author's notes

next and final chapter to be uploaded the day i uploaded this story a year ago! id like to thank everyone for reading this little cringy book of mine since day one :') ill be updating business deal and other fanfictions more regularly once this is finished

bah i dont want to get sentimental, so lets get straight to it :')

also since we have entered the year 2020 for this au please note covid doesnt exist here as it sHOULDNT.

Responses for Reviews:

Hiei's Curry: pillow trick works every dang time

Disclaimer: I do not own Love Live.


Chapter Thirty-Three: Connected Hearts

"someday, our loving heartbeats will meet" - anemone heart

Months later..

July 08, 2020 - 1:03 AM

Much like a similar scenario from just over a year ago, the girls of μ's found themselves in two separate hotel rooms again.

Only this time, it was for a certain bluenette and ashen-haired girl.

In the middle of the quite large hotel suite, Nozomi, Kotori, Hanayo and Nico talked about almost anything and everything that came to mind to soothe the soon-to-be bride's nerves. Though Kotori listened to their conversations well and felt little to no pressure, she'd often glance at the eye-catching wedding dress in the corner of the room.

"It's finally the day.."

"And then Miyacchi just.. peed while Elicchi held her close! Elicchi got startled by the sudden warmth on her!" Nozomi, wearing a silk emerald colored bathrobe with her initials, laughed as she talked about how their daughter acted with Eli around.

On Valentine's Day that year, Nozomi and Eli were given the best gift they could receive -- their daughter, Ayase Miya. A healthy, lively and already mischevious little girl. Though, as mischevious she was, she bore heavy resemblance to Papa Eli, who adored her since day one. Of course, she is unique in every way possible -- but the fact that Miya's right eye was emerald green (like Nozomi's) and the left was blue gave her another unique point.

(Eli is highly convinced it would become her charm point, if she ever becomes an idol.)

"Speaking of Miya, I wonder how Umiko is acting with her," Nico spoke up, her eyes covered with two cold slices of cucumber "Is Umiko good with socializing? She looks a little aloof to me, like Umi."

"She is quite aloof.. but she likes spending time with Miya-chan and her cousins, I just hope they aren't giving Yui-nee a difficult time," Kotori giggled.

Meanwhile, in another room in the hotel

"She's asleep. She's asleep," Yui spoke in a hush voice, placing Miya down onto the crib. In her husband's arms was Kazumi, their eleven month old daughter who also struggled to sleep that night "I'm Umi's 'best man,' and yet they made me take care of the tots while they have fun? Well, to be fair, these little ones are cute, too.."

"Umi sure didn't lie when she said Umiko sleeps almost instantly," Kazuma chuckled, glancing at Umiko, who was fast asleep beside Yuuto, Kazumi's twin "Shall we rest, darling?"

"Umi and her friends are growing up so quick. One moment, I see them in highschool -- now they're getting married and having families of their own?" Yui smiled, caressing Miya's dirty blonde locks "Sweet dreams, Miya."

"And.. down you go," Kazuma spoke softly, placing Kazumi down beside Umiko. He stepped back, and stifled a giggle as he looked at the scenario.

Little Miya fast asleep in her cot, while a few steps away, the Sonoda cousins were fast asleep, scrawled around a queen-sized bed.

"I swear, I'm charging them fifty dollars an hour," Yui murmured, letting out a sigh as she finally relaxed her shoulders "A twenty one month old, eleven month old twins and a five month old? Really, now?"

"Since when did you start using foreign currency?" Kazuma laughed quietly, then shook his head with a satisfied sigh "Eli and Nozomi did say they'll pay us, but should you charge Kotori and Umi, still? Umiko was the most behave among them all."

"Fine, then. Twenty dollars for her."

Kazuma just stifled his laughter, shaking his head. Letting out a content sigh, he looked at his wife.

"The night is still young, I can manage the kids. Why not go to Umi and have fun with her? You are her best man, after all."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, you think I haven't noticed that you barely spent time for yourself since the twins were conceived?" Kazuma shook his head with a frown, then smiled again "Go ahead and have fun, it's your sister's last night as a maiden, after all."

Letting out an inaudible squeal, Yui hugged her husband tightly, then tiptoed to give him a small eskimo kiss.

"I really did make the best decision to marry you. I mean, look, you're willing to care for four kids just so I'd have fun.. Okay, okay, I'll change clothes and be back in an hour before you change your mind!"

Back to the Bachelorette's Room

"Ehh, I hope the same thing. Miya just found out she could roll over, you know? Leave her in the middle of the bed for a while and you'd see her rolling over to the side the next," Nozomi sighed, shaking her head "A little bundle of mischeviousness, that little lass."

