Volume 4 Chapter 3 The Scattered Rose Class
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The layout of the Rabbit Class¹ was exactly the same as it had been back in the Youngsters Class. The entrance, the chalkboard, the teacher’s desk, the lockers, even the desks and chairs-everything was in the same spot. Yet, despite the familiarity, it felt entirely fresh.
The scenery outside the window had shifted. Instead of the schoolyard and the foot-washing station, I now saw the veranda, the slide, the fence, and the rooftops of nearby houses. The walls above the lockers were bare, and the floor wax still had that pristine, untouched gleam. There were plenty of small differences if I looked for them, but the real reason for this “new” feeling was that almost every face in the room was a stranger.
Back when we were the Rose Class, I couldn’t walk into the room without someone spotting me and a crowd swarming around. In the Rabbit Class, however, I got no reaction. Well, it wasn’t total silence, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that their stares were all saying, “Who the hell is this kid?”
I felt a slight chill at the night-and-day difference from last year. Then again, compared to the void of not having Suu-chan by my side, it was practically nothing.
”-Ah, Makoto’s here!”
A voice came bursting out from the crowd of kids.
”Morning!” Yuma shouted.
”Good morning, Yuma,” I replied. “Glad to have you here in the middle-year class too.”
”Yeah! Same here!”
(If he had a tail, it would have been wagging so hard it might have snapped off.)
He must have been just as uneasy as I was. The classroom was a sea of unknown faces, with more pouring in by the second. Even for an adult with a lifetime of experience, being alone in a room with this much “away game” energy feels incredibly uncomfortable.
While dealing with Yuma, who was practically bouncing off me with relief, I headed toward the lockers at the back of the classroom. I found my name in the alphabetical lineup and stowed away my supply box and backpack. This part was identical to the Youngsters Class, so I didn’t fumble.
”Hey, hey, what should we play?” Yuma asked.
”Hmm… how about Shiritori²?”
”Let’s do it!” Yuma agreed.
Back in the Rose Class, I would have picked a game where you actually got a turn once in a while. So, there we were, two kids isolated in the corner of the classroom in front of our lockers. We played our word-chain game while I scoped out our new classmates.
Over there was “The Boss”-a kid with a physique so sturdy you wouldn’t believe he was only in Pre-K. And over here… I didn’t even have to look to know it was “Sigh-Ren-kun.” What on earth was he finding so funny, and how was he making those high-pitched squeals? (Screee!)
Then, in another corner, there was the intelligent-looking “Little Princess” and her entourage. The “Professor,” who seemed to know everything, hadn’t arrived yet. I’d seen the name of a “Noble Daughter” on the list too, but I wondered if I’d actually run into her.
Since we were in different groups during the Youngsters Class, I’d had almost no contact with them. That said, we all went to the same kindergarten. We’d had joint lessons and playtime, and combined with the intel from the playground grapevine, it wasn’t like I was seeing any of them for the first time. While it was hard to match every face to a name, I’d already identified the ones who seemed like “handfuls”-the kids I needed to keep on my radar.
(With this lineup… the teacher is going to have a rough year.)
”Makoto! The next word starts with ‘Zu’!”
”Ah, sorry, sorry. ‘Zuwaigani’-Snow Crab.”
”Snow crab! Those are so yummy!” Yuma shouted.
I tossed the word back to Yuma while I continued my reconnaissance of the room. What kind of group would this class become? How should I play my cards? I tried to turn the gears in my head, but I just couldn’t find the motivation.
I was honestly surprised at how much my energy had plummeted just because Suu-chan wasn’t around. But then again, I was fundamentally a lazy person to begin with… so maybe this was just me returning to my default state.
”Haa…”
Another sigh escaped me. This feeling gave me a strange sense of déjà vu. It was a lot like the feeling I had when I quit my job in my previous life. (In other words… I think I’m in trouble.)
”Makoto, you okay? No energy?” Yuma asked.
