Chapter 179. [Depends On You]

<<Even though it’s a rental, can I just remodel it on my own?>>

<<Oh, it’s perfectly fine!>>

<<It’s like, this really is a land of freedom, huh?>>

<<More like Japan is just too strict!>>

Saying that Angu Ogu made a bitter face.

I’ve lived in Japan for so long that I can’t really relate to that sentiment.

<<When I was renting a place over there, they kept telling me about ‘genjouiji’ repeatedly. Maybe other foreigners did something, but…>>

<<Well, yeah, maintaining the status quo is the norm, but…>>

<<Still, isn’t it a bit excessive to say you can’t even put a pin in the wall?>>

<<True.>>

According to the guidelines, making holes for thumbtacks should have been okay.

But in practice, it’s better to avoid it.

<<And what’s with ‘shikikin’ and ‘reikin’? They were so expensive!>>

<<Don’t they have those in America?>>

<<Well, there’s a kind of deposit, but it’s not that high!>>

<<That’s a bit enviable.>>

<<In fact, over here, it’s not uncommon for people to change the entire wallpaper, let alone make holes in the walls themselves.>>

<<Wow, really!?>>

<<Actually, it’s more unusual to have a room just as it is, since most Americans don’t like being the same as others or being too plain. Rooms are a form of self-expression.>>

I can feel the difference in the approach to homes between Japan and America in that regard.

It seems like they assume that people will be invited and seen, or they want to show off.

<<Well, Americans seem to like customizing everything to their taste, I guess.>>

<<Speaking of which, they also love adding toppings to their meals, don’t they?>>

<<Oh, yes! In contrast, Japan has a lot of set menus. I wish there were more options for toppings. It would be ‘the best’ if there were as many choices as at Coco Curry.>>

They seem to have a strong preference for choosing and deciding things for themselves, or maybe it’s more accurate to say they don’t want others to decide for them.

<<So, over here, remodeling and DIY are just forms of ‘interior decoration’.>>

<<In Japan, remodeling is almost the same as the word ‘repair’!>>

Well, in Japan, there’s a natural increase in new construction due to issues like earthquake resistance.

On the other hand, in America, remodeling extends the life of buildings, so there are many older buildings.

There are probably various other reasons as well.

Anyway, that’s how it is.

<<So, as long as you don’t mind, if you…>>

***

<<Uh, I really went ahead and remodeled it.>>

A few days after Angu Ogu contacted the contractor, in front of my eyes, there was a deep bathtub and a toilet with a bidet.

It’s still a unit bath, but it happened so quickly.

<<In fact, it’s surprisingly easy to get Japanese-style baths and toilets in America.>>

<<Well, money talks, you know.>>

<<Hmm, capitalism!>>

<<Oh, that’s right!>>

I intended to make a witty comment,

But Angu Ogu nodded vigorously.

Hey, that was supposed to be a joke…

<<No, seriously, it’s quite true. In extreme cases, in America, if you have the money, you can get anything.>>

<<Isn’t it the same in Japan?>>

<<It’s incomparable to your kind of capitalism.— It’s even harsher.>>

Angu Ogu’s expression turned slightly serious.

I straightened up and prompted him to continue.

<<For example, if you want to order online on AWAZON in America, being a Prime member is almost mandatory.>>

<<But in Japan, many people use it as free members, right?>>

<<In America, if you’re not a Prime member, your orders are constantly got pushed back, and your items may never arrive. By the way, the monthly fee for Prime is four times higher in Japan.>>

<<That’s expensive! Or is it reasonable?>>

Going by Japanese standards, it might feel expensive, but…

In reality, I don’t know the market rate.

<<‘It depends on you’.>>

<<Huh?>>

<<You see, here, ‘everything depends on you’. If you pay, you can get services, good products, and safety. And conversely, if you can’t pay, you won’t get anything. That’s the essence of capitalism in this country.>>

<<That is…>>

Indeed, it’s quite severe.

The ‘freedom’ comes with the ‘self-responsibility’ as its price.

America might be the best country for those who have money or talent.

But in other cases…

Well, that’s probably about suitability in the end.

<<Alright, that’s enough of the serious talk. By the way, Iroha, if you want, we can buy a rice cooker from now on?>>

<<Nah, it’s okay. I’ve gotten used to using a steamer to cook rice.>>

<<I see. Well, since the bathroom has been renovated…>>

<<Huh? Ogu? Aren’t you getting a bit close?>>

I had a bad feeling and took a step back.

Something’s strange.

Angu Ogu is breathing heavily.

What’s going on!?

<<Hey, Iroha, would you like to take a bath with me!?>>

<<I absolutely refuse!? Besides, weren’t you also uncomfortable exposing your skin to people!?>>

<<Of course I am! But didn’t I tell you? It’s already ‘my limit’!>>

<<Huh? So, what does that have to do with the bathroom…>>

<<That’s right! It was impossible in the old bathroom. But with the current size, we can both soak in the bath together, right?>>

<<What!?>>

<<It’s your fault for walking around with just a bath towel every day, saying ‘I forgot to change clothes’! You keep tempting me!>>

Yes, I admit that I was still stuck in the mindset of living at my parents’ house.

I can’t believe it; ‘endure’ meant that!?

<<N-No! I didn’t mean it like that!>>

<<I know. Iroha, when you’re not interested in something, you suddenly become indifferent. So… how about $100,000? Or $1,000,000?>>

<<Don’t try to solve this with money!>>

<<But this is America! It’s capitalism! That’s normal here! I’m not lying>>

<<It’s still very much a crime!>>

Angu Ogu pouted, saying, “Muu~.” Why are you the one who seems dissatisfied?

<<Iroha, you’re a tough one. Or how about VTuber merchandise?>>

<<…N-No, it’s definitely not going to work.>>

<<Just now, your heart wavered a bit, didn’t it?>>

<<N-No, it didn’t.>>

<<Oops? I just found a guest ticket for the upcoming VTuber event I’ll be appearing at.>>

<<?!?!?!>>

Wait, that’s for the event I didn’t win the lottery for, right?

I thought I’d have to endure just watching the live stream…!

<<…W-Well, maybe just a bit…>>

<<I’ve got your word!>>

<<Ah!?>>

I instinctively covered my mouth, but it was too late.

My words had slipped out.

Angu Ogu was grinning.

Oh no! I’m such an idiot!