Chapter 213 The Invitation Of The Shiatsu Master
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Knock knock.
”Excuse me,” Haruto said as he knocked on the door.
Click.
”Hello, how can I help you?” a woman’s voice answered.
”Uh… Ah! I’m Haruto,” he said, stepping forward.
The person who opened the door wasn’t elderly, but a woman who looked to be in her late thirties or early forties. Haruto was caught off guard and froze for a moment.
”What can I do for you?” she asked.
”Well, I heard the massage parlor is closing… I’m in the same business, so…” Haruto explained.
”Oh, you’re from the same massage parlor? Wait! Were you the one on TV?” the woman’s eyes lit up.
”Yes, that’s me. I came to speak with the owner—is he here?”
”Yeah! Please come in! …Dad, we have a guest!” she called inside.
”Oh, no, I’m not that important,” Haruto said politely as he stepped inside.
Haruto never imagined something he’d seen on TV would be useful now. As he was led inside, he saw an elderly man with white hair sitting by the kotatsu, quietly sipping tea. The man glanced at Haruto without changing his expression and asked, “Do you need something from me?”
(Wow, this guy looks stubborn…)
”I’m Haruto. I run the massage parlor next to Miyoshi Clinic,” he introduced himself.
”Dad! This is the person from that miraculous shop we saw on TV!” the woman’s daughter said excitedly.
That “miraculous shop” wasn’t the one that healed Yuna’s legs—it was famous after Ayase Rin’s post caught media attention.
”Oh, that new shop,” the old man muttered.
”Yes. Actually, I came because I heard your massage parlor might be closing. I wanted to offer treatment for your back pain, and if it helps, I hope you’d work at my shop,” Haruto explained.
”Sorry, but I must decline,” the man said firmly, refusing without hesitation.
The daughter, standing nearby, spoke up. “Sorry, Dad doesn’t talk much. Let me explain.”
Her explanation wasn’t surprising. The father’s name was Kanebori Sentarou, and the daughter was Kanebori Chiaki.
Sentarou had suffered from back pain since he was young and had tried many orthopedic clinics. But the treatments—electrical therapy, poultices—never helped. That pain pushed him to become a massage therapist himself. For over forty years, he had practiced, convinced no one else could fix him.
”I understand my body best,” Sentarou said quietly, “and I’ve decided this is my limit. No one else can heal me.”
”That’s why he doesn’t listen to anything I say!” Chiaki added with a sigh.
She urged him to get checked at a hospital, but he refused to listen.
”I can’t trust hospitals,” Sentarou said firmly.
Haruto smiled gently. “Then why not try my massage? I know you do it yourself, Sentarou-san, but a treatment from someone else might feel different, don’t you think?”
”That’s right, Dad! If you got a massage from someone famous, like on TV, maybe it’ll help!” Chiaki cheered.
”This shop was even interviewed by the local TV station, though,” Haruto added.
”That was just for a long-time local shop. The interview was for that, right? Haruto-san’s shop is the real miracle shop!” Chiaki corrected.
Hearing the word “miracle” made Haruto blush with embarrassment.
”Well, forget the miracle talk… Sentarou-san, you don’t want to quit being a shiatsu therapist, right?” Haruto asked kindly.
”Not if I can keep going,” he replied.
”Then please, try my massage—even if you think you’re being tricked,” Haruto said with a small smile.
”Dad, I’m asking you too! Please try it!” Chiaki urged.
Sentarou hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “…Alright.”
Notes:
• Yuna – Female. A famous idol. She has well-defined features and is described as idol-like in appearance. She is a member of a popular idol group known for intense dance and singing performances. She is considering an AV job, which is unusual for a current popular idol. Her relationship with Haruto is that of a customer seeking assistance.
• Rin – Second-year member of the swimming club; currently experiencing a physical problem that Haruto may help solve.
• Sentarou – Male. An elderly man with white hair. He is a retired shiatsu therapist who has suffered from chronic back pain since his youth. He is stubborn and skeptical of new treatments, preferring to rely on his own judgment. He has a distant but caring relationship with his daughter, Chiaki.
• Chiaki – Female. Sentaro’s daughter. She is supportive and caring, trying to convince her father to seek help for his back pain. She is persistent and believes in the potential benefits of Haruto’s massage therapy. She acts as a mediator between Haruto and her father.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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