Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 9
“So it’s already been a month.”
“My medicine’s already run out, so it’s only natural.”
“Mr. Shiramine, the cypress trees are still producing pollen during this season so I would recommend you to limit your activities until Golden Week.” [1]
“I know. It’s from February to the start of the rainy season, ain’t it?”
It seems Mr. Shiramine is suffering from a pollen allergy.
But even so, that and his nose growing are different matters. Rather, his nose getting long is a huge problem itself.
“That’s why I told you I’m prescribing 3 months’ worth of medicine.”
“Doctor, ya should tell ‘im already.”
“This again? Tell it to Takeru himself.”
“Ya know that this is the closest clinic in the east, right? If ya put up another branch between here and Nagoya, it would help a lot, ya know?”
“You want me to convince him?”
“Ya have to, I always have to come to Tokyo every month!”
This is totally unrelated. They’re not talking about his condition at all.
“Haruji did mention that he wanted to put up a pharmacy chain, but it’s up to Takeru to decide.”
Haruji? Who’s that?
“That’s it, Takeru is the problem! Man can’t manage yer finances, how ‘bout ya take charge instead?”
“No way.”
“Why not!”
“I don’t want to be responsible for overseeing finances.”
“Why!”
“Because I’m a doctor.”
What is this, this isn’t what a patient and doctor would usually talk about.
Rather, they aren’t even talking about his nose problem at all.
“But if ya open one, ya’d be helpin’ a lotta’ people ya know?”
“Alright, I’ll prescribe 3 months’ worth of medicine for you.”
“Don’t bother! I’ll come back next month, so ya better think about it!”
The glass door rattled as Mr. Shiramine exited the consultation room and I went back to the reception desk in a panic.
Mr. Shiramine made a beeline for the reception desk almost immediately.
I couldn’t help but be conscious of his nose, so I wished he’d head to the sofa first until I called him. But no matter how I looked at it, it looked like a normal old man’s nose.
“Hey girlie, what’s yer name?”
“Eh? Ah, it’s Nanakida, sir.”
“I dunno what kind of half ya are, but won’t ya persuade the doctor fer me?”
“No, um… I’m not a half… and I just started here…”
“That goes without sayin’. And…?”
Just as the atmosphere was growing awkward, the printer finished printing the prescription which saved me from having to respond to his question.
“T-th-that will be 590 yen in total!”
“Alright, alright. But rather than that…”
Just as Mr. Shiramine was grumbling while rummaging through his haori for his wallet, he half-opened his mouth and appeared as if he were about to sneeze.
“Ahh—”
It’s coming! He’s going to sneeze!
Mr. Shiramine’s body shook as if responding to my thoughts.
“Heahh—”
Yes, sneeze!
“A-ACHOOOOO!”
I wonder what kind of expression I have right now.
His nose promptly returned to normal after he sneezed with his mouth open and his chin jutted out.
“I… I received 600 yen… Here, here is your change.”
While trying to retain my composure, I semi-automatically handed him the 10 yen change along with his medical statement and prescription.
“Dun’ need the change, keep it.”
“Ah, no, this isn’t that kind of establishment… Also, do you know where you can get your medicine dispensed—”
“Bye, girlie.”
Mr. Shiramine snatched his prescription and left.
My legs gave out and I slumped on my seat right after.
“It got longer…”
I wasn’t imagining things.
His nose definitely grew!
Pollen allergies don’t make your nose longer, does it?
Is there a condition that makes it grow that long?
Or am I the one who’s sick?
Rather, am I still dreaming?
Translator’s Notes:
[1] Golden Week – is a week from 29 April to 5 May containing multiple Japanese holidays. Source
