Delinquent Daddy and Tender Teacher Vol. 3: Four-Leaf Clovers

Delinquent Daddy and Tender Teacher #3

by Tama Mizuki

A PLACE TO BELONG

Elementary-school teacher Hitsuji has been dating Hatoyama for a year now, spending his days peacefully with him and his adorable son, Hinata. The arrival of another spring ushers in Hinata's third year of elementary school, and this time his teacher isn't Hitsuji! Hatoyama and Hinata are understandably anxious about this, but it seems Hitsuji is grappling with his own feelings about the situation as well. Then, when someone from Hatoyama’s delinquent past comes back into his orbit, Hitsuji’s insecurities threaten to get the better of him. Will he be able to defend his place at Hatoyama’s side?

Genres: Manga, Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, Boys Love, Queer, Yaoi

172 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2020

About the author

MIZUKI Tama
Name (in native language): 水稀たま
Associated Names:
AMAOh! (水稀たま)
AMAOh! (MIZUKI Tama)
Mizumare Tama

Circle(s): AMAOh!
Artist: MIZUKI Tama

Zodiac: Scorpio

Pixiv: たま

Derivative works Twitter: ryuhkitei

Reviews

[sil ♡ the book voyagers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of my favorite on-going manga right now. It's adorable and soft, it has a single dad with the cutest kid, and a man who just wants to be with his little family all the time. LIKE?! It's so cute 🧸ྀི

Next volume comes out in July I'm crying bye. I am going to have withdrawals, I just know it.

[Brigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be cute and wholesome, just wish this specific volume had a bit more plot!

[V.ya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is less happy than the previous two books, but I think it's good that we get to see real issues and character development. Still love the three of them!

[Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this kind of family trope makes me blush

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues to be a really sweet series. Hitsuji's insecurities hurt to read, but Hatoyama is so completely devoted to him that his patience and earnestness slowly alleviate his fears. The kid is adorable, and I just love the family the three of them are forming together.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute and full of emotion.

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s go relationship development.

Recap: son is sad bc Hitsuji isn’t his teacher anymore. His new teacher happens to be his dad’s senpai. Jealous Hitsuji, drunk and then blabs about relationship. Dad proposes but Hitsuji declines, they spend time apart but later make up.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, after the perfection of the second volume, we're back to pretty uneven pacing in this one.

I might lift it to 4 stars in future, if I reread in the right mood, or if the series as a whole carries on well, but I was honestly a little bit disappointed by how bland this installment was. It's a continuation based on popularity rather than plot, and it doesn't seem like there's much of a plan for moving the latter forward.

The end goal seems to be the two - no, sorry, the three! - of them moving in together, which got some pointless roadblocks in this volume, just to drag out the story for longer. I'm fine with this taking some time, since they did move kind of fast in volume 1, but I don't really understand why Hitsuji is so hesitant to move in. They don't talk it through in detail, and Hitsuji doesn't have any monologues to himself or conversations with friends to explain what's going on in his head. It seems like inserting a big Drama Point just for the sake of it.

Kind of like the whole situation with Hatoyama's old high school senpai, who's also Hinata's new teacher...and also sort of secretly dating Hatoyama's boss.

Yeah!! That's a lot to pack into one volume! And why?

Don't get me wrong, I like Samejima; he's fun, and something interesting is going on with the boss-boyfriend (and some sort of debt he's paying off by living there?), so I wouldn't be surprised by or unhappy with a spinoff. Could be fun to see more of them, in the typical grittier-side-couple BL tradition.

And I did like that Hitsuji wasn't really ever jealous of Samejima in a romantic sense. It mainly bothered him that Samejima has a platonic history with Hatoyama that he didn't know about, which means there are still big chunks of Hatoyama's life that Hitsuji's been left out of. So you'd think that this volume would focus on developing better communication, right?

No...the two Big Dramas are mostly only dramatic at all because they literally don't talk at all. And that's a plot device I find frustrating.

There's plenty of cute stuff, still. I liked drunk Hitsuji and how deeply fond Hatoyama is of him. And Hinata's always super adorable. Although I was kind of disappointed that he called his dad his "only family" in his family day essay. I know he wouldn't have been able to write about his teacher slash second dad in that setting, but I still kind of expected some sort of a note about how he considers the three of them family. That was a big part of volume 2!

