Kumayuru and Kumakyu ran through the forest.
Instead of going through the cave, we ran through the forest, over the cliffs, and through the hordes of monsters, and in no time, we were back at the entrance to the forest.
Meanwhile, not only Marne-san, Lydia-san and Zect-san were also shouting.
Their voice was especially loud when we broke through the horde of monsters.
"That's a lie." (Zect)
"The path we took so long to travel..." (Lydia)
On the way there, I didn't know my destination, so I went slowly. On the way back, I just went straight home without worrying about it.
If you know where you started, just go back there.
There's no need for landmarks.
"Kumayuru, Kumakyu, are you okay?" (Yuna)
"Kyuu~n!" (Both Kuma)
It still seemed okay.
After taking a short break, I swapped Kumayuru and Kumakyu and set off.
If they got sulky, it would be a problem.
We set off again and returned to the highway.
"Let's continue on to Lydia-san's town." (Yuna)
With us on board, Kumayuru and Kumakyu continued on the way and soon arrived in town.
"I can't believe it. That's, the town." (Zect)
"I want Kumayuru-chan and Kumakyu-chan" (Lydia)
"For now, let's get off. If we continue riding on Kumayuru and Kumakyu, they'll be surprised, so let's walk from here." (Yuna)
In Crimonia, I could enter even if Kumayuru and Kumakyu were large, but if it was an unfamiliar town, that's not the case.
It would be a problem if they caused a commotion and couldn't get into town, so Kumayuru and Kumakyu were sent home.
We walked into the town.
At the entrance to the town, the gatekeeper gave me a suspicious look, but didn't say anything.
Wherever I went, I would stand out in bear clothes.
"Well then, let's go to Lydia's house." (Marne)
Marne-san told Lydia-san to show us the way.
We headed straight for Lydia-san's house.
Needless to say, it attracted a lot of attention.
"Here it is." (Lydia)
We arrived at a small, slightly old-fashioned house.
Is it the influence of the orphanage that makes me want to repair things with magic?
When I entered the house, there was a woman there.
"Mom, I'm home."
The woman approached and embraced them both.
"Welcome home. I'm glad you're safe. Are you hurt?" (Woman)
"We're okay"
"Yeah"
Feeling relieved, the woman left the two of them.
"Um...what about those girls over there?" (Woman)
The woman turned to us who were standing behind Lydia-san.
"The one dressed as a cute bear is Yuna-chan, and the little girl is Marne-san." (Lydia)
Lydia-san's mother looked at us curiously.
"Um, Yuna-chan and.... Marne-san?" (Woman)
Apparently, even though I was older looking, she was confused by the fact that I was being called "chan" and that Marne-san, who was a smaller looking girl, was being called "san."
"Marne-san is a half-elf and older than me." (Yuna)
"That's right. I'm Camilla, Lydia's and Zect's mother. So, why are these girls at home?" (Woman → Camilla)
"Marne-san works at the Ministry of Magic in the Royal Capital and is knowledgeable about potions, so she's been helping me make a medicine for sister's illness." (Lydia)
"I can't guarantee that I'll be able to cure her. But for now, please let me examine her." (Marne)
If Marne-san couldn't cure her, maybe it'd be my turn.
As things stand, if medication could cure it, I didn't think there's any need for me to help.
"So, is Est okay?" (Lydia)
Lydia-san asked.
I wondered if Est was their sister's name.
"She's feeling better now, but there were times when she had a fever and a cough that wouldn't stop. You all came to see her and were worried about her."
We moved to their sister's room.
"Est, I'm coming in." (Lydia)
Calling into the room, Lydia-san opened the door.
A girl around 16 years old was lying on the bed in the room.
She was Lydia-san's younger sister.
Her name was Est.
Est tried to get up.
"Onee-chan, onii-chan" (Est)
"Don't push yourself too hard." (Lydia)
Lydia-san ran over and supported Est's body.
"I'm okay, onee-chan. So, who's that bear?" (Est)
Est looked at me standing in front of the door.
After all, it would be a bit worrying if there was a bear in your room.
"I'm Yuna, an adventurer. This time, I worked with Lydia-san and Zect-san." (Yuna)
"Adventurer!" (Est)
"And this girl is Marne-san. She's half-elf, older than us." (Lydia)
Lydia-san introduced Marne-san.
"...older." (Est)
"I'm a pharmachist. I've come to examine your illness. Can I examine your symptoms?" (Marne)
Their sister seemed surprised that Marne-san was older than all of us and that she was a pharmacist.
"Marne-san is one of the best pharmacists in the royal capital, so I'm sure she can cure Est's illness." (Lydia)
"The royal capital?! It's fine. We don't have the money to have someone that amazing examine me." (Est)
"Don't worry about money. I'll work hard."
"I don't want you two to do dangerous work because of me. You might come home injured. When I'm gone." (Est)
"Don't say stupid things."
"That's right. We don't want Est to die." (Zect)
"But I'm always causing trouble for my mother." (Est)
"What are you talking about? Children grow up causing trouble for their parents." (Camilla)
"……mom" (Est)
"So don't think you should die."
What is this? This feeling of deja vu.
I think it's happened before.
"Yes, yes, that's enough. I'm going to check for symptoms, so everyone except Lydia and Yuna please leave the room." (Marne)
"Am I staying?" (Yuna)
"Of course. You're my bodyguard." (Marne)
I didn't think that's relevant now.
For the time being, following Marne-san's instructions, Zect-san and Camilla left the room.
"For now, lie down. It must be painful." (Marne)
"……okay" (Est)
When Est lied down on the bed, she looked like she was in pain.
Marne-san placed her hand on Est's forehead.
