Kino no Tabi:Volume2 Chapter2

It was the second day in the country.

While on her way to pick up Hermes at the car park after lunch, Kino encountered a bickering couple in front of the Motorrad. They appeared to be a married couple in their thirties, and beside them stood a boy, about ten years old and looking more than a little lost.

The father said, “that’s why I’m telling you -- you’re being over-protective.”

The mother retaliated with, “no! You are being stubborn. This is for his own good.”

The three were blocking her way to Hermes, Kino began by clearing her throat. “Ahem!”

Before she could manage to say “excuse me, may I pass through and get to my bike behind you?” the father noticed her and asked, “what do you think?”

“About what? I didn't hear the conversation.” Kino cocked an eyebrow, amused by the sudden question. But before the father could explain himself, the mother interjected, “this stubborn man insists that our boy doesn't need a bullet proof vest.”

“Why would he need something like that?” asked Kino.

“The war, of course! Our son is joining the army.” replies the father.

“War?”

“Yes, it broke out a few months back. It is the first one we've had since the country was founded. The army has been recruiting soldiers for the front lines. My son will be joining the army today. Not to boast, but he will make a fine soldier, probably will return a hero too! But this foolish wife of mine keeps insisting that he wears a bullet proof vest. What nonsense.”

“Honey, the vest will protect our son from shrapnel.”

“He just needs to crouch down to avoid that, not to mention there are trenches to take cover in.”

“Even so, it will protect him from all sorts of things. He can't be a hero if he gets hurt; our son needs to be able to do his best to become a hero.”

“But won't the vest be heavy? He can't move freely if he’s bogged down. Also his squad will ridicule him if he’s the only one wearing one.”

“All he needs to do is say it’s a gift from his loving mother.”

After listening to the parents, Kino glanced at the boy and said in a carefully neutral tone, “why don’t you ask the boy's opinion?”

“Oh... you're right! What do you think, Timmy? You will listen to mommy, won't you?” The mother bent down to gently place her hands on his shoulders.

The father also squatted down next to him, and held up an encouraging fist. “Come on son! You are a man, right? Real men don't need this junk.”

“Don't worry, mommy and daddy will respect your decision.”

“That's right, boy!”

The boy answered with a quaver in his voice, “I... I don't wanna go to war!”

The father immediately stood up and said in a hard voice, “we’re doing this for your own good!”

The mother also stood up and stared down at her son. “You need to join the army and become a hero. That way you will be able to enter a good college and university, and then you will get to work for a large company. Don't you understand? We are doing this for you. Didn't you say your friends in class are joining too? You don't want to lose touch with them, do you?”

“But... Johnny's parents won't let him go.”

The mother began to raise her voice at her son. “What Johnny did is not our problem, you should decide for yourself.”

“You shouldn't compare yourself with others.”

The poor boy's face went pale with terror after this outburst from his parents.

The mother took out a brand new bullet proof vest from her bag. The small vest was still wrapped in plastic, with a piece of card attached which read, “to our brave young soldiers! Specially designed to reduce stress to the shoulders. Now with adjustable height to suit growing children. Ideal for long term use.”

She half-squatted and place one hand behind her son, gently urging him. “Put this one on and let’s go to the recruitment center. Don't be scared. Mommy will be with you.”

“See? Like I said, you are being over protective.”

“I just want the best for our son!”

“I know. Just stop overdoing it.”

And so the bickering began anew. In the midst of it, the boy timidly said again, “I don't wanna go.”

“Not again! You must have inherited that cowardice from your mother's side.”

“What?! Ooooh! He’s as stubborn as you are, you old mule!”

Again the boy protested, now almost crying, “I... really... don't want to go!”

Kino interjected, her voice still carefully controlled, “maybe you should rethink this, with the boy.”

The parents gave Kino a horrified and insulted look.

“Why don't you mind your own business? This is a family matter.”

“Yeah, this is our problem! We really are doing this for our child.”

“Right,” Kino nodded. “I’ll do that.”

“Come on.” The mother grabbed the boy's hand and began to drag him away. “We should head to the recruitment center before it’s too late. We’ll decide about the vest once we get there.”

“Let's go, Timmy.”

Kino watched as the parents dragged their son away.

She shook her head, and then turned back towards Hermes. The Motorrad greeted Kino as she kicked up the stand.

“Must have been tough.”

Kino answered honestly before hopping onto Hermes. “Yeah. It was.”