This page aims to provide a detailed plot summary of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Mei. Part 1 consists of Chapters 1 through 8 while Part 2 takes place in two time periods, Showa and Heisei.
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Prologue
Kazuho Kimiyoshi had fond memories of watching the club playing around in Hinamizawa and Okinomiya as a little girl. Board games, card games, tag; the club was always full of energy, and Kazuho wished to join them one day. Unfortunately, that "nightmare" meant she would be unable to fulfill that wish.
In June 5, 1993, Kazuho visits the former site of Hinamizawa and desperately runs through the bushes. She didn't know if she was escaping the village or running deeper into it, all she wanted to do was get away from "that thing". A monster was chasing her, stomping and roaring. A boar-like demon making metal clanging sounds and far removed from anything that would seem living. Kazuho could sense its killing intent and desperately ran away. As she ran she wondered if this was where she would die, unable to understand how or why. Kazuho cries out as the world turns white.
Ever since the Great Hinamizawa Disaster 10 years ago, Hinamizawa had become a no-entry zone. The volcanic gas that was responsible for the incident had dissipated, and it was decided that the area was no longer dangerous. Some people who investigated the area soon after had mysteriously disappeared or became mentally impaired. Kazuho wanted to explore the place for herself and expected to be stopped by a security guard, however there was nobody there; she had no idea a monster would be there instead.
Kazuho runs some more and trips on a root that was sticking out of the ground. Before she could even express her pain, the monster was already looming over her. Kazuho scurries away as the monster slowly inches towards her. It opens its fanged face, and Kazuho briefly accepts her death before calling out for help, not wanting to die without knowing anything. Someone answers her plea, calling her a child of man and telling her to raise her head. Kazuho opens her eyes to see a girl appearing between her and the monster.
The girl asks Kazuho's name, and she responds by asking who the girl is. The girl insults her and calls her impudent, and before Kazuho can snap back a sharp pain fills her head. The girl asks again who Kazuho is, and she replies that she is Kazuho Kimiyoshi. She says they should run away before noticing that the monster is frozen in time. Amazed, Kazuho looks back at the girl, who introduces herself as Tamurahime no Mikoto. Tamura says that Kazuho must be of the "people of horns", judging by her strong aura. Kazuho is confused as to what she means by "people of horns," and Tamura simply says she is of Hinamizawan blood. Tamura then asks to see her hand and Kazuho holds it out, with fog coalescing into her palm and transforming into a card. Tamura expected this to happen, commenting that a person of horns' power can reawaken broken Fragments. Tamura tells Kazuho to speak to the Fragment and tell it her wish; it will be granted if that is what she truly desires.
Before Kazuho can comprehend what to do, the monster starts moving again, and Kazuho screams. Tamura becomes disappointed that her level of power is only enough to stop time for a while. As Kazuho questions her predicament, Tamura tells her again to speak her wish, what she desires to accomplish. Kazuho still didn't understand what was going on, but she has a wish: she wants to live. Just then, light pours from Kazuho's card and envelops her, changing her outfit into that of a fancy dress. Tamura compliments her for drawing out its power, if haphazardly. Kazuho examines her strange new outfit, comparing it to something out of a picture book. Tamura says her outfit is a weapon created from the Fragment and can now freely use its power.
Kazuho doesn't know why Tamura is speaking so strictly despite her apparent age, but after feeling fatigued from running from the monster she now feels a surge of power. The monster charges, and Kazuho prepares to fight it head on.
The monster is defeated, and Tamura congratulates an exhausted Kazuho. Tamura says that she may rest now and prepares to say something else, however Kazuho's card flies out of her chest and disappears, and her outfit changes back into its normal form. Tamura says the restoration must be difficult, as that Fragment was the strongest shining one she had found. Tamura then says she will give Kazuho a charm that will act as a "vessel" and hands her another card similar to the one she had before. Kazuho is confused as to what to do exactly with this card, and Tamura tells her that as she collects new Fragments, the charm will grow stronger, so it would be best to stay alert for them.
Kazuho still doesn't understand but she puts the card in her pocket, deeply sighing after realizing that she really did fight a monster and was saved. Kazuho asks Tamura what the monster and that transformation was all about, and she replies that there's much she needs to know. Kazuho silently questions Tamura's appearance, saying she looks like a miko from a play and has some weird wings sticking out of her head. Kazuho calls her Tamura-san, and Tamura shows discontent at being referred to with honorifics, insulting Kazuho again as Kazuho feels another sharp pain in her head; she figures that Tamura is causing this. She asks if it would be better to call her Tamurahime-sama and Tamura accepts it, asking that Kazuho remember to pay her respects.
Tamura says she is the ruler of the land of Yamato and is what humans would refer to as a god. Kazuho remembers Hinamizawa's history, that it was once known as Onigafuchi Village and was attacked by man-eating demons from hell. Oyashiro-sama was a god who made peace between the humans and demons and helped them coexist. Kazuho determines that Tamura must be Oyashiro-sama, and Tamura angrily shocks her once more, showing disdain that Kazuho would equate her with the chief of the people of horns. Kazuho apologizes as she wonders why saying the name of a god she knew was so wrong. Tamura says she ruled the land long before the people of horns did, and comparing her to "that fool" is unforgivable. Kazuho keeps this in mind.
Tamura asks Kazuho why she came to Hinamizawa, and she replies that she was contacted by someone from the village despite it being destroyed 10 years ago and wanted to know who or what it was. Tamura tells Kazuho to come with her, having something that could help her.
Chapter 1: Kikai
Part 1
Kazuho and Tamura walk through the long-abandoned village, which has become overgrown like a garden. Kazuho affirms that this is Hinamizawa, and though it is likely the ecosystem has changed in 10 years she still can't fathom what that monstrous boar was. Tamura asks if Kazuho remembers Hinamizawa and she says she lived in Okinomiya 10 years ago, so she has no real memories of the village. Kazuho explains that she currently lives in a school dorm in Tokyo, and she lives alone since her parents and brother all died in the disaster. Tamura gives her sympathy.
Hinamizawa had always been seen as an evil land because of the worship of Oyashiro-sama, and ever since the Great Hinamizawa Disaster, former residents of the village had become ostracized. This behavior continued even into the Heisei Era, with Kazuho finding solace that the god Tamura didn't frown at the village's mention.
Tamura asks why Kazuho came to the village now and not on the anniversary date. The Hinamizawa Requiem Festival was an annual memorial service dedicated to those who perished in the disaster, held every June 21. Kazuho had come on June 5, sixteen days before it. Kazuho explains that she received a message on her pager, which greatly confuses Tamura as she's never heard of such a device. After giving a short description of what a pager is, Kazuho explains that she received a message from her grandfather, who was the old mayor of Hinamizawa. This was strange because he also died during the disaster, and the message was reported as coming from her grandfather's house despite the village being on lockdown. Not only that, few people knew Kazuho's pager number. Tamura understands that Kazuho came to the village to find out why.
Tamura examines the pager for a bit and uses her powers to obtain a full understanding of it, remarking that the people of Yamato have made great technological advancements. She still doesn't understand why Kazuho wants to investigate this pager mystery, but she finds it convenient since they can benefit each other.
Suddenly, they get attacked by more monsters. Despite the weakening of their charm, Tamura tells Kazuho to do exactly what she did earlier.
Part 2
Kazuho defeats the monsters and Tamura comments that she truly is a descendant of the people of horns. Kazuho asks what these monsters are supposed to be and Tamura replies that she has no idea, which confounds the girl. Tamura says she's going to call them tsukuyami anyway, as it would be inconvenient to refer to them without a name.
Tamura starts patting around where the tsukuyami were, looking for Fragments. She finds one the size of a grain of sand and holds it up to a confused Kazuho, explaining that it came from the tsukuyami and is presumably causing trouble in Hinamizawa. Kazuho is encouraged to pick up as many Fragments as she can. Tamura also explains that the Fragment she gave Kazuho is her blessing and will help her to not lose control and become aggressive like the tsukuyami.
