Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

“Camping in the wild…” (Yuna)

I completely forgot.

To join forces with Mia and Carol also means we’re sleeping together as a group.

“Could it be that there is a village nearby where Yuna and the others live. Will they let us stay?” (Carol)

Unfortunately, the village doesn’t exist. Kagali-san lied.

“Etto, even if I say it’s close, it’s not really that close, I think?” (Yuna)

“Is it really that far?” (Carol)

“Uh, Yeah.” (Yuna)

“What about these children, then? Are you going to make these young children stay in the field with you? If they don’t go home, their parents will worry.” (Mia)

Mia says worriedly while looking at Kagali-san and Fina.

“Are you treating me as a little girl?” (Kagali)

No, that part can’t be helped.

Fina turns to me with an expression asking what to do.

Hmm, what to do…

Should I take out the bear house or not?

Mia and Carol don’t know where we live, nor do we intend to tell them at the moment.

“Mia, Carol, you got a minute?” (Yuna)

“What?” (Mia)

“In exchange for a comfortable camping experience, can you promise not to ask questions or talk about it to anyone?” (Yuna)

“What’s the big deal? If you ask me to shut up, I won’t tell anyone… Besides, I don’t have friends to tell.” (Mia)

I heard the last part in a small voice, but it was sad.

But I too, had no friends in my former world, so I know the feeling.

“I won’t tell anyone either.” (Carol)

“And ask you to do the same with your family. Well, even if you told them, I don’t think they would believe you.” (Yuna)

I looked around to see where I could place the bear house.

“I think it would be good here.” (Yuna)

After confirming the area where to place the bear house, I took it out.

“…A bear-shaped house?” (Mia)

“…Bear-san’s house.” (Carol)

Mia and Carol are looking at the bear house dumbfounded.

“Well, of course, you’d be surprised when you see it for the first time.” (Kagali)

“Yes. I was also surprised when I first saw it.” (Fina)

Kagali-san and Fina nodded while looking at Mia and Carol’s expressions.

I can’t stay outside forever.

“Now then, let’s go into the house and rest for the day.” (Yuna)

I took Fina, Kagali-san, Swaying Bear, and Hugging Bear into the bear house.

Behind us were two people staring still at the bear house.

“Hey, Mia, Carol come on in.” (Yuna)

“Wha- what is this!?” (Mia)

“I said no questions. Or do you prefer to sleep outside?” (Yuna)

Mia thinks for a moment and opens her mouth.

“Let me just say this.” (Mia)

“What?” (Yuna)

“Why is it a bear?” (Mia)

“…No comment.” (Yuna)

Even if I explained to them that the bear shape increases strength, they would not understand. I don’t know the details either.

“Any more questions and you’ll really be camping outside.” (Yuna)

“U~u” (Mia)

“That’s……” (Carol)

Mia and Carol looked like they were about to ask something, but they didn’t want to stay out, so they swallowed their words.

Mia and Carol looked at each other and entered the bear house.

“It really is a home.” (Mia)

“I can’t believe it.” (Carol)

“How does a house like this fit in the item bag in the first place?” (Mia)

“If she has such an amazing item bag, I think I understand why Yuna-san isn’t interested in magic tools.” (Carol)

Mia and Carol muttered their impressions while looking around the room.

I spoke to Mia and Carol.

“Now then, Mia, Carol go take a bath.” (Yuna)

“Bath?” (Mia)

“I mean, you haven’t taken a bath in a few days, right? It would be a problem if you went into the futon all sweaty like that.” (Yuna)

After all, I’ll wash the sheets and the futon.

Washing sweat-smelling or dirty sheets is a hassle.

At times like this, I want the cleaning magic that appears in occasional novels and manga.

“Futon……”

“Bath……”

I lead them to the bathroom and explain to them how to handle the bath.

At that moment, the two of them looked at the bears with hot water coming out of it, and they had indescribable expressions on their faces, but I decided not to worry about it.

“I have prepared towels, so feel free to use them.” (Yuna)

I left the two in the bathroom and returned to where Fina and Kagali-san were.

I have something to do while those two are in the bath.

“Is it okay if you don’t go home today, Kagali-san?” (Yuna)

“It should be a few more days before Suzuran comes, so I guess it’s still fine.” (Kagali)

“Well then, I just need to ask Tirumina-san’s permission to let Fina stay overnight.” (Yuna)

I pulled out my bearphone, connected it to Shuri’s bearphone and called.

I gave it to her when we went to the dwarven city. It was pitiful to take it back, and I knew I would have to go out with Fina like this time, so I left it in her hands.

Shortly after, it connected with Shuri’s bearphone.

“Yuna-oneechan?” (Shuri)

“Yeah, that’s right. Etto, sorry, but can I talk to Tirumina-san?” (Yuna)

“Yeah, wait a minute.” (Shuri)

The sound of running can be heard from the bearphone.

“Shuri, what’s wrong?” (Tirumina)

“Yuna-oneechan wants to talk to you, Mom.” (Shuri)

“Yuna-san? I just need to talk to this, right?” (Tirumina)

“I can hear you just fine.” (Yuna)

“What happened? It’s about time for dinner. Where’s Fina?” (Tirumina)

“Well it’s about that. Can I have Fina stay at my house today?” (Yuna)

“Sure, that’s fine.” (Tirumina)

“I wish I could have contacted you sooner.” (Yuna)

“It’s okay. Even if I make a lot, Gentz will eat it. So, is Fina there?” (Tirumina)

I pointed my bearphone at Fina.

