Chapter 9

Thank you for purchasing this volume, and a special thanks to those who have been following the web versions. This is the author, Nozomi Ginyoku. What exactly should an afterword entail…? I’m not entirely sure myself, so please allow me to start things off by explaining how this novel came to be published. As mentioned above, this novel was originally posted on the online novel site known as Shousetsuka ni Narou before eventually getting revised into the volume you hold in your hands now. I am thankful for the great reception it received from that initial serialization and how it rose to number one on the site’s daily rankings only a few days after I published the first part. After a few more days, a number of publishers approached me to feel out the possibility of turning this story into a published novel. Reaching number one on the rankings was already like a dream come true for me, so having a real book published was…unbelievable. My heart raced with every new message I received on the site. Out of all of them, I felt a real connection with Micro Magazine. The only reason I’ve come this far is all thanks to Micro Magazine, the incredible illustrations created by Mitsuki Yano, and of course, all my readers who have followed along since the web version. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Please accept my gratitude and also this small plug (lol). Some of you may already know, but this series is now also being serialized as a manga. The publisher is Hakusensha, and it’s being published in the magazine Young Animal Arashi. The manga artist is Taro Shinonome. Seeing the way Tama and Aria come to life in the illustrations, mewing and bouncing around together, is a must! Please take a look if you have a chance, and when the manga volume is released, please buy one! Call that direct marketing! I believe that’s all I have to say. I hope this volume sells well, and I look forward to seeing you all again in Volume 2!