Editing Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter8

==“A Land Forbidding Love” ― the Prohibition ―==


A motorrad (note: a motorcycle. Only to mean that it cannot fly) was running along a road inside a forested mountain.

It was the season for vivid foliage; the pause in the middle of summer and spring.

The contrast between the evergreens and deciduous trees painted the stretch of low mountains in a verdant mosaic—the bright green of deciduous trees against the dark-hued evergreens.

The white, sinewy clouds floated high above the perfectly clear blue morning sky.

Such scenery offered itself from both sides of the narrow road that sewed its way through the gently-sloping surface of the mountain. The motorrad leisurely made its way atop the reddish-brown dirt road that was slushy in places.

There were two black boxes on both sides of its rear wheel, on top of which was a traveling bag tied on its carrier.

Its rider was still young, somewhere around mid-teens.

She wore a brown coat, the extra-long hems of which were rolled up to her thighs. She had on a brimmed hat with flaps that covered her ears, as well as silver-framed goggles.

“This road gives us a wonderful view,” the rider muttered as she viewed the mountains on the right side. Then she added, “Master used to say a lot that ‘places with wonderful scenery are filled only with wonderful people… not.’”

“Not!” the motorrad cried out in amazement. “Wait, Kino, if we were in a manga, this would be a silly scene you know! Should I let my tires slip?”

“Nope, that won’t be necessary. —Well, it only means that appearance of a place has nothing to do with the nature of the people living in it, Hermes.”

After the rider called Kino said this, the motorrad called Hermes then asked, “So, any news about the country we’re heading to?”

Kino promptly answered, “About the country at the end of this road, the merchants I met in the previous country said…”

“Uh-huh, said what?”

“That they don’t know much about it.”

“Huh? Why?”

As they were approaching a sharp curve, Kino reduced the speed in order to avoid falling at the slope on the right side, and passed through the curve as carefully as possible.

And only then did she continue, “It seems that out of desire to isolate their country, they don’t allow any outsiders to get in.”

“Oh? Then what about the merchants?”

“Outside the walls, there is a separate confined area reserved for transactions with foreigners. That’s where the goods are delivered and payment change hands. Outsiders can also be allowed to stay there if it’s really needed. That’s why they have no idea either what kind of place it is, much less the reason why things are that way.”

“Heh. So Kino, is that ‘confined area’ our destination?”

“Of course not. The story isn’t finished yet. They said that for some reason, the rule has changed, and they have opened the country to the rest of the world, allowing outsiders to come in.”

“Ah, I see! I’ve got a few things figured out.”

“Oh, like what?”

Hermes answered, “It’s not that hard to guess. First, as you can see yourself, this road is narrow and it’s easy to make a mistake and fall off that slope. This isn’t the kind of place merchants who ride in trucks would love to go to. All the more when the news of the country’s opening is only a rumor. That’s why ''you'' would go in their place to see if the country has really opened, and find out what kind of things would sell or can be bought there. If necessary, you’ll buy a sample, return to the previous country and sell the information to the merchants! I’ve uncovered the conspiracy!”

“Great detective work, Hermes. —While it’s not exactly a conspiracy, that’s the gist of it,” Kino said with a nod.

“Uh-huh, you greedy creature. Travelers aren’t spies or anything, you know.”

“But if I make some money out of it, I can buy all sorts of new parts for you, Hermes.”

“Ah, splendid! Travelers are born to be spies. Sometimes.”

“Then let’s leave it at that. —Look, there it is.”

After getting across a mountain pass, Kino and Hermes saw the walls of the country within the valley.

The walls of pure white shone and glittered amidst the mosaic of green.

“Wow, that’s one pretty fence. It’s probably made of marble.”

“Yeah, it’s really beautiful. Now… what kind of country could this one be? I’m so excited. But before everything else, it would be nice if the news of its opening is true.”

“We’ve got to get in there no matter what it takes—”

And so Kino and Hermes began their descent of the gentle slopes.


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">——</span></center>


“Yes, it is true that our country has been isolated until twenty-nine days ago. But now it’s all right for you to enter.”

Before the shining white walls, Kino was informed thus by a middle-aged immigration inspector.

“A’right!” Hermes cheered from behind.

As usual, Kino asked for a three-day stay for the purpose of rest and sightseeing. And on the condition that they would obey the laws inside the country, they were given permission to enter.

