Our Dating Story: The Experienced You and The Inexperienced Me - Volume 3 - Chapter Aft

Afterword

This is volume 3. Just like how Ryuto smashed Runa’s “two-month barrier” (she kept breaking up with her boyfriends within two months), this work smashed down my own “two-volume barrier.”

This is all thanks to all of you who support me... Thank you so much.

Of course, I wanted to release a third volume, but I didn’t want to get my hopes too high. When it was decided that volume 3 would actually be published, I panicked a little bit, but I was overwhelmed with emotion that I’d be able to return to the world of this story.

Once again, I had to educate myself on the youth I’d never experienced. I’ve never done that folk dance! What’s an “airsoft”? There weren’t any boys at my school! I’m gonna go to a coed school...in my next life.

Anyway, volume 3 made Maria a deeper character, which I’m glad about, as the author. I love Maria too, so... And I even love Icchi and Nisshi.

I was worried that the Dragon Ball comparison in this volume wouldn’t work for today’s teens, so at one point I considered going for something else, but I couldn’t come up with any others that were from something currently popular and that people in a variety of age groups would understand. I figured that since it’s a legendary work and many young people are probably familiar with it, I’d stick with the option that basically shouted, “The author’s not young anymore!” Sorry, kids. You didn’t get it? You’ve still got a lot to learn, then.

As usual, I’m thoroughly indebted to my illustrator magako-sama. Akari is extremely Akari—I was moved and astonished when I saw her design. Thank you for always enriching the world of my work with your wonderful illustrations!

I’m always grateful to my editor Matsubayashi-sama too. I appreciate your support in bringing the work closer to perfection, but thank you for thinking about promotional materials too, like videos! If you haven’t seen them yet, try searching online!

Also, the September issue of Dragon Magazine includes an “Episode 0” which shows Ryuto and Maria in middle school. Please give that one a read too.

And on top of that, the audiobook of the first volume will be available online on September 30!

Well then, let us meet again in volume 4!

August 2021, Makiko Nagaoka