Cat Deceiving Chapter Part Four

Cat Deceiving Chapter Part Four
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gō (ひぐらしのなく頃に業)
General Information
Season	Third
Arc	Nekodamashi-hen
Chapter	4
Season Episode	14
Anime Episode	78
English Name	Cat Deceiving Chapter Part Four
Rōmaji Translation	Nekodamashi-hen Sono Yon
Japanese Name	猫騙し編　其の四
Writer	Naoki Hayashi
Director	Keiichiro Kawaguchi
Original Airdate	January 28, 2021
Previous	Cat Deceiving Chapter Part Three
Next	Village Destroying Chapter Part One

Synopsis

Need we warns ye that there be:

Arg!

Prologue

At night, the Yamainu stand around and hold Shion, Mion, Rena, and Satoko down on the ground. Takano Miyo stands above Mion and shoots her. She then holds her gun to Satoko's face and suggests "now a quiz": which is green? Cauliflower or broccoli? Satoko initially responds "cauli" but correct to "broccoli." Takano shoots her in her head, but not in her face, congratulates her for being correct, and then stands as she laughs maniacally. The scene focuses on the bleeding bodies of Shion and Mion, then Rena. Mion walks, in her high heels, to Rika who is held down by two Yamainu. In her Adult Voice, Rika suspects that Takano will kill her. "Yes," Takano replies happily as she points her gun, "I will kill you!"

First Half

When They Cry Wiki still wants to toss her into a woodchipper after Minagoroshi-hen.

After the opening credits, the scene returns to the last one from the previous episode. Takano looks sad, and Rika reacts to this by saying her name. She gathers herself, brightens, then adds that she did not know Takano was also here: "I wouldn't want to interrupt your date. Nipaa~!" Still looking sad, Takano walks towards her. This provokes a moment of fear in Rika. However, with tears streaming from her eyes, Takano says she is sorry, truly sorry. Surprised, Rika asks her why she is apologizing. Jirō explains that she got herself involved in conspiracy. Takano replies without turning to him that it is kind of him to put it that way. She confesses that it was her decision to become involved. Rika admits that she does not understand; Takano starts to explain that to fulfill her own selfish desires she planned, but Jirō sharply interrupts her. Takano insists that since tonight they celebrate Watanagashi, tonight she will lay her sins bare and let them drift away.

She confesses to Rika that she was going to kill her as well as all of her friends. Tears stream as she repeats her apology. Rika admits that she cannot believe that she is apologizing. Jirō walks up and places his hands on her shoulders. He tells Rika that they must go. Rika asks them what they are going to do now. He reveals that they will leave Hinamizawa that night. Takano is a key witness, and he vows to keep her safe. Rika asks him if she can trust him that there will not be a tragedy, and he promises there will not. He takes Takano away, and Rika watches them leave. She calls out to Takano and states that she does not understand why Takano gave up on her plan since the Takano she knows would never change her mind in a hundred years.

Takano smiles slightly, then replies that she does not think Rika would understand even if she told her.

Satoko sleeps. Rika stares at the paper calendar that reads "June 19, 1983." She slowly removes it to reveal it is June 20. She walks outside their home with two bags of trash. A male voice calls her name. In fear she starts to call to Satoko, but the man covers her mouth. He gently apologizes for scaring her and explains that he is a member of the Tōkyō Banken here on orders from "First Lieutenant Tomitake." He kindly asks her to remain quiet as he removes his hand, and Rika complies with a slightly irritated "Mii." She asks if Jirō is okay. He confirms that he is, and he adds that Jirō ordered them to ensure her safety until the situation is under control.

