Volume 3 Chapter 56 The Difference Between Oshiruko and Zenzai Isn’t the Point Right Now
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hey, what kind of moron leaves a giant barrel in the middle of the path?”
”Who knows…” Kou replied.
”It was you, you idiot!”
”Don’t throw that word around so easily,” Kou said. “It makes you look like a moron yourself.”
”What was that?!”
”Hey, make sure you’re hitting the right enemy,” the third brother sighed. “It’s got nothing to do with me, so whatever, but if you’re going to scrap, do it after we’re finished.”
”Huh? If you’ve got time to talk, get your butt over here. Quit slacking.”
”Kou, where are you… are you fishing?”
”You…”
”I’m farming materials because there are too many idiots making pointless mistakes,” Kou muttered.
”…”
”Ah, call me when you start dragging your feet.”
”HEY!!” the brothers shouted in unison.
My three sons were busy hurling insults at each other while squeezed into the tiny living room to play their game. I couldn’t tell if they actually got along or not. Back when they were little, they’d get into fistfights instantly; compared to those memories, they had settled down quite a bit over the last four years.
”Uuu… I want to play too!”
Our youngest, born long after the boys, tried to wiggle into the rowdy circle, desperate to join in.
”Maybe when you’re a little older,” one brother said.
”It’s too early for you,” another added.
”It’s actually too early for you too, isn’t it? Well, me too…”
”We’re fine because Dad gave us permission!”
”No fair!!”
Jun was brushed off without a second thought. Since it was New Year’s and school clubs were on break, this was a rare day off. The older brothers, who usually dote on their little sister, were too preoccupied with their new game to pay her much mind. Every time she tried to peek at the screen over their shoulders, they just treated her like a nuisance.
Left with nothing to do, Jun gave up and charged toward the only other person who might play-Dad, who was currently sprawled face-down on the sofa.
”Dad, I want to play that too!”
”…Maybe when you’re a little bigger.”
”Uuu… then let’s go outside!”
”…Sorry, Jun. Dad’s back is totally shot right now.”
”Nooo!!”
Having a ten-year age gap between the eldest and the youngest comes with significant risks for the parents. Between the general lack of exercise and the winter cold making his muscles stiffen, Dad’s lower back had reached its limit the moment he tried to keep up with our daughter’s skyrocketing athletic ability. It was a pathetic sight for the start of the year.
”Now, now. We’re having snacks soon, so be a good girl until then, okay? The boys will probably head out for their run after they eat.”
”Uuu… okay.”
”Thank you. That’s my girl.”
Since she started kindergarten, our once uncontrollable tomboy had actually become quite reasonable.
”That’s because Makoto-chan said I need ‘special training’ to listen to what Dad and Mom say!”
”Ah, well, you better do lots of special training then.”
We really were blessed with wonderful friends. Makoto-chan had managed to take the reins by using “special training”-a phrase that perfectly tickled a child’s imagination. And he’d made it so we can use those reins too.
”Dad.”
”Yeah? What is it?”
”I wonder if Makoto-chan and the others are doing special training right now?”
”I bet they are. I’m sure they’re training hard.”
”I want to do more special training too!”
”I see…”
Our daughter turned a gaze toward him that was shimmering with expectation. Dad sat there, clearly racking his brain for a response. (Well? Say something!)
”…………Did Makoto-chan think of any other training menus? Preferably something we can do inside the house?”
”He did! Um, you stand on one leg and go like this!”
She stood on one leg and held her arms out horizontally to balance herself. (I see. A strategy to make her stay still and buy us some time. Honestly, I feel like her kindergarten friend is way smarter than her father.)
”…I see. We’ll have to give Makoto-chan a big ‘thank you’ for coming up with that one.”
”I’ll tell him when I go to school!”
”Yeah, I’m counting on you.”
”Leave it to me!”
Dad was completely wrapped around her finger. Since she’s the youngest and the daughter he’d always wanted, he couldn’t help but spoil her. (I understand the feeling, but I wish he’d find the sharp edge he had when the boys were little. If he stays this soft, Makoto-kun is going to steal the ‘favorite’ spot entirely.)
