44. Yobanashi Deceive IV

Yobanashi Deceive IV (夜咄ディセイブIV Yobanashi Diseibu IV) is the forty-forth chapter of the Kagerou Daze manga.

Summary

 * With a concerned look on her face, Ene asks Kano if he is talking to the same sister he had just told her about. Ayano is shocked to see her brother, and she awkwardly tries to initiate a conversation with him, averting her eyes while she says that it's been a while. When Kano asks her if she has been doing okay, Ayano is taken aback, asking how she could ever be okay. Her brother snidely remarks how he had thought she would have forgotten about "monsters" like them and would be living a carefree life by now. The harshness of his words stuns Ayano, while Shintaro silently stares at the boy and wonders about the weird interaction between them. The blonde turns his attention to Shintaro, asking if he could carry Momo since his arms are tired. Shintaro worries about his younger sister's condition as he carefully puts her on his back, but Kano reassures him that she is not hurt, just exhausted.


 * Kano continues talking, admitting that he hadn't thought that the Kisaragi siblings and Hibiya had connections to his sister, and although he had hoped they would help him out, that is off the table now. Shintaro questions Kano what he meant by helping him out, asking if Kano wanted them to help him look for the Snake of Clearing Eyes. Surprised by the fact that he already knows about the Snake's existence, Kano thanks him for saving him the trouble of explaining and then continues to reveal that the Snake has taken over Hiyori's body and is now roaming around the city. If they want to track down Hiyori, they will need the help of the person who possesses the Focusing Eyes ability. When Shintaro asks if he knows who might have that ability, Kano points towards Hibiya as the only logical conclusion by process of elimination. Shintaro yells out, asking Kano what he will do with Hiyori after they find her. In a matter-of-fact tone, Kano replies that since she isn't a normal little girl anymore, they do not have many options, causing Shintaro to grit his teeth out of anger. He then points out that Ayano had probably sought out Hibiya for the same reason as well, though he assumes that her motivation was to find her siblings' hideout.


 * Hibiya speaks out, agreeing to help him, although he still doesn't trust him. Kano questions if the boy is sure about his decision, explaining that there is no way to tell what will happen to his friend when they finally find her. Determined, Hibiya proclaims that that is the reason why he is not letting him go alone, and then with a glare, swears to prevent anyone from killing her. Satisfied with the boy's answer, Kano turns to leave and promises to teach him how to use his new ability. Shintaro attempts to talk to Hibiya, but the only response Hibiya can offer is to ask Shintaro to relay his thanks to Momo for helping him search for Hiyori. With a smile, Hibiya suggests that they go out shopping together again when they meet.


 * Before the two boys can leave, Ayano tries asking her brother if the rest of their siblings are doing well. Through gritted teeth, Kano curtly replies that their sister was murdered. Shocked by this revelation, Shintaro recalls the time when he and Kido shared a soda. With a final glance at Shintaro, Momo, and Ayano, Hibiya leaves alongside Kano.


 * Left alone in the night street, Shintaro wonders what they can even do about it now since people are dying. Ayano replies awkwardly, trying to hide her grief behind small talk, but after Shintaro reassures her that she doesn't have to hide it, she falls to her knees and begins to cry openly. While on the ground, she claims that everything that is happening to them is her fault.


 * The scene then moves to the Tateyama family house. Shintaro and Ayano are in the dining room, sitting at the table and drinking tea, while Momo is asleep in one of the upstairs bedrooms. He feels awkward for barging into her place, so he apologizes to her, but Ayano reassures him that it is okay. While he fidgets in his seat, he notices the small number of dishes on the shelves and wonders if Ayano lives alone. She takes note of this, and when she asks him what he is thinking about, it catches him by surprise, and he quickly remarks how she keeps the place tidy. She reveals that she has been living alone for a while, though a person was with her until recently. When Shintaro inquires about the situation between her and her siblings since it seemed intense to him, she sighs and then reveals the story to him, starting with her death three years from that point.