Afterword

Thank you for reading Volume 2!

I’m Kagami Yagami, the author. As always, being able to write this afterword fills me with happiness.

This is all thanks to your support. I’m truly grateful.

I put in my best effort to live up to your expectations, even just a little.

Volume 2 was packed with events, and as the writer, I had so much fun. The pool, the festival, hanging out at home, visiting during a cold—I stuffed in everything I wanted to write.

Youhei often grumbles in the story about hating summer, but funnily enough, I love it. Maybe because I was born in Okinawa, I’m pretty resistant to heat and don’t find it stressful. Winter, on the other hand, is my enemy. I get sick every year… Two years ago, it was COVID; last year, gastroenteritis; this year, the flu. Please, winter, end already. (It’s currently February.)

Also, summer means heroines in light clothing, which is great!

I was thrilled to see Hime-chan and Sei in swimsuits in Volume 2. Swimsuits are just irresistible.

We also introduced a new character, the maid Mei-chan. By the way, almost all my works feature a maid. I wonder why.

Despite her small stature, Mei-chan has a mature demeanor. I’m quite fond of her gap. Maybe I’m drawn to nurturing types.

On a side note, speaking of real-life maids, I once got lured by a shady promoter in Akihabara and totally overcharged. Not all promoters are bad, but please be careful, everyone. Big-name maid cafés are definitely safer.

Anyway, back to the point.

The ending of Volume 2 might’ve surprised some of you.

In so-called “loli” rom-coms, such a clear shift in relationships is pretty rare, right?

This was decided after much discussion with my editor. We aimed to write a proper rom-com with a calm tone, keeping the gag and comedy light, even with a young heroine.

Writing a serene rom-com with a loli heroine was a first for me, and it was challenging. But more than that, it was incredibly fun.

Figuring out how to convey a young character’s charm through words was a fulfilling experience as a writer.

Fun fact: my pro debut was actually a loli-themed work.

It was under a different pen name, and due to various grown-up reasons, I can’t use that name anymore. But writing this loli work after so long was thrilling.

Back then, I lacked the skill to write everything I wanted.

Now, I can craft a story where everyone finds happiness.

I feel my growth as a writer, and this has been a wonderful project.

I’m truly blessed to have you read this.

Sorry for rambling.

Now, for some thanks.

To the illustrator, Aroa-sama: Thank you for drawing Hime-chan and all the characters so cutely, especially their swimsuits!

To my editor: Thank you for all the advice on this project. You pushed me to write confidently despite my hesitations with a loli work, and I’m grateful!

To GA Bunko: Writing for a label I admired and submitted to before going pro has been a dream come true. It’s been magical.

To everyone else involved with this book: Thank you.

And to all of you who read this!

As I said earlier, I can write these afterwords because of you. I can write because you read.

Thank you so much!

Every time a volume ends, I feel fulfilled but also anxious about whether there’ll be a next one. The light novel writer’s curse, I guess.

I’ll keep working hard so we can meet like this again.

Here’s to more in the future!

Author

Kagami Yagami

A light novel writer living in Okinawa.

Loves super affectionate, cute heroines.