when today ends....

I'll have only ten days left.....

Yoshino & Yoichi have twelve & a half days left....

are there really any clues to be found on Oshima?

 

With Yoshino standing silently beside him, Asakawa stares at the frothy wake of the ferry......

 

At the hospital, Miyashita continues with the autopsy "This is strange, probe! The main artery to the heart....." "Looks like something....." "I wonder if this was impeding the blood flow to the heart." "Probably." "There doesn't seem to be any blood flow in the blood vessels." "What shall we do?" "Ah, first lets run some tests on it." "Alright." "Clipper." With the instrument, Miyashita picks up a small piece of bloody tissue & drops it into a glass jar......

 

At home, Takayama stares at the computer screen, reading the material when he suddenly hears the digitized voice from the video tape "unu wa da-sen....yogora wo ageru...." The screen suddenly changes to an image of Mai crawling on the floor towards him. Getting to his feet in fear, he steps back & in doing so, touches the TV set at his feet. It comes on & the same image of Mai crawling towards him. Whipping around, he stares at it. Suddenly looking towards the side of the room, he sees Mai crawling on the floor towards him, her words ringing in his ears "unu wa da-sen.....yogora wo ageru....." Frantically, Takayama reaches out for Mai's music box, struggling to open it. As Mai crawls towards him, he drops the box onto the floor......

 

With a start, Takayama wakes up, beads of perspiration on his forehead, breathing hard. Glancing at the monitor, he sees the material he was reading on screen. Turning to look at Mai, he sees her sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, asleep. Getting to his feet, Takayama takes a step towards Mai, staring at her sleeping face. Suddenly, he recalls her words "unu wa da-sen....yogora wo ageru...." Frowning, he turns away when he suddenly spots the musical box on the floor, right where he dropped it......

 

The ferry arrives at the port & as Yoshino is given a flower in greeting as she gets off. "Oh, it's already the season for Camellias!" Asakawa ponders "I guess we're the only gloomy ones." but Yoshino smiles brightly "I'm not feeling gloomy at all. Ah, where shall we start our search?" "For the time being let's start at the local visitor's center, we might find some information there on Yamamura Shizuko." "I'll go see if we can rent a car." "Alright."

 

As they drive along the coast, Yoshino looks out the window "Senpai...." "Hm?" "I said that if we came to Oshima that we might find a clue, shall I tell you what it is?" Askawa glances at her "Yeah." "Please stop the car." Asakawa pulls over & they both get out of the car. "Senpai, do you remember the shape of that mountain range that appeared on the video tape?" With a big grin, Yoshino takes the slip of paper with the outline of the mountain range sketched on it & holds it up "Look!" Asakawa looks at the outline & then at the mountain range of Miharayama right in front of them. Identical.

 

Yoshino comes running out of the Oshima City Visitor's Center "Then said that if we asked this person, he would be able to tell us. He lives in Kyodo Machi......" handing Asakawa a note. "Kyodo Machi......." Asakawa mutters, looking at the map. Yoshino adds "If we take this road......" They arrive at a man's home & make enquiries.....

 

with help from the local people....

we learnt that the Yamamura family ran

the Minshuku Yamamura Villa......

 

Out on his usual morning run, Takayama sees detective Kashiwada waiting for him "Don't worry, I'm not here today as a detective. In fact, I've resigned. I'm just here to say hello. To tell you the truth, when that incident happened with my son three years ago, I wanted to resign then. Thanks to you, I've been able to do it now." Takayama doesn't reply & starts running past him. However, Kashiwada says tauntingly "By the way, that sister of yours who's not blood related, Takano Mai-san....." Takayama stops in his tracks. Kashiwada continues "It appears she was a student of the late Professor Kaneda....& lately she hasn't made an appearance in school.....I'd like to meet with her......" With a frown, Takayama turns back & sees Kashiwada looking back at him, a sinister grin on his face. Takayama strides forward with a glare "Don't you come near my sister. You're no longer a detective."  Kashiwada quietly threatens "All the more reason., I finally have nothing left to lose. I'll follow you until the day I die." Both men exchange glares, locked in battle........

