Journal Entries
The following are passages from the journal that Shinji sent me. The name is unreadable, so I'm calling this journal "Mishiranu Hito no Nikki" (A Stranger's Journal). I did my best in translating what was written. The writing is smeared in some places, so I wrote down what made the most sense with the context. I will be using a different font for journal entries and any notes I may add. Hopefully, this will jog someone's memory of a story or a rumor they have heard about the area around Mt. Tomuraushi.
FYI: The Japanese introduce themselves last name first, followed by their given name. That's how the journal's author writes, so that's how I'm going to present it.
-Name Unreadable-'s Journal
X00/12/X00X
Stupid boss. I can't believe I was sent to the freaking wilderness during playoffs. This is obviously the Buffaloes' year, but no. I have to go scout out the area for the bigwigs' trip in three months. I bet Arashi isn't even sick. Bastard. Hopefully, I can catch some of the games at whatever inn the company set me up in.
Note to self: Omit this from my official report.
X00/13/X00X
Arrived at the Tomuraushi Onsen late last night. At least the company was nice enough to not stick me in a cheap, run-down place like last time. Going to stay in and "study up" on the local area.
X00/15/X00X
Boss called. Wanted me to tell him every single detail of the surrounding 100 km. I know I'm a man of many talents, but that kind of memorization is not one of them.
X00/16/X00X
Today, I'm out in nature. Not a fan of it. Guess I'm a city boy through and through. Might as well enjoy my company paid mini-vacation, playoffs or no playoffs. It could be worse. They could have sent me during the winter. Or with Tanaka-san.
There are a number of trails for the bigwigs' to explore. The onsen also offers package deals to go out with a guide. They should be fine.
X00/16/X00X (Evening)
Well, I'm an idiot. Currently, I'm sitting on a rock on some path I found hidden by bushes. I didn't take any turns, but I still somehow ended up lost. No matter where I turned, all I see are trees, brush, and rocks. And no cell bars. Just great. Hopefully the people at the onsen will notice I'm missing and send someone to come find me.
X00/16/X00X (Late Evening)
I lucked out. A couple of women wearing cloth surgical masks and plain yukatas came across me. They were carrying jars of water (Where was there a river?). I explained to them what happened and they brought me back to their little village, Asanoroki. Talk about a place stuck in time. I think I somehow travelled back to the Meiji Period. Everyone is wearing traditional clothing that you would see in period piece movies. I certainly feel out of place in my shirt and jeans. I was brought to a house that belonged to an elderly couple, Ujimeshi Tama and Ujimeshi Kiki. They were the ones in charge of the village, the "local government" basically.
I told them my situation and they said I could stay the night. Their son, a large man named Keiji, would help me find my way back to the onsen in the morning. Before I left them, I asked if the flu was going around, since everyone (including the Ujimeshis) was wearing cloth surgical masks. Tama-san said the pollen could get pretty bad around this time of the year for them. Makes sense.
Currently, I'm laying in a rather comfy futon in the Ujimeshis' guest room. This entire village has no electricity or indoor plumbing. I wonder if I've stumbled upon a hidden gem of a tourist trap.
X00/17/X00X
You have got to be kidding me! Keiji-san was taking me back to the onsen when I twisted my ankle in a hole dug by some animal about a quarter of the way there. I was carried back to Asanoroki over his shoulder like a sack of rice. He said it would be too dangerous for both of us if we continued with him carrying me. Fine with me. At least the people in Asanoroki don't have access to social media to post pictures of me being carried. The village doctor, a middle aged lady named Watanabe Kaede, told me to stay off my ankle for about a week for it to properly heal. The Ujimeshis said they would send someone to the onsen to explain my sudden disappearance. Fan-freaking-tastic.
On a personal side note: I'm jealous of how muscular Keiji-san is. I'm lucky if I can carry a 10 kg box up three flights of stairs.
X00/19/X00X
I will admit, it's been pretty nice here so far. Not having to fight my way through crowds in Nakanoshima early in the morning. No annoying gossiping co-workers. I'm almost tempted to stay. But I doubt I could stand wearing traditional clothing and those cloth masks everyday. And not being able to watch baseball ever again would be the worst.
Keiji-san has been helping me get around since I'm not allowed to walk on my own (doctor's orders). He's one of those guys that doesn't talk much, but is actually nice. I think he's about my age, but it's hard to tell with that mask. Bet he's handsome under it, but he never takes it off. In fact, I've never seen anyone take off their mask. I usually eat alone as the Ujimeshis are off at village meetings during dinner, so I get no chances to see under the masks then.
X00/19/X00X (Evening)
Phone finally died. Shit.
