Storm in Lover

A 'Love Live! School Idol Project' fanfiction by Yuuki.

It was already an inevitable fact that Ayase Eli's shoe box was always full of letters—sometimes presents—by the time she arrived at school. Eli didn't know who started it, but before she knew it became the official personal mail box for her. It was kinda overwhelming at the start but somewhere along the way she got used to it. Well, it was a good feeling to know she was liked.

Having received tons of letter almost every day made Eli was so sure that she couldn't be surprised by letter anymore. But today she was proved wrong.

It was the lunch break. She was in the middle of checking the letters she got in the student council room—like she always did—when she read the name written on one of the letters. It was the name she knew so well. Almost too well in fact.

Sonoda Umi.

The handwriting was too familiar that Eli almost knew that it wasn't another Nico's prank. She immediately straightened up on his seat after she read the name, unconsciously turned her head right and left to make sure she was alone. Fortunately, Nozomi had some business with Nico so her best friend couldn't eat their lunch together this time. Had the purple haired girl was present, she would easily tell what the blush on Eli's cheek meant.

Calm down, Elichika! You can't be so sure it's a lo-love letter!

After minutes of the attempt to restore her face color to normal, Eli tried to think what was the letter about. She pushed the idea of it being a love letter to the back of her mind and started think of other reasons. She didn't want to admit it but opening the letter fully expecting it being a love letter would be bad for her heart if it, in fact, wasn't one.

Okay, maybe Umi had some problem that she couldn't say in front of the others. But if that was it, Umi could always call or message Eli. They were close enough to do that. Or even better, they could meet at a nice cafe, and after the problem was solved, maybe went to a date, with just the two of them…

Eli slapped her cheeks. No no no no. This isn't the time, Elichika!

She put away other letters and start thinking again. Okay, maybe it was a challenge letter? Nah, that would be too stupid and Eli just couldn't associate that word to Umi.

Notes for μ's' practices? No, they always talked about it after their last session every week.

Was it Umi's test paper? Maybe she got a bad grade and want to hide it somewhere? Eli snorted. Umi wasn't Honoka.

Sighing, Eli took the letter and unsealed it. Just thinking about it wouldn't do her any good and her lunch break was almost finished. She hadn't even touched her lunch. This was better be a real love letter, or she'd sue Umi for her lost of lunch break.

As she unfolded the paper inside, Eli was a bit excited. Okay, Eli was excited. Or maybe not. Eli was so gay excited.

And this was the first two lines of the letter.

A summer of wanting to see you; This year's summer is a story between you and me.
So don't run, don't be afraid when we gaze into each other's eyes, storm in lover.

Eli stared blankly at the paper right after she finished. God... It was a song's lyric.

Eli slammed her head to the table.

Right after the school ended, Eli didn't waste her time at all and went to Umi's class right away. She paid no heed to Nozomi and Nico's curious gaze and almost ran through the corridor until she saw her handwritten poster about no running in corridors.

"Is Sonoda Umi here?" Standing at the open door, Eli called out with every dignity she had as the student council president.

The entire class suddenly went silent as all of them turned their head to the front door. Thanks to that Eli quickly found Umi. She was in the middle of packing her stuff into her bag, with Honoka and Kotori stood close to her.

"Eli?"

"Miss Sasahara wants to meet you at the student council room now."

"Ah, I get it. Thanks, Eli."

Eli nodded before excuse herself and walked to the student council room. She slid the door open right after she arrived, but she couldn't find Miss Sasahara there.

Eli wasn't surprised though. Of course, because she had lied. It was her who wanted to meet Umi, not Miss Sasahara.

She slid the door closed, walked to her usual seat, and took Umi's letter out of her bag. She was already in her seat, staring at Umi's letter when the junior opened the door.

"Excuse me," Umi said as she entered the room. She tilted her head in confusion when she saw Eli instead of Miss Sasahara.

Umi wanted to ask but Eli waved the letter that she held to beckon her to stop. "So, care to explain to me why you put this thing in my shoebox?" She put it down before crossed her arms and legs and stared at Umi, waiting for an answer.

Umi walked closer to Eli and take a look at the letter. Realizing it was hers, Umi finally understood. "Because it was for you?" Umi answered unsurely.

Eli tapped her fingers on the table impatiently. "That was all?"

Umi shrugged.

Eli rolled her head back in frustration. "Oh, geez. I should have just asked Nozomi."

Umi blinked rapidly. "What do you mean?"

"This song is for Nozomi and I, isn't it?"

"Why?"

Eli snickered. "That's my question. You guys pushed Garasu no Hanazono to us. This gay song must be the same," she said, still tapping her fingers on the table. "Honestly. I don't know why all of you try to get us together."

"I'm sorry to break it to you but," Umi paused a bit, narrowing her eyes, "that gay song isn't for you and Nozomi." Her voice was stern but Umi was still Umi; romance is a taboo. She couldn't hide the apparent blush on her cheeks.

"Eh?"

"It's for us. For you and me."

Okay, that was only a song. Only a duet. Eli shouldn't overthink it. But the irritation on Umi's face when she mentioned Nozomi, and now the blush, told her the otherwise. Maybe there was really something behind it…

But before she could think further, Umi continued, "And I never try to get the two of you together. I can't." After saying that, Umi quickly turned herself and walked to the door.

"Wait! Umi! What do you mean?"

Umi stopped right before she slid the door. "You can interpret it as you please," Umi said, before exiting the room. But right before the door closed, Eli swore she could hear a faint, 'But I was thinking of you when I wrote that lyric.'

Eli didn't even realize she was stood before her desk. Trying to let all of that sink, she dropped herself to her chair. She repeated Umi's words once again in her heads.

But I was thinking of you when I wrote that lyric.

Then Eli's eyes caught certain lines on the letter.

Accept all of my passion turning to love
Yes! No! Say yes!
Your heart will surely give me your answer

Eli buried her face in her palms. Her face was all red up to her ears.

Harasho.