Volume 4 Chapter 72 The Hug Coupons Seem to be Abolished
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The day was finally drawing to a close.
”Maa-kun, give me a big squeezey-huuuug!♪”
”Huuuug!”
It was the usual scene of the two of them being loath to part.
But today, Suu-chan was being even more clingy toward Maa-kun than usual.
”-Thanks, I feel a lot better now,” said Maa-kun.
”Mhm♪”
Maa-kun gave her a kiss as a thank-you.
”I love you, Suu-chan.”
”ssu¹ loves you too… Heh♪”
It wasn’t exactly rare-they said it at least once a day-but receiving the words she wanted most made Suu-chan’s breath hitch with excitement.
She looked as if she were experiencing the absolute peak of her life.
(Behaviorally speaking, she’s pushing the limits of being a ‘proper lady,’ but if Maa-kun is the one asking for it, I suppose that changes things.)
(Just as long as she keeps it in check when they’re out in public.)
Still, it was the first I’d heard about Maa-kun being a bit down since he got home from kindergarten.
Maybe something happened there.
I’ll make a mental note to ask Akari about it later.
”Geez, do you two have any intention of letting go?” I asked.
”None,” said Maa-kun.
”Not really…?” Suu-chan added.
”Mama, it’s freezing out here in the hallway…”
”Just be tough.”
”Ehh-“
I complained to the two of them as they continued to flirt in the entryway where the heater didn’t reach, but I was heartlessly brushed off. Despite being my own daughter, she was certainly growing up to be a straightforward one.
”Akari, shall we huddle up for warmth too?”
”Hmm, I think my husband might have something to say about that,” Akari replied.
”Typical.”
My best friend was so cold.
Fine then, I still have my Mii-kun!
”Stay warm so you don’t catch a cold,” I said.
”Mhm, you too, Maa-kun,” Suu-chan whispered.
”Thanks.”
”Mhm♪”
”Well, see you tomorrow.”
”Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
The hug lasted a good while longer, and to cheer up Suu-chan, whose expression was starting to cloud over at the thought of him leaving, Maa-kun gave her one last kiss before they finally broke apart.
Akari led Maa-kun back to the house next door.
Suu-chan watched until the door clicked shut, then immediately begged for a carry as I stood there rubbing my chilly arms.
”Mmm-, Suu-chan, you’re so nice and warm.”
”Mhm…”
I hoisted up my eldest daughter-she’d certainly gotten big-and patted her back rhythmically to soothe her.
I understood my daughter’s feelings perfectly; she just wanted to be with him more.
But she also had to learn the value of patience.
I didn’t want her to grow up into the type who sulks and gets desperate the moment things don’t go her way, or someone who makes reckless choices and ends up with a lifetime of regret.
Besides, I’m sure Akari wanted some one-on-one time with Maa-kun, too.
The window of time where a child is willing to act spoiled with their parents closes so fast.
I wanted her to yield just a little for now.
After all, I’m sure she’ll be spending plenty of ‘intense’ time with him later in life.
”Alright, we’re both chilled to the bone. Let’s hop in the bath, okay?”
”Mhm. Together with Mama today?”
”Yeah. Sorry I’m not Maa-kun, okay?”
”No, it’s fine.”
”Good girl. Now go get the bath ready.”
”Okay.”
I set the now-calmed Suu-chan down and sent her to get her pajamas ready.
I made sure she didn’t forget her favorite ‘personal hairdryer’ we gave her for her birthday.
”Ready!”
”Alright! Charge!”
”Yay!”
And so, mother and daughter enjoyed a peaceful soak together.
I used the time to check if she was following all the steps I’d taught her.
Hair washing, body scrubbing, face cleansing, the duration of the soak, the water temperature, and the post-bath skincare routine.
When it comes to the effort required to maintain beauty, the earlier you start, the better.
I’ve seen so many women full of regret, wishing they’d known the right way or started sooner.
Even I-who started early thanks to my older sister’s influence-occasionally have those thoughts.
I remember complaining to my own Mom back when I was a student.
But now that I’m a mother myself, I see that the one doing the teaching has their own side of the story.
Between work, chores, and childcare, life is a whirlwind, and your own maintenance time is usually the first thing to go.
Youngsters are naturally indifferent and find the whole process a chore, so they tend to push it off.
It’s even worse if they’re in a rebellious phase.
On that point, Suu-chan is highly motivated because she already has someone she wants to look her best for.
It also helps that she sees us constantly ‘polishing’ ourselves as women.
It’s a lot of work, but if you have someone to love, you can usually make it through!
”Done.”
”Perfect!”
”Check!”
She followed every instruction to the letter.
