Kokuhaku....confession....

In the car Naoki says "So that's it...." grimacing & leaning back in the seat. His voiceover says "I don't understand anymore....how can I save (help) Minako...."

Next morning back at work Naoki tells a guy "Slant that color (light)...." when Keita comes banging on the glass windows. Keita comes running inside "Oi! How was it? What did you find?" Naoki asks "What about?" "In Mikura forest, you found it didn't you, the time capsule....Minako's real father....was there a photo?" "No there wasn't...." "Hah?" "Just some children's junk, didn't find anything like that (the photo)....even if I found it, who her real father is, it has nothing to do with the incident 15 years ago...." "You're hiding something...." Naoki ignores him & asks "What's with that bruise?" & walks off. Keita follows "That's fine....I know when you're lying!" Naoki evades the question & say "Oh yes, Kokubu after visiting Kimiko's grave in Mikura....is there a possibility that he'll return to Chinatown....to his wife....is it possible?" Keita gives it one more try "You really didn't find anything?! You're lying...." Naoki ignores Keita giving instructions to a guy "Said to slant that color....then try turning it once...." Keita goes "Oi Naoki!" & then yells "Wait!" as the platform he's standing on starts turning....

Walking back along the streets, Naoki hears Minako say "Welcome back...." He turns around & looks at Minako....

In a playground Minako asks "How was it? Mikura...." Naoki lies "Beyond that....didn't find anything else...." Minako says "Classmate, what's his name....Okita Masato....that boy's mother?" "I didn't see her...." "Oh...." Naoki tells her "Perhaps it's better to forget about Mikura....just believe in yourself, that's the best...." Naoki runs up the slide. Minako says "Kiichiro said so too....that the old me was a girl who believed in wonderful tomorrows....said 'that's all I'm going to believe in'...." Naoki replies "That's good...." "But I told him that I wanted to postpone the December 24th wedding....a woman that has perhaps killed other people....if he has to look after for his whole life....I feel I'll be doing him wrong...." "Then got scolded by Hamazaki?" Minako nods & Naoki tells her "Don't think (worry) about unnecessary things....being told by a woman "Uhm....l understand....uhm, let's break up"....where can you find this kind of men? If you really wanted to break up....without a word, you should just disappear from Hamazaki's sight....couldn't do that & told him your feelings, you're just behaving like a spoilt child....'no matter what happens, I'll never leave you'....you just want him to tell you things like that, Minako!" Minako agrees "Perhaps...." Naoki slides down "It's late....going home & think about it...." "Yeah...." replies Minako, getting up & looking at him before walking off as Naoki looks at her............

At the nursery Minako's working but her mind miles away. Shoko calls her "Minako! What's wrong? Lately you've been strange...." "That so?" "It's only a month to the wedding....you're feeling a little nervous?" Minako evades the question "Today....have to do the billings, if we don't finish them today we'll get scolded again!" "Yes yes!" & both woman walk back towards the office. Watching them from a distance is Kokubu....the locket swinging in his hand........

Inside the office, Shoko asks "Oh yeah, did you meet the visitor?" "No...." "When you were on holiday, someone came to look for you....earlier that person came outside....did you see him?" Minako asks "What sort of person?" "A man in his 30s...." Minako thinks & then goes outside to look around. She sees Kokubu walking away & follows....looking around, she suddenly glances up the flight of stairs & sees a man at the top. He turns around to look at her & then walks away........

