Secrets of the Silent Witch - Volume 5 - Chapter Aft

Afterword

Thank you for purchasing Volume 5 of Secrets of the Silent Witch.

Volume 5 comprises the winter break arc, which takes place outside of school. Because of that, Monica’s school friends don’t show up very often in this book. I believe most of the ones who are absent are having a pleasant winter break. I hope I can give you all some more of Monica’s energetic friends in Volume 6.

When this series was first made into a book, I expected things to wrap up in either three or five volumes, depending on sales. (I call that version “Top Speed Silent Witch.”)

But I am happy and honored to say that, thanks to all of you, the series will keep being published. I even released an after-story to Volume 4 as a companion to the main books, and now we’re at Volume 5. And Volume 6 is soon to come.

And so I’d like to take this chance to express my deep gratitude to all of my readers. Thank you.

…Right. The next volume will be number six, and I must admit there’s something I’m concerned about.

Over a year ago, when I first saw the cover design for Volume 2, I was very surprised.

The reason was that the volume number was in Roman numerals. And when it comes to Roman numerals, I think all of us have, at some point, broken down crying after mixing up IV (4) and VI (6) or misreading VIII (8) as VII (7)… You’ve done it, too, right? IV (4) and VI (6) are the easiest ones to mix up, don’t you think?

I gave up on remembering Roman numerals a long time ago, but now that my own work is being numbered with them, I need to memorize them. So on this very day, I’m grappling with a big list of Roman numerals. I still sometimes forget how to write IX.

In any case, the next volume (Volume 6) will be a V with one I to the right of it. A V with one I to the right. Got it?!

When you purchase Volume 6 at the bookstore, please remember that—it’s a V with one I to the right!

To Nanna Fujimi, thank you so much once again for your beautiful illustrations in this volume. Your covers are wonderfully mystical, and they make me smile every time I look at them.

With every illustration, when I receive the rough draft, I think, “Wow, another amazing one…,” but when I look at the finished product, they’re always even more impressive and beautiful than I imagined.

To Tobi Tana, thank you for the ever-wonderful manga adaptation. It makes me incredibly happy to see the effort you put into each and every panel.

Just from the drafts, I knew all the characters’ expressions would be wonderful, but when I saw them completed, they were even better than I’d hoped. I am a truly lucky author.

Two collected volumes of the manga adaptation are currently on sale through B’s-LOG COMICS. Please give them a look as well.

The second volume’s cover features Monica and Lana. Monica still looks a little awkward and tense, and it’s very heartwarming.

Thank you, as always, for all the fan letters.

Since the afterword of Volume 3 was only one page, and the part detailing the address for sending fan mail was gone, I received many kind words wondering if I was unwell and unable to write afterwords or read fan letters. But that was only because I overdid it and my manuscript for Volume 3 ran right up against the page limit.

I am healthy and energetic, so please don’t worry. I gladly await your fan letters.

If it ever happens again that the afterword or fan letter address pages are missing, please assume I simply went overboard with the manuscript once more.

I do apologize to the editor. I feel like it’s only a matter of time.

Monica’s school life is finally reaching its second half.

I’ll be writing plenty for Volume 6 as well, so I would be happy if you considered purchasing it.

Once again, Volume 6 will have the V with one I to the right. Thank you for your support.

Matsuri Isora