"...That's pretty high. I remember they said that you had red bumps on your body." (Marne)
She rolled up her sleeves and checked.
Indeed, there were red spots.
"Next I'll take off your clothes, okay?" (Marne)
It was not only on the front, but also on the back.
Marne-san checked it out.
"...Okay. You can put your clothes on." (Marne)
"Marne-san, will she get better?" (Lydia)
Lydia-san asked anxiously.
"It's okay, she'll get better so don't worry. Get some sleep and wait." (Marne)
Marne-san gently stroked the sister's head with her small hands.
We then left the room.
When we came out of the room, Camilla and Zect-san were there, looking worried.
"Umm, my daughter." (Camilla)
"That's right. There are a lot of things we need to explain. Before that, do you have any medicine left for your sister?" (Marne)
"If that, here." (Camilla)
The mother gave the medicine.
"May I keep this?" (Marne)
"That is... if my daughter's fever rises." (Camilla)
"Then have her take this medicine." (Marne)
Marne-san took out a vial.
"If she drinks this, will she be cured?"
"Just to keep the heat down." (Marne)
"So it doesn't heal?"
"It's okay, just calm down." (Marne)
Marne-san calmed Zect-san and Lydia-san.
"Anyway, I'm heading to the Commercial Guild now. Lydia, show me the way." (Marne)
We left Est to Camilla and Zect-san and headed towards the Commercial Guild.
"What are you going to do at the Commercial Guild? Are you going to sell medicinal herbs?"
"I just want to check something." (Marne)
We came to the Commercial Guild.
Once inside the Commercial Guild, Marne-san headed straight for the reception desk and said, "Call the guild master."
"Umm, young lady. The guild master is a busy man, so if you have something to say, I'll listen." (Receptionist)
"I'll say it again. Call the Guild Master." (Marne)
Saying this, Marne-san showed her card to the receptionist.
The receptionist compared the card with Marne-san.
"Hurry up or I'll get you fired." (Marne)
"Oh, please wait." (Receptionist)
The receptionist hurriedly got up from her seat and headed towards the back.
"I don't really like doing this kind of thing. I get looked down upon because of my appearance." (Marne)
I understand how you feel.
I, too, was always treated like a child and made fun of because I was dressed as a bear.
As we were having this conversation, the receptionist brought in a man in his 40s.
"Marne-sensei" (GM)
"It's been a while." (Marne)
Sensei?
We were led into a back room.
"It's been a while, Marne-sensei. So, what brings you here?" (GM)
"For now, please give me some information about the pharmacists in this city." (Marne)
"I'll have it ready right away." (Guild master)
The Guild Master left the room.
"Marne-san, do you know the Guild Master?" (Yuna)
"He's an old student of mine. I told you that I occasionally teach at the academy in the royal capital. He is a student from that time." (Marne)
"So, the Guild Master is a pharmacist?" (Yuna)
"No. I think he was the youngest son of some merchant. He took my lessons to learn the value of medicinal herbs. But he made fun of me for being so young at the time, so I gave him a good scolding." (Marne)
I can't believe that this incident has still traumatized him and he is still obedient to her.
"What did you do?" (Yuna)
"It's about his reputation." (Marne)
I'm curious.
As we were talking, the guild master returned.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here is the information about the pharmacists in this city." (GM)
Marne-san took the paper and checked it.
"Lydia, who are you getting your medicine from?" (Marne)
"It's Corbeau." (Lydia)
"This one, right?" (Marne)
Marne-san flicked the paper with her fingers.
"Thank you. It helped me." (Marne)
Marne-san thanked the guild master and stood up.
"Marne-sensei. Are you doing something?" (GM)
"Yes, I'll give him a little punishment. For now, you're not allowed to say anything. Tell that receptionist to keep quiet about me. If anyone finds out about my presence, you'll have to take responsibility." (Marne)
"I will have the guild staff to keep quiet as soon as possible." (GM)
"I'm counting on you." (Marne)
We left the Commercial Guild behind.
"Lydia, I'd like to go to this address. Do you know where it is?" (Marne)
Marne-san pointed to the paper she had received earlier and showed it.
Lydia-san peered at the paper.
"...I know, though." (Lydia)
"Show me." (Marne)
Lydia-san did as she was told and gave directions.
Author's Note
We arrived in the city.
All that's left now is to cure Lydia-san's sister's illness and defeat the evil pharmacist.
Side story volume 3 is scheduled for release on December 20th
*Posting will occur every 4 days.
*If I will be taking a break, I will announce it in the postscript, and if I am suddenly unable to post, I will let you know in the activity report or on X (formerly Twitter).
*"Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear" comic chapter 128 (11/13) is currently available on PASH UP (Niconico Manga chapter 123 is currently available)
*Episode 20 of the "Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear" spin-off is currently available on PASH UP (episode 17 is currently available on NicoNico Manga)
If you have time, please check out the comic version.
[Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear to be released]
Book volume 20.5 was released on May 2, 2024. (The next volume, volume 21, is planned and in the works.)
The 12th volume of the comic was released on August 3, 2024. (The release date for the next volume, 13, has not yet been decided.)
Comicalized spin-off volume 2 was released on March 5, 2024. (The next volume, volume 3, is scheduled for release on December 20th.)
The 11th volume of the paperback edition was released on October 4, 2024. (The deadline for the campaign to win a big acrylic stand featuring Yuna and Shuri on the cover is January 20, 2025. 20 lucky winners will receive a prize.) (The release date for the next volume, 12th volume, has not yet been decided.)
*Thank you to everyone who reports typos.
Some of the kanji have been corrected to match the book, so please understand that there are some parts that have not been corrected.