''Kiku?''
Kiku looked up from the homework he had been doing. ''What is it, China-san?'' It had been nearly six months since China had found him in the bamboo forest. Six months since he had received his name. Kiku was now enrolled in third grade, and was turning nine shortly. ''Guess what?'' China asked, grinning from ear to ear. Kiku cocked his head, not really sure what to expect. ''What?''
''Cousin Beijing is coming to live with us, aru!''
He frowned slightly, confused. ''Beijing?'' China headed toward the kitchen, brewing some tea. ''Yes! He is still quite young, actually. The new capital city, aru! About the same age as you. I think you two will get along very well, aru!'' He exclaimed excitedly. Kiku thought of the idea of having a friend for once. Sure, there was Alfred and his brother Arthur, but they only played with him at recess in school. Francis was too... 'odd', and Ivan was too suspicious. He and Canada clicked together quite well (because they were both quiet), but Canada was a bit sensitive. He wondered what this 'Beijing' would be like.
Meanwhile, China was busying himself, preparing diner. ''Nee, China-san? You said that all nation's still have names. Is it the same for cities?'' Kiku asked. ''Hmm?'' China looked up from his cooking, tossing the rice a few more times. ''Yes, though Beijing never really told me his... That or I forgot, aru. This one does not have the best memory.'' Kiku nodded, and returned his focus back to his homework.
Two days later...
Knock. Knock.
Someone was at the door. Kiku hurried downstairs to answer it. When he opened the it, he found himself face to face with a boy his age. The boy had rather messy, short black hair and wore a simple green qi pao. He looked rather startled to see Kiku there. ''Um... Hello. Are you Beijing?'' Kiku asked uncertainly. When he heard his name, Beijing broke into a wide smile. ''Yes! And you must be Japan!'' He said cheerily. Kiku returned the smile. ''China-san has gone to the market to buy some things. Come in?''
Beijing was relatively... care-free, to say in the least. He would sit down on the floor, then suggest some sort of idea for a game they should play. Or nag Kiku to do something else other than homework. Which really bothered him. After re-reading the same line four times already, Kiku finally dicided to ditch homework altogether. He could always do it sometime later... As long as he could get Beijing to just be quiet.
He soon discovered that Beijing was rather like a personality clone of Alfred.
And that he was very annoying.
And very weird, in a way.
But they got along fairly well. However, Kiku couldn't help but notice that Beijing had a knack for trouble.
1.)He nearly smashed the flower pot in the hall when they were playing tag.
2.)He almost spilt his tea all over the carpet.
3.)He tripped and fell down the stairs.
Wait, what?
''Beijing! Are you alright?'' Kiku hurried down the stairs to the bottom, where Beijing sat, rubbing the back of his head. ''Owww...'' Kiku sighed. ''Are you alright?'' He repeated. ''Er, yeah, I'm fine. Just hurts a bit, that's all.'' He replied, laughing a little. Kiku helped him up. ''Are you usually this clumsy?'' He asked, hoping he didn't sound too rude. ''No, but stairs hate me.'' Beijing replied, scowling. Kiku couldn't help but smile at his sense of humour. Just then, there was a knock at the door. ''Oh, China-san must be back...''
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''Excuse me, have you seen my brother?'' I small girl asked a passerby. The man shook his head. ''Where is he?'' She mumbled quietly to herself. ''He can't fend for himself... It's always been me who protected him...'' The girl let out a small sigh. ''To think a city would defend a nation...''