Novel 'Japan's Weakest Nursery School' Season 2 — Still, I Want to Teach About Life — — Families Come to the Playground — Episode 3 'The Day My Little Brother is Born'

That morning, Akari-chan arrived at the nursery a little earlier than usual.

Even before the entrance door opened, a small voice could be heard from outside.

'I'll carry it myself.'

'It's heavy, so should Daddy carry it?'

'I'll carry it myself.'

'But, what if you drop it?'

'I'll carry it myself!'

When the door opened, Akari-chan was standing there, clutching her nursery bag with both hands.

Usually, she would have the bag over her shoulder. But today, she was holding it tightly in front of her chest.

Behind her was her father.

Her father looked a little sleep-deprived. His hair was also a bit messier than usual. One side of his dress shirt collar wasn't tucked in properly either.

However, his face looked somewhat bright.

The nursery director understood immediately.

'Good morning, Akari-chan.'

'...Good morning.'

Akari-chan's reply was small.

'Good morning, sir.'

'Good morning.'

Her father bowed his head, then smiled a little bashfully.

'Um, he was born safely this morning.'

The faces of the teachers at the entrance all lit up at once.

Oh my.

Congratulations.

That's wonderful.

Is it a boy?

Yes. It's a boy.

The father nodded happily.

Both mother and baby are doing well. Akari is a big sister starting today, too.

A big sister.

Those words fell into the entrance hall.

The teachers were smiling. The father was smiling too. Only Akari-chan, clutching her nursery bag, looked down a little.

You've become a big sister, haven't you?

A young teacher spoke to her gently.

Akari-chan did not nod.

Instead, she tightened her grip on the bag she was holding.

The head teacher crouched down and peered into Akari-chan's face.

Akari-chan, have you seen the baby?

Akari-chan shook her head just a little.

Not yet.

Not yet, I see.

Only Daddy saw him.

Her father said in a fluster.

No, Akari went to the hospital too, but it was late. And things were hectic this morning.

I see.

I showed her pictures. You know, saying, 'Look, it's a baby.'

Akari-chan looked down even further.

He was small.

Yes.

He was red.

Yes.

He was crying.

Yes.

Mommy was holding him.

Only those words sounded a little sharp.

Her father looked troubled.

Mommy is at the hospital, you see. I think Grandma will come to pick you up today.

I understand.

The principal nodded at her father.

Her father tried to pat Akari-chan's head.

However, Akari-chan pulled back just a little.

Father's hand stopped in mid-air.

'Well then, Akari. Daddy's going now.'

Akari did not answer.

'Grandma is coming later today.'

There was no reply.

Father smiled a little sadly, bowed to the teacher, and left.

When the entrance door closed, Akari finally looked up.

'Teacher?'

'Yes, dear?'

'Did I become a big sister?'

The head teacher did not immediately say, 'Yes, you did.'

Perhaps Akari already knew the answer. It was precisely because she knew that she asked again.

'Everyone says so.'

'And what do you think, Teacher?'

'To me, you still look just like Akari.'

Akari's eyes widened just a little.

'Am I not a big sister?'

'Maybe you have become a big sister, too. But that doesn't mean Akari has disappeared.'

Akari fell silent.

Whether she understood those words or not, the head teacher could not tell.

However, Akari-chan took off her shoes while still clutching her nursery bag.

One of her shoes was placed at a slight angle.

She was a child who usually lined them up neatly by herself.

The nursery director did not fix them.

That day, Akari-chan did not sing much during the morning circle.

Usually, she would sing louder than anyone else.
Even if she got the lyrics wrong, she would sing proudly to the end.

But today, only her mouth was moving slightly.

The child next to her asked.

'Akari-chan, was the baby born?'

Akari-chan nodded.

'A little brother?'

'Yeah.'

'That's nice.'

Another child said.

'Is the baby cute?'

Akari-chan thought for a moment.

'I don't know.'

'Why?'

'I haven't touched him yet.'

'What about a photo?'

'I saw it.'

'Is it cute?'

'It was red.'

The children laughed.

'It's red because it's a baby.'

'No, that's wrong. Babies are pink.'

'My little brother was all wrinkly.'

'Wrinkly?'

'He looked like an old man.'

The teacher panicked slightly and tried to intervene, but the head teacher gave a small shake of her head.

