Hanamaru Kawakami - “The Teddy Bear That Brings Happiness” event card story
無防備なままで (Vulnerably As Is)
:Note Before Reading the Butler Story:
This story contains spoilers from the "Teddy Bear That Brings Happiness" event story.
It is recommended to read up to Episode 13 of the event story before continuing.
If you want to avoid spoilers, please return using the button in the top left corner.
Having visited the town of Bearmil, me and the others… decided to help out at a teddy bear craftsman's shop for a while to get a girl's teddy bear repaired.
After finishing the morning shift...
I entered lunch break and was walking through the town of Bearmil with Hanamaru.
Hanamaru: Hmm? There are some kids gathered over there.
Aruji: I wonder what's going on?
Hanamaru: Not sure. I’m curious, let’s go take a look.
As Hanamaru approached the kids,
There was a play being performed with teddy bears.
Father Bear: "Well then, shall we embark on a special adventure today?"
Cub Bear: "A special adventure? Where are we going?"
Father Bear: "To the magical lake deep in the forest.
The water there is very delicious, and drinking it will make you feel energetic!"
Cub Bear: "Wow! I want to drink it too!"
Father Bear: "Then let's set off on our adventure!"
Hanamaru: I see, it's a play about a bear family.
Looks like it just started.
The father bear seems really motivated.
must have water that tastes great and is good for diluting alcohol.
If that's the case, it makes sense that it would make you feel energetic.
Aruji: Hmm, I don’t think that’s it…
Still, the kids are watching with sparkling eyes.
Aruji: They seem really interested.
Hanamaru: Yeah. Oh, a rabbit just appeared next!
Rabbit: "Oh, hello, Papa Bear. Where are you going?"
Papa Bear: "Hello, Rabbit.
Today, I'm going to the magical lake with Cub Bear."
Hanamaru: So the son is Cub Bear, and the father is Papa Bear...
Well, they sure are easy to remember.
Aruji: Yeah, it's simple.
Rabbit: "The magical lake? That sounds wonderful!
Just be careful not to get lost on the way."
Cub Bear: "Thank you, Rabbit!
Hanamaru: Hmm, it’s aimed at children, but...
I can’t help but be drawn to it.
Feeling intrigued by the play...
Me and Hanamaru decided to watch from behind the children.
Papa Bear and Cub Bear made their way through the forest...
and soon arrived right by the lake.
However, just as they were about to reach it, a large rock blocked their path...
Just when Cub Bear seemed ready to give up...
The strong Papa Bear moved the large rock...
and the two made it to the magical lake safely.
With Cub Bear saying, "Let’s go on another adventure!"
Hanamaru: Wow, that was a pretty interesting play.
It was a heartwarming story with a happy ending.
Aruji: The kids seemed to enjoy it too.
...Well, it’s about time to end our break.
Ultimately, Hanamaru and I ended up watching the play until the end...
and while discussing their impressions, hurried back to work.
[Bearmil Inn - Master’s Bedroom]
After finishing all the work for the day, I returned to the inn...
and spent some relaxing time in the bedroom, preparing for tomorrow's work.
Hanamaru: Good evening, my master.
Aruji: Good evening, Hanamaru.
Hanamaru: Thanks for your hard work today.
Hanamaru: I see. That’s good.
Aruji: Do you need something?
Hanamaru: Well, a little.
The play we saw earlier was so interesting...
I guess it woke me up a bit.
Aruji: Were you that impressed?
Hanamaru: Yeah, you know how sensitive I am.
Watching that peaceful play...
Hanamaru: As expected of you, my master.
I felt nostalgic, even if it wasn't exactly heartwarming.
When I was at the church, I used to perform puppet shows for the kids.
Aruji: You did puppet shows, Hanamaru…?
Back then, there was no such thing as playing with puppets.
There wasn’t that kind of culture either.
Imagine me doing puppet shows for the kids...
You can guess how that would turn out, right?
They complained that my reading was too flat, that I couldn't differentiate voices...
They said the sisters were better; it was a disaster.
Well, thanks to the practice afterward...
Hanamaru: …Alright, enough small talk...
Let’s get to the main topic.
I’m thinking of doing a puppet show with teddy bears now.
At the unexpected mention of a puppet show...
I looked surprised and stared at Hanamaru.
I prepared a lot in my room earlier.
I really want you to see it. What do you say, my master?
Aruji: Since you went through the trouble, I’d like to see it.
I’ll show you the best puppet show, so look forward to it.
Hanamaru seemed quite confident about his show.
he would show me the play he talked about from the church.
Aruji: The hero story you mentioned earlier?
This time, it’s a different story.
Aruji: Then what’s it about?
Hanamaru: Well, well, don’t rush.
Just enjoy the main story.
By the way, it’s not the hero story from the church...
but it’s still about how "Hanamaru is cool."
Feel free to admire me, my master.
As Hanamaru said this, he began to prepare.
He suggested I relax and enjoy the show...
and encouraged me to get on the bed.
I followed his suggestion...
and while getting under the covers, waited for the show to begin.
Hanamaru brought a small side table next to the bed.
Without any props for the show...
it seemed the side table would serve as the stage.
Hanamaru: Alright then...
"Papa Bear and Cub Bear’s Adventure", let the show begin~.
As Hanamaru announced the title...
He took out two teddy bears from somewhere.
Aruji: (Is this a tribute to the daytime play?)
However, right from the start...
there were differences from the earlier play.
First... the adult bear lay on the ground...
lazily calling out to Cub Bear.
