Kino no Tabi:Volume4 Chapter3

"Step right up! Welcome to our country traveler!"

The guard said this with genuine enthusiasm.

"These are some questions we ask people entering the country. Please answer them. It's nothing serious, just write the first thing that you think of."

By himself, the guard was waiting inside a small post in front of the gates of the tall castle walls. As soon as the traveler arrived he immediately presented a thick packet of papers. A pen too.

(As usual the author does not directly give away kino's gender, but since we all know it's female I won't bother trying to awkwardly translate this to not use pronouns)

The traveler, being taken aback, stared at the papers.

The traveler was in her teens. She had short, black, unkempt hair, but her face with its big eyes had a fearless look. Goggles hanged around her neck and she wore a black jacket. Around her waist was a wide belt with some pouches. On her right thigh was a hand-persuader in a pistol holster. The gun had an octagonal barrel and a revolver installed.

The traveler asked the guard, "Just me is ok? He is also going to be entering." The traveler then pointed with her thumb to a motorad parked behind her.

"Just you is fine, let's see... what was your name?"

"Kino"

The traveler said this, then pointed once again to the motorad.

"Over there is my partner, Hermes."

"Pleased to meet you," the motorad named Hermes greeted from a distance.

"Again, welcome to our country. As for the papers, just Kino will be fine. It may take some time, but if you can please try to answer everything. You may use the chair and table over here."

"I see, this is needed to enter the country?" confirmed Kino.

"That is correct," the guard nodded.

Kino said she understood, sat down at the chair, and began looking through the stack of papers.

It asked things like name, age, sex, height, and weight. Then it asked about hobbies, favorite foods, favorite colors, music tastes, self-conscious qualities, what kind of thinker are you, and clothing preferences.

Then it asked what you can see in a picture that looked like an ink spill; what kind of animal would you be, how do you feel about watching boxing; what do you think about farm work; do you like children; do you wake up early; do you like raising pets; have you ever cried when watching a play or reading a story; do you prefer cats or dogs; do you dream in color; do you worry about being judged by others; do you mind living together with elderly people; do you like to gamble.

"...sigh"

Although Kino gave several sighs doing it, all of the questions were answered. Then she returned it to the guard with a smile.

Afterwards, Kino's picture had to be taken to complete the inspection papers. One of the front of her upper body, and one of the whole body. She was asked to smile, but no matter how you looked at it she had a sour look.

"OK, thank you very much."

At long last, permission to enter the country was granted, and the thick and heavy gates were opened. Kino tapped on Hermes, who was soundly sleeping, to wake him up.

It was nearly sunset by the time Kino entered the country. To make matters worse, dark clouds were forming. Kino looked for a cheap hotel and went in. Before long it was raining. Kino gave up on going out for today. She ate a meal, took a shower, and went to bed.

-Still working