☆~

Kazakhstan looked at the overflowing syringe that was leaking Nyxar at this point. The eagle was unsure of their decisions, whether they wanted to defy the UN or follow them like a dog.

Who knows what will happen to them if they did? Would there be another torturer in their place?

The container filled with Nyxar made them realise that it's too late to turn back on Operation 'Black'. The damages done couldn't be taken back and couldn't be fixed with a simple sorry.

But what can they do with almost half a litre of Nyxar?

The distilled water ran through their hands, making them picture it as the warm black liquid. It was then that the Kazkh had an idea. A devious one.

☆~~

America was not present during the corrupt fight. She wasn't there to stop or interrupt at the last minute, which baffles [name]. She somehow managed to snag a moment for herself like the main character she is the past two corruptions.

Why didn't she appear yesterday? [name] clicked his pen, staring at the exam sheet with drifting into his thoughts. 'Japan and America were quite close, so why didn't she appear?'

[name] forgot to ask Kazakhstan how Japan got corrupted, missing out on a big key factor.

Throughout the whole exam, the country was just thinking about yesterday's event. Either way, he didn't study for this exam so... he's gonna flunk it anyway.

"Yo! How was the test [name]?" Australia hung his arm around [name]'s neck. "Honestly, I think I should've studied more, but I think I can get around a passing mark!"

"I don't know what I was doing, to be honest. I'm learning new things from the paper itself." The country shrugged, trying to be nonchalant like it isn't a weighted test.

"Anyhoo! Let's go eat, I'm hungry after all that shit." [name] could feel Australia's stomach rumbling just after he said that.

"You guys go ahead without me, I'm gonna do something real quick." He pushed the country clinging onto him off. "I'll be back."

"You're leaving me again!!"

☆~~~

"You're awake." Japan's fox ears wiggled at Myanmar's voice. "Out of the 3 countries that went through corruption. You're recovering the fastest."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Japan cocked his brows at the student nurse. He felt rejuvenated from the stay after just a day, though his left eye is still recovering.

"It might be, but you're recovering too fast. At this pace, I'm worried that your body cells might not recover fully." Burma stated, referring to their notepad. "I'm gonna let you off tomorrow, but if there's anything off with your body. Do come back."

The Japanese nodded at their words, and the Burmese walked back to their office. His fingers grazed the bright red necklace. The once semicircle became a full circle. It only meant one thing.

Mimi is one with him now.

This explains how he felt so indifferent to all the things happening to him now. This feeling was something he hadn't felt for hundreds or even thousands of years. Never once had he done such a rash thing.

[name] looked at the figure in bed from the door window, hesitating to come visit when Japan was deep in his thoughts. 'Where even is that American?'

Their eyes locked with one another, and it felt tense even though there was a door separating the two of them.

[name] sucked in his breath, entering the infirmary. "Hey there... Japan.." He did not know the exact reason why he came here in the first place. It just felt right to him to come.

"There's a reason why you came here, isn't it?" The kitsune immediately shot his question. Before [name] could even open his mouth, Japan jumped in. "You. Come to my house tomorrow. This place is not safe to discuss."

"Huh-" [name] wasn't expecting that guy to openly invite him to his house. "Me? Coming to your house?"

"Yes. It may seem sudden for me to invite you after what happened but it's for the best." Japan crossed his arms, finally stopped fidgeting with his necklace. "You have many questions in your head, don't you? I'll answer them, just not here."

He wouldn't even dare to speak about the school's intentions on campus anymore, knowing that there are ears everywhere. There may be one here right now, too.

Just as [name] was about to open his mouth, the United States of America made her appearance. His train of thought was destroyed with the same line of 0s and 1s.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? I've heard the news. What happened?" She bombarded Japan with questions that he would most likely refuse to answer.

Normally, Japan would be flustered at the sight of America being too close, but he felt nothing this time. It might be Mimi's emotions affecting him or another factor that he will not disclose!

☆~~~~

His eyes land on [name], standing on his front porch. He was glad that the country had actually come. He could finally tell someone the truth. "Come in."

