I’m Yuusaku Sakaishi.
Thank you so much for picking up this book.
How did you enjoy the fourth volume of The Gifted Girl’s Caretaker?
Yuri, whose name has been mentioned in passing since Volume 1, finally made her grand entrance. I hope I managed to convey her charm effectively.
This time, the setting shifted from Kikou Academy to Karuizawa. Although it was officially for a Summer Seminar, it was essentially a summer vacation arc. This allowed me to include events like beach trips and pajama parties—things that are a bit of a departure from the usual school-life stories.
While I was writing the scene for Hinako and the others' pajama party, a thought occurred to me.
This vibe is completely different from when it's just guys...
I’ve never actually been to a girls' pajama party, so I can’t say for certain, but I imagine sleepovers are quite different depending on the gender.
In my experience, a high school boys' sleepover usually involved going out somewhere during the day, but after dinner, we only ever had two options: play video games until sunrise or watch some random movie.
We might have chatted idly, but I don’t really remember it. I’m fairly certain there was no "romance talk," though. Since we were high schoolers living with our parents, having them right there in the next room probably made it too awkward to discuss.
By the time we went our separate ways the next morning, everyone looked like the walking dead.
Now that I’m an adult, I don’t think I have the stamina for that kind of behavior anymore. I still hang out at my friends' houses now and then, but we don't stay the night. Even when a holiday rolls around, I can't stop thinking about how I have to go back to work in a few days. I’ve learned to think ahead and pace myself.
Well, I’m a sole proprietor, so I can still play without a care for the consequences!!!!!
Just kidding.
I actually check my schedule very thoroughly before I commit to playing.
Actually, for some reason, my salaryman friends have seemed to have more leeway lately. For example, I’ve been obsessed with a certain free-to-play FPS for the last few days, and a friend told me, "You can invite me whenever you want—weekdays or weekends, it doesn't matter."
Invite him... even on a weekday?
Back when I was a salaryman, I spent every weekday evening and every Sunday alone. If I didn’t, my mental state wouldn't recover. My friends used to be the same way, but perhaps the rise of remote work has given everyone a bit more breathing room.
I’m busy too, but I’ve managed to find some mental leeway lately. It’s not about how much money I have; I think I’ve just finally grown accustomed to the rhythm of my current job.
I suspect it’s the same for everyone else.
There were times when I thought that being an adult meant I couldn't have fun like I used to, but as everyone settles into their careers, maybe we’ve become able to play like the old days again.
I’m sure the values of Itsuki, Hinako, and the others will also continue to shift as they grow older. (There’s my attempt at a poignant conclusion.)
Acknowledgements
In the process of writing this volume, I received a great deal of help from the editorial department, proofreaders, and everyone else involved. To my editor: thank you for thinking through with me just how much we should delve into Yuri Hirano, who is an irregular character even within the context of the story. To Sakura Miwabe-sensei: the swimsuit illustration in the frontispiece is incredibly cute! Thank you again for everything.
Finally, to the readers who picked up this book: you have my deepest gratitude.