第53話 氷の令嬢の欠席
「――週末にかけて、厳しい寒さと強い雨風が予測されるでしょう。また、週明けには前線を伴った低気圧と上空の寒気の影響で――」
朝のニュースで聞いた言葉通り、その日の天気は最悪だった。
降り注ぐ雨に、吹き荒れる風、鳴り響く雷。
二月の初旬とあって、部屋の中までも十分に冷え込み、一歩外に出ればたちまち冬将軍に襲われる。窓辺から覗く街並みはカラフルな傘で覆われていて、道行く人々の表情を隠していた。
こんな日は外出するのが非常に躊躇われる。
可能であれば、一日中室内でゴロゴロしていたい。
幸い、今日は土曜日で学校が休みのため、朝陽は望むがままにベッドに寝転がっていた。
枕に頭を預けて目を瞑ると、地面に打ち付ける雨の音と空気を切り裂く風の音だけが鼓膜を支配する。
そうして訪れた静寂の中で、朝陽は自然と冬華の姿を思い浮かべていた。
今日は母親に会いに行くらしい。
今頃、自分の話をしているのだろうか。
そんな想像をして、何故か笑みがこぼれる。
最近は何かと冬華に結び付けてしまう自分がいる。
まるで、彼女中心に自分の世界が回っているような。
気づけばもう否定しきれないほど、朝陽の中で冬華の存在が大きくなっていた。
「......買い出し行くか」
らしくない自分に戸惑い、浮かされ、朝陽はゆっくりとベッドから這い出た。
本音は外出せず、家に居たい。
しかし、昨夜の冬華の言葉を思い出して、空っぽの冷蔵庫と相談すれば、そうも言ってられない。
――帰りが遅くなるかもしれませんが、良ければ夕食は一緒に食べたいです。
一人だけなら適当に余り物で補えばいいが、必要なのは
そうなれば、土砂降りの中の外出よりも、手抜きをすることに躊躇いがある。
温かい料理を用意することはもちろん、冬華の好物である卵をふんだんに使ったメニューを作りたい。
おいしい、と魔法の言葉を口にする冬華を思い浮かべて、朝陽はまた無意識に口角を上げた。
そうして、身支度を整え、極寒の寒空に身を投じようとした時だった。
ポケットに入れた携帯が小刻みに震える。
どうやら、メッセージが届いたらしい。
靴を履く前にアプリを起動して確認すると、差出人の欄には氷室冬華の文字。
『今日の夕食はご一緒できません。ごめんなさい』
その簡素な一文に朝陽は『分かった』と短い返事を打ちつつ、深く大きなため息をついた。
そして同時に、嫌な予感というものを久々に感じる。
部屋全体を眩い光が一瞬覆い、直後にゴロゴロと禍々しい轟音が響いた。
「ふゆちゃん、今日はお休みなんだね」
「らしいな。友達が登校した意味がないって騒いでたわ」
週明けの月曜日、学食の四人掛けのテーブルに空席が一つあった。
冬華が学校を欠席しているという話は朝から聞いていたので、さして驚くことではない。
それでも、実感が湧くのはこうして誰もいない隣の席を見てからだ。
どうやら欠席理由は誰も知らないようで、風邪や法事、大穴で寝坊だとか、それはもう好き勝手に噂をされていた。
総じて言えるのは、生徒が皆、冬華の事を気にかけ、心配していたという事。
「朝陽ってふゆちゃんから何も聞いてないの?」
「俺は聞いてないな。そっちこそ何か知らないのか?」
「ぜーんぜん。土曜日から既読も付かないし心配だよ」
「俺も同じく。先生も本当に知らないみたいだったし」
朝陽と日菜美はお弁当を、千昭はすっかりハマったらしいキムチラーメンを食べながら、会話は自然と冬華の話題になった。
土曜日から既読も付かないというのは朝陽も同じで、冬華とのトーク画面には『分かった』の四文字が未読のまま寂しく残っている。
つまり、そのトーク画面は日曜日に冬華と何の連絡もしなかったことを表していた。
別に、一日くらいメッセージのやり取りをしなくても、何らおかしいことではない。寧ろ、その方が一般的な友達との距離感だろう。
ただ、朝陽と冬華にとって、それは数カ月ぶりの出来事だったのだ。
冬華は毎日、料理を学ぶために朝陽の家に出向く。
そうして、必然的に画面上の会話が積もっていく。
その一種の日常と化したやり取りが、日曜日にぱったりと途絶えた。
久々に、しかも二日連続で一人で料理を作り、夕食を食べて。
朝陽は当たり前だったはずの光景を初めて寂しいと感じた。
「あーあ、ふゆちゃんと雪合戦とかしたかったなー」
「ヒナお嬢、男二人じゃ力不足ですか?」
「そういう事じゃないけど......」
言葉に詰まる日菜美が言わんとしていることは、朝陽も理解できる。そして、冗談めかした千昭もきっと。
元々は、この三人で一緒にいることが当たり前だった。
その当たり前が冬華と関わり始めたことで変わったのだ。
「ねえねえ、ふゆちゃんのお見舞いに行くってのはどう?」
「お見舞いって、まだ病気かどうかも分からないだろ。それに、病気だとしたら大人数は迷惑だ」
「うぐっ......朝陽の正論パンチが痛い......」
「なら、朝陽一人ならいいんじゃね? ほら、家近いだろ?」
「あっ、それいいかも。朝陽もふゆちゃんのこと心配でしょ?」
家が近いというより、隣部屋なのを千昭は知っているはずだが、わざとぼかしてニコッと笑う。
食堂とあって、周りに他の生徒が多いのを気遣ってだろうか。
それとも、単にニヤついているだけなのだろうか。
「......考えとく」
丁度、授業開始五分前のチャイムが鳴り、朝陽は返答を濁して空の弁当箱に手を合わせた。
土曜日を襲った雨風は翌日から姿形を変え、粉雪が地上を白く染めようとしていた。
湿った重い雪は二日目にして勢いを増し、雨に濡れたアスファルトを上から無理やり覆い隠す。
天から降り注ぐ氷の結晶をクリスマスの時は神様の祝福のように感じていたが、今は全く別の印象を受けるものだ。
ただ、今はそんなことを気にしている余裕がない。
六時間授業が終わり、放課後になって、朝陽は自分の部屋ではなく、冬華の部屋の前に立っていた。
千昭に言われずとも、今日はこのインターホンを押すことを決めていたのだ。
それは、学校を欠席した冬華の身を案じての行動。
風邪を引いていたらまた看病をするつもりで。
あの時と同じように、そして今度は最初からお節介を受け入れると信じて。
また、別の気持ちも胸に抱きながら。