Okonogi raises the metal screen in front of the windows of his apparent business. A man calls out to him. He turns to see two men in a small white van similarly dressed as him, but with more olive-colored work uniforms. The man addressing him from the van states that he is hoping to get the bushes in his yard pruned. Okonogi agrees and asks them to wait for a few minutes since he just opened. He invited them into his office and offers to make tea. He asks if the pruning will be in Okinomiya. The man happily affirms that it is, and they want it done as soon as possible. Okonogi unlocks a drawer as he asks them where they come from. The other man reacts in surprise, and Okonogi explains as he opens the draw which contains a gun, that strangers stand out. He adds, "As do your Tōkyō accents!" as he turns on them with the gun. However, his window is smashed in by three other Banken armed with automatic rifles. Three more then burst through the door. Surrounded, Okonogi surrenders. The second man informs him that there is a warrant for his arrest. When he demands to know the charge, the man responds it is for initiating Emergency Manual 34 and being involved in an attempted coup. Okonogi then demands to speak to his commanding officer, "Takano Miyo," but the man replies that that will not be authorized. Okonogi smiles and claims he understands what it happening: "The little bird's caught on to the cuckoo's plan. That, or she's left the nest before we could toss her out." A number of the Yamainu arrive, but Okonogi informs them that since the King is off the chess board, there is no point for them to continue. His subordinate relents.

Two old people address a member of the Banken outside the Irie Clinic. He explains to them that the clinic is closed due to renovations. Inside, numerous armed Banken patrol and guard the hallways. A hand passes a card though a lock, then places his hand on a panel. The door opens to reveal the owner to be Irie Kyōsuke. One of the Banken thanks "Lt. Colonel Irie" for his cooperation. As the rest of the armed Banken with them enter the room, Irie turns away and asks the Banken who addressed him to kindly drop his military title since he is just a doctor. The man complies and asks him to accompany them for the duration of their inspection. He then adds that afterward Irie will be handed over to the Investigation Team. Irie accepts this.

The scene shifts to reveal Satoshi still in his isolated bed. The stuffed bear remains on a counter. Irie thanks the Banken for not waking him. He explains that he is in the late stages of the Hinamizawa Syndrome, and he would suffer from intense paranoia and fear if awakened. The man asks him about the stuffed bear; Irie explains that it is a present he bought for his little sister. He vows that he will return and put a final end to the Hinamizawa Syndrome. The man reminds him that that is a decision for the disciplinary committee to make.

Shown: Batch 170 Not Destroyed as Reported

A radio squawks and "Retriever 7" calls out to all units of the Banken. His team has located the locked suitcase, mentioned in "Major Takano's confession," which is said to contain the drug "H173." This causes Irie to startle. He utters a denial as the scene focuses on the sedated Satoshi. The scene shifts again to Banken placing the suitcase on a table in front of Ire. One of them reads a code off of a piece of paper then opens the suitcase to reveal a number of syringes. Irie angrily identifies them as syringes of H173. He helpfully explains that H173 triggers a rapid development of the Hinamizawa Syndrome to its final stage of L5. He then angrily declares that "Batch 179" was suppose to be destroyed.

The television program shows the time is "12:31" on "6/22."

A ball bounces on the school grounds. Rika runs to retrieve it, but Jirō calls out to her. She picks up the ball and notes that he is okay. With a slight advance in time, Rika leans on the railing of the gate at the entrance to the school and remarks about how strange it is to see him after the night of Watanagashi. Jirō laughs in his innocence and replies that he supposes that he does head straight back home after the festival is over. With some sadness, Rika replies that that is not what she meant. She then asks him what has happened since the night of Watanagashi. Jirō pauses a moment, then replies that they were able to escape the notice of the Yamainu and meet up with the Banken. Still somewhat sad, Rika remarks that one of those "cute dogs (かわいい犬・kawaii inu)" came to see her. Jirō laughs that he would not exactly call an elite tactical squad "cute dogs," but the still serious Rika interrupts to frankly ask if she is still in danger. Jirō assures her that they have taken control of the Yamainu front company – Okonogi Landscaping – as well as the Irie Clinic. Still looking concerned, Rika asks what will happen to Irie. Jirō replies that he is still in custody in Tōkyō, but she should not worry since Takano's testimony exonerates him, and the results of their investigation support that. He continues that the underground research laboratory will be closed, but the clinic will stay open. A little less worried, Rika asks if that means Irie will return. Jirō replies that he will, then notes, as he looks out at the area, that the village needs a medical clinic as well as a cure for the Hinamizawa Syndrome.

The ball bounces behind Rika, and the legs of a boy are seen running after it.

