Don't Call it Mystery: The Movie (2023)

[bunniefuu]

"In commemoration of

Fuji Television's 65th anniversary"

Finally, huh?

Yeah.

I'm wanted by the police

so I can't keep my promise.

There's a shadow in your family.

I wanted to get a glimpse of it

while I protected you.

I know.

I met an interesting college student.

Interesting how?

He's very observant.

He talks endlessly and annoyingly

about his observations. And...

he has curly hair.

Curly?

Yeah.

Curly.

"Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum"

I'm so glad I came today.

I even bought a Lautrec magnet.

But I bet it'll take me more time

to appreciate Monet.

Totonou Kuno.

Do you want a job?

Job?

Money and lives are at stake. I'm not kidding.

You were at the museum.

Also on the train

and at the memorial monument.

Who are you?

Why do you know me?

I'm Shioji Kariatsumari.

Shioji Kariatsumari...

Garo said I should contact you.

Garo? You know him?

Sort of.

He was supposed to help me but he can't.

I'm helpless on my own so I was going to give up.

But he said you'd fight with me.

Totonou Kuno, I need your help.

If not...

I might get k*lled.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Isn't it scary wearing a scarf?

Huh?

I can't wrap a scarf tightly around me like that.

I can't wear a necklace.

I'm afraid someone might strangle me.

It's time. Let's go.

My grandpa's will is gonna be read!

What? What? What?

Don't Call It Mystery

"Kariatsumari"

Um...

Am I allowed to be here? Why am I here?

Let's begin.

I'm Kurumazaka,

the family lawyer of the Kariatsumaris.

"Lawyer Yoshiie Kurumazaka"

This is Makabe, your tax accountant.

"Tax accountant Gunji Makabe"

We'll now disclose the will

of Yukinaga Kariatsumari who

passed away last month.

Hey...

Who are you?

- I'm...

- My boyfriend.

A future member of the family.

This broccoli head?

Broccoli...

"I, Yukinaga Kariatsumari,

bequeath my assets as follows."

"Adhering to family tradition"

"I leave everything I own

to one single successor."

"However, my four biological

children are deceased"

"and their spouses have no right to the estate."

"Therefore, I must choose my heir

from one of my grandchildren."

"Rikinosuke Kariatsumari."

"Yura Akamine."

"Neo Hahakabe."

"Shioji Kariatsumari."

How are you going to choose?

"I bestow a storehouse

to each of my grandchildren."

Storehouse?

"Meiso Storehouse to Rikinosuke."

"Onkyo Storehouse to Yura."

"Chukei Storehouse to Neo."

"Monnan Storehouse to Shioji."

Incomplete...

"Accomplish the following task

for the inheritance."

"Put everything where it properly

belongs without deficiency or excess"

"in your storehouses."

"One of you will be chosen"

"by Kurumazaka and Makabe, executors of my will."

"Good luck to the four of you

and may one of you win."

That's it.

I'll now give each of you

the key to your storehouse.

What did you mean?

About lives and money being at stake.

Our family members

have always fought over the inheritance

and people have died in each generation.

They probably k*lled each other.

Like the Inugami Family.

People did actually die

but from accidents and illness.

Right. The police never investigate.

Like when Dad and his siblings died.

Shioji...

It's a fact, Mom.

Let it go. It was an accident.

Garo was amused.

"There's a shadow in your family."

He was curious about this family.

The Kariatsumari inheritance murders...

People die one after another.

We'll be in touch.

Your grandpa must've trusted them a lot.

The Kurumazakas and Makabes

have supported the Kariatsumaris for 150 years.

I'm fine.

Now do you understand?

Your job is to be my bodyguard

and help me solve the puzzle.

You want the family fortune?

Not for me.

But my mom...

She won't get a penny because my dad is dead.

But she works like a sl*ve for the family.

I want the inheritance for her.

Why don't we try to avoid any deaths?

Let's have a peaceful discussion

with the other heirs.

It's none of your business.

Well...

You're an outsider. Get lost.

A family that won't listen...

What did you expect? We're rivals over the estate.

I'm staying here tonight. You should too.

I'm going back to Tokyo.

You haven't bought a ticket.

How do you know that?

That one-way ticket

only valid until today I bought at a discount

from a stranger at school...

I set it up.

You're scary. Awfully scary.

I told you.

Money and lives are at stake.

You both must be tired.

Mari is Grandpa's cousin. She was his caregiver.

Let me know if you need anything.

Thank you.

Good-luck tablets.

Salt for purification.

A big amethyst dome by the front door.

To keep evil away. It's been there for years.

It also keeps thieves away.

You know about stones.

I talked to stones when I was a kid.

That's creepy.

You can use this room.

The bath is that way...

I don't bathe at a stranger's house.

But no bathhouses...

Public bathing is worse. I also hate pools.

Do what you want.

Pajamas are there.

There's a convenience store nearby...

I brought toiletries.

On a day trip?

You never know what'll happen.

Disaster, accident, falling in a river.

Whatever. Go fall in a river.

One more thing.

Sorry I dragged you into this.

Thanks for coming despite the trouble.

That's it. Good night.

Good morning.

Good morning.

A mini shrine.

There's also a torii gate over there.

Riki.

The fence is unstable. I better warn him.

Totonou, should we go to the storehouse?

Okay.

This way.

Who's there?! You dropped it on purpose!

Whoever you are! You can't scare me like this!

I'll fight back!

Was it really intentional?

You could've been badly hurt.

I told you I was scared.

Like I said, people will die.

Wow...

The Kariatsumari property?

Most of our assets is real estate.

The storehouses.

They were never opened.

We were told to stay away.