 

Asakawa makes a call to the office "This is Chuou Shimbun..." 'This is Asakawa, I'd like to take another day off. Could you please tell my boss?" "Please hold, your boss wants to speak to you." Asakawa's boss comes on "Asakawa! What's the meaning of this?" "I'm sorry, I'm spending the day with my son." "I'm not asking about that! Takayama Ryuji's release, did you threaten that detective?" "No I didn't." "I've spoken to Kawamura from the news section." Kawamura, standing next to the boss, tries to stop him "Don't say that...." but gets scolded "Shut up!" To Asakawa, he growls "Do you know what you're doing!? In any case, come back!" "I can't." "What?!" "I've got something that I need to do. I can't leave." "Stop this nonsense right now! Oi! Asakawa! Asakawa!" Pursing his lips, Asakawa hangs up.....

 

At the lab, Nagao & Miyashita make coffee using the lap equipment "I've heard about it...the cause of death wasn't a straightforward myocardial infarction?" "Yes, we found some strange cell tissue we hadn't ever seen before in the main artery." "Coagulated blood?" "We were amazed. Right now we're cultivating the cell tissue." "I see, I'll prepare some chemical reagents & give you a hand later." "Thank you." "Oh yes, that incident with Takayama Ryuji that I got you to help out with, it appears that the investigation has been called off." Miyashita looks surprised "You mean the investigation into the poisonous Gobrel?" "I'm not exactly sure, the detectives sounded strange when I spoke with them."

 

With Takayama Ryuji still on her mind, Miyashita sits in front of the computer & surfs to the Meiwa University official page & does a search on him. A list of his works appear & Miyashita starts reading. Suddenly, another colleague calls out "Miyashita-san!" Engrossed in what she's reading, she mutters "Hm?" "Please come here." "Wait just a second....." "Don't wait anymore, weren't you cultivating the cells from the tissue you found?" Shocked, Miyashita looks up "Eh? What?" going over. "It's been only three hours but......" Miyashita looks into the microscope as the assistant says "It looks dangerous, look at the speed with which it's proliferating." Stunned, Miyashita sees the cells spitting up & reproducing themselves with incredible speed......

 

Asakawa & Yoshino arrive at the Minshuku Yamamura Villa. Asakawa walks up to a deserted looking house "Is anyone there?" Not getting a reply, Asakawa & Yoshino split up & start looking around. Yoshino calls out "Hello? Is any one here? Hello?" Looking around, Yoshino gasps in shock when she sees a man holding an axe suddenly appear in front of her........

 

Inside the villa, Yoshino stares at the scary looking mask hanging on the wall. The lady in charge apologizes "I'm sorry, scaring you like that, please......" serving them tea. Asakawa says "Yoshino." Yoshino, intrigued by the mask, comments "That mask looks kind of scary." "That mask is said to represent the God of Protection in this village." "The God of Protection?" "Yes, it's an old hearsay that the god protects this village. There was a strange incident that happened just after the war. A man committed a robbery in Tokyo & fled to this island. Apparently he stayed right here in this villa. The very next day, his body was found cut up into pieces. There was a rumor that the people of this village believed that it was divine punishment." Asakawa & Yoshino sit listening intently, looking rather grim. The lady laughs "Of course we don't know if that was real or not." Nervously, Yoshino smiles "I see"

 

The door slides open & an elderly man walks in "Sorry to keep you waiting, I'm Yamamura Keiichiro. I understand you're here from Tokyo to gather information for an article." Asakawa takes his business card out & places it on the table "I'm Asakawa from Chuou Shimbun. We were planning to do a special feature on Oshima so we are gathering information from the local people here." "That's hard work, Asakawa-sama." "We understand that Yamamura Shizuko is your cousin?" "Yes, we used to play together when we were children." "Is Yamamura Shizuko around? If it's possible we'd like to speak with her directly as well." Yamamura looks surprised "Uhm, perhaps you don't know but.....Shizuko is no longer alive. She died about 50 years ago." Stunned, Asakawa exchanges glances with Yoshino.....

