Chapter 19 is now live, here are some author's notes

-Well, Sammy turned out to be very helpful. In addition to being an upperclassman, barista, and bartender at night, he's got an unique background.

-I got the inspiration for this scene at Keller Hall from a combination of real-world events. A concept from the "January 6th" insurrection/riot in Washington DC was logistically how I organized the mob and invasion force within Chapter 19. The most violent groups relied on non-aligned groups and sympathetic individuals, i.e. rally goers and political support groups to act as cannon-fodder for a two-fold reason: 1. The total number of people would intimidate people inside the building, and 2. The number of people would also cut off any easy route of exit or assistance from outside without having to confront non-violent groups, who would be inspired to be violent if provoked. People who believe they are acting based on their individuality by showing support for a cause are co-opted..

As for the violent group with a mission to invade Keller Hall, I drew inspiration from the infamous Pizzagate conspiracy theory and how it led to a North Carolina conspiracy theorist to stage an attack against a family-oriented restaurant in an attempt to save imaginary children in fictitious sex dungeons. One of the sad truths about modern society is that sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. Even to this day, people will cling to bad information, dreaming of being heroes, when their so-called injustice requiring heroes is nothing more than some dream concocted by an internet troll or political operative to stir up emotions from an increasingly apathetic populace. Sociopaths like Gary Gaston, who are actual criminals and far worse sexual predators than the conspiracy theory itself, are sometimes main proponents of the conspiracy theory and can gain power through its belief, like a cult.

That is how Gary inspired a mob to form to attack Keller Hall.

This parallels the scene where Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, led an angry mob of the townspeople to storm the Beast's Castle at the end of the Disney movie. This scene more than anything was what I had imagined with vivid detail for re-interpretation with a modern mob formed by social media and demagogic popularity.

-Some Japanese terms:

Bokken- A heavy wooden sword, made of red oak or other similar heavy wood. It's used in various Japanese martial arts

Shinai- A light wooden sword, made from bamboo. It's meant to simulate a lightweight sword and is also used in Japanese martial arts.

Kitsu Rei- Standing Bow, it's a sign of respect in Japanese culture to bow to someone you appreciate. Sammy shows this respect to Min and Min returns it with a deeper bow in response.

-Yes, there's a hint in there about Min and Sammy. I have an idea if I do pursue a sequel. It's an interesting concept: a disabled gay Japanese former baseball player with ties to the Yakuza being involved with the bisexual son of a decorated high-ranking state police officer with martial arts skills.

-Cook's tragedy is fully revealed in this chapter, it's quite tragic what happened to his partner. It also highlights a bitter truth about reality and perception. I wanted to draw a parallel between Cook's partner Brian Brownlow and the people in this violent group, who pretend to be heroes for the entertainment of their followers. Real heroes don't live stream their heroic acts or seek praise from others, they do it for others out of virtue.

One of the greatest dangers in our modern world is the need to be acknowledged or appreciated by followers, the desire to be a hero out of self-interest via things like streaming.

-Some will complain about it, but I've been hinting at Chip being mistaken for Beau since the first chapter I introduced him. Mrs. Potter even commented on how close they resembled each other.