This second episode of the first season of the new adaptation reveals that this is not simply a reimagining of the first adaption. As such:

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Arg!

New viewers should NOT watch this arc prior to the previous arcs of the previous seasons thinking it is just a readaptation of them.

After a prologue, it contains a title sequence with "I believe is what you said" by Asaka, that concludes with a title card that reveals the arc's name: Higurashi no Na ku Koro ni Gō (ひぐらしの な く頃に業), where 業 means "karma."

The episode opens in the plane of multiple "time fragments (時のかけら・toki no kakera)" first seen in "Rules of the Maze." An older Rika wearing a school uniform with a small embroidered crest on her shirt awakens on the plane. She asks where she is, then is stunned and horrified to realize the answer.png.png. A Locative Death Goddess – "Auuu!" – appears before her with a sad expression. Rika asks her why, and Hanyū explains that they are in one of the fragments linked to the myriad worlds. Hanyū sadly describes herself as just a lingering trace of herself. Rika smiles and responds that she does not care what Hanyū is, she is just happy to talk to her.

Rika asks if she died or was killed. Hanyū apologizes that since she is so insubstantial, she cannot answer.png.png that question. Rika then asks where the fragment leads to; Hanyū responds: "June, 1983." Rika cries over having to live through it again, then protests asking if a hundred years was not enough. Hanyū can only apologize.

Rika collects herself, stands, and replies "fine," then declares that she is no longer the "little girl" who did not know the truth and kept "tossing dice" hoping to get lucky. She knows the rules of Hinamizawa, including who kills Furude Rika. Hanyū repeats her name. Rika reminds her that they won their future before, and she vows she will get it back again. She looks down, and as she looks up, she becomes the Rika who sadly watched Maebara Keiichi and Ryūgū Rena in the post-credits scene of the previous episode.

Following the opening credits (which contain scenes from previous Question Arcs as well as spoilers for the subsequent Answer Arcs – Arg! – as described on the arc's main page), the higurashi c ry as Rena gradually approaches Keiichi from behind. Apparently not seeing her shadow, Keiichi continues to read out loud: "the assailants, armed with hatchets and pickaxes, murdered the victim," while Rena slowly raises her axe. Keiichi seems to finally register her looming shadow and turns in shock to see Rena holding her axe above her head. His scream results in crows flying from the trees and a surprised Rena falling backwards. She repeatedly apologizes if she scared him. When he responds that she did not, she explains that he did wish he had a saw. Keiichi apologizes for overreacting and inspects Rena's tool as she continues to apologize. He claims that he is happy she brought it, but then notes that it is getting dark and they should come back. Rena is a bit disappointed, but Keiichi happily promises that they can return the next day. Rena seems surprised that he wants to help her, and when he insists, she blushes, then moves into Cute Mode as she dances singing that she will bring home Kenta-kun.

The calendar shows June 16, 1983. After a view of the outside of Keiichi's home, the scene shows him sitting up awake in his bed. Next to his bed lies the magazine he found at the dump. The scene shifts to a view of the outside of the school the following morning as the bell rings. Inside, a dejected Keiichi stands in gym clothes as excited younger students run by. Keiichi wonders out loud if this is really how the school conducts their physical education, to which Mion rhetorically asks him what else they would do with classmates of different ages. Rena reasons that the focus is simply making sure that they all get up and exercise. Satoko joins the group with Rika, eagerly asking Mion what their activity will be for the day. Mion solemnly predicts that while their activity will test their endurance, they should all remember that in sports they have no true allies.

Keiichi asks what she means by this, but Mion merely continues with her lecture. Finally, she exclaims that they will 'return to their roots' with the king of all outdoor free-for-alls: Tag! Satoko utters her trademarked laugh in praise of Mion's choice, Rika and Rena vow to give their all. When a nonplussed Keiichi observes that the rest of them are really into the game, Mion snaps back with a new Third Rule: "You must partake in every game and enjoy it without question!" Keiichi seems to protest at first, but quickly relents and eagerly decides to play along. Mion laughs malevolently, revealing that they will be playing "Zombie Tag," where all those who become tagged are "it" as well. Rena bemoans the scary-sounding name, to which Keiichi teases her by explaining that the name is referring to the fact that zombies will rip out her guts while she is still alive! As Rena reacts fearfully, Rika cheerfully vows to get to her before Keiichi and eat her nice and slow.

