[Story] A Smile at Summer's End

2025-8-82025-8-12
a japanese girl in a blue kimono with a red and white pattern is standing in front of a red torii gate surrounded by greenery and other people in the background. the scene is bathed in warm sunlight g

The Meeting

Anime illustration of a blonde woman in blue clothes and blue hat, resting her chin on her hand while gazing this way

She was the daughter of the US colleague of my father's, who had been stationed alone in Japan for a long time.

She had come to visit her father during summer vacation and would be staying in Japan for about two weeks.

Since I was also free during summer break, I ended up being the one to show her around Japan.

First Stop: Akihabara

Our first outing was to Akihabara, the holy land of otaku culture.

She had only watched a few Studio Ghibli anime films, but she had a friend who was a passionate Pokémon fan who collected everything from cards to figurines.

Anime illustration of a blonde woman smiling and talking while looking this way against a nighttime neon street backdrop

"I wish Sarah could have come too~"

She seemed disappointed that her friend couldn't make it, but she appeared to enjoy the otaku holy land well enough.

A Stylish Restaurant

That day, we went to my recommended restaurant with a night view.

Anime illustration of a blonde woman smiling and talking while looking this way in a stylish restaurant atmosphere

"Hmm, so Japan has beautiful places like this too."

I thought it was a rather direct way of putting it, but she was probably the type to say exactly what came to mind.

This time, I decided to take it as a compliment.

Disneyland

Next, I took her to Disneyland.

It was a predictable choice, but with only two weeks to spend, I decided to enjoy it like a date myself.

Anime illustration of a blonde woman in yellow clothes enjoying Disneyland with a beaming smile against a full moon night backdrop

"It's smaller than the real Disneyland, isn't it? But it's nice."

Being constantly compared to the US was deflating, but she expressed her emotions so directly and seemed genuinely happy, so I enjoyed it too.

Shopping in Shibuya

The next time we met was in Shibuya.

Anime illustration of a blonde woman with a frustrated expression looking this way against a nighttime street backdrop

We went shopping after sunset, visiting Hachiko and the scramble crossing, but honestly, she didn't seem very interested.

I was putting a lot of thought into showing her around, but when I got such straightforwardly negative reactions, it was a bit discouraging.

So I ended up saying what had been bothering me:

"Since you're in Japan now, you shouldn't compare everything to your own country."

Anime illustration of a blonde woman looking down with a frustrated expression while gazing this way against a nighttime street backdrop

Her face became very displeased, and after that, she stopped saying anything at all.

The Local Festival

The next day, I took her to a local festival.

While walking between the food stalls, she told me about her family.

Anime illustration of a blonde girl in a US Air Force T-shirt smiling at the camera in front of a fighter jet

Her grandparents had come to America as immigrants.

They weren't wealthy, but they worked hard and honestly to earn American citizenship.

And her father was a patriot.

He joined the military at a young age and has been stationed around the world ever since.

Anime illustration of a blonde woman with a ponytail looking back with serious eyes against a nighttime festival food stall backdrop

Her father was stationed in Japan not to protect his homeland, but to protect a foreign country.

Because of this, she could only see her father a few times a year.

"I want to like Japan, but it's not that simple."

I was ashamed of myself for not considering her complex feelings.

Kyoto

For the final weekend, I took her to Kyoto.

I learned for the first time that there were discounted "Hikari" tickets for foreigners.

It was a slightly longer journey than usual, but we enjoyed it while viewing Mount Fuji.

An anime illustration of a woman in a blue kimono looking this way inside a traditional Japanese house

We had a kimono fitting experience and strolled through the streets of Kyoto.

Most of the people walking around Kyoto in kimono are actually foreigners—many Chinese and other Asians, but quite a few Westerners too.

Anime illustration of a blonde woman looking back against a backdrop of a setting sun and traditional Japanese shrine

Among them all, I suddenly thought that she, with her blonde hair, was the most beautiful.

Departure

On the day of her departure, I went to see her off at the airport.

Anime illustration of a blonde woman in blue clothes looking this way with a slightly sad expression at the airport

We had only been together for about two weeks, but she seemed somehow lonely.

Her usually imposing figure seemed a little smaller at that moment.

Anime illustration of a blonde woman in blue clothes looking this way with what seems like a forced smile at the airport

"Thank you, I had fun."

With what looked like a forced smile, she offered me her hand for a handshake.

I silently accepted it and watched her leave without being able to say anything.


Since that day, I haven't stayed in touch with her.

She was an attractive person, and surely she has a wonderful boyfriend back home.


I wonder... was I able to create good memories for her?

When this season comes around, I still remember that smile.

A Smile at Summer's End

an anime character in a blue kimono with white flowers stands in front of a traditional japanese setting with a red torii gate surrounded by lush greenery and a clear blue sky
Anime illustration of a blonde woman in blue kimono looking this way against a slightly cloudy Kyoto night

Model Credits

Workflow

The Ultimate AI Auto Color Correction! How to Use ComfyUI-SuperBeasts | AI Image Journey

AICU Illustration Contest

【7月コンテスト】 #夏の終わりに笑顔で見つめて イラスト・MVコンテスト｜AICU Japan

This work is submitted to the AICU #A Smile at Summer's End contest.

The contest has both Illustration and MV divisions, accepting submissions until August 12th.

First Love - Autumn Memories

An introduction to a work created last autumn.

First Love - Memories of Autumn | AI Image Journey