Rika asks about Takano. Jirō now turns sad as he looks down and replies that he is not sure. He recovers a bit to add that thanks to her confession, they avoided a horrible tragedy. Smiling, he continues that the Tōkyō leadership is struggling to handle the interfactional conflict, which means Takano should not be blamed for any of this. He then reveals that they consider the Hinamizawa Syndrome to be like an unexploded ordinance: "Nobody wants to handle it." Rika looks up and asks if that means no one wants to handle Takano either. He brightens, laughs, then suggests that, one day when she is forgiven for her involvement, he will take her home.

He leaves with a wave. Still looking sad and concerned, Rika asks out loud in her Adult Voice if this is how it all ends. She looks up at the sky and continues wondering if it ends without a tragedy and the dice rolling six every time. The wind blows through the trees. She ask if it is true that the dice of fate exist here.

The higurashi cry as the scene shifts to the Saiguden. The door has been opened; inside, Rika holds the shard in her hands and stands before the statue of Oyashiro-sama. She asks in her Adult Voice why this is happening.

Because "Hinamizawa," Rika-chan

Why, in particular, after rolling "1s" over and over again, is this world so different? Staring back at the shard, she muses out loud that it seems as if the result was decided beforehand and without her knowledge. After first wondering if the dice have a mind of their own, she concludes that it is almost as if someone else rolls them. She has a flashback to Hanyū describing the power of her sword. She falls to her knees, clutches her chest, and confesses that she never imagined rolling a series of sixes could feel this foreboding. How, she asks with her voice cracking, when she has reached a perfect world can she be so unsettled by it?

Second Half

Because "Hinamizawa"

Not Shown: "Filled with Joy"

Rika stands on the observation point of the shrine that overlooks Hinamizawa. Satoko's voice asks her whatever is she doing there. Rika turns as Satoko explains that she has been looking for her everywhere. Rika gives her childish "Mii" in response, but Satoko continues that Rika appears a bit depressed, and she asks her if something happened to her. Rika denies that anything bad happened. She then turns back towards the village and confesses that only good things have been happening which kind of scares her. Satoko dismisses her indulgence and insists that she, herself, is quite happy now. Rika turns to see her looking out over the village. She continues that she is looking out on their beautiful village. She turns to Rika and asks her if it does not fill her with joy as well. Rika stares back at her with an expression that is not entirely unlike "filled with joy." She forces a cute smile, turns back towards the view, and responds that it does.

Happy, Satoko states that she will not allow herself to doubt this happy moment. This causes Rika to look at her, but Satoko continues that worry about being too happy is as wasteful as missing out on a good sale at the supermarket. Rika, in turn, smiles, turns back towards the view, and agrees that it is a waste. Satoko suggests that perhaps Rika did not know the true nature of happiness. When Rika reacts, Satoko explains that painful moments, no matter how small, stay in their hearts forever, but tiny moments of happiness are quickly forgotten. Forget them, Satoko suggests, and she may yearn for a happiness far greater than she can bear. Rika turns back toward the view pensive; Satoko looks at her and seriously claims that she cannot think of a more unfortunate turn of events. She concludes by asking since Rika is happy now, what more could she possibly want.

Rika agrees that she is happy, especially with Satoko, but she cannot help thinking that something bad will happen. Satoko reassures her that their lives will be happy and healthy from now on. "After all," she stresses, "this is Hinamizawa," and Oyashiro-sama will protect them. Rika responds that if Oyashiro-sama heard her, the deity would "blush and get all flustered." Satoko takes Rika's hand and asks her to never leave them.

The time on the television shows 2:50 P.M. (14:50) on 6/23.

The dismissal bell rings with a view of the outside of the school. Mion excitedly announces another game. Inside, she slyly "wonders" who will be the victim for the penalty game. Keiichi eagerly joins her. Rika zips in to cutely announce that with the festival over, she can play with them again. Rena pops up to vow she will not be the loser. As Keiichi continues his banter, Satoko slides in with her patented laugh to tease him over his lack of traps. He grabs her head, and she responds by comically crying that he is bullying her, which sends Rena into Cute Mode. As Satoko clearly planned, Rena enters Take Home Mode as she comically punches Keiichi out of the scene. She clutches Satoko who looks impatient, as does Mion, which suggests this is a common tactic. Rika knees down and pats Keiichi on the head declaring "Poor, poor Keiichi." Keiichi, for his part, insists that this is what makes the Club so great. Mion sighs and suggests that if that is what he is into, "this uncle" is fine with it.

