A recap on 2/22's talk event, with Sano Tae and Amamori Takibi

Editor suggested some changes for his original draft (that won the award), mainly just to try them out and see what works. The changes were directed at Yakishio and Kaju, but ultimately they decided to go with the original settings. Yakishio was to be changed into a senpai character more like Hokobaru. Everyone liked Imigimuru's character design very much, although Amamori originally envisioned a naughtier Kaju, he went with Imigi's design.

VOL1
Page 271, the scene when after Yanami and Nukumizu drifted apart, they meet at the clubroom. (search for "wandered")
In the original draft, Nukumizu invits Yanami to have lunch together again. He was more active in his attempt to salvage their relationship, but he got refused by Yanami. Sano-san felt this is a completely different Nukumizu from the one we have in the LN. Amamori even felt bad for him when writing the scene.

Page 301, the climax, the "confession" on the roof. (search for "monastery")
In the original draft, Nukumizu calls Yanami "my main heroine" in his inner monologue. (Sano-san: His MAIN HEROINE!? The sea otter!? The 4K!?) But sadly that's an alternate timeline, where Yanami's given name was still "Iroha". Ultimately, in the published version, the two only became friends.
Sano-san: That's why Vol1 felt like its own complete story.

Regarding fanservice in Vol1, the storage room scene. (search for "cicada")
It wasn't added after winning the award, it was there in the original draft. Completely exposing his own fetishes...
The beach scene... Maybe I heard it wrong, but Amamori bought the swimsuits the girls wore and sent them as reference to Imigi. Sano-san: I can really feel the difference between tastes. I think she was referring to Yakishio's specifically? (I didn't quite understand) And some discussion about Komari's school swimsuit. He searched for reference so much that all his personalized ads became about school swimsuits. Also shops that sell second-hand... I will stop here. (Sano-san: Please stop) Even showed up on his work computer as well.

VOL2
Page 73, Asagumo shows up (search for "mask")
About Asagumo's character.
Even the editor didn't know what to do with her. Amamori thought he went too far with the character, she is basically a stalker at that point. The editor said, "let's just make her a girl who would bug her boyfriend (盗聴系)." Amamori was like, well if the pro said so! (Chat: good job editor) They ultimately gave her GPS tracking devices.

Page 95, stalking scene at Toyohashi Station plaza (ppt messed it up, search for "Minamiguchi" on stw)
They kept making changes to Asagumo's character till the very last moment. Amamori thought she was pretty mild apart from the bugging part, but looking back, she was anything but. Sano-san: this girl really won?? Yakishio lost to her?

Page 258, Yakishio's first and last ridiculous request (search for "brown pupils") (Sano-san: Such a beautiful keyword! Why did you choose words like "monastery" for Yanami scenes? Amamori: I'm just like that when it comes to Yanami)
The illust shows the two intertwined their little fingers, the anime shows it too. But Amamori says it's just one of many possibilities. We don't know what Yakishio actually asked for, it's their (and Amamori's) little secret. Sano-san likes this scene the best out of the first 3 volumes. In the paperback, Amamori used a lot of empty spaces in the buildup to the illustration. It's a unique experience compared to the anime. The editor worked hard on Vol2.

VOL3
Page 98, Himemiya shows up for real. (Start of Chapter 2)
About Himemiya's character. Although for meta reasons, things in Vol1 are very grounded, but Himemiya is like Winning Heroine incarnate. Sano-san: The whole scene wasn't like reading Makeine, but reading another light novel. She has the same feelings when reading the LitClub reports. Karen was to be her surname, but it was changed to something more conventional. Amamori originally wanted her to be something that only exists conceptually, but the editor couldn't understand him (Sano-san: like those suspects in Case Closed?)

Speaking of character designs, it's hard for Amamori to imagine what a character would look like without Imigi's designs. Personally he thinks it's better to let the readers come up with a character's looks themselves.

Page 127, Komari and Nukumizu at the family restaurant (search for "helmet")
About Komari's interpersonal relationships. She was still a little distrustful of Nukumizu at that point, but it's more of a fear that she might not be able to live up to his expectations. Since she herself cannot give anything in return, she is hesitant to accept other people's goodwill. She leaned on Nukumizu in this scene since she is almost at her breaking point, showing she wants to rely on others. Although Nukumizu realized this somewhat, but he was still a bit too dense (Amamori: Kaju fried his brain). Nukumizu also didn't think others will show affection to him at this point.

The same applies to his attitude towards Kaju. He really doesn't see her as a possible love interest, despite all the siscon LNs he read. Amamori: Because he's kinda weird. Kaju's been sticking to him for so long that he's gotten used to it.

Page 279, the practice at Nonhoi Park (search for "autumn roses")
Nukumizu felt bad for Komari and wanted to take over. Although his intentions were good, he didn't consider Komari's feelings, was a bit blunt, and Komari thought she had to make it on her own. The two don't really know how to deal with situations like this, so the scene ended with Komari leaving angrily.

Page 313, last scenes of Vol 3, Nukumizu and Komari at the emergency stairs. (search for "handmade")
Considering the anime, it's necessary to build up all three main heroines. Komari is different from but at the same time similar to Nukumizu character-wise. He thought if Season 1 ended with the end of Vol3, Komari's popularity will become too strong. (Sano-san: I cried at Episode 1 and the ending of Episode 11. Amamori: I received the blu-ray sample as the author, and even I ordered the whole set after watching this scene.)

Some thoughts about working on the anime, with the A-1 staff.

Sano-san liked Koto's BL fanfics, especially the one featured in Vol3 <The silent crab>. She told a real BL author to read the story, and they got a illustration in return. It's that good. I'm not a Yaoi connoisseur so... (Amamori: I think Mishima should be a bottom.)

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Pub: 22 Feb 2025 22:10 UTC

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