On the program, the host continues "....at this very moment, Takayama Ryuji is watching us from wherever he is.....we're approaching the moment when the time limit of the curse runs out"....

 

Asakawa finally gets to his feet & looks around, picking up the phone & calling the police "This is the Yamanashi Prefecture Police....." "Someone has died of heart failure....at the Rainbow Resort Club in the employee office...." "We'll send a dispatch from the nearest police station near you......please wait at the scene....." Asakawa, looks around, his eyes widening as he spots the video tape on the floor. Picking it up, he recalls the guy telling him "....just as a precaution, I watched it too......" & what Tomoko wrote in the journal......

 

five people who watched this tape have died.....

which means......

I will too........

 

With that terrifying thought, Asakawa heads for the door & leaves in a hurry.......

 

At the Kaneda's house, the crew from Channel Two are doing the live broadcast with the host saying "There is only one minute left....at this moment, nothing is out of place.....do such things as curses really exist? The moment of one's destiny is approaching....." Behind her, Kaneda sits in a chair, waiting. Just at that moment, the spot lights are turned on, blinding Kaneda & he tenses. Suddenly, darkness engulf them as the whole place blacks out. Amid calls of "What's happening?! Must be the circuit breaker! Get the power back up! Hurry!", the host says "Right now there's a problem with the electricity.....please wait a moment.....ah, it's back on....it's past 12, let's ask Kaneda-sensei how he feels....."  Walking over to Kaneda, she finds him slumped over "Sensei? Kaneda-sensei?! Sensei?!" Kaneda's head rolls back, his eyes open, dead.....

 

Watching the program, Yoshino looks stunned as another host comes on "It looks like something's happened at Kaneda's home....until we have more facts about it, we'll return to the studio....the curse that Takayama predicted....." Turning around, Yoshino gets a shock when she sees Yoichi watching the program. Yoichi says "It's scary....." "Yoichi-kun! It's ok.....Yoichi-kun, it's ok....." Yoshino comforts him, putting her arms around him......

 

Asakawa drives home, deep in thought. Entering the apartment, he checks in on Yoichi & seeing him tucked in bed, Yoshino by his side, leaves a present among the toys. Sighing heavily, Asakawa sits down at the table, taking the video tape out of his bag. Hearing Yoshino enter, he quickly hides it "Sorry, I guess I woke you up...." Yoshino asks "You didn't stay overnight? Did you find anything in Yatsugatake?" "Absolutely nothing....." replies Asakawa, getting up & heading for the kitchen. "You don't look too good...." "Nothing happened.....I was thinking that it was a waste of time so came back instead....." Excitedly, Yoshino says "Then you haven't seen the program yet, have you...." "No...." "It looks like Professor Kaneda really died! Just like Takayama Ryuji predicted.....maybe curses really do exist!" "Don't be ridiculous!" Yoshino, stunned at Asakawa's reaction, sobers. Asakawa gives her an apologetic smile "Go to bed....." "I'll go sleep with Yoichi-kun...." "Yoshino....thanks......" "Goodnight....." Left alone, Asakawa takes out the tape from his bag & stares at it.......

 

The next morning, Yoichi, running ahead with Yoshino calls out "Papa! Hurry up!" Dropping Yoichi off at school, Asakawa sounds his horn "parp, parp-parp-parp, parp!" & Yoichi yells "Bye bye!" Yoshino then turns to Asakawa "Next stop, my house....." Asakawa's jaw drops in astonishment. Yoshino explains "I've got to change clothes...." Asakawa nods, picking his chin up off the floor.....

 

A little ways from the office, Asakawa stops the car & tells Yoshino "Walk to the office from here.....if we arrive at the office together there'll be problems....." "I don't think there's anything wrong with a junior tagging along with her senior....." Asaka nods "Uhm...in any case, get out of the car....." With a pout, Yoshino gets out & Asakawa drives off.....

