第47話 氷の令嬢と忘れ物
およそ二週間ほどの冬休みはあっという間に最終日を迎えた。
明日になれば始業式が待っていて、三学期が始まると思うと時の流れの早さがより一層際立つ。
例年、朝陽の冬休みの過ごし方と言えば、実家でのんびりごろごろ無気力スタイルが主だったが、今回はとにかく色々と忙しかった。
それは、クリスマスイブ然り、お正月然り、初詣然り。
忙しい上に大分疲れたが、総じて充実した時間だったのは間違いない。
その楽しい思い出の数々を振り返れば、必ず隣に冬華の姿があった。
「結局、冬休みは毎日来たな」
「お陰様で料理にもう苦手意識はありません」
「......そうだな」
「な、何ですか今の不自然な間は......」
「いや、別に深い意味はない。本当によく上達してると思うぞ」
「......てっきりまたイジワルな事を言われるのかと」
「そこまで警戒される覚えはないんだが......」
ここ一か月近くで目を見張る成長を見せた冬華は、既に一人で自炊ができるレベルにまで到達している。
手の込んだ料理はまだ難しいかもしれないが、単品メニューや簡単なおかずくらいは造作もないはずだ。
自宅でも熱心に個人練習を積んでいるようで、裏では透子が絡んでいるとかいないとか。
新たに連絡先に追加された日菜美と千昭のバカップルコンビとも積極的に交流しているらしい。
最近は、冬華が携帯を触る姿が多く見られ、ニコニコと微笑みながら画面越しのやり取りを楽しんでいた。
今も定位置であるソファーの端っこに座りながら、冬華は慣れない手つきでフリック入力をしている。
ただ、その表情はいつもと同じ笑みではなく、どちらかというと苦笑いに近い。
「相葉さん、ようやく宿題の半分が終わったらしいです」
「先はまだ大分遠いな。千昭も今日は徹夜確定とか言ってた」
「それは大変ですね......あっ、私達が宿題を見せてあげるっていうのは――」
「ダメだろ」
「ですよね......」
千昭や日菜美のような宿題を後回しにするタイプの生徒は、今頃必死になってノートにペンを走らせているのだろう。
そんな明日やろうはバカ野郎のために冬華が優しさを見せようとしていたが、自業自得に情けは無用。
それに、あの二人は普段から――地頭はいいはずなのに――勉強を全くしないので、ここは心を鬼にするべきだ。
対して、朝陽と冬華のような計画的に宿題を終わらせるタイプの生徒は、焦りとは無縁の一時を過ごす。
特に今日はゆったりとした時間が流れていた。
この時間は冬華の提案で冬休みの宿題を一緒に進めていたのだが、あまりにも捗りすぎた結果、初詣前には暇を享受することに。
そういう訳で、ここ数日は食事と洗い物が終わっても、朝陽と冬華は成り行きで暫く同じ空間を共有している。
「そういや、日菜美と千昭は苗字呼びのままなんだな」
「それは......いきなり名前で呼ぶのはまだ難しくて......」
「いいんじゃねえの? 二人が友達なのは変わりないんだし」
朝陽がフォローを入れると、冬華は小さくコクリと頷く。
いつの日か、友達の証明として互いを下の名前で呼ぶことになったが、今ではもう呼び方に頼らずとも信頼関係を築けるようになったらしい。
それは冬華にとって、とても大きな一歩だと言えるだろう。
「私なりに、新学期は頑張りたいと思います」
そう意気込む冬華の瞳はキラキラと力強い輝きを放っている。
もしかすると、日菜美や千昭が良い刺激になったのかもしれない。
緊張や不安は見え隠れするが、それ以上に希望や期待が大きいように思えた。
こうして冬華なりの方法でゆっくりと時間を掛けながら、他の人にも歩み寄ることができれば。
氷の令嬢の殻を破った氷室冬華という女の子はきっと、多くの人に囲まれる。
その光景を想像して、朝陽は少しだけ心がもやもやとするのを感じた。
今まで自分だけが知っていた氷の令嬢の内側を、多くの生徒が知る事によって交流が広がるのは間違いなく良い傾向なのに。
胸に小さな引っかかりを覚えるのは一体何故だろうか。
「どうする、俺らもまた苗字呼びにするか?」
「えっ......」
「このままでもいいけどさ、俺だけ名前呼びってのも――」
「こ、このままがいいです!」
「そうか......なら今まで通りで」
今更になって呼び方を戻すのが却って恥ずかしいのか、冬華は珍しく語気を強めて食い気味に主張した。
どうやら、この先も名前呼びは続くらしい。
新学期が始まってから冬華がどれだけ他人との関係を深めるかは分からないが、恐らくそれは暫くの間、朝陽だけの特権となるだろう。
「朝陽くん......私、頑張りますね」
「ん、応援してる」
ニコリと微笑んだ冬華の決意表明に対して、月並みな言葉を掛けた朝陽の声は相変わらず母親譲りで淡々としたものだ。
一方で、平静を装う朝陽の心の内は密かに揺れ動く。
名前呼びにはもう慣れたはずなのに。
あの時とはまた違う、特別な気持ちが朝陽の中で静かに渦巻いた。
「......珍しいな、忘れ物か」
冬華を玄関まで見送った後、リビングのテーブルに見覚えのある携帯が置きっぱなしになっていた。
少し前まではスマホを持って来ることすら珍しかったので、その時の感覚で持ち帰るのを忘れてしまったのだろう。
しっかりしているようで所々抜けているというのは、最近になってまた新たに知った冬華の一面だ。
何にせよ、貴重品なので早めに持ち主に返すことが望ましい。
やれやれとため息をつきながら、朝陽が最新モデルのスマホに手を伸ばす。
すると、スマホを持ち上げた事に反応したのだろう。スリープ状態が自動で解除され、待ち受け画面が表示された。
「これは......」
朝陽の目に飛び込んできたのは恐らく、冬華の幼少期の写真。
身長が大分小さく、表情もかなり幼いが面影はある。
その姿は氷の令嬢はもちろん、今の冬華からも全く想像が付かない明るさと眩しさに満ちていた。
そして、写真には冬華以外にも大人が二人写っていた。
一人は一度も会ったことがないのに、一瞬で冬華の母親だと判断できた。
色素の薄い長い黒髪に、氷像のように整った顔立ち。
控えめに微笑む姿は美しい大人の女性といった感じだ。
冬華が年を重ねて成長したら、きっとこの人に似るのだろう。
そして、もう一人。
こちらは全く見知らぬ男性だった。
細身の長身でスーツが良く似合っている。
