Volume 3 Chapter 7 Kindergarteners’ After-Hours
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Dismissal time arrived shortly after we finished our snacks. Kindergarteners get let out earlier than you’d think; it was only 3:30 PM. Apparently, other schools or three-year programs wrap up even sooner, often around 2:00 PM.
In my previous life, that would’ve been the point where only half the workday was finally over. The “real” work started after 5:00 PM-though, of course, none of those hours ever made it onto the official records. My past life was a nightmare. (It’s no wonder my brain ended up so fried…)
I wasn’t sure if the other parents here were stuck in that kind of soul-crushing corporate hell, but since many of them worked, having the kids come home at this hour clearly caused a lot of families trouble. To solve that, there was a convenient system known as “extended childcare¹.”
The school would watch the kids until as late as 7:00 PM, which was a huge hit with dual-income households. However, the burden on the teachers was massive. According to Meguro-san, the clerk, they barely managed to stay afloat by supplementing the staff with volunteers. (My heart really goes out to them.)
I knew how hard it was for the staff, but as a parent-or rather, a consumer-if a system exists, you’re going to want to use it. Our household had considered the service too, but thanks to Mio-san’s “iron will,” our family policy was a prompt departure at the regular time. Since Mio-san, the one who would actually bear the burden of not using the service, was the one insisting on it, the other Mothers couldn’t really argue.
As we finished getting our things together and waited in the classroom, the names of the “regular departure” group were called one by one.
”Makoto-kun, Suu-chan, bye-bye!” shouted one of the kids.
”Mm, bye-bye,” Makoto (I) replied.
”Bye-bye! See you tomorrow!” said another.
Since she was heading home early today, Shiho-chan was called first. She gave her backpack a little shake and disappeared out the door ahead of us. Some families used the extended care every day, while others only applied for specific dates.
Apparently, if you signed up for a full month in advance, it was a bit cheaper than the daily rate, though you didn’t get a refund for the days you didn’t use. It seemed Shiho-chan’s family just paid for the month. I guess the financial wiggle room of a well-off family is just built different. (Maybe they figured it wasn’t worth the time and effort to micromanage the applications just to save a few bucks…)
We might end up using the service ourselves once Mio-san’s due date gets closer, but that was still a ways off. While I was lost in thought, our names were finally called.
”Miss Riko, goodbye!” said Suu-chan.
”Gooood-bye!” the teacher sang back.
”Yes, goodbye Makoto-kun, Suu-chan,” said Riko.
At the classroom door, we said our farewells to Miss Riko, who was seeing every single student off with a polite smile. Between her magic trick and her effort today, her popularity with the kids was definitely on the rise. It turned out to be a pretty good day for her. Being her first time as a lead teacher, she still looked a bit stiff at times. Even so, watching her give it her all while getting backup from Principal Seiko and the other assistants made me want to cheer for her.
”Keep up the hard work,” I muttered as we passed.
”…Yeah, thanks,” Riko whispered back.
Seeing her get tossed around by a bunch of uncontrollable toddlers earlier, I couldn’t help but want to offer a word of sympathy. After that, I held hands with Suu-chan as a teacher led us to the shoe lockers. We swapped into our outdoor shoes and climbed into the shuttle van. Inside, the kids were clearly exhausted. A few were already nodding off, their heads swaying with the movement of the van; they must have spent their nap time the wrong way.
Just like the morning trip, I gazed out the window as we took a slightly different route back. After about twenty minutes of swaying, a familiar figure came into view.
”Suu-chan, look, it’s Mio-san,” said Makoto.
”Mm!” Suu-chan chirped.
Unlike the morning rush, Mio-san was standing there all by herself. Her shoulders looked relaxed. Dealing with neighborly social expectations is exhausting, after all.
”Mama!” Suu-chan cried.
”Aww, welcome home, Suu-chan!” Mio-san said.
”Mm! I’m home!”
”Welcome back, Ma-kun,” Mio-san added.
”I’m home,” I replied.
Suu-chan hopped out of the van and ran straight for Mio-san. You couldn’t really tell through her clothes yet, but Mio-san’s stomach was definitely starting to show. Perhaps sensing that, Suu-chan was careful not to tackle her too hard. (What a good girl…)
Mio-san knelt down and pulled Suu-chan into a gentle hug. Even though they’d only been apart for a few hours, Suu-chan was beaming. We waved goodbye to the shuttle van and the three of us headed back to the apartment holding hands, with Suu-chan in the middle. We kicked off our shoes, washed up, and headed into the living room.
