English Story (CEFR: A2)
The school anniversary was days away, and a talent show was added to the celebration. Everyone was buzzing. Najimi’s music club was set to perform a rock medley, Kumicho’s art club was decorating the stage, and Itao, desperate to impress Sara, signed up for a comedy skit with Riku.
In the music room, Najimi strummed her guitar, leading Aoi and Taro. “We need to nail this!” she said, her ponytail swinging. Aoi nodded, tuning her bass. “Let’s make it epic.” Taro grinned, banging his drums. “Loud and proud, baby!”
Kumicho, painting stage panels in the art room, overheard the music. Najimi’s voice echoed, full of fire. *She’s unstoppable,* he thought, adding a star to his design. Her energy always made him want to do better, though he kept it quiet.
Itao burst in, script in hand. “Kumicho, check my skit! It’s gonna win Sara’s heart!” He acted out a goofy line, tripping over a paintbrush. Sara, setting up lights nearby with Haru, laughed. “Itao, stick to soccer.” Itao winked. “You’ll love it, Sara. Bet on it!”
Kai, the dance club hotshot, strutted in with a new girl, Saki, from the cheerleading squad. Her bright smile and pom-poms screamed energy. “Kai’s teaching me a dance for the show!” Saki chirped. Kai smirked at Najimi. “Our act’s gonna steal your thunder, music girl.”
Najimi raised an eyebrow. “Bring it, Kai.” Kenta, polishing his drumsticks, scoffed. “You’re all talk, dancer boy.” The air crackled with rivalry.
At lunch, the cafeteria was a storm of talent show talk. Mika was hyped for drama club’s skit. “Najimi, your medley’s gonna rock! Kumicho, your stage looks amazing!” Emi, scribbling poetry, looked up. “Kumicho, can I add a poem to the show? Your art inspired it.” Kumicho blushed. “Uh, yeah, cool.”
Lina, sipping soda, smirked at Kai. “Don’t flop, new guy.” Kai grinned. “Watch me shine, debate queen.” Saki giggled, nudging Kai. “We’re totally winning!” Itao sulked. “Sara’s gotta notice me, not these guys.”
During rehearsal, Najimi’s medley was electric, her guitar riff soaring. Kai and Saki’s dance was flashy, but Kai kept outshining Saki. “Follow my lead!” he barked. Saki frowned but kept dancing. Najimi whispered to Aoi, “He’s throwing her off.”
Itao and Riku’s skit was a mess. Itao forgot his punchlines, and Riku ad-libbed, making the crowd laugh. Sara snapped photos, grinning. “Itao, you’re chaotic, but it’s kinda cute.” Itao’s eyes lit up. “Cute? I’m in!”
Kumicho painted backstage, watching Najimi lead. Her focus was intense, and he sketched her mid-performance, heart buzzing quietly. Emi helped paint, her brush steady. “You really get art, Kumicho,” she said softly. Kumicho mumbled, “Thanks,” feeling her gaze linger.
Suddenly, a stage light flickered and crashed, narrowly missing Kai. Yui, overseeing everything, shouted, “Haru, check the wiring!” Haru scrambled, glasses fogging. “I-I fixed it!” he stammered, saving the day.
After rehearsal, Najimi flopped next to Kumicho. “That was intense! Your stage looks awesome.” Kumicho smiled. “Your music’s the star.” Najimi laughed, her shoulder brushing his. His heart skipped, but he stayed cool.
Itao cornered Sara. “So, my skit was cute, huh?” Sara smirked. “Maybe. Don’t get cocky.” Itao pumped his fist, nearly hitting Riku, who dodged. “Watch it, lover boy!”
Walking home, the group was buzzing. Najimi hummed her medley, Saki chattered about dance, and Itao rambled about Sara. Kenta nudged Kai. “Your dance better not crash like that light.” Kai grinned. “Worry about your drums, man.”
Emi walked beside Kumicho, clutching her poem. “I’m nervous about reading it,” she admitted. Kumicho nodded. “You’ll be great.” Her shy smile stuck with him.
The talent show was almost here. Would Najimi’s medley shine? Could Itao finally win Sara? And what was brewing with Emi and Kumicho? This crew was headed for a wild showdown.
