Volume 4 Chapter 75 The Running Teacher
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Two distinct climbing courses wind up the 800-foot slopes of Mt. Hiou.
One is the “Hiking Course.”
The distance is long, but the incline is gentle and the path is wide enough for a comfortable stroll. Along the way, you’ll find campsites and playgrounds that serve as resting spots for local retirees and neighbors enjoying a weekend walk.
The other is the “Nature Course”¹. It’s barely a third of the distance of the Hiking Course, but the path is almost entirely unmaintained. The ground is a mess of slick fallen leaves and jagged, exposed rock, forcing you to scramble up steep, natural stone stairs. It’s the ultimate shortcut to the summit, but it demands a heavy toll on your stamina.
We reached the first checkpoint five minutes after leaving the Kungen Woods², the official starting point. There, we lined up to receive our first standard stamp.
”Mama, look! I got a stamp! It’s a bear!”
”Oh, how cute~!”
”It really is lovely, isn’t it?”
”Yeah!”
”Is it Chashibu?!”
”…Maybe a distant relative,” I said.
The girls were absolutely buzzing over the bear stamp. As I figured, they had a much better reaction to cute animals than they did to the dry, numbered stamps used for the “Hidden Points”³.
”So, everyone,” said Mio. “Which way are we headed next?”
”Hmm, what do you think?” asked Akari.
”Should we split up?” suggested Mayumi.
”Suu’s stayin’ with Maa-kun ssu,” Suu-chan chirped, clinging to my arm with a grip that said she wasn’t going anywhere.
”We aren’t splitting the party…” I said.
Shiho-chan and Kotone-chan peered down the paths. Suu-chan kept her hold on me. Looking at the other parents and children, the split seemed to be about thirty percent for the Hiking Course and seventy percent for the Nature Trail. For kindergarteners, a flat path is boring; they’d much rather have the “jungle gym” experience of the rugged mountain trail.
”Maa-kun, which one do you want?” asked Shiho-chan.
”Let’s take the Nature Course,” I replied.
”Ugh… that looks intense…” Mio-san groaned, her voice wavering.
Still, if we wanted to collect every single stamp, we’d have to traverse both eventually. If we were going to do it, the climb had to be the Nature Course. My reasoning wasn’t quite the same as the other kids, though. Descending the Nature Course is significantly more dangerous than climbing it; one trip and you’re in for a world of hurt. In fact, most kindergarten trips mandate the Hiking Course for the way down. Even when we do take the rough path down, it’s a slow, agonizingly cautious crawl.
With the mothers here—most of whom weren’t exactly “outdoorsy”—I wanted to minimize the risk of a mishap. Especially for Mio-san. With her… impressive bust, seeing her own feet is a struggle. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been accidentally smacked by her underboob.
”Mama’s gonna try her best!”
”Oka~y…”
With the girls encouraging them, we set off into the brush. The trio of girls led the way, with me bringing up the rear. Since they were used to the climb, they navigated the rocks with ease. The mothers struggled to keep up, gasping as they chased after us whenever we paused to wait. Before long, the casual chatter died out completely, replaced by the sound of heavy breathing.
We finally hit a small clearing with a wayside shrine and stopped to catch our breath. We snagged another stamp while we were at it.
”Suu-chan, you guys are so fast…!” panted Akari.
”Mm. We practice a lot ssu,” Suu-chan said.
”I see… practice, huh…?”
The mothers looked at the youngsters with awe. (I’m absolutely not saying that out loud, though.)
”…Mayumi-san, you seem like a pro at this,” I said.
”Well, this is my third time. I knew what I was signing up for…” said Mayumi.
”Ah, right. You did this with Hina-chan, didn’t you?” I asked.
”Yes…” she replied.
Unlike the other three who were rookies to the Stamp Rally, Mayumi-san had the experience of the last two years with Hina. That veteran status clearly made a difference.
”But since Makoto-kun is here this year… I’m hoping we can get this done without having to do multiple laps,” Mayumi added.
”You hear that, Maa-kun?” teased Akari.
”Yeah… I think we’ll be okay…” I said.
She sounded genuinely desperate. Her eyes were dead serious. (I’ve got plenty of stamina from the kindergarten grind, but I need to be careful with the pacing…)
After a quick rest, we were sent off by the teachers and spent the next hour conquering the Nature Course. We picked up another stamp along the way, plus one more where the trail merged back with the Hiking Course. That put us at four out of nine stamps, not counting the Hidden Points. We kept that momentum going all the way to the observation deck at the summit.
”Number five!”
”Got it!”
