Volume 3 Chapter 9 A Fleeting Parting
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The world is currently bustling with the chaos of Golden Week¹. On the television, special features are airing one after another, as if the broadcasters are desperately trying to drive every single viewer out of their homes.
”There’s still time! A special feature on ultra-affordable day trips!”
”Infiltrating popular attractions! Special Golden Week performances!?”
”Traffic on the outbound expressway is backed up for thirty kilometers.”
(Just listening to it exhausts me. I wonder if it’s simply not in my nature to join the festive crowds. In the first place, why do people willingly charge into such a mess? Are they gluttons for punishment?)
Fortunately, it seems both the Yashiro family and the Totsuka family share my mindset. Mio-san, in particular, has a severe case of crowd-phobia. Well, with looks like hers, I suppose it’s understandable. Between the constant stares and everything else, I’m sure she’s had more than a few unpleasant experiences. Because of that, even though it was GW, we weren’t going anywhere special. We were simply enjoying our usual, peaceful daily lives.
The doorbell rang. Looking at the clock, it was just a bit past 7:30 AM. It was early, but it was a time when both Mother and I were already awake. Mother isn’t the type to lounge around in bed just because it’s a holiday; rather, I get the impression she’s actually more brisk and efficient on her days off. I’m also a morning person. I get more than enough sleep, and since Mother is so aggressively affectionate with her skinship², sleeping in isn’t really an option anyway.
”Coming! I’ll be right there!” Mother called out, heading toward the entrance.
I followed close behind her. While imagining the person on the other side of the door, I lowered my center of gravity and braced myself. The front door slowly opened—
”Maa-kun!”
The moment the door cleared, the one who came flying at me with full force was, of course, Suu-chan. It was a passionate embrace first thing in the morning. A child’s body temperature is so high; it’s genuinely hot. (I suppose that includes me, too.)
”Good morning, Suu-chan,” I said.
”Morning…”
A reply came back, but her voice lacked its usual energy, standing in direct contrast to her aggressive hug. Only the arms squeezing me were stronger than usual; her sadness and loneliness were being transmitted directly through her grip.
”Maa-kun, come too…” Suu-chan pleaded.
”I’m sorry, Suu-chan. I think it’ll be hard for us to go together today,” I replied.
Today was the day the Totsuka family was heading back to Mitsuhisa-san’s parents’ home. Naturally, we couldn’t just tag along. If a son returned home only for a strange woman with a child in tow to follow him, it would be a total nightmare for Mitsuhisa-san’s parents. It would be the perfect spark for a mother-in-law feud. This same situation had happened a few times in the past, and every time, Suu-chan would end up in a funk like this. Mio-san and the others always struggled with it, though they seemed used to it by now.
”Suu-chan, you mustn’t trouble Maa-kun,” Mio-san said gently.
”Muu…”
Even though Mio-san stroked her head, Suu-chan just shook her head and tightened her grip on me even further. I let Suu-chan have her way for a while until she calmed down, eventually receiving a “go” signal from Mio-san. Beyond the open door, I could see Mitsuhisa-san busily shuttling back and forth between the car and the house with travel bags. It looked like he had finished loading up, and they were ready to hit the road. I couldn’t exactly refuse. (Yes, sir.) Since I’ve been through this before, I naturally had a countermeasure prepared.
”Suu-chan, let’s play a lot when you get back, okay?”
”……”
”When you get back… I’ll give you lots of kisses.”
”……ん—Mm.”
A small reply finally came. Suu-chan pulled her body away just a little and stared intently at my face. Her expression was a mix of dissatisfaction and hope. Then, she puffed out her lips and waited. (I know the drill.)
—Peck.
”……む, ふぅ—Hehe.”
She seemed to be trying her best to stay sulky, but she couldn’t hold back a little smile. However, it seemed today wouldn’t be that easy.
”…One more,” Suu-chan whispered.
”…”
”Maa-kun, one more.”
Previously, she would have listened after just one, but perhaps one isn’t enough anymore. (Is this what they call “growth”? How terrifying.)
—Peck.
”……むふぅ—Ehehe.”
”…”
”One more!”
—Peck.
(Suu-chan is too cute when she pouts her lips and begs! Wait, no. I can’t let her sweep me away. This will go on forever. I personally don’t mind at all, but we’re making people wait.) I could feel Mitsuhisa-san’s exasperated stare from the driveway, and it was painful. (Honestly, you two as a couple are much the same, and Suu-chan only turned out like this because she grew up watching you guys! Like parent, like child!)
”The next one is for when you get back,” I told her.
”…Muu.”
”I’m also lonely because I’m not with Suu-chan, but I’ll be patient and wait. So Suu-chan, let’s be patient together, okay?”
”…Then Suu-chan will be patient too.”
”Thank you. You can do it.”
”…Mm.”
When I gave her a light peck on the cheek at the end, Suu-chan gave me one in return.
”Thank you. Now I feel like I can do my best, too,” I said.
”…Ehehe,” Suu-chan giggled.
”Well then, have a safe trip.”
”…Yeah, I’m going!”
Mission accomplished. I shifted my gaze to see Mio-san giving me a thumbs-up. I stood outside the apartment and held the girl’s hand until just before the car door closed, then kept waving until the car turned the corner and disappeared from sight.
”Maa-kun, aren’t you lonely? Are you okay?” Mother asked.
”Yeah, I’m fine.”
Mother placed a hand gently on my shoulder. Of course, I’m lonely and disappointed that I can’t play with Suu-chan, but I can handle it. (I am technically an adult on the inside, after all.) Besides—
”Today, Mom is going to be with me, right?”
”Maa-kun!”
Mother’s expression softened instantly, and she pulled me into a tight hug. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve hugged today. (What is with this culture of physical affection? Is this really modern Japan?)
Not that I’m complaining. So, let’s make sure to cherish this private family time today!
—
Summary:
It is Golden Week in modern Japan, and the Totsuka family is departing for a trip to their grandparents’ home. Suu-chan is heartbroken about leaving Maa-kun behind, leading to a lingering, affectionate farewell at the doorstep. After they depart, Maa-kun and his mother settle in to enjoy their own quiet holiday together.
—
Trivia:
- Mio-san’s crowd-phobia is tied to her ‘exceptional beauty’ and being stared at.
- Maa-kun’s mother is unusually physically active and affectionate on holidays.
- Maa-kun and the neighbors’ relationship is so close it mimics an extended family, causing potential social awkwardness for the grandparents.
- The protagonist explicitly notes he is using his ‘inner adult’ to regulate his emotions
—
Character Insight:
Suu-chan’s attachment to Maa-kun is growing more demanding; she no longer settles for a single kiss as a bribe, indicating her ‘growth’ and deeper emotional dependency. Maa-kun shows his protective nature by handling her tantrum with patience.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses Golden Week as a common trope to isolate the main cast and focus on domestic ‘slice-of-life’ interactions.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• 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.
• Mitsuhisa – Tall, handsome, 184 cm, 71 kg, slick‑back hair, deep voice, 33‑year‑old IT specialist and Totsuka family breadwinner. Doting husband of Mio, father of Su‑chan (Suzuka), reserved with Akari, meticulous in grooming, often scowls, family photographer with pricey DSLR and tripod, close to Makoto. In flashback he gave the protagonist “high‑highs” that caused distress; takes paid leave to decorate and prep the car for a Golden Week trip to his parents.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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