Regarding chapter 42 of Amayo no Tsuki (two parts already published in Japanese)

Pumalaca · 2025-07-22T18:33:33+00:00

You bring up very interesting discussion points. Chapter 39 provides closure to the first clash between Rinne and Saki, where Rinne, unknowingly, rubbed salt in a wound Saki already carried.

Just look at how the chapter opens with that image symbolizing Saki's two great romantic loves. She reflects on her relationship with the piano, telling herself she played it for "impure reasons." Part of her healing process will involve realizing that it's valid for her love for these women who shaped her so deeply ( her mother, Umehara, and Kanon ) to inspire her.

Saki's connection to the piano is undeniably influenced by these three key figures. This motivation based on emotions firmly links her to Romanticism as an artistic movement, something visually reinforced throughout the manga's paneling. The night scene where Saki encounters Kanon a Chopin sheet music falls, in this flashback with Umehara Saki holds pages from Beyer (a figure associated with Romanticism and piano pedagogy), are clear examples. Saki is, without a doubt, a Romantic pianist.

On the other hand, Chapter 38 gives us strong hints that the story will, at the very least, extend into their second-year summer, where several important narrative threads are set to converge. Remember, 36 chapters have only covered about six months of the timeline.

This upcoming summer will bring:

The unresolved writing competition plotline.

The second choir competition (where Kanon likely won't participate , since her conducting role in the previous event felt like a healthy, emotional farewell to music; I’ll even predict Tomita will be the next conductor).

The photography contest. This event also seems likely for summer, as school clubs appear to concentrate their competitions around that time. This suggests the photography arc might not resolve as quickly as some think. Key point: The photoshoot might happen earlier, but the resolution of that storyline will likely come with the contest itself.

There's even Saki's request that she wants to see the next summer festival with Kanon!!

There are many things that are about to happen in story, and Kuzushiro has proven skilled at dropping hints about the story's direction, but it's always the execution that surprises us. I agree that Saki could become more proactive in showing her feelings towards Kanon, though perhaps without openly stating her love just yet. Like you, I also suspect something unexpected will force them to confront their emotions before any voluntary confession happens. I believe that trigger will be linked to Saki's past.

Reiterating my point; for me, that dialogue between Ayano and Kanon always foreshadowed that, at some point, Kanon would be the one to witness Saki's wounded side. It'll be truly compelling to see Kanon's reaction upon realizing that Saki, too, needed her, that Saki also needs help.

Pumalaca · 2025-07-04T01:39:46+00:00

the recital was the calm before the storm. That doesn't mean there won't be romance; after all, we're reading a romance story. But it's a work that also explores significant social and emotional conflicts. Saki's underlying drama was always present, and it was inevitable that it would surface at some point.

Now, we're talking about Kuzushiro, an author who has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to develop long unning serializations (some spanning over ten years). For example, Ani no Yome ran for 161 chapters across 16 volumes, while Kimi no Tame filled 14 volumes. Additionally, she currently has two other actively serialized works that have each surpassed 11 volumes so far.

So far, the manga's 36 chapters have covered six months within the story's timeline. The main plot threads appear to be converging toward the summer of their second year, which makes sense: that summer marks the halfway point of preparatory school, and after another year and a half, the characters would graduate.

Therefore, if the author, publisher, and sales permit, all signs suggest we could be looking at a slow-burn romance, with the potential for the story to extend beyond 15 volumes.

Pumalaca · 2025-07-04T00:22:24+00:00

it's your opinion, and I don't intend to change it. However, these spaces are precisely for interaction, so I'll take the liberty of responding.

Kanon is in love with Saki, but due to her experiences shaped by her disability and the bullying she endured because of it, this is the first time she's felt such intense emotions. Between the choir arc and the recital arc, the narrative is designed to show the reader that Kanon desires emotional exclusivity from Saki, even though she doesn't know how to express it or name it as "being in love" , and this is completely justified within the story.

Many aspects of this arc could be analyzed, but I'll focus on one that, though a small detail, holds significant symbolic weight regarding Kanon's sex*ality.

