author's note
in this chapter, we have mr. sonoda's reaction as well as the two-month skip to bb seagull's gender reveal party! but, since that part of the story may be long with the muse members' shenanigans, we will divide it into two parts :D
not sure if you guys noticed yet but the names kishi, ushio and umi are all related to the ocean -- so i may or may not make kotoumi bb's name related to the ocean~
Responses for Reviews:
Hiei's Curry: I mean, KotoUmi was about to kiss until Yui interrupted their moment.. and that's exactly Umi's point but poor Umi can't do anything without her sister teasing her
tzumisa9: we all love kotoumi in this household-- tbh, i like kotoumi cause they seem to balance each other out~
With all that said, lez go!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Love Live franchise or any of its characters.
Chapter Eighteen:Team Boy or Team Girl?
When they got home, Mr. Sonoda was at the living room, reading a newspaper like nothing happened.
"Ushio, are you not going to congratulate your daughter?" Grandmother Sonoda sighed upon seeing her son, taking a seat beside him "Sure, feel disappointed all you want, but Umi is still a Sonoda and so is her child."
"Mother, please, I don't want to hear such right now." Mr. Sonoda groaned, flipping the page. When he looked up, his eyes met Umi's, before she turned her head "Umi?"
Umi was about to answer her father but she felt her phone vibrate and looked at the reminder.
Reminder for: Kotori's Prenatal Vitamins, 4:30 PM
"Ah, Kotori, it's time for your vitamins."
"Ehh, you keep track of that?"
"I keep track of everything that's for you and our baby's health." Umi nodded as she beckoned Kotori to sit down beside Yui, across their father "Wait here, okay? I'll get water for you."
"Umi, you should probably get Kotori's vitamins upstairs first, don't you think? I'll get her water myself." Mrs. Sonoda said, going straight to the kitchen "Also, get the ultrasound pictures as well so you could show your grandmother."
"Kotori, are you fine here alone?"
"Yeah, I can talk to Yui-nee, so I'm okay." Kotori smiled, comfortably touching (and showing) her small baby bump "Ah, Umi-chan! Can we have jelly?"
Umi could only laugh and nodded, giving Kotori a thumbs-up as she went up the stairs.
"Hey, Kotori, can I..touch it?" Yui asked, staring at Kotori's stomach "It's my first time seeing a Japanese woman pregnant other than my Mom.. honestly, when I was young, I thought babies just spawned.."
"Ah, go ahead! Umi-chan likes touching it whenever she gets the chance to."
"W-Whoa.. wait, it's firm! So it's a baby, really!"
"Yui, I can't believe I'm saying this, but.." Grandmother Sonoda sighed, looking at her easily-amazed eldest granddaughter "you could be quite a fool sometimes."
Mr. Sonoda let out a chuckle behind the newspaper, causing his mother to hit his head lightly. Mrs. Sonoda, on the other hand, just smiled while putting a glass of water on the coffee table in front of them.
"I honestly thought it would be.. softer, like, maybe a chubby stomach? But this is different..!" Yui muttered, slowly forming a grin "Hey, little one! I'm Auntie Yui, I can't wait for you to come out so I can spoil you~"
"Kotori, do you want anything? You said you want jelly, right? What flavor?" Mrs. Sonoda asked "I can try to make you some."
"Really, Aunt? Grapes, then!"
"Alright then, let's see what I can do. And, Kotori?"
"Hmm?"
"Feel free to call me Mother."
With that, Mrs. Sonoda left them with a smile, heading towards the kitchen.
Yui and Kotori shared looks, then let out a short squeal, startling Mr. Sonoda.
"Yui, manners."
"I'm not listening to someone who can't accept the next heir of the Sonoda family." Yui scoffed, then went back to touching Kotori's stomach "Welcome to the family, Kotori! Baby~!"
Behind the newspapers, a small smile formed across Mr. Sonoda's lips, and only Grandmother Sonoda saw it.
"Seriously.. you don't know how to show your emotions well, son."
"Welcome to the family, Kotori." Mr. Sonoda whispered in a low voice only he could hear.
While Umi originally wanted to get a room for them at a nearby hotel, Kotori insisted that it's okay if they just slept in her old room.
So now, Umi stood at the entrance of her childhood room, decorated with stars, some bunny plushes and such. The more she looked around, the more nostalgic she felt. After all, while she spent mostof her life in Tokyo, here in Sapparo, she spent her summer-breaks and winter-breaks.
She was able to get the prenatal vitamins from Kotori's bag, but a little envelope that rested on top of her navy-blue luggage caught her eye.
To Umi
From Papa
Umi raised an eyebrow, wondering why her father called himself 'Papa' when the last time she called him that was when she was in first grade, when she was first scolded for making mistakes during her archery and kendo lessons. Since then, Umi felt.. intimidated by her father. She viewed him as a mentor, a coach, but barely saw him as a father.
Umi shook her head to try and set aside the memories of her father scolding her and carefully opened the letter.
To my youngest.
