Pixiv ID: 48684804 Member: 知梨

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※ Permission to reprint was given by the artist.

﹙ﾉ◕ヮ◕﹚ﾉ﹡﹕・ﾟ✧ Fʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ ɪs ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ

   ♚;Ｅven in defeat, his friend had to admit he played quite well for a first time, and he would make sure to revert the results during their “next time”. Arthur found himself already looking forward it, and having no doubt that it would happen eventually – A side effect of feeling and being the greatest power in the world was tricking the nation into believing that he was the only owner of his fate, but not even Empires hold the strings of their destiny. At some point in their life there was not going to be a next time for them, but in the ignorance that his arrogance gave to him, Arthur didn’t even considered this heartbreaking thought.

         With absolutely no idea about what Kiku was thinking, Arthur simply followed him through the path, noticing a hill at the distance. After hearing his comment, the blond only blinked in slight confusion, wondering what memories could that place evoke in his friend’s mind. With nothing to add he returned his gaze towards the hill, even if he wasn’t prepared to do a physical effort, a slope like that one shoudn’t be a problem…Right?

         Wrong. It was more difficult than expected and when he was already up there, Arthur had to give himself some seconds to catch his breath again, though quickly adopting a posture of someone who tried to hide his tiredness. Fatigue that was soon forgotten after taking a look at the landscape before them, a view that could heal any enervation.

    ❝ This place is surely wonderful. ❞ He looked at his friend again, knowing that this moment would stay on his mind for a long time. ❝ Why don’t you come here more often? ❞ Probably for the same reasons he didn’t spend time outside London like he used to. After spending some moments more in silence, Arthur finally spoke up. ❝ When you visit me I’ll show you sights as breathtaking as this one. ❞ There was not a single trace of doubt in his voice. 

                          ❝ –Now, should we go back to get those souvenirs? ❞

      &&   It was yet the question if Arthur would enjoy the sight that he wanted to his friend. It would be quite the walk but the view would be worth of it or so Japan hoped his friend would experience it. What he did know however was that the other was a fellow lover of nature just like he was. It was mutual interests that brought them tot hat place as well as mutual exhaustion as they reached the top. His head lowered slightly, black strands of hair partly blocking his eyes as he tried to steady his breath. He is getting older, he could feel it.

However the exhaustion was soon forgotten as he saw the breathtaking view of the mountains, flowers and forest. Birds leaving their nests in the trees, taking flight as the leafs were rustled by the gentle breeze. The scent of nature was strong, it was pure compared to the busy crowded areas such as the capital city they had been too yesterday. This is how it’s supposed to be he thought as he gazed forward along with his friend. At this point he was still against the changes that the country was going through, longing for the good old times but at times as he would look at the friend and ally standing next to him he didn’t mind it as much anymore. 

He sighed, ‘’ I am not capable of doing so any longer ‘’ he had told that the other before, it was not like he minded or perhaps he did more than he was willing to let go. ‘’ I work most of the time, plus ever since we opened the gates we keep receiving new nations ‘’ how many people had visited him? Trying to get to know him? It was much of a culture shock, for how long had he been blind to this. ‘’ It’s somewhat exhausting... ‘’ another sigh followed before a thought followed oh no    maybe England-san will interpret that wrong...! Chances were he wouldn’t, but Japan didn’t want to risk it, he still wasn’t too overly confident in his people skills or perhaps it was his socialization skills that still lacked here and there. ‘’ At least some of them... I enjoy it when you visit me ‘’ Perhaps that was too much? 

Still the other did manage to make that invisible smile appear, the corner of his lips twitching ever so slightly. ‘’ I cannot wait for that moment to arrive ‘’ never have more genuine words been spoken. Deep in his heart he would forever remain the hikikomori he has always been, but to receive the chance to see much more of the world alongside a friend? He truly couldn’t wish for more. So with a nod and a certain glint in his eyes he hid his hands in his sleeves again. 

                                                 ‘’ This way, England-san ‘’ 

Zipangu || taiyoumajesty

      ”there are.”  

        stubbornness raises its head. shaping a loud resolve. she holds fast under pastel light cloaking near treetops and wishes for the stench of death to whimper far out into the night, beyond the moon’s presence ( vanish from sight, blind eyes ). the goddess always spied the needle together with the earing, never one without, too determined to wither back into rust in clear waters. youkai were far too prominent and their aromas mingled into one another’s too easily, but now she catches a glimpse. children amidst monsters, folk songs sung at the seventh hour before eyelids hold tightly shut and grasp dreams like long grass. she’d never doubt after that, she’d never wish for such youth to stand so close to death like that. 

        “some small tree spirits take such a form and they are harmless." amaterasu edges farther from the old graveyard, her black eyes just catching paleness when she looks up. she nods firmly after knowing childish laughter had rang throughout greenleaves, painted prayers found only in the breezes ruffled after sweeping through branches. some spirits were foolish, in a good manner however, they were budding sproutlings that hadn’t even tasted april showers. moving three steps forward lingering against silence battering before her heart, the she-wolf’s white fur illuminating the path so vividly. 

        the moon was mute light, a pale reflection.

