Volume 3 Chapter 61 Traditional Event
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It was a little after noon.
The school arts festival¹ had just wrapped up its final program, and we were back at Mother’s side.
The wide lobby and courtyard were overflowing, packed with parents and children.
Some parents showered their kids with praise—telling them they were “so cool” or “so cute”—while being clung to by children who were frantically, excitedly asking how their performance had been.
Other kids looked dejected, feeling they hadn’t lived up to their own expectations, while their parents comforted them and promised they would try again next year.
I even saw families clutching their stomachs, already debating what to do for lunch.
For some families, this was their very first festival.
For others, it was their second child’s turn, or perhaps their own second round as a parent.
For a few, this year was their last.
I could only hope that the day would become a cherished memory for them—a milestone in the growth of these Youngsters.
As everyone basked in the festival’s lingering afterglow, the “traditional events” of Hinomori Kindergarten began to unfold in various corners of the building.
One such event was taking place right in a corner of the lobby.
”Makoto-kun, this is for you!” A girl handed me a small, cute, wrapped translucent bag tied with a ribbon.
Through the plastic, I could see an assortment of store-bought chocolates.
(That’s right…
the “traditional event” was actually Valentine’s Day².) Even in kindergarten, plenty of kids look forward to the occasion.
They try giving treats to their crushes or exchanging them among friends.
I suspect the kids in the Youngsters Class don’t really grasp the meaning yet, but some are definitely precocious—the girls especially.
By the time they hit the Middle or Older groups, some have very clear “intentions.” For those kids, today is their day of reckoning.
Unfortunately, Hinomori Kindergarten doesn’t actually permit the exchange of chocolate on campus.
They want to avoid kids eating sweets during class or getting into fights over envy.
To prevent the drama that inevitably crops up when toddlers handle social politics alone, the school prohibits any exchanges during school hours.
You’d think they could just do it privately, but that’s a massive headache.
It’s one thing if you’re neighbors, but otherwise, it requires a formal house visit.
Everyone has their own schedule, and the burden on the parents isn’t small.
Because of those logistics, it has become a custom for the Hinomori kids to hand out their chocolates after the school play—the one time close to Valentine’s when all the parents and children are in one place.
According to Teacher Riko, several pairs of kids who exchanged chocolates on this day actually went all the way to the altar years later.
(Is it cynical of me to think that in a town this small, if you fire enough shots, you’re bound to hit a few targets?) Anyway, having been swept up in—or rather, swallowed by—this tradition, I was currently stuck handling the fallout.
”Thank you,” I said.
Chika-chan, a girl from my Rose Class, gave me a smug, satisfied little hum.
Perhaps feeling bashful, she fidgeted and leaned against her mother.
I tucked her gift into my tote and rummaged through the bag Mother was holding.
”And one from me… here you go,” I said.
”Thanks!” Chika replied.
”You’re very wel—” “Mama! I got a return gift from Makoto-kun!” Chika’s joy practically exploded as she hugged her mother.
Normally, one would wait until White Day³ to give a return gift, but since that carries the same logistical nightmares as Valentine’s, the local custom is to return the favor on the spot.
(I suppose years of this have led to peak efficiency, but I really have to wonder if this is how things should be…) “Oh, look! It has Chika’s name on it!” the girl cried.
”Oh, it really does,” her mother noted.
Chika let out another happy hum.
On the bag she was showing off, I had placed a sticker with her name on it.
It wasn’t that I was trying to be extra sweet; it was a strategic move to ensure I didn’t give the wrong bag to the wrong person.
These exchanges are pre-arranged between the parents.
They decide if it’s okay to swap treats, what the snacks should be, what allergies to avoid, and what the price limit is.
In our house, Mio-san had handled these negotiations with great gusto on behalf of my busy Mother.
On top of that, based on my own “investigations” into what the kids liked, I had tailored the contents of every single bag.
I couldn’t afford a mistake.
Still, it had the side effect of making them feel special—giving them a certain sense of exclusivity.
”Oh! There’s seasoned Nori in here!” Chika was already ripping the bag open.
