Chapter 442

Bear-san, Finds The Man.

We walked around the city for a day, but we couldnt find the man with the eye patch and the cross-shaped scar on his cheek. It was just me, being seen by pa.s.sersby.

[Yuna, youre only looking at the stores, not the guy that were looking for.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

I entered the tourist mode halfway through.

Its because its more fun to look at the towns scenery, rather than looking for that person.

[I thought that my presence would make me stand out, and they would notice me.] Yuna

[No one would think that a girl dressed as a bear is looking for them.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Well, I certainly stood out, but you wouldnt expect a girl dressed as a bear youve never met in your life to be looking for you, would you?

[But if I stand out, doesnt that mean that s.h.i.+n.o.bu, whos Im with, stands out too?] Yuna

[Thats] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Besides, isnt it a bit too much to look for one person in a town this big? Cant you get someone to help you?] Yuna

Two people, rather than one. Three people rather than two. The more people whore searching, the bigger the chance youd find him.

[I dont want to search with too many people because I dont know where the information will leak out. If they find out were looking for them and they hide or flee the town, well have to start all over again.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Thats true, but its a tough call. The more people whore searching, the higher the chance of finding him, but also the higher the risk of information leaking out. Its hard to say which is better.

I honestly hope we can find him within the next three days. Yeah, I can only hope.

After a long day, I took a bath in the hot spring and hugged Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear to relax after a long day.

=====

The second day of exploration begins.

I walk around the city as I did yesterday.

[s.h.i.+n.o.bu, dont you want to kill that man?] Yuna

My parents were outrageous. So if they got killed, I would not want to kill or catch the culprit. If they get killed, it is most likely my parents fault.

[Thats true. But if I kill him, then that would be the end of it. I want to catch him and get him to confess to a lot of things he did.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Just to confirm, half-dead is fine, right?] Yuna

[What kind of horrible things are you planning to half-kill him?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Im thinking about it.

[You know, like soaking him up in fear from the bottom of his heart?] Yuna

If you instill fear in someone so deep that they can never do anything bad again, they wont do it again. Before they try to do something bad, would they feel like its a death sentence?

But before that, why did they kill s.h.i.+n.o.bus father?

If it was a random murder, it wouldnt have been a big deal.

Its possible that s.h.i.+n.o.bus father did something wrong and was killed.

Hmm, but then there would be no reason to capture him. If s.h.i.+n.o.bus father was evil and the man with the scars was righteous, then he would be innocent even if we captured him.

Then again, maybe s.h.i.+n.o.bu was right, and the man was the evil one?

[Why did that man kill your father, s.h.i.+n.o.bu?] Yuna

[I dont know. Thats why I want to capture him and find out about that too.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

So, is it possible that s.h.i.+n.o.bus father is a bad guy?

But she said he killed other people. Are those people bad people too?

The guys portrait looks like hes a villain.

There is a possibility that the person who drew the portrait has mixed in personal feelings about the guy, and we should not judge people by their looks. Ive had trouble with people judging me by my appearance many times.

The more I think about it, the less I know. Im going to have to be very calm about this when I find a guy.

=====

And today as well, the sun begins to set without finding a man.

[Lets look around some more and then well have dinner.] Yuna

I called out to s.h.i.+n.o.bu, who is standing next to me. But there was no reply. I looked at s.h.i.+n.o.bu and saw that she had stopped walking.

[s.h.i.+n.o.bu?] Yuna

[There he is.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

s.h.i.+n.o.bus gaze was fixed on a single point. When I turned my sight to where s.h.i.+n.o.bu was looking, I saw a tall man dressed like a samurai.

Thats the guy?

The man had just come out of the dumpling shop.

When the man was about to leave the store and start walking, he immediately changed direction and started walking away from us, so I couldnt see his face clearly, and I couldnt see the cross-shaped scar on his cheek.

But I could see that he was wearing an eye patch over his left eye.

[Lets follow him.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Arent you going to catch him?] Yuna

[Not here. There are still people around. If we create a commotion and cause damage, well be in trouble. If possible, we should move to a deserted place or find out which inn hes staying.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

What s.h.i.+n.o.bu said was true, so we had to follow the man.

Personally, Id like to end it by unleas.h.i.+ng magic from behind, but if the guy is innocent and it was only a backhanded attack by s.h.i.+n.o.bu, Id be the criminal.

