798 Bear, caught by Noa - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

The next day, I stop by "The Bear's Rest" for lunch. As usual, the everyday bustle flows through the establishment. Children dressed in bear outfits dart around, Karin's voice rings out with instructions, and people enjoy their meals merrily. "Thank you very much." A young girl thanks a customer who purchased bread, her manner showing she's quite adept at customer service. "Yuna, big sister!" As I survey the shop, one of the girls spots me and approaches. When I pat her head, she beams with joy. Once I start, more children gather around. It's just like yesterday at the orphanage. "You’re as popular as ever, Yuna." Karin approaches, amused. After I finish patting all the kids' heads, they quickly return to their tasks. At the orphanage, Liz is in charge, and here, Karin seems to handle the children’s education well. Above them are the headmaster and Morin, overseeing everything. "They’re happy because you haven't visited for a while, Yuna." "It's been less than a week, hasn’t it?" "A week feels much longer to children than it does to us adults." True enough, I've heard that time moves differently for kids compared to adults. "Karin, you sound like an old lady." My comment catches Karin off guard. "I-it's something my mother used to say. I missed you too, you know, Yuna." Could that really be true? Well, even I feel like it’s been ages since I last visited the shop. Perhaps I’m still young at heart? However, compared to my elementary school days, time did feel slower back then. "By the way, where have you been? I heard from Fina that you were off somewhere." "Just out on a little monster subjugation." I wasn’t lying since I fought a Frost Dragon. "Oh, that's right, you're an adventurer, aren't you, Yuna? I almost forgot because of your attire." Karin glances at my outfit—a bear costume—not exactly what one would expect of an adventurer. Saying, "Please take your time," Karin returns to her work. I choose my bread and sit at an open seat to enjoy it. As always, Morin's bread tastes wonderful. Glancing around, I see everyone grinning while eating cakes, pudding, fried potatoes, and potato chips. It really is peaceful. After being in that silent frozen world, this clamor feels welcome. Though I’m not usually fond of noise, there are times I find myself yearning for it. As I savor my bread leisurely, a familiar loud voice breaks through. "Yuna, there you are!" A girl with long golden hair approaches me. "Noa, what's up?" "No, what's up with you? Where have you been?" I've only been away for about a week, but everyone acts like it's been an eternity. "Just a short trip to the Land of Wa." I whisper softly so that no one around overhears us. "Take me with you next time." "Well, it was supposed to be a day-trip, but then things got complicated." "What complications? Actually, never mind. Please come to our house." Noa pulls on my hand. "What? Why?" "Father wants me to bring you to our place." "I'd rather not." I just got back two days ago. Being summoned by Cliff can only mean trouble. Kagari’s words spring to mind: “You are loved by the god of trouble, aren't you?” No thank you, I’ll pass on such a deity. "You have to come. I've been instructed to bring you home." "Couldn't you just say I wasn't around?" After all, I wasn't home until recently, and being away for a few more days shouldn’t hurt. "That's not an option." "I have to get back to take care of Kumayuru and Kumakyu." Translation: "I've planned to laze around with Kumayuru and Kumakyu, so I can't go." "I can take care of Kumayuru and Kumakyu for you." Noa holds fast to my hand. Seems like she won’t let me escape. “How about you relax with me and take care of them instead?” When the opponent is strong, the best strategy is to draw them into your space. I offer a bargain that Noa might find appealing. Inside Noa, a struggle plays out: should she drag me along, or stay and play with Kumayuru and Kumakyu? “Ugh, I can’t. Mother would be upset.” Noa shakes her head. “Elelaura? Isn’t this Cliff’s invitation?” "It’s just that Mother sent a letter, and Father wishes to discuss it." Elelaura’s letter seems to take precedence. Kumayuru and Kumakyu, defeated. So it’s Elelaura summoning me, not Cliff? Perhaps it’s a mere nuisance and not full-blown trouble. Though, I did just get back. Maybe Lady Flora wants to see me? If that’s the case, I have to go. "Noa, do you know what the letter from Elelaura was about?" Hearing the story might help me decide. "Uhm, do you remember when Fina, Shuri, my older sister and I made pressed flowers together?" Pressed flowers? …Oh! Yes, after returning from our employee trip, we made pressed flowers. "So, what's up with that?" “I don’t know all the details, but