863 Bear, checks things out Part 1 - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

After leaving the Commerce Guild, Fina and I decided to head back to the store. First, we needed to check in with Karin. "Yuna, you're amazing, always coming up with so many ideas," Fina said. There's really nothing amazing about it. I just recalled events from my original world and offered suggestions within my capabilities. Someone with expertise could undoubtedly come up with better ideas. I've only mentioned the basics, really. "Didn't you suggest having a place where people can try out Reversi, Fina? I think that's a fantastic idea." A corner for competitions. If I had ever been to a card shop, maybe I would have thought of it. But lacking that experience, that idea didn't occur to me. It's quite something that Fina, unaware of card shops, was able to think of it. I believe whoever first comes up with something is remarkable, just like the idea of stuffed toys. It means she's observant of her surroundings. Back at the store, the lunchtime rush was over, and it felt calm inside. "Karin," I called out to her as she surveyed the store. "Yuna, what's up? Are you hungry already?" I’m not a character who’s perpetually hungry. "I wanted to check with you about something store-related. Consult, perhaps?" "Oh, with me?" To avoid being in the way, we moved to a room at the back. "So, what is it you'd like to discuss?" I explained to Karin the conversation I had with Riana at the Commerce Guild. "Well, if you ask whether we can do it or not, we can. As you can see, there are empty seats in the store. The kids also have some free time, so we can handle lending out the items. But if it's just for matches, why not just place the Reversi boards on some tables? Those interested will sit down and play on their own." Indeed, leaving Reversi boards on tables would save the trouble of lending them out. "After lunch, just placing them on tables wouldn't require much effort at all." After some discussion, we decided to designate two-person tables as competition spaces. Of course, people could play Reversi while eating. Whether having pudding, cake, bread, pizza, or fries, it would all be allowed. Even if the Reversi pieces got dirty, they could be cleaned after the store closed. With Karin's approval, I relayed this to Morin, who was busy baking bread in the kitchen. "I'm leaving the store matters to Karin. If she approves, then I'm fine with it too." With Morin's consent, next, we headed to Fina's home to meet Tirumina. Tirumina and Shuri had just returned from shopping. I briefed them on what Riana had discussed and the conversation we had with Karin. "I want to do it too!" exclaimed Shuri, raising her hand after hearing about the idea of the orphanage kids being potential opponents. "Only if Tirumina gives the okay," I said. "Mom, I want to do it too!" Shuri repeated, this time to her mother, Tirumina. "Hehe, you can," Tirumina chuckled, and Shuri beamed with excitement. "But first, we'll need the Headmaster's and Liz's approval. And it depends on if the children are willing," Tirumina added. If the Headmaster or Liz disapproves, it won't happen. And if the children aren't interested, we can't force them. It wouldn't be right to let only Shuri participate. "Tirumina, if there's any other idea you have, please share." "Let me think," she pondered briefly. "How about giving out paper to those who try it?" "Paper?" "Yes, it's not a proper Reversi set, but paper with a grid on it. That way, people could practice at home." It could be played at home with parents, siblings, or family after work. This means those interested could practice even at home. "As for the pieces, smaller paper would do. Just make sure one side is black." Once home, they can cut them out individually, creating simple pieces. As long as it's not in a windy place, they'll be able to play with the paper just fine. "Practicing at home might make them more interested in joining competitions or even buying a proper Reversi set." A sort of sample, I see. I'll adopt Tirumina's idea. I'll draw up a poster and inform Riana when I hand it over. Before it got too late, I headed to the orphanage. Fina had to stay behind to help prepare dinner. Upon arriving at the orphanage, preparations for dinner were underway, with Liz and Neef setting up meals surrounded by children helping them out. "Yuna, is there something you need at this hour?" The Headmaster noticed me and approached, her voice carrying concern. "I have a request or rather something I'd like to consult about," I replied. "With me?" "With you, Liz, and everyone else, too." "Then, let's discuss it over dinner." Not wanting to disrupt dinner preparations, I seated myself