Staring at the image of the baby on the monitor, Yoshino asks "What mistaken assumption did we make?" Asakawa replies "All this while we've assumed that this baby is Sadako herself. But that's wrong. All the images here are what Sadako's seen so it's not possible that this baby is Sadako. & listen to this....." With a click on the mouse, the digitized message comes on  "unu wa da-sen, yogora wo ageru" & Asakawa adds "These are the words that Sadako heard." "So you're saying that Sadako had a baby somewhere?!" "If we keep that trend of thought, it'll also explain Sadako's last words." Flashback to Sadako muttering "I've already left something precious behind." Yoshino says anxiously "That something precious is her own child?!" "Yes. It's probably the child she had with her boyfriend Moriyama." "Do you think that person is still alive?" "Sadako died in the year Showa 52, it's possible...."

 

 

 

 

1 day left.....

 

 

In her lab, Miyashita runs more tests on the ring virus. A comes running down the corridor into the lab "sensei! sensei! Please come & take a look!" Miyashita, busy with her own work, mutters absent mindedly "What is it?"

 

In the room where Nagao's body is being kept, the doctor tells Miyashita "When I came in this morning, I discovered someone's cut off a piece of the tumor from Professor Nagao's body." Miyashita stares at the open wound on Nagao's shoulder in shock "Who would do something like this?! Surely not to expose the Ring virus externally?!" "But there was no tumor in the tissue." "The tumor is latent in the cells. If the cells are cultivated, the virus can be extracted. That means, there's a possibility that people could become infected with it!" "Who would want to do something like that?! But even if someone has that intention, it would require skill & high tech equipment to cultivate the cells & extract the virus."

 

Walking down the corridor, Yoshino says to Asakawa "There is definitely a connection between Mai & Sadako. I'm sure Mai knows something." Asakawa pauses in his stride "Hey Yoshino." "Yes?" "If I die....I've got a little over a day left. My time runs out tomorrow night at 11.53pm. If I die, make copies of the tape & show them to someone. Yours & Yoichi's too. No one will blame you for doing so." "What are you saying, senpai? If you get weak now what do you expect me to do? You won't die. You will survive." Asakawa purses his lips, giving Yoshino a look before continuing down the corridor without a word.

 

In her lab, Miyashita stares at Yoshino & Asakawa in shock "A child?" Yoshino nods "Yes. There is a possibility that Sadako left behind a child." Before any of them can say anything further, Asakawa's cell phone rings & answers it. "This is Takayama." "What the hell are you trying to do?!" "Please help me!" "What?" "Please stop me!" "Where are you right now?! Hey Takayama! Takayama!" However Takayama's hung up. Asakawa heads for the door & Miyashita asks "Where are you going?" "I'm going to look for Takayama, something's happened to him." "Stay here! I want you to stay here until tomorrow night! With all our knowledge, we'll definitely be able to help you! At this moment we're analyzing the tumor from the ring virus & cultivating the cells. If we can cause a reaction together with normal cells, we'll be able to find out whether it really causes the ring virus or not." "But how does one get infected by watching a video?" "Herpes. You've heard of it I'm sure? It's that disease that often causes lesions on one's lips. The herpes virus are normally latent in cells, completely inactive. But then, it's also said that when stimulated by exposure to ultraviolet rays, the cells can be activated suddenly & symptoms of the disease appear. Do you understand? Even if it's through a visual stimulus, it's a possibility that it could activate the virus!" Yoshino asks "So you're saying that the images in the video activate a latent virus in human beings?" Miyashita nods "I'm just speculating. As long as we can identify the characteristics of the virus, I'm sure we'll find a way to neutralize it! So please, stay!" Asakawa looks at her "I still have to go. I don't know what he's going to do." "senpai!" However, Asakawa walks out of the door, leaving behind two very worried women behind.

 

Asakawa gets into his car & drives off.

 

Mai undergoes another hypnosis session with Miyashita & Yoshino. Miyashita's voice, low & calm "Relax, slowly, you're going back to when you were little. You are now five years old."

