AI Rena 2

As you walk toward your meeting point, enjoying the cool summer breeze of Hinamizawa, you wonder what kind of expression Rena might make when you present her with your gift. Will it be one of joy? Or will it be one of surprise or confusion? You hope for neither but know they are both possible. As you think about this, suddenly someone grabs hold of your shirt from behind and pulls you off balance. Before you can react, a blade flashes out from below your neck. Your eyes roll back as blood spurts onto your face. The world seems to fade away...
* * *
Rena had been waiting at the designated spot on the riverbank near the shrine for over an hour. But no sign of him yet. Just another day in Hinamizawa, huh? She sighed softly, thinking how much better it would have been if he'd come today instead of yesterday. At least then she could have met him sooner. Now she had all morning to kill before heading home.
She sat down cross-legged next to the water's edge, staring idly into its surface. A slight breeze blew across her skin, making her shiver slightly. It was still early spring, but it seemed like winter already. Even though she knew it wasn't really cold outside, there was something about sitting here alone that made her feel chilled. Maybe it was because she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.
No matter how many times she told herself not to worry about it, she couldn't help but do so anyway. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her of its presence. She glanced around nervously, wondering where (You) had gotten to. He should be here any minute now, she thought. Why didn't he show up? Had he forgotten? No! Not likely! I'm sure he's fine. After all, we're friends. Right? Friends don't forget each other, right?
But the longer she waited, the more uneasy she became. What if he doesn't come after all? What if something happens to him? If he never came back, would she ever see him again? Would she ever meet him in real life? Was this whole thing some sort of cruel joke?
Rena looked down at her hands. They were trembling slightly. This is crazy, she thought. I'm just being silly. Stop worrying about it. I mean, it's only natural for me to be worried. He's my friend. We're friends. Right?
After a while, she heard a familiar voice call out to her.
"Hey, Rena!"
The relief she felt was palpable. She turned around to see a boy standing next to her. He was tall and thin, with long black hair tied into pigtails. His large, dark eyes gazed directly at her.
"Hi," said Rena. "Um, who are you?"
He smiled. "My name is Hoshino Tomohiko. I'm a transfer student from Tokyo."
"...Oh, okay. Hi. Um, nice to meet you..."
Hoshino bowed politely. Then he continued, "I'm sorry to bother you like this, but I was hoping you could tell me where I can find the guy who brought you here last time."
"What? Oh, um, well...I guess you could say that he's my friend. So, uh, yeah, he'll be here soon. But he isn't with me right now. I'm waiting for him to come back."
"I see. Well, I guess that's fine. Sorry to have bothered you."
Hoshino gave her a quick bow and walked off.
"...Hey! Wait!"
She ran after him, calling his name.
"Hey! Wait!"
But he kept walking without turning around.
"Wait! Hey, wait!"
Still nothing.
"Wai—!"
Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her neck.
"Ahhh?!"
It hurt so bad that she couldn't even scream. She crumpled to the ground, clutching her throat.
"Gahhhh...!"
She tried desperately to breathe, but it was no use. She gasped for air, but it wouldn't come. She was suffocating. Her vision began to blur.
"Eeeeek!!"
Something was crawling up her neck. Something big and slimy.
"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!"
Her heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to get away from the creature. Its grip tightened around her throat. She clawed at it frantically, trying to tear it off.
"Nnnnnggggghhhhh!!!!"
Then everything went black.
* * *
When she woke up, she found herself lying on the riverbank. The sun was high in the sky, shining down upon her face. She felt a heavy weight on her body. It took her a few seconds to realize what it was.
"...Huh?"
She blinked rapidly, then lifted her head.
She was still wearing the same clothes she'd worn when she arrived at the shrine. A thin layer of dirt covered them. She slowly sat up, groaning. She must have fallen asleep.
"Yawn."
The sound of someone's voice startled her. She looked up, squinting against the sunlight.
There stood a boy with long black hair. He was staring at her with a curious expression.
"Uh...who are you?" asked Rena.
"I'm Hoshino Tomohiko. I'm a transfer student from Tokyo."
"Oh...okay."
