Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

431 Bear-san, Discovers A New Land

Fina and Shuri are helping Tirumina, so I’m on my own on the island of Targui.

When I pull up the bear map, the island is moving, albeit slowly. Where are we heading now, I wonder?

I can’t see how far we are from Mereera because the whole map doesn’t show up, and I don’t know what direction we’re going. What’s more, the map is completely black, which is a problem.

So I’m thinking of taking it easy today and making a Targui map.

I don’t know everything about the island of Targui. I somewhat knew the paths and perimeters that people may have used in the past.

For now, I’m thinking of writing down which fruits and vegetables are available and their locations on a piece of paper. If I write it down on a piece of paper, I can go there without getting lost the next time I want to get something. I’ll need a map, but maybe I’ll also make a sign.

But first, should I pave the road? The road was unused for a long time, so it was bumpy. It might be a good idea to make a new one. It’s easier to do with magic than to build a tunnel.

I drew an oval map on a piece of paper and marked the location of the bear house. Then I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear to help me make a targui map.

We start off in a clockwise direction from what we think is the head of Targui. Along the way, I mark the paths and places where fruits and vegetables are growing on the map.

[There are Orens around here.] Yuna

I drew a picture of Oren on the map and started walking towards the next destination.

We took a leisurely walk around Targui and into the trails. We didn’t go all the way around, but there’s quite a variety of food.

There are bananas, apples, oranges, peaches, and a variety of fruits. I wonder if there are any melons?

There are no monsters or animals around, so it won’t get eaten.

It looks like there are birds.

As we walked back to the head of Targui, looking at the Targui map, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear walking beside me stopped and raised their heads.

[What is it?] Yuna

<<Ku~u ~ n>>

When I look toward where Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear are looking, they are both looking at the ocean.

Could it be a monster!?

I turned my gaze toward where Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear were looking and saw a ship in the distance.

Is that an island? A continent? I can see land.

Maybe there are people over there?

I pulled out the bear map again and checked the direction Targui was moving. Unless it suddenly changes direction, the course it’s currently on won’t take us any closer to the land.

Hmmm… What do we do now?

Option 1 is to land.

Option 2 is just to pass through.

We’re moving, so the option to go later doesn’t exist.

So, my choice was obvious.

Even if we can’t catch up to the island of Targui, we can still go back by setting up a bear gate. I can’t call myself a gamer if I don’t explore a new map whenever it’s implemented.

I put the Targui map in my bear box.

[Swaying Bear, Hugging Bear. Let’s go.] Yuna

<<Ku~u ~ n>>

I rode on Swaying Bear, dodged the whirlpools of Targui, and leaped out into the surging sea. Behind me, the Hugging Bear chases after me.

We were running across the sea, trying to reach land. Looking back, the island of Targui is getting further and further away.

If it weren’t for the bear gate, which can be placed anywhere, I would be too scared to jump out. I’m really grateful for the bear gate.

I aim for land while checking the ships around me. I don’t think they’ll notice me because I’m so far away, but I don’t want to get in trouble if they see me, so I stay away from the boats.

Gradually, the land came into clear view. There seemed to be a harbor, and I could see a ship docked there. Beyond that, I can see some buildings.

Oh, I knew there were people living here.

I wonder what country it is. I’m looking forward to it a bit, and I’m sure I’ll get a lot of attention walking around dressed as a bear. I’ve given up on that part whenever I’m going to a new city.

If I continued to ride Swaying Bear and approached the beach, I might get noticed, so I descended onto the sea and thanked Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear for giving me a ride here and sent them back.

It’s weird for a person to walk on the ocean, but it’s also weird for a bear to run on the ocean as well.

Now that I’m alone, I ran over the sea. Even so, I didn’t think I would be able to run on the sea.

I used my sight and detection skills to find a place where no one was around and jumped ashore without being noticed. The place where I landed was a little far from the port, but it seemed to be in the city.

I started to walk towards the buildings. Gradually, I can see the city.

Could this be?

I walk a little faster to the building.

There are buildings, which means there are people. Whenever I walk as I usually do, I attract attention, but there are many things in front of me that are more interesting, so I could ignore the attention I’m getting. I look at the buildings on the streets and the people walking by.

Buildings with tiled roofs are lined up, and the people walking are wearing clothes similar to Japanese kimono.

Could this be the Land of Harmony? (TN: 和の国 )

Some of them are wearing familiar clothes, like Fina and the others, but most of them are wearing Japanese clothes.

Hmmm…mixed cultures?

However, this is definitely the Land of Harmony or something close to it at least.

