Cream Soda — Finding Our Summer

Please go and find summer.

Today was the closing ceremony. At school, the teacher tanuki looked over everyone in the classroom and announced the summer vacation homework.

Summer has begun. What kind of summer is around you all? This year, there is only one assignment.

Please go and find your own unique 'summer'.
Now then—let's have a good summer vacation.

The three little tanukis who dashed out of the classroom looked at each other on the way home.

We have to find summer!
What kind of summer will we find?

Active Imu wagged his tail energetically.

I'm going to the forest! There are cicadas, there are rhinoceros beetles, and I'm sure there's plenty of summer there!

The cautious Cree smiled while rubbing his tummy.

I think I'll go to town.

Shaved ice, watermelon, and corn! Summer must have lots of delicious things!

What about you, Soda?

Easygoing Soda looked up at the sky. White clouds drifted slowly across the blue sky.

Hmm... I haven't decided yet. I wonder where summer is.

The other two laughed.

You'll find it! Summer vacation has only just begun!
Saying that, they ran off in their own directions.

I'll go find my own summer, too.

Imu ran off toward the forest.

Buzz, buzz.

The sound of cicadas. Rhinoceros beetles on the trees. A large cumulonimbus cloud in the sky.

Summer is definitely full of energy!

Imu filled his notebook with drawings of summer.

"This is my summer!"

He said that, and smiled with satisfaction.

Cree took a deep breath.

"I think I'll take my time and look for it."

A bite of corn.
"So sweet!"

A bite of watermelon chilled in the river.
"Yeah, this is summer too!"

The shaved ice chosen at the evening festival made her head ache with the first bite. Cree wrote in her notebook.

"Summer is delicious, isn't it?"

"Well... I wonder where I should go."

Looking up at the sky, white clouds drifted by slowly. The wind blew softly. The leaves rustled.

"I wonder where... summer is. I want to find my own summer, too."

When he put his feet into the river, the cool water tickled his toes. Even in the hot sun, a cool breeze blew in the shade of the trees.

Chirin.

The wind chime sang a little song. The tall sunflowers were blooming toward the sun.

Meen, meen. The cicadas were singing in the distance. The scent of a passing shower. The cool breeze after sprinkling water on the ground.

Just standing still, listening intently, and being blown by the wind, Soda felt summer.

"Summer is... this kind of feeling."

Summer vacation ended, and lively voices echoed in the classroom.

"Now everyone, please tell us about the summer you found."

"Yes!"

The first one to raise his hand was Im.

I went to the forest! Summer was full of energy!

Next was Cree.

I found a delicious summer. Summer is delicious, isn't it?

Everyone in the classroom laughs. And finally, Soda stands up.

I...

Looking a little shy, he opens his notebook, and there are only small words next to the photos.

River: A cool place where my heart settles. Sky: Vast and gentle. Wind: It blows softly and carries me away. Wind chime: It sounds like the voice of summer. Sudden shower: I know the way home in summer by its scent.

Soda looks at the teacher, looking a little anxious.

Is this... also summer?

Of course it is. I didn't think I would feel summer like this either.

The teacher lines up everyone's homework on the teacher's desk.

Cumulonimbus clouds. Bright red watermelon. Goldfish bowl. Soda smiled.

It's kind of like a cream soda, isn't it?

Im and Cree look at each other.

You're right!

Laughter spreads throughout the classroom. The tanuki teacher also smiled gently.

For all of you who worked hard, I have a summer present for you.

Lined up on the desks were colorful cream sodas.

Let's eat!

Fizzy. Sweet ice cream. Cold soda.

"When everyone's summer comes together, it becomes something so wonderful."

Beyond everyone's smiles, a summer sky stretched out, blue as far as the eye could see.

Afterword
This week's story is about a tanuki and cream soda✨
Summer vacation has begun, hasn't it?
As someone who prefers summer over winter, this is a happy season for me, SAI⛱

It's a season where it's easy to get heatstroke from the heat, so we must be very careful💦
Where do you all feel the summer?🤗
Grandma's house? Traveling? Festivals, the beach, or mountain climbing＾＾
Let's enjoy all kinds of summer(*´▽｀*)

It's almost here(*´▽｀*)
July 20th (holiday) is ZINE Fes Matsuyama✨

The picture books arrived yesterday✌ I'd like to introduce them tomorrow(｀・ω・´)ゞ
Could the me of the past have ever imagined that I would make my own book???
Writing a story, creating illustrations with AI, and making a picture book.

When it's in my hands, it's a strange feeling that gives me goosebumps(*´▽｀*) I usually produce them using Amazon Paperback, but I just couldn't make it in time(´；ω；`)ｳｩｩ

This time, I chose a printing company that could just barely make it in time✌
It's very short, about 22 or 20 pages, but the colors are solid, and every time I make a book, I'm moved by the fact that the world in my head becomes a physical object😁

I will be taking these to ZINE Fes Matsuyama as well💓 If you are nearby, please come and visit♪♪

SAI sells merchandise featuring original stories(・∀・)

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no+e is updated daily
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