it’s about the flowers we used for those pressed flowers.” The flowers we used were ones we picked in Targaryen and flowers Noa had brought along. "Did we use a problematic flower?" "Father can tell you more." With that, it seems I have no choice but to visit Cliff. I finish the bread I’m eating before Noa leads me away. "Father, I brought Yuna." “You’re here.” Led to the study, we find Cliff working. He gestures for us to sit, and Noa and I take our seats. “I heard there was something about the flowers we used for the pressed flowers. Was there something wrong with them? Were they poisonous?” “According to Elelaura’s letter, it seems we used some rare flowers. She didn’t mention anything about poison or danger, so it should be fine.” That’s a relief. It would have been a problem if there were toxic plants in Noa or Fina’s homes. “What kind of rare flower is it?” “The letter didn’t specify. I had a look at the pressed flowers with Noa, but I’m not knowledgeable enough to identify them.” "As I told Father, everyone chose their flowers differently, so the one in question might not even be in my pressed flowers." Indeed, we each selected flowers we liked and made the pressed flowers we wanted. "So, it was the pressed flowers that Shia made that contained the rare flower?" I inquire. "That's what it seems. Based on what Noa told me, it was made using flowers you and Noa prepared," Cliff responds. "The flowers I provided were just ordinary ones that Lara arranged," I affirm. "While we can't say for certain that none of them were rare, I suspect it might be one from the flowers you gathered," Cliff concludes. The flowers I provided were ones I picked from Targuy. If Cliff is correct, Noa’s provided flowers shouldn't be a problem. Thus, it’s more likely the flowers from Targuy were the rare ones. "Elelaura wants to speak more in-depth about this," Cliff informs me. Sure enough, it has turned into a troublesome situation. My only relief is that the flowers weren’t dangerous. "Is it urgent?" I ask. "Not urgent, but she'd appreciate it if you could come soon." "I want to go, too," Noa chimes in. "You can't. You just went to Fairyland not long ago," Cliff reminds her. Noa turns to me with a pleading look. "And I’ll catch grief from Elelaura if you do," Cliff adds, giving me no room to offer assistance. Bringing along a child like Noa requires parental consent. I can’t just take her on my own. Even if I persuaded Cliff, Elelaura would definitely be upset with me. Besides, as Cliff mentioned, I've been taking Noa out too often recently. "Noa, you’ll have to sit this one out, okay?" "…Fine," Noa sighs in resignation. "Alright then, I’ll head to see Elelaura at my leisure," I declare. "I'd be grateful," Cliff replies. If it’s not an emergency, I suppose I can take my time. "Then, instead of coming along, may I play with Kumayuru and Kumakyu? It's been a while," Noa suggests. "That should be fine, but…" I glance at Cliff to confirm. If Noa has studies or other obligations, I can't just say yes. "As long as this means you've given up," he concedes. Noa beams at Cliff’s approval. She grabs my hand, leading us to her room, and as promised, I summon Kumayuru and Kumakyu. "Kumayuru, it's been too long," Noa exclaims, hugging Kumayuru. "Kuu~n," Kumayuru responds. After greeting Kumayuru, Noa turns and embraces Kumakyu next. "Kumakyu, have you been well?" "Kuu~n," Kumakyu replies as well. Noa's face lights up with joy. "But what do you think the rare flower is?" Noa wonders, gazing at the pressed flowers displayed on the shelf, the ones we all crafted together. "I'm not knowledgeable about flowers," I admit. "I don’t know much about flower species from our world, let alone those from another world." “Yuna, where did you gather those flowers? They were the ones you picked with Shuri, right?” She asks while sandwiched between Kumayuru and Kumakyu. Noa doesn’t know they were actually picked from Targuy. "I picked them from that moving island," I explain. Since Noa had visited the moving island, Targuy, before, I share this with her. "That island... Now it makes sense. That island moves all around the world, doesn’t it?" "I’m not certain about the specifics, but probably." "Perhaps seeds fell somewhere along its journey?” Seeds often travel by wind or are carried by birds. They might also hitch rides on people or animals. In this world, it’s possible monsters brought them. "That could make explaining to Mother difficult," Noa thinks aloud. "I'll handle it. The moving island is common knowledge to the fishers in Milliera." There shouldn’t be any problem discussing our trip to the island during the employee outing. Shia, who joined us, is aware of it, and now so is Noa. Satisfied with my explanation, Noa doesn't press further.