I might have explained this before, but...

Phys Ed at our school is really just an exercise in disorder.

After some random warm-ups, the rest of the time is spent doing whatever.

You're free to cause a ruckus or just fall asleep.

"...I'm not really sure, but doesn't the Board of Education have some sort of curriculum for this?

Something like: 'When you're this old, you should have this amount of physical ability'?"

"I have no idea what you're saying, Keiichi-san; it's rather difficult to understand."

"Well, you see.

It's something like a rule for teachers to follow during class."

"Ahahaha!

Maybe you weakling city-folk need something like that.

But do you really think us country-raised kids would lag behind in physical ability?"

"...We're better athletes than you would think, Keiichi."

Come to think of it... they might be right.

If we all lined up for a race, there was a good chance I'd finish dead last if I didn't start off well.

...Let's just pray that when a brutal penalty game is at stake, the 100m dash isn't a club activity.

"On that note... I watched too much television so I'm fantastically tired.

I'll be using this time to catch up on my sleep.

It's 4th period and I'm completely starved.

...If I don't sleep now, when will I ever?"

As I began to sprawl out on top of a pipe, Mion grabbed me by the collar.

"Tsk tsk tsk.

Do you really think I'd let you sleep in peace and quiet~?"

"...With that look on your face, it'd require more courage to try and take a nap than not."

Good grief...

Which means... is it going to start again...!?

"Now!!

Just killing time with idle chit-chat until the bell rings is impossible for us hot-blooded youth, isn't it?

Shall we start a club activity!?"

"Hmph, just as I thought, it's come to this.

What's today's game!?"

Now that this is happening, taking a nap is impossible.

Not just that... with this sleep-deprived head of mine, I'm as good as mincemeat!

I have to get my brain into gear!!

"Rena thinks that we should decide what today's penalty game should be before we start."

"Hehehe...

Rena knows what's up~!

I've prepared something super special today!"

She began to announce the cruel penalty game with a grand spinning flourish!

But before she could do that—

"...I'm sorry.

I have something that I wanted to do."

Of all people, it was Rika-chan announcing her non-participation.

Even rare events do eventually occur.

...Losing her timing, Mion spun like a top as she tumbled to the ground.

"Whaaaaa...

...Huh? What's the matter?

Are you not feeling well?"

"Oh, that's right.

Mii-chan, she has to practice for the Watanagashi."

"That's right.

It's this Sunday.

Rika is in the middle of super serious training right now!!"

"I've been working too hard lately, so my arms hurt."

"I see.

Well, there's nothing that can be done.

There's no point in doing anything if we can't get everybody together.

...Today, let's just take it easy!"

"...I'm very sorry.

But I'll try my best."

"Yeah! Good luck!

We'll be cheering you on~!"

When Mion announced that today's club activity was cancelled, Rika-chan and Satoko headed off behind the school building.

Only I was left alone, completely clueless as to what everybody was talking about.

"...What was that about?

Is Rika-chan training for a competition or something??"

"Rika-chan is a shrine maiden for the Watanagashi, so she has to perform a ritual dance.

It's practice for that."

"...Why don't you explain things in order?

First of all, what is this Watanagashi?

Next, what do you mean by shrine maiden?

Last, what do you mean by ritual dance?"

"Huh?

Didn't you get the notice at your house, Kei-chan?

Wasn't it written there?

The Watanagashi Festival is this Sunday."

...Huh?

Come to think of it, I have a feeling Mom did say something about it during dinner the other day.

"The Watanagashi is a festival that happens at the shrine on a Sunday every June.

It's very lively!"

"I see.

But 'Watanagashi' sounds like a pretty strange name for it.

...Is it something like...

the lantern festival, where they have a memorial for the dead by floating things down the river?"

"Oh, I figured you might guess right, Kei-chan!

The Watanagashi --or Cotton Drift-- Festival is, as the name implies, where we set cotton adrift down the river."

"The cotton, you see, is from futons or jackets.

So it'd be something like a futon memorial?

...They also pile futons up on the altar."

"I've heard of people leaving offerings of things like needles or kitchen knives to their ancestors or to casualties of war...

But an offering of futons is a first for me.

What's the history behind that?"

Mion tilted her head pensively.

"I don't think there's a complicated backstory to it.

The winters around here are pretty harsh, so things like warm futons and coats to ward off the cold are fairly important, I guess."

"Ah, I see.

In other words, it's something like giving thanks to the futons that took care of you during the winter, then.

Then, the shrine maiden holds a memorial service for them and set them adrift.

That's what the Watanagashi is?"

Mion and Rena indicated that I had the correct answer with a round of applause.

"And you see, and you see.

That shrine maiden performing the memorial is... Rika-chan!"

"Oh?

So Rika-chan is a shrine maiden.

...Now that you mention it, Rika-chan does have a mystical air about her."

"Right? Right!

Rika-chan in a shrine maiden outfit... hau~!

Sho kyuuute!"

...It certainly does seem like it would suit her.

Yeah, it might be kyute.

"I finally get what you're saying.

Rika-chan's training is for her performance as a shrine maiden then."

"That would be it.

The shrine maiden has to purify a number of futons as part of the ceremony.

It's practice for that.

...It's a lot of hard work."

"The shrine maiden has to carry a large ceremonial hoe as part of the rite... and it's really heavy for Rika-chan."

"Well, Rika-chan is pretty small.

...Exactly how heavy is that hoe?"

"It's pretty heavy.

...Enough that Rika-chan has been practicing with a mochi mallet."

Wait a minute.

That's way too heavy!!

Forget about Rika-chan, that'd be rough even for me!

"It's a sacred ceremonial hoe...

If she dropped it by accident, it'd be big trouble."

"Well... it's a once-a-year kind of deal.

All we can do is cheer from the sidelines.

...It'll be okay.

She pulled it off last year!"

"...Really?

Then the least I can do is cheer her on!!

Even something that little would help, right?"

I was rather curious about exactly how she practiced.

Mion laughed as she shook her head.

"Leave her alone.

