"Hakuji?"
The name puzzled Shisho for a moment, but then he remembered. Hakuji was Akaza's name when he was human.
"Hello. I am Shisho."
The moment Shisho confirmed his identity, Hakuji darted forward and grabbed his hand. "Doctor Shisho, please, I'm begging you, save my father!" As he spoke, his face was filled with anxiety, and tears were already welling in his eyes.
But Shisho was not moved by his tears. Instead, he gently pulled his hand away. "Saving people is a doctor's duty, but that is not an excuse for you to cut in line."
Shisho pointed at the crowd behind Hakuji. "If everyone acted as you did, how do you think the people you pushed aside would feel?"
Looking back, Hakuji saw that many of the people seeking treatment were on the verge of collapse. Some had flushed faces and were breathing shallowly, as if they might stop breathing at any second. Others were deathly pale and frail, looking as if a strong gust of wind could blow them away. Still others clutched at festering wounds, gritting their teeth against immense pain.
Hakuji was not an unreasonable person. Seeing their condition, he realized his mistake.
"I'm sorry!" he shouted, walking to the front of the crowd and bowing deeply to them. "That was wrong of me. I hope you can forgive me."
The commoners were kind-hearted by nature, and seeing that Hakuji had already admitted his fault, they quickly voiced their forgiveness.
"They may have forgiven you, but I have not," Shisho said coldly, pointing to the corner next to the house. "Now, as punishment, you will stand there while I treat the patients."
Hearing this, Hakuji's face went pale. Although he had apologized, what was done was done, and a simple "sorry" couldn't erase it. From the look on Shisho's face, he hadn't made a good impression. If Shisho refused to treat his father because of this, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
"Mr. Shisho, I…" Hakuji began to say, but Shisho cut him off.
"If your attitude is good, Tamayo and I can spare some time tonight to check on your father's condition."
That single sentence pulled Hakuji from hell to heaven. Hearing that Shisho was willing to save his father—and with the other famous doctor, Tamayo—Hakuji didn't hesitate for a second. He ran to the corner of the house, closed his eyes, and stood up straight, looking just like a student caught misbehaving by a teacher.
"Alright, let's begin." Seeing Hakuji's attitude, Shisho nodded slightly and began the day's work.
Some patients had simple ailments, and he only needed to give them a few words of advice. Others needed specially prepared medicine, and Shisho would have Hakuji fetch it. Eager to leave a good impression, Hakuji followed his orders without a single complaint.
While fetching medicine, he inevitably encountered Tamayo. When she learned that Shisho had sent him, she would point out the specific location of the herbs. Every time he came out of the room, Hakuji's face would be bright red. He had never seen such a beautiful woman before; her appearance, her grace, even her voice captivated him deeply. It got to the point where every time he came out, Shisho would have to clear his throat as a reminder.
They worked from dawn until dusk without a moment's rest, until the last patient was sent away.
"Thank you, Doctor Shisho. I will never forget your kindness for the rest of my life," an old man said, bowing before leaving with the medicine Shisho had prepared, limping away.
Hakuji, who was tidying up the medicine jars, spoke up. "He didn't seem to pay the medical fee. Not even a single copper coin."
Shisho shook his head, putting the unused herbs back in their jars. "Everyone has the right to live. They shouldn't be bound by so-called medical fees."
Hearing this, Hakuji looked up at him, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. Though he had only known Shisho for a day, he could tell that this "medical practice" was more like charity. While he couldn't recognize all the herbs, the small portion he did know would fetch a high price on the market. In a single day, this small clinic must have lost a considerable amount of money.
What a strange pair, Hakuji thought, scratching his head, unable to comprehend Shisho and Tamayo's actions.
"Alright, today's work is done. After dinner, we'll go see your father," Shisho said, heading inside.
Hakuji remained standing where he was, forcefully punching his own rumbling stomach.
"What are you still standing there for? Aren't you coming in to eat?" Shisho turned and called out to him.
"Huh?" Hakuji looked surprised and confused, unable to quite accept Shisho's invitation to eat with them. In his mind, being forgiven by Shisho was already more than he could hope for; he hadn't even considered being invited for a meal.
"What's with the 'huh'? I'm not some cruel taskmaster. I wouldn't let someone who helped me all day go hungry."
Though Hakuji didn't understand the exact reference, he accepted Shisho's invitation. Sitting at the table, he shoveled food into his mouth, tears of emotion streaming down his face as he ate. It was the first time in his life he had eaten such a warm, delicious meal. He choked on his food four times during the meal.
Shaking his head helplessly, Shisho said, "No one's fighting you for it. What's the rush?"
Hearing this, Hakuji finally slowed down and began to chew his food properly.
After dinner, while helping to clean up, Hakuji pointed to a small box on the side and asked curiously, "Mr. Shisho, what's in there?"
"Your father hasn't eaten either, has he? That's for him."
Hakuji froze for a moment. When the realization hit him, his eyes turned red, and he looked like he was about to cry. Shisho flicked him on the forehead.
"What are you crying for? You're a man. Aren't you afraid your father will see you like this?" Shisho said, walking to the door.
Hakuji wiped his eyes with his sleeve, drying the tears that had just formed. Then, under Hakuji's guidance, Shisho and Tamayo went to his home and saw his sick father. After their diagnosis, they came to a unanimous conclusion: the illness was in its very late stages and could not be completely cured. All they could do was extend his life as much as possible.
Hearing this result, Hakuji didn't show much panic. Having cared for his father for years, he had some understanding of his condition and was already mentally prepared. After leaving some prepared medicine, Shisho and Tamayo left. Hakuji, after settling his father, rushed out to see them off.
"Mr. Shisho, aren't you going to ask me for the medical fee?" Hakuji asked, following behind him.
"Can you afford it?" Shisho patted his head with a slight smile. "I told you, everyone has the right to live. Medical fees are just an excuse."
Hearing Shisho's words, Hakuji stood there, lost in deep thought. Although they had only known each other for a day, he felt that his connection with this man was far deeper than that. He even had a strange feeling that one day in the future, he would try to kill Shisho.
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