author's notes

i actually wasn't planning to make mama sonoda the cupid for these two.. but since a few of yall seemed to like that idea, lets do it lmao

note that when umi and kotori talk, they'll most likely use google translate to talk to each other easier, so when umi talks french and kotori talks japanese its most likely google translate. italics is japanese google translate, while bolded italics is french (it's a bit easier for me to type this way instead of going to google translate again and again whenever i have to make the two talk)

when kotori/nozomi/someone does speak in french, i will still continue using google translate. again, i am so sorry to those who speak french because google translate butchers translations (yes, i know, they do that a lot with tagalog to english and vice versa)

example:

'Good morning, Umi-chan!' = Japanese Google Translate, will most likely be used when Kotori is talking to Umi/everyone

'Good evening, Kotori.' = French Google Trabslate, will most likely be used when everyone/Umi is talking to Kotori.

also!!! did you guys know that it is canon that umi's mother is the real head of the family, that the sonoda last name came from umi's mother and her father just took her last name as well?? the sonoda family is home to many female warriors, sons-in-law just take their last name as well! its mentioned in umi's school idol diary! sucks that i wasnt able to use that knowledge in baby, maybe but im def using it here!

note that in the actual timeline of love live, its 2013. so in this story, it's 2013 (back when life was way easier than it is now...)

Responses for Reviews:

Hiei's Curry: when it comes to writing chapter's titles, i like using the ones that were mentioned or part of a dialogue uwu

Nitsuy: mama sonoda just wants an in-law cause umi is the last hope-- and yay im glad you like this story! its fun to write as well

HaruEndless: well it does make things sound funny, but hey, better than nothing-- i think i read most spanish fics and just translated them during the kotoumi fanfic drought- but yess, mama sonoda is smart! bring a girl from france, let them bond and watch the outcome :3 then woosh you'll get a French (though she's Japanese..) daughter-in-law!

With all that said, lez go!

Disclaimer: I do not own Love Live.

Chapter Three: Traditional meets Modern

Half an hour later, Mrs. Sonoda got curious again after hearing the muffled laughter coming from Umi's room, so she quietly opened the door to try and listen more -- after all, it's not everyday that this happens.

'Are you scared of anything, Umi-chan?'

'I'm afraid of having large crowds watch me. And you?'

'I don't like insects.'

Umi let out a chuckle which made Kotori pout in return.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry.. but, insects?" Umi asked again with a faint smile, and Kotori shyly nodded in return "Well, I suppose we have our own fears.."

"What?"

"Ah, right."

'Let's try to talk without this gadget. I'm suppose to teach you Japanese after all.'

'Okay! I'll go get my books real quick, but promise me you won't laugh? They're grade-school Japanese books.'

'Of course. We all start somewhere, so it would be rude for me to laugh at you. My apologies for my behavior earlier.'

While happily humming a tune, Kotori stood up and rummaged through her bag, bringing out a few Japanese books in different primary school levels -- some in kindergarten, even.

"A-Ah.. please teach me well!"

Behind the door..

"Darling, what are you doing?" Mr. Sonoda looked at his wife questionably, stifling his laughter upon realizing his wife was startled by his appearance "Please tell Umi to meet me soon, it's time for her to train."

"You almost blew my cover, dear.. And shh!" Mrs. Sonoda brought a finger to her lips, listening to the cheerful giggles and chuckles of the two teenagers before shutting the door carefully. She then smiled at her husband, who just frowned "Dear, I think we'll be having a French in-law."

"..I'm sorry to ruin your happiness but, it's only the first day of them being together.. And is Umi, you know.. gay?"

"We placed her in an all-girls' school, you think she's straight? And she obviously detests interacting with our male students that try to woo her," Mrs. Sonoda shook her head with a frown "You know what they say about love at first sight~"

"She's sixteen.. and weren't you in Otonokizaka too, darling? You're married to me."

"And I was sixteen when I met you, mister. Yes, I am an Otonoki alumnae but.. but that was different! Same-sex was taboo back then, it crossed my mind once but I did not act on it cause.. cause it was taboo! -- and now that it's more welcomed, I'm not surprised majority of Otonoki students have either experimented or really does swing that way," Mrs. Sonoda huffed, then continued "Be quiet, remember that I am the head of this family and just follow after me. I don't want our Umi to live alone in the future, securing her happiness now would be better."

"With a girl who barely speaks Japanese? A-And wait, what do you mean it crossed your mind once?"

"Hush now, I'm not talking about my highschool days even more. And please, don't underestimate love, it's a universal language and that's enough for the two--"

"Mother, Father.. what are you two talking about?" Umi peeked her head out, frowning as soon as she realized her parents were talking about her again "I am not interested in love life whatsoever."

