Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear
chapter-721

Bear-san Paints a Picture

Primme and Ronne kept coming to my place, but the Queen warned them not to.

Also, I didn’t know Sherry was a stuffed animal mender.

When the orphanage was poor, she used to mend clothes, so maybe she ended up becoming good at mending during that time.

I would prefer it if they played with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear plushies until they were damaged, instead of letting them sit on the shelf gathering dust.

I had thought that if the stuffed animals fell apart, I could just buy new ones for them, but for those children, their stuffed animal was unique and there was no replacement for it.

But Sherry could have told me that she was going to the market to help fix children’s stuffed animals.

If she did, I would have been able to do something for her.

Just as I was about to relax again today, a rare visitor came to my house.

“Yuna-chan, is this a good time?” (Mylene)

“I’m going to sleep now.” (Yuna)

“That means you’re free, right?” (Mylene)

“I said I was going to bed.” (Yuna)

“And that means that you have time, right?” (Mylene)

She didn’t understand a word I was saying.

Sleeping was also an important job.

If you don’t sleep properly, you could even die.

But the person in front of me was not going to leave.

I gave up and asked her to come inside the house.

“Swaying Bear, Hugging Bear, it’s been a long time.” (Mylene)

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear were relaxing in their room when Mylene greeted them and patted their heads.

“So, what can I do for you?” (Yuna)

“I’m going to ask Yuna-chan to do a painting for me.” (Mylene)

“What?” (Yuna)

“Yes, a painting.” (Mylene)

I was so surprised that “What?” was my immediate reaction.

“By painting, do you mean drawing on paper?” (Yuna)

“Yes, yes. What else could it be?” (Mylene)

“I’m not a painter.” (Yuna)

“But you drew picture books for the orphanage. I’ve seen them.” (Mylene)

Did she find out about those picture books?

Mylene said in a regretful voice, “I would have loved to sell those picture books, but the royal family is involved.”

“You know about that?” (Yuna)

“There is a small royal emblem on the back of those books. Even I can’t interfere if the Royal Family is involved.” (Mylene)

It seemed that even the great Mylene couldn’t compete with the King.

“But I’m sure asking you to paint will be fine.” (Mylene)

“But is painting something you can request from an adventurer?” (Yuna)

“Of course not, it’s not a request for Yuna-chan as an adventurer. It’s a personal request.” (Mylene)

“Then I can decline, right?” (Yuna)

“Do you really not want to paint?” (Mylene)

“Well, yeah, there’s no reason for me to paint in the first place.” (Yuna)

“Even if it is for your friend?” (Mylene)

I was not so cold-hearted as to deny her implying that “we are friends,” and it was true that I was indebted to Mylene.

She helped me when I was building the store, and she even did me a favor when I asked her not to sell eggs to Cliff, even though there was no benefit to her in doing so.

Considering the future, I could not treat her badly.

“All right. You just want me to draw a painting, right?” (Yuna)

I took a piece of paper out of the bear box to draw a picture.

“What should I draw? Do you want me to draw Mylene?” (Yuna)

“I’d love it if you could draw me, but that paper is too small to begin with.” (Mylene)

“Small?” (Yuna)

I always use this size of paper when I draw.

The same size was also used when I was making the picture book, and when I drew Fina in a kimono in the Country of Wa.

“I’ve already arranged a large enough paper but since it’s too narrow here, we will have to move somewhere else. ” (Mylene)

“Too narrow?” (Yuna)

Was she going to let me draw on a bigger than usual paper?

…

Mylene took me to the haunted house where I met Primme for the first time.

“I heard from Cliff that he plans to make this place an Inn.” (Yuna)

“Yes. That’s also why I want you to paint a picture to hang in the inn.” (Mylene)

I remembered a painting that was in this mansion.

One of the rooms of the mansion was decorated with a painting of a man with a face that made me want to punch him.

Once inside the mansion, Mylene took me to a place I expected.