In terms of sheer ability, she’s probably ready to bathe on her own soon-though whether she actually wants to is a separate issue.
I sank into the tub up to my shoulders next to her.
”Is it too hot?”
”No, it’s fine. It feels good.”
Suu-chan narrowed her eyes contentedly.
A child’s body temperature is naturally higher than an adult’s, and it spikes much faster.
Even if it feels comfortable to me, a child can easily drift toward dehydration.
Keeping a close watch on her, I steered the conversation toward ‘girl talk.’
”Hey, Suu-chan.”
”Yeah?”
”What do you think Maa-kun wants for his birthday?”
The topic was Maa-kun’s birthday present; his big day was less than two weeks away.
I needed to decide soon, but I was completely stumped.
”Do you have any ideas?”
”ssu?”
”Well, I know he wants you, but I mean besides that. Books? Toys?”
”Hmmmmmmm… I don’t know.”
”I see…”
”Mhm… Mama, sorry.”
”No, no, you didn’t do anything wrong, Suu-chan.”
Even Suu-chan, who can pick up on the tiniest shifts in Maa-kun’s emotions, couldn’t give me the answer I wanted.
Perhaps that was the answer.
Maa-kun is the type who listens when spoken to, and understands even when you don’t speak.
He is the gold standard of ‘safe and reliable.’
If he had one flaw, it was his complete lack of material desire.
It felt like even he didn’t know what he wanted.
With his birthday and Christmas both hitting in December, I find myself nursing a headache every single year.
Even Akari, the other ‘Maa-kun Specialist,’ was in the same boat.
She’d asked me to poke around and see if Suu-chan knew anything, but it looks like I won’t have any good news for her.
Maybe Mii-kun would have a better lead.
The digital camera we gave him last year was actually Mii-kun’s idea.
Maybe men just understand that side of each other better.
”By the way, have you decided what you’re giving Maa-kun for his birthday?”
”Mmm-mm. Still thinking.”
”What about that? The ‘Hug Coupon²‘?”
That was the gift she gave him last year.
Based on Maa-kun’s reaction, I think he was genuinely thrilled with it.
Suu-chan seemed proud of it, too.
I assumed she’d want to make another one this year with my help, but she shook her head firmly.
”You’re not making one?”
”No.”
Suu-chan gave a determined nod, her lips pouting slightly.
”Because Maa-kun can hug ssu whenever he wants anyway.”
”Ah, fair point.”
”Mhm.”
A coupon wasn’t necessary.
In fact, it was just an obstacle.
(She realized it, huh?)
Well, that gift was originally meant to help the two of them practice a bit of self-restraint, so her logic was sound.
”Hmm… Maa-kun’s present…”
”What should we do~?”
”I want him to be happy.”
”I know. Something that makes him happy… what could it be?”
”Mmm… something that makes him happy… makes him feel better…?”
The two of us sat there groaning in thought for a while.
”…!?”
”Oh? What is it, Suu-chan?”
Just as I was about to suggest we get out, Suu-chan suddenly stood up in the tub.
It wasn’t very ‘ladylike’ behavior, but her face was beaming with pure motivation.
”Did you think of something?”
”Mhm! I got it!”
”What? Tell me!”
”It’s a secret♪”
”Aww, come on, Suu-chan!”
After hopping out of the bath and strictly following her post-bath routine, Suu-chan spent the little time she had before bed immediately starting work on her mystery present.
—
Summary:
Suu-chan and Maa-kun share a long, affectionate goodbye at the front door before the narrator takes Suu-chan for her nightly bath. During their soak, they struggle to think of a birthday present for Maa-kun, whose lack of material desire makes him difficult to shop for. Suu-chan suddenly has a flash of inspiration for a secret gift and begins crafting it immediately after their bath
—
Trivia:
- The narrator’s mention of her own older sister teaching her beauty habits early on
- The specific detail about the birthday gift from the previous year being a digital camera suggested by Mii-kun
- The narrator’s concern about children dehydrating faster in hot baths than adults
- Suu-chan’s use of a personal hairdryer that was a birthday gif
—
Character Insight:
Suu-chan demonstrates emotional growth by realizing that she doesn’t need ‘coupons’ to be affectionate with Maa-kun, effectively removing a self-imposed barrier to their intimacy.
—
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.’
• 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.
• Akari – 28‑year‑old single mother of Makoto and newborn Maa‑kun. Long dark‑brown hair, subtle makeup echoing her son, shy yet modest look that hides a mischievous streak. Works full‑time in IT (finance & tech certified), lives next door to friend Mio and helps the narrator manage the children’s schedules. Protective, sharp‑observant, teases Misato about her single status, loves sushi, and navigates parent circles with quiet finesse.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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