After 13 days, the people who video-taped this drama were....

 

Three months earlier.......

At a construction site deep in the hills, the sound of heavy equipment fill the air as the ground is cleared for the construction of the Higashiizumi high school for girls. An excavator suddenly breaks open concrete under the earth. The driver calls out to his colleagues "Hey, go take a look....I hit something......" Two men run over & look down a dark, deep well.......

 

Three months later......

Late at night & in her room, Tomoko has the radio on "...the next song is one that is very popular among high school girls.....it's Matsuzaki Nao's......" while making a phone call to her friend "Reiko, what are you doing? On a drive? That's great....I'm stuck at home.....it's been two weeks since then.....nothing's happened.....hm?.....it's the 13th day?....ah, just a second......" As Tomoko looks at the calendar on the wall, the radio suddenly loses its signal & she presses a few buttons grumbling "....what's going on.....", gives up & then says to her friend "....it's nothing....I'll talk to you tomorrow......hang in there...." Hanging up, she hears laughter downstairs & opens the door, calling out "Mom? You're back?" Not getting a reply, she slowly walks down the stairs, into the dark living room. Looking around, she hears the buzz from the TV turned on but not receiving any signal. The lights in the room flicker on & then off by itself, & the clock on the wall loudly ticking the passage of time, showing it to be about 10.50pm. When she turns off the TV, the phone suddenly rings. Picking it up, she says "Mom?.....Mom?" Not getting a reply, she drops the phone. Turning around, she sees something & screams. Panicking, she runs out of the room into the hallway, trying to get out of the house but finds the door locked. Running into the bathroom, she shuts the door, screaming "Somebody! Help me! Help!!" as she is repeatedly slammed against the door, viciously attacked by something unseen......

 

Just a while earlier......

A four wheel drive arrives at a child care center. Stepping out of it, Asakawa Kazuyuki finds the teacher waiting for him "Yoichi's been waiting all alone....." Asakawa looks properly chastised & hands her a magazine "Here....." Sliding the door open, he calls out to a little boy playing by himself "Yoichi!" Yuichi turns around & seeing his father, runs up happily "Papa!" The teacher says "Please be sure to come here by 8 to pick up Yoichi...." Nodding, Asakawa replies "Understood...."

In the car, with the clock showing 8.49pm, Asakawa apologizes to his son "I'm sorry, got caught up with work....." Yoichi replies cheerfully "It's ok......" "I'll make you something delicious....so what's on today's menu?" "Hamburger!" "Yes sir!" Asakawa replies, pulling up at a convenience store. Asakawa tells Yoichi "I'm going to buy tomorrow's breakfast....." "I'll come too......" "No candy allowed.....be careful......" As Asakawa helps Yoichi out of the car, a motorcycle comes zooming by "What's going on....." Suddenly, Yoichi stops in his tracks. Asakawa, surprised, turns to look at his son who's turned to look back at the guy on the motorcycle. The guy suddenly falls to the ground, hands around his head, wriggling in pain. Asakawa says "Yoichi, wait right here......" & runs up to the guy "What's wrong?! Hey! What's wrong?! Hang in there!" In a violent jerk, the guy turns around, his face an expression of horror in the moment of his death. Asakawa yells out "Call an ambulance!" An employee calls out to the manager of the store "Sir!" & they come running out "Is he alright?!" Asakawa looks at the guy's watched, its faced cracked, the time 8.55pm & tells them "Can you call for an ambulance?!" The manager nods "Yes!" & runs back into the store. Frozen in his spot, Yoichi stares at the commotion all around him......

Back home in the bath, Asakawa says "Make sure you dry yourself thoroughly..." & getting a complaint from Yoichi "Papa, it hurts!" "You shouldn't say 'papa', you should call me Dad...." "Papa!" "Hey!" Yoichi comes running out of the bathroom into the living room. Suddenly, he freezes when he sees images of the guy in the throes of death at the convenience store on the TV screen. Yoichi screams "Papa! Papa!" Asakawa comes into the living room "What's wrong Yoichi?" Seeing Yoichi pointing at the TV that isn't turned on, Asakawa dries his son's hair & picks him up "You saw some scary things tonight....it's alright, there's nothing to be afraid of, I'm right here with you.....don't worry...."

