Volume 3 Chapter 41 Totsuka family reunion
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Twelve days had passed since Sports Day¹.
We finished another day of kindergarten without any drama and were bouncing along in the shuttle bus on the way home. However, as our house drew closer, a shadow began to fall over Suu-chan’s face. And for good reason-even when we got home, Mama, the person Suu-chan loved most in the world, wouldn’t be there.
Mio-san had been away for a while, first for the birth and then for her postpartum hospital stay. We had gone to visit her the day after the delivery because she’d said she wanted to see us, but we hadn’t seen her since then.
Suu-chan clearly missed her, but she was being a big girl and holding back so she wouldn’t be a burden to Mio-san, who had exhausted every ounce of her strength giving birth. She was waiting patiently for Mama to come home. According to Mitsuhisa-san, Mio-san had been grumbling, “I want to see Suu-chan! Maa-kun, help me!” but she was also hanging in there. All for Mio-san’s sake…
”Is Mama coming home today?” Suu-chan asked.
Having been away from her beloved Mama for so long, Suu-chan was waiting for her return with bated breath. She asked me almost every single day, but unfortunately, I hadn’t been told the scheduled discharge date either. I couldn’t stand to look at her lonely expression, so I just pulled her close and rubbed her head.
”I hope she’s home today,” I said.
”Mm-hm,” Suu-chan replied with a small nod.
I felt like I was reaching the limit of my ability to distract her, so I could only pray that she’d return soon.
The shuttle bus arrived in front of the apartment, and Mitsuhisa-san was there to meet us. “Welcome back, Suu, Makoto,” said Mitsuhisa.
”We’re home!” we both replied.
Suu-chan ran and clung to Mitsuhisa-san, while a large hand came down to rest on my head. It was our usual routine, but I noticed something immediately.
”Something wrong?” I asked.
”No, nothing,” Mitsuhisa replied.
Suu-chan didn’t seem to notice anything, but he couldn’t fool my eyes. It was blindingly obvious he was trying to act natural. He couldn’t even hide his aura of pure bliss; it was practically a confession that something good had happened. And I could only think of one “good thing.” Yeah, I had a feeling Mio-san was home.
However, I read the room and kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t about to be the tactless brat who rained on the parade of a moving mother-daughter reunion.
”Maa-kun?” Suu-chan asked, looking up at me.
”What is it?” I said.
”You’re acting… different.”
”……”
That was weird. I’m supposed to have a reputation for having such a permanent poker face that people can’t read my emotions. Maybe this was that “woman’s intuition”² I’d heard about. Also, Mitsuhisa-san, stop looking at me like, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ It’s not too late to fix this.
”I was just thinking about how cute you are today, Suu-chan,” I told her.
”Heh-heh!” Suu-chan let out a triumphant little huff.
At my totally transparent flattery, Suu-chan got shy and let herself be distracted. She’s such a softie it makes me worry, but today, it was a lifesaver. While we were playing around, Mitsuhisa-san gave us a nudge, and we headed straight home without any of our usual loitering. Lately, we’d been taking the long way home to minimize the time spent in a house without Mio-san, but now I was certain.
We stepped through the front door Mitsuhisa-san opened, and Suu-chan lined up her shoes neatly. I didn’t see Mio-san’s shoes. They were probably tucked away to keep the surprise. At this point, Suu-chan still didn’t seem to have realized a thing, but then-clatter.
A sound came from the living room further in. Suu-chan’s head snapped up so fast I swear I heard a whoosh. Sensing something, she bolted toward the living room-only to slam on the brakes so hard she skidded, then pulled a U-turn toward the bathroom.
Right. Washing hands and gargling the moment you get home. It was a promise she made to Mio-san. I pulled out the step-stool for her, and once she’d finished her routine, she finally headed for the living room for real. I was dragged along since she was still holding my hand. I consider it a miracle I didn’t wipe out during that U-turn.
”Mama!” Suu-chan cried.
”Welcome home, Suu-chan! You too, Maa-kun,” said Mio.
Suu-chan let go of my hand and flew toward Mio-san. But just before impact, she slammed on the brakes again. She probably remembered how she’d been holding back on the hugs recently to be careful of the baby in Mama’s tummy. Sensing her daughter’s hesitation, Mio-san opened her arms wide.
”I missed you so much, Suu-chan!” said Mio.
”Mmph… huff, huff, wheeze!”
The mother and daughter shared a crushing hug. Suu-chan looked like she was being squeezed for air, but she pressed her body against her mother, letting her joy explode. Suu-chan is a smart, considerate girl, but at the end of the day, she’s still at an age where she needs to be pampered. Even if Mitsuhisa-san or my biological Mother spoiled her to keep the loneliness away, they were no match for her real mother.
As I watched this touching reunion, lost in thought, Mio-san spoke up. “Maa-kun, you come here too!”