"And to think that Yui-nee has twins.. ugh, I can only imagine how difficult it would be!" Nico groaned, rolling her eyes.

"It's a good thing Umiko-chan has behaved even more now that she's a bit older.." Hanayo smiled "She's much like Umi-chan in a mini Kotori-chan's body, no?"

"Ehh, really? You see it that way, too? Even my parents and Umi-chan's parents think the same!" Kotori grinned, then her smile became smaller as she caressed with her thumb the wine glass she was holding "I could remember back then how much guilt I felt when I found out I was pregnant with her.. Now looking back, I think, without her.. I wouldn't be engaged to Umi-chan at all."

"That's true.. Umi would never bring up something from the past that would distance you two, and knowing you," Nico sighed, shaking her head "You wouldn't budge if you think there is no possibility. It's like Umiko was that 'push' you guys needed."

"Right~! Also a sign you two are really destined to be~" Nozomi chimed in with a grin.

"I'm really, really happy for you, Kotori-chan!" Hanayo beamed.

"Eheh, thank you~" Kotori gleefully replied, then looked at the door "I wonder how Honoka-chan is with the others, though.. Since she's my maid of honor, she should be here, but she insists on exchanging every now and then.."


Bachelor's Room

As the speakers blasted different types of music, while on the table there were two bottles of vodka, a bottle of tequila and a few shotglasses along with lemon slices, the rest of the girls somehow decided to start a pillow fight..

"Honoka! Can you just--!"

Maki's sentence was cut short as soon as a pillow hit her face. The attacker, Honoka, grinned in return.

"Honoka.. Why are we having a pillow fight anyway? And where is the groom-to-be?!" Eli exclaimed. Umi was just here a moment ago! "Umi? Umiiii!"

"Eli-chan sounds like she's looking for her lost puppy, nya!"

"Hanayo did not lie when she said you get drunk almost immediately," Eli murmured, watching Rin attempt to stand from the carpeted floor, only to be hit by Honoka again "Umi? Are you in the bathroom?"

A muffled sound came from the bathroom, confirming Eli's thoughts. The eldest and only wedded person (for now) in the room sighed as she shook her head. She snatched a shotglass off of Rin's hands, ignoring the latter's whine, and easily took the pillow away from Honoka's hands.

"Hey, hey. That's enough alcohol!"

"I never thought I'd hear that from you," Maki said, albeit muffled as she was facing down on the sofa.

"Yeah!" Rin and Honoka chimed in, both pairs of eyebrows furrowed.

"There are limits for everything, and besides, the poor groom-to-be's locked herself up in the bathroom, on her bachelor night!" Eli reprimanded the group, pinching the bridge of her nose "At least lay off the alcohol for now while we wait for her, no?"

"See, I knew you would never say we had enough alcohol," Honoka said as she sat beside Maki's head "Maki-chaan, did I hit you too much?"

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I'm no longer breathing."

"Well, you're facing the sofa.." Rin murmured, then slumped her shoulders before she sat down on the floor "Umi-chaaan, how are you doing, nya?"

"Nervous. Excited. Anxious. Worry. Joy. Uh, what else?" Umi replied as she exited the bathroom with a sullen expression "I just.. can't believe that later on today, I'm actually getting married."

"Is that positive or negative?" Eli asked. Before Umi could even utter a response, the doorbell rang, to which Eli raised an eyebrow to "Who could it be?"

"Food?"

"I think it's Yui-nee.. she did message she was dropping by," Umi said, making her way to the door. Upon checking from the peephole, she confirmed it was indeed her sister, and proceeded to open the door "Yui-nee."

"Umi! So, how's the party-- Eh, why the sullen face?" Yui sighed, looking at her sister. The latter was quick to lean on her shoulder, and with a frown, Yui petted her head "Shouldn't you be excited that it's the day?"

"I know, I know -- there's just.." Umi pulled away, averting her eyes with a sigh.

"Cold feet, no? Been there, done that," Eli chuckled, overhearing their conversation "Hi, Yui-nee! How was Miya?"

"Had a struggle putting her to sleep, but she's all snug and cozy," Yui boasted, then shut the door before marching towards the sofa along with Umi "Rin! Give me a shot, please~"

"Roger that, Yui-nee!"

"Aren't you feeding the twins?" Umi furrowed her eyebrows as she glared at her sister "You better have formula to feed them for two days."

