Original subtitles

TAKAMASA SUGA

CHIAKI KURIYAMA

YOU HAVE A MESSAGE

KAORI OKUNUKI URARA AWATA

CHISATO MORISHITA YUU ABIRU

LEO MORIMOTO

Ready or not...

here I come.

I found you.

My turn to hide.

Restless spirit,

thou who remains bound to this plane...

accept thy fate and receive the light.

Shed thy baneful affliction.

With the Holy Pistol Kagutsuchi...

return thee to Hades.

Are you all right?

My name is Reiji Akiba.

I'm a detective who specializes in incidents such as yours.

The one in the letter?

But I didn't call you.

No, the person that hired me to help you...

was the former tenant two years ago.

I too received “mail..."

From her...

“ghost-written” from the grave.

The last owner's diary.

THE PAINTING

You told me to find it at all costs,

and I did. But it wasn't easy.

How did you find it, anyway?

Why are you so interested in it?

Didn't I tell you?

The painting is rumored to be cursed.

At last, the painting's mine.

“The Sleeping Girl.”

Yes, the “cursed” one.

I know. It's believed that whoever owns it, dies.

It's legendary in art circles.

Nobody wants it anymore.

The painting's whereabouts have been unknown.

So why do you want it?

It's part of my job.

The colors,

the texture,

its enchanting ambience,

and above all, the girl is sublime.

She enthralls me.

I received an e-mail

from an art collector.

An e-mail?

Surprised?

Even an old man like me has to use e-mail in this line of work.

Anyway, this collector says

he stumbled across the painting somewhere.

Stumbled across it?

And then?

He wanted to get rid of it quickly.

He didn't say why,

but it must have spooked him.

I'm having trouble sleeping. Could it be fatigue?

Sometimes I even have waking nightmares.

But the painting calms me.

I can't turn my eyes away from the girl.

She's adorable.

A man visited me today.

He wanted the painting.

He told me to destroy it.

While he couldn't find any takers,

he didn't dare burn it or toss it in the trash.

That's when he saw my newspaper ad

and e-mailed me.

|I guess you lucked out.

At least let's hope so.

You needn't worry about me.

My beautiful girl,

my adorable woman--

How dare he take her!

“Scram!” I told him

and sent him away.

As he was leaving, he said,

“Never look at it alone in the middle of the night.

Don't stare at the girl,

or she'll awake.”

I knew it.

Is your source reliable?

Hard to say.

I tried to reply by e-mail,

but it didn't go through.

I kept getting an error message.

That's why I loathe computers.

How do you know this e-mail sender is credible?

We don't, but it's worth a shot.

I haven't slept in three days...

but the painting brings me bliss.

I have to look at her.

No sleep again last night.

Let me see her... my girl.

She's mine and only mine.

I can't take it.

We're here.

I'm nervous. My heart feels like it will burst.

My very own girl...

my darling girl...

It's almost 2:00 in the morning.

SHE'S-- SHE'S--

WHY TORMENT ME?

THIS ISN'T LIVING.

LET ME DIE!

IF YOU'RE REALLY INTERESTED,

COME A LITTLE AFTER 2:00 A.M.

I want to die.

I want to die.

Let me die.

You're the one...

who sent the e-mail.

Never mind that.

Let me die.

Poor girl.

O restless, despairing spirit,

I shall honor thy plea.

Let me die.

With the Holy Pistol Kagutsuchi...

I return thee to Hades.

You should be more careful.

Are you Reiji Akiba?

Yes.

Who are you?

Just an ordinary teenager. I'm Mikoto.

Mikoto?

You knew about this painting?

My uncle is an art collector.

He told me about it.

I figured you were the only person who could help her.

So you know about me, too.

The girl in the painting had a congenital brain disease.

She was virtually comatose.

She spent her entire life

without waking.

The painting was done to cover costs to keep her alive.

But what a painful life it was.

