Chapter 496

Bear-san, Wears Kimono

We bought wind chimes, took a peek at a street performance, and returned to the front of the mansion where we left Sakura. A gatekeeper stood at the entrance of the mansion.

“Yuna-san, if I show them this card, I can meet Sakura-chan, right?” (Ruimin)

“I think so.” (Yuna)

That’s what King Suou claimed earlier on.

“This time, I’m here with you, so it’s okay.” (Shinobu)

“So, does that mean I didn’t need it this time?” (Yuna)

“It’s unnecessary, but it’s still a good idea to show it. The influence would be different between the guest I brought and the holder of the card given by King Suou. Even if you do something rude, you won’t be scrutinized. Besides, they won’t ask any unnecessary questions.” (Shinobu)

“Is that so?” (Yuna)

“If you have that card, it means you’re one of the kingdom’s officials. No one would want to incur the displeasure of such a person.” (Shinobu)

“On the other hand, doesn’t that mean some strange people might approach me for this?” (Yuna)

“Well, I can’t say it won’t happen, but as long as you don’t show it off too much, you should be fine.” (Shinobu)

We came to the gate.

“Thanks for your hard work.” (Shinobu)

“Good work, Shinobu-dono. Are they guests of Sakura-sama?” (Gatekeeper)

“That’s right. All of them are Sakura-sama’s friends.” (Shinobu)

The gatekeeper looked at us.

“The bear from the other day?” (Gatekeeper)

Apparently, he knows me.

I don’t remember his face, but he looks like the gatekeeper who was there when I was first brought here by Shinobu.

“Are you listening?” (Gatekeeper)

“I hear ya.” (Yuna)

Then, after he said that, he looked at Ruimin and me.

Perhaps he’s piecing together the connection between my bear outfit and an elf girl.

“Both of you, please show them your cards.” (Shinobu)

Ruimin and I showed our cards to the gatekeeper.

“Please, come in.” (Gatekeeper)

The gatekeeper let us through without saying anything else. We entered the building and went to Sakura’s room.

“Sakura-sama, I’m back.” (Shinobu)

“Please come in.” (Sakura)

When I entered the room, Sakura was sitting on a cushion by the wall, writing. Then she turned around.

“Are you working perhaps?” (Yuna)

“No, I’m not. It’s all right. Did you all enjoy the city?” (Sakura)

“Yeah, I had a lot of things I hadn’t seen before, and it was fun.” (Ruimin)

Ruimin answered with a smile.

“I’m glad to hear that. Now, I would like to visit the places where you live.” (Sakura)

“I will invite you next time.” (Yuna)

“I’ll look forward to it.” (Sakura)

Yeah, I’d like to take Sakura to Crimonia and the elf village.

“So which places did you visit?” (Sakura)

We talked about what we saw and what we ate.

“It stunk so bad.” (Shuri)

“Fufu, natto was it? It certainly has a peculiar smell. It may be difficult for the first-timers.” (Sakura)

“Sakura, do you eat it too?” (Ruimin)

“Yes, I eat it.” (Sakura)

Well, if you grew up in a culture with natto in your diet, you would naturally eat it.

Then Ruimin and Shuri happily talked about the city. Fina was sitting next to me, smiling.

“Also, Yuna-san bought me something that makes beautiful sounds.” (Ruimin)

“Makes beautiful sounds?” (Sakura)

Sakura tilted her head slightly without being able to understand what Ruimin was saying.

“Wind chimes. They don’t sell wind chimes in our country.” (Yuna)

“I see.” (Sakura)

“Ah, I didn’t buy Sakura-chan’s wind chimes.” (Ruimin)

Ruimin’s expression darkened as she remembered.

“Fufu, don’t worry. I have a wind chime. When I heard your story, I suddenly had the urge of wanting to hear the sound of the wind chime. I’ll put it out later.” (Sakura)

After that, they happily continued to talk about eating shaved ice or seeing something. Sakura enthusiastically listened to their stories.

She really was a mature girl. She’s an adult-like child with a different type of spirit than Fina.

“You’ve all been to a lot of different places.” (Sakura)

“We also looked at the clothes. Clothes in this country are beautiful, but they look hard to move in.” (Fina)

Indeed, it was inconvenient to move around in a kimono because it goes down to the feet. The cuffs of the arms were also wide, so it was inconvenient to swing the arms around. Also, I have an image that the obi was tight. If the stomach swelled up, it would be painful.

“Did you want to wear one?” (Sakura)

“I told her I would buy it for her. But Fina said no.” (Yuna)

I looked at Fina.

“I can’t ask you to buy me something that expensive. And even if you did, I would never wear it so that it would be a waste of money.” (Fina)

Well, I know the feeling. Neither Fina nor I have ever worn the dress Noa gave us for Misa’s birthday party. Even if I had bought them kimonos, they would never have had a chance to wear them. It’s no wonder she thought it was a waste of money.

“I’m not copying Fina-chan. But I don’t want you to buy me such an expensive item.”(Ruimin)

“I prefer food over clothes.” (Shuri)

Such words coming out of Ruimin and Shuri.

“But I would like to see you guys in kimonos.” (Yuna)

“That’s right. I want to see it too.” (Sakura)

Sakura agreed with me. Then Sakura looked at Fina and the others.

“If it’s my clothes, Fina can wear them. If it’s the clothes I wore when I was little, Shuri can wear them. Ruimin is a little bigger than me, but we don’t have anything she can’t wear.” (Sakura)

Sakura nodded as if to confirm.

