Chapter 8

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Some people were leaders, others were followers. This was a simple fact, and something that Italy had accepted a long time ago. He was a follower. If someone with a strong personality and stronger sense of self-confidence was around, he often allowed himself to fall back and follow their lead.

Third Reich and Imperial Japan, on the other hand, were leaders. They took charge, invaded other countries, and were typically the ones that made the plans for their alliance.

So when Third Reich had informed him that America was joining their alliance, the fact that the two of them had made the decision without him didn't surprise him. What surprised him was the fact that America would want to join their alliance. If were merely a power play, he would understand it. Afterall, Third Reich had reassured him multiple times that the war would end with them essentially ruling the world.

But America... really didn't need that. After all, her industry had been booming for almost as long as he'd known her. Italy still remembered visiting with other European countries for the World Columbian Exposition in 1893. It was all breathtaking- The towers that scraped the sky and streets that were illuminated with artificial light, both made possible by the fact that she had turned herself into a powerhouse of a manufacturer.

No, that couldn't have been it. He had asked Third Reich why, to which he responded with the truth. Apparently Britain had attacked America, and now she was declaring war. He said it with his signature sharp grin, which never failed to unnerve Italy, especially when paired with him discussing the suffering of others in such a nonchalant manner.

Still this particular knowledge created a heavy feeling in his chest. The fact that Ms. Democracy herself was joining them felt... wrong. Then again, a lot of things felt wrong nowadays... he was just being stupid.

So, he shook off his feelings of doubt, and went on with his day. The days turned into a week, and before he knew it, it was the day America was supposed to arrive. Third Reich was in a weirdly good mood, even opting to not mention the fact that Italy still hadn't fixed the light in the hallway, which he had promised to do a month ago. Was he happy because someone new was coming? Would things be... different, now?

Italy was very interested to see if that was the case. With a new, strong personality in their group, how would the dynamics change. As of now, the dynamic was functional at best (at least in his opinion). Although they were dominating on the warfront, having to deal with two, sometimes clashing, headstrong people was enough to make Italy want to leave. He didn't like conflict in general, and his two allies made it almost unbearable. Japan was aggressive when angry. She had punched at least three holes in one of the walls, and had a voice that shook Italy to the core when it was raised at him. Third Reich, however... Italy couldn't remember a time when he had been outwardly angry. He had a poker face that would put Casanova de Seingalt to shame, and a way about him that left Italy apologizing to him after every disagreement, even when he wasn't exactly sure why he was apologizing. He was one of those people who could get you to do anything, whether you really wanted to or not. That scared Italy more than any shout.

And Italy... was the scapegoat. Whenever things went wrong, it somehow always led back to him. HE messed up. HE didn't plan. HE was the reason they lost. It was exhausting to deal with, but Italy supposed that it wasn't unfounded. He had learned in his time with the Axis Powers that he definitely wasn't the smartest in their group. So it made sense that he'd keep messing up. He didn't like it, but it made sense.

Still, no matter how Italy felt about it, their dynamic worked. So how would adding in a strong personality like America change things. Italy had never been super close with her, but she was a nice person, if maybe a little eccentric in her mannerisms. She was generally loud, especially when she was excited, and had trouble reading the room at times. Would she become the new scapegoat? A small part of Italy liked the idea, but he knew it was unlikely. No, either they would share the hardship, or she would be given another role. But what? He has always taken her to be a leader, someone who marched to the beat of her own drum, and didn't generally like others telling her what to do. But they already had two leaders, they couldn't have a third. Even Italy could tell that having three people in charge would be too much.

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