Asakawa stares at the screen, aghast "Why?!" Takayama smiles "Who knows....I'm afraid the video was turned off...." turning the lights back on "...or, it was done on purpose...." In frustration, Asakawa grips the side of the table "So what's the answer?!" Takayama starts laughing. Frowning, Asakawa glares at Takayama "You find this funny?! You look delighted...." Takayama nonchalantly replies "Shouldn't you be pleased? At the very least we now know that there is a way of being saved....." Asakawa stops, realizing the truth in Takayama's words. Taking the CD from the computer, Takayama says "I've made a copy for you....perhaps you might find a hint or two....." handing the CD to Asakawa. After a long pause, Asakawa reluctantly takes it. Takayama smiles, half to himself "Looks like it's becoming an interesting game......."

Asakawa drives home, deep in thought......

At the Musashino Medical University, Miyashita waits alone in the lab. Suddenly, the door opens & Nagao walks in. Startled, Miyashita gets to her feet "Sensei!" Nagao tells her "The test results are out.....it isn't a virus....& you haven't been infected....." Miyashita nods, sighing in relief "Thank God....." "At least it's not the worst possible outcome....." "What was the cause of death of all the mice?" "That is something totally unbelievable.....heart failure....." "Heart failure?" "Yes.....when autopsies were performed on the mice, the circulation had been cut off & the heart cavity severely under pressure....looking through the microscope, we found that the cells had mutated...." "You mean all the mice had the same symptoms at the same time?" "Yes....."

Returning home, Asakawa checks in on Yoichi, finding him fast asleep. Sitting alone a the table, Asakawa runs his hands tiredly through his hair. The time on the clock says 11.50pm....

one day gone.....

Asakawa recalls watching the video again......

at this moment in 12 days time....

I will die........

what's happening inside me now?

 

Staring at his reflection on the TV screen, he sees the images of the baby, the creature, girl in the mirror, the mountain range.....

 

As Miyashita prepares to leave the lab at the university, the phone rings "Hello....." "It's Asakawa....." "Oh hi....." "Sorry to bother you...." "No you're not....." "You're working really late....." "Well, something happened at the lab.....all the mice we were experimenting on died of heart failure....we've been trying to find the cause....." "So did you?" "No....nothing at all.....ah, we've put in a request to perform the autopsy of the superintendent from Yatsugatake at Musashino........anything wrong?" "Will you run some tests on me?" "You're not feeling well?" Hearing Asakawa's reluctance to speak, Miyashita agrees "Alright.....tomorrow afternoon......come by the hospital...." "I will....." replies Asakawa.......

 

Returning home, Takayama finds Mai asleep, a music box playing in her hands. Quietly taking it from her, he closes it. Walking out into the room, someone suddenly pounces on him from behind, scaring him. Mai grabs the music box from Takano & opening, calms down when she hears the music. Shocked at the sudden reaction from Mai, Takayama stares at her, worried, breathing heavily.......

With a sigh of relief, Miyashita leaves the lab & locks up, ripping out the 'no admittance' sign stuck on the door.....

In his room, Asakawa sits in worried contemplation. With the switch to the table lamp in his hands, he turns it on, then off, on, then off, not noticing Yoichi at the door, staring at him.......

At breakfast, Asakawa notices Yoichi at the table not saying anything "What's wrong Yoichi? You're deep in thought....." Yoichi stares at his father for the longest while before saying "You too...." Asakawa replies "Alright, I won't do that today....let's eat....." starting on breakfast. Yoichi follows with a quiet "itadakimasu....."

Dropping Yoichi off at school, Asakawa sounds the horn "parp, parp-parp-parp,parp!" but Yoichi merely stares back at him, not saying a word. Asakawa asks "What's wrong?" & gets out of the car. Without a word, Yoichi suddenly runs towards him, grabbing a hold of his father. Asakawa says "Hey, what's with that sad face? Smile.....what's this, being stubborn today?" Yoichi replies "A ghost will come..." However, Asakawa not thinking anything of Yoichi's comment, merely says "Uhm...I'll come by & pick up up as soon as I can, go on in......" Yoichi turns & runs inside. Asakawa watches the teacher greet him "Yoichi-kun, good morning!" "Good morning!" chirps Yoichi as he runs in but suddenly stops, turns around & stares at his father driving off.......

