Volume 4 Chapter 66 First, Shoot the Horse
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I made a pinky swear with Suzuki-chan. The moment the hands shielding his eyes finally pulled away, Maa-kun blinked rapidly, struggling to adjust to the light.
(Yes, yes, these eyes! These are the eyes! These are the eyes I’ve been dying to see!!)
When people thought of Maa-kun, they thought of those vacant, hollow eyes and that perfectly still expression.
You couldn’t detect even a flicker of that mindless, boundless energy you usually found in kids.
To put it nicely, he was composed; to put it bluntly, he looked completely burnt out.
The sheer gap between that world-weary aura and his tiny, boyish frame was just… irresistible!
My feelings for the shota¹ aesthetic were supposed to have matured into standard maternal love as I got older, but after discovering a miracle like Maa-kun, it was only natural that my old instincts were being dragged back to the surface.
…
(Phew… Calm down, Takanashi Misato. If my specific tastes got exposed here, I’d be dead for sure.)
I couldn’t help but feel that Akari-san’s gaze had been getting increasingly judgmental over the last few minutes.
If I didn’t start acting like a “good girl”—meaning a totally harmless, non-threatening adult—I’d never be allowed to see Maa-kun again.
(I’ll just stare at Maa-kun to steady my nerves…)
Even so… he really did look exactly like Akari-san. The shape of his eyes, the bridge of his nose, the arch of his brows, and even his ears were a carbon copy.
His posture was so dignified and refined that the “like mother, like son” connection felt undeniable. As I maintained my sanity by intensely—but casually—studying their familial resemblance, his tiny, adorable mouth opened hesitantly.
”Um…”
That was it! I had to actually talk to him! Because of our height difference, Maa-kun was forced to look up at me with those big eyes.
(This is a code red! Maa-kun, what exactly are you trying to do to your big sister!?)
”Muu!”
”Oh…”
”Ah…”
Pouting her lips, Suzuki-chan shoved her hands back over Maa-kun’s eyes. It was such a tragically short encounter. Still, hearing Maa-kun’s troubled, slightly pathetic little voice was a win. I seriously needed a recording of that… I wondered if Akari-san had one on her phone? His voice was so calm; it was pure ASMR for the soul.
”Maa-kun, cheating is bad,” Suzuki-chan pouted.
”…Of course it is,” Maa-kun replied.
He complied with her demands without a second thought. Just like I’d heard, he never wavered in his devotion to his “wife.”
”Akari-san. Don’t you think Suzuki-chan’s definition of ‘cheating’ is a little extreme?” I asked.
”Eh? Isn’t it pretty standard? Right, Suu-chan? It’s normal, isn’t it?” Akari replied.
”Nn, normal,” said Suzuki.
”……”
I tried to launch a subtle protest, but Akari-san shut me down without a second thought.
(Damn it, Maa-kun’s security is tighter than a vault!!)
To think I wasn’t even allowed a few seconds of small talk… I wondered if that possessive streak was something she picked up from Mio-senpai. Though, in my opinion, Mio-senpai at least trusted her husband enough to give him some breathing room.
”Erm… Suzuki-chan? What exactly counts as cheating? Could you teach your big sister about the rules?”
”What kind of things…?” Suzuki asked.
”Yeah. I really want to talk to Maa-kun, is that totally off-limits?”
”No,” Suzuki said.
”No, huh? I wonder why that is?”
”…Maa-kun looks like he’s having too much fun talking to adult women,” Suzuki muttered.
”Is that so?”
”Nn.”
(Wait… hold on. Is this actually… a real chance!?)
”I don’t know about that~. I’ve never seen Maa-kun look as happy as he does when he’s playing with you, Suu-chan,” Akari said, immediately moving in to intercept me.
It was a nice try, but it didn’t matter. There was no doubt about it—Maa-kun was definitely an “older woman” enthusiast. I could tell just by looking at the poor kid; he looked totally awkward and put on the spot.
(Maybe the ‘slightly naughty older sister’ persona is the way to go here…?)
Between Akari-san and Mio-senpai, he was probably used to seeing beautiful, elegant women, but there had to be a specific “vibe” they didn’t show to family! Maybe that was exactly what he was craving!?