In Naoki's apartment, Yuri's in the kitchen "Why did you say 'Come if you can'....when I said I wanted to come here & cook?" Naoki answers "In any case even if I said not to come you'll come...." "That's true, caught me off guard...." "Would be futile to resist...." Yuri laughs "Was happy, really...." Yuri puts dinner on the table & asks Naoki who's sitting at his computer "Can I ask you something?" "What?" "How long are you going to keep staying in this apartment? I mean, she & her boyfriend will be starting their married life in front of your eyes...." Naoki sighs, looking at his diagrams "When a missing person (Kokubu) has been found, when after she's married to him on Christmas Eve, I'll move out...." Yuri looks at him as he says "This kind of place, can't live here...." "That's true...." Naoki sits down at the table & starts to eat, pauses as Yuri looks at him, puts his hands together & Yuri says "Itadakimasu...." Naoki starts eating. Yuri says "Then, leave that day free....25th....Christmas....for me...." Naoki doesn't say anything. Yuri tells him "I'll spend the Eve alone....not possible?" Naoki continues eating without answering & Yuri gives up "Not possible huh...." picking up her bowl of soup. Naoki suddenly asks "Can you make roast turkey with gravy sauce?" "Roast turkey?" "When you watch American movies, families often eat it...." "I've seen it before...." "Would like to eat it once...." "I'll try to make it!" "Forget it....it's a high hurdle for you...." "I'll learn...." "Cooking isn't the only charm of a woman...." "When you say that I'm full of fight...." "Forget it...." "No way! Christmas roast turkey & gravy sauce huh! Great! I'll do it!" "Before you do that, eat...." Yuri takes a mouthful "Delicious...."

On her way home at night, Minako abruptly steps into a convenience store....Yuri says to Naoki "Just here's fine...." Naoki replies "I'll walk you to the station, recently there've been strange men loitering around...." "Then, send me home in your car...." "Don't push your luck...." Minako looks a little lonely, watching them walking off........

Back in her apartment, Minako sits with all the material of the murder spread around her........she stares at the words "Mikura City"........

The next morning Naoki, sleeping at his desk is woken up by someone pressing the doorbell & pounding at his front door. "Coming!" answers a sleepy Naoki & opens the door to find Kiichiro "Do you know where Minako is?" "What's wrong?" "She's not here....when I came over to pick her up for work....she should be here at this time of the day...." Naoki runs his hands through his hair, then stops "Maybe she's gone to Mikura City alone....cell phone?" "It's turned off...."

Sitting in Kiichiro's car headed for Mikura City, Kiichiro says "3 days ago....she said that it's possible that she's a woman who's killed her family & that it would bring me unhappiness....that's why she wanted to break up...." "I heard....that you scolded her...." "When she was 12, her boyfriend drowned in the river....it was her father's doing, that true?" "At the very least, the Minako at the time thought so...." "That the motive to kill her father....Minako's under that impression?" "In the last flashback, Minako said she saw herself reflected in the mirror...." "Yes....covered with blood....knife in her hand....standing....Minako must be really absorbed in thinking whether she killed her own family or not...." "Maybe she's trying to "wrench open the closed circuit by force"....maybe something....maybe the face of the criminal...." Kiichiro remembers his mother saying "People who confuse you....won't do...." Back in the present Naoki says "Hurry...."

In Mikura City, standing in front of her old home is Minako. A car comes round the corner & both Kiichiro & Naoki step out. Kiichiro runs up "Minako! You got us worried....said so before, no matter what, shouldering one's burdens alone...." Minako doesn't say anything, just turn's to look at Naoki coming forward slowly. To Kiichiro she says "It's here isn't it...." "Yes...." "The house I was born in....the house my family died in...." "Yes it is....do you remember anything?" Minako stares at the house without answering. Kiichiro says "Minako!" Minako shakes her head as Naoki turns away in silence. Kiichiro tells her "That's enough....don't force it trying to remember....let's go back...." putting his arm on her shoulder but Minako brushes him off & walks away. Both men look at her & then at each other....

Walking down the streets in town Minako approaches a lady "Excuse me, do you remember the incident 15 years ago? Where a city official's family was murdered....I'm the survivor Morita Minako....do you remember what sort of child I was?" "I don't know...." says the lady & Minako strides off down the street. Kiichiro tries to stop her "Minako!" but she pulls free of him & walks on with determination. Naoki silently follows behind watching. Minako approaches an old man "Excuse me, I'm Morita Minako who's family was killed in that murder incident 15 years ago....if you know, I'd like you to tell me...." Kiichiro says "Please Minako, stop already...." Minako turns away, Naoki looking at her. Minako says to the onlookers "What sort of a child I was, can you remember?" Kiichiro comes up to her & grabs her shoulders "What sort of a child you were, I know really well!! Didn't I tell you already?! That's enough!" Minako pushes him away & walks up to Naoki "Take me there....my classmate's home....you met her didn't you...." Naoki answers "Uhm....ok...." & they both walk down the street, Kiichiro following........