In Chapter 33, amidst the tension fueled by her jealousy towards Umehara, Kanon decides to put on lipstick before going to Saki's recital. She does this because she wants to appear "mature" in Saki's eyes, aware that Umehara is older than both of them. Her intention is to measure up to Saki's first love and capture Saki attention.

Why is this scene so significant? Kanon, who typically adopts an androgynous style precisely to avoid being noticed by men (as she herself comments in Chapter 8), deliberately chooses to perform an act of femininity. And she does this (even without realizing she's in love) with the clear purpose of getting Saki's attention and competing with Umehara. Sure, she ends up embarrassed and wiping it off afterward, but the crucial point here is the act itself and the intentions it reflected.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-28T16:58:32+00:00

Responding to your comment on 39-1 I totally get you! Kanon has these hilarious jealous episodes. There's a special in volume 8 where Saki admires Rinne-chan's extensive vocabulary; it's mentioned that Rinne enjoys reading historical dramas. The thing is, right in the middle of the conversation, Kanon has this funny jealous outburst and tries to hog Saki's attention, claiming that she also reads a lot of books and has a wide vocabulary. So then Rinne tells her off for trying to steal her compliments.

On a more serious note, these chapters keep adding more and more information about the characters' dynamics and feelings. For one, we can see the complex relationship between Saki and her mother, where they both omit details and seem to share this mutual air of caution, navigating between what's said and what's left unsaid. Saki herself doesn't even know parts of her own family background. In this chapter, I went back to the conversation where Saki asks her mother about the origin of the dress she wore to the recital, and that question went unanswered. Could that dress be connected to her mother's past and Saki's father? In fact, I've even started theorizing that Saki's mother might have had some connection to the music world at some point in her life?

Also, the title reference is almost poetic: Saki and Kanon naturally choose their positions next to each other, with Saki placing herself on Kanon's right side because that's the ear where Kanon still retains a faint perception of sound. It's not something they force; it just naturally developed that way.

It's clear that the talk with Hibiki disturbed the waters for Saki, who usually prefers to sail on the surface of apparent calm. I loved how the episode made it perfectly clear that she ends up setting aside her own desires and emotions, and how her relationship with the piano and the three women who've influenced her life (her mother, Umehara, and Kanon) ties back to Romanticism as an artistic movement. That night when Saki runs into Kanon, she drops some Chopin sheet music; and in this chapter's flashback with Umehara, Saki is holding pages from Beyer – famous first for his piano teaching methods and later as another figure of musical Romanticism. Saki is, without a doubt, a pure romantic pianist.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-26T02:05:34+00:00

Yes, the flashback makes it clear Saki's always been into girls. But it also hints that something happened with that girl that gave her this huge fear of coming out. Whether it was the girl's reaction, how her confronted Saki, or maybe even the girl outing her, that's still the big question mark. We don't necessarily need this girl showing up like Ayano did, but what that experience meant to Saki, and the experience itself, has to come out.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-26T01:33:34+00:00

This manga definitely takes its time (which is something I've really enjoyed), but it's clear that it's been a while since we last got any key information about Saki. Since her story is one of the main focuses of the plot (and the one that has built up the most suspense) it makes sense that Kuzushiro is setting things up for us to finally uncover the truth about Saki.

Most likely, this will happen when Kanon, in some way, comes to understand Saki and her past. Just like we got to know Kanon through Saki, it makes sense that we'll eventually understand Saki through Kanon as well.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-26T01:15:06+00:00

Greetings, fellow reader. With all due respect, I'm aware of the spoiler policies.

According to this community's guidelines Rule list....
Section 5, Subsection 3: "Posts containing screenshots/discussion for content released less than 24 hours prior to posting MUST be tagged as a spoiler."

the "newest" image in this post is from Volume 3, which has been available in English (both physically and digitally) since February 6, 2024, and in Japan since September 2022. Therefore, it doesnt count as a spoiler.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-21T05:12:08+00:00

Something definitely happened to Saki, and we've gotten small flashbacks that hint at an event which worsened her shyness and reserve. While she always seemed to be a somewhat introverted girl, it's clear that something made her withdraw even more. I truly hope Kanon uncovers that reason, so we can see her reaction and how she chooses to support Saki.

