In mokumokuren artwork it's really common for Hikaru to be positioned behind Yoshiki 👀
I think it's great visual storytelling. At first it creates a distance between the character and the viewer, giving the character the mysterious aura it deserves... like a living shadow
Also gives the feeling that Yoshiki has blind faith in him. Full trust on this creature he just recently met
Lastly the concept of Hikaru being the support he needs, someone he can lean on, watch his back, protect him
I would like to know what exactly was the context here, but, nevertheless, we got to see "Hikaru" on his knees by Yoshiki's side, touching his arm (his touches in particular somehow give me the impression they are soothingly warm, reassuring), asking of him to stay with him forever with that affectionate smile and gaze. With that affectionate gaze and his posture, it could seem more like begging than just asking (and I'm totally weak for it). Also, the fact that he didn't have to utter a single word for Yoshiki to understand "Hikaru" meant "even after death". Instead, he simply and silently continued gazing at him like that. *sigh* They are so dear to me.
people really cope hard when it comes to human Hikaru huh.
It feels like no matter what happens in the manga, or what the author says, yall are very quick to try and spin anything he does into “well he was secretly in love and didn’t mean to hurt him” instead of just looking at what is actually shown in the text.
regardless of whatever his identity “secretly” was (in the manga that isn’t afraid to be very direct about queer identities in every other case…), he is still the loudest voice in Yoshiki’s head demanding for him to just be normal. Intentional or not, he is 100% the biggest reason Yoshiki is so repressed himself. You can love someone and still hurt them.
But also…why is human Hikaru the only one held to the standard that his love doesn’t mean anything unless it was romantic or sexually motivated? People don’t think less of ‘Hikaru’ and Yoshiki’s relationship just because it isn’t based on romantic or sexual desire. So why does human Hikaru have to be in love with him for what he did do right by Yoshiki to matter?
Is it because his microaggressions would be too unforgivable if it genuinely came from ignorance? Because it would be too painful? I have a feeling that’s why people talk like that about him. Because yeah, it probably would be too painful. But that’s the whole damn point. Yoshiki was tormented by their interactions. Their relationship was extremely painful for Yoshiki. And, he also copes by glorifying the memories he has left of him- because it’s less painful to think of him that way.
I dunno man. I am just kinda tired of seeing people argue and blatantly ignore what’s in the actual series, to defend an interpretation of a character they formed wayyy too early on. Half the reason people initially thought Hikaru even had feelings for him was based on the assumption that ‘Hikaru’s’ feelings were actually just his. But we know that isn’t the case. And even if it was…it still isn’t romantic. It doesn’t make either of their feelings less important. But it bothers the hell out of me that people ignore who Hikaru actually was because the idea of him acting that way out of pure ignorance is too uncomfortable.
It’s okay to admit someone is an asshole. And that it might not always be accidental, either. Not every stupid or hurtful thing he said was because he’s unable to express his “secret romantic feelings”. Sometimes, teenagers are just dicks to their friends. He isn’t a bad guy at all, he’s just realistically flawed. He definitely isn’t perfect, even if his heartbreaking story makes you want to think of him that way.
anywayyy. I really recommend checking out mokumokuren’s bluesky because they talk a lot about this stuff. It’ll give you a lot of good insight on some of the themes & struggles they’ve had with fans. I guarantee that’s why we got that new bonus chapter showing him in a critical light more explicitly.
before I left for work today I on a whim pulled a random tarot card and I got death which is a positive card in general but it also made me laugh because I asked the cards "What's my work shift at the funeral home gonna be like today?" And I got death. Like yes ha ha you guys are hilarious. Making me pull that very on the nose card. Yes, death will be there it will be death-like at the funeral home. very funny