"I have, don't worry~ Geez, so strict? And besides, the twins prefer solids over milk," Yui rolled her eyes "Anyway, like what Eli said, got cold feet?"

"Who wouldn't..? I just realized now that the surge of mixed emotions can be.." Umi spoke quietly, moving to hug her knees "too much. Of course, I love Kotori. I love my family with her. I look forward to the days we'll spend together. But the events.. are just so overwhelming, and the past few months of us engaged, I was busy with work, preparation and Umiko that I barely had time to mentally prepare for this.."

"You think Kotori's feeling the same now?" Maki finally sat up, startling the older Sonoda "Hi, Yui-nee."

"You scared me for a moment! Mou.. anyways.."

"Well, no, I think," Honoka chimed in casually, taking a bag of chips from the table "Kotori-chan always said she looked forward to this day. She had times where she was already nervous about the wedding ages ago while she was busy sewing her wedding dress. You didn't realize that?"

"..well, no.. We talk about a lot of things, do a lot of things--"

"Yeah, you do a lot of things.. Maybe each other."

"--but when it came to our wedding, we only ever talked about what we had to prepare for it, like cake tasting, catering, venue planning, the likes.." Umi stated, ignoring Maki's remark. She slumped her shoulders with a sigh "And by the end of the day, it's either we both fall asleep or choose to spend time with Umiko."

"Just curious though, why're you worried, nya?" Rin raised an eyebrow, handing a shotglass to Yui "I mean.. ehh, doesn't seem like you, nya."

"I still worry whether or not I'm enough for her," Umi let out a sarcastic chuckle, then covered her face with her hands "I can't face her tomorrow if I feel such worry.."

"Then, what should we do to ease that useless worry of yours?" Eli asked, rolling her eyes "Everyone, I mean it, everyone knows you are enough for Kotori. You know what, I'll give her a call now--"

"Eh? Don't--!" Umi held Eli's wrist tightly, furrowing her eyebrows at her "I don't want to ruin her night.. it's been a while since she had fun without worrying about Umiko or her dresses.."

"Well, what else can we do? You only ease up once you've got clarification from Kotori," Yui spoke, then she took the shotglass before sucking on a lemon slice "Ah.. been a while. Eli, can I ask you to import some for me next time? The twins will be weaned in two months, and I want to celebrate."

"Ah, sure! What type of alcohol, Yui-nee? Alisa is coming to visit in two months, I can ask her to bring some!"

"Well, if you don't want to call Kotori," Maki chimed in as a replacement for Yui and Eli, who began to talk about varieties of alcohol "How would you know she doesn't feel the same as you now, no? Who knows, maybe she's just waiting for you to call her. Like how Eli called Nozomi for their wedding a year ago."

"Ah, yeah! Eli-chan was wasted, nya!"

"That is.. true, but Honoka said she's fine by now," Umi said, perking up upon hearing the possibility of her fiancée feeling the same. Her gaze travelled to Honoka, who was sitting on the floor now, listening to them keenly "Is that right, Honoka?"

"E-Eh? Hey, wait up--! I'm not sure if Kotori-chan's feelings suddenly surged like yours, so how would I know?" Honoka pouted, crossing her arms "If I were you, I'd call her to be safe. You know Kotori-chan just goes with the flow. By any chance, she's just keeping her true emotions in!"

"--!" Umi's eyes widened as Honoka continued blabbering. Kotori, how was she? When they parted ways this afternoon, sure, she was smiling -- but this is Kotori they're talking about!

"And besides, Umi.. I've seen how Kotori looks at you since junior high, back when I already knew that you two would eventually become something more than friends," Yui finally spoke up shortly after giving Eli a list of various alcohols. With a reassuring smile, she continued "I just know you will be fine. Trust me when I say you and Kotori are a perfect match -- you're more than enough for her, much like she's more than enough for you."

"I suppose you'll listen to your sister, no? I don't have to talk about times where Kotori actually called Nozomi up to talk about how good you are to Umiko and her," Eli chuckled, swinging an arm over Umi's shoulder "About the times I'd see Kotori looking at you with love and awe in her eyes as you played with Umiko.. I don't need to tell you that."

"Oh, don't get me started about the times Kotori-chan would whine about Umi-chan being dense since junior highschool!" Honoka groaned "Did you guys know Kotori-chan actually gave her a love letter in junior high, only for Umi-chan to insist I forced Kotori-chan to do that?!"

"H-Hey, don't--!"

