Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 12 - Double Seven - Chapter Aft

Afterword

Firstly, to those who picked up this book, I offer my gratitude from the depths of my heart. To the first-timers, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, and if this is not your first time, I thank you for following this series.

Was this episode with second year Tatsuya, Miyuki and their group of friends and the new students who became their kouhai [3] to your liking? Since this series is a story about the siblings, the protagonists, it will naturally cover from their entrance into high school under their graduation so their movement up the grades cannot be avoided and consequently, their relationships will see an inevitable renewal or update. As those who have read this volume understand, graduation does not necessarily mean that they will no longer appear in the story, but the new characters also must be given a part in the story. If they were not given a role in the story, what reason would there be for them to be introduced in the story right.

Accordingly, what must be thought about becomes the new character’s traits. This time, I had little to no trouble in the creation of the new students who appeared in this volume. It is because I already finished a rough “mould” of the characters since when I started writing this story. Of course, I did make a few important adjustments. I suppose the one who changed the most was Kent – he originally wore the girl’s uniform. Nevertheless, because it wasn’t really “that” as I was constructing the scenario, it was rejected so…

What really gives me a headache is next year’s group of new students. Speaking honestly, at this point, the character outlines are still completely blank… … Well, as I write it, the ogres and demons of the world will probably laugh and say “what next year’s episode?” but should this series safely reach that point you are free to laugh at the traces of the author’s distress. This is a different story but, as you may already know, this Double Seven Chapter was serialised in the Dengeki Bunko Magazine. While my intention was that I wanted to bring the episode to all the fans while it was still semi-freshly written (as I was writing it)… … Reflecting on it, I feel it may have been a little thoughtless an experiment.

I was aware that it was awkward because I was constructing the story with a factor that should've existed at that point in time as something that didn't, but to think I didn't realise just how poorly I had done it. When I was revising the script, it hurt me to realise that there was almost no explanation as to what was going on in the background. This paper edition may have reached the bare minimum of what’s required to supplement it I believe but, what do you think of it?

Around the time this book is lined up on the shelves in stores, great news have probably reached the ears of everyone I think. Actually, while this Double Seven Chapter was in serialisation, I caused a great deal of burden on all of the staff bug from now on, the hardship should be decreasing I think. Thank you very much for all your help.

However, that’s something from behind the scenes. In order for all the fans to enjoy “Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei” even more than now, us, staff and I, will with all our might, push onwards so please look forward to the series even from here on.

(Satou Tsutomu)

Notes

1. Yami was using 'bokutachi', which is a form of 'we'(or 'our' here) usually used by boys.

2. For the curious, 三枝 became 七草.

3. The opposite of “senpai” – upperclassmen, “kouhai” means “underclassmen”.