Kino no Tabi:Volume6 Epilogue

"A Pledge・a" —a Kitchen Knife・a—

Diary ——Year ×× Month ×× Day ××. Sunny.

Today is the most memorable day of my life.

It is the most wonderful and greatest day of my life. Could there ever be a finer day than this?

I am so glad I can write down my feelings at the end of this day. Most of the time, only trivial things are written down in this diary. As to whether I can write down everything I am feeling right now properly, I don't know.

What I am certain of though, is that twelve years from now, I shall still remember this day. Yes, and whenever I read this entry, I shall feel the same joy I am feeling right now. And now, I shall write about the most wonderful day of my life.

Oh——, just thinking about it makes me tremble with happiness.

Oh God, I am so happy, for today, my daughter was born!

It was this evening. I received a call, and headed to the hospital immediately.

When I first laid my eyes on her, she was sleeping so peacefully in her baby tray. Oh, she is so tiny! I felt my eyes mist over.

On the bed next to her lay my dear wife, who have accomplished the most important duty in the world. She smiled when she saw my face full of tears. What a pretty smile it was. I wiped away my tears and kissed her deeply without saying a word. She has truly done her best. No, I should say we have both done very well.

Oh God! Even while writing this diary, I can't stop crying. My tears have smudged some of the ink on the page.

I have received the most precious gift in my life. In her little body flows the blood of my beloved wife and mine. No treasure could ever replace her; she is more precious and more lovely than anything in the world.

I promise —as long as I live!— I will give her all the love I have, and devote my heart and soul to make her happy.

Her happiness will be mine, and my wife’s happiness.

Me and my wife will always be on her side. We will care for her always, even if it means making enemies of the whole world, even if it means sacrificing everything. We will fight for her.

I think she will grow up to be as beautiful as my wife. To think that I will see her grow and watch her life. I... I cannot put this joy into words. Is there anything in this world more wonderful than this?

When she has grown up, she will work with us. Oh God, I believe I will cry on her wedding day! Now I understand how my father-in-law felt during the wedding. I thought him such a fool, now I regret that I felt that way about him. I must apologize to him when he comes to see his granddaughter.

Our days will be wonderful together. My tiny family of two is now three. Will we live happily ever after? Will all my past worries turn to happiness? Will everything go well, as I pray?

I have already taken a leave from work. Tomorrow I shall go to the hospital. Never mind that I will see her as often as I wish later, I still want to see my daughter! We must choose her name. We toyed with so many names for both a boy and a girl, but could never decide on one.

On my way home today, I came across some fellows, border guards from the looks of them, and overheard their conversation — a very fine name was mentioned.

They were talking about a type of bright red flower, found just beyond the borders of this country. These flowers stain the land with a bright red color, far across to the horizon. It blooms splendidly during this season, but only for a very short time.

Neither me, nor my wife have ever seen this flower before. Perhaps we will never have the chance to see it. Our daughter too.

But I still want to name my daughter after this flower. I think my wife will agree to it.

Every year, this flower will bloom all over the prairie, as if celebrating her birthday.

According to them, the name of this flower is "×××××".

And then...

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