author's notes

the next chapter is mainly NozoEli! hurrah! Alexa, play Garasu no Hanazono!

once more, i'd like to know your opinion regarding a collection of short stories about muse being parents, like a part two of baby, maybe. if you guys like the idea of short stories, i already have some chapters about umiko and muse bbys together (tsubahono's child is the best one to write about so far lmao)

baby, maybe will most likely end by ch 34-35 tbh, by then, all of the important scenes should be there. i won't add scenes like mother's day/father's day here, but, again, if you guys like the idea of short stories, i will upload KotoUmi's first mother's day/father's day there as well as umiko's second christmas uwu it'll be cuter and better than the first since umiko can walk/babble by then!

Responses for Reviews:

Hiei's Curry: glad you love the idea of it! as for who is the dominant one.. depends ;)

Prince Ushio: umi-chan gets too bold sometimes, no?

With all that said, lez go!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Love Live franchise or any of its characters.

Chapter Twenty Seven: Ocean's Day II

An hour later..

Umi bounced Umiko on her lap, cooing to the little one from time to time. The little bluenette would giggle and smile in return, but would often pause when she sees a dog or a bird nearby.

"Your mama should be coming soon, Umiko," Umi told her daughter, who decided that she had enough giggles and wanted to eat. The main mistake Umi did? She forgot Umiko's bottle. And while Umiko is a well-behaved, 'angelic' (as her papa calls her) little one who barely cried, much like Kotori, she gets rather.. moody and pouty when she's hungry "Umiko.. I know, I know, I'm sorry I forgot..! I'll message Kotori again.."

She was able to distract Umiko with a pacifier, then quickly took out her phone to send a quick message to Kotori, who apparently sent her a message as well.

Three notifications from: Kotori

Kotori: Geez Umi-chan, you left Mi-chan's milk here.. I'll be there soon, I'm just picking up something from the convenience store. Is she hungry? Tell her Mama will be there soon!

Kotori: By the way, Umi-chan

Kotori: Happy birthday! i loveee you! i hope you enjoy my presents for you!

Umi: I know, I'm really sorry. Was about to message if you could bring it but I suppose you knew already?

Umi: and thank you, Kotori. I love you as well.

Until now, Umi couldn't help but smile whenever Kotori says I love you to her. Ah, to think that last year, and even the years before that, she only hoped to hear those three words again one last time from her.. now, she has a happy family with her. If she was told she'd eventually have a family with Kotori in the past, she would've laughed it off, saying it's a lie, that such dream wouldn't happen.

But hey, in some cases, dreams come true.

"Bbah."

And like that, Umiko ruined PapaUmi's moment by tossing her pacifier to the grass.

"Umiko..! Now it's dirty, you naughty little girl.." Umi sighed, putting Umiko back into her stroller before picking up the now-dirty pacifier. She gave Umiko another look, and apparently, that was enough to let the little bluenette know she did something wrong. Umi stayed quiet as she placed the pacifier back into the baby bag, then faced Umiko "Well, now what do we do? I left your bottle at home by accident, Mama is at the convenience store, and you tossed your pacifier.. We don't have a sterilizer with us, you know?"

"Bbuah?" Umiko cocked her head, then reached out to poke Umi's cheek. And with a pout (and those cute little puppy eyes,) Umiko let out a little whine "Mmah.."

"..is that your version of your Mama's 'onegai'? Hm.. adorable, I would say," Umi let out a giggle, removing Umiko's hand from her cheek. She patted the little one's head, slightly messing it up in the process of doing so (oh, she just knew Kotori would scold her.. something like, "Umi-chan, keep Mi-chan's hair tidy!") "but you do need to work that out. I don't need to tell your Mama about it, I just know she'll teach you regardless. And look at you, you already know it."

After a few minutes, Umiko began whining again, asking for food -- and Umi couldn't help but feel horrible for forgetting one important thing once.

"Umiko, I'm sure Mama is coming soon.. please wait, okay? I'm so sorry, I forgot your milk at home.."

"Umi-chaaan! Umiko-chan!"

