第65話 ホワイトデー
期末テストが終わり、終業式を待つ間。
この期間は学校全体の雰囲気が弛緩する。
そもそも授業がないし、あるのは卒業式の準備だけ。
登校したとしても、友達と仲良く会話して帰るのみだ。
そういうわけで、この時期は必然的に冬華と接する機会が減る。
朝陽はベッドに仰向けになり、一人物思いに耽っていた。
お隣とはいえ、理由がなければ会う事も話す事もない。
学校はほぼ春休み状態で、ひたすら冬華が家に来る週末を待つだけだった。
そんな状況を朝陽は冷静に受け止める。
そして、
――もたもたしてると、ライバルが追ってくるから頑張れよ。
千昭の言葉が脳裏に過った。
「......そんなことは俺だってわかってるよ」
片や元氷の令嬢で、片やサッカー部のイケメンエースだ。
話していれば、それだけで噂が立つ。
積極的に話し掛け、関わりを持ち、時には冬華の好きな恋愛小説に触れたり。
朝陽が踏み出せないアピールを龍馬は行っていた。
一方で、朝陽はゆっくりと距離を詰めていく。
もちろん、焦る気持ちはある。
それでもなお、自分のペースで歩み続ける。
慎重過ぎることも自覚している。
それ以上に、今の距離感を大事にしたかった。
「けど、背中を押された以上は動かなきゃな」
朝陽はゆっくりと立ち上がり、キッチンへと向かう。
元より、今日は勇気を出して少しだけ前に進むと決めていた。
既に、布石となるメッセージを送っている。
『三月十四日、家に来てほしい』
その返事は、即既読に即答だった。
「......これ、全部朝陽くんが一人で?」
「ああ、そうだ」
夕方を少し過ぎた頃。朝陽宅の食卓を見て、目を輝かせる少女が一人。
その美しいカラメル色の瞳に映るのは、豪華絢爛、酒池肉林――とは言っても酒の代わりにお茶だが――といった感じの料理の数々だ。
「本当に頂いてもいいのですか?」
「メッセージで言ったろ。今日はバレンタインデーのお返しに夜飯を御馳走するって」
「でも、こんなに豪華な料理、私のと釣り合っていない気が......」
「いいんだよ。ホワイトデーは十倍返しって言うだろ」
「聞いたことありませんけど」
「母さんに言われた」
「なるほど」
妙な納得が得られたのは、それだけ冬華が透子という人間を理解している証明だろうか。
二人がどれほど連絡を取り合っているのか気になるが、その興味は今は心の隅に置いておく。
「それに、釣り合わないなんてことはない。冬華が作ってくれたチョコ、本当に美味しかった。だから、文字通りお返しにと思って作ったらこうなったんだ」
「......そう言ってもらえると嬉しいです」
朝陽の本心からの言葉が伝わったのか、冬華は少し俯いて控えめに頷く。
長い髪から覗く小さな耳が、若干赤くなっているような。
確かに、チョコレート数個とテーブルいっぱいの料理では物量的に釣り合ってはいない。
もちろん、味を基準にしても朝陽と冬華ではどうしても差があるだろう。
当然のことながら、かかっている金額も両者には開きがある。
しかし、こういうので一番大切なのは気持ちだと朝陽は知っている。
それを知っている上で、朝陽の口から少しだけ本音が漏れた。
「むしろ俺の方こそ、これでいいのかって感じだけどな。ホワイトデーって言ったら、何か気の利いたプレゼントをするべきなんだろうけど......」
「そ、そんなことはないです!」
久々に聞く、冬華の大きな声。
急で珍しいその声に思わず振り向くと、ぴったり冬華と目が合った。
その表情は少し寂し気というか、困り顔というか。
朝陽の言葉を否定して、伝えたいことがある。そんな強い意志を感じた。
「朝陽くんの料理、大好きですから。お返し、とても嬉しいですよ?」
「......ならよかった」
もちろん料理に対する好意なのだが、どうしても意識してしまうのが恋という厄介な感情だ。
気持ちが大事と理解しつつも、ネガティブな考えをしてしまったのも恐らく相手が冬華だから。
それでも、その冬華本人が肯定してくれるのなら。
朝陽の中で、怖い物は何一つない。
「「いただきます」」
三学期は二人だけの時間が少なくなったために、積もる話が沢山あった。
朝陽は千昭と日菜美の馬鹿でラブな行動をネタにしたり。
冬華は一変した学校生活のことや、透子の話も口にした。
そうした和気あいあいとした会話の中で、「おいしい」という言葉が何度も紡がれた。
その度に、朝陽の心にじんわりと温かい熱が流れ込む。
気の利いたプレゼントは自分にはできない。
あれだけ一緒にいたのに、冬華の趣味嗜好をほんの少ししか知らないのだ。
そんな自分の不甲斐なさを恥じつつ、冬華の好きな食べ物なら誰よりも知っている自信があった。
だから、バレンタインデーのお返しとして卵料理を中心としたご馳走を作ると意気込んだ。
「この卵スープ、やっぱり凄くおいしいですね」
冬華が魔法の言葉と共にやんわりと笑う。
その笑顔は朝陽にとって、最高のプレゼントだった。
(何かまた、お返ししなきゃな......)