near the Headmaster. Some children were helping with cooking, while others took care of younger ones. But this has always been the case—the children here have been so diligent. "Ever since the older kids started looking after the younger ones, they told me to get some rest," the Headmaster said, glancing fondly at the children behind me. "Neef came to help, but even so, they know how hard the Headmaster and Liz work," one child said earnestly. "Yeah, so we decided to do whatever we can," another added. Having seen them help firsthand, hearing this was heartwarming, and the Headmaster seemed close to tears. "Headmaster, you're crying again," one child pointed out. "As I get older, I'm becoming more tearful. It's not good," she admitted with a gentle smile. As we shared such heartwarming stories, the children who worked at the Bear's Rest Shop returned home. "Welcome back." "Oh, Yuna?" "Why is Yuna here?" "I wanted to talk to everyone." "About what?" Excitedly, they crowded around me. "Yuna will talk during dinner, so let's all get ready," the Headmaster instructed. "Okay!" they chimed, placing their bags—filled with the scent of bread—on the table. The leftover bread from the shop was destined for the orphanage's meal. On days when bread sells out, Karin and the shop kids bake new batches for dinner and the next morning. Baking turns into practice for Karin and the kids, making good use of the bread they make. Morin usually supervises. I wonder which type of bread we have today. With dinner preparations complete and everyone gathered, it was time to eat. I joined in the meal. I wondered if this bread was made by the children. Compared to Morin's bread, it was lacking in some ways, but it was undoubtedly delicious. "So, Yuna, what was it you wanted to talk about?" "Is it about some delicious food?" "Sorry, it's not about food. I wanted to consult with everyone—or maybe make a request." "A consultation?" "A request?" I began explaining the Reversi tournament and how I wanted everyone to help at the Bear's Rest Shop by teaching customers the rules or playing games with them. "Everyone can play Reversi, right?" "I'm the best at it!" "Don't lie. I beat you last time." "That was just once." "Well, I've beaten you before, too." "Settle down, everyone." The Headmaster raised her voice, and the room quieted. "Yuna is trying to help you all. If there's going to be fighting about it, none of you will be participating." "Sorry." "We're sorry, Headmaster." Apologizing to the Headmaster, the children fell silent. "But taking care of the birds and then playing Reversi at the store?" "Not all at once. If you could take turns, that would be helpful. Is anyone interested in volunteering?" "I want to!" "Me too." "I'm not very good, so..." "I don't really play much." Of course, no one would be forced to participate. Some kids might be eager to join, while others might be hesitant. Personally, I'd lean toward not wanting to participate. "Headmaster, Liz, Neef, what do you all think? It's only for those who are willing." The children's feelings are important, but I also need the approval of the adults supervising them. "I'm in favor if it's not burdensome. It's a valuable experience to interact with others," the Headmaster said. "Agreed. As long as it's not everyone at once. Besides caring for the birds, there are other things they need to do," Liz added. "I feel the same. Kids here have fewer opportunities to engage with outsiders compared to those at the shop," Neef remarked. Indeed, having less interaction with people could lead them to become like me. "My concern is whether the kids working at the shop will feel unfairly treated. It might seem like they're working while their friends play." That was a valid point. The kids working at the shop were busy, and suggesting the bird caregivers could play Reversi might seem unfair. "I want to play Reversi too." "Me as well." Voices from the kids working in the shop joined in. Of course, they would feel that way. Watching their friends play Reversi while they were busy working must be frustrating. However, it’s not an option to forgo their job responsibilities entirely. Still, I empathized with the shop-working children's feelings. "What if we rotated?" "Rotated?" "The time slots for Reversi won't be crowded, so having two kids should be manageable." "Really!" Hearing my proposal, the children working at the shop were thrilled. "But this is just my idea. We still need to discuss it with Morin and Karin. If they don't approve, it won't happen." We'd have to go back and discuss it with Karin and Morin. For now, we decided that 4 to 6 kids from the orphanage would take turns each day. Liz would be in charge of organizing the rotation.