In other people's eyes, Kotori looked like a lovely young parent going towards her partner and her child while holding a picnic basket and another ecobag. In Umi's eyes, however, she looked like some saint coming to save her not only from the stares of (judgemental) people, but also from Umiko's loud cry of hunger.

"Kotori..!"

"Miko-chan, Mama's here.. here, have your bottle~" Kotori instantly sat down in front of Umiko, placing the bottle in her mouth and smiling as soon as the little one held it tight, as if she was afraid someone would take it from her. She soon focused on Umi, who let out a sigh "Umi-chan? I brought food, let's have a picnic?"

"Ehm, Kotori.. wasn't that a big mistake I made? I forgot our daughter's food.." Umi pouted, puffing her cheeks in the process. Kotori couldn't help but let out a giggle, then she planted a kiss on Umi's cheek "Eh?"

"I think it's fine, we do make mistakes here and there. Don't tell me you think you're a bad parent just because of that?"

"..yes, I do.."

"Silly Umi-chan," Kotori chuckled, leaning on her shoulder. With her left hand, she held Umi's right hand, and then she gazed at Umiko, who happily leaned back on her stroller as she sucked her bottle. Soon, Umi looked at her as well, and both of them couldn't help but smile.

"I think you did a lot for Umiko-chan already. A little mistake like that won't automatically make you a bad papa, especially since you've done a lot for her even before she was born. So, don't worry, okay? You're a great papa to our Umiko-chan."

"..I suppose so.. thank you, Kotori."

"Mm, I'm just reminding you," Kotori shook her head as she pulled away, then smiled again "Happy birthday, Umi-chan! Let's lay out the picnic mat? It's unfair for Umiko-chan to eat alone.."

Kotori hummed happily as she laid out the picnic mat with Umi's help, then the bluenette looked at her questionably after it laid flat on the ground.

"Eh? Didn't we just have breakfast--"

"It's your birthday, Umi-chan, shouldn't we have fun for once? You can go back to doing jogging tomorrow," Kotori happily sat down on the picnic mat, then she brought one hand close to her chest, clutching it lightly "Umi-chan.."

"Oh, no.."

"..onegai!"

MamaKoto, 1 - - - PapaUmi, 0

Umi let out a defeated sigh, nodding. She went ahead to pick up Umiko in her arms, letting out a chuckle as the little one furrowed her eyebrows after Umi removed the bottle from her mouth.

"Umiko, here you go," Umi sat down on the mat, making the little bluenette sit down on her lap as she returned the bottle to her mouth "Now, what did you bring for us, Kotori?"

"Hmm.. close your eyes!"

Umi raised one eyebrow, slightly confused, but she still obliged. The funny thing for Kotori was Umi even covered Umiko's eyes with her hand, and the little one could care less.

Kotori brought out the things she prepared -- warm miso soup in a thermos, a large bento box (for the two of them) with Umi's favorite dishes and side dishes, a water tumbler, a bunch of grapes and of course, the main dessert,

Kotori's homemade manjuu, that had 'Umi' written on top. While Kotori knew it was no match to Homura's manjuu, she hoped Umi would love it, at least.

"Okay, open your eyes now!"

"Seriously, what did you-- Oh.." Umi's eyes instantly widened after she saw the manjuus, and Kotori could only giggle when the bluenette's jaw dropped.

Manjuus, for her? From Kotori?

"I made these with love, I hope you like them!"

"K-Kotori.."

"Umi-chan, say aah!" Kotori brought one manjuu close to the bluenette's mouth, pouting when she refused to open her mouth "Ah~!"

"Kotori, I'm not.. a baby.."

"Well, I can call you baby if I want to," Kotori pouted even more, then side glanced. Huh.. they didn't really have couple nicknames, and she only realized it now "Say, Umi-chan, why don't we call each other things like baby or babe?"

"I.. It's too shameless..!"

"You say that when Umiko-chan is here.." Kotori rolled her eyes, smiling a little mischieviously "Didn't we do something rather shameless to have her here? We did the same thing last night, too.."

"...let's not.. talk about that--"

"Just say aaah!" Kotori pressed the manjuu against Umi's mouth again, and smiled as the bluenette finally took a bite "Is it good?"

Umi didn't need to answer, she just gave a nod and took another bite, and another, and another..

"Bueh."

..until she snapped back into reality after her daughter lightly hit her leg. After the little bluenette did that, it seemed like she was trying to reach out for one manjuu as well, making Kotori giggle.

"Ma chérie, I don't think you can have manjuu yet.." Kotori lightly pinched her daughter's cheek, and let out another giggle when the little one pouted in return. While appearance-wise, Umiko looks more like Kotori, she acts more like Umi.. even when it comes to manjuus "Don't worry, you'll have some solid food next month~ Be patient, okay?"

"You're growing up too fast.." Umi's eyebrows furrowed as she looked at her daughter, slightly pouting as well "To think that you're almost half a year old.. next thing we know, you're probably off to daycare already.."

"Oh~? Papa Umi-chan is being emotional?"

"..can I have one more manjuu?" Umi ignored Kotori's comment. She just gave her daughter a pat on the head, giving her one of the new pacifiers that Kotori brought along with her.

"Mhm! I made lots, so say aaah~!"

"Are you..gonna keep feeding me?"

"Hm.." Kotori pondered for a moment, holding the manjuu close to Umi's mouth -- but not directly against. Should she..? It is fun, seeing Umi like this.. "Yes, part of my birthday program for Miss Sonoda Umi..chan!"

"Really, now.." Umi chuckled, opening her mouth with an 'ah~' "Okay then, I'll accept it -- just for today!"

"I'll do it whenever I want to~"

By the time they finished their picnic, (Umi was really surprised how she ate desserts before having the bento) little Umiko fell asleep in her stroller and Kotori watched her while Umi fixed everything up.

"I can help--"

"Stay with Umiko, please? Of course, the park is safe, but.." Umi seemed to have a serious face as she packed the now-empty containers back into the picnic basket "I wouldn't want to risk Umiko's safety, not when there are a lot of..horrible people in the world."

"Ehh, protective papa?" Kotori let out a sigh, though she wore a smile on. After that, it was quiet again, and Kotori never really liked staying quiet.. especially not on Umi's special day! "By the way, Nozomi-chan will pick up Umiko-chan later on."

"Huh? Why?"

"Eheh, I don't know. Nozomi-chan suddenly offered it last night," Kotori spoke, now focused on the sleeping little bluenette. She caressed her head, smiling -- though there was a hint of sadness in it. Since Umiko was born, she hasn't spent longer than a few hours away from Kotori, and the 'mama bird' wasn't so happy with the idea of the little one being away for a while "I'm hesitating not because I don't trust Nozomi-chan and Eli-chan, but because I'll miss this little one.."

Just then, Umi received a message from Nozomi, so the bluenette paused packing to check the message.

Nozomi: hey-a, umi-chan!! hope you can convince kotori-chan to let us pick umiko-chan up later. i know you guys have that babysitting manual whatever for little umiko-chan, and besidess, i'm great with babies! i helped take care of the teachers' babies in otonokizaka, yknow?

Umi: Why do you plan to take my daughter?

Nozomi: ok wow im not kidnapping umiko-chan -3- elicchi and i can have our own baby, eventually

Nozomi: i know koto-chan has been busy, prepping the dresses for our wedding. think of it as a birthday and a thank you gift in one!

Umi: How is my birthday related to this?

Nozomi: idk, thought you'd like to have birthday sex?

Nozomi: kidding, kidding-- but lets be honest that will probably occur

Umi: Nozomi.

Nozomi: you and koto-chan haven't been alone together since miko-chan was born, and even before that, kotori-chan was pregnant-- time alone for a couple is important!

Nozomi: tell me if she says yes, we'll pick up umiko-chan by lunch and return her around.. 10 am tomorrow? sounds good? should be enough time for you guys to hang out like a typical couple

Nozomi: also enough time for a few rounds w/ ms. sonoda ;)

"Kotori, um.. Why not give it a try?"

