Volume 4 Chapter 12 Loose Lips Sink Ships
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Five candles glow brightly in the dim room, the curtains drawn tight. What drifts through the air is a lovely, energetic singing voice.
”Happy birthday dear Suu-chan~♪ Happy birthday to you♪”
As the song ends, Suu-chan takes a deep breath, puffing out her cheeks. I’m hit with a sudden urge to poke them, but I get the feeling that if I burst out laughing now, it’ll end in a total disaster.
”Nngh, pfuuuuuuuu—”
She blows a sharp gust from her small, pursed lips. In a single, magnificent breath, the candle flames vanish.
”Suu-chan, happy birthday!”
”Thank you…!”
As Suu-chan offers her shy thanks, it’s the moment everyone—and Chika—has been waiting for. Mio-san’s handmade shortcake is sliced and set before us. The quality is so high you’d mistake it for something from a professional bakery. Even the youngsters look like they can’t wait a second longer, forks in hand, eyes glued to the plates.
”Looks so yummy!”
”There are three whole strawberries on it!?”
”It’s a work of art…”
Once every one of the kids has their slice, the signal for Itadakimasu1 is given, and they dive in headfirst.
”………”
Cheeks stuffed with cake, fresh cream smeared around their mouths, the youngsters eat in total silence. At this age, they definitely care more about their stomachs than their looks.
* * *
And so, the birthday party began.
Suu-chan, today’s guest of honor, had put some real spirit into dressing up since she was inviting friends over. She’s already wearing the scrunchie I gave her as a birthday present. To celebrate her big day, five of her closest friends had come over. Thanks to that, the population density in the Totsuka family’s tiny room was skyrocketing. When kids show up, parents usually follow.
Wait. Are you curious about who came…? What are you, a fretful dad obsessed with his daughter’s social life?!
I understand that feeling of worry—it hurts, really—but that’s the exact type of dad that daughters learn to hate first. You just have to trust your daughter, stand tall, and be ready to take responsibility if something goes sideways. Though, I’ll still be securing the perimeter from the shadows.
By the way, the guests today are all girls: Shiho-chan, Kotone-chan, Hatsune-chan, Nana-chan, and Sena-chan. They were in the Rose Class with her, and they’re in the same group in the Sheep Class now, too. So I know them… or rather, we’re friends.
Since it’s a weekday, Mother is away at work. As for Mitsuhisa-san, who usually works from home—
”Your husband helps out with the chores and the kids, doesn’t he?”
”Must be nice… mine just mopes around the house on his days off…”
”Honestly, just moping around is better, you know?”
”Eh? Why’s that?”
”Because if they do even a tiny bit of work for one day, they act like they’ve done everything,” one of the moms said, her voice rising in irritation. “It’s so irritating when they walk around with that ‘I’m a hero’ look on their face.”
”Ah, I totally get that.”
”They get swept up in that Ikumen2 label… they only participate when people are watching. When they snatch up all the ‘good’ parts of parenting, sometimes I just think, ‘Then what am I even here for?!’”
”You’ve really been bottling it up, haven’t you…”
”In that regard, Mio-san’s husband is wonderful. He feels like he’s completely dedicated to being the support staff. I’m so jealous…”
”Yeah, and he’s fit, too. No dad-bod at all…”
”Oh, stop it~” Mio-san replied with a modest wave of her hand.
—He’s absent.
It wasn’t just a matter of being considerate because it was a room full of women; he probably sensed things were about to get uncomfortable. He was here until it was time to pick them up from school, but then he headed to the office, claiming he had some business to take care of. He probably won’t be back until the party breaks up.
So right now, there are nothing but females in this cramped space. …Except for me.
I’ll be honest. I’m uncomfortable. It’s fine to look after the youngsters. We’re all acquainted, and this is usually how it goes when I’m with Suu-chan anyway. It’s just the gazes from the mothers.
”The Middle Kids ended up in a different class from Makoto-kun, didn’t they?”
”It’s such a shame…”
”Was Suzuki-chan okay?” another mother asked. “My kid was nothing but complaints once we got home.”
”She seemed pretty shocked,” Mio-san said. “But Maa-kun followed up with her perfectly, so…”
”Mine was the same, but the second I said, ‘If you’re a good girl, maybe you can be in the same class as Makoto-kun next year?’ she bounced right back. She’s even been eager to help out around the house.”
”Oh, yours too…?”
