15nen me no Love Letter.....the 15 year old Love Letter.....

December 24, 1983....a raining Christmas Eve........

Scenes of police bringing out bodies of a family murdered, neighbors watching in the pouring rain........

Fukushima Prefecture, Mikura City....a city official's family was killed by an unknown assailant....both parents were found dead at the scene of the crime....the eldest daughter sustained a massive loss of blood & was sent to the hospital but died shortly after....the sole survivor of this crime was the 12 year old younger daughter........the pouring rain washed away the vast amounts of blood, washing away traces of the culprit at the same time........the first person to discover this was a university student, the boyfriend of the eldest daughter....3 days later, this student was suspected to be the murderer & arrested....

Against a scene of a building with a cross on the roof, & a stature of Mary, Naoki's voice comes on "Isn't there a Sleeping Beauty in a forest? You know....that famous French children's story....that princess, the moment she woke up she accepted the prince's proposal....when you think about it, doesn't it seem strange? That princess had been asleep all along....she didn't know what difficulties the prince had to go through in order to wake her up....just accepted his proposal when he appeared in front of her?...." The gruesome scene fades into one of a beautiful forest, sunlight streaming through the trees & Minako's voice replies "She must have known by the look in his eyes that he was the one....the one that fought a witch & would have willingly given up his life for her...." Naoki says "Just knowing by the look in his eyes?" Minako answers "Yes!" Naoki says "That's a little unbelievable...." Minako says "Hey...." Naoki "hm?" Minako asks "When I wake up, will you be there for me?" Naoki agrees "Yes...." Minako asks "Really?" Naoki assures her "I'll be there....I'll be there...." Minako says "That's a promise...."

~~~~~~

Minako's asleep in bed. Waking up she looks at the clock & then in shock reaches for it "Why didn't it ring?" Jumping out of bed she grabs the phone, dials it & leaves it on the table as she goes wash up. A guy answers "Hello...." Minako answers "Wake up! It's late! It's late!" In another apartment, a guy in bed looks at the clock by his bed moans "What....calling me at 8.30! The meeting this morning!! What am I going to do!" "Sorry!" Minako answers as he opens the closet & grabs some clothes "You said you would give me a morning call! You're responsible!" Minako getting dressed says "The alarm clock didn't work!" "Where's my shirt?!" "The cleaners sent it back didn't they?" "Where?" "On top of the sofa in the living room!" "Got it!" he replies. Minako tells him "Hurry & have your breakfast!" Running to the kitchen he yells "Where's the bread we bought last night?" "In the bag...." Taking it out of his briefcase "Got it!" Running by the phone he says "Let's go someplace to eat...." Minako running to work on & talking into her cell phone "Tonight at 8 isn't it?" "Go ahead first...." "Will we make the train?" "We'll make it if we run!" "Then run!" "I'm already running!" he answers, also on his cell phone & running. "Hey Minako!" "What?" "After we're married, let's hold hands & run to the station!" "Can you keep up with me?" "Being told off by a 20 something!! Alright then, see you tonight!" "Uhm!" answers Minako with a smile....

At a nursery, Minako explains to some school children about Orchids "Orchids are one of the sterile plants that has become one of the most advanced insect-pollinated plants. Insect-pollinated plants are those that who's pollen are spread by insects. In tropical Asia this is called Paphiopedilum...." Holding a pot of yellow orchids she continues "This is a common one....although it's also called the lady's slipper....when the insect is attracted to the flowers' scent, it will approach the flower & fall into the little bucket....because of the shape of the flower, as it crawls out, the pollen will stick onto the back of the insect...." The nursery owner interrupts "Oba....carry on...." Minako answers "Yes...." & then continues "The aesthetics of Orchids aren't just being pretty....even the paintings of the end of the century seem to have been influenced by orchids....for example, this is called the "lip of the orchid"....said to be the sensual image of a woman so a lot of artists use it for inspiration...." A student puts up his hand "Question...." "Yes, what is it?" "Sensual image of a woman, where is it supposed to be?" Someone pipes up "That's disgusting Imai! Talking about that...." & all of them start talking. Minako tries to calm things down but no one listens to her "In other words....let's not talk about this....I'll just put this down....In China...."

