Volume 4 Chapter 21 The Great Mountain Escape
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The game of Cops and Robbers—known back home as Dorokei¹ or Keidoro—kicked off with the former Rose Class kids at the center. It’s one of those timeless playground staples that goes by a dozen different names depending on where you grew up.
Still, just to be safe, let me explain the traditional rules passed down through the generations at Hinomori Kindergarten.
First, you split into Cops and Robbers. The ratio is usually about four Robbers for every one Cop. Once the roles are set, the Robbers get a head start to vanish.
As for the Cops, instead of the usual hide-and-seek counting, they spend that time “building the jail.” That sounds a lot cooler than it actually is—really, it’s just a mad scramble to find a spot that hasn’t already been claimed by another playgroup. The faster you pick your base, the easier it is to track where the Robbers are heading, so it’s a race against the clock right from the jump.
At the kindergarten, the Jail is usually a circle drawn around a tree, the space in front of the flower beds, or that little nook under the outdoor stairs. For today’s game, we were using a designated area with a few roofed benches.
Once the setup is done, the Cops move out to hunt. It’s actually pretty common for the Jail to be left completely unguarded in the excitement.
To officially catch a Robber, you have to maintain physical contact while counting to five out loud. If they wiggle away during the count, it’s a failed arrest.
Caught Robbers are escorted back to the Jail. However, they can be broken out if a Robber who’s still free manages to grab their hand and pull them out.
The Cops win if they lock up every single Robber. The Robbers win if even one person is still at large when time runs out.
Under our local rules, the Robbers aren’t told where the Jail is beforehand, which adds a fresh layer of strategy. If you bolt too far away at the start, you won’t know where to go to rescue your friends. But if you hang around too close to scout the Jail’s location, you’re the first one the Cops are going to bag. It’s surprisingly well-balanced.
When we play, we add the former Rose Class expansion pack. With so many kids involved, it’s easy to lose track of who’s actually playing, let alone who’s a Cop and who’s a Robber. Dealing with “sus” players is part of the fun, but it gets messy when kids from other classes join in—especially for preschoolers.
So, we implemented Standard Interrogation Procedures, also known as the Password.
If you ask someone, “Are you a Robber?”, a Robber is required to answer, “I’m not a Cop.” Since no Robber is dumb enough to just say “Yes, I’m a thief,” this technicality helped cut down on false arrests significantly.
This Rose Class rule has already trickled down to the current Youngsters in the Middle Kids class. Actually, it turns out they’d been using it since they were in the Junior class, so they already knew the drill without me having to say a word.
With more than thirty kids—over half the class—tearing across the plaza and the jungle gym, the game was pure chaos. I had no idea who was actually “in,” but somehow, the game held together.
”One, two, three—Ah!”
”Are you a Robber?”
”I’m not a Cop!”
”—Wait, hey! Get back here!”
”—One-two-three-four-five! Gotcha!”
”Aw, man… I’m caught…”
”You a Cop?”
”I’m not a… Wait, huh?”
”It’s okay, I’m on your side,” the boy replied.
And just like that, the number of Robbers started growing. It wasn’t a cruel world situation; the kids were just inviting anyone who looked lonely to hop in mid-game. Half of them just joined in without asking.
”Ai-sensei, wait up!”
”She’s too fast!”
”Teacher, you’re cheating!”
”Pfft! You’re ten years too early to catch a Teacher!” Ai-sensei said.
”But Riko-sensei got caught easy!”
”Riko-sensei is a total jobber! She’s the weakest of the Teacher Elite Four—”
I’d personally asked the teachers to join in. Since we were short on Cops, some of the Robbers actually defected and switched sides. It was a strange, ever-shifting geopolitical landscape.
The Cops seemed a little shy about chasing kids they didn’t know, so they naturally formed jurisdictions based on their old classes or age groups. Hiromasa-kun, whom I’d recruited personally, was absolutely crushing it as a Cop. Deep down, I think he just really wanted to play. His earlier frustration was gone, replaced by the sheer focus of someone trying to tackle Ai-sensei at full speed.
