The Summer Hikaru Died, Volume 3
by Mokumokuren
published by Yen Press
2024
The village where dear friends Yoshiki and Hikaru live has a traditional festival to the god of the mountain. A mountain where Yoshiki’s father warned him never to explore. A mountain where, the boys don’t realize, Hikaru’s family used to keep <things> in their rightful places…
There are people in the village who can hear <things> from the Other Side. Others can see <things>. But engaging with <the things>, talking to them, or in any way acknowledging them can make the people who respond more attractive to the restless spirits, and that is a problem. A problem Yoshiki’s closeness with Hikaru, including their physical closeness, may soon reveal. Not just in the cold, unhealed bruise on Yoshiki’s arm…
Classmate Asako is sensitive to these <things>, and has seen a <thing> save the friend she loves most, so her questions for Hikaru are well-meaning – alarming, but innocent. Her innocence doesn’t mean she is safe, however.
Volume 3 is the smooth continuation of the spooky story of Yoshiki and the being occupying his beloved friend Hikaru’s body. The tension is superb. The body horror is impressive. The traumas are real. And the ethics and attitudes of <things> are highly uncomfortable…