Extra Story: Noa Spends Time with Her Mom

Extra Story:
Noa Spends Time with Her Mom

 

MOTHER CAME BACK from the capital with Chef Zelef. It seems she’s come to see Yuna’s shop. I told her I could show her around, but she said everyone would get nervous if they learned she was a noble, so she would be going without letting anyone know who she was.

Even Fina, who can now speak normally to me, used to be so nervous when we first met. When I went to another shop with my father, it felt as though we were being treated differently from the other guests.

I understood what Mother felt, and I also understood that I couldn’t go with her since everyone at Yuna’s shop knew I was the lord’s daughter. So…even though Mother had come home, I couldn’t spend time with her.

 

Once I finished eating, I collapsed onto my bed.

Was Mother eating at Yuna’s shop right now? Or had she finished her business there?

I do so wish I could have gone with her.

I reached out my hand toward the bear stuffed animals on my bed and clutched one. They were the ones Yuna had given me—I had two of them on my bed. The black one was Kumayuru, and the white one was Kumakyu.

I hugged Kumayuru and rolled around on my bed thinking about my mother when there was a knock at the door. It opened, and…

“Noa, I’m home.” My mother stepped into my room.

I righted myself and sat on my bed. “Did you finish seeing Yuna’s shop?”

“Yes, I had quite a bit to eat,” said Mother. “They were so marvelously delicious that I overate. I’m quite uncomfortable.”

So she said, but she looked very pleased with herself. Mother came closer to me and sat down next to me. “Yuna’s shop is very interesting,” said Mother. “There were bear ornaments. Even the children working there were dressed as bears. I was right to come to see it.”

The bear ornaments were cute—so were the bear clothes. The food was very good too.

“I’m sure His Majesty would have a good laugh at the sight of it,” she said. “I should bring him along next time.”

His Majesty? In Crimonia? It was a terrifying thought because it was very possible that my mother would really bring him. If that were to happen, my father might very well collapse!

“I am so very full and uncomfortable,” Mother said and collapsed onto the bed.

“Mother, that’s rather improper.”

“Oh, how could you scold your poor mother when she’s in such pain?” Mother brought her hand to her eyes and pretended to cry.

“You simply ate too much,” I said.

Mother was usually so prim and proper, but sometimes, she could be quite slovenly. I loved my mother regardless, but she could be ever-so-strange when she got into one of these moods. I didn’t know what to do most of the time.

“Oh, looks like you’ve got something cute there, huh?” Mother eyed the Kumayuru stuffed animal in my arms.

“Th-This is—” I tried to hide the bear, but it was already too late.

“You don’t need to hide it. It’s the one you wanted at Misana’s birthday party, isn’t it?”

“It is, but it’s a little embarrassing.”

“Yuna made good on her promise to gift you one, then. Good for you! Did you thank her?”

“Yes, I did. But when I told her that I wanted more and would pay for them, she said no.” I wanted at least five more, if possible.

“Ha ha! This one is important to you, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s exactly why I require more.”

“That’s not the right way to think of it. If you have multiples, then they won’t be important to you anymore. They’re important because they’re irreplaceable. If you have backups, you might abuse them. Or you might let them get dirty.”

“But I wouldn’t...”

“Now, don’t give me that! The more of them you have, the more likely the unused ones will collect dust. Make sure you care for the present Yuna gave you, you understand?” Mother patted my Kumayuru on the head.

“Yes, I will.” Of course I would! I took my Kumayuru stuffed animal back in my arms.

“It really is well made,” Mother said as she picked up my Kumakyu on my bed.

I thought the same. That was why I didn’t want a stuffed animal like this one next time, but instead one as big as Kumakyu.

Then Mother spoke of many things. She told me about my sister and herself. I so wish I could see my sister again.

While we were talking, Mother suddenly stood up. “Oh, now what is that?”

Mother started walking toward my shelf—she’d spotted something. She reached out and picked up the bear ornament that Yuna had given me. When I’d said I wanted the big bear statue in front of the shop, Yuna had instead given me a bear ornament the same size as the bears that decorated the shop tables.

“Noa, let me have this.”

“N-no, you can’t. Yuna gave it to me. It’s important—like treasure to me. I can’t, even if you ask me, Mother.” I got closer to Mother and tried to take it back, but she held it up high in the air so I couldn’t reach it. “Mother, please give it back.”

“Just let me look at it a bit longer.”

“Um! Just for a little!” I relented.

“It is such a cute bear. I saw these at the shop as well.”

“I begged Yuna to make a big bear for the garden, so she told me to make do with this. I really wanted a big one though,” I explained.

Mother gave my bear back. “Hee hee! If you put such a large bear in the garden, Cliff would tear his hair out!” Mother grinned. I suppose Father likely would scold me if that were to happen. But then again, I still wanted a bear large enough to decorate my room. “So, Noa…”

“What is it?” That was the face she made when she wanted something. “No matter how many times you ask, I won’t give it to you.”

“I won’t ask for it anymore, but won’t you let me borrow it for a bit?”

“Borrow?”

“I just thought of something interesting. I’m hoping to place similar decorations in the capital restaurant.”

Mother was wearing her mischievous look. Saying no to her when she was like this was impossible.

“Even if we ask craftsmen to make them,” she said, “it won’t work out unless we have the original, right? But it’s not as though we can bring the real originals here, and Yuna likely wouldn’t make them for us if I asked. So, I’d like to use this bear as a reference to make others.”

A restaurant in the capital with bear ornamentation? “That’s a lovely idea. But...” But then I would have to let her have one of my treasured bears...

I looked at the bear I was clutching in my hands.

“I won’t break it,” she promised. “Won’t you please let me have it, Noa?” Mother begged, clasping her hands together.

“Umm…you have to promise you won’t ever lose it or break it.”

She nodded, and I handed the ornament to Mother. “Thank you. I promise I won’t lose it or hurt it.”

I was a little worried, but…having more bears in the capital was a good thing, wasn’t it?

Mother went home a few days later after she finished her inspection. I was so happy to talk to her after not being able to for such a long time.