Finally putting Yoichi to sleep, Asakawa comes back into the living room & turns on the TV. A Professor Kaneda appears on screen "Supernatural phenomenon can be said explained by the following three reasoning......illusion, tricks & science....the so-called phenomenon themselves will fall into these categories....sometimes, they can be explained by science....." The host says "That was Professor Kaneda who's stance is that supernatural phenomenon does not exist...what is your opinion Takayama-san?" Takayama Ryuji coolly states "I think Professor Kaneda's opinion is merely one of arrogance.....there are still many things that exist which cannot be explained by science...Professor Kaneda's analysis is primitive & shallow......" Kaneda retorts "What did you say?!" Takayama replies "Merely the truth.....curses exist.....it has been recorded in certain religions, the shaman uses curses to kill people....." Kaneda snorts derisively "I was wondering what you were trying to say...so that's it......utter nonsense!" Takayama merely says "I can put a death curse on you.....if I put a curse on you that you'll die in three days, you will die in three days....." Kaneda looks at him "What are you saying?" Takayama asks "Are you afraid of being cursed?" The host breaks in anxiously "Wait a minute Takayama-san....." but Kaneda suddenly gets on his feet "This is interesting.....let's see you do it.....if I am still alive after three days, you'll have to admit that you were wrong...." Takayama replies "Then we'll find out in three days......" The host continues "We have suddenly away from the topic of discussion but according to Takayama....." Asakawa, watching the program, mutters "...really boring....turn it off....."

 

The following day.....

When Asakawa drops Yoichi off at school, he sounds the car horn 'parp, parp-parp-parp, parp!' "Bye bye!" yells Yoichi, running off into the school yard.  Asakawa then heads off for work at the Tokyo Headquarters of the Chuou Shimbun office. Walking down the corridor, Yoshino enters an office & seeing Asakawa at work, calls out "Senpai!" "Hi Yoshino...." "You look busy...." "If you can see that it means you haven't quite made it.....with all that free time on your hands have you come up with anything yet?" "I've hit on an idea for a special article & thought I speak to you about it first.....don't be surprised....." "I think it's about time you get to the point....." Yoshino places a magazine in front of him "Here...." "What's this?" "Idol singer Matsuzaki Nao.....right now there's a strange rumor spreading among high school girls.....that Matsuzaki Nao has been cursed....." "...been cursed?" "There are different versions of the rumors....right now there's one that people die after listening to her songs...." "Hey, does that mean that after listening to you that I'll die too? Are people taken in that easily?" "Well....." "See?" "You're really something, senpai....whether the rumor is true or false isn't the important thing but rather how that rumor started & how it spread....people are always curious about how rumors start aren't they? I intend to probe around & see what comes out....I wonder if I should pay that very popular academic Takayama Ryuji a visit & then write the article...." "Takayama Ryuji? That guy who appeared on that ridiculous program last night?" "You saw that?" Asakawa walks out, leaving Yoshino scrambling after him "Ah, I'll come for lunch too! Wait for me!"

Over lunch, Asakawa says "You don't really take that fraud seriously do you? I understand if you're reporting about his love affairs & his various activities bit I'm sure there are others at the office that do this...." Yoshino mutters "I wonder....." "I'm serious....even if there are curses exist, don't you think there are other more concrete & realistic issues to report?" When Yoshino remains silent, Asakawa relents "Well, then again I'm not your boss so you don't have to pay any attention to my words....." "Senpai, you really would like to go back to the news section don't you...." "Not particularly......" "Why are you being so evasive? I understand that since your wife died you've had a hard time looking after Yoichi....but it's such a waste for you to carry on like this....." "It's none of your business....." "If....I'm just saying if....if you get on your knees & ask me to be Yoichi's mother I'll agree....." "I am responsible for bringing up Yoichi....he can become what I can't....." "What do you mean?" "Lots of things.....like an astronaut, or a pro baseball player....or if possible, both...." Yoshino chuckles "You're an idiot....." Asakawa's cell phone starts ringing but being so engrossed in his food, doesn't notice. Yoshino says "Senpai, your phone....." Laughing, Asakawa answers it "Hello, this is Asakawa....ah, onisan....eh?"