But once, I saw my dad go into one.

He looked really secretive.

I think he took the key behind Grandpa's back.

This is my dad.

Neo's mom, Riki's dad, and Yura's mom.

Four siblings who started

arguing around that time.

Six months later

they drove off somewhere together.

The car fell off a cliff and exploded.

They all died instantly.

I think they were trying to k*ll each other.

When was it?

Eight years ago.

The battle for the inheritance

had already begun.

But they all died.

It was someone's plot that went awry.

It was ruled an accident.

They think Dad fell asleep at the wheel.

Grandpa's two brothers died

when he got his inheritance.

They fell in the sea during a fight.

My older ancestors also k*lled one another.

We're that kind of family.

"Monnan Storehouse"

What?

It's so empty.

What's this box?

A doll...

There's another doll.

This too.

They're all dolls.

There are three missing.

Why...?

Hold on.

The design on the kimono represents the month?

I think so. A doll for each month of the year.

Pine for January. Plum for February.

Wisteria. Iris.

The ancient flower calendar.

Um... Chrysanthemum and peony are missing.

"Flower calendar"

And cherry blossom?

Cherry blossom?

What's the matter?

I've seen that doll.

In a kimono with cherry blossoms.

Shioji! Don't touch it.

This isn't yours.

I have to return it to the owner.

Owner?

Yura! What was in your storehouse?

I'm not telling you. We're in a race.

Stop growling like that. Lighten up.

Sachi, go see Grandpa.

I'm going back to the storehouse.

- Come with me.

- Go on.

Sachi.

Did you go in the storehouse?

What was inside? It'll be our secret.

Here's some candy.

You shouldn't do that.

What do you want?

You can go.

Sachi!

I heard children are like wet cement.

Huh?

Whatever falls on it leaves its mark.

So don't use a child as a spy.

She'll regret it.

For the rest of her life

she'll regret revealing a secret

and troubling her mom.

She's just a kid. She wouldn't understand.

Kids aren't stupid.

Were you stupid at that age?

Hey.

Let me see your storehouse.

Are you crazy? No way.

I'll show you mine.

Information is power.

Right?

"Chukei Storehouse"

Your storehouse is full.

I think they're all Miyajima pottery.

We had a lot at home.

What?

They're exactly the same.

One of them must be fake.

No two bowls are the same.

Two of this too.

Another fake, I'm sure.

Some dolls are missing.

There are too many bowls.

"Put everything"

"where it properly belongs"

"without deficiency or excess."

Okay... What does that mean?

Let's ask a Miyajima potter.

They're in my storehouse! I'll go with you.

May I go to the restroom first?

I have an upset stomach.

It's over there. I'll show you.

- Thank you.

- Follow me.

"Onkyo"

"Onkyo Storehouse"

This is creepy.

Why is there a jail in a storehouse?

Notebook?

Who's there?!

Asa!

Long time no see.

Asa!

It's been so long. How are you?

I just bought this. Should we share it?

From a Chinese restaurant...

- Sweet potato.

- Yay!

We'll share it.

Nice and hot.

It's hot.

Thanks.

You always give me the bigger piece.

Sorry about that.

He's Mr. Kurumazaka's grandson.

Asaharu Kurumazaka.

Totonou Kuno.

My first love.

You're still not a lawyer?

An aspiring lawyer?

My fate being born as a Kurumazaka.

The Makabes are tax accountants. Family tradition.

Did you open the storehouse? What was inside?

Scary dolls like the one that runs in "Deep Red."

You think they're that big?

Thanks for coming today.

It's okay. Where do you wanna go?

"Miyajima pottery"

It's a fake.

I knew it.

What is it?

You see, I've seen a similar bowl.

Your mom brought it here.

With her little brother.

My father?

Why did they bring a forgery?

Can you tell where it was made by whom?

It's a poor forgery.

I doubt it was made to deceive someone.

There are some workshops for tourists.

Maybe someone made it there.

Where's this workshop?

All the workshops have closed down.

Did they mention anything else?

Let me think...

The last time they came...

What are you going to do with it?

The real bowl will fetch a good price.

No... I'll return it to the owner.

"Owner" again?

Dad was going to return the doll

and bowls to their owners?

Mari makes the best fried chicken.

I want one.

Um... Have you seen Yura?

No. You can't find her?

Maybe the storehouse.

No. It's locked. She also left her phone behind.

I'll go ask Neo and Riki.

Will you watch Sachi?

How old was I?

Have you seen Yura? We can't find her.

Are you serious?

I'll go look for her.

Grandpa's stuff?

We were organizing them but started looking at old photos.

We kept getting distracted.

I see.

Did something happen to Yura?

We should all go look...

Shioji!

Shioji!

- Neo!

- Are you okay?!

Are you hurt?

Is this grease?

Who did this?!

Wait. Nobody would.

I was fine going upstairs.

I'll go look for her.

Riki? I don't believe it.

This morning, someone tried to

crack my head with a flower pot!

Who'd do something like that?

What?

Where were you this morning?

Was it you, Neo?!

No way. It wasn't me.

Then who?!

How should I know?!

I told you.

Family members that k*ll each other.

Yura!

Ippei!

Rikinosuke.

- Thanks for your help.

- Of course.

Where is she?

She always calls if she's staying out late.

What?

"Onkyo"

The storehouse key.

Why is it here?

Yura! Yura!

Yura! Are you in there?!

Yura!

It's about time.

Someone closed the door.

Who's there?!

Wait.

Wait!

No!

Hey! Open the door!

Someone trapped me in there.

Who was it?

Not me.

I was with Totonou all day.

Whoever it was, you're going to pay.

