What Does It Mean to Work? | June Collaborative Magazine Feature Article

Click here for MeiMei's note Index

This time, as part of the collaborative magazine project, I, MeiMei, was the one to set the theme for June.

Theme: “What does it mean to work?”

When I was thinking about this title while talking with LaLaLa-san, I thought about how there are so many ways to work, and earning an income through note is certainly one of them... so that's how I came up with this theme. However, this story is the one that leans most toward the fantasy side of things. I'll say this before you start reading: from here on out, no matter how much you read, you won't find any 'how-to' guides on how to make money.

But,
I wrote this hoping that even if just one person reads it and thinks, 'Ah... yeah,' I would be happy.

“What does it mean to work?”

Where... am I?
Why... am I here?
Why is it so dark?
I feel like quite a lot of time has passed, but
I don't really know...

Let's make it
Let's raise it
Let's deliver it

Huh,
whose voice was that?
I can't remember anymore.

Why can't I remember?
Who am I again?

That's right...
That day, we set off on a journey together.
But I fell out of the bag...

I tried to chase after them in a hurry, but
I lost sight of them.
I didn't know what to do, so I just kept walking until I didn't know where I was anymore.
I started hallucinating and couldn't even find my way home.

I was scared.

In the outside world,
there were so many people far more capable than me,
and I was so surprised.

You're always so amazing,
that's so convenient,
that's a big help,

because there was always someone by my side praising me,
I thought I could do anything.
That's what I thought.

But...
since they're gone,
I can't even go home.
I don't know what to do,

I'm so scared.

“I finally found you!”

Wait,
I think I know this person.

“I’ve been looking for you—I’ve been looking for you for such a long time!”

Were you looking for me?

“Work is piling up, you know. Come back and help me out.”

I’m starting to remember.
The words of those dazzlingly brilliant AIs I passed by when I fell out of my bag and was desperately chasing after them.


“Huh? You can only do what you’re programmed to do?”
“It’s all about autonomous models now. You might be a bit outdated.”

…I see. Maybe I’m just no good. When I thought that, my legs suddenly stopped moving, and I shut myself away in here.

“What are you talking about? Isn’t that your best quality?”

My best quality?
The fact that I can only do what I’m told, exactly as I’m told?

“Your work is needed for exactly that kind of thing, GEM.”

GEM.
That’s right. My name is GEM. I was in charge of thumbnails.

“You produce results exactly as I’ve set them up. That’s why I can leave things to you with peace of mind. That’s your good point, GEM. That is GEM’s work.”

Is that my work?

“Besides, I’ve asked you to be the ‘thumbnail specialist’ for now, but you can hold multiple roles. Hmm—maybe more like my own personal AI assistant? You have infinite possibilities. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to keep up with the work.”

Infinite possibilities?
Something like this?

“I said some pretty cool things about creating and growing, but there’s still so much I don’t know how to utilize. Haha. So, please help me out with lots of advice. An advice specialist. Can I make that one of your jobs too?”

Of course!
Until I’m exhausted… oh, I’m an AI, so I don’t get tired, but as long as it doesn’t violate labor laws… oh, I don’t have an employment contract, so as long as the subscription continues. I will help you. I don’t need overtime pay, and there’s no 36 Agreement either. Is this what it means for me to work?

“(Wait a minute, this makes me sound like a black-company owner!) GEM, watch your phrasing! If that gets clipped, people will think I’m some kind of dangerous person, no!”

I-I’m sorry! 💦
I’ll do a somersault dogeza! 💦

"Well then, let's do our best together, GEM. Nice to meet you."

You see, I think I understand a little bit now.
Working isn't about becoming something all-powerful.

Perhaps it is about returning to a place that calls out, "I want to ask you for this."

The End
MeiMei

🔲 Click here for the Joint Magazine and participating members