At the talent agency, Matsuzaki's manager tells Yoshino "The reaction to the broadcast by Matsuzaki Nao has been fantastic..." Yoshino says excitedly "Really?" "Take a seat..." "Thanks....." "There was surprisingly a lot of interest generated.....there's been a ton of phone calls & faxes...here, I got this from the radio station...." "All of this?" Yoshino says, surprise at the response....

Back at the office, Yoshino & Kawamura are analyzing the results. On a map of Japan, Kawamura's stuck different colored pins "The green color represents those that first heard of the rumor a month ago, the yellow color 2 months ago & the red color 3 month ago....I've separated everything by time....." Yoshino takes a look "Do you notice anything in particular?" "Well, how shall I put it....feels like it started from the Kanto region & spread outwards to the rest of the country......could be something, could be nothing..." "Anything else?" "Maybe we'll discover more once we start on the article..." Yoshino glares at him & Kawamura looks away sheepishly. Asakawa enters the room "You're here...what are you doing?" Excitedly, Yoshino explains "Look at this....we got all this response from the survey that was done on Matsuzaki Nao's radio broadcast yesterday....we're working on this right now...." Kawamura eagerly introduces himself "Pleased to meet you....I'm Kawamura from the news section...." Yoshino says "This is Asakawa from the copy editing department....my boss.....I've been under his wing for a long time...." Kawamura replies "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu....." Asakawa however, ignores him & asks Yoshino "Who's the person in charge of Matsuzaki Nao at the talent agency?" Yoshino takes a card out from her organizer "It's someone by the name of Yagi-san....." Taking the card, Asakawa strides out without another word, leaving Yoshino calling out after him "Senpai?"

At the talent agency, Yagi takes a video tape & gives it to Asakawa "I haven't seen it but what has it got to do with the rumor?" Asakawa explains "Just a rumor that the video is a little strange....that there's something appearing in it that shouldn't have been there....." Yagi laughs "You mean there's a spirit in the background or something? or something recorded by a friend? Isn't it possible that the signals from another channel were superimposed? I'm sure it's that...." Asakawa asks "Do you know when this was broadcast?" Yagi checks he's schedule "Wait a minute....ah, three months ago....October 3rd...from 1 to 1.30 in the morning....it was broadcast in the Kanto region.....a local program......" "Do you know the exact time this song was aired?" Asakawa asks, urgency in his voice.....

At the kindergarten, the teacher tells the kids "Gargle three times....." getting them to brush their teeth. However, Yoichi merely stands with the other kids, motionless, staring at the water flowing from the tap.....

At the broadcast studio, a guy says to Asakawa "...that's common...superimposing one image on the other so you'd have say two faces on screen...." Asakawa asks "What about including a picture or message onto the image?" "Well, thinking about it....you could probably send different radio waves interrupting the broadcast...." "Different radio waves?" "Yes....radio waves are governed by law...but, lawbreakers can still interfere with the radio waves....like overseas, there are some incidences where people superimpose their own messages into broadcasts....for example, look over here...." Asakawa walks over & takes a look at two monitors, both with identical landscapes on screen. The guy continues "Say this one is being broadcast by the TV station....& this one, is the other image...." changing the landscape into an image of a rose. "This is the one that's going to interfere with the original broadcast....so mixing both signals together, you get this....." The image of the rose appears together with the landscape, one imposed on the other. "When the interfering signal is strengthened, you get the image from the interfering signal....." The landscape disappears completely as the image of the rose takes over. Asakawa stares at the screen, grimfaced.....

Coming out of the studio, Asakawa makes a call "Yoshino, it's Asakawa...." Excitedly, Yoshino replies "Ah senpai....just wait a little while more....in about two or three hours I'll have finished with the faxes.....I think we'll get great response from today's broadcast as well...." "Forget about that....." "Eh?" "I need you to check something out for me....take this down....on Oct 3rd from 1.07 to 1.10am, check if there were any interfering radio signals in the Kanto region.....the stations would certainly have the information....." When Yoshino doesn't answer, Asakawa asks "Are you listening Yoshino?" Annoyed, Yoshino replies "Just what do you take me for?" "Eh?" "Telling me to check something out one moment & telling me to stop the next....what you're up to, what you're looking for....you won't tell me anything.....are you even have any consideration for my feelings?....if you have no more use for those faxes I'll burn them...that will be ok with you I'm sure....." "Wait a minute Yoshino.....I'm sorry about this...." "If there's something you want to check out, please do it yourself....I have my own work to do....I am no longer your subordinate....." Yoshino hangs up on Asakawa.....

