A/N: So, a few people said I should continue this. So here it is; my originally designed one-shot has become a two-shot.

Canada pushed the fabric grocery bag handles back on his wrist to open the door, and closed it behind him with a sigh of relief. Another long day spent being beat up for looking like America. If anything, it only made his want to stand out more double. He began unloading the groceries into the fridge and cupboards diligently, when he heard whistling coming from the other room.

Canada peeked in the doorway and saw Korea sitting on the couch, flipping through a textbook and slurping down his stew. "Hey Korea," he greeted, completely used to this by now. "Is China with you?"

"It's just me this time," he waved cheerfully in his direction, without lifting his eyes off of the page. "It says here America is at fault for the Cold War. How does he feel about you writing that in your textbook?"

"Actually, it says they're both at fault," Canada corrected him, "and what he doesn't know won't hurt him..." Really, the only thing Canada was concerned with at that time was getting caught in the crossfire; who started it wasn't of much importance. "Could you put the TV on the news for me?"

"TV originated in me, da-ze!" Korea closed the textbook and picked up the remote. Canada went back to the kitchen to help himself to the stew Korea had made, and plopped down on the chesterfield with him.

"Hey, I have a question," Canada said, while on the commercial break. "What makes you remember me?" Korea spent a lot of time at his house studying abroad, and he never seemed to forget where he was.

"You're cheep, laid-back, and according to 'Skeptikai' you're the smartest country in the would."

"...What?"

"Yeah! 'Yahoo!Finance' made a list of the top well-educated countries, and you're number one," he explained, "I'm sixth by the way. Schooling originated in me, da-ze!"

Canada was pretty sure there's no way that was right, but it's not like the internet lies or anything. "Maybe I should try acting smarter..."

Before going to bed, Canada decided to go onto Estonia's online chat room. He scrolled up to view the whole conversation background. It seemed Estonia was trying to coach Finland how to fix his phone.

He typed in, 'have you tried turning if off and on?'

'Who is this?' Estonia wrote in almost immediately.

'Canada.'

'Well "Canada," although your input is appreciated, I'm afraid the problem is more complicated than that. I'm almost certain the screen needs to be calibrated.'

'Hey, it worked!' Finland's message popped up, 'I held the off button for a long time, and when I turned it back on again it worked! Thanks so much Estonia! :D'

'No problem. :)'

'Hey, wait,' Canada wrote hastily, 'That was my idea!'

'Who is this?' Finland asked, even though they were talking with each other earlier that day. Couldn't anyone read his username?

'Canada!'

'It's probably just Russia stalking us again, Fin. Just ignore him.'

'Don't worry. I can take Russia. ;)' Finland replied. Canada just pouted again; he was even ignored in a chat room!

He sighed. "Whatever. I'll try something new tomorrow." Canada closed the laptop and set it on his nightstand before pulling the covers over his head and going to sleep for the night.

When he woke up, Korea was already gone to, well, wherever he went when he wasn't at his house. After the routine argument with Mr. Kumawamiko over whom he was, Canada sat down at his table with his breakfast and list of things to do for the day. First, he needed to shovel the driveway if he planned on getting anywhere. Then he had a lunch date with Britain to discuss updating the Canada House on Trafalgar Square, and he still had to buy a gift for Japan's birthday coming up.

Canada looked out his window at his driveway. Shoveling the snow was going to be a pain all by himself. He picked up the phone and dialed his southern neighbor. "Hey, America?"

"Who is this, and why are you calling me so early?"

"It's Canada..."

"T'sup, Canadia!" ...close enough...

"I was just wondering, are you doing anything right now? There's at least forty centimetres of snow in my driveway, and I'm kind of in a rush to get out..."

"Forty-what?"

Canada thought for a moment, "Um, that's about 16 inches, I think... Anyway, could you come up here and help me out?"

America was silent for a moment. "...Is it cold?"

"It's not too bad," he bit his lip. For February, that is... "Please?"

"Well, I guess," he sighed, "being a hero is really hard sometimes."

"You're a life saver! Thank you so much!"

