HONGKONG - FIREWORK

Here she was, stuck in the Kirkland's manor. It was definitely a lonely place. She was never this bored when Antonio took her in with Mexico, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. She missed her siblings a lot, but she'd never want to complain in front of Arthur. After all, he did her a favour, didn't he? Maybe Antonio didn't love her at all. Maybe he grew tired of her at some point. She never really did much for him as a country. It was highly possible that all she was is a burden to him.

Maria sighed sadly. Thinking of all this was not doing her any good. She takes a deep breath and looks up; absently staring at the portraits Arthur had hung up. She suddenly smiled inwardly; it was never as lonely as she thought. Li Wang was there. He never spoke much but his company was enough for Maria.

"Is something the matter, Piri…?" he'd always ask her every time he found her brooding over something.

She nods quietly, staring at the ground. "N-no, it's just the same thing, Li," she gives him a disarming smile, chuckling slightly. "There's nothing to worry about."

He stares at her with an absent look, her smile not working on him at all. "It doesn't seem that way to me at all." He sits beside her, his own eyes watchful. "Tell the truth, Piri."

She winces at his sudden bluntness but she was used to it. "It's about Antonio, that's all…" she gives in, playing with her fingers. "I know I should get over it but I miss him sometimes…" She replied honestly. "Even though he gave me away…" That's how she saw it. Antonio no longer wanted her to be his colony anymore. She closes her eyes. But for now, it was a nice feeling opening up to him. Hong Kong was really someone she could trust. He hides nothing from her so she feels she should do the same.

"…maybe he really is trying to get you back." He holds his chin as he leans back on the wall, twirling dynamite with his fingers. "Do not assume such things, Piri."

"…but it's been so long already—!" she frowns, not believing a word he says. "He's forgotten…" she murmurs, toning down. "He doesn't remember me anymore…!"

Hong Kong sighs and turns his body towards her direction. "Let's…assume that he's forgotten," he looks down and takes her hand, earning him a short gasp from Maria. "…if he did, then a part of him will still remember you…" he moves her hand towards her heart. "…right here."

"W-what…?" Maria tears up immediately, her heart skipping a beat. "Li, I…" she smiles weakly, her fingers curling up on her chest, "Thank you…" she looks up at him, her eyes gleaming with happiness. "I'll never forget this…"

She wipes her tears and tries to brush the subject away. She didn't want to put him down with her problems anymore. Smiling playfully, she calls out, "C-c'mon! Let's head back before Arthur makes us eat his cooking again." She turns and runs ahead of him, the rhythmic sound of her steps fading away.

He nods instead, lowering his arms as he continues to gaze at her. It felt nice to mean something to someone…

"Maybe I could also…mean something to you in your heart, Maria…?" he whispers softly to himself, touching his chest. It was beating. Far too loud.

As loud as…fireworks.