朝陽は深呼吸を二回した後にピンポンと電子音を鳴らした。
長い廊下に冷たい風が吹き抜け、雪に濡れた身体に容赦なく刺さる。
暫くして、ガチャリと鍵を回す音がした。
そして、ゆっくりと扉が開く。
「大丈夫か」
固く重い扉の向こう側から姿を現した冬華を見て、朝陽の口は勝手に動いていた。
嫌な予感が再び頭に過る。
これは風邪を引いたとか、病気の類ではない。
きっと、身体的な問題ではなく、精神的な問題だ。
そう、一瞬で理解ができた。
その表情は暗く、深く沈んでいる。
触れると崩れてしまいそうな。
脆くて儚い少女の姿がそこにはあった。
朝陽の問いかけに、冬華は弱々しい小さな声で。
それでも、確かな熱が込められた言葉で応じた。
だから、朝陽は手を伸ばした。
その大きな手のひらで、冬華の手首をそっと掴む。
もう、お互いに言葉を交わすことはなかった。
そのまま無言で、朝陽は冬華の手を引く。
そして、冬華も無言で朝陽の背中を追う。
奇しくもその光景は、朝陽と冬華が最初に関わりを持った場面と似ているようで、大きく違っていた。
Chapter 53: The Ice Lady's Absence
"--Severe strong rain and wind is to be expected through the weekend. Also, by the end of the week--"
As he heard on the morning news, the weather that day was terrible.
The rain was pouring down, the wind was blowing, and the thunder was rumbling.
As it was early February, it was cold enough even inside the room, and stepping outside, one might get overwhelmed with the cold. The cityscape peeking through the window was covered with colorful umbrellas, hiding the expressions of the people on the street.
On days like this, going out made people hesitant.
If possible, one should stay indoors all day.
Fortunately, it was Saturday and school was not in session today, so Asahi could lie in bed as he wished.
As he lay his head back on the pillow, only the sound of the rain hitting the ground and the wind tearing through the air was heard.
In the silence that ensued, Asahi naturally thought of Fuyuka.
'She's going to see her mother today.'
'I wonder if she's talking about me now.'
Whilst thinking such thoughts, he couldn't help but smile.
Lately, he found himself somewhat associating with Fuyuka.
It was as if his world revolved around her.
Asahi realized that Fuyuka's presence had become a big part of his life that he could no longer deny it.
"...I should go get some groceries."
Puzzled and embarrassed by his unusual self, Asahi slowly crawled out of bed.
He really wanted to stay at home and not go out.
However, remembering Fuyuka's words from last night and the empty refrigerator, Asahi couldn't exactly just stay still.
--I may be home late, but I'd like to have dinner with you if you don't mind.
If it was just himself, he could make up for whatever he had left over, but it was a different story with a companion.
If that happened, he would be more hesitant to cut corners than to go out in the downpour.
In addition to preparing hot dishes, he also would like to cook a few egg dishes, Fuyuka's favorite food.
Thinking of Fuyuka saying the magic word "delicious", Asahi unconsciously smiled again.
Then, he prepared himself and was about to throw himself into the extremely cold weather.
