Time capsule....

Naoki pulls up into an old village & gets out of his 4 wheel drive. Walking in front of a boarded up, dilapidated house, he stares at it recalling what Minako said "In my hand....there was a knife....my clothes were covered with blood....the one who killed my family....was me...." As Naoki stares at the house his voiceover says "Father the president of the education committee & a public servant....mother a dedicated volunteer....sisters were beauties, the elder a promising young violinist....the Morita family's an ideal one, everyone said....before that incident happened........" Naoki looks around & then goes back to his car. About to get in a statue of Mary outside the church catches his eye....the eyes of the statue seem to glimmer…..Naoki stares at it & then gets back in the car. As he drives off, a man approaches the house…..it's Kokubu....behind him the statue of Mary watches, eyes glowing............

In the Hamazaki house, Minako's sits posing for her portrait. Her mind seems to be miles away & Hamazaki says "Minako-san....have a little bit for confidence....as a woman loved by Kiichiro....if you do that, the shape (form) of your heart can be seen...." Minako says "It's scary...." Hamazaki sits down with a heavy sigh "Although I've done hundreds of my wife's paintings, I could never read what was in her heart...." Minako says "When Kiichiro asked me to marry him, I was really at a loss....wondered if there was a more suitable partner for Kiichiro....but he said that if it wasn't me it wouldn't do....why it wouldn't do if it weren't me....at the time I didn't understand (know) but...." Hamazaki looks at her "But now you do...." Minako nods "Yes, I do....when we were young, I knew him very well...." Hamazaki takes a sip of his drink "Seems so...." Minako adds "We have such a deep relationship....felt very touched...." Hamazaki tells her "If so, then hold you head up high...." Minako sits up. Hamazaki looks & then stands up "Look....the sun....you've attracted it...." Minako smiles as she looks around her as the sunlight streams in through the windows. Hamazaki continues with his painting....adding a cross onto  the portrait........

The cross on the canvass fades into the cross on top of the church next to Minako's old home. Naoki speaks to an old classmate o Minako's, Sae "I think Minako hated her her father...." Naoki asks "Hated?" She offers him tea "Here...." Naoki nods "Thanks...." Continuing she says "During the school trip in grade school....the spring before the incident....in the bath, I noticed Minako's bruises...." "Bruises?" "On her shoulders, back, hips....always bruised...." "That's to say her father...." "As they say these days....child abuse...." Naoki sits down digesting the news. Sae continues "I asked Minako....if her sister was being treated the same way by their father....then, Minako shook her head....then why only Minako got treated like that, I asked....Minako kept shaking her head....after, I never asked more than that...." Naoki asks "When you were children, seems you often played in the forest with Minako.... Smiling Sae nods "Mikura forest....made hiding places together, collected acorns & play at housekeeping....even now when the autumn leaves have scattered, it's dark & lonely....a forest where no one goes near...."

As Naoki returns to his car thinking, his voiceover says "Trauma of being abused by one's family, become entrapped in darkness as adult children....Minako was abused by her father....but between father & elder daughter Kimiko, there was none of that....why only Minako?" Getting into the car his cell phone rings "What...." Naoki mutters irritably. Answering it "Hello....where are you now? Mikura canyon (ravine)? What new discovery....eh?"

Meeting up with Keita, Naoki listens "Morita Minako's classmate Ozada Masato....his body was discovered, drowned in the river current....summer 5 months before the incident that Christmas Eve....the both of them went on a picnic, apparently when Minako wasn't looking, Masato fell into the river...." Naoki asks "Witnesses?" "None....but nearby Minako's father was watching...." Naoki's shocked "Hah?" "Strange isn't it....but Minako's father Morita Akihito denied it...." "Daughter goes on a date with a classmate, the father's there?" "That testimony....who do you think (said it)?" "Who?" "Morita Minako! When she discovered Masato had fallen into the river, Minako ran off trying to look for help....on the way...." Naoki imagines a young boy being carried away by the river current, Minako running along the rock shore, falling & looking up to see her father "Father! Help! Masato's fallen into the river!" Morita stands & watches, not doing anything. Minako shouts "Father!" but he turns & walks away. Back in the present Keita continues "that's what Minako told the police....but her father said that he was shut up in a meeting room with his secretary at the time of the incident....also as he as also the education committee's president & a public servant, the police couldn't question him any further....a father that killed a boy she liked....she must hate him....I'll check around a bit more....believe I can ask the dead boy's mother...." Naoki nods "Please...."

