Chapter 173 The Mysterious Duo
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A few days after Rin’s massage, the number of customers was still low, but Haruto’s mood was bright.
(Ayase-senpai’s soft’s… it really was something else.)
To think I get to experience that softness every month… I made sure to come every time. Man, I did a great job for myself! Haruto silently praised.
Ding a ling♪
”Welcome!”
”Excuse me, I have a question…”
”Yes, what can I do for you?”
”Is this place some kind of miracle shop?”
”Huh?”
The woman showed Haruto her smartphone screen—a glowing review about his massage parlor.
──”He healed my shoulder and waist, which needed surgery, with just two massages!”
──”I know massages don’t usually have that kind of effect, but for me… I was healed! This is a miracle shop!”
(I’m pretty sure that’s Ayase-senpai…)
Haruto hadn’t asked anyone to write a review like this. In fact, he was so worried about posts like these that he hadn’t even made a website yet.
This was just a massage parlor. If rumors spread that it healed serious injuries, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare would definitely take notice.
Haruto wanted this place to be a discreet clinic, run by skilled acupuncturists who provided special treatments to a select few.
”N-No, I remember that customer, but it’s not exactly a miracle shop…”
”Then how do you explain the shoulder and waist being healed?”
”Well, yes, they improved. But calling it a miracle… it’s just a slightly unusual massage technique.”
”A slightly unusual massage? What kind of massage is that?”
The woman’s tone was sharp, like an official from the Ministry had come to investigate. Haruto thought it was too soon for that kind of trouble and decided to ask instead.
”Um, what brings you here today?”
”Ah, sorry… actually…” The woman in the black suit stepped aside, revealing another woman Haruto hadn’t noticed before.
”I want you to examine this girl’s feet.”
”Can I touch her feet a little?”
”…”
”I-I’m sorry, it’s okay to touch them.”
Haruto called out to the woman wearing red glasses and a mask, but she didn’t respond. Another woman in a suit quickly answered and rolled up the girl’s pants above her knees.
(Is that a surgical scar… ligament reconstruction? Maybe a comminuted fracture?)
”When did you have this surgery?”
”About a year ago.”
”So, your rehabilitation should be finishing soon, right?”
”Y-yes… Can you tell what kind of surgery it was just from the scar?”
”I have a medical license too.” Haruto pointed to the framed medical license hanging on the waiting room wall.
”Oh! You’re a doctor? I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”
”No, this isn’t a hospital, so don’t worry. It’s just that the massage is done by a doctor, so the methods are a little different.”
”So it’s a doctor-run massage parlor… That explains the difference.”
”Now, about the rehab—any problems?”
”Yes. The rehab is almost over, but the patient still complains of pain and discomfort.”
”Even after surgery and rehab, it doesn’t always go back to exactly how it was before the injury. The hospital probably explained that too.”
”They did… but they also said there was a chance she’d return to the same life as before! Please! If this keeps up, this girl’s whole life will change! Please!”
The woman in the suit bowed deeply as she spoke. Her desperation felt real—this wasn’t just an exaggeration.
Haruto wanted to help somehow, but there was a problem that wasn’t easy to solve.
Notes:
• Rin – Second-year member of the swimming club; currently experiencing a physical problem that Haruto may help solve.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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