日本語訳
周年祭がもうそこ、学校はガヤガヤ！タレントショーが追加で、みんなザワザワ。ナジミの音楽部はロックメドレーでガチ、クミチョの美術部は舞台をキラキラ、イタオはサラにドヤるため、リクとコメディ芝居にサイン。
音楽室、ナジミがギターをジャカジャカ、リーダー全開。「これ、キメるよ！」ポニーテールがピョン。アオイ、コクン、ベースをジャーン。「バッチリ盛るよ。」タロ、ニヤッ、ドラムドカドカ。「でかく、ドーンだぜ！」
美術室、クミチョ、舞台パネルをガシガシ塗り。ナジミの声、熱くてビビッ。*止まんねえな*って、デザインに星をサラッ。彼女のノリ、なんか自分もガツンと、でも心ん中で。
イタオ、台本持ってズカズカ。「クミチョ、俺の芝居チェック！サラの心、ガッチリ！」グダグダ台詞、ペンキブラシでガシャン！サラ、ハルと照明でゲラッ。「イタオ、サッカーにしときな。」イタオ、ウィンク。「見てろ、サラ！絶対ハマる！」
カイ、ダンス部のイケイケ、チア部の新顔サキとノシノシ。サキ、キラキラ笑顔、ポンポン振り。「カイがダンス教えてくれる！」カイ、ナジミにニヤッ。「お前らのショー、俺らがぶち抜くぜ。」
ナジミ、眉ピクッ。「やってみな、カイ。」ケンタ、ドラムスティック磨き、フンッ。「口だけだろ、ダンスボーイ。」空気、バチバチ！
昼、食堂はショー話でワイワイ。ミカ、演劇の芝居でテンションMAX。「ナジミ、メドレーやば！クミチョ、舞台キラッキラ！」エミ、詩をガリガリ。「クミチョ、ショーに詩入れたい。絵、めっちゃインスパイア。」クミチョ、顔カーッ。「お、いいね。」
リナ、ソーダグビッ、ニヤッ。「カイ、コケんなよ。」カイ、ヘラッ。「見てろ、ディベート娘。」サキ、クスクス、カイをポン。「私たち、優勝！」イタオ、シュン。「サラ、俺見てくれよ…。」
リハーサル、ナジミのメドレー、ギュイーン！ギターリフがバッチリ。カイとサキのダンス、派手、でもカイが目立ちすぎ。「俺に合わせろ！」とズカズカ。サキ、ムッ、でもガシガシ。ナジミ、アオイにヒソッ。「サキ、ズレてるよ。」
イタオとリクの芝居、グチャグチャ。イタオ、ネタ忘れ、リクがテキトーアドリブ、観客ゲラゲラ！サラ、パシャ、ニコッ。「イタオ、カオス、でもちょっとカワイイ。」イタオ、目キラーン。「カワイイ？イケる！」
クミチョ、舞台裏でガシガシ、ナジミのガッツをチラッ。スケッチに彼女のライブ姿、シュシュッ、胸ポカッ。エミ、ペンキ手伝い、キッチリ。「クミチョ、絵、マジ分かってる。」ふわっと声、クミチョ、ボソッ。「ありがと。」彼女の視線、なんかドキッ。
突然、照明ジジッ、ガシャン！カイ、ギリ避け！ユイ、ドカッ。「ハル、配線チェック！」ハル、メガネ曇り、ゴソゴソ。「お、できた！」とセーフ！
リハ後、ナジミ、クミチョの横にドサッ。「マジ激ヤバ！舞台、めっちゃイケてる！」クミチョ、ニコッ。「お前の音楽が主役。」ナジミ、ゲラッ、肩スレ、クミチョ、胸キュン、でもクール。
イタオ、サラをガシッ。「な、芝居カワイイだろ？」サラ、ニヤッ。「まあね。調子乗んな。」イタオ、ガッツポーズ、リクにガツン。「気をつけろ、恋バカ！」
帰り道、みんなウキウキ。ナジミ、メドレーフンフン、サキ、ダンスペチャクチャ、イタオ、サラ話でガヤガヤ。ケンタ、カイにグイ。「ダンス、照明みたいにコケんな。」カイ、ヘラッ。「ドラム心配しろよ。」
エミ、詩ギュッ、クミチョの横。「朗読、ドキドキ…。」クミチョ、コクン。「絶対イケる。」彼女のモジモジ笑顔、なんか気になる。
タレントショー、ドンドン！ナジミのメドレー輝く？イタオ、サラゲット？エミとクミチョ、なんか！？このメンツ、どんなバチバチ！？
文章の解説 (A2レベル)
1. Her energy always made him want to do better.
解説:
"made + 人 + want to" は「～に…したくなる」で、ナジミのエネルギーがクミチョに影響を与える。
A2レベルでは、動詞の連鎖で感情の動きを伝える。
- make + 人 + want to: ～に…したくなる
- energy: エネルギー
2. “You’ll love it, Sara. Bet on it!” Itao said.
解説:
"bet on it" は「絶対だよ」で、イタオの自信を強調するスラング。
引用符（"..."）は彼の大げさな主張を直接示し、A2レベルでは会話でキャラの個性を出す。
- bet on it: 絶対だよ
- "...": 話した言葉をそのまま示す
3. The air crackled with rivalry.
解説:
"crackled" は「バチバチする」で、ライバル感の緊張を比喩的に表現。
"rivalry" は「対抗心」で、グループの競争を強調。A2レベルでは比喩で雰囲気を伝える。
- crackle: バチバチする
- rivalry: 対抗心