Just as I had imagined, a painting of a man was on display.

“I’m going to get rid of this painting, so I want Yuna-chan to paint a picture to hang here.” (Mylene)

So they were getting rid of this… I didn’t know who the person in this painting was, but I feel sorry for him.

That said, if you asked me if I wanted a painting of this man, it would immediately be sent to the trash as soon as possible.

Well, I suppose if they were going to make this place an Inn, there was no need for a painting with such a figure in it.

“But do you really want me to draw such a big picture?” (Yuna)

It was far larger than the size compared to a picture book or the piece of paper I scribbled on in the land of Wa.

It was over one meter in height.

I have never painted such a large picture.

The bigger the picture, the more difficult it would be to draw.

“I might not be able to draw it well.” (Yuna)

“Hmm, modesty is good.” (Mylene)

It wasn’t about modesty or anything like that.

I didn’t know if I could do something I didn’t have experience with.

“Well then, let me show you to the painting room.” (Mylene)

After saying so, Mylene led me upstairs to one of the spare rooms.

The canvas was already set on an easel, ready to be painted.

Some paint-like materials were also provided.

It’s been a while since I’ve painted with colors, but I wonder if I would be able to use them properly.

“In how much time do you need it?” (Yuna)

“I’m not in such a hurry, don’t worry. The inn is still being prepared. We’ve done the cleaning, but we still have a lot of work to do. And of course, we need to recruit people, but we also need to train them.” (Mylene)

It was true that just because a building was available did not mean that the Inn could be started right away.

Even if employees have been gathered, if they were not trained, they would not be able to provide a good service. What kind of food would they serve? Bed-making also had to be done. Setting up cleaning and laundry rules. There was also the purchasing of food supplies.

It was not an easy task.

My restaurant was no exception.

So, I left it to Tirumina-san to take care of it because it was too much trouble for me.

“It would be great if Tirumina-san helped me.” (Mylene)

As if reading my mind, Tirumina-san’s name came up.

“If you attempt to take Tirumina-san away, I’ll disassociate myself from Mylene-san.” (Yuna)

“I’d say I could technically do so with my job, but I’m not going to do something that will antagonize Yuna-chan. Besides, Yuna-chan, have you forgotten who I am? I’m the Guild Master of the Commercial Guild.” (Mylene)

“So you’re going to use your power to make Tirumina-san leave…” (Yuna)

“What kind of crooked merchant do you think I am? I would never do such a thing. But it sure is true that Tirumina-san is someone I actually want.” (Mylene)

I think I’ve also got what it took to be an excellent recruiter.

“There are many people looking for work, but it’s difficult to find people who are serious about their work. No matter how good they are at their job, if they can’t lead their subordinates, they can’t be entrusted with a higher position. Since the inn will be serving customers, it cannot be entrusted to someone who can’t be nice or who is arrogant. On the other hand, Tirumina-san is serious and has experience in store management. She’s an excellent person, that’s why I want her. But I don’t see the merit in making an enemy of Yuna-chan by pulling her out.” (Mylene)

It was true that Mylene was benefiting from me while I was benefiting from her.

Maybe it was a “have-it-all” relationship.

“Also, I was thinking of having the children at the orphanage work for me. What do you think?” (Mylene)

“If they want to change occupations, that’s fine, but I don’t want anyone to force them to do it.” (Yuna)

“Don’t you think it would be cute to dress them up as Bear-san and have them work?” (Mylene)

“I don’t want them to dress up as bears, because I don’t own this place.” (Yuna)

If they dressed up people who worked here as bears, people would start a rumor that I run this inn.

“If you did that, I wouldn’t be painting.” (Yuna)

“I’m kidding. Don’t worry about the children thing, it’s just a joke. Besides, even if I offered those kids to work here, no one would want to do that.” (Mylene)

“Why not?” (Yuna)

“Because this inn has nothing to do with Yuna-chan.” (Mylene)

“…?” (Yuna)

I did not understand why the children would not work here if it had nothing to do with me. I think I would have to ask the children to find out. Some kids might want to work at the inn.

