34-Episode 32 Bear Ears and Sweetness

The day after Magda's escape (a.k.a. the appearance of an old man in a bag).

I had come to the river in District 42, where the river fishing guild was working. There's something I need to tell Delia.

Magda is asleep now. He has been in a very deep sleep since last night and has not shown any signs of waking up. I guess his body needs sleep in order to recover its strength.

That's why I left the store and Magda to Jeannette and came to the river alone.

Well, it's not so much a negotiation as just a report. I think I'll be enough.

With Regina and Estella at the store, I should be able to handle things.

The heavy rains that had continued until the other day had increased the amount of water in the river. The water was brown and muddy, and the current was fast.

However, it seemed that they had taken measures yesterday, and sandbags were piled up in a heap at the river's edge.

It was probably to prevent the river from overflowing.

'But there's no one here. ......'

There was not a single person to be seen along the river.

As I thought, no one would go near the river when the water level is high. It's dangerous.

Just as I was thinking this, I spotted the familiar figure of a beautiful woman of the Bear tribe about 30 meters away. It's Delia.

She was just in the shade of a sandbag, so I couldn't see her whole body, but because of her height, only her head was peeking out from the sandbag. The familiar round bear ears were twitching.

'Hey, Delia!

I raise my hand and call out to her.

Delia looks up at my voice and looks back at me. When she noticed me, her eyes widened and a big smile appeared on her face.

'Oh~, Yashiro~!

Delia slowly emerged from behind the sandbags.

The first thing she saw was a pair of thrusting breasts. The first thing you see is a pair of breasts sticking out, followed by a tight stomach.

It's a very powerful ...... dynamite body that makes you think that this is exactly what it means to have a beautiful body.

I'm not sure what to make of it. I like Delia a lot.

I was scared of her at first, but now I look forward to meeting her. I even hope that we can build a good relationship in the future.

So I smile friendly and approach Delia with a steady step. While talking to her in a friendly manner.

'There's something I wanted to talk to you about today...'?

Delia emerged from behind a sandbag. ............ Delia's right arm was grabbed by a huge raccoon, two meters long, soaking wet and exhausted. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

A............ A............... ...

'The raccoon is being washed...?

Delia, you've finally done it!

It's definitely Omero, the deputy head of the river fishing guild,......, and he doesn't look healthy, no matter how you look at it. It's at best a worm's breath,...... and at worst,...................

'How dare you come here!

Without noticing that my face was twitching, Delia raised her right hand and waved it wildly with an expression of joy.

In her hand, she grabbed a giant raccoon ......, and the limp raccoon was swung around in the air, splashing water.

Raccoons!

The raccoons are being dehydrated very roughly!

'Hey, master!You'll die!Seriously, you're going to die!

'Hmm?Oh, sorry, sorry.

Without any sign of remorse, Delia scratched her head and released the giant raccoon ......, Omero the aroware-bear.

What, you're still alive? ...... I was scared. I was seriously thinking about quitting my relationship with Delia.

'What were you doing?

'Hmm?Oh. He still can't swim, so I've been teaching him how to swim.'

In this swollen river?

If he can swim in this river, he'll be able to swim in a normal river, right?

No, I think I'll be too afraid of the water to even approach it. ......?

'But he's still a gutless guy, isn't he? This kind of current is enough to make him raise his voice.

No, ...... it's impossible to swim in this swollen river, right?

You can't swim?

I ask Omero, who is slumped on the ground after being freed from Delia.

Omero looks up at me with an exhausted and lifeless face, as if he is about to collapse, and smiles helplessly.

'I'm good at ...... washing,' he says.

It's not related to swimming at all.

I wish he'd quit being deputy guild leader.

He can't swim, he's too scared of the guild leader to talk to him, and he's still wearing the same obscene bikini pants on his bottom half. ......

'Yes, do you want to swim with us, Yashiro?

'Do you know what manslaughter is?

If I'm thrown in this river, I'll die for sure. I'm sure of it.

'The river is my friend.

'No matter how much of a friend you are, if you're in a rage, you'd better keep your distance.

Delia looks disappointed, but even with that look on her face, she can't bring herself to say, 'I can't help it, it's only once! I'm not going to tell her that.

