Alright, my turn. On some level we all knew this was going to happen sooner rather than later, I suppose. I’ve gone through a pretty wide range of emotions processing it, and I’d like to talk about a few of them.
If you remember when I joined way back in 2016, you’ll recall I was something of a goofball. Like, not in a good way. I was in that weird formative stage where you’re not exactly a child, but you’re not an adult either. Basically, I was a dumb edgy kid who didn’t really know how to behave. I said all kinds of shit that got me in trouble, and almost got banned a few times. (Who would have thought I would end up on the mod team? 
) I nearly quit several times after butting heads with people I now call my friends. I could never leave, though, because on some deep level I understood how special this community is. It took me a while, but through lots of self-reflection and support from some community members, I got my stuff together. That time was a lesson that’s helped me not only on Kazamatsuri, but in life. In a very direct way, this community has contributed to my growth and development as a person. Thank you.
There have been too many fun events to even begin to list them off, but what really makes this community special is the incredible people who also call this place home. I didn’t initially want to tag a bunch of people, but I’m going to do it anyway because there’s no better time to say these things.
@Pepe and @Aspirety: You’ve both encouraged me to be the best Hardscope I can be. When I act irrationally, you tell me to take a step back and take a deep breath. And when you need to tell me something straight, you do. You guys have been my Kyousuke, really. I respect you both a lot and I’m proud to call you my friends.
@RyuuTamotsu and @KaiMiang: You are some of my best friends and I’m incredibly grateful this community brought us together. I don’t really need to get too sappy, though, because I’ll still be talking to you guys long after this website is gone.
Indeed, tomatoes shall live on!
@Naoki_Saten, @HeliosAlpha and @Bizkitdoh: At some point I had trouble getting along with you, but I’ve since come to respect you all a great deal and I’m thankful for the cool stuff we’ve talked about. Nick, our debates during the writing process for the new code of conduct got heated sometimes but in the end we were both just pushing each other to make this place the best it can be.
@Echo: I haven’t seen you around much recently, but I really value the time we spent hanging out. You and I are more similar than probably any two people here. Your situation was kind of similar to mine when you first joined and you’ve become a really great guy. There’s nobody else I would rather get my Kazamatsuri Kouhai title.
@nathanielevan and @MAEBATAME: You kind of disappeared off the face of the earth, but I still value you deeply as friends. My inbox is always open.
@cjlim2007, @Madekuji_san, and @mogaoscar: I didn’t do a whole lot with you guys, but you’ve all shown yourselves to be incredibly cool people and I definitely hope I haven’t seen the last of you.
@Bonecuss, @DangoDaikazoku, @Yerian, @Tamamo-no-Bae @Khsellhu, @Sonic112003, @soggysadboi etc., etc., etc.: I wasn’t here at the same time as you guys for very long, but we had some good times when you were around. I hope things are going well for you. My inbox is open.
And everyone: This place is something special, and we really are the lucky ones to have been here. I’ve heard a lot of people use the phrase “Kazamatsuri is eternal” over the years, and the real beauty of that statement is only revealing itself now. In only a few short days the website kazamatsuri.org will close its doors forever, but I do believe many of us will hold Kazamatsuri near and dear for a very long time. Thank you everybody, and have a nice day!
