Three kilometers northeast of Stonehenge. At the edge of a small spring, nestled at the base of an ancient oak tree. [cold] "…That's why I'm saying, this time, I truly am sorry." England's voice trembled. Long golden hair tied back, in a woman's form. Emerald-green eyes fixed on the spring's surface, refusing to lift their gaze. At the center of the spring, a tiny light flickered. The light took the shape of a small figure with butterfly wings. Rhiannon, the queen of the fairies, barely fifteen centimeters tall. [angry] "Three years ago, you scorched a part of my forest black. And today, you trample into this sacred spring again. What face do you have to ask for water?" Rhiannon's voice was clear as a bell, yet cold as a blade. [sad] "That's… well…" England's fist clenched tight. (*Why am I always like this?*) They had to apologize. From the heart, even if it meant groveling. But their mouth wouldn't move. [sarcastic] "Enough. If you have no intention of apologizing, leave. I'll have the spring sealed." Rhiannon raised a hand. The spring's surface clouded over rapidly. [angry] "Wait! I—" That's when it happened. [crying] "Wait!!!" Italy burst out from the bushes. Curled brown hair in disarray, the hem of their indigo dress caked in mud. Japan was behind them, chasing after, out of breath. [surprised] "Italy!? You were supposed to be in Venice—" [crying] "England really does want to apologize properly! They haven't been able to sleep, not for a long, long time!" Italy dropped to their knees before the spring. Tears spilled freely from their large amber eyes. [crying] "They've been sick with worry, thinking what if the curse can't be broken, what if they've caused everyone trouble! But they just can't say it honestly… England isn't a bad person!" [sad] "H-hey, Italy… stop, don't…" England faltered. [crying] "Please! Give us the spring water! I want to help everyone return to normal!" Italy's tears fell to the ground, dotting the earth with dark stains. Rhiannon gazed steadily at Italy. [gentle] "…You're like a human child, aren't you?" A quiet voice. The coldness from moments before had softened, just a little. [gentle] "I thought the personifications of nations would be more… dry. To think there's a child like you, who can cry for others." Rhiannon glanced at England. [cold] "That *tsundere* mage over there doesn't deserve to sleep with their feet pointed toward you." [angry] "W-who's a *tsundere*! Who!" England shouted, turning bright red. [laughing] "Ahaha, your face looks like a tomato!" Italy laughed, wiping away tears. The spring water cleared once more. The sealing spell had been lifted. [gentle] "Draw your water and go. But if you scorch the forest again, you're banned for a hundred years." [sad] "…Understood. You have my thanks." England, lips pressed tight, drew the spring water into a small silver vial. Their ears were still bright red. [whispers] "Hey, is England about to cry?" America, who had somehow appeared behind them, whispered to Japan. [gentle] "Your voice is too loud, America." Japan quietly chided. America grinned and shrugged. [laughing] "Alright! Ingredient number one, get!" America struck a victory pose. England walked on, pretending not to hear. [excited] "England! I'm so glad you got the spring water!" Italy ran up to them. [sad] "…Shut up. I don't need you telling me that." "Ehehe." Italy smiled. Japan watched their back in silence. (*Italy is amazing.*) They thought it in their heart. (*I still can't tell anyone how I feel about Germany. But Italy can put their feelings into words so directly like that.*) The wind rustled the leaves of the ancient oak. Japan placed a hand on their chest. *Thump. Thump.* (*I wonder if Germany has reached the summit by now.*) They realized they were worrying. And they already knew the reason for that worry was love. (*I'll stop pushing these feelings down.*) Japan took a small, deep breath. (*I'll properly admit it to myself. I like Germany.