15 Episode 15 First Different World Meal (1/2)

While chatting happily with each other, we walked for a few minutes through the not-so-large village.

I was led to a large mansion at the far end of the village - can you call it that?

I was being led to a large, modest house.

''Come on, Mr. Seya, come on in,''

I'm sorry to trouble you...

They let us go inside.

I was grateful for the Japanese style of going up to the house without taking off their shoes, as Japanese people don't feel comfortable going up to the house with shoes on.

I'm home, grandpa, you've got a visitor!

Uzuki calls out to the back.

-- but there is no reply.

'There was an urgent village chiefs' meeting today where all the village chiefs (muraosas) in this area gathered together, so perhaps they are tired and dozing off. I will go explain to Grandpa about Mr. Seiya, so please just relax for a while.

He led me to a room where a straw mat was drawn between the boards, and Uzuki retreated to the back of the room.

Sitting in front of the chabudai, I take a sip of the water served to me.

I haven't had anything to eat since I came to the other world, so this is my first otherworldly meal - water, though.

I gulped it down in one gulp.

It's good.........but it's just plain water. But I was thirsty, so it was soothing... but not tea, not hot water, but water.

Maybe in this world, it's proper etiquette to serve water to guests.

Maybe not...

Perhaps it's an economic and financial issue.