I'm too bold to attend the Creative Awards ceremony, myself

■ Email received on Friday, September 15, 2023

I finished my late-night crafting as usual and put away my tools.
I closed the images on my computer and checked my email before going to bed.
Huh? What is this! The subject line jumped out at me.

Your work has passed the intermediate screening for the Creative Awards
No way!

Subject: [Notice] Your work has passed the intermediate screening for the Creative Awards
Date: September 14, 2023 15:20
Sender: note Management Office

Is this real?

The final results are scheduled to be announced in late October.
For those who have won, the note Management Office will contact you directly before the announcement.

Seriously!
No, no, that's impossible (smirking).
There are so many entries and so many people more talented than me.

For now, I'll just soak in this happy feeling and go to sleep.

And then.
The calm and peaceful days of an ordinary person, where a "normal is best" daily life repeats.

■ Email received on Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Suddenly, a subject line jumps into my eyes.
[note] Notification of winning the Creative Awards "note Award" *Includes future guidance

Whaaaaaat!
Did I win?

Out of 33,981 entries, the work "Making a Retro Coffee Shop" by Onekosama and Zabutonsama was selected for the "note Award"!!

My mind went blank.
System failure.
Even humans can freeze up.
This isn't a phishing scam, is it?
I have to check properly.

■ Prize
(Omitted below)
■ Regarding attendance at the awards ceremony
October 27 (Fri) 19:00~
(Omitted below)
■ Regarding the results announcement
The results announcement article is scheduled to be published at the time of the awards ceremony mentioned above. We would appreciate it if you could refrain from sharing the fact that you won on social media until the article is published.

It's definitely real.
Oh man, what should I do?
I find myself unable to hide my agitation, which is unbecoming of my age.

Suddenly, I remember what happened last year.
Sylvanian Families Handmade ContestIt was.
I made it to the final selection and it was even exhibited at the venue, but...

No, no, this time it's a notification of winning.
And it's the prestigious "note Award," an honor given to only one person.
I felt a surge of emotion.
I must hurry and enter the necessary information into the form and reply.

A few days later, in the middle of the night.

■ Email received on Tuesday, October 03, 2023

Lately, I've been curious about my emails.
I had a sort of premonition.

Re: [note] Notification of winning the "note Award" at the Creative Awards *Includes future guidance
What could it be?

I am contacting you regarding a separate request concerning the awards ceremony.
Whaaat? What is it?
I'm a timid person, so I get surprised by every little thing.
It's bad for my heart.

We plan to distribute a booklet featuring the winning works at the Creative Awards ceremony.
We would like to include comments from Mr. Cat and Mr. Zabuton regarding the award in that booklet.
We apologize for the trouble, but could you please write something within 200 characters?
We would appreciate it if you could summarize your joy at winning, your thoughts on the work, and your future prospects!
▼Deadline: October 10th (Tue) *We apologize for the short notice

Oh no! I was late checking my email. ← 1st time
It just turned October 11th (Wed) a moment ago.
That means I haven't checked it for a whole week (sweating profusely).
Anyway, I must write the acceptance comment and reply immediately, or it would be rude.
Let's see, the person in charge is Hirano-san.
Hmm. Sigh.
Is it too long? It's definitely too long.
For now, I'll have Hirano-san take a look at it tomorrow—no, today.

Sent.

■ Email received on Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Re: [note] Notification of winning the "note Award" at the Creative Awards *Includes future guidance
(Opening greeting omitted)
Due to the booklet design... I would like you to summarize it within 200 characters, but I'm struggling with where to cut such heartfelt comments.

For example, how about summarizing it as follows? (It was still 212 characters...)Please let me know if there are any corrections.

Thank you very much, Hirano-san.
You summarized a manuscript that was over 500 characters down to 212.
You are a serious and diligent worker.
This was work I should have done myself, so I'm saved by having you in charge.

Replied with a thank-you email.

