Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 14
Dr. Tengo pulled out a chair for me, and I absently sat on my seat which faced the huge window showcasing a view of Tokyo bay.
Is that Odaiba I see over there?
Dr. Tengo sat beside me while Chairman Takeru sat across me like it was the most natural thing in the world. What’s up with this seating arrangement?
“Oh, looks like Haruji’s arrived. Haruji, over here!”
Chairman Takeru turned around and gestured at the approaching teen to come over.
Who’s this strictly copyrighted idol jr.? [1]
With that chiseled face, is he even Japanese?
A foreign, model-like youth approached while brushing back his silky, unkempt hair.
It’s strange how he doesn’t feel out of place in this setting wearing just a t-shirt and jeans.
“Sorry. Did I make you wait?”
“What have you been up to? Is champagne okay?”
“I was gathering ingredients in the mountains for herbal medicine.”
“Don’t bears appear there?”
“They’re already used to me.”
“Anyway, Haruji. I believe it’s your first time meeting Azuki-chan.”
While I sat there dumbfounded, the boy turned to me and offered a handshake.
“Oh right. Nice to meet you, I’m Haruji Alimzhanov. I’m the main pharmacist in the pharmacy across the clinic.”
Eh… Haruwhat now? Also, is he really not underage?
“Um… mai neemu izu Nanakida Azuki. Naisu to meechu.”
“Pfft, what the heck. I might be half-Kazakhstani but I’m fluent in Japanese, you know?”
“I… I’m so sorry, I just…”
That was so embarrassing.
So he’s mixed race.
But where is Kazakhstan?
While I was lost in my thoughts, a butler-like staff member poured some champagne into a slim glass for us.
“Well then, let’s toast to Azuki-chan joining the clinic! Cheers!”
“Let’s work hard, Nanakida.”
“Looking forward to working with you, A-chan.”
“A-chan…?”
After the toast was made with a “just got off work” vibe, the appetizers were brought to our table.
Crystal renge which contained bite-sized pieces were lined up on a uniquely plated crystal dish. [2]
How should I eat this?
Do I eat it directly from the renge, or should I take it with my chopsticks?
“You can just take it like this”
“Eh? Ah, is that so?”
While nonchalantly eating next to me, Dr. Tengo taught me how to eat the dish.
Did I say my thoughts out loud, or was it written all over my face? Either way, I’m embarrassed.
“Just eat it any way you like.”
“Thank you… very much.”
“By the way, A-chan—”
Haruji, who just finished his appetizer like a snack, looked at me with sparkling eyes.
“— what kind of half are you?”
The light, flowy atmosphere felt distorted in an instant.
“Oh, so Haruji can’t tell either?”
“Eh, so Take-san doesn’t know either? What about Tengo-san?”
Their gazes were pure and innocent, as if the question asked was something obvious.
And it hurt looking at those gazes.
The clinic name.
The strange patients.
Of course, there’s the thing with the halves and quarters.
And then there’s also Dr. Tengo whom I’ve been working with.
Yes.
Didn’t I come here today to enjoy the celebrity-like atmosphere?
I also came here to clear the haze in my head that had been building up from my first day up to now.
If I were to continue working with them from now on, then I can’t keep turning a blind eye to this.
This is my chance to clear everything up.
“Um… I don’t know if this is the right time to ask this during a welcome party, but…”
“Nanakida.”
“Y-yes?”
Dr. Tengo, who had been drinking some stewed shark’s fin soup, slowly put down his spoon.
“Do you believe in psychic phenomena?”
“Eh?”
“Like ghosts and the afterlife.”
Translator’s Notes:
[1] copyrighted idol jr. – they must be referring to Johnny’s agency which has produced popular boy groups such as Arashi, SMAP, Hey! Say! JUMP and the like.
[2] Renge (spoons) – these are boat-shaped, flat-bottomed spoons which usually come with your ramen orders (if they do) Source