Sure enough America came hobbling down his road, shovel in hand, cheeks rosy-red from the skin-cracking wind. "Not that cold, h-huh?"

"It's only -29ºC..." Canada paused, and adjusted his scarf. "-20ºF. You really should adopt the metric system, you know."

"Whatever, let's just start shoveling." A cold America was a grouchy America, it seemed. But between the two of them, Canada's driveway was clear in no time, and Canada only had to remind the USA twice who he was.

"So where is it you need to get to?" America asked, while the two of them finished up.

"I've got to visit Britain today at 12:00, that is, if he remembers we have a meeting scheduled."

"Ooh, sucks to be you."

"Not really. The only issue I have with him is that he's always mistaking my people for your people." He chortled, "That, and he likes to tease my English."

"What aboot yer English?" Canada scowled, and America started laughing. "Well, I've gotta go. See you later..."

"...Canada."

"Yeah, see you later Canada!" He waved cheerfully, and shuffled away, his snow pants scraping against his legs.

Why did he let America tease him like that? Canada silently fumed to himself as he drove down the highway. Did he think it was funny? Canada could reflect on a lot of things to tease America about. Maybe he should; maybe if he was rude, people would remember him. It sure worked for Romano...

"Sorry I'm late!" He called out to Britain, who was seated by himself at a semi-busy cafe booth. He quickly sat down and began removing his coat. "Your traffic is very confusing."

"America, I don't have time for your foolishness today, I'm waiting for Canada, who it seems doesn't own a watch!"

"...I am Canada, and I do own a watch... I just lost it."

The Brit squinted at him for a moment, as if just now seeing who was in front of him. "Oh, my apologies, Canada."

"It's okay," he muttered, and the two got right to it.

It seemed Canada's house was competing for attention with another house not to far away. However, plans were made to expand the house by jointing it with an adjacent building, which would be a lot cheaper than building a whole new structure.

"So taxpayers will be happy, and your people will be happy," Britain summed up. "Genius, if I do say so myself."

And then Canada remembered his idea about being rude. "Very genius... for a British person..."

And so, of course Britain slammed his hand down on the table and leaned foreword viciously. "And what exactly does that mean?!"

"I-I'm sorry! I was going to try and make a joke but I'm just so sorry! P-Please forgive me!" He wailed and shook his head furiously in shame. Insulting someone was fine in self-defence, but that was just uncalled for, and Canada was ashamed he even thought it was okay!

Britain just sighed and relaxed again. "I think you've been in company of America too often... Alright, please calm down; you're making a scene, really." He drifted his gaze out the window until Canada's behavior subsided.

"I'm really sorry. I just- I want to be more noticeable, and I thought maybe if I could try and make fun of you..."

"That's no way to get attention, lad. If you want to be noticed, you've got to stop being such a push-over."

Canada raised his head up from the table. "You think?"

"I know. Now, I'm not telling you to go start a war or anything, but don't let people walk all over you either." He smiled genuinely, and Canada grinned back.

"Thanks. I'll try that." He slipped his coat on and nodded his head before leaving.

Britain cupped his hands around his mouth, "and when you see America, give him a good smack for me, will you?"

Now that business was over, the only thing he had left to do today was buy a gift for Japan, and then he could go home, get into his nice, comfortable pajamas, and given that it was Saturday, enjoy Hockey Night in Canada. But there was one problem: what kind of gift do you give you a guy like Japan? It was hard to tell what he would like.

"Maybe I could ask someone from his family?" Canada asked to no one in particular, while he was walking down the street. He should've asked Korea while he was over- actually, scratch that. Something told Canada Korea wouldn't know what to give to Japan any more than he did. China might know, however...

Canada knocked on China's door politely, and waited for an answer. When none came, he knocked again, this time a bit harder. He was about to turn around and give up when Hong Kong answered the door.

"Like, what do you want?" His blank expression gave Canada the impression he was angry, and made him concerned he didn't something wrong by knocking at their door. Maybe he should just go... No; caving in like that is exactly what Britain told him not to do.

"Hi. Is China there?"

"No." And with that, Hong Kong closed the door.

