【4/15】ベーシックプラン会員さん限定イラスト / Illustrations exclusive to Basic Plan members

※English translations are provided below

1枚目:「全然効果がないんだよ」

「全然効果がないんだよ」

バランスボールに座りながら、彼女は不満げな顔をこちらに向ける。蛍光灯に照らされたモニターの青白い光が、彼女の表情をより一層際立たせていた。デスクの上には、整然と積み上げられた書類の山。その脇で彼女は、まるで子供のように膨らんだ頬を私に向けている。

「仕事中にこれに座れば腰痛も治って痩せるって言ってたよね？」

追い打ちをかけるように彼女は言う。その声には非難の色が濃く滲んでいた。

「……いくらなんでも動かなさすぎなんだよ」

デスクワークで全く運動しない彼女のためにバランスボールをプレゼントして一週間。最初こそ「これなら仕事しながらできる運動だね」と好意的な反応を示していたものの、慣れない椅子に我慢したにもかかわらず全く成果が出ず、とうとう彼女の忍耐力も限界に達したようだ。

「たまにこれの上で跳ねたりしてるよ？」

言い訳めいた彼女の言葉に、思わず苦笑いが漏れる。確かに時折、仕事の合間に軽くバウンドする姿は見かけていた。だが、それは運動というより気分転換程度のものでしかなかった。

「いや……それだけじゃちょっと……」

私の歯切れの悪い返事に、彼女はさらに不機嫌そうな顔になる。長い前髪が揺れ、その陰から投げかけられる視線には明らかな諦めの色が浮かんでいた。

「はぁ……座ってるだけで解決するはずないか」

溜め息まじりに呟く彼女の声に、一縷の望みを感じ取った。

「お？ついに運動する気になったか？」

「は？椅子を戻すだけだよ」

予想に反した返事に、私の期待は木っ端微塵に砕け散る。どうやら彼女にとっては、慣れない椅子に我慢したり運動したりするくらいなら、腰痛を我慢して太ったほうがマシらしい。

机の上の書類を無意識に整理しながら、彼女は既に通常の椅子への交換を考えているようだった。彼女に健康になってもらうことを諦めたくはないが、これは間違いなく茨の道になりそうだ。

せめて、次は彼女の興味を引けるような運動を提案しなければ。そう考えながら、私は静かにため息をついた。

2枚目:「なんか落ち着くね……」

平日限定で格安に宿泊できる旅館に、私たちは訪れていた。玄関をくぐると、どこか懐かしい空気が漂う。建物は古びているものの、隅々まで行き届いた掃除が印象的で、むしろ心が落ち着く。

夕暮れ時のロビーは、柔らかな光に包まれていた。観葉植物の葉が窓からの光を受けて艶やかに輝き、年季の入った家具たちも温かみのある表情を見せている。宿泊客は私たち以外にまばらで、静けさが心地よい。

「なんか落ち着くね……」

ロビーのソファに腰掛けた彼女が、少し眠たげな表情でそう呟く。長旅の疲れからか、普段の甘えた様子に加えて、どこか儚げな雰囲気を纏っている。その姿に、思わず胸が高鳴る。

「もう来て良かったって顔してるね」

到着したばかりなのに、すっかりリラックスした様子の彼女を見て、思わず微笑んでしまう。

「だってそう思ってるもん……今日は楽しもうね」

彼女の声には期待と甘えが混ざっている。普段は見せない、少し大胆な表情に、私の心臓は早鐘を打ち始めた。眠そうな目元と上気した頬が織りなす何気ない色気に、思わずじっと見つめてしまう。抱きしめたい衝動に駆られるが、ここはロビー。深呼吸をして気持ちを落ち着かせる。

「そろそろ部屋に行こう」

私の提案に、彼女は柔らかな微笑みを浮かべる。

「ん……うん」

にへらと笑う彼女の表情に、再び心臓が跳ねる。その笑顔の裏に潜む期待に、私も同じように胸を高鳴らせている。部屋についたら、さっきの我慢は帳消しにしよう——そんな思いを胸に、私たちは静かにロビーを後にした。

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1. "I've already done it myself, so it's fine"

"I've already done it myself, so it's fine"

As a private tutor, I was struggling to handle a particularly challenging student. She boasted some of the highest grades in her year and was known to approach other subjects with genuine dedication. Yet mysteriously, only during my sessions did she become a completely different person, acting carelessly.