表情は小さな冬華と大きな冬華と比べて、いや比べるまでもなく無表情。
これは、氷室家の家族写真なのだろうか。
それにしては、男性がやや浮いている気がする。
朝陽がそう考えたのは男性の表情や佇まいなどではなく、そもそも冬華と全く似ていないという一点。
まるで、赤の他人のような。
そこまで思考を巡らせた時、本日二度目のインターホンが鳴った。
来客は予想が付くので玄関に向かえば、予想通り冬華が気恥ずかしそうに佇んでいる。
「ほら、これだろ」
「あっ、ありがとうございます。すっかり忘れてしまいました......」
「俺の家だったからいいものを。外で忘れないよう気を付けろよ」
「はい、そうします......それでは、また明日」
「おう、また明日」
小言を挟みつつ短く会話を終えて、また扉を閉める。
その際、夜風に髪を靡かせる冬華の姿が携帯の待ち受けで見た大人の女性にとてもよく似ていた。
そして、また明日と微笑んだ姿はやはり子供の時の面影が少しだけある。
ただ、長身の男性だけは相変わらず影も形もその片鱗を掴めなかった。
冬華が家族の話をする時に決まって見せる憂慮の色を帯びた暗い表情。
その胸の内に秘めた過去、氷の令嬢となったきっかけに、朝陽は図らずしもゆっくりと近づいていた。
Ch 47
The two-week winter vacation came to an end in a flash.
Tomorrow would mark the beginning of the first day of school, and thinking that the third semester would also begin along with it, the speed of time was such a wonder.
Every year, Asahi's winter vacation was usually spent relaxing at his parents' house, but this time, he was busy with various things.
This was the case for Christmas' Eve, New Year's Day, and Hatsumode.
He was busy and very tired, but it was definitely a satisfying time in general.
Looking back on those happy memories, he always saw Fuyuka next to him.
"In the end, you came here every day during winter break."
"Thanks to you, I am able to cook properly."
"...Well, yeah."
"What's with that pause..."
"Nah, I don't mean anything bad by it. I really think you're making good progress."
"...I thought you were going to say something mean to me again."
"I'm not a devil, you know?"
Fuyuka had shown remarkable growth in the past month or so, and had already reached the level where she was able to cook for herself.
It might be difficult to cook elaborate meals, but it should be easy to prepare simple dishes and side dishes.
She also seemed to be diligently practicing privately at home, and he wondered whether behind the scenes Touko was involved or not.
She was also actively interacting with her newly added contact address, the lovebirds, Hinami and Chiaki.
Recently, Fuyuka could be seen touching her cell phone a lot, smiling and enjoying the interaction through the screen.
Even now, sitting on the edge of the sofa, Fuyuka was typing in flicks whilst unaccustomed.
However, her facial expression was not the same as usual, the smile seemed more like a bitter smile.
"It seems that Aiba-san has finally finished half of her homework."
"Yeah, she said she still has a long way to go and Chiaki said he was going to be up all night today."
"That sounds terrible... Ah, how about showing our homework--"
"You can't."
"Of course..."
Students like Chiaki and Hinami, the type who put off doing their homework, were probably frantically running their pens through their notebooks right now.