“Yeah, I’m here. Mom.” (Fina)

“Try not to trouble Yuna-chan, okay.” (Tirumina)

“Yeah.” (Fina)

“Well then, I don’t know what you’re doing there, but have fun.” (Tirumina)

“Thanks, Mom.” (Fina)

The call was disconnected.

DidTirumina-san knew that we’re not currrently in Crimonia?

******

-Mia’s point of view-

“I have prepared towels, so feel free to use them.” (Yuna)

Yuna left the dressing room after explaining how to use the bath.

“What the hell is this?”

I don’t understand the combination of that group.

The oldest, Yuna, is dressed as a bear, and next to her is Fina. She’s probably about 10 years old. But the one I don’t understand the most is the girl named Kagali.

She’s no different from my youngest sister, yet her tone is firm, and her way of thinking about things is like talking to an adult.

My sister would say things like, “neechan, neechan, I’m hungry,” or “neechan, sleep with me,” or “neechan, I love you,” and it would be childishly cute.

But that girl named Kagali is cute, yet she doesn’t have the aura of cuteness.

Besides, Fina calls the younger Kagali “Kagali-oneechan”, and Yuna also uses the honorific “Kagali-san”, so I really don’t get it.

“Mia-chan. I was surprised at the bear’s house, but I didn’t think there was a bath.” (Carol)

While I was thinking, Carol started taking off her clothes.

“Why are you undressing?” (Mia)

“Because you can’t take a bath without taking off your clothes.” (Carol)

Carol states the obvious.

“I know that. But doesn’t it make you wonder?” (Mia)

“I do. But I don’t think they’re bad people.” (Carol)

“Yeah, me too.” (Mia)

She saved me many times. Those were actually close calls. If she had not helped me, I would have been injured or even dead.

She treated us to a meal and provided us with a bath and a place to sleep.

I just don’t understand why she’s so kind to us, whom she just met.

I’m afraid to think about what happens the moment she betrays us.

“Mia-chan, You don’t need to worry so much. I have a good eye for people, don’t I?” (Carol)

“…Carol.” (Mia)

Carol smiles reassuringly at me.

Seeing Carol’s smile made me feel foolish for thinking such things. I let out a sigh and took off my clothes.

I have a lot of doubts, but I have decided to trust Yuna and her group.

“For now, let’s be thankful and take a bath.” (Carol)

“I agree.” (Mia)

We took off our clothes and became naked.

Then we washed up and soaked in the bathtub for the first time in a few days.

“Mia-chan, it feels good.” (Carol)

“Yeah, I never thought I’d take a bath in a place like this.” (Mia)

“Yeah.” (Carol)

“But that bear has bad taste.” (Mia)

There are stone statues of bears in the bathtub. Hot water is coming out of the mouth of the bear statues.

“Really? I think it’s cute.” (Carol)

“Even so, going through all these bears, you’ll get past being surprised and just be amazed.” (Mia)

She’s dressed as a bear, she has black and white bears in tow, she takes out items from a bear-shaped item bag, takes out a bear-shaped house, and it even has a bath in it.

“How much does she love bears?” (Mia)

“I bet she loves bears very much.” (Carol)

“That’s right. She even dressed like a bear herself. I don’t mean to criticize other people’s hobbies though.” (Mia)

I, too, would be offended and annoyed if someone made fun of something I like. That’s why I don’t intend to make fun of Yuna’s outfit.

“And by the way, Yuna-san’s bear outfit was adorable, but so were Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan.” (Carol)

“Yeah, I’ve never seen a bear that friendly before.” (Mia)

“Yeah, normally I’d be too scared to go near them.” (Carol)

The little girl is a mystery, Yuna is dressed as a bear, and the only decent one is Fina.

She said her specialty was dismantling monsters and animals. They were truly a mysterious trio.

“Even so, it feels so good. I think I’m going to fall asleep.” (Mia)

I’ve been thinking about it a lot, but I just can’t find an answer.

But more importantly, it feels so good to take a bath for the first time in a long time that all of it doesn’t matter.

“You can’t go to sleep here.” (Carol)

“I know, but it feels so good.” (Mia)

“You’re right about that.” (Carol)

“Uha~a~~” (Mia)

“Haa~h~~” (Carol)

Carol and I soaked in hot water, shoulder-deep.

It feels good.

Yuna came to check on us when we didn’t come out of the bath, which caused us a lot of trouble.

And what was waiting for us when we got out of the bath were warm futons.

She told us that we could sleep without worrying because we were in her house, so there was no danger, and if any monsters attacked, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, Yuna’s bears, would tell her about it.

After turning off the light in the room, Carol and I get into the futons for the first time in a while.

It smells of the sun. It’s fluffy and comfortable.

I’m not going to give in to temptation and fall asleep. I had planned to spend the evening with Carol discussing tomorrow’s plans, but the moment I got under the covers, sleep hit me.

The darkness of the room also intensified drowsiness.

“U~u, I’m sleepy.” (Mia)

“Mia-chan. I can’t go on much longer.” (Carol)

“No. We have to talk about tomorrow.” (Mia)

There’s no reply. I can hear Carol sleeping comfortably on the futon next to me.

Maybe it was the fatigue for several days, so I fell asleep without even thinking about tomorrow.

======

Author’s Note:

Congratulations, you’ve reached the 600th episode.

It’s been five and a half years since I started writing.

I can’t thank you all enough for reading this far.

Thank you for the many bookmarks, ratings, comments, and reviews.

I have been busy with various things and have not been able to reply to your comments, but I am reading them.

The animation is progressing step by step, so I hope you will wait for it.

The bears are still going on, so please continue your support.