Happy (late) birthday Hanayo!

I wanted to post this on her actual birthday but things happened, but I'm here now lmao. This post is for the HanayoFanAwards2021 c:

I think it's no secret to anyone in my life that I love Hanayo Koizumi with all my heart. She's adorable in every sense of the word, right down to her design, her voice, her personality, everything. She's my all time favorite anime character and she will always mean so much to me. Three more groups have been added in the time that I've been a Love Live fan and so far none of them have managed to top the love and adoration I hold for Hanayo. If I had to choose one girl out of the many Love Live girls it would be Hanayo every single time.

As someone with anxiety and self-image issues Hanayo was really the character that I connected with the most. Her growth honestly helped me so much with my own issues, she taught me to have fun and chase my dreams even if I'm terrified to step out of my comfort zone. She also taught me that even if you don't feel too confident about your looks you're allowed to feel and dress cute. I took those lessons to heart when I was 15 and I still do at almost 21. I can never thank her enough for coming into my life and helping me. Because of her I grew more confident in my schools choir (and even ended up winning an award during my senior year for it) and I started wearing dresses and skirts like I'd always wanted to do but felt too bad about myself to try. She impacted my life in such a positive way and I can never thank her enough.

I wish I could do so much more for her than draw some mediocre fan art, but this is the best I can do to show her how much raw appreciation I have for her. So here is a redraw of one of my favorite cards of her, even if a majority of her cards are my favorite lol.

Hanayo Koizumi, thank you for existing. Thank you for making me happy for these past few years and here's to many more. I love you <3