It's been a few days since I returned from a short trip with Noa and the others.
I'm withdrawing from the reaction from going out.
When I was sleeping with Kumayuru and Kumakyu as cushions, Fina, who was there to do the dismantling work, warned me, "Yuna-onee-chan, you're sloppy."
"Fina-okaa-san is strict" (Yuna)
Well, Fina warns me about various things, but there is a part of me that is happy that she cares about me.
If you're alone, there's no one to worry about you.
Recently, I've been coming to the hot springs at Land of Harmoni almost every day to relax.
"Did you come again today?" (Kagari)
Kagari-san says in shock.
"It's fine, isn't it? It's the house I received after all." (Yuna)
"That's right, but you have to be careful about Suzuran." (Kagari)
"I know." (Yuna)
I head to the hot springs with Kumayuru and Kumakyu, who have turned into cubs.
I take off my bear costume, get naked, wash my body, and take a bath in the lukewarm hot springs.
I can't relax in hot springs, so I prefer lukewarm hot springs.
"Haha~" (Yuna)
Oh, it feels so good.
I received something really nice.
At first, I thought it would be a good idea to get such a big house with a hot spring, but Sakura and the others told me that it was cheap considering the country was destroyed by a giant snake.
Now that I have received it, I am grateful to be able to use it.
After enjoying the hot springs, I headed to Kagari-san.
As usual, Kagari-san is drinking alcohol in the form of a little girl.
"It's not good for your health if you drink too much." (Yuna)
"Don't say the same thing as Suzuran." (Kagari)
"Maybe the reason you can't get back to your normal self is because you're drinking alcohol?" (Yuna)
At my words, the cup in Kagari-san's hand stops.
I've heard that alcohol is good for the body in small amounts, but drinking too much is bad.
"What do you mean?" (Kagari)
"Kagari-san is different from normal people. Maybe the mana for growth or the strength of your constitution is being used to heal the parts that have deteriorated due to alcohol. That's what I thought." (Yuna)
"It's true that the last time I got back together, I didn't drink because I slept for a long time." (Kagari)
"Then you should refrain from drinking alcohol..." (Yuna)
"That's impossible!" (Kagari)
Kagari-san said that, her hand moved to his mouth, the cup was placed on her mouth, and she gulped down the drink.
"There's no way I can stop drinking!" (Kagari)
Even if it's said so forcefully. As someone who doesn't drink alcohol, I have no idea how delicious alcohol is.
Is it impossible to stop drinking alcohol?
There is also a word called abstinence, and it may be difficult.
It may be the same as how I couldn't ban games, anime, or manga.
But when I came to this world, I was able to quit because I didn't have everything, but I still miss it.
If I had it handy, I would play games and read manga.
I'm curious about the sequel to that game, and I'm also curious about the continuation of that manga.
It's hard to stop doing something you love.
Well, Kagari-san isn't a bad drinker, so she doesn't cause trouble to others.
Moreover, even if a person is unable to return to adulthood due to alcohol, it is the person's responsibility.
In that case, I think it's okay to let her drink whatever she wants.
However, there are people who are worried about Kagari-san, so I want her to take care of herself.
I remember Fina worrying about me.
Let's stop worrying about Fina as much as possible.
There's a saying that goes, "Look at how other people pretend to be and pretend like you're not."
That's what I was thinking while watching Kagari-san.
"Here, Kumayuru, come here." (Kagari)
Kagari-san calls Kumayuru.
Kumayuru obediently heads towards Kagari-san.
Does that mean he trust Kagari-san?
When the Kumayuru comes near, Kagari-san asks me to make him a regular-sized Kumayuru. When I return Kumayuru to its normal size, Kagari-san leans against Kumayuru.
"It feels good." (Kagari)
"Kyuu~n" (Kumayuru)
"Fox is the best, but I'll give second place to the bear." (Kagari)
"Kyuu~n" (Kumayuru)
"You're the best, right? You're the best, but you're number two, and I can't compromise on this one!" (Kagari)
Somehow, a fight between the fox and the bear has begun, but since it's the usual thing, I'll leave it alone.
I move with Kumakyu to the window, return Kumakyu to normal size, and lean against him like Kagari-san.
Then I look outside.
A beautiful lake.
It's peaceful.
Only the sound of Kagari-san drinking alcohol can be heard.
As things calmed down, I slept at my house in Land of Harmoni for the rest of the day.
The next day, I woke up to the morning sun.
Kagari-san was sleeping with Kumayuru in her arms.
Kumayuru carried Kagari-san to keep her from catching a cold.
For some reason, we're good friends.
"So, it's already morning?" (Kagari)
As I stood up and relaxed, Kagari-san also woke up.
"Good morning. I'm going to prepare breakfast. Do you want to eat it?" (Yuna)
"Oh, let's get it." (Kagari)
I take out the bread that Morin-san baked from the bear box.
