【5/26】Xに投稿したストーリーイラストまとめ / Collection of Story Illustrations Posted on X

※English translations are provided below

【重要】この記事のイラストストーリーは一区切りついてはいますが、続編（R18）をベーシックプランでご覧いただけます（シナリオの最後にR18イラストのサムネを掲載しています）。ご興味のある方は、ぜひベーシックプランへのご登録をご検討ください！

[IMPORTANT] While this article's illustrated story reaches a natural stopping point, a sequel (R18) is available to Basic Plan subscribers (R18 illustration thumbnails are included at the end of the scenario). If you're interested, please consider signing up for our Basic Plan!

1.「疲れた顔してるねぇ」

繁忙期最終日。ぼんやりした頭を奮い立たせ、ようやく業務を終えて帰り支度をしていたところ、隣の部署の先輩と鉢合わせた。大学時代からの先輩で、顔を合わせると雑談が長くなる相手だ。

「お、久しぶり……って、その顔。相当やられてるね」

社員証を揺らしながら軽く手を振る。

「嬉しそうに言わないでください」

「いやいや、頼りなかった後輩がちゃんと働いてるの見て安心しただけ」

「どうだか……」

疑いの視線を向ける私の肩をぽんと叩き、グラスを掲げるしぐさをする。

「頑張ったご褒美に一杯奢るよ。今日で山場は終わりでしょ？」

「ええ、でも……正直もうヘロヘロなので、また今度――」

「じゃ、決まり」

腕を強引につかまれ引きずられる。大学時代と変わらない押しの強さに観念し、終電までには帰してもらおうと心に決めて、おとなしく歩調を合わせた。

続編サムネ

2.あの頃のまま

十年ぶりの帰省。駅前のビル群だけが新しく、実家の周りは驚くほど当時のままだ。懐かしさに浸りながら路地を歩いていると、田舎には珍しいほど洗練された女性と目が合った。 視線を外せないでいると、彼女が目を見開き、軽やかな足取りで近づいてくる。逃げる理由もないのに足がすくんだそのとき、声がかかった。

「もしかして……お兄ちゃん？」

頬を染めた笑顔に心当たりがあり、慌てて記憶を探る。

「え？　もしかして……近所の……？」

言い終える前に、彼女が嬉しそうに頷く。

「そう！　帰ってきたんですね。久しぶりすぎて最初わかりませんでした」

「こっちこそびっくりだよ。大人っぽくなったな」

当時中学生だった面影は残しつつ、気品あふれる女性へと変わっていた。

「良かったら家に寄りませんか？　部屋も景色もそのままなので懐かしいと思います」

無邪気な誘いに胸が高鳴る。長旅と出費が報われた、と心から思った。

続編サムネ

3.「うまくやれてんの？」

倉庫内作業を始めて半年。初めは毎日のように心が折れかけていたが、最近は鼻歌まじりに晩御飯の案を考えられる程度には段ボールを捌けるまでになった。 シフト終わり、案を決めきれないままロッカーでジャンパーを羽織っていると、背後から声がかかった。

「お、ずいぶん余裕できたじゃん」

振り返れば、数か月前に辞めた先輩がドア枠に寄りかかり、ニッと笑っていた。 新人だった頃、優しくて頼りになった人。短い期間だったけれど、本気で惚れていた。急に辞められてしばらく立ち直れず、周りにも迷惑をかけた苦い記憶が蘇る。

「先輩……生存確認できて安心しました。音信不通だったんで」

弾む心を悟られないよう、口元だけ引き締める。

「悪かったな。それより、このあと飯行こうぜ」

「え……新手の勧誘じゃ？」

「違う違う。久しぶりにしゃべりたいだけだって」

思考が追いつかないまま、でも晩ごはんが未定だったこともあり了承した。

期待と少しの恨み節を胸に、荷物を肩に掛けた。

続編サムネ

ーーーーー

1. "You look tired"

It was the last day of the busy season. With my foggy mind struggling to stay alert, I had finally finished work and was getting ready to head home when I ran into a senior colleague from the neighboring department. They were my senior from university days, and whenever we met, our casual chats would tend to run long.

"Oh, it's been a while... but look at that face. You've really been through it, haven't you?"

They waved lightly while swinging their employee ID card.

"Don't say that like you're happy about it."

"No, no, I'm just relieved to see my once-unreliable junior working so diligently now."

"I wonder about that..."

As I shot them a skeptical look, they patted my shoulder and made a gesture of raising a glass.

"Let me treat you to a drink as a reward for your hard work. Today was the peak of it all, right?"

"Yes, but... honestly, I'm completely exhausted, so maybe another time—"

"Then it's settled!"

They forcefully grabbed my arm and started pulling me along. Resigned to their persistence, which hadn't changed since university days, I quietly matched their pace, determined to at least catch the last train home.

Sequel Thumbnail

2. Just Like Back Then

Returning home for the first time in ten years. Only the buildings around the station were new, while the area around my family home remained surprisingly unchanged. As I walked through the alleyways, basking in nostalgia, I made eye contact with an unusually refined woman for this rural area. Unable to look away, I noticed her eyes widening as she approached with light steps. Though there was no reason to flee, my feet froze in place, and then she called out.

"Could it be... big brother?"

Something about her blushing smile seemed familiar, and I frantically searched my memories.

"Huh? Are you... from the neighborhood...?"

Before I could finish, she nodded happily.

"Yes! You've come back! I almost didn't recognize you at first, it's been so long."

"I'm the surprised one. You've grown so mature."

While still retaining traces of the middle school student she once was, she had transformed into an elegant woman.

"Would you like to come over? The room and the view are still the same, I think you'll find it nostalgic."

My heart raced at her innocent invitation. I truly felt that the long journey and its expenses had been worth it.

Sequel Thumbnail

3. "How're You Managing?"

It's been six months since I started working in the warehouse. Though I nearly broke down almost every day at first, lately I've been able to handle the cardboard boxes while humming along. After my shift, as I was putting on my jacket at the lockers, still undecided about dinner plans, a voice came from behind.

"Hey, looks like you've gotten pretty comfortable here."

When I turned around, there was my former senior who had quit a few months ago, leaning against the doorframe with a grin. They were someone kind and reliable when I was new. Though our time together was short, I had seriously fallen for them. The bitter memories of having trouble recovering after they suddenly quit and causing trouble for others came flooding back.

"Senior... glad to confirm you're alive. You went completely off the grid."

I kept my expression neutral, trying not to let my racing heart show.

"Sorry about that. But hey, want to grab dinner?"

"Huh... is this some new recruitment scheme?"

"No, no. I just want to catch up."

Before I could process my thoughts, I agreed, partly because I hadn't decided on dinner plans anyway.

With a mix of anticipation and lingering resentment in my heart, I shouldered my bag.

Sequel Thumbnail

ーーーーー

YouTubeにてミュージックチャンネルも運営していますので、ぜひ遊びにきてください！

I also run a music channel on YouTube, so please come check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/@あおしAosi