第76話 第二回定期テスト対策勉強会
一緒に勉強会をするにあたって、空き教室で行うか、ファミレスで行うか。
朝陽にとって正直どちらでもよい二択は、冬華の鶴の一声によって決まった。
「あっ、第二回!」
「定期テスト対策勉強会!」
「inファミレス!」
「「いえーい!」」
とりあえずドリンクバーを四人分注文した後、どこか聞き覚えのあるやり取りが耳に響く。
千昭と日菜美も公共の場では流石に身を弁え、声はいつもより小さめだった。
「朝陽とふゆちゃん、なに飲む? 私たち取って来るよ」
「それでは、オレンジジュースをお願いします」
二人仲良く飲み物を取りに行き、朝陽と冬華が残される。
正面に座る冬華はニコニコと嬉しそうな微笑みを湛えていた。
その様子はさながら壁面に描かれた絵画の天使のようで、朝陽も自然と笑みが浮かんだ。
「やけに楽しそうだな」
「わ、わかりますか......?」
「まあ、なんとなく」
朝陽が言うと、冬華はメニュー表で顔を隠してしまう。
それからひょっこりと、カラメル色の両目だけが姿を現した。
「こういうの、憧れだったんです」
「こういうのとは?」
「その......友達と、放課後に遊ぶ......みたいな」
勉強会が遊びかどうかはさて置き、友達という関係を今まで避けてきた冬華にとって、何気ないこの光景は密かに強く望んでいたものなのだろう。
遊園地で遊んだり、水族館を楽しんだ時とはまた違った思いがあるに違いない。
「そういや去年の三学期とか、日菜美に遊ぼうって誘われてなかったか?」
「それは......まだ、少し勇気がでなくて」
あの頃は、ようやく冬華が一歩を踏み出した時期だった。
初詣を経て日菜美と知りあったとはいえ、それ以上先に進むのは難しかったはずだ。
だからこそ、そういった心の壁を乗り越えて手に入れた友人関係が愛おしく感じるのだろう。
日菜美に対して、千昭に対して、クラスメイトに対して向ける冬華の表情は、いつの日かの冷たい雰囲気とは裏腹に温かい。
そしてまた、朝陽の前でも穏やかで優しい笑顔が浮かぶ。
「でも、今ではこうして一緒に居たいって思います」
「それ聞いたら、千昭も日菜美も喜ぶだろうな」
「......朝陽くんも喜んでくれますか?」
ふいの質問に、朝陽は一瞬固まった。
しかし、答えには迷わないので即座に言葉を返す。
「もちろん」
どうやら、この手の話は少しむず痒いものがあるらしい。
冬華は再び縦長のメニュー表で顔を隠してしまった。
しかし、横からの視線は防げなかったようだ。
「おまたせー。あれ、ふゆちゃん顔赤くない?」
「そ、そうですか?」
ドリンクバーから戻って来た千昭と日菜美がニヤニヤとしながら席に着く。
「二人で何の話してたんだ?」
「試験終わったら遊びに行きたいなって話」
機転を利かせて上手い具合に話題を伝えると、日菜美の目がキラキラと輝く。
「遊ぼ遊ぼ! 食べ歩きにショッピング、プリクラとかも一緒に撮りたい!」
「カラオケとか、ボウリングとかも外せないな」
「いいねちーくん! 四人で遊べるところ探そっか!」
楽しそうに笑顔で遊び場を列挙する千昭と日菜美。
そんな二人を見て、冬華はやんわりと口角を上げた。
「お誘い楽しみに待っていますね」
「それじゃ、今から近くの――」
「おい、今日の目的を忘れるな」
朝陽が鋭く指摘をすると、日菜美がぶーっと頬を膨らませる。
「わ、わかってるよ。ちゃんと勉強するもん」
そう言って、日菜美はカバンから参考書やテキストを取り出した。
国語や数学、地理に英語、中には専科の暗記プリントも入っている。
「それ、今日だけで終わらせる気じゃないだろうな」
続いて千昭も同じように大量のノートをテーブルに広げ、雑談もそこそこに勉強会が始まった。
朝陽が千昭に教え、冬華が日菜美に教えるといった役割分担でテスト勉強は刻々と進む。
基本は問題集を解いて、躓いた時に指示を仰ぐといった形だ。
先生役の朝陽と冬華も自分の勉強があるので、生徒役の二人は気を遣って時間を置いてから質問をした。
「この問題は前のページの応用でいいんだよな?」
「そうだな。公式に当てはめた後、連立方程式を解いて交点を求めればできるはず」