You haven't said anything. Was it you?

Me? Absolutely not.

We fell down the stairs earlier.

Someone made it slippery with grease.

Are you serious?

Was it you when you went downstairs first?

Why would I do that?

I wouldn't look for Yura if I locked her in there.

My husband came to save me.

He found the key so maybe you had no choice.

Give me a break. Baseless accusation.

Then let me see your storehouse.

You saw mine so let's make it fair.

It's not the same thing.

I knew it! You wanna win that badly?!

Show us your storehouse and we'll believe you!

All right.

Tomorrow.

You better not go back on your word.

I'm going home.

Good morning.

Huh?

Laundry?

No. Please knock.

My mom sent me to get your laundry.

- That's fine.

- It's okay.

Why is it "fine" for both yes and no?

Don't be shy. Give it to me.

I'm not being shy. "That's fine" as in "no"!

It terrifies me to have

strangers wash my dirty clothes.

I was trying to be nice.

I know but that's not the point.

I said no, so honor that.

- You're annoying.

- You too.

Let's go to Riki's storehouse after breakfast.

Okay.

"Meiso Storehouse"

Come on in.

Welcome to the Meiso Storehouse.

Nasty.

I'm freaked out

by the hair.

Hair is either nice or

icky depending on where it is.

There's nothing wrong with hair on a head.

You all have straight hair.

No. My dad had naturally curly hair.

Sachi too.

My late mom used to straighten her hair.

I do too.

I wish I could but I'm afraid to.

It gets silky and smooth.

Silky and smooth?

Are they swords?

Be careful.

The blood on them must've made them rusty.

Human blood?

We'll know if we get it tested.

Riki is a pathologist.

Cool.

I didn't want you to get scared.

I wasn't trying to hide them.

Really? I don't believe you.

Get off my back.

Stop making me the bad guy.

But you are. It was you!

Maybe you dropped the flower pot.

Shut up, Yura!

You shut up yourself!

Stop shrieking all the time!

Stop yelling at me!

Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!

Mommy!

Stop fighting.

Sachi, I told you not to come here.

Let's go.

Dolls, bowls, jail, swords.

Very confusing.

Um...

Yes?

Can we talk?

Someone might lean on the fence

and fall on the rusty dagger.

Your plan?

You're going too far.

Shioji.

You trapped Yura in the storehouse

and put grease on the stairs.

A fishing line on the broken flower pot.

This way.

You staged it.

To make it seem like someone

is trying to k*ll you.

I have no idea what you're talking about. Let's...

As your bodyguard, I kept my eyes on you.

May I go to the restroom first?

I have an upset stomach.

I'll show you.

Thank you.

You had some time alone before Asaharu came.

Asa!

Have you seen Yura?

I'll go ask Neo and Riki.

I saw you touch the steps going upstairs.

You were imagining it.

I'm so tired. Let's go eat.

Listen, Shioji.

Stop scowling. Do you have any proof?

Listen to me. Stop bluffing.

Don't try to run away.

Perps in TV crime dramas always demand proof.

An innocent person wouldn't, in my opinion.

I talked to your mom.

I'm so sorry about what happened.

Your husband k*lled them!

He's responsible for this!

It's your dad's fault!

He k*lled my mom!

No!

It wasn't his fault!

He k*lled them!

I think she's in denial.

Her beloved father fell asleep at the wheel

and k*lled his siblings.

They died in a family feud,

not because he dozed off.

Easier on your conscience?

To think they died fighting for the inheritance?

Family members that k*ll each other?

Who's there?! You dropped it on purpose!

The flower pot.

The stairs.

You were too dramatic.

And today, you were in a great mood.

Because you've convinced them that

there's a deadly family feud.

Therefore, that car crash

wasn't your dad's fault.

Your scenario.

I think

Garo wanted to stop you.

Before you became a m*rder*r.

There's no shadow in the family.

The shadow is in you.

But...

Grandpa always used to say...

our family members k*ll each other.

So did he.

He said I will too one day!

He said that to a child?

What was dropped on you

before your cement hardened?

I think your father died in an accident.

Even if it wasn't,

you have to stop what you're doing.

Shioji.

I'm sorry for what I said.

I shouldn't have lashed out like that.

But you shouldn't have trapped me

in the storehouse.

Forget it. Kids play pranks.

Yeah.

Shioji.

I'm taking that dagger.

So... why are you all here?

We were looking for you. We want to talk.

With me?

You said at first that we should talk.

About what?

I don't want Sachi to see me cranky all the time.

What can we do?

Do you watch horror movies? Splatter films?

People die because they separate from the group.

They can avoid their grisly deaths

if they don't wander off on their own.

So I wanted to suggest an alliance.

Unless you're planning to k*ll

your rivals for the inheritance.

That's ridiculous.

Then let's solve the mystery fair and square.

Good.

No hard feelings toward the winner.

Okay.

- Agreed?

- Yes.

So Shioji... I'll leave tomorrow morning.

Let's go. It's cold out here.

Yeah.

"Laundromat"

I can be home before noon tomorrow

and go to class in the afternoon.

I don't feel good.

Did I do the right thing?

You really fell in a river

and have to take a bath.

Enjoy it!

Humiliation.

That car...

seemed to come straight at me.

Am I imagining it? Why me?

Report it to the police?

The witness gets k*lled?

I didn't witness anything.

Am I close to the truth?

About what? Why? Who?

Totonou!

Will M-size underwear fit you?

I'll leave it here.

Thank you...

Humiliation.

Thank you...

You're welcome.

You have many photo albums.

We sure do.

At a memorial service we had

my husband saw the jumbled photos

and put them in these albums.

