Santa Claus....

Ito turns around to see Naoki, with tears in his eyes, staring back at him. Ito puts his axe down & says "It's as you said...." Walks to the fireplace he continues "That Christmas Eve 15 years ago, I went to that house...." Naoki struggles with his emotions as he listen to his father say "Minako was being abused by her father, I heard about it....that family was at its limits....I decided to go get Minako...." Naoki walks shakily to the stairs, grabbing the wooden steps as if for support. Ito says "That Christmas Eve was the last happy time they would be together....however, there was someone got there before I did....the one who murdered the whole family...." Naoki turns to look at his father "By the time I arrived, the whole place was already crowded with the police & the media...."

Ito remembers that fateful night "Minako being carried away on the stretcher....in a split second I felt like our eyes met...." Back in the present, Ito picks up the locket "So....when she looked at me, that child understood...." Ito looks at Naoki & firmly declares "Naoki, I did not kill that child's family...." Naoki looks up at him, not answering. Ito says "It's the truth...." Walking over to the stove & getting some coffee he tells Naoki "This was before I met your mother....when I went to attend a society meeting in Fukushima prefecture, by chance I met Kazuko, an acquaintance from school days....she was already married (literally, she had a husband)....that Minako was born, my own daughter....I only found out much later....she became a victim (sacrifice)....really pitiful story....I wanted to discuss it with the family & bring Minako over here...." Naoki, shocked over the news, sits down on the steps. Ito continues "But, on top of what happened that night, I wanted to do something else...." Naoki says in a tone of despair "That's why her memories...."

As Naoki remembers when Minako was first brought to their cottage Ito says "That child had to break off all bonds & embark on a new life...." A young Naoki outside sees a Minako being hypnotized....at night in bed, hearing a scream he runs down & looks into Minako's room hearing his father say "What's wrong? Had a bad dream? Don't worry, you're not alone...." & then looking up to see Naoki, tells him "Go back to your room!" Naoki shrinks back as Ito tells Minako "Don't worry, I'm here...." Ito's voiceover says "Not as a father but as a doctor & buried her memories, that's what I told myself but....it wasn't as simple as that....that time in another form, Minako's suffering started....that Minako, your strength that helped her even a little bit, I was grateful to you....I am sorry...." Naoki doesn't reply & Ito says "Tonight....stay over?...." Naoki gets up, turns around & without a word, goes upstairs. Ito goes back to his place in front of the fire, fingers the locket & then starts sharpening his axe again. Minako's voiceover "If my real father still exists...."

Minako stares at her wedding dress as her voiceover continues "....the night before the wedding, I want to say to you....'Although I wasn't brought up by you, but because of you, I was born into this world...." Minako goes into the bedroom, looking at a sleeping Kiichiro. "Thank you, I....will be happy...."

In Chinatown, Naoki keeps watch on Harue. Keita come in "Naoki! Heard from the neighbors, there was a man like Kokubu who once, dressed as a sandwich man, returned...." Naoki asks "What sandwich man?" Keita replies "Santa Claus....it's that time of the season....working part time for daily expense perhaps...." Naoki & Keita look out the window to see Harue leaving. Keita asks "What now?" "I'll stay here...." "Then I'll go...." says Keita, leaving........

In front of the restaurant Harue runs out thanking a customer & starts closing up. Going back into the restaurant, she puts some leftovers onto a plate. Her brother asks "You're going to wait at the apartment tonight too?" Harue nods "Yes....he might be hungry & come back...." "You really haven't heard anything from him?" Harue replies "Yes....don't worry so much....bye, oni-san....goodnight...." Her brother watches at her leave....

From the apartment across, Naoki sees the light go out in Harue's apartment & says "Goodnight...." The door opens & Naoki turns to see Keita "I brought dinner...." Naoki asks "What are you doing?" Keita, with a mask on "A disguise, disguise....bought one for you too....& meat rolls...." Naoki takes it & mutters "Again?" Keita takes off his mask "No movement today either huh....hungry, hungry...." Naoki looks at the mask & Keita asks "You & Yuri....how?" Naoki replies "How what?" Keita asks "Haven't made a decision yet?" Naoki puts on the mask, not answering as Keita says "If that's the case, then I'll steal her from you...." Naoki tells him "You've been saying that for the past 5 years...." Keita says "Being chased by debt collectors, always covered in bruises, a crap life....but the light that Yuri brings is my only hope...." Putting on the mask Keita continues "But, the light that Yuri has, is the light that you shine on her....from your every corner, brings out the best light in Yuri....that's the Yuri that I've fallen in love with....somehow....hurts...." Naoki says "You're also shining on her....light...." "Eh? Me....on Yuri?" "When you're talking nonsense with Yuri, that laughing Yuri....I like that best....I can never make Yuri laugh like that...." Keita takes off the mask "Really? The Yuri that's with me....you like huh...." Naoki takes his mask off "This is called a disguise?" "Didn't I say so?" "When do we have to put this on?" "Don't have to put it on anymore...."

