It’s been a while since I wrote one of these. It’s another thick volume, huh? This is a volume that would’ve gotten published this summer on a normal serialization schedule, but... well... er... I guess I still got it out on the earlier side. No, excuse me. I’m really sorry for the long wait. Next time... Next time! (I sound like the lieutenant of an evil organization, don’t I?)
We’re reaching the end of a long story, so it was time to start preparing for the wrap-up. I would’ve liked to show what Courtney, Clouseau, Mao, Fowler, and Sabina were all up to, but it was irrelevant to the main story, so I cut it out for the time being. After the main story’s over, I might write it up as a side story (if I have time).
I feel like there are a lot of shocking stories going down this time. Sousuke and the others are really going through the wringer, and you have to hope that things get better for them.
Regarding the portrayal of the snipers: I feel like the maximum range for a 7.62mm bullet is about 1000 meters. Kaspar’s story is a bit bullshit from a real-world perspective, but you might think that someone who’s really incredible could make it happen. I thought we’ll just make it a more powerful shot, a 12.7mm... but there’s nothing romantic about firing such a modern-day rifle like that! You need to make a super shot like that with an old wooden frame. It’s like a Les Paul guitar.
Umm, a page and a half left, huh?
That reminds me. Today, I went to a drinking party held by a friend of mine, and on the way back we started talking about how the booths are always so cold. Then we started telling spooky stories and speculating that maybe there’s something supernatural involved.
I don’t have any trace of a sixth sense, and I tend to feel bad about always poo-pooing my friends’ talk about such things. But the ghosts in ghost stories really do feel like they’re cheating to me. I think that even if you’re a spirit, you have some limitations on your attack power and spiritual power. On paranormal shows, the ghosts are treated as invincible, like they can do whatever to ordinary people regardless of time and distance. I mean, come on. If supernatural phenomena (particularly the bad kind) really exist, why is the ego of these former humans who turn their backs on this world for sad reasons so focused on ruining human lives?
When I tried to explain that on the way home, I ended up saying, “If I ended up in a fight with a ghost, I would win. They might be powerful, but I’d fight them tooth and nail.” And then I imagined a dramatic and tearjerker scene where the instant the ghost is about to kill me, my beloved Cooper S (AKA Bonta-car) sacrificed itself to save me in the nick of time. Okay, so I was really drunk.
It’s hard for me to write enthusiastically about the kind of serious developments present in this story. I just want to say, “Please keep reading.” Sorry.
Next story is supposed to be the climax of the novel series, though I have my doubts I’ll be able to finish it in just one volume (sweats). To those who read this far, I’m going to do my best out of gratitude for you for sticking with me this far.
So I’ll see you next time for more Sousuke... actually, to borrow again from the origin of that phrase...
Wagering everything on a distant time.