Previously on 50☆Stars: Washington D.C. told a story to Hawaii about her blossoming friendship with Tokyo. And now back to our daily scheduled program.

~

August 16, 1915 ~ Washington D.C., U.S.A.

The States Annual Meeting began a month earlier than usual. It was upon the capital's request they hold the meeting today. Most assumed it was serious. A discussion regarding the Great War in the Old World? A discourse in concern to the growing levels of immigration across America? A debate about progressive policies and their effects in the long run? The meeting must be important for the capital to call every-

"I need a flowering tree to send to Tokyo."

"... What?"

☆☆☆☆☆

"You seriously called this meeting to talk about trees?" West Virginia frowned.

"I mean, I don't mind." Nebraska shrugged.

Washington D.C. allowed the complaints to settle down before she defended herself on the matter. "Over three years ago, Miss Tokyo sent me a gift of over 3,000 cherry blossom trees to my home as a symbol of friendship. Indeed, I already done much for her regarding her rise as a capital of a world power. However, I wish to return her generous gift with a gift of my own. Unfortunately, I'm stumped when it comes to a flowering tree I wish to present her with. Thus, I turn to everyone in this room for suggestions."

South Carolina raised her hand high in the air. "I suggest my sabal palms will make an excellent gift for the Japanese capital. They-"

"Are not a flowering tree," she shot her down. "Preferably, I wish to present a flowering tree that's native to America." When she said this, a number of states lowered their hands.

Mississippi's hand was still raised. "Ooh! How about southern magnolias?"

The capital took an interest in her suggestion. "Go on."

The Mississippian giggled. She forced Alabama to hold up a painting of southern magnolias for the states to see while she did the talking.

"Southern magnolias are the perfect flowering tree. So big, so majestic. No one can't deny its greatness," she bragged. "Its wood is hardy enough for material use. Its large leaves and branches provide plenty of shade during the summer months. Most importantly, the magnolia flowers will captivate the noble and the pure with its lemon-citrus scent. For sure, southern magnolias are the way to go!"

There were many nods coming from the Southern states. However, one of the Southerners appeared to disagree with her suggestion. He raised his hand high in the air.

"Anything you have to say, Oklahoma?" D.C. questioned.

"Yes," said Oklahoma. "I think it's in your best interests to consider another candidate as your gift to Tokyo."

"And what candidate will that be?"

Oklahoma held up a painting as he presented his argument to the room.

"Ladies and gentleman, I present the eastern redbud, a flowering tree that's very similar to Japanese cherry trees," said Oklahoma. "Both are short in stature. Both are a symbol of spring, a season that brings back the sunny warmth from the cold winter months. When spring comes, both trees bloom in shades of pink, its flowers bringing back color to the gray landscape. Overall, these commonalities are what I think best match the relationship between Japan and the United States. As such, I hope this tree is picked as a gift to Tokyo." 

Many states seemed to agree with Oklahoma.

Mississippi huffed. "Sure, the eastern redbud is quite similar to the cherry blossom tree. However, you forget the redbud is akin to Judas, traitor to Jesus Christ!" Many states looked horrified when she said this.

Oklahoma grew annoyed of the Bible-thumper. "You got it all wrong. The eastern redbud is completely different from the European redbud. At the very least, the eastern redbud is more commonplace in America while your choice is mainly exclusive to the South which doesn't exactly symbolize the entirety of America."

She pouted. "Your suggestion symbolizes shame and remorse!"

"Your suggestion symbolizes privilege and arrogance!"

"Enough!" D.C. shouted, shutting them up. "From what I can understand, southern magnolias are difficult to grow outside humid climates, so I doubt they'll thrive well in Japan's more temperate climate. As for eastern redbuds, their symbolism in relation to Christian theology will most likely cause controversy for many. As such, both candidates won't be suited for the task at hand."

"Aw," Mississippi and Oklahoma groaned in disappointment.

Virginia raised her hand. "May I give my suggestion on the matter?"

"You have the floor."

She stood up as Missouri and North Carolina held up a painting for the room to see.