The kids were still bundles of energy. “Mom, you okay?” asked Suu-chan. “Yeah… just need a second… once I sit down…” panted Mio. We collapsed onto the grassy slope. Tumble, tumble, roll! “Kyaaa~!” “Oof!” “Let’s go again!” The kids were busy rolling down the hillside. “They never stop, do they?” wondered Akari. “Maa-kun, aren’t you going to roll with them?” asked Mio. “Me? Nah, I’m good,” I said.
I had the stamina, but it wasn’t infinite. I still had regular classes this afternoon. (I can’t say no when she asks like that.)
After resting, we headed toward the athletic square. The official map didn’t list it as a stamp point, but it was a staple for the kids. “Are we playing Cops and Robbers”⁴?” asked Jun. “…Not right now, no,” I said.
”I bet one of the Hidden Points is here. I’m guessing either Ai-sensei or Riko-sensei is waiting…” I said. “Ah! I see Ai-sensei!” Kotone and Shiho cheered. “Cops and Robbers?” I muttered. “Wait, do we actually have to catch her?” So that’s what they meant by “Mobile Point”⁵.
Ai-sensei was putting her legendary athleticism to use, dodging kids while a stamp dangled from her neck. “Go for it, Ai-chan!” hikers cheered. “Ai-chan’s really going for it this year…”
”Aren’t you going in, Maa-kun?” asked Akari. “Nah, I’m gonna take five. What about you guys?” I said. “Suu’s stayin’ with Maa-kun ssu,” Suu-chan said. “I’m gonna cheer!” Shiho yelled. “Me too!” Kotone added. We settled into spectator mode. The time wasn’t right yet.
”Ai-sensei is so fast,” noted Mio. “Is that just a requirement?” asked Akari. “No, Hinomori is just a freak of nature!” Mayumi laughed. “She was a long-distance runner in college. She runs a full marathon every year. Her goal is a sub-2:50.” “The top women finish in about two and a half hours,” Akari mused. “If she’s under three, she’s in the top one percent.”
Ai-sensei was playing for keeps. (She’s trying to bait me. I’m not falling for it.)
”Maa-kun, are we going yet?” Suu-chan asked. “…Alright, let’s join the party,” I said. “Mm! Deploying ssu!” Suu-chan cheered. “Go get ’em, Makoto-kun!” called Mayumi.
I brushed the dirt off and stretched. “So, Maa-kun. Got a plan?” teased Akari. “Yeah, I’ve got something. Besides, they should be back by now. The aces.”
I took a deep breath and shouted. “Hey! Everyone! Fall in! Assemble!” My voice was drowned out. “Maa-kun, aren’t you going to do that?” Suu-chan asked. I hesitated, then jammed my fingers into my mouth. —PHWEEEEEET!—
”Ah! It’s the Boss!” The kids swarm toward me. “Boss! We can’t catch Ai-sensei!” “Okay, settle down,” I said. Jun burst through the trees. The General arrived a second later. I’d timed our rest to coincide with their return. “Alright, everyone. Strategy meeting. Bring it in,” I said.
Twenty-some kids formed a double-layered circle. “Anyone have a plan to bag Ai-sensei?” I asked. “Run fast!” “Set a trap!” “Use our numbers!” I grabbed a stick and started sketching. “Today, we overwhelm her with a net,” I explained.
”Alright. Operation: Catch the Teacher… START!”
Suu-chan and Jun flanked Ai-sensei. “Wait… what?” she muttered. The rest of the kids formed a massive, living ring. She was boxed in. She couldn’t risk a collision with a child. “You little brat… I mean, ‘Boss’…” Ai-sensei grumbled. We tightened the circle and finally captured her.
—
Summary:
Makoto leads a group of mothers and children up the challenging ‘Nature Course’ during a mountain stamp rally. The group arrives at an athletic square where Ai-sensei acts as a highly athletic moving target. Utilizing a coordinated encirclement strategy with his ‘aces’ and a piercing finger whistle, Makoto successfully traps the teacher
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Trivia:
- Ai-sensei’s collegiate background as a long-distance runner provides her with the ‘ringer’ status in the game.
- Mio’s physical struggle is explicitly linked by the narrator to her large bust obstructing her view of the trail.
- The ‘aces’ Jun and the General were strategically timed by Makoto to arrive just as the rest of the group rested
—
Character Insight:
Makoto demonstrates a calculated move from passive observer to active ‘Boss’ only when his peers’ morale begins to waver against Ai-sensei’s superior speed.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Mio – Mio-senpai is a refined, baby-faced mother of three—including twins and Suu-chan—known for her G-cup silhouette, serene grace, and culinary skill. A former office worker turned homebody, she balances meticulous beauty routines with capturing family life via DSLR. While she exudes a seductive, “winner” aura, she is currently navigating a grueling stamp rally, observing her daughter with weary amusement.
