"Are you working part-time to save up for makeup or maybe a new phone?" the reporter asked with a warm smile.
"No, not at all."
"Then maybe for a trip somewhere?"
"Ah, no… actually, I'm saving up for tuition," Shouko explained quickly.
"Tuition? Is your family having financial trouble?"
The reporter perked up at the response.
No matter where you are, audiences always love a heartwarming struggle.
Plus, they were a local station in Suimon City—if there really was some hardship involved, maybe a company would step in after the story aired.
"No, it's nothing like that," Shouko said, a bit flustered. "It's just… for some personal reasons, I want to earn the money for school myself."
She wasn't used to being cornered like this, and the pushy interview style caught her off guard.
Ever since she was little, her mother never once showed difficulty when it came to paying for school transfers or medical treatments—only the number of overtime shifts increased.
That's exactly why Shouko didn't want to burden her mom anymore.
"I see. That's really admirable. But… aren't you still quite young?"
"Yes, I am."
"And isn't there a legal age requirement for working?"
"Ah, well, it's not exactly a job-job! I'm just helping out at a relative's store," Shouko cried out, on the verge of tears.
She didn't understand how the reporter who seemed so nice at first had become this intense.
She used to enjoy watching interviews like this with her sister, Yuzuru.
They even joked about what they'd say if they were ever on TV.
"Oh, in that case, I suppose it's not against the rules," the reporter chuckled.
Shouko let out a big sigh of relief in the video.
She hadn't lied—the cat café she worked at really did belong to a relative of Naoka's.
After deciding she wanted to earn her own tuition money, she had gone around asking different stores for a part-time job.
But as soon as they heard she was only in her second year of middle school, they all turned her down.
Eventually, she turned to Naoka, who had been working for a while, and that's how she found the café.
"If it's for tuition, then you must have a school in mind, right?"
"Well, nothing specific yet, but I want to go to a voice acting school," Shouko said with a bright smile.
"Huh? Planning to go right after graduation?"
"Yes."
"It's going to be tough, you know."
In Japan, while there are vocational high schools, most students go on to specialized schools after graduation.
Some offer both high school education and technical training, admitting middle and high school students, while others are for high school graduates.
These usually give out official diplomas.
But voice acting schools don't grant any certifications or diplomas after graduation.
"I understand," Shouko replied firmly.
"So if you already have a clear goal, why not go after high school instead?"
In Japan, there's a common belief: "For those with a real dream, specialized schools are the fastest way there."
Japan is one of the most advanced countries in vocational education, and in some industries, graduates from specialized schools even have an edge over traditional university graduates.
"Because I'm at a bit of a disadvantage compared to others, so if I want to become a voice actor, I'll have to work a little harder," she said shyly.
Watching from the TV, Kyousuke noticed Shouko brushing her hair behind her ear, revealing her hearing aid.
The reporter must've seen it too, because the next question suddenly changed direction.
"So, why did you want to become a voice actor? Are you an anime fan?"
Shouko shook her head, her face turning a cute shade of red as she looked down shyly.
"Oh?" The reporter let out a teasing sound. "So, is there a voice actor you admire? Someone you want to be closer to?"
"No, it's not like that!" Shouko quickly denied it.
"Then what is it?"
"Umm… they won't be able to recognize me when this airs, right?" She nervously pointed toward the camera to confirm.
"We'll blur everything out! When it airs, the audience will just see a bunch of colorful blocks," the reporter reassured.
"I see…"
Shouko tucked her hair behind her ear again, lightly biting her lower lip in hesitation.
She looked once more at the camera.
Sometimes, when a secret has been locked in your heart for too long, you feel an overwhelming urge to tell someone.
Maybe even tell the world in your own quiet way.
That's how Shouko felt now.
Not even Yuzuru knew what she was about to say. But she wanted to say it.
"Really, no one will recognize me?"
"Our editing is top-tier!"
Inhale. Exhale. Shouko took a deep breath.
"The truth is… I want to become a voice actor because of someone very important to me."
"Is he a voice actor?"
Shouko shook her head and glanced at the camera again.
"He's a manga artist."
"Oh?" The reporter was surprised. "So his manga inspired you?"
"No! He's my friend in real life!"
"That's amazing! Your friend became a manga artist? Are you two… a couple?"
Shouko nodded at the first part, then quickly shook her head at the second.
"So, because your friend's a manga artist, you want to do something related to his work?"
Her voice was soft, but clear—almost strangely pure.
It felt like there was more to her story, and the reporter could sense it.
A young girl chasing her dream for the sake of a manga artist friend?
