Welcome back. And now, we continue to explore the haunted town of Matsumura and learn about the mysterious disease that originates from there. Picking up where we last left off. It's here that we'll really get into the story. Okay readers. Prepare your Camera Obscura!

Chapter 2: Matsumura Village

Two hours later… Matsumura was now an abandoned village. Last time she heard, nobody lives there anymore. Nevertheless, she could still make out the resident houses among other deserted buildings, and the tall towering mountain in the background, filled with green trees. Aimi Hanazawa followed the only road that led directly into the dark town. Upon arrival, she could already hear the thudding of her own heart as she felt an eerie coldness sweep over her. Even though the town looked empty and decrepit now, her strong sixth sense was already alerting her to the presence of spiritual activity. She wasn't alone here…

"Naoki… Are you here?" Aimi whispered softly to herself. It hadn't been easy looking for her good friend. But gathering what clues she was able to find, she was able to determine that Naoki had come to this lonely village.

As Aimi gazed around at the empty houses, she clicked on her own flashlight and began the search for her lost friend. Aimi was an extremely pretty girl with shoulder-length auburn hair. She was wearing her favorite pink short-sleeved ruffle-top, black Capri-pants and matching pink ankle-strap mary-janes. Aimi was quiet and mature, but also strong-willed. Now that she's arrived here in Matsumura, she started her own exploration. She had to find Naoki. She was especially worried because Naoki had been behaving oddly for the last couple of weeks. The poor girl hadn't been seen in school for the last couple of days and Aimi heard troubling rumors that Naoki was sick with some strange illness…

Walking along a path that led through the neglected houses, Aimi also heard scary stories about this town. It was originally a mining-town which in time became a place for tourists and travelers to relax in. However there was legend of a terminal disease that affected people here and caused them to suffer horrible deaths. Something called Hanahaki Disease… Aimi hadn't been too familiar with it but after going through some of the notes that Naoki left behind, she learned about this curse disease. And she also learned that those who suffered from this disease went to Matsumura where a ritual was performed to cure them of their heartache.

"Where are you, Naoki?" Aimi thought worriedly while looking over at a house that was completely covered with vegetation. "Were you also suffering from the disease? Is that why you came here?"

A large old-fashioned Japanese building on her right caught her eye. Oshiro Inn… For some reason, Aimi felt drawn to this place. Holding her flashlight, she approached the entrance. Then she too entered the abandoned inn. It was just as cold in here as it was outside, which was to be expected from an empty house. Or was it empty? Aimi felt a sudden sharp pain in her chest and it gave her pause. The air in here was so cold it almost seemed to suffocate her. She already had a bad feeling. Aimi started to take a step but her foot seemed to kick into something. When Aimi looked down, she was surprised to see a hand-bag lying on the ground.

Using her flashlight to see, Aimi went through the hand-bag and realized it belonged to Naoki Sugitani. So Naoki did come here. Maybe she was somewhere around in this Inn? Aimi decided to go look for her. Aimi glanced over at the reception desk but didn't see anything interesting there. She wondered where to go from here. There were corridors to her left and to her right which contained guest rooms for visitors. Making her decision, Aimi headed for the stairs that led to the second floor. Taking each stair one at a time, Aimi reached the top and started to head to the corridor to her left but froze when she saw somebody standing there…

Aimi stood perfectly still and could only stare over at the woman who was floating silently by the corridor railing, looking out over the garden below. One look at her and Aimi automatically knew this woman was dead. She could sense the ghost's presence from here. What Aimi noticed about the woman was she was entirely dressed in a white wedding gown. And just like that… the abandoned bride disappeared. Aimi waited until she was sure the ghost had vanished from sight before proceeding down the corridor. She prayed that Naoki was safe…

Aimi looked over the railing to see the lovely garden down below but didn't see anything else there. Along the corridor, she peeked in some of the guest rooms but most of them were empty or filled with trash or contained dusty pieces of furniture. One guest room however caught Aimi's attention and she shined her flashlight inside and then entered. This room held the oddest looking gadgets she's ever seen. It made her wonder what kind of guest stayed here. The floor was littered with what appeared to be photos but of what she couldn't make out. Perhaps the guest was a photographer? While Aimi was looking around at the discarded photos littered around, that's when she first saw the camera.

