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Chapter 221. [Don't Fall Down The Rabbit Hole]

Watching the affectionate American couple, I ponder.

Is this a cultural gap?

<<Americans don't seem to care about such things in public, right?>>

<<Yeah. Compared to Japan, everyone here is open. ...Even when I was a kid and went to a friend's house to play, I could hear "sounds" from the next room.>>

<<Eww!?>>

<<And afterward, they walked around the room with just a towel. I was quite surprised.>>

Ango seems a bit embarrassed as he says this.

Is, is that okay?

<<Isn't that something you do when there are no kids around?>>

<<Hmm. But when is there no one around?>>

<<Well...>>

Thinking about it, when do families with children find the time for baby-making activities? Probably earlier than when work ends, maybe on weekends...

<<In America, kids don't really go out to play alone.>>

<<...Now that you mention it.>>

<<Iroha-chan, when do Japanese couples flirt?>>

<<Huh!? Um, when is it?... Maybe when we go to a love hotel?>>

<<Love hotel?>>

<<Uh, there are special rooms for that kind of thing, and you can rent them.>>

<<There's something like that? Japanese people are geniuses! If we ever go to Japan, let's definitely try it out.>>

Don't talk about that in front of the kids!

I want to interject, but since only adults are present, well... it's fine.

But really, they don't seem to find discussions about baby-making or related topics "sensitive".

I'm not sure if "sensitive" is the right term, but somehow, I feel like I understand why Japan is experiencing a declining birthrates.

<<So, practically, is it after the kids go to sleep?>>

<<Maybe. I remember being left alone in the room since I was a little kid.>>

<<Wow, Ogu Mama is strict.>>

<<It's not that unusual, is it? My daughter has been sleeping alone for a long time. If children keep sleeping with their parents, it's not good for their independence.>>

<<I see, so that's the mindset here.>>

That's another cultural gap. In Japan, it's considered good for parents and children to sleep side by side.

<<Well, we don't really know what's right.>>

Independence or attachment, both have their pros and cons.

Maybe the high rate of homelessness in America and the high rate of social withdrawal in Japan... perhaps, these differences are coming from here.

<<In the end, it's about what you choose. I've forbidden my husband from drinking, but I allow marijuana.>>

<<Huh?>>

<<Alcohol can cause trouble for others, but marijuana is just for stress relief, right? It's less addictive than alcohol. Of course, everything in moderation is important.>>

I see, it's legal here. As a Japanese person, just the name "drugs" makes me feel terribly frightened.

<<But, Iroha, you're underage, so 'Don't fall down the rabbit hole', okay?>>

<<Huh?>>

<<Even if someone invites you to our high school, don't smoke.>>

<<Haha, I won't, I won't.>>

<<Well, yeah. You're not interested in that stuff, right?>>

<<That's right. I've already sprayed my favorite perfume on my favorite plushie and smelled it. It's a million times better than that!>>

<<Is that really okay!?>>

<<I see, Japanese people 'inhale' moe. Truly crazy...>>

<<Hey, Iroha!? Because of you, Japan is getting seriously misunderstood!?>>

Indeed, if taken to the extreme, it could be harmful.

Yeah, everything is best in moderation!

<<But, around here, the safety is good, and you rarely get invited to such things at school. This place is really nice. It may be a bit expensive, but buying safety with money is worth it.>>

<<The place where we bought our house was a bit of a mistake.>>

<<Speaking of which, it's unusual for a family to live in an apartment, right?>>

<<Is it?>>

<<Yeah. The rooms in this apartment are quite spacious, but in America, there are probably more people living alone in houses.>>

America is really big.

Hearing that, indeed, Papa-san and Mama-san seem like rare cases.

<<Something happened?>>

<<Actually, after buying the house, gangs increased nearby.>>

<<That really happens?>>

<<Well, we had bad luck. Once the house is sold, we plan to buy a new one and move.>>

<<Oh, speaking of which, will you take me to the shooting range sometime soon? I want to practice.>>

<<Ah, yeah. It's safe here, but you never know what might happen in the future.>>

Hearing such a conversation, I had an epiphany.

I see. Obviously, not every American is adept at handling guns.

<<When it comes down to it, if I forgot how to shoot in an emergency and couldn't protect my child, that would be unforgivable.>>

I thought of the shooting range as part of my 'hobbies,' but apparently, it's not just that.

It seems to be a kind of rehearsal for self-defense.

In Japan, we prepare anti-crime goods and conduct evacuation drills in preparation for earthquakes.

Similarly, in America, they prepare guns and conduct shooting practices to resist robbery.

<<Huh? Are you interested, by any chance? If you want, would you like to come with us next time?>>

I realize I've been invited.

Come to think of it, I've never tried shooting in America.