Poor girl.

I too have been searching for her.

But how did you know she possessed this painting?

You ask many questions, Akiba-san.

The moment I laid eyes on it...

I just knew.

I felt her sadness.

Her sadness?

I don't know your talents,

but you must not endanger yourself.

Forgive me.

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

Looking at this picture...

I feel something too.

REIJI AKIBA, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR

Akiba-san?

Akiba-san!

Are you okay?

You again.

How did you get here?

The door was unlocked.

That's not what I meant.

I've decided to be your assistant.

It's not good to work alone.

I don't need an assistant.

Look how dull this room is.

This won't attract customers.

But with me here...

who needs flowers, right?

What am I saying?

I have to go.

You need to stop playing detective and go to school.

THE REUNION

Thank you for letting me tag along to your hometown.

The pleasure's mine. I could use the company.

Turn right a few meters ahead.

Don't you know the way home?

I haven't been back here in 15 years.

What brings you out here?

I'm a detective.

Really?

Are you investigating something?

Yes, maybe you've heard.

There's a rumor in these parts

about a haunting by child ghosts.

Excuse me.

You don't believe in ghosts?

Not at all.

All those psychics on TV seem so phony to me.

I see.

Turn left a few meters ahead.

We've been driving along some remote roads.

What do you mean?

Where are we?

At a school, it seems.

But we followed the car navigation's instructions.

You have reached the destination.

That can't be.

Let's try again.

You have set a new destination.

What was that, I wonder?

A glitch in the system, I guess.

No, I mean the child's voice I heard back there.

What voice?

I didn't hear any child's voice.

Yuki-san...

Your name is Yuki Sugisaki, isn't it?

I heard many children calling that name as we neared the school.

“Yuki,

we waited for you.”

That's impossible, absurd.

Turn left--

You have entered a new destination.

Directions commencing.

It's the same place as before.

What's going on?

You're being summoned.

Why? That's ridiculous.

They can't still be mad at me.

They wish to see you.

Perhaps you should tell me why.

That school is

the school I attended.

It was over 15 years ago.

I transferred there in the sixth grade and had trouble adjusting.

I feigned illness so I could stay home.

But on graduation day, I actually did come down with a cold.

I didn't care that I couldn't attend.

I felt no attachment.

Yuki!

How are you feeling? Better?

Some of the kids offered...

to hold their own ceremony for me.

See you at school!

“Let's graduate together,” they said.

I reluctantly decided to go.

CONGRATULATIONS, YUKI!

It was a windy day.

When I arrived at the school...

That was my last sight of them.

There was nothing I could do...

but they haven't forgiven me.

I blocked out the memory.

Sugisaki-san...

you may have tried to forget, but they haven't.

I specialize in investigating ghosts.

You may not believe in them, but the truth is, they do exist.

The children are trying to send you a message.

Though I don't know what it is.

Ghosts have no concept of time.

They will remain until they are given some sense of closure.

Let's go back there

and see what they want.

But--

Don't worry. If need be, I'll exorcise them for you.

I'll protect you.

Akiba-san.

They are very close.

O restless spirits still bound to this plane...

menace not this world in baneful form.

The soul dwells

in a cycle of rebirth

and purification.

You have the power of salvation.

Yuki...

we waited for you.

Congratulations, Yuki!

In the name of--

Wait, Akiba-san!

They are not evil spirits!

They've all been waiting for me.

They've waited all this time.

Ever since that day.

J Should auld acquaintance be forgot

& And never brought to mind? J

J Should auld acquaintance be forgot... J

Everyone...

everyone...

wait!

Akiba-san.

They can ascend now. Let them go.

But I couldn't say anything to them

after they waited all this time.

Nothing.

Say it now.

Thank you, everyone!

Congratulations on graduating!

Goodbye.

WELCOME BACK. I START TOMORROW.

YOUR ASSISTANT, MIKOTO.

