Seiya no kekkon shiki....Christmas Eve wedding....

Minako still in a trance says "Kokubu....Kokubu who loved my sister so much...." Ito asks "What did Kokubu do to you after that?" Minako replies "He came over to me....he had a kitchen knife in his hands, coming over towards me...." "But he escaped didn't he...." Minako hears someone banging at the door & goes back in time to see Kokubu going over to the foyer, picking up his shoes & coming over to her. With the knife in his fist, he cracks the mirror on the wall & threatens Minako "Listen...." & puts the knife in her hand "If you say anything about me, I'll come back & kill you! Don't forget! Never forget! Whether you tell or not, I'll find out...." The banging on the door gets louder & Kokubu, turning around to look, leaves just as the front door is broken. Back in the present Ito asks "Wait, who comes in the front door? That man called the police didn't he...." Minako nods & hearing someone sobbing, goes back in time again. Looking over, she sees a man holding onto her sister, Minako with the knife in her hand, looks at her reflection in the mirror. She hears a policeman coming through the front door "Morita-san! What happened? Is everything alright? Morita-san!" Kokubu holding on to Kimiko yells "There's no time! Hurry & save Kimiko please! Please save Kimiko!" Back in the present Ito asks "Was Kokubu the murderer? Or was he someone who rushed to the scene?" Minako's confused & can't answer. Ito says quietly to Naoki "She's confused about the timing...." All of a sudden they hear her say "What's that?" Ito asks "What's wrong?" "Buried in the earth...." "Who are you talking to?" "Masato-kin....he said to bury it....our things precious to us....in a time capsule...." Naoki panics & goes over "No...." His father stops him & to Minako, asks "What did Masato bury?" "The 1st place medal he got in the sports meet...." "What about you?" Minako puts her hands out in front of her "I....locket pendent....photo of my real father is in it....but I....this photo....have to keep it a secret....so will bury it in the time capsule....but before I bury it, I want to see it again...." Ito turns to look at Naoki. Turning back to Minako he says "Then, let's do this....when you open the locket, your time travel is over....from 1983....come back to the present...." Naoki closes his eyes. Ito says "OK?" Minako answers "Yes...." & remembers being with Masato. Opening the locket in her hand she sees the photo of Ito....& returns back to the present........

Naoki quietly turns off all the lights & Minako slowly turns to look at her father & then at her younger brother Naoki. She turns away shakily without saying a word. From his pocket Ito takes out the pendent & gives it to her "One more time, bury it with your own hands...." Minako takes it, opens it "Is this true?" Naoki answers "I too, just found out recently...." Ito says "All your unhappiness, it's all my fault....witnessing the murders & affecting your memory, I wanted to help you in some way....not only the memories from the murder, the memories of being abused by your father, the memories of who your real father was....erased everything for you....in the end, it only gave you more pain...." Minako only shakes her head, tears in her eyes, not saying anything. Naoki goes over to a window & draws the curtains apart "When I'm together with you....feel this nostalgia....because we're linked like this...." Naoki goes over to her, bends down in front of her & takes the locket, puts it in her hand, holding it tightly with both his hands. Choking up, he tells her "Be happy...." Minako nods, crying....Naoki, her hand in his........

It's Christmas Eve & Kiichiro arrive with Minako at the port. On board the ship, the many waiters & waitresses receive instructions "Right now the bride & groom are arriving....the number of guests attending tonight's banquet are about 140....among them are many important people so please take care of them...." They answer "Yes...."....among them, Kokubu Yoshiharu........

At the restaurant in Chinatown, the phone rings & Harue answers "Hello...." "It's me...." "Where are you now?" "I'm sorry...." "You don't have to apologize, just come home....let's go together, to the police...." Her brother hears & looks at Harue. Calling from on board the ship, Kokubu says "My promise....looks like I won't be able to keep it...." Harue answers "I've gotten a lot wedding presents from people....returning them will be difficult........I've bought a foot warmer....an electric blanket too...." Kokubu tells her "Forget about me...." & hangs up. With tears on her face, Harue hangs up & lies to her brother "Said he'd be home soon...." In the kitchen, her brother mutters angrily "That idiot!"