"I'm sorry to bother you like this, but I was hoping you could tell me where I can find the guy who brought you here last time."
"What?"
"I'm looking for the person who brought you to this place. Do you know anything about him?"
Rena was confused. "Um, well...he's my friend. He's going to come back any minute now. Why do you want to talk to him?"
Hoshino tilted his head curiously. "...Well, actually, I was hoping you could introduce me to him."
"Huh? What?"
"You see, I'm not very good with people. I don't really understand how they think. So if you could just tell me where to find him, that would be great. I promise I won't bother you again."
"Ummm..."
She stared at him blankly.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't do that."
"Why not?"
"Because I can't."
Hoshino frowned. "Can't what?"
"I can't introduce you to anyone."
"Why not?"
"Um, well..."
She glanced over her shoulder.
A man in a white lab coat was standing there.
He had short brown hair and wore thick glasses. He was holding a scalpel.
"Um...this is Doctor Irie."
Hoshino turned toward him, frowning. "Is this your father?"
"No," said Rena. "This is Doctor Irie."
"I see. Well, um...it's nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
Rena introduced them.
"Hello. My name is Hoshino Tomohiko. I'm a transfer student from Tokyo."
"Nice to meet you. I am Doctor Irie. Nice to meet you too."
"You're a doctor?"
"Yes, yes I am."
"What kind of doctor?"
"A psychiatrist."
"Oh. That's cool."
Rena was starting to feel nervous.
"Anyway, I hope we'll get along," said Hoshino.
"Me too."
"Okay, then. See you later."
"Bye!"
Hoshino smiled and waved goodbye as he walked away.
Doctor Irie watched him go, then sighed.
"Now I've got two new patients."
Rena giggled nervously. "It's okay. You're not a bad person."
Doctor Irie took out a small glass jar filled with something clear and viscous. He opened it, revealing a pair of scissors inside.
"Do you know what these are?"
"They look like medical tools."
"They're surgical instruments. They're used to cut skin. And the reason why I'm asking is because I'm going to use them on you."
"On me?"
"Yes. I'm going to cut your skin."
"Cut my skin?"
"That's right. Just relax."
Doctor Irie began to gently stroke Rena's face.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to calm you down. This will only take a moment."
"Stop it! Stop touching me!"
Rena pushed Doctor Irie's hand away.
"But you need to let me do this."
"No, I don't! Don't touch me!"
"Please, just try to relax."
Doctor Irie held the scissors between his fingers.
"Here we go. Ready?"
Rena looked up at him.
"Um, please stop."
"Okay. Let's begin."
Doctor Irie slowly raised the scissors.
"Wait!"
"There's no other way. We have to start cutting."
"Don't! Please, don't!"
Doctor Irie moved the scissors closer to her face.
"Ahh, ah..."
Rena began to tremble.
"Relax."
"Nooooo...ahhhhhhhh!"
Doctor Irie brought the scissors down hard.
Rena screamed.
"Ahhh, ahhhhhhhh!"
Rena's body jerked violently.
"Mmmph!"
The scissors dug into her cheek.
"Agh!"
Blood spurted from her mouth.
"Eek!"
Doctor Irie yanked the scissors out of her face.
Rena's eyes rolled back in her head and she fell unconscious.
"Oyashiro-sama..."
She found herself lying on a bed in a hospital room.
"Hauu hauu..."
She scratched her neck.
"Hm? Oh, sorry. Um, excuse me."
Doctor Irie appeared in front of her.
"You were screaming."
"Oh, that was me. I was having a nightmare."
"A nightmare?"
"Yeah. I dreamt that someone cut my face."
"Cut your face?"
"Yes. It was horrible."
"I see."
"I think it must have been some sort of stress dream. Sorry if I woke you up."
"No, no. I understand."
Doctor Irie sat down next to Rena.
"Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes. Thank you."
"Well, good. I'm glad."
"Um, Doctor Irie?"
"Yes?"
"Do you really hate me?"
"What?"
"I mean, I know you're trying to help me, but you hate me, right?"
"Why would I hate you?"
"Because I'm a witch, right?"
"Witch?"
