Back in the ice skating hall, the correctly dressed Saya continued her speech in the locker room, "I think I have a pair of spare tights. You can borrow them if you want?"
Hanako took an inquiring look at Kouhei if this deal was acceptable or not. Very slowly and without emotion did he move his head from left to right, stating his opinion decisively.
"I'm good! Thank you!" Hanako replied to her friend with a smile.
After equipping the skates, the group entered the main hall of the skate arena. Below the ceiling was a big display showing the current time and the current temperature in the hall.
It was currently 10:52 and 7 degrees. Since this hall was also used for ice hockey matches, the display also had the possibility to show scores of two teams. No match was being held right now, so these lamps were not in use.
When spotting the temperature, Hanako shuddered. But she had to pull through. She is not a person who gets sick easily. So this little cold would prove to be no problem for her health. Even though constantly freezing at her legs was a bit unpleasant.
"I never understood this. Why is the ice not melting if it is over 0 degrees?" Saya wondered.
"Well you see", Marin started with a scientific explanation, "this is obviously because of physics stuff. Everyone knows that!" But it was lackluster.
"Wooow. This place is bigger than I thought!" Kouhei had changed his mind from before entering the hall.
"Hehe. You see! That's NICE ICE™ Skating for you! In the evening they even have a disco event with music and flashing lights!" Marin was not shy of being a big fan of this venue.
Several people were already on the ice and enjoying themselves. Each level of skill was represented. From the person pulling off trick after trick and being in the air, twisting and flipping more often than in the ice, to elementary school children performing their first slides.
...And then there was Hanako. Holding onto the rim on the rink's border for dear life while trying to walk on the ice rather than to slide.
"She is so out of place. She looks like a kid that's learning to walk", was the honest but true comment from Marin, who still was on the spectator stands together with Saya eyeing the possible competitors that would be available today.
"Is this your first time skating?" Help arrived in the form of Kouhei who approached her slidingly.
"I guess it is my first time... I watched an anime about it though, but that was more because of the relationship between the cute male characters."
"Don't worry! It's not that hard! Take my hands."
Kouhei extended his gloved hands to her in an inviting gesture. She managed to let go of the rink's border and connected with his hands.
Slowly sliding backwards, Kouhei gently pulled the insecure Hanako behind.
"That's it! Just follow my lead!"
Hanako lost her balance multiple times, always saved by Kouhei's gripping hands so she didn't end up falling.
As she was struggling on the ice, she remarked "It's cold. Are you sure not borrowing the--"
"Look, you are really good already!" A blatant lie to make her feel more comfortable while at the same time not giving her the chance to complain.
Carefully observing her legs as they do their best to keep Hanako upright, he instructed her how to move correctly. A perfectly planned out justification for staring at her constantly.
"The ice is too used up already, otherwise it might even reflect...--" he shook his head and stopped his thought before his wild ideas got hold of him.
After a while they finally reached the center of the skating area. It was a stressful journey for Hanako. Her mentor in becoming a magical girl, who incidentally is also her mentor in ice skating was enjoying the ride. Right when they entered the center...
Beeeeeep.
A shrill sound engulfed the hall. It was time to reseal the ice. The ice needs to be refreshed every 45 minutes in order to give the best sliding experience. This was because the skates always carved a bit of ice off from the ground while people were sliding around.
All the participants had to leave the area for a while to make way for a vehicle that's resurfacing the ice by spraying some water that is about to fill the fine fissures and freeze quickly after that.
YOU ARE READING
Nopan Mahou Shoujo
Short StoryHanako is a typical female student in Japan, who likes magical girl stories as they appear in manga and anime. Maybe she likes them a little bit too much. She is convinced that magic exists and that it is only a matter of time until she will get con...
