Bear-san, Explains To Mumroot-san

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When I came out of the hole which was the entrance to the sacred tree, Ruimin came running up to me, looking happy. If she had a tail like Kagali-san, hers would be wagging like an excited puppy.

“Yuna-san, do you have time to eat today? I caught a big fish.” (Ruimin)

She was so happy to have caught a big fish, she had a big smile on her face.

“Umu, I think it’s a little impossible today. Sorry.” (Yuna)

I want to have a meal together with her. But since Sakura and the others already knew about the bear gate, and considering the situation in the Land of Harmony, I need to weigh my priorities.

“I see. That’s too bad.” (Ruimin)

Ruimin’s expression darkens a little. If she had beast ears, they would have drooped.

I saw Kagali-san’s ears and tail not too long ago, so I can’t help but think about that.

“Give me a call sometime and I’ll come by for a treat. Let me know if you catch anything.” (Yuna)

“Really? That’s a promise then.” (Ruimin)

Oh, her ears and tail perked up. (In my image)

After making a promise to Ruimin, I called out to Mumroot-san.

“Thank you for coming, Mumroot-san.” (Yuna)

“No, we’re in your debt, please don’t worry about it. So, contract magic is it? Is there someone you need to tell your secrets to, Missy?” (Mumroot)

“Yes, that’s right. Also, there’s someone who wants to meet you, Mumroot-san.” (Yuna)

“To meet me?” (Mumroot)

“Mumroot-san. Have you ever been to the Land of Harmony to help seal a demon called the Giant Serpent Orochi in the past? And do you know a fox woman named Kagali?” (Yuna)

“The Land of Harmony…… Orochi…… Seal …… Kagali…… Fox woman……” (Mumroot)

Mumroot-san pondered my words. It was hundreds of years ago, after all, so he can’t seem to remember it easily. But gradually, his memory seems to be coming back, and his expression changes.

“Ah Orochi, now that brings back memories. There was such a thing.” (Mumroot)

Mumroot-san made a nostalgic voice.

I guess it was him after all.

“But how did you know about it, Missy?” (Mumroot)

“Well, I just came from the Land of Harmony, got information that Orochi was about to return, and got asked to defeat it? Reseal it? Then a fox woman named Kagali-san told me that an elf named Mumroot-san, who was an adventurer at the time, helped her seal the serpent, and I thought that Mumroot-san might be the same Mumroot-san I know of, so I contacted Ruimin.” (Yuna)

I briefly told him the situation in the Land of Harmony.

“I see.” (Mumroot)

“Grandpa, you did that?” (Ruimin)

“That was when I was young. But still, the seal of Orochi will be released, you say? Kagali has protected the seal all this time, hasn’t she?” (Mumroot)

“So, I’d like you to come with me to the Land of Harmony, Mumroot-san.” (Yuna)

“How far away is the Land of Harmony?” (Ruimin)

Ruimin asked.

I wonder about that? I don’t know the distance. While I was at a loss for an answer, Mumroot-san answered for me.

“It’s far. Even back then, I just happened to stop by during my journey.” (Mumroot)

“You’ve been to such a faraway place, Yuna-san. I’d like to go there too.” (Ruimin)

I happened to see land from Targui, so I stopped by and it just so happened to be the Land of Harmony.

“But how did you get involved in all that, Missy?” (Mumroot)

“I had only dropped by the Land of Harmony for a while. Then my abilities were tested, a girl called me as the light of hope, and then, I ended up meeting a woman named Kagali-san.” (Yuna)

And now, we’re in the current situation.

Now that I think about it, I, the light of hope that Sakura saw, may have been a light of hope to bring Mumroot-san to them.

Perhaps I’m the only one who can bring Mumroot to them.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t think it’s easy to just ‘drop by’ there.” (Mumroot)

It’s a combo of Targui and bear gate.

“Yea, I set up a bear gate on a moving island, and it pa.s.sed by the Land of Harmony, so that’s how I just dropped by.” (Yuna)

“Yuna-san, is the island really moving?” (Ruimin)

Ruimin seemed to be interested in the moving island.

“There’s an island in the ocean that moves.” (Yuna)

“I see. The ocean, I’d like to see it.” (Ruimin)

I wondered if Ruimin had never seen the ocean before, so she was convinced by my words.

I feel like I’m tricking a pure girl.

Ruimin knows about the bear gate and the bear’s water walking skill. I can take her to Targui. It might be a good idea to take her and Fina next time.

“So, Missy. Just a little confirmation, is it possible to come and go from here?” (Mumroot)

“Yea, it’s fine.” (Yuna)

You can go back and forth as many times as you want.

“I really want to prepare various things, but first I have to hear from Kagali.” (Mumroot)

“All right, then.” (Yuna)

“It’s one of my unfinished business. But it’s better to solve it while I’m still alive so I can spend the rest of my life without worry.” (Mumroot)

Live the rest of your life without worry, you forgot about that, didn’t you? And how long is the rest of your life? Even if I die, you’ll still be alive, won’t you, Mumroot-san?

I wanted to say something in retort, but I held back.

“Let’s go meet Kagali.” (Mumroot)

Mumroot-san agreed to come to the Land of Harmony. Then, Ruimin opened her mouth.

“Yuna-san, can I come with you?” (Ruimin)

“We’re going to have a serious fight, I think. So Ruimin should stay.” (Yuna)

Besides, having Ruimin around wouldn’t help.

“I may not be able to do anything, but I want to help you and Grandpa.” (Ruimin)

“Ruimin …” (Yuna)

“And I’m more interested in that Kagali-san. Is she your old girlfriend, grandpa?” (Ruimin)

Was that your real intention, perhaps?

