Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 8
It’s been 3 days since I started working here.
I’ve been sleeping better and regularly greeted each morning feeling refreshed compared to my student days.
I always get off at exactly 5pm, and even if I take my time changing into my street clothes and dropping by the supermarket nearby, I’m already home before 6pm.
“This is bad… I feel so sleepy right after having lunch.”
Dr. Tengo makes the staff meals in the back kitchen everyday and today’s lunch was a Chūkadon[1] with an exquisitely thick sweet and sour sauce which was absolutely delicious.
The patients are few and there have only been about 8 who came in during the 3 days I’ve been here, so I wasn’t that tired. Most of them are children accompanied by their parents for pediatric check ups or to receive their usual prescriptions which are either for asthma or constipation.
Dr. Tengo isn’t that concerned with health insurance scores[2], so he’s never had trouble with his diagnoses.
However, I feel like the patients are somewhat different. By different, I didn’t mean that they were the types who would make outrageous complaints.
Besides, even though it’s still too good to be true that I receive ¥250,000 monthly, I don’t see a reason to leave.
“Ah, hello! Have you brought your consultation card?”
“Of course I have! I’m a regular!”
I see, this old man is one of those loud, unavoidable types. His type is more commonly seen in izakayas, but the customers there have been a little calmer recently.
“Oh, I’m sorry! Well then, may I have your consultation card?”
“Take it!”
The old man approached the counter.
It’s a mystery why he would wear a haori hakama paired with geta[3] to a deserted clinic.
“Thank you. Since this is your first time this month—”
“I know! Here, take my health insurance card!”
What surprised me when I ran the old man’s information on the reception machine was his address which showed that he lived in Isehara city in Kanagawa prefecture[4].
He went out of his way to go here? And he’s a regular?
Could it be that Dr. Tengo is actually one of those famous, sought-out doctors who are hard to find?
Looking at his insurance card, I wondered if the old man was self-employed. The first two numbers on his card indicated his insurance coverage, but it didn’t seem like he was particularly rich.
Oops, patient confidentiality, right.
“Alright, please take a seat on the sofa and wait for your name to be called.”
“Heeeeeeebushoiya!”
My mind and body froze the moment I saw him sneeze. I couldn’t even speak.
“Ah darnit! I really hate this season!”
Dr. Tengo called Mr. Shiramine and the sound of his geta could be heard as he made his way to the consultation room.
But even then, my mind still couldn’t process what I just saw.
“…… Wait, eh? Eeeh!?”
His nose became long!
Mr. Shiramine’s nose definitely got longer!
His nose stretched out when he sneezed and immediately turned back to normal after!
What was that!?
I’m definitely not just seeing things nor am I tired!
The walls were thin in the consultation room. I know it’s important to maintain patient confidentiality, but I couldn’t help myself from eavesdropping.
Translator’s Notes:
[1] Chūkadon – or Chinese-style rice bowl is a rice bowl dish topped with stir-fried seafood, meat and vegetables which is seasoned with soy sauce.
[2] Health insurance score – A health insurance score refers to the fixed score which is equal to each medical action and is used to compute the cost of the medical procedure received by the patient (ex. 1 point = 10 yen, so if you receive medical treatment worth 100 points, you are required to pay 1000 yen).
Anyway, it’s too technical but if you’re interested in the health insurance system in Japan, you can check this link.
[3] Haori hakama paired with geta – Formal wear worn by men. It’s similar to the kimono style worn by Kiyotaka Ayanokouji
[4] Isehara city – This is a real city situated in Kanagawa Prefecture. It takes 2 hours to get from Kanagawa prefecture to Tokyo on commute, so no wonder Azuki was amazed lol
