The Neighborhood High School Girl, Miss Isezaki, Is the Great Saintess Returned from Another World~ And I, Suddenly Awakened as Her Exclusive Mana Supply Uncle, Travel Between Earth and Another World with Time-Space Magic~ - 16. Skinny Dog Alley

16. Skinny Dog Alley

Passing through the entrance of the outer wall, we returned to the town. Isezaki-san, who was walking in front of me, spun around and faced me. Her long silver hair fluttered gently, and the surrounding people were breathless at her beauty, but she continued to talk to me without noticing, walking backward.

“So, sir, what kind of food would you like?”

“Um… well… let’s see… Since we’re here, I’d like to try various things and maybe try a few small portions of different foods.”

“I see. In that case, stalls would be a good choice. I’m confident with stalls!”

Saying so, Isezaki-san turned around again and walked ahead.

According to her, back when she lived in this town, she used her “Healing Heal” magic to heal injuries for soldiers and mercenaries wounded in conflicts, and in return, she was treated to meals at the stalls. Quite resilient for a child.

Before coming to this other world, I couldn’t have imagined Isezaki-san like this, but since coming here, seeing her lively and vibrant, it’s quite convincing.

—

Together with Isezaki-san, we walked down a street lined with food stalls. This place was called Skinny Dog Alley, named after an anecdote that says any lost dog that wanders in here would quickly turn into ingredients—quite a terrifying story, but the air was filled with appetizing smells of grilled meat and rich soups from the surroundings.

“Sir, let’s start with that stall over there.”

Isezaki-san pointed to a stall with a few people lining up. The nearby signboard read “Grilled Earth Rat Skewers.”

“Huh… E-earth rat skewers…?”

I’ve heard that in some regions on Earth, there’s a custom of eating rats. However, since rats were natural enemies at the restaurant where I worked part-time during my student days, I honestly wasn’t very enthusiastic.

But Isezaki-san started talking with a mischievous smile.

“Hehe, it’s not rats, but earth rats. Earth rats are creatures that inhabit that wilderness… but actually, they’re magical beasts.”

“Magical beasts?”

“Yes, magical beasts. It seems that magical beasts are often tastier than ordinary creatures, and particularly, earth rats are a major magical beast ingredient that’s often caught around here, and they’re reputed to be delicious. Please try it once. Come on, come on.”

“Uh, yeah. You don’t have to push me so hard, I’ll line up…”

Isezaki-san pushed me into the line. Magical beasts, huh. So, even in a world with magic, there are magical beasts, huh…

Thinking about such things belatedly, I lined up and waited for a while. Eventually, it was our turn, and Isezaki-san called out to the sweaty man grilling the meat.

“Two, please.”

“Sure thing, two for 300G… Hey, miss, you’re a beauty, aren’t you? I’ll give you an extra skewer.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Seemingly accustomed to such compliments, Isezaki-san just smiled faintly and accepted the skewers. If someone were to offer me an extra skewer on the basis of being handsome, I’d suspect a scam.

“Hey? Is that your husband over there? You can’t just leave such a beautiful wife in the corner, can you!”

At the words of the stall owner, Isezaki-san leaned forward.

“Oh my, does it look like that? Do I really look like his wife? I do, don’t I? If that’s the case, then I’ll give you a bonus too! How about 1000G!?”

“Huh? What’s the bonus!?”

Of course, the stall owner was puzzled. It seemed that Isezaki-san was quite pleased with the success of their fake marriage. She started taking coins out of her purse, which she used as a wallet.

I intervened between Isezaki-san and the stall owner, taking only three coins from her hand.

“I apologize for my wife. Here’s 300G.”

“Oh, sure, thanks a lot! Next, please!”

Looking puzzled, the stall owner took the money and quickly called in the next customer, as if saying he wanted no trouble. This time, I pushed Isezaki-san’s back and moved away from the stall.

After walking for a while, Isezaki-san came back to herself and apologized with a somewhat embarrassed look on her face.

“I-I’m sorry. I got carried away…”

“It’s okay. We have an age gap, and we don’t look like a couple anyway.”

“N-No, that’s not true! I think you’re very wonderful, sir!!”

Isezaki-san raised her face forcefully and declared. Even if it’s flattery, it feels good.

“Thank you. So, where should we eat this?”

“Oh, honestly, sir… Even though I’m being honest… How about that bench over there?”

While murmuring, Isezaki-san pointed to a wooden bench placed between the stalls.

It seems to be a rest area, as several benches are occupied by other people. We hurried to the benches before they were filled.