During the walk, Change kept his arm firmly around him, stroking his pink hair with his fingers. His movements gently moved down until they brushed against the doll's black ears, and that was enough for Diamond to begin closing his eyes. This time it wasn't out of fear, but because of the reassurance those calming gestures conveyed.

For the first time since the accident, his breathing became deep and calm. Change, noticing this, loosened the tension in his shoulders and continued walking unhurriedly, with the feeling that, at least for that moment, everything would be all right.

"I'm scared to go to the doctor," Diamond whispered as they approached the building.

There was no one in the waiting room. The silence was almost total, broken only by the soft ticking of a wall clock. Behind the counter, a fabric receptionist, resembling a brown bear with fluffy bangs covering her eyes, absentmindedly flipped through some papers. Behind a door, there were faint metallic noises: the doctor was in his office

"Yes? Why don't you like it?" Change asked, guiding Diamond toward the counter.

"When I came into the world," the little boy began, lowering his voice, "the ship's employees picked me up and took me to the doctor... They ran lots of tests, they wanted to see if I was made right... and if there were any differences with others of my generation. It didn't hurt that much... but it felt bad."

Change looked at him sympathetically.

"Don't worry, they're just going to look at your hand here," he said, trying to reassure him.

Then he turned to the receptionist.

"My companion has a wound on his hand. We need to see the doctor." Change's authoritative tone was enough to make the woman react immediately. Recognizing him as one of the village explorers, she stood up and called for the doctor without delay. Just a few seconds later, she stepped away from the door.

"You can come in," she announced with a polite bow

Change went in first, leaving Diamond in a chair by the desk. The doctor, a porcelain doll with a stern expression, looked up. He didn't seem enthusiastic about the presence of a companion. Change noticed this immediately and, without waiting for him to speak, started to back away.

But a small hand clutched his coat.

"Don't leave me..." Diamond murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

Change stopped dead in his tracks. The memory of his words—"I'm scared to go to the doctor"—hit him hard. He felt a slight lump in his throat. He turned and, without saying anything, sat down next to Diamond.

The doctor frowned, but Change didn't move. If he had to endure it, he would. The important thing was that Diamond wouldn't tremble with fear again.

Diamond remained silent, clinging to Change's coat as if letting go were unthinkable. Seeing that he didn't speak, it was Change who spoke.

"This is Diamond," he explained in a firm but respectful voice. "He's accidentally pricked his hand with needles."

The doctor, a ceramic doll with short blond hair and dark eyes, nodded without saying anything and stood up from his chair. He approached Diamond with measured movements, careful not to frighten him, and gently took his hand. He examined it under the desk lamp, tilting his head slightly. There were three small holes in the fabric, marked by the needles.

"It would be counterproductive to sew these up," he said finally, in a calm and professional tone. "It's better to apply a little glue to the holes. That way we prevent them from opening wider and the cotton from coming out."

As the doctor turned to look for something in one of the drawers, the creaking of wood filled the silence. He took a small bottle of glue and returned to Diamond. Realizing he wouldn't need stitches, Diamond let out an audible sigh, almost of pure relief.

Change, sitting beside him, noticed the trembling in his hands gradually disappear.

Diamond calmly allowed himself to be treated as the doctor applied the treatment. First, he carefully separated the fur from the fabric on either side of the wound to prevent the entire hand from becoming sticky. Then he placed three small drops of clear glue on the damaged spots and gently pressed the fabric together to close them.

He blew on them with cool air for a few seconds, waiting for the glue to dry, before stepping back with a slight nod.

"There, all done," said the doctor in a now gentler voice. "Good as new."

He opened a drawer and took out a lollipop wrapped in shiny paper, handing it to Diamond

The little boy's eyes opened wide in surprise. He took the lollipop in both hands and murmured, "Thank you..."

As he clumsily opened the wrapper, Change picked him up again. Then he looked at the doctor.

"How much does the consultation cost?" he asked formally.

Diamond looked at him in puzzlement; on the ship, medical care was priceless—at least for the sailors—and the idea of ​​paying to be treated seemed strange to him.

"Three silver coins," replied the doctor, handing over a small bill. "You can pay at reception."

Change nodded and walked to the counter. When he arrived, he gave the coins to the receptionist without showing any ill humor or reproach.

Diamond looked down and murmured,

"I'm sorry... I make you spend a lot of money."

Change looked at him for a moment. His lips parted slightly as if to reply immediately, but he thought for a second before speaking. Finally, he shook his head and stroked Diamond's pink hair with a gentle smile.

"I would spend all my wealth without regret if it ensures your life, your safety... or your happiness," he said in a low voice.

Diamond blushed slightly, lowering his head, unable to meet his gaze

Change turned and left the building with Diamond still in his arms. The air outside was fresh and smelled of damp earth; the town was quiet, barely disturbed by the rustling of the wind through the trees. Diamond, huddled against Change's chest, absentmindedly licked his lollipop as they walked along the cobblestone path.

"So what are we going to do now?" he asked in a whisper, looking to the side. "The seamstress won't want to hire me anymore..."

Change looked down at him, his eyes softening.

"We'll find something else," he answered calmly. "And it will be even better. But tomorrow... today I want you to rest."

Diamond nodded silently. Fatigue was beginning to weigh on his eyelids; his hands, clutching Change's coat, gradually loosened. Within minutes, his breathing became slow and even

Realizing that the little boy had fallen asleep with the lollipop still in his mouth, Change very gently removed it from between his lips, rewrapped it in its shiny paper, and put it in one of his pockets for later.

Change continued walking in silence, with Diamond leaning against him, through the village streets until they reached his secluded house. They went back inside; Change led him straight to the bedroom, carefully removed his shoes, and gently laid him on the mattress. He gazed at his face for a few seconds, just as he had the last time, before covering him with the blanket and going to his own bedroom.