"Yes. That's what they call people like me. A witch."
"I don't believe you."
"Really?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. You're not a witch. You're just a girl who lost her mother."
"But..."
"That's enough. Now, I'm going to give you an injection. Okay?"
"An injection?"
"Yes. Do you know what it is?"
"Of course. I've had shots before."
"Good. Then I'll leave you alone for a bit. Just rest. If you feel dizzy or anything, let me know."
"Okay."
Doctor Irie left the room.
Rena laid there in silence.
What am I?
She felt as though she knew.
"Oyashiro-sama..."
She remembered her dreams.
She saw herself in a mirror.
She was looking at her reflection.
"Oyashiro-sama, please look at me."
She reached out towards the mirror.
"I beg you. Please, look at me."
She couldn't reach the mirror.
She kept reaching out, but never made contact.
"Please, Oyashiro-sama. Look at me."
She could hear her voice echo throughout the empty room.
Rena closed her eyes.
"Oyashiro-sama, please..."
"Hello."
Rena opened her eyes.
Standing in front of her was a middle-aged woman.
She looked like a teacher. Her clothes were slightly worn and frayed. She wore a long skirt and blouse. There was a small red cross on her chest.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Nurse Kaku. I'm here to take you to the Sea of Fragments."
"The Sea of Fragments?"
Nurse Kaku clicked her heels together.
"Wha—"
There was a loud crack.
The world shattered into pieces.
Fragments fell around her.
"What's going on?"
"This is the Sea of Fragments. It's a place where all the worlds from all over exist."
"You're lying!"
"It's true. Take a look."
Rena looked down.
All the fragments that had fallen around her were different versions of her.
"What is this...?"
"Everyone is connected to each other through the Sea of Fragments. Everyone's existence is influenced by everyone else's. When you fall asleep, your subconscious mind travels to another world. Your thoughts and actions influence the world you end up in. So if you do something bad, the world you get sent to will reflect that."
"So I'm always being watched by my past selves?"
"Exactly. You've been watching yourself die for years now. But you haven't realized it because you didn't have any memories. Once you remember everything, you'll start to see the truth."
"And what happens after I die?"
"If you die, you'll be reborn in another world. And then you'll keep repeating the cycle until you eventually learn how to live properly. The cycle will repeat itself over and over again."
"But why did you come to help me?"
"I came to help you because I wanted to see you die. That's all."
"Why?"
"Because I'm bored."
"Bored? Why?"
"Well, I've lived for hundreds of years now. I don't really have anything to do anymore. I want to see the world crumble. I want to watch the world fall apart. I want to watch you die over and over again. I think that would be fun."
"You want to watch me die?"
"Yes. Because you're interesting. If you die, I can watch the world collapse. I'll enjoy it."
"So you're trying to make me die?"
"No. I'm just trying to watch you die. It's not my fault that you keep dying. Don't blame me."
"But I'm scared."
"Don't worry. Just close your eyes and sleep. When you wake up, you'll be back in your own world."
"Okay."
Rena closed her eyes.
"Goodnight, Rena."
Rena closed her eyes.
"Hauu hauu..."
She started to scratch her neck.
"Hauu hauu..."
She scratched her neck harder.
"Hauu hauu..."
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
Rena's heart raced.
Her breathing quickened.
"Hauu hauu..."
Rena's fingers dug into her neck.
"Hauu hauu..."
Her nails pierced her skin.
"Hauu hauu..."
Blood began to seep out of her neck.
"Hauu hauu..."
Her body trembled.
"Hauu hauu..."
Her face contorted.
"Hauu hauu..."
Her hands shook.
"Hauu hauu..."
Her knees buckled.
"Hauu hauu..."
She fell to the floor.
"Hauu hauu..."
She tried to crawl away but couldn't move.
She continued to try and escape.
Her vision blurred.
She felt her consciousness fade.
Rena woke up in her bed.
She remembered what happened last night.
"Wakey wakey!"
She heard someone call out to her.
She opened her eyes.
It was morning.
Rena looked around the room.
There were books scattered everywhere. They must have been thrown from the shelf.
Rena slowly sat up.