*) A small resolution, unnoticed by anyone. Japan's dark eyes looked straight ahead. --- Altitude: 2,780 meters. North face of Mount Edelmont, a rocky ledge. [serious] "We've arrived. This is where the moonflowers grow in clusters." Germany stopped walking. Their slicked-back blond hair was disheveled, their breath white. On the rocky ledge, about thirty silver-white buds swayed in the wind. [laughing] "Finally made it. Germany, your pace is way too fast." France, the beautiful young man, murmured as they swept back their platinum blond hair. [serious] "It won't be long until the full moon's light shines down. I told you to hurry." [sarcastic] "Well, but half the reason you rushed is because Italy's coming to the mountain, right?" [angry] "Wrong!" Germany shouted. That's when it happened. [sad] "Germanyyy… Franceee…" A weak voice came from down the slope. Italy, supported by Japan, stumbled up. Their face was deathly pale, their lips an unhealthy color. [scared] "My head is pounding…" "Altitude sickness. Don't push yourself." Without a word, Germany draped Italy's arm over their shoulder. [gentle] "Sorry, Germany. I'm heavy, aren't I…" [serious] "Don't worry about it. Don't talk. Focus on breathing." Germany said in a low voice. [sarcastic] "Germany, that's what I like about you. Don't you think so too, Italy?" France said with a smirk. [angry] "Don't say unnecessary things!" A vein bulged on Germany's temple. Italy, amidst their labored breathing, thought hazily. (*What France said… I wonder what they meant.*) But before that—. The clouds in the night sky cleared all at once. The light of the full moon illuminated the rocky ledge. In an instant, the moonflower buds began to slowly open. One petal, then another. With each petal that unfurled, the silver-white glow grew stronger. [surprised] "Wow…" Italy was speechless. The petals were luminescent. It was as if the flowers were eating the moonlight itself and shining. [gentle] "It's beautiful… Germany." Italy murmured softly, their head resting on Germany's shoulder. Germany couldn't say anything. The warmth of Italy, felt through their shoulder. Something stirred deeply in their chest. (*What is this?*) With a leather-gloved hand, Germany carefully picked a single moonflower. [gentle] "Germany." [serious] "What." [sad] "What France said earlier… if I'm a burden, I'm sorry." Italy spoke in a voice that seemed to fade away. [surprised] "…What are you talking about?" Germany's hand stopped. [sad] "You're always helping me… and a long time ago, Holy Rome disappeared from my side in the end, too. So I thought… maybe important people just… disappear." Italy smiled quietly. Germany's hand stopped. (*I see.*) In their heart, they heard the click of a puzzle piece fitting into place. The reason Italy had cried that day in Venice. The deep loneliness hidden behind that endlessly bright smile. They understood it all now. [serious] "…I won't disappear." Germany said shortly. [surprised] "Huh?" Italy looked up. [serious] "Didn't you hear me? I said I won't disappear." Germany repeated bluntly, not looking at Italy's face. [surprised] "…Okay!" Italy, eyes still brimming with tears, broke into a smile. That smile, bathed in the light of the moonflowers, seemed to sparkle and shine. (*Ah, I…*) Germany murmured in their heart. (*I want to stay by this person's smile forever.*) From behind a rock, France gave a thumbs-up, nodding to themselves in satisfaction. [laughing] "Alright, perfect." [cold] "France, I can hear you." --- England's underground workshop, third level. The ritual chamber. Everyone had gathered before the silver cauldron. Italy, Germany, Japan, England, France, America. The Tear Stone of Venice glowed pale blue. The water from the Spring of Tir na Fóunte swayed in its small vial. The moonflower from Mount Edelmont emitted its silver-white radiance. All three ingredients were assembled. [excited] "We've finally made it this far!" America struck a victory pose. [laughing] "These seven days have been quite dramatic, haven't they?" France laughed, twirling a rose. That's when it happened. England stepped forward. [serious] "…Everyone, I have something to say again." England straightened their back and looked across each face. Their emerald-green eyes met everyone's directly. [serious] "This time, my carelessness caused trouble for all of you. I'm sorry." They bowed deeply. Silence fell. Everyone was too surprised to speak. That England had apologized honestly. [excited] "Ehehe, England said it properly!" Italy's face lit up with a smile. [angry] "Shut up! I just said what needed to be said!" England shouted, turning bright red. [laughing] "Ahaha, you really are a *tsundere*!" [angry] "Who's a *tsundere*!" Laughter filled the ritual chamber. Standing before the magic circle, Japan glanced sideways at Germany beside them. (*After this is all over, I'll put everything I've felt these seven days into my own words and tell them.*) Their dark eyes were filled with resolve. The light of the full moon began to stream through the skylight. Silver light illuminated the magic circle. The curse-breaking ritual was only moments away.