Resident Representative Marcy shook a light dusting of snow off her short, pine-green hair, her matching eyes sparkling with excitement as she scampered across Cherry Isle, humming off-tune to Jingle the Black-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowboy. As the festively-decorated Resident Services building rose into view, Marcy pranced proudly over the paths she'd just laid. While terraforming might've seemed like an odd Toy Day activity, Marcy was determined to improve her island's appearance, no matter what holiday it was.

The truth was that she felt guilty. All of her island friends were kind and supportive. Marcy felt that they deserved a wonderful, colorful, creative island like the ones she saw on Redd-It, a new website Redd had created (after his art business went under) where you could share pictures of your island home. And yet, her home island, Cherry Isle (a strange name considering the fruit native to the island was pears), had remained largely unchanged in its natural scenery since the first time Marcy, Reneigh, and Jay had first set foot on it. Sure, she'd moved some island homes once or twice and she'd built a bridge or two, but in her opinion it still remained as an unassuming deserted island, just like the Mystery Islands Wilbur often flew her to. Marcy couldn't help but feel like a failure when comparing her island to the perfectly-themed ones she saw on Redd-It.

But today, Marcy was confident that that would change. She'd been terraforming for hours, hacking away at the snowy ground and ice-strewn water, and placing furniture like nobody's business. She'd made countless edits, each one taking her a step closer to her idea of perfection. Confident that Isabelle would have good news for her about the island's rating, she twirled across the plaza, her snow boots sliding and her sweater-dress swirling. Throwing open the wooden doors, Marcy bounced into Resident Services and plopped into the seat in front of Isabelle, who happened to be reading The Night Before Toy Day. Shutting her book, Isabelle flashed a smile as she greeted Marcy.

"How can I help you today?" Isabelle asked, cocking her head to the side, one of her fluffy ears dangling.

"Let's talk island evals!" Marcy beamed.

"So you're curious about the current image of Cherry Isle? O.K.! I see you've been decorating today! Let me pull up the feedback." Isabelle chirped. Marcy cheerily rattled off the changes she's made to the island to her as Isabelle sifted merrily through the pile of feedback, nodding and replying as she went. "Currently, Cherry Isle has a 3-star rating. We've built a solid reputation and come up during many a-" Isabelle stopped. Marcy, the girl who'd just been blissfully rambling about pink roses without a care in the world, was crying.

Before Isabelle could say anything, Marcy spoke in a small, tear-choked voice. "Again, Isabelle?" Isabelle felt her heart crack slightly. "It's been three weeks! I've worked every day. I just wanted to...to make a good home for you all! I'm such a failure! This island is the worst place for you all to live! I just want it to look beautiful, like everyone else's island! Look at these beautiful places!" Marcy sobbed, sliding her phone across the desk. Pictures of shining, glorious furniture and perfectly planned scenery filled the screen. " All of these islands are beautiful and creative. You all deserve that! But instead, you just get to live on this trash can of an island. I'm a failure as a Resident Representative."

Marcy suddenly looked very small, sitting on the plush blue chair. For the first time, to Isabelle, she looked like a child. A child who just wanted to help her friends. A child who thought she was a failure...when she was anything but.

"Come," Isabelle said gently, slipping her paws around Marcy's hunched figure and gently leading the silently weeping girl out into the swirling snow.

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Outside, the residents were playing happily in the snow, enjoying the winter season. Isabelle and Marcy walked along the fresh snow until they reached Melba and Reneigh, who sat together on the fountain, admiring how the snow fell onto the water and delicately melted. The little fountain area, right in front of the shops, was a great place to meet up with friends, due to the fountain and picnic tables Marcy had placed.

Gesturing at the sight in front of them, Isabelle said "You may not have built a sprawling marketplace filled with sparkling decor, but you have built a friendly and homespun area for everyone to enjoy. Remember how many friendships have been formed here?"

Much to her own surprise, Isabelle's words resonated deeply in Marcy. She nodded as the flow of tears started to slow. Melba and Reneigh had met here several months ago and were now best friends. Countless other friendships had blossomed here, under the welcoming trees.