Way more compelling than a truck driver bragging about how many cigarettes he smokes a day.
"No, it's not that either. It's because… he's helped me so much."
"I just want to give back in any way I can. Even if it's something small, like lending my voice to his work."
"Oh? So voice acting wasn't your dream in the first place? But I think you have a beautiful voice! You'd make a great voice actor," the reporter exclaimed.
"Well… voice acting does sound fun, but letting so many people hear my voice is kind of embarrassing." She peeked at the camera again, cheeks red.
"Haha, I see!" The reporter laughed, clearly amused by her cuteness.
With how desperately she wanted to stay anonymous, Shouko clearly wasn't the type aiming for fame.
Back at home, Kyousuke sank into the couch, all the tension leaving his body.
Right… someone as shy as Shouko, why would she want to become a voice actor?
He had always assumed she got interested in voice acting from mimicking lines in anime and dramas as practice for speaking.
But thinking about how shy she was—how easily she blushed.
It must've taken so much for her to even consider standing behind a mic and pouring emotion into those dramatic, cringey, or heartfelt lines in front of a whole recording crew.
Voice actors may perform with their voices, but especially now, when many are treated like pop idols, it's not just about talent anymore.
For someone like Shouko, it had to be terrifying.
And yet, here she was.
Kyousuke had returned to Suimon City, excited to tell Shouko the big news: the animation rights to his next manga had been secured.
He was going to start his own animation studio. No matter what, he would make sure Shouko debuted.
And she'd become the most beloved voice actress of them all.
As it turned out, the reason Shouko wanted to become a voice actress was because his manga was being adapted into an anime.
She wanted to give back in her own way.
Kyousuke's emotions were a whirlwind—he didn't know what to feel.
On the TV, the interview was still going, and the reporter wasn't about to let the shy girl off the hook so easily.
"If that's the case, why not choose a different role in animation?" the reporter asked.
"There are so many important jobs besides voice acting—like animation, photography, sound editing…"
"Um…" Shouko's cheeks flushed a deeper red, as if she'd suddenly remembered something.
"Is there a story behind this?" The reporter's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"It's because… he once told me that my voice matched the main character of his manga perfectly!"
As she spoke, Shouko lifted her face, her big brown eyes shining.
"I'll never forget how surprised and happy I felt in that moment."
"Every time I feel like I can't go on, I just remember what Kyousuke-kun said back then… and it gives me strength."
Her small hands clenched tightly at her sides as she spoke.
Whether it was being called to the front of the class during voice training, following her agency senpai to recording studios, or getting scolded by customers while working part-time…
Embarrassment, frustration, exhaustion—no matter what she was going through, no matter how tough it got, as long as she thought of Kyousuke-kun…
As long as she remembered the chance to repay him… all those bad feelings would vanish, replaced by a surge of energy.
"…What an idiot," Kyousuke muttered with a shake of his head, smiling faintly.
On the screen, the reporter was still trying to draw more out of the flustered Shouko, who struggled to keep up with the barrage of questions.
Kyousuke turned off the TV, grabbed his jacket and the keys on the table.
"And Sakura too… geez, you're really making me feel guilty."
He glanced at the Sakura household across the street.
The window facing his home was open, and the pink curtains fluttered softly in the breeze.
"I'm heading out to see Shouko," he called toward the house, then slid the key into his motorbike and rode off in her direction.
Behind the pink curtains, Sakura sat at her desk with a steaming cup in hand, sipping quietly.
In front of her lay the latest volume of Attack on Titan.
Not the autographed version Kyousuke had gifted her ranked fan account, but one she had bought separately.
Her bookshelf was mostly empty—Sakura never really liked reading.
"I'm a genius trapped in a dumb body. Reading too much would mess up the system," she'd once joked.
Even so, her shelf wasn't completely bare anymore.
It now held a full collection of Kyousuke's manga from the very first One Punch Man issue in Weekly Shonen High to the collected volumes, all neatly lined up.
"Hurry up and bring Shouko-chan back. I still want us all to enjoy high school together." She stood up, watching Kyousuke's black bike disappear down the road, her face blooming with a sakura-like smile.
Because he had something he wanted to say, Kyousuke didn't go upstairs.
Instead, he parked his bike, sent Shouko a message, and waited quietly by the riverside.
The cherry blossoms were gone now, but the trees were still lush and green, full of life and quietly storing energy for next spring's bloom—just like Shouko.
She hadn't even lived a fifth of her life yet.
She still had so much time to think about her future, to explore freely and enjoy her youth.