At the Orchid Square nursery, Minako shaken to learn about her past from Naoki, says "I had the motive....the motive to kill my father....that's it! I was abused by my father, pushed boyfriend into the river, I hated my father that's why I killed him...." Naoki tries to calm down an agitated Minako "Calm down!" Minako says "The more we search the more we discover unimaginable things about me as a child...." Naoki says "I understand, then we stop searching...." Minako asks "Knowing what we know know....how can you say we stop? I have to know until the end...." "Listen!" "No! Enough!" Minako sits down on the bench upset. Naoki says "ok, the ones killed wasn't only your father....mother & sister were also killed....motives for those were what? In the first place, what can a 12 year old do to 3 adults? Nothing!" Naoki grabs a chair & sits in front of her "Morita Kimiko was the girlfriend of Fukushima University's Kokubu Yoshiharu....Kimiko was about to throw away her dreams of becoming a violinist & elope with Kokubu....the Minako at the time was love's cupid! Took your sister's love letters & delivered them to Kokubu's dormitory....the Minako then, Hamazaki knows you well....you were seen as the mascot among those living in in the dormitory...." Minako says "But at the time I was being abused my father....boyfriend was also...." Naoki interrupts "But then....then, the Minako then, the Morita Minako then....never lost her smile, why do you think?" "I don't know...." Naoki tells her "Because Morita Minako's that kind of a child....no matter how miserable you yourself were, because of the happiness of other's around you, you were affectionate (kind)....even though your heart was in shreds you could still smile! That kind of child, no matter how much she hated....do you think she could kill her real father?" Minako shakes her head still upset. Naoki gets up & shouts "Get a hold of yourself Minako!" He tells her "Believe in yourself, ok?" Minako asks in a shaky voice "On the 24th of December, at the wedding ceremony....can I be reborn? No matter what sort of a child I was...." Naoki replies painfully "Wedding's are that kind of things aren't they...." Naoki gets up & Minako says "It's exactly 15 years....hey, since the incident....it's exactly 15 years...." Naoki mutters thinking of the implication "15 years later....Christmas Eve...." Minako says "The day of self independence...." Naoki looks at Minako "Even if I am the murderer, it's the day when I can be reborn...." Naoki looks frustrated as he leaves....

At the Morita graves, Kokubu takes out a book from a paper bag & places it on the graves, puts his hands together in silent prayer....

At their apartment Kiichiro stares out the window towards Naoki's apartment. He asks Minako "Did he say anything?" Minako, who's cooking up something just shakes her head, lies "No...." "Said he'd go to Mikura...." "Went to do some searching...." "Mikura City....I haven't been back since I graduated from University...." Minako tells him "My family's graves are there it seems...." Kiichiro asks "Before the wedding, how about going there once? Tell them about the wedding...." Minako smiles "Yeah...." Kiichiro takes the food "Looks delicious....thank you...." Minako looks away with a heavy heart....

