Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 6
Today is my first day at work.
There was nobody else behind the small reception counter in the clinic.
“Uh, um…”
I was feeling a little queasy and uncomfortable, but it wasn’t because I wasn’t used to the new uniform or I wasn’t familiar with the ticket machine at the desk. It was because Dr. Tengo was sitting too close to me that our shoulders were almost touching.
Isn’t it odd for a doctor to be waiting for patients at the reception desk?
“What is it?”
“Um, where is the other receptionist?”
“There is no one else but you.”
“Wha— !”
Now that I think of it, the interview happened so fast at that time that I wasn’t able to confirm if there were other staff members within the clinic.
But still, it means that it’s just me at reception.
“Is there a nurse working here?”
“A nurse?”
I wonder if it’s just me.
“Yes.”
“No, there isn’t.”
Eh, it’s just the two of us? Am I supposed to assist him too?
“Worried?”
“No, it’s just… Well, of course, I’m going to take care of my health, but, what if, just what if, I get sick?”
“Then I’ll go visit you.”
“… Thank, thank you.”
This is so embarrassing. They say it’s best to stop worrying about the future, so I’ll do just that.
Besides, Dr. Tengo is directly instructing me on how to carry out my receptionist duties at such a close range.
Speaking of which.
“Have you operated this before?”
“I think it’s probably the same model we used during my training–”
Dr. Tengo, you’re too close. This proximity is usually the distance that couples share.
“You have?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’ll be fine. Do you have any more questions?”
Oh no, this is bad. Is my newcomer training already over? Wait, am I supposed to practice on my own now? I could only smile, but I still have zero confidence.
“Well… Right, that…”
“You have more?”
“I has.” [1]
My answer sounds weird, this is so embarrassing.
“What is it?”
“I’m just confirming, but… If a patient comes in and they’re a new patient, do they need to bring a consultation card?” [2]
“Make one if they don’t have it. The blank consultation cards are in that drawer. If they have one, then you can just pass it through the card scanner.”
“Oh. Oh, I see. Um, but how do you distinguish between an initial visit and a follow-up visit?”
“If it isn’t their first time, then it’s a follow-up.”
“… Does it apply to everyone?”
“Yes, everyone.”
He’s too conscientious.
From a hospital’s point of view, one can say that the clinic isn’t willing to make money.
After all, between an initial visit and a follow-up checkup, the insurance score is higher for initial examinations. That’s why after some time has passed from the initial visit, or after the doctor has judged that the patient has been cured after their last visit, the next visit is treated as an initial consultation.
But since there are no strict regulations in the periods between consultations, deciding whether a visit is initial or a follow-up is up to the clinic’s or hospital’s discretion. At least that’s what I’ve learned during my lessons.
“I-I see, okay.”
“Then I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Ehh!?”
As Dr. Tengo returned to the examination room, the glass door opened and a child who was accompanied by her mother entered the clinic.
“Ah, welc—-”
No, no, that’s the greeting I used on my previous part-time job at an izakaya. [3]
“— Good morning! Is this your first visit!?”
The mother merely tilted her head while the little girl who was around elementary school-age quietly held onto her mother’s hand. Both the faces of the mother and child were hidden behind large facemasks that went up to their jaws and only their eyes were visible. The mother then took out a consultation card and medical record and headed to the sofa with her daughter.
“…We came to get our usual prescription.”
“Eh?”
Where did that voice come from?
Am I just hearing voices, or did I just hear the mother’s voice late?
I looked around involuntarily, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
Translator’s Notes:
[1] I has – In the original text, Azuki says あるます (arumasu) though it should have been あります/arimasu (to have/I have)
[2] Consultation card – upon visiting a clinic in Japan for the first time, you will be given a consultation card which shows your basic information and the date/s of your visit. Not sure about other countries, but I’ve only seen it in Japan so far and it is not at all used where I’m from.
[3] Izakaya
Also known as pubs or snack bars. These are places that serve beer or sake along with snacks like fried chicken (karaage), edamame and the like.
