Kino no Tabi - Volume 1 by Keiichi Sigsawa

Author:Keiichi Sigsawa [Sigsawa, Keiichi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Light Novel
Publisher: ASCII Media Works
Published: 2000-07-10T05:00:00+00:00

She left Hermes standing at the contestants' entrance in the care of a couple of middle-aged guards. Directly opposite him, up in the stands, the king sipped refreshment in his private box.

Kino strode to the center of the coliseum, accompanied by a roar of applause. When she had reached the center of the arena, her final opponent emerged from the opposite side. As he walked toward the clearing, Hermes looked him over carefully.

He was a young man – perhaps in his late teens or early twenties – tall, slender, and well-proportioned. His collar-length hair was black like Kino's and swayed gently in the breeze. He wore blue jeans and a green sweater with cloth padding on the shoulders and elbows.

The two contestants stopped face-to-face. The man's expression and bearing were completely different from that of Kino's previous opponents. He seemed... peaceful, at ease, detached. His lips curved in what was almost a smile – like a martyr on his way to execution. His only weapon was the katana at his side, the sheath shoved directly into his belt.

"Excuse me," said Hermes to the guard. "That nice-looking young man with the sword is the final opponent?"

"Yep. He hasn't been hurt yet, either. So I'd say they're well-matched. Your buddy's clever, but this guy's clever and strong. Your little guy might be in trouble this time."

"Girl," said Hermes absently. "Kino is a girl."

"No kidding? Huh? Imagine that. You don't sound very worried about her."

"Why worry? Worrying won't make Kino any stronger. And she's damned clever, as you said yourself."

"You’ve got a cold heart."

"No. I just know Kino can win. More important, I get the feeling there's more at stake here than the fight."

Hermes paused to consider his own words. "Actually, now that you mention it, there is one thing that worries me."

"'Yeah? What's that?"

"Kino's got a plan. I always find that... a little scary."

—

"My name is Shizu," said the man with the katana. His tone was polite, his manners, impeccable.

"I'm Kino."

"Kino." He bowed slightly. "I have a request."

"And what might that be?"

Shizu said the same words Kino had used four times before. "Please surrender now. I will accept."

She was surprised. "Shizu, do you really want to be a citizen of this... cesspool?"

His eyes widened on the last word. He had clearly not expected it. He stared at Kino for a moment, his eyes searching her face. "Yes. Yes... I do."

"It's rotted to the core."

"You know that, you say that, and yet you're still playing this ridiculous game – and playing to win, it appears – even though you don't want to live here?"

"Yes."

Shizu glanced back over his shoulder. After a moment, he returned his gaze to Kino and said, "There's something I have to do... after I become a citizen. I hope you will surrender. I wish you no harm.”

His tone was solemn, almost humble, and Kino's curiosity was piqued, but she stood her ground. "I don't know what that something is, but I must refuse. I, too, have something I must do after I have won.

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