348 Bear-san Arrives at Mereera (Day 1)
After driving the Bear Bus for quite some time, I can finally see the tunnel exit in front of me.
[Everyone! Weâre about to exit the tunnel.] Yuna
[Really!?]
[The sea?]
When I told everyone at the back, the reaction of the children, who were awake, intensified.
Well, it couldnât 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.
[Itâs dangerous to show your faces like that!] Yuna
When the Bear Bus exits the tunnel, the sea spreads far and wide within everyoneâs 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. After we passed through the tunnel, it fees really good that it wasnât raining.
Last time, when I came with Fina, it was a good weather as well, we did a lot of things everyday, so maybe God have made it sunny this time too. Daily activities are important.
[Itâs 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 donât listen to director and the others, Iâll turn this back.] Yuna
[Ehï½ï½ï½]
[Have you forgotten your promise when we come to the sea? You wonât 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 itâs okay.] Yuna
I calmed the children down. Thatâs what I said to the children behind me. Noa and Misa, who were sitting next to me, were slowly raising 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 theyâre 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 donât 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 heâs working properly because he donât 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? Itâs been a long time.] Gatekeeper
So why is it a question?
I just changed black to white. I donât know why everyone is so confused, even though itâs 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 doesnât seem to be busy today.] Yuna
[Right now is a slow time. But it gets busy when the tunnel is closed on this side in the morning. Then it gradually slows, so itâs a relatively free time right now.] Gatekeeper
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[So thatâs why you looked so relaxed.] Yuna
[Did you saw 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? Itâs moving without a horse pulling it.] Gatekeeper
[Itâs not weird. Itâs a Bear-san carriage.] Noa
[Yes, itâs not weird.] Misa
Noa and Misa were the ones who objected instead of me. In addition, the children behind me also said, , , .
Iâm happy that you support me. I donât think that the Bear Bus is strange either and even if it seems to be common sense, there is a feeling of confusion. Iâm wondering if I should teach it as a common sense or keep it as it is.
[Iâm sorry. Iâm 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 is very likely of her.] Gatekeeper
The man denied the childrenâs protests. Iâm not happy if I was told that the white bear suits me well. Even so, Iâm not happy if Iâm told that it doesnât 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 didnât, you were quite a famous person here.] Gatekeeper
As I thought, thatâs 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 wasnât the case.
Of course, I was thankful for the warning that he gave me, but I feel like it would not be a big deal.
[Everyone is supposed to not be a nuisance to Jo-chan, but not all the resident would comply.] Gatekeeper
Considering that, isnât it better to just walk from here and not ride on the Bear Bus?
Itâs not too far if we walk from here to the Bear House. And the kids are excited to get off the Bear Bus.
[Would you like to walk from here?] Yuna
[Is it okay to get off now?]
[Itâs okay. Well you canât 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, weâll go to my house where weâre 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
[Itâs 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 donât think it will change anything.] Tirumina
Tirumina-san looks around.
Sure, it might be as you said. But I think that itâs 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 , . 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 was 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 senior group holds the hand of a small children so that they wouldnât walk on their own and ease the job of the elders. We all want to run 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 hasnât set, I donât think we have time to play. When we get to my house, Iâll 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
[[[[Ehhï½ï½ï½ï½ï½]]]]
The children became noisy and looks disappointed.
[You should not bother Yuna-san.] Director
[Yes.]
[Weâre sorry.]
The children apologize obediently after the director warns them.
I left the childrenâs care to the director, Liz-san, Nifu-san, and the adventurers. Then I went to Anzu.
[What would you do with Anzu? Are you going home? Or are you coming with us?] Yuna
[Is there a room where I can stay?] Anzu
[There is, though itâs not a single room. Youâll be together with Seno-san.] Yuna
[If so, then Iâll go with you.] Anzu
Anzu answered without hesitation.
[Is that okay?] Yuna
[Yes. I have to cook everyoneâs dinner and I think they will be busy if I return at this time. So Iâll go and greet them tomorrow.] Anzu
Seno-san nodded at Anzuâs words.
And so, after walking for a while, I can finally see the big bearâs face. Everyone was looking at the ocean, so they didnât 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. Itâs 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 hasnât been cleared, and the trees havenât been cut.
Donât 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 didnât 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 theyâve 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.
Iâm glad that theyâre happy, but what was that about the Bear House that defeated the sea?
Donât 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 Iâve heard a strange word from Noaâs mouth earlier. Maybe itâs my fault. Iâm kinda worried.
[Noa-sama, she looks very happy.] Fina
[Well, Iâm happy that sheâs having fun, but donât you want to go there too Fina?] Yuna
[Iâve been there before] Fina
I brought Fina and Shuri to the Bear House in Mereera before, thatâs 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 Gentzâs hand.
[Yuna-chan hates it when sheâs making bear-related things, but she makes it anyways.] Tirumina
[Thatâs......] Yuna
Tirumina-san hits it where it hurts.
Certainly, I hated making the bear statues and I was reluctant to wear the bear costume.
However, Iâm pretty much making things about bears myself.
It might be an excuse. But itâs easier to make it like that, so it canât 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 canât 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.]
[Iâll open it now.] Yuna
When I pushed the gate, the doors opened. And immediately two bear houses welcomes us.
Authorâs 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.