Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

Bear-san, On the Road

“The Queen was quite regal, right?” (Yuna)

“Yes. She is dignified yet approachable. On the outside, she looks like an uptight person bound to etiquette and protocols, but she was definitely worried about Primme-san and showed concern for her sister as well.” (Noa)

Typically, the fairy forest was an area which forbade human entry. There were exceptions, where some humans who had been permitted to enter, though it was restricted to only one person at a time. This time, though, there was an extraordinary exception to that exception, allowing two people in.

“Perhaps she came to check up on us, the people Primme brought with her, to see if we were the right people to be allowed to go with Primme.” (Yuna)

“Then does that mean we’re approved?” (Noa)

“I doubt that’s the case.” (Primme)

The Queen did mention that she could read emotions. And I could only assume that the reason she met up with us was to use that ability, which would be able to assess the true nature of anyone Primme brought inside the forest.

“I’m sorry. She’s probably more concerned about me because of the disappearance of my sister, which was likely caused by humans.” (Primme)

“Don’t apologize. Anyone would worry if their people suddenly disappeared.” (Yuna)

“Yes. That’s right. I will worry the same way if someone else I am acquainted with suddenly disappears.” (Noa)

“Thank you, Yuna and Noa.” (Primme)

Primme smiled.

“What’s most amazing is that she didn’t seem bothered by my outfit.” (Yuna)

Seeing my bear outfit didn’t elicit a reaction from the Queen at all, nor was it pointed out during our conversation. She was speaking to me casually as if it were normal.

“Yes, that’s right.” (Noa)

“Yuna’s outfit? Is there something wrong with it?” (Primme)

Primme, on my shoulder, jumped in front of me and looked at my outfit.

“My outfit is a bear, right? People often look at me strangely when they see me for the first time.” (Yuna)

“Really?” (Primme)

Primme didn’t seem to understand and tilted her head.

“I don’t think Yuna’s outfit is weird. You look good in that outfit.” (Noa)

I think the fact that wearing the bear suit would have annoyed me if someone told me that I didn’t look good in it, but being told that I looked good in it also left me with conflicted feelings.

Come to think of it, Primme also didn’t have a big reaction when she saw my outfit.

Maybe fairies have different sensibilities than humans do.

“I also think it looks good on you.” (Noa)

“Thank you. So, just to confirm, do you know which country we are in?” (Yuna)

First, I needed to confirm the location. It could be near Crimonia, or it could be near the royal capital.

“There is no way for me to know the names of human countries, like how Yuna also didn’t know about the fairy forest where we live.” (Primme)

“…True, I didn’t have any idea that it even existed.” (Yuna)

“Does the fairy forest have a name?” (Noa)

“The fairy forest is called Leticia.” (Primme)

“It’s a beautiful name.” (Yuna)

“Fufu, yes, it is indeed.” (Primme)

Primme looked smug because of our compliment.

“Well, maybe it’s because fairies aren’t very well known, right?” (Yuna)

“Possibly so, but I am not familiar with any humans either, so I guess it’s the same on our side.” (Primme)

I could understand Primme’s point.

If I was asked if I knew the names of all the places on earth, I would say no. I didn’t even know many of the names of the prefectures in Japan.

I would have known if I had a friend or acquaintance who lived there, but alas, such a person did not exist for me.

“So, you said you’ve been to a nearby village. Is it close?” (Yuna)

“I did say it was the closest village outside the fairy forest, but I don’t really know how close it is.” (Primme)

“You don’t know, even though you’ve been there before?” (Yuna)

“Humans are so focused on such things. If you ask a bird flying the same distance at great speed and an ant on the ground the same question, do you think you will get the same answer?” (Primme)

I understood what Primme was trying to say, but that was a weird depiction.

Differences in size and speed could create different perspectives of distance.

When I was riding on Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, it would feel like I would reach the destinations faster. However, on the other hand, while walking, it would feel as if the location were so far away.

Flying would create an even bigger difference in perception in the distance of location.

“But why are you asking me that?” (Primme)

“I just thought it would be better to gather information in the village first.” (Yuna)

“Isn’t it better to just go straight to my sister’s location?” (Primme)

“We can continue following the direction that Noa detected, but first, we will have to stop by somewhere to have a grasp of the area. And most of all, I want to at least know where this place is, the situation with monsters in the area and if we are moving on a safe path. We might as well try to get some information about fairies while we’re at it.” (Yuna)

If this were a strange country, far from Crimonia or the royal capital, collecting relevant information would be vital.

The name of the country, the names of nearby towns. What kind of country was it? What kind of cities do they have? On the other hand, there might also be countries that were at war with each other.

This time, Noa was with me, so I could not do things the way I normally do. In order to avoid unnecessary dangers, I needed information.

“So Noa, can you tell where the direction is?” (Yuna)

“I think it’s still in the same direction I pointed before.” (Noa)

“Then, for now, let’s continue in the direction Noa indicated earlier and stop by any villages we pass by as we continue.” (Yuna)

“Okay. I’m fine with that.” (Primme)

“I’m fine with that, as well.” (Noa)

While riding Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, we could just keep going at a leisurely pace.

