Volume 4 Chapter 27 Usual Lesson Scenery ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After a quick water break and a trip to the bathroom, it was time for our final class of the day. The moment everyone had been waiting for was finally here: P.E. time!
The rain had kept us cooped up all morning, so my friends were practically vibrating with all that pent-up energy. The air was thick with pure, unadulterated excitement.
”Makoto! I’m so excited for gym!”
”Me too.”
”I wanna jump four tiers today! ‘Cause I’m already four!”
”Your parents are watching, too,” I said. “Better show them your best moves, right?”
”Yeah!”
In all of our kindergarten classes, I liked P.E. the best. It was the one time I could go all out without having to think too hard. My motor skills were about what you’d expect for my age, anyway.
But if you wanted to see the one person in the Rabbit Group who had been waiting for this more than anyone else—
”Heck yeah! Makoto! Let’s goooo!”
”Ow?! Hey, Jun, wait! Chill out! Wait up!!”
She’d barely made it back from the bathroom before she snatched my hand and started dragging me off. She was pulling with so much force I thought my shoulder was going to pop out of its socket.
Usually, that pent-up desire just explodes at the start of a new week, but today it was especially intense. Yesterday’s rain probably hadn’t helped matters.
But where exactly was she trying to go in such a hurry? Did she get so excited she forgot we have to line up before going to the gym?
And for that matter, did she even wash her hands?
”Jun,” I whispered. “Your mom’s watching—”
”Ha?!”
Jun froze in her tracks. It was super effective¹.
To Jun, her mother was an absolute existence—the undisputed peak of the Imai household. If you stepped out of line, physical “divine punishment” came flying your way without mercy.
According to my mother, who talked with Sanae-san quite a bit, Jun had never actually been on the receiving end of it herself. She’d just seen her three older brothers get wrecked enough times that she’d developed a primal fear of her mother’s wrath.
”…Is Mom looking this way?” Jun asked.
”Yep. She’s looking. She’s watching you like a hawk.”
Oh, our eyes met. I could practically feel the waves of gratitude coming from her mother. Please, don’t mention it, ma’am. We’ve been at this for over a year; I’m used to it by now.
”Hurry up and line up.”
”Okay…”
Just like that, the hyper-energetic Jun turned completely silent. It almost made me feel bad. She’d probably perk back up once we actually reached the gymnasium.
Under Ai-sensei’s command, the Rabbit Group youngsters lined up in two rows and headed for the gym.
I kept my hand firmly in Jun’s so she wouldn’t go sprinting off again. To be fair, she was mostly just clutching my wrist of her own accord.
”Hiromasa-kun! You’re out of line!” Himeno-chan shouted.
”No, I’m not!”
Himeno-chan was already nagging Hiromasa-kun from behind as he leaned over to peek at the front of the line. Those two seemed to be getting along as well as ever.
From my perspective, it would’ve been much easier if the kids stayed with their own gender—me with Hiromasa-kun and Himeno-chan with Jun—but Jun was way too much for Himeno-chan to handle.
Jun was always at one hundred percent, no matter who she was with. She was pure, driven entirely by her own desires. To keep a girl like that in check, you needed a certain level of athletic ability and a fair bit of cunning. That was a lot to ask of a middle-class kid. Even I ended up crying to the teacher sometimes after she overpowered me.
Hiromasa-kun was still as mischievous as ever, but I suppose children really do grow every day. I never would have guessed that a game of Cops and Robbers² would be the turning point for him.
Apparently, he’d found a dream for the future, and it had actually made him settle down quite a bit. He almost never hit his friends anymore. Knowing that, Himeno-chan could scold him without any real worry. It was a good change.
The teachers were even using that dream to get him to listen. You shouldn’t call it playing dirty, though. Teachers have a hard enough time as it is, and that’s just how adults are.
”Hiromasa-kun! You can’t go faster than Ai-sensei!”
”I’m right next to her, so it doesn’t count!”
