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Arg!

With the higurashi c rying, somber music, and a distorted view, Keiichi's hands hold a baseball bat. Teppei's scooter makes its way down a road. Keiichi runs, and leaps to attack Teppei. His strike sends the later off his bike. Lying face down, Teppei moans that it hurts. "It hurts?" Keichi asks. "This is nothing." He raises that bat as he explains that it is nothing compared to what Teppei did to Satoko. He brings down the bat with a scream, and wakes up in his bed. He looks at his hands which shake.

A folded newspaper sits in the handle of the Maebara home gate. The caption reads "Monday, June 13, 1983."

The scene shifts to a road direction post that indicates the direction to Hinamizawa. The voice of Rena calls out to him noting that he is very late. As he approaches her waiting by the post, she coyly asks him if he overslept again. Keiichi admits that he had a very strange dream the night before. When she asks him about it, he starts to explain that he does not really remember but thinks it involved Satoko only to startle and swear that they have to hurry. Rena quickly agrees that are going to be late. Keiichi suggests they run and adds that Mion will be upset.

The bell rings over a view of the outside of the school. Inside, the trio stand at their desks panting. Rena gasps that they made it; Mion smiles that she cannot believe the two of them. Keiichi observes that the desks occupied by Satoko and Rika are empty. When Rena observes that they are never late, Keiichi wonders if Satoko ate too much at the barbecue and became sick.

Mion sits at her desk quietly and stares ahead. Keiichi looks back at her and says her name as a question, but Chie Rumiko greets the class as she enters. When she reaches the front of the class, she turns with anticipation, then asks the "class representative" to for the bow. Mion shakes out of her thoughts, stands, and commands the class to stand, but the door opens again and Rika walks in. Chie notes that she is late and asks where is Satoko. Rika silently walks to her desk and stands with her hands on the chair and looking slightly down. Keiichi says her name as a question, but Rika merely replies without looking at anyone that Satoko may be a little late. Chie seems to accept this.

The scene shifts to Rika looking outside a school window. Keiichi approaches her from behind. He teases her that she was yelled at for being late, then pats her on the head as he laments "poor Rika-chan." However, she turns away with a sad "Mi." Keiichi withdraws her hand and asks her if Satoko is sick. Rika continues to look away, then turns towards the window without saying anything.

In the class, the desks have each student's clothes neatly folded on them as the bell rings again. Outside, the students are dressed in their gym clothes. Keiichi swears as he tries to retrieve a ball from a roof gutter while Tomita and Okamura watch. He finally pokes it free to the profuse thanks of the two boys. He wipes his brow with satisfaction only to hear Ōishi's signature "dōmo, dōmo" greeting from behind him. He apologizes for disturbing him during lunch. He introduces himself as a detective and pulls out a small notebook with "Gifu Prefectural Police" embossed on the cover. Keiichi asks him if he wishes to know where the Teacher's Room is located, but Ōishi replies that he wishes to speak to his classmate, Satoko. With the music, Keiichi turns suspicious. When he asks him what he wants, Ōishi insists that it is only to ask her some questions as he moves closer to him. He then asks Keiichi if he will show him where she is, but Keiichi snarkily wonders why he does not just call her rather than bother her at school. Ōishi erupts in a dramatic laugh then asks Keiichi if he is her manager. He then notices two girls and asks them if they can find Satoko for him. They meekly reply that she is not at school. Ōishi lets out another laugh and then asks them if they can identify the boy standing in front of him. When they do, he wonders if he is the Maebara Keiichi he has heard about as he places his left hand on Keiichi's shoulder. His hand closes, causing Keiichi to stand on his toes in pain. Ōishi offers to let him in on a secret: best not to make enemies in the area.

Irie approaches and tells Ōishi "enough." Ōishi greets him and suggests that he was planning to pay him a visit at his clinic. Unfazed, Irie responds that will have to bring a warrant since he does not have to answer.png.png his questions without one. With another dramatic laugh, and letting his hand brush across Keiichi's face, Ōishi releases Keiichi's shoulder. He turns and suggests that they will meet later; Keiichi grabs his shoulder and swears.

In the school clinic, as Irie applies a compress to Keiichi's shoulder, Keiichi gripes that it hurts, but Ōishi did not even leave a mark. Irie suggests that that means he is used to threatening people. Keiichi gets up to put on his t-shirt and grouses about Ōishi, noting that he wanted to talk to Satoko. Irie responds that he better not bother her while conceding that he is as stubborn as a snake. Irie explains that "it" happened when Keiichi first moved, then asks him if he has heard of Oyashiro-sama's curse. Keiichi responds that he knows that Satoko's parents were proponents of the Dam Project, and after they died, everyone blamed the curse. Irie compliments him on his knowledge then sits at his desk writing as he continues that after their parents' deaths, she and her brother moved in with their aunt and uncle. Irie explains that their uncle was their father's younger brother, and neither he nor their aunt were good people. The second they became legal guardians, they stole all of Satoko and Satoshi's money from their parents. Over a flashback scene of a bruised Satoshi holding a frightened Satoko in a corner while Teppei and Tamae eat at the table, Irie states that they would yell at and scold the children for the smallest things, deny feeding them, and beat them. As Irie continues writing, he suggests that Keiichi may find it difficult to imagine what this abuse did to Satoko. When Keiichi asks what changed Satoko, Irie continues that a year ago at the time of the Watanagashi Festival, her aunt died: "beaten to death with a bat by a drug-addicted miscreant." Teppei fled out of fear that it was Oyashiro-sama 's curse. Unfortunately, after they left, "that snake" Ōishi became involved.

