A/N: This is my first ever fanfiction on this site. I really like Love Live! and have my ships, which one (or two) of them will be revealed later in this fic :3 It won't be too long I hope, but lets see how this goes! This is just a short chapter, and later on they will become longer. It is also an AU as well, just to confirm. I apologise for any OOC and I also gave Umi a little personality shift-ish. ^~^ Anyways, I hope you guys like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Love Live! and any of it's characters.
Chapter One
Tomorrow, she would get to meet her new room mate. Oh God, a room mate. It only went unannounced until last week, and then a train of sleepless nights had haunted her. Right now, Umi was packing, and not everything had been put away for moving. All she knew about her room mate - who she was going to meet for the first time - was that she was a girl, who was one year younger than herself. At least that was what she was told by her father. Hopefully, in the end, they'd get along. After all, Umi thought endless possibilities. Most of them negative. She could feel her forehead sweat as she put away her clothes, her teeth clattering. What if this new room mate was, horrible? Surely, that wouldn't be the case, right? The bluenette sighed, and thought to herself, to stay positive. A new place, in Akihabara. Different from here, in Tokyo. A new school, a new beginning. She was starting fresh. From scratch.
Umi stared at her phone, and the paper beside it. It had a number, her room mate's number. She hadn't called her yet, and she couldn't. Who would call in the middle of the night, just to talk about moving? Especially with someone who you've barely met? The bluenette thought it would be a waste of time for the girl she hadn't met yet, but, she wanted to get to know her. Though, that would wait until tomorrow.
Otonokizaka Academy was the school she was moving to. Sure, she would miss her friends from Tokyo, but, the excitement of meeting others caused her to grin widely. Umi was known for being shy, and that was until she got too comfortable with someone. She would be scolding, sometimes out-of-the-ordinary, and much more. If her friends were in an interview, they would be certain to name anything about the young archer. Yes, you've got it, Umi is an archer. Oh wait- was an archer. Unless there was a club in Otonokizaka (she would instantly sign up if there was). Usually, she would go to competitions, and end up in a very high rank. In fact, near the top in the leaderboard. Her parents were proud of her for that, and so Umi trained everyday after school. Intense concentration would always be the fire in her soul, which makes most of the time, hitting bullseye right in the middle of the target. Archery can be a very difficult, however it was a rewarding experience.
By the time she reached out for her undergarments, Umi heard a creak as the door opened, a stretch of light reflecting on the floor. The new appearance seemed to be her mother, who was faintly smiling. The same dark hair, let loose and drifting against the air. That was what she had inherited, whereas she had her father's eyes. The bluenette turned around.
"Do you understand why you're moving, Umi?"
Within her mother's grasp was a glass of water, and she handed it to the amber-eyed girl. Before responding, Umi took a little sip, and hoisted her head, muttering a thank you; she said:
"Yes. I know father got a promotion, and he has to stay here, in Tokyo. I would be home alone, since father and you, mother, are always working. So, you decided to give me a room mate, and move in Akihabara as well as join a new school. I understand."
Her mother walked towards her and brushed Umi's midnight bangs to the side, pressing a loving kiss on her forehead. A sigh escaped her rosy lips. "We would have moved to Akihabara if we could, so you did not have a room mate, however, your father is very hardworking and will not hesitate to give his full potential."
"Mother...it's alright," Umi reassured her, and smiled. It was returned, and eventually her mother put up a finger in realisation, staring at her daughter as if a rock had just hit her.
"Ah, about your room mate. Her mother called me a few minutes ago. You will arrive at the Nishikino's tomorrow hopefully before lunch. Their butler Geoffrey will help you move your things into the house."
Umi widened her eyes. She didn't know her room mate was the daughter of...
"The Nishikino's? The people who are very good doctors, and inherit The Nishikino Hospital? Their intelligence is highly impressive, and receive outstanding results according to their recent inspection. Mother...how could you?"
She didn't ask her to end up with an enriched family.
"Now, Umi. Your father is very well acquainted with dear Maki's father. So, they offered to let you live with them. Very generous, indeed. You should be thankful they decided to offer an accommodation." she explained thoroughly, and Umi nodded hesitantly. The golden-eyed bluenette registered what had been told, and she then discovered that her room mate was the Nishikino Maki. The daughter of well-known doctors, and has won various competitions involving music, generally labelling her as a good composer. Often placing gold, and rarely any silver and bronze. Umi was truly astounded by the fact that she would be living with Maki, an impressive pianist. But, would Maki be impressed, by someone like her?
Umi frowned. "Mother, are you sure about this?"
Her mother leaned in to embrace her, and nodded on Umi's shoulder. "You will be alright. I am sure. We will call you every week to see how well you are coping, okay?"
