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~ - 229. The Banquet of Darkness (Short Story)

229. The Banquet of Darkness (Short Story)

In the last chapter, the meal scene with the landlord was glossed over for pacing reasons. But since it’s a fun moment, I decided to include it here as a bonus short story. 

It’s a quick read, so please enjoy it ＼(^o^)／ 

— Foreword —

“Oh, Landlady. This is a souvenir.” 

After returning from the other world, we visited the Isezaki residence and handed over the package of Shadow Bat meat. 

However, upon seeing the package, the landlady briefly furrowed her brows as if troubled. 

“Hey, Matsunaga-kun. I appreciate the thought, but you don’t always have to go out of your way like this, okay? Seina, you should’ve told him that too.” 

“Um, Grandma… about that, this time, well…” 

Isezaki-san mumbled her words and gently peeled back a corner of the wrapping. 

At that moment, the bulging eyes and split mouth of the Shadow Bat were exposed. 

“Ma-Matsunaga-kun!? Don’t tell me this is…!” 

“Y-Yes. It’s the bat monster you wanted, the Shadow Bat.” 

“YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHH!! If that’s the case, say so sooner! Thanks, Matsunaga-kun! Tonight is a banquet sabbath!!” 

Suddenly yelling, the landlady snatched the package out of my hands. 

Alright, my job here is done!

“Well then, I’ll be heading—” 

As I tried to leave in a hurry, the landlady grabbed my arm tightly. 

“What are you saying! A banquet like this without Matsunaga-kun? No way! Let’s enjoy this dark dinner together!” 

Once it gets to this point, I can’t stop the landlady. 

I immediately looked to Isezaki-san for help. But she just met my eyes and shook her head weakly. 

And so, I was forcibly roped into the banquet of darkness.

◇◇◇

“YEAHHH! Grilled whole Shadow Bat is the best! There’s still more! Come on, Matsunaga-kun, eat too!” 

With a big grin, the landlady took a huge bite out of the grilled Shadow Bat. She then pushed the plate towards me. 

For some reason, the Shadow Bat on the plate was standing upright with its wings spread,. It was glaring at me like it was about to attack. 

Anyone who could eat with that kind of sight must be crazy.

“Uh, no, since it’s special, please enjoy it yourself, Landlady…” 

“Really? You don’t have to hold back. Colin, you’ll eat it, right?” 

“Can I!? Then I’ll dig in!” 

Colin bit into the bat’s head just like the landlady. 

“*Chomp chomp*… It’s delicious!” 

Colin grinned widely while gripping the Shadow Bat’s torso. 

Seeing that, the landlady nodded in satisfaction. 

“Yeah, yeah. Great appetite, Colin! Seina, you too, eat up!” 

“I-I’m fine with just the fried pieces like Uncle’s…” 

Saying that, Isezaki-san took a bite of the fried Shadow Bat. 

The karaage (fried dish) made from the bat’s br3ast meat was the only dish that could be considered edible here. 

But even though it used br3ast meat, it was strangely crunchy. It was giving it an odd texture. 

It wasn’t bad per se, but… like, cartilage from chicken already covers that need, you know?

By the way, according to the landlady, the skull is crispy like a corn snack. And the wings are crunchy like potato chips. 

“Seina, you’re too reserved. Hey Colin, should the two of us finish this off?” 

“Yes, Granny!”

And the two of them eagerly chomped down on more Shadow Bat. 

Just watching that was enough to make my stomach feel heavy. 

So I took out my smartphone from my pocket.

“Landlady, do you mind if I show this meal scene to Aihara too?” 

“Of course not! But if Rio gets jealous later, just know there’s no ingredients left!” 

I see, so no ingredients left. That means this dark banquet ends tonight. 

Feeling secretly relieved, I replied.

“Yes, I just want Aihara to get a sense of the atmosphere here… Okay, cheese.” 

“YEEEAAHH!” 

At the moment the landlady bit into the Shadow Bat’s head and stuck up her middle finger, I snapped the photo. 

I then sent it to Aihara via LANE.

This was just a little harassment toward Aihara, who wasn’t present. But thinking that someone else was going through the same thing made me feel a bit lighter. 

Sorry, Aihara. Thank you, Aihara. 

And so, I somehow managed to survive the rest of the banquet. 

—But as I was about to leave, the landlady unusually came to see me off at the entrance. She said one thing: 

“Thank you so much for today, Matsunaga-kun! If there’s ever a chance, bring me another Shadow Bat, okay?” 

With a genuinely happy smile that resembled Isezaki-san’s a little, I couldn’t bring myself to say no. I could only nod vaguely.