In his apartment, Naoki pours over a map of Mikura City, circling the places with red ink "The old Morita home....father worked here, City Municipal Government Office....the dormitory where Kokubu lived....river where the boy drowned....in this little town, what happened between them? Why did that Christmas Eve incident happen? & then, the day of self independence....December 24th...." The doorbell interrupts Naoki's thoughts "Coming!" but the door opens & Yuri enters "It's me...." Naoki, seeing who it is, rolls up the map as Yuri asks "You're done with Fukushima?" "I'm leaving it to Keita...." answers Naoki, putting it away. Yuri asks "ok if I come in?" Naoki doesn't reply & she comes in "Brought some cake....eat some?" When Naoki still remains silent Yuri says to him "I haven't told you....why I went to Minako's work place...." "I can imagine...." "Minako said that the love you have for her is merely obligation....watching over her for 15 years, that's why you'll go on watching over her, it's your own sense of duty (obligation)....it's definitely not love....Minako said she would never love you...." Naoki doesn't say anything & Yuri tell him her dreams "Recently I've been thinking....about living with you in a little house....it's nice, simply imagining....in the small house, there are lights made by you....always shining on everyone in the family....strong light....warm light....faint light....shining on the baby....little light....Naoki's different light, shining on everyone in the family...." Naoki finally says "Naa...." "Hm?" "Hurry & bring the plates over...." Yuri smiles "Eat some cake? Wait a second, I'll get them...." As Naoki looks at Yuri going about in the kitchen, his cell phone goes off "Yes...." Keita answers "It's me! It's me!" Naoki asks "What's happened?" "Why Minako was abused by her father....found out the reason...." "Why?" "You'll get a shock when you hear it! Morita Minako & Morita Akihito....are not blood related! They are not really father & child!" Naoki asks "What's that?"

Alone in the apartment, Minako sits at the dining table & thinks "After hearing from Ito Naoki, I could imagine....although it was impossible for me to recall....but I could imagine....15 years ago, what sort of a home I lived in everyday...." Minako imagines a family happily sitting down to dinner "Father, Morita Akihito being an education committee member, twice elected into the Mikura City Municipal Office....generation to generation, possessing lands (forests & mountains), a prominent figure on the local scene....Mother, Morita Kazuko, daughter of a hotel owner....arranged marriage to my father....a dedicated volunteer for forest conservation, organizer of the woman's association....5 years older than I was, my sister Morita Kimiko was reputed to be a talented violinist, a local star....aiming to enter an arts school....I didn't have talents like my sister, more than studies or music, I was a girl that preferred sports. But even looking at the image of watching my sister wearing a beautiful dress, performing in the hallway, clapping hands....there was no jealousy. My family was enwrapped in a happiness with a tinge of darkness....but that was just a stage....home rebuilt, my sister & I had separate rooms...." The scene changes to one of Minako lying alone in her room & her father entering, abusing her. Minako's voice continues "What happened at night were nightmares I told myself, even if bruises were left all over my body....one day when I could bear it no longer, I spoke to mom about it...." A young Minako asks her mother "Why must dad do this to me? Nothing happens to one-chan (older sister), why? Why only me? Mom? Why?" Minako's voiceover says "How did my mom answer....?"

Back in the present, having a glass of water in the kitchen "Thinking about it, why can't people go on living with a past? Even cruel & soiled, a past that one wants to look away from....why do people need that?" Walking into the bedroom & looking at a sleeping Kiichiro's "Am I really a suitable woman for this person? A woman that can make this person happy?"

At the Ozada home, Masato's mother tells Naoki & Keita "After my son died....if he hadn't gone on a picnic with Minako...I felt some hatred towards Minako but....thinking about it later, Minako was really a good companion, Masato was really happy I thought....do you know of the movie "Chisana Koi no Melody"? Keita nods "Yes...." & she continues "In our time we went to the theatre in this town to watch movies but the children watched it on television & were moved. "We are like Daniel & Melody...." said my son with a smile....even now I can remember...." Naoki imagines Minako & Masato, hand in hand walking over a bridge. Masato's mother continues " "Minako needs me, I have to be by her side always...." things like that, my son used to say...." Keita asks "The exchange of diaries is?" She unlocks a drawer & hands them a book. Keita asks "It is alright?" "As a memorial to my son...." Keita says "Thank you very much, we're grateful...." She goes out "I'll make some tea, take your time...." Naoki & Keita both stand up "Thank you...."

(-= CJ =- I was salivating over the scenery in Naoki's imagination....sugoi!)

