Now that Hinako made up with Shiori by renewing their promise, the girls went to a hot springs town.
Last time, Shiori renewed her promise to Hinako and swore it was genuine this time. Still, she wants Hinako to stay alive with the hope that her old self will return. While Shiori admitted to Miko that she stole Hinako’s kiss, Miko doesn’t know what to think anymore; she feels something worse might happen as a result. That is, before Miko received a text message from someone, which gave her an idea of what to do to brighten the mood. It appears to be from one of the manager that couldn’t make it to the basketball trip and want to repay Miko, Shiori, and Hinako with a hot springs inn stay.
The whole premise of the episode is basically going to a hot springs town to have fun. Sure, Hinako is reminded of what she was in the past, which, of course, reminds her of specific memories. Still, it’s funny how Shiori continues to annoy Miko and even photobombed Hinako while taking a photo of Miko. It’s funny how, in a character cutout, they are fighting over who gets to take a picture with Hinako. Miko and Shiori ended up taking a photo together in that instance.
Of course, Hinako is looking for something to give to Shiori. That is why Shiori tries to taunt Miko, saying that Miko is outside her area. However, Miko says she knows the former bake-tanuki in the area, so it’s now part of her turf. Funny how Shiori says that Miko committed extortion, which gets her annoyed. Still, Miko is willing to travel as long as it makes Miko happy.
Eventually, Shiori went up to Hinako and said the hair clips suit Hinako better, but, of course, Hinako thinks they suit Shiori better. That is, before she looks for one for Miko. Funny how Miko kicked her, thinking that Shiori looked depressed from Hinako’s reaction. Funny how Shiori wants to buy alcohol when she seems underage.
After having fun in town, they finally arrived at the inn. Shiori saw Hinako smile several times, but it was not the same smile she had seen before. Since Miko has a craving for ice cream, she had Shiori and Hinako get it. On the way back, Hinako saw fireflies. However, Shiori tells her not to touch it, since it reminds her of the dead’s souls, and that it’s only safe to look at them. Hinako obeys her as Hinako questions if Shiori really can fulfill that promise, as she admits she doesn’t want to eat Hinako.
Eventually, Shiori asks if Hinako had fun, and Hinako obviously didn’t want to go on a trip again, but changed her mind when Miko asked, hoping Shiori could fulfill that promise. Still, I feel Hinako is far from returning to her old self, as Shiori hoped, though Hinako admits she had some fun during the trip. Still, Shiori doesn’t think it’s a bad thing to make the promise, as Hinako wouldn’t be here for this moment.
Basically, she put a hairpin in Hinako’s hair during that time, which is a nice moment. While Shiori hopes that Hinako can become the person she was, Hinako thinks she can’t. Shiori won’t forgive her if she did so. Still, I have a feeling that it may not work out, but given that it’s just a lifeline to keep the relationship going, one can hope that Shiori can fulfill her wish to see Hinako return to her former self.
Final Thoughts
Watashi wo Tabetai, Hitodenashi is a surprise, as one expected quite a few horrific moments, given that youkai find Hinako, well, tasty. Sure, this is true, especially in the beginning, as Shiori befriends Hinako to protect her with the promise of eating Hinako.
What is surprising is that the title is most likely far from the truth after the twist that Hinako has Shiori’s blood, which makes her less tasty for youkai to eat her. It makes the relationship between Shiori and Hinako an interesting one.
After all, Shiori couldn’t connect with anyone, as she looked more grotesque than a Western mermaid and was viewed as either a human-eating monster, someone to be worshipped or as a way to end one’s life. What is interesting is that Shiori befriended Hinako because Hinako was friendly to her. However, it didn’t work out for Shiori, as Hinako faces an unfortunate situation and struggles with survivor’s guilt, making it difficult for Shiori to help Hinako return to her former self. Sure, their relationship looks doomed, as it’s not very likely Hinako will ever go back to her former self before the accident. Still, Shiori is holding out hope that Hinako can show that happiness from the past.
Sure, Miko is a cheerful and lovable fox girl who really cares for Hinako, but of course, she got the short end of the stick. She did her best to care for Hinako’s well-being, of course, but Shiori one-upped her with her blood. As a result, I felt that Miko is the underdog I root for, as she is not as self-fulfilling as, well, Shiori, of course, who wants Hinako for herself. Not to mention, Shiori as a mermaid is a lot scarier than a big, multiple-tailed fox.
That said, while it’s not all that likely that there will be an anime continuation, at least the production was great, especially with the more serious moments. Sure, it’s not your usual yuri works that end happily ever after, and the pairing between Hinako and Shiori is likely to face doom. Still, it’s an interesting pairing given Hinako’s depression and Shiori’s hope that Hinako can recover to a certain extent.
(Also known as This Monster Wants to Eat Me)
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