”Boss! That’s three!” Hiromasa said.
”Good work. Solid hustle.”
I was currently supervising from a bench when the latest prisoner was hauled in. What? You think I’m slacking? Hardly. I’m the Lookout. I’m keeping a watchful eye on the perimeter. Plus, I had a front-row seat to the local soap opera.
”Yuma, do you love me?”
”Yeah! I love you!” Yuma replied.
”Hey, hey! What about me?”
”I love you too, Moe-chan!”
Yuma, currently a Robber in the Jail, was busy being a pint-sized heartthrob. Knowing him, he probably meant he liked them as friends, but still…
Where most boys would’ve turned into a blushing mess, Yuma just took the adoration in stride. Being able to say “I love you” without a hint of irony is a dangerous power. Take notes, all you pre-school bachelors. Honesty is the best policy if you want the girls to swarm you.
But while the love exchange was all well and good for the soul, Yuma was still technically in the middle of a high-stakes game.
”—Kotarou!”
A rescue attempt! One of the Robbers had swooped in to save his comrade.
”Yuma, which one of us do you love more?” Moe asked.
”Eh!?”
”It’s Moe, right!?”
”Ehh!?”
Yuma was paralyzed. The classic harem trap.
”—One-two-three-four-five. Kotarou, you’re under arrest.”
”Aw…”
Kotarou had been so distracted by his friend’s romantic interrogation that he didn’t see me circle around. I slapped a hand on his shoulder and finished the count. Yuma made for an excellent decoy.
”Kotarou, I’m sorry!” Yuma said.
”…It’s fine. I just failed to read Makoto’s strategy,” Kotarou replied.
He slumped down next to Yuma, looking dejected. Hey, don’t take it so hard. I’m sure someone will be along to bust you out soon.
”Wait, Yuma, do you love Kotarou too!?”
”Yeah! I love him!”
And Kotarou gets dragged into the drama. Hang in there, buddy.
I spent the next while chilling in the shade, alternating between arresting would-be rescuers and letting a few escape just to keep things interesting.
”…Boss! We… we can’t catch… Jun and Suzuki-chan!”
A request for backup arrived, delivered by a Cop who was completely out of breath. Those two were in a league of their own. If you let Suu-chan and Jun be the Robbers, the game basically never ends. Their speed and stamina are top-tier for the Middle Kids class.
Jun was a given. The kid spends his weekends doing special training by climbing actual mountains. You can’t beat that in a straight sprint.
”Phew… You’re never gonna catch me!” Jun said.
”—One, two, three—”
”!?”
”—four, five. Jun, you’re busted.”
”Gah! Where did you come from!?”
The trick is using your brain. Jun is surprisingly easy to catch if you don’t let her start running. She’d been taking a breather behind some equipment; I just snuck up, reached through a gap in the bars, and tapped her before she even knew I was there.
I probably looked like some weird creeper stalking a toddler, but since I’m also a toddler, I’m pretty sure I’m legally in the clear.
”Makoto again! No fair!” Jun said.
”C’mon, Officer’s orders. Back to the station.”
”Dammit!”
I took Jun by the hand—ignoring her rhythmic foot-stomping—and led her back to the benches.
”He got Jun…”
”The Boss is a legend!”
Catching Jun is basically a fast-track to a promotion in this game. Now for Suu-chan.
This was the real boss battle. Suu-chan’s speed rivaled Jun’s, but while she had less raw power, she was a master of stealth and had an uncanny danger sense. She always knew exactly who the Cops were and where they were looking. Very tricky.
”Where was she last seen?” I asked.
”Over there…”
I gathered the intel and began the hunt. I knew Suu-chan wouldn’t break the rules or go anywhere dangerous—she’d promised me that much.
”Ah. Found her.”
I think our eyes met for a split second. She was peeking out from under the jungle gym, scanning the area like a pro.
”I wonder where Suu-chan is~?”
I played dumb, slowly closing the distance. I didn’t go straight for her; I circled wide, cutting off her angles.