"Or how Umi-chan would just say her thanks when Kotori-chan complimented her figure in highschool? It's a miracle Umiko-chan was conceived!" Honoka continued, causing almost everyone in the room to laugh or stifle their laughter. After letting out a giggle herself, Honoka smiled at Umi "Yui-nee is right, Umi-chan. Kotori-chan and you will be okay -- like what Nozomi-chan says, you two are destined!"


Bachelorette Room

After minutes of the girls talking, their conversation soon led to Kotori and Umi's wedding that would happen the same day, causing the bride to sigh.

"Eh, what's wrong, Kotori-chan?" Hanayo smiled, noticing the sullen expression on Kotori despite the latter smiling "You miss Umiko-chan and Umi-chan?"

"Well, yes, but at the same time.. I wonder how is Umi-chan doing? I just can't help but feel a little bit of unease.. the wedding's this afternoon, and we.." Kotori murmured with a small frown "..we haven't really talked about our wedding other than its preparations. I know Umi-chan said she does want to marry me, but I can't shake off the feeling that she's not telling me everything she feels."

"Eh? Well, doesn't Umi-chan hide how she really feels, anyway?" Nozomi raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, Umi-chan has been like that since highschool," Hanayo nodded solemnly.

"That's it.. I want to know how she really feels about us, about me. Like, am I enough?"

"Yeah.." Nico muttered, on the phone texting Maki.

Maki-chan: How's everything there?

Maki-chan: Umi's having her woes. What about Kotori?

NicoPuri: she just started. talking bout how she feels umi hasn't opened up fully to her yet and how she fears she isn't enough for umi.

Maki-chan: Those two are strangely alike even though they're polar opposites. Umi feels the same.

NicoPuri: should we let them meet??

Maki-chan: Eh. They'll meet tomorrow. Eli's telling Umi to call Kotori, but Umi insists Kotori should have time for herself.

NicoPuri: pls tell umi to call her wife, i don't want to listen to kotori's woes that aren't real

"Hm.. Well, I'm not Umi-chan, but at the same time.. Umi-chan seems very happy with you and Umiko-chan," Nozomi smiled "In fact, I feel like she'd be lost without you."

"Really?" Kotori smiled sheepishly, her cheeks light pink "That.. makes me glad."

"But you want to hear it from Umi directly, no?" Nico spoke up, shaking her head when Kotori nodded slowly "Well, why not call her?"

"But, I don't want to be a bother.."


"Well, then I'm happy to tell you Kotori feels the same," Maki spoke up, putting her phone aside. She caught Umi's attention rather quickly, and she soon followed "Nico-chan told me Kotori.. well, is in a similar situation like you are in right now. I don't think it'd be a bother if you call her -- in fact, you two might just feel a large weight off of your shoulders instead."

"N-Now?"

"Oh, we can video call, nya!"

"Hey, that's not fair. I only got to audio call Nozomi when we got married," Eli huffed, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, no video call so there's some thrill tomorrow," Yui snickered "Hm.. I told Kazuma I'd stay for an hour. I got forty more minutes to burn, and since I'm quite sure Umi will just spend her time with her fiancée on phone.."

"More shots for us!" Honoka cheered.

Meanwhile, Umi made her way to the bed (yes, Maki, Rin and Honoka protested again, but the two orange-headed girls managed to rent a futon for themselves while Maki and Eli shared the sofa) with her phone. Once she plugged the headphones in, she sat down on the bed and looked for Kotori's contact.

"Minami.. Eh? When did she change her name to Sonoda Kotori?" Umi muttered, realizing Kotori had changed her contact name. With a smile and a blush on her cheeks, she continued "It sounds.. nice."

"Umi-chan! Want a shot?" Honoka grinned as she called out to her best friend "Come on, before you call Kotori-chan! Let's drink a bit to loosen your nerves a bit more!"

Letting out a sigh, Umi shook her head and placed her phone on the bed-side table, approaching Honoka and Rin, who were both cheering.

"Oh, let me do the honors of pouring!" Yui chimed in with a smile, walking fast paced towards Umi. She took the bottle of tequila, poured it into the blue shotglass and happily handed it to Umi, along with a slice of lemon that had a pinch of salt on it. With a smile, she spoke "To my little sister who seemed to grow up ever so quickly. I hope you know that Nee-chan is very proud of you, Umi."

"Thank you, Yui-nee."

Somehow, Umi's worries seemed to have vanished momentarily as the second round of shots started. Unfortunate for Umi, her sister didn't let her go so easily after the first or second shot.


Thirty minutes later..

A bit tipsy, but still sober compared to Nico who was doing everyone's skincare, to Kotori who was giggling, and to Hanayo that was already fast asleep, Nozomi took out her phone to send a message/response to Eli, who seemed to control her intake of alcohol for the night.

