Lesson 6: Jiro Prefers to Study for a Test
After a day spent shopping with Mrs. Tanaka, Jiro away at school, Tom lets himself into Jiro's bedroom. The other teenager is sprawled on his back on his bed, tapping his foot to some unheard beat and making faces at the book he holds before his eyes.
He takes a moment to appreciate the sight—Jiro studying is a rare thing, despite the constant reminders—before rapping his knuckles lightly against the open door.
Jiro moves the book a scan inch to peer curiously at him from beneath it.
Tom holds up a CD by way of explanation.
"あたらしい レコ-ドを かいました. ききますか?"
Jiro drops the textbook to his stomach and pushes himself up onto his elbows. Shaking his head, he says, "いまは だめです." His tone is vaguely apologetic.
Tom drops his hand and frowns, fuming. "どうして?"
"かがくの しけんが あります." He drums his fingers pointedly on the hard-cover of his textbook.
He dimly remembers something about a test, but…Wait a minute. "しけんは あさってでしょう?"
Jiro flushes, his face clearly reflecting 'busted!'. "ええ, でも..."
Tom narrows his eyes, and allows a vein of cool to intersect his voice when he says, "じゃあ, がんばって."
He closes the door behind him, but not before seeing the flash of disquiet bloom in Jiro's face. Dwelling on that helps the miserable twisting in his stomach.
Translations
(1) I bought a new CD. Will you listen to it?
(2) I don't have any freetime.
(3) Why not?
(4) I have a science test. (I changed it from an English test to a science test...because Tom could have just helped him study if it were an English test...)
(5) Isn't the test the day after tomorrow?
(6) Yeah, but…
(7) Well, do your best.
A/N: Annnd we have the first lovers' quarrel. Also, I should mention that Tom is totally the girl in my mind. I don't know why...he's just always struck me as the cattier one...:)