This is my first Frapan fanfiction, though I don't doubt there will be many to come. Hetalia belongs to Hima-papa and credit for the cover goes to the original artist. CC is welcomed.

...It's so bright.

There is a shadow obscuring a part of my vision. I am all too aware that it is only my hand, shielding my eyes from the brilliant sunlight. But lately, it seems there is always a shadow in my sight, something dark at the edge of my eyes that threatens to drown me without saying a word. I would like to think it scares me – something like this should. But if I must be honest, I'm not entirely sure if it does or not. Perhaps I will simply allow it to carry me away.

The school is a three-story; a long, peach and beige stained building with dark vines of ivy winding up the cracked pillars and clinging desperately to the walls. The closely packed green makes me think of the aodaisho that make an occasional appearance in my garden back home. There's a muted ringing in my ears and my gaze sweeps the school yard, watching pairs and groups of people make their way this way and that, some chattering happily and others bickering. But I'm standing alone and the gap immediately registers itself in my head. As the new student, it will be me against the school until – if – I make friends.

There is an issue with that, however. A sigh escapes my lips and I reluctantly lower my hand, eyes slowly adjusting to the brightness of the sun. I happen to be a very socially awkward person. It isn't that I am necessarily anti-social; I just don't happen to be particularly good at initiating the conversations. I like others, honestly, whether it is simply observing or talking to them. Usually, though, I tend to end up with a video game or a book or a show instead of another being. In the end, I suppose, I never really mind that kind of thing. Right now, on the other hand, I do.

I am completely and hopelessly lost. My sense of direction is quite good, actually, but I have no idea what the layout of this school is and for some reason, a map hasn't been provided to me. I don't want to go in without at least having an idea of where I am supposed to go, so I have been wandering out here for the past ten minutes, searching for what seems like reliable help. Most of the students here in the yard appear to be idly moving about. Class likely had yet to begin. Nearby, a pair of students catch my attention, coming in my direction. They seem to be as different as can be – the smaller one is loud enough for me to hear him from here.

His hair is a shade of auburn, with a rather odd curl off to the left side. He's still taller than I am – I can see that from here. The brunette is as cheerful as can be and his golden eyes are all for the blond man he's walking alongside. Said man, the more muscular of the two by far, sports slicked back blond hair and stern blue eyes. He pushes up his glasses; it appears to be a force of habit. They're both wearing the school uniform, but the blond is the only one wearing the blue jacket, similar to myself. It seems rather strained on his build, but this matter hardly seems to concern him. I straighten a fraction as they approach and try not to look entirely too confused, realizing that I am indeed their target, and not somebody past me. The blond is the first to speak.

"You are the new student, ja?" He asks gruffly, attempting to shake the brunette off his arm without glancing in his direction. This doesn't seem to please the brunette much, though, and only grips tighter. A part of me wonders if they're friends or if the golden eyed boy is just a very clingy person. The blond boy – who is German, judging by his heavy accent - doesn't seem too concerned with the entire thing, so it is more likely the former. The brunette whines quietly at his attempts, no doubt having no plans to release the blond any time soon. I realize I should probably answer them, but words choose then to fail me. The nervousness of being new again settles in. Faintly, my fingers are shaking; I hide them behind me to avoid the two seeing this.

Swallowing, I manage a surprisingly calm answer, "Hai, I am. I am Kiku; Honda Kiku. I-I mean, Kiku Honda." Instinct kicks in and I bow lowly, hands shifting back to my sides and gripping the plaid uniform pants that have been provided to me. Judging by the way his feet make an abrupt backwards motion, the formality that is normal to me startles the blond. It is unsurprising to me – my usual mannerisms seem odd to those of another country, no doubt. I straighten again and he's looking away with a slight frown and seems rather thrown off. But nonetheless, he turns back quickly and nods with sort of finality.

"My name is Ludwig Beilschmidt, the student body president here," he says, crossing his arms despite the brunette half hanging off of one. He certainly seems like the type to be student body president – responsible and very goal-oriented. The brunette, on the other hand, seems to be the complete opposite. His grip on Ludwig's arm doesn't loosen in the slightest, but his golden eyes drift after a lethargic butterfly being carried on the light breeze. Said blond boy must notice my obvious confusion regarding the odd brunette, for he looks between us and sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose below his glasses with the hand of his unoccupied arm. "And this is Feliciano Vargas. A," he hesitates, likely searching for a good term to describe this rather ditzy acting boy. Seemingly unable to come up with a suitable one, he shakes his head. "friend, I suppose."

