Afterword
Greetings to all my dear readers, this is Fujiki Washiro.
What are your thoughts on shota characters?
Do you prefer the cheerful and energetic type, the cheeky yet kind-hearted one, the outwardly meek but inwardly resilient kind, or the purely innocent and clingy type?
Everyone likely has their own preferences on the matter.
So allow me to share mine here.
[A shota who has gone through dark experiences in the past, causing his mentality to mature beyond his years, usually unflappable and calm in demeanor, but his true self slips out around older sister-figures he’s comfortable with, revealing rare moments of expression and emotion that contrast his usual stoic face.]
My apologies, I got a bit carried away there without even pausing for breath.
And in making such a character the protagonist, I pondered what the ideal solution would be.
That’s it, I’ll make him [the mastermind]!
Problem solved.
And thus, the [What It Takes to Become the Mastermind : The Optimal Path] for this story was born.
It even incorporates my twisted desire of “a usually mature and expressionless shota surrounded by older sisters who make him flustered and embarrassed, glaring at them defiantly.” That’s how thoroughly it caters to my tastes.
A defiant glare from a beautiful boy or girl can cure any ailment, obviously.
But lest I raise further concerns about my mentality, I shall proceed with a proper story introduction.
To summarize the plot: “A hardworking, genius-level shota recruits capable beautiful older sisters as allies, operating behind the scenes to save someone precious to him, ultimately ascending to become the [mastermind behind everything], a supreme evil.”
I also incorporated my own question: “If you could travel back in time already knowing how to return and what will happen in the future, with someone being held captive that you need to rescue, what would happen if you made intricate plans beforehand to go back?”
It’s a common trope that by taking different actions, the protagonist changes the future they knew.
But what if they accounted for those changes too?
Is there a way to suppress alterations to the future they know?
Could they operate secretly to rescue the captive without revealing their identity or motives?
It’s like I’m using a stick to beat myself over the head with the very questions I raised – a display of masochism or who knows what.
After the mind-bending time travel shenanigans in my previous work “The Reincarnation Marriage of a Hero and a Sage”, which nearly made my head explode and caused my first ever missed deadline as an author, you’d think I’d have learned my lesson. But nope!
Even so, I’ll do my utmost to ensure this new work is just as enjoyable for readers.
I hope you’ll all cheer on and witness the ultimate fate that awaits the protagonist, Kurtz-kun.
I’m truly grateful to once again receive the opportunity from GanGan ONLINE to have this story adapted into a comic. I hope you’ll look forward to enjoying it as much as the original novel. Thank you so much.
And to all readers still waiting for Volume 5 of “The Reincarnation Marriage of a Hero and a Sage” –
I’M EXTREMELY SORRY FOR THE WAIT!!!
The manuscript is already finished and will be released very soon! My health took a turn for the worse, causing the delay, but it’s coming! Thank you for the kind words saying it’s interesting – I really appreciate it!!
After that abrupt, dynamic apology, I’ll calmly proceed to the acknowledgments.
To my editor: This year, I’ll show you a side of me you’ve never seen before. But that’s not foreshadowing or anything!
To the illustrator ne-on: The moment I saw Kurtz-kun’s defiant glare in your art, it revived me and cured my poor health. Your illustrations are the panacea for all ailments, so I shall worship you wholeheartedly from now on. I’m in your care!
To GanGan ONLINE: Words can’t express my gratitude for this new comics adaptation opportunity for my work. If I could travel to the past, I’d boast endlessly to my teenage self, eyes shining while reading GanGan.
And finally, my utmost gratitude to everyone else involved in this work, and to all readers who have picked it up.
Fujiki Washiro
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
Ebook Bonus Story: [So This Is My Master]
“Well then, is this a good spot?”
After gathering the daily necessities and clothes Kurtz had requested in paper bags, Lucia stretched her body lightly.
“I should take a bath when we get back…not that I stink too bad, but I need to tidy up that boy’s appearance so the innkeepers don’t get suspicious.”
Having retrieved the hidden money and clothes for emergencies, Lucia checked them into the inn, carrying Kurtz in a bag. But continuing that way would be too troublesome going forward.
Considering their future movements and avoiding attention, she had requested a [child’s gentleman suit]. The fact that the skilled infiltrator Lucia had emergency clothes and funds prepared showed her to be quite the pragmatic thinker.
And there was not a shred of doubt in following Kurtz’s judgments and instructions.
This hinted that Kurtz had carefully considered everything before returning to the past.
[I came back in time, risking it all to save Lady Artesia.]
His words did not seem like lies or exaggerations – it was clearly the truth behind his actions.
But was rescuing her truly his sole driving purpose?
“…Geez, if I knew that, I’d want to help too.”
As someone who had felt the same in her past life, Lucia could understand Kurtz’s feelings.
Though their encounter was sudden and his circumstances bizarre, perhaps she could readily accept him because she saw shades of her former self in his conviction.
If he was that kind of person, it wouldn’t be wrong to risk her own fleeting life.
“Still, even if by chance, for me to be a maid while that boy’s in a noble’s suit… I should probably call him ‘young master’ if he’s to become my lord and master from now on?”
Imagining Kurtz’s reaction as she headed back to the inn with light steps,
something caught Lucia’s eye –
a gem shop’s sign catering to nobles.
An interesting idea came to her then.
“…Appearances are important, so I should get him a nicer gemstone accessory while I’m at it.”
The tie clasp from the clothing shop was a simple, unadorned design to avoid breaking if a rambunctious child jostled it.
But with Kurtz’s mature mind, that wasn’t a concern.
A gemstone decoration would suit his appearance better.
“He’s to become my master, so he deserves something befitting him.”
With a smile, Lucia entered the shop,
already knowing which gem to choose –
one perfectly suited for Kurtz, even so soon after meeting him.
“Excuse me – could you adorn this tie clasp with an amethyst?”
She indicated the purple gemstone to the clerk.
“Certainly. Is this meant as a gift?”
“No, it’s an accessory for my master.”
Amethyst represents nobility and sincerity.
And its other symbolic meaning –
“I thought this gem would befit my master.”
[Eternal love] – the most fitting gem for one risking all to save his most beloved.
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