The current of this river is beyond the level where you can approach. Even a kappa would climb out of the water and evacuate the riverbed.

'Then, I'll stop.

Delia folded her hands behind her head in a bored manner.

I'm glad you decided not to go through with it.

'......, I'm happy for you, brother. ......'

Omero crawls over to me, looking like he's about to die.

I don't want to get wet, so I don't lend a hand, and I stare down at him.

'............ Can you lend me your hand?

'Yeah~......'

'......I'm gonna die, aren't I?

I can't help it.

I'll bill you for the dry cleaning of my wet clothes later.

I'll just squat down and lend Omero a shoulder.

'So, what's good about it?

'Hmm?...... Oh, that swimming with the master was deadly.'

'That's because you're a cane.'

'That's not true. ...... Give me your ears for a second. ......'

Omero's face comes close to mine.

Obviously aware of Delia standing behind him, he whispers in a very low voice.

'The master is naked when he swims.

'You!Why don't you tell me that first?

I said no!

Can't we cancel now?

Don't say no, let's go swimming.

'Bollocks, you!The master says he doesn't care because he has such an uninhibited personality,......, but if you should harbor any inferior feelings,............, you will be washed away.

'So you're the only one who's afraid of that.

'Do you want to be washed, dehydrated and dried in the sun?

'Do you have a rule that you can't leave the laundry?

I'm taking off my clothes. You know you're going to be looked at that way, don't you?

'The master has no intention to do so. That's why he thoroughly dislikes people who look at him that way.

'Even though he's walking around in such revealing clothes?

'I'm wearing that because it's easy for me to move around, not to entertain anyone.

That's a very selfish thing to say.

'I'm just wearing a fashionable and revealing dress, so don't look at me like I'm a high school girl with a very short skirt. I'll look at you.

'When the master takes off his clothes in front of us, we tell ourselves that what's there is a big tree. If you can't do that, we'll smash both your eyes out.'

'You're scaring me!

'I'd rather do that!

'What more do you want me to do?

Oh, come on, Delia, scary. I'm super scared.

'So, it was a wise decision to turn down the swim.

I'm glad it wasn't a calm, sunny day.

If the river had been slow, I would have taken the offer. And ............

'What are you sneaking around talking about, two guys?

Omero and I were talking close to each other in whispers. Between our faces, Delia's face intervenes.

Our cheeks touch. I'm thrilled. ...... in two ways.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be lusting after her even though we're in such close contact.

I glanced at Omero--

'If you don't want to throw away the rest of your life, you'll have to endure it.

He gave me a look that said "--".

...... What kind of torture is waiting for me?

'Yes, yes, Delia. I wanted to talk to you.'

I distance myself from Delia, changing the subject.

Unlike innocent creatures from the world of picture books like Jeannette, children like Magda, or pudgy tits like Estella, Delia is a fully mature woman. It's not easy to suppress your ...... libido.

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.

'Magda, the daughter of the Tigers?

'Yeah, that's her. That's why I want you to reduce the amount of fish you buy from the river fishing guild for a while.

'Why is that?

'Because the ones who eat well have stopped eating.

Magda consumes a lot of food when she hunts.

That's why the Garbage Collection Guild has been buying almost three times as much food as before from the Farming Guild and the River Fishing Guild.

The guilds were asked to return the food to Magda until her wounds were healed. We don't need that much food since Magda can't go hunting.

'...... Oh no. The river is in such a bad state that we can't even fish. ............ The income is ......'

Delia's face was turning pale.

She couldn't fish anymore because of the rising river.

You can't trade with the peddler's guild, and you can't trade with the garbage collector's guild, so you've lost all your income.

'...... In this situation, I don't want to ............ do it, but I have to ...... '......I'll have to earn it with my body. ......'

'Huh!

A strange voice came out at Delia's unexpected comment.

De,Delia...... you, no way............

'I'm going to attack a traveler who seems to have money from behind and ...... the money and goods!

'It's very different from the way I thought I'd make money!

'You see, master, ...... I'm quite a maiden in this.'

No, Omero. The maidens I know don't have that kind of thievery in their minds.

'Yes, Omero!I'll supervise your swimming and you'll pay the annual fee!

'What?

'What the hell?You want to learn to swim too, right?'

