Support comes from unexpected places
I think I am a lucky person. I don't think there is anyone as happy as I am. Now, voices of support are beginning to reach me from places I never expected, from people I never imagined would reach out to me.
When I started the crowdfunding campaign on the 17th, I was initially full of hope. However, around the fourth day, that hope gradually turned into fear, and by the fifth day, I had started to think that my voice would never reach the world.
From that fifth day on, I started meeting real-life friends, calling them, and emailing them. While thinking, 'I can't believe it has come to this,' I tried to keep a bright mood. Fortunately, more than half of my real-life friends have supported me. This was unexpected. I have nothing but gratitude.
However, I still thought that reality was harsh.
But then, words of support came from places I had not expected at all.
HIROYUKI-san is a fellow note user. I was surprised to see his glasses icon, which I hadn't seen in a long time. I immediately recognized him as HIROYUKI-san. It seems he had been taking a break for a while, yet he found my crowdfunding campaign and supported me. I have nothing but gratitude. A man has offered straightforward support for my activities to 'change how women work.' There is nothing that makes me happier than this. HIROYUKI-san, thank you so much.
And on Stand.fm, there are people who have been supporting me very quietly, yet passionately. Today, I spoke with one of them, Ushigara-san. She is the one who read Miyuki Nakajima's Fight on her show in September, when I was completely heartbroken over starting this crowdfunding campaign.
I was surprised to learn that it was read for me. I wondered, why did she choose me? Today, I invited her to Stand.fm and asked her the reason. She mentioned that she liked the fact that my activity is not about blaming men, and that my idea is to negotiate rather than protest.
But what made me happiest was that she said it was good that I was trying to do something that wouldn't bring me any personal gain. I have done many things quite cautiously. The reason I was cautious was that I wanted to stay out of the spotlight. I wanted to convey my words quietly. She told me that she liked that kind of quiet, ongoing activity.
I felt like Ushigara-san was very far away, but now she is right here. It was something I never expected. Thank you, Ushigara-san.
And tonight, someone sang the song 'Fight,' which Ushigara-san had read, for me. It was Marimo-san, who is skilled at the guitar. In the middle of the song, her voice faded away, leaving only the sound of the guitar.
Marimo-san is the person who rushed to my side when I launched the crowdfunding campaign and became lost and unable to move, saying, 'Oh, I can't just watch this!' It was an unexpected descent of an angel. The day I met her, I knew this project would take shape.
She is someone who has supported my activities closely. She is someone who started running with me without knowing how difficult crowdfunding would be.
That is why 'Fight' is a special song. When her singing voice faded, I thought that this crowdfunding campaign was already a huge success.
Although I haven't reached the target amount yet, there is surely no other activity filled with such gentle thoughts. That is why it is a huge success.
Thank you, Marimo-san.
* Thank you for reading until the end.
* I am currently running a crowdfunding campaign. I would be grateful if you could support or share it.
* I also talk about it on Stand.fm.