Night falls & as the ship pulls out from the pier, a man puts a small bouquet of flowers on the ground, watching the ship go. It's Ito Naomi. He says "Congratulations...." & choking up he says "Thank you...." as he watches the ship sail further away into Tokyo Bay....

The door opens & music of the Wedding March & sheers of congratulations, Minako & Kiichiro enter the ballroom. Looking over the crowd Minako sees Naoki who gives her a thumbs up & mouths "Congratulations...." & when Minako passes by, he looks sad.... Hamazaki unveils his portrait of Minako as everyone applauds. An announcer says "This portrait is done by Hamazaki Masateru & took about 2 months to complete. It's for the new bride Minako, a portrait full of love....everyone, a round of applause please!" From afar, Naoki looks at them, finally a little smile on his face....

Sitting by himself in an dark & empty lounge, Naoki hears an announcement "It's still 1 hour until the Christmas bells ring....everyone please have a pleasant talk in the meantime & then make your way up on deck...." Naoki's cell phone rings "Hello?" "It's Detective Onda...." "Oh, hello...." "Anything happening over there?" "Nothing in particular...." "Is that so? Actually when we were investigating Nakajima Keita's things, found something interesting...." Naoki asks "What's that?" Onda tells him "We know the number of his last telephone call....of course who that person is, we don't know...." Naoki says "Probably to someone in his dealings...." Onda replies "Yeah....but from the radio waves, we found out where that person is...." Naoki asks "Where?" Onda answers "On Tokyo Bay...." Naoki's surprised "Tokyo Bay?" "Yes, on the ship where you are...."

In the ballroom, her boss comes up to her "Minako, congratulations...." Right then an announcement is made "We have an announcement to the guests....to the person who's cell phone number is 010-661-276, Nakajima Keita needs to contact you urgently...." Kiichiro & Minako looks surprised as the announcement comes on again "We repeat, to the person who's cell phone number is 010-661-276, Nakajima Keita needs to contact you urgently...."

Out on deck, a man drops a cell phone into the ocean. From behind Naoki asks "Did you contact him? Ah, destroying evidence? When you need to get in touch with me, do it like this....Keita said so didn't he...." The man turns around & looks at Naoki....it's Kiichiro's father, Hamazaki Masateru........

In the empty lounge Hamazaki says "He's dead?" Naoki replies "Suicide....in front of my eyes...." "& who are you?" "I'm a friend of Keita &Yuri....what happened between you & the both of them?" Hamazaki answers "I got a call from the young woman Sakuma Yuri....wanted to speak to me regarding the murder case 15 years ago....not long after, Nakajima Keita came over to my studio....I thought the two of them were related....but that was not the case...."

Hamazaki remembers Keita saying "Yuri called you? Is that right....she realized everything once she saw the photo of Santa Claus...." Hamazaki says to Keita "You....haven't seen the photos yourself?" Keita answers "That sort of thing, one knows without having to look...." Hamazaki pours himself a drink "You want money...." "It's better if you keep my mouth shut...." "The amount that you want, I'll give you 10 times more....in exchange, there's one thing I want you to do...." "What is it?"

Naoki says "Then you asked him to kill Yuri?" Hamazaki chuckles "No, I only asked him to get the photos back, that's all....the next day, I heard on the news that that woman's body was found near Tamagawa....I was shocked...." Naoki goes over in a rage & grabs Hamazaki by the collar "That's all! I was waiting for Keita to get in touch with me!" Naoki asks "Then, who's Santa Claus?!" Hamazaki hesitates "That's...." Naoki yells "Who are you protecting?!" The door suddenly opens & both men turn to look. Kiichiro walks in & says "Me...." Naoki stares at him. Kiichiro coldly says "From way before, I've been using Nakajima Keita....in order to get news about Kokubu & your movements....that day was the last chance to get Kokubu back into prison...."