If he had forced her into a fixed path too early, if she ended up doing something she didn't truly love… he would regret it for the rest of his life.
Seeing Shouko now, dashing out from the stairwell with a bright smile and waving her hand high in the air, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Kyousuke-kun! Good afternoon!" Her cheerful voice came with a hint of breathlessness.
She always greeted him the same way—starting with his name, like she couldn't hold back her joy at seeing him.
"Good afternoon, Shouko." He smiled and gave her a gentle pat on the head.
Back at the motorbike, he pulled out a bottle of cola he'd stashed there earlier—he'd hidden it when Sakura came over—and handed it to her.
Barely five minutes had passed since he texted, and that included changing clothes. Who knows how fast she'd run?
"Hehe." Shouko giggled sheepishly, twisting the cap open and taking a sip.
"When did you get back, Kyousuke-kun?" she asked, stepping up beside him.
"Just about an hour ago."
They began walking.
The river in front of Shouko's house was long and winding, filled with koi and lined with arched stone bridges perfect for walks and cherry blossom viewing.
"Did something happen? Isn't it super busy in Tokyo? Didn't you say you joined the anime production committee as a scriptwriter?" she asked with concern.
"Yeah… it's my first time in a position like that. Honestly, I've been kind of overwhelmed."
Thinking back on the past week, Kyousuke chuckled.
Though he wasn't the lead writer, as the original creator he'd become everyone's go-to source of information.
"Not just the other writers—character design kept hounding me for scripts, the director had all kinds of opinions, and even the convenience store sponsor was pestering me… I've been swamped."
He casually shared a few stories, and Shouko's eyes crinkled with laughter as she listened, her big brown eyes turning to happy crescents.
"But if it's Kyousuke-kun, I know you'll handle everything just fine!" she said brightly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
They reached a small bridge, surrounded only by the sounds of insects in the trees and fish in the water.
Leaning against the railing, Kyousuke brushed away some fallen dust, which stirred the fish below.
The koi, used to being fed, gathered excitedly beneath him.
A red-and-black koi swam up beside a white one. Kyousuke turned to look at Shouko—vibrant and full of life in her white T-shirt.
"Shouko… I saw that interview."
The girl froze mid-step, just about to lean beside him to watch the koi.
"…Ah!"
With a whimper, her face flushed scarlet, turning red from her neck all the way up to her forehead.
Her big eyes welled up with tears, and she spun around, covering her face with both hands.
"I thought you never watched that TV channel!" she said in a small, panicked voice.
"Er, well, sometimes I make exceptions."
"Liar! The first time I ever visited your house, you said you'd never watch something that boring!"
"…"
'Shouko, is this your 'emergency mode' kicking in?' Kyousuke thought.
'This doesn't suit your usual airheaded self at all. Isn't being quick-witted more of a Sakura thing?'
"Anyway, I saw it." He stepped forward, gently placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her around to face him.
"Kyousuke-kun…" she whispered, tilting her head up, her face burning like she had a fever.
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and her voice was so soft, so full of emotion, it made his heart ache.
"I'm really happy, Shouko." Kyousuke gently ruffled Shouko's hair, holding her hand as they walked to the edge of the bridge.
"It's hard to believe how much time has passed… Since we first met, you've changed so much, Shouko."
"Your hair's grown longer. You've stopped hiding your hearing aids. You get asked for photos by girls on the street because they think you're cute."
"You've learned how to sing pop songs. You're the best in your extracurricular class. You work part-time during the holidays, and you're no longer shy in front of a camera…"
Shouko, her small hand still held tightly in his, had been staring down at the fish swimming in the water, cheeks flushed from embarrassment.
But without even realizing it, she slowly lifted her head and turned to look at the boy who kept rambling like an old lady.
As he spoke, their memories played like a slideshow in Shouko's mind.
Each one was sweet, warm—melting away her flustered blush, leaving only a soft pink hue on her cheeks.
Her brown eyes, however, were filled with a tenderness so deep, it looked like tears might fall at any moment.
Yes… all of this… it's because of you, Kyousuke-kun.
"And now, you've even found the courage to decide your own future and are working so hard for it." Kyousuke looked up, his voice filled with pride.
Just like Nishimiya-san had always hoped, the shy girl who once held a notebook, hoping desperately to make friends, had become strong. So strong.
"Kyousuke-kun…" Shouko whispered.
"But Shouko," he continued, "I don't want you to live your life for me. The truth is, I'm a coward. I'm scared I might not be able to handle that kind of responsibility."
"If you became a voice actress and ended up unhappy… I'd regret it for the rest of my life."
