Dear Readers, this is Nana Shi Nanami.
I sincerely thank you for your support in completing the Rise to Power Record through Corporate Expansion from a job change!
The trigger for writing this work was my own experience working in a Black company.
I had early mornings and often worked until around two or three in the morning, with only three days off in a month.
As a result, my body was worn out, and I was mentally drained. However, the light reading from various stories on “Shousetsuka ni Narou” comforted my heart, and looking forward to updates helped me push through work and life.
During that time, I suddenly thought, why not create a protagonist who is like a corporate slave and have the antagonists resemble incompetent bosses? It turned out to be unexpectedly interesting, and before I knew it, I had been developing this story over a long period.
You may have noticed, but the enemies in this work possess power and authority yet are not very capable. They embody the kind of people who wreak havoc in a Black company. In fact, some characters are modeled after real individuals (laugh).
In that sense, writing this piece has been a bit of a cathartic experience for me.
Receiving feedback from many of you has invigorated me, reminding me that I needed to write until the end.
This work has become an unforgettable memory in my life, probably one that I will carry with me forever.
I am truly grateful to have written such a piece with your love and support, and I apologize for my limited vocabulary, but I can only express my heartfelt thanks with “Thank you!”
Now, regarding my future writing endeavors, I would like to report on some opinions I’ve received.
Firstly, many have requested epilogues or side stories. I, too, would like to write about the times when the daughter grows up, as well as side stories of characters like Kaido, Minami, and the instructors. However, this may take a little while, as I intend to develop those.
As for the main story, it concluded with Jiro rising from being a corporate slave to becoming a president, engaging in the corporate world. However, there are still some points I want to address, and I hope to cover those eventually.
Since I have reached the end, I find myself in a bit of a burnt-out state, so I might pick up writing again after a while, possibly when you least expect it. I hope you can understand this.
Next, concerning future works or my ongoing series:
To be honest, I have other ideas in the works for separate projects across various genres, some of which I find quite good. Therefore, I might start a new series from those. What kind of story will I begin next? I have no idea myself!
Whether I continue along the fantasy path, delve into a romantic comedy, explore the occult, or depict the Warring States period, I can’t say. The only thing I can promise is that after a short break, I will begin telling new stories again.
As for the suspended series “Pandora Pandemic Panic,” I currently have no plans to resume it. I sincerely apologize for that. My focus has been entirely on completing the Corporate Expansion series, which left me no room to work on other projects (sweating).
That series is still on my mind, and I am considering resuming it.
Perhaps it would be good to gather reader feedback on my new works (laugh).
While writing what I want is what a novelist does, there might be room to consider creating a story that you wish to read.
However, my world will develop from that, so it may not align perfectly with your hopes.
That about sums up my future activities.
Now, after this lengthy message, I want to express that being able to connect with everyone through this work over the years is a treasure in my life.
“I found it interesting.”
“It was fun.”
“I feel sad it’s ending.”
“I can’t believe that happened!?”
The various emotions you have shared with me kept me going.
Amidst many stories ending abruptly, I was able to run through it all, and I believe that it’s because I wasn’t alone.
It might have been a self-indulgent work, but I was never alone.
There are people waiting for me.
That, I believe, is a blessing.
Being able to recognize that happiness is thanks to all the readers who supported me.
You remain in my memory.
Whether it’s fleeting or may fade with time, you may recall me as a fleeting thought amidst a rusted memory.
But without a doubt, during this moment, I was able to create a work together with all of you.
With these profound feelings I’ve gathered, I would like to conclude this afterword with the following words:
“Thank you for your continued support! Let’s embark on the next work together too!!!!”
Nana Shi Nanami