Kiichiro remembers fighting with Naoki in the deserted factory, dressed as Santa Claus "I had no intentions of killing you....only wanted you to think that it was Kokubu's handiwork....as long as there was a warrant out for his arrest...." Back in the present both men stare at each other. Kiichiro goes over to his father "Dad, what are you doing here? The wedding ceremony is about to start, without out you there it won't do...." Hamazaki grabs a hold of his son "Kiichiro, give yourself up...." Kiichiro answers "What are you saying? Time runs out in 30 minutes.... (-= CJ =- I think he's talking about the legal statute of limitations here....) Kiichiro adds rather strangely "Mom will definitely be there too...." & starts to go, Hamazaki following "Kiichiro!" Naoki yells "Wait a minute!" Kiichiro stops & turns to stare at Naoki who stares back "What the hell happened....15 years ago...." Kiichiro takes a couple of steps towards Naoki & tells him "I only fell in love....with Morita Kimiko...."

(-= CJ =- I don't know much about law but as I understand it, the Statute of Limitations is the time limit for which someone can be charged for a crime they committed. After this time (usually a specified number of years) has lapsed, even if they are found & known to be guilty, they cannot be arrested & charged for that crime.)

Kiichiro remembers shouting to Kokubu from the dormitory "Going on a date again? Come back on time or you'll get into trouble...." Kokubu shouts "Thanks for your help!" running off. Kiichiro says "You're hopeless...." & then watching him with Morita Kimiko, Kiichiro's smiling face changes to one of cruelty as his voiceover says "Kimiko's father objected to Kokubu & Kimiko's relationship....Kokubu used to talk to me about it....as if we were related....but no matter what I did, I could never beat Kokubu....then all of a sudden I thought....a suitable hell for Kokubu...."

Back in the present Naoki & Hamazaki stare at Kiichiro who sits down, saying "Into Kimiko's body....the knife went straight in....that was the feeling of piercing the heart....the woman in front of me becoming mine became real...."

Kiichiro remembers putting down the bloodied knife next to Kimiko. Taking off his glove, he touches her face & picks her up "I love you....I love you Kimiko....you're mine now....I won't let anyone have you...." Suddenly he feels a presence & turns around....young Minako's standing across the room, watching him. Kiichiro puts Kimiko back down on the floor "Wait just a bit....it'll be over soon...." Putting his glove back on, he picks up the knife walks towards Minako "What are you looking at?!" Right then there's a banging on the front door & someone calling "Morita-san! Morita-san! It's Kokubu! Kimiko! Kimiko!" Kiichiro goes to the foyer, picks up his shoes & goes in front of Minako. With the knife in his fist, he cracks the mirror on the wall & threatens her "Listen...." & puts the knife in her hand "If you say anything about me, I'll come back & kill you! Don't forget! Never forget! Whether you tell or not, I'll find out...." With a yell "Kimiko!" Kokubu breaks down the front door just as Kiichiro runs out the back door. Kokubu looks at a frozen Minako "Minako! What's wrong?"

Kiichiro back in the present says "Because they were going to elope, I knew that Kokubu was coming over to get Kimiko...." Naoki asks "Then why didn't you kill Kokubu right then?" Kiichiro gets up & answers rather wildly "That would have had no meaning! His lover's family repaid his kindness with resentment & he wanted to commit muri shinjuu (forcing someone to die with one) but having to be the only one left alive! That was the kind of prison I wanted for someone mean & pitiful!!!" Hamazaki collapses onto a chair "You....you did something like that!" Kiichiro says "But it was difficult....completing the perfect crime...." Naoki nods "Because your crime was seen wasn't it...."

Kiichiro remember running frantically out of the Morita house in the pouring rain. Putting on his shoes he suddenly looks up to see the statue of Mary staring at him........

Back in the present Kiichiro continues "After that I made a donation...." Turning to his father he says "It looked very similar! The painting I drew....you remember don't you....mom...." Hamazaki turns away as if not wanting to hear anymore. Kiichiro says with a pout "It was one busy day...."