At Sae's house, Sae tells Minako "In Mikura forest, we'd pick acorns & often played house....your sister Kimiko would sometimes play the role of the mother, we'd be twin sisters....with leaves & twigs we'd make a little hut, when we got scolded by our parents we'd often go there.... "Me too?" "Yes....but when it got dark you'd get scared....at dusk you'd go home alone....a cowardly runaway...." Minako asks hesitatingly "Was....I really abused by my father?" Sae answers "Not always....I think you were protected by your mother...." "Did I look happy being at that sort of a home?" "Don't know....but you were always smiling...." Minako doesn't say anything & Sae tells her "Mina-chan, just being like this isn't it alright? I think it's better if you don't recall the past....for your sake....meeting again really brings back memories....but you shouldn't come back to this town again....I pray for your happiness...." Minako gives a hint of a smile & then remembers "Do you know Okita Masato?" Nodding Sae answers "Of course...." My father pushing him into the river....there was this rumor wasn't there...." "Because your father was a powerful man in this town....no one dared to say it openly...." Minako remembers (imagines) her date with Okita Masato........a young Minako says "Hey, I'll go gather firewood...." Masato answers "Gather lots!" Minako goes off & Masato stands by the river fishing. Suddenly Minako's father appears behind Masato. Minako, gathering wood hears a splash & runs to the river. Masato's in the river, Minako running frantically along the rocky river bank. Minako's voiceover says "I followed Masato who was being swept away by the current....I ran desperately....Minako sees her father standing by a tree watching "Father! Help! Masato's fallen into the river! Father!" but he just turns away............

Back in the present on a bridge across the river, Minako says "Why did my father push Masato into the river?" Kiichiro answers "Perhaps an unusual obsession to possess everything...." Minako continues "Abusing me, killing my boyfriend....but I'm his real daughter....why would my real father...." Naoki recalls the truth, reading Minako's diary "My father isn't my real father...." Kiichiro also recalls Keita telling him "Her father is someone else...." Both men stand there, keeping the truth from Minako "Was my father abnormal? That blood also flows in me! That's why on that Christmas Eve night, not only my father but everyone in my family...." Kiichiro tells her "Minako, stop....let's return to Tokyo...." Minako tells him "What sort of a man my father was I want to know...." When Kiihiro doesn't answer she looks at Naoki "Whoever knew my father well....I want to try to meet them...." Naoki answers "The man that used to be your father's secretary....he's now a city official...." Minako looks at him........

Coming out of the Mikura City government office with Minako's father's former secretary, the man says "There's no doubt about it, I testified that I was your father's alibi....I was picked by sensei (Minako's father)....without your father's power, I would never have been able to get a job in the politics...." Kiichiro says "Then....the time when Okita Masato fell into the river....the both of you in a meeting here....was a lie then?" "I'm sorry....I rather think of it as being for Minako's sake....father being involved in a the unnatural death of her classmate....denying any doubts (about that) was my duty...." Minako asks "Kokubu Yoshiharu, going out with my sister....being wrongly accused & being forced out of town was also true?" "It's as what was said at the trial....pressured the president of Fukushima University....& planned to expel him from school...." Minako asks "What sort of a man was my father? Was my father abnormal?" He decides to tell Minako the truth "His wife was forest conservationist volunteer....there was a time when he planned on developing the forests that were precious to your mother, into land for dams...." "Why?" "Because he was betrayed by his wife...." "What did mom...?" "His wife was unfaithful....there was a time, hiding it from sensei....with another man...." Minako looks shocked as he continues "In the end, no one knew his identity...." Naoki looks away, knowing the truth. "When his wife broke off with that man & returned home, he shelved the dam project....sensei had that childish aspect too...." Minako says "Mom had....an affair...."

