第13話 雨のち氷
一人暮らしをしているといえど、朝陽は親に養ってもらっている。
学費や生活費に月一の仕送りと、何一つ不自由が無い快適な生活を送れているのは当たり前のことではない。
その自覚と親への感謝があるからこそ、朝陽はなるべく無駄遣いを避けて生活していた。
千昭のご所望通りビーフシチューを振る舞った翌日、生憎のにわか雨の中、肉も野菜も尽きた冷蔵庫の中身を潤そうと近所のスーパーへ向かったのも意識的な節約の一環だった。
視界が悪くなるほどの土砂降りで外出は躊躇われたが、特売とタイムセールがある以上背に腹は変えられない。
少しお高めの大きな傘で上半身は完全に守りつつ、地面から跳ね上がる水で下半身はびしょ濡れになりながらようやく目的地に着く。
そこに、グレージュの髪を雨風に靡かる少女の姿があった。
「......何してるんだ」
「見れば分かるでしょう。雨宿りです」
目が合ってしまったので一先ず声を掛けると、相変わらず素っ気ない言葉が返ってくる。
前回は自分でも理由が分からず、無理やり強引に手を伸ばしたが、本来は決して好まれたものじゃない。
善意を押し付けるという行為は相手からすれば悪意に近い。
もちろん身体が冷える心配は消えないが、その場合は店内に入るよう一言促せばいい。
まさか、その手が握り返されるなどとは微塵も思ってもいなかった。
「驚いた、やけに素直なんだな」
「まあ、褒められていないのは確かだな」
「褒めてませんから当然です」
「どうして褒められると思ったのですか」と続けてばっさりと斬られてしまえば苦笑いを浮かべるしかない。
Ch 13
Although he lived alone, Asahi still relied on his parents.
With school fees, living expenses, and monthly remittances, it was no surprise that he was able to live a comfortable life with no inconvenience whatsoever.
Because of this awareness and gratitude to his parents, Asahi actively avoided spending money unnecessarily.
The day after serving Chiaki beef stew as he requested, I went to the local supermarket in the midst of a rain shower to replenish the contents of the refrigerator, which had run out of meat and vegetables, as part of my conscious effort to save money.
I was hesitant to go out because it was pouring so hard that it was hard to see well, but I couldn't change my mind as long as there were bargain sales.
While my upper body was completely protected by a large, slightly expensive umbrella, my lower body was soaked by the water splashing up from the ground as I finally reached my destination.
There, I saw a girl with glazed hair swept away by the rain and wind.
"...What are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm waiting for the rain to stop."
Our eyes met, so I called out to her, but as usual she replied in a cold concise manner.
Last time, he himself didn't know why he did it, but it was never something he was originally fond of doing.
The act of imposing good will onto others might be seen as an act of malice.
Of course, the worry of catching a cold would not go away, but in that case, just ask them to go back inside the supermarket.
He never expected that she would accept his hand.
"Kinda surprising, not expecting for you to be so straightforward."
"Well, it's not a compliment that's for sure."
"Of course I'm not complimenting you."
"Why did you think you're being complimented?" she added. I could only smile bitterly from that remark.
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