Kazuho asks what Tamura knows of the disaster, but she knows nothing; she was resting for a while and the next thing she knew, Hinamizawa's guardian deity disappeared and the village was destroyed. Kazuho is troubled that Tamura claims herself to be a god yet knows as much as she does regarding the subject. Tamura says that's Kazuho's job to figure out, and she gets shocked. Kazuho doesn't think she can handle such an important task but she agrees to go along with it, knowing that Tamura will give her another splitting headache otherwise. Tamura appreciates her cooperation.
The duo finally enters the Furude Shrine. Tamura says the tsukuyami are emerging from a portal at the back of the shrine, which may lead to another dimension. Kazuho will be the one sent to enter it and see where it leads. After traversing the shrine grounds some more, they encounter more tsukuyami, which seemed to be guarding the place. Kazuho is determined to rid the beasts from Oyashiro-sama's home.
Part 3
After defeating the tsukuyami, Kazuho finds that their dropped Fragments are much larger than the earlier ones. Tamura says the strength of a tsukuyami is proportonal to a Fragment's size. They reach the ritual warehouse, which Kazuho knows to be a secret storage area for festival equipment and such. Tamura says the tsukuyami are coming from here and tells Kazuho to stay on guard, as she encountered a tough tsukuyami when she first came here.
After seeing the broken warehouse door, Kazuho becomes afraid that there be might be more tsukuyami inside but she presses forth. She sees Tamura isn't following her and asks why, to which the god explains she'll be sealing the portal to prevent more tsukuyami from escaping. Once Kazuho goes through, she must find another miko that Tamura sent earlier, promising to contact Kazuho again once she does.
Kazuho begins to enter the portal and Tamura gives one last message, wanting her to live and prevent more blood from being spilled on this land.
Kazuho readies herself, enters the warehouse, and after a time comes back outside again, confused. It was evening when she entered, and now it was suddenly nighttime. Neither Tamura, a miko nor any tsukuyami were to be seen inside the warehouse. Kazuho decides to go out and find some water, but she suddenly gets attacked by a tsukuyami and falls to the ground. More tsukuyami appear, and as Kazuho tries to defend herself, suddenly a girl runs up the shrine steps and kicks the monster away. The mystery girl confirms Kazuho is okay and then engages the tsukuyami, pulling out a card similar to the one Kazuho has. The girl yells out "Role Card Escalation!" and starts attacking.
Part 4
The girl finishes off the tsukuyami and helps up Kazuho, giving her a big slap on the back. She asks for Kazuho's name and takes interest in the fact her last name is Kimiyoshi, suddenly giving her a piercing stare. Kazuho was expecting to be treated poorly just like other people do when they find out someone is related to a Hinamizawa, let alone the Kimiyoshi family, and the girl happily asks if it's alright to call her Kazuho-chan.
Kazuho is confused, and the girl introduces herself as Miyuki Akasaka, a student of the Hinamizawa Branch School. Kazuho wonders if there are even any schools running in Hinamizawa in 1993, and then sees Miyuki picking up Fragments. Miyuki asks what's wrong and Kazuho struggles to answer when two girls, Rika and Satoko, suddenly arrive. Satoko asks who Kazuho is and Rika says it's dangerous to be out late like this. Satoko mentions a rumor that Miyuki likes to take late-night bike rides and Rika says she knows all about it since Oyashiro-sama can see everything, giving a "nipah" afterwards. Miyuki nervously laughs at the fact Oyashiro-sama's priestess can see everything, and Kauzho watches the three girls in confusion. Miyuki apologizes for neglecting her a bit and asks Kazuho where she lives, offering to give her a bike ride home. Kazuho says she lives in Okinomiya, and the girls think it's too far. Miyuki remembers that Kazuho is a Kimiyoshi and asks if she's the mayor's granddaughter. Kazuho is about to deny the thought and mention he's dead but says nothing. Miyuki says the mayor's house is nearby and will bring Kazuho there.
Kazuho has no idea why they'd be visiting an empty house but decides to join Miyuki anyway. Satoko stops her for a bit and gives Kazuho a sad look, which she finds strange, though Satoko warns that Miyuki is a very rough biker. Kazuho and Miyuki soon get onto the bike and take off, with the scenery greatly intriguing Kazuho. No longer was the village overgrown, but rather it was alive: houses were lit up, and laughter and music could be heard in the distance.
Kazuho wonders aloud if this really is Hinamizawa when Miyuki suddenly stops the bike and points towards some trees. More tsukuyami were appearing. Miyuki asks Kazuho to help since she also has a Role Card, but she has no idea what she means. Miyuki asks Kazuho to chant along with her and yells "Role Card Escalation!" once more.
Part 5
The duo defeat the tsukuyami. Kazuho is amazed at Miyuki's strength, wondering what the difference between them is. Miyuki says she's 15 and asks what age Kazuho is, who says she will also be turning 15 later that year. Miyuki changes her nickname towards her from Kazuho-chan to just Kazuho, and the latter thanks her for the rescue earlier.
Miyuki mentions that Kazuho just now asked if this really was Hinamizawa and aims a sharp gaze at her, asking what she meant by that. Stunned by her pressuring glare, Kazuho struggles to answer and starts walking backward as Miyuki steps ever closer to her. Kazuho's mind fills with questions: is this Hinamizawa? Why are the villagers alive? Who is Miyuki Akasaka?
Kazuho suddenly trips and falls over, staring up at the night sky as Miyuki cries out in surprise. Miyuki tries to rouse Kazuho and calls out for help when she sees how feverish she is. Kazuho hears nervous voices in the distance, but her vision and mind fades as she thinks about her brother.
Chapter 2: Souguu
Part 1
Kazuho reminisces on childhood memories before awakening inside an unfamiliar house. She exits her room and heads downstairs to find Miyuki making breakfast. Kazuho remembers the strange look Miyuki gave her last night when Miyuki tells her to watch TV as she prepares food for them.
As Kazuho eats, Miyuki places a newspaper in front of her. Kazuho reads the newspaper and sees no articles of note when she notices the publication date: June 11, 1983. Seeing Kazuho's shock, Miyuki realizes that she's indeed from the Heisei Era. Kazuho asks where they are and before Miyuki can answer, a clock alarm interrupts them. Miyuki says it's almost time for school and directs Kazuho to put on her uniform, having found it by her side when she checked on her earlier.
Kazuho examines her uniform in confusion, as she left it at home yet has no idea why it's with her now. The doorbell rings and Miyuki tells her to hurry up. Kazuho finishes getting dressed and Miyuki opens the front door to reveal Rena, who's come to go to school with her. Rena sees Kazuho and tilts her head in confusion. Miyuki introduces Rena to her and makes up a story that Kazuho is a new transfer student who will be attending school starting today. Miyuki says Rena should've known that, and as Rena ponders she seems to freeze before happily saying that she knew all along.
This sudden change surprises Kazuho, as she has never seen Rena before at all. She shudders at what this could mean when Rena asks her what's wrong. Miyuki says Kazuho is just nervous from her first day of school and tells Rena to go ahead of them. Rena leaves and Miyuki closes the door, her suspicions about Kazuho continuing to be affirmed. Kazuho asks some questions and Miyuki promises that she'll explain later. The two set off for school.
Part 2
Miyuki hums as she and Kazuho walk to school. They finally catch up to Rena and another new girl who introduces herself as Mion Sonozaki. Kazuho is surprised to hear this, as everybody knows the Sonozaki family's infamy. Mion is flattered to be attending school with the mayor's granddaughter and comments that the Three Families are now classmates. Rena is surprised that Mion has never met Kazuho before, and Mion replies that the Kimiyoshi family has members scattered all over, so she hasn't met every single one of them. The Sonozaki family also has a lot of members, but they always show up during social gatherings. Mion says her own interactions with the family have ceased for now. The group sets off for school and comment on how peaceful the weather is, which disturbs Kazuho the newcomer.
