To all of you who have walked this journey with me,

  The time has come for me to close this chapter, at least in its current form. As I write these words, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the time you’ve spent within the worlds I’ve built. However, I have decided to step back from this platform to pursue a new path: translating and reimagining my stories for an English-speaking audience.

  To be honest, I do not know if this project will ever truly be "finished." I cannot say for certain when or where these new versions will be posted. Perhaps I will wait until my work finds its footing here in Japan before sharing it with the world. But the urge to bridge the gap between my heart and a global audience has become too strong to ignore.

  This decision comes after some deep reflection. I have always found solace in the poetic beauty of language—the way words can paint a mood or capture the fleeting essence of a feeling. Yet, I have received feedback from some readers suggesting that such a poetic style is not what is currently sought after or in demand here. It is a painful realization to feel that your natural voice doesn't harmonize with the room you are standing in. Rather than compromising the soul of my writing to fit a mold, I have chosen to "retreat" for a while to find a place where my style might truly belong.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  My heart aches at the thought of leaving so many stories untold. I wanted, more than anything, to let you witness the pure, unwavering depth of Miria’s love for Lucian. I wanted you to feel the radiant warmth of the Yotsuba no Eiko (Everlasting Light of the Four-Leaf) members as they embraced Lucian like family. Most of all, I regret that I may not be able to share the grand adventures of Erna and Kyle with you all as I had dreamed. These characters are not just ink on a page to me; they are pieces of my soul, and it is truly bittersweet to tuck them away in my heart for now, wondering if their voices will ever reach the world again.

  Whether my pursuit of a poetic narrative is a fool’s errand or a hidden treasure remains to be seen. But I must try. I want to see if the rhythms of my heart can resonate in another language, or if the "demand" I seek is simply waiting on a different shore.

  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your readership. Your eyes on my pages have been the greatest gift an author could ask for. I was truly happy that you chose to read this, the first novel I have ever written in my life.

  Until the day our paths cross again—whether in this language or another—I wish you nothing but the best.

  With deepest sincerity and love,

  Makoto Azuma