Why? Because at that exact moment, Chihiro’s phone rings. It’s her mother, reminding her that her younger brother is sick and she needs to come home. The moment shatters. Chihiro leaves. She does not look back. Hikaru stands alone in the empty street, clenching his fists. The final panel of Chapter 72 is a close-up of Hikaru’s face, rain dripping from his bangs, as he whispers to himself: "I think I was in love with you this whole time. And I just let you walk away."
Chapter 71 ends on a cliffhanger that made the fandom hold its collective breath. After Chihiro decides to give up on Hikaru for good—believing she will never be "good enough" for him—she walks away in the rain. Hikaru, watching her retreat, realizes the terrifying truth: the girl he needs is leaving. He sprints after her. Warning: Full spoilers for Chapter 72 ahead. suki desu suzukikun manga chapter 72
For the character of Hikaru Suzuki, this is the chapter where he stops being a handsome face and becomes a young man worthy of love. And for Chihiro Ogawa, this is the chapter where she stops being "the girl who likes Hikaru" and becomes the heroine of her own story. The moment shatters
He says: "Chihiro, I think I..."
And then he stops.
English-speaking fans, reading scanlations years later, have consistently ranked Chapter 72 as one of the top 5 most re-read chapters. On MyAnimeList forums and Reddit’s r/shoujo, discussions about this chapter often center on one question: "Should Chihiro have waited for Hikaru’s full confession?" Hikaru stands alone in the empty street, clenching his fists
Introduction: A Turning Point in Shoujo History For fans of the beloved, emotionally layered shoujo manga Suki desu Suzuki-kun!! (I Like You, Suzuki-kun!!) by Go Ikeyamada, certain chapter numbers are etched into memory. Chapter 32? The cultural festival arc. Chapter 50? The first major time skip. But for those who have followed the tangled web of unrequited love, doppelgängers, and theatrical passion, Chapter 72 stands as a monumental pillar of the series.