Volume 4 Chapter 73 Stamp Rally
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It was the first Friday of December, the kind of morning where you find yourself craving even the smallest bit of warmth from the rising sun.
The youngsters from Hinomori Kindergarten¹—both the Older Class and the Middle Class—had gathered at Gongen Woods, right at the trailhead of Mt. Hiou².
”Makoto! I’m so pumped!”
”I bet.”
”I’m gonna get the most stamps!”
”I’m gonna get a ton, too!”
”Gotta… collect them all…”
”Yeah, go for it.”
”Yeah! I’ll do my best!”
”Alright, let’s move!”
”Stay.”
”Woof!”
Today’s field trip was a Stamp Rally³.
The goal was to navigate various checkpoints scattered across the Mt. Hiou trekking routes to collect animal stamps. Depending on how many you gathered, you could trade them in for different medals handmade by the teachers.
The stamp cards hanging from our necks—reminiscent of the ones used for summer Radio Calisthenics⁴—weren’t actually products of the teachers’ blood, sweat, and tears. We had made them ourselves during class the day before.
We had cut out the printed sheets with scissors, folded them, and pasted them onto cardstock slightly larger than a postcard, before adding our own personal touches.
A car was racing across Yuma’s card, while Jun’s featured something that looked vaguely like a mountain. I had also drawn Mt. Hiou, but after realizing I’d doubled up with Jun, I spent about an hour face-palming over it.
”…Would this be the most efficient route?”
”It’d be faster if we went this way.”
While most of the kids were bouncing off the walls waiting for the signal to start, the Rabbit Group⁵‘s resident intellectuals—Kotarou and the Professor—were hunched over their guidebook maps.
”You’re right. Let’s go with that. …Wait, but if we do, what about the ‘turtle’?”
”Hmm… maybe hit the ‘turtle’ after the ‘boar’?”
”But then the ‘tiger’ is a total detour…”
”Umm… Makoto, what do you think?”
”Eh? Oh, well… there will probably be some ‘secret points’ not listed on the map this year, so it’s hard to say for sure right now.”
”Oh, good point…”
”So what’s the plan?”
”Mapping?”
”No, we already have a map…”
”We’ll just have to comb the whole area.”
”Ugh, we have to walk that much?”
”Professor, you really need to work on your cardio.”
”Ugggh…”
The Professor, who isn’t exactly the athletic type, made a sour face.
He says that, but between our regular classes, he’s actually fit enough to handle a round trip without breaking a sweat.
The kids aren’t the ones we need to worry about.
**The real problem is the parents.**
”…Where’s my stamp card?! Huh?! My card’s gone! Makoto!!”
”…Sanae Imai-san is holding it.”
”What?! Mom, give it back!”
”Yes, yes. Try not to drop it again, okay?”
”I’ve got this! Trust me!”
”Sigh… I have no idea where he gets that confidence…”
”Right here!”
Jun tapped both sides of his head to indicate the source of his self-aSuurance. He grabbed the card from Sanae Imai-san—who was currently rubbing her temples—and looped it back around his neck, finally ready.
”Makoto, I’m good to go!”
”…Thinking about a false start?”
”?! No way! Cheating is for losers!”
”True. It is pretty uncool.”
”Yeah!!”
Just like that, one word was all it took to settle Jun down.
”…You’re a natural, Makoto-kun. I feel like I could leave Jun in your hands and never worry again…”
I heard an ominous mumble, but I decided to play deaf.
It wasn’t just Jun; I was well-versed in handling all my friends in the Middle Class. But being “left in charge” of him? No thanks.
In any case, today was a Parent-Child lesson⁶.
The idea was for parents to witness their children’s growth in a natural setting while learning and having fun together.
For those of us who basically treat Mt. Hiou as our backyard, it’s no big deal. But for adults who don’t get much exercise, it’s apparently a grueling ordeal.
I’ve heard talk that experiencing the struggle of mountain hiking firsthand helps parents bond and empathize with one another… or something to that effect.
The turnout for the Middle Class parents was around eighty percent. Usually, the Older Class barely hits sixty, and some years it’s dropped below half, so this year’s Middle Class is definitely on the high side.
Of course, some parents couldn’t make it due to work. Those kids would go around with close friends or a teacher. The Professor’s parents couldn’t get the time off, so he was sticking with Kotarou.
’—Alright, everyone! Especially the fathers! Try not to overdo it and get hurt! Let’s go for the full set!!’
Once Ai-sensei finished her megaphone briefing on the safety rules, the signal finally blew.
The energetic youngsters immediately started sprinting, dragging their parents behind them. Despite the warning, I could see plenty of dads pushing themselves too hard, trying to look cool in front of the kids and the wives.
”Yu-kun, if you get tired, just tell me. I’ll give you a piggyback!”
”Yeah, thanks! But I’m okay!”
”Moe will hold your hand!”
”Sure, go ahead, Moe-chan.”
