Volume 2 Chapter 2 Inevitable Encounter
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I have a vague memory of Mother saying something concerning, but by the time we reached our home for the first time, the sandman had caught up to me and I conked out.
When I next woke up, I was inside the house, completely tucked into Mother’s arms.
”Ma-kun, are you awake?” a woman asked.
”Ah, you’re right. Good morning, Ma-kun. You were sleeping like a log, weren’t you?” Mother replied.
Prompted by the unfamiliar woman’s voice, Mother shifted her hold so I could see her face. After confirming it was her, I moved my eyes to scout the area. Sensing my curiosity, Mother stood up and slowly circled the room to give me a full view.
There was a neatly organized kitchen, a dining table for four, and where I was now-the living room, presumably. A low table sat in front of the TV, flanked by two floor chairs and a single zabuton¹ cushion.
Right beside that sat a jungle gym with a slide and a play kitchen. And a crib.
I spotted a swinging door that likely led to the entrance, a sliding door leading to the bedrooms, and a balcony.
So this is my new home. It felt nearly twice as large as my apartment from my previous life.
”Fufu, look at you looking all around. Do you see something interesting?” Mother asked with a smile.
I was nearly sucked into the warmth of Mother’s expression, but something else caught my eye and wouldn’t let go. I fixated on the calendar hanging on the wall.
If my memory served me correctly… time had wound back.
I died in December, on my birthday. Now it’s March. That meant… I’ve regressed about seven and a half years.
Back then, I was a junior in college, just starting spring break. I would have been right in the middle of finishing up my job hunt.
…
What does this even mean?
Did I actually leap through time? Or was the Jesus Christ of this world just born seven years earlier than mine?
I didn’t know.
Was there a purpose to being born in this specific year? Was there something I was supposed to accomplish?
I didn’t think that wonderful Megami-sama² put that much thought into it, but… if there was a reason, what could it be? Should I go find the “me” of this world and tell him, “Don’t get lazy and try to finish your job hunt early-apply to at least three more companies”?
No… that was impossible.
I wouldn’t be able to communicate or even move freely for a long time. There were only a little over seven and a half years until the day I might be killed. By then, I’ll only be a second-grader. What the hell can a second-grader do to stop a murder?
In the end, I felt like I’d still be helpless.
But if that possibility came true-if the “me” of this world isn’t killed and continues to live-what happens to the “me” that’s right here? Does the “me” of this world even exist yet? Is he the same person I was?
This was getting complicated…
”Nn~? Ma-kun, what’s wrong? It’s okay~. Mama’s right here~,” Mother cooed.
That’s right. I already decided, didn’t I? I’m going to make this woman smile. I couldn’t let myself lose track of my priorities.
As she rocked me back and forth, my mind finally began to settle. Mother’s body heat felt so comforting.
”Akari, it looks like Su-chan’s awake too,” the other woman said.
”Then it’s time for their big first meeting,” Mother replied.
So Mother’s name is Akari-san? I finally learned it. It’s a lovely name!
The other woman who called Mother’s name walked over from the crib… Wait, are those tits for real?!
No, I mean-she was literally using those things as an armrest! The way they were pushing up against that loose fabric was unmistakably ti-
…
Calm down.
I am a pillar of rationality.
I couldn’t let myself get fixated on tits. I’m a baby right now.
…Wait. If I’m a baby, isn’t this fine? I literally can’t survive without milk. It’s only natural for a baby to seek out breasts.
Yes. This is inevitable.
…
Okay, seriously, calm down.
I’m supposed to be a leg man, not a chest man. I usually live for that soft, plump curve of a thigh stretching down from the hip. But if we’re talking about “curvaceous beauty,” how could I not look at those?
Yes. This is inevitable.
…
Alright, let’s actually get it together.
Time to organize the situation. There were three adults in the house. One was my mother, Akari. Then there were two others-a man and a woman I didn’t recognize.
The woman was the owner of the “frontal plating” currently holding my gaze. She had wavy brown hair and a baby face; she was radiating so much “womanly energy” that a professional gravure idol would probably give up and go home.
Then there was the man.
He was quite handsome-clean-cut with short hair and a cool vibe. He was tall and looked like he had a great sense of style. …He’s probably a hit with the ladies. Tch.
For some reason, seeing a “handsome guy” made my Former Boss’s face flash in my mind. And if I consider the possibility that he was my Father… well, I was trying not to think about it, but I couldn’t help it.
The man was holding a video camera, filming the other woman and the baby she was holding.
That baby had to be “Su-chan-san.”
She had straight hair grown out to her shoulders, pulled up in a little topknot that showed off her smooth forehead. Like her parents, she was adorable, with soft-looking, chubby cheeks. She had a pacifier in her tiny mouth.
Su-chan-san rubbed her eyes sleepily and looked up at the woman. When their eyes met, she snuggled in happily.