The camera had been tucked away in one of the old suitcases. When Aimi reached in to pull it out, she quickly saw that it was one of those old-fashioned vintage cameras. Intrigued, Aimi held the camera in both hands and that's when she felt an unknown power flowing through her very fingertips. The camera looked ordinary enough but thanks to her sixth sense, she was able to detect strong spiritual energy from the camera. And while examining the camera closely, that's when she saw the words etched on the top. "Camera Obscura…" What an odd-looking camera. Inside the same suitcase, Aimi found documents that seemed to explain the camera itself.

Guest's Note

After searching for so long, I've finally acquired what is known as the Camera Obscura. It wasn't easy, but these antique cameras are hard to come by. According to what info I was able to dig up, Camera Obscura is an inventive camera made by the late Kunihiko Asou, a brilliant occult philosopher and scientist who lived during the 1800s and early 1900s. Although the academic world shunned his researches, Dr. Asou is especially well-known for other unique inventions such as the Spirit Stone Radio and the Projector.

From what I can tell, the camera in my possession seemed to be one of many prototypes but is surprisingly in good condition. The most special feature about the camera is its ability to capture pictures of impossible things. I've managed to take a couple pictures with it but so far the camera seemed to function like a normal one. They also say the camera specializes in exorcising hostile spirits and revealing hidden objects. The Camera Obscura has a rich history behind it but I've yet to unlock all its secrets.

After reading the documents, Aimi lifted the camera now and studied it closely. So this was called a Camera Obscura? And it had the ability to capture things that couldn't be seen to the naked eye? In order to test it, Aimi raised the camera and looked through its viewfinder…. And saw the abandoned bride standing there in the doorway. With a startled gasp, Aimi looked up and saw to her horror the same woman she saw out on the corridor balcony. Now the ghostly bride was standing there, blocking her only exit, and staring at those menacing dead eyes. And as Aimi tried to calm her wildly beating heart, the abandoned bride stepped into the room and started moving toward her…

Panic gripped Aimi's heart as she forced her trembling legs to step back as the abandoned bride moved to attack her. Realizing the camera was still in her hand, Aimi fought to keep her hands from shaking so much as she lifted the viewfinder to her eye. The abandoned bride reached out for her and like reflex Aimi instinctively pressed the shutter-button and a blinding light flashed. This caused the ghost to stagger back in shock. And as the ghost was momentarily stunned, Aimi could feel the camera heating up with spiritual power. That's when she knew… The Camera Obscura did have the power to exorcise spirits.

Even though fear still had a grip on her, Aimi was able to hold the camera steadier in her hands as the hostile ghost was moving in again for attack. Each time the ghost tried to strike out at her, Aimi pressed the shutter-button again and again. Finally at last… the abandoned bride let out a pitiable wail and vanished from sight. As soon as she was sure the coast was clear, Aimi was able to breathe again. But Matsumura was probably filled with all kinds of restless spirits. So Aimi decided to keep the camera with her at all times. Before safely exiting the guest-room, she found something on the ground where the abandoned bride had stood. Aimi reached down and picked up a dirtied wedding invitation with some of the words scribbled out.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of

***** & Manami Ishida

Wednesday, May 28, 2:00pm.

Aimi couldn't read the rest of it. Why was that ghost carrying this around? Stepping out onto the corridor again, that's when Aimi first spotted it. To her surprise, she saw what appeared to be a glowing flowery trail. A trail of white-camellia petals… This was unexpected but it drew her curiosity. Did this come from that ghostly bride? Armed with the Camera Obscura, Aimi decided to follow the trail of petals. Leaving the garden behind, the trail of petals seemed to lead to another guest at the end of the corridor. Aimi stopped in her tracks when she saw the ghostly abandoned bride silently walk through the door. And that's when Aimi knew that this ghost must have been another guest at the Oshiro Inn. But when Aimi tried to open the door, she felt a powerful spiritual energy block her attempts to enter. She couldn't get the door open. The ghost inside was somehow keeping her out. That's when she sensed the Camera Obscura reacting to the door.

Aimi stood there with a puzzled expression and then looked thoughtfully down at the camera. "Maybe if I take a photo?" she wondered. Holding up the camera, Aimi carefully aimed at the door and took a picture. Now Aimi held up the snapshot and waited a minute for it to develop. To her surprise, she saw something completely different.

Instead Aimi saw a picture of what appeared to be a dining hall with dining-tables. How very odd… Was there something at the dining-hall? Aimi decided to go investigate. So she pocketed the photograph and headed over to another staircase that led back to the 1st floor. After a moment of figuring how where she was, Aimi was able to find her way back towards the reception area. According to a map written in Japanese, the dining hall was down the right corridor. Walking by a storage closet and a few more guest rooms, finally she reached the end of the hallway. Aimi slid open the shoji- screen door and stepped into the inn's dining hall.

