Volume 4 Chapter 47 Girls’ Night Out ⑨
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Thanks for the hard work today!”
The girls’ night out was officially underway.
With summer vacation finally behind us, Hinomori Kindergarten¹ had settled back into its usual rhythm. We were already hitting the ground running for next month’s Sports Day, while in the background, every day was a blur of planning for autumn field trips and school festivals. To be honest, it was a massive weight off my shoulders compared to the break. Just being spared from hearing those specific questions from the youngsters made a world of difference.
Ai-sensei and Miku-sensei were already throwing them back as if they were trying to wash away the last of the summer heat. (They certainly have a thing for the soda fountain.) I suppose I’m no different; I’ve been a regular at these drink bars since my own school days. I guess some things never change.
”What’s up, Riko-sensei?” Miku asked.
”Nothing, really… I was just thinking about how another summer went by without a single thing happening,” Riko replied.
”If you start down that road, it’s all over!” Ai interjected. “As a biological entity, trying to be productive in this heat is just wrong. The real season doesn’t even start until the temperature drops. Basically, it’s not time to panic yet!”
”You always say that, but you’ll just end up watching winter roll in with the same excuse,” Riko said.
”Tch… Look at you, acting all high and mighty just because you actually found a boyfriend for once,” Ai scoffed.
”W-well, you know how it is…” Miku stammered.
Those two were as energetic as ever, seemingly immune to the lingering humidity. Setting aside the fact that Ai-sensei was a literal force of nature, there was Miku-sensei to consider too. I couldn’t help but wonder if anything had actually moved forward with Meguro-sensei.
”More importantly, Ai-sensei, you’ve been in a great mood since the term started,” Riko observed. “I thought the Summer Enrichment² program was about to break you.”
”Hmph! The current me is beyond fear!” Ai declared.
She swirled her glass with an air of unearned confidence, though the effect was somewhat ruined by the fact that it was just sparkling grape juice. It was so ridiculous I had to look away to keep from laughing.
”Seriously, though,” Ai continued, “just not having to hear ‘When is the Boss coming?’ every five minutes… I can’t tell you how much peace that brings me. Right, Riko-sensei?”
”I hear you. Truly,” Riko agreed.
During the Summer Enrichment sessions, the kids had grilled us daily. The “Boss” was, of course, Makoto-kun. They were obsessed with knowing exactly when he’d be back in the classroom. Since his parents hadn’t signed him up for the summer program, he wasn’t due back until the first day of the new term. Every time we explained that, the kids looked like we’d just cancelled Christmas. No matter how hard we tried to distract them, we couldn’t fill the void he left. There was just no replacing him.
Honestly, Makoto-kun’s popularity is getting a little scary. At this rate, he’s going to have a higher approval rating than the latest cartoon mascots.
”But Ai-sensei, wasn’t leaning into the ‘Boss’ thing a bad call?” Miku asked. “Makoto-kun looked pretty annoyed whenever it came up.”
”That… well, it was destiny,” Ai sighed. “I’d prefer if you thought of me as the unsung hero who stepped up to take the hit for everyone else.”
Makoto-kun clearly wasn’t thrilled with the title. Even when he did lean into it, he’d usually just fire back a sharp retort in that surprisingly thick Southern drawl of his. But during the break, the Rose Rangers³—who had been trying to keep the peace in the Middle Kids class while he was away—had spread the name so far there was no turning back. By the time school started, almost every kid was calling him Boss.
It’s a catchy label for kids—easy to say, easy to remember. Without Makoto-kun there to shut it down, it went viral on the playground. Now, I suspect even the kids who barely know him have already accepted him as the man in charge.
”Is he really going to be okay with this?” Miku asked, sounding worried.
We’re always telling the kids not to use nicknames that hurt people’s feelings. If a name makes a child uncomfortable, that’s bullying, and that’s a red flag. We’re talking potential emergency meetings with the PTA. We did what we could to stop it, but we were outmatched. In the end, we just had to hope Makoto-kun could roll with the punches.
”I’m keeping an eye on it. …Not that he seems to need much help,” Ai said.
