01x01 - Optical Illusion

[bunniefuu]

[rain pattering]

- Ph'nglui mglw'nafh

Cthulu

- [breathing erratically]

- Kimi!

- [grunting]

- Kimi, don't stop!

Keep going!

[gasps]

- No!

Please stay away!

[both breathing heavily]

- [grunting]

- [grunts]

- [shouts]

- [groans]

[grunts]

[glass shatters]

[groans]

[grunting]

Huh?

[rumbling]

[shudders]

[all grunting]

[all shouting]

- [gasps]

[slicing]

[whimpers]

[thuds]

- [gasps]

[screaming]

[all groaning]

- [shouts]

- [crying]

- [shudders]

Kimi!

- Don't you touch my daughter!

- [shouts]

[groans]

- [breathing heavily]

- On G'throd ai'ek geb'ey'k!

Yyrg-Sorhoth ngah

'ngai' yzhro'k.

[creepy music]

♪

[wood creaks]

[birds chirping]

[cicadas chirping]

- First it rains,

now it's hot as hell.

Damn fools are obsessed,

I tell ya.

- Uh-huh.

Nice to see you, too, Koba.

- Mornin'.

- There you are, Yoshiken.

They're just getting

to the important part.

[gasps]

- What is it?

Something the matter, Taka?

- [shuddering]

It's nothing.

Just my imagination.

- Well, those kids

are sure having fun.

- [groans]

[clicking]

- They don't hold a candle

to our Kimi, though.

Hey, Koba, why don't

you scrounge up

some scrapped AC units

and fix 'em up for us?

We could die o' heat stroke

at our age.

And poor little Kimi!

- You think I can find one

for each of us?

Don't be dumb.

Besides, Kimi's doing fine,

and the rest of

us old fogies know how

to grin and bear it.

I say give me iced water

or give me death.

That's good enough for me.

[cicada chirping]

What the hell happened?

- You gave it death,

by the looks of ti.

- Well, that's certainly one way

to escape the heat.

Permanently, at that.

- Sometimes, Yoshiken,

you scare me.

- What a surprise.

Everyone is helping

with the funeral procession

and you lazy coots

are taking it easy.

- Speaking of nut jobs,

look who just showed up.

- Momo, Wada,

you two are lifesavers.

- Thank you.

You're far too kind.

I am exhausted.

- The nerve.

Day drinking on the morning

of the funeral procession.

Don't you lot have any tact?

- You got it all wrong.

Alcohol plays a crucial role

in funerals the world over.

The drinking of spirits

represents purification

and alms-giving.

- Is that so?

In that case,

I'll join you.

- [chuckles]

What about you, Wada?

- No, thank you.

- [exhales]

- You know I don't drink.

How much longer

can this tradition go on?

How's it still going strong?

- Not even the gods

they're worshiping know

the answer to that.

It'll probably start dying out

in the coming century.

- Well I for one hope

it continues to thrive--

that Kurosaki

funeral procession.

Those torii gates

likely originated

with the Kurokado people

who once called Kurosaki home,

but that part of history,

only rituals and songs remain.

Perhaps those ceremonies could

be the remnants

of unheard-of

ancient tribal communions.

- Another lesson, professor?

- Kurosaki's very own

Mr. Know-It-All lives up

to his name.

- You can joke all you want to

but these traditions

are more important than any

of you realize.

[shouts]

- Hmm?

- [gasps]

all: Kimi, you're here?

- Hi, Taka!

And Koba, and Yoshiken,

and Momo, and Wada!

[giggles]

Good morning!

[groans]

Why's it so hot?

- It feels even hotter

than last summer, doesn't it?

- Maybe it's that global warming

I keep hearing about.

- All right, enough with

the chit chat, you ninnies.

Can't you see

our little Kimi is dying

of heat stroke over here?

- How about we use

the outdoor sink

to cool off, hmm?

- I tried that.

[grunts]

But the water's only hot.

Aww, feels like I'm on fire.

