Volume 4 Chapter 33 Girls’ Party ⑧
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Thanks for the hard work, everyone!”
And so, the girls’ party began.
Having finally slogged through the “June from Hell”¹—and with our summer bonuses tucked safely in our pockets—today’s venue was a slightly upscale cake cafe. It felt like a proper girls’ party setting for the first time in a while. Because of the atmosphere, our opening toast wasn’t the usual “Cheers!” with a beer clink. That’s a cry for soft drinks, not for these aromatic coffees and teas.
”Sorry to keep you waiting. Here is the…”
”Oh, that’s mine!”
The first thing I chose was the cheesecake. The surface was glossy and the flavor was intense. The texture was so smooth… if I had to describe it in one word, it tasted like “happiness.” As a food review, it was a bit vague, but it was the truth. Miku-sensei had gone with the strawberry tart, while Ai-sensei ordered the Sachertorte.
”Miku-sensei, let me have a bite!”
”Me too!”
”Me as well, please!”
We enjoyed the cakes, happily swapping bites with one another. Even though our bonuses had just hit, overspending was a no-go. We were also at that age where we have to watch the calories. (Although, I have a feeling they’ll be burned off in an instant just trying to keep up with the kids…)
”Miku-sensei, is your bonus destined to disappear into camera gear again?” Riko asked.
”No, this time it’s probably a new PC,” Miku replied. “I want to upgrade to a high-performance model. My current one really chugs when I’m trying to process data…”
”So, in the end, it’s still for the sake of the photography,” Riko noted.
”Well, you aren’t wrong,” said Miku.
Miku was chronically broke. It seemed her spending habits hadn’t changed a bit. (I wonder if she picked the wrong hobby to get into…?)
”What about you, Riko-sensei?” Miku asked.
”Let’s see… Once I buy some new magic props, the rest is going into savings,” Riko said.
I spent my money on things that were half-work, half-hobby too. But compared to Miku, it was a drop in the bucket. And while I said “savings,” I didn’t just let it sit there. Actually, Akari-san had been teaching me about investing. Once I heard that her star pupil, Mio-san, was pulling in a profit of nearly 50,000 yen a month… well, I couldn’t exactly stay on the sidelines. I knew it would take patience at first, but I was going to keep at it steadily.
”Ai-sensei, what’s your plan?” Riko asked.
”I’ll fix my car and save the rest. Maybe start a wedding fund,” Ai replied.
”Wait, what?! Ai-sensei, do you actually have someone!?” Riko exclaimed.
”No, not yet… But I never know when I might run into my ideal set of muscles,” said Ai.
I panicked for a second thinking I was the only one left behind, but that was just so typical of Ai.
”…Riko-sensei, are you thinking something rude right now? About one of your few comrades-in-arms?” Ai asked.
”Huh? Whatever do you mean?”
”Riko-sensei is actually pretty dark-hearted when she wants to be~” Miku teased.
”That’s not true at all!?” Riko cried.
It was a horrible accusation.
”Well, I’ll let it slide for today,” Ai said. “We just survived the ‘June from Hell,’ so right now, it’s all about the sweets!”
”You’re right! —Oh, excuse me, we’d like to order more!” Riko called out.
Pulling ourselves together, we were already reaching for a second round. Tiramisu, Mont Blanc, Mille-feuille…
”This is so good…”
”Ah… I’m so glad I’m alive…”
”Mmmm, yummy…”
People say a teacher’s reward is the growth and smiles of the kids, but you really do need treats like this to survive. As Ai had put it, June is a brutal month. The main event is “Sunday Parent Observation Day.” Since we have to show the parents our raw, unvarnished classroom life—where no faking is possible—it’s easily the most high-pressure event on the kindergarten calendar. Observation Day is a time when the parents look at their kids, but it’s also a performance review for the teachers. Regardless of whether anything goes wrong, it just drains your soul. (If an actual incident occurred… I don’t even want to imagine it…)
On top of that, it’s held for three consecutive weeks. For the kids and parents, it’s a one-day affair, but for us, the Toddler, Junior, and Senior classes are all on different days. Even though Ai-sensei and I are the homeroom teachers for the Juniors, we don’t get the other grades’ days off. We were busy with prep work, working the reception desk, and watching the kids even more closely than usual to ensure nothing happened. We were guiding parents, answering questions, looking after younger siblings, and even acting as security to make sure no suspicious characters sneak in. It was a little less stressful than the day our own class was being watched, but we were constantly moving behind the scenes. Miku-sensei was also slammed, handling the massive lines as the photo salesperson.