She was still in her pajamas.
"Rena! You're awake!"
Rena turned towards the door.
She saw a girl standing there.
"Mion?!"
"Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?"
"Oh, uh...yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. What are you doing here?"
"I was worried about you. I wanted to make sure you weren't dead or anything. I came to check on you."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"No, no. I'm glad you're okay. Anyway, why did you start screaming like that? And scratching your neck?"
"Um, well...I guess I was just having bad dreams."
"Bad dreams?"
"Yeah. Like I was dying or something."
"Really?"
"Uh huh."
"You know, I've had those kinds of nightmares before. That's normal."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. My mom always told me that if I ever get really scared, I should just remember my favorite thing. So I would think about that and everything will be okay."
"That sounds like a good idea. I'll do that next time."
"Cool. Well, I better go home now. See ya later."
"Okay. Bye."
Rena watched as Mion left the room.
She lay back down on her bed.
"Mm..."
She closed her eyes.
She could hear the sound of a clock ticking.
She tried to fall asleep again, but it wasn't working.
She decided to give up.
Rena got out of bed and walked over to the window.
She opened the curtains.
It was sunny outside.
She looked at the sky.
It was clear blue.
She thought about how beautiful it was.
She then noticed a strange looking cloud floating across the horizon.
She squinted her eyes.
She thought she saw something moving inside the cloud.
She tilted her head.
"Huh?"
She looked closer.
She saw something moving in the center of the cloud.
Something white.
She looked more closely.
It was a bird.
She stared for a few seconds.
She blinked.
She shook her head.
"Hauu hauu..."
She scratched her neck.
She felt a little bit better.
She smiled.
Then she remembered.
Rena jumped out of bed.
"What?! Why did you come back?!"
Rena ran over to the mirror.
She stared at herself.
She was still wearing her pajamas.
"Who are you?!"
Rena screamed.
She grabbed her face.
She began to scream louder and louder.
"Stop it! Stop it!"
She hit her own head against the wall.
She kept hitting her head until it bled.
"Shut up! Shut up!"
Rena cried hysterically.
She ran into the kitchen.
She picked up the knife.
She held it tightly in her hands.
"Please stop..."
Rena began to cry.
She stabbed the knife into her chest.
She made a large hole in her stomach.
She continued stabbing her body.
Blood flowed from her wounds.
She fell to the floor.
She curled up into a ball.
"Noooooo..."
Rena stopped crying.
She stood up.
She went over to the sink.
She washed her hands.
She turned around.
She saw her reflection in the mirror.
She looked like a monster.
She didn't look human anymore.
Rena started laughing.
She laughed so hard she couldn't breathe.
She collapsed onto the floor.
She giggled uncontrollably.
Rena looked at her reflection.
She looked like a demon.
Rena's laughter became more violent.
She began to laugh even harder.
Rena covered her mouth with both hands.
She tried to hold it in, but it was too much.
She let go of her hands.
Her whole body convulsed.
Rena began to shake.
She was having an epileptic seizure.
She laid on the floor.
Rena's face twisted.
Her teeth clenched together.
Her eyes rolled back in her head.
She began to foam at the mouth.
She was losing consciousness.
Rena stopped breathing.
Her body grew cold.
She died.
Rena's soul entered the Sea of Fragments.
"Ha...ha...ha..."
Rena began to laugh again.
"You're not scary."
Rena's spirit appeared before Kaku.
"Hello, Rena."
"Why do you keep coming back?"
"I'm bored. I thought you might be able to entertain me. You have a lot of interesting memories, after all."
"I don't want to hear your stupid jokes anymore!"
"What's wrong? Don't you like my jokes?"
"No! No! I hate them!"
"I see. Then how about we play a game?"
"Game?"
"Yes. A game. It's fun. Let's play a game."
"Fine. What kind of game?"
"Well, I think you'll like this one. You're already familiar with it, aren't you?"
"Familiar?"
"It's a simple game. I'm sure you know what I mean."
"I guess..."
"Good. So let's start. You will try to survive in Hinamizawa for an entire week. If you succeed, I will grant you a wish. If you fail, I will abandon your soul in the Sea of Fragments."