Asakawa rushes to his brother's home to find his sister-in-law's sitting alone "Onesan...." She looks up but doesn't say anything. Suddenly, someone calls out "Kazuyuki-kun...." Asakawa sees his brother enter the room "Onisan....I am shocked.....Tomo-chan was only 18 wasn't she? & she died of heart failure?" "Well....follow me....." Going out into the hallway, his brother continues "The police came by earlier.....they said that an autopsy will be carried out...." "They must be investigating....." "They think that it might not be her heart....the thing is her youth....on top of that the condition surrounding her death was also very strange.....her expression was one of absolute terror....both her hands were grabbing her head like this....in her hands were hair she pulled out from her head....." Asaklawa asks "You're not saying.....she was on drugs or something?" "The police say that is a possibility as well....."

Entering Tomoko's room, her father says "She was at the age where we never knew where she was or what she was doing....2 weeks ago, she went with her friends to Yatsugatake....she said that she actually didn't know who she was going with....we were really worried....she must have received some kind of shock at the time....." Asakawa looks at the pictures of Tomoko & his son Yoichi stuck on the wall of the room......

Entering the bathroom, Asakawa pictures Tomoko crouched in the tub, hands around her head in fear. Looking around, he spots a clock on the floor, it's face cracked at the moment it stopped....8.55 pm. Suddenly he recalls that same night when the guy on the motorcycle died, remembering the time on his watch....8.55 pm. Asakawa mutters "It can't be....."

Driving away, Asakawa suddenly stops by the side. Reaching out for the newspaper in the back seat, he flips through the pages, searching. A little headline catches his eye "Strange death of a young couple" Reading on, the article states that the cause of death was heart failure.....

At the office, Yoshino gets a phone call "Hello, this is Yoshino...." "You have a junior colleague in the news section don't you?" "You mean Kawamura-kun?"

Along the corridor, with documents in hand, Yoshino looks at Kawamura "This is everything? You're not hiding anything are you, Kawamura-kun?" "I'm not...by the way, I've got two tickets to the movies....." Kawamura replies, holding out two tickets, looking enquiringly at Yoshino. Nonchalantly, Yoshino takes them from him "Thanks....I'll call you again....." walking off.....

With the documents, Asakawa & Yoshino enter a meeting room, closing the door behind them. Yoshino says "That certainly is a strange case...." Spreading out the pictures of the couple on the table, Yoshino continues "The dead are Noumi Takehiko age 20, a student at Toushi Prep School....&  Tsuji Yoko, age 17....both second year students at Fujino High School...they died in their car by the river....." "A lovers suicide?" "That's what the people at the news desk thought initially....but do you think these are the images of a couple committing suicide together?" Yoshino shows Asakawa more pictures of the couple "If this was a suicide, normally the couple would be in an embrace...but these show that at their moment of death, they were desperately fighting to get out of the car...." "Has an autopsy been done?" "It was heart failure...." Asakawa looks incredulous "Both of them at the same time?" Yoshino replies "Strange isn't it? But the results stated clearly that it was heart failure.....it also looks like the police aren't pursing the matter any further...." "What about drugs?" "According to the results, there were none....." "Was the time of death verified?" "Yes....very clearly...." Asakawa looks at Yoshino in surprise. Yoshino says "It appears that at the moment of death, the watch on the boy's hand stopped....they're guessing that it broke he died....the time of death was last night at 8.55pm...." Asakawa looks at that very picture in front of him, pauses, stunned at the coincidence, recalling the watch on the boy who died at the convenience store & the clock found at Tomoko's. Asakawa asks "What about that boy on the bike?" "It didn't appear in the newspaper...." Yoshino replies but pulls out a slip of paper from her pocket "His name was Iwata Shu...." but Asakawa takes it from her, not saying anything. Yoshino says eagerly "Senpai, have you found something?" Asakawa nods "Truth is....last night, the same thing happened....another sudden death caused by heart failure....." "No way...." "One of them was this boy on the bike called Iwata.....the other was the niece of my late wife....."

