Afterword
VOLUME 1
Author’s Note
“Hentikan!” means “Stop!” in Indonesian.
To me, that word feels a lot like “Hentai”. Hentai is already part of the international lingo, so if you are a cute lady getting harassed in Indonesia, why not say “Hentikan, hentai!”? If you’re on the receiving end of those rhymes, you’ll probably also get punched in the face. It’s best to broaden your horizons.
Pleased to meet you. This is Sagara Sou, winner of the 6th MF Bunko J Light Novel Awards for the “Most Outstanding” entry.
After receiving such an excessive prize, I’m spending my days as a nervous wreck. I am currently training very hard somewhere so that I can face the cheerful voices of all the readers. I listen to anything my saviour – that is, my supervisor – will tell me. For example, I happily leaped on this kindly advice: “Since the title is Hentai Ouji, it’s okay to write perverted things again in the afterword. Stick with that option to the utmost. Er, well, it is one option. It’s one option, I guess. You understand? Hm?”
Since you’ve come all this way, let me tell you a story about the title.
As you can see, the working title Roundabout Expressions is a bit different from the final version. I thought I had better make that clear here, in the afterword. What I am trying to convey to you, my dear reader, is that this story does not in fact have a perverted plot. I think. Maybe. It is more akin to the “heartwarming teenage romcom” genre. Sorry for misleading you.
In any case, I was supposed to change the title for publication. However, after half a year of long, heated discussion, I reached the conclusion of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” By no means did I pick this title feeling at ease about it.
It was only to match the other ideas that I came up with the tentative title of The Forthright Prince and the Stony Cat. I thought an innocent title like that would get through, but my supervisor looked at it as if it were a pile of sludge and said, “Er, no… he’s just a regular pervert… what are you dreaming of…?” So I gave that up. If you can claim that “I’m more perverted than he is!” or “That’s not what a pervert is like!” by all means, please fill out the questionnaire on your cell phone and lend me your support.
Incidentally, personally speaking I think my saviour (metaphorically speaking) is number one. “A photo of the author? Why don’t you use a photo of your randoseru? Oh, no, it’s best to only use your soprano recorder (1). An alto is fine too, but you’ve definitely got the look of a soprano! Quick, quick, get out your recorder!” He made many such decisions for me in broad daylight. I believe he is in dire need of medical treatment.
…all joking aside, I really do thank my supervisor Iwaasa for the support. I believe he polished my feeble manuscript until it shone. I apologise for only ever causing him grief. I will continue to work hard.
Again, I apologise for all the courtesies, but I must thank all the members of the reviewing panel from the bottom of my heart. I am grateful for all the warm comments you have written on the book’s jacket. On top of that, I must thank Hirasaka-sensei for all the pleasant comments he contributed. I was very pleased. I will devote myself to transforming your words into energy!
Next, I have special thanks for the editor-in-chief, who stuck with this book until it was released. On that note, I thank my friends H-kun and M-kun for all the support they gave me in revising the manuscript.
Finally, we come to Kantoku-sama, who drew all the splendid illustrations in my book. There are not enough words in this world to express the depth of my eternal gratitude. Were it not for his pictures, I would not still be alive. When someone asked me, “Whose life do you value more?” I slapped that person in the face – that is how much I love the illustrations. Please go easy on me although I have held so many others back!
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And so, to all those who read this book to the end, my wish is that we can meet again. Hentikan, hentai! (A greeting)
Sagara Sou
Illustrator’s Note
Thank you for reading all the way to end. This is Kantoku, who was in charge of the illustrations. Why is it that I can never get bored of the charm of looking at a girl who has lost her expressions? Because she’s cute!
Yokodera may be a pervert, but I think he knows the appeals of girls the best. That must mean he is the ally of all women! I think that stands to reason.
This time, I did some thinking as I drew the illustrations. Drawing Tsukiko helped bring out my lolicon side first of all, Azusa’s rapidly changing expressions brought out my tsundere side, and Tsukushi’s cold eyes brought out my cool side. Somehow, this was a work that made me think, once again, that girls have a wide range of expressions. I think my expression as I was drawing must have been full of glee like the cat statue’s.
Kantoku
TRANSLATOR’S NOTES
(1) I’m really not sure, but this seems like a reference to the title of Recorder to Randoseru, a 4koma manga.
The genders of all the people the author mentions are not specified. I have assumed they are male.
(NanoDesu) A Translation of the Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko Light Novel 
Is there going to be a second volume?
Yes, but you might have to wait for a couple of weeks or so before it begins to get translated. It’ll be translated by another translator, not me. So please be patient!
Thanks for the translation. What will be your next project?
No, thank YOU for reading! As for my next project, I’ve already started. It’s Oregairu volume 2: http://oregairuthetranslation.wordpress.com/