Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

Swaying Bear, Hugging Bear, and Hayatemaru were repatriated before entering the gate.

Thanks to the permit given by King Suou, Sakura, and Shinobu, we were able to enter easily.

Well, I’m not dressed as a bear, so I’m not looking suspicious.

“So then, everyone, is there anywhere you would like to go?” (Sakura)

Sakura asked us.

“The castle!” (Shuri)

Shuri answers while looking at the castle.

She really likes castles.

Well, it can’t be helped because it’s huge and stands out the most.

“I see. I think it’s fine, but I’ll have to check with my uncle first, so is tomorrow okay?” (Sakura)

“Un, okay.”

“Fina-chan, Ruimin-san, and Yuna-sama, do you have any places you want to go?” (Sakura)

“I’m fine with wherever Fina wants to go.” (Yuna)

We’re here because it’s Fina’s birthday present. So, this time, the place Fina wants to go is where I will go.

“Etto, anywhere Sakura-chan and Shinobu-san recommend.” (Fina)

Well, Fina doesn’t know much about the Land of Harmony either, so there you go.

“Yes. I don’t mind either.” (Ruimin)

Ruimin also agrees with Fina.

There are no pamphlets with recommended spots or information on the Internet, there’s no way you can learn about the Land of Harmony.

In the end, it’s faster to ask the locals for their recommendations.

“Then, I don’t know much about the castle town either, so I’ll leave it to Shinobu.” (Sakura)

“Me?” (Shinobu)

“You know I don’t go out much, right?” (Sakura)

“Right.” (Shinobu)

She was a shut-in, just like me. But I guess her reason is different from mine, though.

“Well, I also come to eat delicious food for a change of pace during my training.” (Shinobu)

“Then let’s eat the food Shinobu recommends and walk around.” (Sakura)

There was no objection to Sakura’s words, and when it was decided, we started walking.

Chirachira~ Chirachira~

Strange.

I feel like I’m being watched.

As I expected, with only my bear puppets and shoes, I didn’t get the usual stares, but I could still feel their eyes on me.

I thought about this when I was in uniform, but it might be that I’m just overly self-conscious.

I’m used to being seen dressed as a bear, so to think I’m being watched even if I’m dressed normally.

Or do I look weird because I don’t look like a bear?

No, this is not Crimonia, so that shouldn’t be the case, right?

Shinobu answers the questions I have in my mind.

“Fufu, you stand out because you have a lot of cute girls with you.” (Shinobu)

I knew they were looking at me.

But I agree with Shinobu’s words.

The cute sisters, Fina and Shuri. Then there’s Ruimin, who has the cuteness that’s unique to elves. And there’s Sakura, who looks good in Japanese clothing, it’s understandable to attract attention.

Furthermore, Shinobu also has an attractive smile, cheerful, and laughing.

If I was a man, it would be a harem.

“If I was a man, it would be a harem.” (Shinobu)

Shinobu was thinking the same as me.

“Shinobu, you should check your appearance.” (Sakura)

I agree with what Sakura said.

Shinobu is always cheerful, so she looks like a cute girl. Plus, she looks cool when she’s fighting.

I can see how she was attracting attention.

“I don’t think so. Unlike Yuna, my face is generic. It’s a face you can find anywhere.” (Shinobu)

“Why are you mentioning my name there? It sounds sarcastic when you’re the one saying it, Shinobu.” (Yuna)

There is no way that Shinobu’s face is generic.

If she truly believes that, she should take a proper look in the mirror.

“Well, to me, I think it was you, Yuna, who was the one being sarcastic.” (Shinobu)

“A mirror?” (Yuna)

“You’re the one who needs a mirror.” (Shinobu)

Fina and the others let out a sigh at our exchange.

Why, though?

Well, without worrying about that, we strolled around the castle town, ate delicious food, and watched street performances.

“That was fun.” (Fina)

“Un, it was amazing.” (Shuri)

“He was amazing, juggling the balls round and round.” (Ruimin)

While walking, Fina and the others talked about their impressions of the street performance they saw earlier.