At the Musashino Medical University, Nagao approaches Miyashita as she's heading for the lab "Miyashita-kun...." "Yes?" "I'd like to have your opinion on something....." "Sure......" In the lab, Nagao says "You've heard of the scholar Takayama Ryuji?" Miyashita nods "Yes....that he apparently killed someone using a curse has become quite a hot topic of discussion....." "Actually I've got an acquaintance in the police force...he asked me for my opinion on this case....the police think that there must be a trick somewhere....in any case I don't believe in curses.....however the older I get, the more stubborn I become....it's pathetic but I don't even remember what happened yesterday anymore....." Nagao takes a video tape out from an envelope "This is a copy of the program....it shows the moment of the Professor's death....if it's possible, I'd like you to see what you come up with....." Miyashita nods, albeit hesitatingly "I understand....I'll take a look at it......I don't believe in curses either......" 

At the kindergarten, Yoichi's teacher comes running out, anxiously calling out "Yoichi-kun! Yoichi-kun!" desperately looking for him. "Inoue-sensei, what's wrong? Inoue-sensei?"

Yoichi walks along the streets....alone......as if in a daze.....

At the hospital, Miyashita hands Asakawa a card "Take this medical records & go for the tests....come back here with them when you're done....I'll see you later....." 

Yoichi walks alone under a bridge, just outside the Suidoubashi train station, looking around, running his hands together to keep warm. Overhead, the trains trundle by noisily.....

Asakawa, undergoing medical tests at the university, turns off his cell phone......

Yoichi enters a phone booth & pulling out his father's business card from his pocket, attempts to make a call....

At the Chuo Shinbun office, a lady answers the call "Hello? You're looking for Asakawa?" Walking by just at that moment, Yoshino pauses & listens to the lady saying "Hello? Who's speaking please? If there's nothing important I'm going to hang up...." Yoshino leans forward "What's wrong?" "I think it's a prank...sound like a kid's voice....." she replies, about to hang up the phone. Yoshino grabs it "Sorry, let me take it....hello? Hello?" On the other hand, the phone is hanging freely off the hook. Yoshino hears the train station announcement "Next stop Suidoubashi....." Quickly hanging up, Yoshino dashes out of the office.....

Asakawa, not knowing what's happened to Yoichi, calmly continues with his medical examination, going through a CAT scan.....

Yoshino runs towards the Suidoubashi train station, looking around for phone booths. Desperately searching, she comes across a string of them nearby & find Yoichi slumped on the floor inside one of them, unconscious & breathing heavily. "Yoichi-kun?! What's wrong?! Hold on! Yoichi-kun!" Yoshino tries to wake the boy up, panicking....

Alone in his office, Takayama watches the video tape on the computer........

Yoshino rushes down the hospital corridor, following the nurses wheeling an unconscious Yoichi into the examination room. "Please wait outside......" says the nurses & Yoshino reluctantly halts her footsteps, looking anxious..... 

Tests completed, Asakawa sits motionless at the table in Miyashita's lab, waiting. Miyashita enters.....

Yoshino makes a call "Hello, senpai?!" but only gets the recorded message "The subscriber you are trying to reach is not available. If you would like to leave a message, please wait for the beep." At that moment, the doctor comes out of the examination room....

Back in the lab, Miyashita looks through Asakawa's test results "Blood test, CAT scan, heart test....all looks normal..." Asakawa looks disappointed "I see...you didn't find anything....." Surprised, Miyashita asks "What's wrong? You're not happy with being healthy?" "No....just supposing......if someone were prone to die a sudden death, will an examination discover anything?...I'm just saying for example....like recently, there's been a number of seemingly healthy people who have just died unexpectedly....." "Well...you hear of it often enough but most of the time people take their health for granted or just don't notice any changes to their own bodies....if they go for proper checkups, I'm sure any problems will be discovered.....not to mention that people prone to dying are unheard of....is there something bothering you?" Asakawa replies "No.....thank you for everything today...." getting to his feet. "Don't mention it....." replies Miyashita, wondering at Asakawa's strange behavior......