Still, I wondered why Himeno-chan doted on him so much. Girls this age often like to act mature. There’s even a saying about how girls find their feet faster than boys. When it comes to being responsible and looking after others, the gap between the girls and the boys in this class is honestly night and day.
I could see why Yuma was popular with the girls. He was the quintessential “little brother” type. He had that “must protect” aura, a sweet personality, and a cute face. It made sense that people wanted to look after him.
Hiromasa-kun was the polar opposite. He was big for his age and a bit of a rebel. I knew he was easy to notice, but still.
Was it possible that Himeno-chan actually liked him? Some girls already talked about “marrying Daddy” at this age. Maybe Hiromasa-kun reminded her of her father.
I looked back at the crowd of parents following us to see if I could spot Himeno-chan’s dad, but I didn’t see anyone I recognized. I’d heard her father was a buyer for overseas products, so maybe he was away.
By the time I stopped looking, we’d reached the gym. While the mothers watched from the wall, we started with our stretches.
”One, two, three, four!” we all shouted.
We went through the usual routine—knee bends, leg stretches, and the rest. A child’s body can take a lot more than an adult’s, but we still had to be careful not to get hurt.
”If you don’t do these right, you’ll get hurt and won’t be able to climb mountains anymore, you know?”
”I have to do them!” Jun replied.
I made sure to give her a stern reminder. Her eyes were already fixed on the tempting vaulting boxes left over from the previous class. Most of the other kids were the same way, though.
Once the stretches were done, it was time for the vaulting box—after a quick warm-up, of course.
We lined up in six rows. In front of us sat only a Reuther board and a thick urethane mat. There were no boxes yet.
Instead, a teacher stood by the mat holding a thin bamboo fishing rod. A brightly colored paper plate hung from the end, spinning slowly.
It was essentially a carrot on a stick. To touch the plate, the kids had to focus on jumping as high as they could.
”Alright, go ahead!”
”Heck yeah!” Jun yelled.
As soon as the teacher gave the okay, Jun, who had been vibrating at the front of the line, took off at a full sprint. She slammed her momentum into the Reuther board, and with a satisfying thump, she soared into the air.
”Touch!”
Jun’s hand sent the paper plate flying. I worried about the durability, but the teachers were pros at making these kinds of props. They definitely had spares.
”That’s our Jun-chan! You’re a natural!”
”I want it higher!”
”You got it.”
Jun landed on both feet, but the soft mat caught her off balance and she tumbled over. She rolled to the edge of the mat and hopped off.
The other kids followed her, one after another, cheering and shouting as they leaped for the paper plate.
”Sensei! You can go higher!”
”Is this good?”
”More!”
”If you can touch this one, I’ll move it even higher next time!”
They were all pushing themselves to look cool for their parents. I could understand the feeling.
Even if we were just running and jumping, it was surprisingly fun. That floating sensation you get from a Reuther board is a strange, wonderful feeling you don’t get to experience in everyday life.
Once we’d had our fill of the warm-up, the vaulting boxes were moved into place.
There were two rows each for the four-tier and five-tier boxes. The three-tier and six-tier boxes had one row each, making six rows total.
The kids practiced at whatever height matched their ability. If the teacher gave you a pass at one height, you earned the right to try the next one up.
As you could tell from the setup, most kids were at four or five tiers.
That felt a bit high for middle-class kids, but with the teacher’s help and the height of the Reuther board, it didn’t seem so bad once you were up there.
The six-tier box was about level with my chin. That would put it at around eighty centimeters. When you were standing on the board, it came up to just above your belly button.
If a kid was athletic or played sports, they could clear it pretty easily. That went double for the students at Hinomori Kindergarten, who were always climbing mountains on field trips or during P.E. to build their strength.
Even so, not many kids could clear the six-tier box. The fear of running straight at an obstacle like that was hard to shake. They’d have plenty of speed during the warm-up, but as soon as the box was in front of them, they’d instinctively slow down right before the jump.
They’d only started working with vaulting boxes this year, so they were still new to it. I’m sure they’d get used to it soon enough and start clearing higher and higher tiers.