How often do I need to tell you, Atsushi?

Clean up after yourself, okay?

You always make such a mess.

Nothing seems out of the ordinary here.

Are you sure about this?

Absolutely sure.

You've got an investigation in Okinawa.

Who else can handle the account here?

You have a point.

All I'm doing is watching a mother and son while you're away.

It's no big deal.

All right.

Good.

Reiji Akiba's first assistant, now reporting to duty!

What's wrong?

It's nothing.

Take these with you.

The cell phone makes sense, but why the coat?

It's a safety measure.

Promise me you won't do any more than you have to.

Things could get dangerous.

Dangerous, huh?

THE STALKER

TIME TO DIE

Not again.

DIE

I see.

What sort of strange occurrences?

This morning, I found this.

|I got scared so I called the police...

but nothing was stolen, so...

...you couldn't report a crime.

They said it's nothing.

That it probably happened when the clock fell.

But why is only my face scratched out?

I'm sure that it's her.

Her?

A woman who used to stalk my husband.

Your husband?

Yes. They worked in the same office.

She'd follow him,

wait outside his apartment,

and even break in, despite his repeated pleas to stop.

What're you doing?

Won't you please stop this?

This will be the fate of any woman who comes near you.

I'm never...

leaving your side.

When we got married, she quit the company.

The harassment stopped.

Is your husband currently on business in Okinawa?

Yes, and she must know that.

It's definitely her. She resents me.

Have no fear. I am committed to your case.

But please be aware

that other factors may be involved.

Other factors?

KATAYAMA here.

Akiba-san?

Go on.

She what?

Committed suicide?

Yes, close to where your husband is stationed.

That's when the strange incidents began.

Impossible.

Then who's been--

If I'm not mistaken, I believe that it's been--

KATAYAMA-san?

Akiba-san? Who has it been?

Dammit!

Akiba-san?

He means me.

Who are you?

Where is Atsushi?

Atsushi?

Wait!

Atsushi!

TIME TO DIE

Atsushi?

Atsushi?

Stop it, Atsushi.

Atsushi is not here.

Die.

It's time to die.

The stalker's ghost is here!

The mother's fainted!

Stay calm. Do you have the coat?

- Time to die! - My black coat.

-Yes, I've got it. - Throw it over her.

Just do it.

O restless spirit...

menace not this world in baneful form...

I return thee to Hades.

I should have known she'd be here all along.

I'm glad I was prepared.

Akiba-san?

I'm glad you were here, Mikoto.

Akiba-san?

I'm fine.

That sapped my strength.

We'd better let her forget this whole thing.

What am I doing here?

How often do I need to tell you, Atsushi?

Clean up after yourself.

I'm sorry to disappoint you,

but it's not a ghost photo.

Solar flare.

Your camera captured a reflected beam of light.

What?

- But-- - Take it easy.

I've already looked into your case a bit.

Particularly the part about “Katsumi-san.”

It's the Katsumi curse!

It has to be!

KATSUMI-SAN

My friend Keiko had just bought a camera cell phone.

We were playing with it.

This one's real cute.

Look,

this one's a bit strange.

Maybe it's Katsumi-san's doing.

Creepy. Erase it.

That's weird. I can't.

It really is her then.

Don't say that.

I'm kidding.

You're so gullible, Keiko.

But then, the next day,

Keiko didn't show up for school.

The rumor is...

if Katsumi-san's ghost is captured on camera,

the person who took the photo dies.

It's no rumor. Keiko really died!

Listen closely.

This Katsumi-san was

a real person named Katsumi Sekiguchi.

Born in 1925, she was a rich merchant's daughter.

She was born with a rare disease that made her face swell up.

What happened to her?

Not wanting to be seen, she stayed indoors in a family warehouse.

A photographer managed to snap her photo

and print it as a curiosity article.

Those were the old days.

Once you were stigmatized, the pressure could be unbearable.