 

Kashiwada enters Takayama's home "Excuse me....I rang the bell but no one answered....." He looks around but doesn't see Takayama, only hears the tune from Mai's music box. Seeing it on the floor, Kashiwada bends down to pick it up. Shutting the cover with a snap, he suddenly sees Mai standing a few feet away, staring at him. Kashiwada says "Takano Mai-san?" taking a step forward. "You're Takano Mai...." Kashiwada suddenly finds Mai's hand grabbing his face. Staring intently at him, Mai scratches her fingers down his face......

 

In her room, sitting on the floor, calm. Mai eats something with her hands, blood dripping down her fingers, her mouth smudged with blood "Onichan....." In a trance, bloody scratch marks down his face, Kashiwada stands in the room, frozen......

 

Yamamura shows Asakawa & Yoshino an old photo of Shizuko, explaining "Shizuko was a different kind of child.....there was once when she predicted something would happen to my sister in Shizuoka...." 

 

Flashback to when Yamamura & Shizuko were children one evening. Shizuka suddenly says "Onichan, there'll be a funeral tomorrow...." "Who's?" "Your sister's...." "What are you saying, Shizu.....onechan is still alive....she's married & gone to Shizuoka....." "She'll die tomorrow....." "She'll live!" "She'll die......" 

 

Yamamura continues "Just like Shizuko said, my sister died the following day.... Not long after the end of the war, a brilliant professor arrived from Tokyo. He conducted various tests on Shizuko. A short while after, the both of them left for Tokyo. People around her objected but Shizuko insisted on going. I think she must have fallen in love with that professor from Tokyo. After that, Shizuko never returned to this island again...." Asakawa looks surprised "She never came back?" "Yes...." "But according to this article, she returned to her hometown...." "I'm afraid that's probably just speculation. When we received phone calls from the police, we told them the same thing. I'm sure of it, that was the summer of Showa 25th year...." At that moment, Asakawa's cell phone rings "Excuse me...."

 

Walking outside, Asakawa takes the call "Hello?" "It's Miyashita. I've completed the autopsy on that superintendent.....it looks like the cause of death is not just a simple heart failure...." Asakawa's eyes widen as he listens to Miyashita explain "In the case of a normal myocardial infarction, the arteries leading to the heart are constrict, causing the cardiovascular system to malfunction, resulting in cardiac arrest. In other words, the arteries are blocked & blood is unable to flow through. However in the case of that superintendent, the arteries were not constricted but the blood flow was impeded..." "What are you saying?" "A tumor....." "You mean cancer in the blood vessels?" Miyashita nods "Yes, yes....that's what I'm thinking it is. However, it is rare for tumors to appear in blood vessels. On top of that, the cells are regenerating themselves unusually fast. In any case, we're still trying to find out the source of these cells." "Is it a virus?" "Probably. If that's the case, it's a new strain of virus that we've never ever seen before. Hey, can you come by right away? I was thinking of explaining it more in detail to you...." "Actually, I'm in Oshima right now." "Oshima?" "Yes...." "Why are you in Oshima?" "Doesn't matter, looks like coming here was a mistake. I'll come back right away...." Hanging up, Asakawa notices the man with the axe that had surprised Yoshino earlier......

 

Coming back inside, Asakawa tells Yamamura "Thank you for everything, we'll be returning to Tokyo now...." "Since you've come all the way, you should at least spend the night here....." Asakawa explains "Something urgent came up....." glancing at Yoshino.....

 

In the car by the pier, Asakawa makes a call to Takayama "It's Asakawa....." Alone in his office, Takayama replies "Did you find anything?" "You were wrong in your assumptions. Yamamura Shizuko is no longer in this world, she died 50 years ago. On the other hand, I've got some news. It appears that during the autopsy of the superintendent from Yatsugatake, something strange has been discovered. I'm coming back to Tokyo right away...." Asakawa listens & then retorts "Stop this nonsense!" & hangs up, getting a questioning glance from Yoshino.....

