Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

We walked around the city for a day, but we couldn’t find the man with the eye patch and the cross-shaped scar on his cheek. It was just me, being seen by passersby.

[Yuna, you’re only looking at the stores, not the guy that we’re looking for.] Shinobu

I entered the tourist mode halfway through.

It’s because it’s more fun to look at the town’s scenery, rather than looking for that person.

[I thought that my presence would make me stand out, and they would notice me.] Yuna

[No one would think that a girl dressed as a bear is looking for them.] Shinobu

Well, I certainly stood out, but you wouldn’t expect a girl dressed as a bear you’ve never met in your life to be looking for you, would you?

[But if I stand out, doesn’t that mean that Shinobu, who’s I’m with, stands out too?] Yuna

[That’s…] Shinobu

[Besides, isn’t it a bit too much to look for one person in a town this big? Can’t you get someone to help you?] Yuna

Two people, rather than one. Three people rather than two. The more people who’re searching, the bigger the chance you’d find him.

[I don’t want to search with too many people because I don’t know where the information will leak out. If they find out we’re looking for them and they hide or flee the town, we’ll have to start all over again.] Shinobu

That’s true, but it’s a tough call. The more people who’re searching, the higher the chance of finding him, but also the higher the risk of information leaking out. It’s hard to say which is better.

I honestly hope we can find him within the next three days. Yeah, I can only hope.

After a long day, I took a bath in the hot spring and hugged Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear to relax after a long day.

=====

The second day of exploration begins.

I walk around the city as I did yesterday.

[Shinobu, don’t you want to kill that man?] Yuna

My parents were outrageous. So if they got killed, I would not want to kill or catch the culprit. If they get killed, it is most likely my parents’ fault.

[That’s true. But if I kill him, then that would be the end of it. I want to catch him and get him to confess to a lot of things he did.] Shinobu

[Just to confirm, half-dead is fine, right?] Yuna

[What kind of horrible things are you planning to “half-kill” him?] Shinobu

I’m thinking about it.

[You know, like soaking him up in fear from the bottom of his heart?] Yuna

If you instill fear in someone so deep that they can never do anything bad again, they won’t do it again. Before they try to do something bad, would they feel like it’s a death sentence?

But before that, why did they kill Shinobu’s father?

If it was a random murder, it wouldn’t have been a big deal.

It’s possible that Shinobu’s father did something wrong and was killed.

Hmm, but then there would be no reason to capture him. If Shinobu’s father was evil and the man with the scars was righteous, then he would be innocent even if we captured him.

Then again, maybe Shinobu was right, and the man was the evil one?

[Why did that man kill your father, Shinobu?] Yuna

[……I don’t know. That’s why I want to capture him and find out about that too.] Shinobu

So, is it possible that Shinobu’s father is a bad guy?

But she said he killed other people. Are those people bad people too?

The guy’s portrait looks like he’s a villain.

There is a possibility that the person who drew the portrait has mixed in personal feelings about the guy, and we should not judge people by their looks. I’ve had trouble with people judging me by my appearance many times.

The more I think about it, the less I know. I’m going to have to be very calm about this when I find a guy.

=====

And today as well, the sun begins to set without finding a man.

[Let’s look around some more and then we’ll have dinner.] Yuna

I called out to Shinobu, who is standing next to me. But there was no reply. I looked at Shinobu and saw that she had stopped walking.

[Shinobu?] Yuna

[There he is.] Shinobu

Shinobu’s gaze was fixed on a single point. When I turned my sight to where Shinobu was looking, I saw a tall man dressed like a samurai.

That’s the guy?

The man had just come out of the dumpling shop.

When the man was about to leave the store and start walking, he immediately changed direction and started walking away from us, so I couldn’t see his face clearly, and I couldn’t see the cross-shaped scar on his cheek.

But I could see that he was wearing an eye patch over his left eye.

[Let’s follow him.] Shinobu

[Aren’t you going to catch him?] Yuna

[Not here. There are still people around. If we create a commotion and cause damage, we’ll be in trouble. If possible, we should move to a deserted place or find out which inn he’s staying.] Shinobu

What Shinobu said was true, so we had to follow the man.

Personally, I’d like to end it by unleashing magic from behind, but if the guy is innocent and it was only a backhanded attack by Shinobu, I’d be the criminal.

