A group of boys are playing baseball under the powerful sun.

The sound of cicadas makes the heat stand out even more, but to those boys, it's just another kind of cheering from the crowds.

Of course, they go through training exercises to build stamina.

But the boys don't actually like such routine activities. What they look forward to the most is the free game after practice.

The school in Hinamizawa is actually borrowed from the forestry service.

The schoolyard is made of gravel, so it's not very appropriate for playing sports on.

Compared to that, the grounds at the school in Okinomiya are properly maintained for athletic activities, so the kids grow even more energetic when they come here.

Kids from Hinamizawa really don't care if the ground is made of gravel or not.

The other instructor is watching the game, so I decided to go get some drinks for the team.

"Coach, where are you going?"

"I thought I'd go get some drinks for everyone.

Do you mind helping me, Satoshi-kun?"

"Oh no,

not at all!"

Satoshi-kun decided to come along with me.

Sometimes kids don't like what grownups choose, so I'm glad he agreed to help.

Satoshi-kun and I got in the car and headed to the grocery store nearby.

"Manager...

How is Satoko doing?"

"Well,

she's doing fine.

Although it's an extremely slow process, her emotional wounds are healing.

I think we should let her rest for a little longer."

It's natural for Satoshi-kun to be worried.

Satoko-chan has been in the hospital for over two weeks.

Of course, he doesn't know his sister has Hinamizawa Syndrome. Not only that, she's almost at L5. She could become deranged at any moment.

He believes she's depressed because of the shock of their parents' accident.

He came to the clinic every day to cheer his sister up,

but Satoko-chan has become emotionally unstable and was showing some dangerous symptoms, so we called off the visits.

In fact... Satoko-chan is not doing so well.

L5, the stage Satoko-chan is at, is a very abnormal one.

The man from last year, who was at the same stage, was acting so abnormal that even a drug addict in his final stages would've turned and ran.

There's no guarantee Satoko-chan won't fall into the same condition.

When we performed the autopsy on that man last year, we learned the true identity of the syndrome, and gained a great understanding of its mechanisms.

We even discovered some important facts that may lead to the development of a cure.

However, we have yet to find a method of actually curing the disease.

...So if Satoko-chan becomes unrecoverable, we may have to dissect her, just like we did the man from last year.

How can I tell Satoshi-kun about his sister's situation? All I can do is make vague comments and lie to him that she's recovering.

What if she becomes much worse?

...That would make me an unforgivable liar.

The tiny bit of conscience that remains in me hurts.

"......If it's okay with your clinic...

can she stay there a little longer?"

"...Why are you saying that?"

I thought he wanted her to come home as soon as possible, so I'm a little surprised.

"Well...

actually...

Satoko doesn't get along with our aunt."

"I heard she didn't get along with her parents...

but she can't get along with your aunt and uncle either?"

"......Satoko doesn't open up to grown-ups."

Satoshi-kun has told me about their family background.

Their mother's constant remarriages wounded her children deeply.

Satoshi-kun was able to overcome it, but Satoko-chan was too young to be able to do that.

That left her traumatized, and she now has the tendency to distrust or dislike guardians who aren't related to her.

...Actually, nobody would like a guardian who isn't related to them.

It's not just Satoko-chan.

But usually people try to deal with that, even if they don't like it.

...I guess Satoko-chan's not capable of that.

"Our uncle isn't home much. Besides, even when he is, he's either sleeping or watching TV, so he's not the problem...

...But our aunt really goes after Satoko."

"...Why doesn't she like her?"

I can guess why.

Satoko-chan's parents were dam proponents and because of that, the villagers considered the aunt and uncle part of the Houjou family and ostracized them as such.

Moreover, they passed away suddenly in an accident and left two children behind, so I guess there would be more hate there than gratitude.

If she had been obedient like Satoshi-kun, everything would've been fine...

But Satoko-chan can't be that way.

She shows that in her attitude and expressions, which leads to her and her aunt having a big fight.

"...I've told my aunt about Satoko's situation...

But she just can't understand..."

"I think you're a great big brother, Satoshi-kun.

You're the one and only relative Satoko-chan has left now..."

"...Right. ...I feel that way too."

Satoshi-kun said with a slight hint of a sigh.

He doesn't say it, but it seems Satoshi-kun has grown tired of having to cover for Satoko-chan every time she and her aunt fight.

He's a good person, as well as a good big brother.

So I'm sure he'll do anything to cover for his sister.

...But that's a very exhausting thing to keep doing forever.

Satoshi-kun was already doing that when their parents were alive.

And eventually, his mental equilibrium couldn't handle the strain, he grew sick, and he visited my clinic.

I thought his circumstances might have improved after their initial cause--his parents--were gone...

But it seems things were even worse than before.

"I understand.

I can't release Satoko-chan if things are like that. Her symptoms may return again.

Don't worry about the hospital fees.

I'll make sure Satoko-chan truly recovers."

While trying to pretend I'm listening to his request, I feel a little disgusted at myself for making such selfish excuses.

I'll make sure?

Takano-san is working on her dissection plan as we speak.

"...If that's possible...

that'll help me too."

"What...?"

"I mean......

if Satoko stays in the clinic a little while longer,

then I can

relax,

as well.

...That's all."

"What do you mean?"

"...As soon as Satoko comes back,

I know she'll get into fights with my aunt again.

...Then it's back to those days of constant fighting and screaming again...

and I'll probably get dragged into it too.

......So if Satoko were hospitalized for a very long time,

that would be the easiest on me...

But when I think like that...

I hate myself..."

"Satoshi-kun..."

Satoshi-kun is a great big brother who always sticks up for his little sister.

But that doesn't mean he doesn't feel burdened.

"To think things like that... what a terrible big brother I am.

The more I think that way... the more I hate myself

..."

Satoshi-kun said, sniffling once.

His expression was one of anguish, as if truly feeling his own sin...

His desire to be a model big brother is putting himself under greater pressure.

I feel bad for Satoko-chan, but I also feel bad for Satoshi-kun in a different way.

As someone who knows the both of them well, I feel that I must be their ally, since they don't have anyone else who cares about them.