Volume 4 Chapter 23 Happy Thirty Years Old
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I knew this day would come eventually.
And now, that “eventually” has finally arrived.
Actually facing the moment, it’s a bigger shock than I expected.
It’s not like anything has drastically changed since yesterday.
It’s just that the number increased by one.
Today is my birthday.
I’ve officially turned thirty. I’ve really gone and done it.
I can’t call myself a “twenty-something” anymore.
I told myself I didn’t care much about age, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve lost something precious.
Since becoming an adult—and especially since becoming a mother—the flow of time feels terrifyingly fast.
Well, it makes sense.
I’m bound to grow older.
After all, he’s grown so much.
Beside me, my most beloved family member is breathing softly in his sleep. Seeing his peaceful, trusting face, a smile spills out before I can stop it.
He’s already in the middle class¹ at kindergarten, huh…
For a kid that age, he has a strangely mature, low-energy vibe, but when he’s asleep, he has all the innocence of his years. That gap is just too cute for words.
As I spend a moment savoring the sight, Maa-kun’s eyes flutter open.
Our gazes meet.
Maa-kun blinks slowly three times and stirs. It looks like he’s chosen to get up rather than drift back to sleep.
”Good morning, Maa-kun,” I said.
”Morning, Mommy… Happy… birthday…”
”Hehe, thank you.”
Even with his brain still half-asleep and barely functioning, he didn’t forget that today is my birthday. He made sure to say the words.
Maa-kun is probably the one looking forward to my birthday the most.
I heard through the grapevine from my neighbor that he’s been lost in thought since the end of Golden Week², agonizing over what to get me for a present.
I just can’t help how much I love him.
He’s my own son, but he’s just too adorable.
I pull the still-drowsy Maa-kun toward me, using him as a body pillow as we roll around.
It’s been getting warmer lately, but the early mornings are still a bit chilly. His high, child-like body heat feels wonderful. Yeah, looks like his temperature is normal today, too.
Held tight against my chest, Maa-kun looks a little embarrassed. He’s desperately trying to hide it, but I can see his facial muscles twitching. I notice it, you know? Even if it’s just a tiny bit.
That’s so cute too, that I end up hugging him even tighter.
”…M-Mommy, wait, that’s a bit…”
”Oops, sorry!”
”If you’re sorry, let go a little…” Maa-kun replied.
I just couldn’t help myself.
I loosen my grip and press my cheek against his soft one instead. It’s squishy and smooth—it feels so good.
Maybe it’s because Mio-san told him to, but Maa-kun is even perfect about his skincare.
Normal kids don’t carry around moisturizing cream, and they usually find after-bath care a total chore. They don’t even try to wipe their own sweat or change their clothes.
But that’s just how Maa-kun is. My beloved son.
”Hehe…”
”Mommy?” Maa-kun asked.
”Mm-mm, it’s nothing.”
I was just so happy a laugh slipped out.
After thoroughly enjoying some bonding³ with Maa-kun, we wash our faces and brush our teeth together. We drink some warm water, change, and start getting breakfast ready.
In the meantime, Maa-kun helps out with his little body—running the washing machine and folding the futons. As always, having him here is a huge help.
I wanted to reward his hard work, even just a little, so I suggested raising his allowance for helping out, but—
”The way it is now is fine. …Actually, I don’t need the money, but I do want enough to buy presents…”
That’s what Maa-kun said.
He’s grown into such a good boy, I feel like I don’t deserve him.
I can’t find any other words for it.
When I talk to my mom-friends, they say they struggle like crazy just to get boys his age to learn basic chores. Sanae-san even complains about her three boys, and they’re all in middle school or older now.
Maybe that’s why Maa-kun’s helping-out videos are so popular. People show them to their own kids to motivate them.
Mio-san teased me, saying, “You could probably charge money for those.” But I have no intention of using Maa-kun as a business tool. Not unless he wants to do it himself.
”Maa-kun, breakfast is almost ready~”
”Coming!”
When I call out to Maa-kun, who was watching the news on TV, he answers immediately. He comes over to my side.
”Here, do this for me, please,” I said.
”Okay.”
He helps set the table, too.
”Itadakimasu!”⁴
We eat breakfast side-by-side.
Halfway through, I can hear Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan crying next door. I guess Mio-san and her family are having breakfast, too.
”Gochisousama deshita!”⁵
”That was good,” Maa-kun said.
”Thanks.”
He eats every single grain of rice and adds a casual thanks on top of it. It makes cooking feel so worth it. Though it’s a bit complicated since today’s side dishes were actually a gift from the neighbor.
We split the chores to clear the table; I wash the dishes, and Maa-kun takes the laundry out of the drum washer and hauls it over to the balcony, huffing and puffing.
Then, looking a little apologetic, he said, “Mommy, please.”
”Thanks. I’ll let you do it when you’re bigger, okay?”
”Okay…”
Even for Maa-kun, the drying pole is out of reach. He’d need a stepladder, not just a stool. That’s dangerous on a second-floor balcony, so this part is my job.
Actually, if he does any more, I’ll start feeling even more guilty, so let’s keep the helping in moderation.
Thanks to Maa-kun’s help, I have everything squared away thirty minutes before we have to leave the house.
Before I changed jobs, I used to head out to work immediately, but now I have more leeway.
It’s become our routine to watch a recorded English-learning program in this precious time together. He used to watch it alone, though.
”Maa-kun, aren’t you watching~?” I asked.
Usually, he’d be sitting politely next to me, but he’s not there. He’s rummaging through his kindergarten backpack. After about ten seconds, he comes back.
”Mommy, happy birthday again. Here, this is for you,” he said.
