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~ - 87. Jounai Juuzou

87. Jounai Juuzou

We got into the hired car summoned by the landlady and headed to the hospital. While waiting for the car, I heard from the landlady that Jounai Juuzou, who was currently hospitalized, had been particularly close to the landlady’s husband among the siblings of the Jounai family, and the trust from the landlady remained strong to this day.

After Isezaki-san returned from the other world, it seems that Jounai-san’s cooperation was significant in discreetly arranging her registry as the landlady’s adopted child.

In other words, Jounai-san was one of the few people who knew the inside story about Isezaki-san. By the way, since Jounai-san was the younger brother of the landlady’s husband, he would be considered a great-uncle from Isezaki-san’s perspective, but she referred to him as “Grandpa Juuzou.”

When I asked why, Isezaki-san replied, “He’s the only one I want to call ‘Grandpa’,” but I didn’t really understand the meaning behind it.

While pondering over such matters, the hired car, which had a much smoother ride compared to the carriage we rode in recently, arrived at the hospital.

After exchanging a few words with the receptionist at the hospital, the landlady and I were promptly escorted to the inpatient ward by a strangely polite staff member.

We walked through the inpatient ward for a while and were directed to a different elevator than the central one. Following the instructions of the staff member, we boarded the elevator, which ascended rapidly, and eventually stopped on the top floor.

Upon exiting the elevator, what greeted me was a spacious, modern lobby floor with a completely different atmosphere from the previous sterile ward. If you only looked at this, it wouldn’t resemble a hospital but rather a luxurious traditional Japanese inn.

I had heard that Aihara’s grandfather was also hospitalized in a VIP room, but it seems that the Jounai family’s influence was evident here as well, with them being treated in VIP accommodations.

Without much time to admire the surroundings, we followed the guidance of the staff member and proceeded further into the lobby. Despite being inside a hospital, there was a pond with colorful carp swimming in it, and for some reason, a small tea room was installed, creating a floor that was too extravagant for someone like me, an ordinary person, to understand.

Passing by several doors scattered along the wall of the floor, we eventually stopped in front of the door at the far end. It seemed that this was our destination.

“If you need anything, please feel free to contact us anytime through the internal line. Excuse me.”

With a polite bow reminiscent of a high-end hotel’s hotel staff that I had only seen on TV, the staff member left.

“It’s me, open up already,” the landlady said impatiently to the intercom installed at the entrance, breaking the atmosphere. Immediately, there was a click from the door, indicating that it had been unlocked.

With the landlady leading the way, both Isezaki-san and I stepped into the room beyond the door.

The inside of the room resembled a luxurious hotel suite just like the lobby. This would be the living room, I supposed. In the center, there was an expensive-looking thick table and elegant sofa with subdued colors, and on the wall hung landscape paintings that I couldn’t quite understand.

Furthermore, a bar counter was installed at the end of the room, and shelves were lined with bottles of liquor that I had never seen before.

It was hard to believe that this was a hospital room. If this was such a luxurious private room, the rent for a day here could probably cover several months’ worth of rent at my place.

By the way, the rent at my place was very reasonable. Thank you so much, landlady.

And speaking of the landlady, without even sparing a glance at the luxurious interior, she walked straight across the soft carpet.

Eventually, the landlady casually opened the door at the end. There, the bedroom we were looking for awaited.

The first thing that caught my eye in the bedroom was the panoramic window stretching across the opposite wall.

From that window, I could see the high sky and the endless cityscape in the distance. If you took a photo at night, it would probably receive many likes as a spot for Isosta.

And lying on the raised bed, facing us and gazing out the window, was the elderly man. He must be Jounai-san.

Although Jounai-san had an intravenous drip attached to his arm, his complexion wasn’t bad, and to an amateur’s eye, he didn’t seem to be in poor health.

Looking at us, Jounai-san smirked cynically.

“Next up is Haruna Nee-san, huh?”

“What’s up, Juuzou? You seem awfully worn out.”

“Haha, you get it? Today, a few relatives came to visit me again, but all of them seem to be here just to see when I’m going to kick the bucket. It’s quite irritating, you know.”

Juuzou sighed as he answered. However, the landlady didn’t seem to mind, and she plopped down on a nearby chair.

“I see, in that case, it’s a good thing I brought some delicious food to lift your spirits today. Is your stomach still okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll manage if it’s just a little. By the way… is that Seina-chan? It’s been a while, you’ve become quite beautiful. And…”

Interrupting the conversation, Juuzou’s gaze shifted from Isezaki-san to me. His expression blatantly said, ‘Who’s this guy?’

“It’s been a while, Grandpa Juuzou. This gentleman here is indeed a gentleman.”

Isezaki-san replied with a smile. Well, that won’t cut it, I think. As expected, Juuzou looked puzzled when I introduced myself.

“Pleased to meet you. My name is Koutarou Matsunaga. Um, I’m a resident who lives in the apartment managed by the landlady—Haruna-san.”

“Oh, I see. Well, understood. I think I know, but I’m Jounai Juuzou. Once upon a time, anyway. Now I’m just a dying old man… So, why is Nee-san’s tenant here?”

“Oh, today I thought of sharing the souvenir I received from this Matsunaga-kun with you.”

The landlady rummaged through the bag she brought and took out a package of roast boar.

“Seina, please.”

In response to the landlady’s words, Isezaki-san brought some dishes from the kitchen. There’s even a kitchen in this private room.

And then, the landlady proceeded to slice the roast boar on the spot and placed the plate right in front of Juuzou.

“Give it a try? It’s amazing.”

With those words, the landlady grinned.