The three of them walk down a tree lined path, Naoki says "You've seen it haven't you...."Chisana Koi no Melody" movie....in the last scene, the boy & girl ran off in a (railroad) truck....that seems like what you longed for....you & Masato together, fleeing from this town...." Kiichiro says "Going steady with that boy....I completely didn't know...." Naoki says "Children have their own world...." Minako adds " Just like adults have their own world...." Naoki looks at her as she continues "Mom had an affair, dad unable to forgive her....but why did he have to abuse me?" Kiichiro looks at her not answering & then lookin ahead says "Minako, over there...."

Approaching the Kiichiro says "Brings back memories....hasn't changed a bit...." Minako says "Here....with me?" Kiichiro nods "Uhm....with the Minako that came here to deliver Kimiko's letters to Kokubu....played catch ball & taught you your homework...." Kiichiro flashes back to one of those times....a young Minako outside the dorm shouting "Kokubu-san! Kokubu-san!" Kiichiro looks at the window & says "Kokubu's been called away by the university...." Minako says "Eh? But I purposely brought a love letter from my sister...." Kiichiro laughs "Minako is love's cupid huh!" Minako smiles holding up the letter "That's right!"

Back in the present, sitting on a bench Kiichiro says "That time you knew that Kokubu & Kimiko were planning to elope on Christmas Eve....you wanted to help...." Naoki standing by the fence says "a journey of abandoning a family, abandoning a hometown....the journey that you & Masato couldn't take together....you must have merged them...." Kiichiro tells her "The girl who cheered on her sister's journey....killing her sister, pinning the crime onto Kokubu....it's impossible........adults have their own world....between Kokubu & Kimiko....something must have happened....but if that night, if I had stayed in this town....I could've stopped Kokubu...." No one says anything. Kiichiro gets up "That Eve, Kokubu finally broke....went to the Morita home....but he couldn't go to the extent of killing the Minako still in grade school....must be so...." Minako asks looking at Naoki "Do you think so?" Naoki answers "When I find Kokubu I'll ask him...." Kiichiro asks "Shall we go visit the graves? Have to tell the family about the wedding...." Minako nods....

At the graves Minako picks up the music book as Naoki says "It's Kokubu for sure...." Kiichiro says "Atoning for his crime of robbing Kimiko's dreams of being a violinist I wonder...." Putting the book back down, Minako puts her hands together, closes her eyes "Why did you all have to die? I'll find out for sure....if I am the murderer, I will pass judgment on myself...." Turning around she asks "That's....my Sleeping Forest?" Naoki says "Want to go?" Minako nods & Naoki assures Kiichiro "It's alright, I'll show you the way...."

Walking into the forest Kiichiro says "Are you satisfied? Reason for hurting your family....you're not going to find it here....Minako!" Minako ignoring him all this while suddenly stops "There's still some place I haven't been...." "Where?" asks Kiichiro. "A hiding place...." "A hiding place?" Kiichiro repeats but Naoki remains silent, understanding Minako. "Hiding place in my heart...." says Minako. Turning to look at Naoki she says "The hiding place where the truth is sleeping....your father locked it up with a key....open it with the key, I want to ask him...." Naoki finally speaks "No...." "Why?" "Don't see my father again...." Kiichiro asks "Say what you intend to do...." Minako answers "Hypnotherapy....the treatment I received 15 years ago, I want to do it again....regress back in time to when I was 12, everything I saw then I want to see....I want it unlocked!" Kiichio says "No! Minako!" Minako says "In any case flashbacks are painful....I want to see everything just once...." Naoki quietly says "Minako, I'm sorry.... Minako & Kiichiro look at him. Naoki continues "I played with your life like a toy....because I didn't want you to remember....if the past sneaked up, I wanted you to run away....because of that, I tried to mess up your life....you were surprisingly strong....hard to break you....in the end I just played with your life....I don't want to see anymore....you hurt & in pain....so prove to me....that the past doesn't create people....together with Hamazaki-san, the Minako now....create the Minako from now on....show me that...." Minako & Kiichiro listen to Naoki as he confesses "Protecting you from Kokubu was just probably just an excuse....in truth........I wanted to snatch you from Hamazaki....but the Minako I kept watch over for 15 years....in the end I think I just messed up your life....I can't stand it....I can't bear it anymore...." Minako appears shocked. Naoki goes round a tree, looking like he's fighting to with his own emotions & then says "For that reason........goodbye Minako...." The both of them look at each other with tears in their eyes. Naoki tells her "Be happy!" & walking towards her "Whatever I can do....I'll be there until the end....then I hope you'll forgive me...." Minako looks as if she's about to say something but Naoki moves away & says to Kiichiro "Having troubled you, sorry...." "It's alright...." "Regarding Kokubu, leave it to me....I'll pray that the wedding takes place peacefully...." "Thank you...." Naoki leaves without looking back. Kiichiro asks Minako "Are you alright?" She answers fighting back tears "Can we stay here a little longer?" Kiichiro answers "Yeah...."

