This is the 30th Chapter of The Summer Hikaru Died manga series, written and illustrated by Mokumokuren.
Synopsis[]
The gang arrive in Ashidori on day of the Houko Festival—a tradition that may be connected to the very “holes” they’re looking for. But while they explore the festivities, their classmate Asako launches a search of her own...?![1]
Plot[]
"Hikaru", Yoshiki, and Maki arrive together at the Ashidori Houko Festival. A flashback reveals that Maki's brother explained the meaning of the festival:
Villagers put out a Hōko doll (
Maki's brother was excited when he heard Kurebayashi's voice over the phone and is told who she is. He revealed that she is well-known a legendary exorcist among those interested in the occult.
After ending the phone call, Kurebayashi said that she'll go to Ashizukadou Cave on her own while the boys try to find any helpful information from the festival. While they're walking, a girl drops her houko doll. Yoshiki picks it up and returns it to her. Maki explains to "Hikaru" that houko dolls work as a child's talisman to ward off evil or to pray for good health. He points out the large stand where the houko dolls are gathered, and "Hikaru" remarks that it looks likea funeral monument. Yoshiki recalls Kurebayashi's comments that the land might be being used as a sacrificial doll to beat spiritual impurities in their place.[citation needed]
Meanwhile, Asako addresses her grandmother's shrine about the worries she's had since the day of their school's end-of-term ceremony. After Asako skipped the ceremony, Yuuki stopped her at the school entrance and said that Maki asked her to walk home together and invited Asako to come with them. Asako gleefully left without her, saying she can't get in the way of young love. It began to rain on the way home while Asako reflected on Yoshiki and "Hikaru". She felt angry that Yoshiki never said anything for a half a year, and that she can't do anything to help the situation now. Suddenly Yuuki arrived at her side and shared her umbrella with Asako, explaining that she told Maki to go home alone.
Asako tells her grandmother's shrine that she feels ashamed at her inability to protect Udekari and her friends. She then goes to an abandoned house in the neighborhood that recently became extremely noisy, with many impurities emerging from it. She cracks the door open and hears meowing. Since the ghosts of animals are not typically dangerous, she decides it's safe to investigate further. Just as she reaches for the door, a hand from the inside slams the door open.
The inside is completely dark. Ear-splitting screeches erupt from the darkness, along with the chant "I'm a cat". However, Asako is certain it isn't actually a cat.
While Asako covers her ears, the door is slammed shut – this time, by Tanaka. Grinning, he asks if she's the type that can hear.
Character Appearances[]
Gallery[]
References
- ↑ Yen Press: The Summer Hikaru Died, Chapter 30
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