 

Hanging up, Takayama sits down in front of the computer & checks the list of people who's accessed his site. His eyes narrow as he spots the name Miyashita among the list......

 

Outside a little restaurant, an old lady sits on a stool, singing to the baby in her lap. Inside, Asakawa & Yoshino are having a meal. Asakawa asks "What's wrong? Looking kind of glum...." "I was just thinking that coming all the way to Oshima, we could have at least had a better meal....." "ok, after this we'll go someplace else....." "I've already eaten....." "You should have said so earlier....." "Why do we have to look for a way to be saved?" Yoshino mutters, & then after a pause, adds "Time sure is passing very quickly....." Asakawa looks at her "Yoshino, there's no reason for you to be with me. I can look for the way to be saved myself, it's better if you spend the time you have in other ways. You might want to take your paid leave & spend it the way you like." Yoshino, as feisty as ever, replies "Stop talking that way as if we're giving up!" "I didn't mean that....." "Not to mention that you can't do it alone. Without some one sharp & smart like me, you don't know which way to go....." "Is that so?" "Yes, that's so...." "You don't believe in me?" "I don't....what were you angry about just now?" "Hm?" "In the car, you were mad about something...." "Oh, that....." "Did Takayama Ryuji say something that got to you again?" Asakawa sighs "He said that since we came all the way here, to go visit Yamamura Shizuko's grave...." "Visit her grave?" "I never had any intention of doing that.....he's got to be kidding.....because of him, one day's been wasted....." Yoshino ponders "Senpai...." "Hm?" "Just what is Takayama Ryuji's motive behind all this?" "Motive?" "He said that it's just a game but somehow I feel that he's got some other motive he's hiding.....feels like we've been had by him......" "He'll get his just deserts someday.....right now when the cause of those heart failures are found, we might find a way to be saved......I think it's time we get going...." Yoshino gets up from the table "Ah, this is on me today. You can pay when we go to a more expensive restaurant. Don't forget, you owe me..." "Hey!" 

 

Yoshino goes to the counter "Excuse me, how much is it?" "It's 1,500 yen..." "Got it....." As she's paying the bill, Yoshino notices the old lady sitting outside the restaurant singing a song. Suddenly the words catches her attention & she frantically runs over to the old lady "Excuse me..." "Yes?" "That song you're singing, what song is it?" "It's a lullaby, a local one..." The old lady sings & Yoshino interrupts "That it's...you said "da-sen" & something, just what does "da-sen" mean?" "da-sen means 'next year'..." Asakawa takes out his notebook & opens it, showing it to the old lady "& this, do you know what this means? "yogora wo ageru"..." "Oh, it means "to give birth to a baby"...." Asakawa stares at the words "Unu wa da-sen, yogora wo ageru...." in his notebook, muttering "You will give birth to a child next year....." 

 

Walking along at the pier, Yoshino says "It does seem like there's something going on here on this island after all....." Asakawa sighs "Uhm....." "I wonder what that 'having a baby' means....." "Maybe it refers to that baby in the video....the baby....the man...the mountains....." Asakawa ponders out loud, turning around & seeing the Miharaya mountain range in the distance..... 

 

Miyashita returns to the lab & notices someone waiting "Who are you?" Without turning around to face her, Takayama replies "You checked up on my writings on the internet, didn't you..." Miyashita doesn't appear impressed "So you're Takayama Ryuji-san? What brings you all the way here?"  Takayama approaches her "I've also read your various theses, it was very interesting...." "Thank you...." "You were the one that told the police about the poisonous Gobrel, weren't you...." "Yes...." "Unfortunately you are mistaken.....it isn't possible to prove that Gobrel was the cause of death....." "The police are still investigating that at the moment...." However, Takayama merely stares at her intently "Curses exist...." "Well then, it appears that we have different opinions..." replies Miyashita, stepping away from him. Takayama suddenly says "Asakawa Kazuyuki-san....." Miyashita stops in her tracks, turning back to look at him say "...you know him, don't you....do you know what's happening to him right now?" "Is there something between you two?" Takayama warns "He will be the next one to die...."

