Volume 4 Chapter 38 Guards Drop After Waking Up
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I woke up from my nap. As a massive yawn escaped me, my brain slowly began to reboot and take in my surroundings.
(If I remember correctly, we were reading a book together after lunch. Suu-chan fell asleep, so I had Mitsuhisa-san carry her over…)
I checked the clock; it was just past 2:30 PM. Normally, that would mean I’d totally overslept, but since we started our nap late today, it made sense. I tried to give myself a long, satisfying stretch, but something was blocking my movement.
I wasn’t surprised; this happened all the time. I peeked under the towel-ket¹ Mitsuhisa-san must have draped over us, and the culprit was revealed.
”…Nn…”
It was Suu-chan. She was clinging to me, her head practically burrowed into my side. As usual, she seemed to have a homing instinct for other people’s futons. According to the observations made by Mio-san and the others, she doesn’t just crawl in when she wakes up and goes back to sleep. Instead, she apparently migrates-tossing and turning her way gradually, but with absolute certainty, into the blankets.
And she only ever does it to me.
There is no consistency when she sleeps with Mio-san or Mitsuhisa-san. Since she isn’t even conscious of it herself, the truth remains shrouded in mystery. Maybe it’s just some primal instinct at work.
”…Maa-kuu… the right one…”
An adorable mumble leaked out. I wondered what kind of dream she was having. Well, the next time I have to choose between left or right, I’ll be sure to pick the right.
I waited about five minutes for her to wake up, and eventually, she started to squirm. Suu-chan tried to sit up and look around, but the towel-ket was still draped over her head, completely blocking her view.
”…Maa-kun?”
”Morning, Suu-chan.”
She called out in a dazed, sleepy voice, so I pulled the blanket off for her. Once she confirmed it was my face, she rested her chin on my chest, pinning me down as her face broke into a radiant smile.
”…’Morning.”
I couldn’t help but grin back at that defenseless, just-woke-up face. My hand naturally reached out to her head, and I gently stroked her hair, trying to smooth out the mess she’d made from all that tossing and turning.
”Suu-chan, you’re so cute.”
”……Ehehe.”
She buried her head back into my chest, nuzzling me to hide her blushing face. (I’m choosing to believe she wasn’t just using my shirt to wipe away any lingering drool.)
”Hey, Suu-chan.”
”?”
”Can I give you a big hug?”
”…?”
Her head was in the perfect spot, after all. Besides, I realized I hadn’t been the one to initiate a hug in a while. (It’s okay if I’m the one to make the move once in a while, right?) Without waiting for a sleepy Suu-chan to give me the go-ahead, I pulled her into a deep embrace, cradling her head.
”!!?!!?!!?”
Suu-chan’s body stiffened for a split second. (Maybe it was a bit too much stimulation for someone who had just woken up?)
”Huff, puff!“
I felt a sudden, heavy puff of air against my stomach. She seemed happy about it, so I squeezed a little tighter. In response, she started pressing her whole body against mine.
”~~♪”
”Whoa, Suu-chan…”
Her excitement spiked, and she suddenly flipped the script, taking the “mount” position on top of me. Even though she was only born eight months before me, I was no match for her in terms of pure physique or muscle strength. However, I still had the “wicked cunning” inherited from my previous life.
We rolled around on the floor, kicking the blankets and the futon aside as we wrestled and played. Then, I suddenly felt a pair of eyes on us. I got a very bad feeling.
”…”
Being pinned face-down, I twisted my neck just enough to see the living room door. It was cracked open slightly. My eyes met a glittering camera lens. We were locked in eye contact.
”…Mio-san?”
”Oh, don’t mind me.”
”…”
”Please, carry on. Take your time.”
There was Mio-san, smirking behind her video camera. (Look, we weren’t doing anything shameful. Suu-chan and I are the same age; this was perfectly wholesome. Suu-chan was happy, and nobody was getting hurt. But being watched-and filmed-by someone else was a different story.)
”…How long have you been there?”
”Want to check the footage?”
She’d probably been there since the start. Mio-san is nothing if not thorough.
”Suu-chan, we’re done.”
”…Muu.”
Suu-chan pouted, but any more of this would be disastrous for my mental health. (It might already be too late, but you have to treat a wound while it’s still shallow.)
