Chapter 136

AFTERWORD Thank you for checking in again. This is Hasekura. I blink, and all of a sudden, this series has reached its tenth volume. This all came about because I wanted to do something in conjunction with the conclusion of the Spice and Wolf manga, etc., but now I realize that of all of my series, this is the second longest. I had no idea it would go on for so long. I would be more than happy if you, my readers, stick with me for just a little while longer. I thought that would be enough to fill the afterword page, but I see it only takes up six lines when I write it out. I’m writing this afterword right now in a panic because I sent my proofread manuscript to editorial and forgot they wanted me to send in the afterword along with it, and I just saw the email asking for it. The only silver lining to this is that I saw this right before I was about to go to my scheduled foot massage. But I cannot deny that I really don’t have many topics for a serious afterword—the first thing I thought of was to announce that my stiff shoulders are getting a bit better, and then I wondered what my afterwords might look like in the future if I were to start talking about health now, so I hesitated, but I ended up talking about it anyway. Writing these afterwords serve as the few chances I get to reflect on my life, but every time I do I am surprised by the surprising lack of changes in my day-to-day. I believe the previous sentence will earn me some comments from the proofreader, but I’m padding my word count, so I need it. In a normal year, I try to do something appropriately seasonal at least once a season, so I would file my final income tax return for the year at a snowy onsen resort, but winter was so warm this year that I felt absolutely no urge to go. But then suddenly, it got so cold in March… It doesn’t seem there’s much pollen to activate my dreaded allergies, so that’s my one saving grace. I was terrified when I saw data that showed about half of all Tokyoites get allergies and hay fever. Oh, yes—I believe the new Spice and Wolf anime should be airing by the time this book is published. I believe all the readers who have been following this series would have thrown up their hands in excitement at the very first scene in the first episode, because I definitely did. For those who have yet to watch at all, please do—at least the first scene. And now I have finally filled the page! I will see you again in the next volume! Isuna Hasekura