「おっけ、やってみるわ」
千昭は地頭の良さを存分に発揮し、要領よく朝陽の指導を理解していった。
去年から直前の勉強のみで赤点を回避していたことからわかる通り、知識や技術の飲み込みが早いのだろう。
最初から本気を出せばいいのに、という言葉は胸に秘め、朝陽はふと対面の席へと目を向けた。
参考書をなぞりながら、説明を読み上げる冬華。
しかし、対する日菜美は頭上にハテナマークを浮かべて首を捻る。
どうやら単語の意味から理解不能らしい。
そう判断した冬華は呆れるも馬鹿にするもせず、ただ静かに参考書を閉じた。
「この範囲は複雑で難しいですからね。まずは分詞から復習しましょうか。こういう時は学校指定の教科書が良いかと思います」
否定から入るのではなく、肯定をしてから別の道を促す。
これだけで勉強が苦手な生徒のストレスは大幅に下がるというものだ。
「正解です。よくできました」
「えへへー、ふゆちゃんの教え方がいいんだよー」
褒められて気分を良くした日菜美はまたノートへと向き直る。
前までは集中力が持ったとしても三十分前後だったので、これだけでも目に見えて大きな成長だ。
本人のやる気はもちろん、指導者が良いので勉強が続く。
そうして千昭と日菜美がペンを走らせる間、朝陽はまた正面へと目を向けた。その視線に気づいた冬華が顔を上げ、ぴったりと目が合う。
「どうかしましたか?」
「いや、俺もちょっとわからない問題があって......」
言い淀む朝陽の手元には、所々に折り目が付けられたピンク色のノートが用意されている。
勉強の邪魔になるかもしれないと、中々言い出せなかったが、言葉の続きを促されれば口を開くしかなかった。
「冬華に教えてもらえると助かる」
「私で良ければ、いくらでも教えますよ」
朝陽の気遣いは杞憂に終わり、冬華は何故か嬉しそうな表情をする。
「この問題ですね......ちょっと待っていてください」
ノートを受け取り、冬華は早速問題を読み解き始めた。
こうやって、勉強を見てもらうのは久しぶりだった。
テーブルを挟んで距離があると、記憶はさらに昔へと遡る。
(去年は隣で教わってたな......)
そんな風に残念に思う気持ちを見抜いたのか、千昭と日菜美が机から目を離して口を開く。
「あれ、朝陽も氷室さんに教えてもらってんのか」
「それならこっち来なよ! 隣の方がやりやすいでしょ?」
立ち上がった二人に促され、日菜美が座っていた席に朝陽が落ち着く。
正面から生暖かい視線が飛んで来るが、気にしている余裕はない。
「ここはこうして......」
相変わらずわかりやすいが、何故だが集中できない。
やけに距離が近いせいで、甘い香りと肌の感触が直に伝わる。
そんな朝陽の悩みを他所に、冬華は真面目に指導を進めた。
「そうだな、助かったよ。ありがとう」
朝陽が礼を言うと、冬華はニコリと微笑む。
白ブドウのジュースに口を付ける姿は平静で、変に意識しているのはどうやら朝陽だけのようだった。
朝陽は喉を潤そうとグラスを探すが、近くに置いてあったはずなのに見当たらない。
もしかしたらと横を見れば、ちょうど冬華がストローに口を付けていた。
そして、少し遠くに置かれたグラスに、冬華が飲んでいるジュースと同じ中身が見て取れる。
「もしかしてそれ、俺のグラスじゃ......」
やんわりと指摘すると、冬華は二つ並んだグラスを見比べる。
どちらもストローを差しており、中身が同じとなれば判別が付かないのも仕方がない。
しかし、グラスが置いてあった場所から明確に取り違えたのだと気付いたらしい。
冬華の乳白色の肌が徐々に赤くなり、あたふたと慌て始めた。
「ご、ごめんなさい! 少し緊張してしまって、よく考えずにグラスを......」
「それはいいけど......緊張?」
ぷいっ、と顔を背けてしまった冬華の耳が真っ赤に染まっている。
「間接キスだね」
「......うるさい」
一部始終を見ていた千昭と日菜美がからかって来るのをぶっきらぼうに返す。
戻って来たグラスを見れば、まだほんの少し中身が残っていた。
(どうすればいいんだよこれ......)
