"It is weird that it disappears like that," China admits with a huff. "It makes it difficult to tell whether we won or not, aru." He braces himself against his knees, trying to regain his breath.

"At least it will not pollute the environment." Japan muses as he seats himself, holding his katana loosely.

"Way to look at the situation optimistically." Russia looks over his shoulder. "But, not quite." He smiles sweetly. "Maybe this will never end, and it'll keep appearing..." Then Russia turns his head to the corner of the room. He wonders away from the two, eyes glistening over as he focuses in on a sound. China looks over to Japan and watches as he wipes the sweat from his forehead.

"Aru alright? Did you hurt yourself?" China asks Japan, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"No, I am fine." Japan laughs through his nose. "Your backup was perfect. That monster seems to have grown stronger, though." Japan notes, worry edging in on his words. "I would have no chance against it alone. Thank you very much for your help." China gives a wistful smile, his chest swelling. Then he stops, something coming to mind when looking over Japan's uniform.

"Oh! By the way, why were those clothes smeared with tomato?! I thought it was blood, aru." China asks with a raised voice, pointing toward the fireplace.

"Well, you see," Japan suppresses an eye roll, "a while after I woke up this morning, we encountered that creature yet again..." Japan frowns. "And then, Italy-chan woke up with all the fuss. He got startled and started yelling, 'Vee! Vee! Go away! Germany, save us!' While throwing last nights pasta at what was supposed to be its directions, but it just ended hitting me in the back instead." His shoulders sag with a big sigh. "After we defeated it, the smell bothered me very much, so I ended up discarding it in the fireplace."

"Oh, that is right." China points out, more so for himself. "If I remember correctly, you had brought a change of clothes because you stayed at Germany's the day before the meeting, right?" Japan confirms with a single shake of his head. Then they hear a smash, jolting them both away from their conversation, attracted to the sound; leading to Russia. He looks back at them, mirroring their expression.

"What is wrong, Russia-san?" Japan questions as him and China watch the blond in interest. Russia hums, rummaging around in the draw.

"There was this clock," Russia picks up a piece before dropping it back into the drawer, "and the ticking was too loud, so I broke it with my pipe." He shrugs unapologetically. "Sorry."

"A clock, you say?" Japan walks over to Russia and peers into the draw. Inside are the remains of an old bedside clock. A dent shattered the clock, it no longer ticking, just crooked hands.

"I'm sorry if it was a clue, but it was so loud it got annoying." Russia sighs, poking around at the broken clock with his pipe.

"A clock," Japan repeats. "Now that you mention it, we can't tell what time it is in this place. Our watches are all out of synch." He pulls back his white sleeve to read his watch.

"That is strange, aru. Even though we came here ahead of Japan's group, they got here before us." China shakes his head in confusion before reaching into his uniform and reading the time. "It is 11:42 on my watch, aru."

"Huh? But mine's showing the same time as yours, China." Russia tilts his head in confusion, peering at China's watch too.

"What? That was not supposed t--" Japan looks at his watch, bunching up his brow. "Oh! I-it is 11:42 on mine, too! But it was 6:00 just a moment ago..." Japan stares at his watch in confusion.

"Do you think maybe it's because I broke the clock?" Russia asks, looking down at said object. That is an odd coincidence that seems suspicious.

"That is possible." China nods hopefully. "At least in this room, the time is right. Maybe we can get the flow of time back to normal if we break more clocks."

"Then we should search and break the clocks in every single room. If we do that, maybe..." Japan squints, thinking. "Maybe... we can help... France-san and... America... Right?" He questions unsurely. Then suddenly a ring echoes through the room. They look to Russia, whose coat is vibrating, as he pulls out his phone. China eyes the old design, the electronic resembling a brick. Russia looks at the green screen, reading the black caller ID. China and Japan watch him.

"Russia, it is your cell phone." China points out.

"Amazing," Russia sings. "As soon as we fixed the time, the phone also began to work--or not." Russia frowns as he pulls at the metal rod on his phone. "The antenna isn't up." He looks at the other two and smiles. "Anyway, I'm going to pick it up and make it so the both of you can hear it too." He presses a button, answering the call. "Кто я это?" Russia asks as he puts his phone on speaker. A musical note resonates through the line, and then the caller hangs up. "... It looks like it got cut off." Russia inspects the screen as he pushes down the antenna.

"Ai ya! It is a bug!" China panics as he points accusingly at the device. A phone that old had to have something wrong with it, in Chinas eyes.

