The sun gradually set across the horizon, casting long shadows through the corridor windows. Antonio led me back to my room.

On entering, I noticed Kiku wasn't there.

I felt puzzled whether to feel relief or sad. I never expected something like that to ever happen.

Antonio sat on the sofa and ushered me to sit down as well. I quietly walked up and sat beside him.

"(Y/n), did China ever tell you that he was the one who found and raised Japan?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Then he must've already told you that relations between them are not in good terms."

I looked down. Every single moment between them ran through my mind. Either none of them spoke to each other, or even if they did, it was full of hostility.

I turned to Antonio. "But why is that?"

The Spanish nation sighed before he started.

"Japan wanted to become stronger than China. He didn't like being referred to as the 'younger brother'. So he started resenting him."

Kiku started resenting his older brother for that?? But he didn't seem like someone to hold such ill feelings towards others...

"Then what happened, Antonio?" I asked him.

"Many wars broke out between them...some were much deadlier than the others..." he trailed off.

"Antonio?"

He seemed reluctant to tell me something. With a grim expression, he finally faced me.

"(Y/n), do you remember the scar you saw on China's back?"

"Yes, I―"

No...it can't be...

That scar...was given by Kiku...?

Antonio must've figured out from my silence. He nodded at me.

Yao's face from that time drifted before my eyes.

"This scar...is eternal, aru..."

The sorrow that Yao hid while talking about it, the sad smile, the guilt in his heart...all of them were given by Kiku??

I slowly got up from my seat.

"(Y/n)?"

"Thank you for telling me all this, Antonio. You've done a lot for us," I said as I headed towards the door.

"But where are you going?!" he called out from behind.

I didn't turn back. With determination in my mind, I walked out towards Kiku's room.

"To get some answers."