Afterword

Afterword

 

THANK YOU for reading The Haunted Bookstore – Gateway to a Parallel Universe – The Fake Family and a Promise Made Under the Stars. I’m happy we could meet again.

This second volume featured a lot more formerly human spirits than the first. Generally speaking, these spirits lost their humanity against their will while retaining their human sensibilities. I was curious what kind of problems those kinds of spirits might face and ended up writing this book. But let’s not forget, even these former humans are a type of spirit. I hope this book was able to remind you that spirits are things we fear and grieve, as well as sometimes pity.

Now then, as evident by the book’s subtitle, the spotlight of this book is right on Shinonome and Kaori. Fathers seem to play a disproportionately high role in my works. I suppose it’s because I myself love my father very much.

I used to be a daddy’s little girl when I was little. I remember him like it was yesterday: the smell of tobacco; his broad back, large hands, and gentle gaze; the way he would sing that one children’s song, “Hato Popo,” in the evening on our walks. Sadly, he passed away while I was still young.

Maybe that’s why I still remember him so vividly. I’m married now, but every now and then, whenever I’m having some trouble, I find myself thinking, “Ah, if only he were alive…”

Every time I see a beautiful evening sun, I’m reminded of those walks I went on with my father. I’m reminded of that world dyed red by the sunset and the slightly out-of-tune song my father would sing. It comes to me so keenly.

While it’s not the only reason, it’s definitely a part of why I want Kaori and Shinonome to be such a happy family. As luck would have it, I’m the author, so I get to make it happen, ha ha.

Moving along, I have some people I would like to thank. To my editor, Sato—thank you for all your praise. Please keep the praise coming, if you don’t mind; I’m someone who does better the more praise I get, ha ha.

To Munashichi, thank you for the wonderful book cover art. You managed to take my nonsensical descriptions and make them reality! Truly amazing.

From the bottom of my heart, I am happy I wrote this book. Thank you all so much.

I’m also pleased to announce that the series is getting a manga adaptation drawn by Medamayaki! They also did the manga for one of my other series, Isekai Omotenashi Gohan. It’s an honor to have them again! I can’t wait!

I’ll be working my hardest to finish the next volume and get it into your hands. Please look forward to it. Until next time, take care.

 

Written in the second year of the Reiwa Era,

Shinobumaru