Chapter 486

Bear-san, Enters The Mansion

We opened the big doors and entered the mansion.

Upon entering, the room was a bit s.p.a.cious, with aisles on either side and a staircase visible in front.

As expected of a big mansion, its so vast.

Its been a long time since Ive been here. (Kagali)

Kagali-san looked around nostalgically.

Kagali-san, you seem to know about this mansion. Have you been here before? (Yuna)

Yeah, Ive been here a few times. Suou told me the hot springs here are nice. (Kagali)

I wonder what the effects of hot springs were.

Even though I said that I dont think we can do a scientific a.n.a.lysis, so I dont know what the benefits were.I hear that its good for your beautiful skin, joint pains, illnesses, and so on.

None of these things matter to me right now, but I hope itll make me feel better and less tired.

Maybe it has the same effect as a white bear?

No, no, hot springs were different. The bathing in them was soothing.

She wasnt on that island all the time, you know. (King)

Ive been out of the house, Ive been all over the place. Otherwise, Ill be asleep for years. (Kagali)

Sleeping for years, does she mean hibernation?

But foxes dont hibernate, do they?

If anything, its the bears that hibernate.

Kagali occasionally come to the city for a drink. (King)

You dont bring me much to drink, after all. (Kagali)

You just drink too much, Kagali. (King)

From what I have heard, Kagali-san seems to drink a lot of liquor. As for me, I dont need alcohol, but I do miss juice and cola. The combo of potato chips and c.o.ke was great. I can make potato chips, but I cant make c.o.ke.

Yuna-sama, please come here. (Sakura)

While I was thinking about c.o.ke, Sakura called me from the stairs.

Jubei. Im sorry, but youre going to have to stay here. (King)

But then (Jubei)

Were in the mansion, so well be fine. Besides, Yuna, the one who defeated the Orochi, is here. Or are you saying Yuna will attack me? (King)

Jubei-san looked at me. Then he turned back to King Suou.

I dont think so. (Jubei)

Then stay here and keep watch. (King)

I understand. (Jubei)

Perhaps theres something he doesnt want Jubei-san to hear? It was a bit aggressive to let Jubei-san stay behind. Since hes his escort, it would be better to let him stay by his side.

Leaving Jubei-san behind, we head for the stairs where King Suou, Sakura, and s.h.i.+n.o.bu were.

By the way, Kagali-san was still on top of Swaying Bear.

Yuna-sama, this way. (Sakura)

Im coming. (Yuna)

Sakura was waving happily from the top of the stairs. Looking at the cheery Sakura, King Suou opened his mouth.

The smile is back on Sakuras face. I really appreciate it. (King)

King Suou, who was walking beside me, thanked me.

Im glad shes feeling better too. (Yuna)

The first time I met Sakura, she had a mature tone, a sad face, and was caught up in the moment. When she learned that I had defeated the Orochi, she cried. I was happy to see her smiling now.

Its too bad youre not a man, Yuna. I would have married Sakura to you otherwise. (King)

King Suou made an outrageous statement.

You have that kind of thought in mind? (Yuna)

You would normally think. Sakura is opening up so much to someone she just met. Do you think she would easily do such a thing to the other strangers? (King)

Its probably too early to say who Sakura is going to marry. (Yuna)

Ill have to find her a solid marriage partner to take the place of my late sister, you know? I want Sakura to be happy. Its good for her to decide on a partner early. (King)

Im telling you, dont force it on her. Let her choose her partner properly. (Yuna)

A daughter of a former royal mother. Her mother died and was indirectly taken care of by King Suou. I dont know how much freedom she has in terms of love, but I want the girl I know to be happy. I know King Suou has that feeling too, so I dont think he will force her to do so. The question may be whether Sakura can say no. Sakura would likely say I understand to the man that King Suou brought to her. I hope Sakura will choose her own partner.

Still, marriage, huh? Fina, Shuri, and Noa will all get married when they grow up. That makes me a little sad. But before that, Anzu and Karin-san would come first.

I know. Thats why I said I wish Yuna was a man. (King)

Unfortunately, I am a girl. I cant marry Sakura. Moreover, I am not even interested in boys at present. I have a sad image of the future me growing old alone in my mind.

At that time, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear cried ku~n. Could it be that they sensed my feelings?

Thats right, I have the two of you. (Yuna)

Ku~u ~ n

Kagali-san, who was riding on Swaying Bear, tilted her head, seemingly unable to understand my words in response to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who suddenly cried.

Sakura and s.h.i.+n.o.bu lead the way up the stairs to the third floor. Sakura and s.h.i.+n.o.bu continued walking and opened the door opposite where we entered.

