Volume 2 Chapter 3 New Family
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It had been nearly a month since I was discharged and began my life at home. With that much time under my belt, I’ve managed to get a decent handle on our family situation.
First off, there’s me.
My name is Yashiro Makoto. I’m currently four months old.
My neck has finally stabilized, so I can move my head freely now. Keeping a clear view of my surroundings is a total breeze. I’ve even mastered rolling over. When I did my best to tumble across the floor after Mother, she was absolutely over the moon. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s my current signature move.
Lately, I’ve been practicing sitting up, but… man, is it frustrating. My brain gets it, but my body just won’t cooperate. Finding my center of gravity is a nightmare. I can manage if Mother’s holding me, though.
Well, I guess I just have to take it slow and steady. I am a baby, after all…
Next, the family.
My mother is Yashiro Akari-san. She’s twenty-five, with a birthday coming up in a month.
She’s single. No partner in sight.
…I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes.
She doesn’t seem like the type to sleep around, and looking around our place, she isn’t a slob. You wouldn’t look at a woman this put-together and assume she was a single mom living all on her own. I’d just assumed Father was a workaholic, or away on a long-term business trip, or one of those guys who leaves all the child-rearing to his wife. My old man in my previous life was exactly like that.
I even wondered if she was a widow, but I haven’t seen any funeral portraits or altars around.
…Maybe she was just born under a lucky star for picking absolute losers?
Then again, considering her only son is a reincarnation of some random guy older than her, maybe her luck really is just that abysmal. Still, I’ve heard that the more composed a woman is, the less she actually feels the need to have a man around…
The initial fuzziness I felt is gone, but now I’m just worried about her.
…Yeah. I’m gonna have to work hard for her sake.
And then there’s the neighbors.
It turns out the place I thought was home after being discharged was actually the apartment right next door. These are Su-chan’s parents. My mom and I spend almost every single day – most of the daylight hours, really – over at the Totsuka residence.
The lady of the house is Totsuka Mio-san. She’s the same age as Mother, so she’s also twenty-five.
She and Mother are incredibly close; you’d call them besties. These two are the masterminds behind the plan to hook me and Su-chan up. I bet they made some “if we both have kids, let’s make them get married” pact back in high school. Mio-san is a great cook, and it looks like Mother is crashing there for all three meals. Does that mean Mom is a disaster in the kitchen…?
Then there’s the husband, Totsuka Mitsuhisa-san. I’m not sure of his exact age, but he’s definitely north of thirty. Mitsuhisa-san works for an IT firm, just like I did in my past life, and he’s been looking pretty swamped lately.
…But I can’t bring myself to feel sorry for him.
The guy has a younger, smoking hot, baby-faced wife.
He gets a “Have a nice day” kiss.
An “I’m home” hug.
When they’re relaxing, his arm is always around her waist.
They even take baths together.
And at night… I haven’t seen it, obviously, but I hear they’re… very active.
On top of all that, his wife’s beautiful best friend – my mom – is always over.
How much karma do you have to rack up to land a life that enviable? Being busy at work is a small price to pay, right? Still, I hope he doesn’t work himself to death.
When we’re at the Totsuka house, Mitsuhisa-san is basically the atmosphere – the cameraman. He doesn’t try to force his way into the conversation, though he replies normally when spoken to. It feels like he’s avoiding Mother, or maybe just being overly polite. It doesn’t seem like they dislike each other, but… I haven’t quite figured that dynamic out yet.
One thing is clear: he’s a total doting husband and puts Mio-san above everything.
Mio-san calls him “Mii-kun,” which… honestly, he’s so loved it makes me want to tell him to get a room and explode.
So, the Totsuka couple and Mother are basically co-parenting. With two mothers in the house, things seem way more relaxed than your average household with a baby. I don’t know much about normal families, but it’s definitely not the disaster zone Nozawa-san used to complain about.
Growing up in this house, showered with love from both parents and my mom, is Totsuka Suzuka-chan.
She’s already smart enough to distinguish between “Mama,” “Papa,” and “Kaa-ka¹.” Apparently, “Kaa-ka” is my mom. I’m still not sure why she calls her that.
She loves being held and is always in someone’s arms. The way she toddles over to people for a hug is just… way too cute. She’s totally comfortable with Mother, too. Mio-san was joking that “Su-chan won’t ever have to worry about mother-in-law drama.” Like I said, you’re jumping the gun!
Naturally, that means she’s always close to me, too.
For the first two days, she’d only come near me if Mio-san or Mitsuhisa-san was holding her. But the moms have a way of naturally erasing physical boundaries, so now she calls me “Maa-kuu” and comes over on her own. Then she gets cuddled by Mother right alongside me. It’s adorable.
She’s always bringing me toys, and she even gave me this light blue pacifier. She has a pink one, so we’re matching. I get the feeling she thinks I’m her very first sidekick. Well, as long as she’s happy, I’m happy.
Today is Su-chan’s first birthday. Naturally, Mom and I were invited to the party.
When you think birthday, you think this! On the Totsuka’s low table sits a shortcake piled high with fruit.
Wait, is whipped cream okay for babies…? I worried for a second, but I guess I don’t need to lecture them when I’ve had zero actual parenting experience.
”Happy birthday to you…” Mitsuhisa and the others sang.
Perched on Mitsuhisa-san’s lap, Su-chan tries to mimic the adults’ clapping in time with the song. I’m doing the same on Mother’s lap – clap, clap. Since it’s her first birthday, she probably doesn’t get the point of the party, but she definitely picks up on the happy vibes.
