Volume 3 Chapter 16 Mountain Climbing
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After seeing off the middle-group, it was finally our turn. I threw on my backpack and headed toward the trailhead in high spirits. Once you slip around the back of the kindergarten, it’s a straight shot-a safe, quiet path with almost zero traffic. With Ms. Riko¹ in the lead, we lined up in two rows, holding hands with our partners as the trek began.
Naturally, I’d hoped my partner would be Suu-chan, but reality isn’t that kind. She was holding hands with Shiho-chan right in front of me. She kept glancing back over her shoulder, which was undeniably adorable, but I couldn’t help worrying. (Better look where you’re going, Suu-chan, or you’re going to trip.) Meanwhile, the person currently death-gripping my hand was Jun.
”Makoto!”
”What’s up, Jun?”
”How many laps are we doing today!?”
”Just a one-way trip,” I replied.
”A one-way trip?! What’s that even mean!?”
”I wonder…”
Jun was clearly having the time of his life, practically dragging me along. It was a workout just keeping him in the line. Even if he was in a hurry, the trail was packed tight in front and behind us; there was no point in rushing.
”Muu…” Suu-chan puffed out her cheeks, staring grumpily at my hand. Jun was squeezing it so hard it actually hurt. (I get it, Suu-chan. Believe me, I’m just enduring this until we hit the actual trail.) I felt like a rancher trying to rein in a restless colt, which wasn’t a bad metaphor for my relationship with Jun. A kid who charges ahead on pure curiosity needs a brake. Suu-chan is the only one in the Rose Class who can match his energy, but she’s the type who doesn’t come with a “stop” button installed either.
Normally, the teacher would handle the troublemakers, but if there’s a kid who looks like they can manage it, teachers are happy to delegate. If I were in Ms. Riko’s shoes, I’d do the same thing.
After ten minutes, we reached the parking lot at the trailhead. I pulled my canteen out to wet my parched throat; dealing with Jun had drained my stamina faster than the walking. Ms. Riko went over the safety rules and then gave us a breakdown of the forest. The area at the foot of Mt. Hio is known as “Gongen Woods².” It’s packed with Beech trees, and the kids loved the way the name sounded. They started chanting “Grandpa Beech! Grandpa Beech!” as if they expected an old man to walk out of the treeline.
The lecture ended quickly, and we finally entered the mountains. Since holding hands on a narrow path is a recipe for disaster, we bunched up by class, flanked by the teachers. Suu-chan and Shiho-chan stuck by my side as usual, while Jun bounced around the front of the pack. At the entrance stood a simple wooden frame that looked like a torii gate. The teachers laughed as the kids hugged the pillars, so it probably wasn’t a formal shrine. Still, I gave it a small bow, just in case.
”Maa-kun, what are you doing?” Suzuki asked, tilting her head.
”Oh, uh… just saying ‘excuse me for intruding,’ I guess.”
”Excuse me!” Suu-chan chirped.
”Me too!” added Shiho-chan.
Seeing them, the rest of the Rose Class followed suit, bowing one after another. They were surprisingly well-mannered. Once we were on the trail, we moved at a snail’s pace, stopping to look at weeds or pick up interesting leaves. You might think we’d never make it back before sunset, but the trail isn’t long. It’s a forty-minute hike to the summit lookout, and we kept passing local hikers who smiled and greeted us. They probably knew the school hike was an annual tradition.
For the youngest group, the lookout was the finish line. We’d take the school bus back down. Since it was our first time, the teachers were making sure not to push us. Of course, the slow pace meant the high-energy kids were reaching their breaking point.
”Teacher! Can we go faster?!”
Ms. Riko seemed to have timed it perfectly. She bunched the kids up and picked up the pace. We climbed hand-cut stone stairs and crossed a small wooden bridge until a real torii gate came into view. At a tiny shrine, we all folded our hands in prayer as the teachers instructed. Further up, we finally emerged into a clearing halfway up the mountain. It was set up like a small campground with tables, chairs, and a little creek bubbling along the edge.
