English Story (CEFR: A2)
After the cultural festival’s high, the school settled into a quieter rhythm, but midterms loomed like storm clouds. Kumicho struggled with history dates, Najimi wrestled with math, and Itao, as usual, acted like tests were no big deal. “I’ll wing it,” he boasted, though his notebook was mostly doodles.
Najimi, ever the planner, had a solution. “Let’s do a study group at my place this weekend!” she announced in the cafeteria, her ponytail bouncing. “We’ll crush these tests together!”
Kumicho’s stomach fluttered. Studying with Najimi? Count him in. “Sounds good,” he said, trying to sound casual. Her drive always made him want to step up.
Itao leaned back, smirking. “Only if there’s snacks. And maybe Sara will show up.” He’d been texting Sara from photography club, convinced she was “totally into him.”
Mika overheard and plopped down with her tray. “Study group? I’m in! I’m failing science.” She nudged Riku, who was eating nearby. “You’re coming too, right? You’re smart.”
Riku snorted, his spiky hair bobbing. “Smart? I just fake it. But sure, I’ll crash.”
Saturday arrived, and Najimi’s cozy living room was packed. Her mom set out cookies and juice, smiling. “Work hard, kids!” Kumicho, Najimi, Itao, Mika, Riku, and a new face—Lina, a transfer student from the debate club—spread out books and notes.
Lina, with her sharp bob and confident grin, took charge. “Okay, let’s split up. Kumicho, you’re good at history, help Mika. Najimi, tackle math with Riku. I’ll quiz Itao on science.”
Itao winked at Lina. “Quiz me all you want, I’m a genius.” Lina raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see, pretty boy.” Sara, who’d shown up late with her camera, giggled and snapped a photo of Itao’s smug face.
Kumicho sat with Mika, explaining historical events. “So, the Meiji era started in 1868,” he said, drawing a timeline. Mika nodded, scribbling. “You’re a good teacher, Kumicho!” Her praise made him blush, but he caught Najimi’s focused frown across the room, tackling equations with Riku.
Najimi sighed. “Math is my enemy. Riku, how’s this?” She showed her work. Riku smirked. “Not bad, but you flipped the signs. Try again.” Najimi groaned but kept at it, her determination sparking. Kumicho watched, quietly impressed. *She never gives up,* he thought.
Itao, meanwhile, was bombing Lina’s science quiz. “What’s photosynthesis?” Lina asked. Itao grinned. “Uh, plants eating sunlight?” Sara burst out laughing, her camera clicking. “Itao, you’re hopeless!” Itao leaned toward her. “Hopelessly charming, right?” Sara rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered.
Chaos erupted when Najimi’s cat, Mochi, leaped onto the table, scattering papers. “Mochi, no!” Najimi yelped, grabbing the cat. Mika squealed, “So cute!” while Riku tried to save his juice. Lina, unfazed, kept quizzing. “Focus, Itao!”
Kumicho helped Najimi gather the papers, their hands brushing. “Your cat’s a menace,” he said, grinning. Najimi laughed. “Yeah, but she’s the boss.” Her laugh made the room feel brighter, and Kumicho’s heart did a little flip.
By evening, they were exhausted but confident. “We’re gonna ace this!” Najimi cheered, high-fiving everyone. Lina smirked at Itao. “Maybe not you, but we tried.” Sara patted his shoulder. “You’re funny, at least.” Itao’s eyes lit up—was this his chance with Sara?
Walking home, Itao was giddy. “Sara totally likes me! Did you see that smile?” Riku scoffed. “Dream on, man.” Mika teased, “Keep studying, lover boy!”
Najimi walked beside Kumicho, humming. “Thanks for coming, Kumicho. You’re always so chill.” Her words warmed him, and he mumbled, “Anytime.” Her vibe was just… right, even if he couldn’t say it out loud.
Midterms were next, and the study group had bonded them tighter. Would Lina’s leadership pay off? Could Itao finally charm Sara? And what new sparks would this growing crew ignite?
