Chapter 528

Chapter 528

Bear-san, Listens To Cereille’s Story

I was curious about the expression on Cereille’s face, so I followed her. Cereille rode her horse, and she kept galloping on as we left the city.

I followed her to the outskirts of the town, then I summoned Swaying Bear, and hopped on.

“Swaying Bear. We’re chasing after Cereille.” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

Swaying Bear replied and started running, chasing after Cereille, who was still galloping in front of us.

I’m trailing her, but I don’t know what to do next.

Should I call out to her? Should I just keep quiet and chase after her? I’m worried about the expression on Cereille’s face.

Cereille did not stop; she only focused on riding her horse.

Swaying Bear could easily catch up with her, but it’s hard to talk to her with that solemn expression on her face.

She didn’t kill someone, and now she’s fleeing, did she?

On the contrary, it looked like someone was going to kill her.

Either way, it was an expression that was not like Cereille.

While I was wondering what to do, Swaying Bear cried, ‘Kuu~n’.

“What is it?” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

Swaying Bear cried once more.

This cry. Was it a monster?!

I immediately tried to use my detection skills, but I couldn’t.

That’s right. I’m not wearing my bear costume right now, but my school uniform. I cannot use my bear detection skills if I am not dressed as a bear.

Beads of sweat ran down my face.

I’ve fought in matches with people without my bear equipment, but not monsters. Whether it was a school festival match or a social event, there were rules, and people were watching.

But fighting monsters was different—many monsters attack when they see people. However, just because they were dangerous doesn’t mean I will stop.

I’m equipped with bear gloves and bear shoes, so if I fight them normally, I can win. But there was a possibility that they would attack me from a blind spot. Still, if I was wearing the full set of my bear equipment, I would be unharmed even if I was attacked. However, without the rest of the set, I could get injured and even die. Such thoughts come to my mind.

Once again, I felt a sense of crisis about not being in my bear suit.

I once considered changing into my bear equipment, but the few minutes I spent changing would widen the distance between me and Cereille, who was riding on a horse.

Then, should I stop Cereille and change?

But then, I will have to decide whether or not to call on Cereille.

I’m worried, so I’ll call out to her.

If we go on like this, it would be dangerous for both me and Cereille.

“Swaying Bear. Close the distance.” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

Swaying Bear responded and accelerated to approach the horse that Cereille was riding.

“Cereille!” (Yuna)

When I called out to her, Cereille gave me a surprised look.

“Yuna!?” (Cereille)

Cereille hurriedly stopped her horse.

She didn’t notice me until I approached her.

“Why are you here, Yuna?” (Cereille)

“I saw you dashing out on your horse with a serious look on your face, so I went after you.” (Yuna)

“Did I look that serious?” (Cereille)

“It was like you were going to kill someone.” (Yuna)

I said jokingly.

But Cereille didn’t laugh at my joke.

Cereille spread her hands and slapped her cheeks hard.

A loud slapping sound echoed.

“I am sorry for worrying you, Yuna. There is nothing to worry about. And if possible, please do not tell anyone that I am here.” (Cereille)

“I won’t do that, Cereille. I don’t know where you’re headed, but it looks like there are monsters up ahead.” (Yuna)

“Monsters…” (Cereille)

“Are you going to defeat those monsters, by any chance?” (Yuna)

“No, I’m not. Yuna, you know that there are monsters ahead?” (Cereille)

“This child tells me whenever there are monsters nearby.” (Yuna)

I stroke Swaying Bear’s head.

“Yuna, you understand what the bear is saying?” (Cereille)

“I understand. Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear because they are my precious family.” (Yuna)

“Precious family? Yuna, can I ask you a question?” (Cereille)

Cereille asked a question after her expression seemed to relax.

“Yuna, would you risk your life for that precious family of yours?” (Cereille)

I looked at Swaying Bear.

My precious family. I would risk everything if Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear were in danger.

“Can you go to places where it might be dangerous?” (Cereille)

Cereille looked at me with serious eyes.

Dangerous places. With my bear equipment, I can safely go to dangerous places. But that’s not what Cereille was trying to say.

Danger, to me, represents when I am without my bear equipment. Without it, I am helpless. She’s asking if I’m willing to risk my life in that situation.

“I will go and save them, but …” (Yuna)

If I have my bear equipment, I can say, “I’m definitely going to save them”. But if I don’t have it, I don’t think I’ll have the confidence to say, “I will definitely come to save them”. I don’t know until the time comes.

This fact made me realize once again that I am truly helpless without my bear equipment.

