"I want to write about rivals awakening!" I exclaimed.
"The way you talk makes it sound like a battle series," the Editor-in-charge replied.
And with that conversation having taken place, Volume 9 of Caring for the Gifted Girl was successfully released!
It has been quite some time; I am Yuusaku Sakaishi. I hoped everyone was staying healthy. I was personally flattened by COVID-19 during the Obon holidays, and I still felt a lingering discomfort in my bronchial tubes as an aftereffect.
● Regarding the Publication Schedule
Around the time I was writing the Management Game, the amount of research required was so overwhelming that I admitted defeat. I told my team, "There is no way I can put these out every five months!" and had them switch the schedule to a six-month cycle. Since it looked like the current Election Arc was going to head down that same path, I have continued to work at a pace of one volume every six months or more. I occasionally saw people on social media wondering anxiously, "When is the next volume of the original work coming...?" and for that, I apologized. I have been taking this extra time to ensure the content is as refined as possible. Please rest assured that it was not because my motivation to write Gifted Girl had waned in the slightest.
● My thanks to all the readers who share their thoughts on social media
I occasionally checked the reactions on X (formerly Twitter)—I wonder how much longer I will need to keep adding that disclaimer. Seeing people offer their support made me incredibly happy.
I tended to repost things quite impulsively, but there was an intention behind it: I wanted my timeline to serve as a sort of community forum for all of you. If you look through my timeline, you can check the impressions and reviews left by other readers as well. Please, feel free to make use of it!
【Acknowledgements】
In proceeding with the writing of this volume, I was greatly indebted to many people. To my Editor-in-charge, thank you for pointing out the delicate nuances that required careful attention, such as Itsuki’s positioning in the story. To Sakura Miwabe-sensei, thank you for capturing the world of this work so perfectly, from Kureha on the cover to the illustrations in the opening poster spread.
Finally, to all the readers who picked up this book, you have my deepest gratitude.