A Picnic Under the Autumn Sky

The following Saturday arrived with a crisp breeze and the scent of fallen leaves in the air. Kozakura made his way toward Hanamura Park, the straps of his bag resting snugly on his shoulders. Inside, he carried a book, a warm thermos of tea, and the anticipation of a peaceful afternoon.

As he reached the top of the hill, he spotted Hiyori already there, spreading out a soft, checkered picnic blanket beneath a maple tree. A neatly packed basket sat beside her, filled to the brim with carefully prepared food. When she noticed him, she waved excitedly.

"You're just in time!" she said, her eyes bright with excitement.

Kozakura sat down beside her, glancing at the basket. "You really went all out."

Hiyori grinned. "I had to. I promised you the best sandwiches, remember?"

She lifted the lid and pulled out a stack of neatly wrapped sandwiches. As she unwrapped one, the scent of fresh bread, crisp vegetables, and lightly grilled chicken filled the air. She handed one to Kozakura, watching expectantly as he took his first bite.

"This is… really good," he admitted, savoring the flavors.

Hiyori beamed. "I told you!"

They ate together, enjoying the simple pleasure of good food and good company. The occasional gust of wind carried the scent of autumn leaves around them, making the world feel even more peaceful.

After they finished eating, Hiyori leaned back on her hands, gazing up at the sky. "I used to think picnics were just something people did in movies. But this… this is really nice."

Kozakura nodded, following her gaze. The sky above was a brilliant shade of blue, streaked with wisps of white clouds. "Yeah. It is."

A comfortable silence settled between them as they let the moment linger. Then, Hiyori suddenly sat up and pulled something from her bag—a small sketchbook.

"I've been trying to sketch more lately," she explained, flipping to a blank page. "Would you mind if I drew something?"

Kozakura shook his head. "Go ahead."

She began sketching, her pencil gliding across the paper with soft, deliberate strokes. Kozakura watched as she focused, her expression calm and thoughtful. He found himself admiring the way the sunlight caught in her hair, the way her fingers moved deftly over the page. There was something peaceful about watching someone completely absorbed in something they loved.

After a few minutes, she turned the sketchpad toward him. "What do you think?"

The drawing depicted their little picnic scene—the blanket, the food, and even a small impression of him sitting beside her. It was simple, yet full of warmth.

"It's really good," he said, genuinely impressed.

Hiyori smiled, pleased. "I'm still practicing, but I wanted to capture today. It feels like one of those days you don't want to forget."

Kozakura nodded, feeling a quiet agreement settle in his heart. "Yeah."

The wind picked up slightly, scattering a few golden leaves across the picnic blanket. Hiyori laughed, trying to catch one before it drifted away. "I forgot how beautiful autumn could be," she mused, watching the trees sway gently. "Back in the city, I never had time to stop and look."

"You're making up for lost time now," Kozakura said. "Moments like these… they matter."

She looked at him, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, they do."

A comfortable silence settled between them again, but this time, it was filled with something deeper—an unspoken understanding. Hiyori reached into the basket again and pulled out a small container. "I also made some sweets! You have to try these."

Kozakura took one of the delicate pastries she offered. The sweetness melted in his mouth, perfectly balanced. "This is amazing. Where did you learn to cook like this?"

"My grandmother," Hiyori replied fondly. "She used to bake all the time when I was little. I'd sit in the kitchen and watch her. It's one of my favorite memories."

He smiled. "You should bake more often. You're really good at it."

Hiyori laughed lightly. "Maybe I will. If you're willing to be my taste tester."

"That sounds like a fair deal."

They continued talking, letting the hours slip by as the sun drifted lower in the sky. Eventually, as the air grew cooler, Hiyori began packing up their things. "I don't want to leave yet," she admitted with a small sigh. "Today was really nice."

Kozakura helped her fold the blanket. "We can always do this again."

She smiled. "I'd like that."

As they made their way down the hill, walking side by side, Kozakura realized something—some moments didn't need grand gestures or extravagant words. Sometimes, just sitting beside someone, sharing a meal, and watching the sky was enough.

And for the first time in a long while, he felt like he had found something worth holding onto.