Bridget’s Favorite Things
Inside Anne’s Little Diner.
“I’m so happy. Please be sure to spread the word!”
“Thanks, Miss Silk. I’ll do my best to make a great book.”
“Speaking of which, there was someone who said they knew about the catfolk, though it was only rumors—they hadn’t seen one. But apparently, some people have seen them up north… though that’s just a rumor too.”
“Seriously? No, that’s actually really useful information.”
“Thank you, Silk, meow!”
This was the first diner I visited since coming to the royal capital.
I snapped a photo of Silk. Then another of the recommended dishes: the fluffy milk bread and the hearty soup filled with meat and vegetables.
Of course, I made sure to eat everything properly.
“Ugh, I’m so full, meowa.”
“Yeah, but this is costing more in research funds and effort than I expected.”
“Guidebooks are tasty but tough to make, huh.”
“The tasty part’s the food.”
Visiting multiple places a day is hard.
We need to be efficient and think about our stomachs too.
Silk told me earlier that she’d been asking about us too.
Getting our faces out there like this is important.
Next up is Old man Rildo’s, Mr. Edilio’s general store, Miri’s secret shop.
The hunting grounds, and maybe a night-time review section too… might as well include it.
The big highlight will probably be the labyrinth dungeon.
“We haven’t checked out that shop yet, meow.”
“We haven’t? Well, might as well take a look.”
It had a rather fancy-looking exterior.
Whimsical, like something out of a fairytale—I felt like I’d seen it somewhere before.
I checked the map.
—
[Bear Bear Paradise]
4.3 ★★★★☆ (2147)
Royal Capital Girl
★★★★★
This bear is so cute.
This bear’s cute too.
Royal Capital Boy
★★★★☆
This tough-looking bear is awesome.
But the stuffing comes out pretty quickly…
Bridget
★★★★★
Ehe… eheh…
S-So cute…
—
“Look, Tabito, there are tons of bears inside—”
“Wait, Milfie.”
“Eh? What is it?”
“Let’s not. This place… it’s a threat to human dignity.”
“Eh? W-What are you talking about?”
Looking at the map, I saw little Bridget moving around inside the shop.
Her name was visible probably because we’d talked a few times.
She’d move a bit, then stop. Move a bit, then stop—on repeat.
Yep, she’s clearly enjoying browsing.
Still, judging by how she usually acts, there’s no way she wants anyone to find out about this.
Better skip this store—
“Waaah, look at all the bears!”
And with that, innocent Milfie walked right in through the entrance.
Crap. I rushed after her, but I was already too late.
“Heheh, this new pink bear is adorable. Oops… If someone were to see me with this—”
“It’s Miss Bridget! That bear you’re holding is so cute!”
“…………”
Milfie greeted her cheerfully.
She meant no harm—in fact, she was being completely genuine.
Bridget froze with a blank expression.
She was holding a big bear, her hands full of affection.
… No, looking closer, her cheeks were red.
She was trembling. She must be embarrassed.
And now, I can’t help but start thinking mischievously.
How will she talk her way out of this?
Saying it’s a gift for a niece would be a safe bet.
Or maybe something like, “I just wandered in by chance.”
Let’s see how she handles this! (Yes, I’m being a jerk.)
“Th-this is… um… it’s not what it looks like aaaaaaaaah!”
“Feh—M-Miss Bridget!?”
Blushing and tearful, she lowered her head and hid her face behind the bear.
A perfect score, 100 out of 100. Thank you for the feast.
“This is a teddy bear from the western region. It’s a traditional item passed down from parent to child.”
“Wow, that’s amazing, meowa.”
After about ten minutes of Bridget’s flustered, fumbling denial, she finally ended the conversation with flushed cheeks, saying, “I-I just… really like teddy bears…”
Of course, Milfie just kept nodding along attentively the whole time.
And me? I already knew, so there was no issue at all.
Actually, an S-Rank, ultra-competent woman who loves teddy bears is the best, honestly.