“It’s nice to travel this way. When I was flying on my own, I often had to rest because it was so tiring. The scenery also never changed too much, so it was a little boring.” (Primme)

Primme said as she perched on top of Swaying Bear’s head.

We continued to travel until the sun started to set. After that, we finally decided to call it a day and prepared to rest.

I think we’ve made a lot of progress, albeit being a leisurely ride, but we never passed by any village or even encountered any humans at all.

After finding a good spot, I put up the Bear House, where we would be staying for the night.

“What’s this?” (Primme)

Primme asked as she looked at the Bear House.

“It’s a house I use when I am away from home. It will be too much trouble to stay in the field, and if Noa catches a cold, it will be a big problem.” (Yuna)

“Yuna-san, I’m not that weak.” (Noa)

“It doesn’t matter how strong you are. You’ll catch a cold even before you realize it, more so when you are fatigued. Even though we were riding on Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear today, that won’t change the fact that we are still travelling. And when travelling in a foreign land, even if you think you’re fine, taking a proper rest is a must.” (Yuna)

She may be excited and fine now, but because of being away from home and traveling through unfamiliar lands, her mind was most likely exhausted.

“Yes, I know. There was once a time when several other maids working in the house took a break at the same time. So Lala had to take over the work of those maids. She was swamped with work, but she insisted that she was fine. But suddenly, she collapsed, and the doctor determined the cause was because of fatigue. She also had a fever, making me worried.” (Noa)

“It’s not only when you are physically tired that things can become dangerous, but also when your mind is tired. When you’re out in the field, you can get overwhelmed by many things that can cause a lot of fatigue build-up.” (Yuna)

I didn’t feel that way with the Swaying Bear and the Hugging Bear around, and I slept just fine.

We then entered the Bear House.

“Well, I’m going to prepare dinner.” (Yuna)

“Then, I will prepare the bath.” (Noa)

“Do you know how to handle it?” (Yuna)

“Don’t worry, I learned it from Fina during the trip to Mileela.” (Noa)

When we went to the beach, Noa was working with Fina to clean the bathroom at the Bear House in Mileela.

“Then, I’ll leave it to you.” (Yuna)

“I’ll take care of it.” (Noa)

Saying so, Noa headed for the bath.

“What about me?” (Primme)

Primme asked.

I looked at Primme.

…She was so small.

“You can rest with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.” (Yuna)

“I told you I would like to help as well, hmph.” (Primme)

With puffed out cheeks, she flew over to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

She was so small that there was nothing I could ask her to do, so I didn’t have much choice.

Leaving her with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, I prepared a meal. The bread, meat, vegetables, etc. were on the table for Noa and me to eat. There was a small dish of honey that I had bought for Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear as well as for Primme, along with a small slice of bread.

The fairies ate mainly what they could find in the fairy forest, but they do not consume meat in any form.

So far, the food that Primme enjoyed the most was honey and bread.

“It’s not as good as the honey from our forest, but it’s delicious.” (Primme)

“”Kuun.””

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear squealed.

“What, you want honey from our forest as well?” (Primme)

“”Kuu~n””

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear nodded.

“Well, if we find my sister safely, I’ll let you have some as a thank-you gift.” (Primme)

“”Kuh~n!””

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear purred happily.

“Um, are you sure? I don’t think a little bit of honey will be enough.” (Yuna)

At my words, Primme looked at Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who had turned into cubs.

“…Can’t they become a little smaller?” (Primme)

I looked at Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who were now in their cub form, but they were still much larger than Primme, a fairy.

“They can’t…” (Yuna)

“Well, maybe a spoonful will be enough.” (Primme)

“”Kuh~n.””

“That’s not much at all.” (Yuna)

“Ah, sorry, I don’t think I can prepare more…” (Primme)

“”Kuu~n…””

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear squealed sadly.

Well, it couldn’t be helped.

No matter how small they became in cub form, they were still bigger than fairies.

We took a short break after finishing our meal and cleaning up the dishes.

Noa was holding Swaying Bear, and Primme was lying comfortably on top of Hugging Bear. I, on the other hand, was thinking about my future plans.

I have concluded that letting them know of our plans would be the best course of action for now.

“Yuna-san, should we take a bath soon?” (Noa)

“Yes, but wait a minute, there is something I want to tell Noa before that.” (Yuna)

I decided to tell Noa about the Bear Transfer Gate.

“Before that, can you promise not to tell anyone, not even Cliff or Ellelaura-san?” (Yuna)

The only reason I rejected the idea of telling Noa about it so far was because of my fear that she might reveal it to Cliff or Ellelaura.

“You want me to keep it from father and mother…. It’s not a bad thing, is it?” (Noa)

“It’s not something bad. It also won’t be a problem if you told them. It’s just that if you did tell them, things could really become annoying.” (Yuna)

“Okay, if Yuna-san wants me to keep quiet, I won’t tell anyone.” (Noa)

“Thank you. Please come to this room then.” (Yuna)

We then moved to the room where the Bear Transfer Gate was located.