Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 33
I can’t even imagine how powerful that is.
“But that kind of thing is quite the rage nowadays, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s exactly as you say. There are similar businesses, and it’s difficult to stand out from the rest nowadays.”
“What about you, Mr. Wajima? Is your company doing anything new?”
He’s already lost interest, huh.
Chairman Takeru made eye contact with the sales representative sitting at the back.
This time, it was the stern-looking, stockily-built salesman with the brushed up hairstyle.
“It’s been a while, Mr. Chairman.”
“Ah, please hand your business card to Azuki-chan.”
“Sorry for the delay in introductions, Ms. Manager. My name is Wajima and I am a sales representative from Enter Road Ring.”
“No, ummm…I’m not exactly a manager.”
“You know, the employees in Mr. Wajima’s company are all Wanyūdō descendants.” [1]
All of those employees must have the character for “wheel” in their surnames. [2]
[An Illustrated Guide to Ayakashi by Region]
Wa, wa, Wanyūdō.
They’re those flaming wheels after all.
It makes sense that they would also be in the waste combustion business.
Eh? They take souls!?
And they take it by tearing it off from the body!?
That sounds so violent!
“Our company specialty is related to sterilizing waste materials.”
“Hmm? Can’t you have that patented somehow?”
“Unfortunately, the process is related to our abilities so it may be difficult.”
“That’s such a waste. Why not present it under the guise of a mysterious theory or something?”
“Well… That’s a trade secret.”
What, do they sterilize the waste by tearing away the souls of the bacteria?
If that’s the case, that’s definitely a mysterious theory.
“So last is Hino-kun, huh.”
“Hello.”
Are all people with ayakashi blood always good-looking?
He looks like a man of few words, but he has a neutral, cat-like face and a silky shaggy hairstyle. I feel like the suit’s throwing me off somehow, but he still looks good.
“Hino-kun’s company is a place run by kasha.” [3]
[An Illustrated Guide to Ayakashi by Region]
Kasha. Kasha, huh.
I figure they’d be covered in flames too.
So they could appear as cats, women, and demons.
Oh, but men can also inherit the same traits.
But what’s this about stealing corpses?
Eh, they take living evil doers as is and take them to hell!?
What’s up with that gap in appearance!?
Is there even a need for that!?
“So yeah, this is how it usually goes, Azuki-chan.”
“Huh?”
Chairman Takeru looked into my eyes.
Eh? What?
“No matter who we choose, in the end, there’s not much difference in the price quotations.”
“…. oh.”
Am I expected to do something?
Is it ok to say such things in front of our guests?
“By the way, Mr. Chairman. What is your schedule this Saturday and Sunday?”
The first to speak was Ms. Sekiwa who was the OL-slash-katawaguruma extraordinaire.
She was holding a planner which she had taken out at some point during our conversation.
“Me? Well, I’m already— ah.”
What is it?
You’ve been staring at me since earlier, Chairman.
“Azuki-chan, are you free on the weekend?”
“Well, rather than free, it’s more like I don’t have anything to do on the weekend.”
“Then, are you free on Wednesday too?”
“Yes, I am.”
“… You don’t have anything scheduled?”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
Chairman Takeru patted my shoulder as he said “ok, ok”.
Please stop that, it’s making me sad for some reason.
“Then, Ms. Sekiwa. Can you set up one for Azuki-chan and I?”
“Certainly. Then I will notify you about the finer details of the schedule later.”
“Alright. Then I’ll contact both of you about my availability as well.”
What do you mean by set up?
And it’s not just Ms. Sekiwa, but the other two were writing something on their planners as well.
“Chairman Takeru, may I know what this is about?”
“Well I mean, Azuki-chan, you don’t have anything planned on your days off, right?”
“As much as it pains me to say it, yes, I don’t have anything planned.”
“Then there’s nothing to worry about. Don’t mind it.”
“But I do mind. Just what are we doing anyway?”
Suddenly, Chairman Takeru approached me and whispered in my ear.
Nooo, he smells so nice.
“It’s a rare form of entertainment nowadays. You’ll see.”
“…eh?”
“It’s decided then.”
After saying that, Chairman Takeru gave me a thumbs up and disappeared somewhere inside the house.
Wait, why me?
As far as I know, I’m not in a position to be invited to these things though?
Also, what kind of entertainment is it?
“Excuse me, but… I would like to contact you about the details later.”
“Ohea?”
“If it’s alright, may I have Ms. Manager’s contact details, please?”
“Manager… ah, you mean me?”
What the heck.
I only have those Mama Tomo cards, so I guess it’s about time to order some business cards with the clinic’s name on it. [4]
Translator’s Notes:
[1] Wanyūdō
Wanyūdō takes the form of a burning oxcart wheel bearing the tormented face of a man. Various folklore purports him as the condemned soul of a tyrannical daimyō who, in life, was known for having his victims drawn on the back of an oxcart. He is said to guard the gates of Hell, and to wander back and forth along the road between this world and the underworld, scaring townsfolk as he passes and stealing the souls of anyone who gets too close in order to bring them to Hell with him. Source
[2] “Wheel” in surnames
Ms. Sekiwa and Mr. Wajima’s names are written as 関輪 and 輪島 respectively. The character ‘輪’ means “wheel”, so Azuki was wondering if similar people like them all had the character ‘輪’ in their surnames since they were ayakashi that had something to do with wheels.
[3] Kasha
Kasha are yōkai that would steal corpses from funerals and cemeteries, and what exactly they are is not firmly set, and there are examples all throughout the country. In many cases their true identity is actually a cat yōkai, and it is also said that cats that grow old would turn into this yōkai and that their true identity is actually a nekomata. However, there are other cases where the kasha is depicted as an oni carrying the damned in a cart to hell. Source
[4] Mama Business Cards
“Mama meishi” (ママ名刺) are calling cards exchanged by housewives to make it easy for moms to meet and make friends with other moms. “Mama Tomo” is a service that creates these types of cards. Source
