Hideo Harada, a 47-year-old TV scriptwriter in
Tokyo, is lonely. He has moved to an apartment in a business building in a desolate area near the Tokyo ringway. He's recently divorced and his teenage son wants nothing to do with him. Harada meets his only neighbour, Kei, a mysterious 33-year old woman living in his building, which is otherwise deserted at night. One day, Harada visits
Asakusa, his childhood home town until he lost his parents in an accident. A couple who resemble Harada's parents as they were when they died invite him into their home. Harada wonders if he is experiencing hallucinations, but continues to visit the couple. Eventually his health declines and he begins to look haggard. This is noticed by Kei, with whom he has started a relationship. Harada realises that the couple are ghosts who are sapping his life-force, and says goodbye to them one last time. His continued haggard condition is brought even more plainly to his attention by his friend, who has been romantically engaged with Harada’s ex-wife. This leads to a shocking conclusion. == Translations ==