At school, the teacher Chie introduces Kazuho to the class. Satoko and Rika formally introduce themselves to her. Kazuho is guided towards an empty seat next to Miyuki, and she opens it to find it packed with brand-new notebooks, all with her name written on them. Kazuho is once again disturbed by the strange scene, which seemed to say "this was your desk all along."
Lunchtime begins and Miyuki asks Kazuho to eat with her outside. Rena asks why Miyuki won't eat with the others and she says she has a secret strategy meeting with Kazuho. Mion gives Kazuho a piercing look but then says the group should prepare themselves as well. Rena figures Kazuho will be joining them for club activities after school. A determined Miyuki drags Kazuho out of the classroom.
Part 3
Kazuho and Miyuki go behind the school to eat lunch. Miyuki gives Kazuho a bento full of sandwiches she prepared earlier. After eating for a bit, Miyuki asks if Kazuho remembers the names of the girls they met that day. Kazuho rattles off the names of Mion, Rena, Satoko, and Rika, and then Miyuki pulls out a notebook. This notebook contains a list of all the victims of the Great Hinamizawa Disaster in 1983.
Seeing Kazuho's shock, Miyuki tells her to be quiet and just read it. Kazuho flips through it and sees that all of the girls she met were indeed victims. Chie and the principal Kaeda were also in there. Miyuki says she didn't figure the book would be so useful after transcribing it herself and confirms that she is also from 1993. Kazuho can hardly believe this is real. She asks if they really did time-travel to Hinamizawa's past, and Miyuki says it's not quite like that. Despite coming before her, Miyuki doesn't quite know what's going on either.
Miyuki knows for a fact that this Hinamizawa is different than the '93 Hinamizawa, as when she first arrived there were tons of tsukuyami prowling around. She also met Tamura and received powers, though she was told that she needs to properly establish her powers since she is not of the people of horns.
Miyuki mentions that there was a tsukuyami guarding the ritual warehouse when she arrived and couldn't defeat it. Kazuho asks how she got past it then, with Miyuki saying she used Tamura as bait. Kazuho realizes that Miyuki escaping at Tamura's expense is why the god was so cold towards her.
Miyuki says she's felt alone ever since coming to Hinamizawa and felt happy when Kazuho arrived. Kazuho thanks her likewise. Kazuho thinks to herself that she still doesn't know why Miyuki came to Hinamizawa but decides to trust her for now. Miyuki asks why Kazuho came to the village when the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch. Miyuki says Kazuho doesn't have to tell her anything if she doesn't want to, knowing full well what she's experienced because of that last name of hers.
As they head back to class, Kazuho thinks about how much stronger Miyuki is than her and sighs.
Part 4
Afternoon class has the students splitting up for group study, with Kazuho joining Miyuki and the other girls. After doing some math the girls commend Miyuki for her knowledge, and she says it's all about memorization. The secret to her success was her mom being really strong and scary, with Rena seeing that Miyuki's mom must be very strict and instructional.
Class ends and Kazuho wonders what to do now when Mion approaches her and asks if she would like to play a club game. Remembering her childhood memories of seeing the club romp around, Kazuho enthusiastically agrees. As they head outside, Kazuho thanks Tamura for giving her this opportunity.
Kazuho joins the others and asks what kind of game they're going to play. Mion says it's almost time for them to come out and Rika points across the schoolyard, where several tsukuyami have appeared. As Kazuho stands confused, Mion encourages everyone to do their best. Miyuki, Mion, and the other girls then pull out Role Cards and summon weapons. Kazuho asks what this is all about and Miyuki says this is a club game, which just confuses her even more. As the tsukuyami come closer, Kazuho retracts her compliment towards Tamura.
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Chapter 3: Konwaku
Kazuho slips up when trying to keep up their cover story with Rena, and Rena suddenly starts to 'break through' the mind control the villagers seem to be under. She starts going crazy, realizing that the house Kazuho and Nao live in belonged to "someone else" and that "She should know, but why can't she remember?"
A battle interrupts the breakdown though, and Rena seems to have forgotten it by the end of it, back under the assumption that everything is okay. Something similar happens when Kazuho asks about Hanyuu's horns, with everyone in class freezing and staring at her, nobody speaking a word and the feeling like something is wrong with reality creeping in, until Miyuki manages to break the atmosphere.
Chapter 4: Yugami
Kazuho, Miyuki, and Nao go to the toy store, where they find Rena, Mion, Satoko and Rika fighting in a videogame against a boy they seem to hate. This boy turns out to be Keiichi, who for some reason is a smug, aggressive bully living in Okinomiya. Rena is trying to beat him in the game so that he'll stop hogging the console, but is defeated. Seeing that, Nao challenges him instead. When she does, all of them are suddenly transported to what looks like the Sea of Fragments. Keiichi tells them that the game will be over when they defeat the Tsukuyami in there, and a battle starts. After winning, it becomes obvious that from the point of view of "reality", Nao destroyed "Keiichi" in the videogame instead. Everyone rejoices as Keiichi leaves with a smirk.
They're left asking themselves who that guy was, since they never get his name. A few days later during class, Kazuho is asked to pull something down from the shelves. When she does, a metal bat falls from them. Trying to find who it belongs to, Kazuho sees that the bat has the name "Keiichi" written on the handle. She tries asking Mion who this Keiichi is, only for space to freeze again, the whole main cast staring at her unspeaking. Kazuho starts feeling like she's freezing up as well, unable to move or speak. Mion moves, coming closer to her and whispering in her ear "Forget about that" That's when Kazuho loses consciousness, only to 'wake up' in the same position, the classroom now empty.
Once home with Miyuki and Nao, Kazuho is told for the first time that every room aside hers is packed with cardboard boxes, like whoever used to live there was moving away. Nao finds a notebook in her room, to boot, with a name written on it: "Keiichi Maebara". They realize the house they're in used to belong to this Keiichi, the same Keiichi from the bat that Kazuho was told to forget about, though they have no idea that Keiichi is also the bully they saw at the toy store.
The chapter ends after they walk Rena home (who'd come to make them dinner), and they hear some rustling in the bushes. Miyuki calls out to the shadows, expecting Tsukuyami, only for the bushes to open and reveal Akasaka. Ooishi is with him too, but the weird thing is they don't seem to recognize what the cards in Kazuho and the other's hands are, even though they're supposedly "normal" here.
Chapter 5: Soui
Kazuho loses her consciousness in the library because of a mental breakdown after finding out that she doesn't exist in this world. She finds out after Midori takes out a dossier she's investigating (hinting this might be linked to whatever her deal is), in which there is several newspapers from 5 years prior, when Kazuho's entire family died in a murder-suicide. Kazuho thus doesn't "exist" in this world, since she died in her mother's womb with her, making her vision blur and making her feel like she's about to vanish. A voice asks her "Who are you?" in her dreams. After a hospital visit where Takano finds out Kazuho isn't quite "from there", they go to school. Kazuho confronts Mion, asking her about the incident that killed "the Kimiyoshi from Okinomiya", and she's told that the Okinomiya Kimiyoshi House was a mediator between the pro and anti-dam factions at the time.
However, when the dam war ended, something strange happened. The whole house went off on a trip "somewhere", and came back changed. They started avoiding everyone, gradually losing contact with the neighbors, until one day the father set fire to the house with everyone inside. Kazuho thanks her for the info and makes to leave, when she is stopped. Mion tells Kazuho "I asked you to forget about the metal bat in class, and yet...who did you meet in Angel Mort?", telling her that if she keeps ignoring her warnings, Kazuho will have to "transfer schools" soon too. Kazuho is initially intimidated, but it makes her realize something: Keiichi was made to "transfer schools" (literally) because he stuck his nose in something he shouldn't have, but he was instantly ostracized without a single warning. Yet, Kazuho was given multiple already without incurring in any consequences yet. Was it because she's a Kimiyoshi, or...?
