Afterword

What is a mystery novel to you?

Thinking to prepare a clever answer for when asked that someday, I came up with the phrase, "A mystery novel is an amusement park where only I exist."

Even though I have absolutely no plans to be asked.

Quite the guts, isn't it?

An amusement park is a place isolated from everyday life.

How would it feel to be alone in such a place?

Fun! At the same time, somewhat lonely, isn't it anxiety-inducing?

That exquisite blend of excitement and loneliness feels comfortable to me.

An atmospheric playground where one can forget reality for a moment and immerse oneself in puzzle-solving alone.

"To me, that is mystery."

Saying that, he disappeared into the city crowd again to write—.

I was playing such a narration in my brain at midnight.

It was fun.

Now, Volume 2.

Whether a work like this becomes a series depends partly on luck, but the fact that a sequel came out like this means Volume 1 was somewhat well-received, so I am honestly happy.

As a reason for the good reception, needless to say, there are Riichu-sensei's wonderful illustrations.

The myriad of Sakuya's lovable expressions.

Lilitea's softness and integrity.

All of them are treasures.

Thank you very much.

(Oh right, amazingly, a comicalization is also starting. Let's wait for follow-up reports.)

I was allowed to write what I like in Volume 2 as well.

simply put, it's like I'm writing the mystery novel I want to read myself.

I believe I can deliver a comfortable mystery this time too, but in addition, I want everyone to enjoy a comfortable loneliness.

Loneliness—it came up in the amusement park passage too.

It's the season where one wants to act cool and say loneliness, loneliness. It is winter, after all.

Ah, please wait. Don't be exasperated.

Don't give up.

Please bear with me a little longer.

Why loneliness? Of course, reading is inherently a solitary act and a personal experience—but more than that, mystery is a genre where spoilers are more taboo than any other genre.

In other words, it's hard to share with people even after finishing reading.

So readers, even after finishing reading and returning to daily life, keep the truth of the case in their hearts, reveal the trick to no one, share with no one, and always smile quietly. They have no choice but to become such beings.

That accompanies a certain frustration, itchiness, and pain. But actually, that kind of thing feels comfortable too, doesn't it?

That is the Comfortable Loneliness.

Can you understand?

Sorry. It might have been a bit of perverted thinking.

Like this, spoilers are a long-standing problem in the mystery circles, but just for this work, there is one spoiler-free point.

That is the point that 'The detective gets killed.'

Good deal, right?

If a friend asks what kind of story it is, please spoil that for them.