 

Mai sees a young boy sitting on the floor, crying. Her eyes open "onichan." Miyashita presses on "Your brother is there? What is he doing? Is there anyone else around?" Images of her parents lying in pools of their own blood appear & Mai screams. Miyashita holds her down "Tell me what you see." Mai cringes "Dad & Mom are....." "Your Dad & Mom are...? There is a man next to their bodies, take a good look!" Mai sees an image of a man appear & shakes her head, terrified. Miyashita tells her "Who is he? You know him. Look at his face!" As the image of the man's face starts taking shape, Mai turns her head away. Miyashita encourages her "Be brave! Who is he?" The images clear & Mai mutters "sensei...." Anxiously, Miyashita says "sensei? What 'sensei'?" Mai turns back, staring into space, mutters "I....ku.....ma...." Yoshino says "Professor Ikuma? He was Sadako's father!" Miyashita looks at Mai who's shaking her head in fear "Ikuma-sensei is standing in front of you, isn't he? What is Ikuma-sensei doing there?" Suddenly the images disappear & Mai goes limp, losing consciousness. Yoshino ponders aloud "When Mai's parents were killed, Professor Ikuma was there at the scene. What's that suppose to mean?! No way.....Professor Ikuma killed them?" Miyashita frowns, not answering, scratching her head.

 

Asakawa barges into Takayama's office to find no one there but the place torn apart. He notices the monitor screen powered up & walking to it, hits a key on the keyboard. His eyes widen as he sees words appear on the screen "Are you Sadako's child?" Frowning, Asakawa hits the return key & more words appear "Yes you are. I am heading for you right now." "Don't come, I don't want to see you." "Why not? We promised that we would return together to the place where you were born." Asakawa stares at the words "the place where you were born, don't come." The next message appears "I'm already by your side. Turn around & take a look." Pressing a key, the same words remain on screen. Pressing it again, Asakawa sees the image of Sadako with her long hair messily covering her face. Asakawa swallow hard & whips around to look behind him, only to see the mess in the room & no one there.

 

Yoshino & Miyashita visit the Ikuma residence. In the professor's study, Yoshino explains to Miyashita "There is some connection between Professor Ikuma & Mai's parents. Hopefully we can find something here." Miyashita looks around at the journals "But I don't think we'll find anything on the virus here though." "I guess so. Miyashita-sensei, this....Takayama wrote a thesis with the same title as this journal. It's about the hereditary of memory from one's parents, isn't it?" Miyashita nods "Well yes, simplistically speaking." "That's like saying that whatever the parents study & learn, the child will have that same knowledge without having to study?" "Well, yes." "That's not possible! One doesn't need to be an expert to know that!" "But at the time the thesis was written, no one believed in it. However I've heard of various theories regarding genetically transferring accumulated knowledge." "Genetically transferring memory?" "Well, technically speaking, the survival habits & instincts of animals are passed on genetically. On a deeper level, it's possible that memory can be genetically inherited too." Yoshino finds something "What is this?" Miyashita looks takes the flat cylindrical case & opens it "8mm film?" Looking at the cover, they find it labeled with the German words "Gedachtnis und Vererbung". Miyashita ponders "Memory & Heredity."

 

(-= CJ =- Ooo, CJ's impressed with Miyashita's knowledge. Then again, with German blood running in CJ's family & my own sister spouting German, I guess I'm not thaaaat impressed.)

 

In her room, Mai suddenly sits up in bed as if in a trance, her long hair falling over her face. Slowly she gets off the bed & starts walking.

 

Asakawa enters Takayama's home & looks around.

 

Running the 8mm film they found, Miyashita & Yoshino look at images of blood splattered on walls of the Takano home. Yoshino gasps "This was taken when Mai's parents were killed!" An image of a young boy pacing beside the bodies of Mai's parents appear on the film & Miyashita leans forward "That's...." Yoshino replies "Is that Takayama?" At that moment, they see young Mai sitting in a corner calling out "onichan!" The professor's voice narrates "Something horrifying happened in the blink of an eye. I never expected it to happen this soon. This boy possesses an incredible special power in him. He killed Mai's parents because they were abusing her." In the film, Takayama takes his sister's hand & leads her out of the bloody room. Miyashita & Yoshino are stunned by this discovery.

