Chapter 140.2

Acting Human (1) (ひとのふり②, Hito no Furi) is the second part of the 140th chapter of the To Your Eternity manga.

Summary
Nokker Izumi pushes Mizuha behind her to protect her from Fushi. Fushi says he's going to save Izumi's body from the Nokker and tells Mizuha to get away. However, Mizuha clings to Nokker Izumi saying she could never leave her mother behind. Fushi tosses his sword aside, seeing as Mizuha would get in his way, and asks the Nokker if she has any last words.

Nokker Izumi doesn't say a word and suddenly a sharp pain is felt in her foot. Fushi explains that he sent his roots up into her body through her feet. The roots spread all over her body and Fushi threatens to release molten iron from them, burning everything inside.

Mizuha runs towards Fushi, begging him to not kill her mother. Fushi wraps his roots around Mizuha's leg and trips her. Mizuha tells him that she's her mother and Fushi denies this, telling her her real mother is wandering the world as a spirit since she can't move on because she's worried about Mizuha.

Nokker Izumi tells her daughter that's enough and assures her she's fine and that she should go home. Fushi is confused as to why neither of them will fight him, since they both have Nokker strengths. However, he doesn't care and decides that emptying Izumi's vessel is the only thing he can do to set things rights. Fushi begins summoning the molten iron but suddenly Mizuha cries and begs Fushi to stop. She pleas that she needs her mother and that Fushi has to accept it. Fushi is stunned hearing that Mizuha is choosing her fake mother over her real one. Mizuha explains that the Nokker Izumi doesn't treat her like a trophy, doesn't make her try everything, doesn't pressure her, and doesn't use her. And because of the imposter mother, she no longer suffers and was able to make friends. Mizuha tells Fushi that Nokker Izumi is more suited to be her mother and tells Fushi that if he's worried about her, he wouldn't hurt those important to her.

Nokker Izumi rushes to Mizuha's side and thanks her and tells her she loves her. Fushi is in utter disbelief. He frees Nokker Izumi from his roots and walks away. Mizuha thanks him for understanding how important her "mother" is to her. Fushi walks past Izumi's spirit, tears falling from her face after hearing her daughter's words. Fushi walks towards Bonchien and tells him he couldn't kill the Nokker Izumi. Bonchien tells him it's fine.