Canada stood there for a minute in surprise, before knocking again. Thankfully, this time Taiwan answered. "Hello?" She squeaked, holding up a spatula in self defence. "What do you want?"

"Hi. I just want to see China for a moment," Canada explained.

Taiwan blinked. "Wait, who are you?"

"Canada," he sighed.

"Canada? Are you a country then?" Before Canada could answer that yes, he was, she continued. "China's not here right now, but maybe I can help you, you know?" She threw the spatula away and stepped outside. "What is it that you need?"

"Well, I was hoping China could give me advice on what to give Japan for his birthday," he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. But Taiwan was close with Japan too, right?

"Ooh! You want to go shopping?" She perked up. "I can help you with that, you know?" And before Canada knew it, he was being dragged by the arm by the tiny girl.

Taiwan skipped along, her pink dress fluttering beautifully. Canada blushed, she was really pretty. But the fact that she kept ignoring his pleas to stop was a complete turnoff.

"Japan has lots of everything, but you can never go wrong with fashion," she hummed, pulling up into a very fancy clothing store. "He could use a new jacket; something dark to bring out his eyes, you know?" Canada balanced back and forth on the balls of his feet awkwardly, while Taiwan chattered away to herself, brushing through rack after rack.

"Taiwan, I really appreciate your help, but-"

"Here, this would be perfect for him!" She pulled out a very fashionable dark blue jacket, with square pockets on the front.

Canada thought over it. "Actually, that does look pretty cool. Thanks." He reached out to grab the fabric when she pulled it away.

"Now it's your turn!"

"W-wait, what?"

"That teal blouse is not your colour, you know? You need something to help you stand out; something more stylish!" She gripped Japan's jacket closely and bounced up and down.

"...You really think dressing up will help people notice me?" It wasn't like the demanding thing was working out for him... Even Taiwan seemed to register his voice as nothing more than wind.

She answered by pulling him over to another section of the store with larger sizes. While Canada's attention was caught by a table full of flannel sweaters – surely very comfortable and warm, Taiwan was busy flying through basically everything else. When she returned to his side, in her arms was a pile of brand new threads. "Here, go try these on!" She shoved the clothes into his arms and pushed him into a changing room.

Canada huffed. He looked pretty spiffy, if he did say so himself. He turned around, looking at his reflection in the mirror from a few different angles, before deciding that yes, it was worth buying what Taiwan suggested. It wasn't as comfortable as his usual jackets and hoodies, but he looked like a completely different person.

"Taiwan, you were right; these are really-" He poked his head out of the dressing room and looked around. The girl was nowhere to be seen. "Taiwan?"

Canada stepped out and looked around the store. "She left," he said to himself. She must've forgotten about him while he was changing. "So much for the new clothes," he muttered, a bit discouraged. Well, at least he found a gift for Japan...

"Mr. Kuma..." Kuma-something... "Mr. Kumaraina, I'm home!" Kumaraina, no, that wasn't right. Canada shrugged. Close enough, he was sure.

"Who?" was the usual response, and the polar bear popped up from under the kitchen table. Canada affectionately patted his head.

He got into his pajamas, just as planned, and prepared something for him and the bear to eat. While he sat at the dinner table, and his pet sat in the chair next to him, Canada started talking about his day.

"Today was really weird," he started. "I tried a few new ideas to get noticed, but none of them seemed to work. What do you think?" He looked at the bear expectantly.

"Ca..."

And his eyebrows shot up. "What was that?" he asked, pushing his plate away and leaning foreword to hear his bear.

"Ca... Can..." Kumajirou brushed his paw over his mouth, rubbing away a bit of food.

Canada eagerly smiled. "Come on, you can say it!" He was shaking like a giddy child!

"Can I have some more?" The bear asked, picking up his empty plate.

Canada's shoulders slumped, and he slapped himself in the face. "Sure. With another serving of pathetic for me, too."

A/N: Would you say this improves the story as a whole? I home so. As I said before, I am eager to hear any critique. But, if that isn't your forte, don't be afraid to review regardless. :)

Oh, and the link to the Skeptikai article is in my profile. Go check it out if you're interested in seeing what the other smartest countries in the world are. ;)