Casually flicking aside the study materials spread across the desk, she settled deep into her chair. Her long black hair swayed, and her gestures revealed calculated coyness.

"Since I work hard usually, can't you let me take it easy during time with my important teacher?"

She spoke with an exaggerated serious expression, clearly saying words she didn't mean. Despite being amazed at her acting skills, I responded calmly.

"I'd like to do that too, but that would make me a fraud."

"What's wrong with taking it easy? Let's just chat. We can call it interview practice."

Resting her elbows on the desk and cupping her chin, she smiled. Her demeanor was far from that of a model student, even somewhat provocative. The teachers who knew her usual serious behavior would surely doubt their eyes.

"You must have something you don't understand, even if it's small. Just tell me anything. I'll help you out."

At these words thrown out as a last hope, her eyes flickered with a momentary mischievous gleam.

"Well then... tell me about your past girlfriends."

"..."

An intentional silence fell over the classroom. As the desk lamp softly illuminated her face, I let out a deep sigh. At this rate, I'd definitely get fired. I seriously needed to figure out how to handle her lessons. But even that thought felt like falling into her trap, making me feel even more depressed.

2. "It's not working at all"

"It's not working at all"

Sitting on the balance ball, she turned to me with a dissatisfied look. The fluorescent lights reflecting off the monitor cast a bluish-white glow that made her expression even more pronounced. On the desk was a neatly stacked pile of documents. Beside it, she puffed her cheeks at me like a child.

"Didn't you say sitting on this during work would fix my back pain and help me lose weight?"

She added, piling on the criticism. Her voice was thick with reproach.

"...You're barely moving at all though."

It had been a week since I'd given her the balance ball as a gift, since she never exercised due to desk work. Although she initially responded positively, saying "This is exercise I can do while working," despite enduring the unfamiliar chair, there were no results at all, and it seemed her patience had finally reached its limit.

"I bounce on this sometimes, you know?"

I couldn't help but smile wryly at her excuse. True, I had occasionally seen her lightly bouncing during work breaks. But that was more like taking a break than actual exercise.

"Well... that alone isn't quite..."

At my hesitant response, she looked even more disgruntled. Her long bangs swayed, and the gaze from behind them clearly showed resignation.

"Sigh... just sitting isn't going to solve anything, huh?"

I caught a glimmer of hope in her voice as she sighed.

"Oh? Finally feeling motivated to exercise?"

"Huh? I'm just going to switch back to a regular chair."

My expectations were shattered by her unexpected response. Apparently, for her, enduring an uncomfortable chair or exercising was worse than putting up with back pain and weight gain.

While unconsciously organizing the documents on her desk, she seemed to already be thinking about switching back to a regular chair. Though I didn't want to give up on helping her become healthier, this was clearly going to be an uphill battle.

At the very least, I needed to suggest an exercise that would interest her next time. Thinking this, I quietly sighed.

3. "It's so peaceful here..."

We were visiting an inn that offered discounted rates on weekdays. Stepping through the entrance, there was a nostalgic atmosphere. Though the building was old, the thorough cleaning was impressive, making it feel even more relaxing.

The lobby at dusk was bathed in soft light. The leaves of indoor plants gleamed brilliantly in the window light, and the well-aged furniture showed warm expressions. There were few guests besides us, making the quietness pleasant.

"It's so peaceful here..."

She mumbled with a sleepy expression as she sat on the lobby sofa. Perhaps from travel fatigue, along with her usual sweet demeanor, she had a somewhat ethereal air about her. My heart raced at the sight.

"You already look glad we came."

I couldn't help but smile seeing her completely relaxed despite having just arrived.

"Because I am... let's enjoy today."

Her voice mixed expectation with sweetness. My heart began racing at her slightly bold expression, one she didn't usually show. I found myself staring at the casual sensuality created by her sleepy eyes and flushed cheeks. Though I felt the urge to embrace her, this was the lobby. I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"Let's head to our room."

She responded to my suggestion with a gentle smile.

"Mm... okay."

My heart jumped again at her playful grin. Her smile held hidden expectations that made my heart race just the same. Once we got to the room, I'd make up for my earlier restraint—with these thoughts in mind, we quietly left the lobby.

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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