第64話 春よ、恋
期末テストを終え、採点期間を経て、今日は答案返却日。残すは終業式及び卒業式のみとなった。
つまりそれは、一年間の教育課程を終えるということで。
あと数日もすれば約二週間の春休みが始まる。
「高校一年生なんてそんなもんだろ」
「相変わらずドライなもんで」
ふと周りを見渡せば、放課後の教室はいつもより賑やかで、クラスメイトが多く集まっている。
この教室にこのメンバーで集まるのが最後かと思うと、もちろん少しは寂しくなる。
ただ、何も今生の別れというわけではない。
少なくともあと二年、学校に通っていれば嫌でも顔を合わせるのだ。
そこまで感傷に浸る意味も理由もないだろう。
「で、テストはどうだったんだ」
「それ聞いちゃう?」
「当たり前だろ。教えた以上、気になるに決まってる」
プライベートな事だしー、と勿体ぶる千昭から問答無用でテスト結果を奪い取ると、そこには高得点が――とは流石にならなかったが、赤点を示す文字は見られず、総じて平均の前後で収まっていた。
「どや?」
「言っとくけど、当然のことだからな?」
「朝陽、正論は時に人を傷つけるんだよ......」
「何だそれ。まあ、千昭としては頑張ったんじゃねーの」
「ですよね!」
「お前は情緒不安定か」
何はともあれ、千昭が赤点により補習コースになる展開はなくなった。
日菜美に関しては、元々が中の下くらいの成績なので赤点を取る心配はないし、朝陽と冬華は上から数えた方が早い。
冬華に関しては一年の間、一位の座に君臨し続けたらしい。
そして朝陽も安定して高得点、高順位を取れるようになった。
これで、勉強会に参加したメンバー全員が心置きなく春休みを迎えられることになる。
「春休み、また四人で遊びに行くか」
「おお、朝陽が珍しいこと言ってる」
「俺が遊びの提案しちゃ悪いか」
「いや全然、大賛成って感じ。でもその前にだな......」
前置きをした千昭が、財布から何かを取り出す。
どこかで見たような形状のそれは、日菜美から貰った遊園地のチケットによく似ていた。
「ここに水族館のチケットがあります」
「確かにあるな。四人で行こうってことか?」
「悪いな朝陽。このチケットは二人分なんだ」
「じゃあ何で見せたんだよ」
どういうことだ、と問い質す前に千昭がチケットを押し付けて来る。
「プレゼントフォーユー」
「そうでもないぞ。一年間勉強教えてくれたお礼だから」
「ああ、そういう......別に気にしなくていいのに」
お礼というのだから、素直に受け取るが。
若干ニヤついているのが朝陽は少し気になった。
そして、流石に朝陽も一つの答えに辿り着く。
千昭が描いた一本道の回答に。
「......誘えと?」
「背中を押すくらいならいいだろ」
ニヤリ、と千昭が笑みを浮かべる。
その笑顔は純粋に応援の気持ちが含まれているように感じられた。
「ちーくん、帰ろ―!」
「あっ、朝陽ー! 勉強教えてくれてありがとうね!」
「何か適当じゃない!?」
「会う度に言われたらそりゃねえ」
ちょっと不満げな日菜美はいつものように教室に入ってこようとしない。
恐らく、プチお別れムードのクラスに気を使っているのだろう
「もたもたしてると、ライバルが追ってくるから頑張れよ」
そんな意味深な言葉を残して、千昭は日菜美のもとへと歩いて行った。
Ch 64
After finishing the exam, grading it and all. Today was the day to return the test and they were left with only the closing ceremony and graduation ceremony.
In other words, that meant it was the end of the school year.
In a few more days, the two-week spring break would begin.
"That's just how it is."
"Man, dry as ever."
Asahi looked around and saw that the classroom after school was more lively than usual, with many of his classmates gathered around.
Of course, he felt a little sad when he thought that this was the last time they would be together in this classroom.
It was not like they were saying farewell for good.
If he were to stay at school for at least two more years, he would see him even if he didn't want to.
There would be no point or reason to be so sentimental about it.
"So, how did the test go?"
"You're really gonna ask me that?"
"I've taught you, of course I'm curious."
Asahi forcibly took the test results from Chiaki, who was pretending that it was something private, and he found that there were no high scores, but there were no letters indicating red marks either, the scores were generally around the average.
"Well?"
"Just so you know, this is as expected, alright?"
"Asahi, sometimes a sound argument hurts people..."
"What'd you mean? Well, considering it's you, you did pretty good."
"Of course!"
"Are you mentally unstable or something?"
At any rate, Chiaki was no longer going to be in a make-up class.
As for Hinami, there was nothing to worry about since her grades were above average to begin with.
As for Fuyuka, it seemed that she had been in first place for the whole year.
And Asahi was also able to get high scores and high rankings consistently.
Now, all the members who participated in the study group would be able to start their spring break without any worries.
"The four of us should go out again during the break."
"Oh, that's very unusual for you, Asahi."
"What's wrong with me suggesting we hang out?"
"No, not at all, I'm all for it. But first things first..."
Chiaki, preening, took something out of his wallet.
It looked very similar to the amusement park ticket that Hinami had given him.
"Here's tickets to the aquarium."
"Okay. You mean the four of us should go?"
"Sorry, Asahi. This ticket is for two people."
"Then why'd you show it to me?"
Before Asahi could ask him what he meant, Chiaki pushed the ticket to him.
"Present for you."
"Not really. I'm just thanking you for teaching me how to study for the whole year."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that..."
Since he said it was a thanking gesture, Asahi took it.
He was grinning slightly, which bothered Asahi a little.
Then, suddenly, he arrived at an answer.
To the answer of the single path drawn by Chiaki.
"...You want me to ask her?"
"A little push in the back is fine, right?"
Chiaki grin.
The smile on his face seemed to contain a genuine feeling of support.
"Chi-kun, let's go home!"
"Ah, Asahi! Thank you for teaching me how to study!"
"Why so sloppy?!"
"Well, If I had to hear it every time we met, you know?"
Hinami, who was a little frustrated, didn't try to enter the classroom as usual.
Perhaps she was concerned about the class being in a farewell mood.
"Hang in there, because if you don't, your rivals might overtake you."
With these meaningful words, Chiaki walked over to Hinami.
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