 

Asakawa turns around & is startled to find Takayama staring back at him "Takayama! What's this about helping you?" Takayama smiles "You know who stole the tissue from Nagao's body, don't you. I was the one who stole it. Right now I'm separating the Ring virus DNA from the tissue. With this, I can destroy the world faster than with the video." "What the hell are you thinking of?" Takayama laughs. Asakawa stares at him "Did you meet Sadako's child?! Where is he?! What's going on?!" Takayama stares intently at Asakawa, a smile on his lips "Sadako's child......is right in front of your eyes." Asakawa's eyes widen in shock.

 

With young Takayama behind him, Professor Ikuma continues explaining "This is Sadako's son Ryuji. The father is her boyfriend, Moriyama Shuhei." Miyashita & Yoshino's chin drop at the news.

 

Flabbergasted, Asakawa stares at Takayama "You are.....Sadako's child?" Takayama smiles sinisterly "Hatred will destroy." "Hatred?" "Yes. I was born into this world in order to fulfill my mother's revenge. You know what misery my mother suffered, don't you." "Nagao's gotten his just punishment. Aren't you satisfied with that?!" Takayama laughs "You don't know anything! My mother's hatred, is towards every single one of you. Pretending to watch on from the fringes, all of you!" "Don't be ridiculous! Not all of us are evil!" "Do you have the right to say that?" "What?!" "You are just like Nagao & the others. In order to save your own son, you made a copy of the tape & showed it to me. For the sake of saving your own friends, it doesn't matter what happens to others. The love that you speak about, is that what it is?" "How can you expect me to remain silent & just watch my loved ones die right in front of my eyes?!" "That is a common thought." "Where is the virus?! Tell me!" When Takayama remains silent, Asakawa turns back & starts looking about the room. Takayama reaches out for a stone statue. Asakawa growls "Where is it?!" Takayama brings down the statue hard, striking Asakawa on the back of his head. Grabbing his head, Asakawa crumbles forward down onto his knees & passes out on the floor.

 

In the film, Professor Ikuma continues his narration "Inside this boy, the memory of Sadako's hatred lies asleep. The hatred has been genetically transferred through DNA. As the cells inside him proliferate, the hatred will also grow. When he is finally grown, when he will be consumed by the memory of that hate, I'm afraid that he will bring disaster onto mankind. At this very moment, I should perhaps with my own hands get rid of the boy from this world,  in order to save the world from the disaster this boy will bring one day. But I can't bring myself to do that. This boy is innocent. For the sake of preventing this calamity from happening someday, for the sake of protecting the world, I have resorted to doing something. Let me explain. Years from now, the tragedy that will befall this boy & his sister will be the result of what I have done. No matter what happens, they are innocent of any crime. Think of the genetically inherited hatred as a virus that is dormant. Although latent most of the time, any stimulus will activate this virus. In order to suppress this virus from being reactivated, I have created a vaccine from its antibodies. This vaccine needs to be right by his side all the time." At this point, the film ends abruptly. Yoshino says "What's happened?" Miyashita stops the reel & pulls out the tape "Ah, the rest of the tape is blank!" "At least another piece of the puzzle is solved. Sadako's child is alive, Takayama Ryuji." "So it looks like Takayama Ryuji has genetically inherited Sadako's memory." "But just what is the vaccine?" Miyashita ponders with a sigh "Vaccine...." The door to the lecture theatre opens & a doctor calls out "sensei!" 

 

Miyashita looks shocked "Mai-san?" "Yes, we're looking for her right now. We think she's left the hospital." Miyashita rushes out the corridor.

 

With a moan, Asakawa regains consciousness. His cell phone rings & dizzily sitting up, answers it. "It's Miyashita. Mai's disappeared. I'm sure she's gone to look for Takayama. Where are you now? Did you find Takayama?" Asakawa grimaces in pain "Takayama?" "What's wrong? What's happened?" "Nothing." "In any case, come back. We found a film left behind by Professor Ikuma."

 

In a trancelike state, Mai walks along the road.

