WArning: This is the sequel of Hitomi Shirou's AFFAIR.

this is the ending. eventually I get to finish this,... and still in the plot. oh how my mind stray away everytime I tried to make sure I stay with the plot, LOL!that's why it took so loooooong.

And please review! This is my last chapter, seeing maybe I wont write anything in the near future. XD

Thank you for reading and enjoy!

10 years after.

China was acting weird. Japan noted it in his mind. His dearest oldest brother had been staring at the wall for a good 3 hours by now. Ever since America's father, England, delivered them safely into the house; China had been silent and dreamy like. The cup of tea in his hand had turned cold.

"Yao-nii, would you like to cook or shall I?" Japan asked.

"hmm? Hm… Yes, I am aru…"

"Do you want to cook, Yao-nii?"

"Yes, aru. I do."

"…" Japan took the cup from China's hand, while China looked oblivious of it. "We have chicken inside the freezer, Yao nii. How about chicken cutlet for today?"

"Hmm… No aru. Maybe."

The vaguest of the answers made Japan sighed deeply. It seemed like he needed to set the dinner by himself today. The twins couldn't be depended on anything concerning kitchen and food supply processing. China was lost in his thought deeper than he thought. The pretty petite was staring at the wall, sometimes closing his eyes like he remembered something, winced, and then smiled. Japan suspected his oldest brother had turned senile by the age of 30-and-something.

Why? The question entered Japan's mind. What was China thinking about?

And then Hong Kong entered the room, rubbing his cheek, moaned wide but inaudible. Funny how the boy could do everything he did with no noise at all. He was already in high school, and from the amount of cookies or small things he brought home everyday, Hong Kong seemed to be popular in his public school. Japan wondered what actually made his littlest brother—or nephew—had such a truckload amount of chocolate in valentine day (Not like Japan didn't get it—he always gets some kind of weird fans all around the campus and workplace).

China suddenly opened his mouth, whispering words that sounded so weak, helpless and loving at the same time. "Hong."

Hong Kong was very, very sensitive about his mother. Japan noted that. When he was small, Hong Kong could be very annoying since he refused to sleep before he could hear China's lullaby. When he grow up, he gradually get better, but still the sensitivity took place in other form—such as when Hong Kong actually eats less when it wasn't his mother's cooking (He somehow knew from the first bite) or when he always the one who opened the door for the Chinese man whenever he came back home and Hong Kong was inside the house. Japan wondered why Hong Kong felt like a dog rather than human.

And being sensitive as he was, Hong Kong immediately ran to his mother's side. The sofa was practically China and Russia's private throne. Only Taiwan have the nerve (or maybe the thickness) to sat on it beside China/ Russia, so Hong Kong sat down on the floor beside the sofa, head up waiting eagerly for his mother, while his hands were comfortably put on China's lap.

China looked down; pain and loving shoot on his face, hands patting his only son's massive black hair. Maybe that was the only part of Hong Kong that looked like him. "Hong." He whispered again, this time closing his eyes and burrowed himself on his son's hair. "Hong, I love you, aru."

Pain pierced through Japan's chest. He understood this pain. It was a mix of jealousy and regret. He knew China never treated them differently. He knew how much China had surrendered and suffered for all of them, kids he got from many trash cans. But never once, China actually kissed his hair like that and said he loves him. This jealousy came from the feeling of regret why China wasn't his real brother, or his real parent, even. And the jealousy took another step when Japan realized that he would never have the relationship between China and Hong Kong, simply because they were no blood relation.

Yes, he couldn't become as sensitive as Hong Kong because blood is blood, after all. No matter what he felt of China, he would be an outsider. Lonely, was he? Japan had this sudden urge to meet Greece, a man he met in his tutorial class in campus. The man made him a bit; just a bit; and the key is 'a bit'; happy these days. Maybe he should move out from the house. He was already 21 and he needed to find a new place. He could be independent. But somehow whenever he looked at China, he just couldn't be bothered to move. He wanted to stay beside the man, as a child, forever.

Maybe he would move, one day, but not now.

China didn't notice the turmoil of Japan's mind. He was deep inside his own worry, worry of parting with his child, meeting a stranger he used to dream stupidly, or maybe the fear of being hated by his own son. He had never kept the secret; he told Hong Kong since day one that Russia wasn't his father. Hong Kong took it calmly, but what if? Because China didn't tell who was the father either. Hong Kong never asked, but maybe that was because he saw the sad expression on his beloved mother's face.

"Hong, just remember baba always love you."

Hong Kong nodded softly, enjoying his mother's touch and smell. It would be fine. Whenever his mother hug him, it would be fine.

Russia came home in the middle of the blue atmosphere. He saw the scene of Japan cooking while clutching his chest and China hugging Hong Kong by the other end of the room. His hand was clutching a catalogue—real estate—and he was determined to persuade his lover of fifteen years to move out from the small apartment to a better, small house in a safer neighbourhood. It crossed his mind that if he succeeds in persuading the beauty, then he would seriously proposes until China said yes (despite the constant NO ARU sign every time he suggested it).

