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~ - 32. Rat Hot Pot

32. Rat Hot Pot

“We’re back~!”

Isezaki-san brought a steaming pot and placed it on the portable gas stove. The pot emitted a gentle aroma of kelp broth, which was quite appetizing.

“Now, shall we dig in?”

The first to dive in was the landlady. She picked up her chopsticks and grabbed a piece of monster meat from the pot. Despite being thoroughly cooked, the meat still had a reddish hue.

“Whoo! Even though it’s been cooked thoroughly, it’s still red. It feels like eating raw meat. It’s super cool, but as for the taste…”

Despite its rather gruesome appearance, the landlady didn’t hesitate to eat it without dipping it in the prepared ponzu sauce. She silently chewed and swallowed, her eyes widening.

“Jesus! The flavor is incredibly concentrated! Once you bite into it, the flavor spreads instantly… it’s like a flavor bomb! I’ve had my fair share of good food until now, but I don’t recall ever having something like this, especially at home… Anyway, stop staring at me and eat up, Matsunaga-kun and Seina!”

Apparently, she had eaten at a high-end establishment. Celebrities really live a different life…

Encouraged by the landlady, I quickly grabbed my chopsticks and dug into the pot.

I chose a meatball that seemed to be made from monster meat. Unlike the slices, it wasn’t as red, just slightly tinted. It was strange because when it was grilled on skewers, it didn’t have any redness at all.

“I made that. I kneaded it with my hands… hehe.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you.”

While she spoke, Isezaki-san appealed with her hands as if to emphasize the hand-kneading. It made eating a bit awkward, but I bravely tossed the meatball into my mouth.

“Ah…”

For some reason, Isezaki-san blushed and let out a sound as she watched me, her eyes filled with anticipation. I savored the meatball in my mouth.

As soon as it entered my mouth, the meatball crumbled softly. Along with its melting texture, a gentle flavor spread throughout my mouth.

“Ah… ah…”

While I was savoring the meatball, Isezaki-san, who had been watching me, suddenly slumped tiredly onto the tatami mat.

Well, hand-kneading must be tiring, and she might be feeling it now. I should express my gratitude to the two who cooked and enjoy the meal thoroughly.

As I thanked the two, I picked up another meatball from the pot.

***

So, the three of us enjoyed the monster meat while conversing. After eating some pickled vegetables as a palate cleanser, the landlady spoke up.

“But it’s such a waste, isn’t it? This is so delicious, yet it won’t sell in Japan.”

“Yeah, it seems impossible to sell in Japan.”

“Sure, there are stories of unidentified meat being laundered and sold on the black market, but that would defeat the purpose, wouldn’t it?”

Indeed, just selling it wouldn’t be enough. I want to sell the items I bought cheaply in the other world at a high price.

“That’s true. I’ve been thinking if there’s anything we can sell over here…”

“Hehe, you suddenly quit your job, so I was thinking about that. Well, you shouldn’t rush to find a source of income. Take your time to think. You have plenty of time in the other world, right? If you take too much time, you might end up being the same age as me, you know? Hahaha!”

“That’s not funny at all…”

As I sighed and slumped my shoulders, Isezaki-san spoke up as if she had remembered something.

“That’s right, sir.”

“Hmm?”

“I’d like to talk about a solution to the time difference between here and the other world.”

“Oh, right, you were going to tell me about that. Can you tell me now?”

“Of course.”

Isezaki-san put down her chopsticks and looked mischievously at the landlady.

“In that case, shall we ask the landlady here to be our guinea pig?”

“Huh? What’s going on? Sounds interesting, sure, go ahead.”

The landlady also put down her chopsticks and sat back, ready for whatever was coming. I didn’t know what they were planning, but the fact that the landlady wasn’t fazed by the word “guinea pig” showed her resilience.

“Sir, please lend me your hand.”

I approached the landlady with Isezaki-san and held out my hand. They were going to use some kind of magic.

With closed eyes, Isezaki-san concentrated, then slowly uttered some words.

“Now… ‘Rejuvenation.'”

Immediately, a sparkling light overflowed from Isezaki-san’s hand and gently enveloped the landlady.