X00/20/X00X
I heard a creepy sound last night. I was just drifting off into Dreamland when I heard a metallic noise. It sounded like someone was rubbing two knives together. When I told Keiji-san about it this morning, he said he didn't hear anything. An isolated village and hearing creepy noises at night. This is starting to sound like a terrible, cliche horror movie.
X00/20/X00X (Afternoon)
Another horror cliche today. I was sitting on the front patio of the Ujimeshi residence, watching village life go by. A group of five kids were running around nearby. Of course, they too wore cloth masks. As they ran by me, one pointed at me and shouted, "Kuchisake-onna is going to get you!" Didn't think that story would be known in this isolated village. I roared at them and they ran away, laughing.
(Kyle's Note: For those you who don't know about Kuchisake-onna, here's a link: Kuchisake-onna)
X00/21/X00X
Raining today. Watanabe-sensei came by to check on my ankle. Good news is that I'm now allowed to walk around on my own a bit. Tama-san was nice enough to keep me company after the doctor left. We spent the time telling each about life in each of our own little worlds. I made a joke about how the girls back in Osaka would be following his son around because he was handsome (if I knew what he looked like). The look the old man gave me could have killed someone if that was possible. He gave me a strange warning: 'When you're in Asanoroki, don't ever mention how attractive someone is unless you plan on marrying them.' Must be a superstitous tradition.
X00/21/X00X (Evening) or X00/22/X00X (Early Morning)
No idea what time it is, but I have to write this down. I heard it again, that metallic noise. This time it was accompanied by the shuffling of feet. Even worse, it was right outside my room! I laid there, cocooned in my blanket, listening to the sound of two knives scraping against each other. If this a village prank, it's not funny!
X00/23/X00X
Good news: my foot is better and I can walk with no problems now. Bad news: I've been locked up in a shack on the edge of the village. How did this happen? Well, as I was thanking Tama-san and his wife for letting me stay while my ankle healed, I mentioned how I didn't appreciate the prank pulled on me the other night. Their faces (what wasn't covered by a mask) paled when I told them about the noises I heard. They immediately called Keiji-san and another man in and had them throw me into my new prison. At least, they were nice enough to give me my stuff and some food.
Evening
There it is again. That scraping noise. For the past three nights, that is all I've hearing. Tonight was different in that I heard a woman's soft laugh. This is a prank, right?
???/??/X00X
What day is it? What time is it? Is anyone even looking for me?
???/??/X00X
Am I going to die here?
???/??/X00X
Wonder if the Buffaloes won the playoffs...
(Kyle's Note: There are no more instances of dates or guesses of dates listed after this. Just rambling.)
Scrape. Scrape. Scrape. That's all I fucking hear anymore! I can't remember the last time I got a full night's sleep.
No more no more no more! NO MORE! Enough with the goddamn scraping!!!
A young woman, Fuyumi, stopped by a few hours ago. I assumed she was from Asanoroki since she wore a cloth mask. Her voice sounded like an angel's after hearing only those knives night after night. She said she would help me escape! There is a God! The only thing she asked me to do in return was to say that she was beautiful when I got out. Before she left, she ran her hand over my cheek and said I was very handsome. I remembered Tama-san's warning about commenting on looks and marriage. I would gladly marry this woman if it meant getting out of this fucking shed and Asanoroki altogether!
Fuyumi stopped by again today. She said we would be leaving tomorrow night. I just about kissed her cloth covered lips.
There they are again! Those fucking knives!
Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.
Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.Scrape.
Scrape.
Today is the day. Today is the day Fuyumi promised to get me out of here. As soon as I get back to the onsen, I'm reporting this village to the government. Send all of their crazy asses to prison.
...
...
...
With the last of my senses, I need to write this down in case someone finds this journal. Fuyumi is...Fuyumi is...She got me out the shed and we snuck out of Asanoroki. We reached a path she said would take me back to the onsen. She grabbed my arm and asked "Am I beautiful?"
Emotions taking over, I said "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met."
Her eyes crinkled with a smile hidden by her mask. She took it off. I just about pissed myself! Two long silts ran up her face to her ears, like a groutesque smile. She was Kuchisake-onna! Or some version of her, I don't fucking know! She asked again, "Am I beautiful?"
I shook off her hand and ran from my life. Her scream...her scream was stark contrast to the angelic voice from when I first met her. Then I heard them. The two knives scraping each other that have haunted me for days, if not weeks. They're still echoing through this forest as I sit here hiding in the bushes. This rain isn't helping me at all. I need to get ou-
(Kyle's Note: There is a large blood stain covering the final pages. The following is what is written on the very last page.)
am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful am i beautiful
am i beautiful, tama?