The doorbell rang quietly. The calm electronic chime echoed through Germany's house, nestled in the woods on the outskirts of Munich. Outside the window, the late-morning June light was dyeing the garden's fir trees a golden hue. The voices of small birds could be heard somewhere in the distance. "...A guest?" Germany furrowed their brow and rose from the sofa. The fabric of their dress made a faint straining sound again. Italy poked their head out from the kitchen. In their hands was a plate of pasta, still steaming. "Who is it? Coming over while I'm eating pasta—that takes guts~" "You just shut up and eat your pasta." Germany headed for the front door with heavy footsteps. *Click.* The door opened. Standing there was a woman. No—to be precise, it was Japan, now in a woman's body. "[gentle]Good morning, Germany-san." Their long, glossy black hair was braided behind them, and they wore a pale cherry-blossom-colored kimono to absolute perfection. Their back was perfectly straight. Their narrow, dark eyes were quiet and composed, and their stance was like something out of a painting. Germany was at a loss for words for a moment. "[surprised]Japan... you're already dressed like that." "[gentle]Yes. Fortunately, I was familiar with how to wear a women's kimono. Though I did hesitate a little over whether the obi knot should go in the back or the front." They gave a small smile. "[laughing]That's amazing, Japan! Did you actually practice!?" Italy came running to the entryway, still holding their plate of pasta. Their large amber eyes were sparkling. Their curly brown hair bounced, and the cowlick on the left side stood straight up. "[gentle]Yes, well... just a little. Italy-san, that dress looks wonderful on you as well." "Ehehe, you think so? Actually, this is the one you gave me this morning, Japan." Italy pinched the hem of their indigo dress and spun around once. The skirt billowed out softly. "[serious]Hey, don't dance in the entryway. Just come in, Japan." Japan gave a small bow and quietly stepped inside the house. The motion was so natural, so smooth, as if they had lived in this female body for a long time already. —No, that couldn't be. Germany thought this as they watched Japan's back. *(They're just suppressing their turmoil.)* The shoulders of Japan's kimono were ever so slightly tense. Their fingertips were clenched into small fists inside their sleeves. Faint signs of tension, so subtle no one else would notice. "[serious]I'll brew some black tea. Sit on the sofa over there." "[gentle]Thank you very much. Please don't trouble yourself." Japan sat down on the sofa. They brought both knees neatly together, straightened their back, and placed their hands one atop the other on their lap. It was the very picture of a *Yamato Nadeshiko*'s way of sitting. Italy sat across from them, twirling pasta around their fork, their eyes wide. "[surprised]But seriously, your adaptability is amazing. Me, I was almost crying while eating my pasta just a little while ago." "[sad]Ve~..." Japan let out a soft giggle. "[gentle]Italy-san, you were emotionally expressive even in your original form, but it seems becoming a woman has made you even more honest. I think that's a good thing, in its own way." "[surprised]Huh? Y-you think so?" Italy brought the pasta to their mouth, looking a little embarrassed. As Germany brewed tea in the kitchen, they listened carefully to the conversation between the two. *(Japan is always like this. Putting others before themselves.)* They placed the steaming cups on a tray and returned to the living room. "[serious]Here. Tea." "[gentle]Thank you very much, Germany-san." Japan accepted the cup. Italy didn't notice that their fingertips trembled for just a fraction of a second. But Germany did. —No. Japan's gaze casually drifted back and forth between Italy and Germany. *(Ah.)* Something stung, deep in Japan's chest. Germany and Italy were already completely at ease with each other. Italy was in Germany's house as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and Germany was looking after Italy just as naturally. The sense of closeness between them didn't look like something that had formed just this morning. *(It's probably always been this way, hasn't it.)* Japan let out a small breath. "Alright, let's sort out our information." Germany spread a map out on the table. That was when it happened. *Brrrrrrrring!* Suddenly, the old-fashioned telephone against the wall rang out loudly. "[surprised]Wah!" Italy jumped, a single strand of pasta dangling from their mouth. "It's the phone. Who is it, at a time like this." Germany picked up the receiver. '[excited]Hello! Is that Germany!? It's me, America! Something crazy's happened, but I'm actually super excited about it!' The volume was so loud that Germany held the receiver away from their ear. The voice echoed through the room from the speaker. "[angry]Shut up! Talk more quietly!" '[laughing]Hahaha! Thing is, I woke up this morning and I was a gorgeous blonde! I look super cool, like the Statue of Liberty! This is the start of a new adventure! A hero's still a hero, even if their appearance changes!' Italy couldn't help but burst out laughing. "[laughing]America, you seem like you're having fun!" '[excited]Oh, Italy! You too! So this phenomenon is happening all over Europe! Awesome!' "[serious]Give me the situation. Are there any other anomalies within America besides you?" '[excited]Hm? Nah, just me so far. But Canada's been kinda quiet. I bet it happened to him too, but his voice is so damn quiet I can't hear him!' The corners of Japan's mouth softened just a little. *(America-san is the same as always.)* They weren't the only one bewildered by this situation—knowing that eased the restlessness deep in their chest, just a little. '[serious]Anyway, contact me if you figure anything out! I'm gonna go patrol New York now! Evil always shows up, no matter what form it takes!' *Clunk.