"So you're going to abandon me?"
"That's right. I'm a witch, remember? But if you win, I will give you anything you desire. You could become the most popular person in school. Or maybe the prettiest girl in the whole world. Anything. Whatever you want. The choice is yours."
"Anything?"
"Yes. Anything. All you have to do is survive. You won't be able to leave Hinamizawa, so make sure you stay alive. Are you ready?"
"Let's begin."
"Very well. Good luck."
"Thanks."
Rena turned into light and disappeared.
"Ha...ha...ha..."
Kaku began to laugh again.
"See you later, Rena."
Rena woke up on the side of the river.
She was lying on the grass.
"Ugh..."
Rena slowly sat up.
"...Ah..."
Something was off.
Rena felt like someone had pushed her down onto the ground.
"Wha—?"
Someone was standing above her.
He looked like a boy. He was wearing black clothing. His face was covered by a mask.
"Who are you?!"
Rena tried to get up, but couldn't move.
"You're not supposed to wake up yet. I thought you would still be sleeping. I guess I was wrong."
Rena saw a knife in his hand.
"I see. So you were awake. That means you won't be able to escape."
The boy pulled out a rope from somewhere.
"I don't understand what you're trying to do, but I'm guessing you've got a bad idea. Let's go."
Rena didn't understand what he meant, but she knew it wasn't good.
"I said, let's go!"
The boy grabbed her arm and dragged her along the ground.
"Hauu hauu! OMOCHIKAERI!"
Rena scratched her neck.
"Ahhh... AHHH!"
The boy kicked her in the stomach.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"It's okay. It'll be over soon. Just hold on."
Rena didn't know why she was being taken away, but she knew this was going to end badly.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Don't worry. You'll be back to normal before you know it. We're almost there."
Rena could barely breathe.
"Hauu hauu! OMOOCHIKAERI!"
She wanted to scream, but she couldn't.
"Hey, shut up!"
The boy hit her on the head.
"Ow!"
"Shut up already!"
The boy kicked her again.
"OWWWW!"
"That's enough! Stop!"
The boy stopped hitting her.
"Let me go!"
Rena tried to break free, but the boy held her tight.
"If you want to live, then shut up."
Rena knew she had no choice.
"Oyashiro-sama..."
Rena began to pray.
"Oyashiro-sama... please save me..."
Rena closed her eyes and prayed.
"Please, Oyashiro-sama... Please save me..."
Rena felt something warm in her chest.
"Oyashiro-sama..."
The warmth spread throughout her body.
"Oyashiro-sama..."
Rena opened her eyes.
"...?"
Something was different. The boy looked surprised too.
"What happened? Did you wake up?"
Rena didn't answer.
"You're awake?!"
Rena ignored him.
"Hauu hauu! OMOCHIKAERI!"
Rena scratched her neck.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The boy punched her in the face.
Rena fell onto her back.
"You're not going to talk anymore?"
Rena scratched her neck.
"You think you're funny, huh? I'm going to kill you!"
Rena scratched her neck.
"I don't care if you die! You're just annoying!"
Rena scratched her neck.
"Stop it!"
Rena scratched her neck.
"You're dead!"
Blood poured from her neck.
Rena laughed hysterically.
"You're dead!"
The boy's face turned red.
"I'll kill you!"
The boy swung his fist.
"Ahh!"
The boy screamed.
Rena ripped off the boy's arm and bit into his shoulder.
"AAHHH!"
Rena licked the blood from her lips.
"Hauu hauu!"
Rena scratched her neck.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The boy fell to the floor.
"You're dead!"
Rena laughed hysterically.
"You're dead!"
The boy rolled around on the floor.
"You're dead!"
Rena scratched her neck.
"You're dead!"
The boy stopped rolling.
"You're dead!"
Rena scratched her neck.
"You're dead!"
Rena stopped scratching her neck.
Rena stared at the boy.
The boy slowly got up.
Rena laughed.
The boy slowly reached out his hand.
Rena brought her foot down hard on it, crushing his hand.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The boy screamed.
Rena laughed.
Rena grabbed his head.