Having that realization, she stops Mion as she's leaving. Kazuho steels herself and goes: "Mion, you keep giving me 'warnings', yet you're doing nothing when I break the rules. Is it because I'm a Kimiyoshi, and thus you recognize I exist, or... ...is it because you're accepting my existence as a rule I made?" As soon as Kazuho asks, Mion crashes. Her eyes turn empty, like when she was about to break through her programming in Chapter 2 when she realized Nao's backstory didn't make sense, and she leaves without saying another word. Kazuho realizes through that for some reason she's "invulnerable" for some undiscovered rule of this world, and that the discovery may prove useful now that she knows she can't be "eliminated" thanks to the rules.
Nao gets mad at Kazuho for assuming she's invincible just from that, and tells her it's possible Keiichi just stepped on a bigger landmine and that's why he was kicked out in one shot, unlike her. After resigning to the fact that differences between worlds get "smoothed out" once you find them, they decide to start investigating on what coincides between the two worlds instead. This decision is followed by them soon finding one thing in common between the two worlds: Watanagashi, which is coming soon.
Also, Miyuki's "victims of the Great Hinamizawa Disaster list", which she brought from the future, is now missing Kazuho's entire family, presumably because it was 'adjusted' to match the world in which her family died 5 years before that. Kazuho's own memories seem to be getting forcibly adjusted, since after coming into contact with the 'truth' that her family doesn't exist here, she realizes she can't remember what her family looked like.
Chapter 6: Hakai
Nao reveals she has a big sister she's never met, from a different father before her mother remarried. Kazuho is about to ask her "Nao, that big sister you're talking about...could it be she's-", but then the others come back and interrupt her.
Shion offers her help to Kazuho and the others, explicitly saying that she's not on the same side as "the village". It seems like she's not caught in the same "illusion", and realized the Tsukuyami aren't something that's supposed to exist, and she has no recollection of Keiichi ever being evil. Also, the more the tsukuyami's names are said, the more they solidify into reality; so the group's switching to calling them "that".
Mion attempts to kill Kazuho.
Chapter 7: Matsuri
Starts with a flashback to Kazuho talking with Mion, worried about how she might bring the mood down if she's allowed into the club. Mion reassures her, telling her the club is for everyone who likes to have fun. This is juxtaposed with Mion telling Kazuho and Nao that she's going to kill them once the flashback ends. Mion seems covered in a dark haze at some point, reminiscent of the stuff the Tsukuyami are made of, but it's unclear if Mion is possessed by one, or actually one. Nao tells Kazuho to fight but she doesn't want to attack Mion, Hanyuu, and the villagers surrounding them, until they find a weak spot in their circle and escape through the river. They get cornered again in the forest.
Kazuho keeps screaming that she doesn't want to fight, until someone swings a scythe at her head. It's too late to defend, and she is about to get her head lopped off when Keiichi slams into the villager's side, sending him flying. Shion also arrives, using her taser to dispatch the others. Apparently, Shion and Keiichi have been in contact for a while, and were planning to meet Miyuki at the saiguden, but they were attacked by the villagers at the temple before managing to get there. They're ready to share information, but they ask Kazuho and Nao to be honest and ask them if they're from another world. Apparently, they got this information from "that girl", but as they ask who "that girl" is, they get interrupted by more attacking villagers and have to run. They decide to hurry to the saiguden, hoping to find Miyuki. On their way there, they reach the festival. Kazuho once again tries to ask them who "that girl" that told them the truth is, but she falls silent when she sees what the festival grounds are like. Blood everywhere, hacked up corpses littering the ground, and crazed villagers still killing each other, calling each other traitors.
Kazuho gets grabbed at the ankle by a mother with child begging for her to save her, but Nao pulls her away, telling her they can't stop running. Reaching the temple, they run into Akasaka, who is carrying a wounded and bloodied Miyuki, who's also barely conscious. They immediately decide she needs a doctor, but that's when Ooishi jumps out of the shadows. Keiichi tells the others that he's not in his right mind, and that the tsukuyami can "get inside people to control them, and they won't get out until you defeat them completely". Fighting ensues.
They start fighting Ooishi. Keiichi's bat and Shion's stun gun shine like Role Cards, making it clear that they have those powers too. Ooishi's cornered, but he makes his shadow shatter into multiple "bosses" from the previous chapters, amongst which is the tanuki that once kidnapped Nao. Kazuho is refusing to fight, scared that she might kill someone, but Keiichi tells her that if she even comes close to making a fatal mistake, he'll stop her himself. She believes him, and resolves to fight. They beat Ooishi up, and he loses consciousness. Apparently, the tsukuyami have been driven away from his body, and he should be normal once he awakens. Kazuho notices something on the floor, like a Role Card, but pitch black on both sides. She pockets it, figuring she'll tell the others later. They start talking about the mind control affecting people, and Shion reveals the way it seems to work is it convinces you that other people are right, and makes you doubt yourself until you conform. She had completely forgotten about Satoshi, until "that girl" came to her and asked her "Haven't you forgotten something important?", making her return to normal. They joke around a bit, saying there'll be time to explain better later, perhaps over tea and cakes in a perfect girls-only tea party. Keiichi complains that he doesn't want to get left out, and Shion says if he likes she'll prepare a wonderful frilly dress for him too.
They're apparently heading to meet up with Tomitake, who Shion says is helping her and Keiichi. The plan is to get into his van and escape the village, but they must get past the suspension bridge first. On the way there, Nao asks who Tomitake is, since she's never met him. Kazuho says "He's that cameraman that's usually around the village. Remember Rika's dance? He's the cameraman that was filming and photographing her the whole time" "What? There was no one like that" "But...you could hear the shutter and see the flashes the whole time" "I distinctly remember thinking it was really dark and quiet though". Kazuho is wondering how that is possible, when they finally find his parked van. They circle around it, but it's empty. They're at a loss on what to do until Shion flashes her light on the ground, where they see Tomitake dead, bled out from his throat.
While they're pondering about what Tomitake's corpse is about, a grinning Takano comes out of the bushes, followed by the Mountain Dogs. She makes a speech about how they're all going to die, when a Dog falls down unconscious. Takano turns to see who it is and gets punched in the face.
It's Midori, who easily dispatches the Mountain Dogs. She shouts at the others to get into Tomitake's van and run to the clinic. When telling Akasaka "He should know where it is", she muses to herself "Oh, but there's the chance you haven't ever been there in the past. It's be a pain if it was the case this time."
Once they've run away, she turns to Takano and summons a Role Card, which turns into a rifle. She points it at Takano, who's completely at a loss on what's going on. She is about to kill her, when she says "It's a pity I have to do this, I kind of liked you. And it's a pity this'll be your 8th...no, is it the 9th time now? that this has to happen." Takano asks her "Who are you? Are you police? Are you from Tokyo?" Midori answers "I'm neither...but if I really had to answer that...I'm not a Mountain Dog, nor a Bloodhound...I'm just a Hunting Dog." Midori gives a woof before a gunshot rings out.
The group reaches the clinic to find Irie and find Satoko sleeping there, apparently she felt sick during the festival and was brought there to rest. They explain the situation, and since it's an emergency, Irie tells them "there's somewhere they can hide", so he shows them to a secret basement floor. He tells them they can hide in one specific room, and to promise they won't walk around the floor until he comes back. Shion is amongst them.
Kazuho wakes up in the clinic basement and finds a notice on her pager. Everyone is asleep so she sneaks out looking for a phone, against Irie's orders. She peeks into a room and sees a boy on a bed. For some reason she thinks it's her brother. Then Shion surprises her from behind. Kazuho starts telling her about the boy, but Shion checks the room and it's empty. Kazuho gets another pager notification so they head upstairs to find a phone.
