Afterword

Hi, everyone, Yuki Yaku here, author of a series that inspired an anime. It’s been a while.

The series has been going for over three years now, with nine books published so far. I’m thrilled, as the author of a series that inspired an anime, that those books are still gaining new readers.

And as the author of a series that inspired an anime who is approaching the landmark tenth book in the series, I hope to produce what only the author of a series that inspired an anime can produce, of course without getting an overly big head.

Yes, I got carried away. And by the way, an anime version of the series has been announced, believe it or not!

The Tomozaki series has grown into what it is today thanks to lots of support from fans, bloggers, other writers, and countless bookstore employees. And after more than three years, we’ve finally reached the point of an anime spin-off. I hope that in this way, I’m able to repay a little of what I’ve received. I am genuinely grateful for your support. The anime won’t be on the air for a while yet, but I hope you’re looking forward to it. I plan to make every effort on every front to ensure everyone can enjoy the Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki series in various formats moving forward.

Perhaps some of you noticed? I said I plan to make every effort on every front, and that’s quite similar to the way that Aoi Hinami is grasping the cuff of her sweater with her left hand on the cover of this volume.

In analyzing this sleeve, I would like first to direct your attention to the question of gravity. No doubt you know that gravity exists on planet Earth. And gravity should exert its power over Hinami’s sleeve as she strikes that pose. But does it? The fact of the matter is that gravity is powerless over this Hinami on the cover, who is holding up her sleeve in an enchanting manner.

That’s right. In order to manufacture her own image, she is subtly holding up her sleeve with her fingers.

But what is more important to understand than the holding-up of the sleeve itself is another truth that this holding-up reveals.

The holding-up of the sleeve is engineered—once we understand that, we also come to understand, like a row of dominoes being toppled, that various other things about her are also engineered. The way she is holding a strand of hair between the fingers of that same left hand. The way the hem of her skirt is floating airily, as if she flipped it up just a moment earlier. Each of these is a sensual gesture intended to seduce us with its loveliness. Anyhow, I hope I’ve managed to communicate my interpretation, even in part.

Now on to the acknowledgments.

To Fly-san, my illustrator, I know I’m always interacting weirdly with you on Twitter. You should probably yell at me for it soon. Only Fly-san can hold back Yuki Yaku. I’m a big fan of yours.

To Iwaasa-san, my editor. We’ve finally got an anime. Let’s shoot for Hollywood next.

Finally, to all my readers. I’m so excited to think that soon we’ll be able to watch Tomozaki and his companions in motion, and I hope you feel that way, too! Thank you for all your support.

I hope you’ll join me for the next volume!

Yuki Yaku