”It’s a bit early, but let’s have lunch!” Ms. Riko announced.
It was just past eleven, and I was definitely feeling the hunger. We rolled out our picnic blankets; Suu-chan spread hers right against mine, and Shiho-chan claimed the spot on the other side. Shiho-chan’s lunch was a full-blown “character bento,” featuring a cat made of rice and seaweed. Suu-chan was genuinely impressed. Our lunches were simpler: rice balls, rolled omelets, meatballs, and fried chicken. It was perfectly balanced and delicious.
”Maa-kun,” Suu-chan said, holding out a meatball on a pick.
”Hm? Ahh-” I took a bite, making sure to return the favor.
Eating outside was a nice change. I thought about suggesting a picnic with our moms, but Mio-san would probably complain about the hassle. After lunch, we had free time. The kids with energy to burn played tag, while others headed to the creek. I parked myself on a bench for a serious break. (Rest while you can-that’s the golden rule. No nap time today, so I have to stay in Eco Mode.)
”Suu-chan, do you want to go on an adventure?” I asked.
”No. I want to stay here with Maa-kun. nn!”
”Fair enough.”
I sat there with her, watching the others. Shiho-chan had been fidgeting, so I gave her a push to go collect leaves. She joined the other kids, scouting for “treasures” to bring back to our “appraisal station,” where Suu-chan ranked them based on her own mysterious criteria. Soon, the bench was covered in leaves and rocks.
”Makoto! Look at this awesome thing I found!” Jun came sprinting over, holding a yellow sphere covered in tiny dimples.
”That… is a golf ball, Jun.”
”Where’d it come from?”
”I don’t know, but give it here.”
I took it for safekeeping. I couldn’t have him throwing it around. Leaving the rocks on the bench seemed like a pain to clean up, so I started arranging them on the ground in a spiral. Shiho-chan and a few others “class-changed” from collectors to assistants, helping me build a mini crop circle. We even lined up for a group photo.
Once the break ended, we shouldered our packs and set off. The group was much quieter now. Even Jun had fallen back. (That’s what happens when you run around like a maniac.) The kids who’d played quietly still had plenty of spring in their step.
”Jun, you okay?”
”I’m… so hungry…”
”Wait, that’s your problem?”
Before long, we crossed paths with the middle-group heading down. They looked steady but tired. Then came the oldest-group-the pros. They walked with a light gait, perfectly in line.
”Ah! Big Sis!” Shiho-chan waved to her sister, who waved back with a smile.
As we neared the summit, the trees thinned and the view opened up. The kids spotted the lookout tower and the flags, and their energy spiked for a final scramble.
”Makoto! I’ll race you to the top!” Jun yelled.
”Please, no…”
”Ready… set… GO!”
He was gone. Man, he’s fast. He reached the teacher at the goal, then ran all the way back to me.
”Makoto! Race me!”
”We don’t race on mountain trails, Jun.”
”Ehhh, why not?”
”You can’t take the mountain lightly, kid.”
The Rose Class reached the lookout first. We ditched our packs on the bus and Ms. Riko led us up the four-story tower. On the top floor, the kids pressed their faces against the glass, pointing out their houses. The binoculars were a hit, even if they couldn’t see anything without a hundred-yen coin. When the other classes started crowding the deck, we moved to a grassy slope outside.
The kids played on the hill while I lay down for a quick nap.
”…Maa-kun, wake up.” Suu-chan was shaking me. The teachers were rounding everyone up.
”Morning, Suu-chan. Thanks for the wake-up call.”
I patted her head and brushed the grass off my clothes. Suu-chan helped me get the bits stuck to my back. (Wait… why am I covered in grass? I was sure I’d fallen asleep at the top of the hill.)