During lunch, Minako's colleague Shoko says "A Christmas Eve wedding on the sea....what will you wear?" Minako answers "Just something a little flashier than normal...." "35 years old, a first marriage, grew up in a good family & working in a top company....a guy like this is hard to find...." Minako tells her "When I first met him, I wondered if there was something suspicious about him...." "You actually thought about that? But, it's better not to talk about a guy's past...." Minako sighs "Talking about the past troubles me...." "Because you lost your family in an accident & don't have any relatives? Stop thinking weird things...." Minako smiles "Don't have what they call a hometown....sometimes I feel like I'm asleep....There are a lot of things that I can't remember...." "Things you can't recall?" "Due to the accident I guess....memories as a child are all a blur....that's why I hate the past...." The both of them are interrupted by the boss "Who took the order for the butterfly orchids?" Shoko answers "I did, sorry! Sorry!"

At dinner Kiichiro says "Human beings are the most complicated things around. For example....if all the stars in the Milky Way are put together, squashed into a size of a softball, it can be put into you...." Minako's amazed "Eh?" Kiichiro continues "The human brain is more advance than any computer software, continuously handling all those memories...." Minako says "The longer one lives, the more memories one has....if they're not handle properly, all one has is the past...." Kiichiro adds "Old memories are stored away so things that one has done before, one will remember...." "Probably...." "Ah, there was a scientist who tried to calculate how long this thing called 'the present' lasted....according to him, 'the present' lasts for an average of 8 seconds long....after 8 seconds, it became the past....flowing in the spirit of life....so, the past doesn't matter....as long as you live for the present...." "8 seconds of the present?" "Yes, live only for the 8 seconds of the present...." Kiichiro orders another beer "Another one please!" "Me too!" Kiichiro says "You have some left....you have 8 seconds to drink it or it'll be over! Hurry!"

Scenes of an incident at a concert, Minako's voiceover "I first met Kiichiro 3 years ago....at a concert where something happened...."........When Minako's wiping her eyes, someone gives her his handkerchief "If you don't mind, use this...."........Minako's voiceover again "Going to the hospitable again for a check up, I met him again...." Kiichiro sits in the seat behind her & as they both look around at each other, Kiichiro says "We meet again...." "Yes...." "Ah, so how did it go? PTSD?" "PT....PT....?" "Ah, that's the systems of a victim who's been under traumatic stress from wars, earthquakes, accidents etc....causing discomfort to a person's mental state like nervousness, insomnia, having nightmares etc...." "No, I don't have any of those syptoms...." "That's good...." "When one suddenly recalls what one has forgotten a long time ago, it's not necessarily a bad after-effect, the doctor said...." "You had that?" "None at all...." ........Minako's voice over "PTSD doesn't include falling in love as one of the after-effects....Kiichiro declared firmly....the evidence of "I love you" was at that moment, but not long after, he said it (I love you) to me...."

At a restaurant sitting at a bar counter, Minako says to Kiichiro "From now one, you'll have to start living a life eating more vegetables!" waving a carrot stick at him. Kiichiro puts out his cigarette "Recently you're becoming more like a wife....with enthusiasm....showing your true abilities...." "Are you praising me?" "Of course I'm praising you! I'm also looking forward to it, to see you give orders!" "Hey, isn't he coming home soon?" "Uhm, seems like he doesn't like French cuisine....so make more dishes like with sesame....meat & potatoes!" "You're making me nervous, a famous father!" "No different from any other man...." Kiichiro looks out the window to see light beams flashing into the night "What are they doing? Are they holding some event?" Minako looks "Wonder what they're doing...." She suddenly becomes fixated by the lights as one is beamed right into the restaurant. Right at that moment, Minako has a flashback.....a split second of an image as a child. Kiichiro says "What....a nuisance...." Minako appears stunned but Kiichiro doesn't notice.....