Relaxing in his home, Kaneda plays a record, filling up the room with intense orchestral music. The phone rings & he answers it "Hello......." "This is Takayama.....there's only two days left, how are you feeling?" Kaneda retorts "What's your intention of calling me? Stop this nonsense right now!" However, Takayama merely tells him "On the right side of the table, there is a sofa....you're sitting on it right now.....on the table there is a bottle of whiskey just opened....." Kaneda, riled that Takayama has correctly described his room, gets up & moves to the window "Where are you watching me from?" "There's no point in looking outside....I am in my home far away from you....it's clairvoyance.....you know that too don't you, sensei.....the ability to see things & scenes from a different place.....at this very moment I can see you as if you were in my hands...." "What are you saying?" "Do you know of a young girl called Takano Mai?" "Ah, there was such a student in one of my seminars...." "I'm sure you know her well...." "So what about her?" "Thanks to you, she's now mentally ill.....she'll never return to the happy state she was before....." Kaneda retorts in anger "That's got something to do with you as well!" However, Takayama hangs up abruptly, angering the professor even more.....

Takayama looks across to Mai, sitting on the floor, a musical box in her hands. When Takayama approaches, fear appears on Mai's face as she scrambles to get away from him. Takayama looks shocked "Mai......", his voice sad.....

Asakawa sits puzzling over the various deaths muttering to himself "It's a bit far fetched....." & calls his brother. Picking up the phone, his brother answers "Hello......Iwata Shuichi? Tomoko's friend? I don't know....." "What about Noumi Takehiko or Tsuji Yoko? Have you ever heard of these names?" "Has this got anything to do with the case?" "I don't know, just curious at this point...." "I'll ask my wife....wait a minute....." Waiting for his brother, Asakawa glances at the notes he's made regarding the four people. His brother comes back on the line "She's never heard of any of them.....& by the way, the results of the autopsy are out....it was heart failure....we were worried but she wasn't on drugs.....my wife's finally calmed down.....I too...have accepted that Tomoko's gone......" With a sigh, Asakawa hangs up the phone......

Asakawa goes to the Musashino Medical University. As he enters a laboratory, Miyashita sees him & her face lights up in surprise "It's been a long time, showing up all of a sudden....what brings you here?" Asakawa looks at her "I'd like to ask you something...."

Walking outside, Asakawa explains "Four people died the same way at the same moment in different places.....the cause of death has been classified as heart failure....however the four of them were all healthy....." Miyashita replies "They took drugs on the same day....which day what hour what time....they made an agreement to take some drug....." "But there was no trace of drugs in their autopsy reports....." "So what you're saying is......." "A new virus.....one like the aids virus still undiscovered....." "But even if people get the virus on the same day, there's still the difference among individuals....it's hard to believe that people will die at the same moment....." When Asakawa doesn't says anything, Miyashita says "Ahhh....so that's it......you're finally back to being reporter you used to be...." "No I'm not....but if left alone, it'll just be thought of as coincidence.....one of those people who died was Shizuka's niece....." Miyashita looks at him & then nods "Alright, I understand.....I'll look into it......let me take a look at the autopsy reports....." "Thank you......" Just then the PA system comes on, announcing "Miyashita-sensei, please return to the laboratory....." Miyashita mutters "Ah, what is it I wonder....." Asakawa "Then I'll leave now....." but Miyashita smiles "You don't have to just yet....." as they walk back inside. "Yoichi-kun doing fine?" "Uhm...." "It's been three years since Shizuka's death...." "I wasn't by her side when she died....& rather than leave Yoichi alone, I transferred to the editorial department...."

In the laboratory, a professor is looking into a microscope & telling an assistant "These cells have been introduced to the genes....." "This has with regards to the genetic......" Just then, Asakawa & Miyashita walk in "Ah, sensei....." Professor Nagao looks up "Ah, my apologies, you have a visitor with you....excuse me Miyashita-kun but please come by my office later...." "Alright....." Miyashita replies respectfully as the man walks out. To Asakawa, she explains "My boss Professor Nagao....he's running for president of the university.....if he becomes the president maybe we can get a little increase in our grant....." Suddenly the assistant calls out "Miyashita-san...." "Yes?" "Look at this....." As Miyashita walks by to take a look, she explains to Asakawa "We're doing genetic experiments on mice....they're doing battle with human cancer cells....." The assistant comments "This one doesn't seem to be doing too well...." "Let's separate it from the rest....." suggests Miyashita as Asakawa looks on.....