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Isabelle and Marcy continued across Cherry Isle. Colorful and cozy houses dotted the snowy landscape, the bright yellow glow of their windows slicing through the hazy snowfall. Hippeux sat on a chair in his yard, happily reading something distinguished with a thermos of hot chocolate to keep him warm. The colors of his house and yard reflected his favorite colors, brown and green, and his refined tastes. Jay's home sat further on, his yard littered with a colorful array of exercise equipment as he spiritedly worked out to his favorite songs. Each house and yard had been tailor-made to each owner's tastes. Even the Nook family's house was set to their personal tastes, including a wonderful play area for the twins, where they stood gleefully building a Snowboy on their day off. Tommy and Timmy waved happily to Marcy and their Aunt Isabelle, with shouts of "Happy Toy Day!", which Marcy quietly and Isabelle cheerfully returned.

Smiling at the Nooklings, Isabelle said "You may not have built a colorful theme park, but you've decorated the area around every home and building in a way that you think would make their owners happy. You're so thoughtful and caring for everyone, you always try your best to give us everything we need...and more!

Marcy smiled despite herself. Isabelle's compliments on their walk across the island were starting to lift her spirits. "Perhaps," Marcy thought, "I'm not a total failure?"

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Diana strolled peacefully among the trees and flowers Marcy had planted, enjoying the sweet, silent solitude. The quiet walkway wound from the plaza to the Museum and a few chairs spread out on the riverbank, and eventually to Marcy's home. As Marcy and her Shih Tzu friend watched, the elegant deer reached down and plucked a pale lily blossom from the bushes that lined the path and, smiling a gentle smile, affixed it to her lilac coat. Diana's sweet voice drifted down the path as she said to herself, "What a truly lovely pathway Marcy has built." Isabelle knew that Diana must've seen Marcy's crestfallen face at some point, motivating the deer to compliment the walkway, but Isabelle smiled and nudged Marcy nonetheless. Marcy stared forward at the deer, a slight pinkness gracing her cheeks at the compliment.

Whispering so that Diana wouldn't hear them, Isabelle remarked "You may not have built nineteen waterfalls lined with impeccably-grown roses, but you have built a sanctuary for when someone needs to be alone. You've designed this island with the residents, not the appearance, in mind, and that is something everyone admires."

Marcy and Isabelle had reached the end of the path and now stood outside Marcy's home. Tears completely absent from her face, now replaced by a genuine smile, Marcy turned to Isabelle. "Thank you," she said, throwing her arms around the dog in a tight hug. "You're my best friend and I want you to know how grateful I am to you for cheering me up."

Isabelle beamed. "Any time! Just don't go making any more pouty faces. It is Toy Day, after all!"

Marcy grinned. "Alright! Thank you! And Happy Toy Day, Isabelle!"

"Happy Toy Day to you too, Marcy." Isabelle said, winking, and disappearing down the path towards Resident Services where she and Tom Nook would enjoy a night off and a piping hot cup of cider to celebrate the holiday.

Marcy smiled and shut the door, playing Toy Day carols as she baked cookies to bring to her neighbors. It was remarkable how her mood had changed so many times in just a few short hours. She had been so downhearted that she thought she was doomed to spend Toy Day wallowing in sadness, but after a short talk with Isabelle, Marcy's smile was as wide as the one on the Snowboy right outside her window. "Ah, well," Marcy thought to herself, "I guess Isabelle just has that effect on people."

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It was late that night that Jingle crept to the doorway of Marcy's house. Jingle grinned, placing the perfect gift for Marcy on her doorstep, knowing that she would love it. Inside the pink box was a wooden plaque, and written in gold were the words "Best Resident Representative". There was also a small picture of everyone who lived on the island, from Sable to Jay, smiling warmly at Marcy's birthday party earlier that year. Marcy's own smile was blinding as she stood among her friends who had celebrated with her.

At the very bottom of the plaque, in smaller letters, was a message:

"We love you, Marcy."

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And long after Cherry Isle reached a 5-star rating, long after her friends grew older, long after some of them moved away, and long after Marcy was far too old to terraform any more, the plaque always hung above her window: to remind her to reach for the sky, but that she'd always be the Best Resident Representative. They say that one of the last times Marcy was seen was by Tom Nook and Isabelle, old and gray, on their way back to Resident Services. They say that she stood on a stool near her window, polishing her beloved plaque...

...and they say that she looked happy.