Mion declares that those who can last until the bell rings will be declared the winners. She then produces a bundle of twisted papers to serve as "straws" to be drawn at random, denoting the first players to be "it". Satoko emits her characteristically derisive laugh, gloating that her brilliant plan will make her escape easy. ..

. . . until she pulls a paper. Transitioning to the next scene, Satoko is seen lumbering about making zombie noises. Watching from the bushes, Keiichi gleefully laments "poor Satoko" who failed to work on her luck rather than her "brilliant plan." He is startled to see her run up to Tomita and Okamura playing together and ask them if they have seen him. When they point in his direction, he flees, vowing to use information in the field to his advantage as she has. He approaches two girls and asks them to convey a message to Satoko that her mother and father are waiting for her at the gate. He then asks them to tell Mion that the Principal is waiting for her at the gate. As they run off, Keiichi chuckles to himself, "apologizing" to Mion for sacrificing her to buy himself some time. The scene shifts to the same girls asking one another if they have seen Keiichi. The other girl responds that she has not, but she heard that his father is waiting for him at the gate. A third girl approaches them and asks the same thing, claiming that his mother was just rushed to the hospital. Tomita and Okamura rush up to the group with similar claims: Tomita heard the police are looking for him, while Okamura claims that Mion said he needs to go to the gate because his house is on fire. Above them on the roof, Keiichi rages against Mion.

Keiichi hears the voice of Rena calling out to "Rika-chan." He sees Rena rush up to Rika asking if she is still safe, to which Rika happily responds that she is doing her best. Rena whines that Satoko and Mion had chased after her, though upon Rika's assurance for her not to worry, Rena lowers her guard and sits on the ground. Rika begins to smile and slowly approach her. Rena comically tries to scoot away from her on the ground, asking Rika why she is coming closer. Rika sardonically responds that Rena shouldn't worry, she will be gentle as she eats her alive. Rena calls out to Keiichi for help. On the roof above, Keiichi attempts to respond to her cries, only to discover Satoko and Mion have climbed onto the roof as well. Satoko "wonders" aloud how his innards will taste as Rika climbs up behind him, demanding that he join them. Keiichi calls out for help.

As the bell rings signaling the end of the game, Keiichi remarks to the rest of the group his surprise that Rena was the only survivor. Satoko teases Keiichi that this is because he is too slow, to which he protests. He recalls approaching Rena as a zombie as she sits on a futon in a storage shed in a manner that When They C ry Wiki insists is completely wholesome and devoid of any subtext, goodness no. Back to the present, Keiichi demands to know how he is supposed to do anything when she pulls "that act". Rika and Satoko wiggle their zombie fingers as they announce that it is time for his punishment. They then spring on him and tickle him. As his punishment continues, Mion announces that the winners of the game are actually Rena and herself. Surprised, Rena asks Mion if she was not a zombie, to which Mion reveals she had merely been pretending to be "it" in order to survive. Keiichi, between fighting for his life at the hands of his torturers, denounces Mion and her shady tactics.

Later inside the school, Keiichi washes his face at a water fountain as he continues to grumble about Mion. As he glances to his reflection in the window, he is startled to see Rena standing behind him with a dark expression. As he whips around, he finds her staring with a blank expression that quickly transforms into a smile. Rena cordially offers him a handkerchief to dry his face and asks if he is free after school. Keiichi correctly surmises that she wants to go after Kenta-kun and confirms that he is. Rena rapidly enters Cute Mode and thanks Keiichi since she will be able to take Kenta-kun home which sends her into Take Home Mode. Keiichi, however, looks on with a growing sense of unease.

