idolpro | Kino's Heart Game

On a certain evening.

“I would just like to ask one more time... Does this brown coat really belong to you? And you wear it during the winter?”

Outside the gates, a traveler was asked such a question.

The one asking it was a young female immigration officer.

And the one being asked was a young traveler in a brown coat, who goes by the name Kino.

“That’s right. I’ve always had it.”

Kino answered, and the motorrad (Note: a motorcycle, only to note that it cannot fly) with them added,

“It’s like Kino’s trademark, or something! There’s no way Kino would part with it!”

Upon hearing this, the immigration officer chuckled—an eerie one at that. And then,

“I know right! Isn't brown wonderful? Now here’s your permit. Come in, come in! Please proceed through this pathway. Just push Hermes along with you!”

She stamped on the permit papers delightfully and handed them to Kino.

Kino lightly bowed as they accepted the papers, which they neatly folded and stowed into their black jacket’s pocket.

Then they pushed Hermes along the tunnel that penetrates into the thick walls.

After a while, Hermes asked in a voice only loud enough for Kino to hear.

“I wonder what’s up, Kino? That immigration officer lady was tense for some reason. I wonder if she liked your coat? Or maybe it’s really about brown?”

Kino shook their head.

“I have no idea at all. By the way Hermes, what do you mean by ‘brown’?”

There was the sound of a film roll coming to an end. It seems your character is no longer an audience member, but a part of the story itself. Your character enters the country alongside Kino, who seems to be prepared to climb up astride Hermes once more when they notice your character, too. “Ah... you’re visiting too? Though it looks like it’s too late to do much other than go to the hotel.”

They may explore as they wish.

Only the hotel? What about the night markets and restaurants?

Maybe if I didn't spend the past few days traveling. Why, are you planning to look around?

Even I'd like a nap.

At this point, it's just "sleep."

...yeah, I'll look around.

I'll walk with you to the hotel though.

Sure, that's fine. That way you'll know where to go when it's time to sleep.

[They take out the pamphlet they received at the immigration office, glance around at the street names, check it against the map... and then fold it up to place into a pocket.]

It's this way.

[They begin pushing Hermes along.]

[He will follow along.]

Do you want me to push Hermes? [He knows he's stronger, okay.]

No, it's alright. I'm used to it.

You could just drive, you know.

That would be rude.

[As they walk, there's plenty of restaurants still open - people enjoy their meals inside or on the outdoor patios, and the smell of roasts, pastas, and all sorts of hearty meals wafts through the streets.]

Its important to respect laws of the road. Out of all laws, transportation ones are made with safety as the primary focus.

And there's plenty of foot traffic with all the restaurants.

Kino can drive well enough to avoid them! We've come a long way since they kept falling over trying to drive.

What's that? I think my grip's starting to slip...

H-hey, stop that!

[Up ahead, a tidy hotel can be seen, a set of double doors leading into the lobby.]

There. That's where we'll be staying for the night.

Its less about Kino's ability as people aren't going to be paying attention. What happens if someone walks out restaurant and the only way to serve is another person? Kino's making the right decision.

[Lightly knocks on the back of Hermes.] You'll be fine with a little slow going.

[He looks ahead.] Huh. Seems...strangely inviting.

...Is it strange for a hotel to be inviting?

The more inviting it is, the more customers they'll get, right?

Anyway, should we split up here for the night?

No, just...usually part of the inviting is a house demon to be security, I guess.

Yeah. I'm gonna take a look around the place. We can meet in the morning?

Sounds good. Have fun.

See ya!

[The pair of them will make their way over to the hotel!

What does Rufous want to check out? It seems like this street is mostly restaurants.]

[He will head down the streets. See what type of restaurants there are, if they're all serving the same kind of food.]

[He'll notice that a lot of the restaurants do indeed serve similar foods - each restaurant has its own take on the food of course, but the base dishes themselves are often the same between restaurants.]

[Huh.]

[He'll look for the least populated restaurant .]

[There's a quiet little café on the corner, but it's probably less populated because it serves coffee and not any proper dinner.]

[Hmmm, he will approach that then.]

[He will approach to get a table.]

[Since there's few people eating there, the waiter is prompt about bringing over the menu.]

Welcome, sir! What can I get you?

[There's a fairly detailed list of coffee, espresso, and tea-related drinks.]

[He looks over the list.]

I'll take this tea. [Tea is a little safer then coffee and the plant at least sounds familiar.]

Excellent choice, sir. I'll be right back.

[They take the menu and return to the kitchen to prepare the tea.

In the meantime, there's a few other countrymen, although... many of them are reading or chatting with each other in more intimate pairs or small groups. It's not really like the other restaurants, where whole tables full of patrons have gathered to talk loudly and cheerfully.]

[He will just observe a while. Maybe listen in to people nearby because he DOES have spook training, as he waits for his tea.]

[There's mostly regular, everyday chatter, although...

There's one couple that seems to be discussing restaurants and recipes quietly together.]

[He will listen in on them in particular then!]

[There's not a whole lot to glean, just that there's something big happening tomorrow that will change the way all restaurants in the country operate for sure.]

"Land of Cooking" —Original—

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