Notebook Page 24 (Ep. 16)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By now, Satoshi-kun's state was becoming more dilapidated.
He became more and more exhausted mentally as he goes home to protect Satoko from their ill-tempered aunt. Yet, he furthers his exhaustion physically by going to work everyday...
His relationships with his friends has also diminished. It seems that all he does at school is sleeping at his desk or spending time alone. It tears my heart to see Satoshi-kun when I remember him in his nonchalant attitude.
In addition, the load on his psychological state must be strenuous with "Oyashiro-sama's curse" befalling on him.
I'm certain that the Oyashiro-sama's curse must be them "spying" on Satoshi-kun in order to make him as this year's victim. Then that means the other victim for this year, Aunt Houjou, should also have had some spying done to her as well. Did the aunt also feel any weird indications that someone was spying on her? No, it's not only her. Were all the past victims spied upon before their deaths?
I must investigate this further to prove that the "curse" upon Satoshi-kun is because of this "spying." Is the cause coming from "spying," his own "persecution complex,"......or is it really a "curse?"


Tattered Diary (Ep. 16)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The presence behind my back whispers in my ear.I am to be this year's victim. Hence, I will disappear soon. And no one will be left to protect Satoko.
The presence behind my back whispers in my ear.My time is running out. Hence, I will not be who I am soon. And, I must treasure the time that I have left.
What I can leave behind for Satoko? That big stuffed animal that she always wanted. A peaceful life where no one would abuse her.
I whisper back to the presence behind my back.Please give me your violence, fear, and brutality. Please give me the calmness that you sustain along with your hatred.


Notebook Page 29 (Ep. 17)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Satoshi-kun must've been very cunning, or blessed with luck, ...or perhaps it really wasn't him, but there wasn't any trail left at the crime scene that would point to Satoshi-kun as the culprit.
Even then, at this point, it's almost certain that Satoshi-kun is the culprit.
Just look at the situation of Satoshi-kun's family, and you'll find plenty of motives.
He had no alibi either.
Everything is there except material evidences.
It was perfectly natural that Oishi would show up at this point to end the game.
Although the appearance of a joker card like me was unexpected, it's not enough to overturn the overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation for Satoshi-kun.
With an animal-like sense of smell, Oishi is already trying to pin it all on Satoshi-kun.
All that's left is for him to wait until Satoshi-kun shakes and breaks on his own......
That's what I thought. And that's what Oishi thought too.
A few days later, that whole table will get flipped over.
I'll save the story about that for now, but in any case, Oishi's theory is going to fall through completely, and the po1ice will get a knock out.
In that case, then I have only one question.
And that's "who saved Satoshi-kun?"
For me at this point, I couldn't think of anything except that the Sonozaki family must've acted behind the scenes and made up a culprit.

