Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

Chapter 726

When I woke up in the morning, Anzu and the others were already at work.

“Good morning, Dad. Did you sleep well?” (Anzu)

“Yeah, I slept well. Are you preparing for the restaurant opening, Anzu?” (Deiga)

“Yes, we’re checking the ingredients and making sure we know which dishes we can serve today. Unlike Mileela, here we can’t just go out and buy more ingredients as soon as they run out.” (Anzu)

In Mileela, when ingredients ran out, people went to the nearby store to buy more or asked the fishermen they knew to give them any extra ingredients they had.

But that was not possible at Crimonia.

Apparently, some shops sold fish, but they didn’t have as good a selection as the ones found in Mileela.

“Is there anything I can help with?” (Deiga)

“Not at the moment. Why don’t you go and take a look around the town of Crimonia? You’ll learn a lot.” (Anzu)

“But I thought you will need…” (Deiga)

“This isn’t Father’s restaurant.” (Anzu)

“That’s right, Uncle Deiga. Anzu-chan is now a full-fledged cook.” (Seno)

“Besides, we’re here to help, so it will be fine.” (Fornet)

I was pushed out of the restaurant by Anzu and the others.

Miss Bear and Miss Fina were watching the scene.

After listening to my story, Miss Bear agreed to show me around the town of Crimonia.

As I thought yesterday, it really was a big town.

There were many different shops and many people doing business, as well as many shops selling things I’d never seen before.

At my request, Bear Missy and Fina agreed to take me around mainly to look at ingredients and food.

There were all kinds of shops. Each one of them was a learning experience.

There were many ingredients and dishes which I had never seen before. If I lived in a place like this, I’d probably learn how to cook new dishes, too.

Yesterday, I was looking at Anzu’s cooking, and there were a few new dishes.

And someone from our hometown of Mileela had opened a shop just like Anzu.

The shop owner said that he initially had a hard time, but gradually, his customer base grew, and he was accepted by the residents of Crimonia.

It made me happy, but I also felt a little sad to think that people were leaving Mileela.

Then again, taking on new challenges in a new town was also a good thing to do.

Anzu also tried new things and became what she is today.

All of this was thanks to the Bear Missy next to me.

Bear Missy helped with the preparations for opening the restaurant, and Tirumina-san, Fina’s mother, helped with things like arranging the ingredients.

Furthermore, many people had promoted Anzu’s shop by word of mouth, attracting customers to Anzu’s shop. Anzu told me that this had spread from person to person, making people start coming to the shop.

When I thanked the Bear Missy for this, she said:

“That’s how it was at first, but the reason people come back to the restaurant a second or third time is because Anzu’s food is delicious.” (Yuna)

The Bear Missy was right. If the food was inadequate, customers wouldn’t come back to the restaurant.

For customers, there were many other restaurants to choose from. If the food was subpar, they would go to another restaurant.

That was why they couldn’t afford to cut corners with the food.

Then, we went to another shop run by Bear Missy. It had also something to do with food. 

The bakers there were Morin and Karin, whom I had met when they visited Mileela.

I tried some bread, and it was mouthwatering.

The food was distinct from mine and Anzu’s, but I could tell that much passion had gone into the bread.

It was not a taste that could be effortlessly reproduced. It must have been challenging to achieve such a taste. I respect them as a chef.

In addition to the taste, many dishes with shapes of bear faces, such as bear bread, would make children delighted.

This was the kind of food that would make children want to come back again as repeat customers.

The flavour of food was important, but so was how it was presented.

Octopus and squid were delicious when cooked, but when I once showed a live octopus and squid to a customer, they made a fuss.

We were used to seeing them, but it must have looked a bit weird for people who didn’t know about octopus and squid.

The taste was great.

Then, we went to see Tirumina-san, Fina’s mother, to thank her for caring for Anzu.

Even though we couldn’t eat anymore, I still wanted to say hello to the people who had taken care of Anzu.

