Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

Bear-san, Relaxing

I had already informed Ellelaura-san, Shia, and Sanya-san at the meal that I was leaving, so I went to tell Ghazal-san and Rica-san that I was leaving and the results of Fina’s participation in the dismantling event.

Besides, I was also curious about Fina’s old dismantling tools that were a prize from a past dismantling event, so I asked Ghazal-san whether he knew anything about it.

***

“So about that…” (Ghazal-san)

Next, Ghazal-san told me that the dismantling tools for the event were made by a famous blacksmith every year at the request of the Adventurers’ Guild. The shape and type of dismantling tools have stayed the same over the years, and apparently, there was a mark on the bottom of the hand-held wooden part so that you could recognize it immediately.

As to why he did not mention this, he must have noticed it when he maintained Fina’s dismantling tools, but heard that it belonged to her late father, and he felt sorry to remind her of her past.

He planned to tell us about it later if the time was right.

However, he also mentioned that he did not expect that Fina would actually get the Fighting Spirit Award and receive the same dismantling set.

After Ghazal-san told me about the dismantling tools, he also decided to maintain my Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear knives while I spent some time chatting with Rica-san.

I was also happy to see Rica-san happy.

…

After saying goodbye to everyone, we stood before the Bear Transfer Gate.

“Did anyone forget anything?” (Yuna)

“No, I’m fine.” (Tirumina)

“Yeah, me too.” (Fina)

“I’m fine.” (Shuri)

Tirumina-san and Fina checked their belongings, and Shuri held up her hands to let me know she was okay.

Today, we would return to Crimonia.

Well, even if they forget something, I could use the Bear Transfer Gate to come right back, so it wasn’t that big of an issue…

“Well then, I will use the Bear Transfer Gate to return to Crimonia, but this gate will remain a secret, okay?” (Yuna)

“Yes, we know.” (Everyone else)

I opened the door of the Bear Transfer Gate leading to my bear house in Crimonia. We went through the Bear Transfer Gate and finally returned to Crimonia.

“It’s so bizarre. I can’t believe this is Yuna-chan’s house in Crimonia.” (Tirumina)

Tirumina-san curiously walked past the Bear Transfer Gate, followed by Fina and Shuri.

“Thank you, Yuna-chan. It was fun. Besides, I got to see my daughter in action.” (Tirumina)

“I’m sorry about Gentz-san, though.” (Yuna)

Gentz-san was not able to see Fina in action. I was sure he would be disappointed when he listened to our story.

“Hmmm, well. We’ll quickly bring him back in a good mood when we return home. Can both of you help me out?”

“”Yes.”” (Fina and Shuri)

Tirumina-san asked Fina and Shuri, and they responded.

If they were willing to indulge Gentz-san, he would soon be in a better mood.

I have heard that fathers have a soft spot for their daughters, and I have heard that Gentz-san also had a soft spot for his daughters. That would mean that he thinks of them as his own daughters even though they are not related to him.

In comparison, my father didn’t care about his daughter that much. He was also not as kind.

Tirumina-san and the others thanked me once more and left the bear house.

The house became quiet as the door closed. Having constantly heard Fina, Shuri, and Tirumina-san’s voices over the past few days, I suddenly felt lonely when the three left. Feeling a little down, I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

“”Kuu~n.””

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear came close to me, probably noticing my feelings. I pet Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear had become my family.

Two days later, Fina came to my house and told me about what happened at their place: Gentz-san was lonely and hugged them as soon as they came home.

And that Tirumina-san got angry when she saw the mess the house was in.

She said that even though they had only been away from home for a few days, the rooms had become a mess, the dishes had not been washed, the laundry had not been done.

Come to think of it, I remembered hearing that before Tirumina-san and Gentz got married, he had not done anything to prepare for their moving in together, which made the move to living together under a roof very difficult for both of them.

It seemed that while Gentz-san could work properly, he was actually awful at housework.

So, for two days after we returned from the royal capital, Fina happily told me that they had to spend the whole day cleaning the house.

“Good job!” (Fina)

Then, over tea and snacks, she asked Gentz-san about the dismantling tools she had gotten at the event.

Gentz-san said that he knew and had kept quiet intentionally, because if Fina had found out that her late father had also attended the same event, she might have been uncomfortable and unable to show her true potential.

It was true that Fina might have felt overwhelmed if she knew that her late father had also previously participated in the event, and she might not have been able to show her true potential.

When Tirumina-san heard what he had to say, she said, “Well, then, you could have told me too,” and he responded with “What were you going to do if I told you?” Tirumina-san also mentioned before that she was not really interested in the event. After all, when Fina asked her about the event, she didn’t even seem to have the slightest idea what happened. This made Gentz-san also conclude that she had forgotten about it.

Gentz-san was right because Tirumina-san did not remember the dismantling competition event from when her late husband was alive.

“But mother said that maybe father didn’t tell us because he was disappointed that he had lost to my late father.”

That could also be the case.

Especially since Gentz-san did lose to Fina’s late father.

Today, Gentz-san returned to work while Tirumina-san and Shuri were at the orphanage and store, leaving Fina alone with me.

