One of the most important rules of being a traveler: don't get involved. As guests, we have to abide by their rules and laws, even if their customs seem unsavory to us. Otherwise, there might be consequences.
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
[He glances over to the window, expression a soft smile.]
I'm just a piece of their heart. I can't say what the real me was thinking when he did it, or if he was thinking at all.
But as a result, they value their own survival very strongly. They were saved because of me, but they wouldn't do the same for someone else if they were in my position.
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
A crowd had gathered outside the inn. Their faces were twisted in expressions of anger, rage, and disgust. The official was the only one who kept a calm look, pointing out the way out of the country.
Kino turned toward me, crouched down, and said as he looked into my face,
"This is goodbye, then, ×××××."
"You're leaving already?"
I asked him, why not stay for two or three more days? In the case that I ended up receiving the operation, I wanted to know what attitude would I be having toward Kino when I talked to him afterwards. I wanted to try talking to Kino after becoming an adult.
However, Kino said,
"It's my policy to stay only three days in any one country. I can learn almost everything about most countries in that length of time, and if I take longer than that, I won't be able to visit as many new countries... Goodbye. Be well."
I lightly waved at him, and Kino started climbing aboard the motorrad. But then my father approached me, carrying a long, thin kitchen knife. My mother was right next to him. Kino turned around.
My father looked at the official. The official nodded.
I was clueless as to why my father would bring a kitchen knife outside, when standing right before me, no less. I found the sight to be quite comical.
Kino asked the official,
"Why is that man carrying a kitchen knife?"
The official, in a tone completely unchanged from before, spoke the most ridiculous of things,
"Let me explain to you, then, as a special case. It is for the disposal of his daughter."
There is no end to the film roll. Right now, they can only continue to watch as an observer - as though it were all simply occurring on a projected screen before them.
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
Color drained from Kino's face. I did not immediately understand what was happening, however. I only heard Kino's voice of surprise,
"What?"
"Like I said, disposal. The girl has denied the magnificent operation and disobeyed her parents-- disobeyed those above her. We can not afford to leave such a child to her own devices. Children are, at all times and in all cases, the possessions of their parents. Parents created their children, and it is within their natural rights to dispose of their failed creations."
With the official saying that, I finally realized that I was going to be killed. But even though it was true that I knew it, and that I did not want to die, there was nothing I could do about it. I looked up and saw my father looking back down at me in disdain,
"A flawed creation..."
He grumbled.
"Dear traveler. It is dangerous here. Please step aside."
The official said, and at the same time, my father brandished his knife and made a lunge at me. The blade could be seen shining in silver. Ah, how beautiful, I thought.
Kino rushed in from the side, attempting to restrain my father.
At that moment, as my world went silent and time slowed down to a crawl, I looked on, realizing that the knife would stab me before Kino would reach my father.
Thank you. But you won't make it in time.
The film continues.
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─
You're right. I couldn't leave that child here. So I tried to save them.
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─
Was it the townsfolk?
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
One of the most important rules of being a traveler: don't get involved. As guests, we have to abide by their rules and laws, even if their customs seem unsavory to us. Otherwise, there might be consequences.
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
Then, if you're here in their heart.
What are you now?
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
Yeah. That checks out.
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
I'm just a piece of their heart. I can't say what the real me was thinking when he did it, or if he was thinking at all.
But as a result, they value their own survival very strongly. They were saved because of me, but they wouldn't do the same for someone else if they were in my position.
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─
I guess I'll see you there.
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─
There is no end to the film roll. Right now, they can only continue to watch as an observer - as though it were all simply occurring on a projected screen before them.
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
The film continues.
Re: The Middle: “The Land of Adults” ─Natural Rights─
[If it'sa filk, all recorded ages ago, there's nothing left to do but see how it plays out]
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─