Dear Zumi-sama: Bebop Vol. 2 Q&A
Welcome to my first reader questions column. Apparently, you've all decided to call it "Dear Zumi-sama,". That is quite the honorific, which is very kind but also a bit embarrassing.
I am still bewildered that so many readers from all over the world have written in to learn more about Bebop. Ah- well… let's get to it, shall we?
Reader: Dear Zumi-sama, my friend recently bought Volume 2 of Bebop but threw their cards in a junk drawer without reading them. They said the cards are just filler. I told them they’re canon! Please help us settle our debate so I can take a screenshot and embarrass them in our group chat.
Zumi: W-w-wait, what do you mean they didn’t read them? Please tell your friend to push their socks and old chargers aside so they can fish those cards out of the drawer as soon as possible! The cards are where I put vital character details, backstory, and hints towards the future. If your friend starts volume 3 without reading the cards, they might end up very confused. And please tell your group chat I say hello.
Reader: Dear Zumi-sama, Duke seemed a bit lonely in volume 1, so I’m glad he now has a bandmate in Maya. What’s their deal? How did they even meet?
Zumi: Ah, Maya! Where do I begin? Duke met Maya at a dive bar called The Deep End while roaming on tour, and the two instantly realized they were both kindred jazz-obsessed degenerates. Tempo changes, buying cigarettes, whose turn it is to carry the bags. My editor constantly has to cut down the length of their arguments because I run out of room on the page. They're the kind of best friends who are just as likely to take a punch for each other as they are to throw one. Perhaps they could use someone a bit more… structured in the band to balance them out. We’ll see.
Reader: Dear Zumi-sama, why was Bebop on such a long break? When Vol. 1 came out, I was getting ready for prom. Now… I'm in medical school. What gives?
Zumi: Medical school, you say? Maybe you can prescribe something for my editor. But to answer your question, they say the silence between notes is what makes the melody. I suppose Vol. 2 is the note. Everything before was simply a rest. I assure you I am back now. Probably for good. Next question, please.