs until he appears disappointed. She gives him a light tap to his joy.

Teppei's friend with the mustache compliments her on how good she has become. He other friend suggests that she can turn professional. For her part, Satoko sits with her eyes clothes. The friend with the mustache mixed the tiles as he suggests another game, but Teppei indicates that that was the last. He explains that he has to walk Satoko home before it becomes dark. Both seemed stunned by his responsibility. As they leave, Mustache compliments "Tecchan" for his change. As the scene focuses on Satoko staring out of the window, he adds that nothing changes a man like a woman. The other jokes that no one knew the woman would be so little. Satoko opens the window and walks out as Teppei looks back and explains that she is the only family she has left. He then insists that he is not the same man he was. As Satoko continues to stare out the now open window, Teppei insists that he would die for her. As he leaves, Mustache compliments him that he likes this new "Tecchan." When Teppei turns back, Satoko is inside sweeping up. He thanks her for coming by to spend time with him; she replies that if she did not, his apartment would turn into a landfill again. She more pleasantly adds that then all of her hard work cleaning would have gone to waste. Teppei blushes as he confesses that he has never had to take care of his place before.

With a view of the twighlight sky to indicate the passage of time, Satoko ties up a trash bag as Teppei puts away the mahjong tiles. Satoko startles and sees the bag of money she helped Teppei win at the races. She confesses that she expected the worse from him: she expected he would have spent all of the money. He replies that he only uses what he needs to get by, and he insists he will not waste any of it. With a blush, he confesses that if anything were to happen to him he would want some left for her. Satoko stares back at him for a moment, there is a view of the money in the bag, then she approaches him and asks if he really would die for her. He insists that he would.

The wind blows her bangs which still obscure her eyes. She then asks him if he will live with her in Hinamizawa. She stares at her with her eyes blazing. The wind blows her hair again as she kindly informs him that there is something that she needs his help with. At her home, Rika sits in her window. In the background, the higurashi c ry. From inside, a small hanging paper calendar affirms that it is June 12, 1983. In her Adult Voice, Rika observes that Satoko has been shopping for far too long. The c ries of the higurashi increase as Teppei pulls up to the Hōjō home on his scooter. He turns to Satoko, who sits behind him without a helmet, and asks her if she can now tell him what help she needs from him. She looks at him but then turns away as if embarrassed. Taking the hint, he dismounts and walks to the door. He notes that he knows that she has not lived here for quite some time. He kindly asks her if she does not want anyone to know that they are here. Looking depressed, she silently hands him the key. An older man with a basket walks by and stops. Teppei turns on him and demands to know what he is staring at. The man scurries away. He then calls for Satoko to come inside, recapitulating the scene from the Question Arc. She quietly responds, "yes, uncle." However, when they have entered, she stares ahead with an Evil Grin[™ – Ed.]. He turns on the light, and she thanks him for how he treated the man: "I didn't want them to stare at me." As he looks around, he insists that she will be safe. He pleasantly adds that no one can hear her inside either. She then tells him that she is being bullied. This shocks him, and he kneels down to her level to demand to know who is bullying her. She does not answer.png.png, but her eyes glisten. He makes a fist as he vows to punch out whomever is responsible. She gently places her hand on his fist and tells him to wait. He insists that she just has to tell him who it is. She explains that it is not just one person. Looking down, she claims it is everyone in Hinamizawa. He repeats "everyone" with surprise. The piano music turns sad as Satoko explains that just punching one or two will not change anything. When he asks why they are doing this to her, she replies, with her bangs shadowing her eyes, that he already knows why. She reminds him that her parents led the Pro-Dam Movement. He insists that it was his brother who did that and she had nothing to do with it. She explains that the village considers all of the Hōjō family to be her enemy, and the village comes together to fight enemies. After a brief view of the passing dark clouds, the still-shadowed-by-her-bangs Satoko insists that she just wants to get along with everyone and live with a smile. Her voice starts to break, then tears flow from her eyes as she states that a Hōjō is a bad person one should throw rocks at. Teppei holds back his own tears, embraces her, and apologizes. When he does, her expression relaxes. She returns his embrace as he continues apologizing for his shameful and selfish past, crying into her shoulder. She assures him that it is not his fault, but with her eyes again blazing, she kindly asks him if he could live with her here for a little while. She further explains that she is very tired, and if she cannot be happy out there, she can at least be happy here. He embraces her again crying; she stares ahead with her eyes blazing and takes on her Evil Grin[™ – Ed.]. In the Realm of Time Fragments, Eua sits floating hin her chair staring at a fragment in her hand. She giggles and muses a rhetorical question that Satoko will plunge herself into a "delightful pool of pity." The scene pans the night sky and the village as a voice remarks that Hōjõ Teppei is here. Another voice responds that someone saw him outside the Hōjō house. A voice of a woman complains asking what that "horribly violent man" is doing back here now. Another suspects that he did something in Okinomiya and had to hide. The woman suggests that they tell the mayor or Oryō to see if they can do something. Another voice expresses sorrow for Satoko. Rika continues to wait. Satoko walks with a satisfied grin. She is startled to see Rika sitting in the door of their home. Rika, depressed, gets up and walks back inside. Satoko giggles then rubs her hands in her eyes to make them red. She takes on a depressed expression. As in the Question Arc, Rika's eyes peer over the window in the door. She sees Satoko and runs out to greet her. She bubbles that they need to start dinner, but Satoko interrupts to tell her that she has come to gather her things as the music turns dark. She explains that she will now live with her uncle. The scene is broken by the laughter of Eua, who is reveals to be enjoying herself on her couch. She muses how distraught the "cat" must feel, then declares the two very entertaining as the scene fades into the end titles.

Adult-Voiced Rika returns to announce the next episode.