Afterword

Thank you for reading. At last, the eighth volume of this series marks the start of Aoi’s university arc. However, the story mainly revolved around Kiyotaka, who’s getting his feet wet in the working world. Sorry, I hope you’ll be understanding. (laughs)

Before writing this book, I had already decided that Kiyotaka would be undergoing training after finishing grad school, but I had to think about where I was going to send him. At my autograph event in late April 2017, I was visited by the assistant director of Shokado Garden Art Museum, who said, “It would be a dream come true if Shokado Garden Art Museum could appear in the Holmes of Kyoto series one day.” I thought it would make a great training place for Kiyotaka, so I suggested it and they readily agreed, saying, “It would be our pleasure. Feel free to use Iwashimizu Hachimangu as well, which is also in Yawata City.” That was how this collaboration came to be.

Since the incident was going to take place inside the shrine, I asked the priest at Iwashimizu Hachimangu if it would be acceptable, and he said, “As long as it’s not something like a murder mystery, it’s fine. Go ahead and write anything you like.” I was very happy that they agreed to the collaboration as well.

By the way, Igawa the assistant director, Suginami, and Kojima the head priest are all real people, although their names were slightly changed. I’m really grateful to them for letting me include them.

I’d be delighted if those who read this book became even a little interested in Shokado Garden Art Museum, Iwashimizu Hachimangu, and Yawata City.

Once again, thank you to Shokado Garden Art Museum and Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine.

As usual, please allow me to use this space to express my thanks:

To Futabasha, EVERYSTAR, the proofreaders, the distributors, the bookstores, Mr. and Mrs. Akemi, who supervised the Kyoto accent, the cover designer, the illustrator Shizu Yamauchi, who drew yet another wonderful cover, and you for picking up this book.

I’m truly thankful to all of the connections surrounding myself and this series.

Thank you all so much.

Mai Mochizuki