Some time later,

she hung herself inside her warehouse.

She'd grown weary of the world.

In fact, she loathed it.

The photographer died suddenly soon afterwards.

Rumors began to spread.

“It was Katsumi's revenge.”

“She haunted the warehouse.”

“Photographs of the warehouse brought bad luck.”

Then came stories about her appearance in photos,

which continue today.

So Keiko died from the curse.

I've heard of no such cases

since the warehouse was destroyed in the war.

What are you saying?

That it was a coincidence?

Hear me out.

What's important is the site itself.

For years, it remained a vacant lot,

until a developer bought it over a decade ago.

Now there's a condominium complex on it.

Where I live?

Correct. Somewhere on that site is

the location of Katsumi-san's warehouse.

So Keiko's death was not a coincidence.

Actually, her parents had come to me earlier.

Keiko's?

Yes, they found an eerie picture on her cell phone.

Here it is.

Do you know where this was taken?

I believe it was taken after the photo you showed me.

What is this?

It seems that Keiko did photograph Katsumi-san after all.

Coincidentally.

It could be anywhere around here.

Where did we go after this?

Wait, I remember

that tile.

This is the place.

Bathroom tile.

Keiko must have...

That's weird. I can't.

...taken a picture

right at that moment.

I'd better call Akiba-san.

You saw me,

didn't you?

Stop it!

The women's bathroom.

O restless spirit,

full of grief and hatred for this world,

cast off thy affliction and receive the purifying light.

Menace not this world in baneful form.

With the Holy Pistol Kagutsuchi

I return thee to Hades.

Return thee to Hades.

What's wrong?

Dammit.

Akiba-san!

Why now?

Akiba-san!

Here.

The mirror!

The ghost inhabits the mirror.

Of course.

Return thee to Hades.

Her grudge was towards things that reflected her image.

Are you okay?

That was a close call today.

What's that?

She was cursed, too.

Back at the office, I accidentally snapped her photo.

I wouldn't have known otherwise.

I see.

Was it really an accident then?

Maybe it was providence instead.

You mean to say the photo was taken intentionally,

to bring me here?

Your desire to save Katsumi-san was so strong,

it forced your hand.

You could be right.

You're really something.

Was your purifying this bullet providence, too?

Mikoto?

Don't get weird on me, Akiba-san.

Mikoto,

I'm glad you were with me.

Thanks.

I'm glad too.

Akiba-san...

that was your 98th soul, wasn't it?

Who are you, Mikoto?

Why do I feel pain when I look at you?

BOY WITH SIGHT

I sense a strange presence...

different from others.

Who is it?

Hello. Can you see me?

No, I can't, but I'm receiving treatment.

I've been blind since childhood,

after a car accident.

The doctor says all I need is an operation.

So why don't you have one?

Because--

Because you don't want to get better.

I'm sorry. Did I offend you?

No.

But--

Can I be frank with you?

Sure.

You seem to be frightened of something.

For example...

you sense things that are a bit out of the ordinary.

Your fear prevents you from regaining your sight.

Am I correct?

Listen closely.

What you sense are, in short,

beings that remain in this world, without life.

As your fear suggests,

if you regain your sight,

you will be able to see them.

Do you mean “ghosts”?

Yes.

But they don't necessarily bring fear or danger.

They simply...

seek recognition.

If you truly do not wish to face them...

then you must never look them in the eyes.

Remember that.

Walk with me.

Are you content with your life now?

Everyone has a purpose.

So do you.

A purpose?

Something you were born to do.

Someone like yourself with an important talent

knows only too well...

that this isn't it.

Sooner or later, all people must come to terms with themselves

and face their destiny.

You know that, but you do nothing.

Can you accept that?

But... I'm scared.

Petrified.

Not just about seeing ghosts.

I see.

You are running away from something.

Something important.

Sight will bring you answers.

It will...

make you remember.

We'll meet again.

