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- Sorry for the wait, it was important.

- No problem. Thanks again for agreeing to help us... Well, to help Mamou.

- The pleasure is all mine! I have no reason to refuse!

After waiting outside Cerise's room for a few minutes, Porencha had returned and accompanied Bubble and Mamou to his office to discuss Mamou's condition. As he thought about it, he remembered that he hadn't talked to Cerise about Syrianna's mission... He was going to have to go back and discuss this subject; but above all, he wanted to see what Porencha could do for Mamou.

- Let's talk about this in my office," said Porencha.

- Of course," said Bubble.

After a short walk, they arrived in Porencha's room. It was a little smaller, but still beautiful and spacious. A large desk with all kinds of equipment stood at the back of the room, a bed right next to it. This one showed a large cushion that was more or less the size of Porencha, but it was just a white cushion without anything more. Other pillows were on the bed, but they were much smaller and without any pattern. The blanket on the mattress was spread out and was a depressing blue... The room itself was nothing special, except maybe the other desk near the front door which was a real mess. With leaves threatening to fall to the floor at the slightest breath, untidy vials and a ladle hanging from a rubber band on the wall, Bubble could hardly tell if Porencha was tidy or not. The desk at the back of the room and this one were not in the same world...!

- Aaah, don't worry about this desk, it's the one I use when I have to look for something quickly, hehe…” Porencha admitted, scratching her cheek.

- I suppose you're a doctor or a scientist?" asked Bubble.

- In between, honestly. I know, before ya ask me, what's a person like me doing in the FIREFIGHTERS? Well, ya just don't ask. Sit here~!

She patted the two chairs placed next to each other and Mamou did not hesitate. She sat down on one of them and patted the other with a big smile, imitating the woman who had kindly welcomed them into the room. Bubble let out an amused sigh and sat down next to the little girl before looking around the room. The walls were painted a very light color, almost white, while the ceiling still showed signs of age. The lights were holding up as best they could, but there was a fairly new lamp next to the bed that was probably the woman's. The wooden floor was of simple wood, but did not make too much noise: it was clear that this place was well maintained or new. The ceiling was not perfect, but Bubble thought there must be a reason for that. Porencha approached them and sat down on a chair, but it had wheels.

- Well, well... Let's make it short. First of all, I represent myself, but my name is Porencha!

- Bubble. This is Mamou.

- Hewwo!!

Mamou waved with an equally big smile and Porencha waved back. She quickly turned to Bubble.

- Without being indiscreet, where are ya from?

- Winry-Rock, to be more exact, the city of Suirui.

- Oh, Suirui. I see where this is... It's quite a journey ya've taken.

- The walk in the mountains has been complex, but I am happy to have arrived here…

- The mountains, dangerous and tiring…” Mamou admitted.

Porencha waved a pen in her hands while looking at the two people in front of her. A man in a cape and a cute, but sick girl... She wouldn't have thought she would need to help someone with this disease again, but it seems life was throwing her surprises. She smiled.

- I can't believe I have to deal with someone who has the Tide…

- …

"Tide". A rather special name for this disease, but one that was not without danger.

- I understand why the person ya met recommended me, but there was really no one else in your country who could take care of it?” asked Porencha, a little surprised.

Bubble shook his head.

- We asked many sources, but no one knew anything. The Tide is a poorly documented, complex disease that many doctors do not want to deal with because they know nothing about this one, so we were relieved to finally have a name after a few days of searching.

- I guess this disease is special…

- It's amazing that you know anything about it.

- Hmm, how so?

Bubble removed his hood before continuing to speak.

- I mean, you're stuck here like everyone else in Lost Hell, right? So, if you were recommended, I guess you know a lot about the Tide... I didn't think you could help us.

Some might have taken this remark in a rather harsh way, but Porencha only smiled and patted the strange mask on the side of her head.

- Aaah, I understand whatcha mean. I was born in Lost Hell, that's true. But I was lucky to meet someone who told me a lot about the Tide. I am far from being an expert, but I have already cured one or two people with this disease.

Knowing that Porencha had already succeeded in curing one or two patients reassured Bubble. It was too early to claim victory, but at least he had a bright light at the end of the tunnel: all was not lost. Porencha turned to the little girl while playing with her pen in her left hand.

