Bear-san Heads to the Mine
We decided to head to the mines to meet the other survivors.
“The house…” (Bollard)
Bollard-san and Lize-san were surprised when I put the Bear House back in the bear box.
“It’s a portable house.” (Yuna)
“So that’s why the house was placed in the middle of the road.” (Lize)
“But for an item bag that could fit such a big house…” (Bollard)
They looked at the White Bear puppet curiously as I made its mouth chomp.
“Okay, you two, get on the Hugging Bear.” (Yuna)
“Kuuuuh.”
Hugging Bear made a sound responding to being called by name.
“Are we going to ride a bear?” (Bollard)
“It’s faster and easier.” (Yuna)
Kagali-san and I got on the Swaying Bear.
The two of them saw us riding on Swaying Bear and timidly approached the Hugging Bear.
“It’s not scary. You will be fine.” (Yuna)
“Yes, well, Hugging Bear-chan, please take care of me.” (Bollard)
“Thank you.” (Lize)
“Kuuuuu.”
Hugging Bear cried and sat down.
“Does it understand words?” (Bollard)
“Yes, it does. So if you get scared, it’ll get sad, and if you say bad things about it, it’ll get angry.” (Yuna)
“Yuna-san’s bears are smart.” (Lize)
Bollard-san and Lize-san got on Hugging Bear timidly.
“Okay, now please show me the way.” (Yuna)
“Yes. Please head that way.” (Lize)
Hugging Bear and Swaying Bear started running in the direction Lize-san pointed.
We left the town and ran down the road that led to the mine.
As we left the town, the ice disappeared and a normal landscape appeared.
“It looks like it’s not affecting us here.” (Yuna)
“Yes. That’s how we survived.” (Bollard)
“But those in the town…” (Yuna)
They froze.
We walked along a gentle mountain path towards the mine.
After a while, the rocks became more rugged.
“We’re almost there.” (Bollard)
Just as Lize-san said, we came out into an open area.
There were several huts that looked like workshops and a cave leading into the mountain. An elderly man was standing near one of the huts.
“Bollard-san!? Everyone, Bollard-san and Lize-san are back!” (???)
The elderly man called out to the huts.
People came out of the huts.
These were the six survivors that Bollard-san and Lize-san had mentioned.
Three elderly men, one woman, and one man and woman in their 40s. Six people in total.
“Bollard-san, what is with those bears and girls!?” (???)
“They were the source of the light in the town. These bears are fine as long as you don’t harm them.” (Bollard)
Bollard-san touched Hugging Bear gently to reassure everyone.
“I see.” (Old Man)
“Where are you girls from? Is there anyone else?” (Old Lady)
“I’ll explain.” (Bollard)
Bollard-san and Lize-san explained about us. They only vaguely mentioned what Kagali-san and I were wearing, but they didn’t go into too much detail. While Bollard-san and Lize-san were explaining, we were stared at many times.