abcnovels
Chapter 158: [Magnitude]
Chapter 158: [Magnitude]
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.