Kei Mameshima [Creative Award Impressions]

This time, I wrote my impressions for the Creative Award for these two works.
I feel my expressions might be clumsy, but I will write them with all my heart (；'ω'∩)

First of all, while reading both works, images float into my mind. That is how well-expressed and easy to read they are.

To put it broadly, "Kakehashi" (The Bridge) is a story about an adaptation guidance classroom that children who refuse to go to school attend. There, the female protagonist, a staff member, changes as a person through her interactions with the children and their families.
The key to this change is the pug she keeps. Because of the rumor that this pug "eats the days you regret," the protagonist ends up facing various problems involving the children and their families.

In terms of content, I felt it was a warm, human-interest work.
Since it is a workplace novel, the characteristics of that profession and the daily life of those who work in it are depicted firmly, allowing you to see the inner workings of the job.

The female protagonist, the pug, and the parrot are each established as necessary roles, and it is a story that would not work if any of them were missing.
It is not that 'animals' are necessary, but a novel where 'communication' with animals plays an important role. Being able to write such expressions and stories is amazing, and above all, it is charming.
Through that triangular communication, the protagonist faces various problems and moves toward solutions. Through this, you can also learn about the struggles, hardships, joys, and happiness of the job.

By the way, I cried while reading it.
It hits you so hard.
I sobbed. The way it hits you is brutal.
Thinking about that child's feelings brings tears to my eyes 😭
If you are curious, you will understand when you read it.
For those with high sensitivity, crying at that scene is the only option 😂

And, what is amazing about this work is that it feels like a series of short stories, where while solving small mysteries, you approach a larger mystery through the overall story.

They are independent, yet connected.

Furthermore, the stories of those individually independent characters are also interesting and captivating. While there are parts where the conversations between the teachers are heartwarming and funny, the problems of the children and families they face are serious enough to apply to the modern day, and you can feel both tears and fear.

I feel that this ability to make you feel both tears and fear in such a serious way is a characteristic of Mameshima-san.
I thought that was also common in the other work, "Zanmu" (Residual Dream).

"Zanmu" is a detective story, a mystery novel that approaches the inexplicable behavior of a suspect.

The title, the header image, the story, and the expressions all seem to have a terrifying atmosphere, as if you were at a shrine where a crow caws at dusk.
It is a kind of terror where you feel like you might hear the song "Kagome Kagome." (Does that get across? (；'ω'∩))

Because the story of the protagonist's childhood also intersects in the middle, you need to read it while organizing the characters and thinking about the timeline a little.
However, it is a work worth overcoming that for.

Even within such a story, while approaching the mystery, social issues are firmly captured and incorporated on the side.
In other words, reading it is educational. And it becomes a trigger for thinking.

It is like killing two birds with one stone, or like eating an oyakodon and getting both the chicken and the egg 🐓🥚.
#WhatAreYouTalkingAbout
Anyway! It is delicious! Oh, I mean, it is skillful.

Besides, it moves toward a solution, and it seems like it is solved, but it is not!
In other words, it is an 'iyami' (unpleasant mystery).
It is the second 'iyami' I have read after Kanae Minato-sensei.
Even though I read it after Kanae Minato-sensei, who is known as the queen of 'iyami', it is not inferior at all.

Rather, I was delighted, thinking, 'It is an iyami!!!! I am so curious about what happens next!!!'

It has an ending that makes you incredibly curious.
And this is what is amazing!
Even though I am curious, I feel like I want to stay in this state of curiosity.
Isn't that crazy? Can you feel this craziness?

It is not a disappointing, abrupt ending that leaves a mystery like, 'Is that where it ends?'

What would happen if it continued from here?
There is a happiness in not knowing, which keeps the excitement going!

I want to know! But I don't want to know!
I am being selfish, aren't I? 😂

So, thank you very much for reading until the end.
And Mamejima-san, thank you for your hard work on both works! (　-`ω-)👍🏻