idolpro | Kino's Heart Game

"You're good! I'm surprised. You're the best singer I've ever heard."

[The child seems embarrassed, and when they speak, it's shy:]

Thank you.

"You like to sing, and you're this good at singing, so how about becoming a singer?"

I can't become a singer.

"Why not?"

Because my mother and father aren't singers.

"......"

Adults give birth to children so that they would have someone to take over their jobs, right? Things have always been this way.

I mean... that ain't how it is other places, no.

Other places, you can do what you want, or what you're good at.

[The child's brow furrows, and Kino shoots Hurricane a warning look.]

"It seems that's just the way this country is."

[Simply and firmly, with the tone of ending a conversation, Kino returns to his work on the motorrad.]

Yeah, but okay, if they're for real gonna do surgery on a kid to cut out all the fun, maybe it shouldn't be?

[Kino glances Hurricane's way, shaking his head a little in warning, before wordlessly continuing to work on the motorrad.

The child, realizing that he probably isn't going to talk anymore, just frowns and gets up to go back inside.]

What? It's the truth, dude.

Even if it is, we can't tell them to just cut it out while we're staying as guests in their country.

You could be killed if you aren't careful.

And that kid could get killed if we don't say nothing.

Or - as good as killed.

Edited 2022-02-18 05:28 (UTC)

[He sighs, stopping his work to cross his arms.]

Then what? How do you plan to save them?

Ask if they wanna go and take off in the middle of the night.

How do you plan to transport them and yourself? A child like that walking to the next country over... it could take a long time.

Do you have enough food and supplies for the both of you?

Does it matter? Any chance is better than no chance.

We can figure something out along the way.

Edited 2022-02-18 22:21 (UTC)

You'd have to be careful. There are a lot of unsavory people on the roads who might want to capture a kid like that. That's why... when you travel, you have to accept that you can't protect everyone you come across.

But even knowing that, you still want to try to save this one?

What's the other option. Leave them here?

No way.

It would be peaceful.

The deaths that happen in the road... they aren't pretty.

And losing yourself's better?

It's the way everyone in this country has lived.

[Getting back to his work, though.]

It's not like I agree with it. But... be careful. The people here might retaliate.

Just gotta clear out before then.

...and it'll all depend on what the kid says, anyways.

...Good luck. I hope you can get them out.

[And with that, he looks away from Hurricane, focusing on healing the motorrad.]

...what're you gonna do?

I'm leaving tomorrow. But even with this, [a gesture to the motorrad,] ...I won't be able to take that child with me.

You want me to wait till you're free and clear to spring the jailbreak?

If you can. You'll be able to stock up for the journey during that time, too.

Edited 2022-02-19 06:34 (UTC)

Sure. I can do that.

I'll hope for your success.

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

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Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─

Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─