”Suu-chan, want to help me fold the laundry?” Mio-san asked.
”Mm, I’ll do it!”
In the corner of the living room, the dry laundry was piled in a haphazard heap. Facing that “mountain of clothes,” Suu-chan’s eyes sparkled.
”You’re going to help? Thank you so much!”
”Mm! Leave it to me!” Suu-chan declared.
This was definitely why Mio-san didn’t want to leave the childcare to the school. Playing with friends is important, but family time matters too. I think Mio-san considers that the most important lesson of all. So, I’m sure it’s not just about securing extra labor for the chores… probably. I mean, doing things for the sake of the family-housework included-is a vital part of supporting each other and creating that family time in the first place.
”Ma-kun, look!”
”Oh, wow. You folded that perfectly,” said Makoto.
”Hehe! Mama, look at me too!”
”My goodness, Suu-chan, you’re so good at this! That’s my girl!” Mio-san cheered.
”Hehe!”
Suu-chan definitely seemed to be in her element at home.
”Next is this one!”
”Alright, I’ll take this pile then,” I said.
Well, if I’m going to repay the Totsuka family even a little bit, I might as well put my best “Makoto-level” sincerity into these chores.
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Summary:
Makoto and Suu-chan finish their day at kindergarten and return home. The chapter explores the social dynamics of ‘extended childcare’ and Mio-san’s dedication to spending time with her children. It concludes with a wholesome domestic scene of the children helping with laundry.
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Trivia:
- Mio-san’s pregnancy is progressing and starting to show visually.
- The kindergarten staff relies heavily on volunteers for after-hours care.
- Shiho-chan’s family is noted to be wealthy enough to pay monthly fees without fuss.
- Makoto’s past life trauma involves unrecorded overtime at a ‘black company’
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Character Insight:
Makoto demonstrates growth by actively trying to ‘repay’ his new family through chores, showing he is moving from a passive observer to an active participant in his new life.
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Behind the Scenes:
The concept of ‘Azukari Hoiku’ (extended childcare) is a very real and debated topic in Japanese parenting culture regarding work-life balance.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Meguro – Living below the Totsukas, a 28‑29‑year‑old single man on the first floor (179‑180 cm, 67 kg) works as a kindergarten office clerk. He is an amateur prize‑winning photographer and avid road‑bike rider who cycles regularly.
• Mio – 28‑year‑old mother of Su‑chan, wife of Mitsuhisa, 164 cm, 57 kg, baby face, G‑cup, gentle rounded elegance; wears gray casual suit and skirt, prominent chest. Teacher, skilled cook and photographer who bakes professional strawberry shortcake and chirashi‑zushi, loves babysitting Ma‑kun and pushes his marriage with Su‑chan. Exceptionally beautiful but avoids crowds.
• Makoto – Three‑year‑old (93 cm, 13 kg) boy in Rose Class, dressed in a neat shirt and cap, looks like a gentle gentleman. He is the reincarnated adult son of Akari, living with the Totsuka family while his mother works. Protective of Suzuka‑chan, he retains a cynical, socially‑aware mind from a past life and knows stock tricks and magic.
• Shiho – A three-year-old girl in the Rose Class, friend of Makoto and Suu, with shoulder-length hair in a side-up ponytail; soft-spoken yet easily excited by decorations and food, she uses training chopsticks and a white kitten-themed placemat, struggles to wake up, and relies on Makoto’s “secret” advice. She attends extended childcare monthly and shares a quiet, competitive bond with Suu over Makoto’s attention, having been his first kindergarten friend.
• Riko – A first‑time lead teacher of the Rose Class, she appears stiff and nervous during her stage introduction yet is cheerful and energetic in the classroom. Referred to as “Teacher” or “Hospital Doctor” in source‑corrupted variants, she serves as the homeroom teacher for the Rose Group.
• Jin – Hitomi’s younger son — originally a six‑month‑old who stayed in a stroller — is now a 1‑year‑old boy (81 cm, 11 kg) in the ‘Terrible Twos’ (No‑no phase), and also Yuna’s younger brother.
• Seiko – Lead teacher for the Rose Group. A veteran with a ‘steely’ and ‘battle-hardened’ aura. Polite but intimidating when serious.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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