Afterword

To all my dear readers, thank you so very much for purchasing Volume 3, following Volume 2.

It’s been a while, I’m Hoshino Seiya, the author.

The fact that I was able to release three volumes in such a short span since the first volume of this series came out isn’t solely thanks to my own efforts. It’s truly all thanks to Kadokawa-sama, Kuroto Yuu-sensei, my editor-sama, and the many other staff members who supported this work. Truly, thank you so very much.

Now then, in this afterword, I’d like to reflect on this series, and then finally offer my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been involved.

When the Introverted Me Got Surrounded by S-Tier Beauties After a Seat Change, a Secret Relationship Began, which unfolded with unique characters centered around Izumiya Ryouta, was quite a challenging work for me as an author.

First, the protagonist himself is quite unique.

If you’ve read my previous works, you’d know that I used to be too caught up in the fixed idea that the protagonist had to be “cool.”

Before writing this series, I thought about making this protagonist the polar opposite of my previous ones, and that’s how Izumiya Ryouta was born.

He’s a man whose desires are completely exposed, wagging his tail at every cute girl he sees, only to get caught by another girl and suffer for it. Yet, when it truly matters, he’s more dependable than anyone else… Now that I think about it, he kinda reminds me of a certain third-generation character, doesn’t he? (laughs)

And among all the characters, the one I put the most effort into was—as I’m sure you all know—not Tanaka Kanade… but Kuroki Rui.

I put a great deal of thought into Kuroki Rui as a character who would embody the answer to the question: “What is perfection?”

As humans, when we try to achieve something perfectly, it often doesn’t go well. In fact, sometimes things go better when you’re not aiming for anything specific at all.

Kuroki Rui has always achieved results, constantly striving for perfection. However, it was Ryouta, who wasn’t aiming for anything in particular, who always helped her through her mistakes.

Rui-san, despite being intelligent, is too perfect and isn’t used to making mistakes. Because of this, she has a flaw: she’s not good at handling mistakes or troubles when they occur.

This was true when she let the cat escape in her childhood, during the graduation ceremony trouble in middle school, and also the trouble during the cultural festival play. Normally, with Rui-san’s intelligence, I believe she could have handled these situations calmly, and they weren’t moments to panic so much.

However, precisely because Rui-san is so perfect and unused to making mistakes, she becomes utterly helpless when they happen.

So, what I wanted to convey through the character of Kuroki Rui is that perfection is merely a goal to keep striving for. To aim for perfection isn’t about being perfect constantly, but rather it’s just a process to look back on everything you’ve done and think, “Ah, that was perfect.”

Just as Kuroki Rui strives to achieve perfection, I, as the author, made no compromises in the process of creating the perfect character that is Kuroki Rui.

Looking back now, I can say without a doubt that Kuroki Rui was a perfect heroine, and I would be happy if you all feel the same way.

There’s so much more I’d like to talk about regarding the other characters, but let’s save that for another time, if the opportunity arises.

Now, finally, I’d like to express my gratitude.

First, to Kuroto Yuu-sensei, who once again handled the illustrations for this volume.

The heroines you draw always look so happy, always smiling, and truly have a living presence about them.

Thank you so very much for the wonderful illustrations of Rui-san, Airi-san, Yuria-san, Tanaka Kanade, Himesaki-san, and Ryouta.

Next, to Baramatsu Hitomi-sensei, who is in charge of the manga adaptation.

The manga adaptation makes the gag elements of the novel even funnier, and I truly enjoy reading it every month.

I would be delighted if you could continue to make this work enjoyable and interesting. I’m really, really looking forward to it every month!

And to Kadokawa-sama and Dengeki Bunko Editorial Department-sama.

Thank you always for your profound support for the growth of me, Hoshino Seiya, as an author, and for the work When the Introverted Me Got Surrounded by S-Tier Beauties After a Seat Change, a Secret Relationship Began. I will continue to do my best! I look forward to your continued support!

And to my editor-sama.

My sincerest gratitude for offering me this project.

Being able to publish a book from the wonderful Dengeki Bunko is a lifelong source of pride, and I will continue to do my best to weave wonderful stories within Dengeki Bunko.

Lastly, to all my readers.

Thank you for reading this far.

I often write in my afterwords that an author only truly becomes an author when there are readers who read their work. This series, in particular, was able to be published in print thanks to the many readers who supported it since its web novel days.

I have nothing but gratitude. I hope you will continue to support Hoshino Seiya’s works from now on.

So then, everyone, truly, truly! Thank you very much.

Hoshino Seiya