”Come out, come out, Suu-chan…”
We danced around the playground, both of us shifting positions constantly, until the gap was down to about eight yards. She was at my nine o’clock. Too far for a lunge… and I wasn’t going to get any closer without her bolting.
”Ngh!”
I went into a full-out sprint. Suu-chan noticed a fraction of a second later and took off.
”Suu-chan, wait!”
”…♪”
I gave it everything I had, but the gap wasn’t closing. She was heading for the open plaza, which meant this was going to turn into a pure test of speed. She’d intentionally lured me into a situation where she had the advantage. Where does a five-year-old learn tactical kiting!?
Time for some aggressive negotiations. I didn’t have a bowl of katsudon² to offer her, but I had a few cards left to play.
”…I really… want to catch… Suu-chan…” I panted, loud enough for her to hear.
She glanced back for a heartbeat, but her pace didn’t falter.
”…When I catch you… I’m going to… hold on tight… so you can’t get away…”
”…”
Another glance. The gap was shrinking.
”…If you stop suddenly… I might… accidentally… hug you…”
”…”
Third time’s the charm.
”…But it would just be an accident… so it’s okay, right…?”
”…! ♪”
”—Whoa!”
Just as I got close enough to reach out, Suu-chan slammed on the brakes.
”—One-two-three-four-five. Suu-chan, you’re under arrest.”
Exactly as I’d threatened, I ended up catching her in a full-on bear hug from behind to keep from toppling over.
”Muhu…! Maa-kun… caught me… ♪” she said.
I’m not sure if I caught her so much as she let herself be caught, but I’ll take the win. We headed back to the Jail hand-in-hand.
Was it a cheap win? This is how adults play, kid. It’s called diplomacy. All for the sake of world peace.
”He caught Suu-chan too!”
”The Boss is a god!”
”…Only Maa-kun gets to catch me ♪” Suu-chan replied.
* * *
About thirty minutes after the game started…
”Alright, everyone! Time’s up!”
The teacher’s voice boomed across the plaza through a megaphone. The final score? A win for the Robbers.
I don’t know the exact count, but right at the end, there was a massive jailbreak that emptied the base. The only ones left in the Jail were the kids involved in the romantic drama.
Still, everyone looked like they’d had the time of their lives. We gathered by class for roll call and began the hike back down. Remember, kids: the field trip isn’t over until you’re back home.
Maybe it was the Dorokei, but everyone was exhausted. The hike back was eerily quiet. No one was dilly-dallying; they just marched along like little soldiers.
Even Jun was behaving herself. Surprisingly, Yuma—the veteran of the jail drama—seemed to have the most energy left.
We eventually made it back to the kindergarten in one piece. We listened to the teacher’s wrap-up speech in total silence. It was the smoothest dismissal in history.
I’m willing to bet the bus ride home is going to be a graveyard of napping toddlers.
”…Suu-chan, we’re here. Time to get up.”
”Maa-kun… piggyback…”
”Give me a break…”
”Then… carry me…” Suu-chan asked.
And with that, our Spring Field Trip officially came to an end.
—
Summary:
The Rose Class leads a massive game of Cops and Robbers during their mountain field trip. Makoto acts as the police ‘Lookout,’ utilizing the chaos to witness Yuma’s unintentional harem-like popularity with the girls in the ‘jail.’ To win the game, Makoto tactically arrests the fastest students, Jun and Suu-chan, by using their individual weaknesses against them. Suu-chan notably allows herself to be caught when Makoto jokingly threatens to hug her. The game ends in a victory for the Robbers after a large-scale jailbreak. Everyone returns to the kindergarten completely exhausted, ending the spring field trip on a peaceful note.
—
Trivia:
- Suu-chan’s ‘crisis perception’ suggests she is more observant than typical children, perhaps mirroring Makoto’s own unique perspective.
- The ‘Password’ rule highlights how Makoto’s influence is systematizing the children’s play, making them more organized than other classes.