”…Maybe next time, okay?”
”Mm.”
Even as I said it, I found myself buckling under the silent pressure she was radiating. Truly, she was growing into a very formidable young lady.
”Alright, let’s go have a snack.”
”Maa-kun, snacks!”
”…Aye-aye, ma’am.”
I wanted to stay collapsed on the floor for a bit longer, but unfortunately, it seemed I wasn’t going to be allowed that luxury.
* * *
Even as the sun began to dip and we finished our snacks, the heat showed no signs of letting up. We were in the garden of the old, spacious house next to our apartment building, playing badminton. Of course, we had the owners’ permission. Actually, they’d told us we were welcome to play there whenever we liked. The owners were an elderly couple who absolutely doted on us; they were currently watching us through their window from the comfort of their air-conditioned room.
”Maa-kun!”
”Coming at ya!”
We were swinging toy rackets that cost maybe a thousand yen for the set. My grandparents had bought them for my birthday last year. (Due to some circumstances, I didn’t actually get them until after the New Year, but we were putting them to good use.)
As we chased the plastic shuttlecock-which rarely flew in a straight line-there was one other person watching us.
”You kids sure are energetic…”
Mio-san let out a murmur that was a mix of admiration and disbelief. She was sitting in an outdoor chair in the shade, holding a parasol and using a portable fan to blow air onto her face. Naturally, she hadn’t forgotten to record us. A tripod sat prominently right next to her.
The evening is usually a busy time for dinner preparations, but Mio-san is so efficient with her housework that it wasn’t an issue. Plus, it’s not like we were out here for hours.
”Oh, she’s back.”
Mio-san was the first to notice. Half the reason we play outside in the evening is because I have too much energy left over if I only do a short morning session. The other half is to welcome Mother home from work. I put down my racket and ran over to Mother with Suu-chan.
”Mom, welcome home!”
”Welcome home!”
”I’m home. Thank you both for coming to meet me in this heat.”
The three of us held hands and walked back.
”Did anything fun happen today?”
”Hmm, it was pretty much the same as usual.”
”Maa-kun gave me a big hug!”
”Really? I’m so jealous, Suu-chan. I want a hug from him later, too.”
”…I’ll think about it.”
(Well, I’m sure there will be plenty of chances before bed.)
”Welcome back!”
”I’m home. Have you been a good girl?”
”Yeah, obviously. …Wait, are you talking to me!?”
”Hehe, thanks again for today.”
”Geez.”
The two mothers teased each other as usual. Their friendship was as rock-solid as ever.
”Alright then… it’s hot and I’m starving. Let’s get inside!”
”Yeah!”
We wrapped up our playtime and headed up the apartment stairs. Mother just dropped her things off at our place before coming straight over to the Totsuka household. It was time for our communal dinner. We’d always done this on holidays, but since Mother changed jobs, her hours have become much earlier and more stable, so we’ve been able to share the same table on weekdays, too.
Today’s menu: salmon meunière, blanched spinach, nameko mushroom miso soup with red miso, and white rice topped with natto. After a lively dinner full of chatter, we moved on to some family relaxation time.
”Akari, I got some great footage today.”
”Let me see!”
”Mm! I wanna see too!”
”Hold on a sec, let me hook it up to the TV…”
”Ah, actually, I think I need to use the bathroom…”
”Maa-kun, you just went. Watch it with me.”
”Makoto, don’t run away. Be a man.”
”Oh, my mom…”
For some reason, we were forced into a viewing session of the home video that was barely an hour old. We’d already talked about it during snack time, but here we were, watching it over and over…
By the time my life bar hit zero, Mother finally decided it was time to wrap things up.
”Is Suu-chan staying with us tonight?”
”Is that okay?”
”Of course.”
It looked like Suu-chan was having another sleepover. Lately, Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan have started their night crying phase, and Suu-chan keeps waking up because of it. (They’re newborns, so it’s totally normal and can’t be helped, but with two of them, it’s a recipe for sleep deprivation.) Sleep is vital for a child’s development, so we’re trying to give her the most peaceful environment possible.
As a result, she’s been staying over more than every other day lately. Honestly, every night would be ideal given the circumstances, but we settled on this pace so she doesn’t lose the ability to sleep on her own.
