第63話 第一回定期テスト対策勉強会
バレンタインデーをきっかけにいくつかのカップルができたようで、学校にはまだ甘い雰囲気が漂っていた。
そして迎えた週末。
冬華が家に来るからと、朝陽は楽しみにしていたのだが。
「あっ、第一回!」
「定期テスト対策勉強会!」
「in朝陽家!」
普段は静かな朝陽の部屋に、賑やかな男女の声が響き渡る。
続いて、ばしん、ぺしんと軽快な殴打音が鳴った。
「いえーい、じゃないだろ馬鹿」
「ぼ、暴力反対......」
「今、明らかに俺の方が強かったぞ......」
頭を抱えて涙目を浮かべる千昭と日菜美。
二人の手前には教科書やノート、シャーペンや消しゴムが乱雑に置かれている。
「テストがヤバいって泣きついてきたのはどこの誰だったっけか」
「......俺です」
「だったら真面目にやるんだな」
高校一年生最後のテストで赤点はマズいと危機感を覚えたバカップルに頼み込まれ、わざわざ自宅で勉強会を開いたのだ。
教えられる側が真剣に勉強に取り組まないと話にならない。
やるからには徹底的に、夜までみっちり勉強することになっている。
朝陽の心に潜む、お人好しでお節介な一面が久々に顔を出していた。
冬華と一緒にいられる時間が減るのは難だが、事情を伝えて返事をもらい、今に至る。
「じゃあ、早速数学から――」
「ちょっと待ったー!」
「......何だよいきなり」
「勉強始めるの、もう少しだけ待ってくれない?」
「理由は」
「内緒!」
「まずは二次方程式の応用から――」
「わーっ! わかった、理由言うからちょっとだけ待って!」
朝陽が開こうとした教科書を、日菜美は無理やり閉じてしまう。
「あと数分待てば、良いことが起きるの!」
「随分と曖昧な答えだな」
「ちなみに、それ本当だから待つ甲斐はあると思うぞ?」
「千昭も知ってるのか」
「もちろん。俺とヒナの共同計画だから」
ニヤリ、と笑う千昭に良い思い出は全くと言っていいほどない。
いつも何か企んでるような顔をしているが、今回は大っぴらに計画などと言っている故に尚更不安になる。
そんな朝陽の不安を助長するかのように、タイミング良くインターホンが鳴った。
「はーい! 今行きまーす!」
「待て待て待て。何で日菜美が出るんだ」
「いいからいいから、付いて来てよ」
自分で宅配を頼んだ覚えはないので、時期的に親からの仕送りが届いたのかもしれない。
何にせよ、日菜美が受け取る必要はないし、印鑑を持っていないので受け取れないだろう。
急いで戸棚から火神と刻まれた印鑑を取り出し、駆け足で消えた日菜美の後を追う。
すると、既に玄関の扉は開かれていて、外から眩しい太陽の光が差し込んだ。
そして、よく知る少女がいつの間にか家に上がっていた。
「お邪魔します」
「私たちが呼んだの!」
「一対二じゃ負担が大きいだろうし、これでマンツーマン指導になるだろ?」
「それはそうだけど。冬華はいいのか? 無理やり誘われたなら断っても良いんだぞ」
「私も二人の力になりたいので、無理にというわけでは......」
本人がそう言うなら、拒む理由はどこにもない。
朝陽は内心動揺しながらも、久々に冬華を玄関の先へと招いた。
「......ブローチ、もう飾ってないんですか?」
不意に耳元で小さく囁かれ、朝陽の心臓がドキンと跳ねた。
「......あいつらに見つかったら面倒くさいから隠した」
「......あとでまた戻すよ」
「......それなら良かったです」
少し頬が熱くなりながらこしょこしょ話を終えると、ニヤニヤと目を細める千昭と日菜美とぴったり視線が合う。
「なーにを話しているのかなー?」
「お前らには関係ない」
「ほら、せっかく臨時講師まで来てくれたんだから気合入れて頑張ってくれ」
「こ、講師だなんてそんな......」
「よっ、臨時講師!」
「ふゆちゃんカッコいい!」
「......お前ら?」
「真面目にやります!」
期末テストまで一週間を切った日曜、四人は同じテーブルを囲む。
朝陽が千昭を見て、冬華が日菜美を見る。
そんなマンツーマン体制の中、第一回定期テスト対策勉強会が始まった。
「うぎゃーっ、もう疲れたー!」
「ヒナに同じく......これ以上は死んでしまう」
大袈裟で悲痛な叫びをスルーしつつ、時計を見ればもう夕暮れ時になっていた。
適度に休憩時間を挟んだものの、普段勉強をしない千昭と日菜美にとっては集中力の限界を迎えたらしい。
とは言え、朝陽と冬華の教え方が良い事に加え、元々は地頭も学力も十分にある二人は順調にテスト範囲への理解度を深めていた。
朝陽が作った小テストは八割方に赤丸が付き、この調子で勉強を続ければ赤点を取る事はないはずだ。
この調子で勉強を続ける、というのが一番の難易度なのだが、そこは二人次第ということで釘を刺すに止めておく。
「......そうだな。そろそろ飯にするか」
あらかじめ、今日は夕食を共にする予定で話を進めていたので、朝陽は早速キッチンに向かう。
しかし、冬華が来るとは完全に予想外だったので、四人分となると冷蔵庫の中身が少々心もとない気がするが。
(なるほど、そういうことか......)
