CH 132

Chapter 132. [Migrants]

“I think you’re not growing too fast.”

Mai said, and I looked down at my body.

It’s true, I have the body of a flattened toddler.

“Isn’t it that way? You’re just not ready to grow up yet.”

“What? Iroha-chan has already eaten her red rice and is now a mogamogah!”

“Delicacy!”

I covered Mai’s mouth.

Maybe it’s because I was a man in a previous life, but I still have a hard time talking about such things.

“But, yes…”

I’ve already had my first menstrual period, so I should already be in the secondary sexual characteristics stage.

Does that mean that I’ve already finished my growth spurt?

No, no, no, it’s too fast.

It has only been a little over a year since my first menstruation.

Then, what in the world…?

I released Mai as I thought about it.

“Puhah! Iroha-chan’s hands were so soft and slippery!”

“Why do you look so happy with your mouth covered?”

But then the relaxed atmosphere changed.

Mai says to me with a serious expression on her face.

“Hey~. To confirm, you’re not sick again, right? Or is it an aftereffect of last year’s incident?”

“No, I don’t. You worry too much.”

I smiled and waved my hand.

My health has been good ever since the incident.

Even my brain had healed, and come to think of it, I haven’t had a cold in a while.

Perhaps this was a gift from someone at that time.

After all, they must still want me to be active in the future.

I’m at peace now, but just as there is no end to war, there is no end to my role.

“…… No, no, no, no way.”

“What’s wrong, Iroha? You’re sweating like crazy.

“Ha ha ha, it’s all in your mind.”

I laughed to cover it up.

Because hypothetically… Hypothetically?

What if I had become “immortal” and stopped growing?

If such a thing were a reality, I’d…

I’ll never be able to participate in my oshi’s dinner stream again, will I?

I refuse to accept such a thing!

***

<<Hey, isn’t Ogu pretty small?>>

[Do you have to say that, Iroha!? Are you trying to pick a fight right from the start!?]

After being alone in my room, I called Ogu on the phone.

Strangely, hearing her voice like this feels nostalgic.

<<So, how old were you when your growth stopped?>>

[You are trying to start a fight, huh? But it’s rare for Iroha to show interest in someone other than herself.]

<<Is that so? Well, it’s kind of a life-or-death situation…>>

<<Hmmm?>>

For some reason, Ogu’s voice sounded somewhat pleased.

Women’s sensibilities, just like Mai’s, are truly baffling.

<<By the way, how tall is Ogu now?>>

[Ugh, height? Calculating that is a hassle. Can’t we use inches?]

<<It’s fine, I guess. Speaking of which, America mainly uses the imperial system, right? Why is that?>>

[How should I know? You guys use weird units like “jou” too!]

<<R-Really!?>>

Having different units can be troublesome.

It’s alright for well-known things, but I’ve failed so many times when ordering goods from individual overseas sellers.

I used to complain about it, but… I guess Japan can’t say much about other countries.

[And on top of that, the “jou” unit has different sizes depending on the region. Why is that? It’s so confusing!]

<<Wait, isn’t there a standard size for that? I didn’t know that. And by the way, you seem to know the unit “tatami” pretty well.>>

[Huh!? Uh, well, that’s…!]

<<…? What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered?>>

Ogu seems to be quite a Japan enthusiast as well.

I don’t think it’s weird even if she has some unusual Japanese knowledge.

[Yeah, yeah! So, about that!]

I breathed a sigh of relief as I finally revealed my findings about Japanese temples.

<<Ah, I see. As I thought.>>

[…Hou.]

As expected, it seemed to be what I suspected.

It’s not like having that kind of interest is embarrassing or anything.

It’s pretty geeky to be interested in temple sizes, though.

Before I could ponder on that further, Ogu interrupted with a “More importantly!”.

[Iroha, I saw the awards ceremony the other day too!]

<<Ugh, I’ve had enough of that topic. It’s enough to discuss it in the classroom.>>

I replied with a bitter voice. I only need that kind of news at school.

However, there’s something I’m a little curious about.

[So, Ogu, you’ve been living with Ogu Mama since then, right?]

<<Huh!? Well, yeah, that’s right.>>

[Hey, did Ogu Mama say anything?]

<<Mama? Now that you mention it…>>

[What!?]

I leaned forward inquisitively.

Angu Ogu was scolding me a bit through the phone.

Ever since she became president, we haven’t been able to talk directly.

So, I have no choice but to get information through Ogu.

<<So, what did she say!?>>

[Um… She said, “There are too many people immigrating, and it’s becoming a problem.]

<<I see…>>

I slumped down.

I was hoping for information about a “request”, not in that sense.

[Mu, Iroha! Don’t you understand the importance of this!?]

<<Well, sorry, sorry. You’re right.>>

[It’s a really big issue, you know!… Moreover, there might be more VTubers from that specific country in the future.]

<<Let’s hear more about it then.>>

I switched my focus to serious mode.

For some reason, Ogu exhaled as if she were exasperated.