”I guess we all think alike…”
”Makoto-kun really is a good boy.”
”And so devoted, too.”
”He’s the one, right? The one who chased off that kid who was pestering Suzuki-chan.”
”Wait, I heard Makoto-kun was actually getting along with him.”
”Really? …What’s the story there?” one woman leaned in. “Mio-san, you know, don’t you?”
”Well, you see…”
My skin is crawling. I really should have made an escape with Mitsuhisa-san. Well… not that Suu-chan would have ever allowed that. The guest of honor’s word is absolute today.
”Suu-chan, you’ve got cream on your face.”
”Mnh!”
”Good grief…”
Despite my warning, she just sticks her lips out, demanding I do something about it. Where on earth does she learn these moves?
But I’m just glad she’s having fun without a care in the world. If she’d been unable to enjoy her big birthday because she was still dragging around that stuff with Masaki-kun… I really would have had to deal with him.
Also, to answer the mothers’ question: my relationship with Masaki-kun has become one where I unilaterally greet him every morning. He seems to have developed a real distaste for me, but I want him to learn the agony of having someone you dislike constantly close the distance on you. Well, it’s just a greeting, so I’m not nearly as clingy as he was.
I can’t just leave a loose cannon alone, so as annoying as it is, I have to keep him under surveillance. Down the line, I’ll have to drum some manliness into him, set him up with some appropriately jealous girl to keep him occupied and away from us… Just thinking about it is a pain…
”Maa-kun, I want a strawberry next.”
”Alright, say ‘ahh’…”
”………Mmm, fu… it’s good.”
For now, I have to give my all to being the partner for Suu-chan, who’s currently being as spoiled as she wants. It feels like my stock went up even higher in Suu-chan’s eyes after that day, and the way she clings to me has changed… No, she was already at 100% effort, so I guess it’s just the usual.
”Suu-chan is so lucky—”
”Me too—”
”No,” Suu-chan interrupted, turning her friends down flat. “Today is Suu’s birthday. It’s the day I get Maa-kun all to myself…”
However, with a refusal like that—
”It’s gonna be Nana’s birthday soon, too!”
”Shiho’s birthday is still a long way off…”
”Makoto-kun, you have to come to my birthday party, okay!”
—I see an opening… and it’s already too late.
The precocious little girls are already getting fired up, thinking they’re next in line. Even the mothers are joining in, joking with, “Oh, well, in that case, me too.”
”Maa-kun…!?”
”Suu-chan, we really need to be careful with our words, don’t we…?”
Suu-chan looks at me with a troubled expression, unsure what to do. When you’re having fun and the tension gets high… you just end up saying things you shouldn’t, don’t you? This would be a great time for Suu-chan to learn the phrase: ‘The mouth is the source of disaster.’3
—
Summary:
The chapter depicts Suu-chan’s birthday party, a domestic milestone filled with cake and friends. While the children celebrate, the protagonist, Makoto, finds himself trapped in a room of gossiping mothers whose conversation reveals social pressures and perceptions of parenting. Makoto’s protective nature over Suu-chan is highlighted as he deals with the aftermath of the Masaki-kun incident. The party takes a comedic turn when Suu-chan’s possessiveness inadvertently invites herself and Makoto to every other girl’s future birthday party. The narrative balances sweet childhood moments with Makoto’s mature, slightly cynical internal commentary.
—
Trivia:
- Suu-chan’s behavior: Her ‘monopolizing’ of Makoto shows an evolving emotional dependency and possessiveness that may cause friction in future social circles.
- Masaki-kun surveillance: Makoto’s plan to ‘set him up with a jealous girl’ later in life shows his long-term manipulative streak in protecting his peace.
- The mothers’ gossip: Their desire for their children to be in Makoto’s class suggests his reputation as a ‘good boy’ is becoming a tool for parental motivation, which may burden him later.
- Mitsuhisa’s exit: His quick departure hints at a sharp survival instinct regarding social atmospheres, mirroring Makoto’s own feelings
—
Character Insight:
Suu-chan and Makoto’s bond has deepened significantly; she now views him as her exclusive partner, especially during high-status events like her birthday. Makoto, while slightly annoyed by the social pressure, remains fully committed to her happiness, demonstrating a ‘guardian’ dynamic that borders on obsessive protection. The mothers view Makoto as a paragon of a ‘good child,’ effectively using him as a benchmark for their own children’s behavior.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The chapter expands on the modern Japanese social setting within the story, specifically the ‘Ikumen’ culture and the competitive nature of kindergarten parents. The class system (Rose Class, Sheep Class) provides a glimpse into the structured educational environment the children are navigating.
