Shiho's Room
Shiho
(Okay, that felt pretty good just now.)
Shiho
(My fingers are moving well, and I'm maintaining a steady rhythm.)
Shiho
Ever since Jam Fest ended, I've been in good form.
Shiho
(That was really fun...)
Shiho
(More people than we were expecting ended up listening to our song.)
Shiho
(I was thinking about calling it a day, but I wanna keep practicing for a bit longer.)
Shiho
I just finished the second verse, so...
Shizuku's Voice
Shii, can I come in?
Shiho
Oh... Yeah, sure.
Shizuku
The bath is ready, so I came to see if you wanted to go first.
Shiho
Oh, it's already that late?
Shiho
Sorry, I want to keep practicing, so I'll take mine later.
Shizuku
Oh, are you sure?
Then, I think I'll take mine now.
Then, I think I'll take mine now.
Shiho
*Nod*
Shizuku
Um, Shii...?
Shizuku
You've been practicing late into the night for quite a while now. Please don't push yourself too hard, okay?
Shiho
Huh? Yeah, I'll be careful.
Thanks, Shizuku.
Thanks, Shizuku.
A few days later
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy
Shiho
Yawn...
Shiho
(I think I stayed up too late again last night. I still feel kinda sleepy...)
Shiho
(I should end practice early today and...)
???
Oh, Shiho, there you are!
Hey, I found her!
Hey, I found her!
???
You did? Thank you for finding her so quickly.
Shiho
Huh...?
Shiho
Saki? Shizuku...?
What are you two doing here?
What are you two doing here?
Shizuku
There's something we'd like to discuss with you. That's why we were looking for you.
Shiho
Discuss with me?
Shiho
I've got a bad feeling about this.
Saki
No, don't say that!
We've actually got some wonderful news that's sure to excite you!
We've actually got some wonderful news that's sure to excite you!
Shiho
Alright, fine... So, what is it?
Saki
Ahem.
Well, Shiho...
Well, Shiho...
Saki
How would you feel about us taking a day trip together?!
Shiho
A day trip...?
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?
Shiho
Wonderful or no...
Why a day trip all of a sudden?
Why a day trip all of a sudden?
Shizuku
Hehe. The thing is, while walking to school earlier...
Shizuku
(It's been getting much cooler lately.)
Shizuku
(The leaves are changing color, there's a nice aroma of osmanthus in the air... A lovely autumn day in every respect.)
Saki
Shizuku! Good morning!
Shizuku
Good morning, Saki.
Huh...?
Huh...?
Shizuku
Hehe. You seem to have brought a bit of fall with you, Saki.
Saki
Huh?
Shizuku
There's a red leaf stuck to your hair.
Just give me a second to get it out...
Just give me a second to get it out...
Saki
Oh, thank you so much!
Shizuku
Alright, all done.
Saki
Hehe. Maybe it flew over on that breeze just now?
Saki
Also, this leaf's so pretty!
It really feels like, you know, it's fall!
It really feels like, you know, it's fall!
Shizuku
Hehe. Very much so.
Shizuku
Wouldn't it be wonderful to enjoy the season by going to see the leaves somewhere...?
Saki
Yeah!
Saki
Oh, now that you mention it...
Our family tried to go one time when I was little.
Our family tried to go one time when I was little.
Shizuku
Huh?
Tried to go...?
Tried to go...?
Saki
We didn't end up going, because it rained that day.
Saki
Tsukasa and I frowned out the window all day long.
Shizuku
Oh, really?
Something similar actually happened to us.
Something similar actually happened to us.
Saki
Huh?
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.
Saki
Is that true?
Hehe. What a coincidence!
Hehe. What a coincidence!
Saki
Oh, I know!
Since we're on the subject...
Since we're on the subject...
Shizuku
Huh?
Saki
Anyway, we still have to invite Tsukasa, but the Tenmas and Hinomoris are gonna go leaf-viewing together!
Saki
We call it... The “Leaf-Viewing Reattempt”!
Shiho
Wait, what? Reattempt...?
Saki
Because all of us have experienced not getting to see the leaves! So, we're taking another crack at it!
Shiho
Yeah, I was surprised to hear that both our families experienced something extremely similar. I get why you'd want to go...
Shiho
But do any of us have time to take a trip right now?
Saki
Urgh... But Jam Fest is over, so we have a little time on our hands...
Shizuku
And I believe it's important to take breaks from time to time.
Shiho
Yeah, but...
Saki
Please, Shiho!
I know it'll be fun if all four of us go!
I know it'll be fun if all four of us go!
Shizuku
And I would love to go on a trip with you, too. It's been so long, Shii...!
Shizuku & Saki
Please, Shii!
Please, Shiho!
Please, Shiho!
Shiho
Oh geez...
Shiho
(To be fair, ever since Shizuku became an idol, we haven't really been able to go on trips as a family...)
Shiho
(Plus...)
Shiho
(I also felt really sad about not being able to see the leaves back then...)
Shiho
Alright, I'll go.
Saki
Yes!
All systems are go for the Tenma-Hinomori Leaf-Viewing Reattempt!
All systems are go for the Tenma-Hinomori Leaf-Viewing Reattempt!
Shiho
You're making it even longer?
Shizuku
Hehe. What a cool name.
Shiho
Honestly...
Shiho
Oh, but you two will need to come up with the itinerary and stuff.
Shizuku
Yes, we'll take care of all that, while making sure we don't interfere with your practice schedule.
Saki
Alright, I'm gonna tell Tsukasa about this!
Saki
Hehe. I can't wait for our trip!
Next Chapter: The Greatest Plan