日本語訳
文化祭のテンションMAXから学校はちょっと落ち着いたけど、中間テストがドーンと暗雲。クミチョは歴史の年号でグチャグチャ、ナジミは数学でバトル、イタオはいつもの「テスト？余裕！」ってドヤ顔、でもノートは落書きだらけ。
ナジミ、さすがの仕切り屋、食堂でピョン。「週末、うちで勉強会やろう！テスト、みんなでぶっ潰すよ！」ポニーテールが揺れてキラッ。
クミチョ、胸がキュッ。ナジミと勉強？即決。「いいね」とクール装った。彼女のガッツ、なんか自分も頑張りたくなるんだよな。
イタオは椅子にドカッ、ニヤニヤ。「お菓子あればな。あと、サラ来ねえかな。」写真部のサラとLINEしまくり、「絶対俺のこと好き！」って確信。
ミカがガチャッとトレー置いて割り込み。「勉強会？私も！科学、ヤバいんだよね。」隣でモグモグのリクをグイ。「リクも来なよ、頭いいじゃん。」
リク、トゲトゲ髪揺らし、フンッ。「頭いい？テキトーだよ。でも、まあ、行くか。」
土曜、ナジミの家はほっこりムード、でも人ギッシリ。ママがクッキーとジュースをドン。「ガンバ、みんな！」クミチョ、ナジミ、イタオ、ミカ、リク、プラス、ディベート部の転校生リナ、シャープなボブでニッコリ。本とノート、ドサドサ広げた。
リナ、自信バチバチで仕切り。「よし、役割分ける。クミチョ、歴史得意だろ、ミカを。ナジミ、リクと数学ガチれ。私、イタオの科学クイズな。」
イタオ、リナにウィンク。「いくらでもクイズしろ、俺、天才だから。」リナ、眉ピクッ。「ほー、イケメン、やってみろよ。」遅れて来たサラ、カメラ首に、クスクス。イタオのドヤ顔、パシャッ。
クミチョはミカとガッコリ。「明治時代、1868年からね」とタイムラインをサラサラ。ミカ、ガシガシメモ。「クミチョ、めっちゃ教え上手！」褒められ、顔カーッ。チラッと見ると、ナジミがリクと方程式でムキーッ。
ナジミ、ううっ。「数学、敵！リク、これどう？」ノート見せ。リク、ニヤッ。「悪くねえけど、符号ミスった。もう一回。」ナジミ、グヌヌ、でもガッツでガリガリ。クミチョ、*諦めねえな*って、静かにスゲーって思った。
イタオはリナの科学クイズでボロボロ。「光合成って？」リナの質問に、ニヤッ。「え、植物が日光食うやつ？」サラ、ゲラゲラ、カメラカシャ。「イタオ、ダメダメ！」イタオ、サラにグイッ。「ダメでも魅力的だろ？」サラ、呆れ顔、でもニコッがチラリ。
ドタバタ！ナジミの猫モチがテーブルにピョン、紙バサバサ！「モチ、ダメ！」ナジミがギャッ。ミカ、「かわいー！」リク、ジュース守りバタバタ。リナ、動じず、「イタオ、集中！」
クミチョ、ナジミと紙ガサガサ拾い、手スレ。「お前の猫、暴れん坊だな」とニコッ。ナジミ、ゲラッ。「うん、でもボス！」彼女の笑い声、部屋がパッと明るく。クミチョ、胸キュン。
夕方、ヘトヘト、でも気合いバッチリ。「テスト、ぶち抜くよ！」ナジミがハイタッチ、パパン！リナ、イタオにニヤッ。「お前は微妙、でも頑張った。」サラがイタオの肩ポン。「まあ、面白いよ。」イタオ、目キラーン、サラいけるか！？
帰り道、イタオウキウキ。「サラ、絶対俺にゾッコン！あの笑顔見た？」リク、フンッ。「夢見てろ。」ミカ、ニヤニヤ。「勉強しろ、恋愛ボーイ！」
ナジミ、クミチョの横でフンフン。「クミチョ、来てくれてありがと。いつも落ち着いてるよね。」その言葉、なんかホッコリ。クミチョ、ボソッ。「いつでも。」彼女の空気、なんかバッチリ、でも口には出さず。
次は中間テスト！勉強会でガッチリ仲間、でもリナの仕切りで勝てる？イタオ、サラをガチで落とせる？このメンツ、次は何をガチャガチャ！？
文章の解説 (A2レベル)
1. Kumicho’s stomach fluttered.
解説:
"stomach fluttered" は「ドキドキする」という表現で、クミチョの緊張や興奮を表す。
A2レベルでは、体の反応で感情をシンプルに伝える。
- flutter: ドキドキする
2. “Only if there’s snacks,” Itao said, smirking.
解説:
"only if" は「～の場合にだけ」で、条件を示す。イタオの軽い態度を強調。
"smirking" は「ニヤッと笑う」で、彼の自信過剰な性格を表現。A2レベルでは会話でキャラを出す。
- only if: ～の場合にだけ
- smirk: ニヤッと笑う
3. Her determination sparking.
解説:
"sparking" は「火花を散らす」で、ナジミのガッツが活気づく様子を比喩的に表現。
A2レベルでは、簡単な比喩で感情やエネルギーを伝える。
- spark: 火花を散らす、活気づく