Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

Beyond the bear door was a forest.

I’ve heard stories, but it truly is a different place. She (Yuna) has a magical tool that can take her to a different place whenever she opens that door, and she has that ability. She really is a girl full of mystery.

Too bad she was dressed as a bear. If it had been a fox, I would have had nothing to say.

Maybe next time I’ll dress her up as a fox. I’m sure she’ll look better than a bear.

“Well then, let’s go. The village is a bit far from here.” (Mumroot)

While I was thinking, Mumroot started walking, so I followed him.

I breathe in…

The air is different from the island where I was.

I thought it was missing something, but I quickly figured it out.

I don’t smell the sea.

It really feels like I’ve come to a different place.

It’s not that I don’t like it or anything, but it’s making me feel strange.

And if looking at it closely, the vegetation here differs from the ones on the island where I was. That alone is interesting.

“Let me tell you, it’s a village with nothing in it. If you complain, you’ll be sent home.” (Mumroot)

“You don’t have to nag me again and again. There was nothing on the island where I was, so I won’t complain about this.” (Kagali)

There was nothing on the island where I was. There were no shops, nothing interesting.

“Oh, that’s right.” (Mumroot)

“That’s why I don’t hate the forest. And even if there’s nothing there, you elves live there, right?” (Kagali)

Considering that I was alone on the island, even if people lived there, it was different from the island where I was.

I have caretakers, but that doesn’t mean we live together, and they don’t come every day.

Because I asked them not to.

People grow up fast. They age quickly, and my caretakers keep changing. I tried to keep people away from me as much as possible because the partings made me feel lonely.

“Well, there’s at least a village.” (Mumroot)

“That’s more than enough.” (Kagali)

“For now, I will guide you to the village, but don’t say anything strange.” (Mumroot)

“I get it already.” (Kagali)

In a manner of speaking, I am treated as Mumroot’s guest, but I’m also an acquaintance of the bear girl.

With that explanation, most of the village residents would likely agree.

She really is a mysterious girl.

I came to the village, looking at the surrounding forest.

“Oh, there’s quite a lot of them.” (Kagali)

When I entered the village, it was bigger than I thought, and many people lived there. All of them are long-lived elves, so it’s a surprise.

And what caught my eye were the clothes they wore and the houses they built.

After all, everything is different from the Land of Harmony. It’s just fascinating.

The clothing seems more relaxed and comfortable here.

It’s hard to explain, but the shapes of the houses are also different. What can I say? There are only a few large houses like those in the Land of Harmony. In the Land of Harmony, there are many tall buildings and long one-story houses, but the houses in this village differ from those in the Land of Harmony.

When I was looking around restlessly, a child came.

“It’s the chief~ Welcome back!”

“Did anything happen while I was gone?”

Mumroot holds the child in his arms.

“There was nothing~”

The child replied happily. Mumroot lowered the child to the ground and patted his head.

Then the child looks at me.

“Who is this girl?”

“I’m Kagali. I’m Mumroot’s acquaintance.”

“Tell everyone that she’ll be in the village for a while, but don’t worry, she’s not suspicious.”

“Un!”

The child nodded and left.

The villagers then greeted Mumroot we passed by, and him introducing me as his guest.

When asked about my appearance, he said that I was an acquaintance of the bear girl, and it convinced them.

It was upsetting to me that my attire would be perceived in the same way as that of the bear, but I didn’t argue because I didn’t want to explain in detail.

“Even so, you are adored.” (Mumroot)

Everyone greets Mumroot then they look at me.

“It’s probably because I haven’t been in the village for a while.” (Mumroot)

“Where have you been?” (Kagali)

“I used that door of the Bear Missy to leave the village for a while.” (Mumroot)

I thought he definitely went straight to me, but it seems I was wrong.

“That door is really mysterious.” (Kagali)

“Thanks to that, I was able to meet you again, Kagali, and I was able to save you. I was also able to go to a memorable place. I really have nothing but words of gratitude for her.” (Mumroot)

“Indeed, without that door, we would not have met again. The fact that we were able to defeat the Orochi was thanks to the power of the bear girl, but it was also thanks to your help, Mumroot, we were able to keep the Orochi at bay. If you had not come to our rescue, we might not have been able to defeat it.” (Kagali)

I, who had remained on the island to seal the Orochi, was relieved of that duty and even allowed to come to Mumroot’s village.

I have no words to express my gratitude to the bear girl.

But still, the only thing I won’t give up is that the fox is prettier.

Then, after walking through the village with Mumroot, we stopped in front of a house. It was larger than the surrounding houses.

“This is my home.” (Mumroot)

A woman greets us when we enter the house.