She was at that age where patience was a foreign concept.
(I’d had my doubts—like, “Seasoned seaweed for a Valentine’s return?” But kids have weird obsessions.
And if they don’t like what they get, they’ll throw a tantrum.
Since I was giving it anyway, I wanted them to be happy, which resulted in a selection spanning everything from candy and gummies to rice crackers and dried goods.) Clutching her beloved seaweed as if she’d never let it go, Chika was led away by her mother to head home.
”That was nice, Maa-kun,” Mother said.
”Yeah…” I replied.
Seeing her that happy made the effort worth it.
The only problem was…
”Boss!” a voice called out.
(I’d really appreciate it if they stopped calling me that…) “But Boss is Boss!” the boy insisted.
I remained silent.
There was a literal line forming in front of me.
(Good grief.
Being a popular man is an exhausting business.) I wonder how much longer this is going to take…
And besides…
—
Summary:
Following the conclusion of the school arts festival, the narrative shifts to a unique kindergarten tradition where students exchange Valentine’s gifts under parental supervision. Makoto navigates the social complexities of providing personalized return gifts to his classmates. The chapter concludes with Makoto realizing his unintended popularity as a line of students forms to exchange gifts with him.
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Trivia:
- Mio-san’s ‘investigations’ into the children’s likes suggests a high level of competence and perhaps a slightly over-the-top devotion to Makoto’s social standing.
- The ‘Boss’ moniker hints at an established social hierarchy within the kindergarten that Makoto has unintentionally cultivated through his adult-like behavior.
- The efficiency of the combined Valentine’s/White Day exchange reflects a community-wide pragmatic approach to social obligations
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Character Insight:
Makoto’s relationship with his peers is defined by a mix of genuine toddler-like affection from the children and his own weary, adult-minded management of their expectations. His ‘popularity’ is shown to be a source of stress rather than pride, as seen in his reaction to the ‘Boss’ title and the growing queue of students.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The chapter details the specific social rules of Hinomori Kindergarten, highlighting the ban on school-hour chocolate exchanges to prevent conflict and the subsequent development of the ‘post-festival exchange’ tradition. It also introduces the concept of parental ‘negotiations’ regarding childhood gift exchanges.
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TL Notes:
The term ‘Goal-in’ (ゴールイン) mentioned by Teacher Riko is a Japanese loanword specifically used to describe getting married or reaching the ‘finish line’ of a romantic relationship. The translation adapts this to ‘going to the altar’ for better English flow.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Makoto – Four‑year‑old Maa‑kun (93 cm, 13 kg) wears a neat white shirt, light‑blue non‑woven vest, trousers and cap with a backpack in Rose Class. He is a reincarnated 30‑year‑old salaryman calling himself “Toilet Master”, male despite his father’s view, and is known as Boss by peers. Polite, short‑haired, he protects Suu‑chan, mediates fights, reads Kanji, speaks English, aids his mother and neighbors, and keeps distance from everyone except his “future bride” Suzuki.
• Riko – Riko‑sensei, lead teacher of Rose Class and PE instructor at Hinomori Kindergarten, also serves as school nurse. She wears a rash guard and athletic shorts for pool duties, exuding calm, observant warmth. Internally dry‑cynical, she judges coworkers sharply, yet finds quiet solace in Makoto’s subtle influence and Maa‑kun’s athletic skill.
• Chika – A young girl in the Rose Class at Hinomori Kindergarten who gives Makoto Valentine’s chocolate. She has a mother who accompanies her.
• Mio – Mio-P, 28, pregnant Totsuka resident, round belly, baby‑faced charm, elegant gray outfits accentuating her G‑cup curves (164 cm, 57 kg). Former relay/badminton star turned teacher, cook, photographer; bakes strawberry shortcake & chirashi‑zushi, babysits Ma‑kun, nudges his marriage to Suu‑chan. Playful neighbor, family friend, “Love Guru,” stages birthday sketches, narrates childhood memories, mothers Suu‑chan, Fuu‑chan, Kyo‑chan, avoids crowds, quietly guides destinies with warmth.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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