Ryô went to see the children as usual. He stopped and watched the show, annoyed. Six months have gone by since the arrival of the French. Since his arrival, Seishi-san, the young doctor, was with the children as often as possible. He had even managed to learn their language. He decided to go and take care of those playing on the sidelines when a voice interrupted him.

 “Oh Ryô-kun, could you please give me my briefcase? I left it at the foot of the tree next to you?

Oh yes, and he had "nicely" imposed the first names... Ryō turned around, furious.

“I'm not your...” He paused after discovering Sama giving Seishi-san a big smile.

“Do you have magic items in your bag? Can you really remove the evil spirit in me?”

Seishi-san waved a finger in disapproval.

“I've already explained to you that it wasn't an evil spirit. If you trust me, we will succeed in healing you, even if it is not magic that I have in my bag.”

 Seishi-san stopped in turn, seeming to realize that Ryō hadn't brought his bag. The latter realized it immediately. He jumped and hurriedly grabbed the briefcase. He then approached and held it out without a word or looking at him frankly. Seishi-san hesitated for a moment then took it and thanked him. Glancing at Ryō fleetingly, he searched in his bag while Sama watched him. The latter also hesitated but couldn't help but stay, a little behind, to watch. Finally, Seishi-san took out a small box.

“There you go! I was well inspired to leave it after all!”

He pulled out a pack of pills to show Sama.

“You see now, when you're sick, when it hurts and you can't breathe, you'll have to take it. But be careful!”

Sama looked on without a word, attentive.

“It's not for all the time. Only a marble when you're very sick like yesterday. But always keep them with you for if you need them. Do you understand? “

Sama nodded gravely as he took the pack held out by Seishi-san.

“Well, and then you'll have to come and see me every day. I will give you another medicine and make sure that the evil goes away. Do you agree?”

Sama gave him another nod. Ryō couldn't help but admire the bright smile that lit up Seishi-san's face.

“You'll see”, he continued, running a hand affectionately through the little girl's hair. “Your heart is a little lazy but we're going to force it to honor its adorable owner. And I’d better never hear you pretend you have the evil eye again!”

The child shook his head and, clutching the precious box to her, ran away.

“See you tomorrow!” Seishi-san shouted with a final wave of his hand.

~

Once the child out of sight, Seishi sighed and sat up, stretching out with his arms outstretched to the sky.

“How did you do it? How... How did you know...”

Seishi almost jumped, only realizing that Ryō had stayed all this time observing the scene. The latter kept his eyes averted and danced, uneasily, from one foot to the other. Seishi then returned his gaze to the children playing nearby.

“Did what?” he asked.

“For Sama...” Ryô replied in a tone oscillating between impatience and embarrassment. I have been trying for months to gain her trust and find out what was wrong with her... I could see that there was a problem but she always ran away from our interest. Ikeda-sensei said that no one in the village had reported anything.

Seishi didn't answer right away and turned his head slightly towards the young man.

“You love her... You love them very much, don't you?”

The latter glanced at him furtively as if to judge his intentions, then, clasping his hands behind his back, nodded imperceptibly.

“I've been watching you, you know... What you do with them is really remarkable.”

Ryō's eyes widened slightly, but he forced himself to appear detached.

“Winning the love and trust of children is the hardest part... And for you it's natural and deserved, because you give them everything...”

Ryô looked at him again for a few seconds. Was he spying on him? Strangely enough, he was hardly irritated. The doctor's words were not tinged with reproach, on the contrary. Ryô had long since stopped looking for any compliment or sympathy, he didn't know how to react to these words. He didn't think he would inspire the slightest positive appreciation in the other members of this camp... apart from, he dared to hope so, the children... They did not know how to lie.

“As for Sama”, Seishi continued, not wanting to inconvenience the young man anymore. “Well”, he smiled, “I guess my age is more impressive... And then there's no helping it, somehow, my hair here reminds them of something like a demon or a wizard I don't really know... I guess in this case it helped me and a little more firmness did the rest.”

He couldn't help but laugh at the young man's astonished look. The latter caught himself and looked at him, furious. Seishi raised a hand.

“Please, I'm serious, I wasn't making fun of you!”

The latter seemed skeptical for a moment and then folded his arms, absorbed in the contemplation of the children.

“Did you understand what was wrong? What exactly is wrong with her? It's not too serious, is it?”

The last words had been uttered almost with regret, ashamed... A few moments passed before Seishi answered.

“It wouldn't be so bad anywhere else but here... It turns out that I have with me what's needed to take care of her for a while but... I can't examine her properly here but I think that her heart has a malformation, fortunately not too important, but which causes these discomforts from which she sometimes suffers. This can be corrected by these drugs to a large extent. I will do everything to relieve her.”

~

Ryô couldn't help but turn his attention back to the young doctor, the tone of his voice suddenly surprising him. The world of pain and sadness that those midnight blue eyes now betrayed left him unsettled and speechless.

“I... Someone I cared about a lot had the same problem...” the doctor scarcely breathed. He seemed to realize his companion's confusion and tried to resume in a more relaxed voice. I guess I know this illness well.

Not sure what to say to the pale smile that Seishi-san was trying to put on his face, Ryô preferred to remain silent. He found himself almost wanting to offer his support and console his elder. But he restrained himself and did not dare to question him further, astonished himself at the sympathy he had suddenly felt.

“I have to remember to thank Sama”, the doctor continued in a seemingly light tone.

Ryô looked at him, questioning.

“Thanks to her I had the honor of a discussion with you!”

He had turned away before the Ryô could retort.

“Keep watching over her, unfortunately I can't devote myself to her only but I'll be there if needed...”

He walked away and disappeared behind one of the huts in the camp.

Ryô stood for a moment, lost, then dropped to the ground and planted his chin on his arms crossed around his knees. He sighed. For a long time, he had been forcing himself not to pay attention to anyone or anything... Except for these children, and that's how he had detected and tried in vain to elucidate Sama's problem. He hadn't paid more attention to the surgeon than to the others, besides the fact that the latter was encroaching on his territory by frequently taking care of the children. But after all, he could help and treat them, as had been the case with Sama... Something that he, Ryō, could not accomplish despite all his good will. Now that he was thinking about it, the young doctor must have been the only one who had never tired of his character, and who had always treated him with a sort of polite respect, suggesting, without imposing it, a certain sympathy.