”I guess not…”
”Should I go get Suzuki-chan?”
”……”
Yuma, having caught on to the situation, offered me the devil’s temptation.
”Ugh… No, it’s fine,” I said.
Suu-chan was likely working hard right now too. I couldn’t let those tears of hers be for nothing. It was way too early for me to scream for help. Just then, a shadow approached us-
”-Ah, morning!” Yuma said.
”Morning,” I followed.
”…Morning,” Kotarou replied.
The one greeting us with a sleepy mumble was Kotarou.
”Kotarou, you’re in our class too!” Yuma beamed.
”Yeah,” Kotarou said.
”Hey, Kotarou, your spot is right here! Next to mine,” Yuma told him.
”Thanks,” Kotarou said.
Following Yuma’s lead, Kotarou began putting his stuff away.
”You look exhausted,” I noted. “Were you up late playing games?”
”Yeah… I was taking on the Elite Four,” Kotarou admitted.
”Whoa! Did you win!?” Yuma asked.
”Yeah. I won. I’m the Champion now.”
Kotarou rubbed his eyes, but his face was glowing with pride. As we continued our word-chain game with Kotarou in the mix, I felt an atmosphere like he wanted to say something.
”…”
”…What is it?” I asked.
”Should I… go get Suzuki-chan?” Kotarou asked.
”……”
”He just said he was okay a second ago!” Yuma chimed in.
Even Kotarou was worried about me. (Do I really look that pathetic?)
”-Hup!”
”-Oof…!?”
While I was standing there with a sour face, a sudden impact jolted my body with a meaty oomph.
”Makoto! We meet again!” Jun shouted.
”Yeah… I guess we did…”
(Good grief, even as a middle-year student, he hasn’t changed a bit. I wish I could have even a fraction of that energy.)
It was Jun, who had his arm around my shoulder and was staring into my eyes from point-blank range. (What, you got a bone to pick with me or something?)
”…Wanna go get Suzuki!?” Jun asked.
”…No, seriously, I’m fine…”
Even this guy is worried? Maybe I really am in critical condition.
”C’mon, hurry up and get that backpack off!” I told him.
”Right! On it!” Jun said.
At my word, Jun immediately sprang into action. I felt like I gained a tiny bit of strength just watching him.
”Phew…”
Now they’re all here. I don’t mean the Rabbit Class. I mean the old Rose Class. These three were my only familiar faces out of the twenty-two kids in the class.
Middle-Year Group One-The Rabbit Class-consisting of Yuma, Kotarou, Jun, and myself.
Middle-Year Group Two-The Sheep Class-where the girls’ circle centered around Suu-chan and Shiho-chan had gathered.
Middle-Year Group Three-The Giraffe Class-led by the Rose Rangers.
In this new environment, I wonder just how much we’re going to grow…
—
Summary:
Makoto begins his first day in the Rabbit Class (Pre-K), feeling a profound sense of isolation as he is separated from his close friend Suu-chan. Despite being surrounded by strangers and a handful of ‘handful’ classmates, he is eventually reunited with three boys from his former class. The chapter highlights Makoto’s adult-minded struggle with the social exhaustion of a new environment, juxtaposed with the simple enthusiasm of his childhood friends.
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Trivia:
- The layout of the room being identical suggests the school’s structure provides a false sense of security while the social dynamics have shifted completely.
- The ‘Noble Daughter’ name on the list serves as a direct setup for a new character introduction who likely possesses high social or plot significance.
- Makoto’s comparison of his kindergarten fatigue to quitting his job in his previous life hints at the depth of his psychological burnout.
