Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 22
“Do you even have time to say such a thing?”
“Yes! In fact, I even attended a welcome party set up by my coworkers!”
This won’t do.
I felt like crying the more I said it.
I couldn’t go back to work.
Heck, I couldn’t even go back to my room.
And I definitely didn’t want to go back to the countryside.
“That’s why I’m asking you, what’s that clinic called?”
“And I’m telling you—”
My smartphone was suddenly snatched from my hands.
Thinking that I had dropped it, I looked around and saw Dr. Tengo holding my phone.
“D-dr. Tengo…”
Hiding my phone behind him, Dr. Tengo suddenly approached me and whispered into my ear,
“What do you want to do, Nanakida?”
The simple words he uttered weighed heavily on my chest, and I belatedly realized that a single tear had rolled down my cheek.
Nothing felt rewarding.
Nothing ever worked out.
And I’ve known all along what had been causing it.
It’s because I couldn’t make up my mind.
During my 5th year in elementary school, a very stylish girl in my class invited me to audition as a child model.
Even now, I still don’t know how we became friends.
Since she was earnestly encouraging me with that bright personality of hers, I couldn’t refuse even though I knew I looked very plain. As expected, I dropped out from the 1st round of auditions. Later on, she received special program awards and became a gravure model. Last time I checked, she was married to a handsome guy who owned a foreign pharmaceutical company.
I wonder why I remembered that now.
During my 3rd year in middle school, I wasn’t quite aware of my childhood friend Tetsuji until the people around us started saying that I was a walking “childhood friend flag” that I became conscious of him. [1] It was a mystery to me because I wasn’t particularly attracted to him, but I couldn’t help but feel awkward around him.
Because of that, the remaining time I was able to spend with him became less.
Then, a female classmate who liked to take care of others suggested that I get into the same highschool as him.
The average score needed for that school’s entrance exam was quite high, but she pretended to offer her support by encouraging us to “work hard” while creating opportunities for the 3 of us to study together.
In the end, I was the only one who failed.
Meanwhile, the two of them passed the exam for that highschool and started going out after the exams.
Recently, whenever I go back home to visit, I always see them together pushing around an expensive-looking stroller while walking around the huge mall.
I knew.
It wasn’t because of the huge shopping mall or my peers having children.
During highschool, my life was pretty dull, so no particular memory stood out.
I merely spent my days in the corner of the classroom reading a book I wasn’t even interested in.
“Hello, this is Akashiya Clinic’s head doctor, Niimi speaking.”
I was brought back to the present when I heard Dr. Tengo speaking on the phone.
“Wai— Dr. Tengo!?”
“I’d like to inform you that we have accepted your daughter to work in our hospital. I’m terribly sorry for bringing the news to you this late.”
What, what, what?
What is he doing talking with my father on my phone?
“Certainly. Ms. Nanakida always shows her readiness to work in the clinic and does her best ev— Yes, of course. During the interview, she was so exceptional that she caught my eye right away.”
But even so, why couldn’t I make myself take the phone from him?
Is it because I didn’t know what to do after?
Is it because I couldn’t make up my mind?
“Then, I would like to send you a list of our services at a later date, so— Ah, yes, likewise. It was nice talking to you too.”
I just stood there watching him without doing anything.
While slightly avoiding my gaze, Dr. Tengo handed my smartphone back.
“Eh?”
“I think you’re fine just the way you are.”
I don’t understand why he would look embarrassed after pulling that stunt.
Please stop looking so shy, you’re making me shy too!
I involuntarily took my smartphone back and placed it on my ear.
“Hello? See? I am telling the truth.”
“That doctor seems really nice.”
“Of course. Anyway, I’m busy right now so I’ll call you later.”
“Is he still single?”
Translator’s Notes:
First of all, let me just say that I love how that last part portrays Azuki’s dad as your typical Asian parent 😂
[1] Childhood friend flag
Either refers to the romance trope where the childhood friend has the upper hand when it comes to stealing the male lead’s heart, or its opposite where the childhood friend (usually a girl) is in love with the male lead but has no chance with the protagonist because he only sees them as a close friend. Source