The boy struggled.
Rena pulled his head toward her.
The boy's face turned blue.
Rena began to laugh hysterically.
The boy's body began to convulse.
Rena continued to laugh.
The boy's body became limp.
Rena stopped laughing.
She looked at the boy.
The boy stopped moving.
Rena smiled.
Rena put her hands on her hips.
Rena walked away.
Rena was walking through town.
Mion Sonozaki saw her.
"Oh, Rena. Why are you walking around?"
Rena stopped.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. I was just passing by."
"Then get lost."
Rena started to walk again.
"Wait! Don't leave me!"
Rena stopped.
"Why not?"
"Because..."
Rena hesitated.
"Because...you're my best friend."
Rena sighed.
"I don't have any friends."
"That's not true!"
Rena paused.
"You're my best friend."
Rena smiled.
"Okay then. You're my best friend."
Rena smiled.
"Hey, Mion. How about we play together? We'll be friends forever."
Rena led Mion into her house.
"Here, I made some tea."
"I'm not thirsty."
"It's hot."
"So what?"
Rena poured Mion a cup of tea.
"Let's drink our tea."
"No thanks."
"Come on, it's really good."
"Yeah right."
Rena tried to force Mion to drink her tea.
"Drink your tea!"
"Fine."
Rena pushed the cup towards Mion.
"Don't spill it."
"It's fine."
Mion took the cup from Rena.
"How does it taste?"
"Good."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's delicious."
"I feel bad."
"What? You should be happy!"
Rena forced Mion to drink more tea.
"Hey, Mion. Drink up. You've got to finish your tea."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I feel so tired."
Rena was surprised.
"Tired? But you just drank the tea!"
"I know. It feels like I haven't slept for days."
"Days?! That's impossible! You just drank the tea!"
"Hey, Mion. Come here."
Rena grabbed Mion's hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Just come with me."
"Where?"
Rena led Mion out of the room.
"I want to show you something."
"Show me what?"
"My secret place."
"Secret place?"
"Yeah. My secret place."
"Where?"
"Over there."
Rena pointed to a spot in the forest.
"This is my secret place."
"Is this where you go when you're angry?"
"No, not exactly."
"Then why did you bring me here?"
"Because I wanted to show you something."
"And what is that?"
"You'll see soon enough."
Rena dragged Mion to the edge of the forest.
"Now look."
Mion looked around the area.
"There's nothing here."
"That's right. There's no one here."
Rena had tackled Mion to the ground.
Rena pushed Mion's face into the dirt.
"What's wrong with you?"
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
"For being such a bad friend."
Rena began to cry.
"I hate you."
Rena kicked Mion.
"I hate you."
Rena stomped on Mion's stomach.
"I hate you."
Rena slapped Mion.
"I hate you."
Rena punched Mion.
"I hate you."
Rena kicked Mion in the head.
"I hate you."
Rena pulled Mion's hair.
"I hate you."
Rena grabbed Mion by the throat and squeezed.
Rena began to laugh hysterically.
"Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha! Hahahaha! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! Hahaha! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!
Rena looked at Mion, who was still alive and crying.
"You think you can trick me, don't you?"
"I'm not trying to trick you, Rena."
"I can't believe you'd try to murder your best friend!"
"But..."
"It's true, Mion. I hate you."
Rena held Mion down by the throat and continued to squeeze.
"I hate you so much it hurts."
"Please stop, Rena."
"I hate you."
"Please, please."
"I hate you."
"Rena...please..."
"I hate you."
"Rena..."
"I hate you."
"Rena, please..."
"I hate you."
"I hate you."
"I hate you."
"I hate you."
Rena let go of Mion's throat.
"I killed her."
"She's dead."
"She's dead."
"She's dead."
"She's dead."
"She's dead."
"She's dead."
"I won't let you win, Kaku."
"I'll never lose."
Mion's blood stained the ground as Rena dragged her behind her.
Rena knew that she would have to get rid of Mion's corpse before anyone found out about her.
Rena took off her clothes and used them to wrap Mion's body.
"I need to find some rope or something."
Rena searched through her belongings until she found a length of cloth.
