Volume 3 Chapter 52 The Daily Life I Want to Protect
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Less than half a day remains of this year.
Just like last year, I am visiting the neighboring Totsuka family. We are all gathered around the kotatsu¹, watching television together.
Peeled mandarins sit on the table. I take a segment and bring it to the mouth of Maa-kun, who is sitting quietly on my lap. Maa-kun munches on it happily. Then, as a thank you, he offers a segment he peeled himself to my lips.
One child is staring fixedly at our exchange with an envious gaze. It is Suu-chan. Sitting on the lap of Mitsuhisa across from us, she silently eats the mandarins he feeds her, her eyes locked onto us.
(I know exactly what she wants to say…)
But please, forgive me just for today. I have been truly busy this past month. I would finally make it home right as the date changed. Even then, I was lucky if I was the one saying, “Excuse me, I’m heading out first,” while others were still stuck at their desks.
Since I return so late, Maa-kun is naturally already asleep. But he is never in his own bedroom. No matter how reliable he is, I simply cannot leave a four-year-old to sleep alone. I also feel terrible waking him up when he looks so peaceful, so during those long nights, I take the Totsuka couple up on their kindness and let him stay over.
Suu-chan always looks so happy to have Maa-kun stay the night, and Mitsuhisa said he enjoys having an extra playmate around. Since I’m the one causing trouble for my own convenience, I’m truly grateful they feel that way.
But honestly, coming home exhausted and not being able to see my son’s face… it is lonely.
I want to wallow in that sentimentality, but I have work the next day, so I force myself through the motions. I soak in the bath that Mio ran for me, thoroughly washing away both the fatigue and my makeup. Mio is quite fussy when it comes to beauty, after all. But thanks to her, I still make a good impression on my regular clients and my bosses.
Above all, it’s because Maa-kun tells me, “Mom, you’re so beautiful.” Even if it’s just flattery, it makes me happy enough to keep trying. The problem is, he seems to say it to every other woman too-the nurses at the hospital, the girls at the supermarket, his kindergarten teachers, even the other moms… (It makes me a little worried about his future…)
It’s not that I’m jealous. It’s just a mother’s concern. I don’t want him getting caught up with some strange woman who will put him through the wringer, or becoming the kind of man who breaks hearts.
Well, it’s plain as day that he treasures Suu-chan the most. Even when we play at the Yoshikura house, he’s always looking out for her, even while being kind to the other kids. Every night before bed, I look at photos of my pride-and-joy son-who is so incredibly thoughtful-on my phone. I use them to remind myself why I’m working so hard and to recharge my batteries.
My favorite is a photo of him eating a rice cracker while sitting on my lap. I think Mio took it a little before he started kindergarten… when he was exactly three years, one month, and twenty days old. He must have misjudged the size or stuffed too much in, because he’s struggling to crunch it down. It’s a two-shot of us where he’s desperately trying not to spill any crumbs, refusing to spit out what he’s already started eating.
There are others, too: the Shichi-Go-San² festival, the outfit fitting for the Entrance Ceremony, the ceremony itself, Sports Day… Looking back at those memories helps me blow away all the unpleasantness of the day.
The men who get uncomfortably close and try to act like “man-children” to impress me, the ones who reek of cigarettes or heavy perfume, the ones who pry into my private life or try to invite me out to “personal” dinners… Especially during the year-end party season, dealing with people like that becomes a daily chore.
But I have to play nice to maintain the relationships. They’re “valued clients,” so I can’t let my disgust show. The stress really piles up. There were so many times my face felt like it would cramp from holding that fake smile. I’d be thinking about how I needed to get back to the office to finish my reports… (I wish those adults would learn a bit of manners from Maa-kun.)
Even when those days feel endless, the reason I can drag myself to work the next morning is Maa-kun. Even on the nights he stays at the Totsuka house, he always makes sure to see me and say, “See you later!” right as I’m heading to the office.
He’s just so incredibly precious. I hug him and kiss him and soak up his energy. I worked right up until the last possible second of the year, finally finishing yesterday. As a reward for surviving the year, I just want to be allowed to hold him to my heart’s content for a little while.