Shion goes off looking for non-canned food while Kazuho calls Tamura and recaps the situation. Tamura says the boundary between these two worlds is wavering, so they need to come back. They don't have enough fragments to open the gate, so they need to get a huge fragment from an extremely dangerous tsukuyami at the dam site. The phone abruptly cuts off there. Then Kazuho notices a burning smell and goes to investigate. She finds Irie bleeding on the floor and Shion standing over him with a bloody knife. Kazuho eventually realizes this is Mion in disguise. She asks where Kazuho is really from and why she keeps saying "this world". Kazuho runs.
Kazuho tries to regroup with the others, but the stairway is barricaded. She also notices the burning smell is coming from the basement. Mion admits to all that and attacks her. Then armed villagers bust through the windows and she ends up surrounded. Kazuho thinks she's all out of options, but then Mion offers to let her join them, arguing that she'd just suffer alone in her old world and she's better off here. Kazuho says that's true, but refuses the offer because she'd rather die fighting to help her friends. Miyuki and the others bust in right then to save her, including Irie who is still alive. Mion asks how they escaped the fire. They wrapped themselves in fireproof blankets and used the emergency exit. Mion attacks.
The group beats Mion and the villagers, then she transforms into a dragon and runs outside, but they beat that form too, turning her back into normal Mion. She calls Keiichi "Kei-chan" and it's enough for him to burst into tears hugging her. Mion apologizes, but apparently even while the tsukuyami was controlling her, she was holding back to avoid hurting her friends. Kazuho finds a black card on the ground. Irie treats everyone's wounds. Satoko slept through the whole fight and is still asleep. Keiichi asks where the rumor about him bullying Rika came from, and Mion says Rika herself told her. Miyuki asks Shion the name of "that girl" she keeps talking about, but she and Keiichi can't remember. But it's the person who introduced them to Midori. The group decides to focus on more pressing matters.
Chapter 8: Kaiki
Part 1
Kazuho reveals that she, Miyuki, and Nao are from the future, and warns everyone about the upcoming gas disaster. Everyone reluctantly believes her. They want to go back to the future, but that would mean abandoning the people in Hinamizawa to the disaster. Nao suggests everyone should come with them to the future, and maybe they can come back later. Mion says she's in no condition to fight and Satoko is still unconscious, so Irie and Akasaka plan to escort them to the Sonozaki house while the kids head to the dam site. Mion wants to give Kazuho a Sonozaki family treasure when they get back.
Part 2
They leave the clinic in the morning and head to the dam site. The path is littered with the corpses of villagers. Kazuho wonders if they can depend on "that girl" Shion keeps mentioning, but Nao says not to rely on people who you don't know you can trust. Nao also warns Kazuho not to hesitate, and that she's prepared to kill her enemies even if they're someone she knows. They arrive at the trash heap and find Rena waiting. She summons a bunch of tsukuyami and attacks. Kazuho is losing, but Nao steps in to protect her. Rena continues attacking, so Nao shouts "stop, Big Sister!"
Part 3
Flashback to Nao in the school home ec room. The teacher starts complimenting her design work, saying she must've learned from her famous designer parents, but Nao says they're never around. Nao's parents divorced when she started elementary school. They got along at first, but by the time she started kindergarten they always fought about work. After school, Nao stops at her grandma's nursing home. Grandma was diagnosed with dementia last year and often gets Nao's name wrong, calling her Reina. Nao asked her relatives who Reina was but they always awkwardly said "I dunno." Nao comes home, but nobody's home. She does some tailoring work and dreams of being a designer like her mom. She sneaks into Mom's study and finds a book on the Great Hinamizawa Disaster, with a photo labeled Reina Ryuugu inside.
Part 4
Back at the trash heap, Nao reveals Rena is her half-sister and begs her to come back to her senses, but Rena starts strangling Nao. Keiichi and Shion try to reason with her, but that only makes her more violent. The group attacks all at once, and Rena drops Nao. Rena readies another attack.
Part 5
Flashback to Nao's house, where Mom just came home. Mom says she won't be home again for a while because her company is disbanding and she's trying to find people to start a new one. Nao asks if Dad is going with, but Mom says she despises working with him. Nao can tell they're in a bad spot financially. A few months later, after school, the teacher is complimenting the dress Nao just finished making. She planned to do another project with a classmate, but she's not here. Apparently her dad committed suicide jumping from a building. They discuss the recent recession. Another teacher calls Nao into her office to say her tuition isn't being paid. Nao asks her dad for financial support at their monthly meeting, but he says he can't help because it would upset Mom. Nao deduces he's been seeing another woman, and that's the real reason for their divorce. Dad suggests they use the compensation money the govt paid to families of Disaster victims. Nao refuses to accept that.
At home, Nao finds a letter with a photo of Rena inside and slips it in her pocket. She thinks about her sister constantly and starts talking to her as if she's there. One day Mom comes home and tells Nao to pack her things; they're moving and she's going to public school. Mom also throws away Nao's sketchbook and tells her to give up on becoming a designer because the job pays poorly. Nao refuses and runs away from home. She cries in a park and holds a box cutter to her throat. She realizes she's the reason her mom divorced her first husband, and if not for that Rena would've never moved to Hinamizawa, so she blames herself for her death. Nao decides to go to Hinamizawa and kill herself so she can meet her sister and apologize.
Back at the trash heap, Nao blocks Rena's attack with her box cutter. They're in a deadlock. Kazuho has a flashback to talking with her brother about an ancient sword passed down through the Sonozaki family and how it can cleanse souls. Then Kazuho attacks, and Nao rushes at Rena.
Part 6
The group defeats Rena and the tsukuyami all vanish. Keiichi rushes over to help her, and after confirming she's all right he gives her a big hug. Kazuho goes to gather the Fragment that dropped, but just then Shion screams. Nao is holding the box cutter to her own neck and saying she needs to die to make amends for ruining people's lives. Kazuho tries to talk her down, then Rena steps forward and convinces Nao she did nothing wrong. They're both glad they got to meet each other and cry together.
Part 7
Everyone regroups at the Sonozaki house. Mion is surprised Rena is with them, but glad she's safe. They haven't seen any villagers or tsukuyami since dawn, so they think they'll be safe until dusk. Nao apologizes for not telling them the truth about herself sooner, but Miyuki and Kazuho say they already knew. Nao throws a small tantrum over them not telling her. Mion offers to trade little sisters with Rena. Keiichi says Mion and Rena are lucky to be the only club members with siblings, but that stands out to Kazuho. She asks Mion, who tells her everyone else is an only child, including Satoko. They get interrupted there. Satoko is finally awake and brought tea for everyone.
Part 8
The group is having a strategy meeting. Miyuki tries to give back the sword, but Mion says they may still need it. They never found the Fragment they need at the dump, so they think whatever possessed Rena ran off with it. They're also confused that a black card didn't drop either, like when Ooishi and Mion were defeated. Mion and Rena realize they met the same person right before they were possessed, so the group goes to the shrine to confront the mastermind: Rika.
Part 9
Kazuho accuses Rika of getting Keiichi kicked out of Hinamizawa, and using some power to rewrite Mion and Rika's memories. Rika laughs at them for taking so long to figure it out. She says she has the Fragment they need, and it's possible to obtain even larger Fragments by infecting someone with Hinamizawa Syndrome a second time. She explains that the whole town is infected and she can manipulate them because she's the queen carrier. She's the one who made everyone go crazy at the festival. Rika finally managed to escape from June 1983 after countless tries, but monsters appeared just a few months later and slaughtered everyone right in front of her, so she's fed up with repeating everything again. She'd rather destroy the world than continue suffering through it.
Akasaka says the Rika he knows would never give up, and never hurt the people she cares about. Everyone offers to help Rika, but she says it's too late. Rika summons Hanyuu and the two fuse together. Everyone resolves to wake Rika up from her nightmare, then they attack.
