Wash It All Away (綺麗にしてもらえますか。)

What do you mean?

You didn't hear?

Nope!

Wash It

All Away

Episode 10 A Top-Class Challenge!

All right, all right.

Good!

Boy, what a disaster.

Just like that.

Yeah. Good, good.

Yes, I'm sorry.

It even broke the patio roof.

Well, I know it's not actually your fault.

That said, I'm still gonna have to add the repair cost to your rent.

Yeah...

Just kidding.

Here you go. Do your thing.

Oh, of course! I'll take care of this.

I know plenty of other shops that are just as cheap and fast as yours, though.

Yeah...

Just kidding. Kidding.

Aji-san is always like this.

Kinme Cleaning

But it is very kind of her to let me rent this shop for such low rent.

I'm sorry, Kinme-san! I really need your help with something.

Oh, Yagara-san. What happened? Shouldn't you be at work?

Huh?

Did something happen to your shop?

Yes, actually.

During the big storm the other day, lightning struck a tree in the back.

Huh? Are you serious? That's terrible!

That storm sure was something, though.

Power went out at my run-down apartment, so nobody could use the shared bath.

Yes, that would be inconvenient.

Uh, so what did you want to ask me, Yagara-san?

Oh, right. Would you look at this?

I-Isn't that...

Yup. Sumi ink. I stupidly got some on me.

I tried to wipe it off with a tissue, but that didn't help at all.

Oh! There's some on your left sleeve too.

It must have brushed against the skirt.

Huh? No way!

Give me a break!

Things just aren't going my way today. And September's only just started.

How...

Hmm?

How long has it been since it got stained?

Hmm, let's see. It was this morning, so about three hours.

Huh? Then we have to deal with it right this instant!

Huh?

Treating sumi ink stains is a race against time!

Speaking from personal experience, they're even worse than squid ink.

Well, squid ink stains are also difficult,

but of all the kinds of stains out there, sumi ink is a top-class challenge!

Sumi Ink

Kinme

Wakana

Challenge!

There are several different kinds of stains.

Resin

Water-soluble

Dye

Bleach

Oil-soluble

Ooh, time for another knowledge drop!

We can separate them into a few main categories.

Protein

Insoluble

Water-soluble

Alcohol

Sauce

Soy Sauce

Water-soluble stains dissolve in water...

Oil-soluble

Vegetable Oil

Sesame Oil

while oil-soluble stains dissolve in oil.

Those are two main types.

But there are also stains that don't dissolve easily in water or oil.

Those are called "insoluble," and the best-known example of that is sumi ink.

Huh.

It is extremely difficult to clean stains like these at home.

Wow, really?

And ink stains get harder to remove the longer they sit untreated.

So before I get started, I feel I must warn you

that I may not be able to remove the ink completely.

There is a risk a faint stain might remain.

If that happens, I will return the clothes without charging you for the cleaning.

What would you like to do?

What are you talking about?

Of course I want you to clean them!

H-Huh? Hey!

Hmm? What's wrong?

Uh... don't take them off here! Th-There are people around!

Come on. It's fine! I even brought a change of clothes with me.

You've got to start cleaning this instant, right?

Whoa! Y-Yagara-san, stop it!

Go inside and change in the back!

Aww, are you sure?

Well, I will take care of them.

Okay. Do your best, Kinme-san.

Right.

You can count on Kinme.

Um, excuse me.

Yes?

We've finished removing the fallen tree.

Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

You bet.

Looks like two or three tries isn't going to do it.

Oh, maybe I'll give that a shot.

Sumi ink is very resistant to chemical treatments.

If I can get another material to absorb some of the ink

and do that over and over...

then bit by bit...

Goodbye, Sensei!

Yeah, goodbye! Take care, okay?

I feel bad! I didn't mean to make you come all the way here.

Well, you have your hands full with the new term.

I appreciate it.

It's no trouble.

Wow! It's all gone!

Amazing! Thank you!

Um...

I'm terribly sorry!

Huh?

There's still a faint stain left on part of the skirt.

It was beyond my abilities as a cleaner.

Huh? Where?

Oh, right here?

I can barely even see it! It's totally okay.

Don't worry about it. So what do I owe you?

I cannot accept payment.

Huh?

I was unable to do my job and remove it completely.

As such, I cannot accept payment.

What are you talking about? I'm totally satisfied with your work.

I can't.

But it's 99 percent gone!

I can't.

She sure can be stubborn.

Then how's this? I'll bring you another tasty gift instead. Whaddya say?

Thank you very much.

Sensei!

Praying Mantis Year Three, Class One Katakuchi Nairo