English Story (CEFR: A2)
Weeks after midterms, the school buzzed with plans for its anniversary celebration. The art club, led by Kumicho’s quiet sketches, was tasked with a massive mural on the gym wall. Najimi’s music club was composing a song for the event, while Itao’s soccer team prepared a flashy halftime show.
In the art room, Kumicho spread out his mural designs—bright swirls of school life. “This is cool,” said Hana, a shy art club member with round glasses. “But it’s huge. Can we finish in time?”
Kumicho nodded, though his stomach knotted. “We’ll make it work.” Najimi popped in, carrying a guitar case. “Kumicho, your sketches are awesome! Can we paint music notes in it?” Her grin was infectious, easing his nerves.
“Sure,” Kumicho said, sketching a quick note. Her ideas always sparked his own, though he kept that thought tucked away.
Itao barged in, soccer ball under his arm. “Yo, Kumicho, make me look epic in that mural!” He spun the ball, nearly knocking over a paint can. Sara followed, camera ready. “Itao, don’t wreck their stuff,” she teased, snapping his flustered face.
“I’m impressing you, Sara!” Itao winked, but she laughed. “Impress me with a goal first.” Itao’s confidence wavered—Sara was slipping away.
At lunch, the group crowded around a cafeteria table. Mika was hyped about the drama club’s anniversary play. “Kumicho, your mural’s gonna steal the show!” she said, stealing Riku’s fries. Riku grumbled, “Stop that, Mika!”
Kenta, the basketball star, slid in next to Najimi. “Your music club’s song sounds dope. Wanna practice with me later? I’m decent at drums.” Najimi shrugged. “Sure, come to practice!” Kumicho’s jaw tightened, but he focused on his rice.
Lina, flipping through debate notes, smirked. “Kenta, you’re bold. Kumicho, you okay with this guy stealing your music club buddy?” Kumicho mumbled, “It’s fine,” but his chopsticks snapped a carrot in half.
A new girl, Emi, from the literature club, joined them. Her long braid and soft voice stood out. “I’m writing a poem for the anniversary,” she said shyly. “Kumicho, can I see your mural? It might inspire me.” Kumicho nodded, surprised by her interest.
After school, the art club painted the mural. Hana mixed colors, while Kumicho outlined shapes. Emi stopped by, notebook in hand. “It’s beautiful,” she said, her eyes on Kumicho’s work. “You’re really talented.” Kumicho blushed, unused to praise. “Uh, thanks.”
Najimi and Taro arrived to add music notes. Taro’s paintbrush was wild, splattering Hana. “Oops, my bad!” he laughed. Najimi giggled, painting neatly. “Kumicho, this mural’s gonna be epic!” Her energy made the work fun, and Kumicho smiled quietly.
But trouble hit. Kenta, “helping” with paint cans, tripped and spilled blue paint across the mural’s base. “Whoa, my bad!” he said, laughing. Kumicho stared, horrified. Hana panicked. “That’s hours of work!”
Najimi jumped in. “It’s okay! We can fix it. Right, Kumicho?” Her calm voice steadied him. “Yeah,” he said, grabbing a sponge. Emi helped, her quiet focus surprising everyone. Even Kenta pitched in, sheepish.
At soccer practice, Itao tried to win Sara back with a trick shot. The ball hit a goalpost, and Sara snapped the fail. “Nice try, Itao,” she said, but her tone was distant. Riku muttered to Mika, “He’s losing her.”
Walking home, Itao sulked. “Sara’s not into me anymore.” Najimi nudged him. “Keep trying, but maybe chill on the tricks.” Kumicho nodded, thinking of Najimi’s quick thinking with the mural. *She’s always got your back,* he thought, his heart warm.
Emi walked with them, clutching her notebook. “Kumicho, your mural gave me a poem idea. Can I show you later?” Kumicho blinked. “Sure.” Her shy smile made him curious.
The anniversary was nearing, and the mural was back on track. But with Kenta’s chaos, Itao’s fading romance, and Emi’s quiet interest, what new twists awaited this lively crew?
