author's note

and so, we meet yuuki again..

i feel bad that the last chapter was quite crappy, so i tried my best to write another one before taking a rest uwu this is not really a major part of the story, something like.. a fluff chapter, i suppose? after this chapter, it's another two month-time skip, and after that chapter is another two month skip to.. bb seagull's arrival! because i really wanna write about kotoumi as parents -u- im soff for those types of stories.

Responses for Reviews:

Hiei's Curry: yep! for me, i think honoka would be the one who would accidentally ruin it for maki, and if she'd ever ask the rest of the members for confirmation, they'd probably just let out a sigh and tell maki the (sad) truth. which is why maki said "you all" because honoka is in the gc!

IamGayandaSinner: I actually wanted it to be more dramatic-like yuri confession, but with koto being preggo, it's hard-- as for the song, yep! the lyrics are more like, at first they're in denial, but slowly accepting their feelings, which is similar to kotori's. and yess, letters are just..ugh. i love writing letters, i love receiving letters! petition to bring back love letters! you don't have to face anyone, you don't have to worry about any mistake!

With all that said, lez go!

Disclaimer: The Love Live franchise and its characters are not mine.

Chapter Twenty One: Bento

"Kotori, I'll go on ahead-"

"Umi-chan, you forgot your tie!" Kotori huffed, following Umi to the entrance "I'll do it for you. Here.."

"And where did you learn how to do this, Miss?" Umi laughed, crouching a bit so Kotori could reach her.

"Something I learned cause I knew it would come handy one day." Kotori smiled, finishing the tie and soon pulling Umi closer using it "Have a great day at work, Umi-chan."

"Thank you." Umi gave her a light kiss, then bent down to kiss her stomach as well "I'm off to work."

Kotori followed her outside, waving until Umi entered her car and drove away. Upon entering their house again though, she noticed that Umi's bento-box was left behind on the table.

"Well, I suppose we can pay her a visit later during her lunch to bring her bento.."

The same day, 12 PM

"Umi-chaaan!" Yuuki cheerfully ran after Umi, tackling her in a hug "Are you nervous for later? Oh? A new suit?"

"Not really, we've had a few meetings with the boss before anyway. Oh, and yes." Umi smiled at the mention of the suit "It's my new lucky suit now."

"Hm..okay then! Umi-chan, did you bring your bento today? Or shall we go out to eat?"

"Ah, yes, I did bring one--" Umi stared at her desk, scanning the area "Oh.. I accidentally left it at home."

"Oh, then eat lunch with me! I'm going to the nearest fast-food chain!"

"I suppose it wouldn't be bad.." Umi let out a sigh, following Yuuki to the elevator.

"And I was looking forward to having Kotori's homemade meals today as well.."

"Umi-chan, there are pictures of you online going to baby shops. Are any of the Muse members pregnant?" Yuuki asked, pressing the lobby button in the elevator "I'm surprised you still have fans, honestly.."

"Who says we aren't surprised? As for that, well.." Umi thought of telling her about Kotori, but decided to put it aside since she wanted to ask Kotori for permission first "Yeah, one of them is."

"How cute~! You're gonna be an Auntie Umi!" Yuuki teased, letting out a giggle as the elevator door opened "Where do you want to eat?"

"Honestly, anywhere is fine."

"Ehh, you're no fun to eat with." Yuuki pouted, taking a step out of the elevator alongside Umi "Umi-chan, what do you feel like eating?"

"I said, anything is fine." Umi reassured her, then soon saw a familiar person walk into the lobby "Kotori?"

"Umi-chan!" Kotori grinned as Umi walk towards her "You forgot your bento."

"I figured. You didn't have to come all the way here, you know?" Umi chuckled, smiling into the quick kiss that Kotori gave her "You went out alone?"

"Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I can't do anything, Umi-chan. But no, Nozomi-chan picked me up, she's just waiting outside." Kotori giggled as Umi touched her stomach again "Ah, is that Yuuki-san? She looks stunned.."

"I haven't told anyone about this little girl, anyway. Yuuki, come here!" Umi called out to her friend, who looked confused as she walked towards them "This is Kotori, my girlfriend and.. well, the mother of my child."

"Ehh? So the pregnant Muse member is you?" Yuuki gasped, then let out a smile "Congratulations! Is it a boy or a girl?"

"A girl."

"Whoa.. hey, Umi-chan, you'll be busy with two pretty girls all your life now." Yuuki crouched down to face Kotori's stomach "Hi, little girl! I hope you come out healthy. You're lucky to have Umi-chan as your papa."

"I'm more lucky to have them as a part of my life. Ah, right, I'm sorry, Yuuki.. I don't think I'll have lunch with you today." Umi scratched her nape, taking the bento box from Kotori's hands "Hopefully you understand."

"Always, duh! You're lucky you have someone who can make you homecooked meals, I haven't had one in ages~!" Yuuki whined, straightening her back "Kotori-san, I hope you have a safe delivery! When is this little one due? Did you guys decide on a name?"

"Thank you. She's due around November, so we're four months away from that. As for her name.. well, we have a few choices already, but Umi-chan thinks that we should wait until she's born to see what name really suits her." Kotori answered, then checked her phone "Ah, I'll go ahead now! Nozomi-chan wants to bring me to one of those maternity classes.."

"Is that so? And why wasn't I informed? I'll join you in your next class." Umi sighed, then kissed Kotori's forehead "Take care, okay? Stay safe. Call me if you need me."

"I will. Good luck on your meeting, love." Kotori smiled, kissing Umi on the cheek and then bowing in front of Yuuki "It was great to finally talk to you, Yuuki-san."

With that, Kotori exited the lobby. Umi peeked out and sure enough, Nozomi was with her as they entered Nozomi's car.

"You're lucky you got Kotori-san, Umi-chan."

"I thought you'd get slightly jealous?"

"Of course I am. But hey, do I look like a homewrecker to you? You guys are lovely together, and.." Yuuki sighed with a smile "I knew that your heart is Kotori-san's, so I didn't do much from the beginning but hope."

"I see.. Thank you, Yuuki. I do hope this doesn't affect our friendship?"

"Naturally! I'll be the best Auntie for your little girl! Anyways, I'll go ahead and have lunch now!" Yuuki quickly dashed out, waving goodbye to Umi.

"I don't think Nozomi, Nico and Yui-nee would like you to be her best auntie.." Umi muttered, then smiled, looking at her bento "Let's see what she has in store."

"Sonoda-san!"

"Yes?" Umi was surprised that she was called immediately upon her arrival in their office floor "Is there a problem?"

"Minami-san.. The Minami-san and you are together? As in.. As in.. KotoUmi? And you two are expecting?!"

"Ah.. yes.." Umi sheepishly smiled, nodding "I'd appreciate if you don't talk about it to any of our, well, fanbase I suppose? Do we still have some fans, anyways?"

"Of course you do! The Muse fandom is still going strong! Man, the KotoUmi fanbase would rejoice but ah.. I'll respect your wishes. But you should confirm it one day! Photos of you in baby shops are everywhere!"

"Perhaps one day, Miyuki-san." Umi mumbled, taking a seat in front of her desk. She opened her bento and smiled at how Kotori decorated it.

Little bird-like onigiris that had Kotori's '•8•' expression, some cute toothpicks poked into the eggrolls, a nori winky face on the katsudon, as well as 'octopus' sausages.

"Cute.." Umi chuckled, taking a quick picture before setting her phone aside "Itadakimasu."

5:30 PM, Sonoda-Minami Residence

"I'm home."

"Umi-chan! Welcome home!"

"I'm home, princess, love." Umi smiled, kissing Kotori's forehead "And why are you blushing? I just did the same thing you did earlier."

"..just go and get changed already, I'm making dinner." Kotori mumbled, slightly surprised at how Umi called her a couple nickname "How was your meeting?"

"It went wonderful. This suit really is a lucky suit, since, well.. I was able to file a paternity leave already, and it's paid as well. I'll be here at home when you're about.. eight months along, and I'll stay at home until she's ten months old."

"Really? It surprises me that not much people take the paternity leave here in Japan, it's twelve months worth of staying at home.." Kotori chuckled, turning around to fix the dining area for them "By the way, Umi-chan, I may or may not have bought baby things earlier.."

"Hm? What did you buy?" Umi asked, hugging her from behind while putting her hands on Kotori's stomach "Also, you went to my office earlier not just for the bento, no..?"

"Well, I bought a stroller and a car seat, they can be adjusted and she can use it until she's a toddler. And yes.." Kotori turned around to face Umi, smiling mischieviously "I may have went there so that they'd know you're mine as well."

"I knew there'd be a twist." Umi chuckled, staring at Kotori's lips "Well, Miss, I do hope you know now that I'm yours."

"Yeah, mine and mine alone." Kotori giggled, before giving Umi a kiss.

The two were about to deepen the kiss, until Kotori felt another kick from the baby, causing her to pull away.

"Seems like she's saying 'that's enough already', eh?" Umi laughed, planting another kiss on Kotori's forehead, and another on her stomach "I'll go ahead and change now."

"You're more active when your papa is around.. already a Papa's girl?" Kotori sighed happily, going back into the kitchen "Let's prepare dinner, I'm sure Umi-chan outwrought herself again.."

Kotori hummed, taking out her phone to thank Nozomi for dropping her off and spending time with her today, as well as for the idea of using the forgotten bento as an excuse to make Yuuki know that Umi's hers.

Hm, perhaps Kotori should recommend Nozomi to do the same to Eli's bento one day, a lot of Eli's colleagues often try to flirt with her after all.

side-note:

soooo, these two are my possible name choices for bb seagull, i'm torn between them ;;

sonoda umiko = child of the sea

sonoda kohaku = amber

i lean more towards umiko since, well, it's a three syllable name (like kotori's) and is related to the ocean (like umi)

the next chapter is kotori's birthday and surprise baby shower! the more chapters i write, the more i realize that ah, this story is coming to a close already. it's a bittersweet feeling, but aaaaa, i'm so so excited to write about kotoumi as parents! also lmao i found out that paternity leave in japan is 12 months. 12! but ppl barely use it?? like huh?? i learned a lot about japan and pregnancies thanks to this story lmao

see ya next chapter and stay safe until then!

-zumi