“Hmmm, the answer is because they all want to be praised by Yuna-chan.” (Mylene)

Mylene said with a smile and walked out of the room, saying, “Well then, I’ll leave that to you.” (Yuna)

I didn’t understand what she meant.

I would praise the children, no matter where they worked, as long as they worked hard.

It had nothing to do with my store or anything else.

I didn’t know what Mylene meant, but now that I had accepted the job, I had to paint a picture.

Come to think of it, I forgot to ask her what kind of picture I should paint.

I wonder if it could be anything.

Well, it was not my store, so bears would be excluded.

Then, I could only think of one thing.

I picked up a pencil and started to draw a rough sketch.

I’m sure it was something like this.

This was how it should look like here.

A smile would be nice.

Raise the mouth.

…

A few days later, the painting was completed.

Mylene was busy, or maybe she simply didn’t have the opportunity to see me.

Instead, a guild employee came to see the painting.

“Yuna-san, you are superb.” (Liana)

Liana-san looked at my finished painting and praised me.

I thought I did a good job, too.

On the canvas was Mylene.

She sat elegantly in her chair with a smile.

“I’m sure the Guild Master will be pleased.” (Liana)

“Then I’m happy for her.” (Yuna)

“I told her that you would be done today, so I’m sure she’ll be here later.” (Liana)

As we were talking, the door opened.

“Yuna-chan, I heard your painting was done.” (Mylene)

“Yes, it’s done.” (Yuna)

“…!” (Mylene)

Mylene-san looked at the painting and froze.

“I think I did a good job myself, what do you think?” (Yuna)

“Why me?” (Mylene)

“Because Mylene asked me to paint a portrait but didn’t mention who it would be. Naturally, the portrait can’t be of that man in the previous painting.” (Yuna)

“Then why did it end up as a picture of me?” (Mylene)

“Didn’t you want your portrait painted to show people who own this building?” (Yuna)

“No, I didn’t. I told you to make something like the picture book. I wanted you to draw a bear.” (Mylene)

“First of all, you never asked me to draw a bear. Second, I wouldn’t draw a bear since I am not the owner of this Inn.” (Yuna)

“Well, anyway, I am quite amazed. What’s this? I didn’t know that Yuna-chan could draw such a detailed picture.” (Mylene)

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it was an accurate photo of her, but I think it was close enough.

Recently, I painted a picture for Fina and her friends when we went to the country of Wa.

“But I thought that you wanted me to draw a picture of yourself, so people would know who the innkeeper was…” (Yuna)

“I have no hobby of asserting myself.” (Mylene)

Liana-san helped me out and said, “I think it’s a shame if you throw this away since Yuna-san painted it for you.”

“Yes, but Yuna-chan, could you draw a lovely Bear instead?” (Mylene)

Mylene-san held her hands together and asked.

“Then what about this Mylene-san’s picture?” (Yuna)

“That’s…” (Mylene)

I worked hard on painting it, you know?

I didn’t want it to be disposed of or to gather dust in a warehouse.

“What about hanging it in the Merchant’s Guild?” (Liana)

“No!” (Mylene)

Liana-san suggested an idea, but Mylene quickly dismissed it.

And then, after much discussion.

In exchange for replacing the picture with a bear painting, they would hang Mylene’s picture in the reference room of the Merchant’s Guild.

There was a suggestion to put it in the Guild Master’s room, but she didn’t like the idea of having her painting in her own room, and she didn’t want visitors who came to see the Guild Master to see it.

So, Liana-san came up with a compromise, and they ended up deciding for it to be placed in the reference room. Mylene also added that she could put up with the display if only the staff could see it.

And so I painted a picture of a cute bear and its mother in the style of a picture book.