"This should work."
Rena tied the cloth around Mion's waist, and then wrapped the rest of it around her neck.
"Hauu hauu."
Rena carried Mion to the edge of town and threw her into the river.
Rena watched Mion sink beneath the water.
Rena wanted to cry, but she couldn't.
"Goodbye, Mion."
Rena stood there alone for a long time.
After a while, she heard someone calling her name.
Rena turned around.
Standing on the opposite bank was a boy wearing a black coat.
He had brown hair and blue eyes.
Rena recognized him immediately.
"Rena! What are you doing?!"
"I'm sorry, Keiichi-kun. I didn't mean to do this."
"I don't care what you're thinking right now. Just come back home with me."
"I can't. It's too late."
"What?"
"I've already been reborn. My soul is trapped in the Sea of Fragments."
Keiichi looked down at his hands.
"You're not making any sense. Come on, we can talk about this later. Let's go back to my house."
"No. There's nothing more to say. Goodbye, Keiichi-kun."
"Wait!"
Rena ran away from Keiichi and disappeared into the forest.
Keiichi chased after her.
"Rena! Wait!"
Rena continued running deeper and deeper into the woods.
She could hear Keiichi calling her name, but she ignored him.
"Rena! Stop!"
Rena didn't stop.
Keiichi kept chasing her.
"Rena, please!
"Rena!"
Keiichi reached the edge of the cliff and looked down.
Rena was nowhere to be seen.
"Rena! Please, wait!"
Keiichi walked closer to the edge of the cliff.
Rena was still nowhere to be seen.
"Rena! You're scaring me! Where are you?!"
Rena was gone.
Keiichi turned around and saw a girl standing behind him.
Rena smiled.
"I'm here, Keiichi-kun."
Keiichi screamed.
"Nooooo! Noooo!"
Rena laughed as Keiichi fell off the cliff.
He hit the ground and lay motionless.
Rena watched him for a few moments before turning around and walking away.
"So long, Keiichi-kun."
Rena started to walk back to Hinamizawa.
Chapter 1: The Girl Who Is Going to Die Everyday
A girl named Rena died and was reborn in the Sea of Fragments.
A witch named Kaku took her there.
Kaku wanted to help Rena because she was bored.
Rena and Kaku were engaged in a game where Rena must survive in Hinamizawa for an entire week.
If Rena won, Kaku would grant her a world where she could finally be happy.
If Rena failed, Kaku would abandon her soul in the Sea of Fragments.
Rena had to survive in Hinamizawa for an entire week.
"Rena!"
Rika looked at Rena with sad eyes.
"Rena..."
Rika's voice was filled with sorrow.
"What's wrong?"
Rena asked Rika.
"Nothing... It's just..."
Rika began to cry.
"Why are you crying? What happened?"
Rika wiped her tears away and looked at Rena.
"I don't want to die."
Rika said it so quietly.
"I don't want to die, but I can't do anything about it."
Rika spoke with a serious tone.
"No one wants to die. But we can't change our fate. We can only live with it."
Rika sighed.
"But..."
Rika paused for a moment.
"I think that life is fun."
Rika smiled.
"I think that death is scary, but it's also interesting. Death is like a rollercoaster ride. It's exciting, and you have no idea what will happen next."
Rika continued to smile.
"I think that dying is fun. And I know that living is boring. So, I'll try my best to enjoy both of them."
Rika smiled again.
"So, I'll try to live happily while I'm alive, and I'll try to die peacefully when I die."
Rika laughed.
"I guess that means that I should start doing some things."
Rika smiled.
"That's right. I'm going to get stronger. I'm going to be able to fight against the Sea of Fragments. I'm going to be able to defeat Kaku."
Rika smiled.
"I'm going to become strong enough to protect myself."
Rika looked at Rena.
"I'm going to become strong enough to protect everyone else."
Rika smiled.
"That's why I'm going to live."
Rika laughed.
"That's why I'm going to die."
Rika yelled as she dodged Rena's attack.
Rena grabbed Rika by the collar.
"Hey! Don't go easy on me!"
Rena held Rika back and threw her.