So, what do I do now?

Should I look for a place to set up a bear gate or find an inn?

I wonder if there’s a commercial guild here? I’m also wondering if there is an adventurer’s guild. Are the monsters the same? Or are they different? I’m curious about a lot of things.

As I walked along, ignoring the stares directed at me, I discovered a magnificent building. It is a wooden building with a tiled roof. The building is surrounded by a wall. At the entrance to the building, I found a sign that said Sakura Ryokan.

Oh, I found the inn!

Just the fact that it says <Ryokan> gives it a Japanese feel.

It’s already telling me to stay in this one, isn’t it? So I might as well stay a few days and explore the city. That way I can find a place to set up the bear gate and it’s not too late to set one up.

I walked towards the door of the inn to see if I could stay.

I slide the door to the side with a rattling sound and enter the inn.

[Welcome.] Girl

As I entered the inn, a girl about my age greeted me. She was dressed in a kimono suitable for the ryokan. Her hair is tied up with a kind of hairpin.

When the girl saw my outfit, she looked at me in surprise.

[Bear-san!?] Girl

The girl was having trouble dealing with me as she stared at me.

[Anou, can I stay here?] Yuna

[Ah, yes. It’s okay.] Girl

The girl came to her senses when I spoke to her.

It looks like there are rooms available for now. If that’s the case, it might be a good idea to stay for a few days.

[But first, may I have a confirmation?] Girl

[What? If you’re asking about this outfit, I’m not answering.] Yuna

[No, although, I’m curious about that too.] Girl

She’s still curious about it.

[There is no bed in this inn. There are some people from other countries who do not like to sleep on the floor. In that case, we will refuse and refer you to another inn.] Girl

There’s only one possible explanation for the lack of a bed.

[Could it be the tatami?] Yuna

A ryokan is a Japanese-style room. In other words, tatami mats.

[Yes, so you know of it. In this inn, we sleep on tatami mats. There are some people who stay here without knowing that and complain afterwards, so I have to check.] Girl

[Yeah, I’ll be fine.] Yuna

I had a Japanese-style room in my apartment. I didn’t feel anything at the time, but I guess it’s because I’m Japanese that I get happy when I hear the word <tatami>.

[So before I show you to your room, which room would you like?] Girl

[Are there different kinds?] Yuna

[Yes, the size of the room, with a bath attached, etc.] Girl

[Could it be, the baths are hot springs!] Yuna

[Yes, there is a large common bath, but some guests prefer to take a bath privately, so we have a bath in their room. But of course, the price of the room is higher.] Girl

[I’d like a room with a bath.] Yuna

If there is a hot spring, I want to go there. But I don’t want to use a public bath. So, if there is a room with a hot spring, I will choose that room.

[Well, the room is larger and more expensive.] Girl

The girl looks at me as if she’s having a hard time saying it while looking at my appearance.

Apparently, they are worried about whether I have the money.

Well, they don’t think a girl dressed like a bear like this has a lot of money.

[I have no problem with it. Oh, right. Can I use this money?] Yuna

This is a different country. The currency they have may not be the same as the other. I show her my money.

[It’s okay.] Girl

I’m glad the currency that I have seems to be accepted here.

I pay the specified amount for three days. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price. If I didn’t want them, the price would be a little lower, but I asked.

[I’m Konoha, the daughter of the innkeeper. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.] Konoha

[My name is Yuna. I won’t answer anything regarding this outfit, so please take care of me.] Yuna

[Y, yes.] Konoha

The girl looked like she wanted to say something, but closed her mouth instead.

Do you really want to ask me about it that much?

The girl led me to my room.

[Where did you come from, dear guest?] Konoha

[Hmmm, do you know the town of Mereera?] Yuna

I told her the name of a town that has a connection to the Land of Harmony.

[Yes, I know of it. I heard that there was a big monster in the sea for a while, so they couldn’t go there.] Konoha

Ah, the Kraken.

That happened, didn’t it?

[According to the story, it was defeated by an adventurer, but I guess there are really great adventurers out there who can defeat a big monster in the ocean.] Konoha

[That’s true.] Yuna

[Does our dear guest know what kind of person took it down?] Konoha

That’s the person you’re talking to right now, the bear. I can’t say that, and even if I did, she wouldn’t believe it. So, my answer is obvious.

[I don’t really know.] Yuna

[I’m sorry to hear that. If such a strong adventurer would stay at our inn, we could ask him how he defeated it, but it’s a pity.] Konoha

That person is going to stay with you right now.

I feel like I’m lying to the girl and I feel like I’m doing something wrong.