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 gaurd 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-consious 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.

The next day, Kino woke at sunrise. The rain had dried up. Kino did some light excersices in her room, and after that practiced with her persuader known as "Canon".

Kino had breakfast at the hotel, then tapped on Hermes to wake up. The luggage was left with the hotel, and Kino decided to go out for some sightseeing.

It was not a very big country. Castle walls surrounded the level earth. Streets were neatly divided and plain concrete buildings that didn't seem to have any history were abundant.

"It's not a very pretty country, is it?" said Hermes.

Kino asked people walking down the street about the country's highlights. The replies were are about the same.

"What would a traveler find interesting... Well, it's a very safe country."

"......That's a tough question, but if I had to say then.... That really is a tough question."

"The alcohol is good, huh? You don't drink? Then there's nothing really special."

"There aren't any. This is a new country, so it's not very good for sightseeing."

Kino rode Hermes around randomly. Eventually they reached the edge of the country, and turned back.

Kino decided to stop by an open street cafe for some tea. Kino finished her break, and when she returned to the sidewalk where Hermes was parked she heard someone shouting. Kino and Hermes turned towards the voices. In front of a ramp leading to the roadway was a young couple yelling at eachother. Things quickly became violent.

"What's going on?" Kino said, seeming surprised. Hermes who seemed to be enjoying himself said "It's exactly what it seems like, a street fight. If I had to say then the man has the advantage with the hooks he keeps sending. But the girl's kick is pretty good. Ah, that left high kick just decided it."

"Nobody asked for a play by play..."

"Should we stop them?"

"Hey, break it up. Let's just talk this out," said kino as she approached them.

"Ah! Traveler, what is it you intend on doing?"

Kino turned around to find a young officer in uniform halting her.

"You're just in time officer," Said Hermes.

"There's some people fighting. You can stop them instead," said Kino.

The officer shook his head.

"It's probably best if we leave them be"

"That's really ok?"

"Yes, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. Besides, it looks like they're already finished."

Kino looked again and the fight was settled. The couple were walking away together.

The officer warned Kino, "Traveler, There's one request I have of you. Even if you see a man and a woman fighting, you must never interfere. In this country nobody gets involved in couples or spouses who are fighting. The fights settle before becoming serious anyways."

"That's really how it is?" Kino asked doubtingly.

The officer smiled and said, Even if by chance you did get involved, I'm not sure you would gain anything from it. But besides that, please enjoy your visit in our country. There's no place like it, and there are many good parts. Now then, if you'll excuse me."

The officer saluted and left.

"Good places? Where?" muttered Hermes.

Kino had a satisfying lunch then refilled Hermes fuel. After that they both agreed to end the day's sight seeing and rest at the hotel.

While waiting at a stop light, a voice from the car next to them called out.

"Hello traveler!"

The driver was a man in his thirties wearing glasses and a suit with a tie.

"Traveler, if it's ok with you, I'd like to invite you over for some tea. I'm on my way home right now, it's very close. What do you say? You can meet my wife too, we'd love to talk with you about traveling and our country."

"We're free now so why not?" said Hermes. Kino nodded. She told the man that they would follow his car.

The man's house was connected to a series of two story buildings side by side. It was a housing complex.

The man's wife came out of the entryway to greet them. She was a long haired and quite attractive.

"This is my wife. A beauty isn't she?" The man said this quite happily then kissed his wife on the cheek.

"Please make yourselves at home traveler, motorad," greeted the wife with a smile. Kino returned the greeting, and introduced herself and Hermes.

The man showed everyone in, and the wife, who had stayed behind to close the door, caught a glimpse of "Canon" on Kino's right hip. She said quietly, "Traveler, you carry a persuader?"

"Hmm? Ah, if you don't like it I will put it away," Kino hastily said. The woman shook her head with a smile.

"Not at all, I'm fine with it as is. Traveling is dangerous isn't it? How long will you be in this country?"

"Until tomorrow, I will probably leave in the morning," answered Kino.

"I see..." said the woman in a small voice.

The man offered Kino a seat in the dining room. Hermes stood behind on his stand.

The man called his wife who was in the kitchen, "Bring our guests something to drink."

"Of course, sorry to leave you waiting," responded the wife with a lively tone.

The man said to Kino politely, "Welcome to my house. I don't get many chances to speak with foreigners. Traveler, Motorad, what do you think of this country?"

"It's boring," Hermes immediately said.

The man laughed and said, "Motorad is quite honest. Truthfully this country is boring. Beautiful scenery or a deep history won't be found here. But, it's still a good place. It's peaceful and there's little crime. We can live our lives carefree. On my days off I always play tennis with my friends."

The woman set down a tray, and carried over a bottle and cups. It was alcohol. She filled the man's cup to the brim. The man gave a surprised look, but then quickly emptied the glass in a single gulp and let out a gasp. His face slowly began turning red. The man asked his wife who was to his side, "Hey, where's the snacks?"

"Ah, sorry, hold on," the wife said as she turned back.

-Still working