She pursed her lips, therefore returning the warm hug, and nodded once again. "Okay,"
Once they pulled apart, Umi's mother left quietly like a mouse. And the light that was revealed on the floor, had now faded and had become part of the dark. She continued to pack her things inside a fairly large box and several bags. Umi was going to miss it here. But, like her mother said, they would call her every week. As the lampshade continued to illuminate her room, Umi tucked her laptop back into it's case, and sighed after placing it inside the box. She wasn't done yet, and it seemed like forever. Even though it was just a few things. She wondered whether Maki would still be up at this hour, because she wanted to at least talk about tomorrow, however she resisted and proceeded to stuff her undergarments inside a bag.
"Nishikino Maki, huh?" Umi murmured.
She stared at the phone number scribbled onto the piece of paper, the urge wanting to break her. "Maybe, I should call her. No, it's night. But, what if- ah, this is too complicated,"
So instead, Umi picked up her phone, wrote down Maki's number and her thumb fell on top of the keyboard. She flinched. And suddenly, she felt anxiety creeping towards her. After a few minutes, she placed a palm on the side of her head.
'What should I type...? Good night? Hi, it's Sonoda Umi, I'm your new room mate- no! Sorry for disturbing you late at night, but I was wondering- oh I give up.'
Umi closed her phone and sat down on her bed. She found herself gazing at the starry sky outside the window, admiring it's beautiful contents. Each star was different. They were unique. It was the same with people: each individual was different and have special traits. A gift. Only given to them. Eventually, Umi frowned; somehow she managed to drift into thoughts about her uncle, who sadly passed away a few months ago. Uncle Takeshi was a good person, always helping and taking part in events. He was even a writer. He was part of the reason why Umi wanted to become a writer like him someday. His laughter, and, rubbish but somehow funny jokes always brightened up her day. So when his body was found in bed, not breathing, the investigators and police had reported to the rest of the Sonoda family almost instantly, and everyone had been put in a dark atmosphere. Umi, however, pushed it too far. She was rampaging, and didn't want to eat at all. It left her in sorrow, like everyone else, but, much deeper. Despair, even.
She could feel a tear roll down her cheeks. Then she brushed them off and curled her lips into a smile - her uncle was in a good place. He was happy, and she was certain that he didn't want to see her cry. A sad memory, it was. But, Umi didn't want to think about it longer, and peeled her duvet off to get inside bed. She flickered the lamp off, turning the room into complete darkness apart from the gleaming moonlight on her desk. Her cheeks reddened at the warmth, and she felt her eyes flutter. Then - they shut. And Umi had fallen asleep, hoping not to be disturbed in her slumber.
When Umi was awoke by the burst of the gleaming illumination inside her room, she jolted in realisation and sat up hurriedly. Her amber orbs widened. Today, she was going to meet Nishikino Maki - her new room mate. Swiping her duvet aside with her legs, Umi put both her hands onto her neck. She needed to get ready, and was already looking at time on the cream wall: 8:10AM. Usually she would wake up earlier than that, but today it just hasn't happened. Panicking, she rushed to pack the last things that were essential and stuffed them inside the box carefully (so she doesn't ruin the rest).
Afterwards, Umi hurriedly strolled down the hallway to the bathroom with a hairbrush in her hand, and assumed that her hair was a mess. Looking into the mirror by the time she had arrived, she let out a crispy sigh - she was right all along. And so Umi brushed, not too hard, yet not too soft. It started out slowly, before it got a hint of aggressiveness. She had never felt so rushed and stressed in her life (although maybe before an archery competition), and when she was satisfied she headed back to her room and put the bags altogether. She placed her hands on her hips.
"I need to get changed..."
But, just when she was about to grab her clothes that were already hanging behind the door, her phone rang. She cocked a questionable eyebrow, curious to see why someone would call her at a time like this. Despite the fact that Maki would have probably acted like this if she called her last night, Umi went over to see that an unknown number was calling her. She processed it inside her head, and twisted her body to stare at Maki's number on the crumpled piece of paper. Then her golden orbs widened in bewilderment: the unknown number, was in fact the one and only Nishikino Maki's number. Panicking, Umi picked up her phone quickly and answered after she took a breath in, and exhaled.
"Hello? This is Sonoda Umi, may I ask why-"
"Yeah, uh, hello. This is Nishikino Maki, I hear you are my new room mate?"
Maki's voice was slightly aggravated, but soft like a puff of clouds looming across the sky. It caused Umi to freeze at the sudden interruption; she didn't mind in the end though.
"Hello? Are you there?"
Snapping out of her thoughts, Umi held the phone beside her ear, stuttering in humiliation. "Y-yes! T-this is Sonoda Umi. I am grateful to b-be in your care, N-Nishikino-san...! I was just wondering h-how you got my n-number..."
"Please, don't call me formally." Maki replied, a grin tugging her lips.
"A-ah, okay then, M-Maki. Sorry. Please call me by my name too then."
"What's with that? Anyways, uh, Umi. I got your number from Papa. You are arriving before lunch, right? Do you know my postcode?" she asked.
