"...This year's curse, then?"

"...That's what it looks like.

...He kills them differently every year, but this is particularly conspicuous, isn't it?"

"Clawing out your own throat...

...That isn't normal..."

"Let's leave the rest to the old man in forensics.

...I'm sure he'll find some suspicious drugs."

"Thank you!

Thank you for your hard work!!"

"Oh, Ooishi-san!

Komiyama-san and the others have arrived!"

"Ooishi-san, much appreciated!

Well, it would seem we have a pretty crazy one this year."

"Yes.

We've been outsmarted.

...I was absolutely under the impression Teppei Houjou would get killed tonight..."

"Who is the deceased?"

"Jirou Tomitake.

A photographer with a hobby for coming to Hinamizawa a few times a year.

...We didn't even have him marked..."

"...I wonder what happened?

Did they realize we were watching the Houjou residence the whole time and decide to switch their target?"

".........Maybe...... We sure flubbed this one..."

"And there are no problems with Teppei Houjou?"

"Correct.

His daughter left for the festival in the evening, and a little while later, he left on his motorbike.

...His daughter came back first... wait.

Has he not come back yet?

Is he still out drinking somewhere...?"

"Ooishi-san, are you there?!

Call from Chief Takasugi.

He's on the line in Car 1!!"