"Kayako… I like you."
Hearing the man standing before her say those words, Kayako's hands trembled. She hurried to pick up the sheet music she had dropped, clutching it tightly to her chest with a hint of nervous hesitation.
She had sensed for some time that this man might have feelings for her, yet such a blazing, fervent confession still felt like being scorched under a crushing summer sun. For someone like Kayako, whose entire life had been defined by tragedy and the absence of love, such a sudden warmth felt almost unbearable.
Kawaya Kayako, an ordinary, unremarkable name. She was born into a family of shamans. Her mother was a powerful shaman, while her father barely had any presence at all. Because of her unusual constitution, Kayako became the vessel for her mother's exorcisms. This continued all the way into high school, until her mother eventually stopped that line of work due to certain circumstances.
Only then was Kayako finally freed from that torment. But years of suffering had already twisted her personality, she became withdrawn, solitary, unable to blend into any group. In their nation, where reading the atmosphere was everything, failing to do so was akin to social death. Anyone who couldn't fit in was seen as frighteningly abnormal.
Yet Kayako, like any young girl, had once loved someone. Which girl hasn't imagined her own story with a prince? But Kayako never dared to confess her feelings. Instead, she secretly stalked the boy she liked, even hiding under his bed and listening to the sounds of him… being intimate with others.
Even so, just hearing his presence made her feel strangely satisfied. But after graduation, the man she loved, Kobayashi Shunsuke, married someone else and slowly drifted out of her life entirely.
Kayako lived alone after that, spending her days doing little things by herself. During that period, she occasionally had strange dreams, but she chalked it up to stress and exhaustion. She never thought much of it.
That was… until the day a gentle man named Saeki Takeo walked into her life.
Their story began in a bookstore. Kayako had planned to buy a cookbook to improve her culinary skills. Cooking was her greatest joy, right alongside raising cats. It was also part of traditional "bride training," which is why she cared so deeply about it. She still hoped to find someone to marry—not for any grand reason, but simply because she wanted to know what it felt like to be loved.
And then, on that very day, she met Saeki Takeo. He was not particularly handsome, but when both of them reached toward the same book at the same time, that small coincidence quietly tied their fates together.
"I really like the works of Natsume Sōseki," Takeo had said. "His novels always contain these unique perspectives, and his writing has a certain charm to it."
Their conversation began with books. Kayako soon realized that Takeo was well-read, with clear opinions about literature. Although he didn't look charming in the conventional sense, his literary grace and quiet temperament made Kayako take notice. There was something special about him—a refined atmosphere, almost like that of a cultured scholar.
Takeo was extremely warm toward her. He messaged her often. They talked about cats, books, and cooking. Kayako also discovered that he loved foreign cuisine, a detail she tucked gently into her heart.
And though she had few friends, her sensitive nature allowed her to sense something familiar—Saeki Takeo seemed to like her. This realization both flustered and frightened her. She hoped it was real. She feared it was her imagination. Many times, she wanted to say something, but kept swallowing her words.
"Kayako, I like you."
Perhaps her momentary daze made Takeo worry. He suddenly grabbed her hand. The heat of his touch burst into her lonely heart like a shock of electricity.
Even Shunsuke, the man she had once adored so blindly, had never made her feel this way. Kayako nearly burst into tears. Warmth—was this warmth what it meant to be loved?
She didn't know. She only knew she felt happy. Tears rolled uncontrollably down her face as she anxiously tried to wipe them away, only to be pulled into Takeo's arms.
Kayako froze. Strange images flashed across her mind. Is this… what couples do?
Her body slowly softened. She cautiously reached out her arms and embraced him in return. Takeo seemed to be whispering sweet words into her ear, but she heard nothing at all. Her ears were ringing. Her whole world was spinning and chaotic.
All the darkness she had endured for so many years, all the eerie, suffocating shadows, were washed away in that moment. Kayako held him tightly. She could feel the blazing warmth of his heart and found herself falling deeper and deeper into his affection.
Yet even now, Kayako still didn't dare to ask: Do you truly like me? Is this real?
But she no longer needed to. He had given her the answer himself.
"I can cook with you, raise cats with you, clean Blackie's litter box, and feed the kittens. I'll work hard and give you the best future I can. I'm not very good with words, and I can't say beautiful things—but I want to give you my entire life. My life, Kayako. Would you be willing to accept me?"
Takeo spoke earnestly.
Kayako's eyes brimmed over with tears. She covered her mouth in shock as tears streamed down her face. In that moment, the name Kobayashi Shunsuke vanished completely from her heart. She had finally met someone she loved and who loved her in return. He wasn't the most handsome man, but he was reliable. And he was hers.
