Chapter 3 – Old Friends, New Lives
It was a fresh morning at Himawari's house. Everyone was waking up, stretching, and yawning—except for Shinchan, who was already striking a ridiculous pose in front of the mirror.
"Ta-da! The hero of Kasukabe is ready for another glorious day!"
Everyone burst into laughter. Ai-chan hid her smile behind her hand while Himawari just shook her head.
But Kazama wasn't laughing—his eyes were scanning the house like a detective in a crime drama.
Shinchan noticed immediately and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Oi, Kazu-kun, stop looking so serious! This isn't your company board meeting!"
That got another round of laughter. Kazama sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Maybe it's just… lack of sleep."
The phone buzzed on the table. Kazama picked it up with his usual crisp tone.
"Kazama residence."
"Ah, Kazama-kun!" the principal's booming voice echoed through the receiver."Or should I say CEO Kazama-san now? We're hosting a reunion at the newly rebuilt Futaba School today! Bring your family! And yes, all your old friends will be there! Is Shinchan with you? Kazama says, Yes. Please tell him to come for the reunion—he's not picking up my calls!"
Kazama blinked. "A reunion?" He turned to Shinchan. "The principal said there's a reunion today. Also, he wanted me to tell you since you're not answering your phone."
Ai-chan crossed her arms. "Shinchan, you're so careless!"
Shinchan grinned. "I'm not careless, Ai-chan, I'm just… carefully lazy."
Everyone burst into laughter again.
Himawari nudged Kazama with a giggle. "See? Even the principal thinks you should relax, my Kazu."
Kazama muttered, "…Not in my schedule."
Shinchan leaned forward, grinning ear to ear. "Schedule-shmedule! Let's go, Kazu-kun! Who knows—maybe they'll have free cake!"
Kazama adjusted his glasses. "Snacks aren't free."
"They are," Shinchan whispered, "if you're fast enough."
"Shinchan!" Ai-chan scolded, smacking his arm.
From the couch, Hiroshi yawned. "We'll handle the babies and Shiro. You guys go."
Misae waved them off. "Yes, go on. Don't worry about us."
Himawari tugged Kazama's sleeve. "Kazu, please~ I want to go to your reunion too!"
Shinchan jumped in. "Yeah, come on, don't be so boring! Even your tie wants a vacation!"
Hiroshi and Misae both laughed. "Go, my son," Hiroshi said. "Sometimes you should relax."
Kazama finally sighed in defeat. "…Fine."
Shinchan saluted dramatically. "Parade time! Forward march!"
He goose-stepped out the door, his son copying every ridiculous move. Ai-chan sighed but followed, while Kazama walked stiffly beside Himawari.
At the school gates, Ai-chan's eyes sparkled."Wow… Futaba Kindergarten… it's become a real school."
Kazama nodded proudly. "Modern facilities, smart classrooms, advanced curriculum. This is true progress."
"Blah blah blah," Shinchan yawned, scratching his butt. "As long as the toilets are shiny and there are lots of snacks to eat, I approve."
Kazama twitched. "Snacks aren't free."
They entered the courtyard where Yoshinaga-sensei, Matsuzaka-sensei, and the principal stood, visibly moved.
The principal sniffled. "To think—the school once terrorized by Shinchan is now the pride of Kasukabe."
"Still terrorized, if you ask me," Yoshinaga muttered.
Shinchan puffed out his chest. "You're welcome! Without me, this place would've been too normal!"
Just then, a calm voice drifted from the gate."…I'm back."
Everyone turned.
"Bo-chan!" Shinchan waved wildly.
Bo-chan walked in, looking like an adventurer with a dusty hat and a satchel. He held up a gleaming golden mask."From Egypt."
Shinchan's jaw dropped. "Whoa! Bo-chan finally upgraded from sniffing mud pies to sniffing pyramids!"
Kazama corrected sternly, "That's called archaeology."
Bo-chan blinked. "…Archaeology… is sniffing history."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Then—BANG! The school doors slammed open."MAKE WAY! YOUR HERO HAS ARRIVED!"
Masao stormed in, muscles bulging and a medal flashing on his chest.
Shinchan gasped. "Masao?! Where did the tears go?! You are not my friend! Tell me where he is? If it's ransom you want, I'll give you all my pocket money!"
The whole group exploded with laughter.
Masao struck a dramatic pose. "I have transcended! From tears to strength! I am MASAO—the NATIONAL WRESTLER!"
Kazama groaned. "…Now there are two Shinchan-level noise makers."
"MASAO!!!"
Everyone jumped as Nene stormed in, heels clicking, grocery bag swinging."I told you to buy tofu! And here you are flexing like an idiot?!"
Masao trembled. "I-I was just inspiring the children…"
"Inspire yourself to finish the shopping first!" Nene snapped.
Shinchan fell to the floor, laughing so hard he could barely breathe."Bwahaha! Japan's strongest wrestler… Japan's weakest husband!"
Bo-chan added in his calm voice, "Even champions… can't win at home."
"WHAT was that, Bo-chan?!" Nene barked.
"…Nothing."
The courtyard shook with laughter.
Later, the gang sat on benches sipping tea while their kids ran around playing tag.
Shinchan grinned smugly. "Look at us… Bo-chan the treasure hunter, Masao the muscle-head wrestler, Kazama the serious CEO, Nene the terrifying but sweet wife, Ai-chan the perfect princess, Himawari the bossy little sister… and me—the legendary butt-dancer turned family man!"
Kazama muttered, "…Legendary nuisance."
"Jealous, Kazu-kun?" Shinchan teased.
The group roared with laughter again, just like the old days.
But as the laughter echoed, Kazama's eyes flicked toward the corner of the yard.A shadowy figure flickered—then vanished.
He frowned, adjusting his glasses."…That wasn't just lack of sleep."
The principal, sipping tea beside him, glanced at the same spot. His smile faltered for just a second—but instead of saying anything, he raised his cup."Everyone… let's enjoy today."
Shinchan leaned in, whispering loudly, "Uh-oh, the principal's being dramatic again. Maybe aliens are back? Or worse… no snacks at the reunion?!"
Everyone burst into laughter again, their voices echoing across the schoolyard.
Still, Kazama and the principal shared a quiet, uneasy glance.Something was coming.