Keiichi has a quick flashback of Ōishi interogating him. Irie agrees that he is a little strange, but all of the incidents attributed to Oyashiro-sama 's curse have been determined to be accidents or the work of a criminal. Nevertheless, the detective refuses to give up trying to solve them. Irie tells him that the villagers have a nickname for Ōishi: "Oyashiro-sama 's Familiar (使い人 ・つかいと・tsukaito)." Keiichi repeats this nickname.

Back in class, he eats lunch with Rena, Mion, and Rika. Rika stares ahead sadly. Mion appears similarly depressed, and Rena looks at Rika with concern. Keiichi asks if Satoko will come for lunch; she only sighs in response. Rena tries to cheerfully suggest that they will just have to wait for Rika when she wants to tell them, then suggests that perhaps it may not be a big deal. Keiichi stands and accuses Mion of knowing something. She quietly asks him why, and he notes that she has been strange all morning. She relents that she heard a rumor the previous night from someone on the neighborhood council. She starts to explain that Satoko has an uncle, but he quickly interrupts to ask if she means the one who beat her. Mion startles a bit and realizes that he had already heard about him. As she reveals that her uncle has apparently returned to Hinamizawa, Rika continues to stare sadly.

Keiichi is startled by the sound of reactions from the other classmates. He turns to see Satoko at the doorway. When he calls her name, she somewhat weakly asks him what is the matter. He insists that they were all worried about her and demands to know where she has been all morning. Looking tired, she tries to smile and laugh and tease him for worrying. Rena rushes to her, followed by Mion. She merely walks past them towards her desk while apologizing for causing so much concern: "I was merely running errand for my uncle, that's all." When Keiichi protests, Satoko continues her walk towards then past Rika while dismissing his complaints and announcing that they should have lunch since she feels hungry. Keiichi can only say her name as she puts her things in her locker.

With a view of the outside of the school, the bell rings, then, inside, Mion triumphantly announces that since they are all there, let the games begin. She offers to let Satoko decide, but Satoko quietly declines. As she leaves, Mion tries to tell her that her leaving breaks one of the rules of The Club, but she cannot remember which. Rena scolds her for trying to force Satoko to play, and Mion apologetically tries to explain that she was not. For her part, without turning back, Satoko thanks them for the offer as she exits.

Keiichi asks them to confirm that they are all friends. When they do, he asks Rika to reveal to him what is going on. She looks at him and emits a sad "Mi," but Keiichi persists. Mion and Rena both encourage her to talk. Rika explains in her Child Voice that, yesterday, Satoko went shopping for groceries but did not return. In a flashback, Rika patiently waits at the entrance of their home until the sunset, when she finally stands and enters. She closes the door, but takes one last peek through the window. Excited, she rushes out calling to Satoko who is finally returning. Satoko, however, does not look happy. While Rika bubbles that she was worried and they can start dinner, Satoko interrupts her to explain that she has come to collect her belongings, since she will now live with her uncle.

Back in the classroom, Rika finishes her description. Keiichi suggests that she has returned to the same horrible situation as before. Rena introjects that it will be so much worse since Satoshi will not be there. Mion explains that he always tried to protect her. Keiichi swears and pounds his fist on the table. Since this is child abuse, he asks, can they not report it. Rena excitedly joins his declaration, but Mion sadly explains that she did report it to Child Welfare Service during the winter of the previous year. She walks over to her a desk and sits down as she continues her story. They did send a social worker immediately, who then interviewed Satoko, Satoshi, and then their aunt and uncle. When Keiichi demands to know why they would interview the adults, Mion, facing away from Rena and him, repeats that the Service wanted "both sides" before rendering a decision, which she sarcastically deems "wonderfully 'fair.'"

Rena asks what Child Welfare decide in the end. Mion quotes, "We'll keep an eye on them." When Keiichi rages in surprise, Mion adds that the beatings did not leave any marks, it was not as if anyone recorded the uncle's tirades, and there were no witnesses since the violence only occurred in the home. Keiichi then asks what happened next. Mion responds that he already knows: the abuse got worse.]] Rika looks back at Keiichi who can now only sit down in resignation. He asks if there is really nothing they can do. Rika emits another sad "Mi."

The bell rings in another day. Chie greets her students, but Keiichi stares at Satoko's empty desk. The door opens and Rika appears with a sad expression. Chie gently asks her if Satoko will be late again, but Rika merely shakes her head. Chie orders the rest of the class to study on their own for a moment, then she approaches Rika and asks to talk a little. The scene shifts to Chie's desk in the teacher's room and focuses on Rika's clench fists as Chie asks her if the rumors concerning Satoko's uncle are true. Rika merely nods.