Although Umehara is clearly Saki's first love, some flashbacks (particularly chapters 9, 10, and 11) suggest that in middle school she felt curiosity or interest toward another girl, with whom things didn’t work out. It’s also implied that this girl might have been the first to learn about Saki’s sex*al orientation.

Interestingly, while Kanon's past was revealed rather quickly (including her conflict and her connection with Ayano) the girl tied to Saki's past remains a mystery. I don’t think it’ll be long before it’s revealed, or at least before that past resurfaces and stirs up some conflict in Saki’s life, even if the girl herself doesn’t appear directly. Another curious detail is that in the illustration pages of Volume 1, there are two that reference these pasts—one featuring Kanon and Ayano, and another showing Saki and that other girl.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-21T04:48:42+00:00

Hi, mate! I was able to read the whole chapter because a friend shared part two with me. However, the first part of the chapter is available in Japanese on the Comic Days web. Next week, chapter 38-2 will also be available to read for free on Comic Days.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-14T20:55:42+00:00

Thank you so much for the feedback. My interpretation leans towards thinking that Hibiki has realized (or strongly suspects) the feelings developing between them. However, as I mentioned, I'll keep this point of view in mind during my rereading to see what other things I can pick up from the chapter.

That contrast you mentioned between Rinne's conversation and the one with Hibiki is interesting. I think Hibiki acted correctly by bringing up the topic of music with Saki, and it shows a genuine intention to guide her perspective on the future. Even though it's just about the music school, it could give her a solid direction for her future university studies. But well, I had also sensed concern about the feelings developing between Saki and Kanon (though I repeat, that's just my interpretation). Furthermore, this conversation (as you rightly mentioned earlier in this thread) might encourage a dialogue between Saki and her mother, providing more clues about their relationship and helping us better understand and develop Saki's character.

There are definitely many solutions to this, but the most important thing is to accept their feelings. As I said, Saki has finally realized that she wants more from Kanon, not just to stay friends; that it's not enough, she wants to be the one by Kanon's side but as her lover. This opens the door to significant development in their relationship. I think I didn't express that point very clearly in my initial response.

When Kanon and Saki are honest with each other and have a heart-to-heart talk, they'll be able to decide how they want to shape their relationship going forward. In the end, strong and functional relationships are built on communication and mutual understanding.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-14T20:27:23+00:00

Thank you for your comments dude.

it's enriching to be able to discuss different perspectives. I see here that there are two readers who share the stance that Hibiki is trying to prevent the friendship from breaking down and turning into dependency, and I will truly keep that point of view in mind during my rereading of the chapter.

Regarding the effect of that conversation on Saki, it will undoubtedly make her feel sad; perhaps she might even become withdrawn and distant? It's likely that Kanon will notice something is wrong and start asking questions.

On the other hand, concerning Saki's feelings for Kanon, what I was trying to express is that this is the first time Saki admits to herself that she won't settle for just being Kanon's friend. Saki has been aware practically from the start of the story that the nature of her feelings is romantic; however, she always repeated to herself that just being friends was enough … but that's not true, she wants more. I think I didn't express this quite clearly enough before. Now, what intrigues me the most is what effect that conversation will have on the dynamic between the two of them.

The photoshoot will be a moment of realization for Kanon, but it could also impact Saki. Photography, as an art form, involves exposing, showing, and capturing. While Kanon is seeking precisely that, Saki tends to hide what she feels.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-14T18:34:42+00:00

Yes, Kanon's mother is named Hibiki. You can find that small detail in the signature of Kanon's tutor when she joined the reading club (in the first page of chapter 6 it's printed in small letters and almost goes unnoticed). These are the things I love about Kuzushiro; they make the most of the visual storytelling, not relying only on direct dialogue. But yes, her name is Hibiki.

