First, let me address the simplest matters. For this essentially non-commercial, quasi-doujin work, there are no strict restrictions on secondary creations—including fan art, Let's Plays, cosplay, merchandise making, and similar activities—as long as they do not involve the paid redistribution of the work itself or other infringing commercial behaviour.

That said, this work holds little commercial value. Whether in its creation by me, or in the feedback and exchanges it generates from players, nearly everything is driven by love—much like the classic doujin works of earlier days. It is precisely because I approach this with the mindset of a circle project that I can write more freely than in commercial titles. Accordingly, I trust that those of you who have taken the time to engage with a work like this will not act out of certain intentions that have become more common in this era—hence I do not feel the need to impose as many rules and restrictions on fan creations as some commercial works do.

I am deeply grateful to all players who have taken a liking to these two works and have devoted their precious time and energy to express that affection in various forms. I am not often online and may not see these expressions firsthand, yet I remain thankful that you are willing to share your valuable love and enthusiasm. Whatever changes the future may bring, I also give thanks for this very moment in which all of this exists.

At the same time, there are no significant restrictions on how you choose to enjoy the work—whether by projecting yourself onto the characters, treating them as independent individuals, expressing affection through self-shipping fantasies, or enjoying character relationships in whatever manner pleases you. The only things I ask are that you do not go so far as to say, "What a misfortune that this character was created by such an author, so I'll just take them as my own OC," and that you refrain from attacking others over their different ways of experiencing the work, or from interfering with other fans' preferred pairings.

But perhaps I need not elaborate too much on these points? I assume that the audience for these two works consists largely of mature adults with some years of otaku experience, who will not mistake the mainstream appreciation methods and niche community conventions of today as the only natural way of doing things.

For my part, I hold no particular opinions or prejudices regarding the various ways players engage with the work, nor do I think these differences warrant much debate, let alone being used to judge or impose on others. I also trust that those of you who can see beyond the surface—who understand these works that many might simplistically label as "niche," "dark," or "twisted"—possess broader minds, greater tolerance for diverse works, a deeper understanding of the importance of respect, and a greater willingness to extend that respect to others. You are also more likely to listen patiently to my rather long-winded requests.

So, please enjoy the work within your own circles, respect each other's boundaries, interact quietly with like-minded fans who share your approach, and refrain from disturbing or interfering with those who enjoy the work differently. I cannot force everyone to adopt this attitude, but I sincerely hope that, at least within the context of my works, no unpleasantness arises that would harm fellow fans. We come together out of love, and love should not turn back and wound us.

Many thanks to all of you who have experienced these two works in your own ways, enriching their existence through your unique perspectives.

I have always believed that, just as the world offers a vast array of works, so too can the ways in which different people engage with them be varied and diverse. Different approaches do not indicate a lack of love for the work or its characters; they simply show that people enjoy viewing the world through different lenses. No perspective is superior to another, and no one can transplant their own eyes into another's head.

In the realm of creation—and indeed in many other realms—love, respect, and understanding for one another are what truly matter, far more than group divisions, personal stances, or private preferences.

Finally, let me turn to the most complex issue.

I have recently come to realise that when Thom was released, I did not issue many clear statements. While this protected the gaming experience for its intended audience, it may also have attracted a number of non-target players, leading to less than ideal experiences for them.

Taking this as a lesson, I will be more careful in the future to delineate the intended audience for my works, to state more frequently that these are non-commercial doujinshi-like works, fan-oriented works, niche works, similar to early circle projects—and to more directly discourage certain groups from playing:

• Those who cannot distinguish between fiction and reality, nor separate characters, works, and author;

• Those who equate characters' words or content with the author's personal stance;

• Those who cannot understand the difference between literary criticism of a work and personal speculation about its author.

Perhaps I can use this statement as another content warning.

I once felt that making such explanations as an author was overly preachy—almost as irritating as lecturing readers on how to behave. "We are all adults," I thought, "and these things are common sense for the audience of such works. I don't need to spell them out like so many other authors I've seen." But now I understand why my predecessors did so.

Therefore, as an author—not even for my own well-being or creative freedom, but simply for the sake of the work's discussion atmosphere and the audience's experience—I probably need to be more vocal than before.

I have always been grateful to all players who enjoy my works, to those who offer constructive criticism with a calm attitude, and to those who, even if the work is not to their taste, leave a negative review and then depart with mutual respect. It is because of players like you—who fully grasp the essential boundary between fiction and reality—that I can write, in a style that might easily invite backlash in this era, such a tedious and平淡 story filled with deception and lies, whose sole purpose is to give players a purer experience of "being deceived."

However, for those players who would project their personal experience of the work and their private interpretation of characters beyond the work onto its author, and who treat such self-generated conjectures as facts while believing my explanations must therefore be full of lies—I must honestly say that you are probably not suited for this work, nor for any of my future works.

So, I hope that after reading this statement, you will understand my position.

At the same time—I also hope that these rambling words may allow those who love this work to enjoy these fictional stories more safely, and to allow me to create with greater peace of mind, weaving more love for all of us.

It is itself a miracle that we encounter one another on the internet through a work of fiction. We are strangers to each other, and in those moments when we can converse through the work, it is surely better to pass on as much joy as possible, is it not?

I truly thank all of you who have said that you have found happiness in these works. In this age, love expressed aloud is a precious thing. The world is vast, noisy, and dizzying, but at least within my works, I want to create something that can bridge gaps, misunderstandings, prejudices, wounds, pain, fear, and solitude—something that encourages people to understand one another. So, in my future works, both the former elements and the latter will continue to be present.

Let it continue to watch over all that exists.

No matter what kind of people, what kind of works—they all have the right to exist in this world. That is the beauty of life and of creation.