Epilogue 1
Rika falls to the ground defeated. The darkness around her dissipates, and she completely vanishes. Kazuho starts freaking out, thinking she really just murdered Rika. She keeps staring at the ground but Rika never reappears. The others try to comfort her, saying they're all responsible because they fought together. Suddenly a voice calls out saying nobody is to blame. Hanyuu is standing where Rika disappeared. She says that was a false image of Rika, and some powerful being took her soul to another world. If they don't bring her back all worlds will be destroyed.
Hanyuu hands Kazuho a magatama and says they'll need it. Mion recognizes it as an old Furude family treasure, the "susuke no tamawari". It's part of a pair, and the other one is in Kazuho's world. Hanyuu tells them they need to leave because the tsukuyami are about to devour this world, then she vanishes.
Epilogue 2
Kazuho opens the door to the saiguden. They hear the tsukuyami roaring in the distance and realize they have no time. Akasaka tells the others to go ahead and says he'll stay behind to keep the monsters from following them. The others all decide to stay in their world too, to avoid causing time paradoxes. Kazuho says she can't leave them to die, but Satoko says they'll survive as long as they can defeat the tsukuyami and escape.
Rena says goodbye to Nao. Nao clings to her and cries, unable to leave her after finally managing to meet her. The monsters are getting closer, so the '83 gang goes off to fight them. Miyuki tries to stop Akasaka, but he tells her she's a great daughter and entrusts her with a book he found while investigating Hinamizawa, then runs off. Nao is still trying to stop Rena, and vows to stay here if Rena won't come with. Rena says she's glad she got to be a big sister and she loves Nao, then puts her hat on Nao's head. Rena asks Nao to solve this mystery, then pushes her away and charges at a monster. Nao keeps screaming her sister's name as Kazuho and Miyuki grab her and drag her through the gate.
Epilogue 3
Miyuki wakes up in front of a worn down abandoned saiguden. She hands Nao the hat she dropped, and Nao hugs it. Miyuki looks around to determine if this is their Hinamizawa, and is shocked to see Hinamizawa is flooded by a dam. And they have no idea where Kazuho is.
Kazuho wakes up in front of a less dilapidated saiguden and can't find Miyuki or Nao. She searches the shrine grounds but can't find any people anywhere. She finds a newspaper dated June 1983 with a headline about the final Watanagashi festival. She calls this the worst possible bad end.
Showa Chapter 1: Toraware
Part 1
Kazuho is outside the saiguden, thinking about the flyer that mentioned the "final" watanagashi. She can't find Nao and Miyuki anywhere even though they went through the door together. From the lookout she can see the town is alive and active, so she knows this isn't her world or the previous one. She rushes back to the saiguden, but finds the door closed and locked with a much more elaborate lock than before.
Part 2
Kazuho is worried Miyuki and Nao might be trapped inside the locked saiguden. She transforms with her Role Card and just as she's about to attack the lock, someone calls out to her. It's an unfamiliar girl about Kazuho's age, in a shrine maiden outfit. She scolds Kazuho and says the saiguden is sacred. But she says the Furude family head can go inside to look for her friends. Kazuho says it's not important enough to drag Rika here, but the girl has no idea who Rika is. The girl finally says she's Ayaka Furude, the head of the family. Kazuho asks what day it is, and Ayaka says June 4th, 1983. That was the same day she arrived in Hinamizawa the first time, so Kazuho freaks out and runs off.
Part 3
Kazuho decides to head to the Maebara house, since it was important to her in the previous world. She trips and gets scraped up while running. She notices an old lady nearby and recognizes her, but the lady intentionally ignores her, which is weird because she was really friendly in the last world. Every other villager she passes does the same. When Kazuho arrives where the Maebara house should be, the house isn't there; it's an empty lot. Keiichi must not have moved here at all. Kazuho collapses on the spot, distraught that she's completely alone now. She notices a boy in a baseball uniform coming over to help her right as she loses consciousness.
Part 4
Kazuho wakes up at the clinic. Irie greets her, and she's relieved to see someone she knows. Satoshi Houjou is next to him and says he was worried about her. As soon as Kazuho looks at him, she calls him her brother Rei. Satoshi introduces himself and says he's not her brother. He asks if Irie knows a boy named Rei, but Irie says no and leaves to go ask "the director" about it. Kazuho asks if Satoshi is the one who brought her here. He says he rode her here on his bike, and apologizes for not doing something sensible like finding an adult to help. Satoshi finally asks her name, and she's about to say Kimiyoshi before she hesitates, then just calls herself Kazuho. Kazuho asks about the director and he says it's Dr. Miyoko, who came in on her day off to treat Kazuho. And just then Takano steps into the room.
Part 5
Kazuho is cowering in fear of Takano. She reaches into her pocket for her Role Card, but it's not there. Takano orders Irie to inject Kazuho with something to calm her down, but right as it's about to happen Ayaka and Satoko enter the room. Satoko completely disregards the situation and rushes hug to Satoshi. Takano and Irie are surprised Ayaka knows Kazuho. She tells them Kazuho is the mayor's granddaughter and she just moved here from Tokyo. Irie freezes for a moment, then starts acting like he knew that all along. So does everyone else, except Satoko who still seems dubious.
Ayaka offers to escort Kazuho home. Takano asks for a moment alone with Kazuho before she goes, so everyone leaves the room. She asks about Kazuho feeling like she has no allies in this world, and Kazuho starts panicking when she hears that. But Takano sounds like she's actually looking out for her after going through similar things when she was young. When Kazuho leaves the clinic she sees the name Takano Clinic above the door.
Part 6
Kazuho and Ayaka bike back to the shrine, then enter the Furude main house. Ayaka makes tea for the two of them, but Kazuho is hesitant to drink it. Ayaka offers to let Kazuho live here and says she'll be going to the Hinamizawa school starting tomorrow. She also says Kazuho's school uniform and supplies will appear by the next morning, and Kazuho is confused as to how Ayaka knows about that phenomenon. Then Ayaka tells her to make herself at home and goes off to make dinner, but Kazuho stops her to ask what happened to Rika Furude. Ayaka says she died 5 years ago.
Part 7
Ayaka leads Kazuho to her room and says goodnight. Kazuho is lying there unable to sleep, so she's thinking back on their awkwardly silent dinner. She believes Ayaka was telling the truth about Rika, and she's stressed about all the other weird things in this world, like Keiichi's house disappearing. She thinks back on all the people she's met since coming here, and finally realizes that Satoshi is Satoko's brother, the boy Shion was searching for, who the rest of the kids didn't even seem to know about. Kazuho falls asleep exhausted, unable to make sense of any of this.
Part 8
Kazuho is dreaming and finds herself at an unfamiliar bus station. There are people moving about all around her, but nobody notices her. She starts to walk and and bumps her toe on something. It's a person with blood flowing from their eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Kazuho steps back and bumps into another corpse. Then she hears children screaming, calling for their mom, dad, brother, sister. The entire ground is covered in corpses and the kids are clinging to them. The people around start collapsing, and there's a mountain of corpses and an ocean of blood. It's like the massacre at the shrine in the last world, but a hundred times worse.
All Kazuho can do is scream.
Heisei Chapter 1: Kotonari
Prologue
Miyuki and Nao are looking over the dammed lake in front them, no longer seeing any signs of the village. They're trying to figure out what happened and what to do, and decide to search for Kazuho. They can't find her anywhere and check the saiguden, but they find it empty except for the sword Mion entrusted to them. Miyuki wants to leave it there but Nao insists they take it. They argue outside about what to do and decide finding safety is their top priority, but the conversation is interrupted by a tsukuyami attack. Miyuki pulls out her Role Card and tries to transform, but the card shatters. The tsukuyami slices Nao's cheek enough to make her bleed, so Miyuki grabs her and they run. They try to flee down the stone steps, but can't because Hinamizawa is flooded. Just as the tsukuyami is about to strike them, Tamura shows up to help. Nao notices something glowing in Miyuki's pocket and pulls out two cards. They're the cards Ooishi and Mion dropped, but they're no longer black. She uses the card and defeats the monster easily. But Tamura exhausted her power and transforms into a tiny fragment, with the sword inside.
