Forgiveness Comes With Patience (AmericaxJapan)

Chapter Two- The Inevitable

Alfred's Journal
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December 8th, 1941

War. I'm no stranger to the word, but Im no more a stranger to the word than Japan is. He just got here, for God's sake! Was he-no- were they really so keen on attacking a superpower as to get into a full blown world war? What did they know about international conflict? It was me who sailed to Africa to free merchants on the shores of Tripoli. It was me who flew some of the first war-made planes over Europe in World War One. Not him. It feels like only a couple days ago that the ship I was on beached itself on the shores of the island country. Me and Captain Perry used our friendly American charm to convince the people of Japan to open their ports to us and the people of the world. Well, maybe it was more force than it was convincing, but they just wouldn't let us in! But it was worth it, right? We showed them technology, and our way of life. Who doesn't love the American way of life?

And by the way, all of the fighting is happening in Europe, far away from Japan. So they literally have no conception of what's going on over near France, Germany, Italy, and the others. His attack on me was hypocrisy, if anything.

I sound so damn childish right now. But what Boss said about Kiku hating me just keeps playing over and over in my mind. And behind me, all I can hear are the Warhawks' screams for the blood of the Japanese, the Germans, and the Italians. Russia has been pressuring us as well, even though he damn knows that he's supposed to be on our side. Their screams change me. After I left the Oval Office today, I didn't just feel different, I looked different. Well, yea, the left side of my face is lumped up, but there's almost this magenta haze over my eyes like the cloud of bloodlust overshadowing my reasoning. It's not the first time this has happened. 1812, 1914, the same shit happened. After my eyes go, then comes my hair, then my skin, and then me, Alfred all together, is gone. War makes me a monster.

With the real me fading fast, Kiku, buddy, if you ever read this, I want you to know that whatever America does to you during this war, I'm sorry for it. In fact, not just you. Germany, Italy, and the rest, please forgive me. I've met you two, Feliciano and Ludwig, and although it was scarcely on the same side or neutral grounds, I know the outside of battle you two are really kind people. I, Alfred, am sorry for my weakness to the plea for battle. I won't be the one calling the shots this time. It will be my boss along with this twisted other side of me. The nationalism is taking over, and as much as I want to hold on to reality and resist fighting,it just feels so calm, so refreshing when my people are for once united under one flag instead of arguing about worthless shit as always. For once, I can sit down and breathe and let my other half take care of things. But I can't help but feel that it was your plan all along to drag me into this. Just remember that during this time, like what Germany is experiencing now, the citizens of the United States of America will do everything in the name of, and for me. The men will fight for America. The women will labor for America. The children will try their hardest in school for America. Artists will paint for America. Good people will die for America.

War is the greatest cement for a fragmented nation.

Alfred F. Jones