With the voices of my lively family at my back, I finished up the snacks in the kitchen.
”How many mochi¹ do you boys want?”
I stirred the pot where the red beans and sugar had simmered down and called out to the youngsters. The replies were instantaneous.
”I’ll take four.”
”Five for me!”
”Six!”
”Actually, make it eight.”
”There’s no way we have that many!” I shouted back.
My sons were in their peak growing phase, competing over who can eat the most as if it were a matter of pride. They had all graduated from elementary school, yet they still engaged in these low-level squabbles.
”What about you, Jun?”
”Hmm… ten!”
”Do you even know how many ten is?”
”I do! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!”
Jun held up both hands with her fingers splayed wide. She used to be unable to sit still, but thanks to Makoto-kun, she had started wanting to study on her own. She used to hate even looking at letters-well, she still hates letters-but she had become an expert at counting. During the New Year’s ekiden², she was reading off the rankings and times so loudly it was almost a nuisance.
”If you’re sure, but you better actually eat them.”
”Masu-niichan said if you give up, the game is over right there!”
”You’re getting two.”
”Whaaa!?”
I brushed off Jun as she clung to my leg, throwing a fit, and placed the toasted mochi into the bowls.
”Look, you can have seconds if you finish, so take these over.”
”Okay!”
She took the bowl with both hands, carrying it to the table with the focus of a tightrope walker to avoid spilling a drop.
”Alright, you boys stop your pointless arguing and come get yours.”
”””Okay~”””
I lined up the portions for the three of them.
”Ah!”
”Heh, I’m snagging the one with the most!”
”Dammit… Masumi, you jerk…”
The eldest and second son scrambled for the bowl that looked the fullest, while the third son shrewdly collected the one that was clearly second-best. (Honestly, these boys… I wish they’d follow the example of Makoto-kun, who always gives the best pieces to Suzuki-chan.)
I brought Dad’s portion over and sat down. At least they knew how to wait for a moment-mostly because they knew Dad’s fist would be flying if they didn’t.
”Hey, Kou-niichan. What’s the difference between oshiruko³ and zenzai⁴? The TV called it oshiruko.”
Jun suddenly directed a question toward the brother closest to her in age. Kou stole a quick glance at my face. It seemed my previous lecture had stuck; he used to tell her all sorts of annoying lies, like how beans would sprout from her stomach if she ate them or that pools were breeding grounds for bacteria. (I heard every word of that, you know.)
”…Mizuki, what’s the difference?”
”……Masumi.”
”………Dad.”
”…………Just eat!” Dad barked.
”Okay!”
Obeying Dad’s orders to eat before the zenzai got cold, they all dug in. They skillfully scooped up the mochi with their forks, enjoying the way it stretched before happily munching on the sweet treats.
”Still, Jun really loves Makoto-chan, doesn’t she?” Dad asked.
”Yeah! Makoto is awesome!”
”We should invite him over sometime.”
”Really!?”
”Yeah. He does a lot for you, so I should probably introduce myself to his parents properly. …Of course, you three are staying outside.”
”Yay!”
Jun was genuinely thrilled at the idea of having her friend over.
”But man, those Hinomori kids are something else,” Dad mused. “To have two girls who can actually keep up with Jun’s energy…”
”Two?” Jun asked.
”Eh? I mean Makoto-chan and Suzuki-chan, right? Did I get it wrong?”
”You’re totally wrong, Dad! Suzuki is a girl, but Makoto is a boy!”
””””……Eh? “”””
The room went silent.
”When we were at the pool, I saw that he’s built just like you, Dad! Makoto said I shouldn’t talk about it, but he had a-“
””””……””””
”Though Dad’s was about this big, though!”
”””!? “””
”Ah, wait! What was the difference between zenzai and oshiruko again!?”
All four males froze. My three sons kept stealing glances at Dad’s lap.