Russia decided to put off his plan and they passed through the dinner in normal atmosphere. It was just when they eventually alone on the sofa that he realized China was acting different. He was like an empty shell through the afternoon. Russia took his place on the sofa (he swore he would get a king-sized bed if they moved) and placed his arm around the small man.

"What are you thinking, da?"

China stopped wondering and stared at his lover. Amethyst eyes always made him felt safe and sound. He swallowed before spoke softly; "I met Hong's father, aru."

Russia's face darkened. "…and?"

"We didn't even talk, really. But he invited me for a tea tomorrow… I guessed I really need to come and explained, aru. I am just afraid that he… would want Hong Kong, aru."

"He won't. Hong Kong is officially mine, da?"

"But he was the real dad, aru. It's Hong's choice."

"I don't care. I won't let Hong to him." Russia whispered. "It's OK, Yao. Just calm down. Do you need me to go with you tomorrow?"

"No, I am fine, aru. And you need to work, anyway. I had already asked the auntie for a day off tomorrow."

"Yao..." Russia sighed and pulled out his catalogue. "Cheer up. Choose one."

"What is this, aru? Houses? What do you mean?"

"Marry me, Yao." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

"Ivan…" China sighed. "Why do you…"

"This is the perfect time, da. Do you think I don't want to tie you up with me? Now that he is coming into the picture, I felt this is the best time for you to choose, Yao. Either him or me. I couldn't wait longer than this. It had been 10 years, da?"

China stopped thinking. Russia was right. He had to choose. He had delayed this for 10 years and now he had to choose. Would he became the pathetic little China who get pushed around, fucked around, and left alone? Would he get his happy ending, or would he get another happy-continued-bad ending like usual? The pain from being tossed around, being left, practically called worthless and being cheated on, only to have his mind stripped brutally and faced with his own insanity pierced his chest again.

Could he accept this? Would he have the energy to make this thing works, once again? Could he put up with anything again? He had found some kind of comfort inside the relationship he had now with Russia. Russia was constantly pampering him because he wanted to 'marry'. So when he 'marry' the Russian, would it change? He had nothing else to give once he said yes.

China felt his lips wavering as he agreed. Russia took it as happiness and kissed the man, but China was lost in the middle of confusion.

Why couldn't he believe in the sincerity of this loving Russian?

******************

The family walked in hand from the British house. China was holding tight to Russia, whom in turn, grabbed his hand like China could run from his side anytime. The twins walked side by side as usual, Japan was holding both Taiwan and Thailand, while Vietnam cuddled near China.

"The dinner was fine," Vietnam stated, looking at China. "Yao gege, what do you think?"

"I think they are nice." Taiwan cheered, although she wasn't being asked, while taking Hong Kong's hand in hers. "and the girl was so pretty! I like her… what was her name again?"

"Madeline, I recalled." Japan laughed at Taiwan. "She is pretty."

"Yes, and that silly brother of her was too over protective, daze~"

"Because you are too dangerous." North Korea cut off his twin's remarks.

They laughed and walked together nicely, with filled stomach. Suddenly Russia shouted, "I have announcement to make, da?"

Every pairs of eyes eyed him. China bit his lips.

"We are going to move, to a 6 bedroom house, with lawn, and better atmosphere, da! And you can have your own pets now!"

"AH!!!!" Vietnam squealed. "I want a kitty!"

"I want a puppy!!!" Taiwan shouted back

"Turtles!"

"Fish!"

"I think maybe this is the time to say it." Japan suddenly spoke out. "I am moving out next month."

"WHY?" six pairs of eyes looked at him in surprise. Japan smiled.

"I am already 21, Yao nii. I can take care of myself and start to repay your kindness to me."

"Kiku, I never want you to go out, aru!"

"I… I have decided." Japan smiled firmly. "I am independent right now."

China was silent, hand grabbing the Russian's tighter. Russia, sensing the calamity, smiled.

"You can still stay with us… well, until we move, da? Then you can move out, but the house would be always open for you. Do you have a girlfriend to move out with?"

Japan blushed furiously. All the siblings took the chance to ridicule the calm brother of theirs and shouted some comments all over, asking who she was and what does she looked like. Despite of that, China was silent; ignoring the shoutings and remarks, looking back at the big kind man beside him.

"Ivan…"

"Yes, Yao?"

"Would we be happy?"

"Of course, da."

"I love you, aru. Thank you."

He could make this thing works. He could.

FOR PEOPLE WHO WISHED TO HAVE HAPPY ENDING PLEASE STOP HERE AND REVIEW, LOL~ BECAUSE THE NEXT PART IS READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

It was agreed that they will move to the house in a month. Everybody was excited especially after they saw how big the house was, how good the lawn was, number of toilets and bathrooms for use (so they don't need to pick a fight/take lottery for every morning's bathroom roll) and the pets in the animal centre. Japan didn't dare to stained the joyfulness, so he kept his silent and agreed with every details embarked by his siblings.

China sighed into the bowl that he was washing. He had never remembered the same contagious happiness before. The house was now filled with sparks of joyfulness every single minute. It wore him out, being in constant need to cheer and smiled happily against his nature as a gloomy man, but it was fine since everybody else was so happy. And it saddened him because once they moved, Japan would leave them.