”Sleepover?”
”Yep. Go get your things ready, okay?”
”Mm!”
She might have been waiting for those exact words. Looking thrilled, Suu-chan immediately jumped into action. Pajamas, hair dryer, a book for bedtime-she packed her overnight kit into her bag without a second thought. At five years old, she was already a pro at staying out all night and coming home in the morning.
”Papa, good night.”
”Yeah, night. See you tomorrow.”
”Mm.”
After saying good night to Mitsuhisa-san, the snoozing twins, and Chashibu, she grabbed my hand and tried to pull me toward our place faster than anyone.
”Maa-kun, I’m ready.”
”Ah, right.”
”Well then, take care of her. Good night, you two!”
”Good night!”
”Nighty-night.”
The three of us headed into the Yashiro apartment. Since we’d already handled the chores like airing out the rooms and folding the laundry before our evening playtime, there was only one thing left to do.
”Straight to the bath, you two.”
”Mm!”
Mother sent us toward the washroom and joined us after turning on the AC. We scrubbed each other’s backs, soaked in the lukewarm tub together, and counted to a hundred in English. (Counting numbers is the classic way to maintain one’s composure, after all.)
Once the “training” was over and we’d finished brushing our teeth, skin care, and hair drying, we started getting ready for bed, even though we weren’t quite sleepy yet. We spread out the two sets of futons that had been tucked away in the corner, pressing them together so there were no gaps. It wasn’t technically enough for three people, but for one adult and two children, it was plenty of space. One of us was going to end up burrowing into the middle anyway.
”Alright, time for a three-way hug!”
”Mm!”
”…Aye-aye, ma’am.”
And so, another peaceful, ordinary day came to a close.
—
Summary:
After a cozy afternoon nap and some playful wrestling, Makoto and Suu-chan play badminton while waiting for Makoto’s mother to return from work. The families share a communal dinner, highlighting their close-knit bond and the mothers’ playful friendship. The day ends with Suu-chan staying over due to her newborn siblings’ crying, concluding with a shared family bath and bedtime.
—
Trivia:
- Suu-chan is 8 months older than Makoto.
- Mio-san films everything with a video camera.
- The families live in adjacent apartments and eat together frequently.
- The neighbors are an elderly couple who let the kids play in their garden
—
Character Insight:
Makoto shows a mix of childlike innocence and adult-like observation. Suu-chan’s attachment to Makoto is highlighted by her sleep habits and her excitement for his hugs.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The communal living arrangement suggests a deep level of trust and shared parenting between the two households.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Mitsuhisa – Mitsuhisa, 33, 184 cm, 71 kg, toned and reserved, is a giant‑physique father of three (Suu‑chan, Fuu‑chan, Kyo‑chan) married to Mio. On modified childcare leave he’s protective, doting, play‑acting with his daughters, feeling neglected by the eldest but favoring the twins, distant with Akari, dark‑bantering with former teammate Makoto, and unsettled by his influence. Also known as Mitsuhisa‑san, father of the Totsuka family, on work‑from‑home leave, theatrical when his daughters prefer Makoto, and enjoys playful competition.
• 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.
• Mio – Mio‑san, chairperson of the Totsuka 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, serves as Akari’s confidante, films and teases the children, cooks for her family, manages the household, and mentors Maa‑kun in hair‑drying while protecting UV.
• 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.’
• Mom – A 30‑year‑old mother who recently switched jobs for more time with her son, Maa‑kun. She’s supportive, manages household shopping together with Mio‑san, and balances family life with her new career.
• 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.
• Akari – 28‑year‑old single mother of Makoto and newborn Maa‑kun. Long dark‑brown hair, subtle makeup, poised and observant. Estranged from parents but loving and strict; works full‑time IT, balances motherhood, cherishes quiet mornings, monitors Makoto’s health via private status reports. Drives a black light‑compact car, lives beside best friend Mio, mentors Suzuki with candid photos, uses bank‑service finesse in parent circles, quietly grieves missing the party, mischievous side hidden under polished exterior, recently switched jobs for stability.
• 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. Target of Suzuki’s affection and Mitsuhisa’s teasing.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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