        “the nurarihyon is not too far out i believe, his scent isn’t covered. he doesn’t have a taste for anything human. from what i remember of their kind, no, they’d rather taste sour sake..”

       &&    Many Youkai were able to change their appearances. Some to play harmlessly pranks on people while others sought out to inflict harm upon others. The only Youkai he had met in his life were far from doing the latter, but it was not like he could remember any of them. For the changes of his country made him forget as if they had never existed in the first place.  “ Perhaps I am simply worrying too much  ” he stated in a low tone as he lowered his face. Could one blame him? They were his children so to speak as well as  Amaterasu’s. The people of Nippon were important to them for they were irreplaceable no being would be replaceable.

Though her deduction and statement seemed to hold truth. The scrolls that he had read through history about the nurarihyon spoke that he would disguise himself in order to make people believe as if he were the owner of the house he had infiltrated. Playing with his ‘victims’ minds in order to give him what he wanted. And the usual case involved valuable and expensive objects as well as the wonderful taste of sour sake. Well...everyone their own preferences or so Kiku would like to say. 

Unfortunately for them sour sake was far from their reach and even if it were the nurarihyon would not have to go through any trouble to achieve such thing. They were at a festival, of course things like sake would be served to the Youkai attending. There was no need in trying to persuade the youkai into telling them where the children would be located. At least not with sake, ‘’ Then let us go to the Nurarihyon, perhaps he knows where they are ‘’ 

Inspired by ♦

Picture credits ♦ ♦

 | offourseasons |

India-san:

Kiku copied the other's gesture and put his hands together, before returning the small bow with one of his own.  Which was eventually followed by a nod. 

                            '' Good day to you, India-san ''

    Hearing the exact amount of time from Japan (though Romano had mentioned it as well) somehow cements the extent of the situation for her, and Canada finds herself frowning a bit harder than usual, teeth worrying at her lip in a sudden bout of pervasive worry.                         ”A whole year? I can’t imagine— you haven’t been able to contact              anyone? I can’t imagine news of an investigation hasn’t at least hit them all…”

      Admittedly, Nations can and do disappear without warning, but that’s happened less and less with the stabilization of borders or the addition or removal of them, and while the odd micronation does crop up now and again… someone like Japan of all nations going missing without incident seems… impossible. Especially considering North Italy probably wouldn’t stop asking until someone did something about it.                         “Well, I— yes, thank you, Japan. Likewise, I know I may not be much               help but… pooling our resources might be in our best interests if we’re able               to, eh? So… you can count on me if you need anything too.”

It was a hard thing to imagine, if someone were to have told his past self he would be stuck in some mysterious eccentric city unable to contact anyone he wouldn't have believed it. Who could possibly believe such preposterous idea? He certainly wouldn't have, but yet he was, stuck for over a year and soon nearing it's second year. He sighed, '' I haven't '' he replied, cocking his head a bit to the side as he closed his eyes. '' Every way to possibly contact the other nations have been made impossible '' a pause, '' From time to time other nations showed up here but they only said they hadn't seen me for maybe a day or so '' meaning that time must work very differently compared to what they're used to. 

'' Most have lost their memories of this place   if they managed to escape '' 

Finding help from outside this place had been proven futile, he would need to seek a way from the inside if he ever wanted to get out. '' Even if it's a little help, it is always welcomed '' he wouldn't turn down any help that is offered. '' Thank you '' 

            “A wonderful thought yes —”

She can’t help but smile as well — although those had not been her words, those — those were much more hopeful for him to have such a trivial reason — it was his words that she had meant to get at. At one point or another.

            “Perhaps…now that you have time…even if it is the smallest of amounts to explore as you like? It’s — it’s just a thought of course, but it would seem you are in need of a small bit of time away from business yes? I — I must say I’m rather glad I had caught you to ask my question…”

Although her words implied that she always gave herself time to explore it was more often than not the opposite, just as he. She only gave herself time that would allow her the possibility of getting lost on the way to her destination — otherwise she found she had little time outside of the business she had been sent there to do.

The smallest bit of exploration sounded like music to his ears. A chance to get away from the busy business life and to find a tiny moment to take it easy, it was a miracle he hadn't overworked himself already. Still he was unsure if he really should be doing such thing, there was still plenty of work to be done and if he were to be away any longer    would he still make it in time? 

'' Ah... I'm not certain if I should... '' 

Japan started to become hesitant on how long he could actually stay away and enjoy this 'day off' if someone could call it such. A sigh, '' Perhaps I am indeed in need of such thing ''' he admitted truthfully, how long had it been since he had taken a day off? He did not know, he could no longer remember. '' I was glad to be of help '' it was but a simple request, he was just happy that he had something for her that she could use, which reminded of him. '' If I may ask, what kind of typical European dish would you recommend? '' Considering the question before, he was certain Liechtenstein would have plenty of recipes that he could try out someday. 

by びお

I don’t mean to

                    I don’t mean to

                                                I don’t mean to

                                                                      I don’t mean to

                                                  but I  L O V E  you