Hi, minna! As you're all wondering when I'll be updating new chapters for MAB, here's an update.

Note: If you want to skip the sappy stuff about what I've been up to, skip to the bolded section for the update.

First of all, I'd like to deeply apologize for the delay. I know you heard all of this before and are probably losing faith in my activity. I don't blame those who have lost interest due to time. Originally, I was hoping to upload Chapter 52 during spring break once I get back from family vacation. However, as most of you should be aware of by now, COVID-19 (a.k.a. Corona Virus) has taken the world by storm. In preparation of staying safe, my schedule got a little sidetracked. I live in the United States, which is not under as serious conditions as in Asia and Europe, but cases have been increasing and everyone is in a panic buying toilet paper. Don't worry, I'm fine and healthy. I almost got a little worried when I got a runny nose at the LA airport. Honestly, I feel like actually being infected by the Corona Virus would've been a stronger excuse for my delay, considering how awesome and patient you all are, but enough about Corona.

As the story comes closer and closer to an end, I've been struggling with this internal battle of motivation to give it the ending that it deserves. This next chapter is very important, which ties in the majority of the loose ends of the characters, which is why I want to take the time to perfect it and not rush it like the latest chapters.

It surprises me that this story is almost five years old and it's still not done! It was a lot of fun when I started, but then at some point I slowly began losing the love and drive to keep going, and as college became more demanding and challenging, it became even harder to have the time to write. There were other personal issues I was dealing with, but I'll keep that to myself. This past year in nursing school, I went through so much emotional stress that I cried more times than I could count. My attention became divided between the new story ideas I came up with and old projects I never got to finish. I kept questioning my life choices if I have made the right decision on my career. Did I make the logical call by pursuing nursing to help people and have a stable living, or should have I taken a chance and followed my heart by becoming a writer? I felt torn and it nearly set me back again.

This was not something I deeply considered when I was a high school Junior. I have more control and conviction now on my dreams and what I want to do with my life. I'm still going to prioritize my education above all else, but I promise, as a writer by heart, I will definitely finish this story. Since college classes are canceled and have resorted to remote online learning to promote social distance to prevent spread of the virus, I'll probably have more time at home to write when I'm not studying.

I am not going to drop this story because you guys have been the first ever reader audience I felt I've earned, and the last thing I want to do is ghost and disappoint you all. (Not gonna lie, I considered pretending to be dead or something, have you guys not been showing your support through comments.) You all have been very lovely and supportive, and I love you guys so much.

Chapter 52 will most likely be uploaded before the end of March, so don't lost hope.

Because you guys have been so patient, here's a sneak peak.

***

Door after door after door to no end. How long have I been wandering through this maze of doors? Hours? It probably was not a good idea to separate from the glowing moth and now I am hopelessly lost in this limbo of a mindscape. How am I supposed to get out of here? Do I wait for someone to wake me up or to wake up naturally myself?

For the past who knows how long, I've been walking in one direction with my right hand against one side of the white wall. I heard that this was a trick on how to escape mazes. Hopefully, this technique applies in the same situation. Although, after seeing the same door time and time again, I feared that I've been walking in circles.

Wait a minute, that same door is all over the place. Not only that, but it also looks familiar. I approached the nearest one and read the title card. "Yuki's speech rehearsal," I read aloud. No wonder all these doors looked familiar. These are the doors to my bedroom, where I've probably spent most of my time. I must have accidentally found my way back into my own mind, which means it's time for me to wake up now, right? "Come on, Yuki. Wake up! Wake up!" I hopped in place, shaking my head and riling my hair. "Ugh! What am I supposed to do?" With no other way of knowing how to break out from the spell, there was no other choice but to press forward. With some hope, maybe I'll find the exit sign.

No longer keeping track of time, I heard a girl singing ludicrously. It was the first sound I heard in a while. I followed the sound to a steel-looking door covered in vines. The name plate was hard to read because the words were faded and partially covered in rust. This was the first name plate I've seen that was unclear. Could this be a forgotten memory? It was not under the influence of any Nen, so there was no need to mess with it. But the more I carefully listened to the girl's singing, the more strangely familiar it sounded. When the mysterious singer cracked at a high pitch note, followed by a "dang it," my head perked up.

"Hold up. Is that... me?!" I have never sung like that, not even during karaoke with my friends. Now I was definitely curious. I pried the ivory apart and pushed the door, but the door was stuck. I gave it an extra push, putting my shoulder into it until I broke through, nearly fumbling over.

***

Alluka: And now we will bring you a Coronavirus PSA!

Shiki: No, we're not.

Alluka: But we have to do our part to keep others safe-

Shiki: Unless they've been living under a rock, everybody on the planet should be aware by now. *reluctantly ushers Alluka out of view* It's the only thing they talk about on the news now and I'm getting sick of it. Everybody's got internet and social media. Even the memes should be enough. *looks at the audience* Listen up. All you need to do is avoid human contact in public and always wash your hands. It's basic Dr. Stone. Stay healthy, stay alive, and stay tuned.

...

TomboyTrouble: *head pops out of corner* And stay awesome! Trouble out!