“What are you talking about, Ruimin?” (Mumroot)

“My mother used to say when a man puts his life on the line, it’s for the woman he loves.” (Ruimin)

“Sh-, she’s not my old lover. She was in trouble, so I helped her.” (Mumroot)

“Grandpa, you’re stuttering.” (Ruimin)

“That’s what would happen to anyone if their grandchild said that to them. I’m sure you’d feel the same way, right? Missy?” (Mumroot)

Don’t ask me to agree with you. I don’t have any children, let alone grandchildren. But I do understand what you mean.

“So it’s okay for me to see Kagali-san, right?” (Ruimin)

“……Well, yeah, I guess.” (Mumroot)

In the end, Mumroot-san looked like breaking the ice, and Ruimin decided to come with us.

If a fight breaks out, I can send them home. We can also have Sakura temporarily taken to the elf village and leave her in their care for a while. There should be enough time for that.

I brought out a bear gate and opened the door to the bear gate where Kagali-san and the others were.

=====

When I opened the door, I saw Shin.o.bu in front of me, being held down by Swaying Bear.

“What are you doing?” (Yuna)

“Yuna, I need help.” (Shin.o.bu)

I looked at Sakura and asked with my eyes, ‘What’s going on?’

“Etto, after Yuna-sama entered the door, Shin.o.bu, who was wondering, began to look into the door. I stopped her, but Shin.o.bu said, ‘just a little’.” (Sakura)

Sakura imitated Shin.o.bu’s quips. She looks a little cute.

“So Swaying Bear-sama and Hugging Bear-sama stepped in to stop her, and this is what happened.” (Sakura)

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear made expressions of asking for praise.

“Thank you, Swaying Bear, Hugging Bear.” (Yuna)

I stroked the heads of Swaying Bear, who was holding down Shin.o.bu, and Hugging Bear, who was nearby.

“It’s so heavy. Save me quickly.” (Shin.o.bu)

`Ku~u ~ n’

“You’re not heavy.” (Yuna)

“No, it’s heavy. It’s a bear. There’s a bear on top of me. And you sound like you’re worried about weight, is Swaying Bear a maiden?” (Shin.o.bu)

“Who knows?” (Yuna)

I don’t know the genders of Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. But even men get upset if someone calls them fat. No one wants to be labeled as fat.

“Swaying Bear, you can let her go now.” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

Swaying Bear got off the top of Shin.o.bu.

“It was heavy.” (Shin.o.bu)

“It’s Shin.o.bu’s fault.” (Sakura)

Sakura reprimanded her softly.

“Because I’m curious. When she opens the door, she can go to other places. It’s mysterious.” (Shin.o.bu)

I can’t help but understand that feeling. I was also impressed when I first saw and used magic.

“Missy, can we come in now?” (Mumroot)

“Ah, sorry. You can come in.” (Yuna)

Mumroot-san and Ruimin, who were at the other side of the bear gate, entered the bear gate.

“Mumroot?” (Kagali)

“Kagali?” (Mumroot)

Kagali-san slowly approaches Mumroot-san.

“Is it really you, Mumuroot?” (Kagali)

She checked once more.

“It’s been a long time.” (Mumroot)

“Do you know how many hundreds of years I’ve been waiting for you? You fool!” (Kagali)

Kagali-san’s fist struck Mumroot-san on the chest. It’s been hundreds of years since they’ve seen each other. Maybe it’s not the same as my idea of a reunion, but I can’t even imagine what it feels like to see someone again after hundreds of years.

“Mumroot, Mumroot” (Kagali)

“I’m sorry.” (Mumroot)

Kagali-san cried in Mumroot-san’s chest.

We waited quietly so as not to disturb their reunion.

“Have you calmed down?” (Mumroot)

After a while, Kagali-san withdrew from Mumroot-san.

“I’m sorry. Sakura and Shin.o.bu, please forget about what just happened.” (Kagali)

“Yes” (Sakura)

“I didn’t see anything, so it’s okay.” (Shin.o.bu)

The two pretended not to see.

They’re both very kind people.

“So, is that pretty girl over there the granddaughter of Mumroot you were talking about earlier?” (Kagali)

Kagali-san looked at Ruimin.

“Etto, yes. I’m Ruimin.”

Ruimin bowed a little and gave her name.

“You have a lovely granddaughter, she’s just like you, Mumroot. My name is Kagali, and I was once taken care of by Mumroot a long time ago.”

“My name is Sakura. Ruimin-sama, pleased to meet you.”

Kagali-san introduced herself, then Sakura also introduced herself after Kagali-san.

“Eh? -sama? Please, just Ruimin is fine.”

Ruimin waved her hands broadly side to side, declining the honorifics.

“But you are the granddaughter of the one who helped us seal the serpent in the past. That’s why I have to add it.” (Sakura)

“I’m not great enough to be called that, so please don’t call me that.” (Ruimin)

“I see. Then may I call you Ruimin-san?” (Sakura)

“Yes, then, in return, can I call you Sakura-chan?” (Ruimin)

“Yes” (Sakura)

Sakura looks happy. Maybe she was happy to be called Sakura-chan.

“I’m Shin.o.bu. Ruimin, nice to meet you.”

That greeting was light. But Ruimin didn’t seem bothered by it.

“Yes, it’s nice to meet you. Shin.o.bu-san.” (Ruimin)

The introduction of everyone is now over.

=====

Author’s Note:

Mumroot-san and Kagali-san have reunited.

I feel at ease with Ruimin. w