Shinobu reacts to Fina and the others talking so happily.

“I can juggle, too.” (Shinobu)

“Really?” (Ruimin)

“Of course.” (Shinobu)

Then Shinobu stops, checks her surroundings, pulls out a kunai from her pocket, says, “Yo,” and throws it upward. Not one or two kunais. But she started juggling four or more kunais.

“Wow!” (Shuri)

Shuri was excited, and Fina and Ruimin were also watching with wide eyes.

“I’m not done yet!” (Shinobu)

After saying that, Shinobu threw the kunais that she was juggling like beanbags high up and caught all the kunai while spinning her body.

At that moment, applause erupted from around us.

Apparently, a crowd formed and applauded after watching Shinobu’s performance.

“Thank you.” (Shinobu)

Shinobu was bowing her head to her surroundings

“What are you doing? We’re leaving.” (Sakura)

Sakura grabbed Shinobu’s hand and walked away.

“What are you doing, trying to stand out? If Juubei finds out, he’ll get angry.” (Sakura)

“It’s fine. I’ve shown it to my master before.” (Shinobu)

“…But the children might imitate you, so please stop doing it with kunai.” (Sakura)

I agree with that. Something soft would be preferable. In fact, I saw Fina stopping Shuri from trying to pick up the stone.

But is Sakura aware that she’s also a child?

After that, we went to a teahouse and ate dumplings and steamed buns.

“It’s delicious.” (Shuri)

“That’s good to hear. This shop is my recommendation.” (Shinobu)

“Is this perhaps the dumplings you’re bringing to me from time to time?” (Sakura)

“It’s this shop’s dumplings.” (Shinobu)

“No wonder, I thought it tasted like something I’d eaten before.” (Sakura)

“Even so, there are many delicious foods, so I’m having a hard time choosing which one to eat. But if I eat too much, I can’t eat anything else.” (Ruimin)

Ruimin said while looking at the plate with dumplings and manju on it.

It’s the same with Fina and Shuri, and they get along well, but they split their food in half.

“Those are basically the same, so why are you splitting it in half?” (Yuna)

“Yes, but I also want to eat various things.” (Fina)

Sakura and Ruimin also cut the manju in half and ate it together.

When Shinobu saw this, she looked at me and asked, “Do you want to do it too?” But I politely declined.

I don’t need that kind of yuri development.

And if they’re full, I can just put them in the bear box and eat them later.

After leaving the teahouse, we continued our walk. I found a familiar stall in front of me.

“Isn’t that?” (Yuna)

The stall was selling candy art.

Because I gave out the candy arts and I sometimes ate sweets whenever I wanted to, my stock was gone.

Let’s replenish it again.

“Hey, I’m going to buy some candy arts.” (Yuna)

“I want to eat too.” (Shuri)

“It’s been a while since I’ve had one, and I want one too.” (Sakura)

Shuri and Sakura reacted to my words.

“Fina, do you want some too?” (Yuna)

“Yes.” (Fina)

So we came to the front of the stall.

The clerk at the stall was the same man from whom I had bought the candy arts the last time.

But the last time I bought from him, I think it was at the port city.

“Ojisan, are you doing business in this town too?” (Yuna)

“Yeah? Do I know you, Missy?” (Man)

Oh, right. I’m not dressed as a bear right now, so he doesn’t recognize me.

Besides, a lot of time has passed since then. It’s no wonder he doesn’t remember me.

“I bought all your candy arts before, don’t you remember?” (Yuna)

I flapped my bear puppet’s mouth in front of my uncle.

“Ah, you’re the bear girl from back then? I didn’t recognize you because you were so cute in your dress.

So, don’t tell me, you’re not going to say you’ll buy everything this time again, will you?” (Man)

I smiled and said “everything”.

Fina and the others choose the candy crafts they want to eat, while I was talking to ojisan.

“So why are you here, ojisan?” (Yuna)

“I sometimes sell them over here in the castle town. If I keep selling them in the same place, they’ll stop buying.” (Man)

Certainly, that’s true.

I bought about 100 candy arts.

