like purgatory but with a really pretty artstyle

She makes it incredibly clear when Kou asks her afterwards, that the person she became was still her. she was still Yako, despite how strange and terrifying she became.

Regardless of how she was acting, she was still herself deep down. Even if she couldn't show that. Even if she lost her mind. Even if she couldn't understand.

And while this concept is specifically mentioned in reference to the rumors changing, it's not the last time we see it brought up.

We see this discussed with Kou, after the timeline is changed.

At this point, Kou has been devoured by the House. He's trapped there. And he knows he's a goner.

But he's still Kou.

Regardless of what's happened to him, he's still himself. And as Yashiro tries to rationalize the idea that the adult Amane they saw was an illusion, a fake conjured by the House, Kou immediately corrects her.

That was Amane. There's no doubt about it. Regardless of how warped the House made him, regardless of the things it made him do, regardless of all that. The person they met, the person who murdered Kou and his own family because of the House's influence, is still Amane/Hanako.

Kou knows this because he's literally experiencing the same exact thing, right now, at that very moment.

And he wants to make sure Yashiro understands while he's still able to communicate that.

This point gets emphasized even further.

When Yashiro calls out for Hanako, Adult Amane jolts. If the others retained some of their memories from before the present changed, who's to say that Amane didn't, as well, on some level?

And after Kou and Yashiro leave, when he's completely alone, he muses to himself, thinking about Yashiro crying. That's not the part of him that's being controlled by the House, that's the real Amane shining through.

When Tsuchigomori tries to comfort Yashiro, and he tells her where he learned the magic tricks he used to cheer her up...

And Yashiro can only confirm to herself that Hanako was still Hanako, even as corrupted as he was. He wasn't an imposter created by the House.

So why would it be any different for Tsukasa?

In my opinion, the reason why Mismatched lasted so long, and why Tsukasa spent so much time with a de-aged Yashiro, was for Yashiro to be witness to Tsukasa's humanity. To see the true self he hides under the mask of constant smiles and manipulation.

To prove to Amane that Tsukasa has always been there. That he had never been replaced.

It's easier to let yourself be vulnerable around a child. Tsukasa proves to be a surprisingly good caretaker too, being considerate of her state, and protecting her, having fun with her, singing with her... letting his sadness show.

In fact, one of the last things Tsukasa does before things change is break Hanako's bindings and warn him about the danger behind them.

I think this is also why Yashiro and Kou spend so much time with him in the Red House. To show us that this child is, actually, Yugi Tsukasa. He's lonely, sad, and craves affection.

And he may be a little messed up now, but he's still just a child who misses his brother.

I wouldn't be surprised if Yashiro was the key to truly saving Tsukasa. Something Amane wants to do so desperately, but doesn't know how.

And like... imagine how Tsukasa feels.

He already believed that Amane hated him by 4 years old. That's why it was so easy for him to sacrifice himself for his brother. He loved Amane so, so much, he'd do anything for him, to make him happy.

And then Kou convinces Tsukasa to go back. Makes him believe that his brother wanted him back. That things would work out. He started having hope again, even knowing that Amane would kill him some day.

And then, when he does return...

His mother starts treating him differently. Starts taking him to weird places, and saying weird things about him. She's hysterical. She hates him now.

Amane starts acting distant. They're not as close as they used to be. Did his brother ever love him? He's not sure.

His parents start fighting. His father leaves.

His mother starts abusing her children.

His brother can't decide if he wants Tsukasa around or gone.

And then the fateful day comes where Amane kills him.

To Tsukasa, he probably thought it was the only time in their lives that Amane was honest about his feelings towards him.

It's no wonder Tsukasa was nearly crying when Hanako says how much he wants Yashiro to live, despite her saying how she wants to die.

Tsukasa must be so frustrated. He sacrificed everything to try and make his brother happy. And his efforts went completely unappreciated. he became even more hated. And Amane killed himself anyway, after killing Tsukasa. What was even the point of sacrificing himself?

And now, Yashiro says she wants to die, but Hanako won't let her. How selfish. What about what she wants? What about what Tsukasa wanted?

It's no wonder Tsukasa is so ready to end his own existence. He's never once felt like the people he loved, the people he did everything for, loved him back. Even though he wanted to be loved so badly, he gave up that hope for their sake.

His brother hated him. Then his mother hated him. Then his father left.

We've never seen Tsukasa cry or break down. If i had to guess, i think he feels like there's no point to showing those kinds of emotions. Why worry people who don't care about him? It's not like it would do anything. He may as well act like he has some sort of control.

And now in death, Tsukasa became Hanako's Yorishiro. And Hanako can get a wish granted by god if they destroy all the Yorishiro.

He can grant Amane any wish he wants, and finally, truly, blissfully disappear at the same time.

For Tsukasa, it's probably a win/win.

Why should Tsukasa care about the idea of being saved? No one's ever cared before. Least of all, Amane.

I mean, hell, the Clock Keepers are literally talking about erasing him from existence in front of him. And then they did.

Some other random related thoughts:

So... we know Tsukasa can be particularly violent.

Did he learn that behavior from his mother...? Either from experience or witnessing it himself?

Did he internalize it?

(speaking of internalizing... I'm sure that Amane's belief in Tsukasa being a fake wasn't helped by his mom. Who knows how strong it would have been if they were in different home circumstances.)

And is all this the reason both Amane and Tsukasa talk about forgiving horrible behavior, regardless of who gets hurt? Regardless of the reason for it, or what may happen?

Did they just... Learn to forgive people who constantly hurt them? Did this become second nature for them?

Honestly, it's no wonder Tsukasa became so warped. Between living in a literal hell house for months during some of his most sensitive developmental years, and then living in a metaphorical one for a decade after, of course he'd be more than a little messed up

In addition -

Tsukasa was able to kill Wonder Number 3, within it's own boundary. Something that should be impossible. One, because Wonder's should be invincible in their boundary, and two, because things shouldn't be able to die in a boundary. It's a place without life or death. So how did Tsukasa do it?

Is it because his powers come from the Pit God inside him? it seems like it can override the 7 Wonder's power's.

And speaking of the Wonders, their Yorishiro, and this wish god will supposedly grant...

Are we sure about all that?

The 7 Wonders exist to protect the school. The school used to be where the old village once stood- the one that offered human sacrifices in return for wishes. the 7 Wonders were created to protect the village/school from the Pit God (or at least, gods that demand sacrifices, but it's the only one we know that works in that way, so)

In the new present, where the 7 Wonders don't exist, the Red House and the Pit God are able to reach out and enter the school without issue. Adult Amane and possessed Tsukasa are able to easily amass victims this way.

And we're told that destroying the Yorishiro could either grant a wish from god, or destroy the world.

Are we sure that the god that's going to grant the wish isn't the Pit God? The one known for granting wishes in exchange for sacrifices? The one who would most benefit from the Yorishiro being destroyed, leaving the school at it's most vulnerable?

Doesn't that just feel a little bit suspicious?