"Mm. My father got it from yours. It should only take 15-20 minutes to get to your place, as Akihabara is close. And yes, I am arriving before lunch." Umi answered, without stammering on the words this time. Though, when she heard Maki say 'Papa', her lips curved into a smile in amusement. She heard the girl on the phone sigh in relief. "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing... It was just a reminder, that's why I'm calling. I've got to go now, I'll see you later, I guess."
"Yeah, uh, see you later. It was nice talking to you..."
"Y-you too, Umi." Maki said. And the phone call ended with a beep, before Umi had flashed a broad smile. She put her phone against her chest, and out of the blue, Umi felt a fluttering feeling inside her stomach. Maki seemed alright, to be honest. Though, Maki's first impression of Umi might have been rather entertaining.
"You know, this might not be that bad actually,"
And so, Umi began to get ready for moving to Akihabara, with help from her mother and father. She got changed after everything was safe and secure, before coming to the kitchen in order to have breakfast - she was going soon. Umi was left wondrously thinking. The bluenette was going to miss it here in Tokyo.
"Do you need help moving the bags into the car, Umi?" her father questioned, eying Umi in concern. The honey-eyed girl shook her head, declining the offer as the cool breeze brushed against her pale skin. The bags were still in the house, lying on top of each other, with the large box beside. Her house was not that big, but, it was home - that she was going to leave.
"No, it's fine, father. I appreciate it though." said Umi, giving him an assuring smile. Her father patted her head, and then Umi brought a bag to the car outside. It wasn't rich, it wasn't poor. Just an average black Toyota. Umi lifted up the boot of the car and stuffed a bag inside, pushing it as far as it can go to create enough space. Then she headed back to grab two more.
'I still can't believe it...'
Once all the bags were put inside, with the box in the back seat (they reduced room), Umi took a breath and exhaled once again. She stared at her house, and heard the door open to reveal her mother, who was already walking towards her. Her mother put her hands on Umi's shoulders, and gave her a warm hug. The bluenette returned the form of skinship, before saying:
"I'll miss you, mother."
Her mother had choked sobbing, and her breathing was hitched. Umi wiped away her tears, and her mother blowed her nose into a tissue. Her father, however, was unamused by his wife's actions. "I'll miss you too, Umi dear,"
"Okay then, I'm off. Take care,"
"Yes, Umi. Oh, Satoshi, our daughter has grown!" and she blowed her nose again, tears trickling down her moist face. "I resisted crying, and saved it up until this day."
Satoshi rubbed her back in comfort. "She has, Hina. We are going now, it's time."
"I see now. The Nishikino's wouldn't want you to arrive late indeed."
Her crying paused for a while as soon as Umi got into the car with her father, and when the engine roared like a lion, it began again. Once the loud uproar had faded, as well as the Toyota in the distance, she headed back into the house with a batch of tissues in her hand, sobbing her eyes out. But she was happy, because her daughter would be safe and sound.
Meanwhile,
Umi and her father were still on their way to the Nishikino Family. The short journey began silent, and no one had the courage to break it. All Satoshi did was stare at the roads ahead of him, focused and concentrated. Which is why Umi didn't talk; she would call out and make her father be off-guard. So instead, Umi took out her phone from her light pocket on her azure blouse, glancing at her recent call - Maki. She proceeded to text her, but didn't get to when her father took a look at Umi shortly. He looked back forward.
"Did Maki call you earlier today?"
Umi stared at him, "Yes, she was just reminding me about today."
"I see. What do you think?"
A blush formed on Umi's cheeks, and she stammered, her arms becoming hot and sweaty, "F-Father! T-that's shameless!"
She heard him chuckle, "Umi, I don't mean it that way. What has happened to you? Haha,"
The bluenette became stiff, she remained quiet.
"Nishikino-san, she's alright. I think we will get along, or I hope. Why?" Umi shot a questionable expression.
Satoshi shook his head briefly, "Nothing in particular, dear. The Nishikino's are very nice, and I appreciate the fact that they accepted. My promotion...I love you Umi, of course. But, this job..."
She frowned, "You know I am only 20 minutes away from home, right? I can come anytime, father,"
For once in a while, Satoshi smiled. They were nearing the house of the Nishikino's. It was just 3 more minutes away. "Yes, Umi. Make your mother and I proud."
Umi could see the house in the distance. It was beautiful, she had never seen a house like that before, even with her family's high status in business. A large water fountain at front, with a row of flowers along the roadway. She thought it was like a grand opening. As soon as the car stopped, Umi gazed at her father, who tried his best to uncover a smile. He brushed his midnight hair to the side.
"We arrived."
The bluenette climbed out of the car, and nervously walked up the pale white stairs to the scarlet door. She gulped, as she knocked hesitantly. The hairs on her arm stood up, and goosebumps kept laughing at her. Knock. Knock. Knock. It wasn't until she heard it open, exposing a young figure with flaming red hair, and lilac orbs, plus a lovely attire that she couldn't resist to gawk at.
"M-Maki, it is me, Umi. N-nice, to meet you."
And so they have met. What happens in the next chapter? To be continued~ I hoped you liked this introduction. Reviews, follows and favourites are appreciated.