At the site, people are yelling "Idiot! Where are you directing it at?!" A guy panics "Oh shit!" Naoki runs up the stairs to the top & the guy says "Sorry!" Naoki punches a few buttons into the computer. Looking out, he takes a walkie-talkie & says "Sorry about that...." A guy comes up "Naoki!" "Yes?" "What do you think?" "The pattern's a bit tough, let's try this, the video against a screen of smoke....let's change the position?" Speaking into the walkie-talkie again "Drop one & three!" Naoki goes off as the other guy says "We're changing the plans...."

Naoki goes home & outside his apartment picks up a cigarette butt "Hi-light...." frowns & goes in. Keita greets him "Oi!" Naoki cynically replies "Scared me....cigarette butt, don't just throw them in front of the house, use an ashtray!" Keita says "Sorry! Get angry!" Naoki says "You should know better!" walking into the living room. As he passes the kitchen, Naoki's girlfriend Yuri says "Welcome back, cooking something...." Naoki in a sulky mood looks at the photos stuck on the cupboard, pulls them off "Sticking them up again...." Keita shouts from kitchen "The 2 of us in your house, a little embarrassing huh....troublesome! First, apron!" Keita says to Naoki but Naoki's not amused "Better if you leave...." Keita ignores Naoki's sarcasm "Don't be shy, it's your own home...." Naoki sits down on the sofa taking out a cigarette & Keita taking a beer from the fridge comes over "Dear, how about a bath? Or to bed?" playing around putting his hands on Naoki's knee. Naoki tells him "Suits you...." Keita goes "Really?" ....& then looking into the kitchen he says to Naoki "Come...." "What?" "Just come...." "What?!" Keita drags Naoki out into the veranda....

"What are you doing?!" Keita just tells him to step out into the veranda. Keita says Naoki "Waiting for you to come back, we were discussing about Yuri's life...." Naoki answers "Your recent freelance writer job goes to that extent? " "As a friend....no matter what she says you won't meet her parents....she was crying...." "So what if we meet?" "Are guys that petty? You've been seeing her for 4 years....at least talk to her....being so cold towards her, you might as well break up....that's what I want to say...." Naoki says coldly "So say it...." Keita replies "I can't say it....I'll help you, tell her not to cry, comfort her like an idiot....she only has feelings for you, she won't ever accept me...." Keita turns back from looking at Yuri & says to Naoki "Sometimes I think, can you die?....think of killing you...." putting his hands around Naoki's neck. Naoki coolly answers "Really?" Keita looks at his hands "To think I have such a cruel side, I shock myself...." & then jokingly putting his hands around Naoki's neck again "But then again, I could be a devil husband!" Naoki laughs "What are you saying?!" Yuri pops her head out "Sorry! It'll be done soon!" Keita replies "Smells good!" Naoki says "In any case it'll be a failure & she'll have to do it all over...." Keita tells him "Don't say that, she's done her best...." Coming back in Keita takes out a little notebook & says "Oh yeah, what you asked me to do....got it...." Naoki drags him into another room "Wait...."

In the next room Naoki asks "What?" Keita flips through his little notebook "1983, Fukushima prefecture, Mikura City, the criminal who murdered a whole family, Kokubu Yoshiharu, sentenced to life imprisonment....due to exemplary  behavior in prison, has been released on probation after 15 years.....he has been sent to work in a printing factory...." Naoki says "When was this?" "He was released 3 days ago....I got this information from his lawyer...." Naoki thinks & then says "Wait...." pulling out a book from the shelves. Keita continues as Naoki opens the book & flips through it "Killing 3 people, serving 15 years is too good for him!" Naoki flips to a page with a newspaper article clipping. Keita says "Apparently there's a survivor in this murder case....don't you think it's about time you tell me what this has to do with you?" Naoki doesn't reply & stares at a photo of a young girl. Keita adds "15 years ago, you & I were still kids...." Yuri interrupts "It's done! Come eat!" & Keita goes out, leaving Naoki deep in thought, a troubled look on his face....

