Kino no Tabi:Volume13 Frontispiece
“A Detestable Land” —Abandon Ship!—[edit]
My name is Riku. I am a dog.
My face makes me look like I’m always happy and smiling, but it doesn’t mean that I am. I was just born this way.
My master is Shizu. He is a young man who always wears a green sweater, and who has been traveling by buggy ever since he lost his homeland due to complex circumstances.
Another fellow traveler is Ti, a quiet girl with a fondness for grenades, and who has become part of the team ever since she lost her homeland due to complex circumstances.
Once, we arrived at a certain country.
It was a country with a stable government system and good public order. Master Shizu applied to become its citizen.
The reply that came from the town hall gave permission to the child Ti (and to the dog, that is, me), but rejected Master Shizu’s request.
Master Shizu gave a momentary glance at Ti, who immediately hit him from below.
Without having any choice, we visited stores to shop for our travel necessities.
“Traveler, do you have time for a chat?”
A man called out to us. It was a citizen of the country, around the same age as Master Shizu. We took the opportunity to take a break in an open café.
Master Shizu ordered tea, while Ti opted for ice cream. The ice cream served to her was huge enough for three. Ti silently began devouring the mountain of dessert.
“You know, this is such a terrible country.”
These were the first words out of the man’s mouth. While Master Shizu listened obediently, the man continued to hurl insults to his own country one after another.
The government system is none the better. The law is too strict. The citizens lack aspiration. There are too many crimes. There’s severe discrimination. The food is unappetizing. So on and so forth.
We have seen countries much worse than this one, but Master Shizu remained silent and patiently listened to the man’s grievances.
“More,” Ti said when she has finished her ice cream,
You still want more?
“You can eat more later, so that’s enough for now, okay?” Master Shizu gently explained to Ti. And then he turned to the man, “I see. ——Well, if you detest this country that much, you can choose to abandon it, right? During my travels, I have seen a lot of people who do just that.”
“Hah!” The man shrugged his shoulders. “As if that’s possible. To regulate the population, voluntary emigration is not allowed in this country. The only exception is when there’s an equal number of people who immigrates, that is, replaces the number of people who would leave.” Then he added, “This system is the worst. It restrains the liberty of the citizens. What a foolish country.” After the man’s complaint, Master Shizu asked him with utmost seriousness.
“Then how about exchanging places with me?”
“That’s a good one, traveler!”
“I’m serious,” Master Shizu said, showing him the documents he received from the town hall. It was his immigration application, stamped with the words ‘DENIED’ on top.
“This girl’s application was already approved. And so I could become this country’s citizen, while you can leave it and go on traveling. As gratitude, I will give you my buggy and all my essential traveling equipment I could spare.”
Without listening to the end, the man left a generous tip on the table, stood up from his seat, and walked away.
Master Shizu sighed and turned to Ti who was looking at him.
“Maybe I should try that too.”
“You should. Right now.”
And so, Master Shizu ordered ice cream for two.
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