- Mamou, is that right?" she asked, staring at her.

The little girl nodded.

- That’s me!

- How long have you been ill?

Even Bubble would have a hard time answering this question. He was sure that Mamou had already been sick for a while when he had discovered him in one of the streets of Suirui, but for how long exactly... ? It was easy to find out if someone was sick with the Tide, even though it was still a fairly rare disease and not widely spread throughout the world.

Mamou touched her lips while thinking as best she could. Porencha waited patiently and the little girl finally answered.

- Mommy threw me out of the house when she saw how sick I was and I met big brother Bubu a few days later, so I'll say a month... and a half?

- …

- …

Porencha squinted, but she regained her usual calm quite quickly. Bubble thought it was because of Mamou's words about her mother. He, too, had been upset when he learned that she had been left on the street because of her illness. Porencha probably felt the same way…

- ... I see. I'm not going to lie to ya, Bubble, but it's a long time, a month and a half,” Porencha said.

He clenched a fist: he knew it very well. He knew it very well...!

- … I know.

- At least I assume ya didn't drag yar feet to get here?

- We did it as quickly as possible.

- Hmm… I see.

She placed her pen on the desk next to it and put her head in both hands.

- Basically, they say after a week, ya should come to a doctor immediately, when ya have the Tide. The fact that she's had it for a month and a half is really... Hey, ya know what I mean.

- I wish I could have come sooner, but—

- Hey, hey. I'm not saying it's yar fault. It's totally her mother's fault for abandoning her. Oh, can I say such things in front of her?

She glanced quickly at Mamou, but she only smiled. Porencha was surprised that she was not saddened by such a subject.

- My mom is mean!!” ends up sulking Mamou. She left me all alone, so Mamou sulks at her! Bad mommy!!

She turned her head with her arms crossed and Bubble scratched the back of her head.

- I guess that's not a problem…” he said.

- Aaah, I see…

Porencha sighed before continuing to speak.

- Even if it's not too late, I must admit that we don't know much about the Tide and even I don't know more than that. What I do know is that after a month, it is often in areas where the disease is unstoppable... or rather, that it cannot be prevented from remaining in the body of its host.

Bubble didn't know such a thing: he just knew that after a certain time, curing the Tide's disease was impossible. It seems that Mamou was in this "zone"...

- Nevertheless…

Bubble blinked and looked at Porencha.

- Even if the Tide remains in the host, nothing says that he will come to lose his life,” she admitted.

- What do you mean...?" asked Bubble.

- You see, the Tide is a disease that is caught in a way that is still unknown, but it seems to come from certain polluted waters or poorly managed food. It enters the body and has a more or less direct effect, as ya know, it affects the eyes from the first day it is caught.

She pointed to the little girl's eyes and Bubble nodded. That was how he knew she had the Tide. After all, as strange as it was to say, when a person had the Tide…

The eyes of the affected person became white.

It was not the same as a blind person, but as if the color of the iris and the pupil should really be... white. Sometimes the Tide would go so far as to make the eyes completely white, while some would die before the white even took over half the eye. Mamou already had a good portion of her eyes white, but that was to be expected after having been a Tide carrier for over a month.

- Because the Tide eats away at the person's inner nutrients, the person becomes weaker, needs more sleep, often reacts a little differently and sometimes loses its own mind. However, this little one... she seems to be doing well, doesn't she?

Bubble nodded.

- Her eyes sometimes hurt when the light is too bright or she has spasms when she sleeps, but she's doing very well for someone who's had the Tide for so long,” he admitted.

- It's amazing, but it means ya are a very strong girl, Mamou.

Porencha stroked the little girl's hair with a smile. Mamou nodded with a big smile on her face.

- Mamou wants to become as strong as big brother Bubu!!!

- Ahah, you will be, one day.

Porencha removed her hand from her head and turned to Bubble.

- If she doesn't have any of her symptoms, then that's very good news. I can't lie that it's still worrisome that she's been sick for so long without having any treatment, but I can always give her a full checkup and see if everything is okay with her. After... I'll be honest, it's going to take me a little while.

- How long exactly?" asked Bubble.