(-= CJ =- This is also one of my favorite scenes......heart wrenching when Naoki tells Minako sayonara.......)

It's getting dark as Naoki walking through the forest suddenly stop, looks & comes running. Looking at his feet, he sees the time capsule opened, the contents scattered all over the ground. Picking up the medals he looks for the locket "How come it's not here? Who?" He thinks & then realizes "He was here at the time....Kokubu!" Putting the medal & other things back into the box, he buries it back in the ground with his bare hands. Grabbing a fist full of dirt he punches the ground in anger........

In the car on the way back Kiichiro says "Thinking about it like this, it might be a bit strange but....I feel his friendship....his happiness....pray for him too...." Minako says "Me too....I want him to be happy........" & remembers all her encounters with Naoki............ In the forest where Minako first meets him "I know....everything about you....you were watching me all this while?........name....work....friends....lover....abandon everything & become a new person, have you never thought about it?........not possible........I don't know what's going to happen from now on........what on earth?!....Cruel things await you!!....Cruel things?....I'll change your life....how come things I don't even know, you do?!....Because....you are a part of me........" In Naoki's home........ "15 years ago, what sort of treatment?....buried your memories........whose memories were those?........my son's........" Outside their apartments in their verandas "How come we have the same have the same memories....I finally understand....better return this to you....threw that away a long time ago....have I received something precious?" In the hospital "What sort of child you were I'll find out for you....so you don't have to worry....go ahead & get married to Hamazaki-san...." In the nursery "Get a hold of yourself Minako! Believe in yourself more!" In the forest earlier confessing "in truth........I wanted to snatch you from Hamazaki........goodbye Minako........be happy........"

Back in the present Kiichiro asks "What are you thinking?" Minako answers "Nothing...." Kiichiro looks at her "Everything's alright now...." Minako nods "Uhm....thank you....it's time for the wedding dress fittings huh...." "Yeah...." Kiichiro answers but Minako looks sad........

Back at work in a parking lot, a round of "Gokurosama deshita" goes off & Naoki says "See you tomorrow...." His colleagues drive off & he walks to his car smoking a cigarette. All of a sudden he stop & his heart pounding, remembers being in the forest, opening the locket & looking at the photo inside. Taking out his keys he walks on towards his car. He drops his keys & bends down to pick them up. All of a sudden from behind, someone hits him with a metal bar. In pain he falls to the ground, being stuck hard. Rolling on the ground in pain he looks up & sees Kokubu. Taking out a roll of masking tape, Kokubu binds Naoki's feet together & then his hands. When Kokubu puts the tape around Naoki's mouth, Naoki stares at Kokubu.....Minako's locket is swing around Kokubu's neck. Done, Kokubu lifts Naoki, puts him into the trunk of his car & with an evil grin, slams the trunk shut. Getting into the car, he turns on the music full blast, Naoki in the trunk of the car grimacing. Kokubu drives madly round the parking lot, still with an evil smile on his face. He finally goes up the ramp out of the parking lot................where is he taking Naoki?!