(Sigh…)
It wasn’t like I was keeping it a secret. I honestly thought they knew. I’ve watched the videos of Sports Day until the tape practically wore out, and the announcer clearly called him “Makoto-kun.” Since some people use “-chan” for little kids regardless of gender, I figured Dad was just doing that. There were a few suspicious moments, sure, but I didn’t see the point in making a thing out of it. I figured telling them would just be a huge hassle.
”Hey! oshiruko and zenzai!”
”Wait, Jun, not now! Mom!”
”What is it?”
”…Did you know!?” Dad asked.
”Of course I did.”
”……”
Dad looked at me like I’m some kind of alien. He furrowed his brow. (I don’t know what’s going through that head of yours, but just don’t go causing trouble for Makoto-kun after everything he’s done for us, okay?)
—
Summary:
A chaotic New Year’s day at the family home reveals the domestic dynamics between the three sons, a doting father with a bad back, and a high-energy daughter. The chapter culminates in a hilarious revelation when Jun innocently corrects her father’s assumption about their friend Makoto’s gender. This misunderstanding highlights the father’s lack of attention compared to the mother’s observant nature.
—
Trivia:
- The mother mentions watching the Sports Day tape until it wore out, showing her deep investment in the children’s social circle compared to the father.
- Makoto’s influence on Jun’s behavior and education (counting) suggests he is a stabilizing and mature influence despite being the same age.
- The mention of Suzuki-chan getting the ‘best pieces’ from Makoto hints at a budding childhood romance or deep-seated chivalry in Makoto’s character
—
Character Insight:
The father has become ‘soft’ and doting toward his daughter, a sharp contrast to his stricter past with the sons. The mother remains the grounded, all-knowing center of the household, amused by the ‘low-level’ squabbles of her children and husband.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The family lives in a ‘tiny living room,’ suggesting a middle-class urban Japanese setting. Cultural staples like the New Year’s ekiden and the oshiruko/zenzai debate provide a strong sense of place and time.
—
TL Notes:
The distinction between Oshiruko and Zenzai is a classic regional debate in Japan. The translation preserves these terms to maintain cultural authenticity while providing context through narrative flow.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Kou – The second son. Enthusiastic about gaming, specifically gathering materials and fishing in-game. Tends to tease his younger sister with tall tales.
• Jun – Rose Class kindergartner, the Imai family’s youngest and only daughter. She wears short sleeves and shorts year‑round, has a huge appetite, is ultra‑competitive, and idolizes her mother. Her older brother warns about germs while Makoto reins her in. Energetic, physically strong, heroic, often forced to be ‘it’ in tag, and now can count to ten, a close friend of Makoto.
• Makoto – Four‑year‑old Maa‑kun, 93 cm, 13 kg, wears a neat shirt, cap and backpack in Rose Class. Polite, short‑haired, he hides his reincarnated 30‑year‑old salaryman mind—calls himself “Toilet Master”—and is male despite his father’s belief. He protects Suu‑chan, mediates fights, reads Kanji, speaks English, and aids his mother and neighbors, still called Maa‑kun by her.
• Masumi – The eldest son of the family, Makoto’s older brother, is a teenage former elementary graduate now undergoing secret “chuunibyou” training. He appears as an athletic, lean teen with a confident stance and is fiercely competitive—especially when it comes to food portions.
• Suzuki – 4‑year‑old Suu‑chan, daughter of Mio and Mitsuhisa, wears a topknot, braided pigtails, sleepy sparkling eyes, pink rain boots and a tiny umbrella. She’s competitive yet nervous, hugs and pouts, coordinates Makoto’s things, and calls him her boyfriend. Close friend of sandbox‑leader Maa‑kun; in Hinomori’s Younger Class she’s shy, sits in a booster seat, clings to Makoto, once had seaweed on a tooth after a Rose‑Class footrace. Now pregnant‑mother’s older sister, energetic, follows Makoto with a sad big‑sister air, and as the narrator’s daughter she loves Maa‑kun and her father Mii‑kun, caring for her new younger sisters.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply