Afterword

Greetings. It’s been a while. To those who are new, I’m Mochitsuki. Did you enjoy the fourth volume? I certainly hope you did.

Now, I know this is a bit abrupt, but...

Congratulations on the stage production!

So yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. There is a stage play in the works for Tearmoon. Honestly, I still have trouble wrapping my head around the fact that it got a manga adaptation, and now this! It’s like I’ve been sent to a different dimension. I can barely keep up. I’ve spent a lot of time lately being dumbfounded.

Thinking back to my time in high school, I remember being really into a certain steampunk dating video game set in the Taisho era. Every spring and summer, I’d go watch the musical stage shows put on by the voice actors. While I was there, I’d spend what measly allowance I’d managed to scrounge up on the sort-of-pricy uchiwa hand fans, t-shirts, and bromide photos that were for sale... Then, with my bag full of purchased goods, I’d head home, my heart still soaring from the incredible experience of the revue—like a dream come to life.

I think there’s something unique about stage shows. A special atmosphere or something that feeds your excitement. In those moments before the curtain rises, when you’re sitting there watching the seats around you fill up one by one...and then the overhead lights dim, and a spotlight turns on... You know a dream is about to come alive on stage.

Even after the show ended, I kept listening to CDs I bought until I knew them by heart. I’d copy them over to microdrives and bring them to school with me... Good times.

Now that Tearmoon has a stage play, I can’t help but feel my hopes ballooning. If the stage play is a big hit, maybe we can get a musical after that, and maybe even a soundtrack release. I’m feeling an itch right now to listen to a character song for Mia.

Mia: “A musical... Well! Clearly, I’ll have to unveil my beautiful voice in that case! Ahem. Aaah— Aaaaah—”

Anne: “Oh my goodness! Milady! You’re not just a great dancer, but you’re great at singing too!”

Mia: “Oho ho. I can write lyrics too. I~ am~ a~ smart~ and~ beautiful~ princess~. Oho ho ho. See? The words come to me so easily, just like that. I think there might be a latent poet in me too. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Right. We’ll let Mia go back to enjoying her deserted island life. Little does she know though, her carefree time under the sun is about to take a bewildering turn in the next volume when she inadvertently digs up a terrible secret that had been buried under the sands of time... It’ll leave her flustered and confused, which basically just means she’ll be her usual clueless self.

I hope I’ll see you again next time.

Lastly, a few words of appreciation.

I’d like to thank the illustrator, Gilse, for their adorable artwork. Your cover art is always amazing, and this time is no different. They’re filled with intricate details, and I always look forward to seeing them.

I’d also like to thank my editor, F, who has always provided me with lots of help.

Thank you to my family. Your support is always appreciated. I’m happy to report that the fourth volume has safely made it to publication.

Finally, to all the readers who picked up this book, thank you for tagging along with Mia on this journey of hers. I hope it has been an enjoyable experience.

Let us meet again.