Outside the office, the rest try to listen in. Chie continues that she understands what is happening. Rika flatly asks in her Adolescent Voice if she knows then what can she do to help Satoko. This startles Chie for a moment. She looks away from Rika, stares at her desk, and without much confidence, she responds that she will visit Satoko at her home. She is interrupted by Mion entering the office and sternly asking her to confirm that she will alert the Child Welfare Services. As Keiichi enters behind her, Mion reminds Chie that they will not act without proof of abuse. Chie tries to scold them that she had told them to study on their own, but Keiichi retorts "screw studying" since Satoko is more important. Chie insists that she needs to determine Satoko's home life so she may make an honest report. Rena tells Keiichi and Mion that perhaps they should let her handle it. "Me too (僕も・boku mo)," Rika adds in her Child Voice. Since Rika agrees with Rena, Keiichi responds that he is willing to let Chie handle it for now. Chie then asks the "class representative" to kindly take everyone back to the class room. Mion and the rest comply.

With the higurashi c rying, Chie calls out to Satoko at her home. Teppei angrily opens the door, and profanely demands to know what she wants. Nevertheless, she introduces herself, and when he demands to know why she wishes to speak to her, she informs him of her absence without an excuse. He dismisses this as a "cold" with a "fever." When she presses him as to whether or not she will attend the following day, he profanely demands to know how he could know, and they will know the next day, as he then slams the door on her. She can only stand silent as the higurashi c ry louder.

Back at school, she is met by the waiting Keiichi, Rena, and Mion. In response to their inquiries, she sheepishly admits that she did not get to see Satoko. While Mion mutters that she can guess why Chie was not allowed to see her, Keiichi walks right up to her and angrily suggests that Teppei left marks on Satoko that he does not want seen. She can only meekly apologize; Rena rushes up to caution Keiichi to stop. While Keiichi curses about the situation, behind him on the stairs Rika sits with her head buried in her arms. Chie insists that she will call the Child Welfare Services. While not convinced since they did not listen to her, Mion does grant to Chie that, perhaps, they will listen to her. Keiichi stares gritting his teeth.

A newspaper lays on a table with the caption announcing, "Wednesday, June 15, 1983."

Back at the school, Keiichi angrily repeats, "they will keep an eye on them," while Mion looks away embarrassed. When he suggests that they will do nothing, Mion responds that they did call Satoko's house.

Satoko playfully interrupts Keiichi, teasing him and the rest for the disturbance their loud talking creates. Mion asks her about the Child Welfare Services, but Satoko playfully asks which one of them contacted them. Rena gently tells her all were worried about her; Keiichi demands to know what happened. Maintaining her smug composure, Satoko claims that nothing happened; her cold cleared up so she returned to school. She walks away laughing and pursued by the questioning Keiichi while Rika watches her. Later, on the stairs outside of the classroom, Rika explains to Keiichi that Satoko told the social worker that everything was fine and hung up the phone. Keiichi rages that the "fools" should know that her uncle made her say that.

Rika then reveals this is the third time Satoko has been involved in a report of child abuse. Keiichi replies that he is aware of the report Mion made the year before, but Rika explains that Satoko's father was not her real father. Her mother remarried, and the family life was not good. Rika gathers up her knees as the scene shift to Satoko smiling at her desk with Rena and Mion. Rika continues that Satoko wanted her stepfather gone so she lied to the Child Welfare Services about him abusing her. Ever unable to miss a clue, Keiichi understands that they are merely observing since they fear Satoko could be lying again. Rika hugs her legs closer and merely nods.

The bell rings and Satoko eagerly suggests that they eat lunch. Rika emits a happy "Mi," and Rena insists that lunch is happier with them all there. Rika hands Satoko a wrapped box. Satoko apologizes for depending on Rika to bring her lunch; Rika insists that she enjoys making it for her. She then reveals she burned the hamburger steak and playfully laments "Poor, poor Satoko." Mion laughs, and Keiichi asks Mion what she brought. She reveals a collection of leftovers she grabbed from the previous night. Rena confesses that she also brought leftovers. Keiichi still deems it all looks really good. He then teases Satoko that he will eat all of it and tell her how good it is.

Indignant, Satoko jumps up and manages to bump Keiichi before he can sample from Rena's box. She gleefully dishes around with her chopsticks and laughs as she takes a piece over Keiichi's groans. She then compliments the daikon radish Keiichi wanted to eat. He stands and smiles at her gloating. He goes to pat her on the head, but she see his hand and slaps it away to his surprise.

She grabs her head as Mion asks her what is wrong.

Growing agitated, she pushes away the concerned Keiichi then begins to vomit. She screams, throws a chair, and runs away from everyone towards a corner of the room. She repeatedly screams "No!" then starts perseverating "I'm sorry!" She then screams that she hate this and begs for it to stop.

Finally, she starts to beg her brother to save her.

Adult-Voiced Rika returns to announce the third chapter.