"Dear, you never brought anyone home, and you never even had a crush..! You know, we accept you for who you are, no matter what your preferences are--"

"W-Wait, why is it suddenly about my sexuality now? A-And how did you know?!"

"You look at men with this disgusting look in your eyes," Mr. Sonoda mimicked the way Umi would glare at the boys who try to ask her out on dates or woo her during practices, then laughed as he went down the stairs "Come down soon, it's time for us to practice again before dinner."

"I will. Mother, please.. put your thoughts away for now," Umi mumbled, and quickly let out a 'yes!' when Kotori called her name "Please try to teach Kotori some easy Japanese lessons later while I train. Thank you."

"Of course, dear," Mrs. Sonoda nodded with a smile. As soon as Umi shut the door once more, Mrs. Sonoda went down to one of the rooms which turned into a storage "I believe I still have some beginner's books here.. Those will work with Kotori, right?

Wait, how will we talk..? Oh, my.. I'm not techy enough to figure out whatever gadget they're using to communicate. Am I getting too old?"

The two sat beside each other. Actually, Umi thought Kotori was.. too close, but the bluenette let it pass, thinking she's more comfortable that way.

"Okay, so this is the syllable Ko," Umi wrote on a piece of paper. She glanced sideways, making sure the French citizen listened to her "And this is the syllable To."

And, well, she was. Like a curious child whose first day in school was today, Kotori's eyes followed the way Umi's pen would glide on the paper. When the latter stopped, Kotori looked at her and pouted, pointing at the paper.

"Continue? Okay, okay."

Eventually, Umi finished writing down Kotori's name, and using Google Translate, explained to her the meaning of her name ("Little bird..? Cute!" Kotori giggled excitedly) and told her to write it on her own on a different sheet of paper.

Umi noted it was like teaching a child in kindergarten how to write their name -- copy it first, and then take away the actual copy to let them write on their own -- but a bit easier. Within twenty minutes, Kotori was able to memorize how to write her name, and she squealed in delight after Umi told her about it.Once more, Umi took out her phone to use Google translate, and gave it to Kotori.

'I will teach you how to write your basic information, when is your birthday? What food do you like? What's your favorite animal?'

'My birthday is September 12, 1997. I like cheesecake the best, any type of cheesecake is yummy! But I don't like garlic. I like alpacas and birds, they're cute'

"Okay then," Umi chuckled, writing down on the paper. After she wrote it down along with the romaji, she handed the slip of paper to Kotori.

My birthday is on September 12, 1997. My zodiac sign is Virgo.

My favorite food is cheesecake, and my least favorite food is garlic.

My favorite animals are birds and alpacas.

Kotori stared at the slip of paper, and soon pouted. She took out her phone, typing a quick message, then gave it to Umi.

'There's no French, I can't understand it since it's too long. I'm sorry.. Can Nozomi-chan help? I forgot to get her number.'

'Can I borrow your phone then? I'm going to enter Nozomi's number, you can call while I'm training. I just realized that my mom doesn't know enough technology to use Google translate to teach you, but Nozomi can do it by video call.'

'Okay then! Wait, I'll go to contacts and give it to you. May I ask, what training will you do?'

'Although I usually do archery, I will be doing kendo with my father today and may be doing traditional dance or calligraphy myself. It is a traditional Japanese martial art, I come from a traditional family after all.'

'Yeah, I've read about that when Otonokizaka sent a document about you and your family. It says that you come from a family of female warriors, and that you value tradition well.. Also that you excel in multiple traditional arts and martial arts! I'd like to try it one day, I wanna learn a lot about Japanese culture! Maybe when I can speak better Japanese, I can try a few traditional arts!'

'I'm glad you're interested in our culture. I can teach you traditional dance if you wish, but for now, let's prioritize your Japanese language lessons. I'd love to chat more, but my father will call me soon.'

'Ah, right, contacts! I'm sorry, I got distracted for a little bit..'

Kotori quickly fumbled with her phone, tapping contacts and handing it to Umi. After a few seconds, Umi inputed Nozomi's number, typing in the romaji version of purple-head's name. The ashen-haired took her phone back, and smiled, muttering a quick 'thank you' before she went on to call Nozomi.

"Hey, who's this? Qui est-ce? Uh.. what other languages do I know?"

"Nozomi-chan, it's me! Kotori Minami from Otonokizaka!"

"Ah, Kotori-chaaan! Umi-chan, thanks! I forgot to get her number earlier!"

"Don't mention it," Umi smiled, waving to Nozomi who just turned on her camera.

Once Umi knew the two were getting along quite fine, she tapped Kotori's shoulder and pointed at the door, as if saying she was going to go ahead and train. Kotori quickly understood and nodded, waving goodbye to her when she left the room.

"Ah, so where is Kotori?"

"Mother..! You startled me!"