—
TL Notes:
The title ‘口は災いの元’ (Kuchi wa wazawai no moto) is a common Japanese proverb. While translated as ‘Loose lips sink ships’ for idiomatic flavor, it literally means ‘The mouth is the source of disaster.’ The text uses ‘ssu’ as a childish verbal tic for Suu-chan.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Suu-chan – A refined young girl of the Sheep Class, exceptionally cute with soft skin and embodying ladylike grace, she enforces strict etiquette with childlike warmth, closely bonded to Makoto whom she holds to high grooming standards—yet she’s also a victim of hair-pulling by Togawa Masaki, revealing a tender vulnerability beneath her polished exterior.
• Suu – She is a young girl in Sheep Class and Rose Class, mud‑streaked cheeks, makes dorodango, fiercely attached to Makoto, ends sentences with “ssu”, draws Masaki’s obsessive gaze. Birthday girl, party‑dressed, wears Makoto’s scrunchie, puffs cheeks, possessive, eldest Totsuka sister, high‑energy, affectionate, distinct “ssu” tic.
• Chika – Rose Class kindergartner, a young girl who gives Makoto Valentine’s chocolate while her mother stands beside her; she’s also referenced in a pun about waiting for the cake.
• Mio – 28‑year‑old pregnant gray‑clad Totsuka resident, baby‑faced, G‑cup, former athlete turned teacher‑cook‑photographer and tech‑savvy “Love Guru” mentoring Makoto, Fuu‑chan, Kyo‑chan. Akari’s best friend, wife of Mitsuhisa, mother of Suu‑chan, protective of family and runs “Bento Dividend”. Mother of three Totsuka sisters, exhausted after a stressful in‑law visit, large‑chested, skilled baker who made a professional strawberry shortcake and handles gossip with grace.
• Totsuka – Totsuka Mio is the wife of Mitsuhisa Totsuka and mother of Suu-chan. She is a hardcore gamer, part of the neighbor family that supplies hand‑me‑down consoles to the protagonist’s household. Mio attends parent‑teacher conferences and worries about her daughter’s growing dependence on Makoto.
• Shiho-chan – A member of the friend group who arrived early and is close enough to Yuma’s family to stay over.
• Kotone – A classmate and friend of Makoto and Suu. She is friendly and participated in the chocolate exchange during the post-festival gathering.
• Shiho – A four-year-old Sheep Class girl, daughter of Mayumi-san, with a side-up ponytail and her favorite hair clip, she’s a natural leader fiercely protective of her friends and vocal about justice. Younger sister to Hina and close to Makoto, Suu-chan, Yuma, and Suzuka, she quietly competes with Suu for Makoto’s attention. Often seen with her kitten-themed placemat and training chopsticks, she loves picture books, worked hard to learn Hiragana, enjoys swimming, and makes mud dumplings using Makoto’s advice.
• Mitsuhisa – Mitsuhisa, 33, 184 cm, 71 kg, toned and reserved, is Mio’s husband and father of Suu‑chan, Fuu‑chan and Kyo‑chan. On modified childcare leave from his IT firm he works from home but often ‘flees’ to the office to avoid gossiping mothers. Protective and doting toward his kids, he keeps a distant rapport with Akari, shares dark banter with former teammate Makoto, feels unsettled by his own influence, yet is a positive father‑figure for Akari’s son.
• Makoto – Four‑year‑old, 93 cm, 13 kg Rose Class student—actually a 30‑year‑old salaryman reborn as a toddler. He wears a white shirt, blue vest and cap, short bangs trimmed to expose his forehead, and calls himself a “Toilet Master.” Calm, analytical “Boss,” carries hand cream, mediates fights, protects Suu‑chan, and is revered as a mature, athletic idol despite his cynical, gender‑confused father.
• 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 quiet, helpful model student in the Middle Kids tier and Makoto’s fiercely possessive, self-proclaimed girlfriend who is deeply protective of him. Daughter of Mio and Mii-kun, she’s clingy and affectionate, often clutching a pink candy tin, navigating life with quiet grace and competitive charm in word games.
• Masaki – A boy in the Rabbit Class. He bullied Suu-chan by pulling her hair and calling her ‘ugly’ due to complex childhood emotions. Son of a middle school teacher.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply