The Moon on a Rainy Night - Vol. 9 Ch. 36 - Mysterious

[EllyOliphant]

Seems like a good opportunity to further their relationship without introducing an unnecessary rival out of nowhere so i’m here for it, and I don’t think the photography girl is a bad person either so it should be fine

Yes, THIS! I'm so glad it's not a rival. Too many of those these days. Well said!

 

[sticktermicp]

Hamaoka Senpai (the photographer) will generate tension and act as a catalyst for the plot, pushing Kanon to question the nature of her emotions and causing Saki to act with greater caution or unease. While I don’t believe Senpai has malicious intentions, she will undoubtedly create a disruptive atmosphere for both Saki and Kanon, who, for different reasons, maintain reserved and discreet persons.
On the other hand, the role of being models inherently involves themes of exposure and self-display. Combined with the second appearance of the title "Amayo no tsuki", this will likely bring hidden emotions to the surface.
It has been repeatedly emphasized that Marioka (Iwate Prefecture) is a small town where running into acquaintances is common. This is highlighted in Chapter 1, when one of Tomita’s friends (during a conversation with Saki) mentioned knowing a classmate from her cram school. This classmate, who attended secondary school with Kanon, revealed that Kanon was bullied. A similar dynamic is seen with Saki, who frequently crosses paths with Ayano.
This makes Saki’s role in the story particularly intriguing. At this point, she remains an "Mysterious". Even when the narrative adopts her perspective, it reveals little about her. She appears to have no friendships from her past or previous school, painting her as profoundly solitary. We also know little about her family dynamics, aside from her having grown up in isolation and, as repeatedly noted, without a father or male figure in the household.
It is hinted that a classmate (whom Saki observed and seemed drawn to) discovered her sexual orientation. This raises the possibility that someone exposed her, leading to her ostracism & isolation. Uncovering the root of Saki’s fears is undoubtedly one of the story’s most compelling unresolved threads. How will Kanon discover this? And how will she react?
Meanwhile, Kanon already harbors feelings for Saki that go beyond respect and affection. Learning about Saki’s suffering and repressed struggles will undoubtedly pain her. During a conversation when Ayano and Kanon reunited, Ayano advised her: “If she ever finds herself in a tough spot, make sure you can be there to help her.” This foreshadows that Saki will inevitably confront her past, and Kanon, too, will eventually have to face the hidden parts of Saki she has yet to understand.
Symbolically, the art of photography (capturing moments, expressing concepts, and conveying lived experiences through images) aligns perfectly with the current narrative arc. Here, there are secrets to unveil and buried emotions that demand to be voiced.

 

[BlueStallion44]

She could sense your gay.

I reread the older chapters from the point prior to the recital and then Sports Day. Kanon has SOOO MUCH fucking gay angst. She wants to know what she feels, but she’s so shy and has really been reactive to even the slightest bit of her own emotions.

Feeling embarassed for always having Saki on her mind. Feeling confused why she overthinks so much about Saki. Being so defensive about Sensei’s definition of ”admiration” and also being jealous of the piano teacher. Trying to figure out if she wants to be like Saki or if she wants to know Saki.

Honesty there was a page when Saki says she thinks romantically liking someone is when they’re unattainable and they “fall for them”. But I think that’s wrong. You don’t fall in love with someone because they’re out of reach. You fall for someone because you want to be with them and be special and you think about them a lot and you want to stand side by side as equals. So because she knows that they’re equals and she doesn’t necessarily see Saki as out of reach (but does notice Saki’s Prince smooth moves and still remembers when Saki got flustered about her “it almost sounds like a confession!” joke) she doesn’t see this as the love she defines.

 

[MrSometimer]

The Title drop.

 

[mmosimca]

Last chapter of Volume 9... anyone else hoping Volume 10 is the realization, ending in a kiss?

Photography girl clearly knows what's up even though she's being coy about it.

 

[Laparoscopic]

Rinne knows what’s up, and is having a blast watching her onee-san flail about in a gay panic.

 

[sebaasdf]

I like this new girls, she is mysterious and complex, but equally dumb lol

 

[def_tones0719]

While I do think Kanon and Saki could figure things out on their own, I think this is going be a nice opportunity to force Saki to confront and share her trauma with Kanon and move things along

I do sense a potential, temporary divorce arc on the horizon though

first comment ive seen that actually mentions saki’s trauma!! honestly im still curious about her past and when a chapter mentions her past vaguely the comments arent curious or talking about it, im really hoping that it’ll take a deep dive in sakis past and im sure this girl will somehow make kanon realise her feelings for saki

 

[def_tones0719]

