Volume 4 Chapter 35 Summer Vacation Morning
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The closing ceremony at Hinomori Kindergarten¹ wrapped up the other day, marking my second plunge into summer vacation in this life. Since I spent last summer stuck in the Summer Enrichment Program², this feels like my first real taste of freedom.
Now that Mom doesn’t have to wait for the kindergarten shuttle, she heads out about thirty minutes earlier than usual. Consequently, I’m knocking on the Totsuka family’s door earlier, too. Suu-chan couldn’t be happier about it.
”It’s hot out, so be careful, okay?” Akari-san said.
”Yeah, thanks. You too, Maa-kun?”
Mom crouched down to match my eye level and gave me a hug. It only made the morning feel more sweltering, but neither of us could bear to part without it.
”Alright, I’m off,” she said.
”Yeah, see you later,” I replied.
Even if we kids are on summer break, Mom still has to clock in. She broke the hug with a look of lingering reluctance, stood up, and readjusted her bag on her shoulder.
”Akari-san, have a good day!” Mio-san called out.
”I’m off. Look after Maa-kun for me!”
”Mhm, leave it to me!” Suu-chan said.
Suu-chan declared it with total confidence. She’s pretty reliable.
”Well then, please do,” Akari-san said.
”Yeah. I’ll keep Maa-kun under lock and key!” Mio-san added.
Mio-san smiled. Mom looked at me. “…Maa-kun, keep an eye on Mio for me, too, okay?”
”Eh? Oh, sure,” I said.
”Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?! I mean, I get the gist, but what are you implying!?” Mio-san asked.
Mom waved her hand and headed for work, neatly dodging Mio-san’s interrogation. Once she was gone, we started our own preparations to head out.
”Mii-kun, you ready~?” Mio-san called.
”Yeah, all set,” Mitsuhisa-san replied.
Mitsuhisa-san stepped into the entryway, carrying Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan. He was dressed in a short-sleeved athletic shirt and shorts. His long limbs were lean and toned from his daily training; it was hard to believe he was pushing middle age.
In stark contrast, Mio-san had almost no skin showing. She wore a T-shirt under a thin UV-protective cardigan and tracksuit pants. She was geared up for maximum defense against the sun. Since her clothes were oversized and baggy, her stunning figure was completely hidden, but I suppose there’s no point in showing it off at the park.
Suu-chan and I wore matching outfits-short-sleeved tees with a massive sports logo on the back and tracksuit shorts. It was a sharp, kid-friendly look. We even had the babies’ gear sorted. The hand-me-down stroller we’d once used was now equipped with a sunshade, a small battery-powered fan, and a few hidden cold packs.
”Maa-kun, let me put this on you,” Suu-chan said.
”Okay, please,” I replied.
Suu-chan grabbed the sunscreen from the shelf. On pool days at kindergarten, we aren’t allowed to wear it, so we’re already pretty toasted, but better late than never.
”Suu-chan, that tickles…” I said.
”Endure it,” she replied.
She shoved her hands under my shirt. I could have done it myself, but if she was this determined, I wasn’t going to stop her.
(“Suu-chan, I think that’s enough.”)
(“No. I have to be thorough.”)
(I really don’t think I need this much coverage…)
”C’mon, we have to go before it gets even hotter,” I said.
”Mhm, okay.”
”Thanks.”
”Mhm.”
Suu-chan stopped, looking almost disappointed to be finished. She handed the bottle back to me. I got the hint-Suu-chan might be little, but she’s still a girl; I had to be just as careful with her.
”Done-“
”Maa-kun, more.”
”Aye aye, sir.”
With the sunblock on, a quick spritz of bug spray, and our hats pulled low, we finally set off. Our destination was the local park. I led the way holding Suu-chan’s hand, with the couple pushing the stroller right behind us. We reached the park in less than five minutes. Mio-san took a seat on a shaded bench to enjoy the fresh air with the babies.
”Maa-kun, let’s go on the swings!” Suu-chan said.
”Aye aye, sir!”
