English Story (CEFR: A2)
The midterm tests were over, and the school hummed with nervous chatter. Kumicho, Najimi, and Itao walked to class, their steps heavy with anticipation. The study group had been chaotic, but had it paid off?
In Class 1-A, Ms. Sato handed out test papers with a calm smile. Kumicho got a B in history, a big win for him. “Yes!” he whispered, relieved. Najimi scored an A in history but a C in math. “Ugh, math hates me,” she groaned, slumping in her seat.
Itao’s face fell. “D in science? And C in history?” He clutched his paper, dramatic as ever. “I studied! Kinda!”
Najimi patted his arm. “Kinda’s not enough, Itao. Next time, actually study.” Her teasing grin softened the sting.
Mika bounced over, waving her paper. “B in science! Kumicho, your history tips saved me!” She high-fived him, making Kumicho blush. Riku, lounging nearby, smirked. “I got Bs across the board. Told ya I fake it well.”
At lunch, the group gathered in the cafeteria. Lina, the debate club star, joined them, her sharp bob glinting. “So, how’d we do?” she asked, sipping juice. When Itao showed his D, she laughed. “Pretty boy, you need my quizzes again.”
Sara, snapping photos of the group, giggled. “Itao, your face is priceless.” Itao leaned close, grinning. “Price of charm, Sara. Wanna grab ice cream later?” Sara paused, her camera lowering. “Maybe. If you ace the next test.” Itao’s jaw dropped—his big chance!
A new student, Kenta, from the basketball club, sat down uninvited. His tall frame and cocky grin screamed confidence. “Heard you guys are the fun crew,” he said, stealing a fry from Riku. Riku glared. “Who invited you, tall guy?”
Kenta shrugged. “I invite myself. Najimi, you’re in music club, right? Saw your festival show. Pretty cool.” Najimi blinked, surprised. “Oh, thanks!” Kumicho tensed, his grip on his chopsticks tightening. *Who’s this guy?*
After lunch, the art club met to plan a mural for the school’s anniversary. Kumicho sketched ideas, but his mind wandered to Kenta’s easy charm. Najimi popped in to borrow paint for music club props. “Kumicho, these sketches are awesome!” she said, her smile bright. Kumicho relaxed, her praise like a warm breeze.
Meanwhile, Itao cornered Sara after class. “So, ice cream, right? I’m basically a genius now.” Sara laughed, twirling her camera strap. “You’re funny, Itao. Study hard, and we’ll see.” Itao punched the air, nearly knocking over a trash can.
At soccer practice, Kenta was a star, dunking shots effortlessly. Itao fumed, missing every kick. Riku muttered, “New guy’s annoying.” Mika, watching from the sidelines, whispered to Najimi, “Kenta’s kinda cute, huh?” Najimi shrugged. “He’s okay. I’m more into music than boys.”
After school, the group walked home. Itao was buzzing about Sara. “She’s totally into me! Ice cream date, here I come!” Lina rolled her eyes. “Focus on your grades, lover boy.”
Kumicho walked beside Najimi, her humming filling the sunset air. “You did good on history,” he said quietly. Najimi grinned. “Thanks to you explaining stuff! You’re the best, Kumicho.” Her words made his heart skip, but he just nodded, keeping it cool.
Kenta jogged up, basketball under his arm. “Yo, Najimi, wanna jam with me sometime? I play guitar too.” Najimi tilted her head. “Maybe! Music club’s always open.” Kumicho’s stomach twisted, but he stayed silent.
The tests were done, but new tensions were brewing. Would Itao seal the deal with Sara? Could Kenta shake up the group? And how would Kumicho navigate this growing, messy crew?
