Phenomeno:Volume 03, Afterword

Afterword

As it appears, the story "Phenomeno" is a novel that relentlessly compels its writer to think about ‘death’. No, that comes naturally when depicting the ‘paranormal, and there is already a magnificent and well-known saying in this world: ‘Momento Mori.’

Having said that, the other day, I attended the funeral of an acquaintance of mine. Until that point, I had always thought of funerals as ceremonies to help give closure to the hearts of the bereaved, and that they were more for the sake of the living, than anything else. However, as I gazed at the image of the departed, I realized that a ceremony is necessary regardless of whether the deceased had religious beliefs or not. It’s the first time for anyone to die, and I thought for the first time that the departed might be thankful to have someone else clearly declare, "You are dead”. At a funeral, the most tearful part is when the coffin is carried out, when you are strongly reminded that this is goodbye, but that is when I tried to think of it as: "We’ll meet again, someday.”

I will surely die someday, and I don't know if there is such a thing as the afterlife, but saying this made me feel a little lighter, to imagine that someday I would be able to talk again with the ones who have departed before me. As if swearing that, I would do my best to live a life that I would someday be able to talk about without shame… Huh? So, funerals really are for the living, after all? Well, it seems my thinking is still lacking.

Now then, I really must thank Yoshitoshi Abe in particular this time. I would like to thank the professional illustrator for his great artistry, his favor, and an apology for drawing nearly 20 illustrations that were not commissioned. Even though Abe-san himself had decided not to use them, one in particular made me feel as if I had been violently struck. It showed the realistic suffering of the girl named ‘Ayana Takamura,’ which I had not yet seen. And it was also thanks to my editor, Katsushi Ota-san, who decided that I should revise the whole story by adding ‘The Portrait of a Lily,’ to what was originally supposed to be finished in a single volume, and to make it a two-part volume instead. Once more, I have to say that it was a pleasure to work with both of you.

And to all who have read this far:

Thank you very much, once again. I’m sorry that no matter how hard I search, I can't find any other words that are worthy of this -- but here is a sky-full thank you.

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