As the Leaves Change Once More - 1: An Autumnal Invitation

Shiho's Room

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1

Shiho

(Okay, that felt pretty good just now.)

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2

Shiho

(My fingers are moving well, and I'm maintaining a steady rhythm.)

3

Shiho

Ever since Jam Fest ended, I've been in good form.

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4

Shiho

(That was really fun...)

5

Shiho

(More people than we were expecting ended up listening to our song.)

6

Shiho

(I was thinking about calling it a day, but I wanna keep practicing for a bit longer.)

7

Shiho

I just finished the second verse, so...

8

Shizuku's Voice

Shii, can I come in?

9

Shiho

Oh... Yeah, sure.

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10

Shizuku

The bath is ready, so I came to see if you wanted to go first.

11

Shiho

Oh, it's already that late?

12

Shiho

Sorry, I want to keep practicing, so I'll take mine later.

13

Shizuku

Oh, are you sure?
Then, I think I'll take mine now.

14

Shiho

*Nod*

15

Shizuku

Um, Shii...?

16

Shizuku

You've been practicing late into the night for quite a while now. Please don't push yourself too hard, okay?

17

Shiho

Huh? Yeah, I'll be careful.
Thanks, Shizuku.

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A few days later

Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy

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18

Shiho

Yawn...

19

Shiho

(I think I stayed up too late again last night. I still feel kinda sleepy...)

20

Shiho

(I should end practice early today and...)

21

???

Oh, Shiho, there you are!
Hey, I found her!

22

???

You did? Thank you for finding her so quickly.

23

Shiho

Huh...?

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24

Shiho

Saki? Shizuku...?
What are you two doing here?

25

Shizuku

There's something we'd like to discuss with you. That's why we were looking for you.

26

Shiho

Discuss with me?

27

Shiho

I've got a bad feeling about this.

28

Saki

No, don't say that!
We've actually got some wonderful news that's sure to excite you!

29

Shiho

Alright, fine... So, what is it?

30

Saki

Ahem.
Well, Shiho...

31

Saki

How would you feel about us taking a day trip together?!

32

Shiho

A day trip...?

33

Shizuku

Yes, we'll travel somewhere a bit out of the way to have delicious food and see beautiful sights! Doesn't that sound wonderful?

34

Shiho

Wonderful or no...
Why a day trip all of a sudden?

35

Shizuku

Hehe. The thing is, while walking to school earlier...

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36

Shizuku

(It's been getting much cooler lately.)

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37

Shizuku

(The leaves are changing color, there's a nice aroma of osmanthus in the air... A lovely autumn day in every respect.)

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38

Saki

Shizuku! Good morning!

39

Shizuku

Good morning, Saki.
Huh...?

40

Shizuku

Hehe. You seem to have brought a bit of fall with you, Saki.

41

Saki

Huh?

42

Shizuku

There's a red leaf stuck to your hair.
Just give me a second to get it out...

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43

Saki

Oh, thank you so much!

44

Shizuku

Alright, all done.

45

Saki

Hehe. Maybe it flew over on that breeze just now?

46

Saki

Also, this leaf's so pretty!
It really feels like, you know, it's fall!

47

Shizuku

Hehe. Very much so.

48

Shizuku

Wouldn't it be wonderful to enjoy the season by going to see the leaves somewhere...?

49

Saki

Yeah!

50

Saki

Oh, now that you mention it...
Our family tried to go one time when I was little.

51

Shizuku

Huh?
Tried to go...?

52

Saki

We didn't end up going, because it rained that day.

53

Saki

Tsukasa and I frowned out the window all day long.

54

Shizuku

Oh, really?
Something similar actually happened to us.

55

Saki

Huh?

56

Shizuku

In our case, it began to rain right when we got to the foot of the mountain. Shii and I felt so sad. I vividly remember us holding hands while staring at the rainy mountain.

57

Saki

Is that true?
Hehe. What a coincidence!

58

Saki

Oh, I know!
Since we're on the subject...

59

Shizuku

Huh?

60

Saki

Anyway, we still have to invite Tsukasa, but the Tenmas and Hinomoris are gonna go leaf-viewing together!

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61

Saki

We call it... The “Leaf-Viewing Reattempt”!

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62

Shiho

Wait, what? Reattempt...?

63

Saki

Because all of us have experienced not getting to see the leaves! So, we're taking another crack at it!

64

Shiho

Yeah, I was surprised to hear that both our families experienced something extremely similar. I get why you'd want to go...

65

Shiho

But do any of us have time to take a trip right now?

66

Saki

Urgh... But Jam Fest is over, so we have a little time on our hands...

67

Shizuku

And I believe it's important to take breaks from time to time.

68

Shiho

Yeah, but...

69

Saki

Please, Shiho!
I know it'll be fun if all four of us go!

70

Shizuku

And I would love to go on a trip with you, too. It's been so long, Shii...!

71

Shizuku & Saki

Please, Shii!
Please, Shiho!

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72

Shiho

Oh geez...

73

Shiho

(To be fair, ever since Shizuku became an idol, we haven't really been able to go on trips as a family...)

74

Shiho

(Plus...)

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75

Shiho

(I also felt really sad about not being able to see the leaves back then...)

76

Shiho

Alright, I'll go.

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77

Saki

Yes!
All systems are go for the Tenma-Hinomori Leaf-Viewing Reattempt!

78

Shiho

You're making it even longer?

79

Shizuku

Hehe. What a cool name.

80

Shiho

Honestly...

81

Shiho

Oh, but you two will need to come up with the itinerary and stuff.

82

Shizuku

Yes, we'll take care of all that, while making sure we don't interfere with your practice schedule.

83

Saki

Alright, I'm gonna tell Tsukasa about this!

84

Saki

Hehe. I can't wait for our trip!

Next Chapter: The Greatest Plan