 

Asakawa returns to the hospital & watches the film. The film ends & the lights come on. Asakawa mutters "Years from now Takayama will bring disaster. & it's already happening right now. The one who cut off the tumor from Nagao was Takayama. Right now he's cultivating the cells & intends to spread the virus. He's finding an even more effective way of taking Sadako's revenge." Miyashita adds "So Sadako's all consuming hatred has been genetically transferred to her son." Asakawa leans forward "How long does it take to cultivate the Ring virus? If he intends to spread the virus how long do we have?" Miyashita answers "At the very least, it takes a week to cultivate a virus, normally." "Normally?" "That virus has the ability to proliferate at a much faster rate. That's why, maybe....." Asakawa finishes her thoughts "....we've already run out of time?" Miyashita nods, Yoshino silently listening, Asakawa turns away.

 

Asakawa walks out & Miyashita follows "Asakawa-san! Where are you going?" "I'm going to try to stop Takayama." "Stay here. We'll identify the virus very soon. We also need you to take some blood tests so we can check on how fast the virus is spreading." "If I do that will you be able to save me? Save everyone?" "& one more thing......show me the video. Make a copy of that video you saw & show it to me." "So the curse will not come true?" "No! It's not that! I need more time! Just a bit more, we'll be able to find a cure!" Asakawa stares at her "I can't." "Asakawa-san!" protests Miyashita desperately but Asakawa shouts "I can't drag you further into this than I already have!" Without another word, Asakawa strides off.

 

At the Asakawa home, the phone rings & Yoichi climbs up onto the chair, picking up the phone on the counter top "Hello, this is the  Asakawa residence." "Yoichi, is that you?" Asakawa calls from his car. "Papa! Are you going to be late tonight too?" "I'm sorry. It doesn't look like I'll be able to come back tonight. Tomorrow? Yes, definitely." "Really? That's a promise!" "Yes really. It's a promise. We'll be together....always...." With tears in his eyes, Asakawa hangs up.

 

 

I will protect Yoichi,

I will protect you...

 

 

Asakawa breaks down completely, crying in despair.

 

 

the 13th day.....

 

 

Asakawa drives off in search of Takayama.

 

 

would he have gone back to where he was born?

I went back to the place where Takayama was brought up,

but I couldn't find anything...

 

 

Watching the film again, Yoshino spots something & Miyashita stops the film. Yoshino points out to a box on the floor by Mai "That music box!" Miyashita stares at it "She said that she got it from Takayama." "Yes, after her parents died, Takayama gave it to her on one of his visits to cheer her up." "But at the time of their deaths, she already has the music box!" "So she didn't get it from Takayama?" "So it was a memory that was created. In order to create the love for Takayama, that memory was created. The only one who could have done that was Professor Ikuma." "So Professor Ikuma programmed Mai to love Takayama. But whatever for?" "We have to probe deeper, there must be some other reason for this." Miyashita ponders & recalls Ikuma saying "In order to suppress this virus from being reactivated, I have created a vaccine from its antibodies. This vaccine needs to be right by his side all the time." Comprehension dawns on Miyashita "We can't let Mai see Takayama!"

 

Asakawa's cell phone rings & he pulls to a stop. Miyashita tells him urgently "I've found out what Professor Ikuma has done to Mai." "What are you talking about?" "Why is there only love in her heart for Takayama? Why can't she go on living without Takayama by her side? The two of them always had to be together. No matter how far apart they are, Mai will always have to return to Takayama's side. Why? Because she is Takayama's vaccine." "Vaccine?" "Yes. The vaccine to be used when Sadako's hatred awakes inside him. Professor Ikuma has brainwashed her - 'Love Takayama. Always be by his side. & when Sadako wakes up inside Takayama, with your very own hands, kill the one you love.' " Listening, Asakawa tells her "Thank you," & hangs up. Driving off into some woods, Asakawa suddenly sees someone walking along the dirt track in front of him. That person turns around & it's Mai! Stopping, Asakawa gets out of the car, turning away momentarily. In the next instant when he looks up, Mai's disappeared. Asakawa runs about looking for her. Suddenly, a hand reaches & grabs his jacket. Losing his balance, Asakawa falls & goes tumbling down the slope before rolling to a stop. Grimacing in pain, Asakawa moans "Oww...." Looking back up the slope, he sees Mai staring back at him "Why are you in my way? Why can't you leave me alone?" Mai turns & starts to leave. Asakawa yells "Wait!" & wobbly gets to his feet.

