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Chapter 170. [The Price Of Health]

<<Okay then, let's split up and buy the ingredients...>>

<<Wait, wait, wait.>>

A cooking showdown with Angu Ogu. 

The suggestion was made not to spoil the surprise with the ingredients, but we were stopped.

<<In America, if you let a child wander alone, you'll get reported. Technically, I'm Iroha's guardian.>>

<<Huh. Even someone my age is not okay?>>

<<It varies by state, but Iroha's age is safe. But you need to be aware of your appearance. After all, even a lady like me gets approached by the police quite often.>>

<<Oh, I see.>>

Regardless of being a lady or not, it's nobody's fault and unavoidable. But entrusting the Secret Service, Angu Ogu's bodyguards, with the role of guardians. Oh, I see.

<<Well then, let's buy various ingredients and any leftovers we can share with the Secret Service. Is that okay?>>

<<I'm not sure. I don't know either.>>

<<Oh, sounds good.>>

It seemed like they were listening to our conversation as we received a signal from the Secret Service personnel.

Once decided, we began tossing ingredients into the shopping cart.

<<Hehe, Iroha. You'll get to show them your stuff.>>

<<Right, because I can't make excuses if I lose at home, huh? Still, our lineups are quite different. So it might be tricky.>>

<<In the Asian section, they have some Japanese ingredients. 'Shoyu' is popular here, and 'tofu' is getting attention as a healthy food. I don't know if they have 'miso,' though.>>

<<Really? With Ogu as the opponent, it's just the right handicap, I guess.>>

<<Hey!>>

<<We also want some fish, but it's tough. They have frozen shrimp and salmon fillets, but not much else. It's quite a contrast to the meat section.>>

<<There's a bunch of bread here.>>

<<How many of these are there? And there are so many varieties, but they all seem pretty simple.>>

<<True, there are differences in the makers and ingredients, but the shapes are relatively standard. Japanese pastries and ready-to-eat meals are just unique. Thanks to that, I ended up buying a lot of different things from convenience stores.>>

However, because the ingredients were so large, the cart wasn't filling up quickly! That's right, the cart itself was ridiculously huge.

<<Then, how about beverages?>>

<<What on earth is this!? The entire wall is filled with cola!>>

Not a metaphor, but cola stretched as far as the eye could see. This sight seemed like something you could only find here.

<<Even though they're Americans, they don't drink this much cola, do they?>>

<<But if it's too little, the stockers won't be able to keep up.>>

<<They drink it!?>>

<<Well, in America, it's like 'drinking water.' I like the canned type, so I'll buy a few cases for now.>>

Naturally, it was in cases. In fact, they only sold it in cases.

As expected of the scale, or whatever it is.

And Ango Ogu's description of it as 'drinking water' was not just a metaphor, it seemed.

I went to look for 'regular water' anyway...

<<But the cola is cheaper. What's going on!?>>

<<Oh, yeah, that's true. Japan has cheap water, so it probably feels that way.>>

Of course, it depends on the brand, but the water was ridiculously expensive. 

Or rather, cola is too cheap compared to the cost of living.

But we can't just not buy it.

I tried to load it into the cart.

<<O-ogu, help me with this...>>

<<Ugh. I'm definitely getting Secret Service's help on the way back.>>

Water was only being sold in dozens of bottles, so it was heavy. With strained efforts, Ango Ogu and I managed to lift it and load it into the cart.

<<American tap water can also be soft or drinkable in some places... I don't drink it either.>>

<<Well, if you get sick, it might be more expensive.>>

No doubt about that. Medical bills here are insanely high. Iroha, did you get overseas insurance in Japan?>>

<<Yeah, that's right.>>

I think that was the right choice. Even with insurance, medical costs are high, and not all hospitals accept it. Only those in partnership with the contracted insurance.

<<Huh, is that so!?>>

When your health is in the worst condition, and you finally make it to the hospital... just the thought of it is hell.

<<They say Americans don't like going to the hospital much, but I can understand why.>>

<<Actually, Japanese people go to the hospital for minor things too much. Let me give you these words, Iroha.>>

<<What is it?>>

<<The most expensive thing in America is 'health'.>>

<<Oh, that makes a lot of sense.>>

After looking around, I noticed that the healthier products were more expensive. Things like vegetables and water. On the other hand, unhealthy foods are surprisingly cheap, like junk food and cola.

<<Let's be careful not to get sick. If you need an ambulance, who knows how much it'll cost.>>

<<It could be tens of thousands of dollars. So, be careful, okay?>>

I already have to see the doctor quite frequently. Emergency services are more expensive than regular visits in Japan, but the difference is significant.

<<Ingredients are about it. Now let's buy some everyday items...>>

Slippers, detergent, and a voltage converter were tossed into the cart.

Or rather, they actually sold it... 

Walmarkets is amazing.

Just when I thought that was everything, I spotted something sold that would never be seen in Japan.

<<Ogu Ogu, look! They're selling guns!>>

I tugged at Ango Ogu's shirt hem and pointed at the showcase.