440 Bear-san, Improves Hugging Bearâs Mood
[Does this man have a name?] Yuna
[Jubei. I call him that because he has a cross-shaped scar on his cheek.] Shinobu
Looking at the sketch, it is true that there is a cross-shaped scar on the right cheek.
But since itâs cross, itâs easy to say Juubei. I thought it was Jubei because of the eye patch.
Well, if they had given him that reason, he would have had trouble with it. For the same reason, even Masamune might have had trouble reacting to it.
[So, is there any way to find this guy? Weâre not going to be together for too long, you know.] Yuna
I told Shinobu Iâd go with her, but I canât do it for too long. I have my own reasons.
I want to explore the land of harmony, I want to go to other places, and I have to go back to Crimonia at some point.
[I know where heâs last known location, so Iâm going to look for him there. Thatâs why I want you to stay with me for three days. If you donât find him, Iâll give up this time.] Shinobu
I would also like to settle this matter within three days if possible. I donât want to hear that Shinobu is dead the next time I come to the Land of Harmony.
[Oh, and please return the money to me at that time too.] Shinobu
Yeah, Iâm going to return the money, but when you say that, youâre making me sound like one of those people who donât return the money. Well, I donât want you to follow me around, so I will return the money.
[But Iâll take a three-day escort fee.] Yuna
I should be able to get that much.
=====
While I was talking with Shinobu about money, there was a knock on the door, then Konoha came into the room.
Apparently, she has brought us dinner.
Oh, right, itâs already that time. It seems weâve been talking for quite a while now.
Shinobu folded the paper with the portrait on the table and put it away in her chest.
Konoha arranged the food on the empty table.
As I watch her do her work, I notice something strange.
[Why do you have enough for both of us?] Yuna
The table was lined with dishes for two people.
[Thatâs because Iâm having dinner with Yuna.] Shinobu
[I havenât heard anything about that.] Yuna
[I didnât know when the conversation would end, so I asked her for it.] Shinobu
Thatâs true, though.
But I think it would be nice if someone told me first.
[Wait, youâre not going to tell me weâre sharing a room, are you?] Yuna
[Would you like to sleep with me, by any chance? Unfortunately, we have separate rooms. But you really wanted to sleep on the same futon, though.] Shinobu
I may accept the request, but I wouldnât sleep in a room with a suspicious ninja.
[If you had said we were sleeping together, I would have kicked you out.] Yuna
[Oh, that made me feel lonely.] Shinobu
=====
During such a conversation, Konoha finished arranging dishes.
There is something strange with those dishes that are laid out.
Shinobu seemed to have noticed that as well.
[Isnât there a big discrepancy here?] Shinobu
Yes, thereâs a clear difference between the food in front of me and the one in front of Shinobu. The food lined up in front of me is gorgeous. The food in front of me was a lavish seafood course of crab, shrimp, and all kinds of fine food.
But the food in front of Shinobu was a simple grilled fish, boiled vegetables, and so on. They were ordinary dishes.
[The room where Yuna is staying is more expensive than a regular room, so the food is special.] Konoha
Konoha answers Shinobuâs question.
I see. Thatâs why the food was so gorgeous. Iâm glad I stayed in a nice room, even if it was a little expensive. There is a hot spring in the room, itâs a separate room so itâs quiet, and the food is delicious.
When she mentioned the room, it reminded me of something.
[Oh, right. Iâd like to stay in this room for a while longer, is that okay?] Yuna
Iâll have to leave tomorrow, otherwise.
I had to go out with Shinobu, so I had to stay in this city for a while.
[Yes, thatâs fine. So, how long will you be staying?] Konoha
[Another three days, please.] Yuna
[Yuna, youâre rich, arenât you? I canât stay in such a big room.] Shinobu
[I just had some extra cash.] Yuna
[Oi, thatâs my money, you know.] Shinobu
Well, Iâm going to give it back to her eventually. But Iâm keeping it for now.
[Speaking of which, whereâs the money for Shinobuâs lodging?] Yuna
[Itâs okay. Iâve already paid.] Shinobu
I have Shinobuâs money. I think she gave me all of it, but she paid for her lodgings earlier.
=====
Then, after I paid for my extension, we started eating our own contrasting dishes.
Shinobu wanted to eat my meal, but I wouldnât share it with her.
[So, how strong is that guy?] Yuna
I asked while eating a crab, ignoring Shinobuâs gaze.
I never knew crab would be this delicious.
This steamed rice is also delicious. Even the tempura is delicious too.
[U~u, thatâs right. Heâs a top-notch swordsman.] Shinobu
Shinobu began to talk while eating the fish.
Well, from the looks of it, it is what it is.
It feels like heâs a samurai.
[And he can also use magic. The tip of the sword sends out blades of wind. Itâs even more dangerous than Kamaitachi.] Shinobu
As soon as magic was mentioned, it all becomes fantasy.
