The Lying Counselor’s Eloquent Reasoning - Chapter 23
Episode 3 – Overly grasping hands
“I see. Your son has severe asthma… I’m sure you as a mother must have a hard time with that.”
“Well, compared to other families I suppose.”
In her living room, the 58-year-old housewife, Kikuchi Nobuko, answered while serving tea to a man who was her guest. Her hair was long and dyed in a light brown color. The man wore a casual suit, was roughly forty years old, and had a gentle face.
“Oh, yeah. I introduced myself to you on the phone, but here you go.” The man pulled out a card from his pocket and presented it to Nobuko. On it was written the title, “Clinical Psychologist”. Nobuko took it politely.
“So, about your son’s violence, how often does it happen? And at what times?”
“When, well, it doesn’t exactly stick to a certain pattern. Sometimes when I talk to him, he gets very upset and starts to lash out.”
Nobuko then rolled up the sleeves of the shirt she was wearing to expose her arms. There was a bruise there. The man said sympathetically, “That must be very devastating for you”.
“What kind of life does your son lead on a daily basis?”
“His body is weak, so he stays at home nearly every day. He can’t go out to work. He was employed once, but he had an asthma attack at work, so eventually he couldn’t continue working.”
“I understand. How does he spend his time at home?”
“He’s in his room all the time.”
“So he doesn’t share much time with you?”
“Well, I talk to him when I bring food to his room. He’s a very kind boy at heart. But lately he seems to be getting emotional a little too often.”
“I see, so maybe he is just slightly nervous because he is confined to the house. Why don’t you take a walk outside the house with him once in a while??”
“Ha? Didn’t you listen to me? His body is weak. That’s why he can’ t go outside! You make it sound like he’s an unemployed shut-in! Besides, it’s not as if his heart is doomed simply because he can’t go out of the house!”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
The man seemed utterly bewildered by Nobuko’s abrupt outburst.
“I-I would like to hear from the son as well apart from you about this matter. If your son’s physical condition permits, that is.”
“I see, so you think it’s my fault, just like the last person?”
“What, the last person?”
“In your heart you think it’s my fault that I spoil him too much! You don’t even know what it’s like to be a mother of an asthmatic child! That child needs me to support him! He can’t survive on his own!”
“A-Ah. I do fully understand that??”
“Then why did you insist on talking to my son? The truth is, you intended to elicit words from his mouth that would make me look bad! And you were going to blame me just like the previous person!”
“No, I didn’t intend that, I swear??”
“Enough, please leave! I can’t deal with someone like you! I’ll find someone else!”
Nobuko shouted furiously and unceremoniously chased the man out of the house. He had only arrived at the house a few minutes ago.
“Why doesn’t anyone understand Naoharu’s asthma…”
After kicking the man out, Nobuko returned to the living room with a sigh. I need to find a new counselor again, she thought.
Then, a newspaper that was left on the low table in the living room caught her attention. In the ad column, there was a message that read, “Your concerns will be solved. Please feel free to contact us. Uroma Counseling Room”.
“… Is this the right person to go to next?”
Nobuko murmured as she stared at the ad.