Volume 4 Chapter 16 The Belly Crawl
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
This year’s Golden Week¹ was another one for the books.
I spent time at the Yoshikura house, where the “Big Sister Squad” regaled me with (slightly boastful) stories about elementary school. I took strolls to the local park with Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan. And, of course, I played with Suu-chan until we both dropped, and shared some sweet bonding time with Mom.
And just like that, it was the final day of the holiday.
Even though I’m currently enjoying the carefree life of a child, I couldn’t help but feel that classic end-of-vacation gloom. Especially since Suu-chan and I ended up in different groups for the “Middle Kids” class this year.
I felt a little guilty overhearing the neighborhood moms gossiping-complaining, really-about how they “can’t get a moment’s peace with the kids underfoot all day.” But at our house, Mio-san was in high spirits.
”Tonight, we feast!” she declared, heading out to shop with Mom. The rest of the gang stayed behind to “guard” the Totsuka residence.
”-Swoooooosh!”
”Ah! Giggle!”
”Yay! Da!”
The lone father left behind, Mitsuhisa-san, was using his massive hands and arms to support each twin by their bellies. He looked like a young boy flying his model airplanes. Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan looked like they were having the time of their lives, kicking their little arms and legs wildly.
Maybe they actually thought they were flying under their own power. As they grow up, maybe one day they really will take to the sky on their own…
…I’d better make sure the balcony is locked tight.
Whether they can actually fly is one thing, but lately, they’ve gotten quite good at belly crawling. It’s best to eliminate any hazards in advance.
And as for the big sister watching over her siblings’ growth-
”-Gotcha, Maa-kun…!”
”You got me,” I said.
”~♪”
Wait, why is she belly crawling too? Well, she looks like she’s having fun, so I guess it’s fine.
Come to think of it, I’ve only ever seen videos of Suu-chan belly crawling. In my earliest memories, she was already walking. Seeing Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan hit these milestones feels fresh and new.
”Ah! Maa-kun escaped…!”
Suu-chan looked disappointed, yet delighted. She went back to imitating her sisters’ belly crawl, but it seemed too slow for her; she switched to a full-on crawl on all fours to chase me down.
Maybe this is what they call “baby regression.” Though, it’s a completely different vibe from the stories I’ve heard about Miyu-oneechan’s regression.
Fuu-chan, Kyo-chan! Look! Your big sister is showing you the next stage of evolution!
”Whoops-Mitsuhisa-san Shield!”
I made my escape, ducking behind the massive silhouette of the father sitting cross-legged and playing with the twins. He stood like a titan before his daughter.
”If you wish to pass, you must first defeat your father!”
”…Hmph.”
”You’re ten years too early to-“
”Suu hates Papa when he gets in the way of Suu’s love.”
”Urk…”
A single, resolute strike to the heart from his beloved daughter, and he was down for the count. While carefully ensuring the twins’ safety, he theatrically keeled over backward.
”Oo? Ah?”
”Dah, buh!”
The second and third daughters began to climb and swat at their “fallen” father. No response. He was a mere corpse.
”Crossing over Papa… Suu will become a lady…”
The eldest daughter began to physically climb over him, still on all fours. What kind of “lady” is this…?
”…But! It is! Too! Soon!”
”Wha-!?”
Suddenly “rebooting,” Mitsuhisa-san grabbed Suu-chan’s ankles with a firm grip, blocking her path to ladyhood.
”You won’t become a proper lady that easily~!”
”Nnnngh…!”
Suu-chan struggled to shake him off. However, all she could do was wiggle her cute little bottom; he wouldn’t budge. The weight difference was just too much… though I suppose such talk is forbidden when discussing a lady.
”…Maa… kun…”
”Hang in there, Suu-chan!”
”Uuuuuugh!”
I reached out my hand, stopping just at the edge of her fingertips.
Call me heartless?
No, this is a trial necessary for her growth… probably. I’m sure it’s a requirement for becoming a fine lady. There are probably things involved that a guy like me just wouldn’t understand.
”Suu… chan…”
”Maa… kun…”
I wonder if my “desperate” acting was selling the drama?
But all that effort was in vain. Mitsuhisa-san hauled her back, and the distance between us slowly grew.
”Ah, dah…!”
”Uu, dah…!”
”Ah, sorry, sorry! I haven’t forgotten about you two, Fuuka, Kyouka!”
The twins started clamoring as if to say, “It’s not just big sister, we’re here too!” Mitsuhisa-san’s attention shifted, and his grip on Suu-chan loosened.
”Gotcha, Maa-kun…!”
Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, Suu-chan successfully grabbed my hand. But in that same instant-
”Wha-!?”
A panicked Mitsuhisa-san pulled on her again.
”Wait-!?”
I got dragged right along with her. Worse, I was off-balance and ended up flat on my back. I was being hauled across the floor like a trapeze artist who’d missed the net.
”~♪”
Being dragged backward, acting as a human floor-buffer, Suu-chan let out a joyful squeal. Seeing his daughter having that much fun only hyped up the father even more.
”Heave… ho!”
”Au…?”
”Ah, dah!”
Fuu-chan hopped onto Suu-chan’s back, her tiny hands gripping the fabric of her shirt. Then Kyo-chan decided to park herself right on my stomach.
Ah, there’s the drool…
”Alright, here we go-!”
With Mitsuhisa-san’s casual battle cry, we began a full-house floor-mopping tour, weaving through the furniture.
”-We’re home~!”
As we were playing, the mothers returned, laden with bags of groceries.
”Welcome back~”
””Welcome home!””
Mitsuhisa-san, still holding Suu-chan’s legs, went to greet them at the door. He took the heavy-looking bags from Mio-san and Mom, and Suu-chan was finally liberated.
”You all look like you’re having fun,” Mom said. “Was Papa playing with you?”
”No. Suu was challenging Papa’s trial.”
”Oh, is that so?”
”Mm.”
”How did it go?”
”Well… Suu’s Love-Power was still too low.”
”I see~. That’s a shame. You’ll have to try again once you’re stronger.”
”Mm. Suu will do special training. But Suu caught Maa-kun!”
”Make sure you don’t let go, okay? That’s part of being a lady.”
”Mm! It’s okay!”
…Actually, I’d really like to be “released” now too. My pants are about to be pulled off.
”Maa-kun, thanks for watching the house,” Mom said.
”Sure. Welcome back. What’s for dinner?”
”It’s that favorite of yours~”
”I’ll help.”
”Hmm, well, first we have to do something about Suu-chan…”
”Suu-chan…?”
”No,” Suu-chan insisted. “Mama said so.”
”…”
Even as Golden Week came to a close, Suu-chan was still in top form.
—
Summary:
The chapter depicts the final day of Golden Week for Maa-kun and the Totsuka family. While the mothers go grocery shopping for a banquet, the father, Mitsuhisa-san, engages the children in energetic play. Suu-chan exhibits ‘baby regression’ by imitating her twin sisters’ belly crawling, eventually dragging Maa-kun into a chaotic game of ‘human floor-mopping.’ Mitsuhisa-san play-acts as a titan blocking Suu-chan’s path to becoming a ‘lady,’ only to be defeated by her declaration of love for Maa-kun. The day ends with the family reuniting for dinner, with Maa-kun still jokingly held captive by Suu-chan.
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Trivia:
- Maa-kun’s concern about the balcony hints at his mature, protective nature despite his child body.
- The mention of Suu-chan and Maa-kun being in different groups next term suggests a coming shift in their daily proximity.
- The contrast between ‘baby regression’ and being a ‘lady’ reflects the developmental tug-of-war toddlers face
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Character Insight:
Mitsuhisa-san’s ‘defeat’ shows his willingness to prioritize his daughter’s emotional whims over his own ego. Suu-chan’s attachment to Maa-kun has solidified into a playful but firm possessiveness, sanctioned by the mothers as ‘lady’s etiquette.’
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
Introduction of the ‘Middle Kids’ class distinction in the Japanese early education system. Details on the ‘Yoshikura’ and ‘Totsuka’ family friendship dynamics.
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TL Notes:
The term ‘ssu’ was handled as a speech quirk reflecting Suu-chan’s specific childish register. ‘Chika-rabu-soku’ was localized to ‘Love-Power’ to maintain the pun on ‘Chikara-busoku’ (lack of strength).
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Glossary:
Notes:
• 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.
• 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.
• Mom – Maa-kun’s mother. She is supportive and handles the household shopping alongside Mio-san.
• Suu – A female student in the Rose Class. Very close to Makoto (Maa-kun). Has mud on her cheeks and makes high-quality dorodango.
• 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 – 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.
• Mitsuhisa – Mitsuhisa, 33, 184 cm, 71 kg, toned and reserved, is the giant‑physique father of three—Suu‑chan, Fuu‑chan, Kyo‑chan—married to Mio. On modified childcare leave, he’s protective, doting, and takes quiet pride in their growth, often theatrical play‑acting with his daughters. He keeps a distant rapport with Akari, shares dark banter with former teammate Makoto, and feels unsettled by his influence on others.
• Miyu – Yoshikura Miyu is Yuma’s elegant elder sister, known for her poise while hosting Makoto and her speed as a runner in the Older Class. As the leader of the “Big Sister Squad,” she typically presents herself in a grey dress. Recently, she experienced a brief period of “baby regression,” though she is currently napping quietly.
• Kyouka – One of the twin younger sisters. Like her twin, she is mobile and prone to drooling while playing.
• Fuuka – The younger twin sister, a observant infant with soft curls and bright eyes, has just begun belly‑crawling and delights in playing ‘airplane’ with her father, often giggling as she stretches her tiny arms toward him.
• Chika – A young girl in the Rose Class at Hinomori Kindergarten who gives Makoto Valentine’s chocolate. She has a mother who accompanies her.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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