Part 1
Miyuki and Nao spent the night in the shrine and have been hiking since morning. They're now at the suspension bridge. Miyuki wonders if, since this is a completely different world, maybe there are different versions of themselves here. They want to reach Okinomiya and use a phone. Nao hands Miyuki her money and says she'll stay behind. She's taking it really hard that she couldn't help Rena. Tsukuyami show up in the middle of this and Nao is in no shape to fight, so Miyuki gets ready to fight them alone. Just then, Kawata shows up and takes them all out.
Part 2
Kawata transforms the gun in her hand back into a Role Card. Miyuki is scared that Kawata's card is even more powerful than theirs. Kawata can tell they're suspicious of her, so she reminds them this is the second time she saved them. Nao thanks her for the help and asks what Kawata's reason was for helping them. Kawata dodges the question and says she's crossed between worlds just like them, but many times over. Nao asks if Kawata is the person Tamura sent them to look for, but she says she'd never degrade herself working for Tamura. She says the previous world and this one are somewhere between reality and fiction. Nao wonders if that means Rena and the others weren't real, but Kawata says they should still consider them real. She also says this world will probably be even worse than the last, and suggests they quit while they can and go back to their normal lives.
Nao refuses immediately. She puts Rena's hat on her head and says even if this is fate they just have to change it. She threatens to kill Kawata if she gets in their way. Kawata says not to joke about things like that, but Nao responds "You thought I was kidding? Try me." and pulls out her Role Card. But Kawata is surprisingly happy to see that attitude. Nao again asks Kawata's objective, but she says "someone" would be upset if she talked. She also tells them to search Hinamizawa, then leaves.
Part 3
Miyuki and Nao are wondering what to do after Kawata left, when they notice a car heading straight toward them. When the car stops, Miyuki's friend Chisame hops out of the passenger seat. She says she came to find Miyuki since she broke her promise and didn't come back or call after 3 days. Chisame and Nao do introductions. Miyuki thanks her and apologizes, but Chisame herself starts apologizing too. Miyuki is terrified when she realizes why she's apologizing. Then the driver's seat opens and out comes Yukie, very sternly demanding an explanation from her daughter.
Part 4
They stop at the Kakiuchi service area while driving back. Chisame runs into Nao by the vending machine. Nao hands her the shark keychain she apparently dropped while walking here. Chisame is surprised Nao knew it was hers, since they only met a few hours ago. It's her favorite because she loves sharks. She goes into a long rant about how great sharks are, then apologizes for being weird. Nao says it's fine, as her mom taught her respecting other people's interests is just common courtesy. Chisame says Nao must've been raised well, then starts complaining about how her parents always fight and never listen. They both agree Miyuki's mom is a good mom. She made shark shaped cookies for Chisame once.
Miyuki suddenly interrupts their conversation and they're wondering how much of that she overheard. She's angry they left her alone in the car with her mom for so long. While Miyuki's in the middle of complaining, Yukie shows up demanding to know why she's taking so long. They finally depart, driving to the airport and taking a plane the rest of the way back. Miyuki is annoyed that Nao and Chisame were chatting and getting along really well the whole way while she was getting lectured by her mom. Yukie asks Nao for her address and mentions she hasn't called her parents this whole time, but Nao says her mom is always busy and never home anyway. Yukie is really sad to hear that. Miyuki offers to let Nao stay at her place until she can get ahold of her mom, but Nao insists she's fine. They agree meet up again this weekend.
Everyone's about to get in the car, but Chisame really wants to have a private talk with Miyuki, so Yukie leaves to drop Nao off and tells them to be home by dinner. Chisame says she wants to hear everything, and Miyuki agrees but they probably won't be back in time for dinner.
Part 5
Chisame and Miyuki are at a coffee shop, where Chisame finishes a tense phone call with her mom. She teases Miyuki, saying she should pay for the coffee because this mess was her fault, but Miyuki is flat broke. Chisame asks Miyuki what happened. She can tell Miyuki doesn't know how many days have passed since she left. Miyuki shows Chisame the Role Card and Fragments, and tells her everything. Chisame asks why Miyuki never asked "are you the real Chisame?" She could tell Miyuki was worried about it, that a tsukuyami might be manipulating her. So she's going to believe everything Miyuki said in order to prove it to her. Chisame thinks it must be true because if Miyuki wanted to make up a story she would've gone with something more plausible.
Miyuki says she immediately knew Kazuho was trustworthy because she ate Miyuki's food without a moment of hesitation. Chisame jokes that if she transformed into a monster, she'd want it to be a shark. They decide to give the various worlds names to keep track of them. Miyuki is from "Heisei A", traveled to "Showa B", and is now in "Heisei C". They compare past events and the only major difference between the 2 Heisei worlds is the dam being completed and the disaster not happening. Chisame asks Miyuki if she's feeling well, because there's a "sleeping sickness" going around. Miyuki is confused because there was no such thing in her world.
Part 6
Yukie is driving Nao home. She wants to properly greet Nao's mom, but Nao insists she let her go alone. Nao thanks her for looking after her and Yukie apologizes for any trouble her daughter caused, but Nao says Miyuki really helped her out. Yukie says Nao is welcome to come over to Miyuki's house to play. Nao has Miyuki's phone number and Chisame's pager number.
When Nao comes home the mailbox is packed and newspapers are piling up. Her mom's shoes are in the foyer, but she's nowhere to be seen. There's a list of Nao's classmates sitting next to the phone, so she thinks her mom might've actually been searching for her. She notices the study door is open and checks inside. Nao finds her mom laying on the ground. The scene jumps back to Miyuki asking Chisame about the sleep sickness. Their conversation is interrupted by Chisame's pager going off. Miyuki thinks it might be Nao's number, so they call it from a payphone. Nao is crying, so Miyuki snatches the phone. Nao tells them she found her mom unconscious.
Part 7
Miyuki and Chisame take a taxi to the hospital near Nao's address. Chisame goes to call their parents and explain the situation, while Miyuki goes to ask the receptionist if Houtani and her daughter were brought here. The receptionist looks through a list, but then says she can't answer that and asks them to leave. Miyuki meets back up with Chisame. They decide to pretend to leave, then sneak around the hospital looking for Nao. The scene cuts to Natsumi on the phone with someone, talking about how they're doing what's necessary to save people. Then it cuts back to Miyuki. They find Nao sitting by the ICU section of the hospital, sobbing. Nao rushes over to hug Miyuki. Nobody has told Nao anything, so she has no idea how her mom is doing. They also apparently took Nao's blood. Chisame starts trembling when she hears that. Then staff in full hazmat suits show up chasing after them.
Chisame throws one of them to the floor, but the staff manage to capture all three of them. They say they're potentially infected and this is for their own good, then lock them in a room. Chisame explains that the sleeping sickness is an infectious disease that causes people to suddenly faint and fall into a coma. Infected people can go a long time before showing symptoms and they still don't understand how it's transmitted, so anyone in direct contact with infected people is held for testing. Not only that, there's still no cure for the infected. Nao is distraught that her mom may never wake up.
Showa Chapter 2: Ketsui
Part 1
Kazuho wakes up from a horrible nightmare, sweating and shaking. She notices a school uniform hanging by the window, with the exact same repair marks as her uniform in the last world. She thinks back to living with Miyuki and Nao and laments that she's alone in this world. Just then Ayaka enters the room dressed for school. She says she didn't prepare that uniform for Kazuho.
Kazuho and Ayaka walk to school together. There are far fewer people out in the village in this world. Half the rice fields aren't even planted, and full of weeds. All the people they walk past refuse to even greet them. When they arrive at school Ayaka goes off to see Chie, and Kazuho enters the classroom alone. As soon as she opens the door she's hit by a cloud of white powder and trips on a rope by her feet, landing painfully on her knees still bandaged from her fall yesterday. Satoshi rushes over to help and apologizes for Satoko's behavior. Rena brings her a wet handkerchief, and calls as "transfer student". Kazuho is disappointed they don't remember her. She hears a scream and the door swings open, with Mion dragging Satoko inside.
