Chapter 5: Someone is Watching... (1):
Hiroshi's POV:
The tape ends and there's nothing but static. "Why is it like that," I asked.
"The video camera could have been switched off," says Ryūji, "what a pity. The images are pretty clear. We must find a way to salvage it. We must find a way to salvage it."
I then stood up, angrily, but Ryūji started laughing. "What's so funny," I asked.
"Aren't you happy," asks Ryūji, "at least we've found a way to record it." He then ejects the disk. I will duplicate this tape. Perhaps there might be some clues inside. You can write a script from it."
...
I then drove back.
Dr. Domyoji's POV:
I was still in the lab. The professor came in. "Sensei," I said.
"The results are out," says the professor, "as you predicted, the index went up."
"Great..."
"No matter how bad the situation is, we mustn't give up."
"Is the cause behind the mice's death known," I asked.
"Yes, but it's unbelievable. They died of myocardial infraction."
"Myocardial infraction," I asked.
"An autopsy was conducted on the spot. There was no pressure on the heart. After further tests, the heart was found to be deformed."
"Which means in the process of cardiac surgery, pressure has to be applied to the heart?"
"That's right."
I was scared.
Hiroshi's POV:
I was back home. Everyone else was sleep. "Another day has passed," I said. I then watched the tape again. "I will die 12 days from now. What has gone wrong with my body?"
Dr. Domyoji's POV:
The phone was ringing. I answered. "Hello?"
"This is Hiroshi. Sorry to bother you."
"No problem," I said.
"Still working at this hour?"
"I'm conducting some tests pertaining to myocardial infraction in mice. I didn't realize it was so late."
"Have you found out the cause," asks Hiroshi.
"Not sure yet," I said, "fortunately, there are similar past causes to refer to. Are you OK?"
"Could you do a medical checkup for me," asks Hiroshi.
"Are you unwell," I asked, "no problem. What about tomorrow? You can come over."
"OK."
Ryūji's POV:
I found Mai sleeping on the floor. She was playing her music box. I then turned it off. Then she attacked me from behind and took it back. She then plays it again.
Hiroshi's POV:
It was morning and I was eating some breakfast. Everyone continued to grow concern with me.
...
I just arrived at school. "Hiroshi, what is going on with you," asks Mayako.
"You're starting to scare... everyone," says Norihiko.
"Everything's fine," I said.
"Hey, Hiroshi," says Konosuke, "I heard you were having problems. Is there anyway I can help?"
"You know how he likes to help," says Konosuke's girlfriend, Misao.
"I don't need any help," I said.
"What are you guys talking about," asks Kanae.
"Probably about how Hiroshi lost his mind," says Kunihiko, "he might end up like Masami. Tomoko's death put her in the mental hospital."
"I have to go," I said.
Hikusho Tôyama's POV:
I found my son's tape. The tape people say is cursed. Why doesn't he want anyone looking at it? Could he believe in the so-called curse? No, that's ridiculous! He never believes in these things! Maybe it has the kind of thing he shouldn't be looking into. Wait, I would've heard if that pop idol did anything like that. One thing's for sure, he's obsessed with it, so I'm going to lock it up where he could never see it again!
Chisuzu's POV:
"What's wrong, Chisuzu," asks Tokimune. Everyone was drinking water. I looked in the water and saw a face...
Hiroshi's POV:
Is it possible for one to send out messages through some coding by disintegrating the images and then joining them together? I then saw the tape was missing. "Where's the tape," I asked.
"I hid it," says Dad, "you're too obsessed with that thing! So, I hid it somewhere where you can't see it again!"
Well, at least no one can watch it... but I may need it so I can know how to break this curse! Irony. "Dad, I got a question," I said, "was there a wave interruption on Channel 1 in the Kanto area?"
"What is this about," asks Dad, "it's one thing to try to figure out what happened to your classmates, but you obsess over a tape, you've been sneaking out late at night to who knows where and you've been quiet! What's going on?"
"I... I can't tell you," I said.
"There's nothing you've been through that I haven't gone through myself," says Dad.
"I... I gotta go!" I then ran off.
"This talk isn't over," says Dad.
...
I don't know what I'm gonna do!
Dr. Domyoji's POV:
"Dr. Domyoji..."
"Yes," I said.
"I'd like to hear your views regarding an issue."
...
"Have you heard of Ryūji Takayama?"
"Yes," I said, "he's infamous for killing people through curses."
"A police friend of mine has been closely monitoring him. They think it could be a trap. I personally don't believe in curses. Perhaps people grow stubborn with age. Memory fails me as well. The tape was given by the TV station. They contain scenes of people who have been cursed. Please tell me your views after watching it."
"OK, I'll watch it," I said, "regarding this, we hold similar views."
Hiroshi's POV:
I was at Dr. Domyoji's lab. "Go to each numbered room," she says, "bring this back when you're done."
"OK," I said.
"See you later," says Dr. Domyoji.
Chisuzu's POV:
I left school and found a phone. I made a call...
Hikusho's POV:
"Hello," I asked, answering the phone. Strange, it was nothing!
Hiroshi's POV:
I was getting myself scanned.
Hikusho's POV:
I learned that Chisuzu quit school and now I'm searching for her! I found Chisuzu, sitting on the ground. She needed a doctor!
To Be Continued
In the next chapter, Chisuzu's at the hospital.