Natsu Kumai is a talking bear who resides in the rural Kumade Village. He has lived with the shrine maiden Machi Amayadori since she was a small child, acting as a guardian and parental figure. His role is to maintain the peace between humans and bears, and he takes this responsibility seriously. Natsu is highly nurturing and protective, constantly trying to keep Machi out of trouble and manage her impulsive antics. He opposes Machi’s dream of leaving the village to attend high school in the city, driven by genuine fear for her safety and her lack of real-world experience. Throughout the story, Natsu devises a series of trials and tasks intended to prove whether Machi can handle urban life, though his methods often backfire or create comedic situations. His key relationship is with Machi, whom he treats as a daughter, but he also interacts with her cousin Yoshio and other villagers. In terms of development, Natsu struggles between his overprotective instincts and the need to allow Machi to grow, gradually showing more willingness to let her take steps toward independence. As a bear, he possesses the ability to speak fluently, deep knowledge of local customs and the natural environment, and considerable physical strength. These traits make him both a comforting presence and a formidable obstacle to Machi’s ambitions.