 

With taut nerves, Miyashita & Yoshino ride in a taxi. Yoshino instructs "Driver, please turn left at the next corner...." 

 

At the old deserted Takano home, Mai slides the door open & enters, walking towards the torn & bloodied sliding door. "Why did you come?" Takayama appears on the other side of the bloodied door "Don't come any closer!" "Why not? I walked the whole night to get here. I knew right away where you would be. When I thought that I would see you soon I didn't even feel any pain in my legs. onichan..." 

 

Takayama slide the door aside & they stare at each other. Without a word, Takayama slowly puts his arm around Mai & holds her close. A gleam appears in Mai's eyes & she raises her arm, a knife in her hand. As she lowers it & readies to plunge it into her brother, Asakawa yells "Stop it!" Mai's hand freezes as Asakawa barges in. In the next instant, Mai slashes out at Takayama with Asakawa trying to stop her. Breaking loose, Mai slashes out at Asakawa, slicing him on the neck. Asakawa stumbles back against the wall. Mai again lunges out at Takayama. Asakawa manages to grab a hold of Mai & flings her off. Mai goes crashing through the thin paper wall & into the next room. Asakawa turns & gives a wordless stare at Takayama. Yoshino arrives "senpai!" with Miyashita on her heels. Asakawa tells them "Take care of her!" & runs off with Yoshino yelling "senpai!" As Miyashita attends to Mai, she instructs Yoshino "Go! Get Asakawa to come back! We'll save him!" Yoshino replies "Got it!" Miyashita tries to get a response from Mai "Mai-san! Come on! Hang in there!"

 

Asakawa comes running outside but loses sight of Takayama. Yoshino catches up with him "senpai! Let's go back! We're running out of time! senpai!" "If we don't find him this will never end!" "So what?!" Asakawa reaches & touches the wound on his neck. Looking at the blood on his hand, he suddenly recalls the words he saw on the computer screen "the place where you were born" & mutters to himself "Wait a minute! Where who was born? If it's not Takayama, could it be the all consuming hatred inside Takayama? If that's the case, that would be....inside the well!" Asakawa recalls Sadako falling to her death inside the well where Nagao killed her. Getting into the car, Asakawa tells Yoshino "Sadako's revenge was born in that well where that school is. I'm sure that that's where Takayama's gone." Yoshino gets into the car with him.

 

They head for the Higashiizumi Girls Academy. 9.40pm. With flashlights in hand, they search the grounds of the school. Past 11pm & they're still searching for the well in desperation. Asakawa finally limps towards a shack at the construction site for another part of the school. Shining his light inside the shack, he sees the edge of a well "Found it!" Breathing heavily, Asakawa looks around, shining his flashlight slowly & sees someone standing on the other side of the well turning to look at him "Takayama!" Takayama says "So you finally found it. But you're too late. It's 11.30. In 20 minutes you will die." "Where is the virus?" "Did you show the video to anyone?" "Where is the virus?!" "Why? Why didn't you make a copy of the tape?" "Because there was someone that I have to save. You do too. Someone important to you, someone that you have to save." "That is no one." "You've taken all kinds of risk for her sake, endured so much. Can you really forget all that?" Takayama wavers & Asakawa mutters "Takayama!" Images of Mai & himself as kids appear in his mind.

 

Asakawa flips the switch & light fills the room. Takayama looks at him "Why?" Asakawa stares at back in silence. Yoshino comes running up "senpai!" At that moment, Takayama takes a step towards the well. Asakawa stares at Takayama "What are you doing?!" "As long as I'm around, my sister will never find happiness. As long as I'm alive, my sister will remain a tool who's only use is to erase me from this world." "Takayama!" "Please tell my sister, that her real life starts now. Someday, she will find someone she truly loves." With tears in his eyes, Takayama steps onto the edge of the well.

 

Lying back in the hospital with her hands bound to the rails of the bed, Mai struggles to break free, screaming "onichan!"

 

Takayama steps into the well as Asakawa yells in horror "Takayama!!!" With a splash, Takayama disappears into the water deep inside the well. Asakawa turns & looks about the shack & grabs a coil of rope. Yoshino tries to stop him, grabbing him "senpai! senpai!" Asakawa shoves her away, shouting "Let me go!" Yoshino stares at him as he takes off his jacket. The clock ticks 11.32 & dropping the coil of rope down the side of the well, Asakawa climbs down the side of the well. Tying a flashlight to the end of the rope, Yoshino lowers it down inside.