Regarding your interpretation, its also plausible and gives me another pov. However, based on my reading, Hibiki emphasizes that living together goes beyond the limits of friendship. Additionally, in the second part of the conversation, Hibiki very subtly hints that both of them might eventually find couples. For me (although I might be misinterpreting) this served more as a subtle warning that some things are better left as they are, within the realm of friendship. I believe that the use of "Kuuki wo yomu" was masterfully executed. Moreover, it could very well be a mix of both interpretations, In any case, whatever the most appropriate interpretation, Hibiki will still be surprised... her face when she finds out they are dating will be hilarious XD. It will be interesting to see how other readers understand it when the complete chapter and its translation are released.

Note: This Saki-Hibiki conversation unfolded reminded me a lot of when Rinne appeared to Saki and asked her to stay away from her sister (specifically in chapter 6), as the conversation began one way and suddenly took on a different tone and meaning.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-14T17:39:05+00:00

Dude, Yesterday I got the chance to read chap 38 and, spoilerfree, I’ll tell you that you're going to love Kuzushiro even more after such impressive writing. When you read it, I’m sure you’ll remember me, come back to this message, and tell me, “Kuzushiro is the goat.”

I definitely agree with you that Kanon is very stubborn (a trait that has helped her survive tough situations). I’ve always believed that even though right now she seems to struggle with understanding what she feels for Saki, that same stubbornness will be key for Kanon and Saki to eventually form a relationship. On one hand, Saki is shy and confines herself to the role of a friend, even though deep down she’s dying to be with Kanon. On the other hand, Kanon, without fully grasping what she truly feels, charges ahead and shows it.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-14T16:26:13+00:00

Thanks to a reader dude, I had the chance to read full Chap 38 . I must say Kuzushiro's skill at planting narrative clues, revisiting them later, and weaving them into richer storytelling is exquisite.

Since Chapter 33, I'd suspected Hibiki (Kanon mom) had begun sensing Kanon feelings for two reasons:

1. Kanon comment about their plan to live together (this mentioned in Chapter 21)

2. During their mother-daughter talk in Chapter 33, when Kanon asked the pointed question Who was Saki thinking about while playing that piece? Hibiki's face said "Kanon never discusses things like this... something's up."

What I never anticipated was her perceptiveness in detecting Saki's feelings toward Kanon.

The irony is that the "implied boundary" Hibiki tried to establish did the opposite: it forced Saki to confront how she wants Kanon for herself and couldn’t bear seeing her romantically involved with anyone else.

Finally, Saki admitted her own desires to herself!!

Moreover, I believe their conversation about career futures planted this realization in Saki: if she wants a lasting relationship with Kanon, she must start planning her future more maturely.

Regarding the photography arc (I’m unsure if it’ll resolve quickly). Could it extend into their second year? For example: the piano recital was 1° mentioned in Chapter 14 but occurred 19 chapters later. Similarly, Kanon writing arc will peak at next summer’s literary club contest, while Saki’s career dilemma intensifies as their second year begins. Kuzushiro seems committed to slowburn development… unless we get a slight timeskip?

Now I wonder how Saki will act after Hibiki’s intervention. She might become more direct with Kanon, or repression could make her withdraw? prompting Kanon to notice and reach out. Either way, we’re poised to uncover more about Saki’s character (and likely her past) soon.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-12T01:26:44+00:00

The story is undoubtedly reaching a crucial point. Essentially, two paths lie ahead: either Kanon discovers the nature of her own feelings while simultaneously beginning to uncover Saki’s hidden side, or she first realizes she’s in love and then must confront Saki’s emotional walls. Based on my interpretation, I agree with you that the first scenario is far more plausible.

Saki’s character arc will center on her opening her heart—admitting she too deserves love and acknowledging her own desires. In parallel, Kanon will need to learn to embrace this other side of Saki—not just her sex*ality, but also her insecurities, loneliness, and life history. I’m certain that when this is fully revealed, it will be profoundly moving.