Brief rundown of Oishi's interview (Ep.17)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not a TIPS, but since the anime cut out Oishi's interrogation with Shion, here's a brief rundown of what was said during the interview:
A. Houjou Satoshi disappeared.
B. A huge amount of money was withdrawn from his postal-bank account on the day that he disappeared.
C. The teddy bear at the store was gone. However, the store cannot recall whether it was Satoshi who bought it or not (The anime portrays the shop keeper as a young man. In the game, the shop keeper was an elderly man with signs of dementia.)
D. If Satoshi acted accordingly, he would've:Withdrew all the money Went to the toy store to buy the big teddy bear for Satoko's birthday present Since the present is huge and thinking how Satoshi really was looking foward to giving Satoko her present, he should've gone straight home.
E. Steps 1 → 2 had to happen. Satoshi was working himself to death to surprise Satoko. He would never have thought to just abandon Satoko and take off. Since the teddy bear at the store was gone, Satoshi must've bought it.
F. Hence, if Satoshi had disappeared, it would've been from Steps 2 → 3
G. Did Satoshi disappear? One hope is that there was a report at a train station in Nagoya that a kid fitting Satoshi's description came up and asked whether they have his wallet at the lost and found. When asked to write down his name, he started to write "Houjou," but stopped immediately, crumpled up the paper, and wrote a different name instead. Another station attendant at the same station saw a person fitting the exact same description jumping on the Shinkansen headbound for Tokyo. It is a very slim hope, but Satoshi may still be alive, somewhere underneath these skies.
H. But why? Why would Satoshi decide to leave Hinamizawa, leaving behind his sister that he cared for so much?
Oishi's theory explained to Shion:
A. Satoshi and Satoko were abused by their foster parents. It is inevitable that Satoshi might've had a breaking point. So let's say (Oishi stresses this as a theory, since he has no proof due to Shion's alibi) that Satoshi did kill Aunt Houjou Tamae.
B. However, because of Shion's alibi, Satoshi was exonerated.
C. Unfortunately the Sonozaki head, was highly displeased that a member of the Sonozaki would fall in love with a member of the traitor, Houjou.
D. While Shion was able to redeem herself by breaking off her nails, Oryou may not have been satisfied. Shion did declare her love for Satoshi openly and proudly at the torture chamber. But once again, this is the Sonozakis. They must've known that Satoshi was the real killer of Aunt Houjou. It was unacceptable for a member of the Sonozaki to be in love with a troublemaker killer. So Oryou may have decided that she needed to teach a lesson once and for all so that Shion can forget about Satoshi.
E. Oryou must've ordered the (literal) disappearance of Satoshi.
F. However, Mion must've compromised to spare Satoshi.
G. So, what would the Sonozaki's do to make Satoshi "disappear?"
H. Now what if, (and Oishi stresses this again) the teddy bear was bought before Satoshi arrived at the toy store?
I. Yes. That's a highly remote possibility. The teddy bear sat there all this time, while Satoshi eagerly looked at the window as he made and saved money to buy that bear for Satoko. Satoshi even reserved that bear with Shion's advice. What are the chances of the bear being bought on the day Satoshi was supposed to buy it?
J. But we're talking about the Sonozakis here. If the local yakuza ganged up to the store, dumped a wad of cash for the bear, would the toy store refuse because it was already "reserved?"
K. Now the teddy bear was gone. Satoshi, excited to buy the bear, looks into the window and sees......nothing. All his toil and sweat...for nothing. All he wanted to do was make Satoko happy. But, someone else bought the teddy bear. What a despair. Poor, poor Satoshi. What must it been like for him? His heart must've been ripped to shreds. He has never cried, but one can imagine him crying and screaming when he saw the teddy bear gone. Now all he has is a stash of cash in his hands that is practically useless to him...
L. Sonozakis comes up to him: look, you have nothing - you don't belong here. But since we're kind, we're gonna let you live. But, you can't come back to Hinamizawa no more. We've set up a safe house for you in somewhere far away. Why don't you use that cash to get there? We'll promise to take of Satoko. The condition is - you gotta go.
M. And that's how Satoshi left...in despair, leaving behind Satoko. With no present to give, being a killer, he must've felt that he had no way to show his face to Satoko. With Sonozaki's pity, he straddled to Okinomiya Station...to Nagoya...and onward to Tokyo.

Notebook Page 34 (Ep. 17)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FULL CREDIT FOR TRANSLATION: LostBlue-------------------------------------------------------
The suspicious news of whether Satoshi-kun went to Tokyo has no proof.
In the first place that news started off like this:
At the window of the Nagoya Station’s Lost & Found, a distressed young man arrived asking for his wallet. Thereupon the station personal handed the man a form asking him to write his name down while the worker searched the inventory for such an item. Then the young man started to write Hojou, stopped and crumpled the form, taking a new one and wrote a completely different name. Another worker claimed to have seen a young man clothed similar to the man at the Lost & Found window rush on board a bullet train to Tokyo.
It seems earlier at the locker room, the worker at the Lost & Found window described the suspicious person who came up to him and the worker at the platform claimed he also saw that person as well jumping on a bullet train heading towards Tokyo.
...that is all.
The wallet reported by the man who named himself as Hojou was never received at the Lost & Found.


