aphanon_meme | part 370 fresh flowers on a side table in the morning

[ Good thing Kiku was bustling around the kitchen as it was! ]

( so might have missed Italy-kun coming in, but )

[ there's also a rather large table set up, of course, also Japanese-style, Italy-kun knows how it is at Kiku's places yes?? ]

( Seems to be preparing sushi right about now so!!! ) [ might be making the lightest 'hmm~ hmm~' noises that almost sound like humming ]

[ so still preparing the food but, also sounds rather happy and it might be Showing ]

Edited (@Germany-mun if they see: feel free to driveby here, crash their threads/this one elsewhere, whatever!) 2021-08-19 01:34 (UTC)

[Tries to be quiet and sneaks behind Japan]

[Oooh is Japan cooking and... singing?]

[He tries to contain his excitement while looking over Japan's shoulder ooooohhhhh everything looks so tasty!]

Veeee~

[He starts heavy breathing behind Japan's neck]

[ wwwwwwait Italy-kun thats tOO CLOSE THATS TOO ] ( Hypersensitivity Mode Activate !!! )

[ Wow Kiku you sure are going mind-blank quite a bit these days huh??? ]

[ Kiku seems to have momentarily frozen feeling that near but then ]
( ... and if Italy-kun was more perceptive, might notice the (small)-hair{s}-standing-on-end sensation )

( well, but Kiku also knows a "Veeee~" when hearing one . . . )

I-Italy-kun, please be careful! I am cooking, remember....!!

( Thankfully didn't quite have the knife in hand at that moment, already finished cutting them )

[ More like was putting the finishing touches on, but yes, they're quite close to ready....!! They are probably looking very delicious ]

J-Just a moment longer and it will be done...!! ( Also kind of froze/stopped the singing mid-hum when Italy did that and
the hum might have trailed off too )

[ Still a bit tensed up but Italy-kun is close and if Kiku jumped then Kiku might knock into Italy from behind so . . . fortunately keeps self contained but .
Clearly Kiku had A reaction TM to that which, now trying to will down if Italy-kun would Let It Happen ---- ]

Edited 2021-08-21 04:13 (UTC)

[If Italy had a tail he would be wagging it right now]

Okay~ But...

[Keeps trying to look over Japan's shoulders over and over]

Do you need help~?

[He is looking at the food from every angle possible from behind Japan. Everything looks so delicious! Social distancing? What is that?]

( Fortunately Kiku is slightly more used to that kind of behavior from Italy-kun by now bUT . . . )

[ Too close too close too close tOO CLOSE ] -----------

( Kind of still momentarily frozen in place, less than an inch away from Italy-kun's presence )

Edited (these were extra icons I used to have added to the main account hahaa imagine them as Internal!Japan?? ?) 2021-08-24 05:23 (UTC)

( Looks where Kiku {can still see} without moving and eyes land on --- ) [ Ah!!! ]

A-Ahh, yes, those!... [ Saved!!! ] The wooden saucers, there ---

( Those dipping saucers/bowls for sauces!! They're very fortunately empty right now but ) [ Also they're small and wooden, won't break ]

Italy-kun, for the sauces, if you can [ Kiku's voice isn't sounding funny!!! It isn't!! ] please take these to the table ---

( The table is quite large and Italy should be able to easily spot it )

--- I will fill those once I am finished preparing the meal!

A-As I said, not much longer...!! [ No seriously, its really close to being done!! ]

( Kiku's hands were hovering over the still-preparing sushi, trying to not jolt and hit the plate, and for the sauces, it was slightly off to the side )

Edited (Italy can move however wanted pffft but yes an internal response might cause the ghost-account) 2021-08-24 05:38 (UTC)

Yessir!

[And like the wind, he is gone to go pick on the saucers!]

Oooh these are very pretty!

[He looks at them with the intensity of a thousand burning suns and starts looking around at all the plates with pretty patterns]

Japan has very lucious plates! They look like they come out of fairy tales!

[He says while examining all the plates and looking at the patterns. They are really pretty!]

[Due to hanging out with Germany and him being so indulgent with Italy, he really can't tell when people are uncomfortable and he will remain oblivious to poor Japan's suffering whoops sorry Japan!]