Maybe it was because the Rose Rangers had already done the heavy lifting, but he seemed to just give up and accept his fate pretty quickly. Makoto-kun is the type to just let things slide. (Unless Suzuki-chan is involved.) Mentally, the boy is light-years ahead of his peers. Honestly, he’s more like an adult. He actually seems more comfortable when you treat him as an equal rather than a toddler.
”Well, he did demand a little something for his cooperation,” Ai added.
”Wait, this is the first I’m hearing of this,” Riko said.
”Is a kindergartner who negotiates terms really a kindergartner?” Miku wondered.
Ai stared off into the distance. I doubted it was anything too crazy; Makoto-kun wasn’t the type to be unreasonable. And Miku’s question was a bit late—this was Makoto-kun we were talking about.
”It’s a Ukai Akiko-sensei situation,” Ai explained.
”Ah,” the others chimed in simultaneously.
That explained everything. There were certain things only Ukai Akiko-sensei, the Grade Level Head, could pull off. He probably asked to make sure he and Suzuki-chan stayed in the same class when they moved up to the Older Kids group. Knowing him, that was probably the only thing he’d bother asking the administration for.
”Can she actually make that happen?” Miku asked.
”Only Ukai Akiko-sensei knows for sure,” Ai replied.
It wasn’t something we could control, so that was that. Still, it would be a little chilling if it didn’t happen. Knowing the Boss, he usually gets what he wants.
”I’ve started sending extra crates of produce from my family’s farm her way, too. That’s about all I can do,” Ai said.
”Are you sure that’s cool? Won’t your folks be annoyed?” Riko asked.
”Nah. They actually thanked me. Apparently, it gave them a reason to clear out the surplus,” Ai laughed.
Ai’s family runs a local farm that her brother manages. They’ve been a huge help with the school’s gardening programs over the years. As her friends, we’ve been the lucky recipients of their harvests more than once.
”My niece actually has a bit of a thing for Makoto-kun, it turns out,” Ai added. “My brother thinks the kid is great, too. It seems my entire family has already been recruited by the Boss…”
Makoto-kun was apparently winning hearts and minds even outside of school hours.
”Oh, I heard the music school run by Wakana-sensei’s family is completely slammed now too,” Riko noted.
”I heard! Their enrollment shot up three hundred percent, right?” Ai said. “I even heard some kids were crying because they didn’t get into the same session as Makoto-kun.”
”Is it really that intense?” Miku asked.
”Yeah, mostly the kids who were in the Rose Class with him,” Riko replied.
Whenever Makoto-kun makes a move, the world shifts around him. I truly wonder what he’s going to grow up to be. In this kindergarten, he has more pull than a top-tier influencer. And since the start of the term, he’s been shamelessly attached to Suzuki-chan…
”I feel like more kids are ‘dating’ lately, don’t you think?” Riko asked.
”Can you even call what they do dating?” Ai muttered.
Regardless of the terminology, the number of kids pairing up and acting all lovey-dovey has definitely spiked. Especially in the Sheep and Rabbit groups, the ones closest to his inner circle. They all looked so happy it made me a little jealous. Even Yuma-kun had five different girls chasing him. I’m almost worried for the poor kid.
”So, Miku-sensei, now that you’re in an actual relationship, what’s your take?” Riko asked.
”…”
”Well? Come on, give us the adult perspective! You’ve been suspiciously quiet on the updates lately. How’s it going? How far have you guys gotten? You aren’t letting a bunch of five-year-olds show you up, are you?” Ai teased.
”…No comment,” Miku whispered.
”In that case, Miku-sensei is picking up the tab tonight. Any objections?” Ai grinned.
”That’s totally unfair!” Miku cried.
And so, our girls’ night out ended up being… less than relaxing.
”Don’t cry, Miku. We were out of line,” Ai said later, patting her shoulder. “We shouldn’t have compared you to Makoto-kun. Those two have four years of history. You’ve been at this for three months. You’re playing in a different league.”
”…Yeah,” Miku sniffled.
”Couples fight, it happens. You aren’t going to get to the ‘real deal’ status without a few bumps in the road,” Ai encouraged.
”…Yeah.”