”Also, whenever people talk to Maa-kun, they all end up falling for him,” Suzuki added.
”Ah—, well, about that…”
”Is he really that popular? Even at kindergarten?” I asked.
”Nn. Everyone is gunning for Maa-kun. That’s why I have to protect him,” Suzuki said.
”I see. You’ve got your work cut out for you, Suu-chan.”
”Nn. Maa-kun is in the Rabbit Group² and ssu is in the Sheep Group³, so it’s super hard. I can’t let my guard down for a second,” Suzuki complained.
I felt for her, I really did. But if there was a boy as amazing as Maa-kun around, of course everyone was going to target him. There was no reason not to.
”…Is Big Sister gunning for Maa-kun, too?” Suzuki asked.
”Eh!? Ah—, well, Maa-kun is so cool, I might end up falling for him…”
”Muu… another enemy appeared…”
”It’s okay! I have absolutely no intention of getting in the way of you and Maa-kun! I promise!”
”…Really?”
”Yes, really! That’s why I’m begging you to let me talk to him!! Please!!”
This was it—the do-or-die moment!
(—THE DOGEZA!⁴)
The legendary Grand Prostration. This was the most sincere, time-honored way to make a desperate plea. Pride meant nothing in the presence of Maa-kun!
”If you grant my wish, I’ll even give you this…”
I went for the finishing move. My ultimate weapon—the acrylic keychain I’d brought as a souvenir.
”Muu!?”
Just as I’d predicted, Suzuki-chan took the bait.
”Heh, this is actually really well-made,” Mio remarked.
”Since when did you even…” Akari muttered.
Mio-senpai was genuinely impressed, while I could see a flicker of envy behind Akari-san’s exasperation. After all, the character on this keychain was “Maa-kun” himself.
The one I’d offered Suzuki-chan featured a chibi-style Maa-kun sitting on the floor with his legs kicked out.
Even I had to admit it was a masterpiece. Especially the eyes. Every time Akari-san showed me a photo or a video, I’d desperately burned the image into my brain so I could draw it from memory.
I’d printed, cut, and assembled this myself—a genuine, one-of-a-kind-in-the-world item.
(Though I still had several other variants for myself back at home.)
I’d once dreamed of being a manga artist, after all. For someone like me, currently working as a top-tier designer, this was child’s play. If Akari-san would just give me the high-res photo data, I could have made a photorealistic version!
”…Is this Maa-kun?” Suzuki asked.
”It is indeed,” I replied.
Suzuki-chan was staring at it, eyes full of wonder. Since she loved Maa-kun more than anything, she had to be dying to get her hands on it.
”Muu… fine. I guess you can talk to him for a little bit,” Suzuki decided.
”Thank you so much!!”
My Makoto-i⁵ must have reached her. However, Maa-kun’s eyes were still covered. She showed no intention of letting go.
(So, I can talk to him, but I’m still not allowed to look at him? Is this how it’s going to be the entire time I’m here…?)
As if sensing my tragic internal monologue, Maa-kun gently tapped Suzuki-chan’s arm.
”…Suu-chan, Suu-chan.”
”What is it?”
”I’d really like to see Suu-chan’s cute face now…”
”Nn♪”
The second Maa-kun made the request, Suzuki-chan effortlessly removed her hands. She immediately circled around to the front, grabbed Maa-kun’s head with both hands, and pressed her forehead against his as if to say Look only at me! Her nose was touching his, too.
”…Isn’t that a little close?” I asked.
”It’s okay.”
”I see.”
”……Muu, fufu♪”
I was so jealous! I wanted to do that, too!
Wait, no.
”That was remarkably easy,” I noted.
”Well, you know how it is. They’re just flirting. They’re just using you as a prop, Misato,” Akari said.
”Wait, so I’m just the stalking horse⁶ here?”
”Pretty much. My condolences,” Akari replied.
”Akari-san. Don’t you know that love burns hotter when there are obstacles in the way?”
”If it starts burning, I’m reporting you immediately,” Akari shot back.
”…To 119?”
”To 110.”
”…”
”Anyway, about that keychain from before…”
”Wait, do you want one too, Akari-san?” I asked.
”…”
”…”
”I did let you meet Maa-kun, didn’t I?” Akari pointed out.
