Volume 4 - CH 17

“H-how long have you been there?”

“From the mention of weird places… There are kids there, so don’t do that.”

At Tenka’s words, Arisa shrunk back and replied in a small voice, “Yes…”.

“It’s more normal than I thought.”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s just a normal health spa.”

Yuzuru’s words were answered by Tenka as she put her hands on her hips.

As a matter of fact, this health spa is run by someone related to Tenka.

The name of the person in charge is different, but the actual manager is the Nagiri family.

Tenka introduced this place to Yuzuru and Arisa, who were looking for a place to swim.

Not only that, but she also offered to show them around.

“We’ll be in your care today.”

“Yes, I understand.”

With Tenka leading the way, the two of them proceeded to the back.

As a friend of Tenka’s, the fee was free.

It was a perfect deal.

“Are the people who work here followers of your religion?”

“Not all of them.”

Tenka replied to Yuzuru’s question.　

Arisa, on the other hand, looked at the pamphlet with admiration.

“Wow… there are several other stores besides this one, aren’t there? As I thought, Tenka-san’s family is fairly rich, huh?”

“No way.”

To Arisa’s question, Tenka muttered a sigh.

“It’s rather tight… Arisa’s father’s company is much more profitable… It seems like the economy is booming these days.”

“Yeah… Well, thankfully.”

Arisa’s adoptive father, Amagi Naoki’s company had been in financial trouble until recently. But with money, capital investment, and work orders from the Takasegawa family and their affiliates, the business has been improving.

The Amagi family’s finances seemed to be growing in proportion.

“We’re on a tight budget, you know… It’s like we’re doing this to keep the disciples fed.”

“Is your main business not doing so well?”

As Yuzuru asked her, Tenka shrugged her shoulders.

“…It is just barely managing to stay afloat. Well, it’s okay because our goal is not to make a profit, and we don’t intend to do this as a business.”

“That’s an admirable mindset …unlike the Uenishi family.”

For Yuzuru, the “religion” is the Uenishi family.

And Uenishi was famous (among the Takasegawa clan) for his fussiness with money.

Even Chiharu, who is really a shrine girl, is terrible. “What’s inside the amulet is just a piece of paper,” she once said, laughing hysterically.

“About the Uenishi family… well, their landlord business is more their main business.”

Tenka smiled vaguely at that.

She did not want to “criticize Uenishi” as a Nagiri.

“Are you going to take over your family’s business, Tenka-san?”

Arisa asked, and Tenka nodded enthusiastically.

“Of course …That’s my plan.”

“…Is there a reason for that?”

Tenka groaned a little at Arisa’s question before answering.

“Reason… Well, because I think it’s a job that helps people.”

And then She smiled embarrassedly.

In the meantime, Arisa turned a somewhat respectful gaze towards Tenka.

“It’s amazing… I think it’s admirable.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. I think it’s very admirable that you have a concrete vision for the future.”

“I-it’s not like that.”

In response to Arisa’s praise, Tenka scratched her cheek in embarrassment.

“I don’t have a dream for the future or a profession I want to pursue. And it’s just that I don’t dislike my parents’ work.”

There is no other dream, nor is there any negative image of the family business.

That was enough reason for her to take over her parents’ business.

Most Japanese are salarymen, but the majority of salarymen do not become salarymen because they want to.

“Since there’s a chance, I’d like to ask you, the future leader of the cult, something.”

“What is it  Yuzuru-kun.?”

“What do you perceive God and faith to be?”

When Yuzuru asked this, Tenka tilted her head.

“What is your intention?　It’s not like you want to join a religion, is it?”

“Just chatting. It’s a philosophical discussion… Since you’re going to take over the family business, I was wondering if you could give me a good insight into such things.”

When Yuzuru asked, Tenka put her hand on her chin and said, “I see”.

Then she pondered a little before answering.

“Let’s say you’re on a train and you suddenly feel like you’re going to leak…”

“…That’s quite an analogy.”

Nevertheless, it seemed like a straightforward explanation, so Yuzuru and Arisa decided to listen in silence.

“‘Please, I beg you, just hurry up. Please help. Please don’t leak…‘ Won’t you have thoughts like that?”

Yuzuru and Arisa nodded in unison.

No one wants to leak.

“But no matter how much I think about it, it won’t make the train go any faster. No one is going to help me, and no amount of reminding will make my bowels or bladder feel any better.”

That’s indeed true.

In the first place, if you really want help, you should say it out loud, not in your mind.

“This is what prayer is all about. When we are in danger, we have to pray to something that doesn’t exist. That something is God.”

Even those who say they don’t believe in god, unconsciously ask God for help when they feel like leaking.

Whether God is real or not…

People have to rely on God for their survival.

She explained to Yuzuru and Arisa.

“….I see, that’s easy to understand.”

“…That’s an interesting way of thinking.”

Yuzuru and Arisa both exclaimed in admiration.

Tenka, on the other hand, slightly embarrassed, cowered somewhat exaggeratedly.

“… Sorry for the long conversation. Have fun on your date. I’m going to get a massage and then go home.”

Tenka said goodbye to them and headed to the massage parlor…

AN:

Arisa-chan’s anxiety degree: 20% -> 25%.

The next episode will be a swimsuit episode after a long time!

TN: Well… The swimming lesson comes next.