If you go, Rika-chan will get all cute and won't be able to practice."

Hm?

I didn't quite understand what Mion was saying.

"You see, Rika-chan doesn't like showing people how hard she works.

Okay?

So just leave her be."

...Even the always cool and aloof Rika-chan has times when she sweats while giving it her all.

Because she was always so well put together, she didn't want people to see an ungainly side of her... It's not like I couldn't understand that feeling.

"All I can do is pray for her success, huh.

...Do your best!!

Rika Furude~!!

I'm cheering for you~!!!"

Well then.

I climbed up onto the pipe, and plopped down on my side.

"Hooray! Hooray! Riiikaa-chaaaaaan.

...In order to transmit more of my psychic waves of encouragement, I'll be entering a meditative state now.

...zzzzzzz."

"So you're just going to sleep after all!?!?"

The lackadaisical noontime ended up giving way to mind-numbing afternoon classes.

Rebounding from yesterday's hunger, I ate too much for lunch today, leaving me in a horrible condition.

"Ugh... I might have gorged myself a bit too much...

I'll... have to endure afternoon classes..."

"Ahahaha.

Keiichi-kun, you had an amazing appetite today!"

"Basically, you always eat like a pig.

But today was on a whole different level."

"Yesterday I skipped lunch, right?

That hunger just soaked right in.

This time, no matter how much I ate, my hunger knew no bounds..."

"Ahahaha, I get you. I get you."

"But really... Kei-chan, you always finish your lunch down to the last bite.

Heck, even down to the last grain of rice."

"With food, you show your appreciation for the person who made it by eating it, you know.

If you leave any behind, it's rude to the person who put in all that effort."

Hearing that, Mion's eyes momentarily widened in surprise, followed by a cool laugh.

"Kei-chan, really.

At first glance, you seem unruly and irresponsible, but you're actually pretty conscientious.

Well-disciplined, or something like that."

"Ah, yeah. Rena thinks so too. Thinks so too!

Keiichi-kun is a lot kinder than he looks!"

...Both of them were probably trying to compliment me, but I had a strange feeling I wasn't being complimented at all.

"That's not true!

I just wanted to say that there's a big gap between your appearance and your personality."

"And I'm saying that's not a compliment!"

"Hey!

Sonozaki-san! Maebara-kun! We're in the middle of class!

How far did you get, Sonozaki-san? Bring your notes up here."

Startled, Mion vocalized a rather easy to understand utterance.

She was so enthralled in the conversation, she had stopped working completely.

"Ummm... Uhh....

Doing all right...☆"

"You haven't progressed at all!!

You're in the highest grade, so you have to shape up!!"

That Mion, it looks like she's getting lectured.

Poor bastard.

"Appearances can be deceiving, in other words.

...Actually, appearance might be the opposite of reality."

"...Hmmm? You say some interesting things."

Responding to Rena's seemingly profound statement, I turned my gaze to where Satoko was happily studying together with Rika-chan.

"Are you saying that brat Satoko is actually really meek?"

If I went by what Rena literally said, then that would be the case.

I could hardly imagine Satoko being meek and gentle like a girl in some fairy tale.

"Satoko-chan's been rude lately, but just a while ago she was pretty different.

She acted really spoiled and always--

...

Yup.

Ehehe... keep this a secret from Satoko-chan, okay☆?"

"That Satoko... acting so cute!?"

For Satoko to play coy, I think that would have to be some part of some calculated plot.

Even if she was to hide behind someone, I wouldn't think it was because she was attached to them.

...But since it came up, I tried to imagine a gentle and coquettish Satoko.

"Hey, Satoko."

"What is it, onii-sama☆?"

Satoko smiled cutely, and walked towards me...

By the way, for every three steps forward Satoko took, for some reason I took three steps away.

"Hm?

Onii-sama, why are you running away...?"

"Sorry, Satoko.

...For you to approach me with an affectionate smile on your face, I just have to think it's some sort of trap."

"Th-That's so mean!

Onii-sama you meanie~!

Waaaaaaaa~~!!!!"

"A-Ah...So-So-Sorry!! I didn't intend to be so mean!"

The weeping Satoko came closer to me...

...I'm a sucker for tears...

*click*

*CLANK*

Huh!?

A bear trap!?!?

My leg was being clamped down on by jagged metal teeth!

"Ohohoho!!

You fell for it!!

Now for the next part!!"

Satoko raised her right arm triumphantly... and traps began to trigger one after another!!

Suddenly, the wall sprang forward, throwing me three blocks away!

And there I saw... a giant metal ball covered in spikes, hurtling towards me!!!!

On top of that, in the direction the ball would knock me was a giant guillotine!!!!

"I'm not really sure, but Keiichi-kun... you're not thinking of anything completely ludicrous right now, are you?"

"Not really.

Not at all..."

"That's a lie.

You've got the kind of look on your face that says: 'I'm gonna be crushed by a giant spiked metal ball~!'"

...How could my expression convey what I was thinking like that?

"Sorry.

...Imagining a meek and gentle Satoko is impossible right now.

...I'll try again when I'm in better shape..."

Next, I looked over at Rika-chan, who was working diligently on some kanji drills.

In contrast to Satoko, her default state was meek and gentle.

If Rika-chan came at me saying "Onii-sama~☆," I'd hug her.

Tightly.

I could get used to that!!

"Keiichi-kun, you're drooling."

"Ah, sorry, sorry.

...Then, how about Rika-chan?

Are you saying that her appearance is deceiving as well?"

Saying that out loud, I felt a tinge of doubt.

...Was Rika-chan really all sweet??

Despite her appearance... she really was quite sly. Sweetly... how do you put it... evading things deftly?

"...I get the feeling that Rika-chan isn't only just sweet.

...Her appearance is definitely deceiving."

I couldn't put exactly what I was imagining into words, but Rena managed to say what I wanted to.

She turned to me with an impish look in her eyes, like she was saying: "Ahh, you shouldn't say something like that~"

"When Rika-chan grows up, I'm sure she'll become an incredibly devilish beauty, with men wrapped all around her little finger.

