Chapter 432

432 Bear-san, Enters The Hot Spring

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Authors Note 1:

In the previous story, I forgot to correct Konohas age due to lack of confirmation and posted it.

Konohas age.

Before the correction, shes about Finas age.

After correction, she is about the same age as me (Yuna).

Ive already corrected it.

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I will be staying at a ryokan, and Konoha is showing me to my room.

The ryokan is large and we head to the back of the building. The room was a sort of remote part of the inn.

When I entered the room, I saw that it was as large as Konoha had said it would be and definitely not a room for one person to stay in. Well, Im not alone either.

Theres Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear as well.

[No other guests will pa.s.s by this room, so you can stay here quietly.] Konoha

The room is indeed separated from the rest of the house, so no other guests will pa.s.s by. This room is more and more suitable for me.

I looked around the room and saw a nostalgic j.a.panese room with tatami mats covering the entire floor. Its true what they say, you dont know whats important until its gone.

As I quickly tried to climb up on the tatami.

[Im sorry, please take off your shoes when you enter the room.] Konoha

When I tried to enter with my bear shoes on, I was stopped.

My bear shoes dont get dirty, even with mud. So I dont mind walking on the bed. But its too much trouble to explain here, so Im going to take off my bear shoes before entering the room.

Oh, it feels good to walk on tatami with bare feet. I feel nostalgic for a feeling I havent had in a long time.

At the time, I never paid any attention to the existence of a j.a.panese-style room in my apartment. But now that its gone for quite a while, Im glad to see its existence again.

Maybe I can make a j.a.panese-style room in the bear house. I think Ill buy tatami mats later.

[You look happy, dear guest.] Konoha

[It felt a little, nostalgic.] Yuna

[Nostalgic, you say?] Konoha

[Yeah, its been a long time since Ive felt this sensation.] Yuna

[I see. Thats why its okay for you to sleep on tatami mats, isnt it?] Konoha

While I was immersing myself in the nostalgic feel of the tatami on my feet, Konoha started walking to the next room, and I followed her.

[This is the hot spring. You can enter at any time, so please feel free to do so.] Konoha

When she opened the door, theres a changing room, and when she opened the door further, theres a hinoki bath with steam rising from it. The bath was large enough for a family. It looks like I can take a bath with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

Then she briefed me on how to use the washroom. And things like, I have to say a word when I want to go out, or when I want to have a meal.

[Your meal will be brought to you when its time, or would you like to go out today?] Konoha

Well, what should I do? Even if I go out now, the sun will be setting soon. But I also feel like going out.

Hmmm, what should I do?

I thought about it and decided to start exploring the city in the morning. First, I decided to enjoy the j.a.panese-style room and the hot spring. I also had to contact Fina.

[I think Ill take the rest of the day off.] Yuna

[All right. So, would you like bread or rice for your meal?] Konoha

[Do I get to choose?] Yuna

[Yes, we have guests from other countries staying here after all.] Konoha

[Ill have some rice, then.] Yuna

After all, I came to a j.a.panese-like country, so I should eat j.a.panese-like food.

But they dont serve locusts and caterpillars and other insect dishes, do they?

[Well, we cant exchange the food that you dont eat food, but] Konoha

[Like a bug maybe?] Yuna

Ive never eaten one, but Im not a fan of bugs. I dont dare to put them in my mouth, even if they are food. Even if Im told to eat it, theres no way Ill do it.

[No, it will be rice, soup with miso, vegetable stew, seafood with crab, etc.] Konoha

Im glad.

But its crabs. Crabs! Im looking forward to it.

[Is everything okay?] Konoha

[Yeah, Im fine.] Yuna

[Then Ill bring it to you when its time to eat.] Konoha

Konoha bowed and walked out of the room.

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I had seafood in Milla, too. But crab and other seafood, Im looking forward to this one.

As soon as Konoha left the room, I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear in cub form.

[Swaying Bear, Hugging Bear, its Tatami!] Yuna

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Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear walked on the tatami mat.

I decided to enjoy the tatami mats and the hot spring together with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. Besides, it would be boring to enjoy it alone. It might be a good idea to bring Fina along.

Yeah, its easy enough to bring them in if I set up a bear gate.

When I looked at Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, they were running around the large tatami room.

[Both of you, dont scratch the tatami, okay? Be careful with your claws. Also, tell me when someone comes. After that, hide so that no one can find you.] Yuna

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I gave them all the warnings.

They would be surprised if a bear was in the room, and it would be like bringing in a hidden pet. In the meantime, I am aware of this, so I asked them to hide. If push comes to shove, I can return them to the bear puppets.

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear started lounging around on the tatami.

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As I watched them, I took out my bear phone and called Fina.