[ Fortunately(?), since Italy followed his instructions (...to a degree) and no longer was barely an inch away,
Kiku is now able to relax! (Just A Bit. ~~For Now~~) ]

[ And breathe a bit. And. Steady self. Slowllllly (but carefully) moves hands down to clench lightly at the tables' sides (successfully avoiding bumping into the dishes) while Italy is distracted, but it does help, after some light breathing ]

[ It's been so long since Italy's been here, but Italy-kun truly is the same as ever.... ]

Edited (also as always, please take your time!) 2021-08-27 07:47 (UTC)

[ Starts listening again when Italy begins complimenting Kiku's dishware however ]

[ Kiku's gotten a bit more used to receiving blatant compliments from other Nations during the modern day years, but still can't help but feel modest receiving them ]

Edited 2021-08-27 07:57 (UTC)

( Before looking up more closely ) A-Ah, 'thank you very much'... ( Using the formal version; if Kiku was speaking in Japanese, it's "Arigato[u] gozaimas[u]" pattern instead of the more casual-tone "Arigato[u]" on its own; if in English, etc, "Thank you very much" instead of plain "thank you"/"thanks" - but its unknown, including to Kiku, if over the many years Italy-kun ever noticed these subtle differences in Kiku's formal-speech patterns... knowing Italy-kun, however, likely not )

[ Also, remembers Italy hasn't quite been the first to say this - England-san also very blatantly complimented Kiku's dishware before too, and might be remembering this now as well ] They have received compliments before, but... that may be a first for such a direct comparison... ( 'D-Do they really???' - thinking, because England-san had implied similar too about the patterns being 'fairytale'-reminiscent, b-but ) - ... I believe England-san may have said similar before once, but
Japanese dishware has important origins as well ----
And obviously, they should be handled with care---..... ( and then looks up )

A-Ahh, Italy-kun, the saucers should be placed properly and close to the side of each persons' seat, that would be sufficient!.... ( A little flustered again now also because of seeing Italy examine them so intensely.... also trying to keep Italy from becoming too distracted as Kiku directs him. )

I'll bring over the sushi, sashimi ( had previously finished that one, too ) and soy sauce in a moment....

[ W-Whew, at least now, can hopefully add the quick finishing touches to the sushi.... ]

Edited 2021-08-27 08:24 (UTC)

[Nodnods at Japan's explanation and then leaves the plates to reach for the saucers]

Eeeh~ We should go sightseeing more often, Japan! The fresh air will be good for you!!

[Oh right, he needs to put a good word for Germany as well!]

And we should bring Germany in case you get tired so he can carry you back ve!

[He says while flailing around excitedly with the saucers! Sorry Japan, he gets excited very easily! But don't worry, he will dance his way to the table with the saucers safely in hand~]

[ Probably has this face showing through for jUST A split second ----- ]

[ W-Wait, ok knew that earlier Kiku had mentioned about Germany to Italy but ]

[ For Italy-kun to make such a blatant statement!!!.... ]

[ How is Kiku supposed to reply "less formally" to things like THIS ]

( I-Italy-kun, be careful with those!!! --- O-Oh, Italy ended up being fine there, after all.... )

[ and now probably just standing rather awkwardly, frozen stiff, hands still positioned somewhere above the sushi
they are not trembling with Kiku's awkwardness tHEY Are nOT ] -------

Edited 2021-09-05 04:10 (UTC)

-- T-There will be no need for Germany to c-carry me,

I can!!! --- Walk perfectly fine on my own, Italy-kun!.... ( . . . )

-- T-That is, I would not want to be a bother to him, in such a way!

( . . . ) I-It is true that the fresh air would be good for my health, and visiting more would indeed be very nice but...