At Tomoko's funeral wake, friends & family pay their respects as prayers are chanted by priests. Seated next to his father during the solemn proceedings, Yoichi suddenly gets up & makes his way upstairs into Tomoko's bedroom. Asakawa, wondering at his son's disappearance, decides to go look for him. Walking up the stairs & looking into Tomoko's bedroom, he finds Yoichi sitting alone at the foot of Tomoko's bed. Asakawa walks in "Yoichi....." Yoichi, holding a little box in his hands, asks "Tomo-onechan isn't here anymore?" Asakawa wipe the tears from Yoichi's face "Onechan's gone to a place far far away...." "A place far away?" "Onechan isn't here anymore...." "She isn't?" As Asakawa reaches out to carry Yoichi, Yoichi drops the box & Tomoko's costume jewelry spills out all over the floor together with a membership card. Asakawa picks them up & takes a look at the card - Rainbow Resort Club........

The phone rings & Kaneda picks it up without answering, only to hear the other party say "This is Takayama.....finally only a day left......" Annoyed, Kaneda spits out "If you've got something against me, why don't you file a police report & come after me me fair & square?!" "Don't misunderstand.....I'm merely doing a simple experiment to prove the existence of curses....." "That's preposterous!" In his office, Takayama calmly says "This is the last phone call I'll make.....the power of curses is real.....I'm the only that can set you free......however, tomorrow will be too late.....what would you like me to do?" When Kaneda wavers without replying, Takayama adds, derision in his tone "This is a surprise.....that you too are wavering....." Kaneda retorts "I am not! Curses do not exist in this world!" Coldly, Takayama replies "You've just lost your last chance.....you will die tomorrow by the power of a curse....a strange light will appear in front of you....from the back of the light a girl will come seeking revenge....& kill you.....your eyes will never, ever, open again......." Kaneda slams down the phone, shaken, breathing heavily......

At work, Asakawa stares at the membership card & the notebook where he's scribbled notes regarding the strange deaths. With a sigh, he puts on his jacket & opens his locker, taking out his bag. Yoshino walks in "Are you done with work?" "Yeah, just a half day today....." "Have you found out anything else?" Asakawa shakes his head, grabbing his notebook. Yoshino notices the membership card "Ah, isn't this the Rainbow Resort Club?" "You've heard of it?" "It's hard to get into this club.....not only is the entrance fee expensive, they're also strict with their screening....you can use all the villa resorts in the whole country....." "I found it in Tomoko's bedroom.....I asked her family but no one knows anyone called Nonoyama.....I thought it might be a lead so I took it with me....." "Wait a minute....that might turn out to be a great lead.....this card would be very important to this person Nonoyama, wouldn't it? If he lent it out to someone, he would surely get in touch right away to get it back.....but then again, why hasn't he called for it?" Asayama looks at the card "That's true too....." 