In Chinatown, Harue happily returns to her apartment saying "My brother said he'd come by to celebrate...." Taking out 2 mugs from the cupboard, she says to a man dressed in black sitting by the window "Look, I bought this yesterday...." When he doesn't reply she says goes out to take in the laundry "Did you keep in touch with your parole officer? If you don't, your parole might be revoked...." Still no response from the man she says "Hey, feels like we're finally husband & wife...." He drops another origami bird on the floor & mutters "Hell...." She says "Hm?" not listening as he mutters "What hell is....I have to let that person know...."

Minako & Kiichiro go to their new apartment, happily making plans....

At a presentation Kiichiro says "I can't rest now, anxiety like the myriad colors that never pause, even if I'm just sleeping, I am troubled...." these are the words of Claude Monet in his later years, altho' he dearly loved nature's beauty, nature only caused him pain....with this project starting with these impressionist works titled "Impressionist - Sunrise", bringing together Monet's art that's scattered in different museums around the world & to hold an exhibition...." As he continues, two guys whisper to one another "Bring together all of Monet's works? Have to see who his father is....we can't interfere in this project....because it's his son's project...." An elderly gentlemen says to Kiichiro "That's enough....do it...." Kiichiro says "Then we'll start with the factory in Paris...." not looking too pleased....

In her apartment, Minako is cleaning out her old things. As she throws away a little toy into a bag, she changes her mind & takes it back "The characteristic of not being able to throw things away....happen at this moment huh...." Putting it into the garbage bag again she looks into the box & takes out a baseball glove "This is mine?" Minako's voiceover "That's right, I use to play like a boy...." & has a flashback to when she was a kid playing catch ball, her sister playing the violin & going to a festival "Those were the memories before the accident have become very vague....but sometimes just on the edge (of my memory), I can remember my parents....not long after that, a truck crashed into my family, killing everyone....by some miracle I was saved by a relative....that hometown festival was also the last one...."

Back into the present, Minako puts the glove on the table & continues cleaning out the box. Reaching in she takes a bunch of letters out & looks at them. "I remember....got these letters just after leaving Gunma for Tokyo....don't know who they're from....a child's love letters....when I read them then, it was a little scary....but I never threw them away...." Minako takes one of the letters out & starts reading "I heard that you'll be leaving town soon, really lonely....you bought another detective story book from the store in front of the station Ellery Queen series? Riddle of the Roman Hat & the Riddle of the Egyptian Cross........you were reading another book all alone today....you liked to play Tarzan in the forest but always seem so sad....aren't you playing catch ball with your uncle? Your curve ball does not fly upwards but downwards, that I know....that is called a drop curve....if only we could meet once before you leave this town....to be honest, I've met you a few times....but I can only watch you from afar, can't talk to you, can't meet with you....thinking about it, after 15 years what will happen? You'll be 27 years old, I'll be about the same age....I feel like we'll meet again....so promise....15 years on this day, we'll meet in our forest....meet in the Sleeping Forest....I'll wait until you come...." Minako ponders "Our forest....Sleeping Forest....15 years after on the 18th...." Looking at a calendar she says "Day after tomorrow...." Looking at the letters on the table, Minako's voice "My hometown....there is someone waiting for me all this time....there is someone from the past calling me....who on earth can that be?"

