Hetalia: Monsters and Demons - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: No More

The youkai around them disappeared. Philippines and the others watched as a strange bright blue light enveloped her body. Emerging from her chest, it wrapped her body as if she was being mummified. The light lastly hid her face, where a sad smile said, “Bye, I’ll miss you. You too, America.” Her brown eyes slowly closed before the light went over them. But America’s eyes were on the verge of crying. He liked Philippines, and Philippines liked him. Fate really enjoyed playing around with life, cruelty being its entertainment.
“Philippines, don’t you dare!” America ordered and held the country’s arm tightly. It was time he bared his teeth back at life.
“America, what are you doing, you idiot?!” England snapped.

The flames left the girl’s body and vanished. Philippines just stared blankly in front of her; the American’s face meant nothing to her.
“H-Hey... Philippines. Are you alright?” America asked with a shaky voice. Did she recognise him? The nue said she’d lose her feelings for America, but her memories too? That wasn’t what he said...
“No... Not with your face in front of me!” Philippines snapped and shoved America away from her.
China pulled the two apart and told the two to stop fighting. Philippines crossed her arms, but knew she would lose in a fight against him anyway. After all, they were still allies by the contract she was signed under. What in her right mind made her do that? Something was missing in her mind, that thing that convinced her to be bound as allies with America. No, it was more than her mind. Her chest felt a bit empty and hollow. What was missing? She couldn’t think of anything...

America, on the other hand, felt destroyed. Philippines didn’t forget him, her hating feelings returned and pushed aside the loving ones. But really, he preferred Philippines to hate him than not know him at all. At least... She had some idea of him, right? The tears he tried to hold back slid down America’s cheek. Love really did hurt. But heroes never cried. He wasn’t a hero, like Philippines said. The blonde wiped his tears with the back of his hand, refusing to let them be seen by the girl.

China and England comforted the two, hoping that another fight wouldn’t be broken out. The others shook hands, returned their magic to England and declared the war between humans and monsters a victory. They used Russia's phone to call the others back at the G8 building, and they too were celebrating just as much they were. But to America, only part of it was a victory. He won, but also lost. The other nations rejoiced and partied. When China and England felt the two would be alright, they joined the rest. Everyone had fun. Except for America and Philippines.

Philippines looked over her shoulder and saw the upset America. Why was he upset? She always acted like this around him, didn’t she? Or did something happen that she wasn’t aware of? Whatever it was, it sort of hurt the girl to see America like that. But why? She never really gave a damn about him. But something made her legs move towards him. They told her to go to the boy and comfort him. She tapped America’s shoulder, and he gasped in response, not expecting anyone to talk to him.
“Wait, what? Oh... It’s you,” he said bluntly. Sighing, he asked, “What do you want? If you want to hit me, just go for it.”
The other nation was really confused. What made him act like this? “Did I say I wanted to? Why are you so upset? Did I do something? I know we don’t get along that much, but to make you not want to talk to anyone and dismiss me... There’s something going on.”
“Nothing happened. I’m... just in a bad mood.”
“You’re never in a bad mood! So what happened!”
“If I tell you, you might hate me even more. And I don’t want that to happen.” His voice was serious and had a slightly threatening tone.
Philippines frowned. “If... If it was my fault...”
“It wasn’t!” America interjected. Then his face turned pink and he forced himself to shut up.
“It was, I can tell from your face,” she said, but with a bit of a smile. She patted America’s back for the ‘first’ time, and apologised. “Whatever I did, sorry about that. I didn’t mean it, I think.”

America coughed, and his voice sounded like he was choking. Philippines looked at his face and saw that he was crying, but at the same time smiling.
“Hey, I wasn’t joking,” Philippines said angrily.
The blonde boy laughed and hugged the girl, much to her surprise. First he was crying, and now he was laughing and hugging her? It was probably America that was crazy, not her.
“So there’s still a bit of your old self left in you, huh?” America cried happily, hugging her tighter.
“My ‘old self’...? And don’t push it, hugging me’s enough.” But even though Philippines wasn’t used to getting hugged by America, it felt nice. As if this was the thing that was the missing puzzle piece.