774 Bear, meets Lise's family - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

With magic stairs, Liese looked over the garden as she crossed the gate. "It hasn't changed at all." "Indeed." Liese and Ballard gazed somberly at the frozen garden. It might be filled with memories of family and friends. What seemed beautifully frozen to me might appear as a sorrowful scene to them. Slowly, both of them made their way through the frozen garden to the entrance. "The front door is locked, so let's use the back entrance." "Oh, but I melted the ice on the front door and entered earlier, so... I broke the lock." I answered honestly. "Please, don't worry about it. In that case, let's go through the front entrance." Yesterday's melted door was frozen again. Kagari, perhaps considering it their duty, began melting the ice on the door. Once the ice melted, the door slowly opened. "It's as if time has stopped." "Nothing has changed since the last time we came." "Let's go." Without hesitation, Liese ascended the staircase, heading toward a specific room. "I'm sorry, but could you please handle this door as well?" This room... Kagari seemed to remember it too—she glanced at me briefly before starting to melt the ice on the door. As the ice melted and the door opened, we entered to find people embracing in front of the fireplace. Liese slowly approached the frozen figures and knelt down. "Mother, Sister. It's been a long time. I'm sorry for not visiting more often." It turned out to be her mother and sister. "I'm sorry as a pathetic father, unable to save you." Both Liese and Ballard apologized to the frozen pair. But the figures remained unresponsive. They stayed frozen in place, never to move again. Only the quiet passage of time continued. They might be having a conversation within their hearts. Kagari and I silently observed. Liese's quiet sobs filled the still room. Ballard gently embraced Liese. Then, they turned toward us. "Yuna, Kagari, thank you. We were able to say our goodbyes to Mother and Sister." "I'm sure they were happy to see you, too." "It would be nice if that were so. But sometimes, it feels like they might resent me for surviving." "That’s not—" “That’s enough of that,” Kagari interjected, her voice rising over mine. "Kagari?" "Those who survive must bear the pain of survival. Did you truly experience such happiness over the past three years here that you might be resented for it? That’s not the case, is it?" Liese had mentioned her countless tears. Undoubtedly, it was a burden heavier and painful beyond my imagining. She lost loved ones, with no help coming, living under the constant threat of death. I can't imagine they would blame Liese for surviving through such hardship. Sometimes, surviving is the more difficult path. "And is your family the kind that would hate you for being alive?" "...No. Neither Mother nor my sister would hold such a grudge." "Maybe you're unable to forgive yourself for surviving. But you suffered and endured for three years. You should allow yourself some forgiveness now." "Kagari..." Liese clung to Kagari. Perhaps she understood because she had been through the same experience. I had heard that Kagari fought a giant serpent and lost many lives. Of those who battled the serpent back then, only Kagari and Mumroot survived. During the time she didn't see Mumroot, she might have suffered alone. That's why her words held more weight than mine ever could. "No one holds a grudge. And even if they did, it doesn't matter. You have your own life to live. Survivors have that right." "...The right." "If you were gone, who would remember your mother and sister? That's your duty and your father's." Kagari turned her gaze from Liese to Ballard. "...Yes. Perhaps we’ve been trapped by the guilt of surviving." Ballard moved closer to the frozen mother and daughter. "Do not worry about Liese; rest peacefully. If you must resent anyone, resent me for failing to save you." "Father!" "That is my duty as a parent. Besides, neither my gentle wife nor daughter would harbor resentment. You know this, Liese." "..." "Yuna, Kagari. Thank you for today. It’s given us closure." Although Liese and Ballard were crying, their faces bore smiles. Yet, something felt off. Though Kagari’s words were wise, the sight of her in her young girl form made it somehow jarring. Well, if I were giving a similar speech in my bear outfit, it might look bizarre from the outside too. Inspired by Kagari, Liese expressed her desire to greet the household staff who once served in their home. Honoring that wish, we visited the frozen rooms of the staff. Liese apologized to them and vowed to keep living. As we prepared to return to the bear carriage, a voice echoed through the mansion, calling from the entrance, "Ballard! Liese!" Hurrying to the entrance, we found Baran the fisherman. "Ballard, it's starting to blizzard!" Ballard rushed outside at Baran's words, and we followed. "Could this really be happening now!?" As we flung open the door, snow was swirling and strong winds blowing. Could such a change really happen in this short a time? Just moments ago, the weather was clear, with no sign of a blizzard. "Hurry to the carriage." We quickly closed the door and dashed toward the bear carriage. Crossing over the wall via the stairs, we returned to the bear bus. "Ku~n, ku~n" Inside, Kuma Yuru and Kuma Kyuu greeted us. "Thank goodness. We made it back safely." "But what now? The longer we wait, the worse it’ll get." "Should we find a place to wait out the storm?" "How long do blizzards like this last?" Kagari asked, as the storm intensified. "If we’re lucky, a night. If not, it could last several days. We can't predict it." "Then what did you do when it blizzard outside the mines?" Surely it blizzarded when they were not near the mines at some point. "At sea, we have caves. In the town, there are a few shelters. We wait it out there using the fire magic stones we carry." Even when Baran went fishing, there was always the possibility of a storm. Living in such harsh conditions, they survived. "The magic stones might fend off the blizzard, but that alone wouldn't keep us warm." Just as Kagari said, even with fire magic stones, it's difficult to keep your entire body warm within the ice. "In that case, isn't it better to stay inside this bear carriage?" "Indeed, it's not cold inside here." It was my first time in the bear bus during such cold weather, but like the bear house, it seemed to protect us from the cold. Wearing the bear equipment often makes you overlook such details. "Then, let's stay in here until the blizzard calms down." Just as I was about to suggest that, Baran spoke up. "Miss, is it possible for this bear carriage to return to the mines?" "Baran?" Everyone in the bear bus was taken aback by Baran's words. "My beloved horse is in the stable. We need to get back quickly. I won't let it fall prey to monsters again." "Baran, I understand how you feel, but moving in this blizzard is dangerous." "Father..." Everyone wore a look of concern. They all cherished their horses. "The stable should protect it from the blizzard. The monsters might not show up, or they might leave it alone." "That could be, but..." Ultimately, only the monsters could determine that. "Since what happened, we fortified the stable. Let's hope for its safety. Right now, we need to prioritize our own safety." Everyone understood it was more important to protect themselves than the horse. Still, if something were to happen to the horse, Baran would undoubtedly regret it. No, it wouldn't just be Baran—all of us would. I, alone, would be fine even in the blizzard. But leaving everyone behind also posed concerns. If monsters or dragons appeared, I’d be worried about Kagari and the bears handling it alone. So, the best option was clear. "Let's all go back together." That would be for the best. "Can you really manage that?" "I think I can handle it." I hadn't driven the bear bus in snowy mountains before, but this was about using my cheat magic, after all. "Miss, can you really get us back?" "I can’t promise a smooth ride since we'll be moving forcefully." "That’s fine." "Same here, I can handle it." "Miss, we're counting on you." "Yuna, can you do it?" Not a single dissenting voice arose. The blizzard outside was fiercely worsening even in the short time we talked. "Even if we can't make it all the way, we'll be safe in here." At worst, we could rush into the bear house halfway. With everyone's agreement, we decided to return to the mines. I took my seat at the wheel and set the bear bus in motion.