“I’m going to say it in advance. There’s nothing interesting in this country, you see? There’s nothing in it. Well, whatever, take your time,” the inspector said with genuine boredom while handing the permit to Kino.

Afterwards, Kino pushed Hermes and proceeded through the tunnel in the walls.

Apparently, it was too much of a trouble to open the heavy, enormous gates just for a single motorrad to enter, and so they were made to use the tunnel that served as a passageway for people.

“Honestly, it’s just as fun this way.”

“Yeah! The scenery upon coming out of that tunnel was really great!”

Kino and Hermes said.

They finally arrived inside the country after exiting the long tunnel.

The ‘confined area’ the merchants mentioned was merged with the rest of the country by having its inner walls completely demolished.

And as he looked at the place that resembled a protruding navel, Hermes muttered.

“Yup, that's pretty interesting.”


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>


Kino and Hermes drove around the country.

Neither too wide or too small, the interior, just like in any other country, had fields at the outer circle, with the number of houses increasing as one approaches the center. And finally, the town at the center had a tall building at its very middle.

The buildings were made of stone, which were indeed marble as Hermes said. Even though marble is typically used as a high class building material in other countries, here it was consumed as if it were mud or sand. They glittered in whiteness, and the patterns, upon a closer look, were really beautiful.

The country’s level of technology was held back, and there were but a few automobiles running about. Perhaps due to a small population, the place can by no means be described as flourishing.

Both in the fields and downtown, Kino and Hermes garnered the gazes of the citizens. But while that may be true, they were neither surrounded nor followed around, and were only gazed at from a distance like objects of curiosity.

Even when they stopped by a restaurant to eat lunch, at a time when there were plenty of other customers, nobody bothered to accompany Kino. They only stared, as if they were beholding an exotic animal in a zoo.

“This country was simpler than I thought, Kino,” Hermes who waited alone in the parking lot expressed his sincere impressions.

Kino answered while she topped her black jacket with her brown coat.

“Maybe it’s just their national character? By the way, the main course—steamed vegetables with only salt and pepper as flavoring—was very simple, but very delicious.”

“Not that anyone can trust your definition of ‘delicious’, Kino.”

“Really?”

Kino straddled over Hermes and put on her goggles.

They used up half of the afternoon touring around the country, visiting sixty percent of the area with disinterest.

At the northernmost part of the country was a stone excavation site that would be the envy of other countries for its production of high quality marble, which was mined mostly through manual labor.

“Kino, I’m sure that would sell! Why don’t we take some with us?”

“That won’t do. We’ve got to look for something smaller and lighter.”

In the end Kino and Hermes arrived at the establishment recommended to them by the immigration inspector, the one and only hotel in the country.

It stood alone at the outskirts of the town, a brand new and exquisite facility, as they have anticipated.

As Kino carefully confirmed the prices,

“Cheapskate,” Hermes muttered from her side.

They room they booked in the building was spacious enough for one family to live in. Kino parked Hermes near the entrance and removed all of the luggage on top of him.

Then Kino proceeded right away to do what she cannot do outside countries…

“It’s bath time!”

“Yeah, yeah. Take your time.”

That is, bathing.

Kino filled the large bathtub with hot water, and indeed took her time soaking in it. Afterwards, she washed her underwear in the bathroom and hung them to dry.

After that Kino went to a restaurant for her dinner. She ate to her heart’s content and upon returning, instantly prepared herself for sleep.

“If you sleep right after eating, you’ll turn into a cow, Kino.”

“I want to try that at least once.”

“Even if you become a cow, you can’t eat yourself, you know.”

“I’ll take care.”

Kino answered Hermes as she lay on top of the spiffy white sheets with only her underwear on. Then she turned off the tiny lights in the room.

“Kino, what are we doing tomorrow? Other than the beautiful buildings, there really might be nothing to see in this country.”

Kino answered with a sleepy voice,

“Well, that may be true. If so… let’s just look for something that we can sell. We have the whole day for that then… Good night.”

“All right. Good night.”


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>


The next day, Kino woke up at dawn.

The farming scenery that greeted from outside the windows was hazy with the morning mist.

As usual, Kino practiced quick draw with the hand persuader (note: a persuader is a gun, in this case a pistol) slung on her right thigh and returned it to its holster after a swift maintenance check.

After eating breakfast, she proceeded on literally beating Hermes awake.