Later that day, now in their casual attire, the two walk down the road together as the sun sets. Rena sings with joy over finally being able to rescue her Kenta-kun. Keiichi warily asks her if she should be carrying her axe in public, to which Rena chirps that it is "certainly fine, Hauu (大丈夫だよ　はうう・daijōbudayo hauu)!" When Keiichi offers to carry it for her, since it looks heavy, she tersely snaps that "it's fine!" Startled by her sudden shift, Keiichi relents, though obviously still concerned. When they reach the dump Keiichi cheerfully declares that today is the day that Kenta-kun will be freed, and he begins to chop away at wooden barriers obstructing the figure. Rena chirps supportively to Kenta-kun that Keiichi will succeed. Keiichi successfully breaks apart one of the barriers and pauses for a moment before finding his second wind. Keiichi declares he is "fired up", and vows that he will definitely bring "Colonel" home. Keiichi's his pupils begin narrow, he grins wildly as his blows intensify and increase in frequency. Suddenly, Keiichi is struck by an unsettling vision of himself wielding a bloody bat (flashing back to the opening scene of the previous episode) as the higurashi c ry louder.

He freezes and sweats, clearly disturbed by the vision.

Rena eventually asks him what is wrong. Keiichi returns to the present, dismisses the feeling, then returns to his work with similar effort. Rena, however, watches him with a scared expression. Finally, after repeated blows, he breaks the wood covering the figure. He then calls to Rena to pull on the count of three. With a view of a bridge near the dump, they count to three, and the figure is freed. In full Cute Mode, Rena rubs herself on the figure in a manner that When They C ry Wiki insists has no subtext whatsoever. Meanwhile, Keiichi notes that the figure has suffered a lot of damage. He comments that if they are not careful, his limbs may fall off. This triggers a memory of Jirō saying that he heard "one of his arms is still missing." Keiichi shakes his head, then starts to ask Rena how they will get the figure to her house. However, Rena stands slowly and gazes at him sadly as the higurashi c ry.

Keiichi stares at Rena for a moment, then says her name. Rena suddenly switches to Cute Mode as she points to something behind him while declaring that she saw something "really cool" there. In response to his surprise, Rena continues that they are going to bring Kenta-kun home. She then runs off claiming that she will get something. Keiichi watches her leave.

The scene shifts to Kenta-kun now lying on a blue tarp Rena brought. The scene focuses on her smiling and Keiichi happily holding the rope to secure the tarp around the figure. Wrapped, the figure sits on a cart, and Keiichi announces they will take him home to Rena's delight.

The calendar shows "Friday, June 17, 1983."

With a view of the school, Satoko expresses shock that Keiichi went over to Rena's house. Inside, she has her hands at her hips, Keiichi stands heroic, Rena looks at him surprised, while Mion sits laughing at her desk. She asks him what he thinks: "pretty incredible, right?" An embarrassed Rena tries to get him to say it was nothing special. Still in his heroic pose, Keiichi lists objects he saw: a frog from the drugstore, a statue from the cake shop, and others. He admits that they are pretty cute. Rena sweats and smiles. But Keiichi turns on her and demands to how a mailbox can be "cute." She meekly replies that it is because it is big and red.

Rika returns to class, and Keiichi gleefully asks her what prank she pulled to get her called into the teacher's office, to Satoko's visible irritation. Glaring at him as she walks over to embrace Rika, she scolds that she is not a hoodlum like him. Rena explains that Rika is involved with the Watanagashi Festival. Keiichi does not understand; Mion reminds him that she mentioned to him about a festival. Keiichi starts to recollect as Rika explains that they show their gratitude to their old futons by floating their cotton down the river.

Keiichi deems this boring, but Mion retorts that it is not only not boring, they have big plans: the Watanagashi Four-Demon Battle Royal! While Keiichi wonders about the name, Rika suggests that it will be a "Five-Demon Battle Royal," since Keiichi joined them. Satoko laughs and suggests that this will be his chance to demonstrate all he has learned from them. In other words, as Rika explains, they will be visiting all of the stalls at the festival. Keiichi admits that that is pretty interesting.

As he walks home with Mion and Rena, Keiichi encounters Jirō taking photographs, who greets him. Rena greets him, and Mion asks him if he has taken any good pictures. Jirō sheepishly admits that he took a couple. Keiichi ask Mion if she knows him. She starts to say that she kind of does, when Rena pleasantly explains that he often comes by the village to take pictures of birds. Mion continues that because of this pretty much everyone in Hinamizawa knows him. She asks him if he will stay for the Watanagashi Festival. He answer.png.pngs that he will stay and cover the festival before he returns to Tōkyō.