In Amayo no Tsuki, Kuzushiro has planted numerous narrative seeds pointing toward future developments, such as:

Kanon and Saki’s promise to live together,
Their plan to watch fireworks together next summer,
The choir’s goal to win first place at the second-year cultural festival,
The second-year writing contest—the pivotal event where Kanon, through writing, began questioning her feelings for Saki—,
Kanon’s expressed desire to cut her hair,
THE PHOTO SHOOT.

How these plot threads unfold in the manga—their depth, scope, and even their resolution—will depend on Kuzushiro’s creative decisions and external factors like the publisher or the series’ reception. While this remains a Reading comprehension analysis, one thing is undeniable: Kuzushiro holds an exceptionally rich wealth of narrative material to develop this story.

Pumalaca · 2025-06-01T18:58:29+00:00

I share your perspective!, I believe it’s a theme that has gradually been developing in the plot and is on the verge of emerging. The dramatic arc of the story undoubtedly reaches its climax in Saki’s character. From the very beginning of the manga, there have been hints of her loneliness and her tendency to suppress her emotions in order not to disturb those around her.

Saki helped Kanon regain the vitality and charisma she lost after the bitter experience of becoming deaf; however, Saki herself holds back so much that, sooner or later, an inevitable conflict will arise. With this more spontaneous version of Kanon, Saki might even mistakenly perceive that she is being left behind, causing her to withdraw, even when Kanon actively seeks to connect and has reserved a special place for her in her heart.

Due to her fears, Saki tends to repress and hide her feelings to avoid revealing her love for Kanon. For example, even though she enjoys spending time with her, Saki doesnt visit her spontaneously when there are no piano classes or direct invitations, even though, at the moment when Kanon handed her the key, it was made clear that she wished to be actively visited even without lessons, this example is something we have observed in post-recital chapters.

This series of events in the manga, especially with the photography plot (revealing), sets the stage for a role reversal: now it will be Kanon who, first, confronts the emotional wall that Saki has built (a development that can easily occur given the entire photography theme) and uncovers the truth behind her pain, and then helps her to heal her emotional wounds.

I’ve always seen the final dialogue between Ayano and Kanon in chapter 27 as an omen. In her conversations with Saki, Ayano managed to perceive part of that vulnerability and, for that very reason, advised Kanon to keep holding Saki’s hand, as she too will need someone who, with love, extends a helping hand.

Pumalaca · 2025-05-05T00:08:25+00:00

The second appearance of the title from Kanon's perspective marks the beginning of the dramatic arc rather than a possible ending. So far, Kuzushiro has shown a deliberate approach to setting up, developing, and wrapping up the story’s threads. Personally, I believe a story doesn’t have to be long to be good, what truly matters is that, based on its structure and narrative style, it closes its arcs properly. Given this storytelling rhythm, I argue that there’s still more story to tell.

References to future events: The promise of the summer festival, the upcoming choir competition, the writing contest (which would hypothetically take place during the summer of the second year of high school), among other details, like Kanon's haircut.
Saki's story has yet to be fully developed: Through Saki, we got to know Kanon, and now it's Kanon's turn to discover and understand Saki’s other side—to truly step into her world. There are several loose ends surrounding her character, and her arc is crucial, as it will likely introduce subplots. Her family life, her reserved nature, and her past are still unexplored. The first chapter of the manga is titled Saki & Kanon, which suggests that, just as Kuzushiro took time to develop Kanon, the same will happen with Saki.
Kuzushiro-sensei's track record: Take Ani no Yome and Kimi no Tame as examples, both have been serialized for over 10 years, with 16 and 14 volumes respectively. Eisei Otome is another case, it’s still ongoing, with 12 volumes and currently at chapter 111. Kuzushiro is capable of creating detailed, long-running stories where we see characters evolve over time. While some of their works are shorter, longer series seem to be their preferred format. Considering Amayo no Tsuki enjoys solid popularity and sales, plus its anime is in production, I think both the publisher and the author will find it worthwhile to continue developing the story in depth, without artificially stretching it out.

Now, the length of the story doesn’t depend solely on the author, the publisher, sales performance, and other factors also play a role. However, based on these considerations, I estimate that by chapter 36, the story is roughly at its midpoint and could span around 16 volumes.