Yes.

I was trying to forget.

Open them slowly.

How is it?

Your vision's pretty clear, right?

In just one month, you've shown an amazing recovery.

You'll be free to go soon.

What's wrong?

Too bright in here?

No, it's fine.

It's nice to see you again, Mom, Dad.

I hope Heaven's treating you well.

TO REIJI

You're running from something.

Sight will bring you answers.

You'll see again someday.

I promise.

I know.

I have to go...

and see you.

HIJIRIZAKA HOSPITAL

Yes, she was a patient here for a long time.

She passed away six months ago.

Six months ago?

She was under my care,

so I remember her well.

She was a very warm girl.

She remained cheerful to the end.

Forgive me

for being afraid.

I feared this.

I knew you'd die someday...

but I didn't want to know.

And now--

You were always there to encourage me.

If only I had been braver...

I could have been by your side.

If only I had been braver...

I would have made it in time.

I should have been here.

Help me.

You can see me, can't you?

Please.

If you see me, why won't you help me?

I'm sorry.

I'm afraid I can't help you.

Look.

I'm bleeding this much,

but I still can't die.

I'm the same as you.

I want to die.

Just leave me alone!

I can see you and that's all!

So you can see me.

You want to die that badly?

Poor thing. I'll help you.

Then kill me.

O restless spirit...

menace not this world in baneful form.

With the Holy Pistol Kagutsuchi

I dispatch thee to Hades.

What did you do?

Who are you?

You don't remember?

You've regained your sight but your heart remains shut.

I remember.

I did what you told me.

I decided to face my destiny.

But thanks to you...

...you learned a loved one is gone.

Is that it?

Like I said, face yourself.

Face your life, your destiny.

Please leave me alone.

I knew this would happen.

That's why I chose to live quietly, in darkness.

I see.

Then it can't be helped.

Shall I send you then

into true darkness?

This only works on ghosts.

I can't kill you with it.

Perhaps I can make you a deal.

I will let you forget those memories

that pain you and sap your will to live.

In return, I want something.

Something only you can do.

I sensed it in you that day at the hospital.

You have a psychic gift

that far exceeds my own.

I have... a psychic gift?

Listen well.

People receive life. They live it. And then they die.

But the soul lives on.

It takes new shape in a cycle of rebirth.

Like a wheel, the cycle continues--

The soul overcoming karma

until it attains purity.

It is the path to Heaven.

Spirits that roam this world...

have fallen from the path.

They are lost.

Here.

The Holy Pistol Kagutsuchi.

It returns lost souls to Heaven.

It's yours.

Only you can save them.

The truth is...

my powers are waning.

One more thing.

When you have saved your 100th soul...

your memory will return.

When that happens,

you will have to face your destiny.

Then you will know...

your karma,

your true task.

Akiba-san?

That was your 98th soul, wasn't it?

I return thee to Hades.

This makes 99.

My memory is already returning.

THE PROMISE

For once, she didn't show up today.

MISS ME? CAN YOU READ E-MAIL?

I'M STARGAZING. WISH YOU WERE HERE.

Of course I can read e-mail.

Mail from her is rare, though.

Only the second time.

TRANSMISSION ERROR

What's her address?

It's not registered.

How can her name appear without an address?

TRANSMISSION ERROR

What's going on?

“Can you read e-mail?”

She meant “Can you see it?” I couldn't before.

How would she know that?

HIJIRIZAKA HOSPITAL

It's a beautiful day, Reiji.

Why don't you go breathe in some fresh air?

Will you take a walk with me?

No?

Call me if you change your mind.

These are yummy.

You're Reiji, right?

I know you can't see, but can you talk?

I'm Momoe...

um... Yamaguchi.

Sure you are.

It's true. I'm that cute, you know.

You remember how she looks, don't you?

My mom sang her songs.

Really? So did mine.

What a coincidence.

She won't sing for me anymore.

