Volume 4 Chapter 76 The Boss’s Teacher
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The youngsters, having finally cornered Ai-sensei and secured their stamps, scurried back to their respective parents.
”Ai-sensei caught!”
”Me too, me too!”
”You all did so well,” the parents cheered.
”Mama! Look, look!”
”I’m so glad you got your stamp, honey.”
”Yeah!”
”Ma, look at this!!”
”Yes, yes, you’re very impressive.”
Every one of them was bragging about being the one who caught her. If only one child had stood out and captured Ai-sensei alone, the clearing wouldn’t be filled with this many smiles.
Ai-sensei, however, looked a bit dejected. (I feel like our strategy worked a little too perfectly. Sorry about that, Teacher…)
Having successfully marked our cards at the second Hidden Point¹, we began our descent, the swarm of friends surrounding us growing with every step. Meanwhile, Jun, Taisho, and the rest of those little balls of pure energy had already sprinted ahead, racing to be the first to find the final Hidden Point. I felt for the parents forced to keep up with them, but all I could do was offer a silent prayer for their stamina.
Refusing to be baited into a sprint by the other kids, we continued down at our own leisurely pace.
”Phew… it’s so much easier to walk on this path. What a relief.”
”Yeah, I’ve never appreciated the existence of a paved road more in my life.”
”Seriously…”
Unlike the rugged “Nature Course” we took on the way up, the hiking trail was well-maintained with a gentle slope. Since both the stamp rally and the mountain climb were past the halfway mark, the exhausted mothers seemed deeply grateful for the change in terrain. Unfortunately, the youngsters didn’t share the sentiment; to a child in the prime of their “run-everywhere” phase, a paved trail was a bore. Naturally, they started bolting.
Losing patience with our slow, mother-considerate pace, one family after another began to break away from the group. It wasn’t as if we had a formal agreement to stick together, anyway. In the midst of the exodus, Suu-chan was in high spirits.
”~♪”
The lack of “stimulation” on the path also meant a lack of danger. Unlike the nature course, where you needed your hands free to catch yourself, here we could walk hand-in-hand.
”Maybe I’ll come with Mii-kun next year, too…” Mio-san muttered.
”What, are you getting jealous now?” Mother asked.
”Hey, can you blame me?”
Behind us, Mio-san, clearly affected by her daughter’s “happiness aura,” let out a sigh that made Mother roll her eyes. If Mitsuhisa-san were to come, they’d need to find someone to watch Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan; that would be a tall order for a trip like this. If those two end up attending Hinomori Kindergarten in the future, maybe the couple can just participate together then.
We walked for about fifteen minutes. After snagging two of the remaining four stamps along the trail, we reached the midpoint of the hiking course-another athletic playground. As expected, the youngsters there had completely forgotten their objective and were busy playing, while the parents took the opportunity to collapse onto benches for a moment of peace.
”Do you want to play?”
”Hmm, I’m fine either way!” Kotone-chan replied.
”Me too-ssu,” Suu-chan added.
”Shiho is fine either way too!”
I asked the youngsters, but the three of them gave me non-committal answers. Shiho-chan and Kotone-chan liked being active, but they were more the “indoor” type at heart; they were perfectly happy just chatting while they walked. Suu-chan might have felt a bit restless, but I got the impression she didn’t want to waste a single second of our hand-holding time.
”Moms, do you want to take a break?”
”What do you think?” Mayumi-san asked.
”I’m fine. I’ve been letting the kids do most of the work anyway,” Mio-san said.
”That’s true,” Mother agreed.
”Yeah, I’m good too.”
”Looks like everyone’s okay. Thanks, Maa-kun,” Mother said.
”Then let’s head straight for the camp clearing.”
”Mm!”
We got our eighth stamp at the playground and resumed our descent without stopping to play. We picked up the final regular stamp along the way, completing the main set. With only the last Hidden Point remaining, we finally reached the camp clearing. There, Mio-san noticed a strange arrangement near a roofed picnic bench.
”What is that? A crop circle?”
”You’re right. It is,” Mother said.
The adults stared, baffled, at the “geoglyph” made of stones and twigs.
”We made that-ssu,” Suu-chan confessed.
”Shiho helped line them up, too!”
”Kotone put this stone right here!”
”……”
The mystery was solved instantly as the culprits turned themselves in. It was a “project” we had started during a spring field trip back in Pre-K, and we repaired and expanded it every time we came here to play. Since everyone just piled stuff wherever they felt like, I could see why a stranger might think it was something occult. It didn’t have fancy equipment like the jungle gyms, but for some reason, the Mystery Circle² was a huge hit with the kids.
Despite its popularity, it wasn’t listed on the map as a stamp station. That’s why I assumed it was a Hidden Point, but…
”Where’s Riko-sensei…?”
