第38話 氷の令嬢と伝説再び
「そろそろ、お邪魔虫は厨房に戻るわね」
透子がそう言ったのは、朝陽と冬華がようやく窓から目を離した後だった。
久々に顔を合わせた分、かなりからかわれてしまったが、これでどうにか落ち着ける。
そんな朝陽の安堵を見抜いているかのように、透子は席を立つ前に口を開いた。
「朝陽、食事の時はそのコート脱ぎなさいよ?」
「......ん」
「あら、随分と曖昧な返事ね。何か隠し事でもあるのかしら?」
「いや、別にそういう訳じゃ......」
「じゃあ、今脱ぎましょう」
「......今?」
明らかに動揺を見せる朝陽に対し、透子が有無を言わぬ様子で迫って来る。
どうやら冬華も透子と同じ意見のようで、無言の微笑みを向けられた。
普通に考えて、朝陽が羽織っているダッフルコートは室外用だ。
もちろん、朝陽もそれを分かっているが、その上で躊躇っているのだ。
理由は、コートの下に着用しているドレスコード。
何も、少々カッコつけたコーデを披露するのに、今更恥じらいを覚えている訳ではない。
格式が高い場所において、それなりの身なりを整える必要がある事を朝陽は既に両親から叩き込まれている。鏡の前で時間を掛けて整えた髪もその一環だ。
ただ一点、どうしても意識してしまう事があるのだ。
それは、迫られて動揺した透子に対してではない。
目の前でつぶらな瞳を向けている、冬華に対してだ。
母親の圧と少女の視線に観念してコートを脱げば、姿を現したのはネイビーのテーラードジャケット。
その襟元で光沢を放つ三本薔薇のブローチを見て、案の定、冬華が小さく反応を示し――
「あら? そのブローチは......」
何故か、透子までも反応を示した。
朝陽としては冬華とのお出かけなので、せっかく貰った――と言うより、押し付けられた?――ブローチを本来の形で使おうと考えてのことだった。
そのブローチを形付る三本薔薇に由来する伝説は、自分には関係ないと分かっていても少しだけ意識してしまう。
だから、直前までブローチを付けるか迷ったし、冬華と一緒に歩き出してからも表にするのを躊躇った。
しかし、いざブローチの存在を明かしてみれば、恥じらいよりも驚きが勝る展開に。
「それ、球技大会の優秀選手に送られる特別な賞品でしょ? 今でも恋愛成就の伝説は続いているのかしら」
「な、なんで母さんがそれを......」
「だって、その伝説、私と和明が発祥だもの。当時、氷がどうとか言われてた私に、和明がブローチを持ち出して告白してきたのよ。それで、私が和明の手を握り返したら、周りが勝手に伝説だと騒ぎだしたわ」
懐かしいわね、と透子は一人ごちて思い出に耽ているが、冬華はもちろん、朝陽も全く知らなかった。
両親の馴れ初めどころか出身校についても聞く機会がないし、今まで知ろうとも思わなかった。
それがまさか、こんな形で、衝撃の事実として突き付けられるとは。
「ねえ、朝陽。そのブローチ、誰から貰ったの?」
凛とした瞳で真っ直ぐ透子に見据えられ、目を泳がせると冬華と一瞬目が合う。
その一瞬で、透子は何かを納得したようだった。
「三本薔薇の伝説は本当よ。私と和明、そして朝陽がその証明ね」
ポン、と朝陽の肩を叩いた透子がようやく席を立つ。
「冬華ちゃん、朝陽をよろしくね。それと、また機会があればゆっくりお話したいわ。私たち、似た者同士な気がするし」
最後にそれだけ言い残すと、あたふたと言葉を探す冬華を待たずに、透子は厨房へと帰っていった。
どうやら透子は冬華を気に入ったようで、いつになく饒舌になっていた。
表情こそ終始真顔だったものの、声音は少し浮いていたように思える。
「ごめんな、騒がしい両親で。迷惑だったろ」
「いえ、そんなことは......寧ろ、楽しかったです」
「楽しかったって凄いな。俺はもううんざりだよ。食事を前にしてヘトヘトだ」
降参の意味を込めて両手を上げると、冬華は片手を口に当て、上品に笑う。
それから不意に、冬華は微笑みを浮かべたまま天井を見つめた。
「......朝陽くんはご両親に、とても愛されているのですね」
「あれは、からかわれてるんだぞ。父さんに至っては、暴走してただけだし」
「それこそきっと、朝陽くんを愛してる証拠ですよ」
だって、と冬華が短く言葉を繋ぐ。
冬華が紡ぐ、優しい声音に釣られ、朝陽も天井へと視線を移す。
その視線の先に映るのは、薄暗い店内を照らす大きなシャンデリア。
和明から何度も聞かされた。
この店は、朝陽をイメージしているのだと。
「......そうだな」
両親から注がれる溢れんばかりの愛を朝陽は気づいている。
その愛を受け止めているからこそ、父親がいくら暴走しても、母親にいくらからかわれても、嫌な気持ちは一切しないのだ。
そんな一風変わった火神家の愛を、両親とは初対面のはずの冬華に見抜かれた事に、不思議と驚きはなかった。
「こちらアミューズになっております」
「あっ、どうも......って、おい」
「本当だ、朝陽があのブローチを......という事はやっぱり結――」
「和明、抜け出して良いとは言ってない」
「あっ、はい。すいません」
暴走シェフを冷徹パティシエが厨房へと引きずり戻す。
その光景に店内は大きく湧き、朝陽と冬華もまた、二人で顔を見合わせて小さく笑った。
Ch 38
"I think I should go back to the kitchen now."