We headed for the empty swings with Mitsuhisa-san following as our supervisor. I hopped on, and Suu-chan stood right in front of me, sandwiching my waist with her legs. Double-riding, as they call it. I’ve heard it’s banned in many places for being dangerous, but I can’t help but think kids’ physical abilities are just tanking these days. Overprotectiveness is a double-edged sword. Our parents were pretty chill about it, though. They’d only stop us if things actually got risky. Mitsuhisa-san watched us with a look that was almost envious.
”Makoto, you’re getting the tickle torture when we get home,” Mitsuhisa-san said.
”Why!?”
”Suu also do!” Suu-chan added.
After about ten minutes, the Hagiri family approached Mio-san.
”Mio-san, good morning,” Hitomi-san said.
”Morning! Oh, look, Yuna-chan’s here too.”
”Mornin’!” Yuna-chan chirped.
”Morning, Yuna-chan,” Mio-san replied.
The Hagiris live next door. Their two-year-old, Jin-kun, was still at preschool, but Yuna-chan was staying home. Since Hitomi-san was on maternity leave with six-month-old Satoshi-kun, and the Summer Enrichment Program isn’t cheap, it made sense. I was rooting for Yuna-chan to do her best as a big sister.
”Mama, Yuna play too!” Yuna-chan shouted, jumping up and down. With the group growing, it was time to switch games.
Twenty minutes later, the girls were sprinting across the jungle gym, trying to corner me.
”Wait up!”
”Maa-kun, wait!”
(Being chased by two girls probably looks like a dream. But honestly? Try it yourself sometime.)
Suu-chan is a top-tier athlete for her age, and Yuna-chan just joined the Youngsters Class³. Keeping the game fun for both of them is a high-level tactical challenge. If I don’t go all out, Suu-chan catches me instantly. But if I do go all out, Yuna-chan doesn’t stand a chance. I had to think three steps ahead just to keep the “difficulty level” perfect. It wasn’t nearly as relaxing as it looked. Plus, I had to make sure no one got hurt. I didn’t exactly have the mental space to be enjoying it. That said, I wasn’t about to give up my spot as Suu-chan’s favorite target to anyone else.
”…It’s getting hot. Let’s head back, everyone!” Mitsuhisa-san said, finally throwing me a lifeline. “Did you have fun?”
”Mhm!” Suu-chan said.
”Yeah!” Yuna-chan added.
”I’m beat…” I muttered.
The girls were out of breath but looked totally satisfied. Seeing those smiles made the effort worth it.
”Alright, back to the Mamas!” Mitsuhisa-san said.
We formed a train, with Yuna-chan at the front, then Suu-chan, then me.
”Last stop!” Yuna-chan shouted.
””Welcome back!”” the mothers said in unison.
”Mitsuhisa-san, sorry for always dumping the kids on you,” Hitomi-san said.
”No worries at all.”
”Makoto-kun and Suzuki-chan, thanks for playing with her,” Hitomi-san added.
”You’re welcome.”
”Mhm! It was great,” Suu-chan said.
Mio-san handed me a diluted sports drink. I gulped it down, feeling it hit the spot.
”Hah… it’s soaking in…”
”Mama, more,” Suu-chan said.
”Yuna too,” Yuna-chan added.
Sweaty and tired, we began the trek home before the real midday heat could settle in. Yuna-chan looked a bit lonely once we parted ways, but she cheered up when we promised to play again tomorrow.
”Alright, you handle the keys,” Mitsuhisa-san said.
”Roger!”
”Got it,” I said.
Mitsuhisa-san handed the keys to Suu-chan, and she led the way up the apartment stairs.
”Okay, it’s gonna be a bit stuffy for a second, so hang in there,” Mitsuhisa-san said. He lifted Kyo-chan out of the stroller and handed him to Mio-san. He then grabbed Fuu-chan and followed us through the front door we’d left open.
”Phew,” I sighed.
”Papa, here,” Suu-chan said, handing back the keys.
”Oh, good job on the door.”
”Thanks, you two!” Mio-san said.
”Mhm.”
”You’re welcome,” I replied.
”Alright, you two head straight to the shower,” Mio-san ordered.
”Mhm. Maa-kun, let’s go,” Suu-chan said.
”Aye aye, sir.”
We washed our hands and gargled before stripping down in the washroom. It wasn’t just about the sweat; we needed to cool our flushed skin and wash off the park dust.