Kiichiro remembers the police & the media at the Morita house, the bodies being carried out....& he himself standing, watching from a distance & walking away. Coming back to his home, Kiichiro's voiceover says "When I rushed back from Fukushima to Yokohama, dad hadn't come back yet....we had agreed to be together on the 25th at midnight, exactly when mom's adjudication became a reality!" Kiichiro takes out his mother's portraits, places them all over the studio. His voiceover continues "But he was late....it was convenient (favorable) for me...." Kiichiro prepares a meal & is about to light a candle when he pauses, breaks a third off & lights it instead. Hamazaki returns home a little drunk, aided by the chauffeur "Sorry! This late...." Kiichiro answers "Can't be helped....I went ahead & prepared this...." Kiichiro's voiceover says "Both dad & the chauffeur....I made them think that I returned home much earlier...."

Back in the present, Naoki says "What did you intend to do to Minako?" Kiichiro pauses & looks at Naoki "Went to make sure....whether or not that child kept our promise.... Kiichiro remembers visiting Minako in the hospital. A nurse pushing Minako in a wheelchair says Minako "Minako, wait here for a moment...." Kiichiro's voiceover says "But just one look I could tell....she wasn't in a condition to be a witness at the trial...." Back in the present Kiichiro says "The kind big brother who used to play catch ball with her the killer of her family....she was in shock...." Naoki says "But after that you continued watching over Minako...."

Kiichiro remembers going into the forest to Naoki's home. His voiceover says "She'd remember one day....I was worried...." Kiichiro sees a young Naoki staring at the house & sees Minako being hypnotized by Ito by the window........

Minako's laughing with the guests in the ballroom. Kiichiro's voiceover continues "Minako moved from Gunma to Tokyo....Junior High, High School, Tandai....she lived as if she had completely forgotten everything...." Minako looks around for Kiichiro, not finding him. Kiichiro adds "Meeting Minako face to face....that was not expected...."

Scenes of an incident at a concert, when Minako's wiping her eyes, someone gives her his handkerchief "If you don't mind, use this...." At the hospitable for a check up 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 symptoms...." "That's good...." "When one suddenly recalls what one has forgotten a long time ago is not necessarily a bad after-effect, the doctor said...." "You had that?" "Not at all...." Kiichiro says "I was relieved....the Minako that suffered from PTSD, even looking at my face she didn't recognize the man who murdered her whole family....what sort of treatment she underwent in that cottage in the forest I could imagine....I'm indebted to your father...."

Kiichiro continues "I fell in love with Minako....she wasn't like Kimiko....there was darkness deep in her heart....when I thought about it, I wanted to hold her....do you understand? Do you understand why? The darkness deep in her heart....was put in there by my own hands...." Naoki says "You think by loving Minako you make up for killing her entire family?" Kiichiro answers "Our wedding ceremony....from that Christmas Eve 15 years ago....the new life has to start when the statute of limitations run out...." Naoki says with an ironic smile "You're abnormal...." Kiichiro repeats "Abnormal? I'm the only abnormal one?" Kiichiro gets up & goes over to Naoki spitting out "Burying Minako's memories deep in her heart is also abnormal....& to meet Minako again....waiting 15 years! You're the one that's abnormal!!" Naoki answers "Do you think that Minako's going to forgive you when she remembers everything?!" Kiichiro sighs "....won't forgive me....but then again, once the statute of limitations passes, I can't be punished...." Naoki stares at Kiichiro, reaching for his cell phone in his pocket "Hello, Onda-san? Did you hear all that?" Onda replies "Yes, a helicopter's on the way...." "Thanks...." says Naoki, turning back to look at Kiichiro. Kiichiro merely slaps Naoki on the shoulder "It's too late...." walking away "Even if I'm arrested now, I can't be charged...."

Naoki pauses & then says " You were transferred overseas for a while before weren't you....even the bucho's daughter followed you all the way to Malaysia didn't she...." Kiichiro smirks "You've checked up on me well...." "& then you returned back to head office...." "What has that got to do with anything?" "Don't you know?........when one's away from Japan, the statute of limitations stop (ie, not count towards the time)....there's still time........" Naoki looks on expectantly as if he's got Kiichiro trapped. Kiichiro calmly answers "It's true that she took the next flight & came after me to Malaysia....wanted me to go back with her together....even cried in the airport....had no choice but returned back (to Japan) that day...." Kiichiro looks at Naoki "....bucho cancelled my transfer....being overseas for less than a day, the hands on the clock of the Statute of Limitations doesn't stop!!....you didn't know?" Naoki looks stunned unable to say anything. Kiichiro looks at his watch "There's no mistake....time runs out in another 5 minutes & 20 seconds...."

