AFTERWORD

Thank you for purchasing another book in The Irregular at Magic High School series. For those of you who just replied, “But this is the first time,” I’ll use this opportunity to introduce myself. I’m Tsutomu Sato.

As volume 4’s afterword suggested, this fifth volume is a collection of short stories. Timewise, they show five episodes during summer vacation but after the Nine School Competition, and one that takes place from September 1 to October 1. How nice, you may think—but some of the characters ran into some not-so-nice trouble. Please, pardon the format and stories as a kind of adventure. They were good memories for those involved.

Here are some additional explanations about each episode, as is customary (?) in collections of short stories.

Summer Vacation

This episode was created by my worldly passions of wanting to write a bittersweet youthful story—and a swimsuit scene. I was in high spirits as I typed away on my keyboard writing it. I think it’s one of those things where if you come to your senses it’s all over, so I didn’t do much revision other than finding things that were clearly inaccurate.

The Honor Student’s Extracurricular Lesson

The concept of this episode was Morisaki having time in the spotlight, since he never seems to get rewarded for his efforts. The kid can do it if he puts his mind to it! …So I made sure he tried his best.

Amelia in Wonderland

The origin of the title goes without saying—the thing with the rabbits and the playing cards and the eggs and all that. Only playing cards appear in this story, though. Will the day ever come when Tomitsuka becomes a rabbit? Will he ever escape Amy’s clutches? …That’s not what the story was about.

Friendship, Trust, and Lolicon Suspicions

This episode is about the freshman duo of Third High, Masaki and Kichijouji. Not only are there suspicions about the latter having a Lolita complex, but you might have been even more suspicious about something else. That would be a misunderstanding. Probably. Where will Kichijouji’s future lead?!

Memories of the Summer

In contrast to Summer Vacation being one of those “make a bittersweet story” episodes, I wrote this one just to be sweet. So sweet you might vomit sugar. In terms of how good an author I am, I feel I still have a ways to go on the sweetness end of things, but what do you think? When I said that to my editor he just sighed at me.

Queen of the Student Council Election

This is the “plus one” episode. It’s a short story, but it’s closer to a sub-story continuation of the main story… Do your best, Ah-chan. You’ll have a lot more to struggle through in the future.

I’d like to show my appreciation for all those involved in this book. Thank you all very much. Mr. M, I really am sorry for making you go along with my fervent, indecipherable cry of “It’s finally the swimsuit issue, so let’s go with that for the cover!” I was excited this time around, even for me. I’ll reflect on my attitude. Ms. Ishida and Mr. Stone, thank you for all the fabulous illustrations once again, even though you were busy. I watch Aquarion Evol every week!

Finally, I’d like to give a heartfelt thanks to everyone who’s read this far in the afterword. If you thought it was interesting, then that’s all I need to do my best for next time.

Tsutomu Sato