Kyousuke didn't mention the animation studio he planned to start. Nor did he bring up all his previous plans.
"That's not true!"
Shouko suddenly shouted, snapping out of her thoughts. She turned around and grabbed his large, warm hand with both of hers.
"That's not true at all! It's not because of you, Kyousuke-kun—it's because of me!"
She pulled one hand back and clutched at her chest, gripping the fabric of her T-shirt tightly as if to emphasize her conviction.
"Kyousuke-kun, you're not a coward! If it weren't for you, I never would've made it this far!"
She shouted, firm and emotional, unwilling to let him belittle himself like that.
As she shook her head, the hastily tied-up hair behind her came loose, strands falling over her fair face.
"Shouko…" Seeing she was on the verge of tears, Kyousuke took a step forward to comfort her, reaching out to pat her head.
But Shouko stepped back.
She knew that if he touched her now, she'd go quiet and just obediently follow along.
She couldn't let that happen—not yet. There was still something she had to say.
"I never wanted you to take responsibility for me. Becoming a voice actress… that was my selfish decision. I wanted to help you with your dream."
As she spoke, tears finally began to spill from her eyes.
Her brown hair clung to her damp cheeks, making her look heartbreakingly fragile.
"Shouko…" Kyousuke stepped forward again, but she still dodged him.
"It's embarrassing, honestly… letting so many people hear my voice. But I want to help you finish your work. That's all."
"I've always admired Mikasa… that's why I want to become a voice actress."
"No matter what, I want to protect you, Kyousuke-kun. Even if it's only in the anime! I want to be your hero!"
With her small hand clutched to her chest, Shouko cried out with everything she had.
Beneath the mess of hair and falling tears, her brown eyes held a pain and longing that words alone couldn't express.
'You idiot…'
Kyousuke stepped forward a third time—and this time, without giving her the chance to run, pulled her into his arms.
"Shou-chan… it's just like back in elementary school, in the teacher's office. You stood up for me against Nishimiya-san back then too, didn't you?"
He gently ran his fingers through her hair, smoothing the strands away from her forehead as he spoke softly.
After letting all those feelings pour out of her, Shouko was overwhelmed.
Now that she was in Kyousuke's arms, her face turned bright red, and she couldn't say another word.
She even forgot to keep crying.
The little girl with the bob haircut and the young woman with hair down to her waist were starting to overlap in Kyousuke's mind.
Shouko had truly grown strong.
She wasn't the silly girl who just smiled and agreed with everything he said anymore.
She wanted to give something back to him, even if it meant staking her future on it.
"But you know what, Shouko? You're already my hero," Kyousuke whispered, resting his chin on the top of her head with a warm smile.
"…Huh?" A small, confused sound came from within his arms.
Realizing her emotions had finally calmed, Kyousuke loosened his grip slightly so she could look up at him.
He stared into her large brown eyes and said sincerely:
"You've already given me so much, Shouko." He wasn't talking about some reward—he meant the way she moved him.
"You made me realize… I actually have the power to change someone's life."
When he first arrived in this world, even with a system by his side, Kyousuke had only wanted a simple, peaceful life with Sakura and his family.
But Shouko made him see that even without foreknowledge or cheats, he could do so much more.
"You're not just someone who tags along or causes trouble. You're one of the most important people in my life."
"Watching you grow and become more beautiful… it makes me believe in this world more and more."
Shouko raised her hand and covered her mouth, tears falling again from her brown eyes as soft sobs escaped her.
Kyousuke-kun…
So happy.
So, so happy.
She had never imagined she held such a special place in Kyousuke's heart.
All this time, she thought her feelings were one-sided. But he liked her too. He really did.
Looking into his gentle black eyes, Shouko couldn't hold back anymore. She threw her arms around him, hugging the person she loved most with all her strength.
"…Idiot." Kyousuke whispered with a smile.
Growl—
A sudden rumble broke the silence between them.
"Ah!" Shouko squeaked.
"I guess I'm hungry. Let's go home and grill some meat, Shouko."
"…Okay." Still blushing, her stomach continued to grumble as she lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Should we call Yuzuru too?" Strapping on her helmet and climbing onto the back of the motorcycle, Shouko hugged Kyousuke tightly around the waist before asking the question.
"We'll deal with that later. Our conversation's not over yet," Kyousuke said, tugging gently on her hands wrapped around his waist as a sign to hold on.
"Let's go."
"Mm."
Shouko prepared the utensils while Kyousuke dragged out an old, unused grill. He used a torch to quickly light the charcoal, then called into the house:
"I'm heading to Sakura's to grab the ingredients."
