(Japan's P.O.V)
I was lying awake in bed. I was one of the people who got a bed beside where Italy lies. The other person was Germany. None of the nations who were stuck in the mansion had ever seen Germany cry as much as he did tonight. I could still hear the stifled sobs coming from my friend as he dreamed of Italy's death. I knew that Germany was Italy's best friend, but I never knew they were that close.
Italy's death wasn't the only thing that had happened that day to make a nation cry. England had overused his magical powers and in doing so lost his vision. The spell he cast to defeat the thing that was after us had done this. It left The Brit blind - and America was very upset.
I felt bad for everyone and what I wanted the most was for all of my friends to get out of this cursed mansion alive. It didn't seem like that was going to happen anytime. Italy had told us about how he had been trying for... oh, well, I can't remember how long he had been going back in time trying to get us all out alive. He failed each time. No, I thought. I can't think like that, we'll get out of here somehow. There must be something we're forgetting to do, this can't be impossible, it just can't.
"Hey, you're still awake Japan."
I jumped. I was certainly not expecting to have someone talk to me. I turned and saw Canada on his bed.
"Oh, hello Canada. You are awake too."
"Um, ya, I just couldn't stop thinking long enough to fall asleep." Me too, I thought.
"What is bothering you right now?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, I was thinking over what I can remember we did and I still haven't figured out what we did wrong."
"The same thing was going through my head."
"Really? Wow, so what do you think about it?" Canada's face brightened.
"There has to be a way out. It can not be impossible. There must be something - either undiscovered or ignored - that will be the key to escape."
"Exactly! You seem to be the only country who feels the same way," Canada said in a forced whisper. It looked like he was about to stand up and start shouting.
"Do you have any idea of what it could be? Ignored or undiscovered?"
"I think it must be something we've ignored. We've already searched everywhere, so I don't think we've missed anything." Despite his excitement, Canada yawned.
"You look tired, Canada. We should try to go to sleep."
"Yeah, thanks for letting me talk, Japan."
"You are welcome, Canada." He turned over and in a few moments, I heard his breathing become steady. I decided to try to sleep as well. I find that once I clear my head I fall fast asleep in no time. I told myself that I would resolve this in the morning, then sleep came to me immediately.
In the morning, I woke up and rolled over in my bed to see Canada happily sleeping with Kumajiro in his arms. I smiled. It's so nice seeing him with such a happy face. Germany, France, America and China were awake already, standing around not talking much. England was awake as well, sitting up on his bed. I waved to him, then remembered that he couldn't see me.
"Good morning, England."
The Brit turned in my direction and smiled. "Mornin' Japan."
I got up to get something to eat for breakfast and greeted the other nations on my way. France had prepared omelettes for everyone, and they were delicious. But as I ate, I suddenly flinched and dropped my chopsticks. I remembered what we had forgotten.
"What's wrong, dude?" America put his hand on my shoulder with a look of concern.
The sooner I told everyone, the sooner we could get out. "I just remembered something we forgot to do. It may help us escape."
"What, really? Are you serious?"
Germany noticed America's outburst and hurried over. "What is it?"
The other nations began to crowd the table where I was sitting. England even got Canada to lead him over from the bed so he could listen better.
Once everyone had settled down, I began to explain. "When Italy, Germany, Prussia and I grouped up at the beginning of this time loop, we saw something. It was trapped in a hole in a room on the fourth floor. It was a mochi."
"Oh, I remember the mochi you're talking about! It's in the same room as Busby's chair, right?" Canada's face lit up as he spoke.
America jumped out of the chair where he was sitting. "Well what are we waiting for? Let's go see that mochi!"
But before America could leave, England grabbed his jacket. How he knew where to grab, I did not know. "Don't go yet, America."
"Oh, come on old man. I know you want me to stay, but that mochi could help us escape!"
"You bloody idiot, that's not what I meant by stay. I mean, we need to figure out a plan. If you go charging out there alone you could die." America stood for a moment, then sat down and pouted.
"Fine, we'll come up with a plan first. What do you think, Germany? You're the best at this kind of thing," America said grumpily.
During that entire conversation, Germany must have been in a haze because he just shook his head and said, "Right. Plan."
"Could I help with this?" I put in. Germany looked relieved, so I continued. "I think that we should split into two groups. One group goes out first to see if they can defeat the thing, while the other group goes around the battle and straight to the mochi."
"That's a good plan," England said. "America, now you might be able to go to the mochi." England then drooped his head sadly and quietly muttered, "But what about me?"