 

As she approaches the office, Kawamura comes running up "Yoshino-senpai! Good morning!" "Good morning...." "Who was that?" "My boyfriend.....he just dropped me off....." Yoshino walks on briskly, brushing off Kawamura's advances....

 

Asakawa walks in to find Yoshino waiting for him "Senpai, something did happen in Yatsugatake after all, didn't it....." Not answering, Asakawa enters the copy editor section office, greeting his boss "Good morning...." only to get a curt "Just what are you doing?" "Huh?" Another man gets to his feet "I am Uchimura from the Yamanashi Prefecture Police......" Asakawa, knowing what he's here for, bows in greeting.....

 

Alone in the meeting room, Uchimura tells Asakawa "Last night, the supervisor of the Rainbow Resort Club in Yatsugatake died.....you know this, don't you....why did you run off?" Quietly but firmly, Asakawa replies "I didn't run off...." "It was in the middle of the night...12pm....was there a reason for you to return at that hour of the night?" "You're not saying that I'm a suspect?" "You're the one that reported it to the police, weren't you..." "Yes.....it's a little embarrassing but I was afraid....." "When you called in, you said that he had died of heart failure.....your report was recorded at the police's call center so there's no mistake.....there was no doctor at the scene....so how did you know that the cause of death was heart failure?" Asakawa asks "What's the cause of death? The autopsy been completed, hasn't it...." "It's just like you said, heart failure....there were no traces of external injuries.....the investigation ends there...why would a healthy supervisor suddenly die of heart failure? I was thinking thinking that perhaps I could find out something if I asked you......" Asakawa, frowning with worry, remains silent........

 

Through the blinds, Takayama looks out the window from his office. Down below, reporters are milling about. Someone calls out "Excuse me....." getting his attention. Turning around, he sees two police officers asking him "Are you Takayama Ryuji-san?" "Yes I am...." "I am Kashiwada from the Miura City Police...this is Komura....you've caused quite a commotion....it's surprising to think that curses killing people exist.....at the time of Professor Kaneda's death.....at 12am this morning......where were you?" Takayama answers "At home...." Komura continues "It seems that the people from the TV station called your home & the lab but no one answered...." Takayama says "All I've done is merely put a curse on Professor Kaneda.....putting a curse on someone is not a crime....there is no legal punishment for that...." Koyama retorts angrily "Don't be ridiculous!" His partner tries to calm him down & says to Takayama "We don't believe in things such as curses.....however there were marks around the neck of his body....you didn't kill Professor Kaneda with a curse....you strangled him to death......." Takayama calmly replies "I was not at the scene at the time.....if you watch the program....." "We've seen it....we've seen it over & over.....during those moments in pitch black darkness, something happened.....as a teacher you're well qualified.....but as a murderer, you're an amateur.....& amateurs make mistakes...." finishes Kashiwada darkly.....

 

At home, Mai watches a news broadcast on TV "At this moment we're at Meiwa University.....for the last 10 hours since the incident  last night, many reporters have been waiting here hoping to get a comment from Takayama Ryuji, the man who put a curse on Professor Kaneda......however Takayama Ryuji has not made an appearance...." When pictures of Takayama & Kaneda appear on screen, Mai slowly reaches out towards Takayama......

 

Miyashita arrives at the laboratory. Taking a look at the ongoing experiments on the mice, shock appears on her face as she finds all the creatures dead. Making a call to Nagao, he says in surprise "The mice?" Miyashita explains "Yes....it's unnatural for them to die all at once....." "It's not possible that a virus could've been created from genetically rearranging the genes?" "There is that possibility....in any case as a precaution, please seal off this laboratory......if this is contagious, I'm the only one who's infected by it......" "For the time being, undergo some tests...." "I will....." "& for the time being, keep this quiet.....the election for the presidency is coming up & I'd like to have any bad news suppressed....." Miyashita remains silent.....