"A bug?" Japan repeats, scrutinising China. "Never heard of a 'phone bug' before." Japan looks at China with a deadpan expression. "What we heard was a note played on a piano."

"A piano..." Russia drifts off.

【 D4y 2, Th1rd F100r, Curr3n7 Tim3 L00p - G3rm4ny & 1t4ly 】

Germany and Italy stand in the hallway on the first floor, approaching the ground floor. Germany continues to press forward as Italy turns his head to look behind. He just left his friends behind as England, Canada and (F/n) have headed upstairs.

"That monster was a bit bigger than before, don't you think?" Italy questions nervously, peering up to Germany. "Maybe we really should go back to help them, after all--"

"Nein. We must first accomplish the mission that was entrusted to us." Germany replies as he descends to the ground floor. "Japan can take care of himself. What we are about to do might lead us to an answer that can get us out. We have to fully understand this house so that we can also lighten his burden." Germany furrows his brow, running down the steps.

"Ve, alright." Italy nods in understanding. "Also, if we run into that Thing, I'd rather run away."

"Understood. Let's look at these rooms once more and then," Germany clears his throat, "report to England."

"Sí! Let's do our best, Germany." Italy cheers. They arrive at the ground floor and do a complete 180, heading towards the dojo room.

"Italy, get behind me," Germany advises as he brings out his whip. Italy nods, handing the key to Germany. He places the key in the lock and turns it with a smooth click. He reaches for his whip, before clicking his tongue.

"Italy, give me your gun." He holds his hand out, looking to his brunet friend. Italy furrows his brow, tilting his head slightly as he purses his lips.

"I don't ha--"

"Italy," Germany warns lowly. A handgun is placed in his hand, and he turns the safety off before pushing the door open. Germany didn't want to fight that creature short-distance, and his whip didn't give him enough range. Italy's gun, on the other hand, helped with long-range attacks. If only Italy wasn't in such denial over the fact that he owned a weapon. The light seeps into the corners, enlighting the plain room and the four sliding doors on a risen floor to their left, the place shaped like an L. At the end is another door, most probably locked.

"We should check them first, Germany." Italy points at the closets all lined up as he hides behind his blond friend.

"Ja, I don't suppose it would hurt." Germany nods as he lowers the gun, body relaxing as he puts it in the waistband of his trousers. He walks up to the sliding doors first, Italy nervously tracing his steps. Germany slides each door open until it clicks in place. He peers inside to see it is empty, rolling his shoulders and closing the door, an unusual chill running down his spine. He does this twice more, but at the threshold of the fourth door, Italy grabs Germany's back, his grip tightening around the fabric. Germany furrows his brow at Italy's jittery behaviour but brushes it off before sliding the door open.

"This one is--!" Germany is cut off as he is flung backwards, tumbling back over the floor. Italy scrambles away as he stares up in fear at the monster. It steps out from inside the closet, claws reaching around the doorframe and scratch it, pulling itself out onto its knuckles and feet, its knees bending backwards as its back arches up, spine pushing against the skin like it would split any moment. Italy scatters towards Germany, breathing erratically, pulling at him desperately to get up, get away.

"Italy, go!" Germany yells as he stumbles to his feet, hand going for the gun.

"Yes, Captain!" Italy grabs Germany hand - against Germany's will - and runs out the room. He slams the door behind him as he sprints for the main hall, Germany at his heels as the brunet refuses to let go. Germany looks over his shoulder. The Oni barges its way through the door, and the door comes flying off. Italy runs in the library, Germany following soon after. He slams the door behind himself, panting for air.

"Germany." Italy whispers. Germany perks up and looks for where his voice came from. "Over here." Italy peeks out from the shelf and ushers him over. Germany follows him behind the bookcase and watches the door from between the books, pushing some aside. They could hear the Oni before they see it, its footsteps sounding like loud drums. Then the door slams open and the creature grovels as it looks around the room. Italy taps Germany's shoulder and motions towards the table. Germany nods in understanding. They creep towards it as the Oni walks further back into the room. Italy furrows his brow as he props himself against the side of a table, watching the monster. With wary eyes, he waits till the Oni goes around the pillar before running to the door. They successfully evade the creature. Italy grabs Germany's hand once again and drags him into the kitchen with a slam of the door, finally losing the Oni. Germany and Italy drop themselves down on the sofa, trying to get there breath back.

