Volume 2 Chapter 8 Prodigy
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Two years have already flown by in this life as a baby.
Because of my eerie cleverness, the people around me have already started whispering that I’m some kind of prodigy¹. Now I’m going to have to work pretty hard just to make sure I don’t end up as “just another guy.”
Also, I really wish they’d stop saying I have “lifeless, unmotivated eyes.” I mean, after the cycle of mental trauma and “healing” I’ve been through, this look was pretty much inevitable.
Besides, even if you think it, do you really say that to a two-year-old?
Keep it up and I’ll go off the rails, you know.
Maybe I’ll even wet myself.
Ah, nature calls…
”Mommy, I need to go to the potty,” I said.
”Coming~!” Mother replied.
I waited for a break in the morning preparations before calling out to Mother.
Honestly, it’s a total joke that a kid who isn’t even allowed to go to the bathroom by himself is being called a prodigy.
For the record, it’s not that I don’t know how to use the toilet. I’m just not allowed to go solo yet. If I’m on my own, I can’t lift the seat cover; if I try to climb up to sit, I’ll slip, fall, and probably get wedged in.
In a baby’s body, everything you do is dangerous. Therefore, I have no choice but to rely on Mother’s strength. My measly pride won’t let me use a training potty anymore – I’ve already graduated from that. Plus, the cleanup for those things is a huge pain.
”Was everything okay?” Mother asked.
”Yeah, I’m okay,” I said.
”Hehe, well done!”
Mother is overprotective in her own way. Even for things I mastered long ago, she showers me with praise. Well, I suppose that’s just standard procedure when you’re dealing with a two-year-old.
”Mommy, can I have a hug?” I asked.
”Fufu, come here~!”
I might as well lean into it. For a two-year-old, this should be perfectly normal. Look – even Mother’s serious work face is melting.
”Mmm~ Ma-kun, squeeze~”
Mother has to head to work now. I need to get in as much physical contact with her as possible while I can. I don’t want her to feel lonely.
”Ma-kun, don’t you want a kiss today?” Mother asked.
Mother pouts her lips… Ggh… The destructive power is off the charts…
It’s not like I want to… well, I mean, I wouldn’t say no, but I’m worried about how it looks to the world. You know, it’s practically like I’m cheating…
But then again, being able to kiss Mother is a privilege I only have while I’m a baby…
- Smooch.
I lightly touch Mother’s lips. Seeing her radiant smile makes me feel happy, too.
Now, as much as I’d love to spend all day confirming our family bonds, it’s time for Mother to head out to work.
Ours is a single-mother household².
Apparently, my “Father” took one look at the pregnancy test and vanished. She had a lot of drama with her own parents back then, too, so she keeps her distance from them now.
I don’t know the full details, but nobody explains those kinds of circumstances to a two-year-old, and Mother probably doesn’t want to dig it up. As long as she feels happy right now, that’s all that matters.
The breadwinner of the house, and a mother of one.
I know it’s hard for her, but the baby in her arms is actually a reincarnated soul sent by Megami-sama. …Though that’s a secret I’ll have to take to the grave. Especially since I’m kissing her and all.
…
Anyway, to ensure Mother stays happy, step one is seeing her off to work. Even for a two-year-old, the list of things I’m allowed to do isn’t very long.
Which brings us to my daily trip to the Totsuka house next door.
- Ding-dong.
Before anyone inside can even move, Mother uses her key to open the door.
The moment we step inside, I feel a gaze.
There’s a frosted glass door separating the hallway from the living room. I can see a tiny shadow pressed desperately against the glass, trying to peer through to this side.
Having finally confirmed it’s us, the shadow starts hopping up and down and calling for her parent.
A moment later, the door clicks open, and a literal angel comes flying toward me at terminal velocity!
”- Maa-kun!”
”Su-chan! …Oof!” I grunted.
The momentum nearly sends me sprawling, but I manage to catch her with Mother’s help.