“Ara, you came back with a cute young lady.” (Bena)

The woman looks at me. Mumroot introduces her to me as his wife.

So, I greet her.

“I’m Kagali, I will be in your care for a while until the bear girl comes and picks me up.”

“I’m Bena. Nice to meet you, Kagali-chan. When you say bear girl, do you mean Yuna-san?”

“That’s right, she should be coming back to this village with your granddaughter in a few days.”

That reminds me, I didn’t ask when she would be back.

Well, it should be fine for a few days.

“So, Kagali-chan, why are you here in the village with Mumroot?” (Bena)

“I was taken care of by Mumroot a long time ago. So, until the bear girl comes back, I’m going to tour the village.” (Kagali)

“Long ago?” (Bena)

“I may look like this, but I’ve been living for hundreds of years now, just like you elves.” (Kagali)

In my words, Bena looked surprised and looked at Mumroot.

“It’s true.” (Mumroot)

“You may not believe it easily, but I can turn into an adult. I can’t do it now because of these clothes, still, if you want me to show you, I can show you later.” (Kagali)

That’s why it’s troublesome since Sakura changed my adult-sized clothes.

“Ara, so you know Mumroot from a long time ago?” (Bena)

“Even if that’s the case, Mumroot was in my country for only a short time.” (Kagali)

Mumroot’s stay in the Land of Harmony was brief. That’s why I don’t know much about him.

“Well then, I’ll prepare some tea, so could you tell me your story?” (Bena)

“If possible, liquor would be good.” (Kagali)

Bena was surprised by my words.

“Yes. If you show me your true form, I’ll give you some.” (Bena)

Bena pats my head and talks to me as if to comfort a child.

Apparently, she didn’t believe our words.

Perhaps, the word “a long time ago” might only be a year for her.

“Mumroot, your wife doesn’t seem to believe you.” (Kagali)

“It can’t be helped. Even an elf can’t transform into an adult or a child at will.” (Mumroot)

When he said that, even I can’t argue with it.

I have never seen anyone other than myself who could do such a thing.

“Bena was it? Well then, I’ll prove it now, so take a good look.” (Kagali)

It’s a hassle, but if I show her I can be an adult, I can get a drink, so I put my hand on my clothes to prove it by taking off the clothes that are in my way, and Mumroot stops me.

“Don’t take off your clothes in front of me. Bena, I’m sorry, but please take Kagali with you.” (Mumroot)

Mumroot puts his hand on my head.

“I will tell Talia that Ruimin will be back with Bear Missy a little later.” (Mumroot)

After saying that, Mumroot left the house.

Bena told me that Talia is Mumroot’s son’s wife.

She seems to be the mother of Mumroot’s granddaughter, Ruimin.

Once again, being told about Mumroot’s children and grandchildren reminded me that so many years have passed.

And then, Bena was surprised when I turned into an adult in front of her.

Apparently, she didn’t believe that I had lived for hundreds of years. However, I was able to get her to believe me, and I was able to drink alcohol.

“I was surprised when you suddenly turned big.” (Bena)

“A while ago, I had a life-and-death battle. Maybe it’s an aftereffect of that battle, but I get tired when I go back to that form.” (Kagali)

“But it seems like giving alcohol to a child, I feel conflicted.” (Bena)

Bena said such a thing, but she still served me the drinks anyway.

“I may look like a child, but don’t worry, I’m an adult on the inside.” (Kagali)

I proceed to drink alcohol.

The taste is different from the sake that I’ve been drinking, but it’s also delicious.

Even if I come to live in this village, I don’t think I’ll be in need of alcohol.

After that, I drank with Bena and Mumroot, who had returned, while talking about Mumroot’s past.

Tomorrow, we will tour the village.

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Author’s Note:

Kagali-san was able to drink alcohol successfully.

I hope to finish the story of Fina’s birthday present trip in about 2 more episodes.

I’m hoping, but… (It doesn’t always go as planned.)

I really wanted to finish it by the end of this year, but I was too busy with various things.

And I apologize for that. I will be taking a break from posting during the New Year’s holiday.

I hope to be able to make my next post on 1/7, the release date of volume 14 of the book.

I would like to make a little progress on the bookwork for volume 15, so my apologies.

I have written the information about the store purchase bonus SS for volume 14, which will be released on 1/7, in the activity report, so please check it out.

Thank you very much for your patience with Kuma this year.

The Kuma will continue next year, so please keep supporting Kuma!

And thanks to everyone who reported typos and omissions.

It was really helpful.

Thank you to everyone who wrote in with their feedback.

I apologize that I have not been able to reply to you lately.

But I have been reading them.

I know a lot has happened this year, and I look forward to working with you again next year.

-Kumanano

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