Thank you for all the words gathered. We are now accepting suggestions for the next theme!

To everyone who participated in the first round of our collaborative writing project, "#MinnaNoKotobaCho" (Everyone's Word Notebook), thank you so much.

I am truly amazed and delighted that so many words could be born from a single scene: "A secret that fluttered out of a book." As the organizer, I was the most surprised and entertained of all.

Even with the same theme, the scenery we see is different. The places that move our hearts, the words we choose, and the individuality of each person are all unique.
Every time I read them, I felt deeply happy, thinking, "Words are truly fascinating."

This time, to express my gratitude for the first round, I would like to introduce some of the memorable entries while also inviting suggestions for themes for the second round and beyond.

If you are just learning about this project now, you are more than welcome to join!

Wonderful entries I would like to introduce

All of them were wonderful, so I would be very happy if you could read them through the magazine.

In this article, I would like to introduce a few works that personally resonated with me.

1. A piece that made me smile

Hareruya-san's "Hi-mi-tsu" (Secret) was charming for its lighthearted exchange about a secret, and the way the atmosphere shifts at the end is captivating.
The skill with which the playful introduction leads into the lingering aftertaste is impressive.

2. A piece that suddenly brings back everyday memories

Kinoyama Kino-san's "Someone's Secret - Rolled Omelet" was impressive in how the secret connected to an unexpected sense of daily life, landing on memories of their mother.
The distance between the familiarity and the poignancy was truly beautiful.

3. A piece that gently pushes you forward

Yuki-san's "One Step Forward" featured a composition where the word "It's okay" written on a piece of paper seemed to be passed on to the next person, which also overlapped with the kindness of the project itself.
It is a piece that leaves a small light glowing deep in your heart after reading.

4. A piece that even conveys the presence of family

Kuroirusuke-san's "To the Large Letters, a Small Thank You" was a piece where a paper spilled from a large-print book led to a "thank you," even evoking the image of their mother.
The quietness of the library setting and the way personal memories were woven in felt very natural and left a warm, lasting impression on my heart.

5. A piece that draws you in with its unease

In Miwarasu-san's "Everyone's Word Notebook," it was fascinating how a scrap of paper found in a library suddenly opened up into a suspense story, and I was surprised by how the same topic could expand in such a direction.
The way the tone of the story shifted completely from a quiet beginning was brilliant.

6. A piece that lingers like a poem after reading

Yueni Manimani-san's "Beauty is" was a work with a gentle aftertaste, opening up from a single English phrase to "gratitude toward a stranger."
It is a piece where the contours of the words remain softly in your mind even after you finish reading.

Words that particularly struck a chord

While reading through many works this time,
I also encountered words that were short but left a deep impression many times.

For example—

"It's okay"
Words that have the power to support the reader as well. I felt they fit very well with the kindness of the project as a whole.

"Actually, I'm not a fan of sweet rolled omelets"
While unexpected, it brings the warmth of daily life to the surface. It was a line that was hard to forget.

"Thank you"
Even though it's a short phrase, it resonated very deeply within the context of Kuroirusuke-san's writing.

"I should have chased after them"
A strong opening that instantly creates depth in the story. The moment you read it, it makes you imagine what comes next.

"Beauty is everywhere"
These words seemed to symbolize the very joy of "finding" that this project is all about.

"Goodbye, until next time"
A phrase with a strong lingering effect, leaving both farewell and hope behind. It stays in your heart for a while after you finish reading.

Looking at them lined up like this,
I feel once again that different times and emotions were breathing deep within each and every word.

#Everyone'sWordNotebook—what kind of project is it?

Each time, I present one short topic.
Participants are invited to write a piece freely based on that scene.

The guideline isabout 200 characters.

Try writing about something that takes just about 5 seconds, in around 200 characters.
It doesn't have to be a long story.

How your heart moved in that instant.
What you saw.
What you couldn't say.

I would be happy if you could write about such small ripples in your own words.

Whether in the first person or third person.
Whether it's about love, daily life, or a mysterious tale.
Interpretation is free.

We are accepting themes for the second round and beyond!

Thankfully, more words than I imagined gathered for "#MinnaNoKotobaCho". I truly have nothing but gratitude.

That is precisely why I would like to try holding a second round.

Next time, I hope we can grow a new scene together by using the hashtag
#MinnaNoKotobaCho2
(using half-width numbers).

So this time, I would like to solicit theme suggestions for the second round and beyond.

In the comments section of this article, please let me know if you have any ideas like
"I'd like to write about a scene like this,"
"I want to capture a few seconds like this,"
or "I like motifs like this."

For example,

• Falling

• Finding

• Starting to say

• The moment I heard the sound of rain

• When I noticed someone's lost item

Even just a "single word" or a "short scene" like these is fine.
Even a single sentence or a vague image is very welcome.
I would be happy if you could feel free to write in and say, "How about this?"

Even if you haven't participated in the project yet, please do share your ideas.

In closing

Once a single scene was set, so many words gathered there.

Gentle ones. Heartbreaking ones. Unsettling ones. Poetic ones. Ones that make you smile. They were all truly wonderful, and it was a constant series of realizing, "Even with the same topic, they are all so different."

To everyone who participated, thank you once again. And if you'd like, I would be happy if you could think about the next scene together with me.

In the comments section, please let me know the scene you'd like to write about.
I look forward to working with you again.

Sincerely, Yoshiki