Since June has no public holidays to begin with, having half of your Sundays crushed three times over is rough. And since there are normal classes on weekdays, there are no compensatory days off. We do get a special allowance for it, though. So, it was exhausting both mentally and physically. We hadn’t even had the time to hold a girls’ party until now.
”Man, having a peaceful class… is the best!” Ai shouted.
Despite the grind, Ai was in high spirits. Then again, she was always a “stamina beast.”
”Lately, Hiromasa-kun has really settled down,” Ai said. “His mom did a total 180 and was actually thanking me… I feel like the parents from the old Chrysanthemum Class have finally accepted me. Being a teacher… I’m so glad I didn’t quit…”
”Wait, Ai-sensei?! Are you crying now?!” Riko asked. “Here, look, eat some more cake! Smile, smile…!”
”It’th thoo good,” Ai sobbed.
Remembering the day of the Junior Class observation, Ai couldn’t help but tear up. I understood that feeling all too well. Because of what happened last year, Sunday Parent Observation Day had become a total trauma for her. As far as I know, she was at her “I’m quitting this job” peak back then.
The Toddler Class observation is unique; it’s the first time parents see their child’s life in a group setting. It’s the day they judge the class, the teacher, and the entire kindergarten. They say first impressions are everything. On that crucial day last year, in the Chrysanthemum Class where Ai was the lead teacher, a fight broke out. On top of that, it took forever to calm things down, so the parents’ evaluation was not great. Trust once lost might be an exaggeration, but the parents had certainly become very critical.
And then came this new fiscal year. Even though she had the veteran Seiko-sensei as her assistant and had gained the little charmer, Makoto-kun, the pressure on Ai—who was still responsible for the “problem child” from the previous year—must have been immense. The Rabbit Group had a tense atmosphere from day one, and there were many kids from the former Chrysanthemum Class, so many parents had seen last year’s disaster firsthand. But lately, Hiromasa-kun’s behavior had become much more mature. The recent Sunday Parent Observation Day went off without a hitch, and the feedback from parents was positive.
”Whoa, wait! Why are you about to cry too, Riko-sensei!?” Miku asked.
”Sorry,” Riko sniffled. “I just got caught up in Ai-sensei’s emotions…”
”Oh, I’m out of cake. What should I get next?” Ai asked.
”She bounced back already…?” Miku muttered.
Regardless, I was just glad it was over and done with. It seemed Masaki-kun’s parents and Makoto-kun and Suzuki-chan’s parents were able to chat peacefully as well. I was truly relieved. As we moved into our third round of cake, Miku brought something up.
”I heard the Junior Class wishes were absolutely covered in Makoto-kun’s name?”
We recently had the Tanabata festival at the kindergarten. As we do every year, the kids wrote their wishes on tanzaku² strips and hung them up.
”Really?” Ai asked.
It seemed Ai didn’t know. (Is it because she’s in the same group as Makoto-kun?)
”It’s true,” Riko said. “Maybe not ‘covered,’ but the most common wish was something like ‘I hope I can be in the same class as Makoto-kun.’”
There were others, too: ‘I hope I can play with Makoto-kun a lot,’ ‘I hope I can beat Makoto-kun at games,’ or ‘I hope I can grow up to be like Makoto-kun.’ Those were mostly from the kids who were in the Rose Class with him. Then there was even one that said, ‘I hope I can get a boyfriend like Makoto-kun.’ In the Rabbit Group, partly because of Suzuki-chan’s influence, the number of kids who are “in love with the idea of love” is definitely on the rise. Everyone really does love Makoto-kun. Even after the class shuffle, his presence is as strong as ever. If anything, it feels like it’s growing.
