Afterword
I actually went to an all-boys high school. Hello again, everyone. It’s been a while. This is Koutarou Mifuji.
Basically, when I write the interactions between Shiori and the members of the Holy Maiden Gathering, I’m often recalling conversations I had with my close friends back in high school. Even looking back now, I think they were a ridiculous bunch of friends…
Now then, did you enjoy Volume 5, where Shiori took center stage? Shiori found herself agonizing over the difference between ‘love’ and ‘admiration’. This wasn’t explored in the original web novel, so I’m genuinely thrilled I had the opportunity to dive deeper into Shinomiya Shiori’s character for this light novel release.
When I first created Shiori, I originally planned for her to be a truly pure and innocent character. But, for some reason, the more I wrote her, the more of an otaku she became… She might be the only character in this series who completely ignored the author and started moving on her own. Seriously, how did it end up like this…
The interactions between the heroines are starting to increase as well, aren’t they? The chapter where Yuka and Shiori play basketball, and the one where Koumi and Mizuho go to the bar with Seira-san—both are personal favorites of mine.
Just as it says on the wraparound band, this story will continue for just a little bit longer.
In the next volume, Masato will be faced with everyone’s affection, as well as the time limit of March. Where do his own feelings of ‘love’ lie? Toward whom does he hold those feelings? I believe it will be a volume where he finally confirms his own feelings.
I’d be incredibly happy if you would look forward to it.
The manga adaptation is also out up to Volume 2, and I’m so glad to see that many people seem to be enjoying it! Just thinking about how they might draw Seira-san’s super-dark moments from Volume 2 or Yuka’s confession scene in manga format gets me so excited. A special thanks to Momoki-sama.
And to jimmy-sama, who provided the wonderful illustrations for this fifth volume as well. As for the cover, I think they perfectly captured my difficult request: She’s nervous, but she’s fired up and determined to confess. I’m so grateful… I truly believe from the bottom of my heart that having jimmy-sama as the illustrator for this series was a blessing.
I also owe a massive debt of gratitude to my editor, Mr. S, who continues to put up with all my selfish requests. I’m absolutely certain I wouldn’t have made it this far without him. I’d be overjoyed if we could work hard together right up to the very end.
For me, this series is the very first book I’ve ever put out into the world. I’m proud and incredibly happy that this story has been loved by so many people. I’m sure I’ll never forget this work for the rest of my life.
And I hope that, even just a little, this series will remain a lasting memory for some of you out there as well. I’d be thrilled if you picked up the next volume, too. Well then, until next time!
Feeling deeply moved as a wedding invitation arrived from an old friend from my school days,
Koutarou Mifuji