Anyway, this was just kinda...there. It's cute, but it didn't feel like too much happened. I'll definitely reread and hope it tugs on more emotional notes for me in future, but I'm hoping the next volume picks up the plotting a bit more and recaptures some of that magic I'd been adoring.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues to be too precious for words!

[Mella aka Maron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still very cute and I liked the little jealousy dynamic in this volume. 💕 This is just so stinking wholesome.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this volume! The mangaka finally took her time developing the plot instead of trying to jump to the future more and more 😂👌🏼

I really did appreciate though that the majority of this volume was dedicated to the tensions that arose because Hitsuji is no longer Hinata’s teacher. Hinata now has a new teacher, who turns out to be Hatoyama’s senpai, and this leads to some complications. Hitsuji is stressed because he’s not really out to his coworkers, and he also feels a bit threatened by this new coworker because of the close friendship he had with Hatoyama.

In the end, it all resolves in a way I found sweet and fun to read. I absolutely love Hitsuji and Hatoyama. Hitsuji definitely makes me want to bonk him in the head because of his insecurities, especially since Hatoyama is so clearly head over heels for him… But still, I love Hitsuji. He just needs to be a lil more selfish and accept all the love and happiness Hatoyama has to offer 🥺💖

[Dayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I love seeing the jealousy in this one because it helps bring to light some of the insecurities so the main couple can have solid communication about it all. I love these two because even though they get frustrated or hurt, they always manage to talk things out. I also loved the introduction of another set of characters and a new situation that proves to both be challenging for the little one, but also a chance to further showcase how much these characters care for each other.

I do like that one of them, despite his fears, was able to set his boundaries so well. I think that was pretty well done, as opposed to a few other storylines I've seen where everything happens so quickly and it's like boundaries don't even exist or matter.

I honestly need more. I want to devour everything this author brings us with this series.

Happy reading!

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the break and its resolution, but it's still mostly cute.

[Agathe 🧚🏻‍♀️🍧 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay juste quelques pensées qui m’énervent :
1) le sexe quand ils sont bourrés et ils sont pas en capacité de donner un consentement éclairé : peut-on arrêter de dessiner ce genre de scènes ? Merci d’avance

Et 2) c’est le manga le plus hétéronormé que j’ai lu alors que c’est une romance entre deux mecs et ça me vénère

En gros y’en a un c’est le « délinquant » (alors qu’il a rien d’un délinquant but anyway) et l’autre c’est sa meuf, on réifie tous les clichés de genre : c’est un instituteur (donc le côté i love kids i am caring i am sensitive etc etc), c’est un bottom et en plus il est vierge (mais son mec non pcq son mec c’est un vrai mec mais lui c’est un peu sa meuf et donc les meufs c’est censé être vierge), c’est le même mec qui fait tout le cooking et le cleaning (dès qu’il s’en va l’autre est perdu et sait plus tenir sa maison so you know : he makes him a better man by doing his chores exactly like we expect it from women), and also c’est son mec le délinquant qui fait toutes les déclarations et propositions dans leur relation, c’est lui qui lead le truc (pcq évidemment une femme ça attend qu’on l’invite, qu’on la drague etc) donc on est vraiment dans des rôles hyper hétéronormatifs clichés et ça me vénère !!

But à part ça this is cute
Jsp qui m’a dit « tous les mangas ne peuvent pas révolutionner le genre » but yes :(

[Alicia ^^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Había dejado este manga de lado durante un tiempo. Pero realmente me sigue encantando el aura familiar que transmite.

Hinata me encanta, me parece una monada de niño y me encanta la relación que tiene con Hatoyama y con Hitsuji.

También, algo que me ha gustado mucho es que Hitsuji sea una persona con un ritmo más lento, y que haya rechazado la oferta de Hatoyama de vivir juntos. Not porque yo sea una amante del slow burn (que también 🫣), pero me gusta muchísimo cuando alguno de los dos personajes se toma su tiempo en avanzar con las cosas. Siento que es algo bastante real, y la respuesta de Hatoyama la verdad es que la entiendo muchísimo, pero me ha encantado que haya puesto un remedio a todo eso para no seguir incómodos, y que le haya regalado la llave.

Honestamente creo que van a durar pocos volúmenes viviendo separados JAJSJS.

ADEMÁS, NOT LA PAREJA SECUNDARIA…..

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third installment of this Japanese Manga about Romance between a teacher and a father of a kid in his school.