"Scheisse!" Germany runs his fingers through his hair. "This monster creeps me out, appearing out of nowhere like that!" This is stressing him out. Gritting his jaw, Germany runs through multiple plans in his head. "If that thing keeps getting in our way, we won't have time to go for Plan B." Germany mutters. Italy, Germany realises, is no longer walking back and forth behind him, so he gives a glance behind, not spotting his brunet friend. Italy is at the door in the back, testing the handle.

"It's open, Germany!" Italy skips inside the room. "It's open!" Germany sighs and pushes off the sofa before following after. It is a small room with the same wooden furnishing and carpet as the others, and quite frankly unnerving Germany. The blond checks over the desk and bookshelf, then inspect the wooden crate sat in the corner. He calls on Italy, waving his hand.

"I think there's something behind here." He curls his fingers around the corners of the crate, sliding it over the carpet. A safety deposit box is in the wall.

"It's a safe! Oh," Italy shakes the lock, "but it's locked."

"If it wasn't, there wouldn't be any point to it." Italy drops the lock, retreating under Germany's word. "It looks like a four-digit numeric combination..." Germany sighs, scrutinising the keyhole. "We still have insufficient information. Let's investigate a little more."

"Too bad." Italy coos, hopping from one foot to the other as he heads to the door. "I really wanted to know what's inside." They exit the room and Italy begins to dawdle. 

"Italy, England is waiting. You know what he is like with timekeeping." Germany steps around him, only for Italy to grab his arm. Germany frowns, looking down at Italy only for his face to slacken. Italy's shoulders curl, slouching as his eyes are shrouded by his fringe. Germany reaches out, his finger just brushing the ends of Italy's hair before the brunet reacts, eyes wide as he gives a sharp inhale. They both pause, before Italy jumps back to life, yet his eyes remain erratic.

"I think there was something in where the Thing was hiding." Italy chirps, but his voices jump too many octaves as he goes back downstairs, fast and jerky. "Let's take another look."

"Ja," Germany swallows hard, "okay." They make their way back; anticipation heightened as they cautiously walk back. Once they enter the room, they start from the left and work their way across each door again, only to find something in the farthest right door. The door which the demon was behind before.

"Another piece of paper."

"Another piece?" Germany asks. Italy stares at him in surprise.

"S-sí, (F/n) found another one like this with Japan yesterday." Italy says as he takes out the other piece. He had asked you about it and you showed him, but you didn't exactly know he had it. "I didn't think it was very important, but I took it anyway." He stares down at them. Germany gives Italy a side glance before inspecting the paper.

"It is similar. Here, let me take a look." Germany says, taking the pieces of paper off Italy. They both have a rip on one side and two rectangles. The one in Germany's right hand is red and yellow while the other is blue and green. Italy stares at them nervously, his eyes flickering back and forth.

"I'm sorry, Germany." Italy mumbles. Germany looks at him, concerned. "I put us in such a dangerous situation... for such a small thing." His face falls, looking at the floor. Germany lifts his hand, gently patting Italy's head. He pulls in into his shoulder, almost cradling Italy. He can hear the Italian give a sniffle, and looks away. Then suddenly, a phone rings. Germany drops the paper in shock. Italy yelps too and pouts at Germany accusingly.

"Don't scare me like that, Germany!" Italy whines.

"My bad." Germany apologises, before realising it isn't his phone going off. "Hey, isn't that your cellphone?"

"Eh?" Italy pats himself down before stopping at his blazer. "Oh, y-you're right. Why? Our phones get no signal here!" Italy removes his phone from inside his blazer.

"Just try answering it." Germany groans.

"Ve... It's a number withheld call..." Italy informs, bringing the phone up to his ear with Germany leaning over, trying to listen to the call. "C... Ciao..." Italy greets hesitantly. Then a musical note plays through the line and the caller's hands up. "... Uh?"

"What's wrong?" Germany asks as Italy lowers his phone.

"I'm not sure. I heard a sound, and then the call was cut off." Italy replies as he stares down at his phone in confusion.

"A sound?" Germany repeats.

"The sound of a piano," Italy utters. "It was only one note, though. I wonder what this was all about?" He looks up at Germany, turning to face him. Germany stares back at him, eyebrows scrunching together.

"The sound of a piano? Well, we succeeded in completing our mission." Germany stands a bit taller. "Let's go to where England told us to meet. I hope Japan's group will join us there if all goes well, too."

"Sí. Let's go back to the piano room, then." Italy agrees, skipping ahead.