“Welcome, Deiga-san. Fina told me you came to see Anzu-chan.” (Tirumina)

“I’m quite embarrassed about that.” (Deiga)

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of worrying about your daughter. It’s better to be a parent who worries than a parent who doesn’t.” (Tirumina)

“It’s a great help to hear you say that.” (Deiga)

“But if you meddle too much in their life, the child will grow to hate you, so you should still be careful.” (Tirumina)

Tirumina-san said this and looked at her daughter, Fina.

Although I had been raising children longer than her, I felt that she knew how to deal with children better than me.

Although I have raised my daughter and son, I may have left the actual raising of my children to my wife when they were young. When my daughter wanted to learn how to cook, I raised her as a cook instead of a normal child.

So, that was why I thought she might have felt lonely after she left me.

My wife seemed to have been able to let go of her children, but I didn’t seem to have been able to.

“So let us both watch over them from afar. That’s the role of parents.” (Tirumina)

“I suppose so.” (Deiga)

If Anzu ever needed help, I would naturally lend a hand.

“Oh, if Anzu gets a boyfriend, please let me know. I’ll check out what kind of guy he is.” (Deiga)

Tirumina-san’s eyes widened, and she burst out laughing at my words.

Did I say something funny?

“I’m sorry, you said the same thing as my husband. But, from a woman’s perspective, if my father did something like that, I would have thought that it was none of his business and started hating him, so please be careful.” (Tirumina)

My wife had mentioned the same thing to me before.

But it would be a disaster if Anzu got involved with an abnormal man.

“Besides, as long as Yuna-chan is around, no strange men will come near her, so don’t worry. No one would want to risk losing their lives.” (Tirumina)

Tirumina-san said something scary, so nonchalantly.

However, I kind of understand. The Bear Missy was protecting Anzu.

Everyone believed in the Bear Missy.

Even I believed in her, which was why I was able to leave Anzu in her care.

I felt like something that had been bothering me for a while had been lifted.

Then, after Bear Missy finished playing with the children, we went back to sightseeing the town square with her.

After eating various kinds of food, I thanked Bear Missy and Fina for staying out so late with me, and then I went back to Anzu’s shop.

The girls went home, rubbing their bellies.

I made them try all sorts of different foods.

When I got back to the restaurant, many customers had arrived for dinner.

I looked in through the window and saw more and more customers coming in. Inside the restaurant, Seno and the others were moving around busily serving customers.

After the meal, they clear away the plates, wipe the table, and show new customers to their seats. They then take orders and pass them on to the kitchen. And then, one after another, the food is brought out from the kitchen.

I thought the same yesterday, but it looked like they were doing a good job.

I silently looked around the restaurant.

As my thoughts switched to observing the restaurant until it was closed, my eyes met with Seno, who was wiping a table near the window.

Seno opened the window.

“Uncle Deiga, you’re back!” (Seno)

I gave up hiding and approached Seno.

“I’m back. ” (Deiga)

“Do you want something to eat?” (Seno)

“No, I’m fine. I’ve already eaten.” (Deiga)

“Well, I never thought that I’d see such a day. You, eating food cooked by someone other than Anzu-chan.” (Seno)

“No, I’m eating to study.” (Deiga)

“It’s a betrayal.” (Seno)

“Seno, don’t embarrass Uncle Deiga.” (Fornet)

Fornet showed up and gave Seno’s head a light nudge. Then she looked at me.

“Uncle Deiga, if you’re not hungry, please help us.” (Fornet)

“But this is Anzu’s shop, and she said you guys didn’t need my help in the morning.” (Deiga)

“I only said that because I wanted Uncle Deiga to see Crimonia. If you’re finished with that and have some spare time, then that’s a different story.” (Fornet)

“…” (Deiga)

“Besides, even though Anzu-chan said that, she seemed happy to be cooking with you yesterday.” (Fornet)

“I see.” (Deiga)

“But I don’t think it’s a lie to say that she wants Uncle Deiga to see Crimonia.” (Fornet)

Fornet smiled.

