Volume 3 Chapter 73 Shiritori
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
April 1st. I was invited to an birthday party for my friend, Yoshikura Yuma.
However, that day was a weekday. Even though us kids were in the middle of spring break, the adults still had to work. Mother was starting fresh at a new workplace. Mitsuhisa-san, who usually worked from home to help with the kids, also had to go into the office since it was the first day of the fiscal year. I really felt for them. That left Mio-san as the only adult at home.
Naturally, we had to ask her for a ride to Yuma’s house. If it were just Totsuka Suzuki-chan¹ and me, it might have been fine, but the Totsuka family had two six-month-old newborns to deal with. Taking care of four kids alone is no small feat. I couldn’t help but think it would’ve been easier if they’d held it on a weekend, but kids this age live for birthday parties. Making them wait would just be cruel.
(I was worried something might happen to Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan, so I felt bad, but I’d planned to skip it. I figured I’d just stay home and cuddle with Suzuki-chan…) However, Mitsuhisa-san managed to wrap up his office work by noon and head back, so we were cleared to go.
”””I’m off!”””
”Take care,” said Mitsuhisa.
”Ah-“
”Uwa!”
I waved goodbye to Mitsuhisa, Fuu-chan, and Kyo-chan as we left. I thought about bringing the twins, but I didn’t want to overwhelm the birthday boy’s family, and traveling by car with them is a nightmare, so they stayed behind. After I hopped into the car, sat in my booster seat, and buckled up, we were ready.
”Moving out!”
”Let’s go!”
We headed toward Yuma’s house with those adorable commands. To pass the time on the road, we started a game of Shiritori².
”-‘Bell’!”
It’s not like Suzuki-chan was introducing herself. She was just playing word-chain, starting with a word that ended in ‘L.’ (Wait, another ‘L’ word? This is getting tough…)
”L… ‘Lantern’!” I replied.
”Hmm… then ‘Night’!”
”T, t, t… ‘Tiger’! That ends in ‘R’!”
”R… ‘Rain’!”
”N… ‘Ocean’!”
”N, n… ‘Net’! Maa-kun, your turn! It’s a ‘T’!”
”……”
In a recent interview, someone pointed out that Suzuki-chan was “a man of few words.” But like the teacher said, it’s not that she can’t say what she wants; she just participates in the back-and-forth of conversation her own way. I wasn’t too worried. In fact, choosing your words carefully usually leads to saying less. It’s a sign of intelligence. She’ll learn how to sugarcoat things for others as she grows up.
Still, once someone points something out, you feel like you have to do something about it. That’s why we’ve been playing so much Shiritori lately.
”Maa-kun, ‘T’!”
”T… hang on. T…”
I shifted my brain into high gear under Suzuki-chan’s pressure. It wasn’t that I couldn’t think of words, but I had a lot to consider. I wanted to pick words Suzuki-chan actually knew, or at least words I could explain easily. Plus, Mio-san was watching. I couldn’t pick anything too difficult or obscure. And more than anything, this was the fifth time she’d hit me with a ‘T.’ Everyone talks about the ‘R-attack’ in word games, but the ‘T-attack’ is surprisingly brutal.
(T… How am I supposed to explain ‘Tactics’? She won’t know ‘Tangerine’… and I definitely don’t want her learning words like ‘Troublemaker’…)
”Okay… how about ‘Target’?”
”…What’s a target?”
”……Mio-san, how do I explain a target?”
”Wait, you’re passing that to me? Uh… well, when you try to explain it, it’s actually pretty hard…”
(I know I’m the one who brought it up, but isn’t this exactly how a kid would act? Sorry for bothering you while you’re driving, Mio-san.)
”Suzuki-chan… what do you think it is?” I asked, trying to buy Mio-san some time. It’s more fun to let her guess, and she’ll remember it better that way.
”Hmm… is it a kind of fish? Like a tar-gill?”
”Pfft…”
(Don’t laugh, Mio-san. She isn’t trying to be funny. She’s being completely serious.)
”Maybe it would taste good fried…” I teased.
”Ngh… Maa-kun, be quiet for a second,” Mio-san scolded.
”Yes, ma’am.”
I got in trouble. Well, I couldn’t help it.
”…It’s like when you hit exactly what you were aiming for,” Mio-san explained.
”…Like a bullseye?”
