In Episode 12 of "The Summer Hikaru Died," we find ourselves at Hikaru's home, where he engages in a role-played conversation about departure. That final chuckle lingers, carrying an eerie undertone. It's the last day before summer break, and Hikaru arrives late, skipping the morning assembly altogether. Instead, he meanders through the deserted halls and empty classrooms, a solitary figure. Asako stumbles upon him, but Hikaru is quick with an excuse, ready to deflect any suspicion.
Meanwhile, Tanaka pays a visit to Takeda, revealing that the entire legend of Nonuki-sama was a fabrication concocted by the village, and that the Indo ritual holds no real power. Yet, there's an underlying menace—something Tanaka is determined to shield the village from.
Back in the abandoned classroom, Asako confronts Hikaru once more. With a hint of veiled menace in her voice, she claims not to despise this new iteration of Hikaru, but her tears betray a profound sorrow for the loss of the genuine Hikaru. Her words strike a chord within him, making him realize that no one, least of all Yoshiki, has truly been able to grieve.
At Yoshiki's residence, relatives congregate, peppering him with the usual pointed inquiries about school, girlfriends, and even his hairstyle. They casually remark that it's acceptable for Kaoru to skip school since she's a girl. Just in time, Hikaru arrives, whisking Yoshiki away from the uncomfortable gathering.
After Hikaru offers an apology for his recent outburst, Yoshiki dismisses it with a wave of his hand, asserting that he's grown immune to such behavior. However, Hikaru suspects Yoshiki is merely putting on a brave front. Yoshiki confesses that he, too, yearns to discover a place where he truly belongs—somewhere far from here.
Taking a momentary respite, Hikaru found himself reflecting as fragments of his memories of Nonuki-sama resurfaced bit by bit, particularly the part about the mystical figure's ability to grant wishes. Despite being invited to voice a desire, Yoshiki remained unperturbed, his mind preoccupied with the perplexing issue of the impurities plaguing them. Meanwhile, a somewhat resigned Hikaru yearned for a carefree interlude, engaging in playful antics with Mince until the cat, in a fit of feline annoyance, swatted at him.
In a spontaneous burst of enthusiasm, they swiftly decided to embark on a seaside adventure, hastily boarding a train bound for the coast. Hikaru's eyes sparkled with excitement as he beheld the vast expanse of the ocean for the very first time, the salty breeze caressing his face. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Hikaru found himself confiding in Yoshiki. He recounted the tale of how he had arrived in this world and shared the poignant wish of the original Hikaru—a wish to never leave Yoshiki alone in this strange, new existence.
With a tinge of melancholy, Hikaru confessed his readiness to return to the mountain, suggesting that his previous outbursts were perhaps a manifestation of his true nature, a yearning for souls that lay hidden beneath the surface. The mere thought of losing Hikaru sent Yoshiki into a panic. In an attempt to distance himself from the impending separation, Hikaru spoke of the differences between him and the old Hikaru—his unique tastes, his appreciation for the moments they had shared. He emphasized his deep affection for Yoshiki, albeit not in a romantic sense, and urged him to find solace in mourning his friend and then moving forward.
Yoshiki, however, was resolute in his refusal to accept such a fate, labeling himself as the monster who had always concealed his true self. Internally, he acknowledged that being in the company of the "monster" Hikaru was both a source of validation and a selfish indulgence. As Hikaru attempted to bid farewell, Yoshiki erupted in a mixture of shouts and desperate pleas, refusing to let go. In the background, Tanaka observed the emotional tableau unfolding between the two, a silent witness to their heartfelt drama.
Despite Hikaru's repeated reminders of his monstrous nature, Yoshiki stubbornly insisted that he, too, was a monster, and that they didn't have to conform to societal norms of what was considered "normal." In that moment, amidst the fading light of the sunset, their bond transcended the boundaries of ordinary friendship, a testament to the power of love and acceptance in the face of adversity.