Don't you think that would be cool?"

Rena said that lightheartedly... but I, as a man, couldn't laugh at that.

The scary part about that was that it felt like it could be true.

Noticing my gaze, Rika-chan turned towards me and let loose with an angelic smile.

Both Rena and I, feeling as if that was directed towards us personally, had our hearts skip a beat.

"Hau~~... Sho kyu-kyu-kyuuuuute. Sho kyuuuuute☆"

"Rena, your nose is bleeding."

...Appearances can be deceiving, huh.

...Well then, what about our Dear Leader, Mion?

I stared at her as she tried to weasel her way out of her scolding by the teacher.

By Rena's theory, that unrefined, calculating, conniving Mion also had a side of her that belied appearances.

...

"Then what you're saying is: 'That Mion, despite her appearance, is actually a good person'?"

"Mii-chan *is* a good person."

"Oh, well, that *is* true!

But what I'm trying to say is..."

"Yup yup~. I know what you're trying to say, Keiichi-kun."

Catching on that I was struggling to express my feelings as words, Rena smiled even more brightly.

"Know what?"

"Mii-chan is mysterious, right?

She's a girl, but it's like she's a guy."

That's right.

Mion was more than aware that she was a girl, but it was exactly as Rena said.

When Mion livened up the mood, it wasn't as though she felt like a guy or a girl specifically, but a friend of the same gender.

"If she were a guy... we'd probably be like two peas in a pod.

...Although, that's the same way it is right now. Ahaha!"

"But you see.

Even that Mii-chan...

is actually really feminine."

"...Rena.

How much did Mion pay you exactly?"

"Thaat's noooot trueee~!

Geez, I'm trying to have a serious conversation, you know? You know?"

Rena began to pout. Now probably wasn't the right time to joke around.

"Mii-chan is the club president, so she's trying hard to lead everybody.

But she's really a very cute girl.

I really don't want you to forget that, Keiichi-kun..."

...Rena's gaze focused off into the distance, beyond where Mion was.

The Mion that I met at Angel Mort was unimaginably different compared to the Mion that I normally knew.

Flustered and hesitant from the unfamiliar job.

It was a far cry from the brash and confident Mion.

Even though she had to hurry to work, she went through all the trouble to bring me food when I was on the brink of starvation.

And she did so not as Mion, but as Shion.

What exactly was Shion to Mion?

What kind of person was Mion exactly?

"Keiichi-kun probably couldn't even begin to imagine. Begin to imagine! ...Hehehe!"

As if to say it was our little secret, Rena held her finger up to her lips as she giggled.

Mion—finally free from the teacher's preaching—returned to her seat, cradling her head to hide her embarrassment.

"Hmph!

This old man, you see, thinks that grade school is enough for everything you need to study for in life."

Saying that, she plopped down into her seat violently.

Mion was actually really feminine. Right.

I wonder if I can meet Shion again.

...I wanted to talk to her again.

*CLANG CLANG*

The principal waved around the bell that served as the school chime.

The teacher rushed back to the black board and began to list everybody's homework assignments.

"Whoa.

It looks like there's gonna be a lot of homework today. Gotta buckle down!"

"Well then.

...That means, even Rena?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Appearances can be deceiving.

Would that apply to you too?"

"Huh?

Ahahahaha...

Keiichi-kun... how do you see me?

How? How?"

The Rena Ryuugu that I knew... sometimes took things too far, but was generally a kind and gentle, ideal girl.

"Really? Really...?

Then... that m-m-makes... me happy I guess..."

If she was the opposite of what she seemed, that would make her...

"...and if you were really the opposite...?"

"..."

Just try saying it, I won't be mad.

...That's what I felt she meant.

"...Rena is..."

"Uh-huh. Rena is...?"

"E-

...Even if you were the opposite, you'd still be Rena.

...Right?"

This question shouldn't have been so nerve-wracking to answer.

...Maybe it was because the person in question was staring at me, but...

Even saying that took a strange amount of effort.

"Th-That's no fair, Keiichi-kun.

It bothers me when you say it that way~ ...Hau!!"

Perhaps unable to endure my silence, Rena's face began to burn red with embarrassment.

"Rena~!!

Kei-cha~n!!

Let's go home!!"

Mion walked over and started getting ready to go home.

Whenever school is over, she really does get noticeably more energetic.

It was the same relaxing walk home as always.

Digging around my pocket on a whim, I noticed something that should have been there was missing.

"What's the matter, Kei-chan?"

"...The key to my house I always carry around is gone.

...Man, where did I lose it?

It's fine today since my parents are home, but still, this is bad."

"That sure is troublesome...

Did you forget it somewhere?

Or did you drop it?"

Which one was it?

Did I take it with me this morning in the first place?

...Huh? Huh?

"Kei-chan, did that key have anything that would make it stand out?"

"Yeah, it's on a keychain.

It was a blue fur seal, something I made for summer homework a long time ago."

"Huh? ...Does it have its eyes shut, like it's taking a nap?"

"Oh, how did you know?

Yeah, yeah, that's it!"

Mion looked away and began to whistle.

"Ummm... see.

You went for dinner at Angel Mort a couple of days ago, right?

That night, the staff found a key...

And there was a fur seal keychain attached to it."

As she said that, she suddenly grew flustered, and added that Shion had told her about it.

"Huh!?

So, I dropped it then..."

"Ahahaha, but aren't you glad they found it?

I'm sure they're looking after it for you."

"That's right.

Why don't you go?

Shion looks the same as me, so you'll know her by sight."

This was... a rather unexpected development.

...Once again, I had no choice but to go and meet with Shion...

But I also had to thank her for the bento from yesterday.

Besides, taking some time and chatting with this other side of Mion might be interesting... Half-jokingly, I began to think about things like this.

"Right.

Angel Mort, was it? I'll head over to Shion's restaurant and get my key back.

While I'm at it, having a nice spot of tea might not be a bad idea."

"Ahahahaha!

You sound like an English gentleman.