Shown: "Hate the Game, not the Rika!"

The scene shifts to them all intently playing cards with chips in front of each of them. The happy montage ends with doom and gloom music as Rika smiles behind stacks of chips. Rena stands shocked, Keiichi has his head buried in his arms on the table, Mion looks resigned, and Satoko complains that Rika won everything. Mion lowers her head as she confesses that she thought she had Rika in the fifth hand. That was her defeat. Rena happily compliments Rika on her "poker face" Lifting his head from his desk, Keiichi asks who gets penalized. Resigned, Mion answers that in this case everyone but Rika does. In that case, she explains, it is up to "Rika-chan" to determine the punishment.

Rika brightly offers that she already has thought of it. She hands notes to them explaining that she has written something on a note for all of them. She does ask that they do not look at one another's notes. Mion looks at her note and startles a bit. Rika cutely asks her if she will do that for her. Mion agrees. Keiichi looks at his with foreboding, brightens as he reads it, and he quickly agrees as well. Rena chirps that she has the perfect thing for her penalty. Satoko opens her note to reveal "shopping together (一緒に買い物・issho ni kaimono)." Satoko is confused and asks Rika what it is about. Rika announces that she will come shopping with her, "Nipaaa~!"

With a view of their laden baskets, Satoko and Rika return from shopping walking their bikes. Satoko grouses about what sort of penalty this is when it is no different from their usual shopping trip. She does concede that it is more "luxurious" than their usual shopping, and they did buy more than they typically do. Rika simply smiles as Satoko talks. Satoko then turns to her and asks what she wrote on everyone else's notes. Rika responds that she cannot tell her yet, to which Satoko pouts in frustration and calls Rika cruel. As they cross the bridge together, Rika stops. When Satoko looks back at her, Rika announces that thanks to Satoko, she now realizes how happy she really is. She continues that she wants to make Satoko even happier when she is with her, so she asked for everyone to help.

The time on the television shows 3:45 P.M. (15:45) on 6/24.

The gang all pop streamers over Satoko in the class room after school. Rika wishes Satoko a happy birthday. Satoko appears a bit stunned. Keiichi also wishes her a happy birthday, followed by Rena, then Mion wishing her many more. Rena happily explains that Rika organized the celebration, then shows her the note Rika gave her. It directs the reader to get a great present for Satoko. She looks up from reading to see Mion holding a card, and Rena and Keiichi both holding wrapped presents. She remains a bit stunned. She replies that she is very thankful, but then trails off. Rika offers that she knows how hard the day is for her. Satoko finally responds, "Ni-Ni." Rika insists that she wanted everyone to celebrate with her. Still looking down, Satoko responds that she never heard Rika say something so pompous.

"Which prevents nurses from shooting you in the face!"
[Citation Needed – Ed.]

That comment surprises Rika. After a pause, Satoko suddenly brightens and rhetorically asks why would she not be happy with everyone celebrating. They all join in with Keiichi giving his present first. It is a book entitled the "Vegetable Encyclopedia." Keiichi teases that she will now know the difference between brocolli and cauliflower. She comically reacts with irritation then feigns indignation as she insists that she already knows everything, including that difference. Rena jumps in to give her a bag. Inside is a stuffed egg characters with a scholar's mortar board hat. Satoko deems it "unique"; Rena immediately hugs them both declaring them cute as she enters Cute Mode with initial advancement into Take Home Mode. Mion jokingly asks Rena what is the point of a present if Rena will just take it back. Rena continues to bubble that she wants to take both Satoko and the stuffed doll home. Keiichi asks Mion what she got Satoko. She admits that she could not think of anything extraordinary, so she presents Satoko with three tickets to Angel Mort.

Satoko thank all three of them formally. Rika interrupts with a "Mii" and claims that she will make Satoko the greatest feast she has ever seen. She then invites everyone. Satoko responds that she now knows why Rika took her shopping, and she thanks her. Still smiling and cute, Rika reveals that she has another present for her. She opens a locker next to the shoe lockers whilst apologizing that it was the most she could afford.