As this was the sole hotel in the country, Kino left her travelling luggage in the room under lock and key. Then she took Hermes for a stroll around the country.

And after some time,

“I’m beat!”

“Uh-huh…”

By noon, Hermes and Kino had almost finished touring the place.

As they were left with nothing to do,

“What’s the plan, Kino? Shall we go back to the hotel? I hereby permit you to take a nap.”

“I need your ‘permit’? Anyway, since the weather’s warm and nice, maybe I should just take a nap out here.”

“It’s a nap either way.”

Kino pushed Hermes to an area made green by the forest and lawns.

As expected, it was a public park, a wide area with only a few people in sight. Only a number of parents letting their children run around could be seen.

Kino stopped Hermes under the shade of a tree by the edge of the lawn and seated herself. Using her coat in place of a carpet, she lay down facing the skies.

“Okay, snooze time.”

“Sweet dreams.”

“Wake me up if there’s any danger.”

“Got it.”

And so Kino closed her eyes, and fell asleep after three seconds.


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>


A mere one hour later,

“——Mm?”

Kino opened her eyes. And the first thing she saw was,

“…”

Someone standing right next to her—a child—looking down at her.

The child looked to be around eleven years old. A short-haired girl, wearing a long-sleeved sweater and a skirt. She stared at Kino with pupils dilated.

Meanwhile, Kino,

“Uhm…”

Confused and clueless of the situation she was in, remained in her position, and turned her head around seemingly in search of something.

Sure enough, she found Hermes still parked nearby—“Oh, you’re awake.”—with these words to greet her.

While still looking up at the girl who was staring down at her,

“Who is this kid?” she asked Hermes.

“Lessee… around six minutes and thirty-four seconds ago, she came here and has since then been looking down at you.”

“Wha—, why didn’t you wake me up?”

“Because there’s no danger. I couldn’t confirm any weapons on her person, and her muscles don’t seem strong enough to kill you barehanded.”

“Well, I understand that, but…”

Kino slowly got up.

She addressed the girl who was still staring at her. “Hello there, little miss. I’m Kino,” and introduced herself. 

Meanwhile the girl,

“…”

Remained quiet, and without the slightest twitch on her face, stared at Kino.

“Er, hello. What’s your name?”

“…”

“Can you speak?”

“…”

“Well, this is something…”

“Oh, it looks like her parents are coming right now. Look behind you,” Hermes said when Kino has just about given up.

Kino looked over her shoulder and saw. From quite a distance, a young couple who seemed to be the parents of the girl were heading towards them frantically.

Kino stood up and brushed off the grass that clung to her coat. She approached Hermes and removed his stand.

“… Maybe we should wait a bit.”

She stopped,

“…”

And together with the girl who looked up at her wordlessly, Kino waited.

The parents ran over and finally reached Kino, short of breath. They looked to be only around their twenties.

They were really young to be parents.

“So this is where you were…”

“Good grief…”

First, the parents regarded their daughter with shock, and then checked all over her body to confirm if she wasn’t hurt anywhere.

The young father and mother turned to Kino.

“Traveler… we’re afraid our daughter has been very rude to you,” the father said politely. Just like the other residents of the country, his face betrayed no emotion, and his manner was tinged with indifference.

“Please don’t trouble yourself over me. I was just sleeping anyway.”

“Yeah! That girl tiptoed in and just stood there staring at Kino. Travelers must be really odd to behold,” Hermes added.

The parents returned short ‘I see’s and turned to leave with the girl. They pushed her tiny back to propel her forward.

And at that moment,

A gush of words flowed from the girl who had been quiet the whole time.

“This person is so amazing. I don’t get bored watching no matter how much time passed. My heart is pounding.”

At the same time, the girl smiled.

She looked at Kino,

“You know… to me… you are… special!”

And her smile was just like a flower in full bloom.


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>


From then, several things happened in succession.

Right after the girl spoke out her mind, the couple immediately produced a handkerchief and a bottle from their bag.

The father moistened the handkerchief with the liquid inside the small bottle, a container tiny enough to fit in one’s pocket. Then the handkerchief was passed to the mother, who pushed it onto the child’s mouth.

The girl lost consciousness and plopped down on the lawn, asleep.

It was only a mere five seconds since the girl uttered the last word of her sentence.

The father carried the girl on her shoulder and ran away in a flurry. The mother was about to follow them, but stopped in her tracks and turned around to Kino and Hermes.