From outside, the announcement can be heard "Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting....will everyone please make their way to the deck outside to meet the newlywed....to start the Christmas countdown & the wedding ceremony...." Kiichiro gulps down a drink & turns to leave. Passing Naoki he stops & turns back "Don't get in my way again....if you want to pass judgment on me, I want Minako to be the one who passes judgment...." Naoki looks at Kiichiro who adds "That day will come for sure....I know that...." Both men stare at each other & then Kiichiro walks out........

Left alone in the lounge, Hamazaki says "It's my fault....I brought up that sort of a monster!" Naoki doesn't reply, merely sits at the bar. Hamazaki asks "Not stopping the wedding....will that be alright?" Naoki stares back "To be hated by Minako, to be judged by Minako....I have to watch until the end....for the past 15 years I've been doing that....the past....one has to bear (carry) it by themselves...." Naoki gets up, straightens his jacket & walks out. Hamazaki falls onto his knees, in shock & self pity........

Out on deck everyone's counting down the seconds to Christmas. Kiichiro & Minako are standing together, glasses of Champaign in their hands as Naoki watches from a distance. Minako takes deep breaths, looking tense. When they start shouting "15, 14, 13...." the lights on deck go out "10!....Minako waits....9!....Kiichiro looks expectantly....8!....Naoki watches!....7....Shoko smiling....6!....encho joins in the countdown....5!....Hamazaki grimaces in despair....4!....Kiichiro waits....3!....Naoki looks on tense....2!....Minako smiles....1!....Kiichiro closes his eyes in relief....0!!!" The clock chimes 12 & party streamers, crackers go off. All of a sudden spotlights come back on & camera flashes go off as people start taking photos of the couple. Minako is startled & in the midst of the flashes she sees a man holding onto her sister in front of the fireplace. He turns around & sees Kiichiro! Putting Kimiko down, he reaches for the bloody knife & makes his way towards her. "Listen...." & puts the knife in her hand "If you say anything about me, I'll come back & kill you! Don't forget! Never forget! Whether you tell or not, I'll find out...." Minako has flashbacks of seeing her real father Ito standing in the rain that fateful night, behind him in a distance....Kiichiro........another flashback of being in the hospital grounds, young Minako in a wheelchair, oblivious to the world around her. Kiichiro comes up to her & pushing her along the path "You're a good girl, Minako....you're keeping our promise....I'll always be by your side....remember that well...." He speeds up & just above a flight of stairs he jerks to a stop "I'll come again...." but there's no reaction from young Minako........

Stunned at what she remembers, Minako turns to look at the man beside her. Kiichiro turns to look at her & seeing the expression on her face, realizes that Minako now knows the truth. Kiichiro tells her "That's alright....come, Minako....hate me!" With only music in the background & images moving in slow motion............the glass in Minako's hand breaks from the pressure of being gripped so hard that it falls to the ground. Naoki realizes something's wrong & comes forward as a couple of waiters approach Minako, cleaning up to mess. Minako stunned, looks at her hand where the stem of the glass has pierced through the glove & blood is streaming out. She screams, & Kiichiro only looks at her, tears in his eyes. A waiter gets up from the floor & off to the side in front of Kiichiro. Kiichiro turns to look & shock registers on his face....it's Kokubu! Kokubu says with a smile "Your time has run out....congratulations!" Kiichiro stares back stunned as Kokubu moves as if to hug him, plunging a knife into Kiichiro at the same time. Minako falls backwards shakily but Naoki grabs her just in time as they watch Kokubu & Kiichiro. Kiichiro stumbles but Kokubu hangs on to him "Don't worry, I haven't hit any vital spots....you won't die...." Kiichiro mutters "Why? Kill me!" Kokubu whispers into his ear "I will go to prison again....when I'm out on parole again, I'll come & stab you again....no matter where you hide, I'll come looking for you....next time I won't hit any vital spots either....I'll be arrested again....after many years I will appear in front of you again....repeating this for the rest of our lives....every time I appear in front of you, the scars on your body will increase....do you understand, Hamazaki Kiichiro? This is a taste of your lifetime imprisonment! It's a fitting hell isn't it!" Someone yells "What are you doing?!" & Kokubu lets go of Kiichiro, who falls to the ground, a knife sticking out of his side. As 2 waiters pull Kokubu away, he turns to see Minako & flings them off. Naoki moves to protect Minako but as the guys grab hold of Kokubu again, Kokubu says to Minako "I'm sorry Minako....I never intended to hurt you...." They pull him away leaving Minako & Naoki hanging on to each other, both shocked.

