[Serialized Novel] "Heart's Hina" Afterword

Welcome.
Thank you for choosing to read this from among so many articles.
(2024.7.20 Added gratitude at the bottom and various extras 2)

The serialization of the novel "Heart's Hina" has finished its 20-episode run, and my feelings have finally settled down. Along the way, I suffered from poor physical and mental health and even tried to run away from all information, but thanks to the kind people who watched over me until the end, I am able to write this "afterword" once again.

I decided to write a few supplementary notes about the story in this "afterword."
Even if you haven't read the main story, please feel free to take a look.
Words of gratitude regarding the publication are written at the end of the text.
If you are interested, please join me.
(Full afterword: approx. 2,800 characters, estimated reading time: 7 minutes)

About the Characters and Themes

First, Dr. Kokoro Okuno in this novel is modeled after a real person. He is the doctor who has kept my body in good condition, both in the past and now. Just like Dr. Kokoro, he does not use medicine; he touches the body, checks its reactions, and adjusts it. I interpreted the words the doctor said to me during treatment in my own way and scattered them throughout the novel.

The theme of this novel is "the state of the heart."
Compared to the distant, distant past, I feel that modern society is faster in every way, overloaded with information, and filled with more worries and invisible anxieties.
Although Kokoro Okuno and Towako Kano share the same nature and are both doctors who heal hearts, I made their positions as contrasting as possible (though I am not confident if I expressed it well). Okuno treats patients within the scope of what he can do himself, while Kano treats as many patients as possible.
As the kanji in her name suggests, Kano wants to fulfill wishes. She hopes that as many people as possible can have a peaceful heart, as vast as the word "towa" (eternity). However, her wish was too strong, and she crossed the line as a human being. That is the cause of her mental illness, and it makes for a painful and cruel depiction.

I pursued loveliness for "Hina."
The medium of a novel is interesting; it is difficult to convey a clear image like the illustrations in anime or light novels. I express her through hair length, features, lines, and gestures, but the image of Hina is not fixed.
But I think that is fine.
It is fine for there to be a "Hina" filled with everyone's own sense of loveliness, and it is fine for there to be ten different voices for "Hina," and that is why I finally realized after finishing the final episode that imagination through words is amazing.

The "Hina" in your "heart" moves forward and lives in the final episode. That is why the title is "Heart's Hina" and not "Hina's Heart."
I hope you will imagine the girl you love most.
Because I believe that when you think of something you love, you will surely smile.

Thinking about the State of the Heart

Don't you want to live with a smile?
That is how I want to live. It is no use thinking "I should have smiled more" when I am drawing my last breath, so if I can, I want to be smiling now.

There is a line in the novel like this.

As a guideline for my actions, if I find myself remembering the past (especially things I disliked) more often, I need to be careful. I think, "Ah, maybe I should take a break."
Since we are human, it is natural to have ups and downs in our feelings. I think the important thing is not to put a lid on negative feelings, but to accept them completely and then think, "Well, what shall I do now?" Books on the state of the heart often say the same thing.

When you rest enough and feel at ease, you notice what is right in front of you.
The sky is beautiful, flowers are blooming beautifully, or you notice the gratitude you feel for the people around you...

The doctor who served as the model for Dr. Kokoro told me,
"The heart is like a wave."
There are happy times and sad times.
It cannot be happy all the time. That is similar to the "manic" state of bipolar disorder, and if that state continues, the body will become exhausted.
Imagine the waves and spend your time calmly.
Cherish the present.
That is what he taught me.

How can I spend my days calmly?
It is different for everyone, and there is no manual.
I believe you have no choice but to grope for your own unique state of heart.

To Live with a Peaceful Heart

Cruelty of description aside, story aside, I incorporated keywords into the novel that serve as points for spending time calmly. Things Dr. Kokoro does to calm down, items he intentionally picked up, lines I specifically made him say, descriptions of him not wavering toward Kano, and so on.
On the other hand, I also incorporated expressions of Kano falling into mental illness throughout. When you are in that state, I think your heart is likely exhausted, even if you are not Kano.

I will not write the answer, so if you are curious, it might be interesting to read while focusing on the words.

Various Extras

Lastly, here are some extras.

Kokoro Okuno is a bit scatterbrained.
When deciding on Hina's name, the candidates were
1. Hina (Chick)
2. Seicho (Adult Bird) (due to the objection that she isn't a child)
3. Seichu (Adult Insect) (due to the objection that she isn't a bird)
It seems there were these three choices (according to Hina). Her naming sense is sadly lacking...!
So, she decided on "Hina" by process of elimination.

○ She loves pudding so much that she has her own original pudding song.
○ She compiled the famous quotes her mentor told her into a "Mentor Quote Notebook."
○ The reason she uses an hourglass instead of a timer is to save money on batteries.

Although it isn't mentioned in the main story, she has actually written a pudding song.
I'm thinking of posting it sometime...

Also, a little bonus note regarding the description of when Towako Kano first visited the clinic.
She is wearing butterfly earrings. I added this as a contrast to the idea that "a being that can fly freely" is something "a chick with torn wings can never achieve." Hina's clothes are plain, and she actually wants to wear beautiful, cute clothes. The butterfly is also a symbol of beauty, and I had her wear it as an ornament to stir Hina's heart. Though Kano herself would never know that.

Suddenly appearing profile settings ↓
(2024.6.12 Partially revised)

Returning to the subject

Lastly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who read this amateur novel, to Fu-chan-sama who drew such cute and beautiful illustrations, and to the senior noters who left so many comments. I will refrain from mentioning names here, as I don't want to make anyone feel obligated.

And, it has led to another new work.

Based on the settings of this work, it explores deeply and carefully depicts the feelings of the female doctor and the circumstances that led humans to hunt fairies. I would be happy if you could also read the "Towako Kano Side Story" from the perspective of medical resources. It is a work I could never write...!

If this work can help even a few more people live a little easier, that would be my greatest happiness.

May the world be filled with smiles.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Click here for the link to the serialized novel "Kokoro no Hina" magazine

Various extras 2

Although this is not a submission for the Creative Awards, I have also written a short story as an epilogue!
If you are interested, please take a look at this as well.