We piled onto the bus for the ride down. The cabin was eerily quiet. Suu-chan sat in front of me with Shiho-chan, and Jun was next to me.
”Makoto! Let’s come back tomorrow!” Jun whispered. “I want to do the whole trip fast!”
”Sure. But you’ll need special training first.”
”Special training!”
”Actually, Jun… special training is way cooler if you do it in secret. That way you can surprise everyone.”
”Whoa!! You’re right!”
Success. Training event avoided. He’ll probably forget by tomorrow anyway.
”Masu-nii-chan does that too!” Jun added. “He twirls his hand around and yells about his ‘hidden power’!”
”……” (Oh. That kind of secret. At least he’s not ‘training’ with a box of tissues.)
”Jun, Big Brother Masumi is working hard, so let’s just leave him be.”
”Got it! But Mom knows about it anyway!”
We made it back to the kindergarten for the final meeting, then hopped on the shuttle bus. Everyone was out for the count. Even Suu-chan was nodding off.
”Suu-chan, go ahead and sleep.”
”……Nn.”
She leaned her whole weight against me. Feeling that comfortable warmth, my first school excursion finally came to an end.
—
Summary:
The Rose Class embarks on their first mountain climbing excursion at Mt. Hio. Makoto spends the trip reining in Jun’s hyperactivity while longing for Suu-chan’s company. After reaching the summit lookout and having lunch, the class returns by bus, exhausted and satisfied.
—
Trivia:
- The forest is named Gongen Woods after the local deity.
- Sudajii trees are a type of castanopsis (beech) known for edible nuts.
- Makoto bows at a wooden frame that looks like a torii, indicating his latent Japanese cultural instincts.
- Masumi is in a ‘chuunibyou’ phase, which Jun is unknowingly observing.
- The return trip is by bus, implying the ‘half-round trip’ mentioned by Makoto earlier
—
Character Insight:
Makoto demonstrates his ability to handle difficult social situations (managing Jun) and his protective nature toward Suu-chan. Suu-chan shows growing jealousy and emotional attachment to Makoto.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘Mystery Circle’ or crop circle made by the kids is a subtle nod to Makoto introducing modern concepts to the world through play.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Riko – A first‑time lead teacher of the Rose Class, she looks stiff and nervous during her stage introduction but becomes cheerful and energetic in class; known as Teacher or Hospital Doctor in corrupted sources, she serves as the homeroom teacher for the Rose Group and leads the class on the kindergarten excursion.
• 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 has an older sister in the senior group, attends extended childcare monthly, and shares a quiet, competitive bond with Suu over Makoto’s attention—having been his first kindergarten friend.
• Jun – The most restless child in the Rose Class. Comes from a family of three older brothers who all attended the same kindergarten. Male student in the Rose Class. Known for extreme curiosity and physical strength. Often needs to be reined in by Makoto.
• Makoto – A 3‑year‑old boy (93 cm, 13 kg) in a neat shirt and cap, gentle‑looking, is actually a 30‑year‑old man reincarnated. He lives with the Totsuka family, his mother works, and protects Suzuka‑chan. He retains adult memories, analytical skill, high dexterity, knows stock tricks and magic, and uses a booster seat. A ‘Youngster’ student at Hinomori Kindergarten.
• Suzuki – Four‑year‑old Suu‑chan, daughter of Mitsuhisa and Mio, wears a uniform with a topknot and braided pigtails; sleepy eyes sparkle when excited. Energetic, loyal to Makoto, she’s his ‘Queen of the Jungle Gym’, giving embraces, pouting, and coordinating his things. Loves strawberries, salmon roe, clams, uses chopsticks skillfully, enjoys snuggling, singing and paper‑tearing games. Close friend and playmate of Maa‑kun, Rose Classmate, toddler lisp.
• 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.
• Masumi – Makoto’s older brother. Mentioned as currently undergoing ‘secret training’ (chuunibyou phase).
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply