It Comes and Goes, You Know?

A Typical Day of Training

Back then, I didn't think it would get better. I was afraid that it would stem into something even worse, and I would be destroyed. That didn't happen. It's better, and now we are back at where we were before.

May 1972

USSR's training is always harsh, and today was no exception. I had to fight against Russia and North Korea all at once since USSR wanted to work on my skills against multiple enemies. But the downside was that I was outnumbered. And second of all, Russia gets extra training since he is USSR's son. But I guess it makes sense that he gets special priority? "Faster reflexes, China!" USSR yelled while Russia threw punch after punch at me. I was focused on dodging until I noticed that I lost sight of North Korea. Damn it, where the hell did he go? A foolish move on my end, to not pay attention. I tried to glance over my shoulder, just to see if he was there. I only caught a glimpse of him before Russia finally landed a punch on my stomach, causing me to fall onto my knees. I wheezed a few times, before heaving myself back up onto my feet. I couldn't completely get up before North Korea grabbed both of my shoulders and slammed to the ground, pinning my wrists to the ground so I couldn't fight back. "How did cough you get behind me?" I pushed out, looking up at his face. "Oh, you didn't notice? How delightful," he said, a smirk on his face. I gave him an exasperated look before muttering a half-hearted "I surrender". He let go of my wrists and stood up, while I was still trying to catch my breath and waiting for the ache in my stomach and back to go away. I eventually got up, ignoring the discomfort in my torso. "We're going to have to work on two-on-one combat for you, China." I nodded my head at USSR, acknowledging his comment. "That's all for today. North Korea and China, you two can go home." I didn't want to listen to his words, but I knew I had to. 

I walked home with North Korea, just like every day ever since the Korean War. The walk from USSR's household was filled with conversations about training, family, friends, school....you name it. We've become even closer friends after I helped him fight his brother. It was good to have a few close friends these days.

~time skip~

I turned a corner to go back to my home. I wasn't quite old enough to live on my own yet, so I still lived with my father and brother. It was a relatively breezy evening, with a few grey clouds drifting across the orange and blue sky. I knocked on the front doors three times. A few seconds later, my father opened the right door with a smile. I stepped over the wood doorstep into the courtyard and started walking towards the main house as my father asked "今天的训练怎么样？". "有点困难，但我通过。" I answered. "好吧， 我需要出去一会儿。晚餐在桌子上。" I nodded and watched as my father walked past me and left, stepping over the doorstep and hanging a left. I turned towards the main house and entered. I didn't see my brother in his usual spot next to the potted plants on the wooden table, so I assumed that he was already in his room. I ignored the food sitting on the table, I just wanted to go to sleep as quickly as possible. I was exhausted after that day.

After cleaning myself up and changing, I sat on my bed reading a book and enjoying the breeze coming from the window. My father hadn't come back, so I assumed he was visiting Vietnam again. I never really understood why he was the one always visiting him since I was the one who helped him in the Vietnam War (of course, not on my own), but I just pushed it out of my mind after realizing I honestly didn't care. All the sudden, the phone in the main room started ringing. I quickly placed my book down and got up to take the phone call. "Hello?" I said into the phone, twirling the wire around my finger and fidgeting with it. "Hello, is this China?" I familiar voice said from the other end. "Yes. Is this America?" I absentmindedly said. "Yeah. I called to further discuss our relations," he explained. I mentally sighed, and responded with "What do you need to discuss?". "Well, you never received a formal welcome from me. So, welcome to the UN Security Council, I'm glad that you're here. I hope that we can build a strong alliance, despite out....differences.". His pause hinted to me that he was referring to me being a communist. His tone also sounded very reluctant. I guessed that he was saying all of this just out of kindness, though he didn't exactly mean it. I appreciated it none the less. We discussed a few things before he said an apologetic goodbye, since his father, U.K., was calling for him. He hung up as I put the phone down back on the stand. I stood up and went to my room, hearing the creaking of wood from the courtyard. Father must be back home I thought as I flopped onto my bed, yawning and reaching over to turn off the bedside lamp. I closed my eyes and fell asleep, the moon's soft white rays pouring in from the window. 

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今天的训练怎么样？: How was today's training?

有点困难，但我通过: It was a little difficult, but I passed.

好吧， 我需要出去一会儿。晚餐在桌子上: Okay, I need to go out for a bit. Dinner is on the table.