author's note
Bolded Italics means Kotori or someone is speaking in French or they're using French google translate.
Italics means Japanese google translate.
in this story, kotori only knows the basics of japanese, btw. things that she hears from anime, things that are easy to pronounce, etc. she's still having a hard time writing and reading hiragana, so she only writes in plain english/japanese. while she can spot her name in hiragana, she has a bit of trouble remembering how to write it, so.. ya
anyway, lets get straight to the point!
Responses for Reviews:
Hiei's Curry: honestly, its my first time writing this type of story and i think it's the only story in ll fandom that is like this? but then again, idk a lot of stories cause i only read the main pairings' fanfics lol
K. Yahiro: wellll, it'd be unfair for koto if umi wont learn french-- and yes, love even with language barriers..
HaruEndless: just wanted to say i lov ur stories even though i use google translate to understand em (yknow how ff,net allows you to translate things? yeahthat) but yess, love is a universal language so lets hope for the best for these two- and oml french kiss.. definitely!
Nitsuy: glad you like it! hmmm i might do that scene, now that you recommended it.. probably when kotori is teaching umi french? ;)
RotundApple: really glad you like it! and yeah, i'm new to this as well ;;
With all that said, lez go!
Disclaimer: I do not own Love Live.
Chapter Two: Thank Google
Umi wasn't able to focus much during the class, as Kotori would occasionally ask her things in broken Japanese, or, she sounded like a child as she spoke. Of course, Umi did mind -- but she reminded herself that she could just ask Eli for notes later on.
Even during breaks, Umi had to spend time trying to talk to Kotori, who only knew so little of Japanese. Eventually, they had to call the French teacher again for the nth time when Kotori was having problems communicating during lunch. And yes, they spent the first short recess break in class -- Umi was able to teach Kotori some new words somehow, and the ashen-gray haired happily giggled everytime she pronounced a new word right.
"Sonoda-san, I know it must be difficult, talking to Kotori, but please.. You really aren't good with actions, no?"
"Mr. Hanazawa, it's just.." Umi let out a sigh, watching Kotori munch on macarons while the rest of the girls try to talk to her. It's already hard, and to think that this will stay the same for a while.. "Is it possible for Kotori to switch host families? I believe she'll do better with Nozomi, she knows French as she's in your class, and she's been learning it since she was young.."
"Unfortunately, it isn't.. It will be too stressful for Kotori, and her mother knows she's staying with your family -- it'll be too complicated if we try to do so. Please, try to cooperate with Kotori, Umi. Don't hesitate to contact Nozomi if you two encounter problems."
And with that, he left. Umi just returned to the table, sitting beside Kotori, who gave her a macaron without saying anything. When Umi looked at her questionably, Kotori just smiled and took a bite of her own macaron, as if saying 'eat up!'
"Um, um.. French words.. Think of French words..!" Honoka muttered to herself, cupping her chin as she thought hard.
"Ah! Baguette, nya!" Rin enthusiastically grinned, raising her hand.
"Ah, good job, Rin-chan! Oui, oui! Baguette!"
"Honoka-chan's mind is full of bread, huh? Even Rin-chan joined her.." Hanayo muttered, watching Honoka and Rin cheerfully repeat 'oui oui baguette' again and again. She did take note though, this did make Kotori giggle slightly. She took a bite of her onigiri, then waved at Kotori "You are.. Kotori-chan? From France, yes? Bonjour!"
Kotori's eyes glimmered as she nodded repeatedly. Finally, someone who speaks French! "Ah, yes! Do you speak French? My God, finally!"
Umi let out a sigh as she watched Hanayo 'freeze,' something the latter does if she gets introduced to something new too quickly. She tapped Kotori's shoulder and shook her head as she pointed at Hanayo.
After a few seconds, Kotori realized this meant that Hanayo doesn't know French, and she soon pouted, going back to eating macarons quietly.
"If it'll cheer you guys up, Nozomi should be coming soon," Eli informed, then happily waved at Kotori. She could see the visible irritation in Umi's eyes, so she turned her attention to Umi "It's just for three months, Umi. Besides, she seems kind--"
"Three months of this.. They could've informed me, I would at least learn a bit of French in advance or I would've taken French lessons--"
"Yo! Elicchi said you need me? Oh, is she the new exchange student?" Nozomi sat down beside Eli, giving the blonde a kiss on the cheek before she focused on Kotori. As if she was examining her, Nozomi looked at her up and down, then looked at Umi with a confused face "She looks Japanese to me.. Which country is she from?"
"France, and yes, she is but she doesn't speak much Japanese.." Umi sighed as she slumped her shoulders. The rest of them seemed surprised by this, as Umi barely whined or complained about an event.
"Hn, okay.. Well, Kotori-chan! I'm Tojo Nozomi, but you can call me Nozomi-chan!" Nozomi enthusiastically introduced herself, reaching out to shake Kotori's hand. Well, at least it seemed like Kotori understood that.. she only knows the basics, but it'll make things slightly easier "I've been studying French since I was little!"
Once again, Kotori's eyes glimmered as she excitedly clasped Nozomi's hand in hers "I'm so glad! Tell me, are you fluent? If so, incredible!"