At the bridal salon, a man in charge tells Kiichiro & Minako "First the schedule....the party will start at 8pm, both newlyweds will make a round on the (dance) floor....after that at 11.45pm the guest will gather out on the deck....as the clock strikes 12, the wedding ceremony will start....the wedding banquet........" As he continues Minako's voiceover comes on "At the same time, the clock will also strike as the time runs out....for whoever....the bell will chime the start of a new life...."

In the same company in another office, an interview is taking place. The interviewer says "You were born in Niigata prefecture, Takahashi-san, after graduating from high school you worked at the front desk of the business hotel in front of the Niigata Station for 2 years, after coming to Tokyo....oh....in charge of wedding ceremonies...." The man "Yes...." & the interviewer says "Alright, we understand....then early next week, we'll let you know whether we'll employ you or not...." "Thank you very much...." replies Kokubu, all dressed up in a formal suit. He says "Excuse me....but you also arrange for wedding ceremonies on board ships too don't you...." "Yes, that's one of our luxurious specialties...." Kokubu smiles "On board weddings by Crown Travels....I've got a lot of experience....ah, I don't mean to brag....but the 'know-how' in that area, if you let me go...." "Is that so?" "Yes........"

In Chinatown, Keita continues keeping watch on Harue. Muttering "It's cold, it's cold...." & taking out a cigarette, his cell phone goes off. Answering it "Hello?....yes yes...." Just them Harue comes out from the restaurant & spots Keita. In a panic she runs back into the restaurant & makes a phone call. Her brother, cooking watches her. Harue says "Can't come back now....I'll be waiting....but now, you can't........"

At the Orchid Square, Shoko calls Minako "You've got a visitor...." Minako come to take a look & says "Good afternoon!" The man turns around, it's Ito "I heard about this place from Naoki...." "Is that so?" Walking around the nursery, Minako show Ito the beautiful orchids "I asked Naoki to let me undergo your hypnotherapy....but he said no....told me never to see you again...." Ito says "Whether you remember by flashbacks or hypnotism, those memories will not necessarily be real. Memories are....the longer time passes, the further those memories get away from reality...." "That's certainly true....I don't have to be in a rush....someday, the past will come looking for me...." Ito apologizes "I'm sorry....giving you non-existent memories....in the end just gave you more pain...." Minako shakes her head "No....it's because of those memories that for the past 15 years, I've been helped....not knowing anything about the incident & attending junior high, high school & Tandai....really happy....besides, they're not non-existent memories....they're Naoki's memories, Naoki's dreams....dreams of playing catch ball with dad....dreams of the whole family watching the sun set from the veranda....I feel that he's let me have something really precious....we are linked by the same hometown....our hometown called the Sleeping Forest...." Looking around Minako says "Let's go back in shall we?" "Yes, let's........"

In the apartment, Naoki keeps watch "It's cold...." Suddenly he hears kids shouting outside "Santa!" & Naoki looks out the window, seeing someone dressed in a Santa Claus outfit surrounded by children. Naoki mutters "Keita, what are you doing?!" Deciding, he grabs the camera, goes outside & starts following........ Naoki finds himself outside the apartment door of Harue & as he bends down listen, he feels a presence behind him down the corridor. Turning to look, it's 'Santa Claus'........Naoki sees 'Santa' walking away & he follows....'Santa' leading Naoki into an old abandoned factory....

As Naoki reaches to pick up a metal rod from the ground, 'Santa' comes up behind him & they start fighting, hitting & shoving each other. 'Santa' grabs hold of Naoki & shoves him away, Naoki hitting his head on a pillar. Grabbing his head, Naoki rolls on the ground in pain, unable to get up. 'Santa' raises the metal bar about to hit Naoki again when he sees blood coming out of Naoki's ear & stops, turning away, pulling off his beard. Naoki reaches into his pocket, takes out his camera & shoots, the flash getting 'Santa's' attention. 'Santa' turns back, walks towards Naoki & Naoki takes another shot. About to go after Naoki again, kids shout "Ah the Santa Claus from just now!" 'Santa' turns & leaves....Naoki lying on the ground barely hearing Keita "Naoki! Are you alright?! Naoki! Somebody! Call an ambulance!"

In a hospital, a nurse walks down the corridor & goes into a room "Ito-san, how are you feeling? Ito-san! Ito-san?" She come running out....the bed is empty........

