As they exited the examination room, the nurse called out to her from the reception window. The nurse had the same blunt attitude as before. She handed Megumi a paper bag.
“What’s this?” Megumi asked, looking inside.
“That’s stuff the cat was using. There are only the essentials in there, so you’ll need to buy the rest. Is there a veterinary hospital near your place? It’s better to find a vet that’s open late.”
“Oh, if I remember correctly, Suda Animal Hospital accepts emergency cases. Do you know it? We actually went to that hospital by accident before coming here.”
“Oh yes…” The nurse looked down at her feet. “I know it. It’s Dr. Kokoro’s clinic. Dr. Nikké and I are grateful to him for all his help. If you see Dr. Kokoro, please tell him Chitose sends her regards. Take care now.” Her unfriendly demeanor still lingered, but there had been a hint of melancholy in her voice.
Megumi didn’t comment. It was better to consult an expert on pet care. Tomorrow, they’d go to Suda Animal Hospital.
When they emerged from the clinic, the cold, dimly lit hallways were as quiet as when they had arrived.
Still clutching the carrier with both hands, Aoba said, “Mom, I just remembered where I’ve seen that woman.”
“Huh?”
“I saw her at Kazusa’s dance practice. Um, what was it that she did…Japanese traditional dance? I visited Kazusa at her dance studio once, and that lady was there. She had her hair done up like a maiko, a geisha in training, and was wearing a light cotton kimono, but she looked just like that nurse.”
“Um…” Out of habit, Megumi almost told Aoba to stop talking nonsense. “I don’t think a maiko can also be a nurse.”
“Hmm, I don’t know. They looked so similar, but maybe they’re different people.” Aoba tilted her head.
A man strolled toward them from the other end of the hallway. He wore a flashy shirt and looked somewhat shady. Megumi turned her head away, making sure not to meet his eye, but as he passed by, he blatantly looked over in their direction. She tried to urge Aoba to walk quickly, but before they could get away, the man called out to them.
“Are you guys looking to rent that empty unit?”
His forehead wrinkled with suspicion and an arrogant look shone in his eye. Megumi was confused. By “empty unit,” was he referring to the clinic they had just left?
“That’s not an empty unit. It’s a mental health clinic,” she said.
“That unit’s been vacant for years. They say it’s jinxed, so even when it gets rented out, tenants leave immediately.”
“Mom, what does ‘jinxed’ mean?”
The man chuckled unkindly. “Kiddo, you know what a ‘stigmatized property’ is? Well, something scary happened in that unit, and it’s now haunted by ghosts.”
“Ghosts?”
“That’s right. I’ve heard people say they can hear voices and see spirits. So if you guys rent that unit, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He walked into the unit next door. Curious, Megumi looked at the door and saw a plate that read Japan Health and Safety Association. The dodginess of its name made her cheeks twitch.
“Mom, he said ghosts…” Aoba sounded nervous.
“I’m sure it was a joke. That guy was weird. Now, let’s go. Your brother’s probably home already. And we have to feed the cat, too.”
“Yup.” Aoba’s face lit up. She glanced down at the pet carrier, held tightly in her arms like treasure. “Since this kitten is Yuki’s child, why don’t we name her Koyuki—Little Yuki?”
Megumi nodded silently. Challenging days lay ahead, but she was determined to face them with her daughter.
“Hey, Aoba. Will you tell me about the cliques and the social ladder again?”
“Hmm…” Aoba scrunched up her face. “I’ve told you about them so many times.”
“Just once more. This time I’ll listen.”
“All right, I guess I can.” Aoba sighed with a hint of attitude. She then glanced at Megumi. “So, how about you spill the beans on your mom friends gatherings.”
“What?”
“Because you always look so gloomy before leaving to see your mom friends. I know deep down you don’t want to go.”
Megumi was flustered by how accurately her daughter had pinpointed her feelings. “What are you talking about? That’s not true.”
“Well, I guess it is what it is. Cliques and mom friends are unavoidable social experiences. You know, Koyuki, being human is tough.” Aoba addressed the kitten in the carrier and strode ahead.
What did I just hear? thought Megumi. The girl holding the carrier was still young, but she had matured without Megumi’s noticing.
“Mom, hurry up!”
Aoba was waiting for her at the end of the narrow path between the buildings. Megumi tutted before hurrying to catch up with her daughter and their new family member.
Akira Shiina, the president and sole member of the Japan Health and Safety Association, was climbing the stairs to the fifth floor. His steps were light, and his breathing remained steady. Despite everything, he was the president of a company that championed health. To verify the effectiveness of the magnetic antiaging necklaces he sold, he never skipped out on exercise.
For a man in his late thirties, his skin was radiant and his body was toned. With the magnetic necklace selling well, it was about time to move out of this rundown building and expand the business. The Nakagyō Building, despite its grand-sounding name, was tucked away in an isolated spot that got no sunlight and didn’t have an elevator even in this day and age.