日本語訳
中間テストが終わって、学校はソワソワのガヤガヤ。クミチョ、ナジミ、イタオは教室へゾロゾロ、ドキドキで足重め。勉強会はバタバタだったけど、成果出たかな？
1年A組、佐藤先生がニコッとテストをバサバサ。クミチョ、歴史でB！「よっしゃ！」とヒソヒソ、ホッ。ナジミは歴史A、でも数学C。「うう、数学、敵！」とグデーッと机に突っ伏した。
イタオ、顔シュン。「科学D？歴史C？」紙をギュッ、いつもの大げさ。「勉強した！…まあ、ちょっと！」
ナジミ、イタオの腕ポン。「ちょっとじゃダメよ。次、ガチでやんな。」ニヤッとイジる顔、優しかった。
ミカがピョンピョン、紙フリフリ。「科学B！クミチョ、歴史のコツ、ガチ助かった！」ハイタッチ、パン！クミチョ、顔カーッ。近くでダラッのリク、ニヤッ。「俺、オールB。テキトー上手いって。」
昼、食堂でワイワイ。ディベート部のリナ、ボブ髪キラッ、ドスン。「で、どうだった？」ジュースグビッ。イタオのD見せたら、ゲラッ。「イケメン、またクイズ必要ね。」
サラ、みんなをパシャパシャ、クスクス。「イタオ、顔ウケる。」イタオ、グイッと近づき、ニヤニヤ。「魅力の代償な、サラ。後でアイスどう？」サラ、カメラ下げ、チラッ。「次、満点ならね。」イタオ、ポカーン、チャンスキター！
そこへ、バスケ部の新顔、ケンタ、ズカズカ。デカい体、自信ニヤニヤ。「お前ら、楽しそうなメンツじゃん」とリクのポテトパクッ。リク、ムッ。「誰だよ、でか男？」
ケンタ、肩すくめ。「俺、勝手に仲間。ナジミ、音楽部だろ？文化祭のライブ、かっこよかったぜ。」ナジミ、パチクリ。「お、ありがと！」クミチョ、箸ギュッ。*コイツ、誰だよ？*
昼から美術部、校周年の壁画プラン。クミチョ、アイデアをサラサラ、でもケンタの余裕なノリがチラチラ。ナジミが音楽部の道具に絵の具借りにピョン。「クミチョ、このスケッチ、めっちゃイケてる！」ニッコリに、クミチョ、ホッ、なんかポカポカ。
イタオは授業後、サラをガシッ。「な、アイスだろ？俺、もう天才！」サラ、カメラの紐クルッ、ゲラッ。「イタオ、面白いね。ガチ勉強したら、考えるよ。」イタオ、ガッツポーズ、ゴミ箱ガシャン！
サッカー練習、ケンタはシュートスイスイ、スター全開。イタオ、ムキーッ、キック全部ハズレ。リク、ボソッ。「新顔、ムカつく。」ミカ、ナジミと観戦中、ヒソヒソ。「ケンタ、ちょっとカッコよくね？」ナジミ、肩すくめ。「まあまあ。音楽の方が100倍ハマる。」
放課後、みんなでゾロゾロ。イタオ、ウキウキ。「サラ、絶対俺にメロメロ！アイスデート、確定！」リナ、呆れ。「成績上げろ、恋愛ボーイ。」
クミチョ、ナジミの横、彼女のフンフンに夕日がキラッ。「歴史、よかったね」とポツリ。ナジミ、ニコッ。「クミチョの説明のおかげ！マジ最高！」その言葉、胸キュン、でもクミチョ、ただコクン、クールに。
ケンタ、バスケボール抱え、ガシガシ。「よ、ナジミ、いつか一緒にジャムろうぜ。俺、ギターもイケる。」ナジミ、首かしげ。「いいね！音楽部、いつでもカモン！」クミチョ、腹ムカッ、でも黙々。
テスト終わったけど、新たなバチバチがチラリ。イタオ、サラをガチゲット？ケンタ、仲間をガチャガチャ？クミチョ、このドタバタメンツ、どうやって乗り切る？
文章の解説 (A2レベル)
1. Kumicho tensed, his grip on his chopsticks tightening.
解説:
"tensed" は「緊張する」で、クミチョの警戒心を表す。
"grip tightening" は「ギュッと握る」で、感情を動作で表現。A2レベルでは体の反応で心情を伝える。
- tense: 緊張する
- tighten: 締める、強くする
2. “Maybe. If you ace the next test,” Sara said.
解説:
"if" は「もし～なら」で、条件を示す。サラがイタオに挑戦的な提案をする。
"ace" は「完璧にこなす」のスラングで、成功を強調。A2レベルでは会話でキャラの態度を出す。
- if: もし～なら
- ace: 完璧にこなす
3. Her praise like a warm breeze.
解説:
"like a warm breeze" は「温かいそよ風のよう」で、ナジミの褒め言葉がクミチョに与える心地よさを比喩的に表現。
A2レベルでは、簡単な比喩で感情を伝える。
- like: ～のよう
- breeze: そよ風