To think that I would actually become an author....
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. My name is Nagayama Kuryuu.
The connections between people are a mysterious thing; you never know what will become foreshadowing in your life.
The reason I started writing novels. The reason I picked up my pen again when I was about to put it down. It all rested upon the many-layered human relationships woven throughout my life, and thinking back on it now, they were encounters that were close to miracles.
If even one person had been missing from this web, I'm sure my life would have turned out completely different.
This may be hindsight. But what brought an uncertain future to the result that is today were, without a doubt, the encounters brought about by the star-numerous choices of those days.
Next to the life of mine that was shaped in such a way, there were many people who were happy to hear the report of my award. That was a very happy thing.
As Tsukishiro realized, one of the concepts of this work is that it's nice to have someone right next to you to whom you want to convey your happy feelings. That's not limited to a lover or a partner.
Because those wonderful human relationships create a chain reaction that shapes the future.
Because that will surely not disappear, even if the stars die out.
I think again how glad I am that this work was the first novel I delivered to my own "someone."
Now, in publishing this work, I was fortunate to receive help from many people.
To my editor in charge, Satou-sama. Although it was a clumsy submission manuscript whose theme was still blurry, you clarified what I most wanted to depict through a storm of Zen-like questions and answers. Without you, I don't think I could have created a manuscript that I was truly satisfied with. I look forward to working with you in the future.
To Saki no Ji.-sama, who was in charge of the illustrations. To this work, which was only text, you gave overwhelming depth with beautiful illustrations that lightly leaped beyond the author's imagination. The cover illustration in particular is a masterpiece, and I am humbled by how you expressed Miyuki's hidden emotions more than I could have asked for. Thank you so much for breathing life into this world.
Also, to all the members of the selection committee who saw potential in this work, my fellow authors who ran with me down the thorny path (especially the members of the Yakiniku Club), my wife and family who supported my creative activities, and to you, who have picked up this book, I offer my immense gratitude.
Hoping that a wonderful sound is also ringing by your side.
And hoping that, if I may wish, this book is counted as one of them.
I shall set down my pen here.
Let us meet again someday.
Nagayama Kuryuu