“Please don’t make a fuss. Tomorrow, a person in charge will go to your hotel to explain.”

And left only these words.


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">——</span></center>


The next day, that is, the morning of the third day since Kino entered the country.

Kino and Hermes were waiting by the hotel lobby when,

“Good morning. Thank you for waiting.”

A man came to them and said this softly.

He looked to be around forty. He wore a business suit and tie, a rather orderly appearance among the simply-garbed populace of this country. He carried with him a wooden box.

A hotel employee brought out tea for two, and left just as silently as he had come.

“I believe you found yesterday’s events surprising. I am grateful that you gave us a chance to explain.”

The man, with an unreadable expression on his face, began his explanation with these words.

Kino spoke, “It’s a pleasure, it saved us a great deal of trouble by coming here yourself to enlighten us. As we are outsiders, we really don’t have any say even if you make us leave the country without telling us anything.”

“That’s right. This country must have its own issues after all,” Hermes added, and the man, still as inexpressive as before, mildly refuted,

“And we, for that matter, can’t do anything even if you began to spread rumors that we are a barbaric country that sedates and abducts children. That is, if we do not clarify matters.”

“I see.”

Kino and Hermes answered at the same time.

“Now then,” the man began. “The actions the couple took yesterday must have been very baffling to you, Kino and Hermes. However, in this country, what they did was truly appropriate. That’s because…”

The man paused for a moment. And then,

“In our country, love is prohibited by law.”


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>


“Love is… prohibited?”

“That’s right.”

“Why? And, how?”

“Of course. I’ll explain things as we go along.”

He answered Kino and Hermes’ questions without hesitation, and continued with his explanation.

“In our country, all acts of love are prohibited. Simply put, it is not allowed ‘to like or be fond of another person’. Now, is there any need for me to explain why people harbour this feeling called ‘love’ for another?”

“Um…”

While Kino pondered, Hermes flat out declared,	

“That’s simple. Because humans are living things, they need to produce offspring. Males and females can’t be together if there’s no attraction between them.”

“Exactly. That’s very perceptive of you, Hermes.”

“Yay, I was praised!”

“Then… that makes it harder to understand why love would be outlawed.”

As Kino expressed her honest thoughts, Hermes once again remarked,

“Yeah. It’s really weird. —If that’s the case, how on earth could this country’s people have descendants?”

The man answered with a small nod. 

“We’ll get to that later. —But first, let me tell you the reason why love is prohibited in our country.”


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>


The man spoke in with utter composure.

“To begin with, love is a ‘condition that makes one deviate immensely from a composed state of mind.’ In order to leave behind offspring, animals are forced to work towards getting a partner of the opposite sex. It is a so-called instinct. But frankly speaking, it’s just barbarity.”

“Okay…”

“Uh-huh! And then?”

“About a hundred years ago, a certain scholar discovered a theory governing love. It was an event that catalysed an extensive reform in our country’s ways. That theory is called the ‘Four-Year Love Principle’.”

“Huh?” Kino who did not understand the man’s explanation, tilted her head.

“Four-year what?” Hermes asked, just as confused.

“To put it simply, the ‘Four-Year Love Principle’ states that love between human beings lasts for a mere four years. —Most animals, not just humans, reproduce through male-female interaction. And after copulation, animals protect their young until such time when they are ready to be separated from their parents. Am I making sense so far?”

“Yes.”

“Yup.”

“We can say that the interval of time wherein a male and female stay as a ‘couple’ in order to protect their offspring is an important phase. It is an instinct for animals; a behavior that is carved deep someplace in their being. And so, the ‘Four-Year Love Principle’ tells us an aspect of this instinct that, too, exists in humans. To be exact—”

To make his point clear, the man raised his fingers, counting as he explained.

“The encounter between a man and a woman, intercourse, and childbirth takes about one year. Then, rapid brain development is completed in about three years. That’s a total of four years—four years for human beings to efficiently leave behind excellent progeny. This period is that indispensable ‘couple’ phase for humans.”

“Ah, so this ‘four-year love principle’ is just saying that humans fall in love for four years in order to keep a man and a woman together during that period, right?” Kino said.

The man gave her a firm nod.

