Strawberry Fields

This is where I grew up.

I've since moved away.

But a part of me remains here.

I vividly remember being 17...

and in love with strawberries.

The town lay between sea and hills.

Among old samurai homes leftover from the Edo Period...

with beautiful tiled roofs...

I walked to school every day.

So many shrines and temples...

Historic yet modest...

charmingly rustic and cozy.

The ringing of temple bells was always soothing.

In summer, there'd be huge, fleecy clouds above.

So I began shooting them with an 8-mm camera.

A dramatic backdrop to a picturesque town.

My high school.

A wooden structure built in the early 1930s.

Cold in winter, hot in summer.

But all I wanted to do back then was graduate and leave.

I didn't have friends.

I was always alone.

I couldn't wait for school to end...

so I could play with my camera.

I short, my life was sad.

I'm home.

I'm home.

Welcome back.

You'll be late for work again.

Look at the time.

Why are you so late?

I was filming.

You should worry about your grades.

Like your sister did.

Harumi? I'm going to work now.

Natsumi?

Tetsuo brought strawberries.

Really? Where?

Do your homework first.

Where are they?

I know you did it!

- You did this. - Wasn't me.

Bullshit!

Who was it then? You?

It wasn't, I swear.

Then, who?

Stop it.

Stay out of this!

You'll get in trouble again.

Take your seats.

Watch it.

Attention.

Bow.

Be seated.

We just got word from the prefecture.

Maki's been entered in the judo tournament.

Mr. Nagatsuka has more to say about it.

Please.

This is a great honor for our school.

A first, in fact.

Three students from each class...

are to go support her.

First, there's the contestant herself.

Hum...

Maki.

So from this class, we'd like...

as many participants as possible.

Teacher... it's during summer vacation, right?

We have summer school.

"You're gonna lose!"

Isn't there anyone?

You're her classmates!

- Teacher? - Yes, Mika?

I'll go cheer for her.

As class president, I'll represent everybody.

Great.

Me, too.

Natsumi and Risa?

No, I...

Yes, I'll go.

I'm glad.

Give there three a hand, please.

Maki! Maki!

I'll do my best.

Commemorative photo time!

To Maki winning it all! Say cheese!

I'm here! Sorry to keep you waiting.

Let us bow together.

Thank you for your support.

The cremation will take place tomorrow morning.

Now...

I invite all of you...

to dine in the adjoining room.

Natsumi needs your support now.

You should have died instead.

Maki...

Mika...

Mr. Furumoto?

Where am I?

Maki, is that you?

It appears we've died.

What?

Mika?

Where are we?

On our way to heaven...

I suppose.

What?

But I don't want to die yet.

That's the way things go.

But I have a tournament to go to.

Do something!

It's over by now.

I bet they're having our funeral.

What are you saying?

That you bring bad luck.

Stop it!

Maki!

Did you hear that?

Mika!

It's Natsumi.

Where is she?

Risa!

It's coming from below.

Wait, don't go alone.

Maki?

Natsumi?

You're alive?

Mika...

and Risa, too?

Tetsuo!

What is it?

It's Maki, look! And Mika...

and Risa. They're all okay!

Get a hold of yourself.

Maki is dead.

Tetsuo!

It's me...

Maki!

Mika and Risa, too!

Tetsuo...

It's me!

I've come back!

Look, Maki's right here.

Your parents came, too, Risa.

Natsumi's talking to someone.

Cool!

Idiot!

Let's leave her.

Did my dad come?

No.

Not yet.

Figures.

Who is that jerk?

"I am...

death"?

"My job is to transport souls."

So you made me a ghost, huh?

Turn me back!

Let... go.

I can't... breathe.

"You died in an accident."

"But those who cling to life...

wander the world as ghosts."

"You each have...

48 hours...

from the time of death"?

"Look in your pocket."

"You each died...

at different times."

"I'll come for you...

when it's time."

Like Hell you will!

I have 19 hours?

Till tomorrow afternoon?

21 hours...

20 minutes.

Until dusk tomorrow.

For me...

33 hours...

and 15 minutes.

The morning...

in two days.

You should go home, Risa.

I think so, too.

That's a waste of time.

Tetsuo!

Natsumi!

Wait a moment.

Why didn't you come to the vigil?!

She was your only daughter!

Why...

didn't you drive Maki to the tournament?

What?

Don't give me that.

If you had taken her...

she'd be alive.

Son of a bitch!

Don't blame Tetsuo, asshole!

Damn you.

Why...