- The grouping of characters into Rabbit, Sheep, and Giraffe classes sets up a future dynamic of inter-class rivalry or cooperation
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Character Insight:
Makoto’s motivation is at an all-time low due to ‘Suu-chan withdrawal,’ showing how much he relies on her as an emotional anchor. However, the arrival of Yuma, Kotarou, and Jun provides a necessary spark of energy, moving Makoto from a state of total apathy to a reluctant but grounded role within his new male peer group.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The Japanese kindergarten class structure (Rabbit, Sheep, Giraffe) is introduced as the primary social setting for this arc. The mention of the ‘playground grapevine’ (mom-friend network) establishes how information and reputations precede character introductions in this world.
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TL Notes:
The ‘Elite Four’ and ‘Champion’ references are localized to maintain the gaming subtext of Kotarou’s character. ‘Shiritori’ was kept as a term with a footnote to preserve the specific cultural game being played, which dictates the logic of the ‘Snow Crab’ dialogue.
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Glossary:
Notes:
• Suu-chan – A refined young girl with soft skin, embodying ‘lady’s grace’ and strict etiquette, lives in the household where she is close to Maa‑kun. She holds Makoto to a high standard of grooming, blending elegance with a child’s warmth.
• Suu – A female student in the Rose Class. Very close to Makoto (Maa-kun). Has mud on her cheeks and makes high-quality dorodango.
• Makoto – A four-year-old (93cm, 13kg) Rose Class student who is actually a reincarnated 30-year-old salaryman. Dressed in a white shirt, blue vest, and cap, he acts as the group’s calm, analytical “Boss” and caregiver, carrying essentials like hand cream. Revered by peers as a mature, athletic idol, he mediates conflicts and protects Suu-chan. Despite his father’s gender confusion, he remains a dependable, cynical leader.
• Yuma – Yuma Yoshikura is a frail, sickly four-year-old from a wealthy, land-owning family. Known for his idol-like face and quiet, observant nature, he is the eldest son of the Yoshikura family and Miyu’s younger brother. A member of the Rose Class, he is close friends with Makoto, whom he deeply admires. Despite being physically smaller and slower than his peers, he excels at block-building and paper-folding.
• Suzuki – Totsuka “Suu-chan” Suzuki is a doll-like 4-year-old with dark braided pigtails, a topknot, sleepy sparkling eyes, and pink rain boots. A model student and Makoto’s fiercely possessive, self-proclaimed girlfriend, she is quiet, helpful, and competitive in word games. Daughter of Mio and Mii-kun, she is clingy, affectionate, and often clutches a pink candy tin while navigating life with quiet grace.
• Kotarou – A quiet, sleepy boy from the former Rose Class, with deft hands that excel at origami, now a dedicated gamer who recently claimed the ‘Champion’ title after defeating the ‘Elite Four’.
• Kotaro – Morihashi Kotarou is a quiet, slender kindergarten boy in Rose Class, friend of Makoto. He avoids classroom chaos, prefers solitude, and helps Makoto with sandbox building projects. A typical child who loves toys, games, and Kamen Rider, he remains loyal yet stays out of trouble.
• Kota – Makoto’s biological father. Met Akari while working as a cram school tutor during their second year of university. He disappeared suddenly after six years of dating upon learning of the pregnancy.
• Jun – Hyper‑active Rose‑Class kindergartner in a tracksuit, gluttonous and pure‑hearted yet easily tricked, has extreme strength — often digging the sandbox liner. She idolizes her mother and play‑fights with brother Makoto, who reins in her chaos with calm restraint. A high‑energy boy from the former Rose Class greets everyone with a striking impact.
• Shiho-chan – A member of the friend group who arrived early and is close enough to Yuma’s family to stay over.
• Shiho – A four-year-old Rose-Class girl with a side-up ponytail, she is Hina’s younger sister and a close friend to Makoto, Suu-chan, Yuma, and Suzuka. Often seen with her favorite hair clip, kitten-themed placemat, and training chopsticks, she loves picture books and worked hard to learn Hiragana. She enjoys swimming, makes mud dumplings using Makoto’s advice, and quietly competes with Suu for Makoto’s attention.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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