The boy looked up.
The red maples filling the tree came into view again.
No matter how many times he saw them, the sight still left him awestruck.
He couldn't help but lose himself in it.
"Are you going home?"
Ya Ya's matter-of-fact question exploded in the boy's mind like a thunderclap.
"Ah!"
The boy cried out.
He'd forgotten!
"Ah!"
The boy cried out again.
This time, in fright.
He'd forgotten he was on the swing.
When he moved, he was about to fall off again.
But unlike last time, when he'd fallen backward, this time he was pitching forward.
He watched helplessly as the ground came closer and closer.
"Are you stupid?"
Ya Ya's mouth twitched.
He'd made the same mistake twice in such a short time.
She was tired of rescuing him.
When the boy felt himself stop falling, his heart gave a heavy thump.
Then relief washed over him.
Phew~
The boy didn't dare move.
He'd heard Ya Ya's snarky remark.
He couldn't help but smile wryly.
It wasn't like he wanted to do that.
It made him look so stupid.
Ya Ya brought the boy straight down to the ground.
"Stand steady."
The reassuring feel of both feet on the ground chased some of the pallor from the boy's face.
He turned his head.
Ya Ya wasn't beside him.
He paused, taken aback.
Then he looked toward the maple tree, understanding.
Sure enough.
Ya Ya was already sitting on a branch.
He patted his chest.
"You scared me to death."
"Ya Ya, thank you."
"It's really great having you around."
The boy grinned, his eyes narrowing into slits.
With Ya Ya by his side, he realized he didn't have much to worry about.
The sense of security she gave