The children were simply trying to put new life into words, using the limited knowledge they had.

It wasn't pretty language.
It wasn't accurate, either.
But it was the truth.

Red.
Small.
Crying.
Wrinkly.
Whether it's cute or not, they don't know yet.

That was the children's encounter with life.

When the morning activities ended, the children went out to the schoolyard.

In the corner of the schoolyard, there was a small insect cage that had been there since Season 1.

A pill bug cage.
A small shadow moving under the fallen leaves.
The children peering at it.

Next to it, another small, transparent case had been placed.

It was something a young teacher had found on the back of a leaf in the schoolyard the day before.

Small, egg-like things were lined up on the leaf.

Even the teacher didn't know what kind of egg it was.

It might be an insect.
It might not be.
Perhaps it might not even be alive anymore.

But the children called it an "egg".

"Teacher, when will this hatch?"

"I don't know."

"Tomorrow?"

"I don't know."

"Today?"

"I don't know."

"Then, forever?"

"I don't know that either."

The children looked dissatisfied.

"Teacher, you only ever say you don't know."

The young teacher looked troubled.

"That's true, isn't it?"

The head teacher smiled.

"There are many things about life that we don't know."

Akari-chan was staring intently at the case.

"Is this a baby, too?"

The head teacher crouched down next to Akari-chan.

Maybe it will become a baby.

Isn't it a baby yet?

Yeah. We don't know yet.

But it's an egg, right?

It looks like an egg, doesn't it?

Then, is it inside?

It might be.

Akari-chan didn't take her eyes off the case.

I can't see it.

Yeah.

Even though you can't see it, is it there?

Sometimes it is.

Sometimes it isn't?

Yeah. Sometimes it isn't.

Akari-chan made a face that looked a little angry.

You just don't know anything.

That's right.

The principal said that and laughed.

Akari-chan didn't laugh.

Babies are unknown, too.

"Little brother?"

"Yeah."

"I see."

"They say he's Akari's little brother, but I haven't met him yet."

"Yeah."

"Mommy was holding him."

"Yeah."

"I haven't held him."

"Yeah."

"But everyone calls me a big sister."

The principal nodded slowly.

"You were told that all of a sudden, weren't you?"

Akari-chan said, still staring at the leaf inside the case.

"What does a big sister do?"

The principal thought for a moment.

"I wonder what they do."

"You don't know?"

"I don't know."

Akari-chan sighed just a little.

"And you're an adult, too, teacher."

Even adults have things they don't understand.

Is a big sister not allowed to cry?

I think it's okay to cry.

Even though the baby cries?

The baby cries, and the big sister cries too.

Mom will be troubled.

She might be, yes.

Then, I won't cry.

The way she said that was so small.

The principal couldn't say anything right away.

I won't cry.

When a child decides that, adults sometimes say, 'You're such a good girl.'

But the principal didn't say it.

You're a good girl. You're a big sister now. You're so mature.

Those words sometimes place a burden on a child's small shoulders.

The principal looked at the leaf in the case and said,

Akari-chan.

What?

If I tell this egg to hatch quickly, do you think it will?

Akari-chan shook her head.

It's not born yet.

Why?

Because it's not time yet.

That's right. When it's not time yet, it's just not time yet.

Akari-chan looked at the principal.

Then, am I not yet either?

Yes.

Not yet?

I think it's okay to be 'not yet'.

Akari-chan was silent for a moment.

The wind blew.

The sand in the schoolyard shifted just a little.

In the distance, someone was fighting over a tricycle.

Teacher, it's my turn!

I was first!

No, it's mine!

Right next to where we were talking about life, a fight over a tricycle began. That was what a nursery school was like.

A young teacher ran over in a hurry.

The principal also tried to stand up, but Akari-chan grabbed her sleeve.

Teacher.

What is it?

Akari, is it bad to say I don't like the baby?

The nursery director looked at Akari.

Her eyes were a little wet.

It's not bad.

Akari's mouth trembled slightly.

But everyone is happy.

Yes.

Daddy looked happy, too.

Yes.

Mommy was holding the baby, too.

Yes.

I'm happy, too.

Yes.

But I don't like it a little bit.

The last words were so quiet they could have fallen into the sandbox.

The nursery director nodded.

