(birds chirping, Aoba takes a deep breath and exhales)

Aoba:

This morning was a little chilly, but the weather looks great today too.

Ren:

Yes. Today the weather forecast predicted a 0% probability of rain.

(Koujaku approaches)

Koujaku:

Yo, sorry to keep you.

Aoba:

Ah, Koujaku.

Beni:

All riiight, is everyone ready? Aoba? Ren?

Ren:

Yes.

Aoba:

You’re pretty lively this morning, Beni.

Koujaku:

He’s been like this ever since he woke up.

Beni:

That’s ‘cause this morning’s different from how they always are. You dunno if some serious enemy’s gonna show so look sharp!

Aoba:

S-serious enemy…?

Koujaku:

He’s just worked up because we’re headed somewhere that he can’t keep an eye on us. Don’t worry about. Well then. We’ve had a delicious breakfast, shall we head out now?

Aoba:

Yeah. We’re riding a bus out from here?

Koujaku:

Yeah. My mother’s grave is a little further into the mountains.

Beni:

Oh! The bus’s coming in five. If y’miss this one, the next one’s not for another hour so be careful.

Aoba:

Eh?! An hour? That’s nuts…

Koujaku:

The countryside’s like that. Let’s head to the bus stop.

Aoba:

Yeah.

(they get on the bus)

Aoba:

Uwah…

Koujaku:

What is it?

Aoba:

Just look out the window. Isn’t it amazing? The mountains go on and on, and the leaves are already turning red.

Koujaku:

Yeah. In just a little while this area will be completely red.

Aoba:

Really…it’ll really be pretty when it’s all red…

Ren:

Aoba, do you know why maple leaves turn red?

Aoba:

Ah, I don’t know…why?

Beni:

If ya don’t know then I’ll set you straight. Leaves perform photosynthesis, right? It bathes in light, splaaash, and shiiines, right?

Aoba:

Mhm.

Beni:

And then, yanno maple trees, right? On the inside they make starch, got it? Starch. Well then, just where do you think that starch winds up going? That’s a problem right there, right? As for that, when it’s warm it flows down the tree’s trunk y’see, right?

Ren:

When the temperature drops the starch remains within the leaves without flowing to the trunk and contributes to their red coloration.

Aoba:

Huuh, is that how it works? I get it now.

Beni:

Wha–hey, Ren! I was explaining it so why’d you go interrupting me in the middle of it?

Ren:

I’m sorry. It seemed like you were getting rather longwinded so I made it more concise.

Beni:

Getting longwinded–listen, you!!

Ren:

I’m sorry.

Beni:

Keh, well, I guess it’s fine.

Koujaku:

Come on, Beni. Don’t put Aoba and Ren on the spot like that.

Beni:

I wasn’t puttin’ them on the spot! It was a kindness.

Koujaku:

I got it, I got it. It’s fine so come on, you. Over here.

Beni:

Nnngh…guess I can’t help it, geeze… (he flies over)

Ren:

Beni, you’ve puffed your feathers up into a circle…are you cold?

Beni:

That ain’t it! I’m just showing how much I can’t calm down!

Aoba:

Ahah, Beni, were you pretty intent on that? Thanks for telling me all about maples.

Beni:

Y-yeah….though in the middle it got handed over to Ren. I don’t really care about it anymore, so it’s fine either way.

Aoba:

Hehe, even still, I could look out the window the whole way and not get tired of it… Ah…Koujaku?

Koujaku:

Hm? Ah, did something happen?

Aoba:

No, it’s nothing.

Koujaku:

Mhm…

Aoba:

Huh? What’ve you got in your hand…a hairpin?

Koujaku:

Yeah.

Aoba:

That’s the one you use when you put your hair up, right? Oh yeah…you don’t have it in today.

Koujaku:

This is…my mother’s.

Aoba:

Huh?

Koujaku:

Or more accurately, it’s something I gave her as a present. Since I’m going to pay my regards, I thought that I’d return it.

Aoba:

Ah…I see.

Koujaku:

(sighs) Yeah…we’ll be there in just a little bit.

Aoba:

Mhm.