第42話 氷の令嬢と年越し
迎えた十二月三十一日、大晦日。
一年を締め括る最後の日はやはり特別な気持ちがするものだ。
外に出れば、年末ムードに盛り上がる町と人の喧騒が。
中に居ても、スマホやテレビが否応なく今年の終わりを告げる。
そんな特別な一日がより一層特別に感じられるのは、今日という日を一緒に過ごす人の違いだろうか。
「何だか、コーンフレークを食べたくなってきました」
「奇遇だな、俺も同じこと思ってた」
「明日の朝ご飯は決まりですね」
「いや、流石のコーンフレークも正月の朝飯は荷が重いだろ」
「ふふっ、確かにそうかもしれません」
冗談の掛け合いをすると、隣から可愛らしく上品な笑い声が聞こえて来る。
ソファーの端っこにちょこんと座った冬華はどうやらお笑いに疎いようで、年末特番に映る気合の入った芸人のネタを楽しそうに眺めていた。
(それにしてもよく笑うよな......)
きっと、この笑顔が絶えない可憐な少女こそが素の冬華なのだろう。
“氷の令嬢”なんて呼ばれていたかつての姿は、相当無理をしていたに違いない。
そう思ってしまうほどに、数ヶ月前と今では大きなギャップがある。
「......なんで、この人は服を着ていないんですか」
「なんでって、そういう芸なんだよ」
「そ、それでもお盆一枚というのは......」
少し前も下着姿の芸人に顔を赤らめていたあたり、冬華は性別問わず肌の露出に耐性がないらしい。
クッションに顔を埋め、ぷるぷると震えている姿からは恥じらいが見て取れる。
こういった、冬華の新たな一面を知る度に、ちょっとした一挙一動を見る度に、コロコロと変わる表情を向けられる度に、朝陽の心は静かに揺れ動いた。
「......くん......朝陽くん」
「そろそろ、年越しそばの準備をしないと」
「もうそんな時間か」
「そうですよ、ぼーっとしてたらすぐに来年です」
ほら、と指を差された先を見れば、時計の針が二周目を迎えようとしてる。
準備と言っても蕎麦は既に手打ちで作り終えているので、あとは茹でて、つゆに浸すのみだ。
二人でキッチンに向かい、朝陽はつゆ担当、冬華は茹で担当と分担して手際よく年越しの準備を進める。
「朝陽くん、見てください! 自信作ですよ!」
「本当だ、よくできてる」
テレビの前とはまた違った笑顔を浮かべる冬華を見て、思わず朝陽も笑みがこぼれた。
心が、身体が、自然と温かくなる。
そんな、千昭とも日菜美とも違った居心地の良さを冬華と一緒に居ると感じるのだった。
「もうあと数分で来年か」
「そうですね、いよいよって感じがします」
出汁とコシが効いた年越しそばを食べ終えて、のんびりとソファーでテレビを眺めていると、残り少ない今年の時間はあっという間に過ぎ去った。
テレビに映された有名な神社の境内は大勢の参拝客で賑わい、厳かな除夜の鐘の音と共に、今年の終わり、そして来年の到来を感じさせる。
「二人で一緒に年を越すのって、何だか不思議な気分がしますね」
「そうだな......ちょっと前までは、無視に拒絶と冬華はかなり冷たかったし」
「そ、それは忘れてください......」
隣に座る冬華から小さな声で懇願されるが、朝陽としては忘れられるわけがない。
始まりは、発熱に倒れた冬華を看病した事から。
きっかけは、朝陽のお節介を冬華が受け入れた事から。
そして、今では友達として冬華が隣に居る。
氷の令嬢”として接していた時も含めて、朝陽の中では氷室冬華との大切な関わりなのだ。
「今年は本当に色々とありがとうございました」
「ん、こちらこそ世話になった」
短い言葉の中に込められた感謝の気持ちが伝わったのか、朝陽と冬華の顔がほころび、ほんのりと温かい空気が流れ出す。
「冬華は来年の抱負とかあるのか?」
「そうですね......朝陽くんと同じくらい、料理の腕を上達させたいです」
「自分で言うのも何だが、下手したら数年かかるぞ」
「悔しいですが、否定できませんね。でも、朝陽くんに教わっていればいつかは」
それはつまり、来年どころかその先もずっと、ということだろうか。
とりあえず、暫くはこうして一緒に居ることになりそうだ。
「来年もよろしくお願いしますね」
へにゃりの目元を細めて、可愛らしい微笑みを浮かべる冬華に朝陽の心が静かにざわめく。
やはり、この感情は同じ友達でも、千昭や日菜美に対して生じる気持ちとは確かな違いがあった。
今まで抱いたことがないこの感情の正体は、もうすぐ掴めそうで掴めない。
まるで、目の前にあるはずなのに、ぼんやり霞んで遠い蜃気楼のような。
それでも、一歩ずつ近づいている感覚は確かにある。
いつの日かきっと、納得のいく答えに辿り着けるはずだ。
「十......九......」
テレビの向こう側で、カウントダウンの大合唱が始まった。
朝陽と冬華は肩を並べて、静かにその時を待つ。
「三......二......一......!」
ゼロのカウントはなかった。
代わりに、百八回目の除夜の鐘の音が響き、色鮮やかな花火が夜空を照らす。
「明けましておめでとう」
二人揃って姿勢を正し、丁寧なお辞儀と共に新年の挨拶を交わす。
同時に、テーブルの上に置いた朝陽のスマホから軽快な電子音が連続して鳴った。
恐らく、千昭や日菜美あたりがメッセージを送ってきたのだろう。
冬華に促されてスマホを手に取れば、やはりバカップルから仲良く揃って新年の挨拶が届いていた。
そして、少し遅れて数人の仲が良い友人からも。さらには、仲良し火神家と銘打たれたトークグループにも新たな通知がいくつか見られた。
「どうしたのですか?」
「父さんと母さんが一泊するって」
「それは賑やかな元日になりそうですね」
「賑やかを通り越して騒音にならなきゃいいけど......」
流石に大人としての節度があるはずなので大丈夫だとは思うが、主に和明に対して心配が拭えない。
それに、もし隣に住む冬華とばったり会うような事があれば、クリスマスイブの時以上に騒がしくなるだろう。
そうなれば、本来は火消し役の透子も手が付けられなくなる。
「今日はお家で大人しくしていますね」
「いえ、お気になさらず」
どうやら、冬華も朝陽と同じような考えに行き着いたらしい。
これで、千昭と日菜美と鉢合わせた時の二の舞にはならないはずだ。
しかし、冬華が少し寂しそうな顔しているのを見て、朝陽は頭を悩ませる。
元々、和明と透子は昼頃に顔を出すのみで、夜はまた冬華と一緒に過ごすつもりだったのだ。
それが、急な都合で一人にさせるというのは勝手ながら罪悪感がある。