After she goes out Keita opens the book & flips through it "It's here...." both of them sit back down anxiously by the bed as Naoki reads "I asked mom yesterday, why dad had to treat me so cruelly....mom was shocked....when I asked mom, while crying she told me "Minako's father is someone else....my father wasn't my real father...." Flipping on to another page "Mom's the daughter of a hotel owner....when she was in high school she fell in love with a college student who used to come every year to the hotel....after getting married, she met him again by chance & then I was born. Mom told dad everything....ever since telling mom, she's been protecting me, always trying hard to create a cheerful atmosphere in the house....dad also hasn't done any more cruel things (to me)....that's why I think that I have to keep in my heart who my real father is....what do you think, Masato?" Keita says "Next, the next page...." Naoki flips to the next page "so, why not do this? Put things that are important to the both of us in a time capsule & bury it in Mikura forest....I'll put in the 1st place medal I got at the sports meet....you put the photo of your real father...." Naoki stunned,  pauses. Keita says "Time capsule...." Naoki flips a page & finds a map....

On the way to the Morita graves, Keita says "Minako put the memories of her real father into the time capsule, then as a Morita daughter, when she's cheerfully going on with life....her father kills her boyfriend? A child born out of an illicit affair....the rage against his wife, all redirected towards Minako...." Naoki doesn't reply but looking forward says "It's there...." Going in front of the tombstones, Keita picks up the book left by Kokubu "What's this?" Flipping through he says "Music score...." Naoki takes it from him "Who brought this?" as Keita looks around "Excuse me! Excuse me!" going towards an old man. Naoki looks at the book, a score for a violin & puts it back down. He unwraps the bunch of flowers he's brought & puts them on the graves, puts his hands together. Keita comes back "Naoki! Seems that a middle aged man came to visit the graves yesterday...." Naoki says "It's Kokubu...." Keita says "Paying his respects to his girlfriend dead for 15 years? What do you intend to do now?" Naoki turns around & looks at the forest "Going into the forest to look...." Keita says "Looks different from our forest....somehow it looks dark & lonely...." Naoki says "But that's....to Minako....it's her Sleeping Forest...." Keita says "Alright! Let's go look for the time capsule!" Naoki tells him "I'll do it alone...." "What are you saying? We're a combination!" "I'll send you to the station, have to buy some goodies in town...." Naoki starts walking & Keita complaints "I want to know....already to this stage....the most interesting stage you take it all yourself!" Naoki stops "Stealing a look to see who Minako's real father is, one person is enough...." Keita is silent. Naoki says "I am your client...." As they both leave, they are watched from the woods........by Kokubu........

At the apartment as Minako prepares a packed meal Kiichiro says "Putting in a portion for breakfast would help too....looks like I'll have to work all night...." Minako nods "I understand...." Kiichiro's cell phone rings & he answers it "Hello....ah, I was waiting for you to call...." Sitting down on the sofa he says in a low voice "Is that information for certain?" Keita answers "Looks like the clues are hidden in the forest...." "Forest?" "In a time capsule....Minako's past is buried in the earth....right now Naoki's looking for it alone...." Kiichiro says "If anything's discovered, get in touch with me right away....money, I'll transfer (pay) as per normal...." & hangs up, glancing at Minako & says to himself "Father is someone else?"

In the dead of the night, Naoki armed with shovel, flashlight & map, searches in the forest....

Minako approaches Kiichiro, who's about to leave for work. "Do you still have time?" Kiichiro replies "Uhm....why?" "I need to talk...." "What?" Looking troubled Minako says "I want to reconsider getting married...." Kiichiro's shocked. Minako says "I love you....but I could be a woman who killed her whole family....if you married a woman like that you won't be happy...." "What are you saying?" "The wedding on December 24th....for the time being I want to postpone it....reconsider for a while?" Kiichiro & Minako look at each other....

In the forest Naoki says "Found it!" running towards a tree with a stone marker at its foot. He mutters "Birdhouse...." & shining the flashlight he spots it "There...."