Yuna-oneesan? Fina

[Fina, Ill be gone for a while, so take care of things there.] Yuna

Are you going there? Fina

[Dont tell anyone where Im going.] Yuna

From the time I could see land from Targui, I told her I was coming to that land.

Are you sure about this? Isnt it dangerous? Fina

[Its okay. Apparently, its the Land of Harmony.] Yuna

The Land of Harmony? Fina

[Yes, the country where rice and soy sauce came from.] Yuna

Isnt that far away? Fina

[With that being said, Ill be staying here for a while, so call me if you need anything.] Yuna

I understand. Fina

[Fina, do you want to come too?] Yuna

Id love to go, but my dad would be sad if I was gone too long. Fina

Gentz-san.

Well, he was separated from Fina when we went to the dwarven city.

Not too many days have pa.s.sed since then.

[If you get the permission, give me a call anytime.] Yuna

Yes, I understand. Please be careful, Yuna-oneesan. Fina

After turning off the bear phone, I decided to enjoy the hot spring until dinner.

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[Swaying Bear, Hugging Bear lets go, were going to the hot spring.] Yuna

When I called out, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who were lounging on the tatami, came over. Apparently, they liked the tatami mat too. Im going to have to buy some tatami later.

I took Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear and moved to the changing room.

I took off my stuffy bear costume in the changing room and plunged into the hot spring.

The steam was amazing. The hot spring water was coming out of what looked like a tube.

I put my hand into the cypress bathtub to check the temperature.

[Its hot!] Yuna

The temperature seemed to be high.

But Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear goes into the hot spring like its normal.

As expected, they are strong in both cold and hot conditions.

I poured hot water over myself and slowly entered the bath, feet first.

Its hot, but if I go in slowly, Ill be fine.

Then, I soak up to my shoulders.

[Ha~a ~] Yuna

That feels good.

Hot springs are the ultimate luxury.

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear put their heads on the frame of the cypress bath and looked comfortable.

I want to see the scenery outside, but I cant since its not an open-air bath.

Is there an outdoor bath somewhere?

However, I would like to have a hot spring in the bath of the Crimonia bear house.

But we dont have hot springs in Crimonia, do we?

After enjoying the hot spring, I left the bathroom.

I wiped myself thoroughly, then wiped Swaying Bear and Hugging Bears bodies as well, and dried them with a hairdryer.

Ive changed into a polar bear and entered the relaxed mode.

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As I was brus.h.i.+ng Swaying Bear and Hugging Bears fur, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear cried and looked at the door.

Looks like someones here.

There is a knock at the door.

I told Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear to hide and opened the door. There was Konoha, who showed me to my room.

[I brought you your diner.] Konoha

[You brought it yourself?] Yuna

[Would my mother have been a better choice?] Konoha

[Not at all. I just dont want people to see me like this.] Yuna

She looked at my polar bear outfit.

[Youre a white bear now.] Konoha

[And by the way, I have nothing to say about this outfit either.] Yuna

When I made the first move, she didnt ask me anything about clothes.

Instead, Konoha asked something else as she laid out the food.

[How was the hot spring?] Konoha

[That felt really good.] Yuna

[Thats good to hear.] Konoha

[Did you come alone, dear guest? Are your family members not with you?] Konoha

[Its just me.] Yuna

[How did you get all the way out here by yourself?] Konoha

[Even though I look like this, Im still an adventurer. I can handle a little danger.] Yuna

[An adventurer?] Konoha

Konoha stopped her hand and looked at me.

She has doubtful eyes.

Well, even if she, believe me, itll be difficult to accept.

[Yuna-san, youre an adventurer, you say? Are you able to use amazing magic by any chance?] Konoha

[Well, maybe a little.] Yuna

[Its amazing. Then even a girl like Yuna-san can come to a place like this by herself.] Konoha

Apparently, she believed me because she thought Im a mage.

[Is there an adventurers guild in this city?] Yuna

[Yes, there is.] Konoha

I knew theres one here, Im just not sure about it.

The Adventurers Guild of the Land of Harmony, maybe Ill take a peek tomorrow.

Do they use weapons like a sword? Do they have magicians?

Konoha finished arranging the food and left the room.

I called out to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who were hiding.

Dinner was a sumptuous meal of rice, miso soup, boiled vegetables, and boiled crab.

Ooh, that looks delicious.

[Itadakimasu!] Yuna

I took my bowl and chopsticks and ate my food.

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Authors Note 2:

This is a hot spring episode.

Animals are not allowed on tatami mats, right?

But Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear are fine.

Shes been summoning Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear at the inn every time, but will she have to pay extra if they find out?

Do you think they will kick her out when that happens?

The next post, if there is nothing else, will usually be posted in three days.