【 D4y 2, F0ur7h F100r, Curr3n7 Tim3 L00p - C4n4d4, 3n9l4nd & (F/n) 】

You sprint out the door, England leading the way and Canada bringing up the rear. You run upstairs and enter the piano room. No one speaks for a moment, either trying to regain their breath or wondering what is happening downstairs. You are doing the former. Racing up all those stairs reminds you of how bad your fitness has gotten. England clears his throat, readjusting his tie.

"Okay," he grabs your attention, practically breathing the word as he straightens up. "We'll investigate this room before the others get here." England plans, green eyes already flickering around the room.

"Alright. Um, first, this piano..." Canada wonders off. You cast your gaze to the piano and your eyes widen. Making a noise of surprise, you approach the musical instrument in bewilderment. The keys on the piano have colourful English numbers written on them. "It has these numbers..." Canada gestures to them.

"Yeah, I see that." You say in a duh tone. "But they weren't here before." You gently run your finger across the numbers, but the ink doesn't smudge. You begin scratching it.

Maybe sharpie?

"Oh... sorry. That was really rude." You apologise to Canada, head suddenly whipping around to face him in panic. You didn't realise how blunt you were.

"It's fine. At least you had the courtesy to apologise." Canada smiles, eyes squinting. "And they weren't here before?"

"Oh, yeah." You bite the inside of your cheek. "Me and Japan were in here yesterday. And it was clean..."

"I'm not sure what they're supposed to mean." England inspects the notes beside you. "Was there something we needed numbers for?" England asks you both.

"Not that I'm aware of," Canada replies.

"The mansion hasn't been fully searched." You point out, not wanting them to snip any possibilities. "Maybe it's for a safe?" The Brit hums in thought at your idea.

"This house is built in the right era to have a safe, so, it is a possibility." Canada quirks a brow at your theory.

"Yes, you are right." England nods absentmindedly at the idea as he approaches the bookcase. You stand awkwardly for a second, looking between both men. You had spoken with Britain when he first arrived with China, he invited you to sit next to him and he spoke to you after you fixed up Russia. Canada, on the other hand, you had only greeted briefly. plus you feel embarrassed for being rude to Canada just seconds ago. You stop beside England as he removes books, reading the blurb, then puts it back again.

"What are you looking for?" You wonder, straining to look at the new book he grabs.

"Seeing if there's anything of use here," England answers as he reads the title of another book before replacing it. He then looks down at you, a gentle smile on his face. Your face heats up at such a soft expression as a smile slowly grows.

"Yes?" You raise a brow at his staring. He puts the book back and faces you head-on.

"Thank you for saving me, (F/n)." He thanks formally.

"I haven't saved you." You answer in confusion, squinting at him.

"Don't be modest." England rolls his eyes, waving off your dismissal. "When the Thing came to attack me," he takes a staggered breath, "I-I was frozen stiff. If it weren't for you knocking me out of the way, I would have been harmed; or worse." His lips simmering into a sincere smile. "I thank you for that." Your mouth opens to reply, and then you close it again; thinking of something to say. You knew that monster was coming, but for some reason, Japan didn't hit his cue. He should have arrived before you tackled Britain. You grimace. You had moved in a panic. You keep telling yourself to trust the game, yet your actions don't support it. Good thing, otherwise Britain would be sashimi. At least Japan was there to release his frustrations, even if it was wrongly placed.

"I didn't save you. Japan saved you. I just tackled you to the floor. If I had saved you, then I would have attacked the monster." He chuckles at your blabbering, "I couldn't do anything." You huff, lifting your arms only to drop them in exasperation. "If anything, I should be thanking everyone. They've saved me and protected me countless times." Then your gaze falls to the floor as you become quiet. "I'm too..." you chuckle, forlorn. "I'm not as good as the rest of you."

"You've helped more than you realise." He looks content, his lip quirking.

"N-no, I haven't." You wave your hands around in a panic, taking a step back. "I'm just a kid that gives beer and rice balls. You guys are the ones that fight the big fights, literally. If anything, I'm a burden." England sighs, shaking his head. "But it's true." You try to persuade, eyes stern. "I can't fight. I'm just another person you have to worry about. Without you guys, I would--"

"You are very stubborn." He states, cutting you off. "And you aren't a burden. Don't think about 'what ifs', it's what's happening here and now that counts." You don't look convinced by his words, just more lost. He sighs, giving up for now before he looks to the door. "Speaking of the present, I think I should check the room across the hall." He ruffles your hair, turning to step away as he watches you full of mirth. You scowl playfully and sort out your tousled locks, sending him a scolding look.

