Bear-san, Goes To Watch The Exchange Meet

On the morning of the social event, I changed into my uniform. Once the event is over, all we have to do is go home, so I won’t have to wear this uniform anymore. This may be the last time.

 

Noa is getting dressed after being gently woken up by Swaying Bear. Today she was able to wake up from the gentle stage.

After breakfast at the inn, we head to the school.

 

“Fufu, I’m looking forward to it.” (Noa)

 

Noa walks in front of me as if skipping.

It sounds like she is looking forward to it that much. Of course, so do I.

 

“Let’s cheer for them.” (Yuna)

“Yes!” (Noa)

 

As we crossed the long bridge and arrived at the school’s entrance, we saw Shia.

Huh? As I recall, we didn’t have an appointment to meet up today.

Noa ran to Shia.

 

“What happened, Oneesama?” (Noa)

“I’m here to pick you up. I don’t want you to get lost.” (Shia)

Shia pet Noa on the head.

 

“I won’t get lost!” (Noa)

 

Noa puffed up her cheeks.

 

“I’m just kidding. I just thought if Yuna-san came dressed as a bear, she wouldn’t be able to get in.” (Shia)

“I’m wearing the uniform as I was told.” (Yuna)

 

I spread my arms out and showed that I was properly wearing a uniform.

 

“It looks good, but Yuna-san, you don’t like to take off your bear clothes, so I was a little worried.” (Shia)

“Oh, I know what you mean. Yuna-san, you didn’t wear the dress properly at Misa’s birthday party after all.” (Noa)

 

Even Noa agrees.

 

“Because it’s not clothes, it’s a dress.” (Yuna)

 

There’s a difference between regular clothes and dresses.

Between dresses and uniforms, I’d prefer uniforms.

And even Fina didn’t like dresses.

 

“That’s why I was thinking that she hated the uniform, and came here dressed up as a bear, I was waiting for her to force her to wear a uniform.” (Shia)

“I promised to wear a uniform. I already wore it for two days straight, didn’t I?” (Yuna)

 

And this is the third day I’ve been wearing it. This may be the first time I’ve done such a thing

 

“But it’s you, Yuna-san, so I can’t be so sure.” (Shia)

 

It turns out, I don’t seem to have any credibility.

Well, I was reluctant to wear a swimsuit, so she might’ve thought so.

 

“I’m here to cheer on you too, Shia. I’m going to follow your words this time. But won’t anyone know that I’m not a student from the royal capital?” (Yuna)

“The school is huge, not everyone knows every student, so we’ll be fine.” (Shia)

 

Certainly, no one can remember the faces and names of everyone in the school. Sometimes in manga and anime, there are characters who remember the faces and names of all the students, but from my point of view, it is impossible.

If there was a student directory with photos, they might be able to remember them to an extent. But in a world without photos, I would say it’s impossible to remember the face and the name of every single student at the same time.

 

“Oh, and I forgot to mention yesterday, Yuna-san, that you’ve gotten a little famous for your match with Cereille, so watch out.” (Shia)

 

Come to think of it, we had a match in front of the students.

 

“Well then, Yuna-san. Do you call yourself Yuuna-san today?” (Noa)

 

Noa says jokingly.

I can tell by her expression that she doesn’t really mean it.

But there’s a person in front of me who doesn’t understand the joke.

 

“Yuuna?” (Shia)

 

Apparently, Shia had forgotten as much as I had.

Noa talked about the school festival.

 

“Oh right, there was a time when Yuna-san risked her life for me.” (Shia)

“I didn’t risk my life, though.” (Yuna)

“Things have calmed down now, but at that time, it was very intense. Everyone asked me a lot of questions, and it was very difficult to cover it up. But, Tilia-sama and I were able to cover it up together, and Rutum-sensei became a teacher at the school, so no one ever talked about it anymore.” (Shia)

 

Well, no one can talk about that when he’s at school. Besides, according to Noa, there was a gag order from the king. And Rutum was a nobleman. So it would be shameful to Rutum if it spread, and it would cause him to feel bad about it. But I didn’t know that the order was issued to protect the dignity of Rutum.

No, it was Rutum’s fault. He chose to stand out in the first place.

Dangerous, dangerous. I almost thanked Rutum, albeit in the back of my mind.

But still, that Rutum became a teacher. I can’t even imagine.

 

“Then, would you like me to introduce you as Yuuna to everyone?” (Shia)

“No, I don’t need to use a different name.” (Yuna)

 

Because I’m not going to introduce myself by saying, “Nice to meet you, I’m Yuna. I’m a friend of Shia.” after all.

If we were just watching from a distance, I would not need to introduce myself.

I am just a girl who came to see the event as an ordinary student in the Royal Capital.

 

“By the way, what do you do at the magic exchange meeting? Are you going to attack each other?” (Yuna)

“No, we don’t do anything dangerous. Basically, we just aim at targets and compete for firepower.” (Shia)

 

Well, that’s right. Shooting magic at each other is dangerous. If something happens, you won’t get off lightly.