“Precisely. During this phase, an abnormal mental state kicks in that makes a couple desire each other so much that they consider even their partner’s shortcomings as virtues. It is from this behavior that sayings like ‘love is blind’ or ‘love makes pockmarks appear to be dimples’ originated.  A simpler explanation would be, ‘love makes one go crazy’.”

“That’s a terrible way to put it,” Hermes mumbled. The man continued,

“And after four years, they return from their madness and regain their true selves. Sure enough, statistics show that majority of couples divorce after four years. The scholar advocated that there is a certain meaning to the fact that love between humans lasts no longer than four years. And that is gene diversity. Are you aware of the concept of ‘genetics’?”

“Yeah, I guess,” Kino answered. 

“Gene diversity is higher between siblings from different fathers or mothers than between siblings born from the same parents. It only means that switching to different partners after a child reaches three years of age in order to produce another child with a different set of genes is the ''appropriate'' strategy for the survival of a species,” Hermes elaborated.

The man nodded.

“Yes. For thousands of years, human beings have lived—no, survived—by leaving offspring with diverse genes each time they are taken captive by this abnormal mental state called ‘love’ every four years.”

“I see.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Good. But in these modern times, there is no need to carry on with this practice anymore. I don’t know about other countries, but here, you can only have a child with the person you have married. Changing partners every four years is now pointless. Due to the advancement in the field of medicine, it is no longer necessary to pursue genetic diversity.”

“Well, I suppose so.”

“Divorcing every four years sure sounds troublesome.”

“Indeed. So if that’s the case, what should be done? How can we triumph over our instincts? After wracking our brains for the answer, the basic solution we came up with is, to outlaw love.”

“In short… to forcibly prohibit mutual attraction between men and women?” Kino asked.

“That’s right,” the man readily affirmed. And then,

“With this, all problems are solved. That barbaric way of humans losing their self-control to produce and raise children only to come back to their senses after four years, can become a mere remnant of the past.”

“That sounds great!” Hermes said, sounding pleasantly surprised.

“Okay…, but how?”

“The easiest way to put it would be, by giving them medicine,” the man answered. “I’ll make the explanation simpler. When a person is in love, the body produces a variety of chemicals in the brain. These are very potent substances. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to call them ‘drugs’. These chemicals distort a person’s judgment, making them desire a partner no matter what. And if one can’t attain this goal, all the more will the desire increase, creating a frightful mental state. The reason for the existence of those that chase around people, kill, or kill themselves because they cannot find love, are these chemicals.”

“So… you mean you stop the effects of these ‘brain drugs’? How…?”

“Poison to fight poison?”

The man nodded to Hermes’ words.

“Yes. Chemicals can deal with other chemicals. It took us thirty years to develop a medicine that can thoroughly counteract these drugs in the brain. By administering the medicine regularly, people can constantly preserve their stable mental state.”

“And you make everyone take this medicine?”

“Of course.  And hence, just by taking this ‘poison’ like any other medicine, there’s not a single worry that the law will be violated. And not one ever went against this law. For several decades, there wasn’t a single person who was found guilty of violating it.”

“Aha! Now I get it!” Hermes’ exclaimed. “That girl yesterday was about to break the law! She was falling in love for the first time! She’s in her puppy love stage!”

“Oh,” Kino muttered inadvertently.

“That is indeed the case. I wouldn’t expect any less of you, Hermes. Truly impressive,” the man praised, his face still revealing no expression. And then,

“Most of our citizens know nothing about ‘love’. That’s because the medicine is usually administered as early as ten years of age. But in extremely rare cases, there are people who can overcome the medicine’s effect. The brain drugs are a little too active when one is young.  This is a phenomenon that is more likely to occur during the so-called ‘first love’. It is certain that the girl yesterday has experienced this phenomenon.”

“To her, Kino must have seemed to be a knight in shining armor… erm, at least for four years. But is it really okay not to explain things from our side? Kino, she has mistaken you for a guy, you know?”

Kino only shrugged her shoulders quietly.

Finding no particular importance to this matter, the man only continued his explanation.

“It seems like the child only stared at Kino and kept quiet the entire time. During that interval, two chemicals must be fighting each other inside her head. And the evil chemical must have won that battle. Sedating the child was the most appropriate way of dealing with the situation.  As long as one is prepared there is no need to worry.”

“So parents with children of marriageable age are supposed to carry something like that all the time, eh? That must be some work,” Hermes commented in amusement.

