ncdeer

There! Let's hope this works.

She's treating the girl?

Didn't she refuse? Didn't she say she didn't want to come down from the mountains?

...Why?

How is she?

Her fever has subsided, she had porridge this morning without throwing up, and the swelling in her neck has gone down somewhat.

Thank goodness.

Why is your hair a different color from ours?

Hmm... Do you like the pattern it makes?

Yes! Daddy said your hair is so beautiful because you're a really good person.

My daddy's a good person too. Why won't you trust him?

What do you mean?

Zishu won't let me or daddy tell anyone that you saved my life.

I...

It's alright.

I'm just happy you're alive and well, Ci. You don't need to say or do anything for me.

Hmm...

But I haven't seen daddy for days. Where'd he go?

I asked your daddy for a favor. Just let him see you happy and healthy when he comes back in a few days, okay?

Okay!

It's getting late. Come on, lie down and I'll tell you a story.

A long, long time ago in a forest far, far away...

Two days later

*Yawn* Oh, it feels so good to stretch like this...

*Yawn*...

You need to rest your eyes after going through an entire roomful of books these past few days. It's a nice day outside. I should let Ci's bedding get some sun too.

It's nice to see her getting better, isn't it?

Yes, I'll go see if she needs a change of medicine. Let's get her an armchair so she can sit outside.

And I'll make some tea. Any preferences?

Anything made by you.

Remember to add some sugar for Ci though.

Sugar in tea? Blasphemy!

I want something sweet...

Alright, alright.

What a beautiful day... Not a cloud in the sky.

Ci, remember that poem you said you liked? How did it go?

'A little sun, and floating cotton, speckles made of porcelain paint.'

My name means porcelain, too!

Now, make sure you keep your blanket on, so you don't catch a cold.

Hm?

Is somebody there?

Open up! Open up!

Who is it?

Anyone in there?

I know you're there, doctor! I saw you with my own eyes!

You've been treating that merchant's daughter, haven't you? I thought you didn't care about money.

I believed you, and look what it got me!

Who's this doctor you're talking about?

What's going on here?

What nonsense are you on about!?

What happened...?

I know you're in there, doctor!

They say they've already evacuated the city, but I haven't heard from my family in days! I have no idea where they are! The Catastrophe, it...

It's my own fault that I couldn't get the money to save my family! I'm not blaming anyone for that!

But do you really take us for fools!?

Did you lie to me because you wanted the money yourself!?

Me? Money?

My goodness! It's one thing to not offer help, but to lie?

Who is this doctor? I'm certainly never visiting them!

That's right! That's right!

*Sigh*...

I knew it would come to this.

(I thought I could earn their trust by saving their lives.)

(I thought we could coexist in peace as long as I healed them, and showed them love.)

(But is that true?)

You're lying! She didn't ask for a single coin! *cough*...

Hey, you shouldn't be running around!

I'm fine... I can't let them bully her!

You're all bad people! How could you think... She's not like that...

*cough*...

Ci...

Thank you, Ci.

I'll speak to him.

Showing your face at last, doctor?

The door's opening... So who is it?

Here they come... Wait, Dr. Nine-Colored Deer?

He was talking about Dr. Nine-Colored Deer? Er...

I'm an ass! We're all asses! It's Dr. Nine-Colored Deer!

She's the who saved my life when I was so badly hurt from falling rocks that my family started preparing the funeral!

Oh, THAT doctor? Wait, who should I believe now?

S-She told me not to let anyone know! But didn't I tell you? She didn't charge me a single coin, and even gave me a whole bunch of herbs!

Ah... it's you.

Yes, me! You remember, right?

You guys hear that? Everything I said was true, every last word! She's not the kind of person who'd lie for money!

You saved my life, doctor! I'm on your side, no matter what anyone else says!

...Thank you.

But—

Daddy's back, Ci! But why are you standing out here like that? And what's with all these people?

You're back, daddy! A bad guy is bullying the doctor!

He said the doctor tricked him and won't save his family...

Family? You mean the two people from the city?

She didn't ask me for any money. She only asked me to fetch those two. They're staying at a nearby inn right now. What's going on?

Two people from the city... You can't mean...?

I never intended for you to find out.

I wasn't lying when I said I didn't want to be involved with other people.

Really? My family... They're safe?

If you mean the woman and child I brought back, yes, they're perfectly safe.

Y-You did this for me, doctor?

I wasn't helping you.

I was just... just...