Chapter 3: Romano of the South

"Thank you for helping me clean up. That good for nothing idiot fell asleep yesterday, and I hate messes." Germany was on his knees mopping up the pasta sauce while Vietnam was washing the frying pans and returning them to where they were kept.

"It's nothing, really," Vietnam replied, "I'm used to cleaning up. Messes bother me too."

Germany smiled. This girl was mature and easy to talk to. He usually had trouble talking girls, but Vietnam could understand and calm him down. He thought about what happened yesterday and blushed.

"Sorry you had to see that yesterday."

She laughed. "Don't be. It was actually hilarious. I needed a good laugh." That made him blush even harder.

Since it was still early, Italy and Japan were still asleep. Vietnam was accustomed to waking up early, so she had bumped in to Germany. She had offered to help him clean up.

Then, out of nowhere Italy happened to appear with a big grin on his face.

"Germany, look who's here! It' big brother Romano!"

Germany frowned and looked back at Italy.

"What the hell is that jackass doing here?" he asked

Another man, who looked like Italy stepped into the room. He must be Romano, Vietnam thought.

"Who the hell are you calling jackass, potato bastard?!" He yelled at Germany who stood up, frustrated.

"To hell with you," was all he said.

"You want to fight?" Romano asked. Right then he caught a glimpse of Vietnam who was standing off to the side quietly. A deep blush coated his cheeks.

Vietnam approached him and smiled.

"Hi I'm Vietnam."

Romano continued to blush. "I'm South Italy, but you can call me Romano. I'm North Italy's big brother."

"Here let me help you clean up," he offered. Vietnam let him help her.

When Romano was done, Vietnam smiled again.

"Thank you that's great." Romano blushed very hard. This girl reminded him of Belgium when she said that.

Romano stepped outside to go for a walk when Vietnam caught up with him.

"Do you mind if I join?" He shook his head.

"So, do you really hate Germany?" Vietnam asked.

"Of course! That potato bastard is all over my brother!" She laughed at his reply.

They started making small talk until Romano saw a bunch of tomatoes in a veggie store and dragged Vietnam into it.

"Would you like to have a tomato? When I was little I got into a habit of eating them, so I still, you know like them! He have one raw" He spoke fast and excitedly.

Vietnam decided to eat one raw, but when she sunk her teeth into it, her face turned a deep purple, almost making her vomit.

It's disgusting. How does he manage to eat this? No wonder he gets so red when he blushes.

She had to keep herself from vomiting. Romano looked at her and she smiled.

"Do you like it? Here have another!" He shoved a tomato into her mouth while Vietnam secretly vowed to hurt him.

Romano had eaten 4 tomatoes already, while she was still trying to digest the first one.

"You must really like these."

"Oh yeah, I lived with Spain and he used to eat these all the time." He began to tell Vietnam about his childhood, while she listened intently, happy that he could open up to her.

Romano and Vietnam continued to walk along a path until he sat down on a bench with Vietnam beside him. He placed his head on her shoulder, making her blush. In a few minutes, Romano was already asleep.

He's sweet, Vietnam thought, He could be the one.

Just then, the loud sound of an explosion sounded from nearby. Romano jumped up and hugged Vietnam.

"What was that?" He screamed. "Help me! What if the monsters are coming back? Oh no they're out to kill me!" He ducked and hid behind the bench.

"Just wait here," Viet assured him, "I'll go see what that was."

"No! Don't leave me here with the monsters!"

"It'll just be a minute." She walked ahead while he protested.

Up ahead in a clearing stood an angry looking Germany holding a grenade while Italy lay exhausted on the ground.

"Italy! Get up and throw this grenade. This is the pin-" He held up a small pin, " And this is the grenade. Throw it!"

Italy shot up and grabbed the grenade. He threw it.

"Idiot! Not the pin!" Well, maybe he didn't throw it.

"Fine! It's time for a jog!' Germany declared.

"Nooo Germany I'm tired!" Italy cried.

"Oh Italy, look the British are here! And they're coming to get you!"

"Where?!" He let out a loud squeak and sprinted through the trees at full speed.

Vietnam walked back to Romano.

"It's just Italy and Germany throwing grenades." She explained.

Romano stood up and frowned.

"I'll show that potato macho how to throw grenades!" He ran to where Germany was standing and grabbed the grenade from him.

"Hello bastard." Romano greeted Germany. "This is how you throw a grenade."

He took off the pin and threw it at Germany while the grenade exploded in his own face.

"Dammit! This is all your fault bastard!" Romano went to Germany and started catfighting with him while Germany was trying to get him off. They both fell to the ground with Romano scratching at Germany's face. Germany was kicking him, trying to get him off. He kicked and Romano fell back.

Germany stood up, catching a glimpse of Vietnam while doing so. He blushed heavily.

"I'm sorry about that again." He muttered, embarrassed.

"No problem. It was entertaining."

Vietnam stayed for a few more days, all filled with Romano and Italy drama. Italy had given her a tour of his country with Japan, Germany, and Romano tagging along.

"I should be going," Vietnam told everyone, "I still have more places to visit."

"Nooo! Stay for a few more days!" Italy whined. She smiled.

"Germany stepped forward and looked down at her. "Come visit Germany. And when you do, stay at my house. I insist." It was really nice of him to offer.

"Thank you."

"Yes Vietnam-san," Japan threw in, "Please, do come to Japan. You must come to my house and stay there. I will show you all around."

Vietnam thanked him as well.

"Well, it was great meeting you." Romano told her, blushing deeply. "I hope I see you again."

"Me too."

Italy pulled Vietnam in for a hug.

"Group hug!" He yelled and pulled everyone in.

Romano's a sweet guy, but he's just…too much like his brother. I guess he's not the one either. Well, no love in Italy. So much for Italian romance.

Well, how was chapter 3? Romano's out too, but there's still a whole bunch of other countries. Next chapter will probably be France or Russia. Who do you think Vietnam should fall in love with? Or, who do you think it's going to be?