If I don't get out of this heat

I think I'm gonna be sick.

[all groaning]

[phone ringing]

[wind chime clinking]

[gasps]

I want to have shaved ice!

all: Huh?

all: The store room!

[cicadas chirping]

[distant birds cawing]

[door creaks]

I always wanted to know what

was down here.

I had no idea it

was so big.

- Everyone in town came together

and built this as a safe place

to hide during the w*r long ago.

The last time we were down here

was before Kimi was born.

We were looking

for Old Man Kojima.

- Ah, that's right.

Kojima.

After he went missing,

we searched the complex

from top to bottom

and eventually found him.

Since it was winter,

he was frozen solid.

Wait, you mean something

bad happened?

- How could you say such

a thing in front of Kimi?

You're scaring her.

- You're the one who brought

it up, you know.

- That's when we found out

what Kojima was up to in here.

He was taking things

from all over Kurosaki

and keeping them down

in this room.

I don't remember digging out

this area one bit.

Maybe the tunnel leads

to a natural cavern.

- Something stinks.

- If I remember right

Hah, I knew it!

- Oh, wow!

It's huge!

Just like the ones they use

at the shop!

- That's right!

With this baby we'll

be cooling off

with shaved ice in no time!

- Oh, careful you

don't pull something!

You're nearly 80!

- [grunts]

This is nothing.

You'll be able

to get this working again,

right, Koba?

- Of course I can.

I've fixed up everything

from appliances to warships.

- Perfect.

Then let's head back.

- You're not going back

with them?

- Well, aren't you?

- [exhales]

- [chuckles]

both: Let's explore!

- Let's find the treasure,

let's find the treasure ♪

- Well, the owners of all

this stuff may be long dead

but that doesn't mean

we shouldn't keep

this place tidy.

There's even more junk in here

than I remembered.

- Hey, Taka, look at this!

It's a weird doll!

- That's a kokeshi doll,

probably from Tsugaru.

- Check out this weird fan!

It's got a girl!

- Oh, I think that's

from some anime or another.

- Look at that!

It's some kinda weird--

hold on.

What is that?

- Why, this is a zoetrope.

It's older than I am.

Let's see here.

If you spin it like so

and look through here

- Hmm.

[gasps]

Wow, it looks like it's moving!

How'd it do that?

- Your mind fills in

the blanks between each image,

tricking your eyes

into seeing movement.

It's called an optical illusion.

- Optical illusion.

Ah, when I used your binoculars,

your eyes look super small

when I look through it

from the wrong direction.

Was that optical illusion?

- In a sense, yes,

but not exactly.

I know.

This here should explain

it better.

[paper tears]

The length of these two lines

is exactly the same

but one looks longer than

the other.

See?

- [giggles]

It does!

But why?

- The human eye

is easily deceived.

There are many ways

to convince it

that the lies it sees

are the truth.

It's an optical illusion.

- Optical illusion.

Okay!

I won't forget.

- Hmm.

[unsettling music]

It must have been

an optical illusion.

[clattering]

- Hmm?

- Hmm?

- I wonder what this thing is?

Hmm?

[spooky musical sting]

[screams]

- [grunts]

You okay?

- [whimpers]

- [grunts]

What in the world?

A dog?

It still has a collar.

Why on Earth would Kojima bring

that here?

[grunts]

[gasps]

Is that

[gasps]

[stone clatters]

[both gasping]

I don't believe it.

This is a huge find!

[laughing]

- [gasps]

[cicadas chirping]

[metal clicking]

- Ruins?

- Yeah!

Ah, Kojima's storeroom appears

to have been built in

an unexplored ancient cave!

I think this thing I found may

have belonged to the Kurokado.

Just look.

- [grunts]

- Doesn't it look like

an artifact?

- Is that supposed to be

a star or an eye?

- Oh, if this symbol is part

of an unseen written language,

i-it'd be the discovery

of a lifetime.

You know what we should do?

Start a large-scale excavation!