"…Mm. Please take care of me from now on, Takeo."
Kayako smiled through her tears, wiped her eyes, and took his hand with sincere devotion. She felt overwhelmingly happy. And after she accepted his confession, their relationship blossomed quickly. Takeo proved to be honest, gentle, considerate—an attentive boyfriend who always noticed Kayako's moods and brought sunshine into her dim life.
For someone who had drowned in darkness for so long, Kayako felt herself overflowing with love—his love.
Their relationship lasted two and a half years. But gradually, Takeo became busy. Kayako grew anxious. Was she losing her charm? Had he fallen out of love?
And then, one night in their small rented apartment, Takeo pulled out a couples' prank card game. Curious, Kayako tried it, only to blush furiously, because every card contained sweet little games between lovers: massages, kisses, loudly declaring your love. These childish games eased Kayako's worries… though only slightly.
"My dear, it's your turn to draw."
Kayako drew a card that read: Answer "yes" to the next five questions.
She puffed her cheeks, thinking Takeo had probably chosen this card on purpose, but she still obediently followed the rules.
"You like reading I Am a Cat, right?"
"Yes. I like I Am a Cat," she said happily, delighted he remembered.
"You aren't very still when you sleep, are you?"
Kayako blushed deeply but still answered, "…Yes."
"Then should we move to a bigger house?"
Kayako blinked, then answered as instructed, "Yes. We should move to a bigger house."
Takeo inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself. Edward, controlling the scenario from behind the scenes, felt nervous too—this was a crucial step in the freeing Kayako.
"Then… you're going to marry me, right?"
Kayako instinctively answered "Yes, I'm going to marry you," but then froze—shock filling her eyes.
"And… you will be happy for the rest of your life, right?"
Kayako trembled, her face red as she answered, "Yes. I… I will be happy."
Then she ran into the bathroom, covering her face. Meanwhile, Edward grinned widely. Of course, he did—because the scene he used was the legendary proposal from the "One Room" anime, one of the most beloved, most handsome confessions ever created. How could Kayako possibly endure something like that?
Edward sighed a little. After successfully winning over Kayako, he had realized she was actually easy to win over. She was insecure, sensitive, shadowed by darkness—but that was exactly why, once given overwhelming love, her response would be stronger than anyone else's. She became the perfect girlfriend—yes, with some quirks, but all of which Edward had gradually got used too.
Eventually, Kayako married Saeki Takeo. Their married life was wonderfully blissful. Their son, Saeki Toshio, was born right on schedule. To prevent any chaotic narrative inconsistencies, Edward even arranged for Takeo to undergo a paternity test—just to ensure Toshio was truly his biological child. If Takeo reclaimed control after a successful marriage, things would get messy. So, this was for peace of mind.
Later, Kayako encountered Kobayashi again. But this time, she simply greeted him calmly and then cheerfully told her husband about her past feelings. Takeo gently reassured her that everything before was irrelevant and that he was glad she had moved on.
Kayako felt deeply blessed.
Despite Takeo's low sperm count, they eventually had a daughter as well. The couple lived a long, harmonious life. Their children grew up, and their home was always full of warmth. Kayako's smile remained bright for decades.
Until one day, Takeo's body finally gave out. Kayako held his hand tightly, tears pouring down her face. Takeo gently stroked her cheek and said, "Don't cry… You're not as cute when you cry as you used to be." Then he passed away peacefully.
After he took his final breath, Kayako quietly followed, dying beside the man she had loved for a lifetime. Husband and wife left this world together.
[Congratulations! You have changed the ending of "The Grudge." Through your actions, Kayako has gained a happy and fulfilling life. You have achieved the "Grudge Ending Reversal" accomplishment. You have earned mysterious rewards! Kayako's affection has risen to maximum, nothing you do will ever anger her. You gained Toshio's gratitude, Takeo's remorse, and… one hundred million Fear Points!]
Edward paused, staring at the reward.
One hundred million Fear Points?
Seriously?
But thinking of his future plans, he simply shrugged. He was going to retire soon anyway. Whether he had this reward or not didn't matter much. His future path would be brighter regardless. Still—if that was the case, he might as well create one last extraordinary retirement film. Something chilling, original, and unforgettable.
"…It's about time to say goodbye."
(End of Chapter)
TN: Yay, at least a happy ending for Kayako. All these dark stories, one finally at least have a happy ending. Author should have done everything like this from the start even if the movies are old at least that be more interesting rather than just recapping it.