I’d heard that by the time they’re ready to graduate, almost every kid can clear eight tiers. The record for a current student was twelve tiers—mostly because that was the physical limit of what the kindergarten could stack. A child’s potential is a terrifying thing.
Right now, only three of us were lined up for the six-tier box: Jun with her incredible reflexes, Hiromasa-kun with his natural physique, and me, who knew how to jump and could use logic to overcome the fear.
”You have such good form, Makoto-kun,” the teacher said.
”Thank you.”
A sprint without slowing down, a perfectly timed leap, hands firmly on the box to push myself forward, and a solid landing on both feet.
I’d been used as a model for the straddle jump several times now, and I always made sure to show off for the teacher.
Look, Mom. I’m growing up to be nice and strong.
”Makoto! You’re in the way!”
”Hurry up and move!”
I was still basking in the afterglow when the boos started coming from behind me. Since the six-tier line was so short, the rotation was way too fast. Someone else needs to hurry up and move up a level…
* * *
After one last vigorous workout, we headed back to the classroom for the closing meeting. With that, Parent Observation Day was finally over. I think everyone managed to show their parents how much they’d grown. Looking at the parents, quite a few of them seemed genuinely moved. I was just glad everything had ended without a hitch.
”Maa-kun!”
”Suu-chan, thanks for waiting.”
”Mm-hm. You’re welcome.”
”Me too!” Shiho-chan added.
The Sheep Group must have finished a little earlier. As soon as I stepped out of the classroom, Suu-chan came running up, with Shiho-chan right behind her. Behind them were our mothers and Mio-san, along with Sanae-san, Mayumi-san, and the Yoshikuras. They were all talking a mile a minute, trying to exchange as much information as possible before the buses left.
”Good job today, Maa-kun. You looked really cool on that vaulting box,” my mother said. She gave me a pat on the head and a few words of praise as I joined them.
”Makotoooo!”
”Oh! A wild Jun appeared.”
”Hey, it’s Suzuki!”
Suu-chan stepped in front of me as if to shield me from the shadow that had just lunged out. She opened her mouth wide to try and look intimidating, but it didn’t seem to have the effect she wanted. Jun just started mimicking her. I think she thought they were having a contest to see who could open their mouth wider.
”Bye, Makoto!”
”See you tomorrow!”
”Bye-bye, Makoto-kun.”
”Yeah, see you later,” I said.
I waved back to my friends as they left with their parents. The parents gave my mother a nod—and some even nodded to me—as they headed out.
”Maa-kun.”
”Is it over already?”
”Jun’s mom caught her.”
I looked over and saw Jun’s mom had her head in a firm grip, completely sealing her movements.
”We’re going home, Jun. Your brothers are hungry.”
”Food?! I’m starving! Later, Makoto! Suzuki! Shiho too! Dinner is calling my name!”
Sanae-san could only hold her head at her daughter’s choice of words as the two of them left. After that, we said our goodbyes to the Yoshikuras and the Gotos and headed for the shuttle bus.
”Maa-kun…”
”What is it?”
”…I want us to be in the same class next year, too.”
Suu-chan looked a little pouty as she said it. I wondered if something had happened during the day to make her feel that way.
”Yeah,” I agreed. “I’d like that too.”
”Mm…”
As I said that, she leaned over and rested her head on my shoulder.
—
Summary:
The students of the Rabbit Group conclude their Parent Observation Day with an energetic P.E. session featuring vaulting boxes. Makoto showcases his advanced composure and technique, while his classmate Jun struggles to contain her explosive energy under the watchful eye of her formidable mother. After school, the children reunite with their families and friends from other groups. The day ends on a sentimental note as Suu-chan expresses her heartfelt hope to remain in the same class as Makoto in the coming year.
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Trivia:
- Makoto’s internal monologue about ‘divine punishment’ highlights the humorous but strict parenting styles in this world.