Suddenly they hear Kiichiro say "Minako...." They look over at Kiichiro & he says, trembling "Deeper....stab me deeper...." Minako & Naoki watch in horror as Kiichiro grimaces in pain, pulling the knife out of him. Holding it towards Minako, Kiichiro says "Kill me....with your own hands!", ready to accept his punishment. Minako moves forwards slowly as Naoki mutters "Minako...." Minako goes down in front of Kiichiro. Slowly takes the knife from him, puts it on the floor & sobbing, reaches over his side, put both hands over his wounds, trying to stem the flow of blood. Both men look at her, unable to say anything. A few men come over & say "Are you alright...." & lift Kiichiro onto a stretcher. "Ready....slowly!" as they lift the stretcher & carry him away. Naoki goes over to Minako & holds on to her, looking at Kiichiro being carried away....

On the stretcher, Kiichiro opens his eyes & says "You came....mother...." looking to see his mother by his side. Kiichiro continues muttering "Everything I've done....you've seen everything haven't you...." Makiko answers "You have to live....I lived on to give birth to you....that's why you have to live, live, go on living...." Makiko puts both hands around his face as he does the same to his mother. But it's all in his mind....as people watch, they see Kiichiro holding up his hands in the air, muttering "Mother...."

Minako, still being held by Naoki, suddenly says "Sleepy...." Naoki holds her tightly "It's alright....I'm right here...." Minako, with her eyes closed asks "Is it alright even if I sleep?" Naoki nods "Yes....sleep....sleep...." fighting tears he says "Everything....everything's just a bad dream...." holding on to her as tears fall down his face....

One month later....forest in winter....

The door of Ito's cottage opens & Minako comes outside, Ito with her. Minako says "I'm going...." Ito replies "You haven't been out in a while, don't over do it...." Minako nods "ok...." as Ito tells her "Be careful...." As she walks forward, she turns around & says "The 3 of us together....feel like having warm soup...." Ito nods, smiling "Alright...." Minako smiles & goes off into the forest........

With the sun rays shining down as she walks into the forest, Minako's voiceover comes on "What's wrong....I couldn't hate....the one that lied to me....the one that loved me....Hamazaki Kiichiro...." Over scenes of a mental hospital, her voiceover continues "The Hamazaki that could take Kokubu Yoshiharu's hell....escaped into a world of madness" In a locked room, by the bed Kiichiro mutters "Live, live, go on living....live, live, go on living...." On the bed, Kiichiro touches a drawing of a woman, muttering repeatedly "Live, live, go on living...." Minako's voiceover says "I too....have to go on living...."

Back in the forest her voiceover continues "....no matter what happens from now on........" Leaning against a tree by the hammock, Minako takes out a letter. Naoki's voice says "Dear Minako....at dad's place when you've recovered, shall we start all over, meeting again?........The place would be....our Sleeping Forest....I've been thinking since then....how come the Beauty in the Sleeping Forest, as soon as she woke up, immediately accepted the Prince's proposal...."

