The Hmph Award #WeeklyShortShortNote

My company computer was updated.
The next morning, when I turned it on, the startup sound had changed.

"Hmph."

It was an irritating sound.
It sounded like I was being scoffed at.

Around that time, a strange award was created within the company.
It was called the Hmph Award. Were they going to honor smug employees or something?
Hmph, how ridiculous.

One evening, I returned home exhausted.
As I opened my laptop, I muttered to the empty room.

"I closed a big deal today."

At that moment, the startup sound played.

"Hmph."

It really did sound like him. I was reminded of my father.
He was a cynical man who rarely praised anyone.
When he wasn't interested, he'd say "Hmph."
He only said "Hmph" when he was slightly pleased.

"That sound was made to resemble the voice of our founder."

"Huh?"

The next day, an employee said.

"He wasn't very good at giving praise, was he? That's why we named the internal award the 'Hmph Award.' It always made me happy to hear that occasional 'hmph' of his."

I opened my laptop in silence.

"Hmph."

An internal email had arrived.

<<This month's Hmph Award: No recipients>>

Hmph, they really are identical.

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