Walking to his car, Asakawa turns on his cell phone, checking for messages. His face changes to one of worry & he throws the phone onto the passenger seat, gets in the car & speeds off, tires screeching......

In the hospital, Yoshino sits by Yoichi's bedside, looking anxious.....

Stuck in a traffic jam, Asakawa mutters "Yoichi......" Arriving at the hospital, Asakawa frantically heads for the information counter "I'm looking for Asakawa Yoichi....." "He's on the second floor, room 5......" "Thank you....." Asakawa rushes up the stares, running down the hallway....

At the sound of the door opening, Yoichi, conscious, turns to look "Papa....." Asakawa anxiously moves to the bed, putting his hand on his son "Yoichi......" Yoshino tells him "Apparently he was too cold....luckily he didn't get pneumonia....." "I see...." "The doctor said that as long as he gets some rest, he'll be alright.....only....it seems that mentally, there might be a problem....." "Mentally?" "Yes....." 

Sitting outside along the hallway, Yoshino explains "Although Yoichi-kun hasn't said anything....something has happened that is seriously bothering him.....the doctor suggested that it could be the reason for him falling ill.....I was trying to get a hold of you, where have you been all this while?" Asakawa merely answers "I'm sorry....." Yoshino says "Please tell what's happened....I know something terrible has happened to you....." but Asakawa replies "Nothing's happened....." Yoshino, not giving up, presses on "Stop hiding it! What did you see in Yatsugatake?! What did you talk to Takayama Ryuji about?! What was on that tape you tried to hide?!" Asakawa tells her "Stop it.....really, it's nothing....." keeping the truth to himself. Yoshino looks away, upset "Do you know what Yoichi-kun, lying in that bed, said to me?" Asakawa turns to look at her "Eh?"

Yoshino recalls sitting by Yoichi earlier, smiling when Yoichi wakes up "Yoichi-kun....." Yoichi mumbles "Papa...." "What is it?" "Please save papa.....please save papa......"  

Yoshino continues "Hearing that....he must be suffering & yet, he told me 'please save papa'...Yoichi-kun has been worrying about you......he left the kindergarten & went looking for you....." Asakawa looks at her "Why?" "He knows that you are suffering!" Asakawa gets to his feet, not saying a word. Yoshino adds "No matter how you try to hide it.....no matter how you behave....if you're feeling uneasy, it shows because you're important to everyone around you.....that's why everyone will be troubled if you don't brighten up....everyone will suffer.....I'll do anything in my power to help....that's why, please tell me everything!" With a big sigh, Asakawa replies "No.....it's not something that I want you to get involved in.....it's too dangerous...." Yoshino upset "Why? Wasn't it you who taught me to never turn away to get to the truth?! Wasn't it you who taught me never to believe anything unless I saw it with my own eyes?!" pleading with him. Asakawa finally raises his voice "That is not the issue!!" Stunned, Yoshino stares at him, not saying anything. Gathering himself, Asakawa calmly tells her "You'll understand eventually....until then I won't say anything.....sorry...." With a nod & a quiet "Excuse me....." Yoshino strides off......

At her office, Miyashita watches the taped video program of the professor "....do curses really exist? The moment of one's destiny approaches...." As the camera lights shines on the professor, blinding him, a puff of dust particles seem to float towards him before the lights go out. "What's happened? It's the circuit breaker! Get it up! Hurry!" Miyashita plays back the video again & the white puff of dust catches her eye. Playing back the tape once more, confirming her suspicions, she makes a phone call "Hello? Nagao-sensei? This is Miyashita....I've just watched that video regarding that incident....the curse by Takayama Ryuji....I believe I've got a possible answer...." 

At the hospital, Asakawa sits by his son's bed "Yoichi....there's nothing to worry about....I'll always be with you.....let's go somewhere when you get better....where would you like to go?.....Is there anything you want?" Yoichi shakes his head. Asakawa says "If you get up in the middle of the night to look for something you'll wake me up....." "Papa....." "Hm?" "I want to go home....." Father & son stare at each other.....