It looked exactly like the photo. Using her flashlight to explore, Aimi saw the dining tables were dusty and even had some dirty tea-cups and silverware left on them. There was a nice-looking decorative folding-screen which depicted lotus-flowers. The dining hall was empty and forlorn like everywhere else… and yet… Aimi could feel her sixth sense kicking in. There was something here. A pair of eyes was watching her. It was only by looking through viewfinder of the camera was she able to locate it. A creepy ghost face was floating near above the roof rafters. A Glaring Ghost cast the most vicious stare down at Aimi as she took its picture. And then she knew. She'd broken the seal.

With nothing else to find in the dining hall, Aimi returned to the guest-room on the second floor. Sure enough, she had no trouble opening the door now. Upon entering the room, the first thing Aimi saw was countless white camellias growing everywhere in the room. On the tatami-floor, the futon, the furniture, the walls, everywhere. One big camellia garden… It was such an unexpected sight that Aimi stood peering around in a mixture of amazement and uneasiness. Where did all these white camellias come from? In the middle of the room, Aimi saw the ghostly bride, weeping sadly in the middle of the room.

Even though Aimi was afraid, she couldn't help but feel some pity for the poor woman. Despite her misgivings, she dared to take a couple more steps closer to the ghostly bride and reached out a hand in some hopeful attempt to comfort the restless spirit. Sensing her presence, the abandoned bride ceased her crying and slowly lifted her head up as Aimi approached. Upon seeing her face, Aimi gasped and recoiled at once. White camellias grew inside the bride's neck, her chest, and her stomach. They seemed to spill with never-ending white petals. And as Aimi backed away, the abandoned bride rose… and for a second time moved in to attack her. Having no other choice, Aimi had to use the Camera Obscura once again to defend herself…

It wasn't easy exorcising the hostile ghost as white camellia petals flew all around her in a storm and Aimi had a tough time seeing through the viewfinder what with all the flowery petals distracting her. Somehow she managed while hearing the continued agonizing sobs from the ghostly bride. Aimi aimed the camera in the abandoned bride's direction but let out a startled cry as a strong wind of camellia petals flew into her face, blindsiding her. The second she lowered the camera, the abandoned bride was already lunging for her. Aimi lifted the camera in time… One fatal shot was all it took before the wailing abandoned bride staggered away and then vanished altogether. Once the crying stopped…all was silent. Right there on the very spot where the abandoned bride once stood was a glowing white camellia. When Aimi reached out to gently touch its petals, she could feel the ghost's very soul reach up to her. And then something flashed before her eyes.

(Flashback)

At the majestic shrine, the lovely bride stood faithfully by while waiting for her love to come for her. With her family and friends in attendance, she waited for her fiancé to arrive. An hour went by… She continued to wait for her love to come. Two hours later…Her family and friends show concern. Despite the long wait, she still clings to the hope that her fiancé will choose her. But it's been too long. Finally the fiancé's brother shows up and then it was revealed. Her fiancé was never in love with her.

But the bride never stopped loving her fiancé. She still hoped to be loved in return someday.

Aimi sighed sadly to herself after the vision ended. It was obvious that the abandoned bride had been another victim to the Hanahaki disease. She had to find Naoki. Where was her dear friend? With that, Aimi left the guest room behind and stepped out into the corridor. Just as Aimi was returning to the 1st floor of the inn, that's when she first heard it… "I will…always…love you." At first Aimi feared it was another hostile ghost. But then she recognized the voice.

"Naoki?" Aimi realized it was her friend. "Naoki!" she called while hurrying through the hallway.

Aimi was running by the garden when something caught her eye. Aimi shined her flashlight down at the ground and saw a different trail of flowers this time. A trail of orange tulip petals… Where did this lead? Aimi saw that this flowery trail seemed to lead her back to the reception area. And once she did, Naoki came into the view. She was slowly walking away down the left corridor all while mumbling incoherently to herself. Aimi was so overjoyed that she dropped her guard as she hurried to catch up with her friend.