“All right. I’ll have to work to pay for the lodging.” (Deiga)

I went inside the restaurant and headed for the kitchen.

“Dad?” (Anzu)

“I’ve seen the town, so I’m now free and have time. Give me some instructions. You’re the chef here.” (Deiga)

Anzu looked at me intently, then nodded.

“Then, you can start by filleting the fish over there.” (Anzu)

“Oh, I understand.” (Deiga)

I moved as Anzu instructed.

Anzu’s instructions were without hesitation and were on par with those of a veteran chef.

She prepared the food quickly and gave instructions to Petora, who assisted her.

Seno and Forne took the finished dishes and served them to customers.

“Thank you.” (Customer 1)

“I’ll be back again, Seno-chan.” (Customer 2)

The customers left the restaurant with satisfied looks on their faces.

“Dad, I’ll have the meat next time.” (Anzu)

“Okay.” (Deiga)

I remembered the time we were cooking together in Mileela.

It was fun.

I thought the same yesterday, but she was really making progress.

I never realized how much she had grown in the time I wasn’t looking.

…Such a fun time came to an end.

“Well then, Uncle Deiga, please help out when you’re in Crimonia, even if it’s just for dinner.” (Fornet)

“Oh, okay.” (Deiga)

“Well, tomorrow is a holiday, so please go out and have fun with Anzu-chan.” (Fornet)

I nodded in response to Forne’s request.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time.

All of this was thanks to you, Bear Missy.

The next day, I went out with Anzu because the restaurant was closed.

As a resident of Crimonia, Anzu was knowledgeable about the town, and explained many things to me.

“Dad, are you listening?” (Anzu)

“Yeah, I’m listening.” (Deiga)

“There are ingredients here that you can’t get in Mileela, so it’s fun.” (Anzu)

“They’re also coming into Mileela.” (Deiga)

Thanks to the tunnel connecting Crimonia and Mileela, a number of new ingredients have started to arrive.

“I know. But the problem with Crimonia is that it’s difficult to get the seasonings and ingredients from the Land of Wa. Even so, they’re still giving us priority. Thanks to Yuna-san.” (Anzu)

“I see.” (Deiga)

“What’s wrong? You’ve been like that for a while now.” (Anzu)

“Nothing. I’m just happy to know that Anzu is growing up well, but I also feel a little lonely.” (Deiga)

“I know you’re happy, but why are you lonely?” (Anzu)

“As a parent, it’s a joy to see your child grow up. But it is also sad to see them leave your side. You’ll understand when you get married and have children of your own.” (Deiga)

“And how many years is that from now? Besides, I’m not going to leave Dad just yet. I may be working at Crimonia right now, but I’m learning many different dishes, and someday I will go back to Mileela and serve them to everyone.” (Anzu)

“At the time Anzu leaves Crimonia, Bear Missy will be sad.” (Deiga)

“She won’t have to worry about cooking. There appears to be a girl at the orphanage who likes to cook, so if I teach her, there shouldn’t be a problem. It seems that Neff-san is teaching her various things right now. I will let her try it out at our restaurant next time.” (Anzu)

“I see.” (Deiga)

“The taste of my father’s cooking will be passed on to many people.” (Anzu)

Anzu smiled.

“My taste is not something that can be easily imitated.” (Anzu)

“That’s why every day is a training session.” (Deiga)

It was incredible to be able to see Anzu’s face.

No matter where she ended up, she was still my daughter.

She continued to cook without becoming conceited.

My only worry was whether I would be able to hold my grandchildren or not.

Well, I guess all I could do was wait patiently.

A few days later, I returned to Mileela.

I received various ingredients from Anzu and the Bear Missy as a souvenir.

They said they would send them over if I ever need more ingredients in Mileela.

I also had to study hard if I wanted to keep ahead of Anzu.

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