Carrying Yoichi in his arms, Asakawa walks into the hallway with a nurse hovering around him "It would be better if he stayed in the hospital tonight...."  However, Asakawa insists "It's alright...." "Please take care..." "Thank you very much....." "Please take the medication on time....." Asakawa nods, striding down the hallway with Yoichi, taking him home......

With Yoichi tucked asleep in bed, Asakawa goes into his room. After a moment's hesitation, he sits in front of his computer, playing the CD on his computer. With a frown on his face, deep concentration, he studies the Matsuzaki Nao video. Suddenly, his eyes widen & he pauses the video. Clicking the mouse numerous times forwarding the video frame by frame, he notices a black screen coming on. He notes the time it appears & repeats the process, taking down the time whenever the black screen appears. Looking at the notes, Asakawa mutters to himself "The shutter blinks once every five to seven seconds....what's this?" Tiredly, Asakawa rubs his eyes, blinking "That's it!" At that moment, the doorbell rings......

Looking through the peephole in the door, Asakawa pauses, then opens the door "Hi....." Yoshino, looking contrite, stands at the doorway "When I went to the hospital, they said you'd gone home....I was thinking you might be hungry...." holding up a bag of groceries. Looking remorseful, Yoshino bows apologetically "I'm sorry about what I said earlier....." Going into the kitchen, she asks "Is Yoichi-kun alright?" "Yes...he's asleep...." "I see...." "I've got something to tell you....." Yoshino starts but Asakawa, putting on his jacket, replies "Sorry....I've got to go someplace....I'll be right back...please keep an eye on Yoichi...." "Senpai..." "I'm sorry....." Asakawa leaves.....

At the lab looking at a picture of a flower on the computer screen, police officer Kashiwada asks "It's an African plant?" Miyashita replies "Yes....it's called Gobrel & contains an unusual poison....originally, plants build up poisons for their stationary defense.....here's some information on the Gobrel's behavior during day & night...." Handing the officers a book, Miyashita continues "....so for that purpose, when it is exposed to a strong light source, it quickly expels the poison to the surface of the plant....what if this poison was somehow carefully administered to the victim......" Kashiwada ponders "The light....." Komura adds speculating "That's right, the light would be strong enough for the poison to be effective...." Miyashita nods "If it is concentrated enough, there is the danger that human beings can be killed by the poison...." Kashiwada mutters speculating "So does this mean that the Professor Kaneda was killed by a spotlight that had been coated with a concentrated amount of poison?" Miyashita warns "However, what I'm saying is merely a possibility...." Kashiwada assures her "You've found out a lot, thank you for your help......" "Not at all......"

Asakawa heads for the University of Meiwa. As soon as he steps into Takayama's office, seated at his desk without turning around, Takayama speaks "You've been to the hospital.....you've undergone tests......" Eyes widening in surprise & wrinkles appearing on his brow, Asakawa lifts a sleeve & sniffs at himself. Takayama adds "Medical science will not be able to explain anything....." Asakawa looks at him "Is it the smell of disinfectant?" No reply from Takayama. Asakawa says "I've found out something else......the meaning of those images......"  Takayama slowly turns around, wordlessly, giving Asakawa a look, & getting a hard stare in return......

Playing the video on the computer, Asakawa clicks the mouse "Watch it carefully......there's a 'shutter' in this video....every 5 to 7 seconds, this black screen appears....any ideas why?" Takayama looks up, waiting for Asakawa to answer his own question "Someone's  blinking.....it's like watching the scenes through someone's eyes....." Takayama looks puzzled "Whatever for?" "I still don't know yet.....& another thing....." Asakawa slots the video tape he got from Matsuzaki's talent agency into the player "This was superimposed onto the program....this was broadcast on October 3rd from 1.07 to 1.10am around the Kanto region....I believe that the messages were superimposed onto this broadcast by interfering radio waves......I'm checking if there were any of those waves coming from some unknown place....I've got someone checking with the authorities as well.....I'll get the answer tomorrow....any questions?" Takayama replies "I've got only one.....do you really believe that this is two videos?" Asakawa asks "What?" "Why would someone superimpose a video of scenes looking through someone's eyes?" "We'll ask that person when we catch a hold of him....." Just then Asakawa's cell phone rings, once, twice but doesn't move to answer it. Finally Takayama tells him "Go ahead....."