- [snarling]

- Yoshiken, get that idiot

to shut his trap!

It's too hot for his bullshit!

- [laughing]

He's right.

Can't this wait until after

it cools down?

Come now.

- We can't waste

our time waiting.

We also found a dead dog

in that place.

- [shudders]

- Did something happen?

[both grunting]

I just saw Kimi and she was

as pale as a ghost.

- See?

This is exactly why we need

to do something about

what's down there.

- Yeah, you're right.

We can't take any chances when

it comes to our little Kimi.

- Hey, Koba, why don't

we lock up the storeroom?

At least until

we figure out what

to do with it.

- Sure, I'll go and put

a padlock or something

on it later.

- I suppose that

will have to do.

By the way, Wada,

what was that call

you got earlier about?

- I nearly forgot.

We've got quite

a few new people moving in.

We're about to have a lot

of new neighbors.

- Who would willingly move into

a run down old building?

- Remember Tsurie Fisheries?

I heard they hired more people.

They need somewhere to live,

so here we are.

Their representative said

his name was Kishide

or something like that.

- Yes, that's right.

It's as I said before.

I found no evidence that either

the local subsidiary

or the language school

had any knowledge of the matter.

- Yuri, you're missing out

on the scenery.

It's gorgeous outside.

- Eh, the ocean

and some mountains?

No, thank you.

[thumbs tapping on screen]

- And guess what, Mommy?

It was the creepiest thing!

A dog!

A dead dog!

It was all dried up

like beef jerky!

And that room

was a big surprise already!

I had no idea there

was an underground room

down there in the first place!

Finding new stuff like that

is so much fun!

You never know what'll

happen next

and everything's a surprise!

Huh?

I seem worried?

That's just an optical illusion,

Mommy!

Ah, sorry!

I forgot to change the calendar.

[paper rustling]

- [panting]

[grunts]

See you later, Mommy!

[doorbell rings]

- Anyone home?

[door creaks]

- Uh, uh-uh

- Oh, sorry about that.

I should have known

that so many new faces

would give you a start.

You must be Mrs. Wada,

the building manager.

My name's Seiichi Koshide.

I'm with Tsurie Fisheries.

These are technical interns.

Basically, my job's to act

as a troubleshooter for them.

- [gasps]

Wait a second.

Are they all foreigners?

- Yes, and they've traveled all

the way to Kurosaki

to study Japan's

advanced technologies.

- Good afternoon.

My name, ma'am, is Rubel.

My friends are still learn

the language,

but they are good people.

It's such a pleasure

to meet you.

- Hello.

all: It is nice to meet you.

- Right, yeah.

Okay, then.

Good day.

- Sorry, only one more thing.

I have for you the gift.

Here, sweets from homeland.

Please enjoy.

- Uh, of course.

Thank you.

Good day.

- My wife will drop by later.

- [exhales sharply]

Why'd it have

to be foreigners?

- Ah, yes, your husband told me

you'd be stopping by.

- Oh, good.

I'm Keiko Koshide,

and this is our daughter.

Say hello, honey.

- I'm Yuri.

It's quite the pleasure

to meet you.

- My, what wonderful manners

you have.

- I'm so sorry

we've been causing such

a fuss around the complex.

My husband,

he connects businesses

with foreign technical interns

for a living.

There seems to have been

a miscommunication and, well,

if any issues come up,

please let us know.

- Don't give it

a second thought.

I'm sure he'll be fine,

and if you need anything,

just ask.

It's nice to see

so much youth here after

having only old folks

in this apartment.

- Is Hideo your husband?

- Where are your manners?

- No, it's fine.

That's my son.

He's going through some things.

[pen scratching]

And he's become a bit

of a shut-in.

- I'm sorry.

We didn't mean to pry.

- No worries.

He sometimes goes

for walks at night

so if you ever run into him,

be sure to say hello.

[chuckles nervously]

He means well.

H-he really does.

- Those new residents

are causing quite a stir.

- That's an understatement.

