APHnation-Nihon

It meant nothing at first. When he received the invitation to APHnation from Liechtenstein, Kiku thought...or rather expected more chaos to deal with than a vacation from work. (Because come on, a group where nations all lived under one roof? That was just begging for trouble). And in most ways, it WAS exactly that...but in others....

...it was a dream come true.

At APHnation, he didn't have to worry about stacks of tedious, neglected paperwork or the weight of what his actions could bring if he did something that was not in his boss's or people's favor. He didn't have to be burdened with political, social, or physical issues/strife. Only in this place, surrounded by friends, family, and old rivals alike, did he feel close to being...human. Close to being his 22-year-old mature yet sometimes immature other half, Kiku Honda, instead of Japan personified.

For once, he didn't feel like a country at all.

Of course there would always be those little moments when he remembered what he truly is. Moments such as healing cuts and bruises quickly, consuming more food than the average man, lifting the couch up effortlessly to help search for the missing remote controller, etc. 
Albums used to be the most significant and painful reminder of his real identity. The delicate, slightly faded and worn out sepia photos they contained were practically history haunting him, serving to stab his guilty and nostalgic heart with every glance he took inside them. He was sure however that he wasn't the only one in possession of albums that triggered so much emotion.
And now, he had new albums; just two though, and the second is half filled. But they're both filled with fresh memories, crisp and colored photos, of the ones he made at APHnation. The times when he witnessed pranking battles, participated in a game of Truth or Dare, had the strangest and probably most amusing experience with voodoo dolls, got turned into a doll, apparently got drunk and sang karaoke, became a priest in a fantasy themed world, discovered hidden underground tombs beneath the house as well as clones that took the nations hostage in a forest, ate magical food that transformed him into either a child, a Neko, or a feminine version of himself, cross-dressed for Liechtenstein's sake...they were all preserved in those photos.

And the ones he cherished the most....were the ones with Hong Kong.

His otouto-san. Perhaps his best friend.

No...he's more. He's definitely more to him.

But, the bottom line is: he's grateful. Kiku is entirely grateful. For everything.

And now, standing before the APH house with a duffel bag slung over one shoulder and Pochi by his side, he can at last leave this place with a smile.

Arigatou gozaimasu. Sayonara.

((Guys it's been fun; but I guess we all knew that our fun had to come to an end someday. Thanks for all the hilarious times we've had together; I'm really gonna miss you all! ;w; Most of you already know my Tumblr/Skype username; if you don't, feel free to send me a note and I'll send ya the details~ As to whether I'll ever get around to answering those Would You Rather questions, I'll see what I can do But for now, adios amigos!! ))

Everyone knows the "Would You Rather?" game, right? When you give a person two choices and they have to pick one? For example, "Would you rather lick peanut butter off of a hobo's feet, or get eaten by a lion?" Personally I'd pick the hobo option

Well now you get to play the game with Japan~! This is gonna be like Ask Japan, but only with Would You Rather questions~ Sounds good? Then I'll be taking at least 5 questions! Goooo!! Ask away!!!

I was more than happy and wirring to participate in the "Earth Hour" rights-off event that took prace on Saturday, March 23. It was so nice to see so many countries take part in the worrd wide event and I was amazed when they turned off the rights at Tokyo Tower and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) over here. When we arr gather together to do something for a common good cause, it is such a wonderfur feering.

Arso, today I wourd rike to address something I came across; these drawings of Pokémon in Tim Burton styre..... are, eto....interesting....

....that is arr I have to say on the matter.

Cherry brossoms have begun to broom everywhere in my country, starting with Fukuoka back on March 13. Tomorrow wirr be the best time to view the cherry brossoms in Tokyo so I pran on visiting soon. *sighs softly, a bit dreamily* Ah, the dericate, innocent beauty of the pink frowers....perhaps I sharr try hanami or picnic under the trees if the weather is just right? And arso bring some friends? It wourd certainry be nice, ne?

(( Just a bunch of hilariously cheesy pick-up lines I came up with for Japan before Valentine's Day is completely over~ If you figure out the references in some of them, you earn a hug from him!~ ))

"My last name is Honda. How about we go for a ride?"

"I represent Japan. You are welcomed to visit anytime..."

"Sightseeing? Hai...would you like to check out my Mount Fuji?"

"I may be the master of stealth, but I cannot hide my love for you..."

"Are you a Pikachu? Because you leave me paralyzed..."

"Loving you is like loving anime; it is addicting."

"You be the princess and I will be your samurai; I will protect you no matter what."

"I do not need one thousand paper cranes; you are my wish come true."

"How about we make a pinkie promise with our lips?"

"Is your name Destiny? Because we are tied together by the same red string."

"What does Aishiteru mean? Here, I will show you..."

((Feel free to come up with your own!~ ))