English Story (CEFR: A2)
The sun was shining brightly on the first day of high school in a lively town. Kumicho, a nervous but hopeful boy, adjusted his new uniform and took a deep breath. Today was the start of something big. He walked to school with his childhood friends, Najimi and Itao, their chatter filling the spring air.
Najimi, with her short ponytail bouncing, was all smiles. “I can’t wait to meet everyone! High school’s gonna be so fun!” she said, her voice full of energy.
Itao, tossing his hair dramatically, grinned. “Fun? It’s gonna be epic! Every girl in school will know my name by lunch.” He struck a pose, nearly tripping over a rock. Kumicho shook his head, hiding a laugh.
Kumicho was quieter, his thoughts swirling. He glanced at Najimi, her laughter making his chest feel warm. He’d always admired her, but today he just wanted to keep up with her spark. “Let’s not be late,” he mumbled, quickening his pace.
The school gate was huge, crowded with students. A tall girl with glasses, Yui, was handing out maps to freshmen. “Welcome! Don’t get lost!” she called, pushing a map into Kumicho’s hands. Her sharp eyes softened. “You look nervous. It’s okay, we’re all new once.”
“Thanks,” Kumicho said, clutching the map. Najimi grabbed one too, already studying it. “Look, the music room’s on the second floor! I wanna check it out!”
Itao snatched a map and winked at Yui. “Hey, you’re in the student council, right? Bet you’ve heard of me already.” Yui raised an eyebrow. “Nope, but I’ll remember the guy who almost dropped his map.” Itao’s face fell, and Kumicho stifled a chuckle.
Inside, the opening ceremony was packed. The principal’s speech about “youth and dreams” dragged on. Kumicho’s eyes wandered to a boy in the front row, Riku, who was sketching in a notebook instead of listening. His spiky hair and sly grin stood out. *He looks like trouble,* Kumicho thought.
After the ceremony, they headed to Class 1-A. Their teacher, Ms. Sato, had a warm smile but a firm tone. “This is your home for three years. Make it count,” she said. She called roll, and when she reached “Kumicho,” a girl behind him, Mika, whispered, “Cool name!” Kumicho turned, surprised. Mika’s bright eyes and messy braids gave her a playful vibe.
“Uh, thanks,” Kumicho said, his ears red. Najimi overheard and giggled. “Mika, you’re gonna make him shy already!” Mika stuck out her tongue. “Just being friendly!”
The first class was English. Ms. Sato wrote “Hello!” on the board. Itao leaned over to Kumicho. “I’m gonna ace this. Girls love a guy who speaks English.” He stood up to answer a question but said, “Hello, I am… uh, cool?” The class burst out laughing, and Ms. Sato sighed. “Sit down, Itao.”
At lunch, they ate in the cafeteria. Najimi shared her rice balls with Kumicho. “Try this, my mom made them!” she said. Kumicho took a bite, savoring the taste. “It’s good,” he said softly, his heart skipping. Mika joined them, carrying a huge bento. “Whoa, Najimi, your mom’s a chef or what?” she asked, stealing a bite.
Itao was at another table, chatting with two girls. “See? I’m a natural!” he called to Kumicho. But when one girl left, he slumped back. “Okay, maybe not yet.” Najimi smirked. “Keep dreaming, Itao.”
After lunch, they had gym class. The boys played basketball, and Kumicho tripped twice. Riku, the sketchbook guy, was on his team and passed him the ball. “Don’t just stand there, shoot!” he shouted. Kumicho missed, but Riku grinned. “Not bad for a newbie.”
The girls were playing volleyball nearby. Najimi spiked the ball, and Mika cheered. “Najimi, you’re a pro!” Yui, who was refereeing, blew her whistle. “No shouting, Mika!” But she was smiling.
After school, the three friends walked home. The sunset painted the sky orange. Najimi hummed a song, and Kumicho felt calm listening to her. Itao was still talking about the girls he “almost” impressed. “Tomorrow, I’m trying again!” he declared.
Kumicho looked at Najimi, her silhouette glowing in the light. He didn’t need to say anything yet; just being her friend felt like enough for now. But high school was big, and new faces like Yui, Mika, and Riku hinted at more adventures—and maybe rivals—ahead.
This was only the first day. Three years of laughter, challenges, and dreams were waiting. What would happen next in this colorful world?