At Naoki's work place, his boss calls him "Naoki!" "Yeah?" "When you're done with that, you can go....see you the day after...." "Alright...." replies Naoki as he fixes up some lights. His voiceover says "The Sleeping Forest Beauty was actually not asleep...." Naoki drops something & holds on to his hand, clenching & unclenching his fist. His voiceover continues "When the Prince that confronted the witch for her sake....with her eyes slightly open saw everything....at the very least she was moved by the Prince risking his life for love....can't be helped, have to go on living together...." Naoki walking on the way home suddenly falls to the ground for no reason. Getting up slowly, he pauses & then starts walking again. In front of a florist shop, Naoki pauses & goes in. His voiceover adds "It's just a fairy tale don't ruin it"....you would probably say that...."

Minako, lying in the hammock reading the letter smiles sleepily "Don't ruin it...." & with the letter in her hand, falls asleep....

Naoki sitting in a train by the window sees a little girl boarding the train. As the train pulls out of the station & the little girl walks down the aisle, she stops & picks up an orange on the floor, returning it to Naoki. Naoki, stares at the girl rather strangely before taking the orange from her. Naoki asks "Have some?" & gives her another orange. Saying "thank you" she takes a seat across the aisle from Naoki. The little girl stares at Naoki & he asks "Where're you going?" "Nakanomori...." "Ah, the same...." "Mom's waiting for me there...." Naoki thinks & then smiles "I have someone waiting for me too...." With a bouquet of an orchid on his lap, Naoki looks out the window & then closes his eyes. His voiceover comes on "Minako...."

Asleep in the hammock, letter in her hand, Naoki's voiceover continues "....the fate that the both of us have been given....shall we try to live it?....not alone or separately....the both of us together....forever from now on...."

The train pulls into Nakanomori "....that's why I will go to our Sleeping Forest for sure....when you awake, I will be there...." The train stops & people get off the train. The little girl gets off & runs to her mother. As they walk off, the little girl turns around & looks back....she's the splitting image of young Minako....she holds on to the orange that Naoki gave her, looking for him. The train sounds to leave, doors slide close & pulls out from Nakanomori station. In the train, a half peeled orange rolls on the floor, Naoki holding onto an orchid, in his seat, faces the window....in eternal sleep... Minako's voiceover comes on "I too....want to go on living with you...." 

直季の手紙： 実那子：

なあ実那子．．． 俺たちに与えられた 運命を、これから ちゃんと生きてみないか． 一人ずつ別々に 生きるんじゃない、 二人で一緒に、ずっと．．． だから必ず、 あの森に行くから．．． 目覚めた時、 俺がいるから．．． 私も、あなたと生きて ゆきたい．

The orchid Naoki's holding falls onto the floor........& a single teardrop rolls down his face........

The credits roll..........& one realizes that the entire story was shown in the opening lead in from the very first episode.... Kiichiro falls down grabbing his side, he was stabbed......Yuri falls back, same as when she was strangled.....Keita jumps off a tree, he jumped off a building.....Naoki's standing alone by the hammock, same as when Minako wakes up, she's only the one standing by the hammock......

A final shot shows the train traveling further & further away from Nakanomori.....from their Sleeping Forest.......

Final thoughts....

"Did Naoki die?"......yes he did, from the head injury he sustained fighting with "Santa Claus"......in the book, Naoki on the train, looks out the window in "eternal sleep"......all the signs were there which Naoki ignored - his hands were numb, his ears buzzed, he stumbled & fell......

Naoki's true love....without a doubt...Minako. Naoki may have cared for Yuri but he's always loved Minako. The devastation that he feels when he sees the photo of her real father in the locket says it all. Then with resignation & total despair, he tells Minako in that heart wrenching scene in the cottage "shiawase ni nare".....& continues doing the only thing that he can & has been doing for the past 15 years, watching over & protecting her from a distance.......

Minako's true feelings for Naoki........I like to think the lyrics of Camouflage as Minako's own words....... yes, she loves him but deep down, knows it's a forbidden love......camouflaged & hidden.......

Naoki kept his promise to Minako......he was there for her when she "woke up" & remembered her past......& although it wasn't implied in the drama, in the book, while Minako's asleep in that hammock & Naoki's asleep on the train, they both actually have the same dream.......it's that scene they show in the opening credits where as children, Minako lying in the hammock wakes up & Naoki gives her the orchid.......so they do meet again in their Nemureru Mori.......but only in their dreams...........

.....owari