”Yeah, that’s pretty close.”
”Hmm.”
Mio-san kept explaining with examples. (I wish Akari were here to explain this better…) she sighed, but Suzuki-chan seemed to get the gist of it.
”Maa-kun, do you like ssu?”
”Eh? Yeah, of course I like you.”
”Bullseye?”
”I guess… yeah. You hit the bullseye on that one.”
”Hehe.”
Why was she acting shy after asking me that? Besides, I felt like the way she used ‘bullseye’ there was a little off… but whatever.
”Mio-san, next is ‘E’!”
”Phew. Okay, ‘Eel’.”
”L, l, l… ‘Lizard’!”
”Suzuki-chan, are you doing this on purpose?”
”…?”
Suzuki-chan had started playing to win. I wondered if Mio-san was the one coaching her to be this aggressive.
”Maa-kun, it’s a ‘D’!”
”Yeah, I know! It’s ‘D’!”
No, there’s no way…
After another ten minutes of racking my brain, we arrived at the Yoshikura estate. It was as massive as ever. Even though Yuma had dragged me around to explore a few times, there were still parts I hadn’t seen-the attic, the basement, and the backyard. In the garage facing the parking area, there was a row of luxury cars that even a non-expert like me recognized.
Yuma had bragged about them before. The hobby cars alone included an R34 G-R, an L-A, a Panamera, and a 911 GT3. Apparently, they all belonged to Yuma’s father, and the total value was well over a hundred million yen. I didn’t want to get anywhere near that garage. Mio-san picked up Suzuki-chan so she could press the intercom, and she stared straight into the camera.
’Yes, who is it?’
”…It’s Totsuka Suzuki ssu. I’m here for the party.”
’One moment, please.’
Suzuki-chan answered the gentle voice over the speaker perfectly. She didn’t trip over her words once. (I think these intercoms record video. I wonder if they’ll show me the clip later…)
While I was lost in thought, the electronic lock clicked open, and the gate began to swing wide. By now I was used to it, and we walked toward the front door.
”Oh, Makoto-kun and the others are here!”
”I’ll go tell everyone!”
The Big Sister Squad, who had been racing around the yard on bikes, ran to the window. The chime had already gone off inside, so it was pointless, but they were at that age where they wanted to feel helpful. But before they could do anything, the front door slid open. The person who poked their head out was Yuma-
”Suzuki-chan and Makoto-kun are here!”
-actually, it was Goto Shiho-chan. She acted like she owned the place, which just showed how often she visited. A second later, Yuma came running out.
”Makoto! Suzuki-chan! Hello, Suzuki-chan’s mother!”
We all returned his energetic greeting.
”Makoto, come quick! Help me!”
”Wait, what…?”
Yuma grabbed my hand and pulled me along, looking frantic. “Help me” isn’t exactly the kind of thing you expect to hear at a birthday party…
—
Summary:
Makoto and Suzuki-chan attend Yuma’s birthday party after a morning of childcare logistical hurdles. During the car ride, they play a game of Shiritori to help improve Suzuki-chan’s vocabulary, leading to a cute misunderstanding of the word ‘target.’ Upon arriving at the wealthy Yoshikura estate, the lighthearted atmosphere shifts as Yuma pulls Makoto away, desperately asking for help.
—
Trivia:
- The ‘Zu-attack’ and ‘T-attack’ in the word game highlights Suzuki-chan’s burgeoning competitive nature and hidden intelligence.
- The mention of expensive cars (R34, LFA) in the Yoshikura garage underscores the massive wealth gap and high status of Yuma’s family.
- Yuma’s immediate request for ‘help’ at his own party suggests that either a prank is in progress or a serious conflict has arisen among the children
—
Character Insight:
Makoto demonstrates a parental-like concern for Suzuki-chan’s development, choosing ‘Shiritori’ to address her vocabulary critique. Suzuki-chan shows a playful, slightly manipulative side by repeatedly cornering Makoto with difficult word endings, ending with a moment of innocent affection that flusters both of them.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The story establishes the start of the Japanese fiscal year (April 1st) as a busy time for adults, contrasting with the children’s spring break. It also highlights the social dynamics of young children in a modern setting, where playdates involve high-tech intercoms and luxury estates.
