Volume 3 Chapter 14 The Shape of a Family
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I returned home from the park with Suu-chan and Mitsuhisa-san. When I pushed open the front door, the rhythmic chop-chop-chop of a kitchen knife echoed from the kitchen in the back. Mother and Mio-san had already made it back from their shopping trip and were clearly deep into dinner prep.
”””We’re home!”””
””Welcome back!””
As I thought, having the ladies around really brightens the place up. I mean, Suu-chan is intensely cute too, but… is it a ratio thing?
”Go take your bath first,” Mother said.
Since dinner was going to take a bit longer and we were all covered in sweat, we decided to go wash up. (I really wish I could’ve gone in with Mother or Mio-san instead…) The thought crossed my mind, but I wasn’t enough of a child to let it show on my face. The three of us headed straight for the washroom-slash-changing area.
Suu-chan took the lead, stripping down until she was butt-naked without a hint of hesitation. She was a four-year-old with zero sense of shame. I guessed Mio-san’s lady-like upbringing hadn’t quite covered that department yet. Then there was Mitsuhisa-san. Even though he was mostly a desk jockey who spent his energy on corporate drinking communication¹, he revealed a surprisingly toned physique once the clothes came off.
And then, his “little guy” entered my field of vision. Even in its resting state, the sheer presence of the thing… I wondered how many times larger it was than mine. Is this the kind of equipment you need to keep winning the heart of a woman like Mio-san? I felt a wave of depression comparing our gear. I knew in my head that I was only three, so this was normal, but as a man… my confidence, my future…
(Come to think of it, when exactly does the skin start to retract? It hurts if I try to stretch it, but I really don’t want to end up with a hooded situation later… Should I start gradually loosening it up now?)
Who would I even ask about this? Mother was a woman, so… would I have to swallow my pride and ask Mitsuhisa-san?
”Maa-kun, hands up!” Suu-chan chirped.
”Aye-aye!” I replied.
While I was lost in thought, Suu-chan decided I was taking too long and started stripping me herself. I put my clothes in a separate basket so I could take them home later and headed into the bathroom. Suu-chan sat directly on the bath mat while I took a seat on a tiny bath stool behind her. Since Mio-san taught us to comb before we wash, I picked up a cushion brush and started lightly working through Suu-chan’s hair.
”Suu-chan, here come the bubbles, okay?”
”Mmm!”
She squeezed her eyes shut, and I carefully worked the lathered shampoo into her hair. Next to us, Mitsuhisa-san was vigorously scrubbing his own head. Well, I guess that’s how guys did it. I was the same way in my previous life. After rinsing, I applied some child-safe conditioner and smoothed it out. Honestly, there were so many things in this life I never dealt with in my last one. It was a lot of work. But apparently, if you want to stay beautiful, you have to start these habits young. If it was for the sake of Suu-chan’s beauty, I’ll put in as much effort as it takes.
Once I finished her hair care, it was my turn. Suu-chan’s tiny hands started massaging my scalp. It was pure paradise. After the head, it was time for the body. I took a heap of fluffy foam from the lathering net and washed her gently, almost like a massage. The hardest part of washing yourself is the back. I mean, a child’s shoulders are flexible enough to reach around, but—
”I’ll wash Maa-kun’s back for you.”
”Please.”
”Mm!”
It naturally turned into a back-scrubbing trade. Every time those tiny hands slid across my skin, it was a little ticklish, but the healing effect was off the charts. Of course, I returned the favor for her. But right next to us, there was one lonely adult.
”…I want you to wash Papa’s too~”
I almost blurted out, “You get to be skin-to-skin with Mio-san all the time, don’t be greedy,” but his voice sounded so dejected that I gave in. Suu-chan and I spread out a towel and tackled Mitsuhisa-san’s broad back as a team effort. Heave-ho, heave-ho. It seemed Mitsuhisa-san was the type who didn’t feel clean unless he’d been scrubbed with a rough towel.
”Papa’s done.”
”Thank you both.”
Mitsuhisa-san took the towel back with a look of lingering regret. (Whatever, he can just go have Mio-san wash him with her chest or something later.) Finally, we hopped into the tub. Usually, they keep plastic bottles submerged in there to save on water and act as a booster seat, but since there were three of us, we fished them out and sat on Mitsuhisa-san’s lap instead. Suu-chan and I each took a knee, and he started bouncing us up and down.
”Hey! Right!”
”Whoa, whoa!”
”…!…!”
Suu-chan was having the time of her life. Her sense of balance was incredible. It felt like a theme park ride to me too, which was fun, but I was low-key degraded of swallowing bathwater if I let my guard down. Also, a lot of water was splashing out… wasn’t Mio-san going to be pissed later? I played the “I don’t know anything” card.
Finally, we washed our faces and got out. After drying off thoroughly, Suu-chan and I changed into pajamas while Mitsuhisa-san put on a T-shirt and some steteco² shorts.
”Suu-chan, come on.”
”Mmm.”
Can’t forget the hairdryer. Apparently, over-drying is bad, so I just gave the area near the scalp a quick pass with the warm air. When we stepped out, Mother and Mio-san were in the kitchen, happily putting the finishing touches on the food. Since they were busy, Suu-chan and I decided to “help” with Mitsuhisa-san’s workout.
”…Kuh…”
Suu-chan and I both piled onto Mitsuhisa-san’s back while he did push-ups. When she pulled my hand, I didn’t exactly have a choice in the matter.
”Papa, do your best! Only ten more!”
She cheered him on while smack-smacking his head… well, less “cheering” and more “forced labor.” The destiny of a father with a daughter.
”All done! Go wash your hands!”
We were playing a game where we tried to crawl around Mitsuhisa-san’s waist without touching the floor while he held a plank, but then Mio-san intervened. Mitsuhisa-san tucked us both under his arms like footballs and took us to the sink. When we got back, the table was covered in colorful dishes. Cheese doria³, meatloaf, and a Cobb salad. Everything was served on big platters, giving it a real special occasion vibe. It was probably for Suu-chan, who’d been stressed out while Mitsuhisa-san was away at his hometown.
”””””Itadakimasu”””””
There was a ton of food, but with Mitsuhisa-san’s appetite, I knew it wouldn’t be an issue. He went straight for the doria and meatloaf. (Hey, you should eat your veggies too… see? Mio-san is already putting salad on your plate.) Mio-san dished some out for Suu-chan too. She was a good girl, eating a balanced meal. Watching her go hoo-hoo to cool down her doria was just too cute for words.
”Here, Maa-kun.”
”Thank you.”
Mother served me mine simply because my arms weren’t long enough to reach. The meatloaf was a lot like a hamburger steak, but the corn and edamame gave it a great crunch. It was a party in my mouth with every bite. Oh, there was even a quail egg inside.
”This is delicious.”
”Mmm, I like this too.”
”That’s Akari’s specialty, you know~”
”Mom, this is yummy.”
”Mmm! It’s delicious!”
”Thank you. I’ll make it for you again sometime.”
For dessert, we had yogurt with peeled mandarin orange slices. It reminded me of those ladies giving out samples at the supermarket in my old life. After dinner, we all sat down for a game of Sevens.
”…Mitsuhisa-san, I’d like you to play the nine of diamonds now.”
”I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
”Papa, I want the three of hearts.”
”I’d like the eleven of clubs too~”
”Then… I’ll play the three of hearts… or rather, I’ll play the three of clubs.”
”Hmph…”
”Kuh… I’ll pass.”
”I’m sorry, Maa-kun, but Mommy has the nine of diamonds.”
”Huh?”
While we were playing, Suu-chan started nodding off, eventually using my thigh as a pillow and drifting into dreamland. We did a lot of running today, after all. I was about ready to throw in the towel against the sandman myself. Anyway, I wanted to head home… but Suu-chan was clutching my pajama pants and wouldn’t let go. I tried to pry her fingers off, but she had a grip so tight I wondered if she was actually faking it.
I had no choice. I had to take my pants off and let Mother carry me home in just my underwear. I’ve gone home shirtless before, but being pantless was a first. In the bedroom, the futons were already laid out. Mother put some fresh pants on me and laid me down.
”Maa-kun, good night.”
”…Good night.”
And so, another noisy, happy day came to an end.
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Summary:
The families spend a warm evening together after returning from the park. Maa-kun navigates the awkwardness of communal bathing with his adult mind in a toddler body, followed by a festive dinner and a card game. The chapter concludes with a tired Suu-chan clinging to Maa-kun, forcing him to head home pantless.
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Trivia:
- Maa-kun is concerned about physiological development (phimosis) which highlights his adult awareness.
- Mitsuhisa works a desk job but maintains a physically fit body, possibly due to his dedication to his wife.
- Mio-san and Akari (Mother) are close enough to coordinate large meals together frequently.
- The use of plastic bottles in the bathtub is a common Japanese frugal household hack (節約)
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Character Insight:
Maa-kun shows increasing devotion to Suu-chan’s well-being and beauty, while Mitsuhisa’s ‘dejected’ plea for a back wash shows his desire for attention and simple familial love despite being a successful husband.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the ‘bathing’ trope not just for fan-service or comedy, but to ground the reincarnation aspect in the physical reality of growing up again.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Mitsuhisa – 184 cm, 71 kg IT specialist, slick‑back hair, deep voice, 33‑year‑old Totsuka family breadwinner. Doting husband of Mio, father of Su‑chan (Suzuka), reserved with Akari, meticulous grooming, often scowls, and family photographer with a pricey DSLR and tripod. Close to former college‑athlete Makoto, whose playful‑sometimes‑sinister humor matches his regular gaming habit where he lags in motion‑control accuracy versus his wife. Desk‑working salaryman with a surprisingly toned physique who enjoys physical skinship with his family.
• Mio – 28-year-old mother of Suu-chan and wife of Mitsuhisa, 164 cm, 57 kg, baby-faced with G-cup curves, exuding gentle, rounded elegance in a gray casual suit and skirt; former star relay runner and badminton player, now a gifted teacher, cook, and photographer who bakes professional strawberry shortcake and chirashi-zushi, adores babysitting Ma-kun, subtly pushes his marriage to Suu-chan, avoids crowds, observes family chaos through her camera, selects fashionable clothes for the protagonist’s mother, dominates motion-control bowling, and dedicates herself to her daughter’s education and household management.
• Akari – Makoto’s mother, a 28‑year‑old single banker (168 cm, 56 kg) with dark‑brown hair, slender posture and a melancholic smile, returns from childcare leave in a gray casual pantsuit. She lives next to best friend Mio, drives a black light‑compact car, cares for her newborn son, prefers quiet home time over crowded holidays, and feels guilty for missing the party. She is Maa‑kun’s mother and a close friend of Mio.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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