That totally doesn't suit you, Kei-chan!"

"Is this the restaurant?

The one that Mii-chan's little sister is working at?"

"Yeah. Why don't we go together, Rena?"

"Sorry to disappoint you... but I have plans with my father today.

Some other time."

Rena seemed pretty disappointed about having to miss such a great opportunity.

"You said they're twins, but do they really look that much alike?

Enough to mistake which is which?"

"Yeah, they're totally the same.

At least on the outside.

...Unlike Mion, she's well-mannered and really cute, though..."

In response to my teasing, Mion pouted and began to argue with me.

...I couldn't help but burst out laughing at Mion's little farce.

After all, they weren't just identical, they were the same person.

After going home, I changed my clothes and dug my bike out of the garage.

Just thinking that I would be able to meet Shion again gave me a mysterious feeling.

Shion, a name for a different kind of Mion.

...She was a mysterious and ridiculous person, believing she had fooled everyone like that.

I noticed that I was pedaling along quite happily.

Could it be that I was looking forward to meeting Shion?

I felt a sense of giddy anticipation, like I was headed towards a new friend's house for the first time.

What Rena said about Mion actually being really feminine sprang to mind once again.

The guilt from spying on another side of Mion, the self-consciousness from being the only one that knew about that side, these feelings mixed together.

That was Shion for you.

Mion's little twin sister.

...Until she felt like coming out and admitting she was Mion, it was fine to just call her Shion, right?

Mion might be trying to have some fun by acting out a different persona.

As I reached the top of the steep hill, the horizon expanded before me. I was almost at the station.

The last time I wasn't embarrassed since I was here with Dad, but this time I was alone... I was strangely self-conscious about it.

Meet Shion, get my key back.

That was all this task was supposed to be...

If I dawdled around like this, maybe Shion would find me before she headed in for work.

...Hey, hey! What are you doing, Keiichi Maebara!

You're just here to get your key back, you know?

It's not like you're some love-struck schoolboy here to hand over a love letter!

Aahhh... the thoughts inside my head were slowly turning into a jumbled mess...

I came to the realization that I was downright giddy.

That's why... for just a bit...

Just a tiny little bit...

...I got a little carried away and did something really stupid.

I kicked over a parked motorcycle that was blocking the sidewalk.

It was in the way, sure, but there was absolutely no need for me to kick it.

...I definitely think I got too carried away.

*thunk, clack*

*CRASH!!*

As the three bikes toppled one after another like dominos, the loud noise they caused snapped me back to my senses.

"...Oh ...Shi--"

"The hell you think yer doin'!!!"

...The owners of those three bikes were right there.

They looked exactly like what you'd call 'thugs up to no good.'

They lifted their heads up in an imposing manner, and yelled angrily in a way I had never heard before.

The three of them beelined towards me, the worn-down heels of their thin-soled shoes slapping noisily against the pavement. I could only stare listlessly, as if I were watching some far-off event that didn't concern me at all.

By the time I realized it, I had been grabbed by the collar and lifted onto my tip-toes.

"Dun be playin' dumb!!

Ye knockt em ova didntcha!?

HuuuUUUhhhh!?"

The three thugs were completely ignoring the rules of grammar, but the way they spoke was enough to make me tremble.

...Just like that, my composure drained away... my legs buckled and my throat grew dry enough to crack.

"I-I'm s-sorry... I a-accidentally--"

"Axident my ass!

Ye kickt it didntcha dumbass!!"

I was completely at fault, so there was nothing I could say in my defense.

...As a result I was pulled even higher...

"Da hell man!!

Da paint's all scuffed!!!"

"Yo, brat!!

Who putchu upta dis eh!?"

"Dis iz yer gerdam fault!!"

The three of them continued to yell at me. I had no idea what each of them were saying.

Getting further enraged that I was only listening while dumbstruck, they grabbed an empty plastic crate from a nearby store and began to smash it repeatedly against a telephone pole.

Cracks formed in the crate, plastic shards flying everywhere.

They then slammed it full-force into the shuttered storefront.

*SMASH*

The shutter let out a frighteningly loud noise.

Still not satisfied, they flipped over a case of empty cans, scattering its contents all over the place.

...Th-This was not normal...

It was something you saw often on television or in manga, but I never thought seeing it in person would be this terrifying...

I became painfully aware that the safety of civilized society was only held up by such a frail concept as morals.

My knees clattered together noisily.

Static began to pepper my vision...

This is what you would call... absolute terror.

There was nothing I could do to stop this frightening spectacle of violence.

I could only pray for help...

...The fear I felt was just too much...

Would somebody... help me?

My gaze floundered about the surrounding area.

I was surrounded by these three hoodlums.

No way would there be a passerby brave enough to intervene.

Maybe this was what you call... reaping what you sow.

...If I were a passerby... there would be no doubt that I'd ignore what was going on.

So this was somewhat of a cosmic retribution...

"Fookin' say sumtin!!!

I'll fookin' stab ye!!!"

Angry yelling loud enough to rattle my eardrums spewed forth right in front of my face.

My waning consciousness was forcefully dragged back to the forefront.

The thug had cocked back his free hand and twisted his body, when suddenly, a metallic taste filtered through the back of my throat.

A chill ran down my spine like a jolt of electricity.

...Seeing what was going to happen next, I squeezed my eyes shut as tightly as possible and grit my teeth!!!

"You're making quite the racket, you stupid pieces of trash...

Get out of my sight."

...That voice was a short distance away.

Still holding me by the collar, the three thugs spun around to look behind them.

"Dafuq ye say!!!"

Standing there was Shion.

...I mean, Mion.

...She stood there, displaying an imposing stature that I'd never seen before.

She didn't have the same look on her face as she did when we were playing around during club.

...Those were the eyes that would instill fear in anyone who looked upon them: the eyes of a raptor.

...They were the epitome of terror...

At the same time, they were the most reassuring things in the world.

"I'll only say this one more time.

...Let go of Kei-chan and get lost."

Mion, without an ounce of fear, laid down her ultimatum.

