Originally posted on 20 November 2013
Source: Siren 2 Maniacs, page 126-127

Siren 2: Archive 049~055

[No. 049] Shigeru Fujita's Apology
An apology written by officer Shigeru Fujita, who has a tendency to poke his nose into other people's business. In August 1986, Fujita vanishes whilst patrolling Yamijima; this apology was written on 4 May of the same year. At the time, Fujita's rank was assistant inspector. However, when he patrols Yamijima three months later he has been demoted a level to sergeant. The reason for this is the scandal mentioned in this apology. The cause was him believing a burglar's claim that he would give himself up after seeing his parents and allowing him to do so, after which the suspect fled. One could say that this is an incident befitting of him, a conscientious person who has drawn the short straw in life. However, upon receiving a report from a fisherman who has seen a "suspicious-looking woman on Yamijima" he heads to the island by himself, and even after this his personality shows no sign of change. Incidentally, the letter of apology was written by Siren 2's producer Takafumi Fujisawa. Having in a way the most distinguished person write a letter of apology - their way of having fun is amusing.

[No. 050] Page from Yamijima History Book
A map of a forbidden area long feared by Yamijima's islanders (where Yamijima Amusement Park is in 2005), marked with the numbers one to seven. The numbers correspond to the lyrics of each of Konagihishoka's seven verses.

[No. 051] Kastori Weekly (supplementary DVD)
A bonus DVD enclosed with archive [No.015] Kastori Weekly. It contains "shocking footage" of the Yamipikarya, which is said to live on Yamijima. "Did you spot it?" "Take another look..." Repeated enough times to seem forceful, it brings about the typical feeling of a slow-motion video. Incidentally, the illustration of the Yamipikarya on the DVD jacket was drawn by "Shokotan" - Shoko Nakagawa herself. It was drawn based on a member of staff's request to draw her pet cat Mamitasu "with the longest teeth and claws you can". In a way it's a gem.

[No. 052] Mother's Scale
An item lying near the front gate of Yamijima Amusement Park. Yamijima is a location where the World of Nothingness and the real world faintly converge, and it seems as though sometimes these worlds interact. As previously noted, the drowned body of the wife of Ryuhei Mikami, Yayoi, washes up in the World of Nothingness and is used by Mother as the model for her doves. It looks like Mother's scale also drifted into the world in which we live from the World of Nothingness at one of these times. However, Mother herself has not actually appeared in the real world. She is sealed away by the seven seals on the seven gates. It is in order to remove these seals that she releases the doves.

[No. 053] Nagai's Self-Defence Force ID
The ID of Yorito Nagai, a leading private in the land division of the Self-Defence Force (private first-class). Inside the cover is a letter sent to Nagai by his mother when he was promoted to leading private. Whilst encouraging Nagai to try hard and not give up, at the same time she also displays concern for Okita, who watches over Nagai, telling Nagai to "give him this molokhiya". His mother also says that she has recently started learning how to use the "Interweb", appearing to be someone who tries hard at things, and when you think of this it further brings out the bitter feeling in the so-called "Nagai ending". How does she accept the reality that she will probably never see her son again...?

[No. 054] Afternoon Prince
A video of a short segment on popular author Shu Mikami can be viewed. A female reporter interviews passers-by in town in a direct style, showing that Shu Mikami is currently immensely popular amongst young women. The programme's title, "Afternoon Prince", is apparently a parody of a real show broadcast on TBS called "King's Brunch". Perhaps he's a "prince" because he is the king's younger brother.

[No. 055] Da Gama
"Da Gama" is a magazine filled with various topics concerning books and reading. It is a clear parody of actual magazine "Da Vinci" (published by Media Factory). The title of "Da Gama" comes from the name of Portguese explorer Vasco da Gama, known for discovering the Indian trade routes. The "da" sound was used to match up with the original. This is a special edition focused on the romance novel "The Mermaid's Tear" written by novelist Shu Mikami. In the full-length interview, Mikami states, "I wouldn't object to referring to it as an autobiography of sorts." The model on the magazine's cover is a certain "Shokotan".