* He hung up without waiting for a reply. "[angry]That guy never listens to anyone right to the end..." Germany sighed. But, right after that— *Prrrrrr.* This time, the tablet terminal on the table lit up, signaling an incoming video call. The name displayed on the screen was 'France'. "One after another..." Reluctantly, Germany pressed the call button. What appeared on the screen was the figure of a beautiful young man, sighing as he ran his fingers through his hair. His blonde hair swayed softly, and his blue eyes were tinged with melancholy. His features were flawlessly beautiful, but his shoulders were solidly built, and he was unmistakably in a male body. '[sad]Ahh... Germany, look at this form. They say beauty transcends gender, but I just can't get used to this voice. If only I could produce a sexier, deeper voice, it would be perfect.' "[surprised]France is having a hard time too, huh..." '[excited]Oh my, Italy! How adorable you are! You have a certain devilish charm. Even as a girl, your Italian essence is overflowing.' "[embarrassed]Huh, you think so? Ehehe." "[angry]Don't let it go to your head, Italy. France, are you also affected by the curse?" '[serious]Ah, it's probably England's doing. There's a rumor that a strange wave was emanating from his magic workshop. But you know, I think this is a chance to pursue a new kind of beauty. I'll show you all a beauty that transcends gender.' "[serious]You're the same as ever." '[laughing]Of course. Ah, but there is one problem. I'm at a loss without any knowledge of women's undergarments. Japan, could you teach me the tricks sometime?' Japan's eyebrow twitched. "[cold]...I refuse." It was an immediate answer. '[laughing]How cold. Well, never mind. Anyway, you're going to England's place, right? I'll join you later. I'll have perfected a new style of beauty by then, so look forward to it!' *Click.* The call ended. "[angry]Every single one of them..." Germany rubbed their temple. "[gentle]But, it's a relief that everyone seems to be okay." Italy breathed a sigh of relief. "[serious]Yeah. This confirms it. The curse is widespread. The cause is most likely Chapter 7 of England's grimoire—the Grimoire of Calandria. I've heard it's an auto-activation spell, a defective spell that affects the surrounding area regardless of the caster's will." "[surprised]Germany, you know a lot." "[serious]If something happens to an allied nation, information should be shared." Japan nodded quietly. "[gentle]Then, our first priority is to head to England-san's magic workshop. It's in the Cotswolds region, on the outskirts of London, correct?" "[serious]Yeah. We'll take my car. Get ready—" Just then. Something glinted outside the window. The sound of fluttering wings. "[surprised]It's another magic post!" A white paper bird perched on the window frame and dropped an envelope. It was a swan, folded in a way very similar to an origami crane, just like the one before. The wax seal bore the words 'World Conference - Urgent'. Germany broke the seal. As they read on, their face visibly paled. "[angry]It's from Switzerland. 'Absence from today's World Conference at noon at the Pavillon des Nations will be considered a violation of Article 14 of the Concordia Treaty. If there are unavoidable circumstances, report them immediately.' ...It says." "[scared]Eeeh, what do we do!? I'm too embarrassed to attend an international conference looking like this!" Italy clutched the hem of their skirt tightly. Their amber eyes were quickly welling up. "[scared]Ve~... Germany, do something..." Italy's shoulders were trembling faintly. Germany hesitated for just a moment. But— Without thinking, they had taken off their jacket. *Flutter.* The indigo jacket was draped over Italy's shoulders. "[gentle]...Don't tremble. I'll do something about it. I'm with you." "[surprised]...Germany?" Italy looked up. Beyond their tear-dampened lashes, Germany's blue eyes were shining gently. "[serious]Never mind that, just calm down a little. First, we'll ask England about the situation. Everything else comes after." "[gentle]...Okay. Thank you, Germany." Italy gave a small smile. Germany's jacket was far too big, and it looked like it was about to slip off their shoulders. But that, in turn, felt warm, and gave them a sense of security, as if they were being wrapped up. Japan watched that scene. *(...Ah.)* A quiet ache filled their chest. *(Germany-san is so kind to Italy-san.)* Their eyes wavered for just a fraction of a second. Their long lashes lowered. But immediately, they lifted their face as if nothing had happened. "[gentle]Germany-san, how long does it take by car to reach England-san's home?" It was a quiet voice. "[serious]The Cotswolds region, on the outskirts of London. It's about nine hundred and twenty kilometers from here in a straight line. By car, we need to allow at least ten hours." "[gentle]Then we won't possibly make it in time for the noon meeting. Let's send a notice of absence. I will inform Switzerland-san myself." "[surprised]Japan, you're so calm." "[gentle]There's no point in panicking when we're in trouble. Besides, the time limit is tonight's full moon. If the curse is lifted by then, we can explain the situation at the meeting tomorrow." Japan stood up smoothly and walked toward the window. The hem of their kimono swayed just a little. "[serious]I'll get the car ready. Italy, pasta can wait. We're going." "[sad]Ehh~... But, okay. I'll follow your lead for now, Germany." Italy stood up from the sofa, clutching Germany's jacket tightly to their chest. The three of them headed for the front door. Outside the window, the June wind was swaying the fir trees. The sky was still blue and clear. But when night came, the full moon would rise, announcing the deadline of this curse. At the front door, Japan turned a