---Chapter XIII: Moon (Part 1)---

///Reader's PoV///

"It won't eat...It obstinately refuses to. Since we went through all the trouble to bring it food, should we force it to eat?" I heard Japan ask.

England eyed the AmeriMochi curiously.  "Maybe the food is too good for it to take? America, didn't you bring anything else?"

"What, you mean inside my hero pockets...? All I have is withered/raw cabbage." America answered, showing them a piece of the vegetable.

We were all gathered in a room in the fourth floor. Japan, America and England were trying to solve how they can get the AmeriMochi out of the hole on the wall. The others were scattered about the room, chatting and making small talk to pass time as the three were in charge of the mochi. I, on the other hand, was just standing on the far lower right of the room, by myself. 

It's not that I'm still uneasy about the others and vice versa...we've already worked it out. It's just that...I've been thinking...

I've been thinking about the 2Ps.

Okay, I know that I'm supposed to be really furious about them about what they did--and maybe I still sorta am...but...but...

=*=*= "We were mad at what you've done, not of who you are." =*=*=

What Japan said, really got me thinking.

It's true, to be honest, they haven't really tried to kill me or anything. They lied, yes.

Their lies hurt my feelings--not to mention my head. Seriously, I've had so many mental struggles just because of that lie. ....But, they've somehow become my friends... Ollie, for example. And...they have...shown..."concern". I still don't want to admit it, but I think Luciano meant that. 

Ugh! This is so frustrating. But, I'm just going to follow what I think I should. After our business here in the room, I'll talk to the 1Ps about trying to settle things with the 2Ps once and for all.

I mean, Japan did say it himself.

=*=*= "It's not like it was your real intention to hurt us, you were just forced to do so because of the circumstances."=*=*= 

The Second Players didn't mean to bring chaos and havoc--they've only done such acts because that's how they were created. 

That's their circumstance.

That's how they were created, so of course they'll have no choice but to do the things they did in the past. 

But what about the present?

They're searching for revenge. I've heard their story, already. After thinking about it or so long....isn't it just natural? 

They're 2Ps, true...but they're people, too.

Of course they'd be angry at what the First Players did to them. I mean, the 1Ps didn't even seem to have talked to them decently.

They've made mistakes. Lots and lots of mistakes. Big mistakes, great mistakes.

....but they're not the only ones, aren't they?

Everyone's at fault here.

And that's why it should be settled.

That's why there are grounds for talking their disagreements out and say what they need to say and do what they need to do. They could even punch each other, that's fine with me. It's natural. Trying to kill each other isn't the answer--it's the problem. I've...I've lost hope about using words before...but right now, I think...

....hope is the only thing that could keep you going.

Realising that I've spaced out for quite a while already, I chuckled to myself. "Heh. Look at me and my little soliloquy. Maybe...if things work out as I hope it to be...maybe we'll be able to get out of here soon. All of us." I thought to myself.

I decided to go over to where the others are, so I walked over to the group closest to me, which was Spain, Prussia, France, and Italy. They were by the table in the bottom left corner, adjacent to my previous place. As I walked closer, I realised that France and Italy were having a serious one-on-one conversation. I didn't want to interrupt them, so I kept a distance...but it was at enough distance for me to hear. I knew this part of the game.

///Third Person PoV//

Italy looked down and muttered, "It never occurred to me that Germany's memories might be passed on to someone else...If it's true...I'm sure they're being passed on to-"

The blue-eyed Frenchman noticed the Italian's uneasiness and asked, "Italy, are you all right?" 

"France..." Italy said as he turned to his big brother figure.

France shook his head and gave a look of concern. "This isn't like you. That expression doesn't suit your face! Even if it's just for a moment, can't you smile-"

"...Listen, France." Italy cut him off, looking directly at the Frenchman's orbs.

France furrowed his brows. "Hm, what?"

"You didn't tell me back then...All this time...even now...I've been waiting for him." Italy said slowly, his eyes seeming to well up as he spoke.

France was taken aback by what he heard, as he felt empathy for him. "...Italy..."

"Hahah...Well, now would be impossible. sorry, I wasn't thinking." Italy apologised, scratching his cheek.

France shook his head and smiled. "No...it's all right."