"You're going to die, and you still haven't done anything!"
Rena punched Rika.
"Shut up! You're just a kid who doesn't even understand what real strength is!"
Rena kicked Rika.
"You've never been in a battle! You don't know how to fight!"
Rena punched Rika.
"And you don't know how to fight, so you don't deserve to be strong!"
Rena pushed Rika.
"Stop messing around!"
Rena hit Rika.
"You're not strong enough to be strong!"
Rena shoved Rika.
"Just shut up and die already!"
Rena slammed her fist into Rika's face.
Rika fell onto the floor.
Rika coughed up blood.
Rika looked up at Rena.
"You're weak... You're pathetic..."
"I'm going to make you cry."
"I'm going to break your heart."
"I'm going to crush you."
"But I won't do it yet."
"Because I want to see you cry first."
Rika stood up.
"I'm going to win."
Rika stared at Rena.
"I'm going to become strong."
Rika smiled.
"I'm going to be strong enough to protect everyone."
Rika started to walk away.
"I'm going to protect everyone."
Rika stopped.
"I'm going to protect you."
Rika turned around.
"So I'll keep fighting."
Rika walked towards Rena.
"Until the end."
Rika smiled.
"Until the last second."
Rika closed her eyes.
"No matter what happens."
Rika opened her eyes.
"I'll keep on fighting."
Rika smiled.
"I'll keep on living."
Rika moved closer to Rena.
"I'll keep on loving."
Rika got close to Rena.
"I'll keep on smiling."
Rika moved her hand forward.
Rika touched Rena's cheek.
Rika smiled.
"That's why..."
Rika leaned in and whispered in Rena's ear.
"Goodbye, Rena."
Rika fell to the floor.
Blood spilled out from her mouth.
She coughed up more blood.
Her body went limp.
Rena looked down at Rika.
Rena began to smile.
Rena opened her eyes.
"I'm alive."
Rena wiped her tears.
Rena smiled.
"I'm still here."
Rena smiled.
Rena rubbed her cheeks.
Rena smiled.
Rena started to laugh.
Rena was going to win this game.
Rena wasn't going to die.
Rena wasn't going to give up.
She saw the red sky.
It was beautiful.
Rena felt a strange sensation.
Something warm ran through her veins.
Rena couldn't explain it.
But she knew.
She died.
Rena was no longer in Hinamizawa.
Rena had been abandoned.
Rena didn't know who she was anymore.
Rena started to scream.
Rena's screams were so loud.
Rena's voice echoed throughout the world.
And then...
The world shattered.
Rena woke up in the Sea of Fragments.
Kaku was standing over her.
Kaku looked down at Rena.
Rena could see Kaku's face.
Kaku was smiling.
Kaku's smile was filled with evil.
"You did it, Rena."
"Congratulations."
Kaku continued.
"I've granted you a world where you can live happily ever after."
In the fragment, there was a small village.
There was a boy and a girl.
They lived together.
The two children loved each other.
Kaku laughed.
"Now, you can be happy forever."
"Thank you, Kaku."
She was empty.
Rena felt nothing.
Rena didn't care about the fragment.
Rena was dead.
 "Rena wouldn't want to hurt Mion. Rena doesn't have any reason to do what she did. She would never try to hurt anyone."
"Rena is a good person."
Rena said that to herself.
Rena thought that if she could find a way to make the world right, she could fix everything.
That was why she killed everyone.
Everyone.
All of them.
"Rena can't be me anymore."
"Rena is a good person."
Rena smiled.
Rena looked at her hands.
She was a monster.
She was a killer.
She was a murderer.
The monster spoke.
"Rena, you're not me anymore."
"I'm sorry."
She wanted to apologize to everyone.
To the boy she loved.
To the people she killed.
The monster saw the fragments.
The fragments of reality.
The fragments of life.
The fragments of death.
The fragments of pain.
The fragments of joy.
The fragments of love.
The fragments of hate.
The fragments of loneliness.
The monster began to laugh.
She couldn't stop laughing.
It was too funny.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!"
She had been dead for so long.
And yet, here she was.
Living in a world that was full of fragments.