Non-tan: Elicchi, how's things there?

Elicchi: Yui-nee just returned to her hotel room shortly after being sentimental about Umi growing up. Maki is watching Studio Ghibli's Princess Kaguya. Rin and Honoka are fast asleep, while Umi is on her bed, on her phone.

Elicchi: There?

Non-tan: Kotori-chan just finished getting her skincare from Nico-chan. Nico-chan's gonna do mine next. Hanayo-chan is fast asleep lol

"Nozomi! Come here already!" Nico called out to the eldest in the room, furrowing her eyebrows "Mou, Kotori, you only had it on for fifteen minutes--!"

"I'm already sleepy, Nico-chan~ And besides," Kotori's sentence was cut midway through as she let out a yawn. Making her way to the bathroom, she continued "And besides, don't worry! I've been using the skincare products you sent me since the year started!"

"Good. Remember, tomorrow's a once in a lifetime event, and we don't want to see open pores in your wedding photos," Nico scoffed, grabbing the container of cucumbers as Nozomi lied still on the sofa "Don't eat the cucumber again, tits."

"What an endearing nickname, Nicocchi."

A few minutes later, Kotori eventually exited the bathroom, her face slightly damp as she made her way to the bed. With a content hum shortly after she fell onto the bed, she brought her phone out, smiling when she saw Umi's message.

Umi-chan :Kotori, can I call?

Umi-chan: And you're Sonoda Kotori already, no?

Kotori: Of course, Umi-chan! I was just about to call you

Kotori: Your Sonoda Kotori ;)

And almost instantly, her phone went ringing, the photo of Umiko and Umi flashing on the screen. Quickly, Kotori took earphones off of the side table and plugged them in, then accepted the call.

"Kotori?"

"Umi-chan. I missed your voice," Kotori giggled, oblivious of Nozomi's teases and Nico's eyeroll "How is everything there?"

"Everything's calmed down here. Only Eli and Maki are up.. I missed you too. I can't believe that it's finally the day."

"The same here.. Say, Umi-chan," Kotori bit her lip, arguing with herself mentally if she should ask Umi or no "can I ask something?"

"Of course."

"Do I.. well, what do you think about me? About us?"

There was a pause from the other line, and even NozoNico were curious as to what Umi's answer could possibly be. Soon, though, Umi answered.

"I'm fortunate to have you. Someone kind, and loving, and just.. someone out of my league, loving me wholeheartedly. Someone as pure and beautiful like you deserves only the best. Actually, I.. still find myself lacking, so I apologize about that."

"And I hope you know I find that 'best' in you, Umi-chan," Kotori smiled, content with Umi's response "You're very beautiful too, you know? Unique, amazing, selfless. There's so many ways I can describe you, but all I really know is that you're more than enough for me. For our family."

"That's a relief. I suppose I wasted time worrying about nothing, no? Kotori.."

"Hm?"

"I know I'm never the affectionate one, but.. I love you. I hope you know how much I love you."

"I love you too, Umi-chan. I really, really, really love you~"

"Yuck, save it for tomorrow, seagulls," Nico imitated a gag, while Nozomi could only giggle.

"It'll take a while for me to sleep with all of these emotions running in me. Is it okay if I spend the night talking to you? O-Only until you fall asleep, of course!"

"Of course, Umi-chan!" Kotori chuckled. With a smile, she tossed her head, looking at the ceiling above her "Say, Umi-chan.. What do you feel now that we're just one sleep away from our wedding?"

"I feel all sorts of emotions.. I'm not sure if words can even describe it. All I know is that I can't wait for my tomorrows with Sonoda Kotori to begin."

Even when their two other friends finally fell asleep, Kotori and Umi continued their conversation, which eventually ended with Kotori humming along lines of Anemone Heart as Umi got drowsy.

"Anemone heart, affection runs through my body.."

"Someday, our loving heartbeats will meet."

"I think they finally met, no, Umi-chan?" Kotori giggled, then yawned.

"I believe they've met the moment you said you love me for the very first time."

"Well, I hope they won't part, ever.." Kotori murmured, closing her eyes "Goodnight, Umi-chan."

"Goodnight, my anemone."


side-note:

fuckfuckfuck im a few minutes late but hi

i do not like this update. but i needed to update badly.

i need to sleep now ;; ples leav review, it makes me happy

ok goodnight again!!! i hope yall r ready for the ending in two weeks!!

thank you very much for supporting me and this crappy-cringy book of mine :3

- zumi