- I can do some of the tests and analysis in less than two hours today, but the most important ones... I'm going to have to keep her in for at least three to four days.

- ... !

He never thought it would take so long! Of course, it wasn't that long in Bubble's eyes, but he had thought it would have taken a few minutes, not that long...!

- I don't have the best technology and I have to check the results every two hours, except when sleeping. I don't have to do all the tests, but…

- But...?” asked Bubble.

Porencha took the pen in his hand and began to play with it, while Mamou and Bubble watched her carefully.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

- The concern is that without these tests, I would have trouble knowing what dose I should give her, how many times a day, but also to know if the Tide is stabilizing in her.

- Basically, the analyses you are talking about…

- Yep, they're kind of mandatory. Otherwise, it's going to be complex and I'm afraid... that I won't be able to dose well. That I won't help her.

Bubble understood the risks. He didn't necessarily want to stay in Lost Hell for long, but if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that he would have to live there for a while. Healing Mamou was the main thing right now...! However, did he really want to stay in this place, in the capital... ?

- On the one hand, Syrianna is taking us in while I talk to Porencha and she heals Mamou,” thought Bubble. It is very likely that we will have to go back on the road rather quickly…

He didn't have to think long to offer his answer:

- No worries. Take the time you need.

- I see, perfect.

- What do you think, Mamou?" asked Bubble.

The little one smiled.

- If I can be cured, Mamou says yes!

- So that's how we do it," smiles Porencha.

She put the pen down on the desk and got up from the chair. She walked over to the desk and grabbed a notepad before looking at Bubble.

- However, I would like to be alone with the little one, since she is my patient. I understand if ya don't trust me enough, but—

- No, everything is fine. I trust you.

Bubble stood up in turn and stroked Mamou's cheeks with a smile.

- You do what she asks, hm?

- Are you leaving?

- I'm staying here for now... but I have to ask Cerise something.

- Okiii... I will miss you.

- I will miss you too.

Mamou took Bubble in her arms and he did the same, Porencha looked at them and smiled. To see two people like them hugging each other... He really cares about this little one.

- Ya're quick to trust someone, it seems," Porencha teased.

- Hey, I trust the ones I'm sure I can trust," Bubble said.

- Hmmm?

Porencha didn't quite understand what Bubble meant, but Bubble greeted Porencha and Mamou before leaving the room and wishing them luck. The woman watched him leave and finally shrugged, not wanting to bother to understand what he had meant. She turned to Mamou and smiled.

- Let's make this quick, shall we?

- Okii!" smiled Mamou.

Meanwhile, Bubble walked through the corridors of the building before arriving at the door of Cerise's room. He had been talking to Porencha for a while, but chances are she was still there... He knocked and it wasn't long before Cerise's voice rang out from inside.

- Whaaat?!” she shouted.

- This is Bubble. I forgot to discuss about the Syrianna case.

- Aaah?! Ah!! Get in, get in, ahah!!

She laughed and Bubble gave a small, amused smile. He walked into the room and closed the door behind him. Cerise was lying on the sofa, eating... something.

- It's true that we forgot!

- I wanted to talk about it while Porencha was taking care of Mamou,” Bubble admitted.

- Oh, so she accepted? I hope everything will be fine for the girl.

- I'm glad to see that everyone seems to like her, hehe.

Bubble sat down across from Cerise and Cerise frowned.

- Hey, why shouldn't people be nice to her? She's a poor girl who has the Tide, anyone who insults her is just a piece of shit.

She sat up properly on the sofa and touched the back of her neck, having finished eating the dry candy that had been brought to her.

- I guess Lost Hell is full of shit bags that are complete assholes, but we still know how to respect a little girl. In any case, people like ya are so rare that it has to influence people.

- People like us?" asked Bubble.

- Ya know, nice people, who look pure... Anyway, who cares? Ya're here from Syrianna, right?

Bubble nodded and told her about her meeting with Syrianna and what she had asked of her. Cerise listened quietly, attentive, but at the end of the story, she clicked her tongue.

- Tsk, that Syrianna. She always has the laziness to come to see us, this pest,” dropped Cerise.

- Their relationship doesn't look good…” Bubble thought.