 

Asakawa & Yoshino decide to check out the Izu Oshima Volcanic Museum.....

 

Takayama continues "There is only one way to survive. If he doesn't find it, he will die. At this very moment he is looking for the one that put a curse on him. He doesn't believe in you......" Miyashita laughs "You must be joking....right now he's investigating the deaths of five people who died of heart failure...." "The five died because they were cursed." Miyashita sighs "The five did not die of curses. They had tumors in the blood vessels around their hearts...." "But what was the cause of those tumors? Abnormal DNA causing the cells to regenerate at incredible speed. But then what is the cause of the abnormal DNA? A virus? But then again, what is the cause of the virus?" Miyashita stares back at the rather intimidating Takayama, unable to reply. Takayama finally backs off "No matter where you look, you won't find the answer anywhere. You examine things too closely, & therefore, not able to see the whole picture. That is the limit of science. I know what it is like to feel despair.....you won't be able to save Asakawa-san...." Miyashita, however, merely nods "Is that all you wanted to say?" walking off. Takamayama nonchalantly takes a look at her experiments "I don't suppose you would consider stopping the culture of those cells?" Miyashita looks at him "What?" "This is the product of the curse, not something you can handle...." Takayama touches the chain & padlock around the cabinet containing the cell cultures. Miyashita quickly comes up & pushes him away "Don't be ridiculous!" "The tumor in the blood vessels, the cells propagating themselves, these are all the results of the curse. You've been drawn into the web of the curse....." "I'm afraid I don't believe in curses...." "You will fail." "You've got confidence, I'll give you that..." "I know what your future holds for you. You will be stunned into tears of despair at how powerless science can be. There's still time if you turn back now......" "I have nothing else to say to you....." Miyashita stands her ground, not giving in to Takayama's dominance. Finally, Takayama turns to leave but then pauses "Something dreadful is happening right now....you just haven't realized it yet......" With that, Takayama leaves, Miyashita with a frown on her face, releasing a tense sigh.....

 

Asakawa & Yoshino return to the Minshuku Yamamura Villa. Yamamura looks surprised "Weren't you leaving for Tokyo?" Asakawa replies "No, we've decided to stay as we're very interested in this island. Would it be alright for us to stay the night?" Yamamura looks at them, wrinkling his brow in apprehension but quickly nods "Of course, you're very welcome here....." 

 

Inside, Yamamura serves them tea "You can have these two rooms....." Yoshino nods, accepting the tea. Asakawa says "We're planning on visiting Yamamura Shizuko's grave tomorrow....." Yamamura gives Asakawa a long assessing glance "Yamamura Shizuko's grave is not on this island...." Asakawa looks at him surprised "What?" "She was buried in Tokyo...." "Whereabouts in Tokyo?" "Please, don't ask any more about Shizuko....there are things that no one wants to remember...." Yamamura gets to his feet & leaves the room. Outside the corridor, the man with the ax appears & exchanges a silent glance with Yamamura. Yamamura leaves & the man approaches the door to Asakawa & Yoshino's room.....

 

Alone, Asakawa shows Yoshino some documents "In 1957, Showa 32nd year, Miharayama had a volcanic eruption. There were 11 deaths & 53 casualties in total. Look, over here.....this village is right at the foot of the volcano. However, there were no deaths or casualties, don't you think it's strange?" Yoshino stares at the records for Sashikiji "It certainly is strange..." "I checked with someone at the volcanic museum, apparently by some strange coincidence, everyone in that village had gone someplace, not a single one left behind...." "What's that suppose to mean?" "Everyone had evacuated the place before hand.....someone had predicted the eruption....." Yoshino stares at him "You don't mean....Yamamura Shizuko?" Asakawa silently answers with a knowing look. Yoshino adds "But Yamamura said that Shizuko died 50 years ago!" "He's lying.....didn't you notice? When he heard that we wanted to go visit Shizuko's grave, his expression suddenly changed...." Yoshino frowns "Yamamura Shizuko is alive? That's why her grave isn't here. What Takayama said was right!" 