朝陽は前日に日菜美から届いたメッセージを思い出す。
『勉強疲れでお腹すくだろうから、一食分多めに材料買っておいて!』
勉強を教えてもらうお礼と夕飯を作って貰うお礼を合わせて、材料費は千昭と日菜美持ちとなっている。
そのため、遠慮なく多めに食材を買ったのだが、裏には冬華の存在があったわけだ。
「朝陽くん、私も手伝いますよ」
「ん、助かる。じゃあ、必要な調理器具出しといて。あと、野菜の皮むきも頼む」
朝陽の指示に合わて、冬華がテキパキと準備を進める。
「たかが数日ぶりなのに、なんだか久しぶりな気がしますね」
「そうだな」
「二人の前で、頭撫でるのはダメですからね?」
「それくらいはわかってる。冬華も、二人の前で失敗するなよ?」
「だ、大丈夫です! 今更、そんなことは......あっ」
言ってる傍から足を滑らせた冬華の肩を朝陽がぐっと引き寄せる。
「......大丈夫か」
「気を付けろよ」
初歩的なミスどころか、ただのドジを見せてしまったことが余程恥ずかしかったのだろう。
冬華は俯きながら、耳まで顔を赤くしていた。
「あいつらに見られてなくて良かったな」
「それは本当に......相葉さんにからかわれるに決まってます」
「千昭も乗っかって来るだろうな。そして相当ウザそうだ」
千昭と日菜美が違う方向を見ていたのが幸いし、一瞬気まずくなったキッチンの雰囲気が和む。
「それじゃ、早速作るか」
今日の夕飯はチーズハンバーグがいいとオーダーを受けている。
友達に料理を振る舞う。
隣に好きな人がいる。
朝陽はいつもより気合を入れて調理に臨んだ。
「......日菜美隊長。どうやら、氷室さんは朝陽宅のキッチンを正確に把握している模様」
「......なんだと? それは色々と怪しいのでは」
「......あっ、今二人がとてもいい感じに!」
「......密接に抱き合って......やばっ、朝陽がこっち向く!」
「......引き続き、俺たちは温かく見守ることにしましょう」
「......そうだね。時々、背中を押すことも忘れずにね!」
Ch 63
There was still a sweet atmosphere in the school as there were several new couples in the wake of Valentine's Day.
Then came the weekend.
Asahi had been looking forward to Fuyuka's visit to his house but...
"Oh, the very first!"
"Study session for the test!"
"In Asahi's place!!!"
A lively pair of voices echoed in his normally quiet room.
This was followed by the sound of light blows: bang, pow.
"Don't yell, you morons."
"I-I'm against violence..."
"Why was mine stronger...?"
Chiaki and Hinami held their heads with teary eyes.
In front of them lay a mess of textbooks, notebooks, pencils and erasers.
"Who was it that came crying to me cause they might fail their tests?"
"It was me..."
"Then, take it seriously."
Asahi was asked to hold a study session at his home by the lovebirds who felt threatened that they might fail the test.
If the people being taught didn't take their studies seriously, there was nothing to talk about.
They were supposed to study hard and thoroughly until nightfall.
The good-natured and meddlesome side of Asahi's heart had been displaying its face for the first time in a while.
It was difficult since he would spend less time with Fuyuka, but he told her what was going on and she responded, and here they were.
"Alright, let's start with the math--"
"Wait a minute!"
"...What is it?"
"Can you wait just a little longer?"
"Why?"
"Secret!"
"We'll start with the application of quadratic equations."
"A-alright! I'll tell you the reason so wait a second!"
As Asahi tried to open the textbook, Hinami forced it closed.
"If you wait a few more minutes, something good will happen!"
"That's a pretty vague answer."
"And by the way, it's true, so I think it's worth the wait."
"Do you know it too, Chiaki?"
"Of course. It's a joint project between me and Hina."
Chiaki grinned as he seemed to have something on his mind.
