CHAPTER 158: [MAGNITUDE]

A thick, long eggplant and a sweat-dropping emoji.

Is this, like, super dirty stuff!?

Seriously.

I could already guess, but there's no need to stir the pot even further.

Angu Ogu also decided to change the topic.

But more importantly… Oh right, food! I just remembered. Actually, yesterday, I was invited by Anego, and we went out to eat together.

Huh? You should have invited me too.

It was lunchtime, you know. Iroha was at school.

Ah, I see.

Oh, Iroha-chan's jealousy is rare (U.S.)

The wife went out for a meal with another woman, so naturally (U.S.)

I thought she might get a bit upset or something, so Iroha-chan seems a little sulky (U.S.)

Where was there any element of that in the recent conversation!?

Well, anyway. We had a variety of dishes at the restaurant. It got me thinking, though, that the way we eat is completely different in America and Japan.

"Itadakimasu" and all that, right?

No, it's not that. In Japan, it's common for everyone to order different items and "share" them, right? In America, everyone orders what they individually want and doesn't really share like that.

Huh, isn't it weird to exchange food like that? (U.S.)

In Japan, sharing the same food and sharing your thoughts on it is a way to strengthen bonds (U.S.)

Being able to enjoy a variety of dishes in small portions is quite a deal (U.S.)

Now that you mention it, in Japan, we often eat from the same plate or pot. What did you have, Aug?

Well, the thing is, there were no photos at the restaurant we went to. Just names, so I went with my sister's recommendation. Like, um, that thing.

That thing?

I'm pretty sure it was called "Shirako"! It was my first time trying it, but it was surprisingly good!

Ah, Shirako.

You've tried some pretty sophisticated stuff.

It had a soft and unusual texture. But there was one thing I didn't understand.

If you don't mind, shall I answer?

Sure. So here's my question: What exactly is Shirako?

Ugh! Cough, cough!?

I choked involuntarily at the question, which was too difficult to answer. In the chats, phrases like "Ah", and "Was that earlier emoji a foreshadowing?" were flowing.

Ango Ogu seemed puzzled by my reaction.

It seemed like she genuinely didn't know.

Why were we discussing such awkward topics today? I had no choice but to carefully choose my words and explain.

Ogu, listen carefully. So, Shirako is, um, related to… fish eggs…

A tense silence followed. It was as if the tension could be felt through the screen, and the flow of comments stopped.

It's, it's a relative of… fish eggs!

Angu Ogu looked at me with a curious expression.

Was my answer uncomfortable?

Sweat trickled down my forehead…

Suddenly, her expression brightened.

I see! The words "Shirako" and "Tamago" do look quite similar!

Exactly.

Sa———-fe!

Nice save, Iroha-chan! (U.S.)

That was a clever comeback! (U.S.)

The chats that had been stopped suddenly started pouring in.

Phew, that was tiring.

I managed to come up with something.

By the way, I also tried sea urchin! And while we're at it, can you tell us what this is too?

You're doing this on purpose, aren't you, youuu!

!?!?!? Did I say something weird?!?

I let out a rough sigh, "Geez, huff.".

I couldn't take it anymore!

What kind of question was that?

Sorry, I didn't know. But Anego told me to ask Iroha.

Was it her doing, ahhh!

I thought the conversation was getting oddly specific, and now I get it!

I'm totally convinced now!

I'll have to question Ah-nee properly next time.

For now, the topic of food is not good.

Ogu, was there anything else?

Anything else? Oh yeah, something mildly interesting happened on the way to dinner. Originally, there was a sign that said "WELCOME", I think. But some of the letters had fallen off, and the remaining letters on the sign… spelled "WOE"! By the way, it means "disaster"!

Was that some dig at meeee!?

Whaaat?!

This one's on Ogu LOL (U.S.)

The choice of topic and timing is just too much (U.S.)

By the way, is Iroha staying at Ogu's house again today? (U.S.)

Of course, right, Iroha?

Well, I am going home though?

W-Why?

Any idea why?

W-Well, we already have the futon set up.

Just as I was about to say, "You do have an idea, don't you?" something unexpected happened.

An earthquake!

The ground started shaking.

It gradually intensified.

Small objects in the room rattled.

W-We're shaking… Ahhhhhh!?

Angu Ogu's high-pitched scream echoed in the room.