”Hey, no fair! Kana wants to, too!”
And there went Yuma, surrounded and abducted by girls as per usual.
Nanami-san gave a wry smile at her popular son and followed the group, trailing along with the other mothers in his “entourage.”
”Nanami-san has her work cut out for her.”
”Seriously…”
My mom and Sanae Imai-san muttered as they watched them go.
What’s “tough” isn’t so much her son’s lack of boundaries—though that’s part of it—but rather the social gymnastics of dealing with Mom-friends⁷.
Mom-groups have as much political maneuvering as the government. Just because the kids are friends doesn’t mean the parents are.
Lessons, growth spurts, educational philosophies, family status, income—the topics for gossip are endless. It starts as a vent for parenting stress but quickly devolves into trash-talk or “subtle” flexes used to maintain social dominance.
Dealing with moms from different cliques is a minefield; you have to be incredibly careful not to trip a social landmine. It’s interesting to watch from the sidelines, but for people like Mom or Mio-san, it looks exhausting.
”Mom, what are you doing?! We gotta go!”
Oblivious to the adult drama, Jun started pushing Sanae Imai-san’s backside. She didn’t budge an inch.
”Yes, yes, I’m coming.”
”Makoto! I’m not gonna lose!”
”Yeah, yeah. Good luck.”
I waved as the Imai duo headed off.
As my friends trickled out, I stayed at the starting area. It was getting crowded, so I moved to the edge and stood there, acting as a human space heater for my mother.
The reason, of course, was…
”Maa-kun!”
The person I was waiting for had arrived.
Since we weren’t restricted to class groups today, I was obviously going with Suu-chan.
For context, the Rabbit Group started earlier only because letting every class go at once would have been a disaster. It wasn’t because Ai-sensei’s instructions were messy or because Riko-sensei was slow.
Though, Ai-sensei did sprint up the mountain the second the rally started. She’s probably lying in wait at a checkpoint near the summit.
”—Suu-chan, wait up!”
Shiho-chan and Kotone-chan came running up behind her. Trailing them were Mio-san, Mayumi-san, and Kotone-chan’s mom.
”Phew… Suu-chan just took off, she caught me totally off guard. How did you even find Maa-kun in this crowd? It’s a total zoo here.”
”Mhm. Suu knows where Maa-kun is. It’s the power of love.”
In reality, we’d just agreed to meet around this spot, but if Suu-chan says it’s the power of love, then that’s what it is.
”Shall we get going then?”
”Mhm! ♪”
”Ready…”
”Set… go!”
And so, the four of us—Suu-chan, me, Shiho-chan, and Kotone-chan—set off into the mountains with our mothers in a perfectly harmonious mood.
—
Summary:
Makoto observes the social chaos of the kindergarten stamp rally at Mt. Hiou as families gather for the event. The intellectual members of the Rabbit Group attempt to map out an efficient path while Jun struggles with his basic preparation. The narrative shifts to the subtle political landscape of the mothers as the group finally begins their ascent
—
Trivia:
- The mention of ‘Radio Calisthenics’ cards being used for stamps is a nod to a common Japanese childhood experience during summer vacation
- Makoto’s internal monologue about ‘face-palming’ over his drawing reveals his self-conscious nature despite his maturity
- The high turnout for the Middle Class parents suggests a particularly tight-knit or competitive social circle this yea
—
Character Insight:
Makoto displays a protective role toward his mother, acting as a ‘human space heater’ while observing parent dynamics from a detached, almost sociological perspective.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Makoto – Four‑year‑old Rose‑class boy, 93 cm, 13 kg, in a white shirt, blue vest and cap, nicknamed Maa‑kun. He looks like a 30‑year‑old salaryman reborn as the kindergarten “Boss,” calm and logical, mediates fights, hands out hand‑cream, uses coin tricks and adult wisdom. He carries two identical handkerchiefs, sits perfect seiza blindfolded, protects Suu‑chan, runs Jun, quietly governs the class. Looks up to Akari, mistaken for her son, teased by Mitsuhisa, adored by Suzuki‑chan.
• Yuma – Yuma Yoshikura, a frail four‑year‑old with an idol‑like face and charm, is the youngest in the Rabbit Group and eldest son of a realtor (born April 1). Cheerful and popular, he leads the train line, loves acorns, nature and clay‑car crafts, and pretends to be a husband in Moe’s play. Adored by Moe, Kana and Makoto, he’s an imaginative center of attention for the girls.
• Jun – Tanned, hyperactive middle‑kid in a track suit, she’s the fastest runner with a huge appetite and loud, unfiltered energy—often mistaken for a boy. She leads peers with wild enthusiasm but tires quickly, gets moody when games stall, idolizes her calm brother Makoto (who quietly reins in her chaos), and sees Suzuki as a rival yet respects him. A core Rabbit Group member, she trains weekends on Mt. Hiou, leaks secrets, and strives to match Makoto’s restraint.