 

At the news office, Asakawa sits alone in the meeting room with earphones on, watching the video tape again, a frown on his face. Suddenly, he spots something & pressing the pause button, leans forward to take a closer look. At that, Yoshino walks in "Senpai!"  Asakawa immediately covers up the screen with his jacket. Yoshino looks on enquiringly "What are you doing?" only to have Asakawa shout at her "Stay away!", quickly fumbling for the button, turning the TV off "Why didn't you knock?" "I did....." "Did you see it?" "Eh?" Asakawa barks "I'm asking if you saw the screen!" "I didn't, you blocked it..." "You didn't see anything?! Not a single thing?!" "I didn't....." Reassured, Asakawa calms down "I see....." taking the tape out of the player. Yoshino asks "What's going on? You get called up, by the police no less....." Putting some documents on the table, Yoshino continues "This is all the information on Takayama Ryuji...." Asakawa grunts "Ah....take a seat as well....." putting the tape back into his bag. Taking the documents, Asakawa says "This is from the article you were planning to write?" "Yes...." Asakawa pauses, then suggests "Let's get out of here....."

 

At the restaurant, Asakawa says "The other day you mentioned about that singer who's cursed...Matsuzaki Nao?...& about that rumor as well, I've been thinking about it & it's seems like a good idea....go ahead with it....if you get Takayama Ryuji to lend some credence to this it'll be good....." Yoshino replies "But regarding that Takayama Ryuji....I don't think it's possible to get him to help...I heard from the news department.....the police are suspecting that it was a trick of his to cover up killing Professor Kaneda....they also expect Takayama to be arrested within the day....." Asakawa frowns, pursing his lips, deep in thought. The waitress comes by & takes their order "Welcome...." Yoshino says "Coffee please...you too senpai?" "Yes..." "Two coffees please...." "Alright....." Yoshino continues "Since you've given me the encouragement, I'll try it....this is the first time you've praised me for something....." "Is that so?" "I've got a plan for getting the information....I was thinking of doing a campaign in the magazine.....like asking when they first heard of the rumor....what variation of rumor...who they heard it from.....pretty much do a nationwide survey....." "That would take too long...." "It needs to be done in a hurry?" "If you don't hurry with this project, any interest in it will die off....." "I understand.....I'll think of some way quicker....." "I look forward to it...."

 

Over at Kaneda's house, the police officers are questioning Hoshino "...& where were you?" Hoshino replies "I was over there....when the lights went off, I rushed to the circuit breaker by the foyer....." "Why did you do that?" "Why? Well, if the electricity cuts off suddenly I would assume it's the circuit breaker.....ah, no....wait a minute....someone did shout to get the circuit breaker....& then everyone left the living room & went towards the foyer.....then going down the stairs & locating the circuit breaker...it took a while...." "Who's voice was it?" "Eh?" "Who shouted that it was the circuit breaker?" "I don't know....what's that got to do with this?" "Well, when someone shouted that it was the circuit breaker, everyone ran out....the murderer then entered the room & killed his victim..." "Wait a minute! You're saying that the murderer is one of my staff?" "I'm just saying that it's a possibility.....no matter remote the possibility, it puts a question on the curse......" "No way.....ah, speaking of which, sensei said something strange on the phone....Takayama Ryuji was keeping a close watch on him...." "Watching him?" Komura recalls something "Kashiwada-san....the day before he died, Kaneda suddenly sighed a contract with a home security company....perhaps the professor was worried about being attacked....it could be because of Takayama Ryuji...."

 

In his office, Asakawa goes over all the information he has "13 days left.....will I make it in time......" looking tense & worried. Looking over the material on Takayama, Asakawa spots the words "heart failure" in one of the articles. As he's leaving, his superior calls out "Where are you going?" "I'm going out for a bit...." "What about your work?" "I left it with Kumiya in the production department...." "Hey! Asakawa!" but Asakawa ignores him, walking out.....