Kiichiro tells Minako "No way....no way, Minako!" Minako doesn't say anything. Kiichiro asks "You've lost to the past? Our future....why does it have to lose to the past?!" Minako answers "I had a reason to kill my father....I hated my father...." "Has nothing to do with it...." "Maybe I felt the same way towards my mother & sister too....what my father did to me, my mom who didn't do anything....it's possible that I hated her too....maybe I was jealous of my sister's talents too...." "It doesn't matter...." "Because of some little thing I could hate you....be a woman who would kill you...." Kiichiro shouts "I don't mind that sort of a woman!" Going to her & grabbing a hold of her from behind "Minako, Minako! If you kill me, I don't care....we said before....the present, only 8 seconds & it becomes the past....whatever happened 15 years ago....will be deeply buried eventually....those things, just bury them!"

In the forest, Naoki taking normal adult steps, paces "1....2....3....4...." stops, thinks & then with a fed up look, turns back & starts over. Taking smaller steps "1....2....3....4....5....6....7....8....9....10....11....12........19....20...." Shining his flashlight around he sees a little mound "Then another 8 paces....1....2....3....4....5....6....7....8...." Naoki stops. All of a sudden he turns around, as if hearing something but flashing the light around, he doesn't see anything. He takes his jacket off....starts digging. From behind the trees, Kokubu watches. With every shovel of dirt Naoki digs, Kokubu takes one step closer....

Kiichiro tells a teary Minako "No matter what the truth is, no matter what terrifying things you recall, I won't believe it....I only believe what I see with my own eyes....do you understand? 15 years ago, I saw the real Minako....you were always smiling....even when you were feeling down getting only 30 marks for a test....even before I cheered you up you'd say "I'll just try harder...." returning a smile at me. You were a child that believed in wonderful tomorrows....when I'm with you, I'm very happy....when we're together, I'll have wonderful tomorrows too....I feel that I can believe that too....that Minako really was in front of my eyes....that's why, I'll only believe in this...." Going to her & putting his arms around her, Kiichiro says "Doing this ....& touching you with my hands....I won't believe anything else....so smile....smile Minako!" Minako finally looks up at him & then both hold on to each other........

In the forest, Naoki's shovel finally hits something in the dirt. Going down on this hands & digging with a stick, he finds a package wrapped in plastic & paper. Ripping them off he finds a tin box. Opening it he sees a note written in a childish hand "Welcome to the 'future' us" Taking out some cotton, he sees a couple of medals. Looking further, he finds a locket. Opening it he finds it too dark & looks at it from another angle. The light shines on the locket........Naoki is stunned, frozen........he scrambles to put it away & stuffs everything back into the box, wraps it up & reburies it. Kokubu watches........

Minako walks with Kiichiro "Here's fine....I'll take a cab from here...." Minako hands him a bag. He says "If anything happens, call me...." & starts walking. Minako calls "Kiichiro!" He turns around. Minako asks "Just believing will do? Wonderful tomorrows....will we really have them?" Kiichiro tells her "If we live the 8 seconds of the present to the fullest....we will for sure...." They look at each other & finally Kiichiro says "Good night!" "Work hard!" says Minako. Kiichiro nods & walks off crossing the street. From the other side, he waves to Minako who then walks off. Waiting for a taxi Kiichiro suddenly sees his mother, all dressed in white, standing across the street looking at him. She mouths something & Kiichiro says "Eh?" Looking at her he says "That woman........that woman........your tomorrows........are being destroyed (by her)....the one who confuses you....are not allowed...." Kiichiro looks as she walks away....disappearing as she walks down the slope....

In the forest, Kokubu digs up what Naoki just buried. Opening the box, Kokubu takes out the locket, holding it in his hand looking at it. Opening it he stares at the photo.........

Naoki speeds along furiously on the country roads....he barely misses a street lamp & slams on the brakes, skidding to a halt. Slumped over the steering wheel for a while, he then sits back. With a glimmer of tears in his eyes, Naoki says in a resigned tone "So that's it........" closing his eyes, grimacing in pain............