So, being happy and not liking it are happening at the same time, aren't they?

Akari nodded with a face that looked like she was about to cry.

Is it bad if they are together?

"That's not allowed."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Is the baby sad?"

"I don't think the baby knows yet."

Akari-chan looked a little surprised.

"Doesn't know?"

"Yeah. Because the baby is still busy crying and sleeping."

Akari-chan smiled just a little.

"Are they busy?"

"Probably very busy."

"Is crying their job?"

"Maybe it's their first job."

Akari-chan looked at the leaf inside the case.

"Is the egg busy too?"

"I wonder."

"Are they practicing to become a baby inside?"

"They might be."

"Then, am I practicing too?"

"Practicing what?"

'Big sister'

The nursery director smiled slowly.

'Yes. I think practicing is fine.'

'Akari can't do it starting today.'

'You don't have to be able to do everything starting today.'

'Just a little bit?'

'Just a little bit.'

Akari nodded slightly.

That day at lunch, Akari left a little of her school meal.

When the teacher spoke to her, Akari said,

'Does the baby eat school lunch too?'

'Not yet, I think. Maybe milk.'

'That's unfair.'

'Unfair?'

'Is it okay for the baby to just have milk?'

'At first, yes.'

'But Akari eats carrots too.'

The teacher almost laughed, but held it back a little.

'You don't like carrots, do you?'

'I eat them because I'm a big sister.'

The young teacher almost said it.

"You're such a good girl."

But they closed their mouth halfway through.

It wasn't because the principal was watching. It was because they had been watching Akari-chan since the morning.

The young teacher rephrased it.

"You don't have to push yourself."

Akari-chan looked at the carrot.

"But, it's bigger than the baby."

"It is big, but it's okay to not like things you don't like."

Akari-chan thought for a moment, then ate just one piece of carrot.

After that, she didn't eat any more.

The young teacher said nothing.

In the afternoon, the children gathered again in front of the egg carton in the schoolyard.

"Has it hatched?"

"Not yet."

"It's slow."

"When is the baby coming?"

"Akari-chan's little brother has already been born."

"Then, I wish this one would be born too."

"The egg isn't ready yet."

Akari-chan said.

Her voice was not loud. But everyone became a little quiet.

"When it's not time yet, it's not time yet."

The children looked as if they understood, and yet didn't.

"Hmm."

"So, are we waiting?"

"Waiting."

"Until when?"

"I don't know."

"I don't know again."

The children laughed.

Akari-chan also smiled a little.

It was time for pickup.

That day, it was her grandmother who came to pick up Akari-chan.

As soon as she entered the entrance, her grandmother said,

"Akari-chan, you've become a big sister, haven't you?"

Akari-chan's face stiffened slightly.

The nursery director said nothing.

Her grandmother meant no harm. She was happy. A new grandchild had been born, and Akari-chan looked like she had grown up, so she just said it without thinking.

But sometimes, words can become heavy, even without any ill intent.

Akari-chan put on her shoes.

The heel of one shoe didn't go in quite right.

Grandma reached out her hand.

"Come on, you're a big sister now, so let's put them on properly."

Akari-chan pulled her foot back.

The air in the entryway seemed to freeze for a moment.

Grandma looked a little surprised.

"What's wrong?"

Akari-chan said, keeping her head down.

"Not yet."

"Huh?"

"I'm still practicing being a big sister."

Grandma looked as if she didn't understand what she meant.

The nursery director approached slowly.

"Akari-chan worked hard all day today."

"Is that so?"

"But it seems it's a bit busy to suddenly become a big sister."

Grandma looked at Akari-chan.

Akari-chan was clutching her school bag to her chest.

It was the same as it had been that morning.

Grandma was silent for a moment.

Then, she crouched down.

I see. You're practicing, are you?

Akari-chan looked at Grandma.

Yeah.

Then, I'll practice too.

Practice what?

Practicing not saying 'big sister' right away.

Akari-chan's eyes widened just a little.

It's okay if you say it.

Are you sure?

Just a little bit.

Then, I'll only say it a little bit.

Grandma smiled.

Akari-chan smiled a little too.

The principal looked at the small case placed next to the shoe rack.

The egg on the back of the leaf was still just as it was.

It hadn't hatched. It hadn't changed. But it was there.

Before going home, Akari-chan peeked into the case.

