What lies between 'don't try too hard' and 'I want to support you'

Yu and Akai-chan Discussion

This is sudden, but please let me make an announcement.

The husband of my follower, the space rare beast Yuru-Hero Akane-san, runs an izakaya and is currently looking for a logo design.
It seems that 5,000 yen worth of tips will be given to the person whose design is chosen.
If any of you followers are interested, please feel free to apply.😊

Application deadline
Until 23:59 on Sunday, July 19th

Details for application are here⬇️

This is my entry.

What lies between 'don't try too hard' and 'I want to support you'

Yu and Akai-chan Discussion

Yu gazed at the izakaya logo he had made while thinking about it many times over. Is this color okay? Does it convey the right atmosphere? Has it become just a pretty design? He rethought it many times. But the thing he wanted to value most was that people would think, 'I want to visit this place.' What he made this time was an entry for the logo of Akane-chan's husband's restaurant. Of course, he didn't know if it would be chosen. But he made it while thinking, 'I wonder if Akane-chan will be happy.' 'I hope people who come to the restaurant feel a little excited the moment they see this logo.' That feeling never changed. Not just a Japanese atmosphere, but something easy for young people and travelers to enter. Not too high-class, but something that lets you feel a special moment. He shaped it while imagining the future of such a restaurant. Akai-chan came over. 'Yu, are you done?' 'Yeah. I made it thinking about the atmosphere of the restaurant called Ajisai.' Akai-chan stared at the logo. After being silent for a while, she smiled. '...It's good.' 'Really?' 'Yeah. It properly captures the restaurant's spirit. It's not just pretty; it has an atmosphere that makes you think, 'I want to go there.'' Yu smiled, feeling a little shy. 'But why did you decide to apply?' Akai-chan asked. Yu thought for a moment. 'Maybe because I wanted the tip.' Akai-chan grinned. 'Yu, you're honest (laughs).' 'No, no (laughs).' Yu laughed too. 'Of course, I'd be happy if it's chosen. But the main thing is... Akane-chan is always really working hard. Her hair salon, her husband's restaurant, her band activities, and her note as well. She does so much for other people, so I thought I'd like to help her out even a little.' Akai-chan nodded gently. 'That's like you, Yu. Things made for someone else aren't just about the form; they have feelings put into them.' Yu looked at the logo once more. He still didn't know if it would be chosen. But the time spent thinking of someone else is never wasted. Akai-chan smiles. 'Yu, you made something good.' That one sentence made Yu happier than anything else. And then, he suddenly thought. Yu usually tells everyone this: 'Don't try too hard.' Trying hard isn't a bad thing. But perhaps what's important is how you try hard. Trying hard by wearing yourself down and suffering. Trying hard because you think of someone and gain strength. Even though it's the same 'trying hard,' it's a little different. Perhaps Akane-chan is the latter. Of course, no matter how energetic someone looks, they need time to rest. But in Akane-chan's case, doing things for others, taking on new challenges, and making important people smile might be what gives her vitality. That's why, instead of just saying 'don't push yourself,' I feel like saying, 'I want to support that challenge.' For those who are trying too hard and leaving themselves behind, I want to tell them to rest. But if the effort is born from the feeling of thinking of someone else, I want to gently push them forward. Yu looked at the logo once more. He didn't know if this work would reach them. But the time and feelings spent making it for someone else will surely remain somewhere. What does trying hard mean to you?