"Seems like she's happy.. I have to go and get some stuff at the kyūdo club, so, err.. stay with her for a moment?"
And with that, Sonoda Umi was off, doing her duties as a kyūdo club member. About a few minutes after, Nico sat down beside Kotori, still arguing with Maki about Titanic (Why? Honestly, who knows..) Maki sat across her, beside the blonde senior of hers, who just greeted her with a nudge and a smile.
"Is this the new foreign exchange student? Wait, why is Nozomi speaking French again?"
"This is Kotori-chan! She doesn't speak Japanese, so.." Honoka let out a little laugh, then she waved in front of Kotori to get her attention. Once she did, she pointed at Nico and Maki, as if signaling her to introduce herself again "Kotori-chan."
"A-Ah, .." Kotori mumbled, taking out a slip of paper from her skirt's pocket. Apparently, she reads the 'romaji' version of her introduction there..
"She looks cute.. No! Nico-nii is the cutest!" Nico shook her head, and couldn't help but take a peek of what Kotori was reading. The introduction was written in three ways - Hiragana, romaji, and French.
"Nice to meet you, I am Kotori Minami from France. I'm sorry, I do not understand much Japanese, but please treat me well." Kotori repeated with a satisfied smile, then she gave a slight bow.
"Ah.. definitely like a foreigner. But, hey, if she's pure Japanese, why can Eli, a quarter Russian, speak better Japanese than her?"
"Maki-chan is cruel.." Nico rolled her eyes, crossing her arms "But it is true. Anyway, hi! I'm Yazawa Nico, but you can call me Nico-nii~ I'm the cutest--"
"Don't scare her, midget," Maki reached out to flick Nico's forehead, her attention soon focusing on Kotori after she heard the French student giggle "A-Anyways, my name is Nishikino Maki. Nice to meet you."
"There we go! Rin-chan, Hanayo-chan, Eli-chan and I introduced ourselves earlier, though, only Nozomi-chan can speak French.. makes me wish I took French lessons, too."
"Get your English subject's grades higher before you try another language, Honoka," Eli reminded her kouhai, then gave her a headpat after the orange-haired girl pouted in return "I'm saying the truth. Nozomi, why not tour Kotori around? I know it is Umi's job, but, in a way.. it will make Kotori more comfortable here, with you speaking her language and all."
"Nice idea, Elicchi!" Nozomi nodded with a grin, then she looked at Kotori, who cocked her head in return.
"What did she say?" Kotori asked, pointing to herself "I heard my name."
"Ah, she just asked me if it was possible for me to show you around.") Nozomi stood up, then reached out to take Kotori's hand "Let's go, Kotori-chan? Try to speak in Japanese~!"
Kotori gulped. What will she say in return? What was that word in Japanese again..?
"Ah, think of a response, think, think..!"
"O-Okay, Nozomi-chan!"
"Great! Elicchi, I'll meet you back in the classroom, okay?"
And with that, Nozomi and the newcomer went out of the canteen -- Eli and the rest could only hope it was actually a good recommendation as they all know how.. teasing Nozomi could get once in a while. Once the two were out of earshot, Honoka slammed her hands on the table, grinning widely while the rest of the girls were startled by her actions.
"I just know Kotori-chan and Umi-chan will eventually like each other!"
"Honoka, there you go again with your claims.." Eli could only sigh, listening to Honoka go on and on about the two.
"That.. may be too farfetched, Honoka," Maki let out a sigh, twirling her hair with her finger like usual.
"While it isn't impossible for others, Umi is unique. I doubt it," Nico nodded, agreeing with Maki and Eli.
"I agree with Honoka-chan! There's always a what if, nya! Like, what if Kotori-chan can warm up Umi-chan's cold, dead, black heart--"
"Rin-chan, Umi-chan isn't that mean.."
"Kayochin, remember when she made us run up and down the stairs ten times?! Rin was exhaused, nya!"
"..okay, then maybe Umi-chan can be a little mean sometimes.." Hanayo muttered, fidgeting in her seat. To be fair, Honoka, Rin and Hanayo did eat too much that day.. but it was a great deal! Finish a huge bowl of ramen and some onigiris within an hour and you're good to go without paying anything!
"Anyways! My point is, we must find a way for those two to bond over something, anything!"
"Okay, fine, let's consider the what if," Maki faked a cheery tone, exciting the two orange-haired girls "but let's also consider the fact that it's Kotori's first day here, yeah?"
"Maki is right, Honoka," Eli nodded, much to the orange-haired girls' dismay "Let's wait a bit more. We don't even know much about Kotori, whether she's taken or not, about her preferences."
"Eh? Isn't she like.. gay too, nya?" Rin cocked her head slightly, then paused to mutter something quietly "Umi-chan can probably make her gay, nya.."
"I'm willing to bet 500 yen she's lesbian," Nico grinned smugly as she brought out a 500 yen coin, flipping it.
"I bet a thousand yen she's bisexual," Maki joined, taking out a thousand yen bill. She simply shrugged her shoulders after Nico glared at her "What? I mean, we can't possibly say she doesn't have the slightest attraction to guys.."
"She went to an all girls' high school, Maki-chan! Isn't that enough? She could've chosen something--"
"Hate to break it to you, but not all girls are lesbian, Nico-chan.."
"It's only the first day and yet I pity Kotori already.." Eli sighed, watching the two bicker in front of her. She just took a sip of her drink in return, frowning as the two continued to bicker even when Hanayo tried to stop them.
"Good luck to Minami Kotori."
Dismissal
As soon as lunch was over, Eli somehow made the girls swear never to talk about NicoMaki's bets on Kotori's sexuality and about shipping the bluenette with the newcomer, at least.. not in front of Umi. And yes, Nozomi somehow found out in the end and decided to join in, saying she'll use her 'gaydar' next time to know Kotori's sexuality.
Eventually, Kotori was 'returned' to Umi by Nozomi a few minutes before the bell rang. Like earlier, Umi wasn't able to focus well in class as Kotori would occasionally ask her questions, or would unconsciously stare at the bluenette. When the dismissal bell rang, she was just grateful that this day was finally over.. surely, she can't have this repeat again and again. She has to find a way to make things easier for her!
"Follow me this way," Umi stood up from her desk after gathering her things, beckoning Kotori to follow her.
Like usual, she walked fast paced, while Kotori walked rather.. slower, falling behind sometimes as she'd get curious and distracted, and the next thing she knows, Umi is yelling out her name again.
"Hm.." Umi's eyebrows furrowed, reading the message from Honoka.
Honoka: umi-chan, the girls and i decided to hang out somewhere! dw, join next time with kotori-chan~ don't get offended, okay? we thought it would be best if you and koto-chan hang out! also cause she looks kinda tired lol
"Honoka-chan, everyone.. where?" Kotori finally approached Umi, tapping her shoulder to get her attention. She pouted, realizing the bluenette didn't hear her, so she repeated again "Where is everyone?"
"Out.. let's just go home, okay? And stay by my side," Umi informed her, returning her phone back to the skirt's pocket "Don't stray away.."
"Eh? What?"
"Stay, here," Umi pointed on her side, letting out a sigh. This will truly be a long three months, no?
Sonoda Household
"I'm home."
"P-Pardon my.. intrusion..!" Kotori lightly squealed, proud of herself for remembering the Japanese proper manners. With a smile, she still stayed close to Umi, who went to the living room to greet her parents.
"I'm home, Mother, Father."
"Ah, Umi, welcome back," Mrs. Sonoda was wearing a kimono, her hair in a bun. It seemed like she just finished teaching traditional arts -- or she was just taking a break "Is this the foreign exchange student? Kotori, am I right? Welcome!"
"Mother.. she can't speak Japanese," Umi muttered with a frown.
"I know, it was written on the contract or whatever that slip I signed is."
"Mother?! And you did not tell me?" Umi instantly turned her head, meeting her mother's gaze. She let out a sigh, motioning Kotori to just sit down on the sofa "Why? Anyway.. are her things here?"
"Yes, it was brought earlier. I asked your father to bring them up to your room already." Mrs. Sonoda confirmed, making her way back to the traditional arts' room "I decided not to tell you, since.. a little challenge will be nice, right? Kotori, welcome, please feel like you're at home."
And with that, she was off. Umi let out a grumble, beckoning Kotori to follow her up the stairs as well. When they finally entered her room, Kotori's two luggages -- and a yellow pillow, which Umi found odd since they have quite a few at home already -- were near the desk. Without speaking a word, Kotori let out a delighted squeal and went towards her things, while Umi sat down on her bed, bringing out her phone.
How to learn French 101
"How will this work.. They should've placed you with Nozomi if it's like this.." Umi 'silently' muttered to herself, but Kotori actually heard her and she instantly focused her attention on Umi instead.
Kotori looked slightly offended despite not knowing Umi's words, puffing her cheeks up. Umi quickly shook her head, making an X with her arms in front of her face.
Kotori just let out a sigh -- this will be a long, three months indeed.. but ah, wait,
Google translate! While it may not be accurate, it'll give them an idea of what they're talking about. Kotori quickly took her phone out, going to Google translate and selecting French to Japanese. She handed her phone to Umi soon after typing out her message, and the bluenette, though slightly confused, pressed the speaker button on the Japanese one.
'Let's try our best to get along, I'll be in your care until these three months are over'
Umi silently thanked the gods above, and those who thought of Google translate. The two spent almost the entire day, chatting while using the translator.
When Mrs. Sonoda took a peek, she couldn't help but smile.
"This will be an interesting three months, my dearest Umi."
side-note:
mamasonoda is matchmaking too?! lmaooo honestly, i love writing this
thank heavens for google translate, it really is amazing-- note that i haven't full proof-read this (i prefer proof reading on the laptop, i write on my phone) but i did check if i have typos or errors-- but if i didn't notice one, apologies! ill edit it later ;;
for those who read baby, maybe -- the next chapter is slightly delayed, sorry bout that! nozoeli is a new ship for me to focus on hehe
stay safe! see yall next chapter!!
- zumi