Hamaoka Senpai (the photographer) will generate tension and act as a catalyst for the plot, pushing Kanon to question the nature of her emotions and causing Saki to act with greater caution or unease. While I don’t believe Senpai has malicious intentions, she will undoubtedly create a disruptive atmosphere for both Saki and Kanon, who, for different reasons, maintain reserved and discreet persons.
On the other hand, the role of being models inherently involves themes of exposure and self-display. Combined with the second appearance of the title "Amayo no tsuki", this will likely bring hidden emotions to the surface.
It has been repeatedly emphasized that Marioka (Iwate Prefecture) is a small town where running into acquaintances is common. This is highlighted in Chapter 1, when one of Tomita’s friends (during a conversation with Saki) mentioned knowing a classmate from her cram school. This classmate, who attended secondary school with Kanon, revealed that Kanon was bullied. A similar dynamic is seen with Saki, who frequently crosses paths with Ayano.
This makes Saki’s role in the story particularly intriguing. At this point, she remains an "Mysterious". Even when the narrative adopts her perspective, it reveals little about her. She appears to have no friendships from her past or previous school, painting her as profoundly solitary. We also know little about her family dynamics, aside from her having grown up in isolation and, as repeatedly noted, without a father or male figure in the household.
It is hinted that a classmate (whom Saki observed and seemed drawn to) discovered her sexual orientation. This raises the possibility that someone exposed her, leading to her ostracism & isolation. Uncovering the root of Saki’s fears is undoubtedly one of the story’s most compelling unresolved threads. How will Kanon discover this? And how will she react?
Meanwhile, Kanon already harbors feelings for Saki that go beyond respect and affection. Learning about Saki’s suffering and repressed struggles will undoubtedly pain her. During a conversation when Ayano and Kanon reunited, Ayano advised her: “If she ever finds herself in a tough spot, make sure you can be there to help her.” This foreshadows that Saki will inevitably confront her past, and Kanon, too, will eventually have to face the hidden parts of Saki she has yet to understand.
Symbolically, the art of photography (capturing moments, expressing concepts, and conveying lived experiences through images) aligns perfectly with the current narrative arc. Here, there are secrets to unveil and buried emotions that demand to be voiced.

my exact thoughts, i love when people mention these things and look into the details and possible foreshadowing

 

[Kamui]

Rinne knows what’s up, and is having a blast watching her onee-san flail about in a gay panic.

This is right there is so heartwarming. Rinne going from "fuck off, stranger!" to "I ship it!" and enjoying the show hahaha

 

[mmosimca]

first comment ive seen that actually mentions saki’s trauma!! honestly im still curious about her past and when a chapter mentions her past vaguely the comments arent curious or talking about it, im really hoping that it’ll take a deep dive in sakis past and im sure this girl will somehow make kanon realise her feelings for saki

Yeah, in retrospect my hope for a Volume 10 kiss is probably pre-emptive. Even if Kanon confessed, I'm not sure Saki would accept given how much she's repressed herself now. There's a chance she would respond positively because unlike a lot of manga leads, she's already fully aware of her sexuality. But... she also is desperate to never reveal it to others, so it'll be tricky.

 

[sticktermicp]

my exact thoughts, i love when people mention these things and look into the details and possible foreshadowing

Because Saki is such a low-key character personality, a lot of folks miss that Kuzushiro has sprinkled tons of hints about her future development, little details that’ll definitely come into play later. Saki’s got some serious trauma, and we catch glimpses of it, like in Chapter 11’s flashback during the sleepover: she’s in the bathtub, terrified of being "found out" by Kanon, or that anxiety attack in Chapter 20 when she thinks Kanon discovered her secret.
Right now, the story’s told entirely from Kanon’s perspective, which turns Saki into a total "mystery" (literally, the chapter’s title!). But that’s intentional! Saki’s closed-off vibe isn’t just a personality quirk, it’s baked into the story’s structure. Now, it’s Kanon’s turn to dive into Saki’s world, uncover her past, and untangle her traumas. That’s why the POV shifts, it’s all about peeling back Saki’s layers.
Honestly, Kuzushiro as writer and mangaka has seriously impressed me with how they weaving this narrative. Such a cool approach!
Saki lives up to the title “amayo no tsuki” we have always had her in front and at the same time so hidden…

 

[ezzhead]

[Title card] obtained. Mission complete.

 

[FluffyAlternative]

Oh thank god Space is back. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR NOT ABANDONING US <3

And as always, thanks for the translation <3

 

[crystalmoose]

 

[LMXInferno]

Photography girl ain't beating the weirdo allegations, but at least she doesn't seem to be malicious.

It's clear as some others have pointed out that this is going to bring up Saki's trauma, and I almost feel like Kanon being the one to be more viscerally against it is a distraction so that it will hit harder when Saki is brought to reactor-critical. It definitely seemed like throughout their conversations Saki was probing for how much the girl has figured out, too.

 

[Sierra_Argyri]

idk if it was the grammar or my brain wasn't braining but i didn't get this chapter. To my understanding this camera girl wants to photograph these two because she felt something special about their relationship? Kanon doesn't want that because she either misunderstood her intentions as bringing attention to her hearing and/or feels like her feelings for Saki are being put on display even though she herself doesn't understand them? Did I get that right?

It's more that she doesn't understand what about her relationship with Saki is there but invisible to most people. They're obviously just friends, so what's hidden?

 

[pytore]

HANG ON TITLE NAME DROP??

 

[dumbziri]

idk if it was the grammar or my brain wasn't braining but i didn't get this chapter. To my understanding this camera girl wants to photograph these two because she felt something special about their relationship? Kanon doesn't want that because she either misunderstood her intentions as bringing attention to her hearing and/or feels like her feelings for Saki are being put on display even though she herself doesn't understand them? Did I get that right?

Kanon thought she was being singled out for her disability, but she was actually being singled out for being gay for Saki.

 

[GreenOwlRanger]