Chapter 167. [Voltage Rising]

<<Ah, I’m tired.>>

<<Iroha, I am too.>>

<<Hey, don’t lean on me too much. You’re heavy… ha~>>

<<Huh? I can’t push her away. Is Iroha being affectionate?>>

<<It’s not that. Right now, I just don’t have the energy.>>

As I lay on the living room sofa, Angu Ogu leaned on me.

I wanted to push her away.

But I had neither the will nor the strength to do so.

After returning from our meal, we had been working hard on unpacking, which I had underestimated.

<<I didn’t expect it to be this tough.>>

<<Our muscles are definitely lacking. Seems like we’re not cut out for streamers, huh? Ahaha.>>

<<It’s more about our body types, isn’t it?>>

<<Don’t you feel sad saying that to yourself?>>

<<Ogu’s the only one bothered by it. Don’t lump me in.>>

<<But at least now you know I wasn’t slacking off on room cleaning in Japan, right?>>

Well, Angu-Ogu had really just been playing all the time.

I thought that, but there was some truth to what she said.

Honestly, I had underestimated things quite a bit.

Somewhere deep down, it seemed I had been calculating based on the stamina of an adult male from my previous life.

<<How’s the progress, Ogu?>>

<<I’ve at least set up the streaming environment. What about Iroha?>>

<<Ugh, I’m not done yet.>>

I never thought I’d lose to Angu Ogu…

Could it be because of the difference in moving experience?

Also, in my case, I encountered some issues specific to living abroad.

I tried plugging my laptop into the socket, but…

<<Hey, Ogu. The voltage is different in America and Japan, right?>>

<<Oh, right, be careful with that.>>

Plugging Japanese appliances directly into American sockets could lead to them catching fire – it’s a common mistake.

The plug shapes are mostly the same, which makes it even easier to make such mistakes.

I thought I had brought a voltage converter.

But I couldn’t remember which box it was in, or perhaps I had left it in Japan.

<<Hey, Ogu. Do we have any spare voltage converters?>>

<<I don’t have one. I think it’s faster to order one online.>>

<<Yeah, you’re right.>>

Actually, from Angu Ogu’s perspective, this is the default.

Ordering online is the way to go.

<<By the way, is the internet connection already set up?>>

<<Yeah, I checked it earlier. Here are the upload and download speeds.>>

Angu Ogu showed me the results of the speed test on her phone.

<<…Isn’t it a bit underwhelming?>>

<<Hey, don’t complain! Japan’s internet speed is abnormal! This apartment was chosen based on location, safety, and internet speed! Japanese people should be more aware of how lucky they are with their internet connection!>>

<<S-Sorry…>>

Japan’s internet speed is fast and stable precisely because the country is compact.

Or you could say it’s because the population is so concentrated in small cities.

In contrast, even in what Americans call rural areas. There are still plenty of people.

Therefore, there’s less emphasis on promoting local specialties and products, unlike Japan.

<<But not being able to use even a smartphone is really tough.>>

<<Why is that? You swapped the SIM card, right?>>

<<Of course. I bought a prepaid one and have been using it.>>

Basically, Japanese SIM cards only work within Japan.

Technically, you can use international roaming, but it can cost you a fortune.

It’s safer to switch to a local SIM card or a disposable one.

<<So, you should be able to use it normally, right?>>

<<No, it’s not a network issue; it’s a battery issue. It’s about to die. My mobile battery is also empty. I may have watched too much streaming while unpacking. I’ve been using it while saving power, but it seems my energy is running low.>>

<<That’s why you seemed unusually weak, huh?>>

Angu-Ogu poked my cheek, and I just went along with it.

I didn’t even have the energy to brush her hand away.

My laptop still had some battery left.

But it was strictly for work and streaming.

With no way to charge it, I couldn’t use it now.

<<So, can I borrow your computer, Ogu? I want to order that voltage converter, and I also want to watch some streams.>>

<<Huh? Oh, I see what you’re getting at! Iroha, here’s some good news. It’s easier to order things with my phone, I think.>>

<<But, the charging…>>

<<No, smartphones are usually global-compatible, so you can charge them as is.>>

<<Huh?>>

<<Actually, why do you think the plug shapes are the same?>>

<<Whaaaat!?>>

<<Gyahh!?>>

I jumped up, and Angu Ogu was sent flying, landing on the floor.

<<Hey, don’t move so suddenly!>>

<<Ah, sorry… but why should I be the one apologizing? You’re the one who leaned on me. Anyway, what about the earlier conversation?>>

<<Right, right. I’ll quickly watch some streams.>>

However, it seemed that fate had abandoned me.

Just as I was about to plug in the charger, my smartphone died.

<<Gyaaaaaah~!?>>

I was a second too late.

It would take some time before I could use it again.

I trembled while anxiously biting my nails.

<<Hurry up, stream, stream, stream… gulp, gulp, gulp…>>

<<Isn’t that withdrawal symptoms!? Are you foaming at the mouth!? This guy might not be an otaku but an addict… Ah~, until the phone charges, can I use mine?>>

<<Is that okay!?>>

I grabbed Angu Ogu’s hands and leaned in closer.

She hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.

<<Oh, by the way, is it okay if, in exchange, I hold you while watching streams? Just kidding.>>

<<That’s totally fine!>>

<<…Iroha, is it possible that I use streaming as bait? I can get you to do anything?>>

Angu Ogu muttered under her breath.