Perhaps she’s trying to get them to wear a kimono?

I agree with her, but I would like to refrain from wearing one.

“Fufu, Yuna-sama, I’ll prepare your clothes too, so it’ll be okay.” (Sakura)

Sakura says with a smile on her face.

“Nah, I’m good…”(Yuna)

“Shinobu, please help me prepare kimonos for everyone.” (Sakura)

“Roger that.” (Shinobu)

Sakura and Shinobu got up and left the room without listening to my words.

Will I have to wear one too?

After a while, a wicker clothes hamper was brought into the room.

“Thank you for your patience.” (Sakura)

Sakura opened the lid, which was as big as her body.

“Now, which one would suit you?” (Sakura)

Sakura happily checked the inside of the hamper.

“Let me know if you guys have any favorite colors.” (Sakura)

They couldn’t escape from Sakura and became her dress-up dolls at that moment.

Me? I tried to escape, but I couldn’t. In the first place, there was nowhere to run, and I couldn’t leave Fina and the others behind. So, I decided to join the others and wear a kimono. Unlike the party when I was wearing a dress, I wasn’t going out in public, so I didn’t feel as much rejection as I did then. I would have resisted if I had to walk around town in a kimono.

“I think Yuna-sama would look good on this.” (Sakura)

Sakura showed me a black kimono with a bright white and red flower pattern.

“I’ll try it on later.” (Yuna)

“If Yuna-oneesan changes clothes, I will change my clothes too.” (Fina)

“I want to see Yuna-oneechan change her clothes.” (Shuri)

“I will change my clothes when Yuna-san changes clothes.” (Ruimin)

“Look, everyone is saying the same. Please take off your bear clothes.” (Sakura)

I gave up, summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, and then undressed.

Then, I was dressed as Sakura told me. Sakura tied up my long hair, and a hairpin was attached.

“Yuna-sama, you’re beautiful.” (Sakura)

I stood in front of the full-length mirror and looked at myself.

It’s not a matter of looking good or not, but it’s somewhat embarrassing.

Why was it embarrassing in a different sense from the bear costume?

What kind of clothes were not embarrassing in the first place?

I was embarrassed to wear a dress before, and I still feel embarrassed to wear clothes from this world.

Then, with Sakura’s help, everyone finished changing into their kimonos.

Fina and Shuri were wearing red kimonos. They both have the same color as sisters. Ruimin was wearing a light green patterned kimono, perhaps to match her hair. Shinobu was made to change from her ninja uniform into a navy blue kimono, and she looked even more embarrassed than I was.

Sakura also changed into a cherry blossom kimono. (TN: pun intended.)

“Everyone looks pretty.” (Sakura)

Yeah, everyone looks beautiful, including Sakura. If I have a camera, I’ll take a photo. But I don’t have a camera, digital, or smartphone.

At times like this, I wanted skills like bear telepathy or something. Like being able to capture what you see and transfer it on paper. If I had such a skill, I could have left an image of Fina and the others right now. Then I could have shown it to Tirumina-san, how lovely the girls were, but God was not so flexible after all.

But if I can’t take a picture, I can draw one.

“Fina, Shuri. Come over here and sit on that cushion.” (Yuna)

I pointed at the cushion in front of me.

“Etto, yes?” (Fina)

“Un~” (Shuri)

Fina and Shuri, dressed in kimonos, sat on the cushions. I took out paper and something to write with from the bear box.

“Stay still for a while.” (Yuna)

“Are you perhaps going to draw us!?” (Fina)

“You will draw a picture?” (Shuri)

“Yeah, now don’t move.” (Yuna)

“It’s embarrassing, please stop!” (Fina)

I told her not to move, but Fina reached for the paper I was holding.

“Hey, don’t move! I’m going to show this to Tirumina-san.” (Yuna)

I push Fina back and sit her down on the cushion.

“Shuri, hold Fina’s hand so she can’t run away.” (Yuna)

“Un, oneechan, don’t move.” (Shuri)

Shuri grabbed Fina’s hand. Fina did not shake off Shuri’s hand.

I started drawing while Fina was not moving.

“U~u~, it’s embarrassing.” (Fina)

Fina turned over, her cheeks flushed red.

“Fina, don’t move, raise your face.” (Yuna)

Fina looked up, embarrassed.

After all, it’s nice to have a good subject. They were close sisters.

But kimonos were challenging to draw. Well, it’s easier because it’s all black and white. I don’t need to add colors.

“Yuna-sama, are you drawing a picture?” (Sakura)

“It’s a keepsake.” (Yuna)

I wish Fina would wear it all the time, but it doesn’t look like she will.

“Yuna-sama, you’re so good at it.” (Sakura)

“So Yuna can also draw pictures.” (Shinobu)

“U wa~a, you’re really good at it.” (Ruimin)

Behind me, Shinobu, Sakura, and Ruimin were looking at the picture.

“Yuna-sama, would you draw us next?” (Sakura)

“Okay, sure.” (Yuna)

I drew a picture of Fina with an embarrassed expression on her face, then Sakura and Ruimin. After that, I drew Sakura and Shuri with Hugging Bear, Fina, and Ruimin with Swaying Bear, and Shinobu and Sakura together.

And finally, I drew Fina, Shuri, Ruimin, Sakura, Shinobu, Swaying Bear, and Hugging Bear together.

It had been a long time since I drew portraits, but I enjoyed it.

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Author’s Note:

They all changed into kimonos.

It’s been a long time since Yuna changed clothes.