”Mii-kun, you too,” Mio-san said.
”Got it,” Mitsuhisa-san replied.
The three of us crowded into the small bathroom, rinsed off quickly, and hopped into a lukewarm bath. It wasn’t ice-cold, but it felt amazing.
”~~♪ So cold! ♪” Suu-chan squealed.
””Aaaah…”” Mitsuhisa-san and I groaned together.
””…””
”Are you an old man inside or something?” Mitsuhisa-san asked.
”…Maybe,” I replied.
I tried to play off the jab. If I denied it too hard, I’d just look more suspicious.
”Is your heart okay?” I teased back.
”I’m not that old-whoa!?” Mitsuhisa-san yelped.
I’d worried about the temperature shock for him, but his response was a splash of water to my face. Even if he could hide his age with training, he clearly wasn’t as mature as he looked.
”Maa-kun’s mash-up!” Suu-chan shouted.
”Whoa-!?”
Suu-chan launched a counterattack with her handmade water gun-an old mayonnaise bottle.
”…Suu-chan, you mean ‘Maa-kun’s match-up.’ Also, I’m not down for the count yet,” I corrected.
”…Mhm. I remembered,” she said.
And just like that, a full-scale bath war broke out. It was a game of Strike-and-Cover with water and washbasins.
”I’ll beat Papa… and then Suu become a lady!” she declared.
I busily refilled the three “guns” floating in the tub and handed them to her. I was the dedicated reload tech, covering the slow speed of the mayo bottles. We were a well-oiled machine.
”History says you always take out the support units first!” Mitsuhisa-san shouted.
”Glub-!?”
”Maa-kun!” Suu-chan cried.
I tried to use the washbasin as a shield, but he caught me right as I was unscrewing a cap. Total rookie mistake.
”Maa-kun’s match-up!” Suu-chan screamed.
She fought like a demon to avenge my honor. She ditched her shield, grabbed a bottle in each hand, and squeezed for all she was worth.
”Gah… alright, you asked for it…” Mitsuhisa-san said.
”Mya-!?”
But the mayo bottles lacked rapid-fire capability. Out of ammo and defenseless, Suu-chan took a direct hit to the face.
”Suu-chan, cover up!”
”…Hmph. Thanks, Maa-kun,” she said, wiping her eyes. “Muu, Papa is strong…”
”He really is,” I agreed.
Mitsuhisa-san was using his hands as a pump, which gave him power and speed we just couldn’t match.
”Maa-kun…”
We huddled under the washbasin, whispering about a counter-strategy, but nothing came to mind. There’s no fighting the sheer power of an adult. Besides, we’d been in the water long enough.
”…Strategic withdrawal,” I whispered.
”Muu… Suu still has ChikaLove-Power left…” she grumbled.
She was already plotting her comeback. I don’t know how much longer we’ll be sharing baths, but it looks like we’ve got at least until she finally manages to beat her dad.
—
Summary:
Makoto begins his summer vacation, spending the morning with the Totsuka family and their neighbor Yuna-chan at the park. After a sweaty session of playing tag and swinging, the group returns home for a communal bath. The chapter ends with a playful water battle in the tub where Makoto and Suu-chan try to defeat Mitsuhisa-san.
—
Trivia:
- Makoto is a reincarnated individual, which explains his mature perspective on child safety and adult fitness.
- Mio-san is extremely sensitive to UV rays, hence her ‘full defense’ outfit.
- Suu-chan has a speech tic using ‘Suu’.
- The stroller used for the younger children is a hand-me-down from Makoto and Suu-chan’s infancy.
- Mitsuhisa-san can use his hands as an effective water pump, giving him a tactical advantage in bath battles
—
Character Insight:
Makoto shows growth in his ability to manage younger children like Yuna-chan while still engaging with Suu-chan at her level, demonstrating his mental maturity. Suu-chan’s competitiveness is highlighted as she vows to become a ‘lady’ by defeating her father.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The author often uses these domestic chapters to ground the reincarnation plot in realistic, slice-of-life struggles like childcare and summer heat.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Suu – A female student in the Rose Class. Very close to Makoto (Maa-kun). Has mud on her cheeks and makes high-quality dorodango.