Su-chan buries her face in my stomach and nuzzles me aggressively before looking up with a beaming, goofy grin.
”Welcome home!” Su-chan said.
”Yeah, I’m back,” I replied.
- BOOM! STRAIGHT TO THE HEART! –
See?
A total angel, right?
And she’s smiling like that just for me.
The way she runs to me with everything she’s got is precious!
The way she hugs me with zero restraint is precious!
That wide, honest smile is precious!
My beloved little angel!
My desolate spirit is being forcibly healed!
No, I’m not going to correct her on the “Welcome home” thing. To Su-chan, this is exactly how it’s supposed to be.
”Su-chan really loves her Ma-kun, doesn’t she?” Mother said.
At Mother’s words, Su-chan gives a vigorous nod.
”Suu loves Maa-kun. Love him so much. Muhuu!”
The way she lisps is so cute I can’t take it! Even the way her breathing gets all huffy with a “Muhuu!” is irresistible!
Wait, Su-chan, don’t hide your face in my stomach – show me that blushing face of yours.
Su-chan has grown quite a bit, too.
She’s got straight-cut bangs swept to the side and her favorite pigtails. She’s matching Mother’s “off-duty” look today.
She inherited her cute features from Mio-san, but she’s mostly expressionless… or rather, she spends a lot of time just spacing out. Which is also cute.
According to one theory, her vibe is starting to look a bit like my “dead eyes”…
But hey, she’s cute, so it’s fine! I’ll take full responsibility!
”Alright Su-chan, look after Ma-kun for me today too, okay?” Mother asked.
”Mm! Suu loves Maa-kun!” Su-chan replied.
Mother gives us one last tight squeeze, grabs a lunch box from Mio-san, and heads to work.
I’ll be waiting for you to come home early, Mom.
”Now then… Ma-kun. Is it okay if you and Su-chan just ‘flirt’ for a bit?” Mio-san asked.
”Yeah, leave it to me,” I said.
”Suu is gonna flirt with Maa-kun!” Su-chan added.
So, another day at the Totsuka house – mainly being watched by Mio-san. That said, she has her own work to do around the house.
During that time, I “flirt” with Su-chan – meaning I look after her – to help Mio-san out. If we want to keep this good relationship going, my family can’t just be a burden.
Still, I feel like Mio-san’s level of trust in me is bordering on the supernatural. Is it really okay to leave a two-year-old… well, a nearly three-year-old, in the care of another two-year-old?
Wait… she hasn’t figured me out, has she…?
”Maa-kun, do you love Suu?” Su-chan asked.
”Of course I do,” I said.
”Hehe!”
…Anyway.
Now that I can stand…
Now that I can talk…
Now that I’m finally out of diapers…
I feel like I’ve finally taken the first real step into my new life!
Now, I can say it and actually mean it.
Thank you, Megami-sama!
—
Summary:
Makoto has spent two years in his new life, earning a reputation as a child prodigy due to his adult-like behavior. He lives with his hardworking single mother and spends his days being babysat at the Totsuka household next door. There, he ‘takes care’ of the neighbor’s daughter, Su-chan, who is his primary source of emotional healing.
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Trivia:
- Makoto’s biological father abandoned the family upon learning of the pregnancy.
- Makoto is officially ‘potty trained’ but physically struggles with the bathroom’s height/safety.
- Su-chan’s speech is slightly delayed or ‘lisping’ (indicated by ‘Suu’ and ‘shuki’).
- Mio-san trusts Makoto with Su-chan to an unusual degree for his age
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Character Insight:
Makoto’s cynicism is tempered by a deep-seated protective instinct for his mother and Su-chan. He consciously uses his status as a baby to offer his mother physical affection (kisses/hugs) to alleviate her loneliness.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author notes that this chapter marks a turning point where Makoto gains enough physical autonomy to drive the plot forward.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• 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.
• Makoto – The protagonist. He is the son of Akari and currently stays with the Totsuka family while his mother works.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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