■ Email received on Thursday, October 12, 2023

Re: [note] Notification of winning the "note Award" at the Creative Awards *Includes future guidance
(Opening greeting omitted)
Thank you for confirming!
I will proceed with submitting the summarized comment for the booklet.

Hirano-san.
I am so sorry for causing you trouble again and again.
I'll bring you a souvenir when I see you on the day, so please forgive me.

■ Email received on Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Re: [note] Notification of winning the "note Award" at the Creative Awards *Includes future guidance
(Opening greeting omitted)
External media will be participating on the day of the awards ceremony.
There is a possibility that they will be filming; would that be a problem?
If you are okay with being filmed, please wear a yellow ribbon badge.
If you are not okay with being filmed, please wear a pink ribbon badge.

To be filmed or not to be filmed.
People who want to go all out at every opportunity would definitely be okay with it.
What should I do...
As someone with social anxiety, I'm not the type to put myself out there.
But I do want to attend the awards ceremony.
I'm so indecisive.

I would appreciate it if you could reply with your OK/NG by 10/26!

Huh? What? Is it late at night on 10/26? ← 2nd time
Wait, it's already the 27th!
Ah! I've caused trouble for Hirano-san again (sweat).

Am I just going to be a mess until the very end like this?
What kind of person am I? What kind of working adult am I?
Yes, I'm sorry.
The ceremony is tonight, isn't it?

Reply immediately. Please mark me as NG for filming.

■ Email received on October 27, 2023 (1)

Your article has been featured

note Award Making a Retro Coffee Shop
Honorable Cat and Cushion [All Categories Division]

I wonder who wrote this wonderful review.
I'm so happy I could cry.
I truly felt that I'm glad I've continued doing the 'crafting' I love so much.

■ October 27, 2023 Received Email ②

[note] We have published the Creative Awards results announcement article!

From the first email to the day of the awards ceremony, it was a frantic prequel.
It's embarrassing, but this is my reality.

At the awards ceremony, I was so nervous that my memories of what I said and did are hazy.
So, please check the official note page for the details of the ceremony (sweat)

From here on, the Sylvanian Families friends will take over.

■ After returning home from the awards ceremony

After returning home, everyone gathered at the retro coffee shop Petit Saint for a celebration.
The reindeer couple who own the retro coffee shop were smiling the whole time.

■ Finally, with gratitude

I am truly honored to receive the prestigious 'note Award' this time.
When I received the notification, I was more surprised than happy and couldn't really believe I had won. As time passed, I began to feel genuinely happy, realizing that my daily efforts and ingenuity had borne fruit.

Of course, this honor is not just the result of my own efforts, but a gift supported by the warm encouragement of my mutual followers on social media and the kind feelings of my family who allow me to immerse myself in my hobbies in real life. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone. Thank you so much.

The winning work, 'Building a Retro Coffee Shop,' was created based on the image of a traditional coffee shop I frequented during my college years. I carefully revived delicate memories from the distant past and put effort into capturing that retro atmosphere.

I also believe that my creative motivation was sparked by the wonderful Re-Ment Petit Sample Series 'Street Corner Retro Coffee Shop' miniature collection.

I usually craft shops and buildings, but I do so with the intention of creating dioramas that serve as backgrounds for photographing scenes from the daily lives of anthropomorphized figures.

I also aim to express the joy of living, such as the little laughs and humorous moments in every instant of life.

In reality, there are many painful, sad, difficult, and unpleasant things, but I believe that if there is a smile in the world I create, one can spend at least a little time in happiness.

Also, while continuing to create things is very difficult, the more you do it, the clearer the path becomes. I often feel discouraged by failures, but I gain even more in terms of crafting methods and techniques.

When I look back at my old works, there are things I can see now that I couldn't before, and I realize how I could have done things differently. That is fun and interesting, which is why I cannot stop crafting. Crafting is my life's work. I will continue to put my efforts into my fingertips with a little bit of inspiration and ingenuity.

Thank you very much for this honor.

And to all the note employees who prepared this wonderful venue.
I offer my heartfelt gratitude.

The Cat and the Cushion