- Yuma’s popularity being compared to Masaki-kun hints at a repeating social cycle among the toddlers
—
Character Insight:
Makoto’s role as the ‘Boss’ is solidified as even the teachers follow his suggestions. Suu-chan’s relationship with Makoto is shown to be deeply affectionate, as she prioritizes physical contact with him over winning the game.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
Introduction of the ‘Former Rose Class’ local rules, including the password system to prevent false arrests in large-scale games.
—
TL Notes:
The term ‘Dorokei’ is a portmanteau of ‘Dorobou’ (thief) and ‘Keisatsu’ (police), localized as Cops and Robbers.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Jun – A hyperactive track‑suit‑clad kindergartner from the Imai family, pure‑hearted yet easily tricked, idolizes her mother and playfully clashes with brother Makoto (same class). Trained on weekends at Mt. Hiou, she has top‑tier stamina and speed, a blunt speaking style, a large appetite, leads energetic preschoolers, leaks secrets, and balances her wild energy with Makoto’s calm restraint.
• Ai – Dark‑brown short bob hair, former long‑distance track star turned homeroom teacher of Chrysanthemum Class and Riko’s senior; athletic yet unrefined, never drinks, drives. When stressed she slips into regional dialects, voice frantic over drills. Now a kindergarten teacher and Rabbit Group “Mom,” blunt with parents, single and job‑frustrated. Fast, playful, competitive in Cops‑and‑Robbers, suspicious of Makoto’s maturity, responsible and cheerful guide for the youngsters.
• Riko – Riko-sensei is the lead teacher and PE instructor for the Sheep Group at Hinomori Kindergarten, also serving as school nurse; she nurtures children with warm observance but harbors a dry, cynical inner wit. Formerly Makoto’s homeroom teacher, she remains blissfully oblivious to his extraordinary nature, unlike her more perceptive colleagues. She manages class dynamics, photography, and progress interviews alongside Seiko-sensei, sharply judging coworkers yet finding solace in Makoto’s quiet influence and Maa-kun’s uncanny skills, often unwinding at girls’ nights with fellow staff.
• Hiromasa – A competitive boy who views Jun as a rival. He is stubborn and refuses to admit exhaustion. Known as ‘The Commander.’ A rowdy problem child who frequently defies the teacher and bickers with Himeno.
• Hiro – Rose Red, a boy in the Rose Class and leader of the Rose Rangers, gets bored easily, runs around the classroom, and accidentally breaks Suu’s paper.
• Yuma – Yuma Yoshikura, a frail four‑year‑old with an idol‑like face and quiet charm, is the eldest son of a wealthy family and Miyu’s younger brother. In Rose Class he unintentionally attracts multiple girls, is a close friend of Makoto, and leads the ‘train’ line with infectious excitement over acorns and nature. Despite low stamina he eagerly explores, builds blocks, folds paper, and admires Makoto.
• Kotarou – A slender, quiet boy with a focused gaze, often hunched over delicate origami or crouched to gather acorns; his careful precision earns quiet respect. A Middle Kids classmate and close friend of Makoto, he takes the game seriously yet is easily distracted by social drama, sharing a playful bond with Yuma and the core group.
• Kotaro – Quiet, slender kindergartner in Rose Class, friend of Makoto and member of his sandbox crew. He shares typical childhood interests— toys and games— helps Makoto with building projects, loves Kamen Rider, and often follows Makoto’s lead and social cues.
• Kota – Makoto’s biological father. Met Akari while working as a cram school tutor during their second year of university. He disappeared suddenly after six years of dating upon learning of the pregnancy.
• Makoto – A 4‑year‑old Rose Class student (93 cm, 13 kg) in a white shirt, blue vest and cap—actually a 30‑year‑old salaryman reborn as a child. He is the calm, analytical Boss, handing out hand cream, mediating fights, protecting Suu‑chan, and earning peers’ respect as a mature, athletic leader. The narrator with a slightly cynical adult mind.
• 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.
• 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.
• Suu – A female student in the Rose Class. Very close to Makoto (Maa-kun). Has mud on her cheeks and makes high-quality dorodango.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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