Teacher.

What is it?

Will this be here tomorrow too?

Yes, it will.

Even if he isn't born yet?

Yes. Even if he isn't born yet.

Akari-chan nodded.

Then I'll watch it tomorrow too.

Yes. Let's watch it tomorrow too.

Holding her grandmother's hand, Akari-chan headed home.

As they left the gate, her grandmother said,

Shall we stop by the hospital and just see the baby's face before we go home?

Akari-chan thought for a moment.

Just his face?

Yes. Just his face.

What about holding him?

Isn't it okay to just look today?

Akari-chan looked up at her grandmother.

Grandma, are you practicing?

I am.

You're good at it.

Grandma smiled.

The backs of the two of them grew smaller as they walked down the evening road.

The principal returned to the playground.

An insect cage.
Fallen leaves.
A leaf with a tiny egg on it.
A tricycle left at an angle.
A red shovel forgotten in the sandbox.

Every day, all kinds of life come to the nursery school.

Life that has just been born.
Life that cannot yet be seen.
Life too small to be noticed.
A heart that is happy, yet a little lonely.

When life increases, it doesn't just mean the place becomes brighter.

A new life comes into someone's arms.
At that moment, it feels like someone else has stepped just a little bit outside those arms.

That is not a bad thing.
But it is not something that should be ignored, either.

The principal gently returned the egg case to the back of the shelf.

'When it's not time yet, it's not time yet.'

It felt as if Akari-chan's voice still lingered in the playground.

That evening, in a small hospital visiting room, Akari-chan saw her little brother's face for the first time.

The baby was, as expected, red.
He was small, his eyes were closed, and he moved his mouth from time to time.

Her mother had a slightly tired look on her face as she lay on the bed.

'Akari.'

When her mother called her, Akari-chan answered.

'Mama.'

Her voice was a little softer than it had been that morning.

'This is your little brother.'

Mother said.

Akari-chan looked at the baby.

She didn't approach right away.

Neither her grandmother nor her father rushed her.

Akari-chan watched for a while.

And then, she said in a small voice.

'Still practicing.'

Mother was a little surprised, and then she smiled.

'I see.'

'Being a big sister.'

'Yeah.'

'Today, I'm just looking.'

Mother nodded.

'Just looking is fine.'

Akari-chan looked at the baby once more.

The baby was sleeping with a face that knew nothing.

That Akari-chan had felt a little lonely. That everyone had called her a big sister. That she had eaten only one carrot from her school lunch. That the egg in the schoolyard hadn't hatched yet.

The baby knew nothing of these things.

Even so, it was there.

Akari-chan gently placed her hand on the edge of Mother's bed.

"Mommy"

"Yes?"

"Am I here too?"

Her mother's expression changed.

While her face remained tired, only her eyes grew slightly moist.

"You are."

Her mother answered slowly.

"You will always be here, Akari."

Akari nodded.

Then, she looked at her little brother.

"Then, it's okay for my little brother to be here too."

No one laughed.

It was a very small permission. But for that family, it was a big step forward.

The next morning, Akari arrived at school looking a little sleepy.

Her school bag was hanging off her shoulder.

When she saw the principal at the entrance, Akari said,

"Principal?"

"Yes?"

"The baby was red."

"I see."

"He wasn't crying."

"I see."

"Akari saw him."

"Yeah."

"I can't hold him yet."

"Yeah. It's okay to wait a little longer."

Akari-chan nodded.

Then she ran off to the playground.

The egg carton was still just as it was.

Akari-chan peered into it and said,

"Not yet."

The teacher replied,

"Not yet."

Akari-chan smiled just a little.

"We're the same."

The morning light of the playground entered the transparent case.

The tiny egg inside had not yet hatched.
But the children looked at it again today.

Life cannot be rushed into being born.
Hearts cannot be rushed into catching up, either.

Even so, we can watch.
We can wait.
We can stay by their side, even while it's still not time.

Japan's weakest nursery school was, as always, weak again today.

There were children crying, children mixing up their shoes, and children who felt like their place had been taken by a baby, and the teachers couldn't find the right words immediately either.

Even so, I want to teach about life.

Not just the life that has been born.
But also the hearts that cannot keep up yet, as lives that are present there.

Episode 3 'The Day a Younger Brother is Born' End