Episode 4 of "The Summer Hikaru Died" finds us winding through an alleyway, where Hikaru, with a tender heart, attempts to befriend a local feline by offering it food—hoping to earn the right to stroke its fur. Yet, in a playful misjudgment, he pokes it instead, causing the cat to dart away in fright. Hikaru sighs, berating himself for his clumsiness, his thoughts intertwining with recent regrettable incidents. Yoshiki, seizing upon Hikaru's apology, senses a genuine desire for self-improvement.
Meanwhile, among the chatter of Yoshiki's classmates, one girl harbors a lurking Premonition, urging caution and suggesting they avoid crossing the train tracks for a couple of days. Her intuition, often proven keen, sets an uneasy tone.
As the village prepares for a festive celebration, Hikaru and Yoshiki's younger sister, Kaoru, share an exhilarated anticipation for the upcoming revelry. Yoshiki pauses at a takoyaki stall for Kaoru's delight, only to overhear villagers from a neighboring town whispering about her school absence. The kids catch snippets of the conversation, but Hikaru swiftly intervenes, diverting their attention with a playful request for shaved ice. He seizes Kaoru's hand, leading her towards the sacred shrine amidst the revelry.
In a secluded corner, elders murmur discontent over the Indo family's stewardship of Nonuki—a binding tie that has shackled their village for three centuries. The townsfolk bear the responsibility of keeping it confined, yet only the Indos possess the knowledge of the sealing ceremony. Doubts arise as they ponder whether Tanaka can be trusted amidst the prevailing turmoil. Tanaka remarks that the wooden head, when aligned, bestows protection upon them. He further notes the peculiarity of their village, devoid of a church, with only a shrine standing tall.
Upon reaching the shrine precincts, Hikaru finds himself barred from entering and devises a hasty excuse, dispatching Yoshiki to fetch the coveted shaved ice. When Hikaru bounces off the invisible barrier, an alert Tanaka, sensing the breach, dashes off in haste.
As the boys savor their icy treats by the riverbank, Hikaru ponders whether he appears indistinguishable from the other Hikaru. Yoshiki confides, his voice heavy with revelation, that he has known the truth ever since he stumbled upon Hikaru's lifeless form all those years ago. He shouldn't have ventured out to search for him—the children were strictly instructed to stay indoors. Yet, he couldn't resist the urge. His subsequent memory is hazy, a blur of illness lasting several days, until he awoke to find Hikaru miraculously restored. Recollecting his cherished friend, Yoshiki's eyes well up with tears. Hikaru, unsure of how to offer solace, finds Yoshiki's grip unyielding, preventing his departure. In response, Hikaru solemnly vows to shield Yoshiki forever and fulfill every request he might have.
The elders query about the protective barrier, prompting Tanaka to elucidate that he harnesses his internal organs to conjure it, making it no trivial task to replicate or expand. Contemplating how an entity of such colossal proportions could have slipped into their village undetected, Tanaka speculates that it might have transformed into another guise.
At the train barrier, Kuribayashi senses something stirring within her and swiftly slaps it down, her thoughts drifting to her child and wondering about Yoshiki's wellbeing.
Flashing back, Hikaru recalls his fateful fall on the mountain, his heart aching at the thought of abandoning Yoshiki to fend for himself.