 

Flashback to the phone call between Asakawa & Takayama "Since you're already there, why don't you pay a visit to Yamamura Shizuko's grave?"

 

Yoshino asks "But why?!" Asakawa sighs "I don't know....only that Yamamura Shizuko is probably close by...." Suddenly, both of them notice a shadow move outside their door. Exchanging glances, Asakawa gets up & slides the door open. He looks out but finds on one along the dimly lighted corridor.....

 

At the Musashino Medical University, Nagao & Miyashita are walking down a corridor "So it wasn't Gobrel after all....." Nagao replies "Yes, but it appears that investigating from that angle, the police discovered another kind of poison that killed the professor. That poison caused internal hemorrhaging & subsequently death. Takayama is officially cleared of all charges. At the very least, this doesn't official acknowledge the existence of curses." With that, Nagao strides down the corridor, leaving Miyashita thinking, recalling Takayama's words & warnings "it isn't possible to prove that Gobrel was the cause of death. Something dreadful is happening right now, you just haven't realized it yet......" With a sudden gasp, Miyashita suddenly sees the other lab assistant in front of her "I'm leaving for the day...." Miyahita smiles, putting on her coat "Alright, gokurousama. Going on a date?" "Uhm." "That's great." "I wonder....." "I'll see you tomorrow." "Bye." Everyone goes their separate ways.......

 

In his home, Takayama stares at Mai, sitting on the floor, music box playing. Going down on his heels in front of her, he asks "What's wrong?" Suddenly Mai reaches out & puts her arms around him in a tight embrace, tears in her eyes. "Mai.....it's alright, there's nothing to worry about....Mai....."  

 

From Oshima, Asakawa makes a call to Yoichi "Are you being a good boy?" Standing on a chair so he can reach the phone, Yoichi calls out please "Papa!" "Are you taking care of the house properly?" "Yes!" "What did grandma make for you today?" "Prawn fritters!" "That's great...." "Papa...." "Hm?" "When are you coming home?" "I'll be back as soon as I can....." "When is that? Papa?" "Probably tomorrow...." "Really?!" "Yes, cross my heart....but you have to be a good boy....." "I will....." "Alright then, goodnight....." "Goodnight......" With a grim frown of worry, Asakawa hangs up......

 

A few minutes before minute. Asakawa is tossing & turning in his futon. A soft knock & Yoshino's voice softly saying "Senpai....are you asleep?" "What's wrong?" "I can't sleep...I keep thinking about what that lady said this afternoon....." "Idiot, how can you believe something like that?" "It's not that but....." Suddenly, Yoshino slides his door open, surprising him "Hey......" Yoshino, dragging her futon with her, comes into his room "Can I sleep here too?" "Of course you can't!" "There's something strange in my room...." "It's just your imagination....you can't sleep here!" At Asakawa's tone of finality, Yoshino moves back into her own room. Staring at the masks believed to be the God of Protection hanging on the wall, she takes a deep breath, turns out the light & slips under the covers. Feeling something strange, Yoshino suddenly opens her eyes & looks around. Glancing at the masks, sits straight up in fright when light shines right through the eyes of the masks. Bravely getting up, she approaches the wall & slowly slides up, looking through the eyes of the masks, scaring herself when she sees another pair of human eyes staring right back at her. Terrified, she goes back to her futon & tosses the covers over her, huddling underneath it. Calming down, she peeps out from under the covers but the masks looks normal. Suddenly, Yoshino hears creepy creaking sounds outside her door. Rushing into Asakawa's room, she wakes him up "Senpai, Wake up! Senpai, wake up! Something's wrong!"