She produces the box with hearts on it. The scene slows, the music grows dark, and Satoko's pupils contract as she quickly covers her head. Rika seems shocked by this. Rena is also surprised and says Satoko's name as a question. There is a pause. Satoko, her head on the floor, has her eyes covered by her bangs. There is no sound or music. Rika continues to look surprised. In her Child Voice, she asks Satoko how she knew.

Satoko startles a bit as she has a flashback of Rika giving her the box which turns out to be a trick where a boxing glove shoots out and leaves her with "KO" on her face. Satoko quickly recovers, stands, and laughs explaining that a master of traps such as herself can spot one easily. Rika turns from her, and walks to the desks to place the box on one. Satoko watches her surprised. Rika lifts the box to reveal the stuffed bear, which shocks Satoko. The music resumes darkly. In her Child Voice, Rika explains with her back turned to her that up until last night, it did contain the trap as Satoko thought. There is a flashback to Rika in the Saiguden suspecting that someone else is rolling the dice. Rika explains that she changed it to something Satoko would enjoy instead. There is a flashback to Hanyū explaining that her sword can kill one who lives in loops.

Now in her Adult Voice, Rika states that she will asks again as she turns to face Satoko: "how did you know?"

Satoko has an angry look, she closes her eyes, and then looks at her with blazing irides. This shocks Rika. Satoko raises a gun and points it at her as she smiles with her irides blazing. She cocks it as she smiles broader.

Post-End Titles

Adult-Voiced Rika returns to announce new arc Satokowashi-hen and is first chapter.

Characters

In order of appearance

• Takano Miyo
• Hōjō Satoko
• Ryūgū Rena
• Sonozaki Shion
• Sonozaki Mion
• Furude Rika
• Tomitake Jirō
• Tetsurō Okonogi
• Skylark 13
• Irie Kyōsuke
• Hōjō Satoshi
• Furude Hanyū
• Maebara Keiichi

Referbacks and Forwards

• "The Bitch is Back!": At this point, When They Cry Wiki probably does not have to explain the significance of Miyo-chan. Nevertheless, the flashback in the prologue harkens to the arc Minagoroshi-hen where, in the episode Finale, she does shoot Satoko in the face. . . .
  • Okonogi's comment strongly suggests that the suspicion is correct that in all arcs where she carries out her "master plan" she is disposed of by her patrons. Hopefully a woodchipper is involved.
• "Come On Take the Money and Run!": Jirō and Takano's stealing of a vehicle, as well as the absence of their bodies, from the previous arcs of this season are explained.
• "Are Your Going to Bark All Day, Little Doggie?": the men in uniform clearing away the Irie Clinic in fourth episode of Onidamashi-hen were actually Banken.
• H173: this is what Takano would have Jirō injected with in the arcs where he is found dead.
• Loops: Hanyū explains the concept in the second episode of Onidamashi-hen.
• Rika's Present: Rika sprung that trap present in the very first episode of Onidamashi-hen.

Trivia

• "So I Called Up the Captain, and Said, 'Please Bring Me My Tea'": from the Credit Where Credit is Due Department, Taiyaki8 explains in the Comments below that Okonogi's title "captain (隊長・taichō)" is more like "commander" or "chief" as the head of a group rather than his actual military rank which is first lieutenant (二尉・ni i).
• "Who Let the Dogs Out?!": just as the Yamainu used bird code names, the Banken appear to use dogs.

Cultural References

• Poker Face: not just a Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta song.

Memorable Moments

• "All Apologies!": Takano apologizes. Her reasons become clearer in a subsequent episode – Arg!

Quotes

• "The little bird's caught on to the cuckoo's plan. That, or she's left the nest before we could toss her out." – Tetsurō Okonogi
• "So one day, when she's let off the hook for her involvement . . . I'll go to take her home." – Tomitake Jirō on Takano Miyo
• "Like the dice have a mind of their own, engraving their results over and over. It's almost like someone else is rolling the dice." – Furude Rika
• "Perhaps you just haven't realized the true nature of happiness, Rika." – Hōjō Satoko
• "After all, this is Hinamizawa." – Satoko
• "S-sure. If that's what you're into, Kei-chan, this uncle's cool with it." – Sonozaki Mion
• "I've never heard you say anything so pompous, Rika." – Satoko

Gallery