Of course there was no way those three wouldn't go absolutely berserk.

The situation instantly turned explosively dangerous...

"Ye fookin biiiiitch!!

I'll fookin bash yer ead in!!"

Stop it, Mion... these guys are like rabid dogs!

No amount of bluffing will work!

"...Mi-Mion...

It's dangerous...

So ru—"

I knew what I was saying was pathetic.

...But... I couldn't let Mion get involved in this!

No matter how you looked at it, Mion was only bluffing.

...But, did Mion even know the meaning of the word "bluff"?

However... the reason behind everything soon became apparent.

...They were slowly increasing in number. Little by little.

At first, it was only businessmen on their way home stopping to take a look.

Then, it was housewives in the middle of shopping taking a gander.

...Next, what seemed like the owner of some store showed up... and it was pretty clear he wasn't just looking.

Around Mion... there was already about seven people gathered.

It felt different than people coming out to support a friend.

...If I had to say why, it was because the group that gathered was diverse in age and gender.

The three thugs seemed to slowly realize that there was something strange about the situation.

"Who da hell are deez guys!!"

Behind them, at some point four more people of differing clothes and ages had gathered.

A girl who looked to be in middle school.

A man wearing a bakery apron.

An old lady in a house-cleaning smock.

More and more... people of various ages.

Their gazes, comparable to Mion's, were of hostility.

Of intimidation.

Before I realized it, over ten people had formed a ring around us.

At that moment, five elementary schoolers ran in and joined the circle.

...There were some familiar faces.

Some of our classmates.

...Then these people were... residents of Hinamizawa!?

More and more people from Hinamizawa gathered around.

...In obvious contrast, the residents of Okinomiya were passing by as quickly as possible.

"Dafuq are you guys?

Go dafuq away!!"

The group surrounding us had suddenly swelled to around twenty people.

...Completely encircled, the faces of the thugs began to show the first signs of panic...

Nobody spoke a word, Mion included.

That made everything completely unnatural, and depending on which side you were on, completely terrifying.

...Only the thugs voices echoed out like they were screaming.

Somebody took a step forward, closing the gap between them.

...As they did, everybody else took a step forward, shrinking the circle.

The hoodlums went pale as they were pushed together, back-to-back, while still yelling angrily.

They were trying to string together vulgarities, but for some reason it sounded like they were crying out for help...

"All right, all right, all right, what's going on here? What's going on!?"

It was sudden.

A solidly-built officer cut his way through the crowd.

At some point two police cars had arrived.

Some passerby had undoubtedly called for them.

Several burly officers appeared from inside the 2nd vehicle.

"...Oh, Officer, good timing!

There you go, the extortionists, caught red handed.

Please arrest them."

"Dafuq!?

Dis brat's da one dat's wrong here!!"

Mion, returning to her usual self, was nonchalantly pointing out the hoodlums to the police.

Of course the thugs were furious.

But, now that it had come to this, there was nothing they could do.

It was their loss.

"Okay, okay!!

Come over here for a sec.

Come on already!!"

The officers handcuffed the thugs and dragged them towards the patrol cars.

"Dafuq, lemme go!!

We're da victims here, are you listenin' dammit!!"

No matter how much of a ruckus they caused, the officers paid no heed.

In the blink of an eye, they were crammed inside the two vehicles.

They could still be heard yelling while inside the police cars, but what they were saying was no longer intelligible.

"Are you all right?

Are you injured?"

He was probably a detective.

The man leading the police peered at my face.

"...No... not really."

"Nfu-fu-fu-fu!

Well, that's a bit of a silver lining then.

Well then, have a good year."

The portly man, after taking a quick look around, addressed the crowd.

"Thank you, citizens, for your timely report.

Thanks to your efforts, we were able to keep the peace today.

It's a wonderful thing.

...Nfu-fu-fu-fu!"

"...Thank you for your hard work,

Detective Ooishi.

As a citizen, I thank you for your daily efforts.

It's an honor for a detective from the first division to come out all this way."

...The way Shion talked didn't have a very pleasant tone.

"It was a coincidence.

I happened to hear the call over the radio on my way back from the prefectural office.

I just made a little detour."

"Please keep up the good work.

I pray for success in your future endeavors."

"Nfu-fu-fu-fu!

Aww shucks.

It's a good thing there were no injuries, though."

"Ooishi-sa~n!

We're done here!

Let's go!"

"Well then, have a good year.

...I'm sorry, could you make way?"

The detective named Ooishi, after jovially making pleasantries, lumbered over to the waiting police car.

It quickly set off, disappearing down the city street.

It was over so quickly.

...So quickly, I was dumbstruck.

I didn't even get to ask the officer what was going on.

...It was like they came here quickly to disperse the mob before any trouble could start.

After making sure the police cars had left, Mion snapped her fingers sharply.

"All right! That's a wrap!!

And don't come back!"

That was the signal.

The tension melted away in an instant as everybody began smiling.

A middle-aged man helped me up.

"Are you okay, young Maebara?

Next time pick your fights a bit better~."

"I-It's not like I wanted to fight..."

"Are you hurt anywhere?

If you hit your head it would be a good idea to get an X-ray taken."

An older lady I didn't know the name of was concerned about my injury.

"You were lucky this happened right in front of the station when it was busy, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to gather as many people.

Next time, be more careful!

City kids these days are pretty unruly!

*sigh*... honestly!"

I was even warned by the old lady in the smock.

As Shion finished applauding the dispersing group for their efforts, she strode over to me.

"Well well... you're pretty good, Kei-chan.

But I also think you should be more careful about who you pick a fight with~."

"Th-Thanks, Mion...

...you saved my bacon there."

"...Like I said, I'm Shion..."

She made a troubled expression as she turned her gaze downward, blushing in embarrassment.

"I heard from my sister.

That fur seal keychain was yours, Kei-chan?"

"Oh... yeah, that's right.

...I was just heading to the restaurant."

"And you ended up feeling so excited that you got mixed up in something weird?"

Now it was my turn for my face to go red.

