Nov 08, 2025
Author's Commentary #617:
Time to talk about Chapter 617: Spotlight #4: Noa.
For the first DSPCM to be featured in these spotlights, it makes sense to go with Noa, who's had the most development out of them. Though many know what Noa is like, her backstory is a bit more mysterious.
I have plans to eventually explain what happened, but for now it will remain a secret. What I will say though is that it will be very sad and very dark. I'll also reveal it's intertwined with the stories of many other characters, some of which will be getting spotlights as well.
Other than that, I guess I'll reveal some quick facts about Noa. She's had a bat mitzvah and is fluent in Yiddish and Hebrew as well as Japanese and her native English. In terms of kosher, Noa doesn't strictly adhere to it, largely stemming from the fact that Japanese cuisine features many non-kosher ingredients, such as pork and shellfish. Noa is huge on shellfish, particularly shrimp, to the point where at least one of her daily meals always includes a sizable portion of it. That being said, since her mother was never big on pork, she herself decided not to eat it, though Maccabee tells her it's fine if she decides to. She also avoids mixing meat and dairy when she can. Maccabee is just like her, which often puts him at odds with some of the more orthodox religious leaders, as was his wife.
Noa learned chess from a young age, largely due to Maccabee's skill at it. She is also versed in archeology thanks to her mother, and eventually plans to become a professor of it like she was.
That's all for this commentary. I hope you enjoyed it.