U~u, its too much troublesome. Its such a pain.

[Lets go, Yuna.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

We kept our distance from the man a little so that he wouldnt notice us and tailed him.

[Are you sure about this?] Yuna

[There is no doubt. That appearance, I will not make a mistake about it.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

She replied strongly.

The man is walking alone, unaware that he is being followed.

I wonder where hes going. If possible, I would like him to go somewhere less crowded.

The man walking in front didnt notice us, but as usual, people pa.s.sing in front of me kept looking at me.

As expected, my outfit is not suitable for tailing, I guess?

If Im just looking for someone, then yeah, but its impossible to do so in a bear suit.

[s.h.i.+n.o.bu, dont you think I should leave?] Yuna

[Its okay because were keeping a distance.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

s.h.i.+n.o.bu and I kept our distance from the man and continued to tail him.

The man moved away from the main street and entered into a small alley.

Gradually the streets become less crowded.

[Are you sure you dont want my help?] Yuna

[Ill take care of it. Ill be fine.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Then I will not lose sight of him, and I will not let him escape. I dont want to go through the trouble of looking for him again. The man did not look back but continued on to the outskirts of town.

=====

The surrounding area is lined with old houses, many of which are surrounded by wooden walls. The streets are completely empty of people.

Its a good time to strike or talk.

[s.h.i.+n.o.bu.] Yuna

The man stopped, then he started to speak to s.h.i.+n.o.bu.

[I think this place is good enough.] Jubei

The man turned around.

As the sun was setting, the mans face appeared in front of us under the sunlight.

He had an eye patch over his left eye and a scar on his cheek. It was definitely the man from the sketch that s.h.i.+n.o.bu had.

[Did you notice us?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

s.h.i.+n.o.bu didnt even try to hide as we followed him.

[I kept hearing

anyone will notice that.] Jubei

It seems that it was my fault. Thats why I told her Im not good at tailing someone.

But the man didnt seem to notice me. He didnt even turn around once. So how could he have realized that he was being followed by a bear?

Then the man looked at me and smiled.

[So you came to this deserted place knowing that you were being followed?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[You dont want to make a scene when we confront each other, do you?] Jubei

It seems the man has his own reasons for not wanting to make a scene.

[So, why were you following me?] Jubei

[Have you forgotten about me?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

As soon as s.h.i.+n.o.bu said that, she waved her arm. At the same time, the man pulled out the sword at his waist. There was a

sound as metal clashed with metal, and something fell to the ground.

Its a kunai! s.h.i.+n.o.bu threw a kunai! And the man blocked it with his sword!

I couldnt tell because I was right behind s.h.i.+n.o.bu. s.h.i.+n.o.bus movements were lean and fast. But the man prevented it.

It was a momentary attack, but the level was high.

[Oh, youre the daughter of the man from that time? In other words, youre avenging your fathers death, arent you?] Jubei

[You quickly remembered, well that will make things easier.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

s.h.i.+n.o.bu pulled out a small dagger from her pocket.

[I wont kill you. But if I win, you will tell me everything.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Then you should have attacked me from behind when you found me.] Jubei

The man held his sword up.

[I wont do anything cowardly like that. Ill beat you with my own strength.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Fufu, interesting. Ill be your partner then. So, the cute little lady dressed as a bear over there, are you just going to watch, or are you going to help?] Jubei

The man pointed the tip of his sword at me.

I feel like the tip of his sword is telling me that if I go to help her, he will attack me as well.

[I want you to stay out of this as you promised, and watch me. If anything should happen to me, Im leaving everything to you.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

So shes basically telling me not to help and just watch.

[I also promised that if youre about to be killed, Ill step in.] Yuna

[Thats why Im saying if something happens.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

There is a chance that s.h.i.+n.o.bu will be defeated before I can do anything about it.

If there seems to be a huge power gap,

Im going to make a move sooner rather than later.

Besides, Ill find out if the man is a good or bad guy by his fight with s.h.i.+n.o.bu.

s.h.i.+n.o.bu runs, and the man waits for her.

=====

Authors Note:

Happy New Year to you all.

Im sorry for the delay.

I was worried that the bookwork did not proceed as much as I expected.

My next post will be in three or four days, if possible.

This year as well, yoros.h.i.+kuonegais.h.i.+masu.