[name] took in the atmosphere of Japan's traditional home, which felt warm and cosy. Japan led him to a room where Mimi sat waiting with 3 cups of tea.

"How did you get corrupted in the first place?" [name] sat down next to Mimi, who was also confused.

"I was tortured till my breaking point." Japan's gaze went to his still tea. "I knew too much... The UN wanted me to be a student councillor and keep it a secret, but I refused."

"Speaking of the UN. They are not trustworthy. I saw and heard everything, every detail of his plan, it's all disguised as keeping students safe." The words that were kept in Japan's throat for a long time were finally unleashed with more coming out.

"Their final project. It is to test how a country would react or survive if a load of Nyxar were pumped into them. They've been collecting Nyxar for these past few corruptions, including mine."

The Japanese stopped, looking [name] dead in the eyes. "[name], you've been present in every corruption that has happened in school. I trust that you'll know what is happening and what to do, correct? This project risks a student's life here."

"That is correct... but what can I do? This project sounds like a large-scale corruption, and yet- we're already struggling to deal with yours." [name] felt the weight of protecting that one student's life on his shoulders. He felt especially nervous about Japan trusting him with this one task.

"I'm telling you this as soon as I can so you have the time to prepare." The fox placed his hand on [name]'s shoulder, staring at him expectantly. "Stop helping Kazakhstan. Find anyone and everyone who could help, I'll be there to back you up along with Mimi."

Not even a year since [name] regained his consciousness. He was given a task to save a country he didn't even know.

"Here, I managed to snag this from a student councillor. They said that it prevents corruption, but I'm not that sure of it." Japan held a charm and placed it in [name]'s palm. "Since it's unlikely that I'll get corrupted and Mimi is incapable of such, take it."

"Thank you?-"

"Wait a minute, what do you mean I am incapable of such?" Japan's older brother finally spoke up. His fox ears were pinned to the sides of his head.

Japan looked at [name] and then back at Mimi, contemplating whether to say another secret with an outsider around.

In the end, he couldn't hide the truth from Mimi forever. Neither of them was a mortal. It was bound to happen that his brother would know the truth.

"You... you're not real. Not a country, not a being, but a figment of my imagination that I made real." Japan couldn't bring himself to look at his brother, not after hiding the truth for hundreds of years.

Mimi looked as if his world was shattered, [name] didn't blame him as he would react the same way if someone told him he wasn't real but a character. (🤫)

The non-Japanese country felt out of place in this reality drop, like he wasn't supposed to be here. He felt shuffling beside him, and the elder kitsune was gone.

Both he and Japan looked at each other, unsure what to do.

☆~~~~

(Extra scene)

Japan came to his childhood place, expecting his friend to welcome him with a big smile and a hug. Oh, was he so wrong, the sight lay before him was filthy, disgusting even.

How sickening, his dear friend lay in the open with a pool of blood pouring out of their body.

"███████! What happened?!" The 3-tailed fox immediately ran towards their body. Cradling them while he tries to heal them.

"Japan, they came searching for you. T-they knew I was hiding you." His friend choked out a response, blood running down their throat as they smiled at Japan's attempts at healing.

Their body was beyond repair, and their nearing their end. Both of them knew it. Yet one couldn't accept that fact.

"Kiki, will you promise me. Promise me that you won't follow any corrupt leader? And you won't be one like them either." They reached out their hand, using their remaining strength to rub his cheek.

"I promise! I promise that! I swear!" 'Kiki' couldn't hold back his tears, sobbing uncontrollably. He held the body tight against his chest, knowing that it was his fault that many lives were lost trying to protect him.

☆~~~~!

Twitter post(s) for the day!

Did you know?

• America is busy going on dates with other countries right now.

• Mimi is incapable of feeling emotions 🤙

• Even though Mimi is called the elder brother, Japan is older.

• [name] is the type to wing exams and score a passing grade.

A/N:

I got this strange habit of leaving finished chapters in my draft, and once I'm done with 2 or 3 chapters, I'll post the chapter 😭✌️
(Yes the next chapter is done🤙)