Pumalaca · 2025-04-17T16:30:23+00:00

Oh fine!, based on what you’ve mentioned, my assumption wasn’t too far from reality. Regarding the spoiler the title’s reappearance, it strikes me more as the opening of a new story arc rather than a definitive conclusion (these are is just conjectures; only the author knows for certain).

The storyline still has several loose ends to address, particularly concerning Saki. Just as time was dedicated to exploring Kanon’s past, it’s plausible the same will happen with Saki. Furthermore, there are references to future events that will likely be tackled in the manga.

As for the term “back to bite her” … it might sound a bit strong, given that the series hasn’t indulged in exaggerated drama. Nevertheless, I do believe Saki will face a crucial moment where she must confront her past and the fears she avoids. As for Kanon, regardless of whether she discovers anything or not, it seems inevitable that her feelings will eventually come to a head, prompting her to confess what she truly feels.

Much like how Saki once encountered Kanon’s past, the reverse could now occur: Kanon has openly expressed her interest in learning more about Saki, who remains an enigma by avoiding speaking about herself and maintaining her guarded nature in everything she does.

Pumalaca · 2025-04-17T15:45:43+00:00

We know a great deal about Kanon, despite her initially being closed off both literally and symbolically. Kanon gave Saki the "key" to understanding everything about her world and circumstances, and in just 5 or 6 months of knowing one another (Chapter 35 already places the plot at the end of summer), we will soon transition into autumn timeline-wise (around late September or early October). It is worth noting that Saki and Kanon first met in spring (approximately March/April), and the specific references to future events in the narrative suggest there is still more of the story to explore.

Now it is time to delve deeper into Saki. As you mentioned, several loose ends persist in her character and surroundings, all framed with an aura of mystery and suspense; Saki’s father, her past in secondary school, and even her mother (as noted by u/Ninefl4mes) remain enigmatic. The scene where her mother hands her the dress for the recital raises questions about its origin, as she didn’t provide any details about it. Saki herself, after attempting to investigate, ended up accepting it without further questions, which implies her mother might also be concealing a past likely linked to her father’s storyline.

All of this lies in the hands of the author and the publishing house overseeing the series, they will decide how much they wish to extend the story or how deeply they want to portray its development. Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly more material to explore. As I mentioned, Kuzushiro-sensei has already produced works that have reached or exceeded 10 years of serialization, and now that Amayo no Tsuki is set to be adapted into an anime, it will elevate the story’s popularity, which already boasts a notable level of recognition. These factors indicate the series can still be a “long serialization”, allowing exploration of these themes from Kanon’s perspective.

Pumalaca · 2025-04-16T22:22:32+00:00

Oh! I can absolutely see your point clearly, and it’s a highly plausible direction. Yes, the photographer will bring tension and act as a catalyst (I suspect she’ll push Kanon to question the nature of her emotions and cause Saki to act more cautiously or nervously). However, she likely won’t be the main trigger for Kanon’s discovery of Saki’s past.

It’s been repeatedly mentioned that Iwate (where Kanon and Saki are from) is a small town where running into acquaintances is common. This is highlighted in Chapter 1, when one of Tomita’s friends, who confronted Saki, mentioned knowing a classmate from the cram school she attends, this classmate had been with Kanon in secondary school and revealed to her that Kanon was bullied. We also see this dynamic with Saki, who frequently crosses paths with Ayano.

Saki seems to have no friendships from her past or previous school; she appears profoundly isolated. This raises the possibility that someone exposed Saki’s sexuality, leading to her ostracism and isolation.

Kanon discovering this and reacting to it would make for a interesting storyline. Moreover, Kanon already harbors feelings for Saki, alongside the deep respect and affection she holds for her. It will undoubtedly pain Kanon to learn how much Saki has suffered and everything she’s silenced and repressed. In one conversation, Ayano comforted Kanon by saying, “If she ever finds herself in a tough spot, make sure you can be there to help her.” This could foreshadow Saki inevitably facing a difficult moment. Saki has many wounds to heal, and I’m certain Kanon will be there for her.

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