Chapter 32: The Ice Lady and the Shortening Distance

Although they started calling each other by their first names, no special changes occured in their everyday life.

Asahi taught her how to cook and Fuyuka taught him how to study.

Such a life was never going to change significantly.

However, Fuyuka’s attitude which was described as “ice” seemed to have softened up slightly.

To borrow an expression from the gossip, it seemed like the ice was slowly melting.

For example, it was while I was making dinner for the night.

“You’re still moving awkwardly. The knife will cut if you move it back and forth. You have to pull it forward or push it backward.”

“…Like this?”

“No, it’s more like…”

It was impossible for a person who was not good at cooking to understand abstract advice.

It was not quite the same as learning by heart, but it was definitely a lot faster to learn these things by doing it yourself rather than only through listening.

So, in an attempt to instill the image of cutting, Asahi tried to put his own hand over Fuyuka’s hand… but suddenly stopped.

Was it okay to touch this thin, small hand?

Such hesitation prevented Asahi from taking action.

In the past, he had repeated similar struggles but settled on verbal advice in the end.

Today was no different. I slowly lowered my hand and tried to open my mouth.

“Woaー, wai…”

My half-heartedly outstretched hand was forcibly pulled in, and my posture slumped forward with a dumb voice.

The true nature of the faint warmth on his arms. Asahi’s eyes widened in surprise when he realized that it was Fuyuka’s hands that had somehow put down the knife.

“…Please teach me properly. It’s hard to understand with just words.”

I couldn’t see the expression on Fuyuka’s face as she turned away, but I could feel her intentions through her actions.

Asahi took one big deep breath to calm his racing heart.

Then, with his own volition, he slowly placed his own hand on Fuyuka’s right hand.

“Asahi-kun, your hands are very big… and very warm.”

“…What are you talking about? Concentrate and learn the moves.”

“Y-you’re right… It’s just, it’s been a while since I’ve touched someone’s hand…”

Fuyuka’s words sounded somewhat melancholy and nostalgic.

Asahi didn’t know what was hidden in that melancholy expression and voice, nor did he intend to ask at the moment.

“I’ll move it.”

“…Yes, Please do so.”

Firmly wrapping his hand around Fuyuka’s hands, moving it back and forth with a slight force.

‘I hope one day you’ll tell me about it.’

While his consciousness was focused on the knife, Asahi felt that beyond the physical distance that had shrunk, there still existed a mental distance that seemed far away.

And today, at this very moment, small changes in Fuyuka were being expressed.

“’We’ll use the application of the quadratic equation to solve this. First, substitute alpha for… Are you listening?”

“Ah… My bad, I was in a daze.”

“Please take it seriously. The finals are just around the corner.”

“You’re right…”

As Fuyuka said, the final exam was just two days away.

Therefore, the study sessions naturally became test preparation, and Fuyuka even created quizzes.

Of course, Asahi knew, as a student, he needed to culminate the spirit since he already had been pouring in so much time and effort.

However, there was a reason why he just couldn’t concentrate on the study sessions these days.

“I’m sure this question will be on the test. Also, the Q3 on the next page too…”

I could hear Fuyuka’s voice right next to me as she carefully taught me what the predicted test questions would be.

Even though the table was just for a single person, I didn’t feel like this was too close.

We had been sitting face-to-face all this time, so the distance between us seemed even closer than before.

When I tried to turn the pages of a textbook, our shoulders touched, and when I moved my body a little, a fruity sweet scent tickled my nostrils.

I’m not so naive as to get shaken over something like that, but I couldn’t help but feel conscious.

“…Let’s call it a day.”

“Eh, already? It seems to be much earlier than usual.”

“Asahi-kun, you’ve been in a daze in a while. So, I’m sure you won’t be able to concentrate anymore.”

Fuyuka pointed at the truth, and was a little frustrated.

“I’m sorry, even though you were working hard to teach me.”

“It’s okay, it’s also helping me to prepare for my exams.”

If you pose apologetically with both hands, Fuyuka would raise the corners of her mouth slightly.

That gentle, soft smile was no longer a rare sight.

Since they started calling each other by name, Fuyuka started to talk a lot and laugh a lot.

Her polite language and her natural coolness might not have changed, but the distance between them had clearly shortened.

“In that case, I’m going home for today.”

“Mhm, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, of course. Please keep your concentration high.”

“I’ll do my best…”

As usual, I saw her off to the door and Fuyuka gave me one last nasty smile.

This kind of expression was something I had never seen before.

These days, I feel as if the “Ice Lady” was a lie.

What melts the “ice” was undoubtedly the invisible connection called friendship.

As I walked back to the living room where I was alone, I smiled as I remembered how Fuyuka had teased me, and the phone I had left on the counter vibrated briefly.

Apparently, I received a message.

It would probably just be from Chiaki or Hinami, anyway.

With that in mind, Asahi checked the sender’s name, and a complicated expression appeared on his face.

Kagami Touko, that was the name of Asahi’s mother.