“Fina, don’t you have to go with them?” (Yuna)

“I was wondering if Yuna Onee-chan is okay.” (Fina)

Unexpected words came out.

“Me? There’s nothing to worry about.” (Yuna)

“When we left, you looked a little sad.” (Fina)

I may have looked a little sad when they left. But I felt sad only after the three of them left. Perhaps my face already made that sad expression when I saw the three of them off.

But I didn’t think that Fina would have noticed my feelings.

“Thank you for worrying about me. I’m fine now.” (Yuna)

Two days had passed, and Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear were there, so I didn’t feel lonely anymore.

Besides, Fina came to my house to visit today.

“And um, Yuna Onee-chan…” (Fina)

Fina and I spent the day relaxing, chatting and not doing anything.

***

The next day, I went to various places.

I went to the orphanage, where the children cared for the birds as if they were used to it. I remember how fearful they were at first in taking care of them. Liz-san was also giving instructions to the children.

Tirumina-san was checking the eggs she had collected. Shuri and Fina were beside her. After a quick morning greeting, I entered the building. Inside the building, the director and Neff-san cared for the youngest children.

When they noticed my arrival, they smiled at me.

When I asked if anything was troubling them, the director replied, as usual, that nothing was wrong. I got the same answer from Neff-san, so she was not lying or enduring anything.

Next, I went to Bear Lounge.

The store was packed with customers, and children were hard at work. In the beginning, they were still not used to working there, but now everyone was working independently without needing Karin to remind them what to do continually.

When I visited the kitchen, I found that the children were also thinking independently, deciding what was selling and which bread was about to run out, and then asking Morin-san’s permission to make the bread.

The final decision still came from Morin-san, but the children were thinking it through and voicing their opinions.

Once again, I could see the growth and development of the children.

After receiving bread from Morin-san on my way home, I headed to Anzu’s store.

I looked inside the restaurant and saw customers eating grilled fish, rice balls, seafood hot pot, and other dishes prepared by Anzu, all looking delicious.

Inside the restaurant, Seno was busy working.

I was going to have a quick bite to eat but decided to get out of the way.

“Yuna-chan?” (Seno)

Seno-san, who noticed me peeking out of the window, came outside to greet me.

“Did you come here to eat?” (Seno)

“I was going to, but it looks crowded, so I’ll come next time. (Yuna)

“Hmm, what are you talking about? There’s no reason to not let Yuna-chan eat at this restaurant. Come in.” (Seno)

Seno-san grabbed my hand, pulled me inside and seated me in an empty seat.

I decided to accept Seno-san’s offer and have my meal.

“So, what would you like to eat?” (Seno)

“Well, for the first time in a long time, I’d like a seafood hot pot, please.” (Yuna)

Seeing the customers eating seafood hot pot made me want to eat it.

“Yes! Anzu, one serving of seafood hot pot, please, right away.” (Seno)

“Seno-san, what’s the rush? There are still orders being processed that we have to complete.” (Anzu)

“That’s because our employer, Yuna-chan, ordered it.” (Seno)

“Alright! Yuna-san, I’ll make it as soon as possible.” (Anzu)

Anzu’s loud, animated response could be heard booming all the way from the kitchen.

“I’m not in a hurry, so you can take your time.”

I didn’t want to break the workflow just to accommodate me. Moreover, the other customers would be upset.

After a short wait, Anzu brought out a steaming seafood pot with rice.

“I made it today with fresh seafood brought in from the town of Mileela.” (Anzu)

“This is all thanks to Yuna-chan, right?”

“Yes, thanks to Yuna-chan, we can eat our hometown’s food even in distant Crimonia.”

“And also to have fun doing my job.”

Anzu and Seno, as well as the others who came from Mileela, nodded their heads.

Neff-san, ended up working at the orphanage, but she was also glad to come to Crimonia and seemed to be enjoying her work.

And the seafood hot pot, which I hadn’t had in a long time, was as delicious as I had expected. I thanked them and left the restaurant.

After leaving the restaurant, I headed to Noa’s house to deliver something.

“Yuna-san!” (Noa)

Noa greeted me with a smile.

“I heard… you went to the royal capital with Fina, didn’t you?” (Noa)

I didn’t know where Noa heard this, but she apparently found out.

“I wish I could have gone with you.” (Noa)

“Let’s go together next time.” (Yuna)

It would have been nice to let Noa see Ellelaura-san and Shia occasionally.

To accomplish that, I would need to decide when I should reveal the Bear Transfer Gate to her, and I was not sure if Noa would keep quiet about it.

“That’s a promise.” (Noa)

Noa beamed a big smile.

Maybe someday I could tell her about the Bear Transfer Gate, and we could go out together.

“So, what’s up with you today?” (Noa)

“I have a letter from Ellelaura-san and Shia.” (Yuna)

I received it from them after Fina’s celebration meal.

“From mother and big sister!” (Noa)

Noa beamed at my words.

Noa read Ellelaura-san and Shia’s letter and seemed to miss them a little.

I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear to stay with her until I returned.

When I returned to the Bear House, I ate bread from Bear-san’s store, took a bath, and slept with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

It was a peaceful day.

I hoped days like this would continue for a while.