The phone in his pocket trembled slightly.
It seems that he got a message.
Before he put on his shoes, Asahi launched the app to check and found the name Himuro Fuyuka as the sender.
[I won't be able to join you for today's dinner. I'm sorry.] 
Asahi sent a short message in affirmation and let out a huge sigh.
And at the same time, he had a bad feeling, something he hadn't felt in a long time.
A dazzling light covered the entire room for a moment, followed immediately by a rumbling, disastrous roar.
"Fuyu-chan is on rest today?"
"Apparently. My friends were screaming about how there was no point in going to school."
Monday, the first day of the week, and there was one empty seat at a table for four in the cafeteria.
Asahi had heard since this morning that Fuyuka was absent from school, so he was not too surprised.
However, it was not until he looked at the empty seat next to him that it began to hit him.
Apparently, no one knew why she was absent, and there were rumors about colds, legal matters, oversleeping, or whatever rumors they had to say.
In general, all the students seemed concerned and worried about Fuyuka.
"Asahi, you haven't heard anything from Fuyu-chan?"
"I haven't heard anything. How about you?"
"Nothing at all. I'm worried, we haven't been in touch since Saturday."
"Same here. The teacher didn't really seem to know either."
As Asahi and Hinami ate their lunches and Chiaki ate kimchi ramen, which he seemed to be completely addicted to, the conversation naturally turned to the topic of Fuyuka.
It was the same for Asahi, who hadn't been in touch since Saturday, and the reply "Alright." remained unread.
In other words, Fuyuka hadn't checked her mail on Sunday.
There was nothing wrong with them not exchanging messages for a day or so. In fact, that was probably a normal thing between friends.
But for Asahi and Fuyuka, it felt like months.
Every day, Fuyuka went to Asahi's house to learn how to cook.
And so, inevitably, the conversations on the text would pile up.
This exchange, which had become a kind of daily routine, ceased abruptly on Sunday.
It had been a while since he cooked and ate dinner alone, and for two days in a row.
For the first time, Asahi felt lonely at a sight that should have been the norm.
"Sigh, I wanted to have a snowball fight with Fuyu-chan..."
"Hina-ojou, are two men not enough?"
"That's not what I mean..."
Asahi understood what Hinami, who was at a loss for words, was trying to say. And surely Chiaki, who was joking, could too.
Originally, the three of them together should have been the usual.
That normality changed when they started to get involved with Fuyuka.
"Hey, hey, how about going to visit Fuyu-chan?"
"You don't even know if she's sick yet. Besides, if she is, a large group of people would be a nuisance."
"Ugh... Asahi's sound argument punch hurts..."
"Then why don't you go alone, Asahi? You live close by, right?"
"Ah, that sounds good. You're worried about Fuyu-chan, aren't you?"
Chiaki knew that they lived next door to each other rather than close to each other, but he purposely blurred it out and smiled.
As it was the cafeteria, Asahi wondered if he was concerned about the number of other students around.
Or was he simply grinning?
"...I'll think about it."
The chime rang, and Asahi muddled his reply and placed his hand over his empty lunch box.
The rain and wind that attacked on Saturday had changed its shape the next day, and powdery snow was about to turn the ground white.
The heavy, wet snow gained momentum on the second day, forcing the rain-soaked asphalt to cover the top.
The ice crystals falling from the heavens seemed like a blessing from God at Christmas, but now they gave a completely different impression.
However, he didn't have the time to worry about that right now.
Six hours of classes were over and after school, Asahi was standing in front of Fuyuka's room instead of his own.
Even without Chiaki's advice, he had decided to press this intercom today.
He was acting out of concern for Fuyuka, who was absent from school.
If she caught a cold, he was gonna nurse her back again.
Just like that time, and this time, trust that she would accept the meddling from the beginning.
While also holding another feeling in his heart.
Asahi took two deep breaths and then rang the intercom.
A cold wind blew through the long corridor, stinging his snow-wet body mercilessly.
A few moments later, he heard the sound of a lock being turned with a clang.
Then, the door slowly opened.
"Are you okay?"
Seeing Fuyuka appear from the other side of the hard and heavy door, Asahi's mouth was moving on its own.
A bad feeling came over on him again.
This was not a cold or any kind of illness.
It was probably not a physical problem, but a mental one.
Right, it took him a moment to understand.
Her expression was dark and deeply downcast.
Her face seems to be on the verge of crumble if touched.
There, was a transient and fragile girl.
In response to Asahi's question, Fuyuka replied in a weak, small voice.
Still, she responded with words that were filled with a certain fervor.
So, Asahi reached out his hand.
With his large palm, he gently grabbed Fuyuka's wrist.
They didn't exchange words with each other anymore.
In the silence, Asahi pulled Fuyuka's hand.
And so, Fuyuka silently followed him from behind.
Oddly enough, the scene was similar to the one where Asahi and Fuyuka first got involved with each other, yet also distinctly different.
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