Goodnight, See You Tomorrow: Chapter 13

Previous TOC

Afterword

Hello, this is Nagira Yuu.

Thank you very much for picking up my work.

This time, from the early stages of the plot, I reassured my editor by saying, "The next one will be a heartwarming love story." However, when I actually submitted the plot, it turned out not to be heartwarming at all—quite the opposite (laughs).

For the postscript short story from Sakutaro’s perspective that follows the main story, my editor advised me, “Wouldn’t it be more fitting from a BL standpoint to end with Tsugumi and Sakutaro peeling and eating peaches?” I deliberated on it, but in the end, I stubbornly insisted on my way.

I’m sure readers will have differing opinions about this decision. But for me, writing that final short story was the reason I wrote this story in the first place. Including the burdens that Sakutaro carries, I believe it was a fitting and happy conclusion for a tale about two people who spent their entire lives proving their love to one another.

Not just this time, but I feel that the parts I most want to write are always the ones that clearly divide readers' opinions. It’s natural for differing opinions to arise, especially in areas where the writer has poured their energy. Every time, I find myself spinning in circles about this. But lately, I’ve come to think that it’s better to have readers grapple with those moments than for the story to simply flow by unnoticed. Of course, the greatest joy is when readers join me in sharing the world of the story (laughs).

The illustrations were created by Oyamada Ami-sensei. This is the second time I’ve had the privilege of working with Oyamada-sensei. Previously, I also received incredibly inspiring illustrations that expanded my imagination. Just yesterday, I had the chance to see the cover illustration, and it was so breathtaking that I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Whoa!” I found myself staring at the monitor, utterly entranced. To be able to release a book with such a beautiful cover is an immense happiness for any writer. Oyamada-sensei, thank you so much for taking on the illustrations despite your busy schedule.

And to all my readers: I approached this story with a mix of anxiety over whether it would be well-received and deep joy at being able to complete it. I sincerely hope there is at least one part of it that resonates with you.

If you have any thoughts or impressions, I’d love to hear them.

I hope to meet you again in my next book.

December 2013

Nagira Yuu

Previous TOC

The EPUB version is available at the Ko-fi Shop.

Comments

  1. JewelsJanuary 26, 2025 at 9:13 AM

    I understand why the author thought some readers might not like the ending, but personally, I loved it. From the beginning, it felt like we were witnessing the end of a love story. Most romantic tales end with the main characters coming together, leaving us to assume they lived "happily ever after." But this story picks up a decade later, showing what happens when people and feelings inevitably change.

    I loved how Tsugumi found love again, and the ending felt especially poignant because we actually get to see that they grew old together. That’s what made this novel so emotional for me. Despite the risk of being forgotten by Sakutaro, Tsugumi took that chance, and they lived a happy life together. Even though Sakutaro "forgot" him at times—mistaking the female caregiver for Tsugumi—he never forgot the love they shared. That feeling persisted, serving as a constant reminder of their bond.

    In the end, I thought the conclusion was perfect for this story. Yes, it’s bittersweet when one character passes away, but it’s also heartwarming to know that their love lasted until the very end.

    ReplyDelete
  2. martenJanuary 27, 2025 at 6:45 AM

    Thank you so much for translating this! such a good novel..
    I also like the ending, it feels just right for the story, I'm glad the author went through with it (reminded me a little of Hako no Naka's ending, it's touching in a similar way). now that I've read it, Tsugumi on the cover kind of looks like he's blending into the night..
    i like the way Sakutaro's feelings towards his memory loss were written, how they changed. it's a gentle story overall, I really enjoyed reading it.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

COLD HEART Series [Illustrated]

Image
Book 1:  COLD HEART in TOKYO Book 2:  COLD HEART in NEWYORK  Book 3:  COLD THE FINAL Author:  Konohara Narise (木原音瀬) Synopsis:  In the COLD HEART trilogy, Konohara delivers a devastatingly intimate exploration of love at its most obsessive, broken, and quietly redemptive. The story follows Masahiko Kusuda, an unassuming jewelry brand co-owner, whose life takes a drastic turn when he becomes entangled with Kaito Akizawa—a brilliant but volatile former child actor. What begins as a business arrangement soon spirals into an emotional storm neither of them are prepared for. Through misunderstandings, unspoken traumas, and a dangerously imbalanced power dynamic, Kusuda and Akizawa are forced to confront their own limitations: one afraid to love, the other incapable of letting go. Set between Tokyo and New York, the trilogy charts their uneasy relationship through collapse, separation, and the slow, fragile path toward healing. As seasons change and distance r...
Read more

Vampire and His Pleasant Companions: Volume 6 - Extra

Image
Previous   TOC Side story: My Beloved Dad and the Vampire Ren boarded the shinkansen at Shinagawa Station. Since entering university, it was his first time riding the bullet train. He’d thought it would be less crowded if he avoided rush hour and went before summer break started—but contrary to expectations, the train was packed. Most of the passengers were men in suits—classic salarymen types. It had taken a while just to board, and the aisles were jammed. By the time he finally reached his window seat, a overweight, suit-clad man overflowing with excess flesh was already settled in the aisle seat, souring Ren’s mood. He carefully climbed over the man’s raised knees and squeezed into his seat just as the train lurched forward and began to move. At least the middle seat of the three-seat row was unoccupied—no need to worry about bumping elbows or knees, which was a small blessing. He hung his backpack on the wall hook, pulled out his phone, popped in his earbuds, and tapped the scr...
Read more

COLD HEART in TOKYO: Chapter 18

Image
Previous   TOC   Next When Kusuda peeled the clinging man off him and sat up, the bed let out a groaning creak. Two adult men on a semi-double… it was pushing things to the limit. Sunlight spilled in through the window, dazzlingly bright. No wonder—it was already past eight. The air had that vaguely overcast heaviness, despite it being what should’ve been a fresh morning. His body was damp with sweat. Kusuda climbed out of bed and hurried into the bathroom. The hot shower cascading over his head felt like it was washing everything away—refreshing and cleansing. His mouth felt a little sore. Akizawa was big—he couldn’t take all of it in, and just sucking it had left his lips worn out. Putting a guy’s dick in your mouth—what kind of punishment game is that? Kusuda had always thought of it as the final line he could never cross as a man, something on par with full-on sex, and had refused again and again. But four days ago, trying to comfort the devastated Akizawa after getting d...
Read more