Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

348 Bear-san Arrives at Mereera (Day 1)

Credits to: valiant, Philip

After driving the Bear Bus for quite some time, I can finally see the tunnel exit in front of me.

[Everyone! We’re about to exit the tunnel.] Yuna

[Really!?]

[The sea?]

When I told everyone at the back, the reaction of the children, who were bored suddenly got excited.

Well, it couldn’t helped, because we were passing through a boring tunnel.

[Yuna-oneechan, the sea?]

[You will see it when we exit the tunnel.] Yuna

Noa and Misa, who were sitting next to me, leaned forward and the children showed their faces on the windows of the Bear Bus.

[Don’t stick your heads out so much, it’s dangerous!] Yuna

When the Bear Bus exits the tunnel, the sea spreads far and wide within everyone’s sight.

There are no obstacles in front of us and the road continues, so everyone can see the wide ocean. Also, thanks to the sunny weather as well. Fortunately, it wasn’t raining after we left the tunnel.

It was the same weather as the last time I went there with Fina, maybe God gave us a sunny weather as a reward for my everyday benevolence. Always be mindful of your usual behavior.

[It’s the sea!]

[Its so big!]

[Wow!]

[U wa~a ~]

Children made a lot of noise. The director, Liz-san, and Nifu-san told them to keep it quiet, but the children were too excited and did not listen.

[If you don’t listen to director and the others, I’ll turn this back.] Yuna

[Eh～～～]

[Have you forgotten your promise when we come to the sea? You won’t act on your own, right? And that you will listen to what the director and the others are saying, right?] Yuna

[But……]

[The sea will not go anywhere, so it’s okay.] Yuna

I calmed the children down. Though what I said was addressed to the children behind me, Noa and Misa, who were sitting beside me and had risen from their seats, slowly lowered their hips.

However, their eyes were shining while staring at the sea.

By the way, is it okay to let the Bear Bus proceed as it is?

When I checked the surroundings, there was a wall surrounding the tunnel on this side as well and the wall was made along the road. Looks like there are no people around.

Shall I proceed?

Incidentally, if you look behind us, there are also Bear Statues. Though everyone was looking ahead so they’re unaware.

As I drive the Bear Bus along the road, I can see a building from the front.

The building is built in a place that connects to a road that leads to other cities. They told me before that they will expand the town, so this seems to be the entrance to the town of Mereera.

When we arrive at the building-like checkpoint, a familiar person is standing outside of it. I don’t know his name, but he is the gatekeeper who greeted me when I came to Mereera for the first time. The man was not aware of the Bear Bus coming from the other side and he seems to be taking a break in his spare time. So the moment he saw us, his casual look turns into a surprised expression.

I wonder if he’s working properly because he didn’t noticed until the Bear Bus got close to him. I stopped the Bear Bus then showed my face and said hello.

[Long time no see.] Yuna

[…White bear…Is that you Bear Missy? It’s been a long time.] Gatekeeper

So why is it a question?

I just changed black to white. I don’t know why everyone is so confused, even though it’s so easy to understand.

[Is this the entrance to the town now?] Yuna

[Ah, here we can see who is coming from the tunnel and who is coming from the road at the same time.] Gatekeeper

[It doesn’t seem to be busy today.] Yuna

[There’s just nothing to do at this time. It gets busy when the tunnel is closed first thing in the morning. After that, there’s hardly anybody who comes, so comparatively speaking, there’s nothing to do.] Gatekeeper

[So that’s why you looked so relaxed.] Yuna

[Did you see it?] Gatekeeper

The man scratches his head and tried to cover-up his embarrassment.

[So why are you a white bear today? And what is this weird vehicle? It’s moving without a horse pulling it.] Gatekeeper

[It’s not weird. It’s a Bear-san carriage.] Noa

[Yes, it’s not weird.] Misa

Noa and Misa were the ones who objected instead of me. In addition, the children behind me also said, <It’s a bear>, <It’s not weird>, <It’s cute>.

I was glad that they had my back, but even if not considering a bear bus weird was common sense, I would still feel bothered. I’m wondering if I should teach it as a common sense or keep it as it is.

[I’m sorry. I’m not saying anything wrong. I just thought it was something that the Bear Missy likes to ride. And she looks good as a white bear. It suits her well.] Gatekeeper

The man denied the children’s protests. I’m not happy if I was told that the white bear suits me well. Even so, I’m not happy if I’m told that it doesn’t suit me either.

[So, are you going on this carriage as it is? If you so, it will make a fuss. Though even if it didn’t, you were quite a famous person here.] Gatekeeper

As I thought, that’s the case.

It reminds of the past events.

The festivities on the day after subduing Kraken were tough. Everyone came up to me and each of them offered me food. But when I came to harvest bamboo shoots together with Fina and Shuri, that wasn’t the case.

Sure, people thanked me, but they didn’t make a big deal out of it.

[Not causing you trouble has sort of become a rule here, but there’s no guarantee that all the citizens will follow it.] Gatekeeper

Considering that, isn’t it better to just walk from here and not ride on the Bear Bus?

It’s not too far if we walk from here to the Bear House. Besides, even the kids seemed like they wanted to get off.

[Would you like to walk from here?] Yuna

[Is it okay to get off now?]

[It’s okay. Well you can’t go anywhere without permission anyways. So be sure to follow the instructions of the director and the others. I know everyone wants to go to the sea. But First, we’ll go to my house where we’re supposed to stay during this vacation.] Yuna

I will ask the director and the others to take care of the children, and let Noa and Misa tell Fina and the others who are on the bear cub buses.

[What will you do with this carriage?] Gatekeeper

[It’s okay because it fits in my item bag.] Yuna

When everyone gets off the Bear Buses, I put the Bear Buses in the Bear Box.