"Eh? I thought you'd disagree?"

"Well, it would be nice if you'd take..a day off, right? And.." Umi continued what she was doing, avoiding Kotori's gaze "we haven't spent much time together, no?"

"You mean, alone? Without Miko-chan?"

"..yeah?"

"Ehhh, Umi-chan wants my full attention?" Kotori giggled, then looked at Umiko again. Just one night would do, right? One night without Umiko would be fine.. "Okay, then.. I'll let Nozomi-chan and Eli-chan take care of her."

Umi just let out a satisfied hum, trying to keep that smile from forming on her face. Kotori, on the other hand, began listing down the things that Umiko needed to bring with her, and paused. Would she be lonely? Fussy? Wait, no, actually.. Whenever the two visited, Umiko loved being in Eli's arms ("Have your own and don't steal mine, Eli." Umi pouted upon seeing her daughter in Auntie Eli's arms again) and she does giggle and smile a lot with Auntie Nozomi, so perhaps, it wouldn't be too bad after all..

Lunch Time, Sonoda Household

"Okay, okay.. so I packed enough of her milk, I already put instructions how to thaw it as well. I wrote down Umiko-chan's feeding times and how to burp her as well as her nap--"

"Kotori, calm down," Umi bounced the now-awake but still sleepy Umiko on her lap, sitting down on the sofa beside the baby bag (and another bag..) that Kotori prepared for Umiko "I'm sure they can manage.. and they'll call us if we need help."

"I'm not sure if I can manage being away from Miko-chan.."

"I'll be missing this little one as well.." Umi chuckled as Kotori picked Umiko up. The little bluenette seemed to understand the situation, and honestly didn't look too bothered about it "You did pack her favorite blanket, right?"

"Of course.. I know how it feels to be away from a favorite item," Kotori pouted, then kissed Umiko's forehead "Be a good girl with your aunties, okay? You'll be back with Mama and Papa tomorrow, okay? I mean, in a way, it is good since I'd like to spend some time with your papa but.. I'll miss you.."

"I'll miss her a lot as well."

"Kotori-chaaan! Umi-chaaan! Umiko-chaaan! Auntie Nozomi is here to play~!"

"Ah, seems like she's here. I'll go get the door."

"Be a good girl, okay, Umiko-chan?" Kotori cooed to Umiko, putting her forehead against hers. She let out a giggle when Umiko smiled in return, reaching out to 'squish' Kotori's cheeks with her little hands "I'm sure Auntie Nozomi and Auntie Eli will take care of you well."

"Oh? Mama bird sayin' bye-bye to baby bird?" Nozomi entered, speaking in a teasing tone. Behind her, Eli nodded hello, picking up the baby bags "Don't worry, it's not like Umiko-chan will fly out of the nest.. yet, at least."

"You guys call us if you need help, okay? I'm sure we'll answer it," Umi reassured them, giving Eli a pat on the back "I hope Umiko won't give you guys a hard time.."

"I'm sure she won't! Look, she looks so angelic.. if it weren't for her hair color, I'd think Kotori made a child on her own."

"I don't know, Honoka-chan said when Umiko-chan 'slaps' her," Kotori giggled, placing Umiko in the carseat "it's like a flashback to the time Umi-chan slapped her."

"Umi's iron slap back in highschool?"

"Yes, that slap."

"Hm.. well, Kotori-chan already messaged me the important reminders and to-dos with Umiko-chan, so," Nozomi carried the carseat, cooing to the little one, who happily sucked on a pacifier "We'll be off? Don't wanna delay anything~"

"Be a good girl, okay, Umiko?" Umi caressed her daughter's head again, chuckling when the little one smiled "See you tomorrow morning."

"Eli-chan, Nozomi-chan, call us if you guys get into any trouble. But I'm sure Umiko-chan will behave, she's a sweetheart, anyways.." Kotori approached her daughter, giving her another chaste kiss on the forehead "Have fun with your aunties~"

"She can't eat anything other than milk yet, no?" Eli clarified, and smiled smugly when the two said nodded "Well then, I suppose all chocolates remain mine."