Since he didn't stay home often, he never kept the fridge running.
The beef at Sakura's place—brought all the way from Hokkaido—was enough for everyone, with Naoka's household getting a mega portion, as usual.
Opening the small gate to the Yamauchi's yard, Kyousuke called out Sakura's name—and the door opened immediately.
"I've got everything ready for you," Sakura said, bringing out a stack of stainless steel trays.
Some had slices of beef, while others were skewers of meat mixed with bell peppers and other vegetables.
"Thanks, should we head over together now?" Kyousuke asked casually, taking the trays without hesitation.
"Are you sure you want me to come over right now?" Sakura smirked playfully.
"Uh—hahaha…" Kyousuke let out an awkward laugh before quickly slipping out of the Yamauchi house with the trays in hand, making his way to his own house just five meters away.
"Eh? Where's Sakura?" Shouko asked.
"She had something to take care of," Kyousuke replied offhandedly.
Shouko glanced back at the Yamauchi house.
For a moment, she looked puzzled, but then a small smile spread across her face as if something had clicked.
Watching Kyousuke already busy at the grill, Shouko felt a wave of memories wash over her—maybe her emotions had been riding too high today.
Scenes from the past began to resurface.
It was the third time she'd ever visited Kyousuke's house, back in sixth grade.
She had sat quietly on a bench in the yard, watching Aunt Mikiko and Sakura roughhousing in the living room, while Kyousuke stood at the grill just like now, focused on the food.
He had always been so kind and thoughtful.
Noticing how lost and awkward she was, he came over, took her hand gently, and led her to the grill.
He handed her a wooden-handled skewer and explained, "Once the beef turns from red to pink, it's time to flip it. I mixed the seasoning myself—just sprinkle it like this…"
Back then, she wasn't paying attention to the grilling at all.
Kyousuke stood right behind her, guiding her hands, his voice clear through her hearing aids.
So gentle. So patient.
He never once looked annoyed or tired of spending his weekends teaching her how to speak or sing.
Before she met him, her world had been silent and gray—not just without sound, but without color.
Even the sun had felt cold. But thanks to Kyousuke, she'd learned to speak. Thanks to him, she could become someone normal.
Those beautiful memories brought a smile to her lips. The traces of tears were long gone, replaced with a radiant expression.
"Let me take over, Kyousuke," Shouko said, stepping up to the grill.
Now it was his turn to sit quietly on the little stool in the yard, watching her move with quiet confidence.
In a white T-shirt and a black skirt that fell past her knees, Shouko stood by the grill, flipping the meat with ease and sprinkling on the seasoning.
Kyousuke felt a sudden surge of emotion—like a proud parent watching their child grow up.
"Shouko, about your future—whether it's high school or voice acting school, I really hope you think it through."
"Think about what you want, what you dream of, and what you want to achieve. Whatever you decide, I'll support you."
Shouko didn't answer right away.
Two minutes passed before Kyousuke, with his sharp senses, heard the soft sizzle of water dripping onto the hot grill.
Then, Shouko's voice came, trembling with emotion.
"I want to go to the same school as you again, Kyousuke. I want to study with you, cheer you on when you get first in the grade, shout encouragement during your competitions…"
"But I'm scared. I'm really scared. I don't know when I'll lose my hearing completely. It could happen anytime. That's why, at least for now, I want to support your work in any way I can."
"I know it's selfish, but… I want to leave this version of me in your heart forever."
Yes… even though Shouko's hearing hadn't worsened in the past two years, she lived every day with the fear of total silence.
So that's what it was…
Kyousuke stepped forward and gently pulled her into a hug.
Now he understood why he'd never told Sakura about the risk of her developing pancreatic cancer someday.
Sure, she might take better care of herself, but she'd also live every day haunted by fear.
Hearing Shouko's words, his heart ached. He realized she was leaving the choice in his hands.
"Let's go together. I'll find a way to deal with the hearing issue," Kyousuke said, ruffling her hair.
Now that he'd made up his mind, it was time to whip that slacker system into shape.
"Okay!" Shouko turned toward him, her face lit up, and gave a firm nod.
They didn't get the chance to say anything else—Sakura's head suddenly popped in through the garden gate.
"Is the meat ready yet? The great Sakura-sama is starving!"
Kyousuke and Shouko burst into laughter.
Wiping away her remaining tears, Shouko turned back to the grill to continue cooking.
Before long, Yuzuru, Naoka, and even Miyoko Sahara and Kyoko Takimoto showed up.
The group gathered in the yard, chatting and laughing like they'd gone back in time to their elementary school days.