Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 28
“By the way, Yua-chan, how are you adjusting at school?”
“Didn’t you talk to the principal about it?”
“No, I talked to the school counselor and your homeroom teacher.”
“No way, thank you so much!”
“You did have a valid reason for taking time off school.”
“Are you headed to a love hotel right now?”
W-watch your language, young lady!
How can you say such a thing with a straight face!?
Is this some sort of ayakashi greeting!?
“We’re drinking with Mr. Miyoshi because he helped Nanakida with moving into the dorm.”
“Eh, eh, niiice. So you guys are cohabiting already~”
“No… That’s not…”
Doctor, doctor.
That old lady came out from the Origin bento shop just now. [1]
At this rate, we’ll be late to meet up with Mr. Miyoshi.
“Then, we’ll get going.”
“Ah, wai—”
Dr. Tengo pulled my arm and walked as if he were trying to run away from the place.
It should’ve been fine to just cut your conversation properly before leaving.
“The restaurant’s just around the corner.”
“Doctor, are you the only one seeing all of them?”
“They don’t have any other place to go for their conditions.”
“About that highschool girl earlier…”
“She’s a sentakugitsune. Her inner control was quite bad, so she spent all of last year doing laundry at home all day.” [2]
“Laundry…”
“It’s not a bad thing, but she was held back a year because of it.”
I wonder how it feels to instinctively do laundry all day.
Does it feel closer to the need to wash your hands constantly?
“You’re so hardworking.”
“Is that so…”
“And you’re also a good person.”
Why aren’t you saying anything?
No way, are you embarrassed?
“Of course not.”
“There you go again. You read my mind, didn’t you?”
“No, well… It’s just become an excuse.”
Without letting go of my arm, Dr. Tengo pulled me along until we arrived in front of a multi-tenant building near the Edogawacho station east exit.
The first floor housed a deserted yakiniku restaurant which I’ve never been to before. [3]
The other shops on the building consisted of a shady lending firm and two other shops whose businesses are unclear based on their signboards.
“We’re meeting on the 2nd floor.”
According to the directory, it’s the orange signboard with the word “Zen” written in black paint.
Is this one of those women refuge centers? [4]
“It’s an izakaya.”
It’s been 4 years since I started living near Edogawacho station which is a 10-minute walk to the west exit and I never even knew such a place existed.
When I gazed at the 1st floor, I realized that people wouldn’t show interest in the shops on the upper floors.
“Here.”
“Are you sure this is the right place?”
Seemingly familiar with the place, Dr. Tengo passed through the path beside the yakiniku shop and went up the stairs.
The steps were coated in black varnish, and the floorboards creaked ominously with every step. The paint on the railing was also faded, and the walls which were illuminated by pale fluorescent lights also appeared dingy. As I looked at the path ahead, I saw a black wooden door that was kept ajar with not even a single signboard around.
Wait, are we going inside that?
If this were a Hollywood movie, such places are usually Mafia hideouts where gunfights would break out. I was with Dr. Tengo so I went in, but I definitely wouldn’t go there alone.
“Welcome.”
The person who welcomed us was a man who looked like a general with a short mustache and was wearing a brown samue. [5]
The shop counter had 4 seats, while the 4-seater tables had 3 seats each.
There were no customers around.
Rather, there was only one person seated on one of the tables. It was a muscular man with a deep cleft on his chin and a refreshing smile. It was Mr. Miyoshi who was so strong that he was able to help me move my things into the dorms in a flash.
“Sorry, Mr. Miyoshi. Did you wait long?”
“Don’t mind it. I’ve only had one drink while waiting.”
I don’t know what he was thinking but upon hearing this, Dr. Tengo silently made eye-contact with the samue general who nodded and closed the door.
He didn’t lock it, did he!?
“Mr. Tengo, can I take it off?”
“Sure.”
Take off?
Who’s taking off what now?
Why are both of you looking at me!?
“Alright. Then if you’ll excuse me.”
Mr. Miyoshi replied brightly and proceeded to stand up and remove his shirt.
Rather, a strange smoke came out of him and his clothes disappeared.
After the smoke cleared, Mr. Miyoshi was covered in sculpted armor that outlined his muscles. The armor showcased both his sculpted muscles and tan skin in equal parts.
Is he a gladiator, or is he a warrior from Sparta!?
Fortunately, his crotch area was covered in tight leather briefs, so he didn’t look completely naked.
But why is he wearing a red cape too!?
“That’s because he’s a sankichi oni.”
“That’s what you said earlier.”
“Dr. Tengo. Is it strange after all? Should I change back?”
“No need. Nanakida on the other hand…”
Stop looking at me like that, you guys.
Eh, what do you mean!?
“Nanakida doesn’t need to take hers off.”
“I’m not taking anything off!”
Translator’s Notes
[1] Origin bento shop
Is a bento shop in Japan which sells boxed lunches and prepared dishes. If you’re in Japan and passing by one I recommend trying the potato and egg salad with broccoli~ Source
[2] Sentakugitsune
The sentakugitsune, or laundry fox, originates from Shizuoka prefecture. It was said that in a temple near the Hirakama river where the trees and bushes are thick, the foxes come out at night to wash their clothes. Source
[3] Yakiniku
For those not familiar with Japanese, yakiniku means grilled meat. This is similar to Korean barbecue places where you can cook meat directly on the grill installed on the tables. Source
[4] Women refuge centers
In Kanji, this is written as 駆け込み寺 which translates to (women’s) refuge. In real life, this organization is known as the Nippon Kakekomi-dera and serves people with various problems in their lives. These people receive counseling such as domestic violence , financial problems , domestic violence , running away from home, and stalking. Counseling is provided by telephone and in person, mainly to socially vulnerable people. Source
[5] Samue
These were originally work clothes worn by Buddhist monks and nuns when performing labor duty such as temple maintenance and field work. In modern times, they have become popular as general casual or work wear. Modern-day Shakuhachi players, because of the instrument’s historical association with Zen Buddhism, sometimes wear samue.
Samue are often worn by many farmers and homeowners when performing general landscaping and gardening tasks as well. Source