”Just make it a goal! Become more important to him than that camera of his. You’ve got the charm, Miku. Just be confident and talk to him. Set up a real date and tell him how you feel,” Ai said.
”…Yeah.”
”Wait… Ai, since when are you the expert on romance?” Riko asked.
”Riko, shut your mouth!” Ai snapped.
—
Summary:
Three kindergarten teachers hold a ‘Girls’ Night Out’ to vent about the stress of the new term and the overwhelming influence of a student named Makoto-kun. They discuss how his ‘Boss’ persona has taken over the playground and even influenced their families. The night turns sour when they tease Miku about her failing relationship compared to the five-year-olds’ devotion.
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Trivia:
- Makoto-kun is technically a reincarnated person, explaining his adult-level negotiation skills.
- The nickname ‘Boss’ was solidified by the ‘Rose Rangers’ during Makoto-kun’s summer absence.
- Ai-sensei’s family are farmers who provide vegetables for the school’s programs.
- Suzuki-chan and Makoto-kun have been close for four years, starting from when they were toddlers
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Character Insight:
Makoto-kun shows his strategic mind by negotiating with the Grade Head (Ukai Akiko) to ensure he stays with Suzuki-chan, using his influence as leverage.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The author uses ‘Girls’ Night Out’ chapters to provide outside perspectives on the protagonist’s growth and social impact.
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Glossary:
Notes:
• Miku – Petite, patient kindergarten teacher and Pre‑K photography lead, she’s exhausted from sorting thousands of excursion shots, obsessed with pricey gear and cash‑strapped by it. She reads romance manga, avoids alcohol, plays straight‑man to Ai, gossips at work, and quietly pines for coworker Meguro—an open secret—while now dating for three months.
• Ai – Dark‑brown short bob frames a fit former long‑distance runner now teaching Middle Kids homeroom at Hinomori Kindergarten. Cheerful yet blunt, she’s the kids’ beloved “Mom,” uses regional dialects when stressed, adores muscles and praises Makoto‑kun’s leadership. Single, devoted to her classroom family, wary of parents, protective of every student. Daughter of a farming family.
• Riko – Riko‑sensei, sixth‑year lead teacher and PE instructor at Hinomori Kindergarten, also serves as school nurse. Warm yet dry‑witted, she observes Middle Kids keenly, masks cynicism, and remains oblivious to Makoto’s hidden powers. She works with Seiko‑sensei on class dynamics, photography and interviews, judges coworkers sharply, finds calm in Makoto and skill in Maa‑kun. Magic‑trick fan and recent investor, she relaxes at staff girls’ nights, blending pragmatism with hidden whimsy.
• Meguro – A 28‑29‑year‑old single man, 179‑180 cm tall, 67 kg, lives below the Totsukas on the first floor. He works as a kindergarten office clerk and Teacher (teacher/staff), giving information to Makoto. An amateur prize‑winning photographer and avid road‑bike rider, he cycles regularly.
• 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, 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; target of Suzuki’s affection and Mitsuhisa’s teasing. A reincarnated child with an adult mind, often called Maa‑kun or Boss.
• 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 the Totsuka family (daughter of Mio and Mitsuhisa). A model student with uncanny intuition, she dubs herself Editor‑in‑Chief of Makoto’s photo records, reads clocks to gauge his arrival, clutches a pink candy tin, and clings to his arm, calling herself his girlfriend. Shy with strangers, fiercely devoted and jealous.
• Ukai Akiko – Grade Level Head at Hinomori Kindergarten. Currently overseeing the Pre-K grade. She wears glasses and is shown working in the staff room, dealing with administrative exhaustion and the complexities of class assignments.
• Yuma – Yuma Yoshikura, a frail four-year-old with an idol-like face and quiet charm, is the youngest and smallest in the Rabbit Group, eldest son of a wealthy realtor, and Makoto’s close friend. In Rose Class, he’s adored by many girls, leads the ‘train’ line with excitement over acorns and nature, struggles slightly with math and has low stamina, yet thrives in creative play—building blocks, folding paper, making clay models of his father’s car, and role-playing husband in Moe’s house-play. Born April 1, he’s cheerful, popular, and deeply beloved for his gentle, imaginative spirit.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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