glider

Let me do a quick checkup.

The quick test strips show an extremely low chance that you have Oripathy. I didn't see signs of any organic diseases either.

No Originium crystals on the body surface... I'll check with more precise equipment.

The results show you don't have Oripathy.

I see...

(She doesn't seem happy about it...)

Can I ask you something? Have you felt stressed lately?

...No.

Are you sure?

There's just someone in the village I'm concerned about...

(Someone in the village? Is it the name she said before she recognized me?)

Carl? Mr. Martenson's son?

Her childhood friend looks at her with a shocked expression, then tears begin flowing from her eyes.

Carl and I were going to tell Mr. Martenson about our relationship and get engaged. And then Gus got sick.

Carl and I had been looking forward to it and preparing for so long... and then...

Lydia...

I might never see him again. When I think about that, I...

Ugh—

Zoey, I'm feeling sick... I think I might throw up. Stay away...

Why would you say that?!

Gus, Gus! Are you there?

What's going on?

See if there's a kind of grass in the garden that's about the height of a human palm, with slightly red-tipped leaves growing in opposing pairs!

Let me see... yeah. What about it?

Grab a few of them! Lydia's about to throw up, and that's a herb that can help.

What? I'll get right on it!

How do you feel?

Zoey... much better. Thank you.

This is just for emergencies, though.

Whether it's some kind of organic disease I've never heard of, or the result of psychological factors, the herb will only alleviate the symptoms, not the cause.

My mum was in a situation just like yours. She got much better after the psychological problems went away.

And how'd she do that?

I grew up and reduced the burden on her. She didn't have to worry about tomorrow's bread, and our situation got better as well, so she got better on her own.

But how can I not worry?

*cough,* *cough!*

The villagers see me as the family of an Infected. Gus is afraid they'll hurt me, and I... I'm like this.

I don't care if I'm infected, and I don't care what they think. All I want is to see Carl again... one more time...

I have an idea.

I know of a herb that grows around here that can give you a fever, without seriously threatening your health.

What's going on? Why does Lydia have a fever?!

The reason isn't important right now. What's important is that Lydia wants to go back to the village.

I know that! How many times do you think she's told me?! It's always Carl this, Carl that! He's such a fraud!

He's not even showing his face at a time like this! That tells me all I need to know.

Lydia's feelings are real, though. Otherwise she wouldn't be so ill.

No matter how much you hate Carl and the villagers, think of your sister. It's not Oripathy she has, it's an illness of the mind!

The mind...

If you're really worried about her, let her go back. I can guarantee that the villagers won't harm her.

So... what? She sees that fraud and gets better. What then?

The village will never accept her, and it's not like Carl would ever come live with us. She'll still suffer in the end!

So you're just going to watch her suffer from the fever she's got right now?

Perris, the whole village will be destroyed if your Oripathy spreads.

But my wife and daughter are healthy! They don't have any stones on them!

Better safe than sorry. It's all for the village, you know.

Gus, I came here to dispel the village's fear, and the prejudices you have of each other.

Sure, some rejected me, but others were willing to listen.

Just try it. For yourself, for Lydia, and for them.

I can see you mean what you're saying, but I still don't believe those bastards can actually let go of their prejudices.

You mean...

You can try, but on one condition.

Most of the villagers don't know about Lydia and Carl. Martenson is only thinking about his son's career, and he sure as hell wasn't gonna go around and tell people about it.

You're not allowed to bring up Carl's name in the village. I want to see him step up on his own.

Otherwise, he'd only do it because he didn't have a choice.

Honeyberry, you're back—wait, why did you bring—

Don't worry, Mrs. Campbell. Infected in stable condition are not contagious.

Lydia is living proof. She's been staying with the Infected for so long, but she never caught Oripathy.

Really? But why does she look so sickly then?

Ah... that's why we came back. Let's just say that she's lovesick.

Lovesick? Now this I need to hear.

Aha. So <i>that's</i> what this is about.

Now why the heck didn't you let your sister come back and see her boyfriend, Gus?

It was you people who—

Gus had his own troubles to deal with, ma'am. No one knew where the Oripathy came from, did they?

So, who's the lucky young man who caught Lydia's eye?

Sorry, I've got a non-disclosure agreement with Gus.

How could you do that, Gus?

Don't blame him. It's natural for him to be a little resentful after his exile from the village.

Besides, there's no real point if the young man isn't willing to step forward of his own accord, is there?

You've got me there. Alright, I'll get everyone.

(Whisper) Is Carl here, Lydia? I don't remember how he looks.

Still with a fever, Lydia bites her lip while casting her gaze towards a young man in a corner.

He stands beside Martenson, looking slightly timid. His father's eyes are wary as they meet Honeyberry's.

...Step forward, if you still love her.

The crowd whispers amongst themselves. Some parents ask their children, while others ask Martenson, who shakes his head furiously.

Carl stands behind his father, his expression hidden from view.

The sickness of your beloved isn't because of Oripathy. It's because she misses you.

She insisted on coming back to see you. Please, step forward!

Martenson starts getting impatient and turns to leave, while Carl seems to be nailed to the ground.

Oripathy has fried the girl's brain. Get her out of here!

Honeyberry thought she would hear objections from the crowd, but there were none.

Guys...

I...

What are you afraid of?

Don't bother, Honeyberry. They won't listen.

No! I have to speak up!

The kids all love Mrs. Campbell because she always makes biscuits for them.

Mrs. Samantha doesn't trust people easily, but when she does, she always stands up for them.

The Martenson family works hard to live a better life, without forgetting to help out their neighbors.

This village is full of good people. What kind of deep, heavy—<i>evil</i> fear could make you all so heartless and cruel?

...That's enough, Zoey.

Lydia?