Chapter 218. [Perfect Barbecue Weather]

“Good morning~~~~!”

With a bang, the door swung open energetically, and there she was, Ah-nee.

We, who were chatting in the living room, turned our attention to her.

“Well, isn’t it a fabulous American morning! But seriously, everyone’s already awake! So early!”

“It’s ‘good morning,’ not ‘good night.'”

“Honestly, is it just my big sister who oversleeps?”

“Huh!? I don’t think so! Look, it’s still just barely morning! Safe! I’m great for waking up early!”

Ah-nee was high-spirited from the moment she woke up.

Somehow… just as usual.

Mai and Angu Ogu were observing her while exchanging whispers in hushed tones.

They seemed quite serious.

The topic seemed to be about Ah-nee.

I inadvertently overheard.

“Doesn’t Sister look the same as always?”

“Well, it might be too early to judge, right?”

Certainly, yesterday seemed surprisingly normal.

While eating humble pie, I greeted Ah-nee.

“Ah-nee, good morning. It might be due to jet lag, but it’s better to get up properly. You need to get used to it here; otherwise, it’ll be tough later on.”

“Huh, Iroha-chan!? Oh, good morning. Um… yeah. I got it.”

Ah-nee mumbled the end of her sentence and looked down.

An awkward silence filled the living room.

“She hasn’t changed at all, has she!? Mai, that big sister of ours…”

“Especially when it comes to her, right!?”

“Sigh, seriously. This is becoming troublesome. And to think…”

As if assigning blame to each other, they argued in hushed tones.

I suddenly realized that I could hear their conversation. Did I mention to them that I could “read lips”?

It might be a good idea to warn them just in case.

“Um, you two. If it’s a secret conversation, make sure it’s out of my line of sight…………”

“But really, our big sister falling in love with Iroha-chan!?”

Huh!?!

I turned abruptly to Ah-nee. When our eyes met, her cheeks turned bright red.

“Hmm? Iroha, were you trying to say something?”

“N-nothing at all!?”

“…Is that so?”

No, no, no, that’s impossible!

After all, the other party is Ah-nee!

But that moist, feverish gaze of hers…

The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like the only explanation.

I started sweating profusely, feeling like I was in a tight spot.

This is no time to be saying it’s easier to be modest!

“Well, maybe we should observe a bit longer for now…”

“Yeah, that’s right. We should start soon, or we might run out of time.”

“Hmm? Do you have plans for something?”

Angu Ogu had a mischievous grin.

Then, she stood in front of the giant refrigerator.

“Listen up, you guys! Since it’s an event day, I’m putting extra effort into cooking! Everyone’s gathered, so today, I’ll teach you all a genuine American barbecue!”

The open refrigerator was packed with plenty of meat.

Mai and Ah-nee exclaimed, “Ohh~!”

I made up my mind.

…Alright! Let’s just pretend I didn’t hear what I heard earlier!

“But Ogu, where are we going to have the barbecue?”

“Did you forget, Iroha? This apartment has a shared barbecue area, you know?”

“Oh, right.”

There were grills and tables already set up.

There was also a gym and a pool, but we had forgotten about them because we rarely used them.

“It takes time to prepare, so let’s start right away! Ohh~!”

Although Angu Ogu is usually an indoor person, she was unusually enthusiastic this time.

Perhaps she had been craving a barbecue for a long time.

Even she… succumbed to the allure of American barbecue lovers.

“So, lunch will be barbecue, huh?”

“What are you talking about? It’s obviously for dinner!”

“…Huh?”

No, no, it must be a misunderstanding.

Angu Ogu, who usually only makes lazy meals, couldn’t possibly…

“Um, Ogu? By the way, how many hours do you expect it to take to make that barbecue?”

“Well, it’ll take a bit…”

“…’About 5 hours!'”

I fled.

However, I was cornered.

With momentum, I accidentally collided with Angu Ogu’s chest.

She embraced me tightly as if not letting go.

“Iroha~, it’s going to be so much fun from now on!”

“E-eeek…”

Out of fear, a strange sound escaped my throat.

This was the first time in my life that I had received such an unpleasant hug.

***

We each left the room, carrying ingredients and cooking utensils in both hands.

In the end, we were persuaded by Angu Ogu.

What’s going on with the passion for American barbecue..?

<<Oh!>>

And right there, we bumped into other residents of the apartment.

Since our directions were the same, we exchanged greetings as we walked.

<<Hello!>>

<<Hey, Iroha-chan and others. It’s quite lively today.>>

“Iroha-chan, do you know him~?”

“Yeah, he’s our neighbor, Papa-san.”

Facing the towering man, Mai asked, somewhat hiding behind my back.

It’s understandable to feel a bit intimidated during a first meeting with people who are all big like this.

“It might be a bit surprising. Iroha-chan is also involved in this neighborhood interaction, huh~?”

“Well, not exactly. You see, in America, it becomes unnatural not to greet people when passing by.”

Moreover, what we call ‘greetings’ here is more like casual small talk.

Naturally, you become somewhat friendly.

<<Are you friends who came from Japan?>>

“Wow! Great big man! Hello!”

“Hey, Anego!?”

Ah-nee was expressing her thoughts straightforwardly.

Seems like she’s back to her usual self. It appears she won’t return to normal unless I initiate a conversation.

<<Sorry about that. Our Anego is…>>

<<Hahaha, no worries! ‘Happy Force.’>>

<<Ah, the ‘Happy Force,’ right.>>

I see, today is July 4th after all…

Today, Angu Ogu and others were exchanging a special greeting as Americans.

<<By the way, what are you guys carrying?>>

<<Oh, we’re planning to cook at the barbecue area there today.>>

<<Is that so? Well, that’s a surprise.>>

<<Is that so? Well, that’s a surprise.>>

We passed through the entrance of the apartment and went outside.

When the barbecue area came into view, I noticed.

<<Actually, our family is using it right now.>>

Smoke was already rising from the barbecue grill.

His wife and children seemed to be having fun preparing in the midst of it.

<<Oh, since you’re here, how about joining us?>>

Suddenly, it seemed like a cross-cultural exchange meeting was about to begin.