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~ - 207. Rush! What's for Dinner at Your Place?

207. 207. 207. 207. Rush! What’s for Dinner at Your Place?

I handed Maristel a cup of instant noodles. I had bought a whole box of these during my journey to the capital, dreaming of eating them while enjoying the scenery. However, I got tired of them after just three days, and they ended up being stored away in my [Storage Space].

Maristel picked up the cup of noodles, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she examined it from various angles.

“Wow, hmm, interesting… These are characters I don’t recognize… And the paper is soft yet transparent like glass… It feels so strange and crinkly… Kind of like the wings of a shell insect? So, humans make stuff like this, huh?”

“Y-Yeah, something like that. But it’s not widely available. I deal with particularly rare items even among humans. That’s how I was able to get an audience with Lady Levia.”

“Hmm, I always thought humans were all idiots, but there are monsters like you. So maybe they aren’t completely useless. So, how do you eat this? I mean, I get that you’re supposed to eat what’s inside.”

“Yes, here’s how you do it—”

I removed the outer film and peeled off the lid.

“Eh… You eat this hard thing? Isn’t it tougher than black bread?”

“There’s one more step to it.”

I took her hand away from poking the dry noodles suspiciously and poured hot water into the cup using an electric kettle from my [Storage Space].

“Oh, I see, you soak it in hot water!? It’s like dried meat—oh, it smells good! Hey, Matsunaga, can I eat it now?”

Maristel was about to peel off the lid we had just closed when Isezaki-san smacked her hand.

“Hold on, Maristel. Not yet. Count to 180. Or maybe waiting for around 500 would make it tastier…”

“Oh, Isezaki-san likes it a bit overcooked, huh? I prefer it slightly firmer. By the way, Isezaki-san, do you usually eat cup noodles?”

“Yes, occasionally. My grandmother says, ‘Rock needs some junky kick too,’ so…”

“I see…”

I could almost picture the landlady slurping down cup noodles with unusual gusto.

“Hey! I don’t care about your grandma! So, how long do I have to wait? I can’t wait for 500!”

Maristel was about to open the lid again when Isezaki-san grabbed her hand.

“Then let’s keep it simple and go with 180 this time.”

“Count to 180? Got it! One-three-four-five-six-seven-eight—”

◇◇◇

—And so, three minutes passed. She was counting a bit fast, but let’s not get picky.

“Is it ready now? Is it!? I’m eating it now, I can’t wait! Here I go!”

With that, Maristel peeled off the lid. She jabbed a fork into the cup, which she had grabbed from the shelf, and scooped up a big bite, shoving it into her mouth.

“Hot!”

“Well, of course, it’s hot… Here, have some tea.”

I brought her a ceramic cup from the shelf and poured in some ice-cold tea from a thermos I’d stored in my [Storage Space].

Maristel gulped it down in silence, then started blowing on the noodles to cool them. After a moment of caution, she took another bite, chewing it thoroughly. 

Suddenly, she sprang to her feet, shouting so loudly it echoed through the house.

“Delicious! Delicious! What is this!? It’s so, so, so gooood!”

Her cheeks flushed with bliss as she hugged herself tightly. Her almond-shaped eyes opened wide, glistening with excitement. If this were a cooking manga, her clothes would be coming off in a dramatic reveal.

“The noodles are smooth yet chewy when you bite into them, and the rich broth with its roasted aroma clings to them perfectly! The more I eat, the more I want! Ah, no! I’ve never had anything like this! This is amazing, too amazing! Slurp, slurp, sluuurp!”

Maristel, having expressed her thoughts on the meal, returned to her seat and continued to slurp the noodles with fervor. Well, it seems she liked them, so that’s a relief.

Watching Maristel with a satisfied nod, Isezaki-san turned to me with a smile.

“As expected of my husband’s cup ramen! Even Maristel is like this after eating it!”

“Uh, no, it’s just regular cup ramen… Sorry, but Isezaki-san, would you mind having cup ramen for dinner too?”

“Mind? Not at all. I’m happy with anything you prepare for me, husband. Oh, I know, I’ll try the noodles a bit firmer this time!”

Isezaki-san chuckled softly, narrowing her eyes in delight. She’s such a considerate girl, even to an old man like me who could only prepare cup noodles.

◇◇◇

So, a bit later, we prepared our own cups of ramen and started eating. By then, Maristel had already finished hers, down to the last drop of broth. As she returned from her state of culinary euphoria, she picked up the empty cup and began fiddling with it, speaking up once more.

“Hmm, no matter how many times I look at it, this container is just so fascinating. It’s waterproof, light, fragile, yet elastic… Hey, Matsunaga… Can I ask you for a favor? Could you give me this container?”

“Sure, no problem. Do you want the ones we used too? Just please don’t mention where they came from, alright? It’s part of my business secret.”

“Of course! I would never do anything that would hurt you, Matsunaga! Thank you, Matsunaga, love you, muah muah muah~♡”

Maristel blew a series of kisses my way, but Isezaki-san cut in, leaning forward and glaring at Maristel.

“Don’t worry, Husband. The [Sacred Oath] is in effect. Maristel cannot do anything that would harm you.”

“Oh, Isezaki, don’t be so tactless. Even without any collar, I’m on Matsunaga’s side~.”

“Hmph, we’ll see about that.”

Isezaki-san turned away with a huff. Maristel watched her with a look of amusement, replying with a smirk.

“Anyway, I was supposed to treat you, but you ended up treating me instead, and I got something nice too… I do feel a bit guilty. Maybe I should repay you with my body—”

Before she could finish, Isezaki-san turned back, glaring sharply at Maristel, who shrugged.

“…But that’s something for the future. For now, I want to give you something in return. So… how about this? You came here to make potions, right? I know a bit about alchemy myself and could lend you a hand. Why don’t you come and make them in the other room?”

Maristel pointed to the room next door.

“There’s a basement over there that serves as my lab. It’s equipped with all sorts of equipment, so it should be helpful for making potions.”

“That sounds great. We’d appreciate the help!”

I answered enthusiastically to Maristel’s suggestion. While Isezaki-san seemed confident in potion-making, she hadn’t mentioned having any equipment ready. So it would be better to use Maristel’s setup.

“But, Husband…”

Isezaki-san seemed hesitant, furrowing her brows slightly. But I decided to push forward.

“Come on, Isezaki-san. It’s a kind offer, and it would be quicker this way, don’t you think?”

“Just let her accept my thanks, Isezaki. What’s the harm?”

Isezaki-san looked at the two of us in turn, her expression troubled. Eventually, she sighed softly, as if resigning herself to the situation.

“Yes… I suppose so. We’ll take you up on that offer, then…”

She forced a slightly awkward smile.