「......冬華も来るか?」
「多分、夕飯は親が作るから豪華なものになるし、一緒にどうかなと」
もちろん、無理にとは言わない。
顔見知りとはいえ、冬華にとって朝陽の両親は全くの他人だ。
一緒に食事というのは気が引けるだろうし、確実に興味を示されて、面倒な事になるのも目に見えている。
それでも一応誘って見ると、冬華はすぐ断る事はせず、少しの間考える素振りを見せた。
「......家族団欒の場に私がお邪魔するのは迷惑じゃないですか?」
「迷惑どころか大喜びすると思うぞ」
料理人として、一人息子の親として、それこそ騒音レベルに喜ぶ姿が容易に想像できる。
朝陽ももちろん、迷惑とは全く思わない。
あとは冬華が決めることなのだが。
――ピーンポーン
冬華が口を開く前に、聞き慣れた電子音が予期せぬ来客を伝えた。
こんな夜中にインターホンを鳴らすなど、悪質な悪戯を除けば一人、いや二人しか考えられない。
まさかと思いスマホを見ると、少し前に新たなメッセージが届いてる。
『もうすぐ着くわ』
その一文が何を意味しているのかは、今の状況と合わせて明確だった。
Ch 42
December 31st, New Year's Eve.
The last day of the year always had a special feel to it.
If you went outside, you could see the bustle of people in the midst of the new year.
Even if you were inside, your phone and TV would undeniably tell you that the year would be over.
What made such a special day feel even more special was the difference in the people you spend this day with.
"I'm starting to get a craving for cornflakes."
"What a coincidence, I was just thinking the same thing."
"Then, I think we're set for breakfast tomorrow."
"No, cornflakes are pretty heavy to eat in the morning."
"Fufu, that may be true."
As they joked with each other, Asahi heard a lovely and elegant laugh coming from next to him.
Fuyuka, sitting on the edge of the sofa, seemed to be unfamiliar with comedy, and was happily watching the spirited comedian's jokes on the year-end special.
'Even so, she laughs quite a lot.'
Maybe, this girl with her constant smile was the real Fuyuka.
The "Ice Lady," as she was once called, must have been pushing herself.
There was such a big gap between the Fuyuka now and a few months ago if one thought about it.
"...Why isn't this person wearing any clothes?"
"Why, you ask? It's a gag."
"H-however, wearing nothing but a tray is..."
It seems that Fuyuka had no tolerance for exposed skin, regardless of gender, as she blushed at a comedian in his underwear.
She buried her face in the cushion and shivered, and one could see her embarrassment.
Every time he saw a new side of Fuyuka, every time he saw her little actions, and every time he saw her expressions, Asahi's heart quietly shook.
"...kun? Asahi-kun?"
"We should start preparing the Toshikoshi Soba."
"It's that time already?"
"That's right, if we start spacing out, it'll be next year."
When Asahi looked at the point where she pointed at, he saw that the hands of the clock were about to start their second lap.
Preparing, she say but they had already made the soba noodles by hand, so all they had to do was boil them and soak them in dipping sauce.
The two of them headed for the kitchen, where Asahi was in charge of the dipping sauce and Fuyuka was in charge of the boiling, and they quickly prepared for the New Year's Eve.
"Look at this, Asahi-kun! I'm proud of this one!"