In his bed, Naoki stirs & waking up, turns "Minako!" A worried Minako looks at him "Thank God!" "How come?" "Nakajima told me...." "Where's Keita?" "At the police telling them what he knows....leaving the hospital without a complete check up, is that true? Are you alright?" Minako asks Naoki anxiously. Naoki mumbles "Just rest a little...." Minako asks "Was it Kokubu?" Naoki tries to sit up "Oww....he said that next time he'd kill me...." Minako tells him "Better if you get some sleep...." Naoki says in a sad tone "Haven't seen you in a while....you ok?" Minako nods. Naoki asks "How's the wedding preparations coming along? Smooth?....it's soon...." looking at his watch. Minako tells him "I've thought about it....if I remember everything, everything will be resolved....you won't get hurt anymore....I'll ask your father to hypnotize me...." Naoki shakes his head & Minako says "But....it's my fault that this...." Naoki tells her "Before you remember everything, I just want you to be like this....just want our Sleeping Forest to be our hometown........we can throw curves, play Tarzan games with Keita, camp by the river, love kon'nyaku ribbon rolls, peel apple skins....I just want to have the same memories as you for as long as possible........what about you?" Minako replies "Precious memories...." "Aren't they....really happy then...." "Really...." Naoki closes his eyes & sleepily says "The forest greenery glowing...." Minako adds softly "The water in the little stream delicious...." "That's our hometown...." "It was wonderful...." Let's go there again....our Sleeping Forest...." Minako pulls the covers over a sleeping Naoki "Let's go again....", touching his face. Quietly Minako leaves & a single teardrop rolls down Naoki's face........

Minako pauses outside, tears in her eyes. As she turns to go, Yuri arrives. In a teary voice Minako tells Yuri "He's sleeping right now....although he wasn't thoroughly examined, doesn't appear to have any broken bones or internal bleeding...." Yuri says "Is that so? Thank God...." walking by Minako. Yuri says "Keita....called you first before me didn't he...." & goes into Naoki's apartment.

Yuri stays with Naoki, looking after him. Having fallen asleep by Naoki, she's suddenly woken up when Naoki stirs, as if having a bad dream. Yuri calls "Naoki...." Naoki mumbles in his sleep "Keita, hurry!" Yuri goes nearer to listen "What?" Naoki mutters "Hurry! Camera took....Kokubu....took (his picture)....hurry...." Yuri looks around the apartment & grabs Naoki's coat. Putting her hand in his pocket, she pulls out the camera........

At the Orchid Square nursery, Minako & Shoko are working when they hear children making noise. Turning to look, they see someone in a Santa Claus outfit with kids crowding around. Shoko says "That's one of the Christmas events that's starting in the shopping district from today...." Minako looks at the Santa Claus & is about to turn away when the Santa Claus stares right into her eyes. Curious, Minako approaches. The Santa Claus stares at her & suddenly lets go of the balloons he's holding & smiles........it's Kokubu. Fear descends on Minako & as she stares back at him, he turns around & walks away........

At Naoki's Keita reports "The police have put out a warrant for Kokubu's arrest for suspected assault....this will definitely send him back into prison....the police found out from Tamaki Harue....that woman knew that we were watching her....called Kokubu & told him not to return....but Kokubu returning to the apartment was...." Naoki says "to kill me? But when the real murderer is about to take revenge, the police has a warrant out for his arrest....camera!" Naoki remembers & gets out of bed "I took Kokubu's picture!" "Huh?" "Can you go get them developed........" Naoki's trails off when he see the camera on the table. Picking it up "You've gone & done it already?" "No, I just got here...." "Then who...." Keita thinks & says "The only people I told about you going to the hospital....Minako & Yuri...." Naoki looks at Keita "It's Yuri!" "Yuri?" "She wanted to help the both of us...."

At the photo shop, Yuri picks up the photos. The store attendant says "They're not the wrong ones, are they?" Yuri takes them to a corner & looks at them....the apartment in Chinatown, the back of Santa Claus in the factory.... Yuri mutters "Santa Claus?" Looking at the next photo, Yuri's expression changes to one of shock........

At his apartment, Naoki hangs up the phone muttering "Where on earth is Yuri...." Taking a cigarette, Naoki picks up his lighter with his right hand to light it but it slips back onto the table. He looks at his hand, clenches it, shakes it & then lights the cigarette with his left. Right then, the doorbell rings "Coming!" says Naoki going to answer it. Opening the door, his father grabs Naoki's head with both hands. Naoki goes "Ow!" His father asks anxiously "Any dizziness?" "No...." "Numbness in your hands or legs?" Naoki lies "I'm fine...." "Just to be sure, go get a checkup...." Naoki nods. Ito gives him a bag "This is for you...." "Thank you...." "I heard from Minako...." "How come....Minako & you...." "The other day, I went to her workplace...." "You've become good friends...." "It'll be her wedding soon...." "Feelings of being the bride's father?" Ito doesn't answer, just sits at Naoki's table. Naoki in the kitchen says "Dad?" "Hm?" "I have someone I'd like to introduce to you....since university, we've been going out together....if it's her, feel like pain or happiness will be split into half & shared...." His father replies "Is that so....then someday, bring her back to the forest...." In the darkness of the apartment,  the light coming in from the windows turning Naoki & his father into silhouettes...... 

