[Sterling01]

The following two letters are commentaries from 竜騎士07 (Ryuukishi 07) that appear at the end of each game. Since they weren't posted I thought I should

Credit for the translation goes to WinD Fansubs

Spoiler for Chap 05, Meakashi-hen Staff Room, Ryuukishi 07's commentary:

■スタッフルーム / 『ひぐらしのなく頃に解』目明し編

Do you think there is a murder that can be justified by its motive?

Hello, this is Ryuukishi 07.
Allow me to thank you for enjoying Higurashi no Naku koro ni KAI Meakashi-hen, it is much appreciated. As I write the various deaths illustrated in Higurashi, there is a question I ask myself. That is: Can there be a murder that is justifiable?

In our world, all murders are prosecuted, but depending on the motive and the situation, the severity of the sentence will change. If the weight of one’s sin is dependent the price of one’s life; this endorses the idea that the value of each individuals’ lives are not equal.

In the world of Higurashi, there are scenes that portray murder positively. Here, by diluting the value of the person’s life being killed, the players can more easily “approve” of such an act. The level of approval will vary by person. The ones who agreed will identify, purging their morals; while the ones who could not agree will feel discomfort and madness, I believe.

In Tatarigoroshi-hen, the approval of Keiichi’s actions were polarized which I believe expresses the reality of things. Even in this installment of Meakashi-hen, there are many murders drawn. As our protagonist this time, Shion, killed one after another as she tried to get approval of her actions.

What is your opinion?
How far were you able to agree?

If you could not agree with any of her actions, please disparage her as a ruthless cutthroat.
For those who approved few of her actions, please pity her.
For those who commended many of her actions, please pity her.
All who approve with every single action, be sneered at along with her as a ruthless cutthroat (laughter).

My opinion?
………Well, that will remain secret.

Now to flip the question… If you were to be killed, what kind of killer would you tolerate?

A killer who thinks nothing of life and takes pleasure in taking it?
This is quite shameful.
It is sad to be killed by a person who denies any value of your life.

How about a tragic killer who cries for forgiveness?
This is also quite shameful.
If you going to ask for forgiveness, don’t kill! (laughter)

Then, what type of killer would you consider be reasonable in his kills…?
Ultimately, this “approval” may be dependent on how much one enjoys the murder drama.

If you can approve, it is enjoyable.
If you cannot approve, it’s maddening.

There is no such thing as to the weight of one’s life.
To measure that is a human sin.

A murder is a murder.
It is nothing more and nothing less.
Therefore, I hope everyone can get along.

Agree?
Do you approve with this small talk?
If you cannot ………くすくすくすくす

Again, thank you for playing Higurashi no Naku koro ni Meakashi-hen, it is much appreciated. Because of all your support, we were able to bring you this 5th chapter. The story will finally begin its fast approach to its end. I will be more than happy if you continue to stay with us. Our next scenario is titled Tsumihoroboshi-hen, and its target date is the Summer Comic Market of 2005. If you are even the slightest bit excited, I would be pleased.

Again, thank you for playing.
I hope I’ve brought some satisfaction in filling your boredom.



０７ｔｈ　Ｅｘｐａｎｓｉｏｎ
竜騎士07
Ryuukishi 07

Spoiler for Chap 06, Tsumihoroboshi-hen Staff Room, Ryuukishi 07's commentary:

■スタッフルーム / 『ひぐらしのなく頃に解』罪滅し編

Hello, this is Ryuukishi 07.

Allow me to thank you for playing Higurashi no Naku koro ni KAI Tsumihoroboshi-hen, it is much appreciated.

Within this scenario, there were a few themes I would like to express further, but among them, I’ll choose this one: I would like to write about the rejection of murder. As long as I am writing under the category of disturbing serial murder novels, this will be a topic I would need to reflect upon.

Recently, especially among minors, there have been many who seek to quickly resolve their problems with the following two methods: “murder” and “suicide.” When we are burden with stress, we choose to either eliminate the source of, or choose to run away from the source of the stress.

For example, let’s say there was a person who is being teased at school.
Here he has two options: “eliminate” the teaser from his present environment, or choose to “run” from that environment. Many teasers are mostly likely good fighters, so even if the person challenges him alone he cannot “eliminate” the problem. Moreover, changing class or quitting the school is not something most people can do, so to “run” is not possible.

As a result, their daily situation continues to worsen, and their bodies begin to yearn for a quick resolution to the escalating stress. As result, the speedy answer of “murder” and “suicide” begins to emerge.

If that person believes “suicide” is giving in to the situation, then they may desire to at least make a standoff with “murder.” Lately, I believe there are many who think this way. However, the reality is committing a “murder” is not a sin that is redeemable.

I believe this person who is about to kill knows this very well.
They act upon this their intense hatred towards the person who cornered them and that they only see murder as an option; their resolve for this came after realizing this will destroy their entire life.

But, of they have such a powerful resolve, before they resort to the final measure of “murder,” there is one step I would like them to take:

Rely on your friends.
If that cannot do, rely on your family.
If that cannot do, rely on your teachers. …and even if that cannot do?

No, there has to be many more who they can rely upon still.

If they can rely upon “murder,” and have the resolve to abandon their entire life, there has to be more they can do!

Heisei Japan has become a good world. There are several established hotlines for these concerns; so even if you don’t have friends or family, there is a place ready for you to rely upon.

The person on the other side of hotline is not a nobody.

They may be volunteers but, they are all veterans who have worked many years as Probation Officers or with the NAYD. I can safely say, these people have rich social experience and passion, even more so than your parents!

They can’t be bad people as they take on this job for free!

If you think that your only choices are to “kill” your adversary, or to “kill” yourself, please as a last hope, try to give them a call. The ones who believe it is useless to consult others, are the ones who need to open their hearts.

Be brave and give them a call.
On the other side of the phone, there will be an unbelievably dependable friend waiting.

“Don’t torment yourself, and talk to someone.”

Just to deliver this message with a long drawn out story like this one, it’s probably fair to say, this person who names himself Ryuukishi 07 isn’t a blessed writer...

That being said, Ryuukishi 07 seeks advice from you as well.
How do I write a more interesting story…? (bitter laugh)


０７ｔｈ　Ｅｘｐａｎｓｉｏｎ
竜騎士07
Ryuukishi 07

Also does anyone know if they're commentaries by 竜騎士07 for the question arcs