He was a tidy person.

Would you like to see Shioji

when she was a little girl?

May I?

Of course.

Blood ties are very important to this family.

Blood is thicker than water.

I've always thought

blood is of course thicker than water.

Why isn't it compared with

something else other than water?

What's this X mark?

"Minoru Kariatsumari"

Oh...

My father-in-law's brother who died young.

Who fell in the sea?

Yes.

Grandpa's two brothers died...

Another X here.

"Nagamasa Kariatsumari"

Why mark the people who died young?

I have no idea.

This must be Shioji's father.

Yes.

Will you keep the albums out?

Okay...

Shioji.

Are you still up?

Shioji.

What do you want?

I'm sorry. I was wrong.

Your father might've been m*rder*d after all.

Like your grandfather's brothers

and other ancestors.

But not because

of the inheritance.

What do you mean?

Get everyone together.

Look at these photos.

- They're...

- Your ancestors.

They all died young in an accident

or fighting over the inheritance.

So?

Look carefully for what they have in common.

Not their gender.

Not their age.

It's their curly hair.

Bright curly hair. A fair complexion.

They almost look like foreigners.

Hold on. You mean a similar appearance?

Yes.

Your other ancestors that lived

a long life had straight dark hair.

So?

I think

people were m*rder*d

because of certain physical traits.

I think there's deeper reason

disguised as a family feud over the inheritance.

No way...

That's totally absurd.

Yeah. Preposterous.

My dad.

He looked like a foreigner

with curly hair and fair skin.

Don't tell me you're serious.

I think he noticed the similarity

when he was organizing the photos.

And he thought he had the same traits.

He must've been shocked.

So he discussed it with his big sister, Neo's mom.

You know why, don't you?

She had curly hair.

My late mom used to straighten her hair.

Yes.

They must've started to

research the family history.

They secretly opened the

four forbidden storehouses.

They felt something odd

about the bowls they found.

So they asked the potter about it.

That's my guess.

There are some workshops for tourists.

Maybe someone made it there.

They might've gone

to that workshop and found the forger.

Maybe they went to see this forger.

Then they might've discussed it

with Riki's dad and Yura's mom.

They continued to investigate together

and discovered something.

It meant trouble

for someone in the family.

I think

that's why

they were k*lled in a staged accident.

Who k*lled them?

That, I don't know. I'm sorry.

A stranger like you has no right

to make such allegations!

Actually, I think it makes sense.

I had my suspicions.

Shioji's dad was careful,

diligent, and well organized.

He'd never fall asleep at the wheel

with his siblings in the car.

May I continue?

Why not?

I was almost run over by a car last night.

- Really? Why?

- I have no idea.

Maybe you imagined it.

Maybe I did...

But it pissed me off. I was also humiliated.

- Humiliated?

- Yes.

I get aggressive when I'm under attack.

So...

I'll investigate, like it or not.

Why did you rule it an accident right away?

Witnesses.

Numerous drivers saw him asleep at the wheel.

No medical condition. He must've dozed off.

Was there an autopsy?

Back then

autopsies were only conducted

for very suspicious cases.

Any clues about where they were headed?

No.

Even the family

didn't know where they were going.

It didn't seem like an ordinary road trip.

What do you mean?

There was a Japanese doll in a wooden box.

The design on the kimono?

Design?

A chrysanthemum, I think.

Chrysanthemum and peony are missing.

There was also a bowl in a wooden box.

What else did you notice?

The driver had a small plastic fragment

in his coat pocket.

My dad?

Yes.

It'd melted so we didn't know what it was.

Years later, I had a thought.

That melted plastic...

Maybe it was this.

A flash drive cap?

No flash drive anywhere.

No... But it should be somewhere.

- Totonou.

- Yes?

Are you from this area?

Why do you ask?

You seemed to know your way around the city.

You never got lost.

I've been here a few times.

I see.

What is it?

There's something green under the floorboards.

Yeah. What is it?

"The Ogres' Gathering"

A ticket to a play?

Yes.

A used ticket.

"September 2013, Carneades Theater Company"

Nine years ago...

Six months before the accident.

Let's contact the organizer.

"Inquiries by email"

Brings back memories.

It was too macabre for the audience.

Do you know if they came to watch it?

No.

Do you have a video of the play?

You see...

Something happened after the performance.

Like what?

The playwright committed suicide.

A relative of his

took the script and video.

The name of the relative?

I forgot.

Why did he take his own life?

I don't know.

He wasn't the type to commit suicide.

He was disowned by his parents but stole

and sold valuable pottery

from the family storehouse.

Pottery?

He replaced them with bad forgeries.

Funny, huh?

It's a fake.

Can you tell where it was made by whom?

He was an actor but wrote a play that

he desperately wanted to put on.

"The Ogres' Gathering."

Here.

"Narration"

A narration of the play

we recorded for the investors.

So...

we borrowed it for you to watch.

This playwright left those forgeries

in my storehouse?

Yes. I think that's how your parents found him.

What else is in your storehouses?

Nothing special. Just old kimonos.

Same here.

I didn't find a flash drive either.

Me too. Does it really exist?

So...

what's that DVD? My dad's babysitting Sachi.

Please watch it.

I think Dad and your parents watched it too.

Hurry up.

All right. Let's start.

"In the tumultuous days over 150 years ago"

"there lived three ogres in the

dark depths of Hiroshima."

What is this?

"The boss ogre had bright long curly hair"

"and fair skin like a foreigner."

"The other two ogres who idolized him

were his loyal minions."

"They pretended to be human peasants"

"and were hired by Karita,a hemp farmer."

