My Cozytober 2024 contribution for the prompt : Raking or playing in the leaves.
I'm sorry for the mistakes, English is not my native language. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer : Spy x Family belongs to Tatsuya Endo.
Let's Play In The Leaves
Damian crossed the academy schoolyard. He looked around. Autumn was here with the bare trees and their leaves lying on the ground. The academy gardeners had not picked them up yet and he wondered when they would.
Everyone marveled at the color of the autumn leaves, even when they fell. But to him, it was messy. It was just dead leaves that slipped on rainy days. He did not know what was wonderful about that.
Laughter was heard. He turned his head and saw Anya and Becky playing in the leaves. So childish, he thought. They were in middle school now, they were too old for playing in the leaves. Becky picked up her bag, waved goodbye to Anya and ran to her driver. Despite the fact that her friend was gone, Anya continued to play in the leaves. Without thinking, Damian walked towards her.
"Are you stupid or what ? Becky's gone. Why are you staying in this pile of leaves ?"
Anya looked at him and she said with a smile :
"Because it's fun."
Damian rolled his eyes.
"There's nothing fun about being in a pile of dead leaves."
She made a face at him.
"Killjoy. When I was little, with Chichi and Haha, we used to play in the leaves. I loved it."
Damian imagined Anya a few years ago, playing in the leaves with her parents and her big dog. It was something unimaginable in his family. His father would never do that. He was brought out of his thoughts when Anya threw leaves at his face.
"Hey !" He exclaimed. "What's wrong with you !"
She laughed. Damian picked up as many leaves as he could and threw them at Anya. She responded and a leaf fight ensued between them. Damian was annoyed, but seeing her laughing and having fun made him want to laugh too. Her good mood was contagious. He ended up laughing and he understood why Anya liked it so much.
He told himself that what mattered was not the leaves, but who he spent these moments with. For Anya, they were pleasant memories with her family. And today, she was sharing some of her memories and her joy with him.
The end