[#CreativeAwardReview] Immerse yourself in the world of the living, depicted by a master of the 'in-between'!

Today, I am writing a review of Izumi Honne's "Welcome Home, An-chan."

She is active on note under the name Honne-san. She is incredibly skilled at depicting the "in-between"—the invisible things that exist between objects, the fluctuations of emotions, and subtle presences. Ever since I met her on note, I have been continuously drawn to Honne-san's "in-between."

Her other published work on TALES, "The Case Files of Ms. Mysteriosa," is a work with quite a large fan base on note.

The story, which was originally appealing for its world where humans and animals are equals, has been further polished in this TALES submission, and I was moved to tears by the emotional movements of the animal characters. I would love to write a review for that as well, but this time I will focus on "Welcome Home, An-chan."

"Welcome Home, An-chan" is part of the Baku series that also appeared in last year's "Flower Field Consultation Office."

In that work, the Baku fully demonstrates the charm of the "in-between" by conversing with humans as equals and even taking on work contracts. Since the Baku also appears in "Welcome Home, An-chan," I was expecting the same, but...

My first thought after finishing it was, "When people find what lies in the depths, can they ever find the right answer?"

It seems Honne-san read a significant amount of research material to write this work. As a result, the story is layered, progressing as delicately as peeling away thin paper. I was captivated by the "truth" and "what appears to be the truth" revealed with each layer removed, while my heart ached with a stinging pain.

The tears I shed after finishing this were different from those shed for a moving story. Humans often carry dark thoughts deep within their hearts. Unfortunately, as someone with little experience, I cannot fathom the hardships of those who have survived turbulent, non-peaceful eras and strive not to bring that into their current reality.

I might flippantly suggest that it would be easier if they could just have the Baku, who speaks human language, eat those thoughts for them. How shallow of me. My face burns just imagining it.

I also felt that through the dark thoughts held in the depths within the story, Honne-san is arguing that they are not just something that causes pain. Perhaps this story was written with those rough, painful feelings included as well. I apologize if I am mistaken.

Feelings of atonement
Support for living

These ideas, which seem different at first glance, tell us that we should not easily erase the emotions that lie deep within our hearts. Perhaps the reason we cannot easily meet a Baku that eats nightmares is so that we can live deeply as humans.

Humans live while holding onto both good and bad things. The past that looks wrong when looking back now was the common sense of that era.

I want to maintain the composure to not loudly reject everything.