Fina suggested that the prize be stuffed toys of Kumayuru and Kumakyu.
"I don't think Reversi and stuffed animals have anything to do with each other though" (Yuna)
"If you say that, I don't think the all-you-can-eat restaurants have anything to do with it." (Lianna)
Surely.
When she said that, I couldn't argue.
"But why stuffed animals?" (Yuna)
"Kumayuru and Kumakyu are popular with children, so I thought more people would participate." (Fina)
"That's certainly a good idea. Bears are very popular in Crimonia thanks to the influence of Yuna-san's shop." (Lianna)
Lianna-san nodded in agreement with Fina's idea.
As the two of them said, although they were exclusive to Crimonia, bears were popular.
I heard that there were a lot of people who wanted the bears that I had on display in my store.
The bear uniforms worn by the children were also popular.
This was only available in Crimonia, but if I walked around town with Kumayuru and Kumakyu, children would sometimes gather around me.
"So I think if we offer Kumayuru and Kumakyu stuffed animals as prizes, a lot of kids will participate." (Fina)
"Yes. There may be adults with children who are trying hard to get them for their children." (Lianna)
"I'm sure there are" (Fina)
Fina spoke forcefully in response to Lianna-san's words.
There had been talk of selling Kumayuru and Kumakyu stuffed animals, but permission had not been given.
The reason was that if there were a lot of Kumayuru and Kumakyu stuffed animals left unsold in the store, I would be sad.
Furthermore, if only one of them were to sell, it would be a shame for Kumayuru and Kumakyu.
If only Kumayuru sold and Kumakyu didn't, I would be sad. Of course, the opposite was also true.
There was a way to sell them as a set, but when I heard people at the store said, "I don't want this one," it brought me to tears. Also, there were always people who said, "I'll just buy one, and I want it at half price."
I did not permit the sale of Kumayuru and Kumakyu stuffed animals because it could cause psychological damage.
The Kumayuru and Kumakyu stuffed animals were for those involved only.
By the way, when I gave gifts, I always gave them as a set.
If the prizes this time were Kumayuru and Kumakyu stuffed animals, I would like them as a set.
For now, I decided to adopt Fina's idea.
"Well, since some kids might not be interested in stuffed animals, let's add one free ticket." (Yuna)
I was thinking boys would prefer food over stuffed animals.
Lianna-san told me that it would cost more, but I didn't worry about it.
"So this is the prize, right?" (Yuna)
I'll remake the flyer right away. (Lianna)
"Wait" (Yuna)
I stopped Lianna-san as she tried to stand up.
A poster was only a poster if it stood out.
"I think people who aren't interested will probably just ignore the poster." (Yuna)
"I understand what you're trying to say, Yuna-san, but I don't know how to get people interested in it." (Lianna)
People who are not interested would not pay any attention to the poster or stop to look.
We had to think about how to get a person to stop in front of the poster.
As was common in my original world, many of the posters featured pictures of famous people.
If it was a celebrity you liked, you would stop and look, even a poster with a cute illustration might stop you.
I said this from experience, so you could trust it.
"How about putting a picture on the poster?" (Yuna)
"A picture?" (Lianna)
I took out paper and pen from Bear Box and quickly sketched out a rough sketch.
It was like a little boy and girl playing Reversi.
"By the way, Yuna-san, you can draw, can't you?" (Lianna)
Maybe she knew the picture of Mylaine-san I drew before.
"If there's a painting, it will catch people's attention, so they'll stop and take a look, you know" (Yuna)
"Posters for plays and other events have pictures of actors on them. If you see pictures, you can kind of understand Reversi." (Lianna)
It was still rough, but she seemed to understand.
"But if we were to arrange for an artist now, it would take time..." (Lianna)
"I'll draw it." (Yuna)
"Really?" (Lianna)
This was a ship I had embarked on.
I decided to lend a hand to make the Reversi tournament a success.
"I hope this will bring people together." (Lianna)
You wouldn't know until you tried it.
"Fina, if you have any ideas, let me know." (Yuna)
"Well, maybe it would be nice to have somewhere where they can experience that." (Fina)
"Experience?" (Yuna)
"Even if you're interested, you can't do it unless you buy it, right?" (Fina)
We couldn't do it without Reversi.
"If you have a friend or acquaintance who has one, you can. But if not..." (Fina)
Fina was right.
Maybe some of you don't have any friends like me.
There are probably some people who want to do it but can't.
Reversi cannot be played by one person.
As a former hikikomori, I'm a failure.
I understood what it was like to be alone, but I had forgotten what it felt like to be alone because I could invite Fina, Noa, and the others and they would come.
"And I think some people just can't afford it." (Fina)
"Right, but if you give it to someone who can't afford it..." (Yuna)
"So I thought it might be nice if there was somewhere we could rent it out." (Fina)
In other words, it was a battle space.
I had never been inside, but apparently card game shops had tables where you could play against others whenever you like.