The Kemono with the rabbit-like attributes leaned forward a little.

- Yeah, about that package... It got stolen, actually.

- Ah?

Bubble was surprised by this information, but what Cerise was going to say to him right after surprised him even more.

- Yuuup. It's by a group of crap brigands who call themselves "Paradise Seekers". Real dogs who roam around Lost Hell expressing their ideas as if someone gave a shit, hoping to found a cult powerful enough to overthrow the King,” Cerise explained.

- …

- We brought the package back from our source and on the way, he was attacked by the bandits. He ended up with a nearly broken shin, but he's getting better now. Anyway, it’s not about him.

Cerise stood up and put her hands in her pockets, an annoyed look on her face.

- We were going to go get the package back because we don't want a bad relationship with the Eastern Imperial Research Team, but I'm not going to lie to ya, we had a lot of work to do and I forgot about it over time. Sorry, sorry.

- No big deal... I mean, I guess?" replied Bubble.

- Now that ya've reminded me, we do need to sort this out. Hm.

Cerise stopped on the spot, beside Bubble, the hands always in the pockets of his long jacket. The man looked at her for a few moments before giving her a weak smile.

- I can go and get the package if it suits you...?” he offered.

Cerise squinted her eyes.

- Huuuuh?!

She seemed confused, which surprised Bubble: he had just offered his help, after all.

- Don't ya have a girl to watch, right here?!” she shouted, as if offended.

- I trust Porencha and she has to stay here for a few days in any case, so that's fine with me.

- A few days?! Aah? Aaah, I guess she has to do some long term analysis... Well, I don't care.

Cerise took her hands out of her pockets and pointed a finger at Bubble.

- But ya're too quick to trust us, it's almost sickening! If ya go away for a few hours and your little Mamou is dead or used for our purposes, what are ya going to do, huh? Cry? Complain about us?!

Bubble tilted his head.

- Why would you use her? Why would you kill her? Porencha seemed to be very nice?

Cerise made a face, as if disgusted with Bubble.

- Yar naivety makes me want to shoot myself. Are ya serious?

Bubble stopped smiling and frowned.

- I know who to trust.

Cerise squinted: her look had changed... but so had his Aura. He was…

- ... I don't like ya that much.

- Hm.

Bubble smiled a natural smile again — but Cerise couldn't see it as such. She sighed heavily and gently tapped against the piercing in her bunny ear before sighing again.

- Well, if ya want to go to seek it, that goes me, but I come with ya,” she asserted.

- I can—

- Doing it on yar own? I don't doubt it, but they're super-armored, and besides, I've got some business with those shits. I want to beat the shit out of them and have a good laugh. Besides, I don't have to work until late at night, so I don't care.

Cerise stood in front of Bubble before forcing him to stand up by grabbing him by the front of his cape.

- We're gonna go out there and kill them good and proper and come back with the damn package.

- A-Alright?!

- Let's get out of here.

Cerise let go of Bubble and he patted his chest before looking at the Kemono as she whistled out of the room. Cerise went to tell Porencha that they were leaving quickly and Mamou looked worried, but Bubble came to tell her that he would be back soon.

- Promise...?" she asked with big eyes.

- Hm. We're just picking up the package for Syrianna.

-... Okiii, be careful, Bubu.

- I will.

He gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek before leaving. Porencha waved to them and Cerise spoke to her before leaving.

- I'll let ya handle the FIREFIGHTERS while I'm gone. I do quick.

- No worries. Is GANK still here?

- He takes care of the son of a bitch Garendo. You can hit him if he wakes up.

- No worries! See ya!

- Yup!

Cerise closed the door and told Bubble to follow her, which he did. They exited the building and Cerise put her hands in her coat pockets while turning to Bubble.

- I know approximately where the package was stolen and considering its contents, they surely did nothing with it,” she admitted. We'll just get it back from where they often stay and come straight back, is that okay?

- Of course. How can you be sure they're there, though?" asked Bubble.

- Because they often stay in the same places to guard everything and steal around. I've dealt with them before, but they're not all bad... Some of them stink like shit and we gonna be honest, I'm too good.

She smiled.

- So let's just go and say hello to them, quickly done well done.