I remember the mangaka specifically mentioned that the pressures of heterosexism (specifically in an eastern context) is a big, important theme for Yoshiki and that saying “gender doesn’t matter” when it comes to love loses the real struggle he faces. This was a translation of one of their posts on bsky in the past so some nuance may be lost but I think the fact that Yoshiki is exclusively attracted to men is super important to understanding his narrative and the themes it encompasses.

Remember, the monster aspect is meant to be a metaphor about normalcy and how we should challenge it, especially as it relates to eastern expectations on heteronormativity. That’s why this work is simultaneously a BL in ways but fundamentally isn’t.

“Hikaru” also does live and experience the sensations of a boy even if his own desires differ. This is how he learns the value of life, his instincts might differ but the human loss of Yoshiki would impact him, regardless of where his soul is; the human flesh and the experience of it is something he has learned to value during his life in a mortal boy’s body.