半分の宿題

 Half of the Homework

放課後の教室は、夕日が差し込み、柔らかいオレンジ色に染まっていた。窓際の席に座るユウタは、自分の課題にペンを走らせながら、親友のリョウの隣をちらりと見た。

The classroom after school was bathed in the soft orange glow of the setting sun. Yuta, seated by the window, was scribbling down answers for his assignment, occasionally glancing at his best friend Ryo beside him.

「やばい……課題、家に忘れた。」リョウが突然、焦りを見せながらユウタに囁いた。

“I’m in trouble… I forgot my homework at home,” Ryo whispered anxiously to Yuta.

ユウタは一瞬、驚いた顔をしたが、すぐに微笑んで言った。「リョウらしいな。でも、大丈夫。俺のを半分あげるよ。」

Yuta looked surprised for a moment, but then smiled and said, “That’s so like you, Ryo. But don’t worry, I’ll give you half of mine.”

リョウは驚きの表情でユウタを見つめた。「でも、お前の点数が下がるかもしれないだろ？」

Ryo stared at Yuta, surprised. “But your score might drop because of that!”

ユウタは肩をすくめた。「そんなの気にしないさ。俺たちは友達だろ？」

Yuta shrugged. “I don’t care about that. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

そう言ってユウタは、自分の書いた課題を真ん中でビリっと破り、半分をリョウに手渡した。リョウはしばらく躊躇していたが、やがて感謝の気持ちを込めてその紙を受け取った。

With that, Yuta tore his completed homework in half and handed one part to Ryo. Ryo hesitated for a moment, but finally accepted the paper with gratitude.

「ありがとな、ユウタ。今度、絶対に俺が助けるからな。」

“Thanks, Yuta. I’ll definitely help you out next time.”

次の日、二人は課題を先生に提出した。教室は静かで、先生はそれぞれの紙をじっくりと見つめていた。しばらくの間、何も言わなかったが、彼女の目が優しく二人に向けられた。

The next day, the two handed in their assignments. The classroom was quiet as the teacher carefully examined each paper. She didn’t say anything for a while, but eventually her gentle gaze turned toward them.

「ユウタ、リョウ。二人の課題、半分ずつが同じなのはどういうことかな？」先生は微笑んで尋ねた。

“Yuta, Ryo. Can you explain why your assignments are identical, but only half-done?” the teacher asked with a smile.

二人は顔を見合わせ、少し気まずそうにうなだれた。しかし、先生は深く叱ることはせず、ただ優しく微笑んだ。

The two exchanged glances and lowered their heads awkwardly. However, the teacher didn’t scold them harshly. Instead, she simply smiled gently.

「友達を助ける気持ちは素敵なことね。でも、次はちゃんと自分の力でやりましょう。」

“It’s a wonderful thing to help a friend. But next time, make sure to do your own work.”

ユウタとリョウは顔を上げ、先生の言葉に安心した表情を見せた。「はい、先生！」二人は声を揃えて答えた。

Yuta and Ryo lifted their heads, relief spreading across their faces. “Yes, ma’am!” they replied in unison.

先生はもう一度二人を見て、微笑んだまま他の生徒の課題に目を移した。教室には、夕方の柔らかな光が再び差し込んでいた。

The teacher gave them one last look before turning back to the other students' assignments, still smiling. The soft light of the afternoon sun once again filled the room.

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それは、二人の友情がさらに深まるきっかけになった日だった。

It was the day their friendship grew even stronger.