[ W-Wait a minute, isn't it more likely that KIKU (... if along with Germany) would be the one to help carry Italy-kun back?!?? --- But Kiku's not exactly voicing this thought right at the moment, though may have returned into a more contemplative/comical musing pose -- congrats, Italy, you've managed to avoid a slight lecture by causing Kiku to overthink again (and also by somehow not dropping Kiku's dishware) ]

( also absolutely not eventually thinking of such a scenario that would allow Germany to carry Kiku either nO.....
Kiku's health isn't that poor, Italy-kun, the scenario simply isn't realistic!!.... )

Edited (probs looks like 'Face switching between emotions comically' & totally NOT blushing lightly hahaaaaa) 2021-09-05 04:28 (UTC)

[If Japan goes through any range of emotions Italy either dismisses it as old man stuff or just Japan being excited at the prospect of being carried by Germany! Yeah, that must be it!]

[So as he places the saucers on the table he hops up to help Japan with the sushi]

It's okay, I understand!

[He doesn't]

And like I said, I will support you any way I can!

[He says while winking and settling down on the table, patting the pillow to make Japan feel more comfortable in his own home~ ~~Wait, who's the host here again?~~]

[ ...He really doesn't ]

( ~~To be fair, a little part of it IS "old people stuff" but not entirely "old people stuff" bUT~~ )

[ ... Well, fortunately for Kiku, Kiku will finally start relaxing a bit hearing Italy say that, because it kind of helps bring Kiku back down to reality just A Bit ... ]

( ~~And start to cancel out the thoughts of Germany Carrying Kiku TM along with it~~ )

[ The "scenario" really is too unrealistic ~~to be achievable~~, isn't it...?? ]

[ ...which is probably the opposite effect on Kiku that Italy is hoping for, but ]

( the light ~~pink~~ blushing will begin to fade a bit with Kiku's face looking more neutral now... )

[ ...Except it's now settled into an almost slight pouting. Kiku has made this expression before in the past when around others, but it might be a little more obvious lingering this time, and yet - who can be really sure if Kiku's just Pouting TM in Contemplation or ~embarrassed~ (etc)? (Well, at least Italy-kun truly is a Friend TM but...) ]

( Kiku does seem to remember to actually finish preparing that sushi since in the end it didn't really need much left - just the finishing topping decoration etcetc. )

[ And, fortunately, Italy-kun is now settled at the table there too, ~~and not making too many messes~~ but... truly, Italy-kun, isn't Kiku supposed to be the host... ]

( Well, in the end )

I am grateful for Italy-kun's support. ( Kiku really can't help it sometimes... )

( Will then proceed to bring the sushi over to the table, as Italy helps; the sushi all ready to be set down in its proper spots, meaning Italy-kun's sushi was finished completely as well. It's probably looking incredibly delicious and appetizing right about now )

[ ...But hadn't Kiku been a little quiet during that remainder of time? ]

( Well, Italy did try to help Kiku feel ~comfortable~, which in the end did help a bit )

Edited (Italy can now proceed to chow down or badger Kiku, etc some more hahaa (or just anything!)) 2021-09-18 14:35 (UTC)

[It's fine, Italy just wants to help Kiku ~~with his love life~~ and suppor him the best he can!]

[And that's why he's gonna treat him like an old granny who needs help with everything ~~including bed time because Italy is gonna Italy~~]

Vee veee~ of course! We're friends and I want to support Japan and Germany as best as I can!

[He means that with all his heart! Even if there's a tiny part of him that is afraid he might be left behind by his friends BUT HE'S GONNA PUSH THOSE THOUGHTS ASIDE AND BE HAPPY FOR HIS FRIENDS!!!!]

[He waits for Japan to pick his chopsticks or whatever Japan does before eating. Was it that thing where they clap their hands or was that after..? He's gonna clap anyway before and pick his chopsticks. But why are chopsticks so hard to use? Uh he doesn't want to be a bad guest but he also still has a hard time trying to use chopsticks]

[So he will do the next best thing and stare at Japan very intently and imitate his every move]

So Japan... how is your love life?

[That's a good topic to start a conversation, right? Right??]

