Turning around, he sees the two red faces of the baby bear cubs, whether it’s due to the smell of the fish or due to them remembering him, they have returned. The bear cub with the white patch of fur on its chin, gets closer to him, slowing down and being more cautious on every step. Sniffing around, it remembers the scent, followed behind by its sibling, they beginning eating from the pile of fish.

Chewing and munching, the two adorable cubs are happily eating away, obviously satisfied with their meal. Sitting by the river, watching this beautiful scene, another line is thrown into the water. Thanks to the lucky days, the fish supply isn’t depleting so quick.

Eating through the pile of slimy smelly fish as quick as they can, they begin to slow down, finally coming to a stop, the two cubs are full to the brim. Seeing this, Kenta, lets out a slight chuckle, having never seen something eat so many fish in one go.

You must have been struggling without mommy around, sorry about that, but I’ll make it up to you.

Having filled their bellies, the two cubs lie down on the ground besides, him, using his heat to stay nice and comfy. Enjoying the cute sight, he stores the remaining fish, lies back, and rests, slowly drifting away, joining them in their slumber.

…

Waking up a few hours later, the sky is a mix of purple and red, indicating the end of the day. Sitting up, the bears to wakes up, yawning and clearly dazed. Giving them a few pats, he stands up and stretches, he too begins yawn.

Packing up the rod and the empty bait box, he begins walking back to the village. Just like last time, the two cubs follow him up the hill.

*Sigh*

“Fine, you can come with me.” he gives in, “But you better not cause any trouble.”

Walking along the dirt path, with the trotting of the bear cubs behind him. He finally reaches, and turns into the farm entrance. Sniffing every bit of the new environment, the two cubs, are excited as they run ahead, exploring every nook and cranny. Reaching the door, he opens it, and steps inside, the two bears cautiously follow behind.

“Welcome back…” Hachi says with a confused look, “I see you’ve brought home some guests.”

“Uh… yeah,” he replies, “They followed me home, and I didn’t have the heart to stop them a second time.”

“Well, I expect you to raise them properly.” Hachi states, “Dinners in the kitchen, help yourself.”

Entering the kitchen, he brings out, the remains chicken salad from lunch. Sitting down at the table, the two cubs are busy exploring their new home. Inspecting every part of the bottom floor, they cautiously approach Hachi, edging ever so closer. Holding out his hand, they finally accept him and deem him safe, even letting him stroke the back of their head, before running back.

Entering the kitchen once more, he cleans up his plate and pours a drink of water, sculling it down, he fills it again, this time bending down and giving it to one of the bears, filling it for the last time, he passes it to the other bear, letting it drink the refreshing clean water. After finishing the drink, he began heading to his room.

With each creaky wooden step, they make it to the top and enter their room. Completely new to their surroundings, the run from corner to corner, wall to wall, sniffing everything they can reach, familiarising themselves.

With the window open, the nightly wind accompanied by the sounds enter the room. Pulling his sheets off the bed, he lays it down on the floor, just under the window, creating an area for the bears to sleep.

With a bit of difficulty and the use of sign language, Kenta finally manages to explain to the bears that the sheet is where they can sleep. One by one, the bears step on to the sheet, lie down, and beginning falling asleep.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he watches over the bears, sleeping ever so soundly, causing a warm sensation to go off in his heart. Taking his boots off, he lifts his legs and lies on the coverless bed, but that doesn’t matter, he feels warm and happy.

...

“Ahh!” he yells, waking up.

Still night time, he sits up and feels the droplets of cold sweat on his head, rubbing his eyes, he looks over to where the bears are sleeping. They’re gone.

Panicking, he immediately gets up and looks all around his room, even checking under the bed, they are nowhere to be found. He looks out the window but all he can see is the pitch-black night. Calming himself down, he reasons with himself and thinks that they must be downstairs somewhere. Exiting his room, he goes downstairs, carefully treading on the floorboards, trying not to make a sound.

Reaching the bottom floor, he immediately begins searching for the bears, softly whispering in case they might hear him. Looking under the table and behind all the furniture, he has searched everywhere in the room. Pushing the door open into the kitchen, he looks around and begins opening each and every cupboard, just in case, still nowhere to be found. Walking to the end of the kitchen, he opens a door, revealing a pantry with all the cooking ingredients and their aromas. Checking high and low, the bears aren’t in there either.

*Creak*

Hearing something opening, he exits the pantry, shutting the door behind and walks back out of the kitchen. Shocked, he sees the front door wide open, revealing the great outside. Stepping outside, Kenta collides with the cold dusky air, causing him to stop for a second, continuing out, he doesn’t hear a thing, even with his acute hearing… everything is asleep, even the wind.

Hardly able to see even a few feet in front, he takes a few steps forward trying to spot anything. He does. In the near distance, he spots two figures shrouded in darkness. Walking towards them, he freezes in fear.

In front, is a familiar scarecrow, upright just standing there in the middle of the path, looking in his direction, staring straight through his heart. To the side of it, a shadowy figure with indiscernible features, walks towards the scarecrow. It raises its hand, and places it on the scarecrows decrepit shoulder. In the next moment, it turns its head, and looks towards Kenta, invisibly striking him in his soul.

…

He wakes up, breathing heavily, its morning.