Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

When I left the guild to chase the girl, I saw the girl walking with her head down.

I felt sorrow crawling from my back.

Her tiny body appears even smaller than normal.

For now, I don’t know what to do, so I’ll take a note of that for later.

Sometimes girls makes gestures with their hands in their eyes.

Perhaps to show they’re crying.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the necessary skills to talk to a crying girl.

If I talk to someone like Fina while crying, I can somehow be of help, but if she refuse, then there is no way to deal with it.

While I was being worried about how to call her, the girl suddenly stops and turns around.

[Why are you following me?] Karina

She noticed me!

The Bear Shoes does not make any sound like footsteps, so I shouldn’t be noticed.

Did you perhaps felt my presence?

The girl’s eyes appears to be slightly reddish.

She was crying after all.

[I see, you noticed that I was behind you.] Yuna

[Are you stupid? Take a look around you, everyone is saying bear this, bear that, anyone will notice you after hearing that.] Karina

I looked around…

Certainly, there are people around us looking at me and muttering the word [Bear].

I was too focused on the girl and so I did not hear the voices around me.

Certainly, she will obviously become aware of me.

[So what do you want? Why are you following me?] Karina

[Um … yes. I came to see your father.] Yuna

That was the first thing that came to my mind.

But that’s not wrong.

I am to meet Balima-san, the lord of this city.

In other words, this girl’s father.

[My father?] Karina

[I have something I need to hand over to Balima-san as a request.] Yuna

It’s not a lie.

[Really?] Karina

The girl looks at me with doubtful eyes.

She’s probably wondering, why would a weird girl in a Bear Costume came to see her father?

Appearance is really important it seems.

[Is there anything that proves that?] Karina

May I show her His Highness’ letter?

If I show her the Royal Crest and she said she didn’t know what that is, then that would be it.

For now, as a proof, I showed the girl the envelope I received from the King.

The envelope has a wax seal that was used by the nobles from the manga.

The seal was engraved with the Royal Crest of Elfanica kingdom.

[This Crest…..] Karina

The girl was surprised to see the wax seal of the Elfanica Kingdom’s crest embedded on the envelope.

Somehow, it was good to know that they knew about the crest.

[Forgery of the royal crest is a felony.] Karina

[Oi that’s real!] Yuna

[Even if it’s real, I don’t think the royal family will ask a woman like you dressed like a bear.] Karina

Ugh, I can’t deny that.

Thinking about it, normally the credibility of a girl wearing a Bear Costume is low, even if she said that she’s working on behalf of the country.

This girl was even more cautious than I thought.

Weird, there shouldn’t be any elements for the Bear to watch out for.

This may be the strongest child I have ever met.

[What can I do for you to believe me?] Yuna

[Show me your guild card. I’ll believe it if you are a high ranking adventurer.] Karina

[Well, how high does the rank you’re looking for?] Yuna

An A rank would be impossible.

[I want to say B or higher, but I believe it if you’re at least C rank.] Karina

That’s good.

I took the guild card out of the Bear Box and showed it to her.

[Occupation Bear…] Karina

What part are you looking at?

[You’re looking at a different part.] Yuna

The girl looks at the guild card again.

[Adventurer rank C!?] Karina

Yes, that’s where you should look.

[To forge a guild card…] Karina

[I did not!] Yuna

When I deny it, the girl smiles for the first time.

[Excuse me… I was joking… I already believed that Bear-san was an adventurer, from that time when you helped me. I knew that the opponent adventurer was trying to put all of his strength. You also protected me from behind. But I can’t believe that the person dressed as a bear is the messenger of Elfanica kingdom.] Karina

[That’s right, if you read the contents of that letter, I’m very positive that you’ll believe me…. I think.] Yuna

I am not informed of what is written in the letter.

But the King said that he had written it so that I could meet the lord.

So it should be fine.

[Okay then. I’ll believe in Bear-san.] Karina

[Thank you. But please, stop with the Bear-san. You can just call me Yuna.] Yuna

[Yes, Yuna-san.] Karina

Nice…

I’m a straight girl and so I sometimes ask the people not to do so, but there are still others who keep calling me Bear-san.

Then the girl introduced herself once more.

[As you may already know, my name is Karina, I’m the daughter of the lord of the city. Thank you for your help earlier.] Karina

She’s quite polite.

She seems to be well educated like Noa.

Like the children in the orphanage, children in this world are clever.

But I don’t want to become suspicious in any way nor do I want to run away.

After being trusted by Karina, I was taken to the lord, Karina’s father.

Today’s event was crazy, but finding the inn later is probably fine.

[Well, why are you dressed like that though?] Karina

[Because my occupation is a Bear.] Yuna

When I was jokingly answer what was written on the guild card, Karina smiles.

[Fufu, Is there really such a job?] Karina

[Isn’t there?] Yuna

I’m not sure if that’s the case.

I only jokingly wrote it in the Adventurer’s Guild registration form, but Helen-san really applied it in the guild card.

, is what was floating in the back of my mind at that time.

However, this is also a story for laughter, I wonder if it will be fixed.

But then when it comes to my profession, I still can’t answer that properly.

I’m not a swordsman nor a wizard.

If I need to forcefully say it then, I’m a Bear.

