☆~

Japan gritted his teeth, clasping onto the piece of photo that was taken last night. It was a group photo of him and Mimi with the friend group.

There was something familiar about one of the countries in that photo and he couldn't seem to grasp why. The way that country smiled and laughed with others, it all seemed so familiar to someone he used to know.

"Still thinking of that girl, Japan?" Mimi popped his head out through his door. His long ears flicked with amusement with his other tails swaying. "I don't see why countries get charmed by her so easily-"

"I'm not thinking about America." The Japanese butted in, and his brother raised his brows, more curious than before.

He sighed deeply.

"It's about [name]."

"Oh? That's a first. I thought you hated that boy to the guts."

"I do- it's just that he looks familiar, really familiar," Japan grumbled, his eyes trailing to a very old portrait of their friend.

Mimi copied him, looking at the painting. "Ah, I do see ███████ in him." His eyes traced the elegant yet smiling figure, the features, the strokes, everything. "Did you just realise this?"

"No, I realised it from the start. When he first came to this school, we did talk for a while but."

"I don't think he remembers me."

☆~~

"You look lost. Is the question troubling you Japan?" The sweet America itched close to him, looking over from his shoulders.

"I'm thinking about my cat, she's been sick lately and I'm worried for her." Japan quickly came out with a lie. Something was burning in his chest, and this time, it wasn't America. "Mimi has been searching for a vet, but there wasn't anyone who could help." He fed the lie, trying to make it believable.

Deep in his heart, he was longing. Longing to see his old friend again. He let them slip away, and he's not letting them slip away again.

Japan glanced at the digital clock. '[name] would be here by now...' He was so sure that [name] would be here to stalk America again. Seems like he heeded Japan's warning and left her alone.

This was what the Japanese wanted wasn't it? So why, why is he feeling the need to see him again?

"I see... I hope your cat gets better soon." Her kind words poked Japan's heart, he was thankful that his back was facing her, otherwise, she would see his red face.

He shook off that feeling, going back to doing his never-ending assessments, while waiting for a certain country...

☆~~~

Kazakhstan was ecstatic, seeing the same group + Australia and Greece that they were praying for. They fluttered their wrecked wings, flying with joy.

"You came! You guys actually came! I thought I had to personally ask you to return the research!" The scientist grinned with pure joy, thankful that they got to see another day.

"Sorry... I got caught up with... stuff..." [name] rubbed the back of his neck, muttering the last part to himself. But nevertheless, he returned the syringe.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so so so much!!" Kazakhstan snatched the syringe from his grasp 'politely'.

"Why are you so.. Happy? It's just a syringe." Ukraine crossed his arms, giving the eagle a questioning gaze.

Kazakhstan scanned the lab, accidentally tripping and deactivating the security cameras. "Ahaha...! Whoops! I'm so careless! I didn't mean to fall..!"

Their face turned serious once the red light in the cameras faded away. They tugged a random string hanging from the ceiling.

"He dwells where whispers fill the air,
Yet none escape his steady stare.
No shadow hides, no secret slips,
Each falter traced by unseen lips."

A country, passing by heard the fall, wanted to check up. Turns out he stumbled upon a lore-dropping session. Japan pressed his ear against the cold metal door, listening in.

"He is the watcher, stern and still,
Bending silence to his will.
Whose countless eyes, both near and far,
Reveal each fault for what they are?"

Kazakhstan pulled the string and all his research about Nyxar appeared. Diagrams of a country and the body within. Theories and questions littered the slide.

Their mouth opened to speak the next riddle.

"With the hunger for knowledge,
He tasked us to uncover the mystery buried.
Search for words, search for answers
Go against his words and we shall be punished."

The friend group tried to process what had been thrown at them thoroughly.

Japan leaned against the door, piecing everything together quickly. His gaze hardened, wanting to know who 'he' is? What knowledge is Kazakhstan referring to? Why is he everywhere? He's pulling up the 5W1H to analyse the riddle.

It doesn't hurt to peek behind the doors doesn't it? Japan tried to twist the knob, only to find it locked. Of course, nobody wants someone coming in while they spill the truth about the school.

"Whoops! Ah.. It's just a fun old riddle for you guys to solve! No the answer is NOT the school board..! Hahaha!" Kazakhstan giggled hysterically, though it was forced. "Our principal is a VERY kind and caring person!"

They dropped another hint bomb, seeing the confusion on their face. "Now shoo..! I gotta reactivate the security cameras!"

The Kazkh pushed the group of friends out of the lab, shutting the door behind them. By then, Japan had already gone off to investigate after Kazakhstan dropped the massive hint bomb.

This mystery truly piqued his interest more than [name]. (Though he still wanted to talk to [name])

☆~~~~

Creating illusion was easy work for Japan, especially since he's been doing it for centuries.

With the help of the illusion, he managed to sneak into the school board meeting room. Though, he thinks that he came at the wrong time.

The Japanese felt the principal's eyes boring through him. Just the stare from the UN was enough to make him shake in his place.

He stood still at the corner, listening to the meeting.

The whole meeting left him in shock. The school board that he once trusted, he thought he was safe in this school.

The UN's way of researching Nxyar was twisted in the disguise of keeping the students safe.

This whole ordeal made Japan nauseous, had he not been curious, he wouldn't have found out about this and continued his education in school happily.

His regret of eavesdropping on Kazakhstan and the meeting board's talk was sickening, he wished he hadn't stopped by and listened to all this crap.

For now, he just needs someone to listen. Listen to what he had heard, someone whom he could trust, someone who knows a drop of this.

☆~~~~!

Twitter post(s) for the day!

Did you know?

• Mimi is just a nickname for Japan's brother. (Japan will not disclose the real name for unknown reasons.)

• Student Council works closely with the UN

• The UN trusts Kazakhstan, like a lot. So bro has special privileges❤️

• Twitter posts for the day are from [name]'s POV

A/N:

Can y'all tell that I'm not good with riddles😭

Probably the last chapter before I lock in for my end-of-year exams🤙