 

"Takayama Ryuji?" asks Yoshino. Asakawa tells her "I heard that the media are all there trying to interview him yesterday....try calling him...." holding out his cell phone. "Eh?" "Tell him it was a prior appointment or something...." "That's impossible....even with the media staking him out, they still haven't managed to get an interview with him...." "Are you afraid of talking with a murderer?" Yoshino glares at him & pulls out her own cell phone. Asakawa swings his car around as Yoshino makes her call ".....it's got nothing to do with this current incident....yes..." Yoshino calls out to Asakawa "They're going to ask him....although I don't think he's going to say yes....." Back to the phone call, Yoshino replies "Yes....yes....I understand....." before hanging up. To Asakawa, she tells him "Seems like he said ok....but since the front entrance is blocked off, go in by the security door around the back...." "Got it....." Asakawa nods, about to drive off. Yoshino sticks her hand out "Wait a minute!" "I'm going alone...." "That was mean of you!" "Aren't you busy with interviewing Matsuzaki Nao yourself? Thank you!" "Wait! Senpai!" Yoshino runs after Asakawa but he ignores her, driving off.....

 

Arriving at the university, Asakawa walks by the many reporters hanging around outside the building. Suddenly his phone rings "Hello?" Yoshino on the other end, warns "Senpai....be careful when you meet Takayama Ryuji....." "What happened?" "Our own news section wrote a hard hitting article about him in this evening's paper....although he's agreed to meet you, watch out for him....." "I see....."

 

Walking down the corridor, Asakawa stops when he sees the name "Takayama" on the door. Taking a deep breath, he knocks on the door & hears someone reply "Come in....." Entering, Asakawa sees Takayama sitting at his desk, arms crossed, motionless. Introducing himself, Asakawa says "I'm Asakawa from Chuo Shimbun.....Yoshino had some urgent matter come up so I am here in her place....." When Takayama remains silent, Asakawa continues "The reason that I'm here today is......" Takayama finally answers "to ask if I killed Kaneda-sensei?" closing the newspaper on his desk, having read the article Yoshino mentioned earlier to Asakawa. Asakawa says "You said that curses exist....right now there's a rumor about a curse spreading among high school girls.....after listening to a song, people will die....what do you think about that?" After a pause, Takayama doesn't answer the question but instead, asks "Asakawa-san, do you smoke?" "Huh?" "Let's play a game....." Asakawa frowns. Takayama scribbles something on a note, folds it & hands it out to him "Take this...." Asakawa takes it from him, wondering what Takayama's up to. On a couple of cigarettes, Takayama writes the numbers 1, 2 & 3, placing them on the table "There are three sticks of cigarettes here....you are free to choose any of them of your own free will.....please take one...." Asakawa takes the one labeled '2' & puts it aside. Takayama continues "There are 2 sticks left....take one more....." Asakawa takes the one labeled '1' & Takayama says "Number 3 is left...take a look that that note....." When Asakawa does as told, is taken aback when he sees the number 3 written on the note. A wry grin appears on Takayama's face "I know whatever it is that you want to do...even if you're holding back something & trying to find out something from me, it's just a waste of time...." Asakawa takes out the video tape from his bag "This is a recording of Matsuzaki Nao's song....exactly 13 days after having watched it, people who were completely unrelated ended up dead....& the cause of death for all of them is simply heart failure.....you also mentioned heart failure in your thesis on African sorcery....." Takayama stares at him "Interesting...." "Interesting?" "Have you see this?" "No...." "That's good....then I'll take a look at it....within a month...." At Asakawa's expression, Takayama smiles "You've seen this video....& thinking that you yourself might die, you come to see me.....I take a look at it as soon as I can....to make it in time before the 13th day.....you can leave this here with me....in any case it's a copy isn't it...." Asakawa asks "Are you really going to watch it? You might die...." Takayama retorts "You brought this here with the intention of having me taking a look at it.....that's why you purposely made a copy for me....you don't give a damn about my life......am I wrong?" Asakawa remains silent, unable to defend himself. Takayama smiles "Well then, if I find anything I'll get in touch with you......" holding out his hand. Swallowing, Askawa holds his out, grasping Takayama's. Takayama says "Wishing you all the best for the next 13 days....."