”Did you write that too, Riko-sensei?” Miku teased.
”Huh?”
”Dammit, I should have thought of that…” Ai joked.
”No, I didn’t write that!” Riko cried.
It would be a disaster if a teacher called out a specific student in their personal wish. (So Ai-sensei, please don’t look so genuinely disappointed!)
”What about you, Miku-sensei?” Riko asked. “Did you write… ‘I want to marry Ryuhei-san ♡’… or something?”
”…”
Ah, now the target was Miku. That sounded exactly like one of Suzuki-chan’s wishes. Incidentally, Suzuki-chan’s wish was: “I hope I can be in the same class as Maa-kun when we’re Seniors,” and “I want lots and lots of pictures of Maa-kun.” And Makoto-kun’s wish was apparently: “I hope everyone stays healthy,” and “I hope I can be in the same class as Suu-chan when we’re Seniors.” Well, that falls under the jurisdiction of the Grade Level Head, Ukai Akiko-sensei… so I’m sure it’ll be fine. Yes.
”Come on, Miku-sensei. Just spill it, you’ll feel better,” Ai teased.
”I’d really prefer it if you didn’t talk about ‘spilling’ things at a cake cafe!” Miku snapped.
And so, today’s girls’ party turned out to be another wonderful time.
* * *
”Wait, what was that? A camera date after this?” Ai asked. “Taking photos of the starry sky together? What the heck? Why is it even clear tonight when the rainy season isn’t over yet? I hope it rains…”
”Meguro-sensei, you’re surprisingly romantic, aren’t you~” Riko said.
”Oh, I think I can make a ‘rain-bringer’ doll³ out of this wet wipe,” Ai muttered. “If I hang it upside down, maybe I can make the clouds roll in right now…”
”Wait, stop!?” Riko cried.
—
Summary:
Riko, Miku, and Ai celebrate surviving a grueling June schedule at a high-end cake cafe. They discuss their financial plans and the emotional toll of the recent kindergarten parent observation weeks. The conversation shifts to the kids’ Tanabata wishes, revealing Makoto-kun’s overwhelming popularity and Miku’s secret romantic plans.
—
Trivia:
- June has no national holidays in Japan, making it the most fatiguing month for workers.
- Ai-sensei was ready to quit the profession last year due to parental backlash.
- Mio-san, a former student, is already earning a significant passive income through investing.
- Suzuki-chan and Makoto-kun have mutual wishes to be in the same class next year
—
Character Insight:
Ai-sensei shows deep emotional vulnerability and healing after her traumatic experience with the Chrysanthemum Class. Riko is becoming more pragmatic, looking toward long-term financial stability through investing.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The ‘June from Hell’ is a common trope in Japanese workplace narratives due to the ‘monsoon’ rainy season and lack of holidays.
—
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.
• Miku – Petite, patient kindergarten teacher and Pre‑K photography lead; single, exhausted from sorting thousands of excursion shots. Obsessed with pricey gear, she reads romance manga, avoids alcohol, plays straight‑man to Ai, gossips at work, and quietly pines for coworker Meguro—an open secret. Often cash‑strapped by her equipment habit.
• Ai – Dark-brown short bob hair frames a former long-distance track star now teaching Middle Kids homeroom, where trauma from last year’s Parent Observation Day lingers. Cheerful yet blunt, she’s the kids’ beloved “Mom,” quick with regional dialects when stressed, and fiercely competitive in Cops-and-Robbers. She adores muscles, pushes herself physically, and struggles with job frustration—single, devoted to her students, and wary of parents, yet deeply protective of her classroom family.
• Riko – Riko-sensei is the lead teacher and PE instructor for the Middle Kids at Hinomori Kindergarten, also serving as school nurse; she nurtures children with warm observance but harbors a dry, cynical 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 finds solace in Makoto’s quiet influence and Maa-kun’s uncanny skills. An avid hobbyist of magic tricks and a recent investor, she unwinds at girls’ nights with fellow staff, balancing her pragmatic exterior with hidden whimsy.