[Jo-chan never ceases to surprise me.] Gatekeeper

I asked the man for the passes, then I gave it to everyone.

[Yuna-chan, we will walk from here?] Tirumina

[That carriage will stand out.] Yuna

[But if you walk together with children like this, I don’t think it will change anything.] Tirumina

Tirumina-san looks around.

Sure, it might be as you said. But I think that it’s less noticeable than riding on the Bear Bus.

Looking at the children, they are happily looking at the sea. You can hear various conversations, such as <Big>, <Is this all water?> <Is it salty?>. Rather than passing by on a Bear Bus in an instant, it is good to walk slowly while gazing at the sea.

In this way, when I walk with the children, I feel like I have become a teacher who leads kindergarten and elementary school children. If there was a cart for children, it would definitely a kindergarten or a nursery school. If you say such a thing, the children in the upper grades of elementary school will get angry.

The older kids made sure to hold the hands of the little ones so they wouldn’t walk off on their own, they were earnestly doing their job as their elders. But even they must’ve wanted to run off to the sea.

[Yuna-oneechan. When are we going to the sea?]

[U~n, for now we need to get to my house.] Yuna

It is a delicate schedule to get to the sea in time. Even though the sun hasn’t set, I don’t think we have time to play. When we get to my house, I’ll give them a basic explanation, and by the time the explanation is over, the sun may have set.

[You might be able to play tomorrow, I think?] Yuna

[[[[Ehh～～～～～]]]]

The children became noisy and looks disappointed.

[You should not bother Yuna-san.] Director

[Yes.]

[We’re sorry.]

The children apologize obediently after the director warns them.

I left the children’s care to the director, Liz-san, Nifu-san, and the adventurers. Then I went to Anzu.

[Anzu, what will you do? Are you going home? Or are you coming with us?] Yuna

[Is there a room where I can stay?] Anzu

[There is, though it’s not a single room. You’ll be together with Seno-san.] Yuna

[If so, then I’ll go with you.] Anzu

Anzu answered without hesitation.

[Is that okay?] Yuna

[Yes. I have to cook everyone’s dinner and I think they will be busy if I return at this time. So I’ll go and greet them tomorrow.] Anzu

Seno-san nodded at Anzu’s words.

And so, after walking for a while, I can finally see the big bear’s face. Everyone was looking at the ocean, so they didn’t notice the Bear House.

There are things that made me worried when I saw the Bear House. The construction around the tunnel is almost over. A new building is also being built. However, there is only one place where the trees are not touched. It’s the area within my Bear House.

I though they already cut those down when I came here the last time, but the area around my bear house hasn’t been cleared, and the trees haven’t been cut.

Don’t tell me, they are treating it as a restricted area?

As I was walking while thinking about such a thing, we arrived at the path that goes to the Bear House.

If you go straight up this slope, you will find the Bear House. When you look at the path, it is beautifully paved with cobblestones. And at the entrance of the road, there is a sign standing in front which is notifying people that it is forbidden to enter aside from those who are permitted. Of course, it would be a problem if they could just come and go to the Bear House without permission. Though I didn’t know there was such a notice.

[Everyone, over here.] Yuna

Everyone are still looking at the sea so I stopped them since they are about to pass by it. Then everyone looks here.

[Bear-san?]

From here, you can see the bears on the 3rd and 4th floor. The feet are hidden by the wall.

[That bear is the one that we will be staying at. If you get lost, ask someone.] Yuna

If you get lost, ask for the Bear House and they will take you to it. As expected, there are no people in Mereera who do not know about the Bear House.

Then, whether or not they’ve listen my words properly, the children ran towards the Bear House. It seems like they were more interested in the Bear House than the sea.

I’m glad that they’re happy, but what was that about the Bear House that defeated the sea?

Don’t forget that this time our goal is the sea.

The children ran towards the Bear House. Liz-san, Lurina-san and Gil chased them.

[Misa! We will also go. We cannot lose as the members of Bear-san fan club!] Noa

[Yes. Noa-oneesama.] Misa

Noa and Misa both started running, so Marina and Eru, who were behind them gave chase.

Somehow, I felt like I’ve heard a strange word from Noa’s mouth earlier. Maybe that was my imagination. I’m kinda worried though.

[Noa-sama, she looks very happy.] Fina

[Well, I’m happy that she’s having fun, but don’t you want to go there too Fina?] Yuna

[I’ve been there before] Fina

I brought Fina and Shuri to the Bear House in Mereera before, that’s why she knows about that Bear House.

[I heard from my daughters. It really is a Bear House.] Tirumina

Tirumina-san said that with a lot of amazement, while walking along with Fina. And Shuri is walking while holding Gentz’s hand.

[Yuna-chan, you hate it when people ask you to make bear-related items for them, yet you have no problem making them for yourself.] Tirumina

[That’s……] Yuna

Tirumina-san hits it where it hurts.

Certainly, I hated making the bear statues and I was reluctant to make the children wear the bear uniforms.

However, I’m pretty much making things about bears myself.

It might be an excuse. But it’s easier to make it like that, so it can’t be helped. Plus the strength is increased and various benefits are added to it. It is decided that it is better to have the benefits rather than not having anything at all.

The idea may be as God intended to give me the power of a bear, and I can’t help it but use it.

On the way, children are waiting for me at the front of the gate.

There is a wall around the Bear House and a gate at the entrance. This is to prevent anyone from entering without permission.

[Yuna-oneechan, hurry up.]

[I’ll open it now.] Yuna

When I pushed the gate, the doors opened. And immediately two bear houses welcomes us.

Author’s Note:

Finally, we have arrived.

It was long.

The Kuma-san fan club is also written down in the three books.

I just imagine Noa, Misa, and Fina joining in.

The other members are undecided.