'No, no. ............ (I think I'm going to cross the Sanzu River before I can swim. ......)'

The latter part was spoken in a very low voice and at triple speed, but I could hear it clearly.

'I have to earn money somehow, I'm in trouble. I need your help!

Delia crowded Omero. Omero throws me a teary-eyed look for help.

...... This guy really needs to stop being the deputy guild leader, doesn't he?

'Delia. You have a debt?

The first thing that came to mind was Goffredo, who I saw on the main street.

If I don't pay back the money I owe him, he'll turn me into a frog. He's a scary man.

'No, I don't owe ...... any money, but ............ just ......'.

Delia mumbles to herself.

She turns her head as if embarrassed and stares up at me.

'Because I want to ...... eat something sweet.'

Huh?

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.At the end of the day, if I can't have something sweet, I have nightmares!It's a very scary nightmare!It makes me cry, you know?

What, that cute reason......

'That's why Omero!While we can't fish, we'll sink you to the bottom of the river and take your money!

'Master, you're not a director anymore!

That's blackmail, extortion and robbery.

I heard that waterboarding is painful. ...... Omero is crying and throwing us a lot of looks for help.

I'm sure you'll agree. Why don't you give him all the money you have?

'No, you can't!No matter how many guild mates we have, if we don't keep our finances in order, the organization will collapse, right?It's forbidden to lend, borrow, or even give as gifts. That's why I have to make sure this guy goes down to the bottom of the river!

The first part of the sentence was reasonable, but I don't understand anything after 'so'.

'Brother ............, will you listen to my will?

'Wait, wait, wait. You can't give up on life just yet, Omero.

Omero's tears have dried up, and he looks as enlightened as a samurai about to commit seppuku.

It's not good to leave him to die.

At this point, I make eye contact with Omero.

'If I save you, what will you do for me in return? And.

Immediately, Omero says...

'I'll do anything you want!Killers and thieves, anything that doesn't offend the master!

--He replied.

Is displeasing Delia as serious a crime as that?

Then I think .......

What I want to ask Omero to do......What I want Omero to do that might be useful............The river fish trade is done directly with Delia. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I immediately made eye contact with Omero.

'There is a path covered with weeds, can you use your huge body to step on the weeds and make a path for me?

'I'll do it!It's a small price to pay!I'll get rid of the weeds while the path is still muddy, and when the soil dries out, I'll step on it, and I'll be responsible for stepping on it until the path is stable!

We instantly communicated with each other, and made a contract with our eyes.

Now, the beast path to Yap Lock's house will be easier to follow. I guess even a big guy can be useful sometimes.

Let's help him out then.

'Delia. Is anything sweet enough for you?'

'Hmm?Yeah, anything's fine. Pumpkins, boiled beans, anything. ......'

That's a wide range!

Can you even put that in the 'sweet' category?

In Japan, if you ask a fashionable girl to go out for something sweet and offer her boiled beans, you'll get beaten up.

But well, if you want anything, go to ......

'How about this?

He pulls honey popcorn out of a bag hanging on his hip.

I've made it compulsory for everyone associated with the Sunlit Pavilion to carry a bowl of honey popcorn with them every morning, in case Magda escapes again.

We can make it again when we get back, and it won't be a problem to give it to Delia here.

'What is this, it smells so sweet!

When I opened the bag of honey popcorn, Delia jumped at me with tremendous force.

'Kun Kun Kun!Ha-ha-ha-ha!

'I'm scared, scared, scared!I'm so scared it's going to eat me!

Delia, who was half a head taller than me, covered me as if she were trying to pin me down.

If a wild bear did the same to me, I'm sure I'd give up on life.

'Hey, hey, hey, what the hell is this?What is this?Is this a dream?Is this a dream candy?

'Oh, calm down!Just try one for now. What?And calm down!

Delia was coming at me hard.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you can do to help. ...... Oh, shit. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

'Can I have some?

'Yes, popcorn!

'I'll eat it!

'Eat the popcorn!

Delia looks like she's about to swallow me whole. I can no longer stop her.

I had no choice but to pick up a piece of honey popcorn and throw it into Delia's mouth.

'What?

As soon as the popcorn touched her tongue, Delia's mouth closed.

Then she rolled it on her tongue at first ...... and chewed it slowly.