…Wait, what was that? That was way too cute. …I’m totally stealing that move later.
”Su-chan, this is Ma-kun~. Say ‘nice to meet you’~,” the woman said.
”……”
Still held by the woman, Su-chan-san followed her gaze and stared intently at me. She had this adorable, puzzled look on her face. I had no idea how to read her reaction.
”Fufu.”
”They both just froze up, didn’t they?” the man joked.
When you make eye contact with a woman, you aren’t supposed to look away first. Guys who just steal glances are usually considered creeps. And if you look away the moment you’re caught, you’re basically admitting you’re the “beta” in the relationship.
If you’re going to look, look her in the eye! Show her exactly how attractive you find her with your gaze! And then talk to her!
…Or so I heard a friend say back in college, claiming he “heard it from a senpai³.” But that guy never got a girlfriend, so I never believed him. In the end, it’s all about looks, money, and pheromones.
Anyway.
Su-chan-san might be a girl, but she’s a baby first. She’s living on pure instinct. If that’s the case, it’s probably better not to provoke her while we’re still building our relationship.
I decided to take the advice of a friend who liked cats: I averted my gaze first and looked back at Mother. Akari-san, you’re beautiful.
”This is Ma-kun’s future bride~. Ma-kun, you say ‘nice to meet you,’ too,” Mother said.
Mother said it right as I was about to snuggle into her.
…So I didn’t mishear her before.
I actually have a “bride”…
But Mother, isn’t that a bit premature? I’ve only been alive for three months, and Su-chan-san… she can’t even be two yet, right? You’re completely ignoring our own feelings here!
Is this the standard view of marriage in “Modern Japan”? …Wait, could this be a different world-line from the one I knew? Is having a fiancee just a normal thing here?
…
Thank you, Megami-sama.
In my last life, I was one of three sweaty brothers. I always kind of envied people with sisters. But a life where I start off with a childhood friend? That’s an immediate “win” in the game of life!
I used to think, “How the hell am I supposed to survive in Modern Japan again without any cheats?!” But honestly, being able to think this clearly as a baby is a massive cheat in itself. The rest is just down to my own hard work.
First things first: the greeting. Setting the “bride” stuff aside, we’re going to be spending a lot of time together. It’s better if we’re on good terms.
The first impression is everything.
To show I wasn’t a threat, I reached out with an open palm. Nice to meet you. I’m Ma-kun. I look forward to our long relationship, I thought.
Su-chan-san looked up at the woman’s face.
”Look, Su-chan! Ma-kun is saying, ‘I look forward to being with you forever’~!” the woman giggled.
She added a bit too much to my “message,” but the woman guided Su-chan-san’s hand to mine for a high-five. I could feel her warmth.
After three little “pat-pat-pats,” she seemed to get bored and started kneading the woman’s chest-squish squish. Then she reached back out to me, so we did one more high-five.
…Damn, she’s too cute.
Su-chan-san showed her palm to the woman, who cheered happily, “Oh, wasn’t that nice~!”
Mother looked satisfied too. If she was happy, I was happy.
…
Anyway, it looks like my new life with a beautiful mother and a childhood friend has officially begun.
I still have some concerns about the whole time-travel thing, but I think I’ve landed in a pretty incredible environment.
I’m truly grateful to Megami-sama for reincarnating me.
Megami-sama, thank you so much! I know you’re busy being chased by quotas and all, but I’d really appreciate it if you could watch over me so I don’t screw it up this time!
…That being said, could someone please clarify the relationship between my Mother and that guy who’s acting like a dedicated cameraman?
And what’s the deal with the three of them-Su-chan-san’s mom and my mom included?
Who the hell is my father…?!
I can’t even sleep at night wondering about th-
”Oh? Is Ma-kun sleepy again?” Akari asked softly.
—
Summary:
Ma-kun returns home and realizes he has regressed roughly seven and a half years into the past. He meets his neighbor Su-chan, who is introduced by his mother as his ‘future bride.’ Amidst the warmth, Ma-kun begins questioning the identity of his father and the connection between the adults present.
—
Trivia:
- Ma-kun died on his birthday in December.
- The current timeline is March, seven and a half years before his death.
- Ma-kun was a university junior during this specific time period in his previous life.
- Su-chan wears her hair in a topknot and uses a pacifier.
- The ‘handsome man’ is filming the encounter with a video camera
—
Character Insight:
Ma-kun is struggling to reconcile his adult identity (with its carnal distractions and analytical job-hunting memories) with his current physical state as a helpless infant. His immediate goal is to protect his mother’s smile.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses ‘frontal plating’ as a comedic, objectifying metaphor through the protagonist’s internal ‘gamer’ or ‘otaku’ lens.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Akari – Ma-kun’s mother. A single parent and banker returning to work after childcare leave. Described as a natural beauty who values efficiency. She has a warm smile and is described by her son as beautiful. She is currently caring for her newborn son, Ma-kun.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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