can hear the music from outside the door. Curiously, he peeks in, trying not to be noticed, and is slightly surprised to see who it is.

plays a particularly difficult harsh segment and then floats back to sorrowful, sighing as he rounds it off to a close. He sits on the

piano stool, thinking.

cringes at the suddenly harsh selection, though relaxing again. He hadn't even known Min played piano, let alone actually knew how to play

anything decent..... He stays silent as it ends, wondering if he should comment or walk away. He opts to comment, pushing open the

door just enough to peek in. "That was... nice, Min. I did not realize you knew how to play."

too wrapped up in his thoughts he only says 'Yeah' in response. Finally he recognises the voice and turns with a blushing face.

'Of course I know how to play. Any idiot can.' His tone is lacking in its usual snarkiness.

blinks in surprise at the initial lack of answer, though the reply doesn't much change either."I suppose so. It sounded rather sad, though."

closes the piano keys and stands up, as if trying to distance himself from what he just did. "Most pieces do. It just so happens I enjoy_

playing them. It helps me."

hums softly, leaning on the doorway. "Well, it seems to help you act civil, for sure." He hesitates, before asking. "...would you mind

playing another?"

blushes at that. He had to admit it himself he didn't feel like being an ass to Kiku right now. Maybe he was right. Scowling, but secretly_

pleased, he goes back to the piano. "I wrote this one myself, so if you laugh I will launch a war at you." He begins to play another_

heart-wrenching song, all the while glancing at Kiku.

smiles when he notices the blush, stepping to take a seat near the piano to listen. He nods, preparing himself to hold back any laughter

that might bubble up, half expecting it to be terrible. He's pleasantly surprised though as he listens, closing his eyes so as not to notice

him looking up at him.

thought Kiku was trying to anger him when he closed his eyes but then he realised he was actually seeming to enjoy listening to him. He_

continues, and finishes softly so that the last note hangs in the air. He sits there watching Kiku carefully. When he plays, he gets_

emotional and he wasn't sure if he should get like that in front of Japan.

would be more than amused to see he actually had emotions past anger, that's part of why he was pleased to see this side of him already. He

smiles as the last note hits... though suddenly he gets the mental image of Min actually sitting down to have written that and has to hold

back a quiet laugh. "That was... quite good, actually," he nods, hoping Min hadn't noticed.

suspects Kiku is thinking about him because he looked like he was holding some sort of amused expression back. Jumping to his own defences_

he quickly says "It's nothing important, I only wrote it when I was bored, so..." He closes the piano again and looks away from Kiku.

hums at that and nods. "Right, of course..." He had enjoyed the song, he just hadn't expected it from Min. But he didn't want to inflate his

ego too much, who knew how that could turn out. "Do you write a lot of songs like that..?"

's shoulders come up in a shrug but stay up as he feels like he's put himself in a position where Kiku could make fun of him if he wanted._

"Yeah, I have a lot going on. I need to let off steam somehow, right? What's wrong with that? If you don't like it, just say."

shakes his head, laughing softly. He had no right to make fun of him for music... he drew doujin, after all. "I already told you it was

good, must you always act so defensive?"

him an 'are you crazy?' look. "Of course I must! In case you haven't noticed, nations don't look on me too kindly at the moment." He huffs_

"But I would have thought, as my brother, you'd be used to that by now." He stares at Kiku, looking both serious but thoughtful.

arches a brow at him. "Yes, I am used to it. But that doesn't mean I can't comment on it," he says, ignoring the brother part.

can't argue with that - it's not like he stays quiet about Japan's faults. He scowls, more to himself. "Why are you still here, Japan?_

Don't you have better things you could be getting on with?"

frowns a little. "Well, I thought perhaps we were somewhat getting along for a moment, but I can leave if I really offend you that much."

looks up quickly. "No," he says, then hesitates, "I didn't mean that. You can leave if you want to," He goes back to looking confused._

"You aren't offending me."

blinks at this, and furrows his brow. "...is something wrong today?" he was used to being harshly told to leave.

turns himself away again but he's honest. "I don't know, I think so..." I don't feel like being a prat to you, he says in his head.

hums a little, stepping up to him and placing a hand to his forehead. "..well, you don't feel fevered, at the very least."

jumps away a little, startled that Kiku touched him. "What are you-? I'm fine, okay?" He blushes darkly, trying very hard to scowl but in_

all truthfulness he almost liked the caring sentiment. "I'm just feeling a bit...lonely these days. I'll get over it."

blinks at him, studying his face. "...you, the master of isolation, are capable of feeling lonely?"

busies himself with gathering music sheets and stuffing them into his bag. "Wow, well done Japan. You discovered the master of isolation_

his off days too." He says, huffy, "Like I said, I'll get over it. Soon I'll be back to the Min you love to hate."

arches a brow, not really helping but more so watching. "And if I prefer this version?"

doesn't understand why he would other than the fact he's not trying to make Kiku uncomfortable. "The simple answer is you can't. This_

version only comes out every so often and normally I hide him well." He looks back at Kiku, studying him.

would think that as a pretty reasonable reason. shakes his head. "That's a shame, I'm sure I'm not the only one who prefers you to be not

so abrasive."

a short laugh. "I think if I were to be like this to someone else they would believe I was faking it. Guess I have to admit you do know me_

pretty well." He sits back, leaning against the piano. "You know, some people find the abrasive side appealing. Not you, though." he gives_

an honest smile, something he can't remember ever giving Kiku before.

hums at this, shrugging. "Perhaps, given how you act now. But I think nations know best of all that people can change," he blinks, surprise

at the smile. It wasn't at all unnerving like past smiles... it seemed real. "Does this mean you actually trust me, despite it all?" He's

expecting a harsh no.