”I mean, yes, but… this is a special case. It’s like one of my own children…”
”……Would you take a high-res photo in exchange?”
”Please, accept this humble offering!!”
—
Summary:
Misato finally manages to see Maa-kun’s face, only to be immediately blocked by the hyper-possessive Suzuki-chan. She navigates a tense social atmosphere, attempting to charm the children while being monitored by Akari-san. The interaction shifts as Misato uses a custom-made Maa-kun keychain as a strategic bribe to buy conversation time.
—
Trivia:
- Maa-kun and Suzuki-chan are in different kindergarten classes (Rabbit vs. Sheep).
- Misato’s profession as a designer is the reason she can produce high-quality fan goods of a real person.
- The ‘stalking horse’ comment reveals that the kids might be exaggerating their intimacy to provoke a reaction or simply playing house.
- Akari-san is willing to trade candid photos of Maa-kun for Misato’s handmade merchandise
—
Character Insight:
Misato’s obsession reaches a level where she creates ‘bootleg’ merchandise of a child she barely knows. Suzuki-chan displays an advanced level of territorial behavior for her age, identifying Misato as an ‘enemy’ almost instantly.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The author uses Misato as a self-aware parody of the ‘degenerate’ fan, contrasting her internal feverish monologue with the innocent reality of the children.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• 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.’
• Suzuki – Suu-chan, the five-year-old eldest Totsuka daughter and Mio’s child, is a doll-like girl with dark braided pigtails, a topknot, sleepy sparkling eyes, and pink rain boots, fiercely possessive of Maa-kun—whom she calls her “Official Wife” candidate—often clutching his arm or covering his eyes to “protect” him. Clutching a pink candy tin, she’s stoic, tomboyish, and shy with strangers, yet deeply devoted to her sisters. The only child who can replicate the tunnel somersault, she races with Maa-kun, interprets results as next-year class placement, and craves physical “recharge” through their runs. Jealous of Jun and a member of the Sheep Group, she somersaulted with him to win his heat.
• Misato – Takanashi Misato, 28, works among the ‘Single Aristocrats.’ Usually in street‑style hoodies, she now wears an elegant adult outfit for her first meeting with the boy she admires. A former manga‑artist hopeful, she obsessively watches young boys (shota) but hides it behind a harmless façade, quietly observing the protagonist’s birthday story and sharing a hidden longing.
• Akari – Light, 28, single mother of Makoto and newborn Maa‑kun, has long dark‑brown hair, subtle makeup and a poised, observant look that mirrors Maa‑kun’s eyes, nose and brows. Estranged from her own parents, she’s loving yet strict, works full‑time IT, lives beside friend Mio, mentors Suzuki with candid photos and navigates parent circles with bank‑service finesse. Outwardly shy, secret shogi player, mischievous, now more ready for Sports Day after switching to casual work attire. Calm, modest, kind, supportive, affectionate, she teases Makoto and acts as guardian monitoring Misato’s behavior, described as tsundere by her.
• 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-senpai, a refined postpartum woman with a baby-faced charm and G-cup silhouette, now stylishly dressed in gray, is wife to Mitsuhisa, mother to Suzuki, twins Fuuka and Kyouka, and an older kindergarten child, and former senior to Misato—who describes her as a homebody with an increasingly seductive aura. Once a Totsuka council chair, she quietly mentors Maa-kun in UV hair-drying, bakes with her kids, confides in neighbor Akari, and teases them on film, while publicly sharing affectionate grill-side moments with Mitsuhisa. Disliking crowds, she maintains a warm, intimate home life, admired by Misato for her creative grace and serene presence since leaving the company five years ago.
• Makoto – Four‑year‑old Rose‑class boy, 93 cm, 13 kg, white shirt, blue vest and cap—actually a 30‑year‑old salaryman reborn as the kindergarten’s “Boss”. Calm, logical, mediates fights, hands out hand‑cream, protects Suu‑chan, runs Jun, earns respect. Nicknamed Maa‑kun, mistaken for Akari’s son, uses coin tricks and adult wisdom; Suzuki‑chan’s affection, teased by Mitsuhisa, his hidden ace is a transmigrated mind and preternatural coordination. Often blindfolded yet sits perfectly in seiza.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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