"There are many dogwoods, that is true. However, I believe America's flowering dogwood is best suited as a gift to Tokyo," the Virginian spoke in a calm, yet composed manner. "Cornus florida is a hardy, temperate tree that's grown and loved in both the Northern and Southern states; a union of American ideals. They come in various shades of white and red; symbolic colors of the Japanese flag. Pure white blooms in particular are akin to sakura for both symbolize the death and rebirth of life. Overall, the flowering dogwood is a durable, reliable tree of great strength and resilience, a holy testament of America as an ally of democracy. Thus, I highly recommend we send such elegant trees to Tokyo to reciprocate the blossoming friendship that connects both exquisite places in love and peace."

The room was stunned in awe of Virginia's brief, yet mesmerizing speech. The only sound left in the room was Maryland's standing ovation for her friend. "So beautiful. Couldn't have said it better myself..." She wiped away her tears.

D.C. coughed into her fist, getting everyone's attention. "Okay. The flowering dogwood sounds like the best candidate. Unless someone else has a better suggestion for me to consider." She looked around the room.

The only person to raise their hand was South Carolina. "I still recommend we send sabal palms to Tokyo."

She frowned. "I've made my decision. The flowering dogwood shall be my gift to Tokyo."

North Carolina smirked. "Told you she would go with the flowering dogwood."

"Oh, shut up!" South Carolina huffed.

~ Hetalia! ~

November 16, 1915 ~ Tokyo, Japan

Upon arriving at Tokyo Station, Washington D.C. went over to one of the freight cars. She checked on her gift, making sure all flowering dogwoods were accounted for. Twenty, forty, sixty... She scowled at the sixty saplings she brought with her, unable to hide her chagrin.

'Is this the best I can do? Sixty saplings and a bunch of seeds..' She groaned. 'Normally, this is fine. But compared to Tokyo's gift, this looks cheap.'

To her credit, she did try to find any available flowering dogwood saplings. Unfortunately, not many nurseries had the right size saplings for viable transport and travel. It also didn't help much of her resources were spent on more important matters, nor did she have the time to put off this arrangement.

Still, she cringed at the thought of Tokyo's judgement when she sees her gift. "Sixty? I gave you over three thousand cherry blossom trees, and this was the best you could do. Ungrateful American! I hate you! Baka (Idiot)!" She shook her head. She left the freight car in disappointment.

"Konichiwa (Good day), D.C.-sama." Tokyo bowed her head.

D.C. grew startled by her sudden appearance. "K-Konichiwa, Tokyo-san! What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you." She cocked her head. "Is my gift inside that freight car?"

"Uh... yes." She closed the sliding door behind her.

"Is there something wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You closed the door with a face full of fear and regret."

She scowled. "... I won't lie. My gift might disappoint you."

She blinked her eyes. "Why would a gift coming from you disappoint me?"

D.C. sighed. "I guess there's no use hiding them from you," she mumbled to herself. Her grip on the handle tightened as she slid the door open, revealing her present to the Japanese capital.

Tokyo's plum-colored eyes widened with interest. "Oh," she awed. "All these saplings are your gift to me?"

She made a curt nod of acknowledgement. "Yes. These are saplings from the American dogwood, a beloved tree to the American people. All these dogwoods are now yours as a symbol of friendship and peace." She didn't dare look her in the face.

Tokyo took a look inside the freight car. "Is that all of them?"

"Uh... Many of the saplings I requested were limited in number. It wasn't my intention to-"

"I see."

"I'm sorry-"

"Thank you for your gift." She smiled and bowed.

For a moment, D.C. had a stroke. Her mind didn't expect this curve ball of a reaction. "Uh... You're not disappointed?"

"Not at all. If they're anything like the Japanese dogwood, they'll certainly be lovely in parks and gardens. I can't wait to see them all grown and in bloom." She didn't seem at all bothered by the number of saplings in the freight train.

Rather than argue with her, D.C decided to just go with it. "... Great! I'm glad you like them very much." She smiled in return.

~ Hetalia! ~

March 27, 2012 ~ Washington D.C., U.S.A.

"And that was my gift to Tokyo." D.C. drank from her cup of matcha green tea.