--Sneeze..................... ...Shuck, shuck, shuck, shuck!

You chewed too hard!

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your investment.

I'm not sure what to say.

'............ ohhhhhhhhhhh!

She started crying!

'It's sweet. ............ It's delicious. ............'

I was so impressed!

It seems that Delia's sweet tooth is quite severe, and she seemed to be moved to tears by her first taste of honey popcorn.

It's not a ...... character. ............

I'm not sure what to do.I'm not sure what to make of it.

Omero crawled up to me.

But when Delia raised her head and glared at him, he retreated nearly 100 meters, 38 times faster than when he had approached.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you can do to help. ...... You can't see Delia's face from here, but ............ you can tell from the aura that rises up that she has a very frightening expression on her face.

...... Omero. You stepped right into Delia's mine,.............

'Don't worry, Delia. There's plenty more where that came from. This is all for you, so please don't eat Omero.'

'Oh, you're really going to give it all to me?

Delia turns to me, 'Grin! Delia turns to face me.

The aura of rage that had been rising up around her dissipated, and a peach-colored aura of flying hearts spread out in its place.

She has a happy look on her face.

You might have bought it if you sold it, but if you lose Omero now, there will be no one to maintain the road to Yap Rock's house. ...... No, he will die.

It would be a small price to pay for Omero's life in popcorn. ...... He's so light, his life.

When I handed her a bag of popcorn, Delia held it in her hands like it was important and popped one in her mouth.

'............'～～～～～!

She squirms a little and smiles like she's melting.

She looks like a little girl in this way. And she's sitting.

The bear's ears are twitching, indicating that it is in a good mood.

Now Omero's life will no longer be in danger.

Right in front of me is a girl who's crazy about sweets.

Isn't she cute?

When I see those round bear ears twitching in front of my eyes, I want to fondle them.

.............................. I'd like to mooch off of him. ...... He looks like he's in a good mood, and I'd feel free to pet his head. ............

I'm not sure what to say.

I'm not sure what to say.

I'm going to try to pinch the bear ears that were shaking a bit.

It's a great way to get a feel for what it's like to be a bear.

It's like plucking a meatball. It's becoming a habit.

'Hey, what are you doing, bro?

A hundred meters away, Omero came running at a high speed on the level of the 100-meter men's final at the World Championships in Athletics, and with his momentum, he picked me up and ran another 100 meters.

I almost threw up my ............ breakfast as my arms dug into my stomach.

'What the ...... hell are you doing ......?

'That's my line!

What?What did I do?

'Didn't I just say so!The master is a pure and innocent angelic maiden!

'There's a huge increase in modifiers, but well, you did say that.

'So, you said I shouldn't do 'that'!

'You were just muffling my ears.

'The ears of the Bear People are ...... a very delicate part of the body, and ............ as much a place not to be touched as the boobs!

'What?

A tremendous shock ran through me.

'Then I should've touched her boobs!

'That's not what I meant!

'No, if I'm going to get angry anyway!

'There's no way I'm going to get pissed off!Brother, get out of town right now!Don't look back and run straight to the city gate!If you see the master's aura, you'll be too afraid to move your legs!

Omero's expression was serious.

...... Is this really a bad situation?

'No, I've ...... left my luggage and other things at the sunny pavilion. ......'

I'm not sure what's more important, my luggage or my life!

You won't even give me forty seconds to prepare?

'Brother, I'll never forget you. Even if you go to a different city, keep up the good work.

'Wait a minute. I don't know where else to go. ......'

'The master's aura of seriousness is so bad that just touching him will make you lose consciousness. ..................... ......'

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

Omero's body tilted to the right at a speed similar to a frame feed.

As the giant body toppled over, another figure could be seen behind it, another person.

It's ............ Delia.

Delia was standing behind Omero.

Omero seems to have been hit by Delia's aura and fainted. ............Am I going to die?

'............Yashiro......'

I'm not sure what to make of it.

It's a small voice, but it reached my eardrums quite clearly.

...... Ah, I'm dead.

'............No, don't suddenly ............ do anything weird. Don't ...... do anything weird.'

'............What?'

There's something wrong with you. ......

In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the following URL: ...... ......

I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more information on this subject in the future. I'm sorry.

