Afterword
Afterword
Hello. This is MALCHA.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the readers-nim who showed so much interest that I can greet you all with an author's note like this, and I also want to give a pat on the back to myself for somehow pushing through kkuyeok-kkuyeok and diligently serializing it all the way to the end.
Exactly 74 days since I posted the first chapter on Novelpia, written down as a byproduct of the exam-period stress that visits four times a year. I'm so happy to be able to finish it with chapter 74, a number overflowing with obvious intentionality.
To be honest, it was a work I impulsively scribbled down, but by the time I decided on official serialization, I had already mapped out the rough plot all the way to the ending, so writing it wasn't all that difficult, I suppose.
Because of that, I did scatter quite a lot of foreshadowing hinting at Yuriel-nim's identity—which could be considered a twist if you call it that—and her past, just casually brushing past them. In a way that makes you think, "Is this just a joke?" when you first see it. Anyway.
First, to those who saw the pure love tag, mistook it for a fresh romance-sleeping assault(?) story, came in, and were utterly startled—I honestly have nothing to say to you guys. Even if I wanted to apologize, I feel like you've already dropped the novel, and well. To be honest, I really don't know what to say.
It goes without saying, but I think 「I Became a Childhood Friend Who Sleeps Too Much」 is a pure love story. If I thought otherwise, I would've removed the pure love tag, and the plot and ending probably would've been a lot spicier than they are now, though they're already mild compared to what could have been.
Of course, I also respect those of you who think, "This isn't pure love!" Because everyone has different ways of thinking.
Second, my apologies to those who saw the sleeping assault tag, imagined a sticky "Yuriel's Slumbering Training & Conditioning Diary," and came in.
I can fully understand how some of you who felt charmed by the early sleeping assault scenes and binge-read the novel might feel disappointed as the sleeping assault tag becomes nominal the further we go into the mid-to-late parts. I'm sorry.
It was also my own greed to weave together a sleeping assault story and a hypnosis story at the same time, and since a sleeping assault genre already has clear limitations as a main plot, plus I showed her pretty much fully conditioned right from the first chapter, I judged that there wouldn't be all that much left to show you.
Writing this author's note, it feels like I'm just rambling on with self-excuses. But this really is the story I wanted to tell, so after much deliberation, I decided not to delete it.
Now then, talking a bit about the work itself, Siwoo and Yuriel's pathetic lovey-dovey antics will continue.
Since the two of them have surpassed human limits, time will be meaningless, and if they put their minds to it, they can also suppress their vulgar natures.
After enjoying everything to their heart's content, wouldn't the two of them have gone off together happily? On a small hill in their familiar hometown, against the backdrop of a sky embroidered with beautiful clusters of stars, feeling each other's warm body heat, beautifully.
Writing something like this really makes it hit home that my work has ended. Up until a little while ago, it didn't feel real at all.
As for my next work, well. There are plenty of materials. From ordinary slice-of-life stories to quite spicy adult-fantasy stuff, I've got a lot in mind, but I can't write all of them at once. I think choice and concentration will be necessary. When the thought suddenly strikes me that I want to write, I suppose that will be the time to pen my next work.
The story has gotten long. Things I always wanted to tell you, but couldn't.
My decision to serialize 「I Became a Childhood Friend Who Sleeps Too Much」, dragging my battered body to the monitor because of COVID, and me—someone who does everything half-assed and gives up easily—being able to successfully complete this work all the way to the end, is entirely thanks to you, the readers.
The overflowing interest you readers-nim showed me, the enthusiastic comments chapter by chapter, and the touching sponsorship messages accompanied by donations from readers who saw high value in me—all of these became a huge driving force for me in writing 「I Became a Childhood Friend Who Sleeps Too Much」. Because of you guys, my work was able to exist.
When I read my first comment, when I received my first donation, and when I commissioned my first cover art fueled by that kind of interest from you readers-nim—the emotions from back then still seem vivid in my memory. I suppose this special feeling will remain deep in my heart for quite a long time. Thank you.
Once again, I want to express my gratitude to all the readers-nim who have loved 「I Became a Childhood Friend Who Sleeps Too Much」 until now, and I will cut my words short here.
Stay happy, everyone!
Regards, MALCHA