U~u, it’s too much troublesome. It’s such a pain.

[Let’s go, Yuna.] Shinobu

We kept our distance from the man a little so that he wouldn’t notice us and tailed him.

[Are you sure about this?] Yuna

[There is no doubt. That appearance, I will not make a mistake about it.] Shinobu

She replied strongly.

The man is walking alone, unaware that he is being followed.

I wonder where he’s going. If possible, I would like him to go somewhere less crowded.

The man walking in front didn’t notice us, but as usual, people passing in front of me kept looking at me.

As expected, my outfit is not suitable for tailing, I guess?

If I’m just looking for someone, then yeah, but it’s impossible to do so in a bear suit.

[Shinobu, don’t you think I should leave?] Yuna

[It’s okay because we’re keeping a distance.] Shinobu

Shinobu and I kept our distance from the man and continued to tail him.

The man moved away from the main street and entered into a small alley.

Gradually the streets become less crowded.

[Are you sure you don’t want my help?] Yuna

[I’ll take care of it. I’ll be fine.] Shinobu

Then I will not lose sight of him, and I will not let him escape. I don’t want to go through the trouble of looking for him again. The man did not look back but continued on to the outskirts of town.

=====

The surrounding area is lined with old houses, many of which are surrounded by wooden walls. The streets are completely empty of people.

It’s a good time to strike or talk.

[Shinobu.] Yuna

The man stopped, then he started to speak to Shinobu.

[I think this place is good enough.] Jubei

The man turned around.

As the sun was setting, the man’s face appeared in front of us under the sunlight.

He had an eye patch over his left eye and a scar on his cheek. It was definitely the man from the sketch that Shinobu had.

[Did you notice us?] Shinobu

Shinobu didn’t even try to hide as we followed him.

[I kept hearing <bear, bear, bear,> anyone will notice that.] Jubei

It seems that it was my fault. That’s why I told her I’m not good at tailing someone.

But the man didn’t seem to notice me. He didn’t even turn around once. So how could he have realized that he was being followed by a bear?

Then the man looked at me and smiled.

[So you came to this deserted place knowing that you were being followed?] Shinobu

[You don’t want to make a scene when we confront each other, do you?] Jubei

It seems the man has his own reasons for not wanting to make a scene.

[So, why were you following me?] Jubei

[Have you forgotten about me?] Shinobu

As soon as Shinobu said that, she waved her arm. At the same time, the man pulled out the sword at his waist. There was a <kink> sound as metal clashed with metal, and something fell to the ground.

It’s a kunai! Shinobu threw a kunai! And the man blocked it with his sword!

I couldn’t tell because I was right behind Shinobu. Shinobu’s movements were lean and fast. But the man prevented it.

It was a momentary attack, but the level was high.

[Oh, you’re the daughter of the man from that time? In other words, you’re avenging your father’s death, aren’t you?] Jubei

[You quickly remembered, well that will make things easier.] Shinobu

Shinobu pulled out a small dagger from her pocket.

[I won’t kill you. But if I win, you will tell me everything.] Shinobu

[Then you should have attacked me from behind when you found me.] Jubei

The man held his sword up.

[I won’t do anything cowardly like that. I’ll beat you with my own strength.] Shinobu

[Fufu, interesting. I’ll be your partner then. So, the cute little lady dressed as a bear over there, are you just going to watch, or are you going to help?] Jubei

The man pointed the tip of his sword at me.

I feel like the tip of his sword is telling me that if I go to help her, he will attack me as well.

[I want you to stay out of this as you promised, and watch me. If anything should happen to me, I’m leaving everything to you.] Shinobu

So she’s basically telling me not to help and just watch.

[I also promised that if you’re about to be killed, I’ll step in.] Yuna

[That’s why I’m saying if something happens.] Shinobu

There is a chance that Shinobu will be defeated before I can do anything about it.

If there seems to be a huge power gap,

I’m going to make a move sooner rather than later.

Besides, I’ll find out if the man is a good or bad guy by his fight with Shinobu.

Shinobu runs, and the man waits for her.

=====

Author’s Note:

Happy New Year to you all.

I’m sorry for the delay.

I was worried that the bookwork did not proceed as much as I expected.

My next post will be in three or four days, if possible.

This year as well, yoroshikuonegaishimasu.