"They fell in love with the young bride

of the Karita family."

"One night, the ogres raided

their employer's house."

"They k*lled everyone there and

abducted the young bride."

Do we really have to watch this?

"As they celebrated their success,

the ogres wondered"

"how they should continue their lives."

"We should assume the identity

of the Karita family."

"But there was a snag in this plan of theirs."

"A hired hand had helped"

"the young daughter of the family escape."

"The ogres looked for the girl but to no avail."

"Later, during the revolt against the shogunate"

"the ogres took advantage of

the turmoil and social changes"

"to take over the Karita family."

"They dismembered the humans they k*lled"

"and buried them on a hill in the property."

"And they built four storehouses on the hill."

A storehouse to each of my grandchildren.

"They built a jail in one of them"

"where they violated the young bride every night."

"Living in a nightmare, she eventually

gave birth to the boss ogre's child."

"The ogres had a knack for business

and the family prospered."

"The boss ogre dyed his hair black to

avoid suspicion from humans."

"Yet he worried."

"About the girl who escaped."

"Will she return one day?"

"With a burning vengeance

to k*ll me while I'm asleep?"

"The ogres were terrified."

"They fortified the house with

anti-evil talismans."

"They built mini shrines and a torii gate."

"We must guard our secret."

"We must guard our secret."

"He k*lled his children whose hair

was bright and curly like his."

"The ogres made a pact."

"If a child is born looking like him,

the boy or the girl must be k*lled."

"Now in modern day"

"the ogres' descendants are thriving."

"But the fear still remains. The pact is alive."

"Nobody must know that they

took over the Karita family."

"So they k*ll."

"They're still dancing hand in hand

with a wry look on their faces."

"In the ogres' gathering."

That's it.

I don't get it.

Karita? Gathering?

It means "Kariatsumari."

The storehouses...

Based on a true story?

I think so, although the ogres

are used as a metaphor.

We're descendants of criminals?

True or not, there are people who believe it is.

And they follow the old rule and

k*ll those who look like the ogre.

Your parents realized this

and that's why they were...

Stop!

That was eight years ago.

It's too late to dig up the past!

I'm going home.

I should get going too.

Hold on.

Written by Kanji Takarada?

Takarada?

You know him?

Yeah... He committed suicide.

You don't know him.

Who is he?

Mari's little brother.

My brother?

After all these years?

My underwear!

You like stripes?

None of your business.

But I prefer stripes over dots.

Did he have curly hair?

He had hair like mine. Why do you ask?

I was just wondering what kind of person he was.

He ran away to become an actor.

I heard he got himself deep in debt.

He got drunk and slashed his wrist.

Even though he never drank.

The police said

he probably needed liquid courage to k*ll himself.

Do you know about this play?

"The Ogres' Gathering"

No.

A relative of his took the script and video.

That's news to me.

But he did steal from the family storehouses.

He once told me he found something of great value.

What was it?

Some kind of old scroll.

So...

the story about the ogres was on that scroll?

I think so. That's my guess.

He wrote a play about it.

Then he took his own life.

Then someone took the video and script.

You mean...

Yes.

Something's not right.

What do you think your dad and his siblings

did after they watched it?

Did they believe the story?

I doubt it.

If it were me, I'd check its veracity.

How?

You must be kidding. Body parts buried here?

The floorboards have been removed.

And the soil is disturbed.

Dad must've dug it up.

And dropped the ticket.

I'm not helping.

I don't wanna do this either!

Give me a break.

Wow...

They're really here.

Can you identify how old they are?

I think so but...

You really found them?!

Report it to the police?

Archaeologist? University? Historian?

Now it's clear.

Dad found them.

He didn't die...

in an accident.

- We're back.

- Hi.

You guys are so dirty.

Go take a bath.

You too.

I will by myself.

You don't mind anymore?

I've set a precedent.

That simple.

- Mommy.

- Sorry I'm late.

Thanks for watching her, Dad.

I don't mind.

But stop wandering off and troubling your husband.

Your job now is to stay home

and be a good wife and mother.

Let your husband take care of you

and stay relaxed with Sachi.

Isn't that every woman's dream?

I know.

Why do you think so?

That everyone wants an easy life.

Who are you?

An acquaintance of Shioji.

Some people think women enjoy doing

housework and raising children.

On the other hand,

if you ask men to do all the heavy labor

I think some will say yes but others

will say no for one reason or another.

Men get to choose.

Shouldn't it be the same for women?

It makes no sense to put

half of mankind in a single group.

With housework, some people might like

to clean but don't want to cook.

They have different physical conditions

that affect how tired they get.

What are you talking about?

Everyone's different and

might not want an easy life.

It's up to the individual.

Nobody can decide for them.

I understand you want an easy life for her.

But that's your opinion.

She might not feel the same way.

For example

someone's traveling far away

so you drive them there.

Because you think it'll be easier for them.

But maybe they get carsick and wanted to walk.

But they felt bad to say so.

We can't speak for other people.

Everybody has different thoughts and desires.

- Also...

- You're not finished?

I think more men would stay home

to do housework and raise children

if it were that easy.

Since it's not the case,

men don't want to or can't.

So why would it be easy for women?

Why are you lecturing me?

You don't notice the expression on her face.

Hey.

I'm sorry. I don't know when to stop.

Come here.

Interesting. But what's your point?

I talked too much.

But don't get confused about

"every woman's dream."

I'm sure an old man first said it.

No woman would've said that.

An old man's slogan to stereotype women.

Have you heard anyone say "every man's dream"?

If there's one, there should be the other.

An old man's viewpoint that's

spoken like it's true and natural.

You're right.

"Women use tears as a weapon."