I'm sorry.

That's okay.

Let's go out.

Oops.

Thanks.

Here, it's yours.

It's beautiful. Where did you get it?

I found it.

I can't see but I can tell by feeling it

it's a pretty stone.

It is. Thanks.

Why are you here?

Me?

It's nothing serious.

You know, I waited here so I could meet you.

I wish I could see you.

I can sense it.

The air around you feels good.

I bet you're real pretty.

Don't worry, Reiji.

You'll see again someday.

I promise.

I remember.

My memories of you.

I won't forget again.

What's wrong?

Don't worry. She'll be fine.

Poor thing.

That's one brave girl.

It's that bad?

She's been here for five years.

Leukemia.

There's no cure for a girl that young.

Really? But she's so cheerful all the time.

Yeah, I know.

She's always tries to cheer me up, too.

Yamaguchi, returning to duty.

What's wrong, Reiji? You look sad.

Are you okay?

I feel great.

Thanks for worrying about me.

Well--

Sorry I didn't tell you.

I've been in here since I was a baby.

I'm used to all this.

You'll get better, right?

You'll be able to leave here someday, right?

It's prettier than the last one. Thanks!

I looked harder for it.

Remember when we first met here? Seems like yesterday.

Summer's almost over,

but it's been the best one ever.

I'm going to a different hospital.

There is a good doctor in Osaka

who's going to help me.

That's great.

You'll get your sight back.

I'm sure of it.

I don't want to go.

You have to.

Think of all the people who can't get better.

I'm worried about you.

To me, you're--

You have to think about yourself.

Don't worry. I'm not giving up.

Neither should you.

Okay.

Don't give the doctor any trouble, you hear?

Don't worry, Reiji.

You'll see again. I promise.

You're going to make it, right?

Yes.

I really had a great time. Take care.

Promise we'll meet again.

I promise. Don't worry.

Thanks.

Read this when you can see again.

Hold on to it until then, okay?

But--

Okay.

Take care, Reiji.

Thank you for everything.

Bye-bye, Reiji.

See you later, okay?

The letter.

TO REIJI

Hi Reiji.

If you're reading this, then you got your sight back.

Congratulations. I knew you could do it.

You act shy but the real Reiji is kind and brave.

That's what I like most about you.

I doubt I'll feel like this about someone again.

So I wrote this letter.

I have to tell you something.

I have an incurable disease.

I overheard my mother talking to the doctors one day.

But after meeting you, I've never been happier.

So I hope you'll be happy too.

Forever Yours...

MIKOTO

I heard your call for help.

Was it really coincidence?

Mikoto.

Mikoto...

there's only one place...

you can be.

Mikoto spoke constantly of you.

Even on her deathbed.

You were always there to encourage me.

If only I had been braver--

When you have saved your 100th soul,

your memory will return.

When that happens,

you will have to face your destiny.

Then you will know...

your karma,

your true task.

HIJIRIZAKA HOSPITAL

Akiba-san, your memory has returned?

Yes.

All of it.

Do you know who I am?

I didn't realize it until now.

Your psychic powers interfered.

But...

if I do this, I know.

The air feels good around you.

We meet again at last.

Mikoto...

I've missed you.

I'm sorry.

Why?

I'm truly sorry...

for not once having the courage

to visit you.

All I could do was to run from the truth...

that you would die.

Knock it off, Reiji.

It's okay. I understand.

That's how much you worried about me.

The truth is you gave me

something very important.

Something I may not have had my whole life.

I was very happy.

That was more than plenty.

Mikoto.

These past few days...

have been the best.

Like that summer.

You knew everything, didn't you?

You came to lend support while my memory returned.

I have done everything I needed to do.

Please, Reiji...

send me to Heaven.

Reiji!

It has to be by your hand.

I want you to send me.

Mikoto.

Reiji...

thank you.

You will be reborn,

and we will meet again.