Suddenly his head stung. His vision blurred and he almost dropped the bowl in his hand. Fortunately, his hand was tightly wrapped around the bowl. China sighed in relief for not needing to pay for a broken bowl. What was that? It was so painful, like a sudden earthquake. Was that an earthquake? China looked around and found that most of the people inside the room didn't even flinch.

Maybe that was only his imagination. China continued washing the dishes. He thought about how much it actually cost to buy the house, and Ivan even took the whole loan for it, but he needed to contribute something… China figured he could buy some furniture or maybe better sofa like the one Russia got him.

And then he saw that the bowl was getting dirtier instead of cleaner. The whitish bubble around the bowl turned pink. China was actually surprised and tried to wash it, but then he realized that he was the source of the red colour. His nose bled like waterfall, producing dripping red liquid from his nose, mixing with the white bubble and producing pale pink of colour.

Suddenly all he could smell was iron. And he couldn't breathe.

China wiped his nose with the back of his hand. The thing won't stop. He tried to look up, trying to breathe, but instead the blood rushed back and choked him. It took his balance and before he knew it, the back of his head hit the floor as his body tumbled backwards. Upon hearing the falling sound, people turned and saw what a red mess he was. They fussed over him, while China trying to calm them down. The bleeding had stopped. But his nose was filled with red liquid.

He was rushed to the emergency, but China refused to take any test. "It was a trivial thing; it was only nose bleed, aru!" he exclaimed. In the end China won by his stubbornness. And Russia never knew, since he forbade everybody to tell the man.

But what was that, aru? China wondered while he walked home. He felt pain on his head; and then suddenly he lost his balance and it felt like a great earthquake; with the sudden burst of iron taste and dizziness. Maybe it was just something trivial. He had a lot of head trauma and concussions before; so this one counted as nothing.

It's not even as painful as his mother's beatings. So it's fine.

************

It was fun. China hummed while washing the dinner plates. People were gathering in the living room, enjoying the time with filled stomach. He was home earlier, so he did prepare a good dinner. Even Japan asked for a second serving (don't ask about South Korea—he was helping himself for the forth bowl).

What happened in the afternoon was completely forgotten. Eventually they went to their respective sleeping place and as he put his head on top of Russia's chest, China felt this sudden relieve. Felt like he was so tired and finally get to rest. As he closed his eyes, his body felt shutting down, from the legs and hands…

"Yao, you are cold, da? Wanna take a bath first?"

"No… I am tired aru." China smiled and snuggled closer. "And you are warm, Ivan."

Russia kissed his fiancé's forehead. "You sounded like you will go somewhere else, Yao."

"I am, aru. We would have to move to our new house in a week, aru!"

"I know, da?" Russia chuckled. "Sweet dream."

They didn't know that China would never step into their newly purchased house.

*************

"It was severe blood clot. It started from the burst of main vessels in his blood brain barrier; I suspect the nosebleed was the after effect. Since it didn't get treated immediately, his blood clot gets bigger and he got massive cerebral haemorrhage."

Austria explained coldly. "From the patient's history of multiple head traumas, this is not unpredictable. However the patient himself chooses to not treat it and it was a miracle he could walk back to his own house and waited till his body naturally shut down without feeling any remote pain."

Vietnam was the only member of the family that still have the strength to ask. She bit her lips hard; trying to suppress emotions and tears. She just knew that China's threshold to pain was so high that he wouldn't even realized his hand was burning from holding the hot kettle sometimes. She couldn't say anything, couldn't blame anyone. It was all her brother's choice.

"So… What should we do… doctor?"

"I am sorry, but he is already lost. We can only shut him down."

She stopped seeing things above her tears. She was the only one who came to meet Austria; the other family members refused to leave China's body by the next room.

"…I'll ask them first."

"My condolences."

*************

One by one they spoke their farewell with the oldest brother/father they loved so much. Everyone have their own thing to say, each speech brought a fresh set of wailing/fit/tears. It was just like a dream.

A sad dream.

"But he was happy." Hong Kong suddenly spoke out. "My mother was happy… I know."

Eventually they let Austria shut the machine down. And as they saw China's pale face turned paler, they just knew, the end has come. China had helped them to rise from the lowest stage of their life and truly, it wasn't fair that he was the only one who never truly freed from his own despair.

But at least he was happy. Yes, he chose the way to be happy in his own way.

End.

explanation:

1. I have given hint that the sad ending would be the end--look at how much Yao hurts his head. he bound to have blood clot/ massive bleeding in his brain after so many traumas to his head-- so no complaint about randomness of the disease OR plot.

2. Japan is hinted with Greece. This is upon Hitomi Shirou's guide XD Personally I love it too, and better Japan X China, eehehehe....

3. For more information on how the talk with england went and the dinner, please refer to the story AFFAIR by HITOMI SHIROU. I dont want to copy paste/redo her parts, and it was already fabulous. XD

OTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK ME LOL!

Thank you very much for reading this. Your support brought me here. see you next time! (If ever I write again in near future--)

Review?