Yuri comes into Naoki's apartment bringing in lunch "Have you had lunch? Have to rush back to the office....let's have lunch together...." she says. Then looking into the living room she sees Naoki packing & asks "What are you doing? Moving out? Naoki!" Naoki doesn't answer, just continues putting a carton box together. Yuri says "Hey, will you listen to me? I think we can get along better....every time I see you I'm always very happy...." Naoki doesn't reply & finally Yuri says "I'll help...." Naoki says "Don't touch!" & Yuri stops in her tracks. Naoki tells her "We agreed...." "What?" "The end of the summer of 1998....said that as soon as the summer was over we would break up....we're breaking up!" Yuri asks "Why all of a sudden?" Naoki retorts "It's not all of a sudden! Said it 4 years ago...." "I thought you were joking....putting a time limit on a relationship, who would believe that?" Naoki tells her cruelly "Enough! Go home!" as he goes into the next room. Yuri follows him "Is it because of Keita? Because of Keita you're leaving me?" Naoki replies "It's got nothing to do with him! Just go home!" Yuri says in a teary voice "Naoki!" but Naoki just tells her "Don't cry! Go home & cry...." Yuri cries "Why?" Naoki finally yells at her "Summer's over!" & goes over to the living room, trying to regain control. Yuri says shakily "Tell me the reason....or I won't leave...." Naoki stays silent & Yuri shouts at him "Tell me! Why are you breaking up with me?!" "Because there is a woman I have to see...." The both of them stare at each other & finally Naoki says to her "Go home...." Yuri gets up a little wobbly & makes her way out the door....

Minako's at the train station, her voice says "When I made the decision to visit my hometown, I felt like I was going on an excursion...." Minako drops some of the snacks she's carrying & her cell phone goes off at the same time. Answering it "Hello?" "It's me" says Kiichiro "Have to work overtime tonight, might be late...." he tells her. Picking up the things she dropped, Minako suggests "Then let's make it tomorrow...." An announcement comes on & Kiichiro asks "Where are you now? At the station?" "Yes....out the whole day....I might be late too...." Getting up & walking, her voice comes on "Somehow, I could tell him that I was going to meet an old boy friend...." In the train her voice continues "Going back to one's hometown required some encouragement, so I drank some beer during the day....it was really delicious, made me feel light headed....lying to him going on a trip alone just disappeared...."

Arriving in the hometown, Minako comes out of the station & walking in front of a store, reminisces "Oh yes, the croquets here were delicious....the owner always with the red headband hasn't changed either...." Walking on to another shop "It hasn't changed a bit...." The old lady storeowner greets her "welcome!" Minako looks up & asks "It's been a long time! Do you remember me?" "Are you from around here?" the lady doesn't remember. Minako smiles "It's been 15 years....actually, it's been 14 years since I left this town....just came back for a visit...." "Is that so?" asks the lady. Minako says "I'll come by again on my way back...." As Minako walks along the streets looking around & staring at a building with a cross on the roof, her voice continues "I was a child that wouldn't lose to a boy, mischievous....but I changed after parting from my family, even lost the boy who played with me in the forest, I would just read detective story books all alone...." Minako goes into a little book store & looks around. The old store owner stares & says "By any chance....did you used to come here as a child?" Minako turns & smiles answering "Yes, when I was 12...." "The shelves were too high, you couldn't get the books...." "Yes! Had to borrow the step ladder very often...." "Ah! That child!" "Yes!" Stepping up on the ladder, Minako takes a book from the shelves. The man says "Shall I wrap it up?" Minako smiles "Yes...." Her voice comes on "The past....memories of everyone seems vague....even when there's someone who remembers who I am, there are others who have completely forgotten...."

Walking at the edge of the forest Minako stares at it....her voice coming on "Who's waiting in there for me? I didn't have enough....the courage to find out about my past...." Sitting down she takes out the book she bought...."In truth the memories that support (encourage) people happen to be something very vague , Kiichiro told me....even if one doesn't have a past, one can definitely live on....as long as I have the 8 seconds of the present & the continuing future, that'll be fine....don't know where the memories of a father, mother & sister have gone....they've become faint...." Minako has a flashback to the vague memories as a child playing catch ball with her father & reading alone.... "I want to be praised & encouraged by the past....You've struggled & lived alone all this while....but you also had happy times too" Minako gives a nervous sigh....

Getting up the courage she walks into the forest. She comes across a stream & a rope hanging from a tree.... "I once had a friend in the forest...." Flashback to memories of a boy calling her "Minako look!" as he swings from the rope. "Minako, you try it too!" Her voice continues "But the one who wrote the love letters is not that boy....it was someone who had been watching me from afar who wrote those letters....the 18th of October, 15 years later, waiting in the Sleeping Forest....invited (called) here by the words of a child, sounds ridiculous....the boy that could only look at the girl he liked from afar....couldn't speak to her....written on a whim by that bashful boy....I feel at a loss....I'd rather if there wasn't anyone around, I'd feel relieved....I felt like returning to Kiichiro...."