This is it, Yuna-sama. (Sakura)

Apparently, she wanted to show me something.

I went towards Sakura, who was calling me.

This is (Yuna)

Beyond the door was a blue lake in deep green. The lake was in the middle of a large forest, and it was a beautiful sight.

Yuna-sama, the view from here is beautiful, isnt it?. (Sakura)

Yeah, its breathtaking. (Yuna)

As a

hikikomori

, I have never seen a lake in the real world. I have seen views of lakes on TV and on computer monitors, but they were different from the scenery I have seen before. When I took off my bear hood, the wind blowing around me felt good.

s.h.i.+n.o.bu and Sakura looked at me as if they were dumbfounded.

I thought Yuna was cute, but she is actually a beautiful woman. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

What was that, so sudden? Flattery will get you nowhere. (Yuna)

Perhaps its a spirit of flattery and a desire to be allowed to use this mansion?

You dont have to flatter me. I dont mind at all if you use it. Of course, I will ask you to clean up after using it.

I think youre beautiful, too. (Sakura)

s.h.i.+n.o.bu was flattering me that even Sakura learned how to use flattery.

When you grow up, you will be more beautiful than I am, Sakura, because youre already so cute. (Yuna)

I am sure Sakura will be beautiful when she grows up. Unlike me, she will probably have no trouble finding someone to marry. Just dont be fooled by strange men.

I put on my bear hood because theyre both fussing about my beauty.

But then again, the scenery here is always beautiful. (Sakura)

A beautiful landscape spreads out before me.

Certainly, I have seen and experienced many things in this world.

Every once in a while, I like to travel to other places in this world because of these things. And with the bear gate, its easy to get back home.

How is it? Do you like it? (King)

If you asked me if I liked it, then yeah, I like it. (Yuna)

I havent seen the hot springs or other rooms yet, though.

The previous king loved the view of this lake. (Kagali)

Kagali-san looked at the scenery from the top of Swaying Bear with nostalgia. This was a place full of memories for Kagali-san, wasnt it?

I dont know if I can take such a mansion. I have my bear house, so it would be enough if you let me borrow a corner of it. Even if I were given such a splendid mansion, I would only use it occasionally. (Yuna)

Personally, I wish they would let me put a bear house in the corner.

That wouldnt be much of a thank you, wouldnt it? Dont you realize how much youve done? (King)

Of course. I just got rid of Sakuras nightmare. (Yuna)

No. You saved the country. (King)

I said it half-jokingly, but The King seriously reb.u.t.ted it.

But seriously, I took the job primarily because I felt sorry for Sakura. If she had been a girl with a bad character or the king was arrogant, I would have just put on a blank face and gone back to Crimonia.

The rest was for rice and j.a.panese food. It would be a loss to the world if it were to disappear.

If you dont like it, Ill live here myself. (Kagali)

Kagali-san? (Yuna)

Well, someone has to live here. (Kagali)

Is there no one else here? (Yuna)

There is a hot spring here, so there is no problem. (Kagali)

I would be relieved if Kagali-san would live here.

Were close enough to go to town. It would be easier for Suzuran to come here than on the island. (Kagali)

Suzuran was the one who took care of Kagali-san, right?

Would it be safe if its that person who took care of Kagali-san?

But then, all I had to do was not cross paths with that person when he or she was there.

If you want to live here, Kagali-san, Itll help a lot, but do you want to live here alone? (Yuna)

Ive been on that island for over a hundred years, and I feel more at home when Im alone. (Kagali)

Kagali-san said so, but was that okay?

I will come to visit you, Kagali-sama. So that you wont be lonely. It will be easier for me to come here because I wont have to use a boat after all. (Sakura)

Sakura raised her voice.

Certainly, it would be easier to come by horse and carriage than to take a boat when it comes to transportation.

Oh, and when you do, bring me some booze. (Kagali)

Dont make Sakura carry liquor! (King)

Then Ill bring it, so I can stay here. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

You are welcome to bring booze, but you have to ask Yuna if you can stay. (Kagali)

If youre going to clean it afterwards its okay. (Yuna)

You mean, by myself? (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

You can live here if you want. (Yuna)

I dont want it, I dont want to live in a place like this, where there is nothing else here. I would only visit occasionally. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

I agree with her. Its a nice place to visit once in a while, but its not a place where I want to live.

Besides, Im not comfortable living in such a big mansion. Im used to living in a bear house after all. Moreover, considering security, it cant be compared to the bear house.

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Authors Note:

It looks like Kagali-san will be living in the mansion.

Next post, about 3-4 days.