Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

372 Bear-san Decides to Make Pressed Flowers (Day 4)

We went back to the same beach where we left.

Then, when we arrived at the entrance of the town while riding on Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, the gatekeeper uncle talked to me.

[Miss, it’s late in the afternoon.] Gatekeeper

[Yeah, we were playing and didn’t notice it’s already this late.] Yuna

It’s about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, which is snack time. I’m glad we made it before nighttime. After greeting the gatekeeper uncle and passing through the gate, we return to the beach where the children are playing. The children can be seen swimming in the sea, playing on waterslides, and playing on sandy beaches. It seems that nothing happened.

When we reached the beach house, I saw the director, Tirumina-san, Gentz-san, and several children were resting. The children ran up to us when they saw Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

Fina and Shuri went to Tirumina-san and Gentz-san.

[Yuna-san, welcome back.] Director

The director calls out to me.

[I’m back. Did anything happened while I was gone?] Yuna

[Everyone was just having fun, but Noa-sama was looking for Yuna-san and the others.] Director

[…Etto, did she say anything?] Yuna

[That’s right. She was a little angry.] Director

As I expected. But I couldn’t take her because she’ll exceed the capacity.

[So, where’s Noa?] Yuna

I looked for her over my shoulder, but I could not see even her figure swimming or playing on the sandy beach. Noa’s swimsuit and Misa’s swimsuit are different from the children in the orphanage, so I can spot them from a distance. Though, if they’re playing in the bear waterslide, I won’t be able to see them from here.

[Noa-sama went out with Misa-sama and the others.] Director

Is that so?

Don’t tell me they went out looking for me. Then I did something pitiful.

[So Yuna-chan. Where did you go with my daughters? When I asked Fina and Shuri, they told me to ask Yuna-chan.] Tirumina

It’s nice that they’re keeping their promise, but I’d like them to make their own excuses.

[Yeah, we went to explore a nearby island.] Yuna

[The apple was delicious.] Shuri

[Apple?] Tirumina

[Un.] Shuri

Shuri nods.

[Oh, that’s right. Mom. I have a souvenir. it’s in Oneechan’s item bag.] Shuri

When Shuri says so, Fina takes the flowers out of the item bag.

Was that the flower under the sakura tree that was blooming?

Apparently, at that time, she picked the flowers and put them in the item bag that Fina had. She was planning to use the fruits as a souvenir, but it wasn’t much and she couldn’t get more. So she picked flowers instead.

[Thank you, these flowers are beautiful.] Tirumina

Tirumina-san is happy to receive the flowers from Shuri.

[A lot of beautiful flowers were in bloom.] Shuri

[I also wanted you to see it, mom.] Fina

That would be impossible.

[Let’s decorate the room later.] Tirumina

I wonder if a vase could be a fashionable thing in my house?

If anything, dumplings are much better than flowers. I have no girlish hobby like decorating flowers after all. Even if they do it, would it be enough to grow flowers in the flowerbed?

Though, I might grow food instead of flowers.

[Even though, it’s a beautiful flower. It’s a waste since it’ll wither in a few days.] Tirumina

It can’t be helped. Flowers don’t last long. I could have taken a picture with a camera, but there is no such thing here. If I draw a picture of it, it’ll no longer be a gift from Shuri and Fina.

But after thinking a little, I came up with a good idea.

[Then, why not make pressed flowers?] Yuna

[Pressed flower?] Shuri

Shuri tilts her head to the side.

She has probably not seen pressed flowers before, hasn’t she?

But there is a different reaction from the side.

[Oh hey, that’s a good idea. I’ve picked flowers, but I was wondering what to do with them. I should make it into pressed flowers.] Shia

Shea seems to know about pressed flowers and agrees with my idea. Perhaps pressed flowers are only used by upper-class families?

[Yuna-oneechan. What is a pressed flower?] Shuri

[To put it simply, it’s something like sandwiching a flower between flat objects like a book? It’s beautiful if you put it in a frame and decorate it. However, the drawback is that the flower becomes flat.] Yuna

I made some when I was in elementary school, but I still remember how to make it. If it’s not a pressed flower that a professional made, you should be able to make it.

[If you don’t make a mistake, it shouldn’t wither. The color of the flowers may change though.] Yuna

If you don’t remove the water properly, it will be damaged. It would have been better if there was a desiccant applied in that area. I’ve seen desiccants sold in this world but they’re placed in damp places.

I’ve heard that the flowers should be sealed so that it does not come in contact with the moisture as much as possible to prevent discoloration. There are also some finer details, but it shouldn’t be impossible to do.

If we make a mistake, I would go to the island to get the flowers. Though the value of the flowers I’ll be picking up would be different from the flowers that Shuri picked up for Tirumina-san. It will become a gift from me to Tirumina-san just like the drawing.

Thus, I’ll never utter such words again.

[Then, shall we make it at home? There must be tools for us to use, but will the flowers be okay until we get home.] Tirumina

[I’ll keep the flowers in my item bag so it won’t wither.] Yuna

[That’s right, Yuna-san’s item bag is special, isn’t it?] Shia

If I put it in the bear box, it will not wither.

