Everyone! Line up!!
Alright, I'll start passing out the souvenirs from our trip now!
Woohoo☆
Thank you for bringing back souvenirs for all of us, Tsukasa♪
Still, do we all need to line up like this...?
With the plushies included, there are quite a lot of us, after all. This does seem like a good way to make sure everybody receives their gift.
And I'm sensing quite a bit of excitement from them.
What do you think we're gonna get?
I can't wait to find out!
You see?
Yeah, I guess you're right.
Anyway, Tsukasa, did you enjoy your trip?
Yes, I got to experience autumn with all five of my senses!
In particular, the sight of the mountainside dyed in vibrant scarlet was absolutely stunning!
Oh, that sounds so nice♪
The leaves were really that pretty?
Yes, they were so inspiring that I was able to come up with another idea for a story.
Oh, another idea?!
Yes, it takes place at a famed leaf-viewing location.
And the protagonists are all maple leaves.
Leaves...?
Humhumhuum♪
It's nice and sunny again today☆
Oh, I feel a nice breeze coming!
That means it's time to do the fun and happy leaf dance!!
Wow♪ The way the wind is making the green leaves wave is so beautiful☆
Yes, but these are supposed to be even prettier after they've turned red and yellow during the fall!
(Everyone's gonna be so happy when we change colors!)
Hmm... But a lot of the other leaves are also gonna turn red, so... Alright! That just means I've gotta become even redder than them☆
We won't let you.
Huh?
We're also trying to become the reddest leaves here.
Yeah... That makes us all rivals.
Wow...! This is so cool!
Then, I know! We should have a competition to see who can become the reddest leaf☆
Yeah.
It's always good to have rivals to compete against.
That also means no holding back, you guys.
“And so, our heroine began training to become the reddest leaf of all.”
“She braved the sun during the day, endured some very cold nights... But then, a fearsome storm rolled in.”
“She did her best to stay on her branch, but finally, she was pulled away...”
No, I have to get back to my branch!
Jump! Jump! Juuump!
No, I can't reach it...
But I haven't become fully red yet...
And I made a promise to the others that I'd try my best...
Hm? That voice...
You guys...!
Looks like yesterday's rainstorm made us all fall off...
Oh, you did...?
None of us was able to become completely red. We're all a mix of yellows and oranges...
*Nod*
(They all tried their best...)
Wait, these leaves aren't red!
...!!
(They're gonna be so disappointed by how we look...)
Wow♪ They're a really pretty mix of colors!
I'm gonna take them home and keep them as treasures☆
We're pretty? But we haven't turned red...
Yes, her reaction tells me that...
Hehe... We don't have to be red!
...is about how that story goes.
I'm so glad for those leaves!
Yeah! I started tearing up there towards the end!
I'm honestly surprised by how moving it was...
Me too. I was under the impression that there was going to be a leaf battle royale, with the winner declaring herself the reddest in the blood of her foes...
More like a thriller or horror film.
How did you arrive on that?
In any case, a good story must always surpass the viewer's expectations!
Still, yes...
I probably decided to go with this sort of ending because...
Our trip ended up being such a heartwarming and memorable experience.
I'm glad that you had such a wonderful trip, Tsukasa!
It'd be a shame to lose this story. Let's add it to our stock of scripts for later.
Yes!