complexrestart | 014 [video/action] backdated to the afternoon

[The time has finally come for Rika to battle Whitney. The battle goes by quickly as Rika manages to fly through the first five pokémon with her Ampharos and Mr. Mime. However, when Whitney's Miltank comes out, Rika runs into some trouble, but she is able to defeat Whitney with her Ninetales. As usual, Whitney bursts into tears after the battle, prompting Rika to comfort her.]

There, there. [She pats Whitney on the head, but it doesn't seem to help much.] It is only one loss. If you become stronger and believe you can do it, then you can win battles in the future. [It doesn't stop Whitney's tears, but she calms down enough to hand the badge to Rika. After deciding that anything else she said wouldn't help the situation, Rika walks over to the Gear, which is being held by a Shinx. She takes the device and scoops the pokémon up into in her arms.] Mii. I did it.

[She smiles at the screen for a few moments before pointing to her Shinx.] This is my new team member. She hatched several days ago. [She smiles again, this time at the Shinx, before looking back at the screen.] I wish good luck to anyone else who decides to take on the gym.

[The feed cuts off as Rika heads towards the gym's exit.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't mind hearing anything you wanna tell me, Rika.

All right. [She's silent for a moment as she sets the feed to private.] Mii. I have to set it to private so that there is no chance that my friends from home will hear what I will say.

[As Rika gathers her thoughts for a few moments, her composure changes to being more like an adult.] In Hinamizawa, there is a parasite that infects everyone who decides to venture into the village. It is the reason why people believe in such things as Oyashiro-sama's curse.

A parasite...is that what makes those bad things happen?

Yes. This parasite causes what is known as Hinamizawa Syndrome.

Most of the time, people will remain in levels one and two. However, if stress piles upon them, they may reach level three. In that level, they begin to succumb to paranoia. They begin to suspect everyone around them. After that, they start begin to delve into level four. That is where most of the paranoia lies, and they begin to have frightening hallucinations.

... The final level is five, and there is no return from it... except for special cases. The patient begins to hear an extra footstep, who they think is Oyashiro-sama, and this causes them to believe they are cursed. In some cases, they start to feel as if there are bugs crawling under they skin.

... No matter what, level five ends with the death of the patient, who dies by clawing out their own throat with their fingernails.

[He needs a few moments during which to simply look mortified before he comes up with the obvious response]

That's so...awful.

Yes. It is a very painful death.

... The one who wants me dead is the one who did all of the research. I believe the reason why she wants me killed is because I am the one that prevents the syndrome from taking over.

So she wants that to happen to people?

[Rika can he loan your world some Disney?]

I believe that she has the syndrome as well.

... However, she seems to have it in each fragment.

[Yes, and she will gladly accept it.]

...But then wouldn't she want to put a stop to it?

[BRB PACKAGING LOTS OF DISNEY]

[She wants to pat him on the head so badly right now.]

... I am afraid that I can not answer that. I met my death before I could figure that out.

...M'sorry.

Remember how I told you that everything will be solved soon? There is no need to be sorry. Part of it is my fault after all, since I gave up for such a long time.

Sounds like it'd be tough to keep your spirits up, when things like that are going on.

It was, but I had friends like Keiichi and Satoko to help me. Keiichi taught me that fate was not set in stone.

I'm glad you have friends there who helped you.

So am I. Some are even here in Johto. Still, I can't help but worry about them.

Worrying just means somebody cares, right?

Yes. It means that you are afraid that something may harm someone you care about.

You've got a big heart, Rika.

I think you do as well, Ven.

Thanks, Rika.

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