The Old Ball

In a small town, the local schools are filled with unsettling stories about a river. Legends tell of strange noises at night, hungry ogres, and supernatural creatures like kappas. One day, a young boy named Satoshi experiences one of these chilling tales firsthand. While playing, his ball falls into the river and, as he watches, it mysteriously disappears along with whoever—or whatever—took it. Even as he peers over the bridge, there’s no trace of the ball or its taker. This disturbing event leaves a lasting mark on Satoshi’s childhood. Thirty years later, Satoshi’s daughter approaches him with a chilling message: she says a girl she’s never seen before gave her a ball, claiming it belonged to him.