Hawaii chewed on her dango dumpling, looking rather annoyed. "Your gift to Tokyo was sixty flowering dogwood saplings..."

"Uh-huh."

"And you never gave her anymore dogwood saplings since then."

"What are you implying?"

"You couldn't even give her a hundred flowering dogwoods while Miss Tokyo gave you over six thousand cherry trees in the last hundred years!" She pouted. "Don't you feel a bit guilty about this?"

"Why would I?"

"Because this is unfair!"

"Ah, but you forget I donated many cherry tree cuttings to Tokyo to help her rebuild the original cherry blossom lineage when it was close to dying out." She sipped her cup of tea. "... Still unfair?"

"Yes!"

"It wouldn't matter."

"What do you mean?"

She sighed. "Most of them were destroyed during World War II, at a time when anti-American sentiment took over the island. Ten, twenty, a thousand, it wouldn't matter because they would've been destroyed. Obviously, Tokyo apologized for destroying them, so no hard feelings."

Hawaii frowned. "Still, couldn't you give her more flowering dogwoods? Sure, she might've done bad things in the past, but," she stared up at the cherry blossoms above them, "she has also done so much for us. All these cherry blossoms trees, it's all thanks to her generosity. Isn't it time we return the favor?"

D.C. gazed up at the cherry blossoms, recalling memories of her and Tokyo. The first one that came in mind was the first National Cherry Blossom Festival. The second one that came after was news of Pearl Harbor. The third one that came later was her boss giving his approval to proceed with the bombing. Tokyo's face when she met D.C. at the peace conference, eyes full of burning pain, burning loss, and burning bitterness. Somehow, despite their crimes toward one another, their relationship didn't end. By some miracle, they were able to pick up the broken pieces, rebuild that bridge of trust, forgive one another, and become friends again.

"You think I'm that selfish?"

"I mean..." Hawaii shrugged

"You're not wrong about my initial gift being somewhat unfair." She sipped her cup of tea. "Which is why I plan to give Tokyo three thousand flowering dogwood saplings later this year."

"Really? That's awesome!"

She smirked. "And you doubted me."

"I mean, it's not six thousand-"

"Better than nothing." She patted the top of her head.

~ Hetalia! ~

November 16, 2012 ~ Tokyo, Japan

Somewhere at a city park, Tokyo and Washington D.C. planted a flowering dogwood sapling next to a cherry blossom tree.

D.C. wiped the sweat off her brow. "Whew! We're finally done planting all of them."

Tokyo giggled. "Doumo arigatou gozaimasu (Thank you very much)!" She bowed her head. "This time, I'll take very good care of them."

"I'm sure you will," she panted.

"You seem worn out. How about we get ourselves something to eat?"

"Good idea. What do you have in mind?"

"Hm. I know a place that serves very tasty shabu-shabu."

"Lead away."

Both capitals walked, side by side, out of the park as they got themselves some food later that day.

☆☆☆☆☆

+ Flowering dogwoods are a species of flowering plant that's mostly native to the Eastern United States. It was originally used to treat dog mange, hence where it got its name. Contrary to its appearance, the four white/pink petals aren't actually the flower. The flowers are actually the small greenish-yellow bracts in the middle of the "flower". It's the state tree of Missouri, the state flower of North Carolina, and both the state tree and state flower of Virginia. Many Americans appreciate the flowering dogwood as a nice ornamental plant in residential and public places.

+ In 1915, in response to Tokyo's gift of 3,020 cherry blossom trees, Washington D.C. sent 60 flowering dogwood saplings to Tokyo. While most of the cherry trees in Washington D.C. survived the souring relationship in the mid-20th century, unfortunately, only one flowering dogwood survived into the present era. Fortunately in 2012, on the 100th anniversary of Tokyo's gift of 3,020 cherry blossom trees, Washington D.C. sent 3,000 flowering dogwood saplings to Tokyo.

- Flowering dogwoods go by hanamizuki or Amerika yamaboshi in Japan. While there aren't any popular festivals revolving around the flowering dogwood, they're quite popular in many public and residential areas in Japan due to their hardiness and less imposing size compared to the ginkgo tree.

~

Feel free to vote and/or comment any thoughts on the episode here.