Minako walks on & suddenly she stops, hearing some creaking noises. Walking towards the sounds, she sees someone lying in a hammock, swinging. Approaching she says "Excuse me...." He wakes up....it's Naoki. Minako says "Sorry to wake you...." Naoki nonchalantly says "I fell asleep....waiting for a long time...." "Then you are...." "It's been a long time...." "Then, you are the one who wrote those letters...." "Interesting?" "Hah?" "Wanted to see what sort of guy wrote those letters so you curiously came to see?" Naoki's tone is not very pleasant & Minako appears a little taken aback. Naoki continues "Or, a woman about to get married in 3 months is an adventurous spirit! Cool, having a wedding on Christmas Eve...." Minako's shocked "How come you know?" Naoki gets up & putting on his hat "I know, I know everything...." Minako stares at him & Naoki gives a sly grin "You left this town in the autumn you were 13, a volleyball player at Setagaya District Matsuhara Middle school, in the drama club during Kitazawa Municipal High School....with the money you earned part time during the summer, you went overseas for the first time to Singapore....felt inspired by the beautiful orchids there & decided on the job you have now....a really simple life to understand huh...." Minako asks "What's all this?" Naoki ignores her & continues "When you graduated from Tandai, your only uncle passed away so you had no choice but to be independent....although you got your desired wish of working in a nursery, the starting pay was low, so the apartment you stayed in was only 6 stories high, no bathroom but going to the public baths wasn't a big deal.  After the bath you'd have fruit flavored milk drink....standing with your hands on your hips, drinking it all at one go......is that a habit?" Minako asks "How do you know?" Naoki laughs "When you were 23 attending a concert, due to an incident, you met a man....a future elite company employee, finally won you over with dinner dates....the place the first time you spent the night together was...." Naoki laughs & says "I'm Ito Naoki, pleased to meet you...." Minako asks "You've been watching me all this while?" "Didn't you ever notice? I met you once in front of the public bath...." Minako asks "For what reason?" Naoki asks "Don't ask that...." "15 years....not a word....just watching me from afar....it's strange...." "Yes it is...." "Have you never thought that after a girl finds out about this that she wouldn't be please?" "Never...." "Then why? Why meet again like this after 15 years?" Naoki doesn't answer. Minako asks again "What's your intention of meeting here again?" Naoki asks in reply "I'd like to know too....what was your intention of coming here today?" Minako doesn't answer & Naoki says "By any chance....you came here wanting to find out if there's a better man than your fiance waiting for you?" "I only...." "Only what? Only want to know the other person's feeling? Someone who loved you as a boy....what sort of a man he is now? Just came here to find out & ask....& say before he says anything 'Sorry, I'm engaged but I came here for one last fling....ah, on my honeymoon I'll send you a postcard....good bye'....the boy watches as you disappear from the forest........not too bad an imagination huh....but I won't do that...." Minako asks "What are you going to do?" "That depends on what you do...." Minako says "I'm going back...." & turns to leave. Naoki shouts "A new you!" Minako stops in her tracks & turns around. Naoki walks towards her & says with an intensity "Have you never thought about a new life....throwing away your name, work, friends, lovers & becoming a new person! Being born right here right now! Next year you'll be one, the year after that two years old....a grown up body but there are only things to remember living a new life....living an adventure everyday....have you never dreamt of that?" Minako says "Never!" Naoki replies "The past doesn't matter, only the present counts....if you want a new life you'll have to throw away everything....at a place unknown to anyone else, a new Oba Minako is born....have you never dreamt of that?" "Never....that's not possible!" says Minako walking off. Naoki says "I don't know what's going to happen from now on...." Minako turns around, fed up "What on earth?!" Naoki flings back "Only cruel things await you!" Minako curiously repeats "Cruel things?" Naoki looks like he regrets what he's just said & tries to get out of the hole he just dug himself into "It's commonly said isn't it? That there are unseen dangers ahead in one's life....like I don't know what will happen tomorrow...." It starts to rain & Naoki starts walking slowly towards Minako saying "I'll change your life...." Minako takes a step back "You're weird...." "Minako...." "Don't call me that!" "As long as you have a future that's fine!" Scared, with her back against a tree, Naoki says to her "Minako is born now....it's simple...." Minako asks "What's that? The cruel things that await me....answer me!" Naoki says softly "You'll find out soon enough...." & walks away. "Soon enough?" "Even if you don't want to, you'll find out...." Minako says "You know, don't you....how would you know things that I don't even know?" Naoki doesn't answer for the longest while. Then he mysteriously says "Because....you are a part of me...." looking at her. Minako says "Good bye...." & runs off in the rain, Naoki looking at her....

