Family (家族 Kazoku) is the ninth chapter of the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna manga.
Summary[]
Natsumi tells her parents about how she's dating Akira, and gets a positive response. She then says she wants to travel to Hinamizawa with Akira, but her mother cuts her off and gets angry. Natsumi says they're going there anyway for the Watanagashi Festival and wants Akira to come too, but her mother says their car only has 4 seats; Natsumi's father hides away behind a newspaper as she says this. Natsumi presents other options and says she promised Akira he could paint the landscape, but her mother still refuses. Natsumi sees they don't want rumors about Akria going around the village. Her grandmother says she also doesn't want Akira to come to Hinamizawa, especially on the day of the festival. She says the curse might follow Natsumi if she brings an outsider, and Natsumi's mother tells her to quiet down about the curse. Natsumi's mother looks to her father for approval, and he weakly agrees. In her room, a frustrated Natsumi thinks about how she's improved her life and made new friends, but her family's still the same; Mom nags her, Dad is useless, and Grandma's annoying. Natsumi's followed their instructions a lot, but they still won't accept her. Natsumi takes some pills and wonders if she can change any of that.
At school, Natsumi's friends notice how pale she is. Natsumi doesn't want to tell them about Akira and Hinamizawa or else they'll think she's weird, so goes off to wash her face. Soon after, a teacher talks to Natsumi in private about a rumor she's working part-time without permission. Natsumi walks home alone later, weary. She has to meet up with Tomoe to study and considers telling her about her problems.
Tomoe meets Ooishi at a restaurant, who wants to pick up some papers. Tomoe hands them over, explaining she could've done more research when she was in Ibaraki, but Ooishi accepts them anyway. Natsumi then arrives, and Tomoe introduces her and Ooishi to each other. Tomeo goes off to take call. Ooishi takes interest in Natsumi being a Kimiyoshi and asks if she's really from Hinamizawa and knows about the Watanagashi. Natsumi tries to feign ignorance but Ooishi assures her he's just getting help from Tomoe. Natsumi mentions that one of the incidents involved a dismembered body, and the right arm's still missing. Ooishi says he owes that foreman a debt of gratitude, and wants to hear from Natsumi another time.
Natsumi wonders just what Tomoe and Ooisi are investigating Hinamizawa for. Tomoe returns, but Natsumi says she's feeling sick and leaves, wondering what Tomoe really thinks of her. When she gets home, Natsumi's mother confronts her about the rumor of a part-time job. She believes Natsumi is being irresponsible and declares she won't take her to the Watanagashi. Natsumi starts to space out and gets angry. She wonders just how far she has to go to make her family understand.
As Natsumi rests in bed, a voice suggests that she just kill them. Natsumi looks around in fright for the source of the voice, and it says to look in the mirror. The voice says Natsumi just pretends to be a good girl but really isn't, and she needs to admit that. Natsumi imagines killing her family.
Characters[]
- Natsumi Kimiyoshi
- Haruko Kimiyoshi
- Touji Kimiyoshi
- Aki Kimiyoshi
- Chisato Saeki
- Tamako Makimura
- Tomoe Minai
- Kuraudo Ooishi
Comparisons to Source Material[]
- This chapter adapts scenes from Miotsukushi-hen Ura Chapter 6 and Kageboushi-hen Chapter 11:
- Natsumi's family talking about Akira and Natsumi's inner voice talking to her are from Miotuskushi-hen Ura.
- Natsumi's family learning about her part-time job is from Kageboushi-hen.
References[]
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