”Maa-kun…”
I’d almost forgotten in the flow of our normal morning. Today really is my birthday.
”Thank you. Can I look inside?”
”Yeah.”
I open the message card. “Mommy happy birthday” is written there.
Unlike with Suu-chan, he didn’t write my age. Maybe that’s his way of being considerate? Thinking that makes me feel a mix of things, but mostly happy.
This year’s present is a bookmark.
It’s the same as last year, but this is something I specifically asked for.
I have last year’s Geranium bookmark in my planner, but I wanted one to use for the regular books I read. Since he was worried about what to get, I dropped the hint through Mio-san.
This year’s bookmark is a paper-cut made from origami. Of course, it’s laminated.
He mentioned they did paper-cutting in class at kindergarten.
But for a kindergartener’s work, the pattern is incredibly precise and complex.
Small, mandala-like flower patterns in cool colors are arranged randomly. I’m impressed he could do something this intricate on such a small scale.
”Thank you, Maa-kun. It’s a beautiful bookmark. I’m so happy. I’ll cherish it,” I said.
”You’re welcome. Also… this too…”
”?”
Maa-kun holds out an additional small, wrapped bag. Inside are chocolate cookies.
”Since the bookmark was the same as last year… I just felt like… Mio-san helped me, too…”
”Maa-kun…”
Maa-kun looks apologetic that the gift isn’t more “new.”
”Thank you. Mommy is so happy.”
He really is such a good boy.
Overcome with joy, I pull him into a hug.
I think I’ll have these cookies for my snack today.
”Mommy, the English program is starting…” Maa-kun said.
”Ehh~, let’s stay like this a little longer~”
”The time…”
”Fine, I guess~”
”Um, Mommy…?”
”Today is Mommy’s birthday, so it’s ‘Monopolize Maa-kun Day’.”
”Wha…”
I watch the recorded program with Maa-kun sitting in my lap.
The shock of turning thirty doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve gained so much more than I’ve lost.
It was the perfect start to a happy birthday.
* * *
”—And that’s how it went,” I said.
”What a lovely couple.”
”We’re mother and son, you know?”
”Mother and son, huh… By the way, are those the cookies from the present?” Misato asked.
”They are. Pretty nice, right?”
”…They look delicious.”
”I’m not giving you any, okay?”
These are a handmade gift from Maa-kun. I have to savor every single one, so no matter how you look at me, I’m not sharing. Sorry, Misato-san.
”I want a present from Maa-kun too… Mother…!”
”Who are you calling ‘Mother’?” I asked.
”Ah, no, just a joke… …Mine is in November.”
—
Summary:
The protagonist wakes up on her thirtieth birthday feeling a mix of shock and nostalgia over the passage of time. She spends a tender morning bonding with her young son, Maa-kun, who helps with household chores despite his small size. Maa-kun surprises her with a handmade paper-cut bookmark and chocolate cookies he baked with the neighbor’s help. She realizes that the fulfillment she receives from her son far outweighs any anxiety about aging. Later, she recounts the heartwarming morning to her friend Misato while refusing to share the precious handmade cookies. The interaction highlights the deep, affectionate bond between the mother and her exceptionally well-behaved son.
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Trivia:
- Maa-kun’s precision in paper-cutting (mandala patterns) hints at his high intellectual potential or ‘genius’ trope common in the genre.
- The mention of Golden Week and his secretive behavior shows he is capable of long-term planning and consideration for others.
- The neighbor Mio-san’s involvement in his gift-making suggests a very close-knit, supportive community that acts as an extended family
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Character Insight:
The bond between mother and son is depicted as exceptionally close, moving from simple caretaking to mutual emotional support. Maa-kun’s maturity (refusing an allowance increase to save for gifts) shows he values emotional connection over material gain, which in turn reinforces the protagonist’s sense of purpose as a mother.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The chapter reinforces the suburban ‘slice-of-life’ setting, establishing the social structure of ‘mom-friends’ and neighborhood cooperation.
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TL Notes:
The term ‘Skinship’ was naturalized to ‘bonding’ to fit English reading flow while preserving the physical affection aspect. ‘Middle class’ refers to the Japanese kindergarten system (Nenchū).
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Glossary:
Notes:
• Mom – A 30‑year‑old mother who recently switched jobs for more time with her son, Maa‑kun. She’s supportive, manages household shopping together with Mio‑san, and balances family life with her new career.
• Mio – Mio-P (28, 164cm, 57kg) is a pregnant, gray-clad Totsuka resident with a baby-faced charm and G-cup curves. A former athlete turned teacher, cook, and photographer, she is a patient, tech-savvy “Love Guru” who guides Makoto, Suu-chan, Fuu-chan, and Kyo-chan with understated wisdom. Whether driving them to parties or baking, she remains a nurturing, amused caretaker who cherishes her role in their lives.
• Sanae – A middle-aged member of the Imai family and Jun’s mother, she is a patient yet often exasperated woman who skillfully reins in her son’s rowdy, over-the-top energy. A close friend of Makoto’s mother, she deeply appreciates the positive influence Makoto has on her daughter.
• Fuu – One of the twins, approximately four months old. Currently learning to swivel their head and grab objects.
• Kyo – One of the twins, approximately four months old. Shared traits with Fuu-chan.
• Suu-chan – A refined young girl with soft skin who values etiquette and ‘lady’s grace.’ She holds Makoto to a high standard of grooming.
• Suu – A female student in the Rose Class. Very close to Makoto (Maa-kun). Has mud on her cheeks and makes high-quality dorodango.
• Misato – A friend or colleague of the protagonist who listens to her story about her birthday morning.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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