 

At the lab, Miyashita finishes undergoing some tests. Nagao, in a protective suit, comes up to her "It'll take some time for the test results to come out...." "If I've really contracted a virus, I might die....." "Don't talk rubbish! It's not necessarily a virus....even if it is by some chance a virus, the human body still has some ability to fight it....." "Yes....." "Take care....." Nagao goes out, leaving Miyashita alone in the lab. The phone rings & she answers it "Hello....." "It's Asakawa....." "Ah, Asakawa-san? I'm sorry, I still haven't got a chance to check on the four deaths for you....." Sitting in his car, in a rather pensive mood, Asakawa says "Rieko-san?" "Yes?" "Do you believe in curses?" "Curses?" "Yes...." "I don't believe in them....Asakawa-san, you don't think that the four of them who died were because of a curse?" "What would you do if a curse was cast on you?" "Eh?" "Do you think you'd be afraid?" "I guess I would be afraid....maybe so scared that I wouldn't be able to sleep at night....but I'd certainly do my best to get it removed....even if it's idealistic or just natural, I've always been a fighter.....but the fact is that mankind has always fought to survive, fought to win.....no matter how impossible problems appear to be, people will find a way of overcoming them....the moment we label them supernatural powers, we will be defeated...." "I guess you're right...." "What's wrong?" "Compared to you, I'm thinking that I'm such a coward...." "What are you saying?" "I'm glad I heard your voice...." "What's that?" asks Miyashita, getting worried but Asakawa replies "Nothing....bye....." & hangs up.......

 

Driving to Yochi's school, he pauses, watching Yoichi play in the yard. When Yoichi sees his father, he comes yelling "Papa!" & then yelling to his friends "Bye bye!" Coming up, he gives Asakawa a high five before being picked up. Asakawa asks "What's today's menu?" "Spaghetti!" "ok!"

 

As Asakawa's preparing dinner in the kitchen, Yoichi walks into the living room "I want to watch this....." Asakawa turns around & seeing a tape in Yoichi's hand, freaks out "Yoichi! No!" rushing over & grabbing the tape from Yoichi. Looking at the label on the tape, "The Railroad" Asakawa says "I'm sorry, I made a mistake......" Yoichi says "You're strange, papa...." "It's not 'papa', it's Dad...." corrects Asakawa, only to have Yoichi reply "Yes, papa!" Asakawa gives Yoichi a little smack on the head & grins "Watch your tape....." Just then, the doorbell rings & Asakawa opens the door "Hey Yoshino...." "Good evening...Yoichi said that he wanted to have sukiyaki so I promised to make him some tonight....right Yoichi?" Yoichi nods "Uhm!" Asakawa says "What 'uhm'....don't simply do as you please....." Yoshino says "It's ok.....oh yes senpai, may I borrow that apron?"

 

Having dinner at the table, Yoshino asks Yoichi "Tastes good?" Yoichi nods. Yoshino adds "Compared with papa's, who's tastes better?" Yoichi chirps "Papa's!" Asakawa grins "Yep!" Yoshino nods, then says "Senpai, where's my report?" "Hm?" "Takayama Ryuji...." "He said that he'd think about the project...." "That's it?" "Well, what's going on with Matsuzaki Nao?" "That....it's not like you expected at all....the manager got really angry when I mentioned that they created the rumor to get publicity.....anyway, because of the rumor, it seems that Matsuzaki Nao's rather troubled....the agency also strongly denies the rumor....& then also said that if we start the campaign regarding the rumor, they want to cooperate for her sake....they suggested that if she appears on the radio herself, there'll be immediate reaction....." Asakawa ponders "On the radio....let me think about over the next couple of days...." Yoshino smiles "Yoichi-kun, eat more of the beef...." "Uhm...." Asakawa takes some vegetables "Yoichi-kun, eat more vegetables..." After a momentary silence, Asakawa starts "Yoshino...." "Hm?" "Do you believe that people can read other people's minds?" "Well, if it's you I can....are you angry today or maybe you're in a mood to listen today..." "I'm not talking about that.....when I went to see Takayama, he asked me to choose cigarettes that he had written numbers on...." "So what about it?"

 

On the table are three square blocks with the numbers 1, 2, 3 & Asakawa pushes forward a slip of paper. Yoshino picks it up "He gives you a slip of paper with the number 3 written on it....which means you'll pick the cigarette with the number three....." Asakawa continues "Then he asked me to pick one....if I had picked number 3...." "That's it! If you had picked that, he would have said to look at the slip of paper...." "So if I had picked the other numbers, he would've left that, & then from the remaining two, get me to pick one.....if I had picked 3 then, he would've said that was my choice.....if I didn't pick the number 3, he would've thrown that out & the remaining one would be number 3.....no matter what, it would've been number 3!" At that moment, Yoichi's blocks fall like dominoes "Got it!" 

 

Asakawa & Yoichi see Yoshino off. Yoshino says "Bye, Yoichi-kun...." "Come by again obasan! (auntie)" "If you don't call me obasan I'll come again...." "Come by again onesan...." "Yoshino grins "Bye bye....see you, senpai..." "Thanks....shall I give you a ride?" "Right now you look like you don't want to....goodnight!" smiles Yoshino. "Goodnight.....bye...."

 

The phone rings & Yoichi says "Telephone!" & runs to pick it up, handing it to Asakawa "Hello.....hello?" "It's Takayama....I've watched the video & found something interesting....can you come by to the my office?" However, Asakawa replies "You're a conman...." Yoichi, scribbling on a memo board by the phone, says "I'm going to go do some coloring...." "ok......" & then back to the phone, Asakawa says "What did you say?" Takayama tells him "That video is the real thing....if you don't do anything, you'll die in 13 days.....if you don't want to come, I won't force you....but I'm the only one that can help you....so?" Asakawa replies "I no longer wish to see you....." "Is that so.....that's unfortunate...." says Takayama & hangs up abruptly......

 

After putting Yoichi to bed, Asakawa sits alone in the living room, watching the video tape again. Frowning, Takayama's words ring in his ears "That video is the real thing.....if you don't do anything, you die in 13 days....."

 

Checking in on Yoichi, he finds the boy sound asleep......

 

On the memo board by the kitchen, he leaves a message for Yoichi "I'll be right back, sleep tight."

 

In the lab, Miyashita gets a phone call "Hello....." "It's Nagao....." "Ah, sensei...." "The test results are out....it's something totally unbelievable......" Miyashita listens anxiously........

 

Takayama looks out the window to see reporters still wandering about below, waiting. In the hallway Asakawa strides towards akayama's office. Takayama turns around & Asakawa tells him "You can't read people's minds.....you just merely show what's taken for granted.... " Getting up from his desk, Takayama smiles "You've learnt a lot.....if you didn't do that you wouldn't be a suitable partner for me...." "Partner?" "You would be of no use to my ability....you would die after the 13th day...." "I don't believe in your so called powers...you took the trouble to call me...but you didn't know whether or not I would show up so you were waiting.....why?....it's easy....that's because you also need me.....if I die you you're afraid that you won't be able to live either.....the both of us need each other....am I wrong?" "You're only half correct with your conjecture...." "What?" "Without a doubt, I have an interest in this curse....for that reason I need you....but unfortunately, I'm not afraid of dying.....unlike you, I don't have anything to lose....the voice I heard over the phone....that was your son, wasn't it...." Asakawa frowns & then asks instead "I have a question.....did you really kill Professor Kaneda by using a curse?" Takayama looks at him "Yes I did....." Asakawa returns the look, disbelief on his face. Takayama starts to explain "Two days before the Professor's death, I made a call to his home....." 

 

Flashback to when Takayama tells Kaneda "On the right hand 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....." 

 

To Asakawa, Takayama explains "It was not clairvoyance....whether the sofa & table are on the right or left side, that merely depends on how one looks at it...when I said that it was the right hand sight, he merely assumed it was correct....." Asakawa asks "What about the whiskey?" Takayama replies "That's even simpler....the Professor loves to get involved....he would attend journal discussions with a bottle of whiskey once every three days....all the whiskey bottles would be 'just opened'.......& then...." 

 

Flashback to when Takamaya makes the second phone call to Kaneda "This is the last phone call I'll make....when tomorrow comes it'll be too late....." 

 

Takayama continues his explanation to Asakawa "Do you the effect that had on the Professor? He signed a contract with a home security company....everyone thinks that curses can be countered by a home security that is managed by computer systems.....& after that, I broke into that computer system.....causing the circuit breaker to trip that night....." Takayama hits the light switch, throwing the office into darkness.....

 

Flashback to Kaneda's house, the staff from Channel Two are doing the live broadcast with the host saying "....at this moment, nothing is out of place.....do such things as curses really exist?.....the spot lights are turned on, blinding Kaneda.....

 

"All of a sudden it is total darkness.....'your eyes will never open again'.....those were the words of my curse to Professor Kaneda.....no matter what sort of curses you're dealing with, there's always a need for setting the stage before hand.....candles, straw dolls, things like that are common....that's all I started out to do....the rest was accomplished by the genuine power of the curse.......please, this way....." Takayama moves to his computer & Asakawa follows without a word. Sitting down in front of his computer, Takayama says "I've transferred the video into the computer's hard disk....doing that will allow me to run various analytical programs on it....first, take a look at that monitor over there....." On the monitor, the video of Matsuzaki Nao comes on. Takayama continues "Playing it over a number of times, I found a couple of strange messages hidden in it...." Pausing the video, Takayama points out "First, take a look at this faint spot on the screen....it appears that there's something there that you can't see it with the naked eye.....however I found these images underneath...." Takayama enlarges the hidden images & Asakawa leans forward, looking at the eerie image "A baby?" Takayama nods "Probably....." The baby moans a creepy sounding wail. Takayama continues "There's another image like this...." With a few clicks, a ghostly figure of a man appears, coming forward with a desolate groan & turns into an gross-looking strange image. Asakawa grimaces. Takayama goes back to the video "& take a look at this 'noise' running down the screen....I'll analyze this part too...." As a portion of the line across the screen is enlarged, Asakawa asks "Human eyes?" "Yes.....when the entire image is put together......" Asakawa looks at the composite image "A woman looking into a mirror......" With a few more clicks, Takayama adds "There's one more image......" showing an image of a mountain range. "There's no message, just noise......I've found something strange.....I've analyzed this many times....it's a strange voice...." A digitized voice says something unrecognizable. Asakawa looks shocked "Is this video for real?" Takayama doesn't answer his question, merely adds "There is something even more terrifying....on this screen, there are words hidden behind.....here, this bit here, here, here & here.....it's to enforce the hidden suggestions....." Words appear on screen in the places mentioned & Asakawa reads them "A curse has been cast on you....13 days later at this moment in time....you will die.....there is only one way to be saved.....& that is......" Asakawa asks "What's after that?" anxiety filling his voice. Without a word, Takayama hits a key & the video is cut off. Asakawa turns around & looks at him "What's wrong?!" Takayama coolly replies "The video ends here..." "What?!" "There's nothing else in the video after this...." Stunned, Asakawa stares at the screen, loss for words. Takayama smiles.......

 

The clock ticks........

 

 

 

 

12 days left......