When I met the traveler who was called Kino, I was eleven years old and still living in the country where I was born. Truth be told, I can no longer remember what I was called back then.

I only vaguely remember that it was the name of some flower, and that if its pronunciation was changed slightly, it would become a terrible insult. For that, I was often made fun of.

===

The traveler Kino, who came to my country on foot, was a person of tall stature and thin physique.

The young gate guard-soldier was troubled for a moment, contemplating whether or not to let the traveler in. He contacted his superiors, then, after a while, received a reply.

Before he was let into town, the soldier forced him to apply a powdery, white insect repellent to his head.

All the while, from when he waited with the soldier to when he walked right up to me, I never took my eyes off him.

By then, the sun was already setting, and his long shadow reached all the way to my feet and extended past me.

He was wearing a type of boot that I had never seen before. His legs were thin, and so was his body.

He wore a black jacket and a long brown coat covered in dirt, so dusty that it seemed to be fresh off the ground. A single tattered bag, carried on his shoulder, was the entirety of his luggage.

He was so tall indeed. Although I was the tallest among my circle of friends back then, he still stooped slightly to speak to me.

"Hey there, little miss. Good day to you."

His cheeks were sunken, his short hair disheveled. White powder still clung to the strands.

"My name is Kino. I travel from place to place. What's your name?"

Being short and easy to say, I thought 'Kino' was a nice name. Better than some odd flower's name, at the very least. Anyhow, I told him my name.

"It's a nice name. By the way, ××××× (my name). Is there a hotel in town? It'd be nice if it's a cheap place that has a shower. Please do tell me if you happen to know any. I'm already spent for the day."

"There's my place."

Kino smiled happily. At the time, my father and father ran a cheap hotel.

So I led Kino to my home.

When Father first saw Kino, he had a look of strong disapproval on his face. That look then quickly changed to a smile as he left the counter to lead the new guest to his room. Kino carried his large bag in his arms, thanked me, and made his way up the stairs.

I then went back to my own room. Stuck on the wall was a large piece of paper with [3 MORE DAYS] written on it in big red letters.