 

Asakawa reaches the bottom of the well to find it waist deep. Looking around, he gropes around in the murky water & pulls Takayama out "Hang in there Takayama!" Weakly & gasping in pain, Takayama mutters "It's enough. I am merely a tool of revenge for my mother. I shouldn't have been allowed to live at all." Asakawa yells at him "What are you saying?! Didn't you just sacrifice your own life for your sister?! You're not a tool of revenge!! You have won over the hatred inside you!" Takayama grows weaker & Asakawa screams "Can you hear me Takayama!" Takayama mutters "Please stop my mother's revenge.....with your own hands. You must hurry...hurry....." Slowly Takayama lifts his hand, bloodied from the fall, & places it over the wound on Asakawa's neck. Asakawa barely whispers "Takayama!" Takayama's hand drops back into the water as he takes his last breath. Asakawa screams "Takayama!"

 

On her bed, Mai turns & sees the door opening & closing by itself. No one walks in but the image of Takayama appears. With affection, Mai stares at her brother "onichan...." Staring at her wordlessly, Takayama moves closer to her by the bed & reaches out, touching her face with his hand. Bending over slowly, he kisses her on the lips. Tears on her face, Mai smiles "onichan...." 

 

Holding Takayama in his arms, Asakawa yells "Listen to me Sadako! This is the result of the hatred you left behind. Your hatred has killed your own son!! Are you satisfied?! Is this the result you were hoping for?! Answer me!!!" 

 

From on top of the well, Yoshino yells "senpai! senpai! It's 11.45!! You've got eight minutes left! Let's make a copy of the tape!" Asakawa yells "No!" "If you don't do it I will! I'll find someone to show it to right now!!!" "Yoshino!" However Yoshino's run off hysterically. Suddenly feeling a presence, Asakawa looks in front of him & is shocked to see Sadako appear just beneath the surface of the water!

 

Hurriedly Yoshino runs to the car & grabs the video tape out. Running to the security hut, she yells banging on the window & door, trying to get someone's attention "Hello! Hello! Anyone there!" Finally the door opens & an old security guard looks out "What is it?"

 

Running into the school classroom with the security guard behind her, Yoshino turns on the TV. The security guard holds up the keys "When you're done return the keys to me," turning to leave but Yoshino yells "Wait!" "What?" "I want to show you something. Please stay!" "What?" Frantically Yoshino tries to slot in the video into the player but it's jammed stuck. Panicking, she glances at the clock 11.52pm!

 

Still holding onto Takayama in his arms, Asakawa stares at Sadako "Why do you hate all of us so much? Even now, there is someone who still loves you. You don't know, do you. He was your lover. Moriyama left me a letter to give to you. You, you've lost to hatred. Maybe you've completely forgotten about him but what do you think was written on the letter? 'For the past 22 years, even now, I love you. You are my most precious memory.' This world isn't full of people only out to hurt you. If only you had believed in someone. You wouldn't have suffered in misery! Your son....learnt that at the very end!!! Let it go....revenge can't save any one. Let it go!!!" Suddenly hands shoot out from under the water & reach for Asakawa's neck, squeezing the life out of him.

 

(-= CJ =- I thought that Sadako doll rather tacky but those arms coming out of the water startled me!!)

 

Yoshino finally manages to get the tape into the player but with her hands trembling, can't bring herself to press the play button. The guard asks "What's wrong?" Yoshino looks at the puzzled guard & then turns to the clock.

 

Sadako strangles Asakawa & slowly pushes him under the water.

 

Yoshino stares at the clock as the time reaches 11.53pm, tears rolling down her face. Over in her lab, Miyashita stares at the clock in despair as it passes the time limit. Yoshino starts crying, as does Miyashita. In her bed, Mai smiles.

 

Slowly & dejectedly, Yoshino makes her way back to the well in the construction hut. Dropping to her knees by the well, Yoshino peeps over the edge "senpai..." 

 

In the water below, Sadako appears......