• Akari – 28-year-old single mother of Makoto and newborn Maa-kun, with long dark-brown hair and subtle makeup, poised and observant; estranged from her parents but deeply loving and strict, she balances full-time IT work with motherhood, cherishing quiet mornings and monitoring Makoto’s health via a private status report network. She drives a black light-compact car, lives beside her best friend Mio, and mentors Suzuki with candid photos of Makoto—using her former bank customer-service finesse to navigate parent circles, all while quietly grieving missing the party, her mischievous streak hidden beneath a polished, responsible exterior.
• Maa-kun – A young boy in the Rabbit Group at Hinomori Kindergarten. He is highly intelligent, capable of second-grade math and multiplication. He is described as calm, stoic, and helpful, often acting as a ‘handler’ for more energetic children. Akari’s son, nearly five years old. An extreme polyglot and polymath who secretly studies news, martial arts, and multiple languages. Highly sensitive to his parents’ moods. Also referred to as Makoto-kun. Narrator’s son in the Rabbit Group. Popular with other girls but maintains distance. Previously protected Suu-chan during the ‘April Incident.’
• Mio – Mio‑san, chairperson of the Totsuka family council and mother of Suzuki, is a recently postpartum, stylish gray‑clad figure with a baby‑faced charm and G‑cup silhouette. Playful yet grounded, she guides Makoto, Suu‑chan, Fuu‑chan and Kyo‑chan, bakes with them, encourages Shiho’s hobbies, and serves as Akari’s confidante. Protective of UV, she balances mischief with maternal wisdom.
• Mitsuhisa – Mitsuhisa, 33, 184 cm, 71 kg, toned and reserved, is a giant‑physique father of three (Suu‑chan, Fuu‑chan, Kyo‑chan) married to Mio. On modified childcare leave he’s protective, doting, play‑acting with his daughters, feeling neglected by the eldest but favoring the twins, distant with Akari, dark‑bantering with former teammate Makoto, and unsettled by his influence. Also known as Mitsuhisa‑san, father of the Totsuka family, on work‑from‑home leave, theatrical when his daughters prefer Makoto, and enjoys playful competition.
• 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.
• Makoto – Four‑year‑old Rose‑class student, 93 cm, 13 kg, in a white shirt, blue vest and cap—actually a 30‑year‑old salaryman reborn. Calm “Boss” who hands out hand cream, mediates fights, protects Suu‑chan and earns respect. Dry narrator in the Rabbit Group, uses logic and coin tricks. Known as Akari’s son, nicknamed Maa‑kun, popular Middle Kids student at Hinomori Kindergarten. Reincarnated adult, often the target of Suzuki’s affection and Mitsuhisa’s teasing.
• Hitomi – 26‑year‑old neighbor from Building B, 155 cm, 51 kg, City Hall employee; mother of Yuna and Jin, visibly drained by their Terrible Twos. Also a local mother and friend of the narrator’s mother.
• Yuna – Hitomi’s 2‑year‑old daughter (92 cm, 13 kg), a next‑door friend now in the Youngsters Class at Hinomori Kindergarten, attends Sannen Hoiku’s three‑year program one grade below Makoto. She’s in a no‑no phase, baby‑regressing, always in pink rain gear, and close to Suu‑chan.
• Jin – Hitomi’s younger son — originally a six‑month‑old who stayed in a stroller — is now a 1‑year‑old boy (81 cm, 11 kg) in the ‘Terrible Twos’ (No‑no phase), and also Yuna’s younger brother.
• Suzuki – Suu-chan, a doll-like five-year-old with dark braided pigtails, a topknot, sleepy sparkling eyes, and pink rain boots, is the eldest daughter of Mio and Mitsuhisa. A model student with uncanny intuition, she’s obsessively devoted to Makoto—calling herself Editor-in-Chief of his photo records, reading clocks to track his arrival, and always clutching a pink candy tin as she clings to his arm. Quiet, helpful, and fiercely competitive in word games, she proclaims herself his girlfriend and is rarely seen without him, her affection as precise as it is unwavering.
• Chika – A young girl in the Rose Class at Hinomori Kindergarten who gives Makoto Valentine’s chocolate. She has a mother who accompanies her.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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