By the way, Mio-san is the cameraman today. These parents always have a camera in their hands. I get it; kids are cute. Looking at Su-chan is like a soul-cleansing experience. I understand wanting to record every moment.
But I’m not used to having the lens pointed at me. I’m not the type of person who’d ever post a selfie on social media…
”Happy birthday dear Su-chan…” they finished.
As soon as the song ends, Su-chan is all over that cake. She ignores the spork in her left hand and just goes for it, grabbing chunks with her bare hands and munching away grandly. It looks like it’d be easier if she put the spoon down, but she refuses to let go of it.
She finished the whole thing, with Mitsuhisa-san wiping her mouth every few seconds. Girl’s got an appetite.
”Ma-kun, once you’re a little bigger, you’ll be able to munch-munch too,” Akari said.
I haven’t even started solids yet, so I’m stuck with my bottle.
Well… in front of other men like Mitsuhisa-san, anyway.
Once our stomachs were full, it was time for a nap. Babies sleep a lot. You blink and you’re out. You just can’t fight it. In my past life, three hours of sleep was a good night, but now I’m sleeping like a freaking koala. Is my battery just too small, or am I burning through energy at an insane rate?
When I finally woke up, I wasn’t in the crib with Su-chan… I was being held by Mother.
…What is this?
Looking around, they’ve cleared the low table and scattered a bunch of random junk on the floor. I see toy scissors, play money, Su-chan’s special spoon, crayons, a calculator, a smartphone, a picture book, some clothes, a cloth ball, castanets, and a hand mirror.
…What is even happening?
”Okay, Su-chan. Pick whatever you like!” Mio said.
Before I can wrap my head around it, Su-chan – who is now wearing a tiny backpack? – is set down in front of the tools.²
”Wada?” Su-chan asked.
”That’s right! You can pick your favorite one,” Mio replied.
Mio-san gives her a gentle nudge… and Su-chan’s eyes lock with mine.
”Maa-kuu!” Su-chan shouted.
”That’s right. Ma-kun is here too, see?” Akari said.
”Kaa-ka!” Su-chan pointed.
”Yes, Kaa-ka is here too,” Akari said.
Su-chan points at us, then toddles straight over in a bee-line. She clings to Mother, getting squeezed into the hug right next to me.
”Hehe, Su-chan really does love Ma-kun, doesn’t she?” Akari asked.
When Mother asks, Su-chan nods earnestly.
No, look – it’s because you moms always ask her that! She knows you get happy when she nods, so she doesn’t have a choice! They’re kind, good mothers, but I have to wonder about this “Future Bride” brainwashing they’re pulling…
I mean, I don’t hate being told I’m liked, but…
”Nn…” Su-chan grunted.
”What is it, Su-chan?” Akari asked.
”Uma,” Su-chan said.
Su-chan wriggles out of Mother’s arms, grabs the calculator that was sitting closest to her, and hands it to me.
”Oh, lucky you, Ma-kun! You got a present from Su-chan,” Akari said.
”Au!” I babbed.
”You’re a good girl, Su-chan. Ma-kun said ‘thank you’!” Mio said.
”…Hmph!” Su-chan puffed.
…Dammit, she’s too cute.
The way she gets that little huff of pride through her nose when she’s happy… it’s lethal!
—
Summary:
Makoto settles into a daily routine where he and his mother spend most of their time at the neighbors’, the Totsuka family. He observes his single mother’s situation and compares the Totsuka’s happy domestic life to his previous life’s corporate drudgery. The chapter culminates in Su-chan’s first birthday celebration, featuring a traditional divination ritual.
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Trivia:
- Makoto’s mother, Akari, is only 25, the same age as her best friend Mio.
- Makoto’s internal age makes him feel cynical about Mitsuhisa’s ‘perfect’ life.
- The ‘Kaa-ka’ nickname is a baby’s mispronunciation of ‘Okaasan’.
- The objects on the floor are part of a specific ritual called Erabitori
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Character Insight:
Makoto is beginning to develop a protective instinct toward his mother, Akari, while also finding himself ‘purified’ by Su-chan’s innocence, despite his attempts to remain a cynical adult.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the ‘wagamama body’ trope to emphasize the contrast between the wholesome domestic setting and the protagonist’s adult perspective.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Makoto – The protagonist. He is the son of Akari and currently stays with the Totsuka family while his mother works.
• Akari – Ma-kun’s mother. A single parent and banker returning to work after childcare leave. Described as a natural beauty who values efficiency. She has a warm smile and is described by her son as beautiful. She is currently caring for her newborn son, Ma-kun.
• Mio – A 25-year-old fashionable and kind young mother, she is Akari’s (Makoto’s mother’s) best friend and Ma-kun’s godmother. Known for her playful and teasing personality, she enjoys babysitting Ma-kun and encourages a future marriage between her daughter, Su-chan, and him. She’s skilled in cooking and photography, admired for her beauty—even in casual, unpolished moments—and is married to Mitsuhisa.
• Mitsuhisa – A tall, handsome man with a deep voice who works as the breadwinner for the Totsuka family. He is Su-chan’s father. Su-chan’s father. An IT professional over thirty years old. Described as a doting husband who is hardworking and somewhat reserved toward Akari.
• Nozawa – She is a petite woman with a dark brown short bob, glasses, and a practical, no-nonsense look, usually dressed in neat office wear. She is Satake’s peer from the same hiring class and a senior to the others, known for being strict with rules and reliable, even handling things like recovering his equipment from the hospital. Married with two kids and an “ikumen” husband at the same company, she drinks beer, speaks bluntly, and acts as a tough but caring big-sister figure—mentoring juniors in both work and romance, while quietly sensitive to criticism.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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