• Akari – A 28-year-old IT professional and single mother to Makoto and Maa-kun, she is known for her long dark-brown hair, modest appearance, and hidden mischievous streak. Sharp and observant, she navigates parent circles with finesse, teases friends, and supports neighbors. Beyond her protective nature, she is a social climber who leverages her marathon knowledge to engage with others and monitor Teacher Ai’s physical feats.
• Mayumi – Mayumi Goto, Yoichiro’s wife, wears elegant soft‑pastel dresses. She escorts daughters Hina and Shiho to swimming lessons, helps them change, and serves as the grade’s parent‑information hub. Trusted by Mio‑san and close to Nanami, Akari and Makoto’s mother, she blends maternal care with warm mother‑to‑mother friendships. An experienced stamp‑rally participant for three years, she guides newer mothers, leads Shiho on hikes, and often forces a strained smile at the children’s blunt remarks.
• 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.
• 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.’
• 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 – An early‑arriving student, this child is often seen waiting with Suu‑chan at school. As Suu‑chan’s close friend, he/she tries to act as a ‘stopper’ for her mischief, and is close enough to Yuma’s family to stay over at their home.
• Kotone – Young girl, classmate and friend of Makoto and Suu, daughter of Chiharu. Friendly and eager, she joins the post‑festival chocolate exchange, confides a wish for a husband like Makoto, and takes part in mountain climbs and the tactical capture of Teacher Ai. In kindergarten she’s indoor‑leaning, loves chatting and group activities such as the stamp rally.
• Shiho – Four-year-old Rose-Class girl from the Goto family, daughter of Mayumi, with a side-up ponytail and kitten hair clip, uses training chopsticks and a placemat; quiet leader of her girl group who subtly vies with Suu for Makoto’s attention, often waits with Suzuki, and looks up to Teacher Ai’s speed and athleticism. Innocent and indoor-oriented, she loves picture books, Hiragana, swimming, mud dumplings, sweets, and romance dramas, fears scary things and fireworks, is Suu-chan’s close friend she looks after, and is Makoto’s energetic childhood friend—observant, quick to call out teachers, and enthusiastic about stamp rallies.
• Hina – Shiho’s older sister presents a gentle aura with long hair and a flowing dress. Though typically quiet, she lights up with excitement whenever she wins.
• Makoto – Four‑year‑old Maa‑kun (93 cm, 13 kg) in a white shirt, blue vest and cap is the reincarnated adult “Boss” of Hinomori Kindergarten’s Middle Kids—calm, logical, perceptive, mediating fights, handing out hand‑cream, doing coin tricks, sitting seiza blindfolded. He protects Suu‑chan, runs Jun, admires Akari (mistaken for her son), is teased by Mitsuhisa, adored by Suzuki‑chan, and shares a lovey‑dovey bond with Suu‑chan, leading with tactical, childlike maturity.
• 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.
• Jun – A tanned, hyperactive middle‑kid in a bright track suit—often mistaken for a boy—wears a mountain‑stamp card he touches to signal meaning. The fastest runner with a huge appetite, he leads peers with wild enthusiasm but tires quickly and gets moody when games stall. He idolizes his calm brother Makoto, who reins in his chaos, and respects rival Suzuki. A core Rabbit Group member, he trains weekends on Mt. Hiou, leaks secrets, and strives to match Makoto’s restraint, acting as one of Makoto’s “Aces” who uses speed and tactical flanking to trap targets.
• Riko – Riko-sensei, a northern-born Hinomori Kindergarten lead teacher, PE instructor, and nurse, balances pragmatism with a “wicked” sense of humor. An eccentric illusionist who occasionally stalks the woods in a ghillie suit, she masks cynicism with dry wit. She collaborates with Seiko-sensei, judges peers sharply, and finds calm in Makoto—whose powers she misses—while admiring Maa-kun’s skills.
• Ai – A fit former long-distance runner with a dark-brown bob, she teaches the Rabbit Group at Hinomori Kindergarten, where students call her “Mom.” Cheerful, blunt, and mischievous, she uses regional dialects and period-drama flair to tease colleagues. While she playfully treats Makoto as her “Boss,” she is a dedicated educator who uses her high stamina to lead energetic excursions and engage in spirited games of tag.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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