///Reader's PoV///

After a few exchanges of words, it seems that a short silence fell upon the two countries near me. It can't be helped, they were talking about a very sensitive topic. I know it's wrong to eavesdrop, but this is important. They are talking about him, after all. Moments later, Italy broke the silence.

"...France, can I ask you something? If there was someone I didn't want to forget me again...what should I do? 

If you forgot about me and asked me, 'Who are you?' what should I do?" Italy asked.

((Then you'd know how Canada feels. //shot.))

France rolled his eyes.  "Well, your...ass...er, no, no." he stopped, realising that this wasn't the time for making jokes. It was serious.

"You've been breaking a lot clocks and getting your memories back. If it's too much and they can't all fit in...what if you turn out like me and lose your memories?" Italy asked, his lips trembling. 

France smiled and pat Italy's shoulder. "...You must remember him."

"What?" Italy tilted his head.

Taking a deep breath, France spoke, "You're the one who knows from experience what it is like to forget something you don't want to forget, right? It's sad, but we'll definitely forget something." 

"Yeah." Italy nodded.

Smiling, France continued,  "Then you must remember him, so that he will be able to remember you again. You've been remembering us so far, so we also started remembering little by little.

Your memories are never really gone, are they? They just sink to the back of your mind...You must keep remembering him, so that you can have your memories of him at all times."

Italy opened his eyes, feeling something was different with France's usual self. "...Do you also have someone you...don't want to forget, France?"

"Well, yes. That's why I live with my memories. we nations have to, so that we'll...never forget." France told him, his voice hinting sadness.

Italy smiled and nodded. "I see...You do say normal things once in a while, France!"

"And I'm good-looking, to boot! Too good-looking not to get out of this house, in fact." France said cheerfully, whilst flipping his hair.

I smiled. This was one of the most touching moments I've ever...er, listened in to. Suddenly, we heard a loud noise from where Japan and the others were. I headed over there and saw the AmeriMochi come out of the hole in the wall, revealing a lock panel.

"Oh. It fell." Russia said as he walked over to us.

Canada clapped his hands. "Amazing! How did you do it?"

"Hm? I tried shoving a fresh scone into his mouth and it came out. Were you that eager to eat it, little guy? There, there!" England beamed, patting the pudgy looking creature. The AmeriMochi didn't look like it wanted any more scones, though.

Japan looked at us and asked,"...Well, then, shall we insert the metal piece?" he then turned to a certain American and spoke. "America, please stop staring at it and come help me."

America looked at the mochi with shining eyes. "It radiates such an aura of intelligence! Do you want some withered cabbage?" he asked as holding up some cabbage to the creature. The mochi seemed to like it and began munching happily.

Sighing, Japan turned to the lock panel. "Haa...Fine. This old man will do all the work by himself..." he said as he inserted a metal piece through what it seemed like a keyhole of some sort. "There. Now..."

Without warning, we suddenly felt a tremor.

"Whaaat?!" Prussia exclaimed as shaking stopped.

Romano looked around. "Wh-What was that?"

"I'll check it out." China volunteered.

Spain raised his hand. "Me, too."

China and Spain headed out of the room to check for us.

"I-I wonder what was that tremor..." Japan wondered out loud.

Russia cupped his chin. "...It came from the hallway."

"Aaaargh!! Hey, you guys come here now!" we heard China yell frantically.

Italy walked up in front of us and spoke, "Let's go. We'll soon reach the exit. Oh, um...My advice is...don't be surprised."

Somehow understanding what he meant, we cautiously exited the room one by one.

"Hm? I see. You knew." Germany said, facing Italy.

Japan gave a soft chuckle, facing Germany. "Just don't hide in the closet or anything, please."

"I wouldn't mind if you went there to build a holiday house, though!" America joked, patting the German's back.

///Third Person PoV///

Unknown to the rest, Russia stayed behind. Taking out his phone from his pocket, he dialed a certain number. 

"...No answer. Did they get killed? Oh, well. First the first one..." Russia muttered as he frowned at the screen of his phone.

As he was about to place it back in his pocket, he slightly jumped when he heard his phone ring. Pressing the button to answer the call, he placed the phone to his ear and spoke almost monotonously,

"Took you long enough, Luciano."