If we lent out Reversi, they could play against anyone as long as there was a table.
"If only there was even a little bit of interest..." (Fina)
Indeed, Fina was right.
It would be fine if even 10% of those who were interested participated.
1 out of 10 people.
10 out of 100 people.
As the denominator increased, the number of people increased.
If 20% of people participated, the number would double.
If more people become interested, they might then spread the word.
I hoped to broaden the circle of interest even just a little.
"That's a good idea." (Yuna)
"I think it's a great idea, too. But you need space and people to rent it out, which means it costs money." (Lianna)
So, "It's impossible," said Lianna-san.
I understood what Lianna-san was saying.
"Then we can do it at my store." (Yuna)
"At Yuna-san store?" (Lianna)
If it were my store, there would be space.
"But won't that slow down turnover at stores?" (Lianna)
"It gets crowded at lunchtime, but I think it'll be fine at other times. I'll have to discuss it with Tilmina-san and Karin-san though." (Yuna)
After lunch, many women and customers with children come to relax and enjoy cakes and puddings.
Some customers came to drink tea.
I hoped they could take the time to play Reversi.
Also, at lunchtime, many people came to eat during their free time from work, so I didn't think they had time to play Reversi.
The other problem was the teacher and the opponent.
It would be impossible to ask the children who worked in the store.
It would be interfering with their work.
All we could do was rent it out.
First of all, would a single game of Reversi last about 10 minutes?
Maybe that was just how it was if you just placed them one after another, but some people took a long time to think about it.
The problem arose again.
"Lianna-san, is there a time limit? Some people take a long time to think things through, you see." (Yuna)
"We don't have a set time, but if someone takes too long, we'll probably give them a warning." (Lianna)
"You should put that on the flyer too." (Yuna)
I had heard that professional shogi and go players would think long and hard because they could read dozens of moves ahead. Amateurs certainly wouldn't do that.
Maybe it was just that I didn't do it, but how about everyone?
"When you play Reversi, do you think several moves ahead?" (Yuna)
"Several moves ahead?" (Lianna)
"If I put it here, my opponent will put it here, then I'll put it here, and then my opponent will put it here, and so on. Do you think about several moves ahead?" (Yuna)
"Really? Is that something you have to think about in Reversi? I don't think too deeply about it because I don't know where my opponent is going to place the pieces. All I think about is making sure my opponent can't take the edges and corners and making sure I can take them myself." (Lianna)
Exactly. That was what amateurs were like.
A professional might have a set strategy and place the stones in the places you think they should.
First of all, there were no such things as professional Reversi players in this world, so we should stop thinking too much about that and think about your opponent next.
Back to square one.
As I was thinking about this, my eyes met with Fina.
She was right in front of me.
"Fina, the kids at the orphanage play Reversi, right?" (Yuna)
"Yeah, I do it with them sometimes too." (Fina)
"Well, when you've finished taking care of the birds this morning, why don't you come over to the shop and play Reversi with the customers?" (Yuna)
"With the children?" (Fina)
"If you've been doing it for a while, I assume you're better than most. Plus, I thought I might give you a little advice." (Yuna)
Apparently taking out the corners and edges gave you an advantage.
That was all I knew too.
There was a good chance that they knew more than I did.
"We could separate the children into those who are good, those who are average, and those who are not yet used to it, and have them practice with the customers." (Yuna)
Beginners would be paired with less experienced players. Once they had become reasonably skilled, they would be matched with more experienced players. As they got better, they could pick out the best players.
"It would certainly be helpful if the children could keep an eye on them." (Lianna)
"Well, this also depends on the children at the orphanage, so I can't decide on my own, so I'll check it out together with the store issue." (Yuna)
"Please do" (Lianna)
The discussion was over and the direction was decided.
All that was left was to move.
"Yuna-san, thank you very much. I'll do my best to promote it." (Lianna)
"I'll also check with Tilmina-san and Karin-san to see if they can do it at the store, and I'll ask the kids at the orphanage." (Yuna)
Fina and I left the Commercial Guild.
Author's Note
Yuna has only just come back, but she's already working.
*Posting will occur every 4 days.
*If I take a break, I will inform you in the postscript, and if I am suddenly unable to post, I will inform you via X (formerly Twitter). (I'm sorry if I can't)
*131st chapter of the "Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear" comic is currently available on PASH UP! neo (125th chapter of NicoNico Manga is currently available)
*Episode 23 of the "Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear" spin-off is currently available on PASH UP! neo (Episode 20 of NicoNico Manga is currently available)
If you have time, please check out the comic version.
[Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear to be released]
Book 21 released on February 7, 2025. (Next volume, volume 22, 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 Gaiden Volume 3 was released on December 20, 2024. (The release date for the next volume, Volume 4, has not yet been decided.)
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.
Please note that some kanji characters have not been corrected as they have been corrected to match the book.