The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria
Book 3: Afterword

AFTERWORD

Hello, Eiji Mikage here.

This is the third HakoMari! book (I tried giving it a cute abbreviation). The guy who has always seemed a bit suspicious is finally starting to take the stage. He’s an easy character to write, so I’ve been waiting for him to take an active role more than anyone.

Now then, here’s something that simultaneously touches on the plot but doesn’t.

I’ve managed to get three books out in this series so far, but the truth is I went through quite a few rejections before it got off the ground.

There was even a completely finished story that was entirely rejected.

That rejected story will never see the light of day. I thought it was interesting, but it died before it ever got to reach any readers.

But that’s as it should be.

I was of course shocked and frustrated to have the story I spent months writing get turned down, but I think it lives on as the nutrients that helped my current works grow… Maybe that sounds a bit dramatic, but it’s undeniable that I wouldn’t be where I am now without several failed works under my belt.

If I had given up on writing, those failed stories would have truly died where they were.

When I think of this, it makes me realize how important it is to keep going without giving up. But I think I’m getting a bit too serious here. Oh yeah, for those of you who have yet to read the story, this time it’s about six boys and girls who live together for a little while and do a lot of shouting as they play a game. Sounds fun, huh?

Now for my acknowledgments.

To Tetsuo, the illustrator, thank you once again for the awesome drawing despite your busy schedule.

To my editor Kawamoto, thank you for everything up until now. I’ve grown a lot thanks to you. If you’d like, I can write a BL for your department! …Sorry, that’s lie. I can’t do it.

And to all my readers: With this book ending the way it does, I hope to have the next one out before you know it. It’ll be out in the spring! Or…I think it will be. It should be. It’ll be nice if it is!

See you next time!

Eiji Mikage