• Professor – An intellectual student who over-analyzes situations and social dynamics.
• Kotarou – Slender, quiet boy with a focused gaze, often hunched over delicate origami or crouching to gather acorns, his precise care earning quiet respect; an intellectual who repeats complex concepts learned from his father, he’s a Middle Kids classmate and level-headed friend of Makoto, part of the Rabbit Group, shares a playful bond with Yuma and the core group, and in house-play takes on the role of father or grandfather.
• 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.
• Sanae Imai – Middle‑aged woman, mother of Jun and three older sons, often exasperated by her daughter’s lack of typical feminine grace. She has a laissez‑faire parenting style, patiently reins in her sons’ rowdy energy, and is a friend of the narrator and Makoto’s mother, valuing Makoto’s positive influence on her daughter.
• Sanae – Middle‑aged woman, mother of Jun and three older sons, experienced parent with a laissez‑faire style. Patient yet often exasperated, she skillfully reins in her son’s rowdy energy. Friend of the narrator and of Makoto’s mother, she values Makoto’s positive influence on her daughter.
• 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.
• Suu – A female student in the Rose Class. Very close to Makoto (Maa-kun). Has mud on her cheeks and makes high-quality dorodango.
• Ai – Dark‑brown short bob frames a fit former long‑distance runner now teaching the Middle Kids’ Rabbit Group at Hinomori Kindergarten, called “Mom” by her students. Cheerful yet blunt, she uses regional dialects when stressed, adores muscles, praises Makoto‑kun’s leadership, and leads energetic excursions. Playful and mischievous, she treats Makoto as a ‘Boss’, uses period‑drama phrasing, teases colleagues, and pushes professional boundaries while always putting the kids first.
• Moe – President of the ‘House-Play Association’. She enjoys setting up strangely realistic and dramatic domestic scenarios for roleplay.
• Nanami – Yoshikura Nanami, a humble, polite mother of Yuma and Miyu, runs an elegant upscale home that doubles as a showroom. A dedicated Makoto Fan Club member, she thanks Makoto for shaping her son’s habits, coordinates his birthday, hosts tea parties, and manages his high energy while offering gracious hospitality. She worries about his flirtatious behavior with classmates and his slower physical development, and is a close friend of the narrator.
• Nana – Bold girl in love with Ryoma; friend of Suu.
• Mio – Mio-senpai, a refined postpartum woman with baby-faced charm and a G-cup silhouette, is wife to Mitsuhisa and mother to twins Fuuka and Kyouka, an older kindergarten child, and a beloved figure in her community. Once a Totsuka council chair and former office worker, she retired to nurture her family, now celebrated for her serene grace, creative culinary skills—especially her famed Salisbury steak—and philosophical insights on aging. Stylishly dressed in gray, she wields a high-end DSLR, capturing intimate family moments while teasing them on film, and shares warm, affectionate grill-side time with Mitsuhisa. A homebody who avoids crowds, she quietly mentors Maa-kun in UV hair-drying, confides in neighbor Akari, and is admired by former colleagues and Misato alike as a “winner” in life’s social hierarchy—her seductive aura and maternal warmth radiating from a life of quiet, elegant fulfillment.
• 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.
• Riko – Riko‑sensei, sixth‑year lead teacher and PE instructor at Hinomori Kindergarten, also serves as school nurse. Warm yet dry‑witted, she observes Middle Kids keenly, masks cynicism, and remains oblivious to Makoto’s hidden powers. She works with Seiko‑sensei on class dynamics, photography and interviews, judges coworkers sharply, finds calm in Makoto and skill in Maa‑kun. Magic‑trick fan and recent investor, she relaxes at staff girls’ nights, blending pragmatism with hidden whimsy.
• Shiho-chan – An early‑arriving student, this child is often seen waiting with Suu‑chan at school. As Suu‑chan’s close friend, he/she tries to act as a ‘stopper’ for her mischief, and is close enough to Yuma’s family to stay over at their home.
• Kotone – A classmate and friend of Makoto and Suu. She is friendly and participated in the chocolate exchange during the post-festival gathering.
• Mayumi – Mayumi Goto, Yoichiro’s wife, is an elegant, refined mother‑friend in soft pastel dresses. She escorts daughters Hina and Shiho to swimming lessons, helps them change, and serves as the grade’s parent‑information hub. Trusted by Mio‑san, close to Nanami, Akari and Makoto’s mother, she blends maternal care with warm mother‑to‑mother friendships.
• Shiho – Four-year-old Rose-Class girl of the Goto family, with a side-up ponytail and kitten-themed hair clip, uses training chopsticks and holds a placemat; she’s the quiet leader of her class’s girl group, shaping its social atmosphere. She quietly vies with Suu for Makoto’s attention, often waits with Suzuki, loves picture books, Hiragana, swimming, mud dumplings, sweets, and romantic dramas, fears scary things and fireworks, and is Suu-chan’s close friend entrusted to look after her.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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