The whole thing's got my wife

all worked up in a tizzy.

- Hmm.

An apartment complex full

of elderly folk

who've never left

the country

encountering foreigners

for the very first time.

This situation's

one big powder keg.

- And Old Lady Wada's primed

to set it off.

- Only if you don't do it first.

Need a light?

- I give it to people

straight up no matter what.

[all grunting]

What's that big fella doin'

over there?

- Who knows?

- Hey, now.

Attitudes like that

are the problem.

Friendships start with hello.

[grunts]

All right, then.

I'll go introduce my--huh?

- Good morning!

- Well, good morning, Kimi!

It looks like you're having

some fun!

- What are you doing?

Come down and join us!

- But there's too many people!

- [gasps]

Wait, something's wrong.

Kimi, stay where you are!

- [gasps]

- Optical illusion!

[screams]

[all shouting]

[both shouting]

- [grunts]

- [whimpers]

- Are-are you all right?

- [exhales]

Mm-hmm.

You saved me.

- [gasps]

Kimi, you crazy little girl!

You could have gotten

yourself k*lled!

- Now, now, she's fine.

That's all that matters.

- [panting]

- Young man,

because of you,

Kimi is safe and sound.

Sorry, can you understand me?

Maybe another language?

- No, it's okay.

I am strong, you know.

So is no problem.

Your name is Young Man?

- I spoke too quickly.

Her name is Kimi.

And you?

What shall we call you?

- I'm Kan.

Can I put you down, Kimi?

- Mm-hmm.

[grunts]

Thanks for your help, Kan.

- I was wrong about you, kid.

You're not so bad.

But you still can't have

our Kimi.

- Uh--

- Don't take

that old fart seriously.

[all laughing]

[crickets chirping]

- Mm!

More optical illusions!

[gasps]

- [gasps]

[giggles]

Sorry if I scared you.

Is your name Kimi?

I'm Yuri Koshide.

I'm ten.

I moved in here today.

- Oh, you must be

the new girl I heard about!

Hi, I'm Kimi!

I'm nine!

And you said your name is Yuri?

- That's right.

I'm just happy

to meet someone here

who's around my age range.

Can you and I please be friends?

- Of course!

Yes, please!

- I want to remember this.

[camera shutter clicks]

- [gasps]

Oh, wow!

Is that a camera?

So skinny.

And you get to have your own?

- Pretty much.

I wonder where we can get

some prints made?

So what do you like to do

for fun here?

- Nothing much.

Go to the beach,

I guess?

And there's always school,

but everyone here's super nice

so I love living in Kurosaki.

- I see.

I hope I can come

to like it here, too.

[waves crashing]

- Wait, I know!

Wanna see something cool?

[grass rustling]

- Mm?

- There's this real neat spot

down here.

You're gonna love it.

- You sure?

This place is creepy.

[clattering]

[gasps]

Stupid thing.

[door creaks]

- Don't just stand there.

Come on, let's go!

Go, go!

- [shuddering]

[gasps]

Hey, Kimi?

[gasps]

Where did she go?

This is bad.

Seriously, this isn't funny!

- [roars]

- [screams]

- [laughs]

I got you back real good.

- [gasping]

Oh, my God.

You're such a jerk, Kimi!

What is that-that thing?

- This thing?

It's a mummy dog.

A real one.

- Don't stick stuff like that

in someone's face,

you jerk!

I take it back.

I don't wanna be

your friend anymore.

- Aww, I'm sorry.

[clattering]

[both gasping]

- Kimi!

- That wasn't me that time.

Really, I swear.

[creaking]

[both gasping]

- Is someone down there?

[footsteps approaching]

[both gasping]

Kimi, w-what was that?

- I don't know,

but it came from down there.

Let's go look.

- What?

No way!

Are you kidding me?

- But isn't it just as scary

to stay back here?

- [groans]

Fine!

In that case,

I'm gonna go first!

- Hmm?

- I'm older than you so

it's my job to keep you safe

so stay behind me.