“I’m sorry. I asked a weird question.” (Cereille)

“No. That’s fine, but did something happen to your family, perhaps?” (Yuna)

“That’s……” (Cereille)

Cereille took her gaze away from me and went silent as if trying to escape from my question.

“Yuna, please head back to the city.” (Cereille)

Cereille tried to make me go back to the city.

But I couldn’t leave Cereille alone in this state and go home.

“I’m not going back without you, Cereille. If you’re going somewhere, you’ll need to have an escort or something, otherwise, it’ll be dangerous. Cereille, you told Noa, right? Since you are a noble, you need to understand your position as one. As a daughter of a noble family, do you consider your position if you go alone to a place where there are monsters?” (Yuna)

That’s what Cereille said when she tried to take the duty of escorting Noa from me.

And that is what Cereille is breaking now.

Cereille grits her teeth hard and seems to be struggling with something.

“I have said those things, haven’t I? Though there is no falsehood in those words. Still, I am not only a daughter of a nobleman, but I am also his elder sister. So I must go.” (Cereille)

Cereille looked ahead.

She has no intention of going back to the city.

I don’t know, but something must have happened to Cereille. I can’t leave her alone here.

“Then I’ll be your escort this time, Cereille.” (Yuna)

“Yuna?” (Cereille)

“Because, you know, nobles need escorts.” (Yuna)

If I change into my bear equipment, I should be able to handle a little danger.

It’s embarrassing to change into my bear costume in front of Cereille, but I can’t even say that. Besides, she already saw me once, and I usually wear it, so it’s too late now.

“That’s right, but…” (Cereille)

“You already know how strong I am, right?” (Yuna)

“I understand, even envy, how strong you are, Yuna.” (Cereille)

Then there’s no problem.” (Yuna)

“Thank you, Yuna. I’m very happy with your offer.” (Cereille)

Cereille said happily. But the next moment, her expression changed and she shook her head.

“But it’s not good. I have to go alone.” (Cereille)

There’s no doubt. Something definitely happened to her family.

Her mother was already dead, so how about her father or younger brother?

Or it could be grandparents or relatives.

“Cereille, talk to me. I can help you.” (Yuna)

Cereille stared at me and opened her heavy mouth.

It seems that her younger brother was kidnapped.

There was a note from the kidnapper, and it instructed that Cereille had to come alone.

“That’s why, Yuna, please head back.” (Cereille)

“I can’t let you go alone after hearing what you said, Cereille.” (Yuna)

Cereille’s brother, with whom I shared that meal, was kidnapped. We didn’t have much of a conversation, but we did say hello to each other. I think his name was Keith.

He looked embarrassed when looked at Noa and me.

If anything happened to the boy, it would leave a bad aftertaste. I couldn’t let Cereille go alone to the person who kidnapped her brother.

If anything happened to the two of them, it would be the worst feeling I’ve ever had.

I’d definitely regret that I didn’t follow along with Cereille at that time.

“The man who kidnapped my brother also killed my mother. There is no guarantee that we’ll get out of there alive. It’s dangerous. So please, Yuna, go back to the city.” (Cereille)

I think I heard from Shia that Cereille’s mother was killed.

The man who kidnapped her brother. When talking about how dangerous he was, he’s extremely dangerous. That’s why she asked me earlier if I could go somewhere dangerous for the sake of my family.

“The letter said that I should come alone. I don’t know what will happen to my brother if I don’t go alone. So, I’ll just take your feelings. Yuna, don’t worry. And thank you for your concern.” (Cereille)

Cereille rejected my help.

And when I thought that I would just have to hide and follow her, Swaying Bear cried, ‘Kuu~n’.

I look behind Cereille.

“It looks like it’s too late to go back now.” (Yuna)

“I was wondering why you are late. Ceraille-sama, you have made a mistake in your promise.” (Man)

A hooded, suspicious figure appeared from behind a tree.

=====

Author’s Note:

Yuna can’t use her bear detection skills because she doesn’t wear a bear costume.

This is the first time it was ever mentioned.

[Notice] In celebration of the 4th anniversary of the first issue of Pash! Books, we are pleased to announce that through the following:

Animate Bookstore

Amazon, Kindle

Comic Seymour

DMM.com

Kinokuniya Kinoppy

BOOK☆WALKER

You can read all the contents (including newly written material) for free for a limited time (until 2/21).

[Notice] The second volume of the comic is scheduled to be released on 2/22. The stories posted on Comic Pash and Nico Nico Manga will be deleted in the near future. Please be aware of this. We hope you will read them before they are deleted.

[Notice] An illustration of Yuna, a store bonus drawn by Sergei-sensei on Twitter and the website of Comic PASH! (せるげい先生)

Please take a look at it as well.