He is lying face down, hands folded behind his back, shoulders swaying as if twisting at the waist.

And his face was so red that you could clearly see it.

E.................. eh eh eh eh eh eh eh!

'Po, popcorn, it was delicious!

What's with all the tsundere excuses?

When did I get flagged?

'Oh, master, ......'.

Omero, the lump of hair lying at Delia's feet, regained consciousness and looked up at Delia.

'Maybe the master likes this brother...'

Delia's right foot plunged into Omero's abdomen. A sound like the rumbling of the earth echoed, and the earth shook slightly.

Omero seemed to have lost consciousness again. ...... You're really stepping on too many land mines, aren't you?

I'm not sure what to say.

As if to change the subject, Delia shouts loudly.

I've got a very good idea - Delia's face seemed to be filled with such words.

'The daughter of a tiger tribe got injured and we don't have enough manpower, right?

No,......, although Magda's injury has forced us to take a break from hunting, we are not short on manpower.

Ginette can run the store by herself, and me and Estella can help out. ......

........................ Yeah... .........

'What the hell?You don't like it?

'No. ...... I mean, I don't want to. ......'

I assure you, Delia can't do customer service.

She'd hit a customer without a second thought.

No, before that, customers might be scared of Delia and stop coming.

...... That's not good.

'Oh, I don't want your money!

'No, you don't want money, do you?

'I'll just have this!

Then thrust out a bag of honey popcorn with both hands.

...... Paying with popcorn?

'After a hard day's work, just give me a serving of this at the end of the day!As long as I get to eat something sweet before I go to bed, that's all that matters!

That's an unbeatable deal.

Even if you can't do customer service, you can ask them to do some heavy lifting like chopping wood or carrying stuff.

............ Hmm.

Although...

'My manager probably won't approve of no pay.

'I said I don't want it, remember?

'But my manager won't listen to you.

Even though he is poor, he tries to be reasonable to others. That's the way he is.

'So, how about a low salary, lunch and dinner, and popcorn after work?

'You're that good!I'll do it!Let me do it!'

She grabbed my hands and shook them up and down, unable to contain her excitement. ...... My shoulders are coming off!

I'm not sure what to do.I'm sorry.

I'm not sure what to do with it.

She turns around and turns her back to me.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you can do to help.

'............ Now you can be with Yashiro.'

I don't know what he liked so much about me, but well, it's not a bad thing that he likes me. You'll have a lot of flexibility.

Well, you're right. But it's not good to use it as a bargaining chip.

So, I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said.

'Well then, come to the Sunken Pavilion once. Ginette--I'll talk to the manager.''

'Yes!All right!Let's go now!

'Now?Are you sure you don't want to train Omero to swim?'

I glanced at him, and Omero said, 'What are you talking about?Just take me out right now! I'm not sure what to do.

............ I think I'll turn down the job.

'Omero can't swim no matter what you do, so it doesn't matter.

'What?

It was Omero who let his voice leak out at the startling remark.

...... You've been completely abandoned. ...... I mean, why train on a day when the river conditions are so bad? ...... ......I guess he was just bored.

'So, let's go.

'Ah!

I start walking, and Delia follows me.

I'm sure Omero has a look of delight on his face right now.

'Ah ......'.

After a few steps, Delia called out.

When I turned around, Delia had a red face and was holding her ear.

'There's one thing I want you to ...... promise me.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

I'm not sure if it's ...... necessary to be in public.

Bear ears are equivalent to boobs, right?

'Okay. I'm not going to touch it again.

Boobs are more fun anyway.

But I can't ask you to let me touch your boobs. ...... Ah, impermanence. The world is a hard place to live in.

'Absolutely!

'Okay, okay.

'Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely!

'Yes, yes.

'I swear I will!

'If you're too persistent, I'll smother you both at once!

'--!Oh, no!You're so naughty, Yashiro!

After a conversation like this, a girl will tap you on the shoulder and say, 'Pssst! I'm sure all the boys would love to see ...... a girl slap their shoulder after a conversation like this. But what happens if the other party is Delia? ......

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

It hurts.

It hurts like hell.

If my bone density had been even a little lower, I would have been shattered.

Lesson learned.

s*xual harassment in moderation.

And you'd better take calcium for your own good.