Will THIS be the chapter you are looking for?
/= [DAY 100] =/
Kiku folded the paper together on his gift with the upmost precision. He had given all his presents out at this point, but even then he had no idea really about this Christmas. Sure, he had people to give presents to, but this year he had Charice to handle. He wasn't really sure on what she wanted…past food. But then again, they always want food.
Hopefully, Charice will like this present.
It was strange. Wasn't their first encounter during the war? They haven't even spoken to each other beforehand, despite the fact that they were so close to each other. The Philippines were just so embraced by the Spanish that Kiku hadn't really heard much about the islands even before their isolation policies. And from what he could see in Rizal's eyes, he was grateful that he didn't.
It had been so long since he had seen her in this school. Last time that they had met, Alfred had saved her and her brother from his reign after the war. It was during bad times, and he didn't want to remember anything. To think that Charice had actually remembered him like that…and still wanted to be his friend. Now look at him: he's this love-struck young man going after a girl that was the foil of all his customs…except for Yaoi. Everyone agrees with Yaoi.
Yes…I'm sure that she will accept this.
Still, he was going to have to be a little weary when it comes to Rizal. He might still have the grudges against him after all that time. What would he think after winning her heart? Hopefully, he will accept him into the family. Rizal didn't seem to mind him at all during the school days. Maybe he had a chance…
"A true man will not abandon a challenge. He has honor to think about." He stood up. "I will take the honorable road."
/=+=/
It was strange how this evolved from just a petty rivalry. Li Xiao pondered this as he closed the box in his hand. Sure, he had been inspired like this before…but nothing on this level.
Hopefully, Charice will like this present.
A long time ago, he had only met the people from her land. A few years into that he had seen one man that was very important to her: Jose Rizal, his name was. From what he heard, he had peacefully started a rebellion that actually overthrew the Spanish Empire there. He had also heard that the nation that led the army was a guy, so he assumed that the Philippines was a guy. He was sort of right.
When they started the first day of school, he saw that the Philippines was a guy…at least half of it anyway. He had never considered the fact that the other half would be a woman…the older sister, out of all things. An older sister that obviously forgot to have a couple of screws tightened when she was released to the living world.
Yes…I'm sure that she will accept this.
But still. Despite her mental "issues", she was an overall nice and beautiful young woman. Kiku obviously saw the same thing when they met in this school. Li Xiao just had the pleasure of not going into war with her and her brother. Both of them had been victims. Both of them suffered by the Japanese during their military rule. And they both moved on. But despite that, Charice would still see Kiku as a friend.
Because that's what she does. She forgives. She moves on. And she keeps smiling.
"…maybe she will believe in absolute this time…" He stood up. "Hopefully…she can."
/= "I Will Carry You" =/
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Charice stood quietly at the archway, not willing to walk out on the balcony and go straight into the cold. She really wasn't used to it (being one of the warmer nations, of course), even though she liked the cold, but even this jacket and glove set isn't going to help her at all. She already gave out the majority of her presents and there are only two more people to find…and these presents she got with care. These were her best friends, of course.
Which brings up the question…where in the world are they? I've been looking for them forever…
She muddled around with that question when she heard footsteps going toward her. She turned her head and couldn't help but smile at the face in front of her. He, on the other hand, wasn't paying attention and so seeing her was actually kinda startling to say the least.
"Heeeey~!"
"Uh…hey." He responded, rubbing the back of his neck. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Ditto…then again I've been looking for you."
"R-really?" He had to stop blushing.
"Yeah! I've already given everyone else their presents and I have to give mine to you!" She laughed. "True Christmas spirit, don't you think?"
"Well…it's not like I'm used to Christmas. I'm not Catholic, remember?"
"Yeah that is true…whatever. It's funny that way." Charice smiled. "Though…I'm glad that I saw you first."
"Hm? Why?"
"Cause I got yoooou~"
Charice laughed and pointed upward, allowing him to look up and realize that there was a small plant over their heads. He stared at it for a few minutes before blinking, his gaze unwavering at the strange plant above them.
"…what is that?"
"You don't know it?" She laughed. "It's mistletoe~!"
That got his attention. At least he was paying attention to that: he was trying to avoid them this entire month. He darted his head back to Charice, who was laughing at his expression.
"You look so shocked!"
"Uh…well…"
"You know what the mistletoe is about, right?"
"…yeah…yeah…"
"Pfft. You're blushing."
"Well, what am I supposed to do here…? Allow you to kiss me…?"
"You don't want me to kiss you?"
He froze. That came from left field…not to mention that he kinda wanted her to kiss him. But just to blurt that out is…awkward, to say the least. Especially since Rizal might be nearby. Knowing him, he probably is.
"Actually…I…uh…"
"Are you stammering? I'm surprised. You're not one to stammer."
"…I don't know how to say it without sounding a little creepy…" He mumbled. "Or rather…I'm not sure how to say it…"
"Hm?" Charice didn't look like an oblivious young lady anymore. She looked…beautiful.
"Uh…you know Ludwig and Feliciano?"
"Yeah."
"…it's…that…"
"I'm not sure on what you're getting at here."
"Same situation, Charice…uh…how do I say this without confusing you? Hm…well, you see…I'm Ludwig…you're Feliciano…and the same condition applies…I…think…"
"Pfft." Charice shook her head. "No it isn't."
"H-huh?" He sounded disappointed.
"I'm more Alfred than anything else. You'd be Arthur."
"…says who?"
"Says your tone of voice." She walked up to him. "I never thought you'd be the shy type."
"A lot of guys are…here…" He looked away, embarrassed. "You should know that."
"Fuels the Yaoi, that much I know…though you're straight, right?"
"100%."
"That's…strange."
"Yeah…if not, then I probably would've found someone else instead of you…but then again there really isn't anyone like you…"
"…thanks…" She blushed. "Living in a male-on-male society, it's nice to hear something like this…especially from someone like you."
"T-that's…nice, thank you."
"So…we still have to kiss."
"…"
"You're blushing…"
"Because…I haven't kissed anyone before."
"Neither did I."
"What?"
"Don't be so shy. Men should take the first step in this."
"Oh…well then…"
He took a deep breath before taking a step and leaned toward her, closing his eyes on the off chance she turns around and gets the hell out of there. Instead, he felt warm lip touch his own and hands reaching out and holding his chest. He lifted his own arms and held her arms. She never felt so warm before. Maybe because she was wearing a jacket. But maybe because it was her…
They parted slowly, and he opened his eyes to see that she was blushing as well. It accented her smile so much that it embarrassed him even more. Still, the fact that she wasn't going away or that Rizal was killing him was a good sign. He thought it was good enough of a time to finally say it.
"I love you, Charice…forever."
"…I love you too, Li Xiao…"
/=+=/
YES INDEED IT WAS! And the winner of the Asian Wars is Li Xiao Chun with 42 votes! Kiku Honda had 29 votes, but heck it was fierce and I didn't count it if you voted twice. As for the anonymous ones…yeah, I counted them anyway. I'm sure people abused that to death.
Crap, I just lost half my viewers, huh?
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So guess on who the killer is, then!