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409 The Night Moon's Tears
🕑 Added 2025-07-27 15:00:24 +0000 UTCIn the end, Eriri still didn’t find out what Kyousuke’s favorite food was.
That night, the two of them stood in front of their company building, looking up at the logo glowing softly under the white fluorescent lights.
Behind them, the street was completely silent—no cars in sight, and most of the restaurants nearby had long since closed.
Across the road, the Takahara Temple sat shrouded in darkness, with only the occasional caw of a crow echoing in the air.
“Kyousuke,” Eriri’s voice was quiet, her hands clasped behind her back.
“Yeah,” His response came just as softly, as though he was afraid to wake the sleeping building behind them.
“This is our company.” She wasn’t asking—just stating a truth.
“Yeah. Our company,” he confirmed, simply.
“I’m... not a very lovable girl.” Her voice was as soft as the pale clouds drifting through the night sky—light enough to vanish with a single breath.
“Nonsense.”
“Idiot! Don’t interrupt me!” Without turning around, she stepped back and stomped hard on his foot.
This clueless fool! Wasn’t this the moment he was supposed to say something like, “Even if you’re not lovable, I still love you”?
That was the kind of cheesy line he was supposed to say!
Or even better, “It’s because you’re so lovable that I fell for you.” Not that she’d be satisfied with that either—but still! Idiot!
“You better listen carefully! You might not get another chance to see Lady Eriri like this again!” Her girlish voice rang out clearly in the still, quiet street.
“Okay...” Kyousuke shut his mouth.
His gaze shifted from the glowing company sign to the golden hair shimmering in the night—brighter than the darkness could ever swallow.
Eriri was acting different tonight.
Was this all Kosaka Akane’s doing?
Earlier, she’d even said something like, “If you’re really worried about me getting hurt, then why didn’t you hold my hand?”—the kind of thing that had made his heart skip several beats.
He’d never imagined this stubborn, awkward girl could actually say something so... bold.
“I don’t have a strong heart. I cry over third-rate novels in the middle of the night, hiding under my blanket. I get swayed easily—whether it’s tears or tough words, I start second-guessing myself.”
“I know Kosaka Akane’s the enemy. I know she’s a pain and nothing but trouble for you... but even so, after hearing what she said, I started thinking: Maybe she’s right.
Maybe I’m the one dragging you down. If you were working with her—or even with that woman, Kasumigaoka Utaha—maybe our company.
Tansan, would’ve already become a household name in the industry. Instead of you having to worry about every little thing.”
Her hands still behind her back, she stood completely still—only her soft voice drifting toward Kyousuke.
He didn’t say a word, not because he was trying to be obedient, or was mad at her. He just understood her too well.
If Eriri had chosen to say all this, it meant she’d already made up her mind.
The only thing he needed to do now... was listen quietly.
“I really am a hopeless softie. I told myself not to think about what Akane said, not to fall for that woman’s manipulations, but... I still couldn’t stop.”
“Even today, when you said I could be the lead artist for ‘My Neighbor, Neighbor, Neighbor’, I got scared.
I wanted to say no. Not because I don’t think I’m good enough—but because I wanted to give everything I have to our company.”
Her sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with conviction as they reflected the company’s logo—like stars shining in a sea of night.
“Akane said she acknowledges me? Pfft. Like I need her approval.
She’s just some old hag who's been in the business longer. I’ll surpass her sooner or later!” Her voice was fierce, unwavering.
“I just need time.”
“It only took me ten years to get where I am now. Give me more time, and I can do anything. Right, Kyousuke?”
“Yeah. I’ve always believed that,” Kyousuke said softly.
If anyone else had said something like that, it would’ve sounded like empty bravado.
But coming from Eriri, he could see the years etched into her every word.
“So I’ve decided. I’m hitting pause on everything else—the outside illustration work, my doujin circle, the Tokyo Youth Expo, even school.
All of it. I want to pour my time, energy, life into Tansan. It’s not fair for you to be the only one giving your all.”
“If you actually do that, you’re the one being unfair,” he said.
