844 Bear cures Est's disease - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

We exit the store. "Wow, Mane-san is truly an incredible person. I can’t believe he bowed his head like that. When I came here, I got kicked out," Yuna said. "I'm sure he had his reasons. People can't oppose someone with power," Lydia replied. There are few who can stand up to authority. In school, even students with clout can't be opposed. If you do, you risk being bullied. The same goes for the workplace; you often hear that people can’t defy the words of their superiors. Human society is structured like a pyramid. This world operates similarly—commoners can’t defy nobility. "From his explanation, I understand that man isn’t the villain here." Wanting to avoid being bullied doesn't justify bullying others, nor does it excuse it. "I'm not saying you have to forgive him, but decide after observing his future actions." "...Okay." Mane stands atop her pyramid too. Although she interrogated the man in a rather intimidating manner, she was angry because he did something wrong. If those at the top are good people, then those beneath them can find happiness. "By the way, Mane-san really looked like a teacher." However, it was somewhat jarring to see someone with the appearance of a child being addressed as 'teacher' by an adult. "Should I start calling you Mane-sensei from now on? Mane-sensei..." "Yuna, no calling me 'sensei'!" Mane kicked out with her foot. Sensing she might get angry if I teased any further, I decided to stop. "Mane-san is a fine adult." "I'm an adult!" Mane puffed out her cheeks, yelling. She may look like a child, but inside, she's an adult. Just like Kagari-san, she’s a proper adult. "Now that we’ve got the medicine, let's head back quickly." Mane started walking. Lydia and I watched her, smiling, as we followed behind. Returning to Lydia's house, we find Zect in a fluster. "Lydia!" "What’s wrong, brother?" "Est has developed a fever." We enter Est's room. Est lies in bed while Camilla places a damp towel on her forehead, a look of concern on her face. "Mother." "I just gave her some medicine." Est is quietly lying in bed, albeit with a slightly flushed face. "Mane-san, thank you. After Est took the medicine you provided, she seemed to calm down immediately." It seems Mane's medicine is working, which is a relief. "Mother..." Est's eyes flutter open. "Est, are you okay?" "Yeah, I feel better than usual." "That's good to hear." "Also, the medicine was easier to take than usual." "Of course. I made it easy for children to take." "Mane-san, you’re so considerate." "Adults can tough it out, but most children dislike unpleasant tastes and smells. It's one thing if they complain, but not taking it is the worst, so I've made it easier to swallow." In my original world, children's medicines were also made palatable. There’s a saying that 'Good medicine tastes bitter,' and often effective medicine is bitter. But now there are many palatable medicines available. I remember having taken easy-to-drink syrup for colds when I was a child. "As a pharmacist, it's only natural." Mane seemed a bit embarrassed. "Est, can you sit up? I've brought the medicine." "I’m fine." With Camilla's support, Est manages to sit up. "Wasn’t the earlier medicine sufficient?" Camilla asks. "That was just to temporarily reduce the fever. It won't fundamentally cure it. But don't worry, I've prepared the medicine, so Est, drink this." Mane took out two medicines she made at the apothecary. One was a blue pill and the other was for treating red spots. Camilla reached for a cup of water on a small table beside the bed. "Here's the water." Est puts the pill in her mouth and drinks the water. "Now, just rest." "Okay." As Est relaxed, we could hear her gentle breathing. We exited the room quietly so as not to wake her. "Mane-san, with this, Est’s illness will be cured?" Lydia asked. "The symptoms aren’t as severe as I feared, so with continued use of the medicine, she’ll recover." Lydia and the others seemed relieved at Mane’s words. Mane then explained how to administer the medicine. "Let her take the blue medicine for a while, and even if the red spots disappear, have her continue the green medicine for three days." "Even if the spots disappear?" "Even if it seems to have cleared up, there’s a possibility of recurrence. So I want her to continue taking it for three days until the bad stuff inside her body is completely gone." "I understand." "I'll come back tomorrow to check her symptoms. If her progress is good, there should be no problem." "Mane-san, thank you so much." "About the payment..." Camilla hesitantly asked. "I’ve already received it from Lydia and Zect." "But we haven’t paid you." "You showed me where the medicinal herbs grow. I gathered enough for several kinds of medicine, so that’s plenty. Moreover, if there are any herbs I need in the future, I'll ask you for help." "Leave it to me." As expected of someone older, she knows how