Episode 8 of "The Summer Hikaru Died" transports us back to Yoshiki's abode, where he finds himself engrossed in a grim task – scrubbing the traces of blood from Hikaru's shirt, almost as if attempting to erase the evidence of a heinous crime. He unearths a note in Hikaru's chamber, whispering of Nuki-sama, and presents it to Hikaru, who responds with a blank stare, claiming no recollection of it. Could this note be hinting at Hikaru's true identity?
The duo scours Hikaru's room for further clues, but their search proves futile. Seeking enlightenment, they bring the note to Hikaru's Grandfather, who instead poses another riddle – the whereabouts of Hichi-san. They must return him to his mountain sanctum. As Grandpa drifts into slumber, his ramblings speak of their village's dark history, a curse that has lingered for generations, and the involvement of Unuki-san in bygone days.
At school, Asako is mortified to bump into Yoshiki. She reveals that one of her ears has lost its hearing since the fateful night. Before departing, she dares to ask if Yoshiki believes Hikaru was possessed by an evil spirit. Yoshiki sidesteps the question, instead probing if she would hate him if it were true.
In a moment of confession, Hikaru admits to Yoshiki that he had pushed her away that night when she was on the brink of uncovering the truth, hinting that the consequences could have been far graver. Yoshiki's thoughts wander during class, consumed by Grandfather's revelations and their possible connection to Hikaru. Suddenly, a flash of a knife catches his eye – a monster seems to beckon from beyond the classroom window.
Yet, upon closer inspection, it reveals itself to be a person, who, upon approach, takes their own life. Asako notices an evil spirit lurking within this An unfortunate soul She ponders if Maki's injury too was the work of an evil force and then inquires about Hikaru's well-being, sensing something sinister within him. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the trio knows they must take action.
In the hushed silence of the library, Yoshiki and his companions unfurled an ancient map of the region, their eyes widening as they discerned that the local village names mirrored those of body parts, and likewise, the terrain seemed to emulate the human form. Yoshiki's curiosity led him to make several discoveries, only to be hushed abruptly by the librarian, who revealed herself to be a native of their town. Her mother, Mrs. Matsuura, had recently passed away there. When inquired about Nonuki-sama, Ms. Matsuura recounted how her mother had often spoken of the entity, having undergone a traumatic experience on the mountain in her youth. She clarified that Nonuki was more akin to a deity, willing to bestow blessings upon the village in return for offerings. However, following a devastating famine that decimated much of the area, the villagers began to view Nonuki-sama as a curse. Ms. Matsuura believed that the disappearance of her younger sister on the mountain had pushed her mother over the edge. She suggested they seek guidance from Takeda's father.
As they journeyed back home, Hikaru pondered aloud if he was the one destined to bring about ruin. Yoshiki, visibly shaken, queried if Hikaru truly comprehended the gravity of death, to which Hikaru confessed his ignorance. Yoshiki, determined and supportive, vowed to stand by Hikaru's side, regardless of what transpired in the future. Privately, Yoshiki contemplated that Hikaru's departure was becoming increasingly inevitable.
Meanwhile, the evening news buzzed with reports of the recent school tragedy, while Tanaka presented a 'good luck charm' to Takeda's father. On his return journey, Tanaka crossed paths with Yoshiki and, through his hamster's perception, sensed that Yoshiki had undergone a transformation, suspecting that the ominous presence might now dwell amongst them.
Later, at a diner, Hikaru expressed confusion as to why they were indulging in studies rather than visiting Old Man Takeda. Yoshiki, however, was deep in thought, pondering the best approach to engage with him. He reminded Hikaru to keep the fragment of him safe, cautioning that shattering it could potentially lead to his demise, albeit not with absolute certainty.
Suddenly, the once bustling diner was engulfed in an eerie silence, leaving it deserted. Yoshiki was paralyzed by an evil presence, while Hikaru, desperate to shield him, found himself powerless. Yoshiki, clutching Hikaru's hand, dashed towards the exit, only to find it blocked. As the monster loomed closer, freezing them on the spot, Yoshiki's eyes fluttered open to see Kurebayashi, who seemingly slapped the sinister entity away with a forceful blow.
