The autumn wind rushes by, tickling Junna's face. She huffs and scrunches her nose in response, attempting to get rid of the itchy feeling. It's cold. But as Junna looks ahead at the rows and rows of trees and their warm-colored leaves, she is somewhat able to endure the chilly weather.
"Hey, Nana." Junna glances to her side - where she expects to see Nana, but finds that she is nowhere to be found. Junna sighs and turns around. "Again, Nana?"
The question doesn't seem to register as Nana continues to snap pictures of the autumn-tinted trees and fall-inspired displays of each shop with unabashed glee. Junna shakes her head and plods over to her. This girl...
"Oh." Nana finally looks up from her phone to properly meet Junna's gaze and smiles. It's difficult for Junna to miss the sparkling excitement lingering in her eyes. "What is it, Junna-chan?"
"You've been like this since we left the café. What's gotten you so worked up?" Junna reaches up to playfully fluff one of Nana's pigtails, making the taller girl giggle. "It's like you can't walk three steps without stopping to take a dozen pictures. The others are waiting for us at home, you know? So we should hurry back."
"Ah, it's just…" Nana pauses, blinking a few times. She lets her hand fall to her side and flashes a wistful smile, causing Junna to furrow her brows as worry creeps up her stomach.
"In my replays I got to spend autumn together with everyone. Lots of times." Her green irises cloud over, conveying that her mind has gone somewhere far away, that she's looking back. And Junna's breathing stills; she wonders if it hurts for Nana to remember. Junna's hand jerks at her side, feeling the urge to reach over and embrace Nana - to ground her and bring her back. But before Junna can act on that impulse, Nana's eyes return to their usual brightness and spirit.
"The autumn now is somehow different... it's new." Nana lets out a breath, then looks into Junna's eyes. "I think I like it."
Relief washes over Junna when Nana grins cheerfully at her, and she can't stop the corners of her lips from lifting into a smile of her own. Warmth floods into Junna's chest at witnessing Nana's growth.
"Nana…" Junna whispers. She offers Nana a tender smile as a sense of pride swells within her.
The sounds of shutters clicking snap Junna out of the moment, and it takes a bit for her to realize that Nana has gone back to taking pictures. However, this time, she is the focus of Nana's photography.
"Nana!"
Nana chuckles and draws her phone close to her chest, almost cradling it. "I can't help it, Junna-chan is too pretty."
Junna's cheeks instantly heat up at Nana's words. She huffs and lightly pushes at Nana's shoulders in a mixture of exasperation and embarrassment.
"...Junna-chan?"
Junna peers over the thick frames of her glasses to gaze up at Nana.
"I know everyone is waiting for us," Nana says, a little breathless. "But can we take the long way home? Please?" She looks at Junna bashfully with her hands tucked behind her back.
Junna accepts her defeat gracefully. Really, she can't expect to win when Nana is this adorable. "Alright, but on one condition." Junna extends her hand to Nana, palm facing upwards.
"It's really cold out. Will you hold my hand and keep me warm?"
Nana's eyes widen at the request. Pink washes over her cheeks, but she soon recovers and grasps Junna's hand in her own larger one, without hesitation; it makes Junna's heart flutter.
Junna delights in the warmth of Nana's presence, and the beautiful autumn scenery. And she looks forward to spending many more autumns with Nana.