• Akari – 28-year-old single mother of Makoto and newborn Maa-kun, with long dark-brown hair and subtle makeup, poised and observant; estranged from her parents but deeply loving and strict, she balances full-time IT work with motherhood, cherishing quiet mornings and monitoring Makoto’s health via a private status report network. She drives a black light-compact car, lives beside her best friend Mio, and mentors Suzuki with candid photos of Makoto—using her former bank customer-service finesse to navigate parent circles, all while quietly grieving missing the party, her mischievous streak hidden beneath a polished, responsible exterior.
• Mio – Mio‑san, chairperson of the Totsuka family council and mother of Suzuki, is a recently postpartum, stylish gray‑clad figure with a baby‑faced charm and G‑cup silhouette. Playful yet grounded, she guides Makoto, Suu‑chan, Fuu‑chan and Kyo‑chan, bakes with them, encourages Shiho’s hobbies, and serves as Akari’s confidante. Protective of UV, she balances mischief with maternal wisdom.
• Hiromasa – A large‑physiqued, energetic boy nicknamed ‘Taisho’ and known as ‘The Commander’, he is a competitive rival of Jun, stubborn, refuses to admit exhaustion, and often defies teachers and bickers with Himeno. Once a rowdy problem child, he has recently calmed after bonding with Makoto in Cops‑and‑Robbers and discovering a future dream.
• 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.
• Makoto – Four‑year‑old Rose‑class student, 93 cm, 13 kg, in a white shirt, blue vest and cap—actually a 30‑year‑old salaryman reborn. Calm “Boss” who hands out hand cream, mediates fights, protects Suu‑chan and earns respect. Dry narrator in the Rabbit Group, uses logic and coin tricks. Known as Akari’s son, nicknamed Maa‑kun, popular Middle Kids student at Hinomori Kindergarten. Reincarnated adult, often the target of Suzuki’s affection and Mitsuhisa’s teasing.
• Seiko – Veteran kindergarten teacher and Rose Class leader, she exudes a steely, battle‑hardened aura with an icy gaze; polite yet intimidating, she’s dubbed an ‘ogre’ when angry and a ‘demon with a metal club’ for her dignified presence. Partner to Riko, senior to Akiko, and assistant at Hinomori Kindergarten, she blends playful realism with school‑politics savvy.
• Suzuki – Suu-chan, a doll-like five-year-old with dark braided pigtails, a topknot, sleepy sparkling eyes, and pink rain boots, is the eldest daughter of Mio and Mitsuhisa. A model student with uncanny intuition, she’s obsessively devoted to Makoto—calling herself Editor-in-Chief of his photo records, reading clocks to track his arrival, and always clutching a pink candy tin as she clings to his arm. Quiet, helpful, and fiercely competitive in word games, she proclaims herself his girlfriend and is rarely seen without him, her affection as precise as it is unwavering.
• Ryuhei – Staff/Office clerk and ace of the filming crew. Tall man with glasses. Hobbyist photographer since university; award winner in city contests.
• Ukai Akiko – Grade Level Head at Hinomori Kindergarten. Currently overseeing the Pre-K grade. She wears glasses and is shown working in the staff room, dealing with administrative exhaustion and the complexities of class assignments.
• 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.
• Maa-kun – A young boy in the Rabbit Group at Hinomori Kindergarten. He is highly intelligent, capable of second-grade math and multiplication. He is described as calm, stoic, and helpful, often acting as a ‘handler’ for more energetic children. Akari’s son, nearly five years old. An extreme polyglot and polymath who secretly studies news, martial arts, and multiple languages. Highly sensitive to his parents’ moods. Also referred to as Makoto-kun. Narrator’s son in the Rabbit Group. Popular with other girls but maintains distance. Previously protected Suu-chan during the ‘April Incident.’
• Suu – A female student in the Rose Class. Very close to Makoto (Maa-kun). Has mud on her cheeks and makes high-quality dorodango.
• Meguro – A 28‑29‑year‑old single man, 179‑180 cm tall, 67 kg, lives below the Totsukas on the first floor. He works as a kindergarten office clerk and Teacher (teacher/staff), giving information to Makoto. An amateur prize‑winning photographer and avid road‑bike rider, he cycles regularly.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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