Prepare fruits for Kumayuru and Kumakyu.
"So, what are your plans for today?" (Kagari)
I haven't decided anything in particular.
I don't have a job, and I live a life of freedom.
However, I know it won't work, but since I'm lazy, I won't take the initiative and do the work.
I thought for a moment and saw Kumayuru and Kumakyu eating fruit.
"That's right. I'm thinking of going to Targui to pick some fruit." (Yuna)
Replenishment of fruit.
"Then, I will go too." (Kagari)
"Kagari-san too?" (Yuna)
"Just killing time." (Kagari)
Well, I have no problem with it, so I agree.
After breakfast, Kagari-san and I used Bear's Transfer Gate to move to Targui.
"I can't believe we're on top of that Targui." (Kagari)
Even I can't believe it.
The name Targui was written in the book left behind by the person who was investigating this place, but no one can judge whether it is actually true or not.
After all, Targui is a mythical creature.
Kagari-san and I ride Kumayuru and Kumakyu to the place where the fruits are.
There are various fruits such as apples, bananas, and oranges.
Some look like peaches.
We also have strawberries, so we will secure them.
I'm grateful to have a variety of fruits and vegetables regardless of the season.
"Can I bring some as a souvenir to Sakura?" (Kagari)
"Sure" (Yuna)
Kagari-san collects fruits with Kumayuru.
I also collect fruits together with Kumakyu.
"Look, that fruit looks delicious." (Kagari)
"Kyuu~n" (Kumayuru)
Kagari-san points his finger and lets Kumayuru pick it up.
Kagari-san is short so it can't be helped. Although Kumayuru complains, he still picks the fruits as told.
"There were quite a few people." (Kagari)
"It would be a waste if you couldn't eat all of it, so I guess this is all you need." (Yuna)
A bear box would be fine, but I don't think Kagari-san's item bag is time-stopped, so I said that.
"That's right." (Kagari)
"If you want to eat something, come back again." (Yuna)
Bear's Transfer Gate has been set up, so you can come anytime.
I was curious about where Targui was, so Kagari-san and I decided to look around before heading home.
"By the way, have you ever been to that town?" (Kagari)
"That town, you mean that town full of slime?" (Yuna)
From Kagari-san's words, I think it's about a town where there was a giant slime.
"In that case, I haven't been there." (Yuna)
"Is it so" (Kagari)
"But if I have time, I'd like to go again." (Yuna)
It's good to go to other cities from that slime town.
Maybe I'll be able to meet the two people I met back then.
"If you ever go, you can bring me with you." (Kagari)
Perhaps Kagari-san has finished his role of watching over the serpent seal and has too much time on his hands.
It looked like it was fun when we went to the elf village.
"That's right. Please let me know then." (Kagari)
Kagari-san and I travel around Targui, riding Kumayuru and Kumakyu.
"All I can see is the ocean."
"I agree"
As always, all I can see is the sea.
When I came with Noa and the others a few days ago, there was nothing but the ocean around us.
The direction Targui is heading is set at 12 o'clock on the clock, and we start at 6 o'clock at the back and go clockwise.
It passes around 9 o'clock and comes around the head of Targui.
Just when I thought I couldn't see anything, I saw land in the 1 o'clock direction.
"Snowy mountain?" (Yuna)
What I saw was a white mountain.
"It seems so." (Kagari)
"I wonder if there are people living there." (Yuna)
"I really don't know." (Kagari)
Well, you can't see anything with the naked eye.
All I can see is the snowy mountains.
Unlike Land of Harmoni, there are no ships out at sea.
So, I can't judge from here whether there are people or not.
"Besides, it’s probably not suitable for people to live in." (Kagari)
Some people live in snowy mountains, but it's easier to live in places without snow.
It's been a long time since I've seen land from Targui, so I feel like going there.
As I was wondering what to do, I saw the mouth of the white bear puppet on my left glowing.
What?
When I checked the bear box, a certain item was glowing.
"Is that from the giant snake?" (Kagari)
"Yeah" (Yuna)
[Bear Signpost]
It was found after defeating the serpent.
"The light is heading towards that snowy mountain." (Kagari)
Just as Kagari-san said, the "Bear Signpost" taken out of the bear box lights up, and a single beam of light heads towards the snowy mountain.
Author's Note
This is a new story.
This is a bear signpost. This is a nostalgic item.
Some of you may have forgotten, but she got it after defeating the giant snake.
I think this will be the beginning of a new adventure for Yuna.
However, we apologize for the inconvenience, but we will take a break next time.
The 起 (Origin) and 結 (Conclusion) have been decided, but the concept of 承 "Jou" and 転 "Ten" has not yet been finalized, so I would appreciate it if you could give me some time.
...
*Thank you to everyone who reports typos.
Please note that some kanji have been revised to match the book, so some may not have been revised.