Afterword

This is a story of the happenings on a certain night.

The red letters signifying a new message popped up in my inbox. Was it a typo report? A reader comment? Or, oh god, maybe a warning from the admins? Was the story I wrote that dangerous?! Terrified, I opened my message box, only to find an odd message from the admins. The gist of it was that there were some weirdos out there who wanted to turn my work into print, and if I was interested, I should get in touch with them.

Could this be the rumored “publication offer” I’d heard so much about? No way. I thought that was an urban myth.

At some point, I replied to that sudden message I received, and before I knew it, the book was in stores and people were calling me “sensei.” It was the stuff of legends.

Countless writers had dreamed of seeing such a message in their inbox, only to fade into obscurity as they chased after a pie in the sky. I thought the whole point was to give young aspiring novelists a sliver of hope and raise their expectations, only to drop them back down afterwards. It was meant to be a trap, right? A tried-and-true and highly efficient trap? Was I wrong?

Such thoughts were not racing through my head as I penned my response. I merely read the message like any normal person would and replied as instructed. And now we’re here.

Then again, even as I’m writing this, I technically haven’t seen the finished product yet, so there’s still a slim but non-zero possibility that this could all be some epic trolling. Maybe this is all staged.

Where’re the cameras?! Where’d you hide the mics?! Is someone eventually going to show up holding a big “FOOLED YA” sign?

Man was not made to live seriously all the time. There is a need to throw a few gags in at times. I think some famous person said that at some point.

That aside, firstly, let me thank you for reading this book. I would also like to express my deep gratitude for those who purchased it. Thank you very much. For those who haven’t, I’d really appreciate it if you just held onto it until you head to the cash register. I’ll cry tears of joy if you do that.

All right, now, I’d like to say hi to those who are reading this for the first time. If it’s not your first time, well, hi anyway. I’m Mine, the author of this book. Pleased to make your acquaintance. This work, which was originally serialized on the novel uploading site, “Shosetsuka ni Naro,” has been published in print thanks to Hobby Japan. I’m so thankful that I can’t go to sleep with my feet facing them.

Hobby Japan’s probably south of where I am, so I’d have to have my pillow on the north side of the bed. That’s probably not going to happen, so I’m good to go. These days, not a whole lot of people seem to care, but pillows to the north is supposed to bring bad luck. Be careful, everyone.

Normally, there’d be a short explanation about the work here, but I’m going to purposefully not mention anything. I ask that you just go and give the book a read. What’s written there comprises the contents of this work. Rather than the author rambling on about how this part was actually like this, it’s better for people to simply read it and form their own opinions. I’m sure of it.

Personally, I’ll be happy if this story is even the slightest bit of fun to read. To know that I brought the slightest smile to a reader’s face. Nothing would make me happier. And for that to keep happening, I intend to keep writing.

Man was not made to live seriously all the time. There is a need to throw a few gags in at times. I think some famous person probably did not say that at some point. Still, it’s necessary to be a little more serious at times. Balance is important in everything.

Let’s wrap this up, then.

To Hobby Japan’s editors, as well as all the proofreaders, sales people, and designers. To Kabocha, who blessed this work with wonderful illustrations. To K, the project manager, who first came to me with the offer, and then stuck with me through the whole process until the final publication.

Allow me to not crack some cheap joke in an attempt to avoid being all serious and saying thank you, and actually say thank you. You have my deepest gratitude.

It was thanks to all of you that this book saw the light of day. Your efforts made all the difference. I have no idea if or when I can repay you, but I’ll try to keep getting better until I can. As for when that happens, only God knows.

One last thing. To my readers.

To those of you who read this work on “Shosetsuka ni Naro,” as well as those of you who posted comments and pointed out any typos, and finally, also all of those who took this book in their hands, I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mine