Umi, how have you been? Have you been working well? I hope you are making time to relax, you are too harsh on yourself most of the time, and I know it's all because of me. And for that, I want to say sorry.
When your sister told us she wanted to become an architect in abroad, it meant you were the only hope for the Sonoda Dojo and Traditional Arts. Due to this, I treated you as a student, molding you into the perfect heir, a perfect Sonoda. You were so little, you were only seven when I began training you. Your mother, grandparents and sister were highly against it, but still, I taught you.
When you shot your first arrow, you made a mistake, so I yelled at you. When you held your first shinai, you made a mistake, so again, I yelled at you. Even during calligraphy and traditional dances, when you made a slight mistake, I noticed it and scolded you. I thought that this would make you more tough, more stern, more prepared for your duties as a Sonoda. It made you tough outside, but fragile inside. I knew that ever since you started calling me 'Father' instead of your usual 'Papa.' I knew that ever since you began to get slightly startled everytime I raise my voice. I just knew, but my mistake was I didn't stop.
Suddenly, our bubbly, ever-curious Umi was gone. She became strict, stiff, tough, cold and everything a Sonoda leader should be. I was glad, and I thought our business was in safe hands, in your hands. But then, you told us about your passion in engineering. I was disappointed, severely disappointed. Even though your sister stepped up and now owns the dojo, I really thought you would be the family's Iemoto and Shihan in one. This caused us to become even more distant than we already were. But I should've realized that just because you are a Sonoda doesn't mean I should limit your dreams, your happiness.
I've spent so much time being you and your sister's mentor, molding you two into perfect heirs of the Sonoda family, that I have forgotten how to be a father to you two. I have forgotten how to treat you like my daughters. Especially you, Umi.
I'm sorry I left abruptly earlier, I needed time to compose myself, I didn't want to make a scene and hurt you severely again. I needed to think, to realize things again. I know Kotori gives you everything you may yearn for. I know she's the one for you. I'm so grateful to Kotori because she gave you all the love and happiness our family failed to make you feel. So to answer Kotori's request.. yes, of course, your child is accepted into our family, despite the circumstances they were conceived. And she is, too. I know you aren't the type of person who rushes things, but I do hope I hear the wedding bells ringing for you and Kotori soon.
Umi, congratulations on taking another step, on opening another chapter in your life. I sincerly hope you don't make the same mistakes I did, but I know you won't. Take care of Kotori always from now on. While she will only carry your child for nine months, you will forever be in her debt.
I hope you know how proud I am to have a daughter like you. Indeed, you are a wonderful child. You have always been, even before our trainings began. And that, I've always known.
Always take care.
- Papa.
To say Umi didn't have a few tears of joy trailing down her face would be a lie, but to say she wasn't smiling brightly would be a lie, as well. As soon as she composed herself and wiped away remnants of her tears, she calmly went down the stairs, acting as if she read nothing.
After handing the vitamins to Kotori and the ultrasound photos to her happy grandmother, Umi noticed her father stand up to leave the living room. Although she hesitated at first, she put negative thoughts aside and stood up as well.
"P-Papa?"
Everyone in that room stopped what they were doing when Umi uttered that word, surprised of her action. Soon, Mr. Sonoda turned around, smiling like a fool.
"I missed hearing that."
"Papa." Umi chuckled, then hugged her father tightly "Thank you. I just can't thank you enough.."
"It's the least I can do, my daughter. Although I do hope your little one gets more of the Minami's genes, so they won't get easily flustered like us, no?" Mr. Sonoda laughed "I'm excited to be a grandfather, should I be honest."
"You should be, dear! The Minami's excel in making homemade things, and our genetics mixed with theirs.. what a lovely and bright child our grandchild would be!" Mrs. Sonoda sighed happily "Finally."
"Hey, but..do you really mean it? Everything in that letter?" Umi asked, letting go from the hug "Especially about accepting Kotori and our child into our family.."
"I'm honest with that. And besides, you got your looks and brain from your mother, but your words?" Mr. Sonoda pat his left chest slightly with a proud smile "Came from your old man."
While Umi and her father talked, Yui noticed Kotori's small but happy smile, and elbowed her lightly again.
"Welcome to our little crazy family, Kotori, my little sis. Knowing Father, he won't say it so.. feel free to call him Father now."
"Thank you, Yui-nee." Kotori smiled wider as she felt Yui embrace her "It means a lot."
Finally, after all these years, Kotori knew what was happening beneath the Sonoda's masks. While they seem intimidating, stiff, tough and perfect on the outside, they're more like a normal family with cracks here and there on the inside.
"Now, Kotori! My daughter-in-law."
("Father! Don't embarrass me!" Umi groaned)
Kotori jumped slightly from her seat when she heard Mr. Sonoda call her name, automatically straightening her back and looking at Mr. Sonoda afterwards.
"Welcome to the Sonoda family." Mr. Sonoda smiled, wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulder "Thank you for everything you've done for Umi up until now."
"Thank you for accepting me into the family as well.. Father..?" Kotori cocked her head slightly, then let out a giggle "Please do give me time to get used to this..!"
