NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 8: Enjoy your meal and have a good rest
Enjoy your meal and have a good rest.
“Good job. So, how was it to experience both blood-sucking and spirit-sucking in reality?”
“Honestly, I can’t find words other than ‘exhausting’… it was quite an overwhelming experience.”
After completing my first task of becoming Hizuki-san and Sakiba-san’s meal (or so it seemed), a few minutes later, I returned to the reception room and was greeted with words of comfort from the young lady.
While responding with a weighty tone, Isaya sat down on the sofa.
Ah, the softness of the sofa felt so good on his tired body…
(Wait, what’s this?)
Various types of dishes were arranged on the table in front of the sofa.
Upon closer inspection, steam was rising from the dishes, indicating they were freshly prepared.
It seems he was too tired to notice even something so obvious after the blood-sucking and essence absorption ordeal.
“Miss, were you in the middle of dinner?”
“Huh? Oh, this is Isaya’s dinner.”
“For me!?”
Hearing that the meal was prepared for him, Isaya couldn’t hide his surprise.
After all, this dinner was made by the Scarlet family’s exclusive chef, right?
That means it must include premium ingredients that ordinary people wouldn’t usually have access to.
Isaya couldn’t even imagine the taste…
“Are you serious?”
“Today was a lot for you, right? Starting from tomorrow, you’ll have school and work, so eat plenty and build up your energy.”
“Thank you so much, Miss!”
“Somehow, that sounds like it could be taken the wrong way…”
Grateful for the considerate Miss, Isaya began to enjoy the feast in front of him.
First, the meat!
He picked up a piece of meat that was served like a steak with his chopsticks and devoured it in one go.
“…Delicious!”
As he chewed, the resilient texture and the flavor of the meat spread in his mouth.
The taste was so exquisite that it almost brought tears to his eyes.
Next was the seafood soup, mainly composed of shellfish… It was also delicious.
Scallops were tender and easy to chew, and the soup had a pleasant texture with the flavor of clams.
The salad with komatsuna greens and garlic chives was crunchy, and the salty taste from the dressing made with perilla added a delightful accent.
It was the first time he had ever eaten such delicious food.
“Noble cuisine is incredible…”
“Pfft…”
“Miss?”
After hearing his overflowing admiration, the young lady somehow burst into a small laughter.
“Why are you laughing?”
With narrowed crimson eyes, she responded.
“This, it’s just an ordinary meal made with ingredients you can find at the nearby supermarket.”
“Huh…?”
“They have a good selection, and it’s affordable, so I suppose you’ve been there too, Isaya?”
Oh, yes, if we’re talking about “Super YAMABIKO,” then I’m a regular customer there.
I even have their loyalty card.
But wait, this meal was made with ingredients from that supermarket?
It’s completely different from what my mom cooks or what I make for myself…
[T/L: want a quick breakup…here are the keywords u need to say (。_。)]
“While it’s true that we’re not short on money, it doesn’t mean we only eat high-end ingredients all the time. No matter how good the ingredients are, if the person cooking is not skilled, it becomes meaningless, whether it’s on Earth or in another world.”
“I see…”
He could only nod in agreement with the young lady’s words.
After all, the evidence was right in front of him, and there was no way he could deny it.
“Furthermore, this menu was designed by the head chef with Isaya’s nutritional balance in mind.”
“For real? I’m grateful…”
“They said it’s focused on iron and zinc, like pork liver and scallops.”
“I see, iron and zinc… huh?”
The moment he was impressed by the care of the yet-to-be-seen head chef, his enthusiasm vanished when he heard the detailed nutrients.
(Iron is indispensable for blood, and it’s also one of the factors that make blood red, right?)
And zinc is related to enhancing virility… I’ve heard it’s abundant in oysters and garlic chives, right?
The dots connected, and suddenly, the sense of elation he felt moments ago disappeared, and his whole body trembled.
Ah… It’s certainly natural that if I continue to be the food for Hizuki-san and Sakiba-san, I should be mindful of my nutrition in my meals.
I know it’s an important thing.
But still…
“When I think about my diet being managed like livestock, I can really understand how cows and pigs feel…”
“It’s an important matter, so there’s no helping it.”
“Well, that may be true, but…”
“Considering your past life of poverty, Isaya, I think you should eat more actively.”
“Alright…”
The young lady’s argument is undoubtedly valid.
I am, indeed, on the slender side due to not maintaining a well-rounded diet. This will apply not only to my ongoing role as their meal but also to my duties as a butler.
Perhaps I should gain a bit more weight.
Ironically, my clothing, food, and shelter have upgraded significantly from before I became a slave. It won’t be long before I accumulate some extra fat.
As I pondered these thoughts, the young lady raised her index finger and smiled.
“That’s right. Sakura will be in charge of your training at the mansion, so be prepared for that.”
“Eh, Sakura!?”
I expected a mentor for a newcomer like me, but I never thought it would be Hizuki-san, leaving me utterly astonished.
“Um, doesn’t Hizuki-san dislike me?”
“Her attitude isn’t because she dislikes Isaya; she simply doesn’t trust humans in general.”
“Doesn’t trust humans…”
I understand the point, but I wish she wouldn’t imply such weighty issues so casually.
I struggled to respond under the sudden weight she dropped on me, but the young lady continued.
“Still, it’s better than having tense relationships, right? That’s why I asked Sakura to be your mentor.”
“Did Sakura-san accept the request, despite being reluctant?”
“Yes. I asked her during Lilith’s essence-absorption, and though she was reluctant, she agreed to follow my orders.”
“I didn’t need the latter part of the information…”
Knowing that wouldn’t change anything.
I suppose I’ll take it slowly and try to become more familiar through work. The young lady’s kindness leaves me utterly indebted.
Hizuki-san must be aware of that, too, which might be why she reluctantly consented.
With that little interlude, I arrived at my designated room.
I was told that it’s intended for servants and has the most modest interior in this luxurious mansion.
It’s not just an ordinary room, either. It’s compact, but it comes with a kitchen, refrigerator, TV, and even air conditioning and a washing machine.
The conditions are way beyond what you’d find in a typical rental property.
“Is it really okay for me to live in such a nice room?”
“It’s more than okay. You’ll be working and living here, so as your employer, I provide this level of welfare.”
Well, she puts it simply, but even the whitest of white companies wouldn’t go this far.
Even without being a slave, I’d wish for lifetime employment with such conditions.
Oh, perhaps…
“Is being a butler a rather tough job?”
“Isn’t Isaya still a student? You’re part-time staff, and considering the blood-sucking and essence-absorption, your workload won’t be that heavy. Well, cleaning the mansion might be hard… but with your experience from various part-time jobs, you’ll get used to it quickly.”
“Uh…”
Accepting the young lady’s words full of kindness, I responded with a slightly awkward feeling.
Not breaking into tears from being overwhelmed by gratitude is already an accomplishment.
“So, when does work start?”
“From tomorrow after school. You’re already tired today, and Sakura will brief you on the details of your duties on the day.”
“Thanks for everything, young lady.”
“If you want to thank me, just do your best at work. Oh, breakfast is in the fridge, so you don’t have to worry about that. Well then, goodnight.”
“Alright, goodnight.”
With that, after conveying the necessary information, the young lady left the room.
Finally, silence settled in, and now I have time to myself.
I should unpack… but I can do that when I have more time.
I changed into my pajamas and lay down on the bed, but with so many events happening today, I can’t seem to fall asleep.
There’s so much to think about, like the future role of being their food, the work starting from tomorrow, and more.
However, there’s one thing I clearly understand.
I can still live on Earth.
That one fact alone is enough to make me sigh in relief.
As I feel a sense of reassurance once again, I’m soon lured into a light doze, falling asleep.
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