グラスの中で溶けた氷がカラン、と音を立てる。
朝陽の耳もまた、ゆっくりと赤くなっていった。
Ch 76
Having decided to hold a study session, they were stumped with the decision as to where to hold it, in the classroom or a family diner?
For Asahi, the choice between the two didn't matter to him as it was decided by Fuyuka's voice.
"Oh! The secondYi !"
"Yi Study session for exams!"
"In a family diner!"
"Yay!"
After choosing an option of a drink bar for four people, a somewhat familiar exchange rang in his ears.
Even Chiaki and Hinami were very careful in public, and their voices were lower than usual.
"What do you want to drink, Asahi and Fuyu-chan? We'll get it for you."
"I'll have a cola."
The two of them went to get a drink together, leaving Asahi and Fuyuka together.
Fuyuka, who was sitting in front of him, had a joyful smile on her face.
She looked like an angel in a painting on the wall, which naturally made Asahi smile.
"You look like you're having a great time."
"Y-you can tell...?"
"Well, sort of."
After his words, Fuyuka hid her face behind the menu list.
Then, suddenly, only the two caramel-colored eyes poke out.
"I've always wanted to do something like this."
"What do you mean, like this?"
"Like...playing after school with...friends."
Regardless of whether the study session was for fun or not, for Fuyuka, who had avoided having friends until now, this casual scene was probably something she had been secretly hoping for.
It must be a different feeling than playing at an amusement park or enjoying the aquarium.
"Come to think of it, didn't Hinami ask you to play with her last year, like in the third semester?"
"Back then...it was still a little hard to work up the courage."
Those were the days where Fuyuka finally took her first steps.
Even though she had gotten to know Hinami during the shrine visit, it would have been difficult to proceed any further.
That was why she must have felt so much love for the friendships she gained by overcoming such emotional barriers.
Fuyuka's expression toward Hinami, Chiaki, and her classmates was warm, contrary to the cold atmosphere of the past days.
And even in front of Asahi, she had a calm and gentle smile on her face.
"But now I want to be with you."
"I'm sure Chiaki and Hinami will be happy to hear that."
"...Would it also make you happy, Asahi-kun?"
At the sudden question, Asahi froze for a moment.
However, he didn't hesitate to answer, so he immediately replied.
"Of course."
Apparently, this kind of thing could be a little embarrassing.
Fuyuka hid her face behind the menu again.
However, she couldn't seem to prevent herself from looking from the side.
"Thanks for the wait~ Hmm? Fuyu-chan, are you blushing?"
"I-Is that so?"
Chiaki and Hinami came back from the drink bar and took their seats with a grin on their faces.
"What were you two talking about?"
"We're talking about going out to play after the exams."
Hinami's eyes sparkled as he tactfully and skillfully introduced the topic.
"Let's play! Let's play! I want to eat while walking, go shopping, and take selfies!"
"Karaoke, bowling, that's a must."
"Great idea, Chi-kun! Let's find a place where the four of us can play together!"
Chiaki and Hinami listed the locations to play with happy smiles on their faces.
Seeing the two of them, Fuyuka softly smiled.
"I'm looking forward to your invitation."
"Then, right now let's go--"
"Hey, don't forget what we're here for today."
Asahi pointed out sharply, and Hinami puffed out her cheeks.
"I know, I know. I'll study hard."
With that, Hinami took out some reference books and textbooks from her bag.
It contained Japanese, Math, Geography, English, and some specialized memorization printouts.
"You're not planning on finishing all that today, are you?"
Chiaki followed suit, spreading out a large number of notebooks on the table, and the study session began with some chat here and there.
Studying for the test progressed by the minute, with Asahi teaching Chiaki and Fuyuka teaching Hinami.
The basic idea was to solve problem sets and ask for instructions when you get stuck.