そんな馬鹿らしい考えを真面目にしているうちに、食事は終わりに近づいていた。
切り出すなら今、朝陽はそう覚悟を決めてポケットに手を突っ込む。
「......実は夕飯の他に、渡したいものがあるんだ」
「えっ......?」
朝陽の顔は少し強張り、明らかに緊張が見られた。
その様子を冬華は驚きの表情で見つめる。
「これを私に?」
朝陽から差し出された二枚組のチケットを、冬華は丁重に受け取った。
「春休み、時間あればどうかなと思って」
言いながら、朝陽は伝えるべき言葉を思い出す。
俺と一緒に、そう誘うべきなのに。
いざ言葉にするとなると、中々言い出せない。
それでも背中を押されたからには足踏みしていられない。
「よかったら――」
「じゃあ、朝陽くんと行きたいです」
確かに今、自分の名前が聞こえた。
その声の主を見れば、穏やかな笑みが浮かんでいる。
「日菜美とか、他の友達じゃなくていいのか?」
自分で誘おうとして、冬華に誘われた。
その事実に驚きを隠せず、朝陽は戸惑いながら確認をする。
「はい。朝陽くんがいいんです」
即答だった。
何の迷いのない即答。
そして、「どうして」と聞く前に答えが提示された。
「朝陽くんとなら、絶対に楽しいです」
それはきっと、冬華の本心なのだろう。
意中の相手からのお誘いを、朝陽は疑いようもなく、また、断りようもなかった。
「......予定、後で合わせよう」
「そうですね。楽しみにしています」
天使の様な純粋な笑みが、朝陽の胸を高鳴らせる。
その裏に潜む特別な感情に、朝陽はまだ気付かない。
今はただ、小さな小さな幸せを二人で噛み締めていた。
Ch 65
The final exam came to an end, only the ending ceremony was left.
During this period, the entire school atmosphere seemed relaxed.
In the first place, there were no classes, and the only thing was preparation for the graduation ceremony.
And even if he did go to school, he would only chat with friends.
Therefore, Asahi inevitably had fewer opportunities to interact with Fuyuka during this season.
Asahi was lying on his back on the bed, lost in thought by himself.
Although they were neighbors, they didn't see or talk to each other unless there was a reason.
School was almost out for the entire spring break, and all he could do was wait for the weekend when Fuyuka would come to his home.
Asahi calmly took in the situation.
And then,
--Hang in there, because if you don't, your rivals might overtake you.
Chiaki's words flashed through his mind.
"...I know that."
On one hand was the former "Ice Lady" and the other was the soccer club's ace.
If the two of them were seen getting along, that was all it would take to start a rumor.
He actively talks to her, engages with her, and sometimes mentions Fuyuka's favorite romance novels.
Ryoma was making an appeal that he could not step up to.
Meanwhile, Asahi slowly closed the distance between them.
Of course, he felt anxious.
And yet, he continued to move at his own pace.
He was also aware that he was being overly cautious.
More than that, he didn't want to ruin their current relationship.
"But now that I'm backed into a corner, I've got to make a move."
Asahi slowly got up and headed for the kitchen.
From the beginning, he had decided to be brave and move forward a little today.
He had already sent a message that would be a milestone.
[I want you to come to my house on March 14th.] 
The reply was immediate.
"...Did you do all of this by yourself, Asahi-kun?"
"Yeah, I did."
It was a little past evening. The girl's eyes sparkled as she looked at the dining table at Asahi's house.