日本語訳
中間テストから数週間、学校は周年祭の準備でザワザワ。美術部はクミチョの静かなスケッチが主役、体育館の壁にドデカい壁画をガシガシ。ナジミの音楽部はイベント用の曲をバンバン作り、イタオのサッカー部はハーフタイムでド派手なショーをドーン。
美術室でクミチョ、壁画のデザインをザーッと広げた。学校生活のキラキラな渦。「これ、めっちゃいい！」と丸メガネのハナ、美術部の恥ずかしがり屋。「でもデカすぎ。間に合う？」
クミチョ、腹キュッ、でもコクン。「なんとかなるよ。」ナジミ、ギターケース抱えてピョン。「クミチョ、スケッチ最高！音符、入れていい？」ニッコリに、クミチョのドキドキがスーッ。「彼女のアイデア、なんか頭パッと」って、心ん中で。
「いいよ」と音符をサラッ。イタオ、ボール抱えズカズカ。「よ、クミチョ、俺を壁画でバチバチに！」ボールクルッ、ペンキ缶ガシャン寸前。サラ、カメラ構え、「イタオ、壊すなよ」とクスクス、イタオの焦り顔をパシャッ。
「サラ、俺、キメてんだ！」とウィンク、でもサラ、ゲラッ。「ゴール決めてからね。」イタオ、自信グラッ、サラ、遠ざかってるぞ…。
昼、食堂でギュウギュウ。ミカ、演劇部の芝居でテンションMAX。「クミチョの壁画、絶対主役！」とリクのポテトパクッ。リク、「おい、ミカ！」とムッ。
ケンタ、バスケのデカ男、ナジミの横にスーッ。「音楽部の曲、めっちゃイケてる。後で一緒に練習？俺、ドラム、まあまあ。」ナジミ、肩すくめ。「いいよ、練習おいで！」クミチョ、顎ギュッ、ご飯に集中。
リナ、ディベートノートパラパラ、ニヤッ。「ケンタ、図々しいね。クミチョ、音楽部の相棒取られても平気？」クミチョ、ボソッ。「別に。」でも箸、ニンジン真っ二つ。
新キャラ、文学部のエミ、長編み髪、ふわっと登場。「周年祭の詩、書いてるの」とモジモジ。「クミチョ、壁画見せて？インスピレーション欲しい。」クミチョ、パチクリ、でもコクン。「おう。」
放課後、美術部、壁画ガシガシ。ハナ、色をグチャグチャ混ぜ、クミチョ、形をサラサラ。エミ、ノート抱え、チラッ。「キレイ…。クミチョ、めっちゃ才能。」クミチョ、顔カーッ、褒められ慣れねえ。「え、ありがと。」
ナジミとタロ、音符ペイントにドスン。タロの筆、ワイルドでハナにペンキビチャ！「おっと、わり！」とゲラゲラ。ナジミ、キッチリ塗り、クスクス。「クミチョ、この壁画、ガチヤバい！」彼女のノリ、仕事がパッと楽しく、クミチョ、ニコッ。
でも、ドタバタ！ケンタ、ペンキ缶「手伝え」ってドスン、つまずき、青ペンキが壁画の底にドバーッ！「おっと、ミス！」とヘラヘラ。クミチョ、ガーン、ハナ、焦りまくり。「何時間もかけたのに！」
ナジミ、ズバッ。「大丈夫！直せるよ。ね、クミチョ？」スッキリ声に、クミチョ、落ち着き。「おう」とスポンジガシッ。エミ、静かにガサガサ手伝い、意外なガッツ。ケンタもシュン、ゴソゴソ。
サッカー練習、イタオ、サラ奪還でトリックショット。ボール、ゴールポストにガン！サラ、パシャ、失敗を激写。「まあまあ、イタオ」と声遠め。リク、ミカにボソッ。「サラ、冷めてるな。」
帰り道、イタオ、しょぼん。「サラ、もう俺に興味ねえ…。」ナジミ、ポン。「諦めんな、でも派手技は控えな。」クミチョ、コクン、ナジミのフォローを思い、*いつも助けてくれるな*、胸ポカポカ。
エミ、ノートギュッ。「クミチョ、壁画、詩のアイデアくれた。後で読ませて？」クミチョ、パチクリ。「おう。」彼女のモジモジ笑顔、なんか気になる。
周年祭、グングン！壁画、復活！でも、ケンタのドタバタ、イタオの恋ピンチ、エミのチラリ興味、次はこのメンツ、どんなバチバチ！？
文章の解説 (A2レベル)
1. Her grin was infectious, easing his nerves.
解説:
"infectious" は「伝染する」で、ナジミの笑顔がクミチョの緊張をほぐす影響力を表現。
"ease" は「和らげる」で、感情の変化を伝える。A2レベルでは形容詞でキャラの魅力を描写。
- infectious: 伝染する、影響力のある
- ease: 和らげる
2. “Impress me with a goal first,” Sara said.
解説:
"impress" は「感心させる」で、サラがイタオに挑戦的な条件を出す。
引用符（"..."）は直接的な会話で、サラのからかう態度を強調。A2レベルでは会話でキャラの個性を出す。
- impress: 感心させる
- "...": 話した言葉をそのまま示す
3. Kenta tripped and spilled blue paint across the mural’s base.
解説:
"tripped" は「つまずく」で、ケンタの失敗を描写。
"spilled" は「こぼす」で、アクシデントの結果を具体的に示す。A2レベルでは動作で物語のトラブルを伝える。
- trip: つまずく
- spill: こぼす