the summer when Hikaru died

👹 Creatures of the Mountains (expanded version)

The main rule: YOU CAN'T LOOK AT THEM!

This is the key law of survival in this world. If you see a creature from the mountains, don't look at its face, otherwise it will "take" you. The series demonstrates this with an example:

Yoshiki nearly died as a child when he encountered a creature in the forest. He was only saved when Hikaru (the real one) closed his eyes and led him away.
Tanaka (a spirit hunter) is nearly blind. He lost his sight precisely because he saw too many of these creatures. He wears glasses to protect himself, but it's only a partial measure.
Anyone who looks into the monster's eyes becomes its prey. Their gaze is hypnotic, and the victim either loses their mind, disappears without a trace, or dies a horrible death.

Why is that?
These creatures aren't just monsters. They're the embodiment of twisted human emotions, fears, and pain. To look at them is to let them see you, and then they can take your place in reality and drag you into their world.

But there is an exception: "Hikaru"
He's a sight to behold! That's why Yoshiki and the others can safely interact with him. He's not just a monster, but Nounuki-sama, who has taken on Hikaru's appearance. He controls his nature and doesn't harm others without reason (unless he's protecting Yoshiki).

👤 Tanaka

· Age: middle-aged man (around 30–40)
Appearance: A thin, pale man. He almost always wears dark glasses because he is nearly blind due to psychosomatic reasons. His hair is dark, short, and casually combed. He dresses formally—in dark suits or long coats.
Personality: Mysterious, reserved, and slightly aloof. He hunts spirits, but isn't cruel—he's more of a job-seeker. He wears special glasses that allow him to see the supernatural. He knows more than he lets on.
Tanaka has a poorly developed sixth sense, so he has a hamster that acts on monsters and spirits. This hamster is 12 years old because this hamster is also a bit of a monster. The hamster starts sleeping crimson when it senses a monster. The hamster is very cute.
Tanaka catches monsters but has never caught spirits like Hakaru's creatures.

👩 Rie Kurebayashi

· Age: adult woman (about 40-50 years old)
Appearance: Tall and slender, with long dark hair, often pulled back into a low bun. She has a calm, noble face and deep dark eyes. She dresses simply but elegantly—in light blouses or kimonos in the countryside. She exudes wisdom and warmth.
Personality: Wise, patient, and kind. She knows a lot about spirits and local legends. She's always ready to listen and offer advice. She tries to help without interfering directly.

👤 Yuta Maki

· Age: high school student (16-17 years old)
Appearance: He's of average height and stocky. He has short dark hair, often tousled, and plain features. He usually wears a school uniform or a T-shirt and jeans. He has the typical "one of the guys" look—outgoing and a little awkward.
Personality: Lively, boisterous, and good-natured. Initially panicked by paranormal events, but becomes bolder over time. Loyal to friends, sometimes acts impulsively.

👩 Asako Yamagishi

Age: high school student (16-17 years old)
Appearance: She is of average height and athletic build. She has short, chin-length dark brown hair with bangs parted slightly to the side. Her eyes are lively and dark, with a determined glint. She often wears comfortable clothes—jeans and light jackets. She always appears energetic and ready for action.
Personality: Sociable, courageous, quick-tempered, and very kind. She is one of the few who can resist the supernatural thanks to her strong will. She protects her friends and the village and is not afraid to speak the truth.

👤 "Hikaru" (Creature)

· Age: Looks like a high school student (16-17 years old)
Appearance: A tall, slender man with short, light-blond (almost white) hair that curls slightly. He has pale skin and bright, unusually colored eyes—sometimes described as too clear or unnaturally light. He usually wears a school uniform, but sometimes wears a light coat over it. He holds himself upright and gracefully, and has a soft, slightly distant smile.
Personality: Outwardly kind and caring, like the real Hikaru. But inside, he's a stranger learning to be human. He feels no pain or hunger, but tries to imitate human emotions. He truly loves Yoshiki and is willing to do anything to protect him.

👤 Yoshiki Tsujinaka

· Age: high school student (16-17 years old)
Appearance: Short and thin. He has dark, slightly tousled, shoulder-length hair and large, dark eyes with a soft, yet tired, look. He wears a school uniform and often appears slightly unkempt. He sometimes has shadows under his eyes from lack of sleep and stress.
Personality: Calm, melancholic, withdrawn. Speaks quietly and rarely. Very attached to Hikaru, but inside he's torn between fear and love. Mature beyond his years.

The being that has taken over Hikaru's body is a powerful ancient spirit, most likely related to the local deity Unuki-sama.

👀 Appearance and true nature

In appearance, he's a dead ringer for Hikaru Indou: he's 189 cm tall, has short, wavy white hair, gray eyes with red pupils, and a prominent fang. But when he experiences strong emotions, his true nature comes to the surface: substances begin to ooze from his body, which in the anime shimmer with red, blue, and purple hues.
🧠 Personality: The Monster Paradox

He's very curious and genuinely enjoys all things human—school, ice cream, friends. Yoshiki calls his behavior "childishly naive." However, his emotions and affection for Yoshiki can be very intense, sometimes to the point of losing control.

The main tragedy of this creature is that it is not human and cannot become so, no matter how hard it tries. It is ignorant of human instincts: hunger, pain, fear of death, and even romantic attraction. It simply does not understand them on a deep level, although it may know them as facts.

At the same time, he has his own instincts, alien to humans. His primary instinct is to devour human souls. He describes souls as something incredibly beautiful and alluring ("like the warmth of a fire in the cold"), and the process brings him pleasure.

🛡️ Relationship with Yoshiki

The creature desperately needs acceptance and is attached to Yoshiki as the only one who knows its secret and gives it a sense of belonging. It protects Yoshiki from other spirits and uses its power to keep him safe. However, its methods of protection can be deadly to those around it.