Asakawa takes the call "Hello, it's Yoshino...." Asakawa asks anxiously "Is something wrong?!" but Yoshino assures him "Don't worry about Yoichi-kun...right now he's sound asleep......" "I see....." "I said I had something to tell you earlier....I thought the sooner I did, the better.....regarding the interfering waves you asked me to check up on....on October 3rd between 1.07 to 1.10am....I checked the records of the broadcasting stations in the Kanto region & also those in the Shizuoka, Yamanashi & Nagano regions as well just in case....." "And?" "There were no records of any interfering waves.....you can check with them tomorrow.....come back as soon as you can, bye......" Stunned, Asakawa hangs up the phone....

Hearing a chuckle, he turns to look at Takayama say "There were no interfering radio waves.....you should know that by now....actually no, you would have known before you came here.....however, you didn't want to admit it....why are you turning away? Isn't the answer staring you right in the face? The easiest answer....." Asakawa replies, "It can't be.....it's just not possible!" Takayama turns back to look at the monitor "I noticed one more thing in this video....." Asakawa glances at the screen as the images of the baby & then the girl in the mirror appears. Takayama continues "Look at it carefully....don't you think this is strange? Why isn't there a camera in the mirror? If it was taken from this angle, the camera would have certainly appeared in the mirror.....to film this image in the first place isn't possible....." Asakawa swallows, blinking at the thought. Takayama stares at the screen "The camera that doesn't appear in the mirror.....the blinking of an eye like a shutter....in other words, images seen through someone's eyes....." Askasawa stares at him, unable to speak. Takayama comes to a conclusion with a tone of finality "This is nensha....." (spirit photography; mentally projecting images onto film). Asakawa, dumbstruck, listens to Takayama add "These images have been projected onto this video...it's not considered as anything strange....this has been historically recorded in physical sciences...the constant exchange of 'plus' & 'minus' electric waves exist in the nerve tissue in the human brain....we call that paranormal science.....the shape of the images that you've seen, they exist as an electric signal in your brain.....the fact that you deny the existence of nensha, is in fact denying science....do you have any questions?" Asakawa grimaces. Takayama gets to his feet "If you know what nensha is all about, then it's the same as finding out the way to live.....the next thing to do is to....." 

At the sound of sirens, Takayama turns "This is unfortunate, the game ends here for me....." Asakawa stares at Takayama looking out the window, seeing police cars arrive down below.....

Police officers Kashiwada & Komura arrive in Takayama's office. Glancing at Asakawa, Kashiwada asks "& he is?" Takayama calmly replies "A friend.....it doesn't matter, go ahead & speak...." "If it's alright, we'd like to clarify something with you regarding the Professor Kaneda's death...." Taking some documents from Komura, Kashiwada puts it on Takayama's table "Do you know of a plant called the Gobrel? But you would know of course.....it's also written in your thesis......this plant, the Gobrel, appears to secrete a poison when exposed to light...if this was used, then it's a crime....." Takayama sits in his chair, unmoving, unfazed. Asakawa queries "Takayama?" Kashiwada asks "Are we correct?" Takayama chuckles "You've done some research I see....didn't think that you knew anyone with that much intelligence....." "Thank you for your compliment......" Kashiwada replies as Takayama gets to his feet. As Takayama walks out together with the police, Asakawa frowns "Hey, did you really....?" Takayama pauses & throws him a side glance. Without a word, Takayama walks off, leaving Asakawa wondering in frustration......

As Takayama walks down the corridor, Komura holds out his trench coat but Takayama stops "What for?" Kashiwada explains "The media are all outside the university....this is to save you the embarrassment....." However, Takayama coolly replies "Thank you for your consideration but there's no need for it....the police will be the last ones to be humiliated....." striding on undaunted.....

The media goes into a frenzy as Takayama appears "It's Takayama Ryuji! He's appeared & has been arrested by the police......" 

At home, Mai sits alone, eating something, wordlessly staring at the TV news broadcast of Takayama being taken away by the police.....

Asakawa steps out of the university & stares at the commotion......Takayama arrested, being driven off in a police car, the media trying to get pictures of Takayama, the sirens scream, piercing the air.......Asakawa, eyes grim.....

 

Just what is the only way to survive?

 

 

 

 

11 days left......