日本語訳
春の陽気がキラキラ輝く高校の初日。クミチョはドキドキしながら、新しい制服をピシッと整えた。なんかでっかいことが始まる気がして、グッと息を吸った。幼馴染のナジミとイタオと一緒に学校へ、3人のガヤガヤが春の空気に響いた。
ナジミは短いポニーテールがピョンピョン、ニコニコ顔。「みんなに会うのめっちゃ楽しみ！高校、絶対おもしろそう！」と声が弾んだ。
イタオは髪をバサッとかっこつけ、ニヤッ。「おもしろい？いや、超ヤバいぜ！昼までには女子全員が俺の名前覚えるよ。」ドヤ顔でポーズしたら、石につまずきそう。クミチョはクスクス笑いをこらえて首振った。
クミチョは静かで、頭ん中グルグル。ナジミをチラッと見て、彼女の笑い声に胸がポカポカした。ずっと彼女のキラキラが気になってたけど、今日はそのノリについていきたかった。「遅刻しないように」とボソッと言って、足を速めた。
学校の門はドーンとでかくて、生徒でごっちゃり。メガネの背が高いユイが新入生に地図を配ってた。「いらっしゃい！迷わないでね！」とクミチョに地図をパッと。キリッとした目がふわっと優しく、「緊張してる？大丈夫、最初はみんなそう。」
「ありがと」とクミチョは地図をギュッ。ナジミもサッと地図取って、すぐチェック。「見て、音楽室2階！絶対見たい！」
イタオは地図をひったくって、ユイにウィンク。「お、俺のこと生徒会で聞いただろ？」ユイは眉ピクッ。「いや、でも地図落としそうな人は覚えたよ。」イタオがシュン、クミチョは笑い噛み殺した。
中に入ると、始業式は人でパンパン。校長の「青春と夢」の話がダラダラ。クミチョの目は前のリクって男の子に。ノートにガシガシ絵描いて、話聞いてねえ。トゲトゲ髪とニヤニヤが目立った。*なんかヤンチャそう*って思った。
式の後、1年A組へ。担任の佐藤先生はニコッと笑うけど、ビシッとした声。「ここが3年間のホームよ。大事にね。」点呼で「クミチョ」って呼ばれたら、後ろのミカが「名前かっこいい！」とコソッ。振り返ると、ミカのキラキラ目とぐしゃっと三つ編みがハジけてた。
「え、ありがと」とクミチョは耳真っ赤。ナジミが聞いてクスクス。「ミカ、もうクミチョ照れちゃってるよ！」ミカはペロッと舌。「ただ仲良くしたかっただけ！」
最初の授業は英語。佐藤先生が「Hello!」って黒板にガッ。イタオがクミチョにヒソヒソ。「これ、余裕。英語話せる男、モテるぜ。」質問に立って、「ハロー、アイアム…え、クール？」教室がドッカン笑い、佐藤先生はハァ。「イタオ、座って。」
昼は食堂でガヤガヤ。ナジミがクミチョにおにぎりパクッ。「これ、食べて！ママ作だよ！」クミチョはモグッ、味にニンマリ。「うま」とポツリ、心臓がドキッ。ミカがでっかい弁当持ってドスン。「ナジミ、ママ料理人なの？」と一口パクリ。
イタオは別のテーブルで女子2人とペチャクチャ。「ほら、俺モテモテ！」とクミチョにドヤ顔。でも一人が去って、しょぼんと戻った。「まあ、まだこれからさ。」ナジミがニヤッ。「イタオ、夢見てなよ。」
昼からは体育。男子はバスケで、クミチョは2回コケた。リクが同じチームで、ボールバン。「ボーッとすんな、シュート！」クミチョはハズしたけど、リクはニヤッ。「新人にしてはマシ。」
女子は近くでバレー。ナジミがスパイク、ズドン！ミカが「ナジミ、プロじゃん！」と大騒ぎ。審判のユイがピーッ。「ミカ、叫ばない！」でもニコニコ。
放課後、3人でゾロゾロ帰った。夕日が空をオレンジにドバーッ。ナジミが歌をフンフン、クミチョは聞いてホッコリ。イタオは「ほぼモテた」話でガンガン。「明日、またガチるぜ！」とドーン。
クミチョはナジミの夕日の姿をチラッ。まだ何も言わなくていい。友達でいるの、なんかいい感じだった。でも、ユイ、ミカ、リクみたいな新しい顔が、冒険やバチバチを匂わせてた。
初日が終わっただけ。笑い、挑戦、夢の3年間がドキドキ待ってる。次は何がくる？
文章の解説 (A2レベル)
1. He glanced at Najimi, her laughter making his chest feel warm.
解説:
"making + 名詞 + 動詞" は「～を…させる」という動作の結果を表します。ナジミの笑い声がクミチョの胸を温かくしたことを示します。
"glance" は「チラッと見る」で、短い視線を表現。A2レベルでは簡単な動詞で感情や行動を伝えます。
- making + 名詞 + 動詞: ～を…させる
- glance: チラッと見る
2. “You look nervous. It’s okay, we’re all new once,” Yui said.
解説:
"look + 形容詞" は「～に見える」という見た目の印象を表します。ユイがクミチョの緊張を察したことを示します。
引用符（"..."）はユイの優しい言葉を直接伝え、彼女の性格を表現します。
- look + 形容詞: ～に見える
- "...": 話した言葉をそのまま示す
3. Itao struck a pose, nearly tripping over a rock.
解説:
"nearly" は「ほとんど、危うく」という意味で、起こりそうだったことを表します。イタオが転びそうになったコミカルな場面を描写。
"strike a pose" は「ポーズを決める」で、派手な動作を表現。A2レベルでは動作でキャラの個性を伝えます。
- nearly: ほとんど
- strike a pose: ポーズを決める