What reflected in her beautiful caramel eyes was an array of lavish, liquor-soaked dishes - though with tea instead of liquor.
"Can I really?"
"I told you in my message that I'd treat you to dinner today in return for your Valentine's Day gift, right?"
"But I don't think such a lavish dish is a match to my gift..."
"It's fine. You know what they say, you pay tenfold in White Day."
"I've never heard of it though."
"That's what my mom said."
"I see."
The fact that she was strangely convinced proved that Fuyuka understands who Touko was.
Asahi was curious to know how much they keep in touch, but he would put that aside for now.
"Besides, it's fair trade. The chocolate that you made for me was really delicious. So, I took how delicious it was and made a return gift and this is what I got."
"...I'm glad you said that."
Fuyuka turned her head slightly and nodded modestly, as if she could feel that Asahi was speaking from the heart.
The small ears peeking out from her long hair seemed to be slightly red.
Certainly, a few chocolates and a table full of food was not equal in terms of quantity.
Of course, even based on taste, there would inevitably be a difference between their gifts.
Naturally, there was a gap between the two in terms of the amount of money spent.
However, he knew the feelings behind the gift were the most important.
Knowing this, a bit of his real intention leaked out from his mouth.
"It's more like I'm the one wondering if my gift is good enough. When it comes to White Day, I guess I should give some kind of thoughtful gift..."
"No, it's not!"
It had been a while since he heard Fuyuka's loud voice.
When he turned around at the sudden and unusual voice, their eyes met perfectly.
Her expression was a little sad or troubled.
The way she denied his words and seemed to want to express something. He felt such a strong will.
"I really love your cooking, Asahi-kun. That's why I'm very happy that I got this as a gift."
"...I'm glad then."
Of course, it was a fondness for the food, but he couldn't help but be conscious about the word "Love."
Even though he understood that feelings were important, the reason why he thought negatively about the gift was probably because he was dealing with Fuyuka.
Even so, if Fuyuka herself affirmed it.
Then, there was nothing to be afraid of.
"Itadakimasu."
During the third semester, the two of them had less time alone, so they had a lot of things to talk about.
Asahi made a joke about Chiaki and Hinami's stupid and loving behavior.
Fuyuka talked about her school life, which had changed drastically, and also about Touko.
In these friendly conversations, the word "delicious" was used over and over again.
Each time, a warm heat flowed in his heart.
Giving a thoughtful gift was not something he could do.
Even though they had spent so much time together, he knew only a little about Fuyuka's hobbies and preferences.
He was ashamed of his inadequacy, but he was confident that he knew more about Fuyuka's favorite food than anyone else.
So he was determined to make an egg-centric feast in return for Valentine's Day.
"This egg soup is really great."
Fuyuka laughed softly along with the magic words.
That smile was the best gift for Asahi.
'I need to return something for that smile...'
The meal was coming to an end as he was taking such ridiculous thoughts seriously.
The time to make the announcement was now, so Asahi made up his mind and put his hands in his pockets.
"...Actually, there's something else I want to give you in addition to dinner."
"Eh...?"
Asahi's face was a little tense, and he was clearly nervous.
Fuyuka looked at him with a surprised expression on her face.
"This is for me?"
Fuyuka politely accepted the two sets of tickets presented to her.
"I was wondering if you had time over spring break."
As he said this, Asahi remembered the words he needed to say.
Go with me, that was what he should be asking.
He had a hard time putting it into words.
Even so, now that he got pushed in the back, he couldn't exactly stand still.
"If you don't mind..."
"Then, I want to go with you, Asahi-kun."
He heard his name being called.
Looking at the owner of the voice, he was able to see a gentle smile on her face.
"Are you sure you're alright going with me?"
He tried to invite her, but instead Fuyuka invited him.
Surprised by this fact, Asahi confusedly confirmed it.
"Yes. It's alright if it's with you, Asahi-kun."
It was an immediate answer.
She answered immediately without any hesitation.
And before he could ask "why," the answer was presented.
"Because it's definitely going to be fun with you, Asahi-kun."
That was probably what she truly felt.
There was no way he could doubt or refuse the invitation from the person he loved.
"...I'll tell you the schedule later."
"Sure, I'm looking forward to it."
The pure, angelic smile on her face made his heart soar.
Asahi was still unaware of the special feelings that lay behind that smile.
For now, they were just chewing on their small little happiness 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