 

Dressed & with flashlight in hand, Asakawa & Yoshino leave the house going outside & taking a look. Asakawa says "There's nothing here, you must have dreamt it...." "No way I could have dreamt it! Someone was peeping into my room & then left after that...." Yoshino gives a sudden gasp & shoves Asakawa behind the corner of the house, out of sight. They look into the trees & see someone walking away. Asakawa grabs the flashlight from Yoshino & they start to follow, Yoshino hanging onto the back of Asakawa's jacket. Suddenly Yoshino slips but when she gets to her feet, the person they were following has disappeared. Yoshino asks puzzled "Where did he go?" Asakawa sighs, looking at her....

 

The next morning, the man with the ax is chopping firewood outside the villa.....

 

The door slides open & Yoshino walks out with Asakawa, Yamamura following them "Did you sleep well last night?" Opening his car door, Asakawa replies "Yes...." "What are you going to do now?" "We'll look around until it's time for the ferry....." "I see, come again....." "Thank you....." The moment their car drives away, the smile on old Yamamura's face disappears & the man chopping firewood comes out to take a look. Both men exchange mysterious, apprehensive looking glances......

 

Leaving the car by the side of the road, Asakawa & Yoshino walk into the forest. Coming to a couple of logs on the grown, Yoshino says "This is where we lost him last night...." Asakawa nods "Uhm...." Looking around, Yoshino spots something "Senpai, over there....." A hut hidden in the trees. They approach it & Asakawa touches the padlock on the door. Walking around & looking the hut over, Asakawa says "There's no one here....." Just as they turn to leave, a gust of wind blows. Asakawa carries on walking but Yoshino turns around, looking back at the hut "Senpai! Senpai, hurry!" Asakawa walks back "What's wrong?" Yoshino points to the hut, her voice barely a whisper "Over here....." Right before their eyes, the words "Shizuko" appears on the wall of the hut....

 

Asakawa bangs away at the padlock with a piece of wood. It finally gives way. Opening the door with a creak, both of them enter the old hut. Seeing a flickering light behind a paper door, they approach it quietly. Sliding it open, they see an old lady with white hair, murmuring to herself "....da-sen.....yogora wo ageru...." Asakawa says "You're Yamamura Shizuko-san, aren't you...." However, she doesn't reply, must murmurs. "You imposed your name onto the wall, didn't you.....were you the one who made that video?" With a sigh, the lady lapses into silence. Asakawa continues "A curse has been cast on you. You will die in 13 days. You made that, didn't you..." Without looking at them, the old lady gives a slow nod. Asakawa adds "We've seen that video, not only us....but five people have already died.....why did you do that? How can we be saved?" Yoshino pleads "Onegaishimasu! Please tell us! Please! Why?" Suddenly the old lady speaks "There is one thing that you have to do...." Asakawa & Yoshino look at her hopefully but she merely says "Come back again, I will tell you everything then......" Suddenly the candle goes out, throwing the hut into darkness. Light from the outside streams through the cracks of the wooden planks & falls onto Yamamura Shizuko. With foreboding dread, Shizuko says "Another disaster will befall this island!" 

 

Another ferry arrives on Oshima & Takayama steps onto the port. He starts walking, passing a girl before suddenly stopping dead in his tracks. Turning around, a frown of shock appears on his face as he sees Mai staring back at him, hair flying wildly in the wind. Suddenly, he hears a voice & grabs his head in pain "Onichan! Stop it onichan!" seeing a little girl covered in blood, yelling at him. Taking deep breaths, he looks back & Mai's not there.......

 

At the lab, Miyashita sticks the key into the door but finds it already unlocked. Surprised, she steps inside "Good morning......" Looking around, she doesn't see anyone. Suddenly, shock appears on her face & she rushes to the cabinet which contained the cell cultures. The padlock broken, the door open, cell cultures missing......

 

Back at the hut, Asakawa presses Shizuko, his voice urgent "What disaster are you talking about? Please tell us!" Shizuko grimaces in pain. Suddenly, an ax pounds on the door. Whipping around at the sound, Asakawa & Yoshino see old Yamamura & the man with the ax behind him, glaring ominously back at them. Yamamura Keiichiro says coldly "You have seen something that you weren't suppose to see......" Asakawa & Yoshino stare back in horror.....

 

 

 

 

9 days left.......