Editing Kino no Tabi:Volume7 Prologue (section)

==“To Do Something ･ b” —life goes on. ･ b—==

[[File:Kino_no_Tabi_v7_013.jpg|x200px|thumb|left]]

“Welcome back, Kino,” said the old woman standing in front of the small log house in the middle of the forest.

Right in front of her eyes, Kino stopped Hermes’ engine. She propped Hermes on his center stand and threw open her coat that was fastened tightly because of the wind.

“I thought… that you might not return. Glad to see you back.”

Kino walked toward the old woman and said:

“I’m back.——Master.”

The west part of the bright evening sky was dyed a crimson color, while the east was of a deep blue. The two stood on the terrace in front of the house and gazed at the sky spread above the forest.

None of them spoke; the time just slowly passed. As if remembering something, Kino took off her hat and goggles.

“Kino, you’ve shortened your hair?” said the old woman.

Kino lightly brushed her hair that looked uncombed.

“Yes. I like it.”

“Good. I like it too.”

“Me too—,” said Hermes from the bottom of the terrace.

Kino reached out to the holster hanging on her right thigh and took out a persuader. Holding it by the barrel, she passed it to the old woman.

“Thank you for this.”

The old woman slowly took it and checked that there were five bullets loaded in it.

“You’re welcome.”

The old woman casually, as if naturally, thrust it behind her belt.

“Have you done what you needed to do?” the old woman asked Kino with a light smile.

“Yes,” Kino answered shortly.

“But, what am I supposed to do from now on? ——What should I do?”

The old woman answered:

“You should think about it and decide for yourself.”

For a while Kino just stood there thinking. After some time, she turned her head to the old woman.

“Master… I would like to become stronger.”

“That’s good. I can teach you various things. Would you like to?”

“Yes, please. And——”

“What?”

“I want to hear about your journey again. Please, tell me more.”

The old woman nodded several times.

“Alright—— You really like these stories, don’t you? Have I told you about an elder in some mountain country, who became tired of his job and ran away<ref>[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter4|Volume 6 Chapter 4: A Land with an Elder —I Need You.—]]</ref>?”

Kino shook her head.

“In that case——” Saying this, the old woman headed to the house.

“I haven’t heard this one yet, so please——” Kino also entered the house.

Hermes watched silently as the two left.

When they entered the house and completely disappeared, he exclaimed:

“Eh? What…? Wait, what about me?!”

[[File:Kino_no_Tabi_v7_017.jpg|x200px|thumb|left]]
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