21. Collapsed Creases

Date Written: February 9, 2019

Date Posted: July 27, 2019

Characters: Veneziano, Japan

Summary: Italy tries to understand his fellow Axis member, Japan better. This entails a mission of observation and pleasant conversation.

Notes:

Italy had spoken with Japan a number of times, but not enough to fully grasp how the much shorter man usually acted. At the very most, Italy understood that the black haired man was often quiet and reserved. It frightened the Italian, but Japan was the most emotionless person that he had ever come across. In his book, that was completely abnormal.

So, of course, Italy decided that he should observe his foreign ally in greater detail.

During his first mission concerning his observation of Japan, Italy was forced (by Germany) to spar and train alongside the Japanese Nation. Although slight and lean in nature, Japan showed that he had a knack for hand to hand combat. He was also quick and agile—traits that had the Italian almost weeping with joy.

The Italian was about to challenge him to sword fighting, but Germany had quickly put an end to it, which left the Italian decidedly weeping with petulance. In explanation, the blond Nation revealed that they were halfway through the twentieth century. Guns and machinery were the necessary tools needed to win the war.

Japan must have seen the Italian's look of agitation because he offered a small, if a bit uncertain nod of his head.

While the training session left more to be desired (especially concerning the latter half of aforementioned training), Italy still counted it as a win in his book: Japan had emoted (even if such emoting was a hint of an iota of human emotion).

Italy tried spending more time with Japan, but that yielded next to nothing. He had only talked about the war and some other "safe" topics that it had Italy nearly sobbing from boredom.

Fresh out of ideas, Italy had decided to just simply read a book for the day. It was an old composition by an author long gone and forgotten, but to him, it was like reacquainting himself with an old friend. So engrossed with his book, Italy almost did not notice that the stoic Nation had entered into the same room as him. As the Italian peered through the pages of the weathered tome, Japan had taken to sitting down opposite to him, a sheaf of off-color paper held within his slender hands.

Because he didn't want to distress his ally, Italy kept his mouth shut and his eyes glued to his book. However, curiosity won over his other emotions. Without trying to look like he was trying to get a read on what the Japanese man was doing, Italy glanced at the corner of his eye to see that Japan had begun to organize his papers in some sort of pattern. After a beat, he began folding.

However, as quiet as Japan was, he wasn't able to disguise the sound of folding paper amid the relative silence of the room.

"Oh my!" Italy feigned surprise as he frantically waved his arms in happiness. "Japan! What brings you here?"

"My apologies—" For some odd reason, Japan's face began turning a tender shade of rose pink. "—Italy, it appears that I may have disturbed you." Gracefully, Japan moved as if to bow, but the auburn haired Nation quickly put a stop to that.

"No! I was just reading some boring old book. Tell me, what are you doing?" Excited, Italy pointed at the stilled position of his ally's hands. "It looks really interesting!"

Would he learn more about the island Nation?

For a moment, Japan's dark brown eyes stared at the Italian, almost as if he were trying to stare deep into the depths of his soul. Although, Italy was accustomed to direct eye contact, he was still unused to long periods of silence. It didn't take long before Italy began using his patented special power that made Germany bend to his will: overly large eyes that just so happened to sparkle with unshed tears.

"I see." Japan sat back down, as graceful as ever. "Please, watch carefully and then, I will explain."

Carefully, with deft motions and nimble fingers, the island Nation began swiftly folding the paper diagonally and then in half. Reverse. Inverse. In half again. Throughout the process, Italy could barely contain himself with joy. Japan was showing him something from his culture! Something that he probably hadn't shown Germany yet! It was only because he was too used to Japan's aversion of noise that he hadn't began peppering the man with question after question.

When only half a minute had gone by, Japan held up his finished product.

"A bird!"

"Yes. It is a crane and with expert hands, could be made to look more elegant and pristine." The eyes of the island Nation seemed to go hollow, almost even darker than it had ever been. He began fiddling with some of the creases on the wings. "Ah, I was not careful with the beginning folds."

Italy adamantly shook his head at that admonition, saying, "No! This is by far the best thing I have ever seen! Origami seems so fun and exciting! Pretty please, would you teach me? Oh, and can you also make other things too? I bet—"

As the Italian gestured all too expressively with his arms and hands, Japan just looked to him in gratitude. He had been meaning to get to know his fellow Nations more, but words and cultural differences had failed him. Now, he could see that Italy was earnest, if a little overenthusiastic.

"All right," Japan conceded. "I will help you. First, we will begin folding…"