After he leaves on his bicycle, Keiichi wonders out loud if Jirō really comes to Hinamizawa just to take pictures of birds. When Rena asks him why he asks, he ponders then admits that he feels like Jirō comes for some other reason. Excited, Mion compliments him for recognizing that so fast. She explains that photography is an excuse, and a rumor exists that he really comes for the young unmarried women. However, since he is shy and awkward, he has not had much success. Rena adds that villagers sometimes ask him to take photos for them.

Keiichi apologizes for thinking Jirō is suspicious. When Mion asks him what he means by "suspicious," he thinks and then replies that Jirō acts mysteriously like a detective or spy. This causes Mion to laugh as she declares he would be the worst spy ever. Keiichi relaxes and admits that he probably overthought things.

The calendar in the room at night reads, "Sunday, June 19, 1983." The grounds of the Furude Shrine contain numerous stalls. Villagers, many of them dressed traditionally, wander about them. Keiichi walks with Rena and Mion and expresses surprise at how many people live in Hinamizawa. Mion reminds him that Watanagashi is very special. Keiichi anticipates hitting all of the food stalls, and Rena join in his excitement. The scene shifts to Satoko scolding them for being late. Rena smiles at the two going back in forth, but then she shifts rapidly to Cute Mode then to Take Home Mode at the sight of Rika in her miko robes. As Rena dotes on her, Rika greets the rest of them. Rika has some time before the festival, which, Satoko happily explains, is why they cannot waste it. With that, Mion initiates the "Watanagashi Five-Demon Battle Royale."

The group partakes of the food at the stalls, with Keiichi finding the octopus (たこ焼き・takoyaki) too hot. Satoko suffers a headache from the shaved ice. Keiichi avoids this by pouring hot water on it first. Rena, Keiichi, and Mion compress their cotton candy in order to swallow it in one go. During this, Rika frequently complains that "it can't taste good that way."

As they rest after their feast, a camera clicks, which reveals Jirō who greets them. Satoko returns his greeting, but then formally protests him taking pictures of a lady without her permission. Keiichi agrees, but then wonders why, then, he would need her permission, which earns him a painful foot stamp from Satoko. Mion asks Jirō if he will take pictures of Rika's performance. He responds that that was his plan, but something else came up. Mion asks him, to his surprise, if he is hooking up with his "girlfriend." He tries to laugh that off.

Keiichi encourages him to spend some time with them playing games the next time he comes to Hinamizawa. He promises to, one day, do so. As he walks away, Rika jumps down from the stone foundation upon which she sat and walks to him. She addresses him as "Tomitake." He stops, turns, approaches her, and kneels down to her leave to ask her what she wants. Without saying a word, she reaches up to pat him on his head. He thanks her, and then takes his leave.

A drum sounds, and Rika happily announces that she has to go. Satoko encourages her to do her best. Mion agrees that they need to go watch her, but Keiichi asks where Rena is. She is crying for his help in the comic sea of a crowd moving in one direction. They stare in her direction, and Keiichi wonders what she is doing there. Mion suggests that he go help her since she has her hands full with Satoko. This irritates Satoko, who accuses her of implying that she is a burden.

Without a word, Mion grabs her hand and comically rushes off with Satoko pleading that she not pull her arm off. Keiichi watches with a large comic drop of sweat. More normal, Rena calls for Keiichi's help as villagers walk by her, and his hand, bathed in anime light, reaches out and takes hers. As the anime light dissipates to return to the stalls which do not seem so crowded in reality, Keiichi takes her by the hand. A blushing Rena complies. They make it to the stage. Mion slyly approaches Keiichi and asks him if he had a "nice moment with Rena." Keiichi angrily turns on her, which generates a happy smile from Mion knowing that she successfully provoked him, but they are interrupted by a flute player.

All watch Rika commence her dance. Mion explains the details of it to Keiichi. Rika holds a ceremonial "hoe." As she dances, the scene shifts to a view of the river. Jirō stands near it. Happy, he apologizes to a partially obscured woman for making her wait.

The scene shifts back to Rika dancing her ceremony. It crescendos to her striking a stack of futons with the ceremonial hoe.

The woman turns towards him and happily addresses him as "Jirō-san."

Rika brings down the hoe as the screen turns to black.

Adult-Voiced Rika returns to announce the third chapter.