"It's a library. I only managed to check the first three rows, but I doubt there are any books about magic in there." You inform him, running your hand through your hair.

"How did you know that I'm looking for spellbooks?" England asks you, furrowing his thick brows. Your body stiffens as you stare at him, blinking languidly. Britain can see that look in your eyes. You didn't realise how readable you are, but he sees the cogs turning, mind jumping from place to place. It's almost as if you've short-circuited and sprung to life at the same time.

"You are Britain." You reply in an obvious tone, nervous laughter inkling out. "The country of magic, witches, goblins, mermaids, Wizards and such... It only makes sense for you to want that sort of book, right? Plus you said earlier that your magic wasn't helping." You scratch the back of your head, giving a sheepish smile.

"I guess you're right. Very clever, you are." England smiles down at you with a nod, then looks over to Canada and calls upon him. "Hey! The books in this room are nothing special, so wait here while I go to the room next door."

"Oh, okay." Canada nods, putting down what he was holding. "Just be careful."

"Are you coming with me, (F/n)?" England asks, smiling. You look up at him, surprise that he asks before looking to Canada. England can survive on his own.  he doesn't bump into any trouble as far as you're aware of. But you want to go with him. England draws you in, you feel protected and seen by him. it was nice to be acknowledged. Italy and Prussia do the same thing. but Canada needs you more. he has the option to die. maybe this would also give you time to bond with the Canadian too. You shake your head with a smile.

"I'll stay here with Canada, try to figure out the piano problem." You make a flippant movement with your hand. England inclines his head and leaves the room. You screw your lips up, unsure. You feel coddled by Britain. It was nice, sort of comforting, but the underlying feeling of patronisation is still there. You look over to Canada, a timid smile on your face as he stares at you. he looks surpised by your answer. You chose to stay with him. You remembered he is even in the room. You approach him, the air turning into one of awkwardness. You wander over, pressing your fingertips lightly on the keys of the piano, inspecting the coloured digits as a note resonates through the room. You look up at him – him trying to pretend not to be paying attention to you but glancing over still.

"Other than the safe theory," you stop for a pregnant moment, "have you got any other ideas about what these are for?" You look up to him, trying to make conversation.

"It must be a code for something. The safe theory seems most likely, but we still can't be certain." Canada replies as he furrows his brow. He is thinking a-mile-a-minute. You watch him from the corner of your eye, examine his face. His eyes held an iron will, and the purple seems lighter as he analyses the keys. A soft lavender, so light that it gives you a craving for Parma Violets. You run your tongue over your teeth at the thought. His hair under this light appears strawberry blond. You've only just noticed his undercut. Canada swallows thickly. You aren't exactly trying to hide the fact you're staring at him. It's with such intensity that he doesn't want to look at you. He feels flustered and an intense need to try and make conversation. Your attention drifts soon enough as he hears you laugh through your nose. Canada rubs his neck, cheeks flushing from your attention.

"Well... These must be for something. Numbers... Puzzles... Security too." He lists off.

"Definitely not for a security system. It would have gone off when we entered. It's something else that won't let us leave." You lean back against the piano. "Guessing magic?" Canada begins to pace, his finger tapping on his chin. His back is to the door as he gazes at you.

"So... a safe, or something?" Canada tilts his head.

"It's a mansion, and they have them normally behind paintings or stuff like that, we just have to find where." You note with a shrug. "But there are eighty-two keys on the piano, and I've never even heard of a safe with that many digits."

"So, maybes there's a puzzle that helps us?"

"Possibly." You nod hesitantly, your eyes darting between him and the door. "Maybe Italy and Germany found something. Either way, this is taking security to a whole new level." You chuckle, closing your eyes. Canada works this out pretty fast. You tilt your head back, appreciative. He doesn't give himself enough credit. Canada can keep a level head, is super smart, and isn't arrogant at all. You look at him, purple locking with (e/c). Your lips falling into a strained smile. "What?" You ask in confusion. Canada blinks at you, then flushes red. "What? Is something wrong?" You panic as you stand up straight.

"I-its nothing. I just-its-I mean--" the door suddenly opens, interrupting Canada's rant. His body visibly relaxes. "Eh, is that you England? I'm sorry; I haven't looked here yet." He apologised as he rubs his hands together. "Also, we were told not to do anything-" he turns around, then freezes in place. "I-it's.... It's here--" he stutters, staring up at the creature. It is as high as the door, creeping its way slowly into the room. It hasn't come into the light yet, so maybe it hasn't spotted you both.

