Kayako's Diary: Made a new friend today, Kawakami Fujiang. I wasn't happy about her wanting to join our club, as I always felt she was coming for Lin Ze, but I don't care anymore. Fujiang is a good person, and Lin Ze still thinks about me all the time. I think that's enough… even though I really want to have Lin Ze all to myself, he always wants me to have more friends, and he's happy about it. But do you know, Lin Ze? Having you is enough for me. Even though I think it's nice to have friends, I can give up everything for you…
Closing the diary, Kayako stroked Kuro, the black cat, the same way Lin Ze would stroke her. Kuro purred, and Kayako snuck a giggle from under the covers. “Kuro, it feels good, right? You'll like Lin Ze too.”
Fujiang went home, leaving only after everyone else had left school. She walked with a dazed look, curled up in her bed, hugging the blankets. Fujiang was tired, her dried tear stains getting wet again. “Lin Ze…” she mumbled in her sleep.
“Hmm? Where am I? Another dream?”
Lin Ze was irritated. This dream felt too real, too vivid, just like the dreams he had with Hanako and Kayako.
Everything around him was gray, devoid of any vibrant colors. Lin Ze tried to grab a child running past him, but his arm went right through. It was like a projection.
“What’s going on? Kayako?” He called out to Kayako.
“Lin Ze? Where are you? I… something’s stopping me!” Kayako sounded anxious.
“You can't come?”
“No, there’s a strange force, like a barrier, around you. It’s the same force that sent me away before.”
“…Then it’s okay. I know who it is.” Fujiang? What happened?
“Lin Ze, Ju-on is born from curses and grudges, and curses are born from human negativity. I can feel a powerful sense of despair in your heart. I’ll use this to break through and reach you. Be careful.” The power of Ju-on is insidious. Any opening can let it through.
“Don’t worry, it should be fine. I’m not in danger.”
Lin Ze was sure he hadn’t really angered Fujiang today. However, this situation must be because of something she was thinking about him, dragging him into her subconscious. So, it should be fine. If Kayako came and saw Fujiang, that would be truly dangerous.
The children around him seemed to be running in a direction. Lin Ze followed, noticing a bulletin board on the wall. “Toyama Orphanage?” The information from Kinuko yesterday mentioned this was Fujiang's former orphanage. So, this was Fujiang’s past?
He continued following the children, arriving at a large courtyard. A couple in their thirties stood there, and the headmaster was saying something. Lin Ze drew closer and heard, “All the children are here. You can have a look.”
Like choosing merchandise, the couple started picking children they liked. However, they couldn’t find what they were looking for. Just then, a little girl slowly walked out from a room. Unlike the excited children, she was different, more like a well-bred young lady, not an orphan.
The couple’s eyes locked onto her. The middle-aged headmaster looked flustered. Fujiang was wearing a little princess dress, her small face beaming with a sweet smile.
“That’s the one!”
“No… she… she…”
“Isn’t she also an orphan? I’ve seen her records. Okay, I’ll add some more funding to your orphanage. That’s it.”
The couple had already chosen Fujiang; they were just pretending to look. The other children were naively thinking they had a chance. Lin Ze frowned. Why not simply choose her and take her away silently? What was the point of this charade? It was unfair to the kids.
Sure enough… after the paperwork was complete, the couple took Fujiang in a car. Fujiang lowered the window, as if she wanted to say goodbye to her friends, but when she stuck her head out, Lin Ze noticed her expression freeze.
None of the children who were close to her came to see her off. Envy, resentment, and hatred were etched on their faces. Even the headmaster had a vicious look.
A cacophony of voices filled Lin Ze's ears: “Why not me? Why is it her?” “She’s just prettier, why was she chosen?” “This damn brat is showing off?” “Die!” “She should be mine. Why did she get taken away… damn her! Damn her! Damn her! Damn her!”
No one spoke aloud. These were the voices in Fujiang’s heart. The expressions made her think that’s what they were thinking.
Fujiang waved twice. The car drove away.
The scene shifted abruptly. In a blink, Lin Ze found himself in the living room of a villa.
“Raising a kid is such a hassle. If it wasn’t for appearances, I’d send her back.” Fujiang's adoptive mother complained to her husband.
“Don’t say that. At least she’s pretty. You see how everyone complimented her at the party? It’s brought us a lot of investment.”
“That’s her only use.”
The couple didn't realize that Fujiang was crouching on the second floor balcony listening to their conversation. Lin Ze walked upstairs. Fujiang hid inside her room, her small frame curled up in bed. He sighed and knelt down, his hand passing through her face. She cried herself to sleep.
As Lin Ze stood up, the scene changed again, still in Fujiang’s bedroom, but she was older, playing on her phone in bed.
Bang! The door was thrown open forcefully. Fujiang's adoptive father burst in, plopped down on the bed next to her, his face grim. “Our Fujiang is all grown up now. You’ve helped me get so many business partners, but you know what? A jerk today hinted that I should let you sleep with him.” His expression turned vicious.
“How could I ever agree to that? Don’t worry. But our Fujiang is getting prettier every day. Papa really loves you.” His expression twisted, and he reached for Fujiang’s hand. She pulled away. Lin Ze felt things were getting out of control.
“What? You hate papa? Let me tell you, I raised you. You’re mine! No one can take you away! You belong to me!”
He roared in a frenzy, scaring Fujiang. She tried to escape, but her hand was caught. Lin Ze went to punch him, but his fist passed through.
“No!!!” A scream came from Fujiang. Strangely, her adoptive father stopped moving. “All of you, get away! Get away! Leave me alone!” Fujiang cried, begging him to go.
The scene started moving again. Her father was hypnotized, walking towards the garage. Her adoptive mother just came home. Seeing him about to leave, she curiously asked where he was going.
“Leave… leave… go somewhere far away.”