"Female friendships don't last."

So many cliches from a male point of view.

Yes.

Most of such cliches were first said by old men

and carry their unspoken biases and desires.

Forget what they said and

use words that come from within you.

That way, Sachi...

Children will be happier.

Are you playing hide-and-seek?

You don't like old men

even though you act like one.

I act like an old man?

- Totonou.

- Yes?

Is curly hair really a risk factor?

Yes. We actually found the bones.

Then Sachi is in danger too.

Yura, stop talking to him. Let's go.

I'm coming.

- See you tomorrow.

- Okay.

My grandpa's going to inform the police

and have them remove the bones.

He told us to stand back.

What are the legal repercussions?

If descendants of mass murderers

and identity thieves are found.

They won't be held responsible

for their dead ancestors' crimes.

What if the real descendants press charges?

I think the courts will dismiss the case.

The dolls aren't proof of their bloodline.

But this house is full of talismans

to ward off evil.

There are even mini shrines

and a torii gate outside.

Terrified...

For 150 long years

the master of this house has been terrified.

Of the girl coming back one day?

"Shioji"

I always used to draw with my dad.

You're good.

Dad owned an art gallery in Ginza.

I met Garo there.

Half pink and half purple.

Homework to draw a picture from a book.

It's from "The Secret Garden."

I wanted to make them all pink but...

You're coloring them pink.

If it were me, I'd use this color.

So...

I colored the other half purple.

You don't draw anymore?

No.

I was in the art club in middle school

but I lost confidence in my ability to draw.

I realized I had no talent.

I can't show them to Dad anymore.

So I quit.

I think you realize you're not talented

when you develop an eye for quality.

When you're bad, you don't realize that you are.

You don't notice the flaws of your drawings.

You notice them because you've improved.

So it's your chance to grow

when you lose confidence.

I should've drunk it.

That morning...

he was drinking orange juice.

It's good.

Shioji, want some juice?

No.

I was pouting 'cuz he

wasn't going to take me with him.

Here.

I don't want it.

That day...

I wish I drank the juice.

So what now?

It wasn't me. Rikinosuke convened the meeting.

"Forensics report"

The rusty swords in my storehouse.

There were traces of blood from multiple people.

They must've been used to k*ll

the people buried there.

Why are you so motivated now?

If this story is true...

I'll be the next victim.

Naturally curly hair?

I want to show you something too.

I found this in my storehouse.

I don't care about the inheritance anymore.

I have to protect Sachi.

They were apparently doing

their own investigation.

Forgeries.

"The Ogres' Gathering."

Was this notebook hidden somewhere?

It was wrapped in an old kimono.

But most of the pages are gone.

I think...

it's Dad's handwriting.

Really?

I think I've seen this notebook too.

The doll is the key.

What does it mean?

I don't know.

Dad said he was returning the doll to its owner.

I have to return it to the owner.

Who's the owner?

I think

your parents were looking for the

real bloodline of the Kariatsumari family.

You mean

the real descendants before

our ancestors assumed their identity?

Yes.

The descendants of the girl who escaped.

How were they looking for them?

That's why it says

the doll is the key.

The doll the girl ran away

with is the only clue.

So they were looking for someone who

has the old doll.

Did they find this person?

Look here.

"Preserve carefully"

Preserve what?

I think they found this person.

A Kariatsumari descendant

in the girl's bloodline.

Three missing dolls in the storehouse.

Let's say the girl ran away with one of them.

The second one...

The burnt chrysanthemum doll!

The third one with cherry blossoms.

Maybe they already gave it to its owner.

On the way to return the

chrysanthemum doll and the bowl

their car crashed.

They were on their way

to that person's house?

Then "carefully preserve" what?

What could it be?

The flash drive...

Yeah! That must be it!

Maybe it contains information about that person.

Yes. They probably already arrived at the answer.

Hold on.

Is this descendant's life in danger too?

Of course. The biggest nuisance for the family.

We better watch our backs.

We also might be targets.

Who'd come after us?

Is there like a death squad or something?

If they're still following the old rule...

Someone in the family?

Why don't you guys look again for the flash drive?

Yeah. Maybe we overlooked it.

May I?

It's Grandpa. I have to go.

Keep me informed, Shioji.

I will.

See you.

I have to pee.

The notebook got wet!

What's wrong?

You realized something.

I remember.

Remember what?

This notebook...

Where I saw it.

Shioji, tell us.

No way... I can't believe it.

But if it's true,

we better find the flash drive.

I have no idea where it could be.

It must be hidden somewhere.

Where?

Safety deposit? PO box?

A secret place?

Secret...

It's from "The Secret Garden."

I wanted to make them all pink but...

Shioji.

Do you have a tide chart?

Tide chart?

For the high and low tides of Miyajima.

Why Miyajima?

I know where the flash drive is.

Where is it?

Let everyone know.

Like who?

Everyone involved.

We know where the flash drive is.

The sun side of the great gate.

Following the pillars at

low tide toward the stone wall...

Right at the gap...

It's buried there.

"About the Kariatsumari family"

"Address of Toshiya Matsui,

possibly a direct descendant"

"Matsui"

Stop! Freeze!

It's over!

We gotcha!

You're under arrest for attempted arson!

Asa...

I wasn't sure who'd do what.

But burning people to death?

May I speak?

Go ahead.

Was it a trap?

Yes.

We informed everyone involved, not just you.

This house is abandoned.

I buried the flash drive.

Why in Miyajima?

No need to dive underwater

when the tide is low and...

a convincing hiding place that

the k*ller would fall for.

Why?

Shioji...

You lied to me.

I...

remembered.