"Naoki!" Aimi called out to her. But then she stopped…and saw that something was wrong. Naoki didn't react to her. Didn't turn around to greet her. It took a second for Aimi to realize the orange-lily petals were coming from Naoki. And then Aimi knew the horrible truth about her friend. Her friend was no longer alive…

Suddenly Naoki stopped and seemed to finally acknowledge Aimi's presence. And when she slowly turned around to face Aimi, Aimi was in for a gruesome sight. It was as she feared. Naoki had also succumbed to the Hanahaki Disease. Her glasses were missing but Naoki had bright orange lilies growing in her hair and her chest cavity. Her face had changed… No longer looking like a shy friendly girl, Naoki was glaring at Aimi with such frightening hatred. This left Aimi so stunned that she wasn't prepared when Naoki let out an angry growl and she lunged for her.

A scream escaped from Aimi has Naoki tried to strangle her. Luckily she was able to throw Naoki off and put distance between them. There was no hope for Naoki. Rather if she liked it or not, Aimi would have to fight back against her former friend. With a heavy heart, Aimi raised the Camera Obscura and prepared to battle. As Naoki moved in again to attack her, there was so much sadness, anger, and hatred in Naoki's dead eyes. Again and again Aimi pressed the shutter-button to exorcise Naoki. She wanted to put her friend's spirit to rest once and for all. There was nothing else to be done.

One fatal shot from the Camera Obscura put a stop to Naoki's attack. Naoki covered her face in sorrow and could only utter sadly. I will…always…love you. Naoki was no more… As soon as it was quiet again, Aimi took a moment to say a silent prayer for her poor friend. Would Naoki ever find peace? Or was she doomed to haunt this village too? Now that she knew the fate of Naoki Sugitani, there was no reason to stay in Matsumura. Aimi started to head for the exit when something on the ground caught her notice. It was a glowing orange-lily. Somehow just by looking at it, she knew it belonged to Naoki. Just like before, she reached to touch the flower to learn what was in Naoki's heart.

(Flashback)

In the school courtyard, it was the only place where Naoki was free to watch her crush. Standing by a maple-tree, Naoki gazed lovingly over at a tall boy standing around and talking to his friends. Her heart burst with happiness just at the mere sight of him. But then it filled her pure sadness. He didn't love her… He was in love with someone else. She would never be the one.

And yet, Naoki couldn't stop watching the boy of her dreams. She watched his every movement, listened to the sound of his laughter, and then she knew… Naoki would never stop loving him. She would always love him, even if it meant having to live a life without his love in return.

The vision ended. Then Aimi found something else on the ground. It looked like a photo. And when Aimi bent down to pick it up, she saw it contained a picture of a handsome-looking boy. Aimi immediately recognized him. It was Shou Fujiyama… A boy who went to the same school as her and Naoki… In the picture, a heart had been drawn around his picture. As Aimi looked at the picture, that's when she put two and two together. So it was Shou that Naoki had a crush on? The very same boy that she, Aimi also had a crush on. Things didn't end very well for poor Naoki. Shou didn't return Naoki's feelings.

But when Aimi gazed at the photograph, it also filled her with wistfulness. Aimi Hanazawa had grown up with Shou Fujiyama along with his little sister and her best friend, Ume. Since childhood, Aimi had always loved Shou from the moment she met him. She loved him for years… and yet she never told him. Because of her sixth sense and coming from a family of psychics, she didn't think Shou would desire a girl like her. Deep down, Aimi knew she was different and not like others… Yet it didn't stop her from loving Shou anyway, even if he might never love her.

At that very moment, that's when it began… Without warning, Aim felt another sharp pain in her chest that it made her wince. Massaging the soreness in her chest, she started to feel very queasy. Feeling her stomach churning inside her, Aimi unexpectedly ended up throwing up. It felt good at first but then the pain only returned. Aimi waited for her heart to stop pounding so hard. But when she looked down at the ground, she realized that she'd cough up white petals. Staring at the white petals in shock, Aimi clapped a hand over her mouth in horror. Could it be? Was she also starting to develop the disease?

"Oh no… What do I do?" Aimi thought worriedly. This was not good. Was it because of her emotions? Did thinking about her feelings for Shou trigger it? Or has being here in Matsumura somehow cursed her? What was going to happen to her now? Would she, too, end up sharing Naoki's fate?

Aimi managed to calm herself down and think things through. There was only one thing to do. Gripping the Camera Obscura with both hands, Aimi knew that it was up to her to solve the mystery of Hanahaki Disease. She had to learn about its origins and its cure. It was the only way. From that moment on, Aimi knew that she couldn't leave the village…