"Don't panic. Just-just stay still." You swallow, heart thumping against your rib cage. Your foot cautiously steps forward to its own accord, closer to Canada. The demon hadn't moved since it entered. your heart begins to get faster the closer you get to Canada. you feel the need to grab him, to try and run or fight or hide. but you arent sure. you swallow. You have no weapon to defend yourself with. maybe you could throw your bag as a distraction and getaway, but the game script is for this room. you don't know what would happen if you were to leave. so you have to stay. maybe you could use the keys in your pocket as a knuckleduster, your hand smooths down to your pockets before you realise. oh. you gave them away to Germany, China and Britain. you didn't have a single one on you. you're maybe three feet behind Canada, staring between the back of his head and the silhouette of the creature before it moves. Its eyes. Every other Oni has black bulging eyes. But this one is different. It's has a scar running through both eyes, as if someone had slashed a knife across its face. It's left one looks like it has been mauled like someone had grabbed its eyeball and squished. but the prominent slash across its face still marked it up bad.

Even though the Oni's eyes are messed up, Canada could still feel it staring. It waiting for him to make a move. But Canada couldn't. His body is frozen in fear. He can hear your feet lightly tap on the floor behind him, the boards groaning softly under your weight. He wants to look back, tell you to stop and to stay away, but he can't. If he moves, he's scared the monster will attack. Canada feels your presence right behind him; he can feel your hand shakily raise up and clutch his shirt. He flinches, his body shying away from your touch. The creatures head leisurely turns side to side, using its other senses to see around the room out before it takes a step forward. You clench your jaw, pointing your index finger out and writing on Canadas back, pushing against his shirt and top.

CANT SEE DONT MOVE

You write slowly, carefully pressing against the fabric of his shirt. You stare expectantly up at the back of Canada's head. Hopefully, he can read what you wrote. His hand slowly slither from his side to behind his back. He makes a grabby motion. You furrow your brow as you stare down at in confusion. Did he want your hand? You place your fingertips to his palm, staring intently to see what he will do. Using his own fingers, Canada flattens out your hand. Your hand tickles as his finger brushes letters onto your palm.

Other senses stronger

He wrote back, his finger lingering above your hand.

Quiet

Panic slowly rises in Canada's chest as you don't make any response back. Maybe you hadn't been able to read what he wrote? Did he do it wrong because you are behind him? Was he too quick? Perhaps he accidentally wrote in French Canadian?! No, no, it was definitely English. Canada's face grows hot as your hand wraps around his palm, giving it a reassuring squish. You don't let go. You hold his hand, his forefingers trapped. He short-circuits. He does a momentary lap before he realises you didn't intertwine fingers because 1) this wasn't some tragic romance and 2) your small hand probably wouldn't fit with his. There is no denying that Canada is very big compared to yours.

You stare down at Canada's hand, eyes intent. You want to distract yourself, but are too scared. Before you had Japan, Germany, Prussia and Italy to defend you, and in the game, there wasn't the possibility of them dying in the Mochi room. But this time around, Canada could die. His life is on the line. And to make it even worse, since entering this room the script has been all off. Canada should have been complaining about America before the Oni came, and now he is meant to decide whether to talk to it, standing still or pour maple syrup all over himself. Your smaller hand is still holding onto Canada's, and your fingers absentmindedly go to feel his pulse, inching closer towards him, forehead just hovering over his shoulder blades. You smooth over his pulse, the skin soft and tender. It is beating madly, warm to the touch. You peer up at the back of his head in worry as your hair falls back to tickle your ears. Then your eyes widen in realisation - and if it hadn't of been for the life-threatening situation, you would have facepalmed.

One of the options is that he faints! What if he does that now? But does he survive the fainting one? But I'm here, what if that messes everything up?

That doesn't matter as in a couple of seconds, both of you begin to become light-headed. You let out a shallow breath as your head falls forward onto Canadas back, forehead pressing softly onto the thick coat. The blond becomes woozy as well, his fingers going numb as he watches the Oni walk around the room. He then stumbles back into you, the floor swaying under him. Your stomach jumps into your throat as you stumble back from the sudden pressure. The Oni's head quickly turns to face the both of you, hearing your movements. Your legs buckle from underneath as Canada falls beside you. Canada's breathing is faint, but the sounds of the monster coming closer drowns it out. You clutch your eyes shut, your head slowly being consumed by drowsiness. The last thing you remember is the slow beat of Canada's pulse.