The morning of the accident.

- Good morning.

- Hi. What's up?

Juice made with oranges from our field.

Thanks.

Hi, Shioji.

- It's good.

- Thanks.

Shioji, want some juice?

No.

It's really good.

Here.

I don't want it.

It was this notebook.

Later...

Dad...

Where's my notebook?

Where is it?

Shioji, leave it here if you find it.

Okay.

See you later.

Then he left.

And died in the accident.

Did you...

steal his notebook?

That's why it's here?

Me?

For what?

To remove the wet pages.

I had them tested.

Even if the pages look clean

they had traces of orange juice

and sleeping pills.

You're lying. They'd be gone by now.

They'd be gone by now?

Paper retains what it absorbs.

Was it you?

Did you drug him and stage the accident?!

Back off!

Why?!

The three ogres started

the Kariatsumari, Kurumazaka,

and Makabe families

and kept their pact alive.

The Kurumazakas and Makabes have been k*lling

Kariatsumari descendants born with

the ogre's physical traits.

Mr. Kurumazaka and Mr. Makabe? The death squad?

But you got impatient.

Shioji's dad and Neo's mom

were on the hit list for their appearance.

You also had to k*ll them

to stop their investigation.

But...

"Carefully preserve"

you realized they'd found the

escaped girl's descendant.

For years, you were terrified

of her vengeance and

losing everything you acquired.

You were desperate

to know who and where this descendant was.

You should've k*lled them after you got the info.

Bad choice of words.

You came to see me after the accident.

You asked me persistently

if Dad used a computer or left something with me.

- You came to see me too.

- Same here.

With excuses about legal documents.

You thought they'd said something

to their children.

So you came up with a plot.

You orchestrated this family feud

for the inheritance.

Storehouses and a mystery to solve.

A deficiency of dolls and an excess of bowls.

Simple clues to motivate them

to continue their parents' investigation.

Hoping they'd find the flash drive.

How can you be so sure?

You kept goading them to press forward.

What else is in your storehouses?

Written by Kanji Takarada?

What did they do after they watched it?

Why don't you look for the flash drive?

You tried to manipulate us.

You were watching me.

It was something you said.

The storehouse? What was inside?

Scary dolls like the one that runs in "Deep Red."

You think they're that big?

It sounded like you'd seen those dolls.

But no surprise as the family lawyer.

So I wondered why you'd pretend not

to know about them.

Asa, say something.

Asa!

I didn't mean to k*ll all four of them.

I thought it'd only be Shioji's dad and Neo's mom.

But the other two were also in the car.

You unintentionally k*lled my mom?

My dad was just collateral damage?

Yes. I feel bad about that.

One of them would've been the

sole heir to the estate.

They didn't have to die.

But they were in the car.

Because Shioji said...

it'd just be her dad and Neo's mom.

That's what you said.

Asa? Dad and Neo's mom

are going on a drive tomorrow.

Me?

You're also the one who told me

about your dad's strange behavior.

Seeing him enter the storehouse.

His secretive conversations with Neo's mom.

You told me all about what he was up to.

I panicked.

So I made up my mind.

To carry out my first job

since they had to be k*lled

sooner or later.

Thanks to you, Shioji.

Is it...

my fault?

Did I...

k*ll...

my dad?

- No, Shioji!

- Absolutely not!

No.

No.

It's not your fault.

It's 100% Asaharu's fault.

Are you trying to blame Shioji

for my mom's death?

You coward. We're not that stupid.

The world doesn't need a lawyer like you.

You're despicable.

Asaharu, you b*stard!

Someone who gives you

the bigger piece of something

doesn't necessarily mean they're kind.

Some people don't care or are driven

by guilt or have ulterior motives.

That's harsh.

Not another word!

Asaharu, stop talking!

Grandpa...

I tried to stop you.

Who are you?

His grandfather. I'm a lawyer.

I confessed. It's on record.

It means nothing.

You're tired. Keep your mouth shut.

Why?

Asaharu, isn't this your mission?

A noble mission passed on to you.

If you don't think it's a crime,

you wouldn't try to hide it.

- You're right.

- Asaharu!

You shouldn't try to hide it.

- Asaharu!

- Hey...

Did you also k*ll Mari's brother

who wrote the play?

He committed suicide.

A non-drinker got drunk to slash his wrist?

I don't drink either so I should know.

No matter how stressed or scared to die

a non-drinker would never turn to alcohol.

Did you k*ll him?

No.

- Drink!

- Open your mouth!

It was Grandpa and Mr. Makabe.

The relative who took the script

and video of "The Ogres' Gathering"?

Yes. It was them.

I told you to shut up!

Asaharu!

Grandpa can't sleep.

Without strong sleeping pills.

Mr. Kurumazaka, was it you in that car?

What?

Asaharu didn't seem surprised by

anything he saw or heard.

But...

I was almost run over by a car last night.

Really? Why?

It was the only time you were genuinely surprised.

You weren't asking me why.

You were wondering why your grandpa would do that.

You said Totonou was a troublemaker.

I never said that. You heard me wrong!

But I thought it had to be done.

Because without Totonou

they're all too stupid to notice anything.

You were all hippos.

I used to think hippos' teeth were cylindrical.

But they keep growing and turn into sharp fangs.

Zookeepers cut them

so that they don't harm themselves.

I was surprised when I heard that.

Nobody knew you also had fangs.

But perhaps all these years,

you were made to believe

that your teeth were cylindrical.

Not seeing your true nature.

Our true nature?

A quote from a movie.

"Crime is only a left-handed

form of human endeavor."

I'm sure it was an endeavor.

Our grandpa also must've known.

