I Want to be Your Tears

わたしはあなたの涙になりたい · Original Japanese title

Also known as: Watashi wa Anata no Namida ni Naritai, わたしはあなたの涙になりたい, 我想成為你的眼淚

By shiki taiga, 四季大雅

★★★★★ 4.2 11 ratings

japanese Light Novel

Our review

Reviewed by Kana

Who it's for, and whether it holds up.

Author profile

My Thoughts on I Want to be Your Tears

"I Want to be Your Tears" immediately grabbed my attention with its beautifully written synopsis. The tragic air surrounding the story is palpable, right from the start. The opening line, which bookends the description, hints at a circular narrative, one that begins and ends with sorrow. I'm a sucker for stories that promise emotional depth, and this one seems to deliver that in spades, blending elements of drama, romance, sci-fi, and the supernatural.

First Impressions

My first impression is one of anticipation mixed with a touch of trepidation. Knowing that tragedy is a key element, I'm preparing myself for an emotional rollercoaster. The 'award-winning work' tag certainly raises expectations, and I'm eager to see if the story lives up to the hype. I'm also curious to see how the sci-fi and supernatural elements are woven into what seems like a primarily character-driven narrative.

What Works Well

The writing, even in the synopsis, is undeniably captivating. The author's ability to evoke emotion through prose alone is a strong indicator of the quality of the story to come. I'm also drawn to the promise of a 'beautiful female lead' and a 'male protagonist' with a 'tragic past'. These character archetypes, when executed well, can create a compelling dynamic that explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. The use of flashbacks also suggests a layered narrative, one that gradually reveals the secrets and traumas that shape the characters' present.

Areas of Concern

My only real concern stems from the 'ongoing' status of the novel. I tend to prefer reading completed stories, as it allows for a more immersive and uninterrupted experience. However, the intriguing premise of "I Want to be Your Tears" is enough to make me willing to follow along as the story unfolds.

Final Verdict

Despite the ongoing status, "I Want to be Your Tears" has all the hallmarks of a truly memorable web novel. The beautiful writing, intriguing premise, and promise of emotional depth have already hooked me. I'm eagerly anticipating diving into the story and experiencing the journey, tears and all. I have a feeling this will be a story that stays with me long after I finish reading it.

Synopsis

This was a story that began and ended with tears. Yakumo Saegusa, a boy who lost his mother to a strange disease, the “Chloride Blight,” in which the whole body slowly turns into salt and crumbles, met a girl in the music room. She was a beautiful and gifted piano player named Yuzuki Igarashi. Her delicate fingers were capable of both piano and wring bullies. She struggled to live up to her mother’s excessive expectations in the dark while presenting a strong front. Yakumo, who had seen Yuzuki in all her various forms from a distance closer than anyone else, was unknowingly drawn to her. Graduating from elementary school, Yuzuki grew more beautiful and charming, and by then, became the object of people’s love and admiration. By the time she entered high school, Yuzuki, already a professional pianist, left for Italy to learn her craft. Yakumo, acutely aware of the overwhelming difference between him, a nobody, and Yuzuki, an international pianist. Eventually, he began to write a novel. His reunion with her came suddenly one day—and that reunion would come to change his destiny forever. This was a story that began and ended with tears. Grand Prize of the 16th Shogakukan Light Novel Award.

I Want to be Your Tears