第93話 夏の始まり
期末テストを乗り越え、終業式を迎えた学生には、夏休みが待っている。
一教科でも赤点を取ってしまった生徒は補習を受けることになるのだが、成績優秀な朝陽とは無縁の話。
全員平等に課された膨大な宿題から目を逸らせば、約一カ月の長期休みは至高の時間だ。
例えば友達と夏祭りに出かけたり。
「お待たせしました」
マンションの近くにある公園でベンチに腰掛け待っていると、ほんのり温かいそよ風に流され声が届いた。
時計の針は六時を指している。待ち合わせの時間ちょうどだった。
「いいね、冬華っぽい」
くすぐったそうに笑った冬華は浴衣を着ていた。
青色を基調に緑色が淡く彩られた布地は上質でレトロな印象で、至るところに紫陽花の花が美しく咲き誇っている。白色の帯は背中側で蝶々のように結ばれて、華やかで爽やかな雰囲気を感じられた。一方で木製の下駄は質素な作りをしていて、必要以上に主張しない。
冬華が浴衣を着るなら、こんな感じなんだろう。
そんな想像通り、いやそれ以上に似合っている浴衣姿が、忘れられない夏の始まりを予感させた。
「そういう朝陽くんも。とても様になってますよ」
特に特徴のない
色合いがぴったりとか、着こなしていてカッコいいとか。
素直に飾らず褒め言葉を口にされ、朝陽は気恥ずかしくて耳を塞ぎたくなる。
「よくすらすらと人を褒められるな」
「事実を述べてるだけですから」
「もしかして照れてます?」
覗き込むようにして冬華がニヤッと意地悪く笑うのを見て、図星を突かれた朝陽は目を背けた。
いったい誰に似たのか。こういうのは千昭と日菜美で十分だというのに。
親しくなるにつれ物腰が柔らかくなる冬華に、いつだって心の奥底が騒がしくなる。
「俺?」
「もしかして無自覚でやってます?」
今度はジト目で口を尖らせた冬華だが、朝陽には心当たりがない。
「まあ、それならそれでいいんですけど」
冬華はなぜだか勝手に照れる素振りを見せて、それからすぐに元の表情に戻った。
「そろそろ行こうか」
「そうですね」
横並びで歩を進めていくうちに、手と手が何度もすれ違った。
それを物寂しいと思いながらも、今はひとりで握りしめる。
まだその時じゃないと、心に秘めた大事な言葉を反芻する。
時同じくして、隣を歩く少女も小さな手をきゅっと丸めた。
アスファルトを照らす七月の夕陽がゆっくりと沈んでいく。
触れたら伝わる想いを胸に、二人の夏が始まろうとしていた。
Ch 93
After finishing the exams and the end of the school semester ceremony, only the summer vacation awaited the students.
Students who failed in even one subject were required to take make-up classes, but that was not the case for Asahi, who had excellent grades.
The month-long break was a great time to get away from the huge amount of homework that was assigned equally to everyone.
For example, going to a summer festival with friends.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
As he sat down on a bench in a park near his apartment, a slight warm breeze along with a voice came.
The hands of the clock were pointing to six o'clock. It was right on time for the meet up.
"It's quite nice. It really captures you."
Fuyuka laughed softly while wearing a yukata.
The blue fabric with lightly colored green was made of high quality material and had a retro impression. The hydrangea flower patterns were beautifully blooming all over the yukata. The white obi was tied like a butterfly on the back, creating a gorgeous and refreshing look. The wooden geta, on the other hand, were plainly made and did not stand out more than necessary.
If Fuyuka were to wear a yukata, it would probably look something like this.
Her yukata outfit, which looked as good as he imagined it would, made him foresee the beginning of an unforgettable summer.
"You too, Asahi-kun. It really suits you."
The Jinbei was not particularly unique, but Fuyuka seemed to like it a lot.
The hue was perfect, or it looked cool.
She was so honest and unpretentious in her compliments that Asahi felt embarrassed and wanted to cover his ears.
"How can you compliment someone so easily?"
"I'm just stating facts."
"Are you embarrassed, by any chance?"
When he saw Fuyuka grinning mischievously, Asahi turned away, having been caught off-guard.
'Where did she learn this? Chiaki and Hinami are enough for this kind of thing.'
Fuyuka's mellowness as he got to know her always kept him occupied in the back of his mind.
"Me?"
"Were you doing it without realizing it?"
Fuyuka's mouth twitched with a frown, but Asahi had no idea.
"Well, that's fine then."
For some reason, Fuyuka took the liberty of being embarrassed, and then quickly returned to her original expression.
"Let's get going."
"We should."
As they walked side by side, their hands passed each other many times.
Asahi clutched his hands, feeling lonely not being able to take her hand.
'It's not time yet.' He thought, ruminating on the important words he had kept in his heart.
At the same time, the girl walking next to him also curled her small hand into a tight ball.
The July evening sun shining on the asphalt was slowly setting.
Their summer was about to begin, with feelings that can be conveyed through touch.
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