Well, itâs a world with magic, so what can you do? I donât like the idea of warriors and samurai using magic, though.
But Iâm sure the inhabitants of the other world donât want to be told that Iâm wearing a bear suit either.
[Even so, It looks like youâre very familiar with that man, but have you ever fought him before?] Yuna
[I was watching my father fighting him.] Shinobu
[I see......] Yuna
Does that mean you saw your father get killed?
Itâs kinda hard for me to listen to you when you say that.
[But itâs not going to be easy if he uses magic.] Yuna
[I wonât let him use it in close combat.] Shinobu
I listened to Shinobuâs information until I finished my meal.
[You ate it all. In the end, Yuna didnât share any with me.] Shinobu
[Because itâs mine.] Yuna
It was delicious. Iâd like to bring Fina along next time. The food and hot springs alone are worth the stay.
[Well then, Iâm going back to my room.] Shinobu
I was expecting her to say something like, .
[I really wanted to go to the hot springs with Yuna, but Iâm taking a break today.] Shinobu
Oh...
Shinobu obediently left the room.
Then, in place of Shinobu, Konoha came to clean up the dishes and laid out the futon for me, and then she left.
=====
In the empty room, I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear in cub form.
If I donât get Hugging Bear in a good mood quickly, heâll be grumpy.
......However, I was too late.
Hugging Bearâs back is turned from me. A sorrowful feeling is emanating from his back.
This is very bad. Hugging Bear is completely in bad mood.
[Hugging Bear? Hugging Bear-chan?] Yuna
He turned his back and cried.
Wow, heâs really in a completely bad mood.
[Iâm sorry, Hugging Bear. I didnât mean to neglect you.] Yuna
I hugged Hugging Bear from behind.
I summoned mainly Swaying Bear today. I also ate with only Swaying Bear and did not summon Hugging Bear. I did buy some meat for Hugging Bear, though.
[Ah, I have the meat, but can we cook it in the room? It canât be helped.] Yuna
At my words, Hugging Bear whimpered even more sadly.
Itâs an inn. I canât just grill over charcoal without permission.
What am I going to do? Think, me.
[Iâll take a bath with you and weâll sleep together, okay?] Yuna
But Hugging Bear still would not look at me.
[Did you want meat that badly?] Yuna
Hugging Bear shakes his head a little.
Then why?
When I was troubled, Swaying Bear came in front of Hugging Bear and started what seemed like a conversation, saying , , , and .
And when the conversation is over, Swaying Bear walks away and curls up in a corner of the room.
Etto, what does that supposed to mean?
I donât know what to do anymore, but then Hugging Bear would look at me. And then he rubs up against me as if he were spoiling me.
Could it be, Swaying Bear concedes to Hugging Bear?
[Swaying Bear?] Yuna
I called out to Swaying Bear in the corner of the room, but he didnât respond.
Apparently, there is no doubt about it.
It seems to mean that he doesnât want to keep me to himself, he wants me to be with Hugging Bear.
Iâm going to take advantage of Swaying Bearâs generosity.
[Then, Hugging Bear. Shall we take a bath together?] Yuna
Hugging Bear squealed happily.
I have to thank Swaying Bear for this.
I took Hugging Bear into the bath with me, washed his clean white body, and soaked in the water with him.
Then I set up a bear gate in the room to eat the meat I had for lunch with Swaying Bear. If we canât eat it here, we can eat it elsewhere.
[Hugging Bear. Shall we both have some meat then?] Yuna
When I opened the door toward the island of Targui, Hugging Bear cried at Swaying Bear. Then, the curled-up Swaying Bear moves.
Then, as another mysterious conversation begins, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear start walking together and come to the bear gate.
Apparently, this time, he invited Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear to join.
Those two are really close.
=====
Then we moved to the Bear House in Targui, where I cooked and ate wagyu beef with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, even though I had already eaten dinner.
Because Hugging Bear wanted to eat with me.
However, eating together with Hugging Bear put him in a better mood, but at the cost of my stomach. I rubbed my swollen belly.
I canât eat anymore.
=====
When I returned to the inn with a full stomach, I collapsed on the futon.
[I canât move anymore.] Yuna
Then, holding Hugging Bear in my arms, I fell asleep.
=====
Authorâs Note:
Merry Christmas. (TN: Not in my translation, though.)
Episode 440 is my gift to you.
I wanted to write a story about Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, so I made Hugging Bear a little unhappy.
But Iâm glad that Hugging Bearâs mood has improved.
This year is almost over. (TN: Itâs already way past New Year)
Also, Iâm going to take a break after posting once this year. Please understand.
Iâll resume, but itâll depend on the bookwork. Still, I will resume as soon as possible.
Volume 8 has been successfully released.
If you see it at a bookstore, Iâd be happy if you could pick it up.
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