- Hiromasa’s sudden maturation after a game of ‘Cops and Robbers’ suggests that structured play is effectively shaping character development.
- The mention of Hinomori Kindergarten’s record of 12-tier vaulting foreshadows the high physical potential the children will reach by graduation.
- Suu-chan’s sudden pouty behavior and request to stay together hints at a growing emotional dependency or deeper childhood bond forming
—
Character Insight:
The dynamic between Himeno and Hiromasa shifts from simple bullying to a more structured ‘caretaker’ relationship, where Himeno’s nagging is now accepted as guidance. Meanwhile, the bond between Makoto and Suu-chan is reaffirmed through physical closeness and a shared desire for future continuity.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
Hinomori Kindergarten emphasizes physical excellence, incorporating mountain climbing and advanced gymnastics into its curriculum, resulting in students with high athletic potential.
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TL Notes:
The phrase ‘It was super effective’ is a localization of the Japanese ‘kouka wa batsugun da,’ a common Pokémon reference. ‘Cops and Robbers’ is used for the Japanese game ‘Dorokei’.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Makoto – A 4‑year‑old Rose Class student (93 cm, 13 kg) in a white shirt, blue vest and cap—actually a 30‑year‑old salaryman reborn as a child. He is the calm, analytical Boss, handing out hand cream, mediating fights, protecting Suu‑chan, and earning peers’ respect as a mature, athletic leader. The narrator with a slightly cynical adult mind.
• Jun – A hyperactive track‑suit‑clad kindergartner from the Imai family, pure‑hearted yet easily tricked, idolizes her mother and playfully clashes with brother Makoto (same class). Trained on weekends at Mt. Hiou, she has top‑tier stamina and speed, a blunt speaking style, a large appetite, leads energetic preschoolers, leaks secrets, and balances her wild energy with Makoto’s calm restraint.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ai – Dark‑brown short bob hair, former long‑distance track star turned homeroom teacher of Chrysanthemum Class and Riko’s senior; athletic yet unrefined, never drinks, drives. When stressed she slips into regional dialects, voice frantic over drills. Now a kindergarten teacher and Rabbit Group “Mom,” blunt with parents, single and job‑frustrated. Fast, playful, competitive in Cops‑and‑Robbers, suspicious of Makoto’s maturity, responsible and cheerful guide for the youngsters.
• Hiromasa – A competitive boy who views Jun as a rival. He is stubborn and refuses to admit exhaustion. Known as ‘The Commander.’ A rowdy problem child who frequently defies the teacher and bickers with Himeno.
• Himeno – A highly intelligent and justice-minded girl. She acts as a ‘nosy older sister’ figure, frequently scolding Hiro-masa.
• Hiro – Rose Red, a boy in the Rose Class and leader of the Rose Rangers, gets bored easily, runs around the classroom, and accidentally breaks Suu’s paper.
• Yuma – Yuma Yoshikura, a frail four‑year‑old with an idol‑like face and quiet charm, is the eldest son of a wealthy family and Miyu’s younger brother. In Rose Class he unintentionally attracts multiple girls, is a close friend of Makoto, and leads the ‘train’ line with infectious excitement over acorns and nature. Despite low stamina he eagerly explores, builds blocks, folds paper, and admires Makoto.
• 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.
• 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, Hina’s younger sister and close friend of Makoto, Suu-chan, Yuma and Suzuka. She wears a kitten-themed hair clip and placemat, uses training chopsticks, loves picture books and Hiragana, swims, makes mud dumplings with Makoto’s tips, and quietly competes with Suu for Makoto’s attention, often following Suu-chan to meet Makoto.
• Mayumi – Elegant and refined, she often appears in soft pastel dresses, accompanying her daughters Hina and Shiho to swimming lessons and helping them change. A graceful, trusted “mom‑friend” to Mio‑san, she is close to Nanami and Akari, balancing maternal care with warm parent‑circle friendships. A veteran of the neighborhood mother circle, she’s also close to the mother of the rumored boy, Makoto.
• 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.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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