Papa Bear: "Yawn~ It’s a nice day today.
Cub Bear, shall we go for a walk?"
Cub Bear: "Yeah! Papa, where are we going?"
Papa Bear: "Hmm... what should we do?
How about we go to the magical lake in the forest?"
While the voice pitch was almost the same as usual...
He clearly differentiated the characters through his speech.
It seemed that the story about doing puppet shows at the church was true...
and a sense of familiarity came through.
just like in the daytime play, the rabbit appeared.
Rabbit: "Hello, Hanamaru.
Where are you going with your child?"
Aruji: (Papa Bear is Hanamaru...)
I’m thinking of going to the magical lake with this little one."
Rabbit: "The magical lake!?
Rabbit: "Recently, bad wolves have made it their den!"
Aruji: (Wait, wolves...?)
With this sudden twist different from the daytime play...
I found myself curious about what would happen next.
Afterward, Hanamaru and Cub Bear disregarded the rabbit's warning...
and headed toward the magical lake.
However, as the rabbit said...
it was indeed filled with many wolves.
Wolf: "The magical lake belongs to us!
If you don’t want to get hurt, get out of the forest now!"
"Hanamaru," or Papa Bear, stood firm against the wolves' threats...
While protecting Cub Bear...
he threw the wolves around with his tremendous strength.
If you leave now, I won’t chase you."
We’ll return this lake to everyone in the forest!"
Wolf: "L-Let’s go, everyone!
Quickly, let’s get away from here!"
Cub Bear: "Papa! Amazing!
All the bad wolves are running away!"
This is just a piece of cake."
Papa Bear struck a pose as if to show off...
Aruji: (He’s not just cool... he’s cute.)
There seems to be someone over there!"
At the edge of the side table...
a new teddy bear appeared.
New Bear: "Thank you for saving me."
"Y/n was caught by those wolves...
Hanamaru: "What’s your name?"
Hanamaru: Thus, the two bears reclaimed the magical lake from the wolves...
and rescued (Y/n) who had been captured.
Then, Bear Hanamaru welcomed (Y/n) into his home...
promising to protect them for life.
And they lived happily ever after.
After saying this, Hanamaru...
made a bow using Papa Bear.
I was asked for impressions by Hanamaru.
Aruji: It was interesting.
Hanamaru: You didn’t expect me to appear at the end, did you?
Aruji: Yeah, I was surprised.
it’s a good stopping point, and it’s about time for bed.
He gently tucked me into the blanket.
Then, the Papa Bear he used in the play...
"Hanamaru" was placed by my pillow.
Hanamaru: Just like in the play...
no matter what happens, I’ll protect you, my master.
Good night, my master... sweet dreams.
Aruji: Hehe... thank you.
Hanamaru smiled softly… and started to leave the room.
However...for some reason, I didn’t want to part with him yet...
I called out to his back without thinking.
Hanamaru: Hmm? My master, what is it?
Aruji: ...Just a little longer, let’s stay together.
Hanamaru: ...My master...
...Geez, you’re such a handful.
I’ll stay by your side until you fall asleep.
Hanamaru brought a chair next to the bed.
Hanamaru: I’ll be right here.
Make sure to sleep well, okay?
Hanamaru: Alright, alright...
Hehe, should I sing you a lullaby?
While teasing, Hanamaru...
gently squinted his eyes and looked at me.
As I was watched over by Hanamaru...
I felt my heart calming, even as I was nervous.
Hanamaru: Come on, my master… close your eyes.
If you stay awake any longer, it’ll affect tomorrow, you know?
With Hanamaru's low and slow voice...
I gradually began to feel sleepy.
you worked hard at the shop today...
It’s good to do your best, but...
aren’t you pushing yourself a bit too hard?
If you’re working hard...
I can’t slack off either.
I’d appreciate it if you could relax a bit more.
His words, sounding like a complaint but filled with concern...
And so, listening to Hanamaru’s gentle voice...
I slowly drifted into the world of sleep.
In the midst of drowsiness...
I could hear Hanamaru’s gentle voice.
Aruji: (I’m still... not asleep...)
Hanamaru: ...What a cute sleeping face, my master.
I used to put the kids at the church to sleep like this...
but my master is definitely different from them in some way.
Hanamaru: …Geez, you’re sleeping with such a vulnerable face.
Along with Hanamaru's voice...
a warm sensation touched my forehead.
It seemed he was gently patting my head.
As I recognized this… I felt the sleepiness from before gradually fading away.
Aruji: (W-Why is it so hard to open my eyes...?)
For some reason, I hesitated to open my eyes...
and continued to pretend to be asleep.
Hanamaru: ...You’re not awake, are you?
Aruji: (Uh-oh... did he catch me...?)
Aruji: (He didn’t... notice...)
Even with my eyes closed...
I could strongly feel his gaze.
In dreams and in reality...
I’ll make sure you can sleep...
with such a vulnerable face.
I will protect all of you... completely.
…I don’t want to feel that way again...
With that, Hanamaru stopped patting my head...
and tucked the blanket around me again.
Hanamaru: ...Good night, my master.
I heard Hanamaru's voice one last time...
and heard the sound of him leaving through the door.
Aruji: (He left... right?)
After his footsteps faded away...
Staring at the door Hanamaru had exited...
I gently hugged the teddy bear by my pillow.
gracieabrams
gamechangershow
2087
turnnoffyourmind
kianamaiart
yousharknotpass
areudirty