“Hehe~” Her laugh was like a silver bell—sweet, sly, and unmistakably mischievous.
“Idiot! I told you not to interrupt my cool speech!”
Of course, she knew if she really did what she said, Kyousuke would drop everything and come with her.
Then Sakura, Shouko, all the others... they’d lose their Kyousuke.
It was the perfect strategy—so why couldn’t she follow through? Why couldn’t she just be a little more selfish?
Because... she loved this idiot just the way he was.
Eriri turned to face him. Her eyes shimmered like a galaxy—stars swirling inside a deep blue night, glowing in the still darkness of the street.
A plane rumbled overhead, slicing through the night sky.
Without thinking, both of them looked up.
And then Eriri spoke:
“Just like how everyone looks up when a plane cuts through the sky, waiting for that little red light... I want people to see the name Kyousuke and instantly look for Eriri right next to it!”
“I’m going to be your number one—without question. I’m going to become someone you can lean on again. Just like when we first started One Punch Man together!”
“I want to be the Eriri you can depend on. The one you trust.”
Each word was spoken with unshakable resolve. Every syllable felt carved from the core of her heart.
Kyousuke was stunned.
This was a side of Eriri he had never seen before.
She had warned him—it might be a once-in-a-lifetime thing and maybe she was right.
Getting this stubborn, prideful girl to speak her true feelings... was harder than getting her to quit drinking soda.
He couldn’t even control his expression anymore.
Eyes wide, mouth slightly agape, he just stood there watching her slowly walk toward him.
‘Thump.’
She raised her small fist and pounded it firmly against his chest.
Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her eyes shimmering with emotion.
Despite the pitiful look on her face—eyes, nose, lips, even her bangs drooping sadly—Kyousuke could feel the determination radiating off her.
“I will. No matter what. I’m going to become your number one!”
Her voice trembled with stubborn strength, each word forced out like she was pushing it through grit teeth.
It was raw. It was real.
And somehow, even now... even in this moment... she was still that same adorably frustrating, impossibly endearing tsundere idiot.
Kyousuke's lips curled into a gentle smile.
He raised his right hand and clasped the delicate fist pressed against his chest.
"Tansan is our company. It’s not some childish game"
"And I will live up to your expectations."
Even as the tears welled up, Eriri still managed to clearly voice those final words.
‘If I can do this... If I can meet every one of your expectations... will I finally become your number one?’
‘And if I become the most important person in your heart, Kyousuke, then... will you be willing to meet all my expectations too?’
‘Will you make me your only one?’
Inside this company, looking at everything Kyousuke had done for her… after enduring Kosaka Akane’s pressure and drawing strength from memories of the past to grow so quickly… Eriri finally realized:
‘She loved this idiot.”’
Not just because he sharpened her pencils every day just because she once complained about hating pencil sharpeners.
Not just because he watched anime and played games with her.
Not just because he made delicious food.
Anyone could’ve done those things.
But—
He understood her, no matter how stubborn or tsundere she was.
He truly believed she was adorable, just as she was.
He could see through her “perfect ojou-sama” façade to the fragile girl underneath.
Even after surpassing her artistically, he still clumsily tried to protect her pride.
And even when an easy path was right there—when most people would've clung to Kosaka Akane’s leg and begged—he chose to walk the longer, harder road with her.
He was willing to wait, to let her grow at her own pace.
...
Those were things only he could do. Only him. No one else.
‘God, it's so annoying. Why can’t I stop thinking about all this?’
‘Why are these memories so vivid, like they’re carved into my brain?!’
‘It’s all Kyousuke’s fault! He’s taken over my head—that’s why my grades are so awful!’
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Her sapphire eyes blurred, but glowed even brighter through the haze—like twin stars burning with emotion.
The feelings in them were so intense, they felt almost tangible—enough to shake the soul of anyone who looked into them.
Kyousuke gently wiped her tears with his right hand, still holding her fist in his left.
But the tears wouldn’t stop.