Touko said so, after both Asahi and Fuyuka had taken their eyes off the window.
It had been a while since they'd seen each other, so she decided to tease him. But, now he could calm down.
Touko opened her mouth, as if she understood Asahi's relief.
"Asahi, take off that coat when eating."
"....Okay."
"Oh, that's suspicious. Are you hiding something from me?"
"No, it's nothing like that..."
"Then, take it off now."
"...Now?"
Touko kept pushing while Asahi was clearly upset.
And apparently, Fuyuka shared the same idea.
Normally, the duffle coat that he was wearing was for outdoor use.
Of course, he himself knew this, but he was hesitant about it.
The real reason was the dress code that he was wearing under the coat.
It's not that I'm ashamed to show off a slightly cool outfit.
Asahi's parents had already taught him that he needed to dress properly for a prestigious place. The time he spent in front of the mirror fixing his hair was part of that.
There was just one thing that he couldn't help but be conscious of.
And it was not against Touko, who was pushing him.
Rather it was because of Fuyuka, who was sitting in front of him.
His mother's pressure and the girl's gaze forced him to take off his coat, revealing a navy tailored jacket.
Fuyuka made a small reaction when she saw the brooch depicting the three roses.
"Oh? That brooch..."
For some reason, even Touko reacted.
As for Asahi, since he was going out to eat with Fuyuka, he decided to use the brooch he had been given or rather, forced upon him. He wanted to use the brooch for its original purpose.
The legend of the three roses that formed the brooch made him a little conscious, even though he knew it had nothing to do with him.
That was why he wasn't sure if he would wear the brooch until just before he left, and even after he started walking with Fuyuka, he was hesitant to show it.
However, when he revealed the existence of the brooch, he was more surprised than embarrassed.
"Isn't that the special prize given to the best players in ball games? I wonder if the legend still continues."
"W-why do you know that, mom?"
"That's because that legend originated with me and your father. At that time, I was called ice or something, Kazuaki brought out the brooch and confessed to me. So, when I held his hand back, they started making a fuss about a legend or whatever."
'It's nostalgic.' Touko thought, reliving the memories. But, Fuyuka and Asahi had no idea.
He never had the chance to ask his parents about their background, let alone where they went for schooling, and he never even thought to find out.
He didn't expect it to come as a shocking revelation in such a way.
"Hey, Asahi. Who gave you that brooch?"
Touko looked straight at him with dignified eyes, and when he swept his eyes away, his eyes met Fuyuka's for a moment.
In that instant, Touko seemed to be convinced of something.
"The legend of the brooch is true. Me, Kazuaki, and Asahi are proof of that."
She tapped Asahi on the shoulder and finally got up from her seat.
"Fuyuka-chan, take care of Asahi. I'd like to talk to you again when I have the chance. I feel like we're a lot alike."
And without waiting for Fuyuka to reply, she went back to the kitchen.
Apparently, Touko liked Fuyuka, and she was more talkative than ever.
Her expressions were indifferent throughout, but her voice sounded a little mellow.
"Sorry about that, they were annoying, right?"
"No, I don't think so. Rather, it was quite fun."
"You find it fun? Look at me, I'm so exhausted just talking to them."
He raised his hands in surrender and Fuyuka put her hand to her mouth and laughed elegantly.
And unexpectedly, Fuyuka stared at the ceiling with a smile on her face.
"...Your parents really cherish you, don't they?"
"They were just teasing me. Dad even got out of control."
"That's the proof that they love you, Asahi-kun."
"Because-" Fuyuka said, briefly connecting her words.
Fuyuka's gentle voice caught Asahi's attention and he looked at the ceiling.
What he saw was a large chandelier that lit up the dimly lit restaurant.
Kazuaki had told him many times.
He said that this restaurant was created with Asahi in mind.
"...Yeah."
Asahi was aware of the overflowing love that his parents had poured into his life.
Because he accepted that love, no matter how much his father ran amok or how much his mother teased him, he didn't feel unpleasant about it.
Strangely, he was not surprised that Fuyuka, who was supposed to be meeting his parents for the first time, could see through this unusual love of the Kagami family.
"This is the appetizer for today."
"Ah, Thanks... Hey..."
"Looks like it's true that Asahi has the brooch... Then as expected..."
"Kazuaki, I didn't say that you could go out."
"Ah, Yes. I'm sorry."
A cold-hearted pastry chef dragged a runaway chef back to the kitchen.
The store erupted at the sight, and Asahi and Fuyuka looked at each other and lightly laughed together.
How To Melt the Ice Lady
【コミカライズ連載中】氷の令嬢の溶かし方　～クールで素っ気ないお隣さんがデレるとめちゃくちゃ可愛い件～
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/how-to-melt-the-ice-lady/
Comedy Romance School Life Slice of Life
Adapted to Manga Beautiful Female Lead Caring Protagonist Cooking Cute Story Famous Parents Kind Love Interests Kuudere Male Protagonist Modern Day Popular Love Interests
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2567fv/
高峰 翔