How To Melt the Ice Lady - CH 63

There was still a sweet atmosphere in the school as there were several new couples in the wake of Valentine’s Day.

Then came the weekend.

Asahi had been looking forward to Fuyuka’s visit to his house but…

“Oh, the very first!”

“Study session for the test!”

“In Asahi’s place!!!”

“Yay!!!”

A lively pair of voices echoed in his normally quiet room.

This was followed by the sound of light blows: bang, pow.

“Don’t yell, you morons.”

“I-I’m against violence…”

“Why was mine stronger…?”

Chiaki and Hinami held their heads with teary eyes.

In front of them lay a mess of textbooks, notebooks, pencils and erasers.

“Who was it that came crying to me cause they might fail their tests?”

“It was me…”

“Also me…”

“Then, take it seriously.”

Asahi was asked to hold a study session at his home by the lovebirds who felt threatened that they might fail the test.

If the people being taught didn’t take their studies seriously, there was nothing to talk about.

They were supposed to study hard and thoroughly until nightfall.

The good-natured and meddlesome side of Asahi’s heart had been displaying its face for the first time in a while.

It was difficult since he would spend less time with Fuyuka, but he told her what was going on and she responded, and here they were.

“Alright, let’s start with the math―”

“Wait a minute!”

“…What is it?”

“Can you wait just a little longer?”

“Why?”

“Secret!”

“We’ll start with the application of quadratic equations.”

“A-alright! I’ll tell you the reason so wait a second!”

As Asahi tried to open the textbook, Hinami forced it closed.

“If you wait a few more minutes, something good will happen!”

“That’s a pretty vague answer.”

“And by the way, it’s true, so I think it’s worth the wait.”

“Do you know it too, Chiaki?”

“Of course. It’s a joint project between me and Hina.”

Chiaki grinned as he seemed to have something on his mind.

He always looked like he was up to something, but this time he was talking so openly about his plans, which made me even more worried.

As if to add to Asahi’s anxiety, the intercom rang at just the right time.

“Yes! Coming!”

“Wait, wait, wait. Why are you the one answering, Hinami?”

“Just follow me, okay?”

“Alright…”

Asahi didn’t remember ordering a delivery for himself, so it might be something sent by his parents.

Whatever it was, Hinami didn’t need to receive it, and she won’t be able to since she didn’t have his seal.

Asahi hurriedly took out a seal engraved with the name “Kagami” from the cupboard and ran after Hinami, who had disappeared.

Then, the front door was already open, and dazzling sunlight streamed in from outside.

And a girl he knew well, was up at the house before he knew it.

“Please excuse me.”

“Fuyuka…?”

“We called her!”

“Teaching us on your own would be too much, but with this, it would lessen the burden, right?”

“That’s true, but…are you okay with that, Fuyuka? If you were forced, it’s okay to say no.”

“I want to help them both, I’m not being forced to do so.”

If she said so, there was no reason to refuse.

Asahi was inwardly upset, but still he invited Fuyuka to the door after some time.

“…The brooch, you don’t have it on display anymore?”

Suddenly, a small whisper in his ear made Asahi’s heart skip a beat.

“…I hid it because it would be troublesome if they found it.”

“…I see.”

“…I’ll put it back later.”

“…That’s good to know.”

His cheeks were a little hot as he finished his story, and his gaze met with Chiaki and Hinami, who were both grinning.

“What~ are you guys~ talking about~?”

“None of your business.”

“Ouch! I don’t want to be left out!”

“Look, you’ve even got a temporary teacher here, so put your mind to it and work hard.”

“T-teacher…?”

“Yo! Teacher!”

“Fuyu-chan! You’re so cool!”

“You guys…”

“I’ll be serious!”

“Seconded!”

On Sunday, less than a week before the exam, the four of them sat around the same table.

Asahi looked after Chiaki, and Fuyuka looked after Hinami.

Under this one-on-one system, the first study session for the test began.

“Geez, I’m so exhausted!”

“I agree with Hina… Anymore and I’ll die.”

While going through their exaggerated and heartbreaking cries, Asahi looked at the clock and saw that it was already dusk.

Despite the moderate breaks, Chiaki and Hinami, who didn’t usually study, seemed to have reached the limit of their concentration.

Nevertheless, in addition to the both good teaching methods, the two of them, who originally had a good understanding and academic ability, were steadily deepening their understanding of the test range.

Eighty percent of the quizzes that Asahi made were circled in red, and if they continued to study at this rate, they would never get a red mark.

The most difficult thing was to continue studying at this rate, but he would leave it up to the two of them to nail it down.

“…I guess so. I think we should get some food.”

“Yay!”

As they had already made plans to have dinner together today, Asahi immediately went to the kitchen.

However, he hadn’t expected Fuyuka to come too, so the contents of the refrigerator would have seemed a bit limited for the four of them but…

‘I see, so that’s how it is…’

Asahi recalled the message he had received from Hinami the day before.

「I’m sure we’ll be hungry from studying, so buy extra ingredients for dinner!」

As a thanks for teaching them how to study and for cooking dinner for them, the cost of the ingredients would be shouldered by Chiaki and Hinami.

That was why he bought more food without hesitation, but behind the scenes, there was something.

“I’ll help you, Asahi-kun.”

“Mhm, thanks. Then get me the necessary cooking utensils. And peel the vegetables, too.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Fuyuka was preparing ingredients in accordance with Asahi’s instructions.

“It’s only been a few days, but it feels like it’s been forever.”

“Right.”

“You can’t pat my head in front of the two of them, okay?”

“I know that much. You too, don’t make any mistakes in front of the two, okay?”

“It’s okay! I don’t need your…”

Fuyuka then slipped, Asahi immediately held her shoulders tightly.

“…You good?”

“…Yes.”

“Be careful.”

“…Yes.”

Asahi guessed that she was embarrassed because of the rudimentary mistake she made.

Fuyuka turned over and her face was red up to her ears.

“You’re lucky those guys didn’t see you.”

“That’s really… something Aiba-san would tease me about, of course.”

“I’m sure Chiaki will come on board too. And he would look pretty annoying.”

It was fortunate that Chiaki and Hinami were looking in different directions, and the momentarily awkward atmosphere in the kitchen softened.

“Well then, let’s get to work.”

Asahi was getting orders for a cheeseburger for tonight’s dinner.

Serving food to his friends.

And his beloved one was next to him.

Asahi was more enthusiastic than usual about cooking.

“…Captain Hinami. It seems that Himuro-san knows exactly where the kitchen is in Asahi’s house.”

“…What’d you say? Isn’t that kinda fishy?”

“…Oh, the mood between the two seems great.”

“…They’re closely hugging… Oh no, Asahi is looking at me!”

“…Let’s continue watching them warmly.”

“…You’re right. And don’t forget to push their back sometimes!”