Hello, I’m Shimesaba.
This marks my fourth book published by Dash X Bunko. I’m so grateful for the opportunity.
As I wrote this third volume, I thought about something. Ever since I was young, I’ve often been praised by adults, including my parents, for having a way with words.
I used to take pride in that, but once I became an adult, I realized that there was more meaning to it than I’d initially thought.
Nowadays, I often find that the words I can’t convey to others are the most important. When you put your thoughts into words, it feels like you’re trying to persuade the person you’re talking to or come up with words they’ll understand. But in doing so, it changes the essence of what you truly feel.
Even after those exchanges, when I’m alone, I sometimes have trouble finding the words to represent what I was truly feeling. I fall asleep worrying about it.
I’ll probably keep contemplating things like this until I die.
None of that has much to do with the content of this volume, but I wanted to get it down, like a memo to myself.
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Now, onto the acknowledgements.
First, to Kajiwara, my editor. Thanks for patiently waiting for me to finish this script. Thanks to you, I was able to complete it. I’ll do my best to keep things on a tighter schedule next time.
Next, to Ms. Shigure, who drew such wonderful illustrations despite her busy schedule. Thank you! When I saw the designs for Ai and Kaoru’s swimsuits, I felt my weary heart come back to life! Having her illustrations grace each volume’s cover makes me as happy as can be.
To the proofreaders, who probably read the text more closely than I did, and to everyone else involved in publishing this book—thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Finally, thank you to everyone who picked up this book and read it. It’s a story about words and regrets. I hope you can find something radiant amid the characters’ struggles.
I’ll bring this afterword to a close with the hope that we’ll meet again in another of my stories.
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Shimesaba