Since Asahi and Fuyuka, who were playing the role of teachers, also had their own studies to do, the two who were playing the role of students were careful to wait for some time before asking questions.
"This problem is an application of the previous page, correct?"
"I guess so. After applying the formula, solve the simultaneous equations to find the intersection point, and you should be able to do it."
"Okay, I'll give it a shot."
Chiaki made full use of his intelligence and understood Asahi's guidance.
From the fact that he had avoided red marks last year only by studying just before the exam, he was able to pick up things pretty fast.
Keeping the words "Why didn't you just get serious from the start?" to himself, Asahi suddenly turned his attention to the seat in front.
Fuyuka was explaining the problem to Hinami while tracing the reference book.
However, Hinami, on the other hand, tilted her head with a question mark above her head.
Apparently, she couldn't understand the word from its meaning.
Fuyuka was not dismayed, but simply closed the reference book quietly.
"It's a complicated and difficult subject. Let's start by reviewing the participles. In this case, I think the school's textbook is good."
Instead of starting with a negative mindset she gave an affirmation and then encouraged to move on a different path.
This alone would greatly reduce the stress of students who were not good at studying.
"You are correct. Good job."
"Ehehe, Fuyu-chan's teaching method is easy to understand."
Feeling better after the praise, Hinami turned to her notebook again.
In the past, she could only stay focused for around 30 minutes, so this alone was a big improvement.
The motivation of the students and the good instructors helped them study.
While Chiaki and Hinami were running their pens, Asahi turned his eyes to the front again. When Fuyuka noticed his gaze, she looked up and their eyes met perfectly.
"Is there something wrong?"
"It's just, there's some problems that I have trouble with..."
In his hand was a pink notebook, creased in many places.
He couldn't bring himself to say it, for fear that it might interfere with her studies, but when prompted, he had no choice but to open his mouth.
"It would be helpful if you could teach me, Fuyuka."
"I can teach you as much as you want, if you're fine with me."
Asahi's concern was unfounded, and Fuyuka looked happy for some reason.
"This problem, huh? Please wait a moment."
Receiving the notebook, Fuyuka immediately began to read and solve the problem.
It had been a long time since he had someone teaching him to study like this.
With the distance between them across the table, the memories started to resurface.
'Last year she was right next to me, watching over my studies.'
As if they could see through his disappointment, Chiaki and Hinami looked away from the desk and opened their mouths.
"Huh? Himuro-san is also teaching Asahi?"
"Then come here! It's easier to do if you're right next to each other, right?"
Prompted by the two who stood up, Asahi settled into the seat where Hinami had been sitting.
A warm glare came from the front, but he didn't have time to worry about it.
"With this... you do this..."
Asahi was understanding it clearly, but for some reason he couldn't seem to concentrate.
Because the distance between them was so close, he could directly feel the sweet scent and touch of her skin.
With Asahi's worries out of the way, Fuyuka proceeded with her instruction diligently.
"You're right. You've been a big help. Thanks."
When Asahi thanked her, Fuyuka smiled at her.
The way she sipped his white grape juice was calm, and it seemed that the only person who was oddly conscious was Asahi.
He looked for a glass to quench his thirst, but couldn't find it, even though it should have been nearby.
He looked to the side and saw that Fuyuka was just sipping from a straw.
And on a glass placed a little farther away, one can see the same contents of the juice that Fuyuka was drinking.
"That's possibly my glass..."
Asahi pointed out softly, and Fuyuka looked at the two glasses side by side.
They both had straws in them, and if the contents were the same, it was no wonder they were hard to identify.
However, she realized that she had clearly mistakenly taken the wrong glass.
Fuyuka's milky white skin gradually turned red and she began to panic.
"I-I'm so sorry! I'm a little nervous and didn't think it through, so I took the glass..."
"I don't mind, but nervous?"
Fuyuka turned away with a pout, and her ears turned bright red.
"That's an indirect kiss, alright."
"...Shut it."
Chiaki and Hinami, who were watching the whole thing, bluntly teased them.
When Asahi looked at the glass that came back, there was still a little bit left in it.
'What am I supposed to do with this...?'
The ice melted in the glass and made a clinking sound.
Asahi's ears were also slowly turning red.
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