At the front gate of the Nonoyama home, Yoshino looks inquisitively into the grounds of a big expensive looking house. When a fancy red sports car arrives, Yoshino runs up to Asakawa, parked in a distance "He's back.....leave it to me, I'll get the information out of him....." Asakawa goes "Oi...."  but Yoshino's already run up into the house "Nonoyama Yuki-kun....." Nonoyama, getting out of his car, replies "Yes?" Yoshino holds up the membership card "This is yours isn't it....." Nonoyama reaches out to grab it but Yoshino whips it away from him. Nonoyama says "I lent it to a friend....but if you don't return it I'll be in trouble.....that guy died in a motorcycle accident....." Yoshino asks "That guy was Iwata Shuichi?" "Yes....." "It's not a good idea to lend out your card to other people, is it? If the club finds out they'll cancel your membership...." "Everyone does it....." "Everyone? That's make for an interesting exposé..." replies  Yoshino, not exactly subtle with her threat. Nonoyama backs down "You wouldn't....." Yoshino continues "So what did Iwata-kun used this card for?" "He said that he went to a villa in Yatsugakake with a high school girl....oh yes, another couple went with them as well...." Listening from his car, Asakawa walks up to them just as Yoshino asks "What were their names?" "I don't know....." "You don't know?!" "No!!" "Why not?!" "It had nothing to do with me!" Asakawa comes up to Nonoyama & grunts "Thank you very much....." Taking the card from Yoshino, he holds it out to Nonoyama "Here's your card back...." With a nod, Asakawa grabs Yoshino by the arm & drags her away. Yoshino protests "Just a few more questions....." but Asakawa tells her "It's enough.....the girl that went with Iwata Shuji to the villa was Tomoko....apparently two weeks ago, Tomoko went with friends to Yatsugatake.....it's most likely that the other couple were Noumi Takehiko & Tsuji Yoko...." Yoshino looks shocked "You're saying that......" "....two weeks ago, the four of them rented a place in  Yatsugatake together....." Asakawa finishes Yoshino's sentence, adding "....& maybe.....something happened while they were there......." 

Nervously, Kanedo looks out the window, glaring at the sound of the birds outside. Pacing about the room, Kaneda finally takes out a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. Just as he's about to pour himself a drink, the phone rings, startling him. Kaneda gives the phone Giving it a paranoid stare before picking it up, not saying a word. Relief washes over him as he hears a lady's voice "Hello, Kaneda-sensei? This is Hosono from Channel 2....." "Ah....." "There was great public response to the program the other day....we were planning to do a broadcast of the program tonight, at 12 midnight when the time limit of the curse ends.....we were thinking of broadcasting it live nationwide.....what do you think? sensei? Are you there?" Kaneda laughs "Interesting....." Surprised, Hosono goes "Huh?" "It's interesting.....do it!" Kaneda replies, downing a big gulp of whiskey. "That guy is always around me, watching my every move.....but if your people are around me....interesting, this is really interesting......" adds Kaneda, laughing a little hysterically.....

Hosono hangs up at her end, pleased "Tsukada-kun!" "Yes?" "Professor Kaneda said ok! Next, Takayama-san....." Hosono picks up the phone, dialing Takayama's number. The phone in Takayama's office rings, but no one's there. Takayama's out on his morning run, stopping suddenly & staring at the ground, breathing heavily.......

Driving, Asakawa says to Yoshino who's beside him in the passenger seat "Yoshino....." "Yes?" "You said before that you wouldn't mind becoming Yoichi's mother, didn't you....." "What's wrong?....bring that up all of a sudden....." "I just feel that you & Yoichi get along very well together......" "It's such a important matter, you don't have to bring it up now......" "You don't like the idea?" "It's not that!" "Yosh, it's decided, let's do that.....you free tonight?" "Well...yes....."

Yoichi comes running out of school "Papa!" giving Asakawa a high five. The teacher greets him "You're early today......" Asakawa hands her a magazine "Here, for you....." & gets a "Thanks...." Asakawa picks Yoichi up "Let's go....." Yoichi waves to his teacher "Sensei bye bye!" Yoshino comes up to them "Hi Yoichi-kun!" "Hi..." Asakawa puts him down "Yoichi.....I've got to carry on working tonight....for tonight Yoshino-onechan will stay with you, ok?" Yoichi looks up at Yoshino & then says to his father "Uhm, ok....." "What's today's menu?" "Mapo-tofu!" "Uhm....the ingredients are in the fridge....." Asakawa says, glancing at Yoshino. Yoshino grabs him aside "What's the meaning of this?!" Asakawa explains "I'd like you to look after tonight.....I'm going to Yatsugatake....." Yoshino insists "I'm coming with you....." "No you're not!" "Why not?!" "Listen! The four people who stayed there died mysteriously two weeks later.....I'm not letting you go to such a dangerous place....." "No way!" "The key's in the letter box.....I'll be back in the morning...." Asakawa leaves, not giving Yoshino a chance to say or do anything.......