I... didn't want to admit... that she was spot on.

"Well... I was just unlucky.

But you really saved me, Shion."

"You don't have to thank me.

So, if you see somebody else getting bullied, help them out, okay?

...We value that kind of thing very highly here."

I was well-versed in that sense of camaraderie.

...But, the way I was rescued just now... something seemed a little off about that.

While I was helped out, it was honestly to an almost disturbing degree...

"...You're coming into the restaurant, right?

You must be tired, so why don't you relax for a bit?

My treat."

...Seems that she caught the glimmer of suspicion in my eyes.

Without waiting for my answer, Shion began walking.

After cooling off a bit inside the restaurant, little by little, I realized I was still on edge.

There were spots here and there on my body that hurt, probably because I had been so stiff with nervousness.

Shion, who had changed into her uniform, brought over two glasses of iced coffee.

"Here you go. Iced coffee, on the house.

Just bring this coupon with you to the register and it'll be no charge."

...My patheticness really knew no bounds...

But since she went through the trouble, I might as well take her up on the offer.

Even though it had started out as such a lovely day... I had to get carried away and do that stupid thing.

...I had completely ruined it.

"But really,

...you really saved my hide there.

I've really come to see you as reliable."

"Even I was scared.

But, Kei-chan was in trouble so...

I had to be brave and do my best."

While a little embarrassed by what she just said, Shion made a show of folding her arms boldly.

"Shion, really, thank you..."

...I was thanking Shion.

...But I really wanted to thank Mion.

...Mion, really, thank you...

"Now now, cheer up a little.

If you feel indebted, then when you have the chance you should help somebody in need.

...Like for example, if I'm ever in trouble.

Please come and save me."

"Ah, ...yeah, of course.

It's a promise."

"Ahahahaha! You absolutely have to!"

Taking advantage of my words, she seemed happy about my promise.

"So if I'm ever in trouble, Kei-chan will come and save me~!

I hope trouble comes soon~☆.

...Ah, you finally smiled."

She said as she smiled herself, poking me in the cheek.

"A downtrodden Kei-chan is as good as an imposter.

Come on, smile, smile!"

"Th-That tickles!

S-Stop, wahahahaha...!!"

Thanks to Shion's meddling, I finally cheered up a little.

All the muscles in my body that had stiffened because of the incident finally began to relax a little...

"When you're in a better mood, don't you get a little hungry?

I'm kind of hungry so I want to eat some pancakes or something.

Do you want some too, Kei-chan?"

I wanted to show a little restraint, but restraint really wasn't my thing.

That's why I replied without any.

"They're good, right?

I'm pretty picky when it comes to pancakes."

"Ahahahaha!

Don't worry.

Our pancakes have a pretty good reputation."

Shion ordered some pancakes from a nearby waitress.

An employee ordering from another employee seems kind of weird...

"...Hey, hey, speaking of that, weren't you in the middle of a shift?

You've just been slacking off while talking to me."

"I told my uncle that you saved me when I was surrounded by hoodlums, so he's rewarding you☆.

So I have the manager's permission."

"That's exactly the opposite of what happened... Is that all right!?"

"It's perfectly fine. ...Ahahahahahahaha!"

By the time the pancakes arrived, we had entered into a relaxed conversation.

As the two of us ate pancakes, we livened the mood with some chit-chat.

...About what was on TV, celebrities, that kind of thing.

Hobbies, food.

Really, nothing more than idle chit-chat.

Talking together like this, I once again became conscious of Shion being a girl.

...Hey now, that's funny talk, Keiichi Maebara.

Shion and Mion are the same person.

If there was anything different between them... it was only whether or not Mion admitted she was Mion.

But given that, how come our conversation was this different?

"Kei-chan, you don't think of my sister as a girl, do you~."

"Th-That's not true.

If she were a guy I'd punch the living daylights out of her!"

"I think the reason you guys get along so well is because you have that kind of platonic relationship.

...That's a pretty rare and enviable thing to have, don't you think?"

"...I don't get what you're saying...

But it really would be a waste to treat her like a girl."

"Heeey, Kei-chan, that's sexist! Ahahahahaha!"

Hearing the word "sexist" was cause for introspection.

What was I prejudiced against Mion and Shion for?

Mion was Mion.

She was the best friend a guy could have, no reservations, and head and shoulders above me when it came to club activities.

If I had met her five years earlier, my life would have probably been a lot more fun. Of this I had no doubt.

Then what about Shion?

...She was Mion's little sister, and it hadn't even been three days since we met.

Her relationship was much more distant as the only thread we had in common was that I knew her sister.

And for Shion, it was the same. I was somebody she met three days ago only because I was a friend of her sister's.

...The difference between Mion and Shion?

...Friendliness?

...Familiarity?

...Playing around with those unclear thoughts for a while, I had stopped listening to Shion.

"Hypothetically, okay? Are you listening?"

"Ah, sorry.

Yeah, I'm listening."

"This is just an hypothetical question, okay?

Both me and my sister are in trouble, okay?

We're dangling off the side of a cliff.

Which one of us do you save?

You can only save one."

She wasn't saying it to tease me, but had a playful tone behind her voice.

"Th-That's not a nice question...!

I want to save you both... but I can't do that, right?"

"Right.

You can only save either Shion or Mion.

Who do you save?"

...If it were Mion, I don't think she'd be in that situation in the first place, as it's something she could easily get out of herself.

...But what about the normal, frail Shion?

I guess... I'd have no choice.

"It's not my sister, right?"

If Mion and Shion were different people, I suppose it would come to that.

I couldn't confirm nor deny it.

...She should have been smiling, but her gaze was locked firmly to mine.

"In other words,

that's it, isn't it?

My sister is...

...huh,

...ehehehe!

Sorry, I messed up what I was trying to say."

Shion was trying to talk in a light-hearted manner, but I felt that there was something more behind her words.

Was Mion trying to tell me something through Shion?

Not being able to put a finger on exactly what it was was vexing.

Shion, to hide her embarrassment, turned the conversation around.