Though I’m sure she’s mortified.
Then, Milfie said, “If it’s alright, would you mind telling me more about them?”
And just like that, we were off.
Even I learned a lot about teddy bear biology I didn’t know, and frankly, it could make for a full feature.
“Tabito, um, if you’re bored you can say so—”
“No, this is interesting. Personally, I like this yellow bear.”
“R-Really?! Well, that one is—”
People really aren’t always what they seem.
This bright, cheerful, and friendly demeanor must be the real Bridget.
“Thanks. I had a lot of fun today.”
“Same here! I’m gonna sleep with this huggy bear tonight, meow!”
Milfie had a long, soft teddy bear in her arms as she left the shop.
Apparently it was incredibly comfortable to hold, and recommended for travelers who stay at a lot of inns and want a good night’s sleep.
For the record, I bought one too.
Bridget was surprisingly easy to talk to.
She said people often avoided her just because she’s an S-Rank.
Sure, extreme strength can feel intimidating, but I’ll try not to judge her based on that.
“I’ve traveled to many countries, but I’ve never seen a guidebook. It will definitely sell. I guarantee it.”
“Thank you. That really means a lot to me.”
She was saying something really encouraging, but what I really wanted to ask was:
Can I make a Bridget’s Bear Corner?
It’s hard to bring up… would she get mad?
No, I have to say it.
I *will* say it, no matter what.
Because they’re just too cute!
“—Miss Bridget.”
“—Tabito.”
We ended up calling each other’s names at the same time.
Flustered, I told her, “Go ahead,” but she insisted I go first.
No way. I can’t go first.
So after going back and forth a few times with “Please, you first,” she finally gave in.
“I heard about your amnesia from Karin. That you’re searching for your true self. Milfie’s looking for her people too, huh?”
“Yes. Honestly, I don’t remember anything at all.”
Bridget fixed me with a piercing gaze.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know much about the catfolk either. However, Tabito—*I* know who you are.”
“Wait, you know me…? You *know* me!?”
“Yes. At first I thought you might be lying about something and was on guard. But now I’m convinced that’s not the case. That said, it’s a bit of an odd story. If you truly want to recover your memories, I might be able to help.”
“Would you please tell me?”
“I met you in the Land of Dea—”
“A monster’s escaped!! Aaaaaaahhhhh!!”
A scream rang out at that moment.
I checked the map—a large monster was approaching from the front.
“Miss Bridget, Milfie—”
“Right.”
“Meow!”
They were already poised with weapons drawn.
Impressive.
But what appeared… was a huge monster bear.
This is bad.
I *love* bears.
If neither Milfie nor I stop it—
—*Fwoosh.*
In the next instant, Bridget launched forward at a speed even my Guide Lens couldn’t follow.
It couldn’t have taken even a full second.
She took the bear’s head clean off—then its heart.
Two swift, precise strikes.
Soon, a man who looked like a merchant came running up.
“M-Miss B-Bridget!? I’m so sorry, it looks like it was still stubborn and got loose during the dissection…”
“Any damage?”
“No, none. I’m really sorry…”
“That’s not the issue. Review everything thoroughly so you don’t make the same mistake again.”
“Yes, ma’am…”
She was already back to her usual sharp expression.
She shook the blood from her sword with a flick in the air.
Milfie looked surprised too—like she hadn’t thought it was possible to beat a bear.
“What is it?”
“Ah, no, I was just… surprised it was a bear, I guess?”
“… The kind I like… are stuffed bears *only*…”
Her cheeks flushed pink.
Boom—1,000 points awarded.
Wait, no, she’s not listening to what I wanted to ask.
—
Milfie
★★★★★
Bear bear beaaaar.
Bear beaar♪
Bridget
★★★★★
I never knew bear talks with people could be so fun…
Ahh, I want to talk more.
Tabito
★★★★★
Stuffed bears are deep, huh.
Can I make a Bridget’s Bear Corner?
Would she get mad?
Should I ask…?
What do you think about this chapter?