Mitsuhisa has been busy with Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan lately, so he probably hasn’t had much time for Suu-chan anyway. I rest my chin lightly on Maa-kun’s head, ignoring Suu-chan’s piercing stare. Between the kotatsu and Maa-kun’s body heat, I’m starting to feel drowsy…
When I think about the fact that this lifestyle only has three months left, I feel a twinge of sadness.
”Maa-kun,” I said.
”What is it?” Maa-kun asked.
”Mom is thinking about changing jobs in the spring,” I replied.
”…So that’s how it is?” Maa-kun replied.
Maa-kun looks up at me, surprised, as if he’s chewing over the words. I don’t know how much a four-year-old can really grasp, but he’s a clever boy; he probably sensed something was coming.
A career change. I’d been considering it for a long time-ever since I came back from maternity leave-but I’ve finally made up my mind. Because I’ve seen so many sides of him.
Maa-kun, who is adored by all his friends. Maa-kun, who the teachers trust implicitly. Maa-kun, who even the other parents rave about. It hasn’t even been a year since he started kindergarten in April, but he’s already surrounded by so much love. And most of all, Maa-kun, who looks so happy when he’s playing with Suu-chan.
I didn’t want to destroy Maa-kun’s world just because I got a job transfer. Of course, there were other reasons-my career path at the current company looked bleak, it was taxing me mentally and physically, and I just wanted more time with him. But his birthday was the final straw. Seeing how happy Suu-chan was, and that look on Maa-kun’s face… I guess I lost to Mio’s strategy. Or maybe I just decided to go along with it.
”…What kind of job is the next one?” Maa-kun asked.
”Hmm… how do I explain it? It’s an IT company…” I said.
It’s actually hard to put into words. I’ll be handling things like accounting and general affairs, but they’re also trying to develop products that use that specific knowledge, so I’ll be involved in that side of things too…
”How should I explain this to him?” I asked Mitsuhisa.
”…A company that designs, makes, and sells various apps…?” Mitsuhisa suggested.
He shows his phone screen to Maa-kun as he speaks. Maa-kun leans in, and Suu-chan peeks in right beside him. I doubt kids this age really get it. Suu-chan just tilts her head, looking completely lost.
Perhaps sensing the vibe, Maa-kun spoke up.
”…Is it the same job as Mitsuhisa-san?” he asked.
”Yep, we’ll be at the same company,” I said.
”Akari is going to be my junior! You can ask me anything if you get stuck, okay?” Mio added.
Mio, who was watching Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan, jumps into the conversation.
”…But the place has changed a ton since you left, Mio. We even moved offices. You might not have much advice to give,” Mitsuhisa noted.
”Wait, seriously!?” Mio asked.
”Well, it has been five years,” Mitsuhisa replied.
”If I get confused, I’ll be sure to ask my ‘senior’ Mio first thing,” I said.
”Hey, wait a-“
Yes, the new job is at the company where Mitsuhisa works-the one that’s been headhunting me for a while. It’s also where Mio used to work. I’m not sure if “junior” is the right word, though.
”IT company” usually brings to mind toxic workplace vibes, but this company is actually trying to build a healthy work environment. I know Mitsuhisa rarely works late, and they’re even testing a program where people can work from home instead of taking full childcare leave.
Your evaluation doesn’t drop for taking time off, but since you aren’t working, it doesn’t go up either-the company has to account for the lost labor, after all. Mio herself was the one who proposed finding a middle ground that works for both sides… (I still don’t get how her opinions carry so much weight when she’s been away for five years…)
The fact that more women are joining the staff was another reason I chose to switch. Apparently, that trend started with Mio too… (What exactly did my best friend do there?)
The performance is great, and the pay is… well. I looked into it, and they have an incredibly efficient profit model. It might be because Mitsuhisa is in his mid-thirties and has the experience, but the Totsuka family earns way more than I expected. Mio whispered to me that they might hit eight figures in a few years. She was actually worried about the tax bracket.
”Isn’t that great, Suu-chan? You and Maa-kun can stay together forever,” Mitsuhisa said.
”Yep! ssu is with Maa-kun forever!” Suu-chan cheered.
”Together, huh?” I said.