"..how did you get such a pure girl.." Yui muttered to Umi, who now sat between Kotori and her "If I swung that way I would've stolen Kotori from you--"
"Never." Umi glared at her sister, then smiled at Kotori. Soon, she rested her hand on Kotori's stomach "Seems like that's all the nerve-wrecking announcements we must make about you, little one."
"Children..they truly do grow up so fast." Grandmother Sonoda sighed happily, watching Yui, Kotori and Umi interact "And Ushio, I'm glad you finally lowered your pride."
"The least I could do after all these years of Umi making the Sonoda bloodline proud, Mother."
Two months later, July 2018..
After a few days in Hokkaido, they went back to Tokyo, with Yui insisting that next time she visits them, she would buy gifts for her 'niece.'
It's been a few months since then, and two major things have happened; The Sonoda's and Minami's met up and were both equally excited to become grandparents, and finally, it was time to know the gender of the little one.
Kotori insisted to have a little party for the little one's gender reveal, just with the Muse members, though. For a week now, she has been preparing things, what to cook and so on. Umi would help as much as she could, though Kotori insisted she can do it alone.
"And.. done!" Kotori said as she placed a plate of cookies on the table "Umi-chan, where are they?"
On the table, there were different types of food and drinks. From savory food to the sweet desserts, as well as carbonated drinks, water and different types of juice (since Umi still doesn't like carbonated drinks much.) There were also pins that read 'team boy' and 'team girl,' both Kotori and Umi wearing the team girl pin. On the wall were a few blue and pink ribbons tied up, like a traditional baby gender reveal.
"Nozomi, Honoka, Eli, Rin and Hanayo are close. Nico and Maki said they'll come in ten minutes since they picked up the confetti-filled balloons." Umi came out of the kitchen, holding her phone. Soon, she set the phone aside and touched Kotori's now-larger bump "Hey, little one. Today, we'll find out if you're a little boy or a girl."
"I really think it's a girl, though." Kotori giggled "Umi-chan, what about you? What do you think our baby is?"
"A little girl." Umi smiled, then looked at Kotori "Ehm, Kotori? I've..been courting you for a few months now. I'm in no rush, really, but.. I just want to know your answer. Have you ever thought of it?"
Kotori nodded, and was about to answer, until the doorbell rang. Umi sighed, and muttered a quick 'let's talk about it later' before rushing to the door.
"We're here, nya~!" Rin excitedly rushed in, then her eyes widened when she saw Kotori "K-Kotori-chan! Did you swallow an entire honeydew?!"
"I brought manjuus! And Rin, jeez, has it been that long since you saw Kotori-- oh my god your stomach is.. whoa." Honoka gasped, staring at Kotori's stomach from a few feet away "That will..get bigger?!"
"Kotori-chan.. amazing!" Hanayo uttered, her eyes gleaming.
While they would visit the Sonoda-Minami household from time to time, Kotori often wore baggy shirts, longsleeves or hoodies since she found it comfortable. Today, though, she decided to show her baby bump and wore a shirt that wasn't so baggy or oversized.
"Naturally." Umi muttered, beckoning them to sit on the couch and taking the manjuus from Honoka's hands "Go ahead and watch anything you feel like."
"You're handling this pregnancy beautifully, Kotori-chan!" Nozomi giggled, rushing to hug Kotori "I can't wait to find out the first Muse baby's gender!"
"Hey, can we have a snack or two--"
"No." Umi swatted Eli's hand away, rolling her eyes "Be patient, the other two will come soon."
"Ow.. Oh, pins! I'm definitely on team boy!" Eli exclaimed as she took a blue pin and pinning it on her shirt.
"Team girl for me~!" Nozomi smiled, taking a pink pin and pinning it on her jacket.
"I'm team boy, nya~!"
"Ah!! I'm team boy too, Kotori-chan, Umi-chan!"
"I-I think the baby is a girl, so I'm team girl.."
Kotori smiled as Umi handed out the pins, holding her stomach. Although others barely noticed it, Kotori saw Umi's small smile while she handed the pins out.
"I think everyone is excited about you, little one. But of course, your Papa and I are the ones who are the most excited."
"Team girl for the win!!" Nozomi, Hanayo and surprisingly, Umi cheered together.
"Team boy! Team boy!" Eli, Honoka and Rin cheered louder.
Kotori let out another giggle, relishing the moment, another important memory she'll enjoy looking back on.
"I'm okay as long as you're healthy, little one. But I do hope you're a little girl, I want to sew some cute dresses for you~"
side-note:
SO ARE YALL TEAM BOY OR TEAM GIRL-- #teamgirl
okay i'll be honest, this chapter may seem a bit crappy. instead of the usual "ill write a few words everyday" i wrote 2k words in one sitting, mainly because i've been busy the past few days but i still wanted to upload something today.
the next chapter is the gender reveal, and possibly, kotori's confession as well! so stay tuned~
take care and wash your hands always!!
see ya next chapter!
- zumi