He always looked like he was up to something, but this time he was talking so openly about his plans, which made me even more worried.
As if to add to Asahi's anxiety, the intercom rang at just the right time.
"Yes! Coming!"
"Wait, wait, wait. Why are you the one answering, Hinami?"
"Just follow me, okay?"
Asahi didn't remember ordering a delivery for himself, so it might be something sent by his parents.
Whatever it was, Hinami didn't need to receive it, and she won't be able to since she didn't have his seal.
Asahi hurriedly took out a seal engraved with the name "Kagami" from the cupboard and ran after Hinami, who had disappeared.
Then, the front door was already open, and dazzling sunlight streamed in from outside.
And a girl he knew well, was up at the house before he knew it.
"Please excuse me."
"We called her!"
"Teaching us on your own would be too much, but with this, it would lessen the burden, right?"
"That's true, but...are you okay with that, Fuyuka? If you were forced, it's okay to say no."
"I want to help them both, I'm not being forced to do so."
If she said so, there was no reason to refuse.
Asahi was inwardly upset, but still he invited Fuyuka to the door after some time.
"...The brooch, you don't have it on display anymore?"
Suddenly, a small whisper in his ear made Asahi's heart skip a beat.
"...I hid it because it would be troublesome if they found it."
"...I'll put it back later."
"...That's good to know."
His cheeks were a little hot as he finished his story, and his gaze met with Chiaki and Hinami, who were both grinning.
"What~ are you guys~ talking about~?"
"None of your business."
"Look, you've even got a temporary teacher here, so put your mind to it and work hard."
"T-teacher...?"
"Yo! Teacher!"
"Fuyu-chan! You're so cool!"
"You guys..."
"I'll be serious!"
On Sunday, less than a week before the exam, the four of them sat around the same table.
Asahi looked after Chiaki, and Fuyuka looked after Hinami.
Under this one-on-one system, the first study session for the test began.
"Geez, I'm so exhausted!"
"I agree with Hina... Anymore and I'll die."
While going through their exaggerated and heartbreaking cries, Asahi looked at the clock and saw that it was already dusk.
Despite the moderate breaks, Chiaki and Hinami, who didn't usually study, seemed to have reached the limit of their concentration.
Nevertheless, in addition to the both good teaching methods, the two of them, who originally had a good understanding and academic ability, were steadily deepening their understanding of the test range.
Eighty percent of the quizzes that Asahi made were circled in red, and if they continued to study at this rate, they would never get a red mark.
The most difficult thing was to continue studying at this rate, but he would leave it up to the two of them to nail it down.
"...I guess so. I think we should get some food."
As they had already made plans to have dinner together today, Asahi immediately went to the kitchen.
However, he hadn't expected Fuyuka to come too, so the contents of the refrigerator would have seemed a bit limited for the four of them but...
'I see, so that's how it is...'
Asahi recalled the message he had received from Hinami the day before.
[I'm sure we'll be hungry from studying, so buy extra ingredients for dinner!] 
As a thanks for teaching them how to study and for cooking dinner for them, the cost of the ingredients would be shouldered by Chiaki and Hinami.
That was why he bought more food without hesitation, but behind the scenes, there was something.
"I'll help you, Asahi-kun."
"Mhm, thanks. Then get me the necessary cooking utensils. And peel the vegetables, too."
Fuyuka was preparing ingredients in accordance with Asahi's instructions.
"It's only been a few days, but it feels like it's been forever."
"Right."
"You can't pat my head in front of the two of them, okay?"
"I know that much. You too, don't make any mistakes in front of the two, okay?"
"It's okay! I don't need your..."
Fuyuka then slipped, Asahi immediately held her shoulders tightly.
"...You good?"
"Be careful."
Asahi guessed that she was embarrassed because of the rudimentary mistake she made.
Fuyuka turned over and her face was red up to her ears.
"You're lucky those guys didn't see you."
"That's really... something Aiba-san would tease me about, of course."
"I'm sure Chiaki will come on board too. And he would look pretty annoying."
It was fortunate that Chiaki and Hinami were looking in different directions, and the momentarily awkward atmosphere in the kitchen softened.
"Well then, let's get to work."
Asahi was getting orders for a cheeseburger for tonight's dinner.
Serving food to his friends.
And his beloved one was next to him.
Asahi was more enthusiastic than usual about cooking.
"...Captain Hinami. It seems that Himuro-san knows exactly where the kitchen is in Asahi's house."
"...What'd you say? Isn't that kinda fishy?"
"...Oh, the mood between the two seems great."
"...They're closely hugging... Oh no, Asahi is looking at me!"
"...Let's continue watching them warmly."
"...You're right. And don't forget to push their back sometimes!"
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