Junji Ito Collection (伊藤潤二「コレクション」)

A curse upon you.

Ah... My stomach.

How does it feel?

I think I'm dying. Somebody help me!

Are you prepared to witness true horror?

There's no one quite as incredible as me.

How is it possible that I'm so extraordinary?

I am a man of incomprehensible power and potential,

basically a superhuman.

I'm on a completely different level

from the idiots around me.

And on top of that, I'm handsome.

Hey, did you hear what happened last night?

Ooya from Class Three passed out in the middle of the street.

What?

I know. Apparently he's in the hospital now.

That's so sad!

Huh?

A tragedy. I wonder what could have caused such a thing.

Ooya thought he was such hot stuff.

Someone had to remind him that he's not untouchable.

Hm, hm. Unfortunately, I can't let anyone know it was me.

It would probably be a bad idea for everyone to find out

exactly how amazing I really am.

The morons at this school are all convinced

I'm a perfectly ordinary student,

a loser like one of them.

But even so, heh, the girls can't help but hang around

in the classroom just to be close to me.

He's giggling again.

He's such a freak.

And the faces he makes are so creepy.

I'm done taking crap from you!

What the heck's your problem?

You are! Obviously.

It looks like Kuroda and Akiyama are going at it again.

Of course they are,

those two guys are always at each other's throats.

I'm warning you, man!

I don't think you've got the guts.

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Stop whining.

And just like that, a new hatred is born.

I wonder if people realize how kind-hearted I am deep down.

Full of compassion.

For example, on a wintery day like this,

I bet I can find a new friend underneath the dirt.

This is perfect! A hibernating little toad.

I bet it's pretty cold in the ground,

isn't it, little guy? You're freezing.

How about you come live at home with me instead?

It's nice and warm, I promise!

Well, this is your new house!

Do you like it? I think you will.

I've even got some water here for you.

Why don't we grab a seat over there?

That'd be a great idea.

If my butt didn't feel like it was on fire.

Lookie here, the whole family watching TV after dinner.

It sounds like they're having fun.

My big brother, Kouichi.

A pitiful bastard who takes everything too seriously.

Always finding ways to try and make me look like a child.

And of course, my big sister, Sayuri.

The poor girl has somehow convinced herself

that people think she's beautiful.

And, honestly, there's really not anything interesting

at all about the three adults in the room.

I can't imagine a more boring group.

Hey, Souichi. If you wanna watch TV with us,

just come in and grab a seat. Kay?

Otherwise close the door,

you're letting all of the warm air out of the room.

Just wait. I'll make you suffer for your idiocy

one of these days, you arrogant fool.

Did you say something to me?

Nothing! Not a word.

Oh, I heard what he said. He called you an arrogant fool.

Is that true?

Damn you, Sayuri!

Souichi! So how am I the fool here?

-- --

Look here, Sayuri!

It's your favorite, a big old toad.

Take that thing outside!

Stop tormenting our sister!

Do you get it now?

I'm not a peon like the rest of you losers I call a family.

In fact, you should all be bowing down to me!

I am wonted.

Oh! You should look that up.

Huh?

The definition of "wonted."

"Average or commonplace." Wait, seriously?

Damn you, Kouichi! How dare you embarrass me!

Huh! Not that it matters anyway.

I don't have time for this nonsense.

After all, I should really be focusing on my new project.

Why don't we get to work on it?

What do you think would be a good punishment, hm?

Yeah, you're right.

A hibernation curse would be perfect.

Here you go, Kuroda. It's time for a little dirt nap.

You can come out when spring rolls around.

I'm sure you'll be well-rested.

Hey, listen to this.

You know how Kuroda's been absent the last few days?

It turns out he isn't sick, he's actually gone missing.

Was he kidnapped? Or worse.

I hope he wasn't murdered or something.

Why would you even say that?

Hey, Akiyama.

Huh?

You're the one who's always fighting with him.

You have any idea where he is?

Of course not, what are you trying to say?

Not again.

I'm so tired of this.

Damn kids driving nails into my cedar trees.

They're gonna destroy them all.

If this is a prank, it's gone too far, and it's not funny.

Whoever's responsible for this is going to pay for it.

Huh?

What the hell is this ugly thing?

Damn it.

Huh? Another doll?

Huh. Must be some kind of mannequin.

How'd it get on my land?

It's a kid.

Did you hear they found Kuroda?

He was buried up to his neck out in the cedar forest.

Wait, you mean he actually was dead?

No, that's the weirdest part,

he was just sleeping,

and I heard he didn't wake up until he was at the hospital.

He was just taking a nap in the ground?

He must have been out there for days in this freezing weather.

How did he survive?

Aw... This isn't fair at all.

It was gonna be so funny when he crawled out of the dirt

in the spring like some kind of animal. I hate this.

Kuroda says he has no idea how he got out there.

--He doesn't remember anything. -- Huh?

God, what a strange dude, maybe he was hibernating.

Something's off over there.

They look like they're having a normal, friendly chat.

But there's an air of tension between those three today.

I do believe there's been a change in the status quo

for this trio.

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Yamada and Kawai are talking like they always do.

But Kawai and Ishizaka aren't saying much to each other.

Not like usual.

Which means...

...something awkward must have happened between them.

Some kind of heinous, embarrassing ordeal

has ruined their friendship and fragmented their little group.

The four-eyed Ishizaka is probably getting pushed around

by Kawai, who's more outgoing! I bet that's it!

The seeds of hate are growing between them.

Ishizaka must want Kawai dead. I see it in his eyes!

I'll be right back, okay?

'Kay.

Hey, Ishizaka! Wait up for me!

Oh, hey, what's up, Souichi?

Do you need something?

Is it eating you up inside?

Huh? What do you mean?

Don't worry, I get it.

Cursing someone is a difficult burden to bear.

And I bet you've imagined putting Kawai

through some horrible tortures, haven't you?

You've dreamed of killing him.

But you don't have to feel bad about it anymore.

Just leave Kawai to me. I'll curse him so you don't have to.

Everything will work out.

Hm?

He seriously said that stuff?

You shouldn't talk to that freak.

Uh, he said he was going to curse you.

You should watch your back.

Maybe it'll be fun.

Hey, look.

It's that old psycho.

Damn kids.

Be careful.

It's an import. Really expensive.

I'll keep it safe. Oh, yeah, really nice.

This is perfect. I think I'll go home and explore the attic

to see what treasures I can find up there.

See ya later.

No...! Keep that thing away from me!

But I went through the trouble of finding this

giant dead orb weaver for you.

Go on, eat up. It's delicious.