Of course.

Only the family heads are told about the ogres.

But he was shocked about the accident.

It was inevitable.

You were too hasty!

You didn't have to

k*ll all four of them, you fool!

Makabe...

No "integrity."

In the storehouses' names.

Meiso Storehouse. Onkyo Storehouse.

Chukei Storehouse. Monnan Storehouse.

Incomplete...

The Analects of Confucius.

There's one missing from the nine values.

Integrity, which is arguably the most important.

So what?

Integrity describes the "right path."

Your ancestor couldn't use it

because he knew it was wrong.

"We must guard our secret."

"We must guard our secret."

"We must guard our secret."

Are you finished?

Let's talk at the police station.

Come on. Let's go.

Shioji.

I believed it because it came from you.

About the flash drive at Itsukushima Shrine.

You lied to me...

It breaks my heart.

The nerve of you!

You're the liar!

Not in my opinion.

You wouldn't understand.

Enough! Let's go!

I'm not a criminal.

I don't k*ll people at random!

I do what's necessary!

The same thing people

have done throughout history!

Let's go, Shioji.

To see the real Kariatsumari

descendant that your dad found.

Did you find the flash drive?

You actually knew where it was hidden?

Yes.

Seriously? Where was it?

Something Shioji's dad

carefully kept with the photos.

That drawing.

If it were me

I'd use this color.

"The Secret Garden" in purple.

I knew it had to be there.

Where?

The amethyst dome.

Hidden in plain sight

where no one would think to look.

Your parents

told me about you all, their children.

Your father came to a shop that sells

power-stone accessories I make

to discuss the purification of the amethyst dome.

He noticed the doll

in the background of a photo of me.

So he contacted me.

In our family, this doll has been

passed on to the eldest daughter.

Maybe she brought us together.

Peony...

There's the doll with cherry blossoms.

Your father gave it to me.

He returned it to you.

Were you the one who embedded

the flash drive in amethyst?

Yes, it was me.

So you know about our family?

Yes. I also heard the story about the ogres.

I couldn't believe it at first.

But your parents worried that

I might be in danger.

They told me to stay put even if

something happened to them.

When I learned of the accident,

I was shaken to the core.

For eight years

I remained silent and kept it to myself.

I'm sorry.

It was the right thing to do.

We're the ones that owe you an apology.

Your parents said...

We're ending this absurdity with our generation.

We won't pass it on to our children.

They smiled with determination

to expose everything

for their children.

They asked me to make a gift for each of you.

Gift?

I'm glad I finally have the chance

to give them to you.

Yura, this is from your mother.

She thought you'd want to start working again.

It's made with stones

that give you foresight and

guide you to success in business.

This is for you from your father.

He said you're a kind man

who puts others before yourself.

These stones will make you free

and help you achieve your own goals.

To you from your mother.

She said you're impulsive and temperamental.

Those stones will bring you vigilance,

virtue, calmness, and friendship.

This is for you from your father.

Stones that will draw out your hidden potential,

strength, and vitality.

Shioji.

You're bright and responsible.

But you get tired,

worrying all the time about other people.

Be brave and confident.

Don't worry.

You'll grow up to be someone who

finds hope in adversity.

You have a happy life ahead of you.

Totonou, look. You like stones, right?

Shioji.

Why don't you and your mom get counseling?

Not necessary. There's nothing wrong with me.

I watch a lot of American crime dramas.

When a detective kills an offender or

has a traumatic experience

they're required to get counseling.

They can't go back to work

without the counselor's okay.

I think it's because...

they embrace their weaknesses.

People are vulnerable and fragile.

Everybody struggles and could get overwhelmed.

It's only natural.

So we try to heal and get back on our feet.

We believe we can.

But vulnerability is a flaw in Japanese culture.

The weak are losers. Only the strong survive.

Those who collapse are shamed for

accepting their vulnerability.

A strong spirit conquers all.

It'd be nice if there's no shame

in being vulnerable.

You sometimes use the negative question.

"Why not?" "Don't you want to go?"

You're insolent and snarky

but you're always afraid.

You put on an act.

Scared of a tightly-wrapped scarf.

Many things must've been

dropped on your wet cement.

But you're still a child.

Your cement hasn't hardened yet.

You still have time to fill the holes.

I'm leaving now.

I've been wondering...

Who are you?

Yeah... Who are you?

A student who was dragged into

someone else's business.

About the bones under the

storehouse's floorboards...

She can request a DNA analysis.

To check the bloodline.

I doubt she will.

We should turn the storehouses into a museum.

Good idea.

See ya.

Yes.

Take care.

You all too.

What would've been Garo's conclusion?

Offenders kept offending and

creating more offenders and victims.

Victims didn't stop the cycle.

They were neither the offender nor the victim.

So complicated.

Totonou!

Thank you!

I'll go visit you in Tokyo!

Please don't.

I'm leaning my seat back all the way.

I'll sleep until Tokyo.

Please sit back for the post-credit scene.

"Criminal Investigation Section 1"

We're back.

Mr. Aoto.

The Hiroshima prefectural police called.

Hiroshima?

About the Kariatsumari case.

Why us?

Wataru Kariatsumari was one of the victims.

He owned an art gallery in Tokyo

with Garo Inudou on its client list.

I see.

One more thing.

Kuno was there at the scene of the arrest.

Kuno? Why was he in Hiroshima?

On vacation?

He gets involved even when he's on a trip?

It's safe to say he attracts trouble.

Anything else about Garo?

Nothing. He's still in the wind.

Where is he hiding out?

"Shioji Kariatsumari"

A photo Totonou took.

He refused to be in it.

So annoying.