The new year has started and Hitsuji didn't tell the son that he would have a new teacher and so the son holds a grudge and he's upset. He's worried that Hitsuji won't keep coming over to their house.

Hatoyama invites HItsuji to move in and that creates some drama. I really hope they will go ahead and do that. We also meet a new couple in this universe. They spend some time at Hatoyama's work cafe and this couple is his boss with someone else. I love it.

I really enjoy this sweet story and these fun characters. It's such a cozy read. I can't wait to read the next volume.

[Ellyn → Allonsythornraxx · Rating 4 out of 5]

19/09/2024
4 ⭐️
I am absolutely adoring this series!

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[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This was still very cute, but we dealt with a lot more problems on all fronts - Hinata, Hatoyama and Hitsuji. I was a bit frustrated at first that Hitsuji did not tell Hatoyama about his feelings and problems, but in the end they dealt with it quite well, with both of them being a bit immature at points. I do think though that it is a quite realistic portrayal of relationship problems. Hinanta is such a cute boy and I also like that the new teacher will (seemingly) not be a love rival but a friend, which is so refreshing for once. Cannot wait for volume 4 now!

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

What are the odds Hinata's new teacher would be another old school friend of Hatoyama's and also happen to be interested in men. Hitsuji clearly hasn't had to worry about this kind of jealousy before, with both his boyfriend and Hinata as it seems he fears being replaced in both of their lives completely. Things nearly go into a tail spin when Hatoyama goes all in with his proposal, but maybe that's also really the push Hitsuji needs with his insecurities. At least they made up and are starting to work things out, so there is hope.

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume. Hitsuji being jealous and blurting out that that Hatoyama is his was hilarious. I also feel for him - with his own complications over his sexuality. It’s so wild bcuz Hatoyama is so earnest and all in…in a way that almost feels irresponsible if not endearing and I love that he’s fearless. On the other hand Hitsuji has been dealing with his fear of being found out all his life (plus what happened in his past). Still so good and so cute.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Volume 2 was near perfect this one really slipped in the overall plot of things. We get more characters introduced a little messily, but more importantly the clear communication that was so unique to this story kind of fell by the way-side for the more traditional "Oops, there's a problem we just won't talk about or address for an undisclosed period of time!" format. Which is quite the downgrade, considering everything we've already seen from this series.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

After accidentally reading volume 4 first I had to read this one right after and things make a lot more sense now 😭😂😂

This one was a bit more on the sad side but I love their communication skills. They patched things up right away and I’m so happy about that.

It’s rare coming across stories where they actually communicate well with each other and It’s so refreshing to see. I appreciate the realism this story gives too.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this series more and more as I keep reading it. Im looking forward to Hitsuji and Hatoyama finally telling Hinata that they are an actual couple, I feel like it will go poorly at first but then really well! I also really respect Hitsuji for being reluctant to move in with them so quickly, it feels a bit more realistic that he’s wanting them to take their time.

[Marame · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like they make the main character the blonde guy insecure to drag out the story. But overall I loved this manga it’s so realistic. I don’t know why he kept on letting his intrusive thoughts take over when he asked him to move in but Its probably something I’ll do in real life because I have anxiety.

[Tuni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one came together better than the last. I was more invested in the relationship drama and each of their insecurities. The stereotypical uke/seme dynamics are still there, but I’ve read worse. It’s just eye rolling rather than cringy.

[The Delightful Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave me so many feelings!! I love the miscommunication trope. I love the developing relationship and the addition of a new couple (i hope their relationship gets explored more in the next volume)
This just gives me fluffy feelings! They just need to get married!!

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

when lil Hinata described his family as just him and his dad.........oooof. i've realised that the internalised homophobia on display here is probably a reality in japanese culture but! it doesn't mean i want to read about it! happy cute gay family times only!!!!!!!!!

[Ayesha Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

ugHHHHHHHHH. They're so damn cute. Even their argument was adorable. I just really like how big communication is for these two. It's just a very wholesome and realistic relationship and also an adorable child. I love. I wish I'd bought the next one 😭

[Fudanshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is becoming one of my favorite manga story lines. This volume had more depth than the previous two and even has bits of jealousy with a little spat between our two MC's.

Adorable; with just the right amount of wholesome fluff.

[ℂ ✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Segueix sent cuqui, però no hi ha progressió en la trama... Encara tenen una relació d'amagat i s'estan menjant el coco sobre com definir la relació, si són família o no, etc.