—
TL Notes:
The Shiritori game was functionally localized to maintain the word-chain logic in English (L-N-T-R-N-T) while preserving the character beats. The term ‘Zuboshi’ (Bullseye) was adapted into a phonetic pun (‘Tar-gill’ for ‘Target’) to replicate the childish confusion found in the raw Japanese text.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Yoshikura Yuma – Yuma Yoshikura is a frail, sickly four-year-old from a wealthy, land-owning family. Known for his idol-like face and quiet, observant nature, he is the eldest son of the Yoshikura family and Miyu’s younger brother. A member of the Rose Class, he is close friends with Makoto, whom he deeply admires. Despite being physically smaller and slower than his peers, he excels at block-building and paper-folding.
• Yuma – Yuma Yoshikura is a frail, sickly four-year-old from a wealthy, land-owning family. Known for his idol-like face and quiet, observant nature, he is the eldest son of the Yoshikura family and Miyu’s younger brother. A member of the Rose Class, he is close friends with Makoto, whom he deeply admires. Despite being physically smaller and slower than his peers, he excels at block-building and paper-folding.
• Mitsuhisa – Mitsuhisa (33, 184cm, 71kg) is a toned, reserved father of three (Suu-chan, Fuu-chan, Kyo-chan) and husband to Mio. Currently on modified childcare leave from his office, he is protective and doting toward his children, taking quiet pride in their growth. He maintains a distant rapport with Akari, shares dark banter with former teammate Makoto, and remains unsettled by his own influence on others.
• Mio – Mio-P (28, 164cm, 57kg) is a pregnant, gray-clad Totsuka resident with a baby-faced charm and G-cup curves. A former athlete turned teacher, cook, and photographer, she is a patient, tech-savvy “Love Guru” who guides Makoto, Suu-chan, Fuu-chan, and Kyo-chan with understated wisdom. Whether driving them to parties or baking, she remains a nurturing, amused caretaker who cherishes her role in their lives.
• Totsuka Suzuki – Totsuka “Suu-chan” Suzuki is a doll-like 4-year-old with dark braided pigtails, a topknot, sleepy sparkling eyes, and pink rain boots. A model student and Makoto’s fiercely possessive, self-proclaimed girlfriend, she is quiet, helpful, and competitive in word games. Daughter of Mio and Mii-kun, she is clingy, affectionate, and often clutches a pink candy tin while navigating life with quiet grace.
• 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.
• Suzuki – Totsuka “Suu-chan” Suzuki is a doll-like 4-year-old with dark braided pigtails, a topknot, sleepy sparkling eyes, and pink rain boots. A model student and Makoto’s fiercely possessive, self-proclaimed girlfriend, she is quiet, helpful, and competitive in word games. Daughter of Mio and Mii-kun, she is clingy, affectionate, and often clutches a pink candy tin while navigating life with quiet grace.
• 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.
• Akari – 28‑year‑old single mother, long dark‑brown hair, subtle makeup, poised and observant. Lives beside best friend Mio, drives a black light‑compact car, cares for newborn son Maa‑kun and raises Makoto. After childcare leave she works in IT for balance, prefers quiet home, feels guilty missing the party. Strict yet loving, polite, estranged from her own parents, mischievous, monitors Makoto’s health via a ‘status report’ network.
• Makoto – A four-year-old (93cm, 13kg) Rose Class student who is actually a reincarnated 30-year-old salaryman. Dressed in a white shirt, blue vest, and cap, he acts as the group’s calm, analytical “Boss” and caregiver, carrying essentials like hand cream. Revered by peers as a mature, athletic idol, he mediates conflicts and protects Suu-chan. Despite his father’s gender confusion, he remains a dependable, cynical leader.
• Goto Shiho – A girl from the Goto family. Frequent visitor at the Yoshikura house, acting very familiar with the environment.
• Shiho-chan – A member of the friend group who arrived early and is close enough to Yuma’s family to stay over.
• Shiho – A four-year-old Rose-Class girl with a side-up ponytail, she is Hina’s younger sister and a close friend to Makoto, Suu-chan, Yuma, and Suzuka. Often seen with her favorite hair clip, kitten-themed placemat, and training chopsticks, she loves picture books and worked hard to learn Hiragana. She enjoys swimming, makes mud dumplings using Makoto’s advice, and quietly competes with Suu for Makoto’s attention.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply