Dense Mist

**Dense Mist** (濃霧, *Nōmu*) is the second chapter of *Raging Loop*. It is followed by Yomi, and contains multiple locked routes that can be completed later.

## Summary

*WARNING!From this point on, this article will contain spoilers from late in the game, including Myth, Revelation Mode, and the epilogues. Proceed with caution!*

### Discovering Yasumizu

Haruaki decided not to think about the events that led him to the mountains. He had gone on a bike trip to forget about his recent breakup with his girlfriend Mitsuji Misamine over some black sesame seed pudding. Still lost and hoping to avoid camping in the wilderness, Haruaki continued driving until he found a convenience store. To his surprise, the cashier at the store was Mitsuji. The two pretended not to know each other as Haruaki asked for directions. Mitsuji decided Haruaki might be able to help with the situation in Yasumizu and showed him a map, explaining that there was a nearby settlement.

Haruaki left the store and followed Mitsuji's directions. A short way into the drive, the road suddenly ended, sending him tumbling down a cliff. Haruaki managed to survive the crash unharmed, but his bike was damaged. He went ahead on foot towards a light in the distance, hoping to find the settlement Mitsuji mentioned.
On the other end of the light, Chiemi Serizawa had come out to the Saranaga Rapids to saw off a pair of shotguns. While thinking about how much time she had spent in the time loop, she heard Haruaki call out in the distance. Chiemi tossed her flashlight aside and hid as Haruaki crossed the river. While Chiemi contemplated shooting him, Haruaki inspected the flashlight and determined someone must have used it recently. Haruaki spotted Chiemi hiding behind a rock, and explained that he needed a place to stay. Chiemi invited him to stay the night and the two introduced themselves on the walk to the dormitory.

Back home, Chiemi shared drinks with Haruaki. Haruaki wondered why she was comfortable letting a stranger in. Chiemi assured him she did not feel she was in any danger, and gave him a "quiz" on her reasoning. Haruaki speculated about ulterior motives she might have, and Chiemi suggested she could simply be a good person trying to help out. They continued talking into the night, and eventually fell asleep.

### Introductions

The following morning, May 12th, Haruaki stepped outside so Chiemi would have time to get ready. He pushed aside some of the branches surrounding the building and spotted Rikako Uematsu staring at him. Rikako realized he had been brought into her dream after the starting point moved forward half a day. A moment later, she disappeared, leaving Haruaki to wonder if she had been real. He continued exploring, passing by a construction site and reaching a number of paddy fields and houses. Hoping to avoid running into any locals without Chiemi around, he moved to hide, and suddenly heard music coming from a small plaza. He watched as Tae Yamawaki, wearing a shroud over her face, left her house and prayed to a large stone. Unsettled by both the woman and the music, Haruaki returned to Chiemi's building.
Before Chiemi left her room, Haruaki ran into Haru Makishima, who was startled to see an outsider. Yasunaga Oribe and Chikamochi Kamoshida, Haru's friends, asked what happened and introduced themselves. After Haruaki explained the situation, they reassured Haru that it was safe. Haru, learning that Haruaki spent the night with Chiemi, misunderstood the situation and scolded him for indecency. Finally, Chiemi left her room and explained everything. The three students were shocked to learn that Haruaki entered the settlement via the river, much to Haruaki's confusion.

Chiemi explained that the Saranaga was considered corrupt, so others might be wary of him. She gave him cup ramen for breakfast and then took him to the dining hall to introduce him to everyone else. On the way, they passed by Takumi Muro in the rice fields, who was confused about seeing an outsider. Once inside the dining hall, Chiemi introduced Haruaki to Kaori Oribe, Kanzo Makishima, and Tae Yamawaki. All three were shocked to learn he came from the Saranaga, but Chiemi explained the bike crash and said they should help him leave. After some discussion, they agreed to help, and Kanzo decided to take a look at Haruaki's bike with Takumi. Before Kaori could offer Haruaki anything to eat, Chiemi pulled him aside to use the phone. Chiemi encouraged Haruaki to get in contact with road services or family and exchanged contact information with him. Haruaki asked why outsiders seemed to be unwelcome in Yasumizu, but she refused to answer with any specifics. Haruaki also noticed she had kept him from eating anything other than the cup ramen she gave him, and wondered what it could mean.

While Haruaki used the phone, Kanzo and Takumi headed out to take care of the bike. Rikako stopped by the dining hall with Meiko, where she learned the others planned to help Haruaki leave as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Haruaki discovered he was too far from the nearest service station and would have to pay a huge fee for any service. With no other options, he headed back to the dining hall and ran into Yoshitsugu Oribe, Kaori's second son and Yasunaga's younger brother. Chiemi introduced the two to each other, and Kaori chided Yoshitsugu for his rudeness to Haruaki. After Yoshitsugu left, Haruaki and Chiemi returned to the dorm to wait for the bike.

### Fixing the Bike

Chiemi explained that everyone was already on edge because of several other outsiders: a little girl who had strayed into the Saranaga Rapids, and a pair of journalists visiting for a magazine article. She also explained the geography of the area, and that there was another nearby settlement that shared many of its customs with Yasumizu. Around noon, Takumi and Kanzo returned with the bike, and Haruaki got started on repairs. He quickly discovered that the tires were flat, and Chiemi suggested finding tools to fix them at the Nosato mansion.
Haruaki and Chiemi headed up the hill to the Nosato mansion, where they were met by Kiyonosuke Nosato. Chiemi introduced them to each other, and after some argument, Kiyonosuke agreed to lend Haruaki the tools. Haruaki returned to work on the bike again, and Chiemi talked to everyone who stopped by to ask about the bike. After some time, a van drove by, and Haruaki met the two journalists Chiemi mentioned: Hisako Mamiya, a food reviewer, and Yudai Hashimoto, a photographer. Eventually, the two left to try *shishinare*, a local dish.

Haruaki's repairs were interrupted again by an old man who warned that "the wolf is coming." As he left, Chiemi returned and explained that everyone knew him as The Old Man Who Cried Wolf. Haruaki finally got back to his repairs, and managed to fix the tires, though the bike still needed work. He asked if Chiemi wanted to come with him when the bike was fixed. Chiemi wondered if she could escape the loop with him, and agreed. She left to go gather her things, leaving Haruaki alone.

Meanwhile, by the Hanging Pine, Rikako watched as Meiko played in the grass. Rikako tripped on a trap in the grass, which Meiko admitted she made. Rikako discouraged her from doing so, and convinced her to undo all the traps. However, since Meiko forgot where she made traps further up the hill, she only undid the ones near the tree. As evening fell, Meiko started singing Prayer to Shin'nai, which caught Haruaki's attention. As Haruaki approached the tree, Meiko fell, and he ran to help her up. He noticed Rikako, who gave him a warning: "Prepare for the feast when the evening mists arrive." She told him to run, and dense mist began to appear.

Haruaki made it back to the plaza, where Chiemi had been searching for him. Chiemi told him he needed to find a place to hide and lock the doors, and took him to an outside near the rice fields. She insisted that he stay inside the whole night and not make a sound. Haruaki was confused, but agreed to hide in the outhouse.