Izumi wasn't surprised at all to find Yukari Yakumo and her group here at Mystia's stall.
After all—
A certain gluttonous ghost absolutely loved the crushed bone snacks sold here.
Wasn't it obvious?
Just look at how Mystia Lorelei was trembling in the corner.
Cooking while constantly worrying she might get eaten at any moment…
Her life was truly difficult.
Meanwhile, Yuyuko Saigyouji didn't stop eating even for a second.
When she noticed Izumi, she casually waved with one hand.
"Hello~"
"Izumi-kun, would you like some grilled eel?"
Despite asking—
She made absolutely no move to share.
In fact, she even sped up her eating.
Izumi's lips twitched.
"…I'll pass."
"I just brought someone from another world to take a look around."
Then he turned slightly.
"Mystia, one serving please."
With that, he found a seat and sat down.
Erina hurriedly followed.
The moment she sat—
She shrank slightly.
Looking around, she realized something terrifying.
There's not a single normal person here…
At that moment, a timid voice spoke up.
"U-Um… what would you like to order?"
Erina looked up.
Standing there was a petite girl in an apron, with wings on her back—
Mystia herself.
Her expression was pitiful, her gaze occasionally drifting nervously toward Yuyuko.
Clearly—
She was scared.
Seeing that, Erina relaxed a little.
At least…
Someone here was even more afraid than she was.
After glancing at the simple menu, she spoke:
"…I'll have the grilled eel."
She didn't underestimate the place despite its simplicity.
The aroma in the air—
Was unlike anything she had ever smelled before.
As someone confident in her cooking—
This intrigued her.
But at the same time…
This was another world.
And her confidence had already been shaken.
After all—
Her entire culinary knowledge had only sold for 50 points.
But what happened next—
Completely stunned her.
Izumi suddenly spoke.
"Mystia, I have some knowledge here that would suit you."
"Interested?"
"Only 500 points."
As he spoke, he casually drew a line in the air.
A glowing bundle of knowledge appeared before Mystia.
Erina's eyes widened.
That's… mine?!
"…Wait—500 points?!"
Her brain froze.
Didn't he buy it from her for 50?!
What kind of pricing was that?!
Meanwhile, Mystia's eyes lit up.
She quickly checked her card—
She could afford it.
"I'll take it!"
"Cooking knowledge from another world… I might be able to use it!"
Without hesitation, she bought it.
At the same time—
Two others spoke up.
"Please give me one as well."
Both Ran Yakumo and Youmu placed their orders.
They were equally curious about culinary knowledge from another world.
Izumi didn't mind at all.
In an instant—
He sold three copies.
A perfect transaction.
Erina, however—
Had completely lost it.
"You—you—you—!!"
She pointed at Izumi, trembling.
"You black-hearted merchant!!"
"Why did you buy it for 50 and sell it for 500?!"
She was furious.
This was outrageous!
Who does business like that?!
Buy low, sell ten times higher?!
Even the others in the shop didn't react much.
They were used to it.
Because Izumi always did the same thing.
Buy something—
Then resell it at ten times the price.
Izumi shrugged.
"Of course I need to make a profit."
"Selling it at that price is only natural."
His tone was completely unapologetic.
Yes—
He was that kind of merchant.
What could she do about it?
Erina almost burst into tears.
She wanted to argue—
But she couldn't.
Because—
He wasn't wrong.
Still…
It felt terrible.
Just as she sat there sulking—
Mystia brought the food over.
"P-Please enjoy…"
Her voice was still timid.
Izumi didn't hesitate and started eating.
Erina, still upset, picked up her portion as well.
Then—
She took a bite.
And froze.
Her eyes widened instantly.
This taste—
Was something she had never experienced before.
The cooking temperature, the seasoning—
Everything was perfect.
Beyond perfect.
"Mm—!!"
Her body trembled.
It felt like riding a roller coaster straight to the peak.
Her eyes narrowed in bliss as she started stuffing the eel into her mouth.
The eel was boneless—
Making it even easier to devour.
She completely lost herself in the taste.
Around her—
Everyone stopped eating.
They stared.
Their expressions…
Strange.
Even Izumi looked amused.
Back when he had seen scenes like this in anime—
He thought they were exaggerated.
But now?
Not at all.
Yukari slowly shifted her gaze back to Mystia.
"…Did you put something in it?"
Her tone was calm—but suspicious.
Mystia froze.
"I-I didn't! I swear! I didn't do anything!!"
She panicked instantly.
Yukari pointed at Erina.
"Then explain that."
Everyone turned to look.
Even Yuyuko licked her lips slightly.
Mystia nearly burst into tears.
"D-Don't eat me…"
"I really didn't add anything…"
She was on the verge of collapse.
Seeing this, Izumi sighed.
"Stop scaring her."
"She didn't do anything."
"This is just her natural reaction."
He gestured toward Erina.
"She comes from a world centered around gourmet culture."
"People there react like this to truly delicious food."
Then he added casually:
"Oh, and by the way—"
"If you study her culinary knowledge…"
"You'll be able to achieve the same effect."
Yukari's eyes lit up.
"I see~"
Then—
She quietly glanced at Ran and Youmu.
It seemed—
Tonight's dinner plans had just been decided.