Fuyuka was trying to display kindness for such a stupid idiots, but they reap what they sow.
Besides, those two usually didn't study at all - even though they were quite clever.
In contrast, the type of students like Asahi and Fuyuka, who systematically complete their homework, spend their time not feeling rushed.
Today in particular was a relaxing day.
At this time, they were supposed to work on their homework together at Fuyuka's suggestion, but as a result of too much progress before the Hatsumode, they decided to enjoy their free time.
That was why, for the past few days, Asahi and Fuyuka had been sharing the same space for a while, even after the meal and cleaning up.
"Oh yeah, you still call Hinami and Chiaki by their last name."
"It's... still hard for me to call them by their first name out of the blue."
"Isn't that fine? That's not gonna change the fact that you're friends."
When Asahi followed up, Fuyuka gave a small nod.
Someday, she would be able to build a relationship without relying on what they call each other anymore.
It was a very big step for Fuyuka.
"In my own way, I'll do my best in the new semester."
Her eyes were so enthusiastic, sparkling with a powerful glow.
Perhaps Hinami and Chiaki were good stimuli.
Nervousness and anxiety were apparent, but more than that, hope and expectation seemed to be high.
In this way, Fuyuka could take her time and approach others in her own way.
A girl named Himuro Fuyuka, who had broken out of the shell of the "Ice Lady," was sure to be surrounded by many people.
As he imagined the scene, Asahi felt his heart falter a little.
It was definitely a good thing to have more students getting to know the inner workings of the "Ice Lady", something that only he had known before, however.
Asahi wondered why he felt such a thing.
"What do you say, we go back to calling each other by last name?"
"Eh..."
"I don't mind if we keep it as is, but if you call, only me by my first name..."
"I-it's fine as it is!"
"Well then... you can continue as before."
Asahi was not sure if she was embarrassed to change the way they called each other back after all this time, but Fuyuka's words were unusually strong and she insisted with a biting tone.
Apparently, calling each other by first name would continue.
Asahi didn't know how much Fuyuka was willing to deepen her relationship with others after the new semester started, but it would probably be a privilege only for him for a while.
"Asahi-kun... I'll do my best."
"Mhm, I got your back."
In response to Fuyuka's smiling expression of determination, Asahi's voice was as plain as ever, just like his mother.
On the other hand, Asahi's mind secretly wavered as he pretended to be calm.
He should have gotten used to being called with the name by now, but.
A special feeling, different from that time, swirled quietly within him.
"Unusual, she forgot something."
After seeing Fuyuka off to the door, Asahi found a familiar cell phone left on the living room table.
Not so long ago, it was rare for her to even bring her phone, so maybe she forgot to bring it back with her because of that.
The fact that Fuyuka seemed to be well-balanced but lacking in some areas was a new aspect of her that Asahi had learned recently.
It was advisable to return it to the owner as soon as possible since it was a valuable item.
With a sigh, Asahi reached for the latest model of smartphone.
And then, it must have responded to the fact that it was lifted. The sleep mode was automatically released and the standby screen was displayed.
"This is..."
It was probably a photo of Fuyuka's childhood that caught Asahi's eye.
She was much smaller in height and had a much younger expression, but still there was the resemblance.
Her appearance on the photo was filled with a brightness that was completely unimaginable from the current Fuyuka, let alone the "Ice Lady".
And there were two other adults in the picture besides Fuyuka.
One of them he had never met before, but Asahi could instantly determine that she was Fuyuka's mother.
She has long, lightly pigmented black hair and a face as neat as an ice sculpture.
She smiled modestly and looked like a beautiful mature woman.
When Fuyuka got older and grew up, she would probably look like her.
And then the other person.
This was a man who was a complete stranger to Asahi.
He was tall and slender and looked good in a suit.
His expression was expressionless compared to the small Fuyuka and the big Fuyuka.
'Is this a family photo of the Himuro family?'
For that matter, the man seemed to be out of place somewhat.
It wasn't the man's expression or appearance that made Asahi think so, but the fact that he didn't resemble Fuyuka at all.
It was as if they were strangers.
As Asahi was pondering, the intercom rang for the second time today.
Asahi knew what to expect, so he went to the door and found Fuyuka standing there looking embarrassed, as expected.
"Here."
"Oh, thank you very much. I totally forgot about..."
"It's a good thing it was my house. Just make sure you don't forget it outside."
"Yes, I will do so... I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
After a short conversation with a few small words, Asahi closed the door again.
At that time, Fuyuka's hair swept by the night wind looked very much like the adult woman he had seen on the cell phone's standby screen.
And the way she smiled and said, "See you tomorrow," still had a shadow of her childhood in it.
However, the tall man was still the only one that he could not catch a glimpse of.
When Fuyuka used to talk about her family, she always had a dark expression with a hint of worry.
Asahi was slowly approaching the past, hidden in her heart and the reason why she became the "Ice Lady".
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