Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 2
No, absolutely not.
Even though it only takes two and a half hours to get home by bullet train, we’re still far off in the countryside.
I especially didn’t want to come back because heading northward for two and a half hours is totally different from heading westward.
“B-but my situation isn’t that bad compared to everyone else.”
“Yes, but a promise is a promise. I’m only sending you money until college.”
“I know… but everyone’s working part-time jobs here in Tokyo while studying.”
“I see. Then as promised, I’ll also go to Tokyo and live together with y—”
“Then what are you going to do with the temple!?”
The fact that my family runs a temple is also one of the reasons why I don’t want to go home.
When I get to know someone and talk about our families, everyone becomes interested.
It always turns into a Junji Inagawa[1] story or a story about the heir and the son-in-law, and the conversation never goes beyond that.
Even if there are gods of love, there are no buddhas of love.
At best, some meddlesome parishioners would bring up the idea of an arranged marriage every once in a while.
“I’m going to leave the temple, of course.”
“Won’t you be punished if you do that!?”
“Then your next interview will be your last chance.”
“Don’t just decide things on your own!”
“How many months has it been?”
“That’s…”
It was suddenly warm.
Rather, it’s almost spring, so it’s probably because of that.
“Shouldn’t you normally assume that this is the next to the last step in your career?”
“But it’s still in the middle of hiring season—”
“Reciting sutras is enough.”
I didn’t understand what he meant, so I was frustrated that I couldn’t argue with him.
“Alright… But—“
“Good luck!“
I was annoyed at being cut off by a Buddhist monk in English, so I just let out a miserable sigh as I placed my phone back in my bag.
“What should I do?”
A job interview is like a lottery where you keep on getting bad draws but still get a lucky pull in the end. At the end of the day, it’s not like your odds will be bad every time.
“So, will you be able to come tomorrow afternoon?”
“Haraah!?”
I couldn’t help but make another strange sound in surprise.
I hadn’t noticed when he appeared, but the bespectacled doctor was standing at the clinic’s entrance with his hands shoved in his pockets. I felt uncomfortable at the unsmiling, cool gaze directed at me.
More importantly, I was so embarrassed because he heard the conversation with my father.
“Will you be alright?”
“I-I’m sorry you had to see that in front of your clinic!”
“That’s why I’m asking if you’re alright with it.”
“…A-about what, exactly?”
“Aren’t you going to apply here?”
“Oh, right.”
This was the worst answer I could give someone who could be a potential employer.
When he turned away without hesitation, I couldn’t help but chase after him.
“P-pweash wait!”
I stammered.
I stammered like a child who couldn’t talk properly yet.
But when the doctor turned around and looked at me, there was a slight smile on his face.
“So will you come in for an interview?”
“I-if I’m good enough, then I’ll be in your care!”
I bowed as hard as I could while responding in strange Japanese. [2]
It’s not like I can do anything just by being energetic, but it doesn’t create a negative first impression. In fact, I was becoming energetic in more ways than one.
“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I found myself staring at the back of the doctor’s retreating figure, and I hurriedly confirmed when their consultations in the morning would end tomorrow.
“Also… It would be rude if I didn’t at least know the name of the clinic, right?”
I wrote it down on my planner so I wouldn’t forget.
I hope it goes well.
I never thought that a time would come where I would become this optimistic as I hummed a tune on my way home.
Translator’s Notes:
[1] Junji Inagawa
Is a Japanese actor, industrial designer, and YouTuber. He is a former comedian and ghost storyteller. Source
[2] Strange Japanese
In the original Japanese text, the main character says, 待ってくらさい/matte kurasai which is a mispronunciation of 待ってください/matte kudasai (please wait). Other than that, it seems to point that she was nervous and kept stammering during their whole exchange. 🙂