Alone, Asakawa drives to the Rainbow Resort Club in Yatsugatake, a resort area in the country side. At the front desk, Asakawa says "I'd like to rent a villa...." "Sure....they're mostly empty today...." "There was a villa that a friend of mine stayed in before......two weeks ago a Nonoyama came by....." The guy looks through the guest register "Nonoyama-san? Two weeks ago.....ah, yes.....four of them...they stayed in B-4...." "I'll take that please....." 

Asakawa drives up into the hills to a luxurious looking log house, & looks about, surveying the surrounding grounds......

two weeks ago, four people stayed in this house.....

just what happened here?

Darkness falls & Asakawa sets up a video camera from the second floor, looking down into the living room......

just maybe, something might happen to me......

although the thought might be a little childish.....

but just in case something does happen.....

I intend to have everything recorded.....

 

what did the four of them do here?

Going outside into the veranda, Asakawa calls Yoshino "How was dinner?....I see....are you sleepy?....Yoichi.....look after the house.....uhm......" 

Back in the house, Asakawa pulls out a notebook from under some magazines "Tabi no omoide...." (Journey memories). Flipping through the pages, he sees comments left by prior guests "Hmmm, a recording journal.....I'll write something too...." Suddenly, Asakawa pauses as comes across the last couple of written pages....."Tomoko & Shuichi's Love message board" & sees some writing by Tomoko. The next page, he sees the message "We're going to watch it now.....this is the real rumor....." Flipping to the next page, he reads it "We finally saw it.....at this moment all of us are fine.....", then reading it in silence "We're a little disappointed. We're leaving it here....." before continuing out loud "...those of you that are brave enough, watch it....8.55pm....." Asakawa looks around "What did they watch?" before the thought strikes him as he looks at his own video recorder "A video?!" Opening the cabinet & pushing some buttons of the VCR, he discovers it empty......

The guy at the front desk looks surprised "A video?" Asakawa explains "Yes, I think Nonoyama & company rented one....." The guy looks through his records "Two weeks ago.....nope, there's no record of that here....ah, but they did leave something behind...." "A video tape?" "Yes.....when I cleaned the place up I found it....now where did I put it.......ah, this is it....." The guy takes a tape from a shelf. Asakawa asks "May I borrow that?" "Sure....just as a precaution, I watched it too but there's nothing interesting in it......" "I'll return it....." Asakawa takes it & returns to the house.....

Asakawa puts the tape into the player & is about to push the PLAY button when he hesitates. Pausing for a moment, he draws in a breath. Decision made, he presses the PLAY button. The music video of Matsuzaki Nao's song "Shiroi yo" comes on. Listening, Asakawa recalls Yoshino telling him "...idol singer Matsuzaki Nao.....people die after listening to her songs...." Asakawa frowns, not seeing anything strange with the video. The tape ends abruptly & Asakawa hits the STOP button, muttering to himself "That's ridiculous...dying after listening to a song......" As he takes the ejected tape out of the player, the phone suddenly rings, surprising him. However, when he goes over to answer it "Hello......hello........" no one's on the other end. Wondering at the strange call, Asakawa slowly hangs up the phone & walks out......

Going back to the main office, Asakawa calls out looking for the guy in charge "Excuse me.....excuse me.....excuse me....." Not seeing anyone, he walks towards the back office, hearing sounds coming from it. From the doorway, he sees the office in a mess, the TV overturned on its side on the floor, the program with Professor Kaneda on ".....whether it's really possible for curses to exist....we'll find out together in a moment....how are you feeling at this moment Kaneda-sensei?" Kaneda replies "Like normal.....it's not possible for curses to exist....." Asakawa calls out again "Excuse me?" Walking in, he sees the guy from the front desk lying on the floor. Anxiously turning him over, Asakawa finds him with the an expression of horror frozen at the moment of death, hands around his head. Suddenly, Asakawa remembers the guy telling holding out the tape to him earlier "...just as a precaution, I watched it too....." Swallowing with difficulty, Asakawa reaches out for the video tape, staring at it in horror "This....." Stunned, he drops the tape. Absolute terror appears on his face as he realizes.....he has only...........

 

 

13 days left.....