Summary

Hikaru begins the story attempting to take his own life. Just before he hits the ground, a monster in human form catches him — saving him in the most unexpected way. Though terrified at first, Hikaru slowly realizes that this silent creature might not be his enemy.

The creature takes him to a theater where he witnesses a news broadcast about a mother-and-son murder-suicide. Overcome with anguish, he’s suddenly transported into a surreal dreamscape where he’s on a date with his first love, Hajime. Through this vision, Hikaru revisits their relationship, the guilt that consumed Hajime as a caregiver, and the heartbreaking confession that leads to their final farewell. In the end, the monster reveals himself to be Hajime, guiding Hikaru toward acceptance and the will to live again. Hikaru awakens in a hospital bed, whispering that he can “smell the scent of life.”

My Thoughts

Mouth to Mouse captures the complexity of grief, love, and the desperate search for meaning after loss. Sakishita Senmu weaves psychological pain and supernatural symbolism into a poetic journey of self-forgiveness.

The art’s soft grays and muted blues mirror Hikaru’s state between death and rebirth. Its surreal imagery portrays how grief transforms and how connection can still bloom amid despair — making this a perfect manga to read to see the ways grief can be accepted and how one can rediscover the will to live.

For readers drawn to quiet tragedy and emotional healing, this one-shot offers catharsis in its gentlest form — a whisper that even after immense sorrow, life still has a place for you.