Notebook Page 42 (Ep. 17)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Oishi told me his theory that the Sonozaki family would promise to look after Satoko if Satoshi were to move away, I thought that idea was ridiculous.
But once I thought about this idea more carefully, it seems this theory is not so farfetched after all.
For one, Houjou Satoko is now living with Furude Rika once she became all by herself. Furude Rika is also not just a little girl herself either. She is the current head of the Furude family gosanke. Furude Rika is also under the protective custody of the head of the Kimiyoshi family as well.
Even though the Sonozakis would dare not keep a child from the Houjou under them, they did keep their word as Houjou Satoko is being cared for under the two gosankes.
Given how much the they were denounced as traitors during the dam protests, it is unbelievable that a Houjou family member would be under the gosanke's protection.
It's as if only Satoko was given amnesty for the crimes that the Houjou family had committed.
Satoshi-kun was never given any amnesty. Why only Satoko?


Various Notebook Pages 5 ~ 43 (EP. 16 & 17)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These short journal entries are not from the TIPs section of the Sound Novels, but served as intermission scenes expressing Shion's thoughts at the time
Quote:Originally Posted by Notebook Page 5 (Ep. 16)
For me who could not even walk satisfactory under the sun, this brief moment where I met with this one boy in the sunlight; Who would have thought that a twisted person such as myself to be attracted to one as pure as him.
Notebook Page 5
Quote:Originally Posted by Notebook Page 19 (Ep. 16)
Of course there were days were we laughed together, and there were days we would disagree with one another. Just as there are no sunny days that will not cloud, there are no rainy days that will not clear. I thought of Satoshi-kun’s absence as no more than that. But, already by this time, he was utterly cornered.
Notebook Page 19
Quote:Originally Posted by Notebook Page 26 (Ep. 17)
I was struck in horror with the childishness of my actions.I just wanted to satisfy my loneliness, regardless of his feelings.When I think about it, I believe Satoshi-kun confronted me as a true gentleman would. But... whether I can forgive Satoko is another matter.
Notebook Page 26
Quote:Originally Posted by Notebook Page 27 (Ep. 17)
If I identify myself as Shion, I can save Satoshi-kun.Of course, I know the risk of identifying myself as Shion.If I identify myself here, I will 100% be detained by Oni-baba.But, I had no idea what I will face afterwards as a consequence.
Notebook Page 27
Quote:Originally Posted by Notebook Page 43 (Ep. 17)
Satoshi-kun disappeared.But, it was not only him that was eliminated. The reason why he disappeared was also eliminated. This is the world of man. Obviously, someone had to have eliminated them. I will not believe that he disappeared as an “Onikakushi.”
Notebook Page 43


Notebook Page 50 (Ep. 18)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(note: this note is written after Shion met Takano for the first time in the library)---------------------
I have been in contact with Takano Miyo for a while after that.
Her true nature lies in her interest for the bizzare, as well as a curious mind that's just as eccentric.
That's why I have to make sure to take everything she says with a grain of salt.
......Because if not, ...then I might really end up believing that Satoshi-kun disappeared because of the curse.
Her stories about the dark side of the Hinamizawa village were filled with interesting topics.
Among these talks, which she probably treats as nothing but her own guesses and theories, some of them actually contained truths that I know to be true because I am a member of the Sonozaki family. I was stunned by the sharpness of her analyses.
She considered Oyashirosama's Curse as an extension of an ancient religious ritual.In other words, an act by religious fanatics of Oyashirosama.
According to her unique theory, there is a faction in Hinamizawa with religion as it's central focus, with the Gosanke built up around it.
And that they are working behind the scenes to bring back the prestige that the sennins(*) of Onigafuchi village had before they were allegedly lost after the end of Meiji era.
The scale of Miyo-san's theory is extensive, and if you look at it as a whole, it makes good sense too.
However, if we look at a specific point, such as the reason for Satoshi-kun's disappearance, it doesn't provide any explanation at all. It was nothing but an unrefined theory.