Part 2
Mion is very forcefully demanding Satoko apologize, but everyone freezes once Ayaka enters the room. Rena explains the situation to her. Satoko reluctantly apologizes, then pouts and goes to her desk. Kazuho thanks Rena and Satoshi. Satoshi refers to Rena as "Reina". Chie comes in asking if something is wrong, but Ayaka insists it's nothing. Kazuho notices there are half as many desks in the room in this world before introducing herself and sitting down. Mion warns her that this could happen again if she's not more careful. Mion says to ask her or Reina if she needs anything.
Kazuho wonders why she's going by Reina, since she hated that name in the last world. She dwells on all the differences in this world for a while. Rika is dead, Hanyuu is gone, Satoko talks different, Keiichi's house isn't there, Rena is Reina, and Satoshi isn't missing. Satoshi comes over to tell her it's lunchtime, and hands her the Role Card. He found it laying by her when she fell yesterday. Nobody seems to know what Role Cards are. Kazuho asks if there were more students in the class. Mion says people have been leaving because everyone is getting evicted next month. Satoko excitedly says she's moving to Nagoya with her mom and dad.
Part 3
Class is over for the day. Kazuho mutters something about the differences in this world and Reina seems to overhear it, but drops it. School was way less fun today. Kazuho thinks back to lunch. Ayaka brought her a lunchbox and walked away, so Kazuho ended up eating alone. Ayaka has something to do after school, so she gives Kazuho a key and tells her to head home alone.
Mion is about to leave, but Kazuho stops her to ask about the club. Mion tells her there's no club here, then leaves. Satoko and Satoshi leave together. Feeling empty, Kazuho is about to leave, but Reina stops her. She offers to walk part of the way home together. Kazuho is glad that her kindness is one thing that hasn't changed in this world.
Part 4
Reina is giving Kazuho shopping tips while walking home. A lot of the houses they walk by have the windows boarded up. Reina explains that people are being evicted because of the dam. Some are moving away, and the rest will be temporarily housed in Shishibone while they build a new "Hinamizawa" somewhere else. Kazuho asks what Reina is planning to do. She's still deciding between Ibaraki, where her mom lives; Nagoya, which would be good for work; or Tokyo. Her mom insisted that moving would be better for her education.
Kazuho is surprised Reina's mom is involved and looking out for her. Apparently her parents aren't divorced. Reina is an only child, so Nao was never born in this world. She's proud of her mom and wants to help her become a famous designer. Reina asks Kazuho to forgive Mion. Mion is upset that the Kimiyoshis supported the dam project. Kazuho is surprised her grandfather would support it, but Reina says he's bedridden and the acting Kimiyoshi head is actually his son Minoru, who is also acting as Ayaka's guardian. Kazuho is astonished because Minoru Kimiyoshi is her father's name.
Part 5
After parting with Reina, Kazuho heads to the dam site. It's not a trash heap in this world, and construction work is actually happening. One of the laborers calls out to the construction foreman, and Kazuho remembers he was the victim of the first year's curse, but he's alive here. In the last world Kazuho's dad was the mediator between the pro and anti dam factions, but in this one he supported the pro dam effort. She considers asking him about it.
Takano is taking pictures nearby and notices her. Kazuho asks about the "Takano Clinic". It was named after her late grandfather; everyone appreciated the effort he put into fighting Hinamizawa Syndrome. Takano's name is written like her grandfather's in this world. She dedicated her life to his research, and was able to fulfill that role this year. Kazuho asks if she picked up photography from her boyfriend, but Takano says she doesn't have anyone like that. Kazuho's neck starts feeling itchy. She asks Takano what she plans to do after the eviction. Takano says this is a secret, but she developed a certain medicine for another disease while working on Hinamizawa Syndrome, and an old colleague invited her to work at a pharmaceutical company. Kazuho thanks Takano and leaves. In the last world Rika said everyone in the village is infected with a disease, and as the queen carrier she can manipulate them. Kazuho thinks learning about the syndrome might be the way to unravel the mystery.
Part 6
At home, Ayaka and Kazuho are having dinner. Kazuho is struggling to work up the courage, but finally asks her about Hinamizawa Syndrome. Ayaka seems upset and asks where she heard that, so Kazuho admits it was Takano. Ayaka realizes Kazuho would just investigate it on her own if she doesn't answer, so she promises to give her a proper explanation later. But in exchange she demands Kazuho not research it or ask anyone else about it. Kazuho agrees. Ayaka says she needs to discuss Kazuho's treatment with someone else first. Then she moves in very close and sternly warns Kazuho not to break their promise. Ayaka calmly cleans up dinner and leaves the room. Kazuho collapses to the ground, terrified. She notices something hidden between the TV and the dresser, and grabs it. It looks like a Fragment, but not glowing like usual. It's the size of a grain of rice, and it's shaped like the magatama.
Part 7
For the next several days Ayaka is avoiding Kazuho, staying out late and leaving early in the morning. Kazuho eats breakfast alone. She thinks of her brother and wants to investigate more, but she's afraid of upsetting Ayaka. She finds a newspaper article about problems at a Tokyo hospital, mentioning a history of previous incidents. Including one where loose tiles caused Yukie Akasaka and her unborn child to die. Kazuho panics and runs outside for some fresh air.
Kazuho promised not to investigate the syndrome, but decides she can still research other things. She wants to talk to her dad. She looks at the magatama in her pocket and thinks it might help her. Suddenly Satoshi and Reina rush over. They invite her to a baseball game, since she mentioned being interested in club activities. She agrees, thinking they were inviting her to watch, but they actually need her to play because they're short on people. At the field, Kazuho is worried because she's never played baseball before. Mion insists she'll be fine because she's done kendo and that's basically the same thing. Then the players from the other team show up. One of them is Keiichi.
Part 8
Keiichi is apparently friends with the Hinamizawa gang. He heard the rumors about a transfer student so he comes to introduce himself, but he's confused that Kazuho already knows him. Keiichi and Satoshi wish each other a good game, then the match begins. It's a tight game at first, but by the fifth inning the Titans realize they can score easy runs by hitting the ball toward Kazuho, so they build up a 6 points lead. Kazuho is upset that she keeps making errors, but the team keeps encouraging her. The Fighters go all out and make a comeback thanks to some good hits from Reina and Mion, plus a grand slam from Satoko. They're now one point behind, and it's the last inning. The Titans switch Keiichi in as the pitcher and he strikes two batters out immediately. Satoshi is the next up to bat, but Keiichi ends up walking him. And next in the batting order is... Kazuho. Satoko argues they should be able to use a pinch hitter, and Kazuho shamelessly pleads for it, but Irie insists Kazuho step up to the plate. Thinking of Miyuki and Nao gives her the encouragement to try. Right as Kazuho is swinging at the ball she's pulled into the Fragment world, with Keiichi standing in front of her. He says last time it was 3 vs 1 but this time it's one on one, then pulls out a Role Card that transforms into a bat. Kazuho pulls out her own card, ready to take him on.
Part 9
Kazuho is back at the baseball field after defeating the tsukuyami. She sees the ball flying over the fence, so she runs around the bases. Everyone is waiting to congratulate her. Kazuho breaks down in tears, because even though this world is so different, club activities still feel the same. She really wants to see Miyuki and Nao again, and she vows to do whatever it takes to make it happen. As everyone is leaving the field, Kazuho chases after Keiichi and asks to talk to him. She thanks him for going easy on her, but Keiichi insists he went all out because he knows what she's capable of. Kazuho is wondering if he might have retained some memories, so she calls him "Keiichi of Hinamizawa". Keiichi grins. He was waiting until the right time to tell her, but he remembers everything from the previous world.