I feel that there is not much different from then till now.

Well, it is going to stay this way for a while.

[Then, is Yuna-san from the Capital City?] Karina

[Roughly, yes. But I’m living in Crimonia to be exact. It’s a city that is a bit far from the Royal Capital.] Yuna

[Is that so?] Karina

[While I was in Crimonia, I got suddenly called by the King. Then I was forced to work.] Yuna

Though, I wanted to come to the desert too, so I’m not really forced.

[And then, you were asked directly by His Majesty the King?] Karina

{That would be the case wasn’t it?] Yuna

Karina doesn’t seem to believe in my words, but she trust the crest on the letter and guild card shown earlier.

[Yuna-san came from such a distant place, so far away. It’s amazing considering that you didn’t age in the process.] Karina

I’m not aging?

It is a phrase that is worrying, but straight.

[No, It’s not like that.] Yuna

Using the Bear Gate, I instantly arrive to the Royal Capital, then after that I just rode like the wind on Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

[How old is Yuna-san?] Karina

[I’m 15.] Yuna

[…………！？] Karina

Is it so surprising that I look like an adult?

[I thought it was a bit more lower.] Karina

I guess not~.

[How old is Karina?] Yuna

[I am 10 years old.] Karina

She is the same age as Fina and Noa after all.

If she went to the same school, she might be in the same class as Noa.

But couldn’t she go because she’s not from that country?

[Karina is smart though. I didn’t think you’re ten years old.] Yuna

[I get that a lot.] Karina

What is this feeling of defeat piercing into my chest?

I feel like I’m losing though I should be having a conversation that seems to be different.

For the time being, lets mend my glass heart so that it does not break and then laugh it off with adult response.

And so I went to the lake near the house together with Karina while watching the cityscape.

I thought about it when I saw the lake from a distance, but it does lack water.

[The water seems a little scarce, wasn’t it?] Karina

Karina speaks as if she noticed me looking at the lake.

[Until about 20 days ago it was a flourishing lake, it was so vast that it’s overflowing with water. The water was magnificent and it was also a playground for children. I often played here with my friends. But now it’s forbidden to go into the lake.] Karina

[Why is that?] Yuna

I guess it was the cause of the broken water stone.

But Karina is quietly looking at the lake without opening her mouth.

Then she slowly open her mouth.

[Because of my fault.] Karina

[What do you mean?] Yuna

I got something different from what I was expecting.

[…………] Karina

To my question, Karina didn’t open her mouth.

However, it seems that Karina caused something, which resulted in the current lake.

Is that why you were seeking for adventurers?

But what does it mean that its Karina’s fault?

I’ve heard that the magic stone is broken, but I don’t think magic stones will break with only the power of a child and even if you drop it, the magic stone won’t easily crack.

So I don’t think it’s The responsibility of Karina.

But if it’s caused by magic stone, I don’t think hiring adventurers will solve this problem.

Well, I don’t really know.

Even if I ask Karina why, she doesn’t seem to answer.

If I ask her father, Balima-san, maybe he’ll tell me.

[Yuna-san, let’s go to my house quickly.] Karina

Then silently, me and Karina went to the lord’s residence.

Walking along the shores of the lake, a large mansion is visible from a distance.

[That’s my house. My father is also there.] Karina

The appearance of the mansion doesn’t seem to be so different from ones in the royal capital.

When we arrive at the front of the mansion, a woman with brown skin around the age of 20 looks around.

Then, started running towards us when she saw us.

[Karina-sama!] Rasa

The woman hugs Karina while calling her name.

[Rasa.] Karina

[Where have you been! I was so worried.] Rasa

[I’m sorry.] Karina

After that, the woman embraces Karina strongly.

[That’s good. I was worried that you would have left the desert alone.] Rasa

[I’m not going to do that kind of stupid thing.] Karina

[It’s because Karina-sama can do it.] Rasa

[I just went to the Adventurer’s Guild.] Karina

[Even so, you went alone. If you want to go, I’ll go in your stead.] Rasa

[Wait, this is my responsibility.] Karina

It seems that the woman was really worried about Karina.

The woman wipes her tears and looks at me.

[So, who is this pretty girl?] Rasa

[My father’s guest and I met her at the Adventurers Guild.] Karina

[I’m Yuna, an adventurer.] Yuna

I raise my hand carefully and give my greetings so as not to be suspicious.

The hand I raised is a Bear Puppet.

[Um, my name is Rasa. I’m the caretaker for Karina-sama.] Rasa

Rasa-san holds the Bear Puppet.

[Is Yuna-san an adventurer?] Rasa

[It’s true, she showed me her guild card.] Karina

Karina explained for me.

Also, Karina explained why I’m here.

She also talked about our meeting at the guild and why I came to see Balima-san.

[Are you the Master’s guest?] Rasa

I’m being looked at with suspicion.

[Rasa, its true. I also had the letter for my father.] Karina

[If the young lady says so.] Rasa

Apparently, somehow they believed me.

Without the King’s letter, it would have been very difficult.

[So, here we are, please head inside.] Karina

And with that…

I was guided into the house.

Author’s Note:

Appearance is important.

Next time, the reason why Karina was begging for adventurers?