Afterword
I’M the author, Makino Maebaru.
I did it! At long last, I’ve turned the original Kaede and Shinozaki into a traditionally published novel! Ahaha! Yay! I’m so happy! I did it!
This work was originally slated for publication in Japan after winning AlphaPolis’s Fifth Character Literary Award. Unfortunately, those plans never came to fruition. I actually wrote the manuscript back in 2021 before my debut as a published author.
Here in Japan, I published a major rewrite of this work called Mi ni Oboenai Dekiai Desu ga, Soko made Ai Saretara Shikata ga Nai: Boukyaku no Otome wa Kamisama ni Eien ni Ai Sareru You Desu. The two stories don’t share any similarities aside from being tales of ayakashi set in Fukuoka. Regardless, I gave up on ever publishing this work. I could have sought publication in Japan again, but in the few years since writing the original manuscript, ayakashi workplace novels have started to fade in popularity. So instead of fighting for domestic publication, I worked with Cross Infinite World to bring this novel to readers overseas. (Of course, I’d be thrilled if it got published in Japan too!)
Since this is a three-year-old work, I went through grueling revisions, constantly confronting embarrassment and my past immaturity as a writer. The process was difficult yet rewarding, as it allowed me to see how much I’ve grown as an author in the past few years. I would be so happy if you enjoyed this work even a little.
The setting for this novel is my hometown of Fukuoka. I painted a vivid depiction of the city as it was in 2021. Are you familiar with Fukuoka, by chance? It’s a fascinating place with history dating back to before Japan’s unification. I would be thrilled if you learned about Fukuoka and came to love it through this story.
Pardon my digression, but my surname originates from the city of Maebaru that once existed in Fukuoka Prefecture. Hopefully, my name is yet another record of the city’s prior existence for people overseas. I’m satisfied with that. Please, dear readers, remember Maebaru. Although it’s called Itoshima now, it’s a wonderful tourist destination.
Incidentally, I learned that Saga Prefecture is more well-known than Fukuoka while vacationing in Poland some years ago. Apparently, the Saga International Balloon Fiesta is famous overseas.
Finally, allow me to give a brief word of thanks. I’m deeply grateful to Charis Messier of Cross Infinite World, the graphic designer, the translator, the artist who provided wonderful character designs and illustrations, and everyone involved in the publication and sale of this novel.
And to my wonderful family and grandmother: I love you all from the bottom of my heart.
If possible, I would also love for you to read Mi ni Oboenai Dekiai, my rewrite of this novel. That way, you can see how much I’ve grown as an author over these past few years of my career.
Please take a look at another one of my series if you have the chance. Several are already available in English!
Sincerely,
Makino Maebaru
(blowing you a kiss in front of Chikuzen Maebaru Station, feeling on top of the world on a certain day in 2024)