”Eh…” I stammered.
”Maa-kun, come!” Suu-chan insisted.
”Aye, sir,” I replied.
I’d long since graduated from the age of wanting to be coddled, and I felt a blush creeping up, but I joined the huddle anyway since they were both calling for me.
”Welcome home, Mio-san,” I said.
”Welcome home, Mama!” Suu-chan cheered.
”I’m home,” said Mio.
I was wrapped in Mio-san’s gentle warmth. She isn’t my birth mother, but the time I’ve spent with her is already longer than the time I spent with “Mother.” It’s no exaggeration to say she’s a second mother to me. Maybe I’d been feeling a lot lonelier than I realized, too.
”Mii-kun, you come here too!” said Mio.
”Wait, what…?” Mitsuhisa asked.
”Papa, you come too!” Suu-chan called out.
Called by his wife and daughter, Mitsuhisa-san hurriedly set down his video camera and joined the circle. It was a picture-perfect moment of family togetherness.
(I have to go to the bathroom…)
With that excuse, I slipped away. You might tell me to read the room, but I hope you’ll forgive me since I’m technically a “child.” I just had a few things on my mind. They treat me like family, but in the end, I’m a Yashiro, not a Totsuka. I started to feel like my biological Mother-who isn’t here-was being left out of the loop. I know Mio-san and Mitsuhisa-san don’t intend that at all, but I can’t help but think about it. Maybe I’m just overthinking things.
Regardless, Mio-san is home. And we have a new family member.
Oh, and as I headed for the bathroom, I made sure the video camera was pointed toward Suu-chan and the others. It’s a beautiful reunion, after all. It’d be a waste not to record it.
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Summary:
After twelve days of waiting, Suu-chan and Makoto return from kindergarten to find Mitsuhisa acting suspiciously happy. Makoto correctly deduces that Mio has finally been discharged from the hospital after giving birth. The chapter culminates in an emotional family group hug as Mio and the new baby return home.
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Trivia:
- Makoto has a reputation for being ‘deadpan’ (having no facial expression).
- The household follows a strict rule about washing hands and gargling immediately upon returning home.
- Makoto identifies as a ‘Yashiro,’ highlighting his lingering sense of detachment from the Totsuka family despite their closeness.
- Mitsuhisa is filming the entire reunion on a video camera
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Character Insight:
Makoto shows a high degree of emotional intelligence by ‘reading the room’ and choosing not to spoil the surprise for Suu-chan. However, his internal monologue reveals a persistent existential loneliness, as he worries about his biological mother being ‘left out’ of the family’s happiness.
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Behind the Scenes:
The chapter emphasizes the ‘Slice of Life’ elements of modern Japanese reincarnation, focusing on mundane domestic joys rather than typical high-fantasy tropes.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Mio – 28‑year‑old pregnant mother of Suu‑chan, round belly, bed‑resting; wife of Mitsuhisa (164 cm, 57 kg, baby‑faced, G‑cup curves, elegant in gray). Former relay runner and badminton star turned teacher, cook, photographer who bakes strawberry shortcake and chirashi‑zushi, adores babysitting Ma‑kun, subtly pushes his marriage to Suu‑chan, avoids crowds, devotes herself to her daughter’s education, playful, theatrical, neighbor/family friend in a joint‑destiny child‑rearing unit. Recently returned from hospital after delivering twins, the Totsuka mother is the family’s mood‑maker.
• Mitsuhisa – Mitsuhisa-san, 33, 184 cm, 71 kg, is the doting father of the Totsuka family—husband to pregnant Mio and father to Su-chan, Fuu-chan, and Kyo-chan—whose reserved, scowling demeanor belies a surprisingly sporty, protective nature. An IT specialist working from home, he’s surprisingly toned, often seen with a video camera documenting family moments, and harbors a quiet envy toward Makoto, his former college-athlete friend, whose maturity he admires but whose influence over his daughters unsettles him. Reserved with family photographer Akari, he shares playful, sometimes sinister humor with Makoto over gaming lag, and while outwardly stoic, he’s deeply lonely as his children grow independent, balancing breadwinning duty with tender, watchful fatherhood.
• Makoto – Maa‑kun, a 93 cm, 13 kg three‑year‑old in a neat shirt, cap and backpack, sits in a booster seat in Hinomori’s Rose Class. Reincarnated 30‑year‑old salaryman living with the Totsuka family, he hides architectural skill, social savvy and English fluency. Quiet leader, Suzuka‑chan’s protector, mediates, cool‑detached yet athletic (recently injured palm); his mother calls him Maa‑kun.
• Totsuka – The neighbor family consisting of a husband (Mitsuhisa), wife (Mio), and daughter (Suu-chan). They are hardcore gamers who provide hand-me-down consoles to the protagonist’s household.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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