After the opening ceremony and club activities, we were having dinner together when I had something to report to my parents.
"Oh, I see… Kunou-chan is coming over again?"
My mother responded exactly as expected.
The truth was, a major meeting was about to take place between the leaders of the Three Factions, the Japanese gods, the heads of both East and West youkai factions, and the noble families.
Apparently, Amaterasu had mentioned something like this in passing during New Year's Day.
Because of that meeting, Yasaka-san would be coming near Kuoh Town, and she decided to send Kunou over to visit us while she was here.
Of course, Kunou couldn't attend such a high-level political meeting, and staying alone in Kyoto was an option—but she was coming "since it's a good opportunity."
Since Kunou usually lives far away in Kyoto, even small chances to meet her were precious.
And thanks to the growing strength of the D×D members, safety was no longer a major concern.
"…If it was before, I held back because of Yasaka-san's presence… but I wonder if I can finally properly fluff Kunou-chan's tail this time?"
Mother. Please. Forever hold back.
Just as I internally retorted—
a voice I didn't recognize suddenly interrupted.
"Oh? So that girl is your fiancée's daughter?"
A man wearing a kimono, bald with a long back of the head, casually joined our dinner conversation.
He looked like a kindly old man… the kind that makes your guard lower just by existing.
"Oh, this is pretty good. Western-style food like this is nice once in a while."
Tonight's dinner was basically an ebi-fry set meal.
The old man was happily biting into fried shrimp topped with homemade tartar sauce.
Meanwhile, Ravel politely served him tea.
"Fufufu, Shirone and I also helped prepare the meal. We're getting used to household cooking now. Before, we mainly focused on noble-style desserts."
"Ravel already had good fundamentals. I once tried cracking an egg and ended up crushing the whole bowl."
You crushed the entire bowl?! Not just the egg?! What kind of superhuman strength control is that?!
"It's because I got too motivated…" I muttered internally.
Mother smiled warmly.
"I'm just happy the girls help me cook. And above all, it's fun cooking with such adorable daughters-in-law."
"Kakakaka! How lively. So, Kuroka doesn't help in the kitchen?"
"I-I'm the eating specialist, okay?! A-and more importantly, aren't your shoulders stiff? Let me massage you, nya!"
She tried to escape the topic entirely.
Yeah. That's definitely an escape.
"Hmm? If you keep that attitude, men will get tired of you. A man's favorite woman's cooking is something special. Right, young man?"
While getting a shoulder massage from Kuroka, the old man suddenly turned the conversation to me.
"Yes, I'd definitely like to try Kuroka's homemade cooking at least once."
For a moment, Sona President and Saji crossed my mind.
I shook it off quickly and answered.
"See?" the old man laughed.
Kuroka isn't a bad cook… but yeah, I do want to try it properly someday.
"...WAIT—WHO ARE YOU?! OLD MAN?!"
I finally snapped.
Seriously, who is this guy?! Why is he casually eating dinner with us?! Kuroka is even massaging his shoulders like it's normal?!
Wait… calm down.
I've never seen him before—but I somehow already know who he is.
And right as I realized it—
Kuroka froze.
"W-why are YOU here?!"
"…Oh? Looks like my disguise wore off."
The old man chuckled.
"The illusion got exposed faster than expected. I thought I'd slip through unnoticed."
At that moment, my parents, Shirone, and Ravel immediately shifted into combat-ready posture.
They placed themselves between the stranger and my parents.
"Who are you?!"
"When did you get inside?!"
I raised my hand quickly.
"Shirone, Ravel, calm down. I think… this is the head of the East youkai faction—Lord Nurarihyon, right?"
The old man nodded casually.
Nurarihyon.
A youkai who sneaks into people's homes, drinks tea, and acts like he belongs there.
The supreme leader of the Hyakki Yagyo (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons).
So THAT'S the real deal…
"I must say, young man, you're quite perceptive. I like you. Though you should rely more on instinct sometimes. The red dragon boy seems better suited for that role."
Excuse me? My mental age is… complicated!
Also, our group of Occult Research Club members tends to be the type who thinks after charging in… or while charging in.
Very shounen-protagonist behavior.
But standing next to them during fights is honestly nerve-wracking.
I prefer a clean stealth approach.
Eliminate enemies one by one without ever being detected—that's ideal.
And in that sense…
This old man's stealth ability is absurdly valuable.
Even I didn't notice him until he wanted to be noticed.
If a high-level soul detection skill is required to see through it, then it's basically unfair.
"Now that I've been exposed, I can explain why I'm here… but let's not ruin the meal. Sit down, Kuroka."
He's the one who invaded our house, and now he's acting like he owns the place.
This old man… he just wanted to eat fried shrimp, didn't he?
"Ny… nyaaah… how did THIS happen…"
Kuroka reluctantly returned to her seat.
And just like that—
our ordinary dinner turned into an unexpected diplomatic meeting.
The atmosphere at the table turned heavy.
"…Sorry about this," the old man said.
"We're out of sake at the moment."
"No need to worry," I replied.
"Though I do enjoy sake, I'm fine with most alcohol. In fact, we receive plenty of gifts already—so I even have a dedicated storage cellar now."
"Oh? Then I'll send some fine bottles later as an apology. We also have a sake-brewing youkai called Shuki. His alcohol is exceptional."
"That sounds amazing," I said sincerely.
"You're getting excited," my mother teased.
"Well, hearing about youkai-made sake would make anyone excited."
"Hohho! Then perhaps I should prepare high-quality tools for your wife instead?"
"Oh, actually we already received some from Azazel-sensei—blades that can cut even metal and ghosts, pots that never burn or freeze, and storage boxes that remove microscopic dirt and dry instantly…"
"…So you already got everything," the old man laughed.
Then he added casually,
"Still, I'll include some sweeter alcohols too, just in case."
"…You know," I muttered, "Mom is clearly interested too."
"Yes, well," she replied calmly, "sweet alcohol does sound nice."