Afterword

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Hello, dear readers. I’m Nishi Jouyou, the author.

Thank you so much for reading Volume 3.

It really turned into a “Hayasakaa~!” kind of moment, didn’t it?

Hayasaka probably had a hunch that Tachibana would pull ahead on the trip but thought it’d be fine if it meant Kirishima would be hers.

A strategy of letting the flesh be cut to break the bone, so to speak.

But it’s clear she didn’t just let her flesh be cut—she let her bones get shattered too, and it feels like things have become irreversible.

After all, Hayasaka, more than anyone, placed the most importance on “what boyfriends and girlfriends do.”

This shallow miscalculation is probably why she’s such a lovable klutz.

Meanwhile, Tachibana threw up, didn’t she?

I didn’t expect a vomiting heroine to emerge from The Second Girlfriend.

I think it’s still within the realm of cute, so I hope you, dear readers, will watch over her warmly.

So, what’s in store for Volume 4?

It feels like the sharp emotions of the two girls are bound to clash head-on.

I’m a bit scared to write it.

Do something, Kirishima, is how I feel.

Kirishima is a really fun guy to write. He overthinks things and fails instantly, gets toyed with by girls, and just when you think he’ll wallow in his troubles, he turns into a baby, snorts the white powder of happiness, or goes all-in with pointless enthusiasm.

I think he’s doing a splendid job as a protagonist.

If it were a normal person, even with top-tier looks, they’d probably run barefoot from two girls wielding emotions like a battlefield of demons.

Another trait of Kirishima’s is his strong power of affirmation, I think.

He accepts Hayasaka as she is, despite the gap with her pure image, and when Tachibana’s feelings waver toward Yanagi, he takes it in stride, acknowledging it as something that happens. He doesn’t blame Tachibana but honestly admits his own jealousy.

Being able to affirm is a wonderful virtue, I believe.

That’s probably why Hayasaka and Tachibana love Kirishima.

A positive, affirming person is always likable, no matter the era.

I, as the author, don’t find it strange that Kirishima is loved by two girls.

I feel like girls, more often than not, don’t care much about catalog specs like good looks, wealth, or style.

TV plays up those opinions because they’re clear and entertaining, but in reality, many girls don’t actually demand that much. They seem to have a generous, open-hearted vibe.

So, what kind of guy do girls tend to like? From what I see around me, it’s the “somehow hard-to-hate guy.” Not necessarily a good guy, or just, or someone who resolves trauma—just a natural, inexplicably upbeat guy.

In other words, Kirishima. (LOL)

A guy who can brush off something wild like wearing a school swimsuit and acting like a toddler with a single “What a naughty elementary schooler” is probably super reassuring for girls. Easy to be around—that’s exactly what this is, I think.

Well, this Kirishima-magnetism theory is heavily laced with the author’s defense of the protagonist, so feel free to take it with a grain of salt.

In any case, the story holds together entirely because of the power of affirmation.

Kirishima, Hayasaka, and Tachibana all face emotions and relationships that society might reject, but they’re like, “So what?” and embrace their feelings honestly.

For Volume 4, I want to rely on the affirming strength of Kirishima and the cast, capturing their emotions and actions as they are.

I haven’t written a single word yet, but please look forward to it.

Now, acknowledgments.

To my editor, everyone at Dengeki Bunko, the proofreaders, designers, bookstores that stock the books, retailers providing special bonuses, and everyone involved with this book—thank you.

And to ReTake-sensei, thank you for the wonderful illustrations this time too!

The illustrations for Volumes 1 and 2 were amazing, and now this Volume 3 cover!

It’s not just cute and alluring—it captures a subtle, unsettling vibe that moved me. Balancing elegance and a forbidden atmosphere, it’s truly one-of-a-kind, and I’m thrilled. Thank you so much!

Lastly, to you, dear readers, thank you again and again!

You readers undoubtedly have the power of affirmation. I’m endlessly grateful for your open-heartedness in embracing this unhealthy, immoral story.

I hope you’ll stick with Kirishima and the gang’s accelerating story a bit longer.

Here’s to the light novel that crossed the line, The Second Girlfriend—please keep supporting it!