“Then—” Kino tilted her head. “We now know why and how love is prohibited here. And yet, there are still couples and children in this country. How did everyone manage to find their partners and get married?”

Before the man could answer, “Drawing lots?” Hermes quickly butted in. “Or, does the country decide for them?”

The man responded to Hermes, “That’s right. You sure know a lot.”

“Eh? I’m correct? Which one? Drawing lots?”

“No, it’s the latter. That is, the government decides who are going to get married to each other.”

Still silent, Kino waited for the man’s next words.

“Here, the government investigates all of its citizens, and makes everyone undergo counselling.  Each person’s preferences, personality, and so on are completely examined. Using this information, we select the one who is suitable to stay with a person for his or her entire life. Men and women can get married as early as the age of sixteen. At that time, they are introduced to their future spouse.”

Hermes asked, “Aren’t there any problems arising from that?  Well, not like there seems to be any.”

“It’s all right. That’s because we thoroughly investigate from the moment they are born,” the man readily answered.

“Er, that’s not what I mean. I was thinking more along the lines of complaints or objections?”

"There are none.  The government finds the perfect partner for each person. The citizens never complained. The amount of information a single individual has about another cannot be compared to that of the government's. Also, unlike a mind destroyed by those brain chemicals, the government is able to make the choice calmly and rationally. And so a man and a woman, who in turn will be husband and wife, and eventually, parents, can do their responsibilities without fail. There's no such thing as an 'unhappy marriage' in this country. We do not force people who wish to stay single to marry, of course, but the possibility of that happening is less than one percent.”

“Well, the medicine must be stopping them from saying things like ‘I want to marry someone gorgeous!’ but what about other factors?”

“Factors, like?”

“Uhm, for instance, what if someone says ‘I want to marry someone rich!’”

“That is not possible. Our country frowns upon competition. Each one works and earns wages like everybody else. People who refuse to work are sent to prison for neglecting their obligation to render labor. We provide support only in cases when certain circumstances—health-related or otherwise—hinders a person to work. The costs of raising the children are also mostly shouldered by the government.”

“Oh.”

Having run out of questions to ask, Hermes kept quiet.

“I see. I understand it very well,” Kino said. And continued, “It’s just that I don’t think other people outside this country know about this yet.  Is it really all right to tell outsiders about this? What if we spread it around?” she asked, making sure.

“Of course. You can even say that our country wishes for that to happen.”

As he answered, the man showed them a box. He placed it on top of the table, and opened its lid.

The sturdy-looking wooden box about the size of a book contained three tiny bottles filled with capsules, and a booklet.

“We would like you to accept this, Kino. This is a present from our country,” the man said.

Before the man could tell them about the contents,

“You don’t say…”

Kino, as well as Hermes, had already guessed.

“Ah! This must be the medicine that can suppress love! And that booklet must be the instructions on how to make it!”

The man nodded in assent, as he had done several times before.

“Correct. With a certain level of knowledge in pharmaceutics, this medicine is not at all difficult to produce. We then leave to you, Kino, to take this medicine and its formula to other countries and use it as you see fit. Give it away it for free or sell it for a fortune, it is your choice. You can even use it yourself if you like.”

The man closed the box and gently pushed it towards Kino.

“…”

Kino accepted the gift, an object which is both small and light.

“Great! Now that’s something we can take with us!”

Hermes gleefully noted.


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>


Around noon, Kino and Hermes were in front of the gates where they have entered.

This time, they stood before the navel-like tunnel that will lead them outside the country.

“Traveler!”

A number of people were approaching them. It was the father, the mother and the daughter they met the previous day. Three men wearing business suits followed right behind them, to escort or perhaps to observe their actions.

Kino pushed down Hermes’ side stand, and removed her hat and goggles.

“Yes?”

Kino looked at the girl.

The girl spoke, but with a blank expression just like the day before.

“Traveler, I’m really sorry for the trouble I have caused. I thought it was embarrassing of me to say such weird things. I no longer feel anything like that anymore, so please don’t worry about it.”

Kino answered, “Thank you, you went all the way to tell me about it too. Don’t worry, it doesn’t bother me anymore.


<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>


While traversing the same road they used to reach the country,

“That was a pretty interesting country,” Hermes remarked happily while Kino drove him.

“Hey Kino, in the end all you bought was some fuel and portable rations. So what will you do? Will you sell that box in your bag to someone?”

And Kino answered the question.


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