"Right, it's really well done."
Seeing Fuyuka's smile, which was different from the one when she was watching the TV, Asahi couldn't help but smile as well.
His heart and body naturally warmed up.
Being with Fuyuka made him feel comfortable in a way that was different from Chiaki and Hinami.
"It'll be next year in a few minutes."
"Yes, it feels like it's finally happening."
After he finished eating his Toshikoshi Soba just as he was relaxing on the sofa watching TV, the few remaining hours of the year flew by.
The precincts of the famous shrine shown on TV were crowded with worshippers, and the solemn sound of the New Year's Eve bell reminded everyone of the end of this year and the arrival of the next.
"There's a mysterious feeling about the two of us passing the year together, right?"
"That's true, you were pretty cold not long ago."
"P-please forget about that..."
Fuyuka, who was sitting next to him, pleaded with him in a quiet voice, but there was no way Asahi could forget.
It all started when he took care of Fuyuka, who fell ill with a fever.
The cue was with Fuyuka's acceptance with regards to Asahi's meddling.
And now, Fuyuka was next to him as a friend.
In Asahi's mind, his relationship with Himuro Fuyuka was very important, including the time when she was treated as the "Ice Lady".
"Thank you so much for everything this year."
"No, it's been my pleasure."
As if the gratitude expressed in their short words had been understood, both Asahi's and Fuyuka's faces relaxed and a slightly warm atmosphere began to flow.
"Does Fuyuka have any resolutions for next year?"
"Yes, I want to improve my cooking skills as much as... Asahi-kun."
"If I do say so myself, it could take years."
"It's frustrating, but I can't deny it. But if Asahi-kun teaches me, one day..."
'Does that mean not only next year, but for the rest of the year?'
At any rate, it looked like they would be staying together like this for a while.
"Please take care of me next year, too."
Asahi's heart quietly buzzed as Fuyuka narrowed her eyes and displayed a lovely smile.
As he thought, there was a definite difference between these feelings and the feelings he had for Chiaki and Hinami, even though both were friends.
He'd never had this feeling before, and so he didn't think he'd be able to figure it out anytime soon.
It was as if it should be right in front of you, but it felt vague and hazy like a distant mirage.
Still, there was a definite sense that he was getting closer, one step at a time.
Someday for sure, he would arrive at a satisfactory answer.
"Ten... Nine..."
On the other side of the TV, a countdown began.
Asahi and Fuyuka stood shoulder to shoulder, quietly waiting for the right moment.
"Three... Two... One..."
There wasn't a count for zero.
Instead, the sound of the 108th New Year's Eve bell echoed, and colorful fireworks lit up the night sky.
"Happy New Year."
Both of them straightened their postures and exchanged polite bows and New Year's greetings.
At the same time, a series of electronic sounds came from Asahi's phone on the table.
Perhaps Chiaki or Hinami had sent a message.
When Fuyuka urged him to pick up his phone, Asahi found a New Year's greeting from the couple who were also in good company.
And, a little later, messages came in from a few good friends. There were also a few new notifications in the talk group titled "Kagami Family".
"What's wrong?"
"Dad and mom are going to spend a night here, they said."
"It looks like it's going to be a lively New Year's Day."
"I just hope it doesn't get too noisy..."
Asahi thought it was going to be fine, but he couldn't help but worry about Kazuaki.
Besides, if they were to bump into Fuyuka, who lived next door, things would get even noisier than they were on Christmas Eve.
If that happens, Touko, who was supposed to be the fire extinguisher, would not be able to do anything about it.
"I'll stay home quietly today."
"No, don't worry about it."
Apparently, Fuyuka had come to the same conclusion as Asahi.
This way, she wouldn't have to go through the same thing she did when she ran into Chiaki and Hinami.
However, seeing Fuyuka looking a little sad, Asahi's mind was troubled.
Originally, Kazuaki and Touko had only planned to show up around noon and spend the night with Fuyuka again.
Asahi felt selfishly guilty that he had to leave her alone at such short notice.
"...Do you also want to come?"
"My parents will probably cook dinner, so it'll be fancy, so I was wondering if you'd like to join us."
Of course, if she didn't want to, she could decline.
Although they were acquaintances, Fuyuka was a complete stranger to Asahi's parents.
It would be uncomfortable to have dinner with them, and Asahi could see that they would certainly be interested and it would be a hassle.
When Asahi asked her, Fuyuka didn't say no right away, but thought for a while.
"Isn't it a bother that I'm interrupting your... family reunion?"
"I think they'll be more pleased than be bothered."
As a cook and a parent of an only son, it was easy to imagine him rejoicing loudly.
Asahi too, of course, didn't find it a bother at all.
The rest was for Fuyuka to decide.
--ding dong
Before Fuyuka could open her mouth, a familiar electronic sound announced an unexpected visitor.
Barring a malicious prank at this time of night, Asahi could only think of one or two people who would ring the intercom.
He didn't think it was possible, so he looked at his phone and saw that he had received a new message a while ago.
[We're almost there.]
It was clear what that sentence meant, along with the current situation.
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