"More importantly, just now...

Were you surprised?

When everybody kept on showing up."

"Of course I was!

If it were Rena or Satoko that would have been one thing,

but for all those people, young and old to gather...

They were all from Hinamizawa, right?"

"Yeah, that's right.

Everybody in Hinamizawa is pretty close-knit.

An enemy of one is the enemy of all.

Nobody is going to look on from the sidelines.

...Ehehe, they're a pretty reliable group of residents."

"...If somebody is being picked on, then everybody unites to get rid of the bully.

It kind of sounds like the mafia or the yakuza's brand of unity!"

"You shouldn't say something like that.

It's something you should be thankful for.

You were saved by that unity, weren't you?

Never forget to show your appreciation!"

I half-heartedly agreed.

I knew full well I should be appreciative.

"Everybody really is close-knit, aren't they?"

"...Maybe it's because of tradition?

Hinamizawa has been in danger of becoming a ghost town on several occasions.

There's been a history of the villagers uniting together each time to fight for the village's continued existence.

For example~... Kei-chan, did you know about the Hinamizawa Dam Project?"

Hinamizawa Dam Project?

...Let's see... I feel like I've heard somebody talk about it before.

"About ten years ago, there was a sudden proposal to build a dam here, which would have submerged Hinamizawa underwater."

"Oh, that story. I think I heard my dad talk about that...

But I'm pretty sure that plan was cancelled, right?"

"We made them cancel it.

Everybody banded together!

So that was a well-earned victory."

That sounded pretty much like the story I heard.

The protest intensified to the point where it was featured in newspapers and magazines.

...As a result, the plan was suspended.

"The whole story with the dam apparently started before I was born.

At first, the proposal was only for exploratory purposes, or a small dam to control erosion."

But, then the cat was let out of the bag...

If it were completed it would have been the biggest dam in Japan. Not just Hinamizawa, but several villages upstream would have been submerged as well.

The protests immediately began.

Petitions to cancel or relocate the project were drafted and submitted to the Diet.

They even went so far as to go to the Ministry of Construction in Tokyo to hand over a direct appeal to the Minister.

The previous landowner sued the government, stating there were inconsistencies in the purchase agreement and the transaction should be nullified.

Owners of yet unacquired land split their properties, increasing the number of landowners in order to stifle the project.

"It was all very precious when the land acquisition was still about money.

Eventually, they started relying on eminent domain in order to seize land.

It started at that point.

The riot police began to get violent."

"Riot police...

You mean the police?

Why would they act violent!?"

"They punched.

They kicked!

There was a time I was hit.

Right around here I think.

My skin split open and a whole lot of blood spilled out."

Saying that, Shion indicated her temple by poking at it.

"Wh-What happened to the police?"

Filing a complaint against the riot police for police brutality would seem kind of strange for some reason.

Naturally they wouldn't pay heed to something like that.

You wouldn't be able to establish proof on who exactly hit you, and they could justify their actions by saying you were interfering with police duties.

"My Nana went off like a firework.

After that it was amazing!

Like a full-scale war.

We weren't just going to sit by and idly file complaints.

We went on the offensive."

First, in order to call attention to the government, they filed a temporary injunction in court.

Then, in order to gain public support, they called in prominent scientists to state that Hinamizawa was a valuable nature preserve.

They pressured the prefectural and municipal assemblies, saying that the prefectural governor ignored his constituents when he approved the project, and demanded his resignation. They completely and thoroughly denounced him.

Naturally, in Hinamizawa, a ferocious conflict worthy of being called the "Dam War" began.

In order to suppress the police's brutality, they coordinated with the network channels and exposed the violence of the riot squad members to the public.

On top of that, they put together a special exposé themed around the government repressing the citizens, and aired it nationally.

It worked wonders.

Following that, the SWAT teams had their hands cuffed.

Day after day, the petitions and demonstrations continued. Propaganda was used to help garner support.

The circle of support gradually expanded outwards from Hinamizawa...

Either that bore fruit, or the government finally decided against it.

It was announced that the Dam Project was indefinitely suspended just a few years ago.

"We did everything we could.

The entire village banded together and fought.

At that time, we were desperate... but now that it's over it's actually become a pretty good memory.

...The villagers' feelings of solidarity and unity still haven't faded."

Shion said that as she focused off into the distance.

I felt that those eyes weren't filled with anguish, but rather, a sense of pride.

"That kind of solidarity... is pretty nice.

You don't see it too often.

Bridging the generation gap and unifying the region."

"I think so too.

The Dam Project was a trial. I think that just the fact we were able to overcome it is huge."

The fear I was feeling until just now gradually began to fade.

When people began to show up one after another while I was engaged with those thugs, I thought it was frightening.

...But now, I felt from the bottom of my heart that I had been rude.

The villagers, prepared to defend their homeland to the death.

The sense of solidarity that fostered.

...It might seem impudent to say this, but... I was a little jealous.

If I had been in Hinamizawa when the protest against the dam was going on, I might have been able to share in that sense of solidarity.

"Kei-chan, you weren't here at the time, so I don't think you can fully feel the solidarity in the village.

...But everybody shares it.

Thoroughly.

Even with somebody who just moved here like you, Kei-chan."

...She couldn't have been more right.

So many people got together to help me out when I just moved here.

...Even though they were strangers whose names I didn't even know.

...A hot feeling began welling up inside of me.

When I lived in the city, I didn't even know my own neighbors.

I thought that was natural.

But... here, that was an absurd and pathetic thing.

Even though I thought of them as strangers... all the other villagers viewed me as a comrade.

Happiness and warmth...

I was acutely aware of those feelings as they gradually welled up inside of me.

"Sonozaki-sa~n.

The manager wants you to work the floor."

A more senior waitress waved her hand and called out to Shion.

...It seemed like it was time for work.

"Ah, okay! I'm co~ming!

Sorry.

Looks like I have to get to work now."

"It's fine.

Thanks for hanging out with me, it was fun."

"...Oh ...Are you going home?"

"Yeah.

