How To Melt the Ice Lady

After the tour of the museum, Asahi spent lunch time with Chiaki and the rest of his male friends.

And In the afternoon, Asahi was at a hands-on place where you could make your own cup noodles.

He bought one from the vending machine, washed his hands, and went to the illustration corner.

Asahi, who was obsessed with this kind of detailed work, continued to work silently and finally looked up after finishing the whole design.

“…What are the other three doing?”

The five of them were supposed to be working together, but before he knew it, Asuka was the only one near him.

Asuka happily smiled at Asahi as she looked around.

“I think they went ahead.”

“You think? We have to contact them and meet up.”

“I’m serious! Since we’re gonna see each other at the exit. Let’s take our time.”

Asahi felt like had been well taken advantage of, but there was no need to rush ahead, so he took his seat quietly.

He continued to draw on the cup, and when he was satisfied with the shape, Asuka had also put down her colored pen.

“Wow, your drawing is kind of…interesting.”

“Is that a diss or a compliment?”

“Half, I guess. Well, it’s not good. Rather it’s poor, or ingenious?”

“You’re quite blunt.”

“Well, I can’t lie.”

Asuka then observed Asahi’s cup.

“It’s not good, but…look, isn’t this cat cute?”

“…I didn’t draw a cat.”

“Eh, then what is it?”

“A dog.”

“Woah…”

Asuka froze at the unexpected answer, and Asahi dropped his shoulder a little.

“N-now that you mention it… It’s definitely a dog no matter how you look at it.”

“It’s fine, I’m used to it thanks to Chiaki and Hinami.”

“Cheer up, you don’t need to draw to survive!”

“Thanks for the epic follow-up.”

As they were having this light exchange, Asahi saw Asuka’s cup.

“What did you draw, Miyamoto? A soccer ball and a person?”

“This is Ryoma. And this is me…AAAHHH!!”

Asuka suddenly shouted out loud, and Asahi looked at her suspiciously.

“What’s the matter with you all of a sudden?”

“I was unconsciously drawing Ryoma!”

“…So?”

“Geez, this isn’t going to work!”

Asuka, who was speaking loads of nonsense, began to talk without any regard towards the dumbfounded Asahi.

“‘If you can’t push it, try pulling it,’ they said. That’s why I tried so hard to stay away from Ryoma until today.”

“Hmm…”

“I got this idea in the diner before. We’re in different groups, so it’s gonna be hard, but I have to do it here!”

Asuka looked somewhat happy and joyful as she enthusiastically explained. However, her expression gradually darkened.

“But it’s really difficult. Ryoma, he doesn’t seem to be paying much attention.”

Laughing helplessly, Asuka looked down at the illustration she had drawn.

Ryoma was kicking a soccer ball in the field, and Asuka was watching from behind. The distance between them seemed to be both close and far.

“You must really like Yamada, huh?”

“Yeah, I do. I really love him so much.”

“O-okay…”

Asahi doesn’t know why he felt so embarrassed to hear her declaration of love, which Asuka usually made no pretense of hiding. At the same time, the words were very dazzling to him.

“…Say, Miyamoto.”

“What is it?”

“How can you actively display your love to him?”

“Eh?! An unexpected love talk?!”

“Well…I was just wondering.”

Asahi turned away in embarrassment from Asuka, who looked surprised.

“Nevermind. Let’s meet up with the others.”

“No, no, no! I’m down!”

“Why are you so excited?”

“I wanted to talk about that with you too.”

With that, Asuka forced Asahi to sit down.

“First of all, to answer your question. I get called b***h and s**t a lot.”

“Are you sure this is about love?”

“Yes, it’s my love story. But then again, it’s everyone’s love story.”

The unpredictable story went on without stopping.

“Dress up in what you think is the prettiest clothes you can find, and go after the people you love the most. Is that wrong?”

Asuka’s question was in a tone of voice that seemed to be directed more at herself rather than Asahi.

“I can’t lie to myself. I like what I like, and I don’t like what I don’t like. That’s why I appeal to the people I love straight on, no matter what others might say.”

“…That’s amazing.”

“I know, right?! I’m awesome!”

When Asahi spilled his honest impressions, Asuka stuck out her chest.

Hair color that was impossible for a Japanese person.

Her skin that was boldly exposed through her untidy uniform.

Flashy makeup that could be seen from a distance.

The way she approached the one she liked was beyond obvious.

Her words and actions were overly honest.

All of this was based on an unwavering and solid belief.

That was why Asahi felt dazzled by the person named Miyamoto Asuka in comparison to himself.

It was because of this admiration that he could talk about love with Asuka, something he rarely did with his close friends Chiaki and Hinami.

“Can I ask you one more question?”

“Go on, go on.”

“Are you not…gonna confess?”

“I already did. And I got rejected.”

“…Seriously?”

“Why would I lie here?!”

Asuka smiled openly, but her expression slowly turned sad.

“He said he has someone he likes.”

“…I see.”

“Well, Himuro-san is really cute, after all. If I was a guy, I’d fall for her as well.”

Asahi heard who Ryoma liked from the person himself. Asahi’s eyes widened in surprise when Asuka mentioned that name.

“I know exactly who he likes. After all, I’m always following him with my eyes.”

Without Asahi raising any questions, Asuka added her own explanation.

“So to answer your question, I’m waiting for another chance to confess. All the way until Ryoma tells Himuro-san about his feelings.”

“…Isn’t that painful?”

“It is. But I wish for the happiness of the person I love as much as I want mine. So I don’t want to interfere with Ryoma’s affair.”

At these words, Asahi felt a new respect for Asuka.

At the same time, he remembered what Ryoma had said to him in the family restaurant.

“I know I said a lot of things on the spur of the moment, but did it answer your question?”

“It did. More than enough actually.”

“That’s good to know.”

Smiling again, Asuka stretched and stood up.

“Well, I guess we should go already.”

“Yeah.”

Following Asuka’s back, Asahi left the illustration corner.

Her wavy golden hair, visible a little further ahead, looked a few shades lighter than usual.