Ep. 12: Kaoru discovers mysterious netsuke and is haunted by shadowy figures demanding their return.

12

College student Kaoru finds a forbidden box containing matching netsuke ornaments in her grandmother’s shop. She wears them as earrings, ignoring warnings that her grandfather never touched them. While waiting for a train, she hears a whisper telling her to return the items. Later, during an evening walk, two figures in traditional attire pursue her along the riverbank. They chase her through an alley, shouting demands to give back her face. The netsuke themselves speak, claiming ownership. One figure strikes her shoulder, shattering a netuke. Kaoru escapes onto a bus, watching the figures collect the broken pieces. Back at the shop, her grandmother alerts her to a visitor. Kaoru turns to see a person in traditional clothing with hollow eyes and a shattered face standing at the door.