Suu-chan crawls out from the lap of Mitsuhisa, wiggles through the kotatsu, and clings to Maa-kun. I pull them both into a hug.
”Papa is staying together too!” Mitsuhisa cried.
”…ssu is gonna be a bride soon, so staying together forever is impossible,” Suu-chan replied.
”Guh…!” Mitsuhisa gasped.
”…Papa is staying with Mama forever, so cheer up,” Maa-kun said.
”That’s right, Mii-kun. I’m staying with you forever,” Mio said.
”…Yeah, thanks,” Mitsuhisa replied.
”Mom is staying with you forever too, okay?” I said.
”Hehe, thanks, Maa-kun,” I added.
And that is why I’m changing jobs.
Because I, too, love this quiet, ordinary daily life.
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Summary:
As the year comes to an end, Akari spends time with the Totsuka family, reflecting on her grueling work life and the guilt of being away from Maa-kun. She finally shares her decision to change jobs and join Mitsuhisa’s IT company to prioritize her son’s stable social life and their shared happiness. The chapter ends with a heartwarming domestic scene where the bonds between the two families are reaffirmed.
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Trivia:
- Akari’s mention of ‘man-children’ at work highlights her maturity and the toxic culture of her current workplace.
- Mio’s unexpected influence at her former company suggests she has a high professional standing or a unique past connection that hasn’t been fully explored.
- The ‘eight figures’ income mention sets a baseline for the Totsuka family’s financial stability, contrasting with the ‘Black Company’ trope
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Character Insight:
Akari’s relationship with Maa-kun is the driving force for her career change, showing a shift from professional survival to maternal prioritization. The dynamic between Maa-kun and Suu-chan is further solidified as ‘protective,’ while the adults’ chemistry suggests a deep, multi-layered friendship that transcends being mere neighbors.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The concept of the ‘Black Company’ is introduced to explain Akari’s current exhaustion. The IT company described by Mitsuhisa serves as a counterpoint, showcasing progressive Japanese workplace policies like remote work and childcare balance.
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TL Notes:
The term ‘Bokuchin’ was localized to ‘man-children’ to capture the narrator’s condescension toward immature adult men. ‘Eight figures’ was used to translate 1,000,000+ yen (four digits in Japanese counting) to convey high-income prestige to a US audience.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• 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.
• Mitsuhisa – Mitsuhisa-san, 33, 184 cm, 71 kg, is Mio’s husband and father to Suu-chan, Fuu-chan, and Kyo-chan—currently on modified childcare leave, working from home while actively assisting with housework and childcare. Reserved and scowling, he hides a toned, sporty physique and a quiet passion for documenting family life with a video camera. Though emotionally distant with family photographer Akari, he shares darkly playful banter with Makoto, his former college-athlete friend, whose influence over his daughters unsettles him. Deeply lonely as his children grow independent, he balances breadwinning duty with tender, watchful fatherhood, harboring few material desires beyond niche adult interests—his quiet pride evident as he holds the twins during Suu-chan’s birthday, clearing the frame for the Producer.
• Mio – 28‑year‑old pregnant Totsuka mother, round belly, bed‑resting; wife of 164 cm, 57 kg, baby‑faced Mitsuhisa (elegant in gray, G‑cup curves). Former relay runner and badminton star turned teacher, cook, photographer; 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. Suu‑chan’s mother, aka “Producer” Mio‑P, orchestrates cute birthday interactions with a sketchbook, narrator’s elementary‑school best friend, mother of Suu‑chan, Fuu‑chan and Kyo‑chan, partner to Mitsuhisa, longtime “Love Guru” matchmaker, described as the cute type.
• Akari – 28‑year‑old single banker, 168 cm, 56 kg, dark‑brown hair, slender, melancholic smile, in a gray casual pantsuit after childcare leave; lives beside best friend Mio, drives a black light‑compact car, cares for newborn son, prefers quiet home, feels guilty missing the party. Mother of Maa‑kun and Makoto, poised, observant, mischievous, uncovered Makoto’s secret English study, monitors his health via a ‘status report’ network, now works in IT for better work‑life balance, long hair, subtle makeup.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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