Chapter 249 – Bear-san Visits Noa (1/2)

After giving Princess Flora the picture book, I went straight back to Crimonia and stayed there for a couple of days.

I soon realized I couldn’t come up with a solution to the means of travel on my own, and decided to bring in Fina.

「So, what do you think we should do?」

「Even if you ask me that, I’m not sure, either.」

I called Fina over to my house so she could help me decide but got shot down by such a response immediately.

I had even given her tea and snacks to welcome her, so she could at least have tried to entertain me. I kind of wanted to tell her that I wouldn’t give her anymore snacks if she failed to give any constructive insight, but I couldn’t bear to do something like that and rather brought out even more snacks.

「So, if I get this right, both Shuri and I are coming to the Capital with you?」

「Yes. Eleanora-san wants to thank the two of you for taking care of her when she was visiting my shop.」

「I didn’t do much, though.」

「Didn’t you guide her around and explain stuff to her?」

「I did a bit, but that was so Mother didn’t have to.」

Terumi-san had really been too nervous to be of any help here, huh. I could clearly picture Fina trying her best for her mother’s sake.

「I don’t think you need to look into it to deeply. She just wants to thank you for being her guide. Or do you not want to go?」

「Is the school festival a festival that Shia-sama’s school will be holding?」

「Yes, I think so. I’ve never seen it before, so I’m not completely sure, either. I believe the students will run a few stands and put on a show or two.」

Having never experienced a school festival in my former world, I barely had any knowledge of it. Thus, I was basically clueless on what a fantasy world school festival would be like.

「I want to go, but am I allowed to?」

「Shia and Eleanora-san said it was fine, so there shouldn’t be a problem.」

「But we’ll cause trouble for you, Yuna-oneechan.」

Why did she think so?

「I never once thought of you as a bother. In fact, you will actually cause me trouble if you don’t come.」

Fina didn’t understand what I meant by that and tilted her head in confusion.

「If I don’t bring you along, Eleanora-san will surely complain to me. 『Why didn’t you make her come?』or 『Did you even ask her?』, maybe even『You didn’t tell her anything strange, did you?』, and so on.」

Well, I didn’t think that would actually happen, but she would definitely be disappointed.

「Uuu, when you put it like that, there is no way I can decline the invitation.」

What a good girl.

「I’m just kidding. Tell me if you really don’t want to go and I won’t force you. I’ll also make up an excuse for Eleanora-san, so you won’t have to worry about it.」

If she really didn’t want to go, I had no intention of dragging her along.

I wanted Fina and Shuri to have fun at the school festival; if they had to force themselves, then they would surely be miserable.

「I really won’t be a bother to you?」

「As I said, I have never once thought of you being a bother. Actually, I’ve dragged you around a lot, so did you think I was being a bother to you?」

「I never thought about it that way! I enjoy being able to travel to different places with you, Yuna-oneechan.」

「Really?」

「Mhm. I got to go to the capital for the first time, and then I went out to the sea. I also got to visit many different villages. Not to mention the bee tree, and Misa-sama’s birthday party. I was nervous and tired many times, but I also had a lot of fun.」

I studied Fina’s expression for a moment and gathered that she wasn’t lying.

「Thank you. I’m happy to hear that. Then, there’s no problem going this time either, right?」

「Mhm. I’m a little nervous about Eleanora-sama’s invitation, but I would like to go to the school festival.」

「In that case, let’s enjoy it together. I’d get lonely if I have to go by myself.」

I wanted to pat her head, but because she was sitting across a table from me, I couldn’t reach her.

Instead, I just sent her a smile.

「You said Shuri is coming along this time as well, right?」

「The invitation is for the both of you. You will have to get permission from Terumi-san and Gentz-san first, of course.」

「I think Mother will be okay with it. I wonder if Father will allow it, though?」

「You have to ask him, no matter what. I’ll come with you, so you don’t have to worry.」

I was always taking Fina around to all sorts of places, so getting permission for her should be easy. Still, we only brought Shuri out with us once, and even that was only staying overnight by the seaside.

Since we were going to the capital this time, I didn’t know if Gentz-san would be willing to let both of them go.

I would be the one taking them along, so if we asked nicely, he should allow the two of them to go, right? My adventurer rank was high, after all, and he also knows I had defeated many strong monsters so far. He should trust me with them at this point.

「Oh right, do you think it’s okay for me to tell Shuri about the Bear Gate?」

「I think it should be fine. That girl keeps her promises and doesn’t blab about secrets. She likes traveling with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, though…」

The same should go for Noa. Just how would she react if she found out she couldn’t travel with her beloved Bear-sans?

In the end, I did at least manage to get Fina to discuss our trip with me. We couldn’t settle on a good solution though, so we decided that I should go and ask Noa directly, while she should return home and inquire with her family.

「Yuna-san, welcome.」

When I arrived at Noa’s mansion, Lala-san came out to greet me.

「Are Cliff and Noa in? I have a letter for Cliff, from Eleanora-san. Can I meet him now?」

「Noa-sama is in her room at the moment, so that should be fine. Cliff-sama is currently working, however, so I’m not sure if he is ready to meet you. I will confirm with him, so please wait inside.」

Lala-san brought me to a room, and as I waited, Noa barged in.

「Yuna-san?!」

She rushed up to me with a smile.

Looking at her closely, I could see her resemblance to Shia. When she grew up, would she look like Eleanora-san? I hope her personality wouldn’t end up being similar, though.

I really hoped she wouldn’t change, and stay the way she was.

「Yuna-san, why are you looking at me like that?」

Noa returned my stare with a troubled expression.

「It’s nothing. I just thought about how cute you are.」

「I think you are cuter than me!」

「Why, thank you.」

I patted Noa on the head as she sat down next to me.

「I heard from Lala that Mother gave you a letter to bring to us, is that true?」

「It was addressed to Cliff, though. Actually, it is about getting permission for me to take you to the capital, upon Shia’s request.」

「To the Capital?!」

「Shia wants you to come and see their school festival, and she asked me to bring you over.」

「Onee-sama did…」

Noa looked rather happy.

Noa and Shia really did get along just like Fina and Shuri. It filled my heart with joy simply seeing how pure their relationship was.

「So, do you want to go?」

「Of-of course I wanna go!」

She blurted out immediately to no surprise.

「Okay, now we just need to get permission from Cliff.」

「Don’t worry, I will convince Father myself.」

She strongly declared.

Well, we had Eleanora-san’s letter, and I also planned on asking him myself. If I remembered correctly, Cliff still owed me a favor. Even though I had caused a lot of trouble for him and it might feel like I had already been repaid, I was sure there was still a bit left.