Medium

Recess (2)

= America's POV =

I walked past the curious and suspecting gaze of the others and approached the person in a separate area where countries can use their phones to talk to the personnel in their countries. The UN had made the room because there may be emergencies in the real world when we were having the meetings, and countries might need to give out orders.

However, some countries use it just for regular contact. Just like the flag right before me, with the white body and red circle. Japan was a heavy user of the room.

「はい、そちらの書類は明日までに...はい、お願いします。」("Please complete those documents by tomorrow... Yes, thank you.")

It's really interesting that he's taking care of his usual work when the others are just in a panic because of the uninvited guest. It's also funny that he's bowing his head to air as he talks into his phone. His body language is easier to understand than when we're talking face to face.

Sometime later, Japan finished his talk. He let out a short breath and ticked his tongue. His usual face mask, with a slight, gentle smile, was nowhere to be seen.

"Heyyy, Japan? There's people around you." I sneaked up behind him. He looked up at me surprisedly, with his black eyes wide as plates. "ah, America-san. I'm sorry I didn't notice you."

His eyes softened, and his mouth relaxed into a smile. Boy, he's brazen-faced.

"What were you going over?" I asked him. His eyes showed nervousness as he opened his mouth, "Well, the normal stuff. People want higher wages and less overtime work. The laws aren't working well, but some are reluctant to change them, and do you know who works overtime the most in the country?" He pointed at himself.

OK, so he really is just taking care of his work, in this situation. No wonder everyone jokes that he'll be concentrating on his work even if he was told that the Earth would explode in a day.

"I thought the average time of overworking was longer in the United States," I said, trying to calm him down. But Japan turned to me with blank eyes. "In Japan, if you work for 13 hours, the boss records 8 because they don't want to pay the workers."

He should really take care of his country's working environment. I pat his head (He is really short, by the way) reassuringly and sat on the stool next to him. Japan sat on another chair and stared at me, waiting for me to start talking.

"Did you talk to anyone about the vote?" I ask him. He rolled his eyes, "Of course. Who do you think my neighbors are? Russia, China, North and South Korea! All of them hate me because of the Japanese Empire, and now, we're here talking about how to deal with his friend!" He exclaimed, "Don't worry, I'm your loyal sla-, friend, so I won't let them turn him into a guinea pig. You don't want that, do you?" He smiled.

He should be either very tired or stressed. His mood was more unstable than usual, and his tension was strange.

"No, and I'm glad you understand that. But do you have any ideas?" I ask him. He nodded instantly, as if he was waiting for that question, "Of course. Though I don't think anyone would like it."

I look at him, confused. "It is persuasive, right?" Japan laughed, "Yes, yes. It is, or I hope it is. I can't think of anyone providing a better idea."

He had dark circles around his eyes, which stood out on his white face. His young face looked like he had aged a hundred years more than what I remember. I scratched the back of my head, thinking why he's so strange today.

"Did you sleep at all?" I asked worriedly, "Ha-ha. I finished three days' worth of work just to attend this meeting. It appears it was worth it. As I said, don't worry. I just need another can of energy drink." He answered, putting on his usual expression.

I stole a look at him and saw that under the smile, his eyes were full of determination. He had an expression on his face similar to that of when he was defending his cultural right on whaling or when he was telling off the UN for intervening with his domestic affairs.

Although a lot of people think that he's a coward for not sending military support because of his constitution or call him my pet because he usually supports my opinions, he was a reliable friend of mine. I smiled and hit his back.

"I'll be counting on you."

Japan looked at me surprisedly and blushed. "Thank you. I'll do my best to meet your expectations. But please don't keep your hopes too high."

I laughed. He says that all the time.

= Japan's POV =

I don't think America got anything. As I saw him leave the room, I suddenly felt nervousness cover myself. This is going to be tough. I'm not used to attention, nor am I used to rejecting others' ideas.

He also doesn't understand that I don't care about the "humanitarian" aspect of how to treat Nazi. I'm selfish, and he shouldn't trust me too much on this topic. But here we are, the US trusting me because he can't say a thing during the vote. I did not think this would happen when I first proposed the idea of the rules.

JE, I'm sorry to say that your hope of meeting your friend, which you had never dared to say out loud, had become significantly low or almost impossible now. I'm also sorry to your father because he hates Westerners who aren't from the Netherlands.

But it's for the development of the international community and the investigation of the unknown. It might also lead to the success of your rehabilitation. You had worked so hard on trying to walk and keeping awake, but it never actually gotten well, but worse. If we get to know more about our bodies, then we'll probably get your body fixed too.

A few minutes later, I left the room. The halls had become quieter since a lot of the countries had already entered the meeting room. I look at my watch and see that there are only a few minutes left. Maybe I'll stick to coffee instead of energy drinks.

I got a cold iced coffee and chugged it down.

Alright, Japanese Empire. You gave me tons of trouble before.

It's time you gave me the courage and pride you had.

I entered the meeting room, feeling the piercing gaze on myself as I slipped between Jamaica and Jordan. It was a minute before the starting time, and I was the last to arrive.

The clock ticked, the United Nations stood up. Britain and America had now sat back down in their seats, and the Soviet Union and Third Reich were provided extra seats near the corner of the room.

"OK, countries." The UN raised his voice, "From now on, no talking. As soon as you make up your mind, vote."

Two buttons appeared in front of me, and shields appeared to separate our views.

I pressed the button to the right.

'I vote to keep him alive'