Hello everyone, I’m Kouka Kishine, author of the Overlap Light Novel Competition’s runner-up, “The Demon King and the Bride-to-Be Divas,” also known as “Battle Divas.” I’m a complete and utter newcomer to the scene, even though that’s probably not what you’d expect from someone my age. I got a bit carried away in the last volume and didn’t have room for an afterword, but now I have three whole pages to work with, so I took the opportunity to write one.
So, what should I talk about? I’m happy we managed to deliver the second volume of Battle Divas to everyone. Actually, this second volume means a lot to me as an author. You might be surprised to hear this, but this book is fresh out of the oven; I never actually wrote a sequel to the original story. It was the one and only volume I sent to the Overlap Light Novel Competition. Of course, I’d fantasized about winning the competition and possibly publishing a sequel, but I never got around writing it. In a sense, this very book marks my first step as a professional author. I got the chance to go wild and think about what I’d like to do with the characters I adore to pieces.
And to top it all off, the illustrator of the last volume returned for this one as well! I was moved to tears the first time I saw the new cover. How can anyone make such an incredible cover illustration?
I’ve really become a professional author, haven’t I...? I can feel myself tearing up as I write this, so I’ll put my pen down for today. Thank you. All of you, thank you.
Now, to change the topic a bit, my beloved Feena takes center stage in this volume! Of course, I love each and every one of my characters, but Feena has a special place in my heart. What will our stoic, blue-haired Diva do this time to win the heart of the love of her life? I don’t want to spoil anything, but let me just say that I had a ton of fun writing all the steamy, nosebleed-inducing scenes with her. Of course, you’ll get a healthy dose of tsundere and bro-con too, as well as a brand-new Diva. I hope you’re looking forward to it!
Let me take this opportunity to thank all the people who have helped me along the way. Nekonabeao, thank you so much for your wonderful illustrations all throughout the book. Your newest cover with Feena is the bomb! I’ll try my best to write a story worthy of your glorious illustrations! Kimura Design Lab, thank you for the colorful, vivid, high-quality paper you allow my words to materialize on. To my editor, who I’m sure sometimes wanted to pull their hair out, thank you. I’m sure this won’t be the last time I give you a headache, but I’m hoping we can continue working together for a long time to come. And of course, to all the readers who have come this far, thank you. I’ll do my best to learn and improve in order to be worthy of your precious attention.
Kouka Kishine, 09/2016