 

“Would you like to participate as well, Yuna-san?” (Shia)

“I’m not a student, so I’ll pass. Besides if I participate, I’ll be the only one who’ll win, won’t I?” (Yuna)

 

I said that as a joke.

 

“That’s right. If Yuna-san, who can beat Rutum-sensei, participates, Yuna-san will definitely win.” (Shia)

 

I said that as a joke but it was taken seriously.

 

“But in the end, it’s like a match. Well, from Yuna-san’s point of view, it will look like we were playing. Still, it’s exciting.” (Shia)

“Well then, I’m looking forward to it.” (Yuna)

 

We walked to the grounds as we talked. It’s about the size of a soccer field, and it’s shaped like a mortar so that you can see the grounds from above.

In the center of the grounds were students wearing the uniforms of the royal capital and Euphalia.

 

“There’s quite a few.” (Yuna)

“We have about 25 students, consisting of boys and girls. And about the same number with Euphalia.” (Shia)

 

I’m not sure if it’s a lot or few anymore.

 

“But if it’s an event to improve each other’s students, wouldn’t it be a pity for the students in the royal capital to have it in Euphalia?” (Yuna)

 

I don’t think it’s advantageous to not be able to watch the game.

Looking around, I see students who, like me, have come to see the event. Most of them are students in Euphalia uniforms.

 

“It’s all right. Next year it will be held in the royal capital. We are supposed to alternate between the royal capital and Euphalia every year.” (Shia)

Certainly, otherwise, it will not improve the morale of the students of the royal capital.

 

“Shia.”

 

Someone called out to Shia.

I looked in the direction of the voice calling out for Shia, and Cereille came over.

 

“Yuna and Noa, you guys also came.” (Cereille)

“We came to cheer for Shia.” (Yuna)

“Yes, we are cheering for Oneesama.” (Noa)

 

We came all the way from Crimonia for that after all.

 

“I envy you.” (Cereille)

“Cereille, you also have your family members coming to cheer you on, don’t you?” (Shia)

“Yes, that’s why I can’t let my family see any embarrassment.” (Cereille)

“Same goes for me.” (Shia)

“I’m sorry Shia, but I can’t go easy on you if we got in a match.” (Cereille)

“Oneesama will win!” (Noa)

 

Noa replied emphatically on Shia’s behalf.

Apparently, Cereille’s father and little brother were coming to see her.

I have to cheer for her adamantly on behalf of Eleanora-san and Cliff.

 

“Fufu, Shia, I won’t lose against the others.” (Cereille)

“I won’t lose either.” (Shia)

 

Shia was also being bold.

It’s better than being timid. They say the game starts with feelings. Well, sometimes you can’t win with feelings alone. There are times when the difference in levels are way too big, or there is a cheat boss. How many times have I lost?

But if the powers were to be used in competition, feelings are important. Feelings can be a source of sustenance. It can be the turning point between victory and defeat.

While we were talking, I heard a voice in the distance calling out to Cereille.

 

“Well then, I’m heading back in. Shia, let’s do our best for each other.” (Cereille)

 

Cereille went towards where the Euphalia students were.

 

“Oh, by the way, you said her family was coming to cheer on her. Cereille’s mother didn’t seem to be home, was she working in the royal capital like Eleanora-san?” (Yuna)

“……”

“……”

 

When I casually asked about Cereille’s mother, Noa and Shia looked troubled.

Maybe it’s not a good idea to ask?

 

“… I heard that Cereille-sama’s mother is already dead.” (Noa)

 

Noa told me with some difficulty.

So that’s why she wasn’t there yesterday.

But even I don’t have my parents in this world. Even if I did, it would be the same as if I didn’t.

Even Fina’s biological father was dead, and the children in the orphanage have no parents.

Cereille has a father, and her life is not in shambles. So I don’t feel so sorry for her. There were more pitiful people in this world.

 

“I think I heard that her mother was killed when Cereille was very young.” (Shia)

“Is that so? I didn’t know that.” (Yuna)

 

Noa knew that Cereille’s mother had died, but apparently, she didn’t know the cause.

 

“Well, it’s not something you casually tell people. So don’t tell anyone else.” (Shia)

“Yes, of course.” (Noa)

“I won’t tell anyone either.” (Yuna)

 

In the first place, I have no one to tell it to, nor do I intend to.

 

“But I don’t think we should ask her.” (Noa)

“Noa, you are a noblewoman, so it would be fine for you to ask, but if Yuna-san asked Cereille herself, it would be a big trouble.” (Shia)

 

Indeed, during a casual conversation, I might have asked her about it.

I’m glad I didn’t ask when we had dinner at Cereille’s house.

 

“We better get going, too.” (Shia)

“Good luck, Oneesama.” (Noa)

“I’m rooting for you.” (Yuna)

 

Shia waved her hand and ran to where the students were gathered.

 

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Author’s Note:

※ Thank you for reporting the typographical errors.

I’m sorry I can’t write a thank-you reply for the typographical errors in the new system.

 

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