- Do you want to learn? continued the doctor.

Ryô's eyes widened.

- Giving injections is very simple, it could be useful to you. If you're interested, I can show you.

Ryô opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

- You could even help me, Seishi-san smiled again, encouraging.

- I... I... Ryô stammered. No... I... couldn't, I... he lowered his head.

- Of course you could. I doubt something so simple would stop you.

- But I'm not a nurse, I don't know anything about...

Seishi smirked.

- Of course you're not a nurse. Otherwise, you would already know how to do this and wouldn't have escaped the good deed of the day!

Ryô looked pinched.

- Come on Ryô-kun, please, I'll just teach you. It's stupid that you're only used for chores. Whatever you say, you like taking care of others. If you want, you could take care of the children, you have a gift for that.

Ryō turned his head away, slowly relaxing.

- No one would accept that I do such a thing and that's normal.

Seishi-san shook his head gently.

- Many people outside the medical profession can provide minimal and essential care. All you need is the right training. It's up to me to judge what is good or not. You have to be efficient. And then, if with someone they know and appreciate these sessions can be more tolerable, there is no doubt to have.

He turned away for a moment to take a sip of water. For a second, Ryō could read an exhausted expression on his face. But it was with a smile that the doctor looked at the young man again.

- I'm not forcing you. It was just a suggestion to change you a little if you had had enough. We can also ask someone else to teach you, he added suddenly, almost embarrassed.

- No, I... Ryô began hastily.

Seishi took a small vial out of the refrigerated chamber, seeming to wait for what came next.

- Well, I mean... questions and reflections jostled in Ryô's mind, if... If you really think...

- I already told you that you were capable of it. Listen, at first, you'll just have to observe anyway. Later, if you want, you can try... We'll look for volunteers, we won't impose anything if that reassures you.

The young man nodded and then, on the doctor's advice, went to get a stool to be more comfortable. He had already welcomed in another patient. For a long time, Ryō scrupulously observed Seishi-san, his soft voice explaining with patience and simplicity, leading him into an almost hypnotic trance of which he only showed his understanding when the latter questioned him.

- … be okay Ryô-kun?

- What? the latter jumped.

- I'm asking you if you feel up to trying now, repeated the doctor.

- Me... Right now? Ryô swallowed painfully.

He thought he had understood, with Seishi-san it seemed simple but... The doctor exchanged a few words with the young man who was to be the next patient and then came back to him.

- See, Maoni has agreed to serve as your guinea pig, he joked before getting up. Come on, take my place.

Ryô screwed up his courage and settled down as Seishi-san told him. He would not disappoint him. He looked up at Maoni who reassured him with a big smile.

- Come on, he encouraged him, don't be afraid Ryô, I'm strong, you can go without hesitation.

Ryô gave an unusual smile and then looked for a vial of vaccine in the tray. This done, he took a syringe and looked at Seishi-san.

-Mmm... approved the latter. Now you have to fill the disposable syringe.

Trying to control his nervousness, Ryō pressed the tip on the rubberized plug, and then, after checking the doctor's approval with a glance, pierced and sucked in the liquid and checked that there were no bubbles.

- Okay, Seishi-san said, let's get down to business.

Ryô took a deep breath. After all, it wasn't that bad huh, and Seishi-san was close by to monitor and prevent any mistakes... But God he hated to be examined like that! Frowning, he took Maoni's arm.

- Hela, Seishi-san intervened, placing a hand on his arm, which almost made him jump, good heavens, relax a little or you'll panic everyone.

Ryô felt himself blush and looked up at Maoni who was holding back a chuckle.

- Few people like injections so it's better to give them confidence, continued the doctor, stay confident and efficient.

Ryo sighed again. Confident and efficient, he had good ones… Maybe he should have practiced on dolls before or anything inert! Annoyance got the better of him. Oh but he would show him… He prepared himself again and concentrated by trying to precisely mimic the gestures he had seen Seishi-san perform with such mastery… and automatism. As he was about to insert the needle under the skin, Seishi-san's hand stopped him again.

- That's good but if you point your needle at this angle, you risk making your patient suffer more. You see, to hope that it will be as painless as possible, of course it is not always possible, you should rather position yourself like this.

Ryo nodded and tried to reproduce the gesture advised by the doctor.

- Like this? he asked.

- Almost, but... Seishi-san began to correct his movement and then changed his mind. Wait, he told him.

Under Ryō's questioning gaze, the doctor stood up and, lifting his stool, placed it behind him. Ryō's eyes widened. Seishi-san made him resume his position. Ryô swallowed the lump that formed in his throat with difficulty as he felt the doctor encircle him from behind to take his hands.

- You see, he heard Seishi-san explain as he guided him, do it this way instead…

He couldn't grasp the rest of the doctor's words. He felt his heart racing dangerously. The pulses beating in his ear were masking the soft voice of the doctor, while his breath was the only thing he could feel on his neck.

~

Seishi felt the body against him suddenly stiffen. Looking down, he realized that Ryō had arted to pant.

- Ryô? he asked, surprised, Ryô-kun is something wrong?

The latter closed his eyes.

- No... I... he stammered in a tight voice.

The hands Seishi was holding were shaking slightly, sweaty. He then suddenly released him and stepped aside. Damn, not again, what an idiot I am!!

- Oh sorry! I forgot, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…

Ryô shook his head.

- N... No, it's my fault. Forgive me, I... I'm too stupid!! he cried.

- Ryô-kun... Seishi began, dazed.

He made a small sign to Maoni, who, not understanding them, seemed perplexed.

- Let's forget it, he continued in a soothing voice, you didn't have to do it if you didn't want to. He stood up. I already told you, you shouldn't hesitate to tell me or call me to order if I make you uncomfortable.

Ryô stood up in turn, tense, arms and fists clenched at his sides.

- No, please, I want to do it, I'll manage... Please...

- Ryô-kun!

The young man's distress destabilized him, he didn't understand what was troubling him like this. He sighed then placed a firm hand on the young man's shoulder.

- I never said you wouldn't be able to do it. I don't know what bothered you like this, but anyway you need to stay calmer. Your gestures must be natural, like in karate, despite the constant concentration. If you don't feel ready, you stop. But if you wish, we will resume and you don't make a big deal out of it because I wouldn't want to be in the shoes of this poor Maoni who has been waiting for his ordeal since just now and the vaccine won't last long in the heat.

The young man jumped and looked at the young African, red with shame.

- I'm sorry Maoni, I behaved stupidly, he apologized in the local language. I... Maybe it's better if I let Seishi-san take care of you, I've annoyed you enough as it is.

- You don't want to learn anymore to help the doctor? asked the latter.

- Yes... Yes I do, of course, Ryô vigorously denied, but...

- Well then, since I'm here, take advantage of it before everyone runs away in despair. While we're at it, I'd like it to be useful!

- Thank you, the young man bowed.

- Come on, Seishi continued in an encouraging voice. Let's start from the beginning, and no more fuss. It's not the end of the world, you'll see.

Ryō nodded.

- Yes Seishi-san. I won't disappoint you this time.

- Oh Ryô-kun, it's not for…

He dropped his protests, the young man had already taken his place and seemed firmly determined. To hell with it, he thought, he gave up on understanding but right now he had to help his "disciple".