Chapter 15
I never thought that he would redirect the conversation like this.
But right now, I don’t understand why he would ask me this sort of thing.
“Well… My father used to tell me stories about those, so I thought it was ok if they did.”
“Then do you believe in ayakashi?”
Lubdub, lubdub
My heart beat violently inside my chest as it reacted to the word ayakashi.
“Well, ahahaha… Those don’t really exist, do they?”
“But Nanakida, weren’t you able to read it?”
Dr. Tengo’s usually cool gaze was replaced by an intensity it usually didn’t have.
I didn’t know what he meant by it, but it seemed as if he could see right through me.
“What exactly?”
“The clinic name. The one you wrote on your application form.”
My heart continued to beat faster.
I felt the tips of my fingers and ears begin to flush.
“Um, that’s…”
“You were able to say it when you were reading the name written on the door that day.”
I understood right away.
That day, I even wrote it in my pocket planner before I went home.
I was so sure I wrote the correct name on my application form.
“A-a…”
“Try to say it.”
Say it.
Say that you read it as Akashiya clinic when you saw it the first time and when you wrote it on your planner, Azuki.
“It was… A-ayakashi clinic.”
I can’t believe this.
The name that came out of my mouth was very different from the one I was thinking of.
I realized for the first time that the true state of confusion is where you can’t think of anything and your mind completely goes blank. I also noticed that my tears began to stream down my face for no reason.
“Doctor… please, please do something…”
“I see, so that’s how it is. How unfortunate.”
Dr. Tengo gently stroked my hair with his beautiful, long fingers.
The gesture triggered a dangerous, emotional outburst.
“What do you mean!? What is going on!?”
The people around us directed their gazes on our table.
But I didn’t care about any of that.
“What I meant was you were able to read it.”
“I don’t understand what you mean at all!”
“It’s hard being unaware.”
“This again? What kind of awareness don’t I have!? If it’s about the patients…”
Dr. Tengo suddenly exchanged a look with Chairman Takeru who nodded in understanding.
“Takeru, it seems Sara-chan is seated over there.”
“Ah, looks like she came with her manager.”
“Can you call her over?”
“What? Won’t it be enough if I just show her?”
“No, that’s too subtle.”
“Don’t just say it like that! I mean, of course it is, but still—”
Chairman Takeru wiped his mouth and went to talk to the couple— no, the manager and the other person sitting on the farthest table in the corner.
What manager?
I don’t care who it is anymore!
How would that solve anything!?
“Long time no see, Dr. Tengo.”
“Sorry, were you in a meeting?”
“Don’t worry about it. After all, I’ve been in your care before.”
The person Chairman Takeru returned with was a beautiful, long-haired girl wearing a long skirt.
Huh? Isn’t that—
“Eh!? No way… Kisaragi Sara!?”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kisaragi.”
There’s no doubt about it. This long-haired girl who’s bowing right in front of me right now is the idol Kisaragi Sara who’s become the most popular idol in the group that started this term.
If I’m not mistaken, she’s set to star in a movie next.
“Huh? Eh, eeeh!? Dr. Tengo, like I’ve been telling you, I don’t understand—”
“Sara-chan, can you?”
“Of course.”
“What about your manager?”
“It’s fine, Doctor. We’re at Bay Resort after all.”
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