"Ah, I've always wanted a baby in the house~ Umi-chan, Kotori-chan, have fun!"

And with that, the two were left alone in the house for the first time since Umiko was born. For some reason, it felt.. slightly awkward, though; and both of them detested that feeling.

"A-Ah, um.. Kotori, what would you like to do..? Let's watch a movie?"

"Fine by me~ I'll go get the blankets!"

Half an hour later..

Umi laid on the sofa, while Kotori laid on top of her with a blanket draped on the two of them, both pairs of eyes locked on the screen. Well, at least until Kotori reached out and turned it off with the TV remote..

"Eh? I thought you wanted to watch Ponyo?"

"Mm.. we can watch Ponyo next time."

"Kotori?"

"Days like this, without Umiko-chan, will be rare, no?" Kotori huffed, sitting down on Umi's stomach. She seemed to have a mischevious look in her eyes, accompanied by that teasing smile with a slight lip bite -- a sight that could only make Umi gulp because she already knows what's coming.

Kotori's slender fingers carefully made their way underneath Umi's shirt, tracing Umi's bare stomach. She leaned forward, planting a few kisses on Umi's neck, and soon moving close to Umi's ear to whisper.

"Let's make the most of it, Umi-chan~"

"K-Kotori, it's still bright outside-"

"Not gonna stop me~"

"..please remind me to change the sofa when Umiko is slightly older.." Umi sighed in defeat. Well, there's no point resisting -- she wanted this, anyway.. even if she'd deny it, that part of her speaks the truth.

And that is how the first of many rounds began that day.

Bonus:

"Umi!" Eli whined to the phone, ignoring how annoyed Umi sounded ("Elicchi, you just cockblock them..") "Your daughter hit my cheek! And she stole my fiancée!"

"What do you mean stole? And please, I thought I said call when you need help, not to whine about such."

"Nozomi is giving her all the cuddles and I'm sleeping on the couch cause Umiko is gonna sleep beside her tonight! Wait, Umi? Umi?! Did you hang up on me?!"

Bonus 2.0:

Umi panted as she laid in bed, completely unsure how and when they got from the living room to their room. How many rounds have been done? She lost count at four..

"Umi-chan," Kotori draped an arm around Umi, giving her a content smile "I love you."

"I love you too." Umi closed her eyes to relish the moment, wrapping an arm around Kotori.

"Umi-chan, Eli-chan is calling."

"She's probably going to whine about Umiko stealing Nozomi.."

"Yeah, I guess.. Nozomi-chan sent a message saying she'll be the one to call if they need help, so we're free to ignore Eli-chan."

"Told you," Umi opened her eyes again, moving to hug Kotori from the back. The ashen-haired was slightly busy, messaging Nozomi about Umiko, but the bluenette couldn't help it..

"Umi-chan?" Kotori squeaked, slightly startled at the kisses Umi began to trail down from her neck to her back. She stifled a moan by covering her mouth, which frustrated Umi slightly.

"I want to hear you," Umi mumbled, removing the hand from Kotori's mouth.

And once more, another round has begun.

Bonus 3.0:

"Umiko-chan! Mama is here~!"

"Kotori, you have.. quite a lot of marks, not to forget you're walking weird," Eli chuckled, nudging Umi "Had fun?"

Umi chose to ignore Eli, but still had a faint small smile on.

"I suspect that Umiko-chan will have a lot of playdates here in the future~ Say, Kotori-chan, tell me allll about it!"

"Umi-chan was soooo dominan--"

"Not in front of the baby!" Umi, and surprisingly, Eli exclaimed together.

sidenote:

heh birthday sex-- eventually they had to pause to eat cause eating each other out won't do anything-

it took me a while to post this, cause originally, it was supposed to have nozoeli's bachelor and bachelorette night along with it, but i decided to make that into two separate chapters since it'd be odd to clash two events together

once more, i did not fully proof-read this yet and it's currently 6:41 AM so.. yeah. i did check if i have any typos and errors, but if there's any, i'll edit it later on.

keep safe and see yall next chapter!!

- zumi