It's September now.
The calendar clearly says "September," and the morning air feels just a tiny bit softer than before.
But still—
Who says that means summer is over!?
That's what I think, anyway.
Because when I step outside, it's still bright, the sky is still blue, and it's still hot if I walk around for even a little bit.
So obviously… it's still summer, right?
🧡 Hinata: "Who decided summer was over!?"
The moment I said that, Ruka gave me a quick comeback from behind.
🩵 Ruka: "Hinata, it's already September, you know?"
🧡 Hinata: "But it's still hot in September!"
🩵 Ruka: "That part is true, but…"
🧡 Hinata: "Then that means it's still summer!"
🩵 Ruka: "Your logic is way too rough."
She totally didn't buy it.
We had a little time before practice, so Ruka and I decided to walk through a nearby park.
The weather felt nice, the sky looked beautiful, and I started getting more and more excited—
Before I knew it, I was running toward a vending machine.
🩵 Ruka: "Hinata! Why are you suddenly sprinting!?"
🧡 Hinata: "I'm going to buy something cold!"
🩵 Ruka: "Wait for me!"
I grabbed a cold drink and sat down on a bench.
It was so refreshing. I was thinking, Yep, definitely still summer, when a leaf floated down near my feet.
A yellow leaf.
And next to it, another one with a hint of orange.
🧡 Hinata: "…Huh?"
🧡 Hinata: "…Autumn?"
Ruka had already caught up to me, and she gave me a small smile.
🩵 Ruka: "You finally noticed?"
🧡 Hinata: "But there are only two leaves so far."
🩵 Ruka: "How many leaves does it take before you call it autumn?"
🧡 Hinata: "…Maybe a hundred?"
🩵 Ruka: "That's a lot."
Even then, I was still kind of on Team Summer.
…But then—
A warm, amazing smell drifted through the air.
🧡 Hinata: "…Ruka."
🩵 Ruka: "What?"
🧡 Hinata: "I can smell roasted sweet potatoes."
🩵 Ruka: "Yeah, I can smell them too."
🧡 Hinata: "It's autumn."
🩵 Ruka: "That was fast."
I swear, the smell of roasted sweet potatoes is unfair.
The second you smell it, you have no choice but to admit that autumn has arrived.
So, we decided to share one.
It was warm, fluffy, sweet, and delicious.
🧡 Hinata: "This is so good…!"
🩵 Ruka: "Hehe, I'm glad you like it."
…Yeah.
Maybe autumn is actually pretty nice.
The moment I thought that, I suddenly got all my energy back, and I jumped to my feet.
🧡 Hinata: "Alright! Let's go to practice! It's sports-in-autumn season!"
🩵 Ruka: "You were calling it summer just a minute ago!"
I mean, I love summer—but autumn is fun too.
And if it's fun, then of course I have to go all out!
…And well.
I apparently went a little too all out, because by the time we reached the studio, my battery had completely run out.
When I came to, I was sprawled out on the sofa.
Ruka must have carried me again.
On the table, there was the rest of the roasted sweet potato and a note from her.
🩵 Ruka: "You can eat this when you wake up. But no more running today."
So kind.
But just a little strict too.
Yep. That's very Ruka.
As I stared up at the ceiling, I quietly mumbled to myself—
🧡 Hinata: "…I think I kind of like autumn too."
But still…
I'm not fully admitting that summer is over just yet!
To Be Continued...