In their apartment having dinner Kiichiro says to Minako "The police came over to my place today...." "Eh?" "The investigation is really fast....the Minako that survived that case 15 years ago, the fact that Kokubu was my class mate....they've already investigated...." "What did the police want?" "They've issued a warrant for his arrest for suspected assault to Ito Naoki....wanted to where Kokubu was hiding out, since I was his classmate at the time that I might have an idea...." "I'm thinking that Kokubu will appear in front of me....intends to do something to me....but I've got the feeling that it's not right now...." "How come?" "That Santa Claus...." "Santa Claus?"

Minako remembers the day Kokubu appeared at Orchid Square in the Santa Claus outfit "The day that Kokubu appeared in front of me, I feel like he's decided...." Kiichiro says "Our wedding...." "What do you think?" "Even if that's what he intends to do, there's a warrant out for his arrest, it's just a question of time that he'll be arrested...." "That's true...."

Naoki sits anxiously in his apartment, tossing his phone aside. His cell phone suddenly rings & he rushes to answer "Hello...." "It's me...." answers Yuri. Naoki says angrily "What are you doing? Turning off your cell phone too!" Sitting on a staircase outside a building, Yuri answers "Sorry, when it's all over I'll tell you...." Naoki asks "What do you intend to do? You've developed the film? You've got them haven't you....Kokubu's photos...." Yuri replies "I told you....shoulder half of the pain....Naoki's troubles, I want to shoulder half...." Naoki tells her "You don't have to do that....just come back now!........I have something I want to tell you....in front of you (to you in person), I have something I want to tell you...." Yuri answers happily "Really? Feel nervous somehow...." "Naoki asks "Where are you now?" Yuri says instead "Tell me a little now....tell me you love me....if you don't, I'll get scared & run away...." Naoki says "Scared? What are you doing?!" Yuri tells him "Say it! Please! That you love me...." Naoki says "....love you...." "One more time...." Naoki says again "I love you...." Yuri doesn't say anything & Naoki starts to get worried "Yuri!" Softly she says "I'm happy...." "Where are you now?!" "Wait for me...." says Yuri. Naoki shouts "Yuri!" but Yuri hangs up........

Yuri goes up to the roof top of the building. Against the backdrop of a Tokyo Tower all lighted up at night, Yuri sees Santa Claus........

In his studio, Hamazaki pours himself a drink, taking a big gulp. Going to Minako's portrait, he uses his fingers, putting touches on the canvas. Looking at the chair where Minako usually sits he suddenly stops, the other hand holding his drink starts trembling. Makiko appears in a white dress on the chair "What's wrong dear? To have your soul snatched away by that woman....same as Kiichiro...." Hamazaki shakily answers "Is this for real? Kiichiro....said that perhaps you were still alive...." Makiko smiles "I'll never allow it....the woman that will ruin you & Kiichiro...." She walks away, disappearing into thin air & Hamazaki falls to the ground....realizing that he's hallucinating....

Minako wakes up & moving Kiichiro's hand from under her she mutters "You'll get numb...." She stares at Kiichiro sleeping & her voiceover comes on "Here, there's someone who's been watching over me since I was a child....& in the same way looking over me all this while....there's another person....the most important thing I have to cherish now is the reality now....Kiichiro's breathing right here, I can hear....reality of happiness...." The phone suddenly rings & Minako gets up to answer it. The ringing wakes Kiichiro.

Minako picks up the phone "Hello?" No one answers, Kiichiro comes out sleepily to hear Minako say "Hello?" Kiichiro asks "Who is it?" Minako says into the phone "Is this Kokubu?" Kiichiro's shocked. Kokubu on the other end of the line starts laughing "Santa Claus....will bring a lot of presents....what sort of present would you like?!" Minako's stunned & Kiichiro takes the phone from her "Kokubu! Where are you now?! Do you know?! There's a warrant out for your arrest!" Kokubu doesn't reply, hanging up. Minako slides down to the floor, terrified. Kiichiro asks "Minako, what did he say?" Minako answers shakily "What I wanted....Christmas present...." Kiichiro holds Minako "It'll be alright....I'm right beside you...."

With the morning mist shrouding the sky, a train rumbles by an overgrown river bank. Among the weeds & tall grass, there is someone lying on the ground........it's Yuri........dead.........