Notebook Page 64 (Ep. 18)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information exchange between me and Oishi was carried out when I just happened to remember it.
Both me and Oishi were expecting new information from each other, but neither of us had anything new, so it ended with a regular chat.
By now, the talk about the Shinkansen to Tokyo doesn't even hold any grounds within me anymore.
It was clear that it's a false rumor.
Although Oishi is someone that I don't trust, ....he's an honest man when it comes to fair trades. He must have patiently looked into all of this himself.
I also informed him of various odd or false rumors, know that he would be able to determine their authenticity for me.
Eventually, even these meetings were slowing becoming pressured by Oishi's new assignments,......finally ending up with "please call me if anything happens", and came to an end.
Oishi is no longer able to investigate, and my own investigation is at the limits too.......Satoshi-kun's disappearance is caused by a supernatural phenomenon called "Onikakushi"... such ridiculous opinion is slowly becoming the accepted explanation.
In Hinamizawa, Satoshi-kun's disappearance is referred to as a "school transfer", and is becoming something that people would avoid talking about.
....Don't erase Satoshi-kun, ...with a word like "transfer"....


Notebook Page 85 (Ep. 18)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the mess of Oyashirosama's Curse in 1982, I would swing between joy and sorrow at every new piece of information, and each time, theories I had in my head would be overturned.
But that was something that has placed an incredible amount of stress on me. ......Even that was enough to exhaust me completely.
Fatigue is cruel, but it also has a very gentle and accepting quality.Little by little, it puts to sleep feelings such as anger, sadness, and doubt, that weakened me just by having them.
I will never forget Satoshi-kun.
I won't think about forgetting him and living on.
I continue to tell myself that all the time.
By telling myself that, ....so that my memories of Satoshi-kun would not be put to sleep, always, always.The happy memories I had with Satoshi-kun, ......along with the scary feelings, and the sad feelings too, always, always.


Notebook Page 150 (Ep. 18)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This journal entry is not from the TIPS section of the Sound Novels, but served as intermission scenes expressing Shion's thoughts at the time
It has truly been a while since I last opened this notebook.Spanning around 150 pages, it is bound fully with my thoughts.This notebook clearly is the key that will unlock what is sealed at depths of my heart.And sleeping in the depth of my heart, my last year’s self, slowly begins to open her eyes...
Notebook Page 150
Notebook Page 159 (Ep. 18)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This journal entry is not from the TIPS section of the Sound Novels, but served as intermission scenes expressing Shion's thoughts at the time
I’m never bored the days I spend together with him.Because he’s very playful, you know?He always walks matching with my footsteps,But if I stop suddenly, he scuttles taking one extra step. It’s so cute, just too cute! Kyun Kyun ☆
Notebook Page 159
Notebook Page 165 (Ep. 18)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This journal entry is not from the TIPS section of the Sound Novels, but served as intermission scenes expressing Shion's thoughts at the time
Within myself, my other self, tells me.Right now, I am inside the belly of the beast.Without that voice, I probably would have not awakened.No, I am sure I will never have opened my eyes again.
Notebook Page 165


Notebook Page 172 (Ep. 18)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The place I have been calling the Underground Torture Chamber, seems to be officially called the Underground Ritual Tool Shrine. Meaning, Ritual Tool Shrine is synonymous with Torture Chamber.
According to Takano-san’s theory, even after the Meiji period, the Watanagashi and other blood stench rituals have secretively been continued by the Gosanke
And if agreed, they have the preparations to perform these rites at anytime.
As long as these Ritual Tools are signified by words like blessed (enshrined) through their torturous use; one cannot deny the foundations of Hinamizawa is based on this culture of brutal killings.
Takano-san’s theory is correct.
And unlike the symbolic Ritual Tool Shrine, the Sonozaki Estate’s Underground Ritual Tool Shrine is indeed maintained in condition for regular use.
Even here, Takano-san’s theory is correct.
I do not know about the Kimiyoshi’s storehouse but, since the Sonozaki and Furude families enshrined these “Ritual Tools,” they must have a treasured structure of a similar scale.
Yes, even in the present, the Gosanke ceaselessly continues this horrendous ceremony.
In this cursed village, even today the village as a whole is preparing for this truth carried out by this mysterious body.