Upon hearing his name, the golden eyed boy's head swivels around to look at Ludwig, and then myself. He grins a brilliant, almost overly cheerful grin and suddenly releases Ludwig, darting out and grabbing my hands. "Ciao, Kiku!" He says in a high, heavily accented voice. If it isn't a given by his name, then it's his accent that proves his Italian origin. His abrupt motion startles me, however, and I instinctively jerk back as he practically takes that flying leap into my space. "Ve, let's be friends~!" His golden eyes are earnest and already trusting, despite the fact that he's only known me for perhaps five minutes, if that. His energy proves to be rather overwhelming and any courage I have is immediately gone.

"A-Ah, Vargas-san," I stumble over my words and instinctively tug on my sleeves, shifting my weight from foot to foot. I choose my words carefully, although I'm not entirely sure if they will make a difference or not. The chance to finish speaking isn't provided to me, though. Ludwig reaches forward and hauls Feliciano back out of my space by the collar of his shirt, much to the displeasure of the brunette boy. Relief immediately floods me, but Ludwig is speaking again before I have the opportunity to say more.

He adjusts his glasses wordlessly and fixes stern blue eyes on the smaller boy. "Feliciano, don't overwhelm him," he tells the Italian, whose lips curl downwards in the semblance of a pout. I immediately feel a bit bad, but judging by the way they act, this isn't an uncommon happening. The large man shakes his head in a rather exhausted manner and returns his attention to me. "Apologies. Feliciano doesn't really know the meaning of personal space. As I was saying, I am Ludwig, student body present, and currently, your tour guide. I'll be showing you around the school, to your classes, your dorm, and where you can sign up for clubs. If you ever have questions, feel free to ask me." The blond man pauses and scratches the back of his head, seemingly reminded of something. "And you can just call me Ludwig. No formalities necessary – they work differently in your country, don't they?"

My lips crease into a tight smile. "Yes, they do."

When they lead the way back into the school, I follow.

Once inside, the school seems considerably less confusing. It's no surprise, though I do rather wish I chose to come inside in the first place. While there are a lot a winding halls and so many colorful papers stapled to the walls that my head spins, the next thing I notice are the number labels on the walls, informing students of what number classrooms are in that specific hall. Despite the fact that school only began a few days ago, the crowds inside seem to have a destination in mind. Ludwig decides to show me to my locker first, though it takes me a moment to locate it on my paper – Feliciano leans just a bit too close for my liking in order to point it out.

It takes me a few tries to get the silver locker open and a few of the taped on papers flutter to the linoleum floor. Nodding in approval that I know where the locker is and am able to open it, Ludwig glances again at my schedule – which I have let him see for the time being. He's checking the room numbers, I assume, in order to see if I have any on this hall. The blond shakes his head and turns on his heel instead, starting back to the main hall with myself and the Italian in close pursuit. Ludwig informs me that he'll be showing me my classes in order and therefore the quickest routes to them. He's certainly proven to be a very responsible, trustworthy person, so I only nod my agreement.

The school is unsurprisingly large. I'm nearly separated from Ludwig and Feliciano more than once and I feel as though I am apologizing more today than I ever have in my life. It turns out my classes are ridiculously spaced out, so between this and Feliciano's constant distractions, it winds up taking much longer than intended. It's already almost the end of the class day – although I did arrive a bit after one - when Ludwig finally leads me to the area to sign up for clubs.

"Captain is the head of the Newspaper club," Feliciano chimes, peering over my shoulder as I sign up for the Manga Research club.

Somehow, the news is a bit surprising to me. I lift my head, nearly smacking into the too close brunette. "Sumimasen- I mean, I'm sorry." I still am not very good at English, it seems. "Is he, now? Are you a member?" I don't doubt he is. Ludwig and Feliciano seem to have a close friendship, though I may just be assuming things.

Feliciano bobs his head happily, confirming my suspicions. "I am! It's only the two of us though so it's kinda boring sometimes, but it's also super fun- I mean when Luddy isn't being bossy or scary, that is, but even then I know he just means well and we get a lot of good articles because there's always so much going on around here," as if to prove his point, he gestures to the multi-colored papers adorning the what seemed to be typically white walls. "but anyways even though we don't actually have more than two members we somehow manage to get things done, although I like to take siestas and Captain doesn't actually like that too much so-"

"Feliciano," Ludwig cuts off the Italian's ramble. I'm left with wide eyes; now I understand why Ludwig told him not to be so overwhelming. Until now, I didn't know somebody was capable of saying so much on a single breath. I seem to have underestimated Feliciano, though. Ludwig shakes his head when the brunette immediately clams up with a sheepish smile and an apologetic giggle, clinging onto Ludwig's arm again. The blond sighs. "Sorry, once he's started, he doesn't know when to stop. Ja, I am the head of the school newspaper, but it's only Feliciano and I at the moment."