Soaked, Minako runs out of the forest. At the edge of the forest she turns & looks back....deep in the forest Naoki lies in the hammock in the pouring rain....Minako runs back through town....a man gathering wood approaches Naoki & throws him a towel "You've come back...." & looking up into the sky says "It's going to be misty tomorrow morning....take shelter in the hut....." Naoki mutters "Ah...." He throws Naoki a towel "You'll catch a cold...." & walks off leaving Naoki lying there in the rain....Shaken Minako takes the train back, thinking about what Naoki said to her "I'll change your life....as long as you have a future that's fine!....you are born now....it's simple...."

Minako ends up spending the evening with Kiichiro "Sorry, you're tired from work...." "Actually...." "I just felt like seeing you...." "Must be my imagination....but your hair smells of rain...." "It's your imagination!" "Hm!" Getting up he says "More beer?" "Hm...." Minako, lying on the couch with just a blanket over her, looks up at a painting of a woman hanging on the wall "Your mother was beautiful...." "My father's lifework....although mom died, he continued to paint....brought back the spirit of the past...." Minako asks "Can one live life over?" "Eh?" "Leave the spirit of the past & be reborn...." Kiichiro says "Recently I've been thinking about it, everyone struggles & then dies....good people who can't handle their lives & destroy themselves....life isn't a fairy tale....one has to handle the burdens one carries forever...." Minako says "Didn't you say? The past doesn't matter, as long as Minako lives the 8 seconds of the present...." "Yeah, I did!" going to sit by her. Minako asks "What (burdens) are you carrying on your back?" Kiichiro lights a cigarette "A lot of things...." Minako puts her arms around him "Is that so....everyone's like that too...." "Minako?" "Hm?" "When you're philosophical....you're kinda sexy...." "that so?" "Hm...."

At the nursery the boss is instructing everyone "The caring of this is delicately different so please take note....especially wild orchids....like this one where the roots have come out from the pot, don't let it dry up, make sure it gets plenty of water & keep the temperature in here at 15 degrees....all right, new lesson next time....that's it...." As he goes off, Minako runs after him "Enchou...." "Yes?" "Thank you for letting me have the day off yesterday...." "You need to work late tonight though...." "Yes...." "OK...."

Minako works late all alone. In the office clearing up, the lights in the room suddenly go off. She tries a switch on the table but nothing happens. Right then the whole place is engulfed in darkness as all the lights in the nursery go off. Minako goes outside looking around, She says "Who is it?" & continues walking. Seeing the light box open & all the switches turned off she reaches to turn them on. Right then a hand grabs hers & she starts to panic. "Shhhhh!" says Naoki "It's only me...." Naoki points up to a plant "There's something living...." & stands in front it "The origins of the Vanda (Orchid) is derived from Sanskrit....what's living in them....spirits of people? If the Vanda gets too much sunlight it'll die...." He turns around & eerily says to Minako I've learnt a lot haven't I...." Looking around he says "Wow...." Minako finds her voice "What on earth do you want?!" Naoki says "I told you...." Minako looks terrified as Naoki walks up to her "You are....a part of me...." staring into her eyes........