to handle such situations. As the day started to fade, we asked Lydia to show us to an inn. "See you tomorrow then." We left Lydia’s house and headed to the inn. Thankfully, we managed to rent a two-person room. "What about dinner? Should we eat out somewhere?" "Let’s eat in our room. There could be trouble if we attract attention." A bear costume and a child. I’d likely draw attention in my bear outfit. "Besides, the meal Yuna prepares is delicious." Her compliment made me happy. I set out the bread and a simple dish I had prepared on the table. Mane tasted it. "Yuna’s cooking is really good." "Thank you." "This bread especially is delightful." "That’s from my shop." "Your shop, Yuna?" Ah, I hadn’t mentioned it before. I explained to her how I run a store in Crimonia. "So, you weren’t just an adventurer then." "Well, things just turned out that way." After dinner, I offered her pudding for dessert, and she ate three whole servings. Well, there’s plenty, so it’s fine. I kept quiet about her tummy slightly bulging afterward. "Is Est really going to be okay?" I asked just in case. It’s possible she might not want to worry her family. "Yes, she'll be fine. She’ll recover as long as she takes the medicine." She has no reason to lie to me. Then, it must be true. We decided to go to bed early, and as a precaution, I summoned Kumayuru and Kumakyu, my bear cubs, for protection. "If anything happens, wake us up, okay?" "Ku~n," the bears replied. Both Mane and I fell into slumber. The following morning, Kumayuru and Kumakyu gently woke us up, and we rose without sleeping in. After finishing a light breakfast, Mane and I head towards Lydia’s house. “Mane-san, Yuna-chan, good morning,” Lydia greets us at the door. Inside, we find Zect and Camilla as well. “How is Est doing?” I ask. “Well, she woke up lively and even had breakfast,” Camilla replies, her voice almost trembling with emotion. “The child who usually says she doesn't want any food.” “It seems her appetite is back, which is a good sign,” Mane observes. To check on her condition, Mane moves to Est’s room. “How are you feeling?” Mane asks. “Mane-chan, um, I mean, Mane-san,” Est corrects herself. “So, how are you feeling?” Mane asks again, ignoring the slip. “Yes, I feel really good,” Est responds, lifting her sleeve to reveal that the red spots have faded significantly. “Show me your stomach and back too.” Est lifts her clothes, displaying her stomach and back to Mane. “It looks fine. Keep taking the medicine, and you’ll recover,” Mane affirms. “Really?” Est asks. “But you can’t just rely on the medicine. Make sure to eat well and get plenty of rest.” “Yes!” We leave the room after that. “Thank you so much,” Camilla says, her gratitude clear. “Yeah, thanks a lot,” Zect adds. “If we hadn’t met you in the forest, Est would still be suffering.” “That’s just how human connections work," Mane says. "Even if someone is suffering somewhere else, there isn’t much I can do. I can only help those within my reach. I have knowledge as an apothecary, but I’m primarily a researcher working for the state.” Mane is involved in a variety of research at the Ministry of Magic, covering topics from medicinal herbs to magic circles and enchanted tools. Her work surely aids many people. Even if Mane isn’t available as an apothecary, there are others in that profession. That’s why the profession exists, and many dedicate themselves to it. However, some exploit others for profit. While making money isn't inherently bad, gaining at the expense of others' suffering is inexcusable. “I forgot to mention this yesterday amidst everything, but Lydia, Zect, bring out the herbs you gathered. I’ll buy them from you,” Mane requests. “But, Mane-san, you collected with us, so it’s the same, isn’t it?” Lydia protests. “It’s fine. There's never too much of such herbs. However, keep those special herbs for Lydia. They might come in handy for you or your family one day.” “Understood.” They lay the herbs on the table, and Mane takes them all. “This much?” Zect is surprised. “I added a bit extra as a gesture for our future relationship.” “Thank you.” “Make sure Est eats something nutritious and delicious.” Nutrition is crucial during illness for speedy recovery. “So, I’ll head out for shopping now,” Camilla says, preparing to leave. “Wait,” Mane interrupts Lydia as she starts to move. “Lydia, Zect, you have something else to do first, right?” “Something else?” They look at each other, trying to recall. Mane sighs. “You didn’t just find herbs in the forest, remember?” “Oh!” They both exclaim simultaneously, realization dawning on them. The monster materials. I had forgotten as well. Often, I just toss things into my Bear Box and leave them there, relying on Fina for dismantling, so the materials tend to pile up. “Mom, sorry. I…” “If it’s just shopping, I can handle that. You two go on,” Camilla reassures them. “Okay,” they comply. Leaving the shopping to Camilla, we head towards the Adventurers Guild.