Notebook Page 179 (Ep. 19)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The intrusion of the sacred warehouse lead to the curse befalling upon Takano-san and Tomitake-san.
I do not know how they found out about the intrusion.
The first possibility that comes into mind is that someone witnessed us. Secondly, there might've been some kind of security system installed.
In either case, the intrusion of the warehouse must've been relayed to the top of the curse-system in real-time.
If one thinks about the distance where Takano-san's charred corpse was found, it must mean that she must've been killed right after we've parted our ways after going into the warehouse.
It is especially worth while to note how meticuously this was done. Either there must've been a highly trained assassin team, or "preparations for the fifth year's curse" must've been done far prior to this.
While I do dispute the possibility of a secretive team within the dark-side of the Sonozaki family, the latter seems to hold a higher probability.
But then, one comes to a contradiction that if there wasn't any intrusion into the warehouse this year, then who was supposed to be original victim for the fifth year's curse?


Notebook Page 183 (Ep. 19)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sudden death of Onibaba was a real set back.At the time I told myself excuses, saying things like it will be no problem as she was a person I was going to kill anyway but, it was evident how big the damage was.
Being called the Sonozaki Emperor, the central ruler of the Sonozaki Estate, one would think that the organization will be set up as a pyramid structure, but in reality it was not so.
Strictly speaking, the Estate is parallel divided like governmental offices, with each branch forming their own small pyramids.
Since they are parallel with each other, there is no direct contact in-between.Actually, even more so, the doctrine of secrecy prevailed outside one’s own pyramid.
Of course the authority figures within the Sonozaki Family are at top of several pyramids. And they will know the subordinate pyramids below them. And they will even have, more or less, some information exchange with the other relatives managing the other pyramids.
But, even so, they will not know all the pyramids.
The Yang pyramid and the Yin pyramid. And all the smaller secrete pyramids budding under their control.
Most of them, the Head’s acting agent Mion knew of, however, it is not like she knew them all.
In fact, she knew nothing about the most classified piece of information, the “Oyrashiro-sama’s Curse.”
When I think about that, with Onibaba’s death eternally closing her mouth, the exposure of this dark side suffered a critical damage like no other...


Notebook Page 185 (Ep. 19)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the 5th year curse, the one who called here the most was, as expected, the head of the Kimiyoshi family, who's close to us.
The second most frequent caller was my father.
Although my parents' rank in the family is pretty high in itself, due to my mother's disinheritance disturbance in the past, they can't really show their faces in public. You can say they're treated like outsiders.
The fact that there are many calls from my father shows that even though Onibaba is distant with him in public, she actually relies on him a lot, which is proof of her having a public and private face.
Father's role appeared to be mainly concerned with information manipulations.
He would gather and accurately report various underground information such as po1ice reports, insider reports, or rumors.
And at Onibaba's request, he would be able to silence, expand, or twist them.
By the way, my loyal follower Kasai is an old aquaintance of father's.......I see, I can understand why he's so well-versed with all those information now.
But it seems that "information" is as far as father went. I can't tell whether or not he's actually involved in the "execution".
Regarding to the current incident, father only eagerly gathered and reported the situation of the po1ice investigation or other informations. At the very least, it didn't look like he was actually involved in this year's curse.
...In general, nobody knows that such a close hotline exists between father and Onibaba.
Although she makes use of his networks, since he's an outsider, she's not that close with him after all... is probably what most people think of them.
Then in an example like this, we have someone directly under Onibaba's command, unknown to the general public.
...The existence of a secret department that governs over the curse system is perfectly plausible.......