Japan-Vietnam Non-Aggression Pact [Japan]

For thirty years, Vietnam's ties with Japan have been cut. Not because the two of them had any actual dispute between each other, but because... well, what it boils down to is that their respective friends are fighting. Is the friend of your enemy your enemy too? Well, perhaps. But that doesn't mean that they're your bitter enemy, does it? In fact, that doesn't necessarily mean that you even want to fight them. In fact, the level of negative emotion she has for her brother is nothing more than a wish that he would make different decisions than the ones he's been making. She certainly doesn't think that merits an armed conflict, especially with the very sibling that she has the least reason to fight with - she'd much sooner go to war with China, and she even has better reasons to fight with North Korea than she does with Japan.

So when he bows and even kisses her cheek, her large smile is replaced by one that is smaller but more warm. Yes, she is quite confident that she has made the right decision here, even though she knows what the consequences may be. Yes, her allies don't like the decision, but though the exact consequences are yet to be determined she has hope that they will also be reasonable about it. Choosing not to fight one enemy is hardly betraying the Pact, especially given her place in it - she may be a strong nation, but in a dispute that is primarily between Russia, China, and Japan her own strength begins to pale. And it's not like any of this prevents her from warring with any of Japan's allies - it is but one exception, and because there is only one Japan there will only be one exception.

When he indicates that they should step away, she's quick to nod and move to where he suggested. Though this moment is history in the making, it's not as if she hasn't been there to witness significant historical occasions before - skipping out on this one in order to have a private conversation with her brother for the first time in so long seems a lot more interesting. She'd stay if she was worried that the officials who came with her might back out at the last moment or otherwise needed her supervision, but they're thoroughly convinced that this is the best course of action.

When they have stepped into the much emptier hallway, she walks only far enough to stand near the nearest window before she turns to speak with her brother. It's been awhile since she's been to Tokyo. It's a bit... jarring to her in a lot of ways - such a contrast to Hanoi. The hallmarks of capitalism are everywhere. And yet it's not an ugly city - it's simply far from what she's accustomed to. It's evening and the sun is below the horizon, but not so far that all light has left the sky. But from the window it's easy to see that the city hasn't even begun to acknowledge the lateness of the hour - in the absence of the sun, the city's lights have taken over to extend the day.

"Vâng, they will not be. But I believe that it is the right thing to do - I do not wish to fight with you, brother. We have many disagreements and differences of opinion, but none so great as to merit a war. If we cannot resolve them with words, then it is better to leave them unresolved - when I go to war, I do not do it halfway. And even if my allies cannot understand my position I will not regret taking it, though I do hope that they will accept it even if they do not fully understand. I do not believe that I am betraying them - such agreements have been made before. I have done nothing secretive, but am even now in the process of making sure that everyone knows my position from the moment that position became relevant. And this changes very little - even if there is peace between us the war will continue to rage around us," she says, easily articulating her thoughts at this moment. She's thought of little else for a while, after all - this agreement with Japan is no small matter for many reasons.