I hesitate a moment longer before slowly nodding and turning my head back to the sign up sheets. Locating the one with 'Newspaper' printed across the front, I sign up with only slight hesitation on my part. "There," I turn to look at the two. They are potential friends, so I don't want to pass up a chance like this. Perhaps joining this club will help me make more friends and perhaps even get further out of my shell; after all, I would have to interview people for the paper. "Now there can be three, if you'll have me."

Feliciano's eyes light up and Ludwig glances to the side, a red tinging his cheeks. "Ja, we're always grateful for new members," he mumbles, and follows it with a quiet 'thank you.' It makes me realize just how awkward of a person this initially intimidating man really is. A smile tugs at my lips and I bow, successfully flustering the German further. "A-Anyways, I'll show you to your dorm now."

He takes the lead again and I quickly follow. The hall is much emptier now, thankfully, save for a few students that still wander or lean in nooks beneath the stairs to speak. The dorm building is a separate structure, but it's connected by a long hallway. For a minute, I wonder why, but I recall Feliciano informing me earlier that the cafeteria was always open, and that could easily be part of the reason. Or easy access. Or perhaps for when it rains? I shake the thoughts away and follow the two – one of which still has yet to stop chattering happily – to the other end of the hall and up a flight of winding stairs.

There seems to be multiple floors of dorms that the winding staircase goes through, and this is only the boys' side. The girls' is on the opposite end of the entire school building, again separate by only a long hall. Feliciano spends most of the trip up the stairs complaining about how hard it is, though Ludwig blatantly ignores it. He's probably accustomed to it and now I find myself quite curious as to how long they've known each other. I don't know if they want to tell me, though, so I keep quiet instead. We go up another floor and Ludwig halts in front of a dorm further down, double checking it with my sheet and handing said paper back to me.

"This is it," he says, gesturing to it. "You should have been provided a key to it."

"Hai, I was." I step forward and unlock the door, going inside. Feliciano intrudes with an excited trill and nearly jostles me in the process, bouncing over to the window and Ludwig hesitates at the door until I wave him in. The muscular blond shuffles in and chooses to linger by the door instead of follow his much more energetic companion.

The dorm is simple, white washed walls and dull colors. The bed is made up with pale, sand toned blankets and what seems to be white sheets beneath. It's just a simple twin sized mattress with a lone pillow propped at the head. It is tucked into one corner of the dorm with a small, ash wood nightstand beside it. The closet on the opposite side of the room is empty, save for a few spaced out hangers and sheets tucked in the corner of the high shelf. There's another door; I assume it leads to the restroom. The room is plain, no doubt so whoever occupies it can change it to their liking. I don't really own posters or anything like that, but I spot a bookshelf in the other corner and immediately know I'll put that to use and perhaps rearrange the room a bit or order things online to make it more comfortable to me.

"Kiku, Kiku, look!" Feliciano's voice breaks through my observations and I turn my attention to him, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. He looks perhaps overly excited, absolutely bouncing from foot to foot and waving one hand rapidly at the window. When I don't immediately make my way over, he decides to close the gap himself and grasps my sleeve, pulling me to the window. He jabs his finger at the glass and nearly smashes the limb into it, barely avoiding such. But he's only looking at me and it rather startles me, so it takes me a moment to drag my gaze away from his face and look at whatever it is that excites him like this.

Immediately, my eyes widen. I recognize the soft pink petals of a popular flower back home. From my window, it seems, there is a perfect view of a grove of sakura trees, beautiful against the windswept grass and dusk streaked sky. It amazes me that they have something like this here, but no sort of protest touches my tongue. It's like a piece of home is here and by the way Feliciano is grinning, he knows exactly what I'm thinking. The brunette isn't nearly as ditzy as I initially thought, it seems. Though I didn't particularly hate him before, I certainly find myself liking him a lot more, now.

"Thank you for pointing this out, Vargas-san," I started, a smile tugging at my lips. "I am very grateful to you." And I am. It isn't a lie in the slightest; an overwhelming sense of joy swells in my chest and the smile grows a fraction. It isn't full blown, but it's certainly not nonexistent.

His grin doesn't waver in the slightest. "Call me Feliciano," the brunette answers, rocking back and forth on his heels. He bounces back to join Ludwig at the door. "See you tomorrow, Kiku!"

With the declaration, he whisks Ludwig out of the room and the door clicks shut softly behind them. I am left alone again and only momentarily does my gaze stray back to the window. It's amazing that they're still in bloom at this time of year. Typically, in August, they would have fallen already. Granted, it is only early in the month so these must have bloomed in late July. I draw the curtains closed and pick up the book I am in the process of rereading – it is what kept me distracted on the plane ride here – and cross the room to my bed. It's a tattered – from me reading it so many times – copy of Memoirs of a Geisha that I am nearly done with again. Although I lay down with the intention of completing it, I am asleep before my head can touch the pillow.