Looking around the clearing, I saw the regular stamp stations for the older kids and a few teachers keeping watch so no one wandered into the deep woods. However, the final middle-class homeroom teacher was nowhere to be found.
”Is Riko-sensei not here?”
”Doesn’t look like it,” Mayumi-san said.
”Riko-sensei!” Suu-chan called.
Suu-chan and the others looked around and called out, but there was no response. Seeing nothing, some of the other families started to trail off, assuming this wasn’t the spot.
(Not here…?)
No, that couldn’t be right. I’d already overheard several “war stories” from parents who had passed this way earlier. They’d mentioned seeing Riko-sensei at the camp clearing, but since Hidden Points have to be visited in order, they’d been sent back up to find Ai-sensei first… (Wait, was she the ‘mobile type’ they were talking about?) (I completely assumed that meant Ai-sensei was the one running around.)
No, wait… that was probably exactly what she wanted me to think. I can’t forget: Teachers are devious. And among the middle-class teachers, Riko-sensei is easily the most “wicked” of the bunch.
Besides, with this many people coming and going, she couldn’t have slipped away to a different point without leaving a trace. No matter how much of a prankster she is, she doesn’t have superpowers. Well, unless she was literally trekking through the untamed brush, but that’s a stretch.
”Hide and seek?” Suu-chan asked.
”Seems like it…”
”Should we look for Riko-sensei?”
”Yeah. She’s definitely hiding somewhere around here,” I said.
Unlike the playground, the camp clearing didn’t have many open spaces. Aside from the benches and the outdoor kitchen, the area was thick with trees and brush. It was the perfect place to disappear. I told the other kids who had been following us that Riko-sensei was playing hide-and-seek and to go find her. They scattered instantly.
”Suu-chan, do you want to go, or stay here?”
”Hmm… I’ll stay with you♪,” Suu-chan said.
”Roger that.”
Since she was in a clingy mood, we sat down on the benches near the entrance with the moms.
”Aren’t you two going to join the search?” Mother asked.
”Nope! I’m going to stay here and flirt with Maa-kun!” Suu-chan declared.
”I see,” Mother said.
Actually, I was busy recruiting. In hide-and-seek, the more “seekers” you have, the faster it ends. I flagged down families who were about to leave and called out to those just arriving. As it turned out, almost everyone was hunting for that final hidden stamp.
”Ah! It’s the Boss!”
”They’re flirting again!”
”Mm. We’re in love-ssu,” Suu-chan told them.
”So lovey-dovey!”
”Yep! Totally in love♪,” Suu-chan chirped.
A few of my friends came over to tease us. Teasing doesn’t work on Suu-chan, though. At least not today.
”Hey, I need your help with something,” I said.
”Sure thing!”
”It’s an order from the Boss! We can’t say no!”
”It’s not an order… but Riko-sensei is hiding around here, and I’d like you guys to help find her,” I explained.
”Roger that!”
”We’re on it!”
”Good luck,” I said.
With the ten or so kids who were already with us and another dozen I’d just recruited, it wasn’t long before Riko-sensei was “captured.”
”Boss! We found Riko-sensei!!”
”She was, like, sleeping in the bushes!”
”She’s wearing weird clothes!”
”I know what those are! It’s called ‘camouflage’!”
(To think she was actually lying dead-still under a pile of leaves in this weather…?)
(Just what kind of war is this woman fighting…?)
Riko-sensei was “escorted” over to me by the triumphant youngsters, looking like a forest spirit with leaves stuck all over her clothes. I hadn’t actually told them to bring her to me, but it saved me the walk, so I wasn’t complaining.
”Makoto-kun… I really think you should try doing some of the legwork yourself next time…” Riko-sensei sighed.
”And I think a teacher hiding in a ghillie suit is a bit much…”
”A teacher is an illusionist… ‘The key is to deceive the eyes of the audience.’ That was my master’s greatest teaching…” Riko-sensei said.
”You’re a teacher, not a magician. And please, stop calling whoever that is your ‘master’,” I replied.
(Seriously, what is her end goal in life…?)
The youngsters formed a line to get their stamps, and Suu-chan and I hopped onto the end of it.
”Riko-sensei, don’t overdo it. You’ll catch a cold,” I said.
”I’m fine. I was born in the north; I’m built for the cold, and I’ve got heat packs taped all over me. Besides, it’s actually surprisingly cozy under the leaves, you know? The only real issue is the bathroom situation. That… that was a challenge…”
(Seriously… this woman…)
With that, we collected the final stamp and successfully cleared the Mean Teachers’ Stamp Rally³.
—
Summary:
Makoto coordinates the kindergarteners to clear the stamp rally’s hidden points. The group moves from the athletic playground to a mysterious stone circle in the camp clearing. Riko-sensei’s elaborate camouflage hiding spot is compromised by a mass search effort.
—
Trivia:
- The stone circle was a multi-year project started in Pre-K
- Riko-sensei is explicitly mentioned as being from a snowy northern region
- Makoto’s mother and Mio discuss the future of the younger siblings Fuu-chan and Kyo-chan
- The ‘mobile type’ teacher rumor was a deliberate red herring regarding Riko-sense
—
Character Insight:
Suu-chan demonstrates a possessive streak regarding her time with Makoto, choosing to stay by his side rather than play on the athletic equipment.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Ai – A fit former long-distance runner with a dark-brown bob, she teaches the Rabbit Group at Hinomori Kindergarten, where students call her “Mom.” Cheerful, blunt, and mischievous, she uses regional dialects and period-drama flair to tease colleagues. While she playfully treats Makoto as her “Boss,” she is a dedicated educator who uses her high stamina to lead energetic excursions and engage in spirited games of tag.
• Jun – A tanned, hyperactive middle‑kid in a bright track suit—often mistaken for a boy—wears a mountain‑stamp card he touches to signal meaning. The fastest runner with a huge appetite, he leads peers with wild enthusiasm but tires quickly and gets moody when games stall. He idolizes his calm brother Makoto, who reins in his chaos, and respects rival Suzuki. A core Rabbit Group member, he trains weekends on Mt. Hiou, leaks secrets, and strives to match Makoto’s restraint, acting as one of Makoto’s “Aces” who uses speed and tactical flanking to trap targets.
• 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 is a refined, baby-faced mother of three—including twins and Suu-chan—known for her G-cup silhouette, serene grace, and culinary skill. A former office worker turned homebody, she balances meticulous beauty routines with capturing family life via DSLR. While she exudes a seductive, “winner” aura, she is currently navigating a grueling stamp rally, observing her daughter with weary amusement.
• Mitsuhisa – 33-year-old, 184 cm, 71 kg, toned and reserved corporate president nicknamed “Demon King.” Father of Suu-chan, Fuu-chan, Kyo-chan; on childcare leave, remote photographer. Grills Mio-san’s meals, play-acts with his daughters, favors twins, feels neglected by Suu-chan, keeps distance from Akari. Unsettled by former teammate Makoto, yet joins ball-toss events. Romantic partner of Mio, often shows public affection. Close to the Totsuka family, studying for an Applied Information exam.
• Fuu – One of the twins, approximately four months old. Currently learning to swivel their head and grab objects.
• Kyo – One of the twins, roughly one year old, resembles Fuu‑chan in appearance and, together with her, takes part in family meals using age‑appropriate food substitutes.
• Kotone – Young girl, classmate and friend of Makoto and Suu, daughter of Chiharu. Friendly and eager, she joins the post‑festival chocolate exchange, confides a wish for a husband like Makoto, and takes part in mountain climbs and the tactical capture of Teacher Ai. In kindergarten she’s indoor‑leaning, loves chatting and group activities such as the stamp rally.
• Shiho – Four-year-old Rose-Class girl from the Goto family, daughter of Mayumi, with a side-up ponytail and kitten hair clip, uses training chopsticks and a placemat; quiet leader of her girl group who subtly vies with Suu for Makoto’s attention, often waits with Suzuki, and looks up to Teacher Ai’s speed and athleticism. Innocent and indoor-oriented, she loves picture books, Hiragana, swimming, mud dumplings, sweets, and romance dramas, fears scary things and fireworks, is Suu-chan’s close friend she looks after, and is Makoto’s energetic childhood friend—observant, quick to call out teachers, and enthusiastic about stamp rallies.
• 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.
• 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.
• Mayumi – Mayumi Goto, Yoichiro’s wife, wears elegant 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 and close to Nanami, Akari and Makoto’s mother, she blends maternal care with warm mother‑to‑mother friendships. An experienced stamp‑rally participant for three years, she guides newer mothers, leads Shiho on hikes, and often forces a strained smile at the children’s blunt remarks.
• 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.’
• Riko – Riko-sensei, a northern-born Hinomori Kindergarten lead teacher, PE instructor, and nurse, balances pragmatism with a “wicked” sense of humor. An eccentric illusionist who occasionally stalks the woods in a ghillie suit, she masks cynicism with dry wit. She collaborates with Seiko-sensei, judges peers sharply, and finds calm in Makoto—whose powers she misses—while admiring Maa-kun’s skills.
• Makoto – Four‑year‑old Maa‑kun (93 cm, 13 kg) in a white shirt, blue vest and cap is the reincarnated adult “Boss” of Hinomori Kindergarten’s Middle Kids—calm, logical, perceptive, mediating fights, handing out hand‑cream, doing coin tricks, sitting seiza blindfolded. He protects Suu‑chan, runs Jun, admires Akari (mistaken for her son), is teased by Mitsuhisa, adored by Suzuki‑chan, and shares a lovey‑dovey bond with Suu‑chan, leading with tactical, childlike maturity.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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