"The foreshadowing is resolved, the echoes are consistent, the brilliance of this plot, I really misjudged you, Izumi-sensei… I knew it, even a light novel with a magical girl theme would be exceptionally unique in your hands, even if you are a bit terrible in some aspects, sensei."
"So, there's nothing that needs to be changed this time either."
Machida Sonoko pursed her rosy lips and finally made this judgment.
Although there was another heartbreaking plot, from an editor's perspective, the emotional portrayal here was already very captivating and needed no changes.
And the subsequent revelation of Homura Akemi's secret would also allow readers to understand everything the girl had experienced, and recalling various past dialogues and events would immediately give them a sense of sudden enlightenment.
"Hmm, I also feel it flowed very smoothly. After Sagiri read it, she cried even more fiercely than usual, almost hurting me with her pounding."
Izumi Chihiro nodded, saying with deep conviction.
Machida Sonoko gave him a 'contemptuous' look.
This… scumbag brother who abuses his sister!
Letting such a cute girl be exposed to such stories from a young age, did he not consider what kind of impact this would have on the girl?
She might just stop believing in the good, the true, and the beautiful aspects of this world!
After all, the magical girl, a symbol of beauty, had been defiled by her brother!
"Well, Ms. Sonoko, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading back."
Ignoring the beautiful editor's gaze, Izumi Chihiro stood up and left.
"Alright, Izumi-sensei, you go back first. After all, it's rare leisure time after work…"
Machida Sonoko did not try to keep him for a conversation.
In her eyes, the current Izumi Saikou was already a very mature author, no longer needing her advice, and capable of standing on his own.
"It's like watching your own child grow up…"
She murmured, watching the young man's departing back.
"Slap."
Machida Sonoko quickly slapped herself again, "Snap out of it! You're still young, you don't need any children yet!"
...
After arranging the printing tasks, the advertising campaign for the content of this volume also began.
This volume was full of highlights, having reached a very important turning point.
With no new characters, Sayaka also reaching her end, and Homura Akemi's identity about to be revealed, such plot disclosures made everyone realize the possible arrival of the final volume.
After everyone calmed down from the explosive ending of the third volume, their analysis of the plot became more grounded, and they also had deductions for the content of this volume.
["Is it finally coming? The new volume, it should be the conclusion for Kyoko and Sayaka, right? After all, they are actually very similar types of people, but Kyoko became enlightened after being hurt, while Sayaka chose to remain stubborn. Perhaps that's their difference…"]
["Compared to the red and blue relationship, I'm more curious about the revelation of Homura Akemi's identity… She's a time traveler, right? Coming back from the future to the present. If that's the case, why didn't she choose to save the others? Why is that? Is it because Homura Akemi is cold-hearted?"]
["Now that the person upstairs mentions it, I find it a bit strange… Although becoming a magical girl is destined for misfortune, she could at least prevent Sayaka from becoming a magical girl, couldn't she?"]
["You guys are kidding, with Sayaka's personality, after knowing that a magical girl can make a wish to save people, how could she not try? She's the one who said, 'How could I regret it?'"]
["Don't overthink it. Perhaps it's because Homura Akemi went back in time, causing a butterfly effect, so she couldn't protect the others and didn't expect her senior to die…"]
["Maybe it's for other reasons? Look, hasn't she always been interrupting Madoka's idea of becoming a magical girl?"]
["You guys just keep guessing! Anyway, after the new volume is released, we'll naturally know, no need to be so conflicted."]
["By the way, isn't anyone worried about Kyoko's safety? Her story was finished in the last volume, isn't this also a flashback kill?!"]
["That's true, it seems Kyoko was just playing opposite Sayaka. If Sayaka is gone, Kyoko really has no reason to exist… Ah! Bring on the heartbreak!"]
["No way, no way, are they really all going to be wiped out? The volume after next won't be just Homura Akemi and Madoka, will it?!"]
["When you guys put it like that, I'm a little scared."]
...
"Is everyone so pessimistic? There's no need to be so nervous, right… A complete wipeout ending would be too cruel, even the Old Thief couldn't possibly do that, could he?"
Kousaka Kirino looked at the comments on the website, judging them while repeating her self-talk with a guilty conscience.
"No way, right?"
It seems very possible!
After she learned about Izumi Saikou's debut work, "demon slayer," she believed that the Old Thief might have carried regrets in his heart and wanted to complete the complete wipeout ending that he couldn't achieve in his debut work.
Thus, turning this work completely into a representative work of 'dark, deep, and tragic,' becoming a historical monument.
"So annoying, so annoying, so annoying, ahhh!"
As soon as she thought of this, the girl, feeling powerless to change the outcome, clutched her head and shrieked hysterically.
If she could talk to him face-to-face, she would definitely use a very 'friendly' fist to ask the Old Thief if he could change his mind.
"Stop making so much noise, the downstairs can hear you!"
From downstairs came Kousaka Daisuke's deep voice.
Kousaka Kirino was so startled that she hid under her blanket like an ostrich.
"Old Thief! It's all your fault!"
A resentful voice came from under the blanket.
...
The autumn wind was bleak, and the weather was getting colder.
Sitting by the window, the girl pulled her collar tighter.
"Kirino, it's getting colder and colder lately, how about we go buy some scarves?"
After class, Aragaki Ayase came to her seat.
Hearing her suggestion, Kousaka Kirino estimated the time in her heart and smiled, nodding, "Hmm, I was just thinking the same thing."
"Since you've invited me, I'll reluctantly agree."
Kurusu Kanako's face showed a satisfied expression.
Although Aragaki Ayase was slightly displeased that their two-person world had been interrupted, she didn't say much.
Until that day arrived.
The three beautiful girls, dressed in their everyday clothes, met up outside.
After finishing their shopping, the three headed in their respective directions home.
"They should be long gone."
Kousaka Kirino 's eyes held a smile as she reappeared at the intersection.