My mom gets fussy if I'm not home by dinner time."

It seemed that Shion wanted to say something, but she swallowed her words.

Like we hadn't talked enough, that kind of feeling.

Looking at that expression, I regretted saying something that had disappointed Mion like that.

I was about to say that I could stay for a little bit longer, when Shion got up from her seat.

"Here.

If you use the coupon it should cover the pancakes as well."

Saying that, she showed me a coupon booklet as she tore out a few sheets and handed them to me.

"Convenient, isn't it?

It's a perk I get on top of my salary."

"I-It's okay.

I can pay for the pancakes myself."

"Hey hey~.

Being so reserved doesn't fit you, Kei-chan.

If I were my sister you would have gladly let me pay for it!"

She said as she laughed, gently stopping me from opening my wallet.

Being told so with such an encouraging smile really resounded with me.

"Sonozaki-sa~n. Sorry, could you take care of the register~!"

"Ah, yes! Right away!"

Later! Today was fun.

Saying that, Shion smiled one more time at me.

"Oh, Mion!

Thanks a lot for today. I owe you one."

"If you really think that, then return the favor.

I'm looking forward to it!"

After I said it, I realized I mistakenly called her Mion.

I didn't know if she realized it or not.

Lazing around and watching television after dinner was part of my daily routine.

It might seem like a waste at first glance, but you could say it was an important time when I was able to accrue knowledge of everything from politics to economics to various trivia.

After dinner was valuable time well spent while the brain was at its most supplied with nutrients.

"You idiot! It's obvious that Tokyo Tower is taller!!

Ahhh!!"

Today I tested my knowledge of trivia by watching my weekly quiz show.

Sitting in front of the television, I was able to get a lot of the answers right.

...But if I were actually up on stage, I'd probably fail miserably.

"Keiichi~.

Phone call from Sonozaki-san."

"Okay~.

...Sonozaki?

That's Mion!"

It was a little late for her to be calling.

...I had a bad feeling about this.

I had a hunch it was something to do with club activities.

She was probably going to inform me about what we were doing tomorrow.

...This *was* Mion we're talking about.

She might even go so far as to say we're doing club activities right now, so hurry up and come over.

By the way, it was 8 pm.

"Hello?

No way we're having a club battle right now!"

"Huh!?

...That's not it...

I mean..."

It was Mion, but it was a very un-Mion-like way of talking.

...Huh? Could it be...?

"S-Sorry.

Could it be you're not Mion...

but Shion?"

"That's right.

...Ummm... Good evening.

I'm sorry for calling so late."

For Mion, this would have been an ill-fittingly polite way of talking.

But since it was Shion, it was natural.

...Even though they were both the same person.

With a dry smile, I enjoyed that mysterious feeling.

"No, it's fine.

What's up?"

"Kei-chan, do you like sweets, like cakes or desserts?"

There was no way I hated them. I'm an unabashed glutton!

"That's great.

Actually, there's a new dessert contest this summer."

Looks like they have a new dessert menu every season.

So they were hiring taste-testers for potential desserts.

"The desserts at Angel Mort have a good reputation.

It's pretty difficult to get accepted as a taste-tester.

...I'll get right to the point.

Ta-da~☆."

"You say 'Ta-da~' but I can't see over the phone. Still... could it be..."

"That's right!

I have a Taste-Testing Ticket right here.

If you don't mind sweets, how about it?"

"When you say 'how about it,' you basically mean...

With that ticket I can eat all the new desserts I want!?"

They say to beware of honeypots... but this is sweeter than any pot of honey!

All-you-can-eat free dessert? No way!

"If you're okay with that, I'll register you as a taste-tester.

When you come to the restaurant tomorrow, just give the person in charge your name.

Then everything'll work out."

"When you say everything'll work out... you mean all-you-can-eat!?

For free!?"

"Yeah, it's free.

There's quite a bit, so I recommend you come hungry."

This was such a delectable opportunity it was almost scary.

...This was really Shion, right?

It wasn't Mion posing as Shion in order to bait me into a trap, was it...?

...What am I saying...

They're the same person.

"Yeah, yeah.

I know exactly what you're thinking, Kei-chan.

You're thinking this is too good to be true, right?"

"Eep. I mean, I would never..."

"*snort*!

Hee hee hee hee...

I heard from my sister but... you're really somebody who can't tell a lie.

I'm not averse to somebody like that. ...Hehehe!"

Shion laughed with a voice that sounded a lot like how Mion would laugh.

"It's not like I was intending on it...

But it just so happens that my shift ends early tomorrow.

...If it's not a bother, I thought maybe we could spend a little time together after I'm done."

"Hmmm... your shift ends early tomorrow?"

"Yeah.

So while you take your time eating dessert I'll finish up."

"Well... I didn't have any plans anyway.

I don't mind hanging out with you for a bit."

"It's not like we have to go anywhere.

I was thinking we could cool off in the evening while we take a walk."

There was no reason for me to refuse.

... Out of courtesy, I might as well take her up on her offer.

"By the way, Kei-chan... You and I have been meeting up every day, haven't we?"

"...Now that you say it, I guess we have."

"Since you said okay, we have an excuse to meet again tomorrow."

Huh??

Wh-What was Mion saying??

"Ahahahahaha! Kei-chan, your voice just cracked.

What's the matter?

*snicker*"

It wasn't a video-phone, but she could tell I was beet-red!

"Well then, you should definitely come tomorrow!

I'll take my leave here. Good night."

"G... Good night~."

Shion, finished with what she had called to say, ended the conversation without any chit-chat.

When I returned to the living room after hanging up the phone, the TV was already off and my mom was sleeping in the rocking chair.

Not feeling like turning the TV back on, I went back upstairs and returned to my room.

"I've only been receiving favors from Shion, haven't I...?"

She brought me a bento, and saved me when I got involved with those thugs.

She was supposed to be a different person, so I could thank Mion at school.

...Come to think of it, she'd probably just say she'll pass it on to her sister.

I have to thank Shion directly...

Tomorrow, I'll have to repay her somehow.