No matter how he wiped, they kept flowing—endlessly, fiercely—just like the feelings behind them.
So he pulled her into his arms, cradling her head against his chest.
‘Dammit... I wanted to be cool.’
‘I wanted this idiot to see the strength of my resolve, to show him that choosing me was the best decision of his life.’
‘So why... why am I crying like this?!!’
Buried in the warmth of his chest, Eriri sobbed harder.
That familiar scent filled her nose.
Even though she kept telling herself, ‘Don’t cry. Don’t cry...’ her little growls grew louder.
Like she was trying to pour every ounce of love, frustration, and hope into her tears.
"I know, Eriri. I know you’ve worked so hard," Kyousuke whispered, resting his chin gently on her head, voice thick with emotion.
“Absolutely… I’m going to do it. I’ll be number one in your heart!”
“I’ll meet your expectations!”
“I’ll become the Eriri you can trust and rely on!”
The sight of her tearful, stubborn face wouldn’t leave his mind.
Those words she spoken with unwavering resolve, like she’d poured her whole soul into them—shook him to the core.
If he still didn’t understand how she felt after all this... he didn’t deserve to stand by her side.
Didn’t deserve the right to hear those words.
He felt guilt rise in his chest again—guilt for not seeing it sooner.
"I know... Eriri, you're really strong." He murmured.
"Uwaaaahhh... ughhh…!"
She cried even harder.
Before, when she hadn’t realized her feelings, she could laugh without care.
But now… those past moments of joy felt like they were crumbling away.
Pain. Frustration. Vulnerability.
"You idiot, idiot, idiot! Why do you have to be like this!"
She shouted between sobs.
Kyousuke had no response—because he was Kyousuke.
All he could do was hold her tighter.
No one knew how much time had passed.
The roar of airplanes overhead had long faded, and even the wispy clouds had drifted away.
Only the silent, silver moon remained, pouring down its quiet glow.
Eventually, Eriri’s crying calmed.
She vengefully rubbed her face all over Kyousuke’s shirt.
When she grabbed his white shirt to wipe her nose, she froze—realizing it was already soaked in a mixture of tears and snot.
Her lips quivered again, and for no reason at all, she felt even more wronged.
Kyousuke hurriedly offered a corner of his jacket instead. That shirt was a lost cause anyway.
"Idiot! Why didn’t you bring tissues?!"
Even as she scolded him, she still obediently used the jacket to wipe her face.
Once she was mostly presentable again, she looked up.
Her reddened eyes were like fire—burning with intensity.
Each tear seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, crashing straight into Kyousuke’s chest.
Her love was pure, fierce, overwhelming.
He swallowed hard.
By day, he could sway subordinates and rivals alike with just his words—he could silence the queen of the industry, Kosaka Akane, and bend situations to his will.
But now? He had no idea what to say.
How could he possibly respond to a love like this?
He wouldn’t say sorry. That would be disrespectful—to her, to himself, to everyone.
"Eriri..."
"I’m giving you a direct order—in the name of Eriri!" she snapped, grabbing both his cheeks and yanking hard, her tone fierce and uncompromising.
"Until I become your number one, you’re not allowed to slack off! You have to stay right behind me!"
"Don’t you dare fall behind, you hear me?!"
Kyousuke froze. His face ached from her tugging, but he still wanted to smile.
‘Eriri... you’re still the same soft-hearted idiot.’
"Yes, ma’am."
"Idiot! Right now I’m your manga assistant!"
"Right, right—."
"Let’s go home, dummy!"
"Okay!"
Walking in front, Eriri raised her arms like a kindergartener, swinging them with a silly rhythm.
‘Wait... how am I supposed to face Sakura and the others when we get back?’
‘Should I scare them with wide eyes? Stand in the doorway and yell at them all night?’
‘Wait—what’ll they think when they see Kyousuke’s shirt?!’
‘Wait!! Aunt Mikiko is still home too?!’
‘Oh no. I’m so dead.’
Aaaahhhhh!!
It’s seems like Sawamura Spencer Eriri... still hadn’t grown up.