"Boo, then," Mrs. Sonoda chuckled. She eyed at the books she was holding, and like any other good kid, Umi helped and took a few "Kotori is staying at your room, am I right? So, when can I start teaching her?"

"Um.. about that, she can't speak much Japanese, yeah?"

"Yes, I know."

"And you aren't.. well, into technology, yeah?"

"..somewhat, yes."

"Then it'll be impossible for you two to talk. Kotori is being taught by Nozomi right now through calls, but what are these books for?" Umi examined the books in her hands with a raised eyebrow.

'Japanese 101'

'Japanese for Kindergarteners'

'Japanese for Primary Level'

And many more books for beginners.. The frown on her face was enough evidence to prove that she felt slightly disappointed after hearing that from Umi, and to hell, Umi does not want to deal with a sulky head of the family -- last time it happened, the Dojo had to close for a while until her moodswings ended.

"M-Mother, why not leave them out the door? Once Kotori has slightly adjusted and can speak a bit of Japanese, I'd be happy to let you teach her."

"Is that so? I'll look forward to it, then!" Mrs. Sonoda clasped her hands together, smiling happily "But, hurry down, dear. Your father is waiting for you, and you know how he detests waiting for a long period of time."

"I know, Mother.. Er, if Kotori needs help, can you help her around? I haven't toured her yet--"

"As the head of the family, I'll take responsibility with that. Now, off you go," Mrs. Sonoda 'shooed' her daughter away. Once she placed the books outside of Umi's room and made sure Umi wasn't around, she took out her phone, furrowing her eyebrows as she typed "That daughter of mine sometimes under-estimates me.. Now, where's my eldest when I need her.. Ah, perfect."

"Hello? Mother?"

"Yui? Umi's foreign exchange classmate is here, and I need your help. How can I talk to her?"

"Oh, really? Which country is she from? How is Umi with her?"

"First day today, so far, so good.. the student is Japanese, but born and raised in France, so we can't communicate at all -- however, I want to teach her Japanese and tour her around the dojo personally.. So, what could I do? I'm afraid I'm too old to learn French."

"Well, okay then, I'll tell you over the phone. But first, swear to me that you'll give me updates about Umi and this foreign exchange student, sounds fun."

"Alright, alright, I swear. Now, teach me before I drag you all the way back from Korea, young lady."

"You just miss me, but hey, I'll come visit in a few months, so don't worry~ You don't have to drag me by the ear.. But anyways, listen carefully! Go to the Chrome app on your phone.."

An hour later

After an hour of kendo, Umi halted and sat on the bench, wiping away the sweat from her forehead with a towel that had her initials sewn on. Her father stopped for a moment to hand her a water bottle, but soon picked up his bokken again.

"Great work on the practice today, Umi."

"Thank you, Father," Umi bowed her head before taking a gulp of water, letting out a sound of refreshment afterwards.

"Now, go ahead and take a shower so we can have dinner. Call your classmate to join us as well," Mr. Sonoda still continued swaying his bokken as he spoke, hitting the target dummy flawlessly "Though I must insist you hurry, your mother may be talking to her at the moment. And you know how your mother is at times."

Hearing that from her father, Umi dashed her way back to the house and entered her room, gasping in shock when she saw the sight.

Her mother, happily giggling to an equally happy Kotori, both of them communicating through Google translate.

"M-Mother!"

"Oh, Umi, you're finished? Kotori and I were just talking about you as a kid. Remember that time when you and Honoka got stuck on a tree--"

"Mother..!"

"Do not yell at the person who gave you life, Sonoda Umi. Now go and take a shower so we can have dinner," Mrs. Sonoda shot Umi a glare, then picked up her phone again to communicate with Kotori "I'll tour Kotori around the house after this."

"Mother, I would really appreciate it if you do not talk about my past."

"Are you ordering me around now?"

"No, Mother," Umi let out a little groan, picking up new clothes from the cabinet as well as a towel "Excuse me, I'll go and shower."

"Great. And remind me to thank your sister for teaching me how to use this. Now, where were we, Kotori?"

"Umi-chan and tree!"

"Certainly!"

Umi exited the room, ignoring the giggles of the two ladies inside. As she made her way to the bathroom, she furrowed her eyebrows and let out another groan.

"Sonoda Yui-nee.."

Meanwhile, in Korea..

Achoo!

"Down with a cold, Yui?"

"No, no, I'm fine," Yui scrunched up her nose, narrowing her eyes "I feel like someone is cursing me, that's all."

"I wouldn't be surprised."

"Hey, wha- What's that supposed to mean?!

side-note:

this took a while : i got distracted with a few unfinished one-shots, the 7 SRs event, and just bein' lazy as usual.

i sincerly apologize!! ill try to upload more now :DD

hope you enjoyed this little fluff chapter! @ yoshi, i finally completed the third chapter, happy now? -_-

until the next chapter, stay safe and take care!

- zumi