On an early Saturday morning, in Berlin, Germany, at a United Nations meeting building, Countries were standing in the hallways discussing different topics to mention during the meeting. Everyone was either exhausted or wide awake. It wasn't easy planning meetings on everyone's schedules because of the different time zones. Nobody really had a choice. It was their responsibility as nations to attend every meeting day or night. Sometimes being a nation was difficult because there are so many rules to follow and you have to live through every event in your country's history and adjust to new versions of society. Nobody really gets a lot of time to live normal human lives like normal citizens. It was kinda sad that people couldn't really understand and believe them about living throughout history and witnessing everything that ever happened. It sounded impossible to them. Japan was standing awkwardly in the corner of the hallway scanning the room for somebody he could have an easy conversation with. Japan was kinda depressed. He knew almost everyone thought he was strange, mysterious, and kinda isolated because how quiet and shy he was. He would speak in a low voice and answer questions with one or three words. He always felt anxious and worried about his reputation after the two world wars. He could never forget about what him and the other axis team did to cause depression, fear, and anger to the rest of the world. He felt really guilty and ashamed of himself. He sometimes had nightmares of the horrible memories. He really wished that some countries like his two brothers, China and Soth Korea could forget about the past and start over, but it wasn't that simple no matter how hard he tried to convince them that he was a changed man. Japan sighed looking at his phone to distract himself until it was time to head to the meeting room. "Hey, Japan!" "Come over here, dude!" a voice called somewhere in the crowd. Japan turned and looked around. It sounded like his friend, America. He suddenly felt a hand tap his shoulder to get his attention. "I'm right behind you, dude.", said America. "Ohayo Gozaimasu, America-San.", Japan said smiling. He was grateful that finally, somebody approached him to talk. "You look tired, dude." "Would you like me to buy you a coffee?", America asked. "Hai, that would be nice.", Japan replied. While they chatted, Japan sipped his coffee, it felt warm in his hands and lips. It tasted like sweet pumpkin caramel. "Arigatou for the ko-fi ,America-San."said Japan. "Your welcome dude.", said America smiling. When they walked inside the meeting room, Japan sat right beside America. "Is everyone ready to start the meeting?", Germany asked. Everyone replied with a "Yes sir!" or "Yes, Mr Germany!" "Ok let's begin!", said Germany. "I called you all here today in Berlin to discuss my plan to deal with multiple problems at once." "I think we should get into groups of two and work together to solve problems in our countries." "It will be a project with a purpose to build our relationships with each other and learn to work together." "I will choose the groups." "England and France is the first group." "What,are you serious??", England and France asked. Second group would be "Japan and America." "Awesome!", said America. Japan smiled back. This will be great for them to get a chance to learn about each other's cultures and build up Japan's reputation." As Germany called the rest of the groups, America was thinking of many ideas writing them down in his notebook while thinking about Japan. America liked Japan because how respectful, healthy, and smart he was. He accepted America for who he was no matter how crazy he seemed at times. When they first met, Japan seemed kinda strange and inactive because he was isolated from the outside world for two hundred years or so until America forced him to let him in because he was desperate for another friend and wanted to trade things like guns and supplies. They taught each other many things about each other's cultures and traditions. Japan then agreed to sign a contract allowing foreigners visit him whenever they wanted. That all changed during the World wars when Japan joined the Axis for world domination. After the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan became really depressed because how much regret and shame he felt for the damage he caused. America offered to let Japan back into the League of Nations and rejoin the Allies. Today, some countries still don't really trust Japan's apology. "Maybe I should invite him over to my place sometime.", he thought. "We haven't hung out in a long time." After the meeting, America and Japan walked down the hallway together. "Hey, Japan, can I ask you something?"America asked. Japan nodded. "Sure, what is it, America-san?"
Japan knew America seemed a bit awkward and nervous to ask something. America scratched the back of his neck smiling. "Would you like to come over this Friday to my house?"America asked. Japan smiled "Hai, that would be great." Japan replied. "Awesome, dude!" "This will be fun!", America said excitedly.
Japan picked up his phone dialing a number to call. "Konnichiha, Hai, I would like to buy one plane ticket and passport to America kudasai?" Japan talked to a woman from Tokyo's national airport while pacing back and forth with his hands in his pockets. "How much?", Japan asked. "350,sir.", the woman replied. "Okay, arigatou gozaimasu.", Japan said hanging up the phone. "So?", asked America. Japan smiled. "I'm going to get my picture taken for my passport tomorrow and will pick it up on Wednesday." "I will arrive in New York City on Friday at 10:00am." "I'll be able to stay for two weeks." "Sounds good!", shouted America. "I'll see you then."Later that day, America decided that he needed to clean and straighten up his house some before Japan, his guest arrives on Friday. "I guess I should start with the kitchen and living room.", he thought. America walked to his storage room to find a mop and bucket. When he opened the door, he coughed because how dusty and old the room was. It was filled with boxes and chests of treasures and historical artifacts from all parts of American history. "Oh man, this room is full of all my old things.", he said. He looked down seeing an old book covered in dust. He picked it up dusting it off with his hand and sat on the floor to look at it. The tittle was "Memories In History" in gold letters. He flipped through a few pages of photos and framed items. There were pictures of him in the old wild west, pictures of him with his friends that he knew years ago, and photos of the allies and him during the world wars posing in front of army planes and tanks. He turned to the next page in the book. His smile quickly faded away as he looked at the next pictures. There were pictures of the Allies posing and mocking the Axis tied up and finally defeated ending the world war. and America also saw photos of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. He closed his eyes and sighed. He lost a couple of friends because of Japan's surprise attack. He also got revenge on Japan by destroying his home in Hiroshima. He slammed the book shut causing something to shatter on the floor. "What is this?", America asked himself, picking up the fallen object. It was a katana sword. As he pulled the katana out of the scabbard, he started to observe it. It had Japanese carved letters on it. America read the letters carefully. It said "Kiku Honda (きくほんだ)". America recognized that name. It was Japan's real name. "This was Japan's katana!", America said in shock. America closed his eyes again remembering something. "After I defeated Japan...", he whispered. "I stole his katana and kept it as a war trophy." America stood up holding the sword in his hands. "This room is full of distressing memories of horrendous events.", America said. "I really need to sell these artifacts to museums and collectors, or I should just dispose of it all." "Mr. America, are you alright in there?" I heard something glass shatter.", Lithuania asked concerned. "Yeah, everything is fine." "I'm cleaning up the glass." "Actually Lithuania," said America. "Can you help me dispose all of this junk?" Lithuania took a glimpse inside the room. "Junk you say?", he asked. "But I thought your history was important to you?" America sighed. "American history made me into who I am today and is really important and all, but it can make me gloomy at times because it brings me horrid memories of my pass with other countries that are my companions now." Lithuania sighed. "If you say so, but I think this is a terrible decision that you might regret someday." America and Lithuania carried the ponderous boxes to the dump. It was an arduous amount of backbreaking work.