And Fina and the others all chose bear-shaped candies and ate them with great relish.

Not everyone wants to eat bear-shaped ones, right?

After walking around the castle town all day, we decided to stay at Sakura’s mansion.

“Swaying Bear-sama and Hugging Bear-sama are adorable, big or small.” (Sakura)

Sakura pats the heads of Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear in their cub forms.

“Oh, by the way, how’s your body doing? Magic power and all?” (Yuna)

I asked the thing I was worried about asking.

“Yes. As you can see, my physical condition is fine. As for my magical powers, I was told I won’t know until I grow up.” (Sakura)

“……”

Everyone went silent.

“But I have no regrets, so don’t worry about it. There are many people who cannot use magic. Being depressed because I can’t use magic, would be disrespectful to those who can’t use magic.” (Sakura)

Sakura smiles softly.

Well, she can live without magic. Besides, in Sakura’s position, I don’t think she would have to fight monsters.

Besides, with Shinobu by her side, I think she’ll be fine.

Sakura wanted to sleep with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, so we ended up sleeping in the same room.

Six futons are lined up in a large tatami room.

“It’s strange to sleep in a place other than a bed.” (Fina)

“We have a room with a bed, would you like to have that room?” (Sakura)

Sakura asks at Fina’s words.

“It’s okay. I haven’t slept like this very often, so this is also fun.” (Fina)

Certainly, I’ve been sleeping on a bed since I can remember, even in my former world. I rarely sleep on a futon on a tatami mat.

The only time I remember sleeping on a futon is when I stayed at my grandfather’s house.

“Oh, by the way, I just got word from the castle that we’re allowed to go inside tomorrow.” (Sakura)

“Really?!” (Shuri)

Shuri was rejoicing.

“Good for you, right, Fina.” (Yuna)

“Yes. I’m looking forward to it. But is it okay for us to enter the castle?” (Fina)

“I have my uncle’s permission, so it’s all right. No one will complain to my uncle. If anyone complains, just mention my uncle’s name and you’ll be fine. So there is nothing to worry about.” (Sakura)

“Sakura-chan, your uncle is the king, right?” (Ruimin)

“Yes. So please rest assured.” (Sakura)

Fina’s face is slightly twitching.

“Fufu, you don’t have to look worried like that. I’ll go with you, so if anyone messes with Fina and the girls, I’ll protect you.” (Shinobu)

“…Shinobu-san.” (Fina)

“Besides, if anyone messes with Fina and the girls, the bear over there will protect them even better than me.” (Shinobu)

Shinobu looks at me and smiles.

I’m tired from walking around today, so I took off my kimono and changed into a polar bear.

By the way, Fina and the girls looked lovely in yukata.

“Well, I don’t know what would happen to this country if they messed with Fina and Shuri.” (Yuna)

“It doesn’t sound like a joke, I’m scared.” (Shinobu)

“So please behave.” (Yuna)

“Understood. Even though the country was saved, it would be a problem if the country collapsed.” (Shinobu)

“Ano, will you protect me, too?” (Ruimin)

It seems that Ruimin was worried that her name wasn’t mentioned.

“Of course, Ruimin-san too. Ruimin-san is Mumurut-sama’s precious grandchild. While you are in this country, I will protect you even if it costs my life.” (Sakura)

“I want you to protect me, but I don’t want your life, Sakura-chan.” (Ruimin)

Everyone laughs at Ruimin’s words.

“Speaking of Mumroot-sama, I’m worried that Kagali-sama is causing him trouble.” (Sakura)

“You think they’re not okay?” (Yuna)

As a test, I tried to contact Kagali-san using the bearphone and suddenly hung up the call when a drunk answered.

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Author’s Note:

Happy New Year!

It’s early in the new year and we have an announcement.

Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear will be animated.

Thanks to all of you for reading this.

Thank you very much.

I can’t give you any more details yet, but I hope you will take a look at the activity report as there are some illustrations by 029-sensei to commemorate the anime adaptation.

Also, please understand that there may be a delay in posting.

But please keep up the good work with Kuma this year.

-Kumanano

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