[ Italy-kun acted {mostly} according to the customs, so Kiku is actually really pleased ~~internally~~ right now! ]

( and probably did seem a bit asbent-minded in the moment, but ) [ eventually will quickly regain some composure! ]

( Quickly, before Italy-kun had started, hopefully he heard ) Please help yourself. [ "Douzo meshiagare", Kiku often says too after preparing the meal. ]
( and then, under the breath, to self ) [ "Itadakimasu!" ]
( There's customs, yes, but Kiku is treating Italy-kun tonight and preparing the meal, but Kiku can't help it sometimes...
~~probably because will often catch self saying "Itadakimasu~!" at home too~~ )

[ when alone ] ( ~~Yes~~ )

Thank you ... [ the "Arigato[u] gozaimas[u]" implication again, likely going missing, but Kiku is pleased still, absolute lightest of blushing settling in again ]

( Italy-kun is now picking up the chopsticks, so Kiku will trail off again and move to pick up own ) ---

Edited (I'll try to not be slow this week but omg side main fandom likely about to have a mini-implosion soon) 2021-09-24 14:29 (UTC)

[ ...Kiku does notice the staring It's kind of hard not to when. Ow. Direct eye contact Must AVOID--- but for the most part Kiku simply proceeds as typical,
picking up own pair of chopsticks, carefully posing hands like normally ( gracefully as always! ) when getting them ready ]

[ What a coincidence, however, if Kiku knew what Italy-kun was thinking right then, because Kiku just might Have A Bit of that fear too ...
or is it really JUST "a bit" but eheh since when does JAPAN ever actually easily face own feelings and fears head-on???
No Kiku will just ceremoniously shove those thoughts where they can Never resurface for the remainder of the meal--- ]

( NOT HELPED by the time back some years ago by now when Japan accidentally!! took a dare too far and simultaneously found out
Germany mIGHT ( ~~DOES???~~ ) still have MUCH more than just a "Thing" for Italy-kun )

[ Kiku still feels absolutely awful about that instance and genuinely hopes Italy-kun never learns about it ]
( And. Well. Kiku can't help but Wonder TM basically ever since then but again, since when does Kiku confront fears,
or actually attempt direct confrontation, especially with those considered Friends ) ---

Edited (for contexts into Kiku's mindset and past encounters hhhhhhh (I still die @ That thread @1amkeit!!!)) 2021-09-24 12:45 (UTC)

[ ..... and then ]

( Italy-kun ) ( drops the bombshell )

[ DONT COPY THIS ITALY-KUN ] ( because )

[ Kiku just . Accidentally broke the chopsticks CLEAN INTO TWO a little too hard ]

( ... they're still in-tact but maybe not as Clean a Break as usual )

[ Please. Please ignore the slight cut edge on the side of one chopstick ]
( Kiku it's actually quite impressive you didn't break them completely--- ) [ Please ignore it!! Please ignore it ] --

[ How does Kiku respond to this How does Kiku respond to this hOW DOES ] ---

[ ... ]

[ ... ]

[ ... ]

( Kiku will mumble the next part under the breath simultaneously, barely audible )

[ Simultaneously somehow Italy-kun tends to hear Kiku perfectly despite it ] ---

Edited (I'm thinking Italy Being Italy TM would one hundred percent hear Kiku next but hahaaaa) 2021-09-24 14:32 (UTC)

( ... Kiku, you're trying to confront things at least a miniscule amount now, right? You're trying to improve yourself rIGHT ) ---------

Non-existant.

o/

<3!

\o/ (also I'm using this account for /amusing reactions icons haha) 1/2

2/2~

For a moment there I thought I had killed Japan ladfkmafoiafs

(lbr ahaa for the most part Kiku is definitely /dying internally) 1/2

2/2~

Aaaww inner!Kiku! Also I'm gonna be a bit slow, sorry about that!!

1/3 Kiku does tend to over-think things, after all~

2/3 Also because I like using the cute icons when Kiku's /contemplating

3/3 referring to the Hetalia World Stars strip where England raved about Kiku's dishes aha

Buhyoo Kiku

1/3

2/3

3/3 (Omg I haven't heard 'Buhyoo' in so long.... ;3;/) Hope you are well Mun!

Weehweeh ty!! ;n; I got really swamped with work but I'm still here!! (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

1/? (aaa I wondered!) But hope it's a little better now! ;3;/

2/?~

3/3~

It is now! *chu!*

1/? o/ (Am glad it's all good!)

2/?

3/?

4/?

5/?

It is now! chu!