[Shuri, what are you going to do?] Tirumina

[It won’t die?] Shuri

[It’s okay.] Tirumina

[Un, I understand. Yuna-oneechan. Please keep the flowers.] Shuri

When Tirumina-san heard Shuri’s words, she handed me the flowers. When I hold it with the bear puppet, I put it in the bear box.

[Yuna-san, can I ask you to keep mine too?] Shia

[Okay. Fina, if you still have flowers in your item bag give them to me and I’ll keep them as well.] Yuna

[Thank you.] Fina

I also accepted the flowers from Shia and Fina and put them in the bear box.

When we return to Crimonia, we’ll make the pressed flowers.

[Yuna-chan, you’re back. By the way, is that okay?] Lurina

Lurina-san came over while we’re resting at the beach house.

Was there a problem?

[Take a look at those children.] Lurina

Looking in the direction Lurina-san is pointing, there are several new children. They’re not the children that originally came with us. They’re not wearing school swimsuits, so I can spot them from a distance.

[They have been watching the bears Yuna-chan made for a while. Maybe they want to play with them too. I was wondering what to do. Yuna-chan wasn’t here to say something after all.] Lurina

[Did you call them out?] Yuna

[No I didn’t. I only noticed them a while ago and while I was wondering what to do, I saw Yuna-chan coming back, so I thought I should consult with you.] Lurina

I will speak to the children in place of Lurina-san. Rather than listening to some unfamiliar adult, it shouldn’t be surprising for them to listen to me, who is reasonably famous in Mereera.

When I stood up, I approached the children watching the bear waterslide.

There are about 5 boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 13.

[Hello.] Yuna

[Bear-san?]

[Bear-oneechan?]

[I’m guessing you want to play?] Yuna

[Yeah, it looks fun.]

[Then, may we play?]

[Is that okay?]

[It’s okay, but you have to play together with the other kids.] Yuna

[Yeah.]

I took the children to the bear waterslide.

[Everyone, let these kids play together with you.] Yuna

When I call out to the other children.

[Yep, okay.]

[Okay~]

They gleefully replied.

The local children happily rush to the waterslide.

[Thank you, Yuna-chan. I wish I had noticed them a little earlier and called out to them.] Lurina

Lurina-san thanked me and went back to the bear waterslide.

When I return to the beach house, Shuri was sleeping on Tirumina-san’s lap. She’s probably tired. Shia and Fina can be seen drinking. Someone called out to me as I was about to take a rest.

[Ah, Yuna-san, you’re back.] Noa

When I look behind me, Noa and Misa were there. Together with Marina and Eru.

[Where did you go, Yuna-san? You’re horrible that you kept quiet about it. If you’re going somewhere, please take me with you.] Noa

Sorry. But you’re an excess to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear’s capacity. Noa is small, so if she did her best, she might have been able to ride them, though if that’s the case, she might invite Misa then Marina and Eru would follow. If that happens, the load will exceed way beyond the capacity limit.

[I’m sorry. Actually, I didn’t have any plans to take Fina and the others. But they want to follow me, so I can’t help it. That’s why I’m not despising Noa.] Yuna

[Is that true? It’s not because I’m a bother to you?] Noa

[It’s true. I forced myself to her so I can stick with her.] Fina

[Yes, I saw Yuna-san was about to go out by chance, so I decided to follow her.] Shia

Shia and Fina followed suit.

[U~u, next time please invite us too.] Noa

Apparently, she’s not so angry. It looks like she was just lonely. Thinking about it that way, I did something pitiful to her.

[So where did Yuna-san and the others go?] Noa

[We explored a nearby island. I was just wondering if there’s something interesting.] Yuna

[Is there anything interesting?] Noa

[There are beautiful flowers blooming.] Yuna

I took out the flowers entrusted to me by Fina and others.

[It’s beautiful. I want to go too.] Noa

[It’s no good because there were monsters. We also quickly came back because of those monsters.] Yuna

[Then. That is impossible.] Noa

The excuse that came out of my mouth was the truth mixed with a bit of a lie.

Lying to her hurts my heart. I just couldn’t invite her and I can’t say anything about Targui either, so I can’t help it.

Therefore, there is no choice but to mud the tea with the word monsters. It’s not a lie because there were actually monsters.

[When we return to Crimonia, we will make these flowers into pressed flowers. Will you make it together with me?] Yuna

[A pressed flower?] Noa

[It’s a flower made by drying and flattening the flower. It’s beautiful if you do it properly.] Yuna

Noa was happy with my words.

[It’s a promise. Don’t outcast me this time.] Noa

[Misa too, let’s make it together if you have the time.] Yuna

[Yes, I’d love to. I’ll ask permission from my grandfather.] Misa

Then we decide to go back to the bear house.

The sleeping Shuri is being carried by Gentz-san. She has a smiling face.

Author’s Note:

They couldn’t get the fruits as souvenirs, so they used flowers instead.

Both Shuri and Fina are kind children.

※In the activity report, we are looking for the 7th volume books store privilege SS. Yoroshikuonegaishimasu. (Newly written is also possible)

Translator’s Note:

4-hit combo finisher!