Ryō put down the water can he had to go back to fetch, Seishi-san having apparently forgotten it when he left their improvised "dōjō". He hesitated. Everything was cleaned in the kitchen. Seishi-san had apparently eaten dinner and put everything back in order the day before. On the other hand, he did not seem to have had breakfast. Where was he now? Should he prepare something for him? He shrugged. Seishi-san didn't usually take anything in the morning. Might as well ask him directly. He decided to prepare hot tea anyway and then armed himself with a cup, plucked up his courage and went in search of the doctor. He ended up finding him, naturally in the "infirmary", already taking care of a sick person. He waited patiently for the doctor to finish his consultation and then approached gently. The latter finally noticed him and looked at him dejectedly, seeming to read the question in Ryō's eyes.

- It's not brilliant, his condition is deteriorating so quickly... I can't do anything.

Ryō knew the gaunt man who had just left them. This man was suffering from AIDS at an advanced stage.

- You give the best in your power, you can't perform miracles.

Although in his eyes little Sama's happiness was a miracle in itself, due to the doctor. The latter sighed for any answer.

- I... I have made hot tea, replied the young man, if... If you want to...

Seishi-san smiled faintly and accepted the cup.

- Thank you

- S... Seishi-san... Ryô began.

In this situation, he would have gladly used more politeness, but it would probably annoy Seishi-san. The latter looked at him, taking a sip of tea.

- I...

Pressing his arms at his sides, Ryô bowed and spouted in one go.

- Please forgive my unspeakable misconduct over the past two days. This will not happen again.

The doctor looked stupefied, then, lowering the cup, he shook his head.

- No... There is no need to apologize. Listen, I can understand if you want to keep your distance or if some things are bothering you. I can't realize what I'm "imposing" on you, but just tell me.

- No, I... Ryô wanted to protest.

- The only thing I want you to know, Seishi-san interrupted, is that I will be there for whatever you need and will strive to honor any trust you deem me worthy of.

~

Seishi managed to suppress a sigh by wondering once again if he had chosen his words carefully enough and in which language he should say them so that Ryô would finally understand...

- Hai, thank you very much Seishi-san... But, it's not... I mean... I am honored by the attention you give me, I respect you and I admire you very much Seishi-san, it is... It's just that... that I... I'm not used to it I think...

He turned his head away.

- Usually I... People...

- Thank you Ryô-kun, I understand. But just think that one doesn't necessarily want to hurt you. Take your time to accept others, and I, if you don't mind.

A noise at the door caught their attention. An old woman asked if the doctor could help her. Seishi nodded and motioned for him to come in. He then turned his attention back to his companion.

- Ryô-kun I forgot, Sama came by just now and since she wanted to go play with the others for the day I gave her her treatment.

Ryō nodded and then tilted his head.

- Thanks for everything. I will not disappoint you.

- I know, Seishi smiled. But you don't owe me anything. He cut short Ryō's sketched denials and chased away his own annoyance that he felt creeping up. You owe it to yourself alone!

He then turned his head, noticing that the woman was limping closer. Following his gaze, Ryô realized it in turn and rushed to beat up the doctor to help her.

Seishi then examined her. A sprained ankle, he noted, then began to apply a suitable bandage. Ryô therefore went to look in the equipment for crutches that he had made at the doctor's request a few months earlier when faced with a similar case. Once he had found them, he waited without a word, admiring the work of his elder.

- That's it! Seishi announced with a smile.

- Thank you, doctor. You are good and I know that with you I will heal. I'm not like that old madman of Kaganga!

Seishi frowned.

- Kaganga? Isn't he the old man who lives a little apart, who had refused to see me?

The woman nodded knowingly.

- The one who encourages others to remain loyal to the sorcerer.

~

Ryō tried to understand the topic of the conversation. It seemed that some things here had escaped him... Once again, he probably didn't bother about it. He knew that many of the elders were still suspicious of them but...

- Is he unwell? Seishi-san asked.

- Unwell? Taaa! the woman made a sign against the evil eye. This fool must already be on his way to his ancestors!

- What?

Ryô jumped at the unexpected cry of the doctor. The latter had jumped to his feet. He murmured a few words of apology and slipped away in haste. Ryô was taken aback for a moment.

- But...

- Bah, grumbled the old woman who had gotten up and grabbed the crutches, he's wasting his time.

Ryō helped her getting acquainted with it and then asked her where was the hut of  the old man that they had talked about. Seishi-san had seemed deeply affected by the news brought by the woman. He wanted to know, maybe Seishi-san could use some help or... Or he didn't know why exactly, but he wanted to be with him just in case.

Leaving the woman and the infirmary, he went in search of this so-called Kaganga. It was not long before he discovered his target. He would not even have needed any indications to achieve this. A small crowd had formed near the hut. No sooner had he began to step closer than hostile glances were fixed on him. Another of the old men of the village then approached.

- Go away! he spat. Or tell that white man to go away, and both go away!

Ryō clenched his fists, feeling his blood boiling.

- You don't belong here! continued the man.

- Hey, now you're going to shut up, you old dung! Ryō threatened in turn before being cut off by even more virulent screams coming from the small troop.

To his great surprise, he realized that some of them came from a voice he knew well, but never before, at such volumes and with such intonations. Attracted by the heckling, other villagers joined Ryō. The doctor then appeared, jostling his opponents to get out of the hut. Ryô's heart jumped and he ran over, ready to grind to mush the first one who touched the doctor. Others followed suit, launching a collection of exotic imprecations. It was true that the young doctor was as popular with the younger generation as he was rejected by a part of the old. However, Seishi-san put the overly excited nerds in their place with a few effective movements. He then brutally pushed the others away and moved aside.

- Seishi-san! Seishi-san! Everything's fine? Ryô asked, coming up to him. But the latter did not concern himself with him.

- You are more stupid and narrow-minded than your guinea fowl! he raged. Now I give up on you. If one day you decide not to die uselessly like animals, you know where to find me.

The doctor was trembling with anger. He turned on his heel and walked away to the satisfied cries of the elders, soon rebuffed by the younger ones. Ryô hesitated for a moment and then freed himself from the small rumbling crowd to chase after Seishi-san.