Got it?

- Uh, yeah.

All right.

[spooky music]

♪

Is this another room?

- Maybe.

Turn your light on?

[both gasping]

What are these?

Did that creep

from earlier draw these?

They're all monsters!

I'm scared!

[clattering]

[both gasping]

- [inhales]

- [gasps]

[doorbell rings]

- Coming!

[door creaks]

Well, now.

If it isn't Kimi and Yuri,

was it?

both: Good evening.

- What brings you here?

Ah, that's right.

I made a big block of ice

for that shaved ice machine.

I made it in our freezer.

It'll be ready to eat tomorrow.

- Wow, really?

I can't wait!

But that's not why

we stopped by.

We're here because

we found this thing.

Here.

- Oh, wow.

This is from that place

I used to own.

I can't believe you remembered

that detail.

Where did you find this?

- We found it earlier.

We think Hideo dropped it.

- [shudders]

- We'd like to return it

to him personally

Is that okay, Momo?

- I suppose so,

but you'll have to talk

to him on your own.

He'll get angry if he sees me.

- [gasps]

Hideo?

We're sorry,

but we saw them.

All of the drawings

in that room?

But we won't tell Momo

about them.

I mean,

you hid them for a reason.

It was because

you didn't want her

to start worrying about you,

right?

Those drawings make me think

you're in a lot of pain.

They made me scared

and now I'm really worried,

but just know that

I'm on your side.

- So, um, my dad gives

the interns advice

when they get really sad

or really angry.

He knows doctors and stuff

so I think maybe he

can help you out.

- And also we brought your pen.

[door creaks]

[gasps]

[spooky music]

- [gasps]

[gasps]

- [grunts]

[clattering]

[both gasping]

[both giggling]

[giggling continues]

[unsettling music]

[cicadas chirping]

- What the hell happened?

- I haven't the slightest.

We should clean this up, though.

If Wada sees this,

she'll lose her mind.

[chickens clucking]

[distant chanting]

- Where's that God-awful racket

coming from?

[gasps]

Oh!

[chanting continues]

[door creaks]

- Yes?

- What are you people doing?

- [grunts]

[grunts]

[all chanting]

[gasps]

[exhales]

- Sorry, but miss,

we are have now

our morning prayers.

It is very important.

- [gasps]

- Our prayers--

- What prayers?

Who gives a damn?

You people messed up

our washing area!

What's with you foreigners?

Is this some kind

of cult or something?

- [grunts]

It's just like I said.

- I think it's time

we calm down a bit, Wada.

- This is your prayer ritual?

We're sorry.

Many of those who live here

aren't used to your practices.

- Oh.

- It's not my fault

their prayers sound

so damn demonic!

Don't touch me,

you wrinkly b*stard!

- [groans]

[all gasping]

- Looks like Wada's

extra grumpy today.

[groans]

I wish she'd just get along

with the new people.

Ah, I know!

Shaved ice!

I bet it's just too hot.

That's why everyone's angry.

So if they want to,

we'll eat yummy shaved ice

and all become friends.

Momo?

[door creaks]

Hello?

Anyone home?

[exhales]

[grunts]

[shoes shuffling off]

[snaps]

[gasps]

[unsettling orchestrated music]

[gasps]

♪

An optical illusion?

[Ivan Kwong's "Make Believe"]

♪

- Now take back hope

Now take back hope

All the feelings we want

to let free ♪

Yeah

Words are overwhelming,

choking me ♪

Hmm

One thing changes

to another thing yeah ♪

I think I know who

you wanna be ♪

But do you know who

you wanna be ♪

Oh yeah

All I ever wanted

Is just another chance

[singing in Japanese]

Picking up the pieces alone

in the dark ♪

Can I fix my broken life

Can I

Now take back

[singing in Japanese]

♪

We'll never let this go now

[singing in Japanese]

Now take back

[singing in Japanese]

♪

We'll never let this go now

[singing in Japanese]

Now take back hope

Now take

back hope ♪