A/N: I completely forgot to update, but who even cares again? xD

Summary: Before going on a date with Kotori, Sonoda talks with her friends and father. (tanabata festival)

"Today there is Tanabata Festival so you two are going to that?" Nico asked, a small delighted smile plastered on her face while Nozomi's ears perked up to her roommate's well-timed question.

As Umi was reminded of what she would do within time, the penny dropped. A violent blush erupted across Umi's cheek as she stood up and excused herself. She walked off the room without keeping an eye contact. ''Yes, I need to go back now.''

Nozomi followed to see her off, then Nico came by her behind. ''Time to impress someone in Sonoda style?'' Nozomi commented, grinning mischievously in her palm.

Nico rolled her eyes, folding her arms over her chest. ''Sonoda style? That's simply the lamest cheesiest and the most diabetic thing I've ever heard. You're second to the throne in the Hall of Lame.''

''Yes- No! I mean… Wait Hall of Lame?'' Umi blushed, words lost in her mouth. She spun around, letting out a breath. She could finally manage to answer back, fully intending to put an end to their teasing. ''I don't need to tell my private life to my friends,'' looking in their eyes right ahead one by one, a slight annoyance crept up to her. ''even if they are my besties.''

Nozomi knew Umi wouldn't spill the beans when it came to her life with Kotori, she chose not to say anything about it anymore so she simply changed the subject. ''The fact that Nicocchi still got jelly entertains me 'cause she doesn't have a date yet.''

Nico shot her a dark look, taking a step back as she shoved Nozomi back into the house. ''And look who's talking!'' she hissed, she then turned her back to Umi. ''I have to deal with this trouble buster so I'll see you later, Umi-chan and take care of Kotori-chan.''

Then Umi said her goodbyes to her friends. She could still see they had words with each other, though it seemed one-sided: the shorter girl was chattering while the taller one was just chill.

Whatever she felt at the moment put a smile on her face without she noticed.

Before Umi could call a day for herself, she needed to do one more thing tonight.

Date. A date that had better than her lover would anticipate.

Umi looked down to her watch, just as she did like the twenty fifth time today.

06.57 pm

'Time sure flies. First I need to go to the dojo and let father know I'll be off tomorrow. I hope everything is fine there. After all these, I will go back to my home now and get prepared,' Umi mused, sufficiently dedicated to staying the course.

In the Sonoda household, everything was always in apple-pie order. If she was called by her father, she needed to be on time. Once she arrived at the doorstep and stood in front of the dojo, one of the servants opened the door and hurried to put on his best service smile, then bowed his head deeply. ''Welcome Umi-sama.''

Umi was welcomed with due regard as she simply greeted in response by bowing her head slightly. She stepped in the dojo, making her way through the wooden hallway until she reached to the backyard where her father was meditating on the grass.

Without opening his eyes, Umi's father began to speak after his inhale-exhale exercise finished. ''Welcome, Umi.''

Only Sonoda-dono would tell the way her daughter walked in belonged to such an elegant heir. The way a gust of wind started to blow away from Umi's back, he felt every inch of his being moved by her strong entry.

''I'm home, Father,'' Umi muttered in a serious tone, with cultivated respect for her father without fail. She bowed her head, sitting next to him. She then crossed her legs just like her father did.

Sonoda-dono opened his one eye to look up and down to her daughter, his mouth slightly curled up to a smile when he realized that her daughter became someone he had always wished to be: mature, strong-willed and independent.

''You've grown up since the last time I've seen you, Umi,'' Sonoda-dono whispered to Umi.

No matter what she did, she couldn't help the blush on her own face fade away, averting her gaze but Sonoda-dono kept the ball rolling.

''I've been informed by your mom that you passed your courses as required.'' He turned his way to Umi, eyes fixated on another pair of ambers. ''As expected from my daughter.''

Nothing has been said after Umi left speechless. The interesting part was her father's words: as someone who was astrict and a responsible man doing his best with his men around, she never thought he would compliment her.

After a beat of silence, Umi took a deep breath then words left from her mouth.

''Thank you, Father. I'm doing my best to deliver what's expected.''

Sonoda-dono nodded quietly. He then placed his hand on her daughter's shoulder, keeping a firm grip. Once Umi tensed through the touch, her eyes were locked with her father's. His expression was unreadable, or at least Umi couldn't interpret where this conversation would be going at the moment.

''I also heard you have a girlfriend.''

Oh. That.

Well, it was a matter of time where they could occasionally have this kind of father-daughter conversation even though Umi was nothing but the definition of stress by now.

Sonoda-dono has known Kotori since high school, even he saw the two together with Honoka in their house a couple of times. He had already noticed that her daughter laid eyes on one certain girl, which unexpectedly led to ''Do you like girls?'' conversations to Umi's dismay.

Of course, it's been years since they had that unforgettable moment and when Umi wouldn't dare to forget for the rest of her life. Cringy and childish...

Flashback

''Honoka is as happy as can be, and there is another friend,'' Umi's smiled brightly as she was about to talk about her other friend. A smile her father had never seen yet. ''Kotori. She is sweet, less energetic than Honoka but she likes cheesecake. Most importantly she can bake them.''

Sonoda-dono chuckled. ''Who wouldn't like sweet girls?''

"Father, I think… I become infatuated with her. Before I knew the responsibilities I was having on my shoulders, she could ease out the tension with her smile. I find the comfort zone I secretly yearn for." The little Sonoda spoke with a serious tone. And it was also the first serious moment her father had seen yet.

Sonoda-dono patted her precious daughter's back, after taking a gulp of air his deep, calm and serious voice came out of his mouth. "As long as you don't forfeit being the heiress, I won't oppose your opinions nor your sexuality Umi. As long as one of our blood is born as required, I have no problem."

Umi was surprised by her father's words, playing with the hem of her skirt nervously. She looked at her father with concern.

Judging by the expression Umi was wearing, Sonoda-dono cleared his throat and tried his best to bring the smile back on her face again. "I… I'm actually glad you finally found someone to start your own family, Umi."

Umi's cheeks burned by then, not only the way her father put into word but starting her own family? At this age?

"Forgive my discourtesy, but starting a family is way too far from my reach, Father. I only start to feel this way recently and…. she doesn't even know that."

Sonoda-dono's eyebrows lifted upwards as he left confused by the means of Umi's words. "Not know? Then hurry up!" He put his hand on his knee, then helped himself to stand up from his lotus position.

He stood bold upright, making his way towards Umi where she was meditating a few steps away from him. Although Sonoda-dono was eager to pull Umi aside and tip her off, the wrinkles around his eyebrows and the serious expression couldn't help the situation much either.

''Plan B is important, Umi. Now have this box and open it when it comes to time.''

He was prepared to bear the consequences to come as the harbinger of a father-daughter, although he did not maintain the seriousness of the conversation between them.

End of the flashback

"Yes, I have," Umi muttered dryly.

"Minami-san right?''

Umi nodded. Sonoda-dono took this awkward silence to tease her nervous daughter.

''Is she pregnant?'' A small smile crossed his face which barely recognized by her now-combusting daughter.

''F-Father, please forgive my rude words but how come you assume I'd do such a shameless thing in the first place.''

Sonoda-dono threw his arm around Umi's shoulder, smirking. ''My sweet daughter Umi, your mother told me everything about you and your relationship with her, so I'm sure you wouldn't come to your father side to tell anything unless she is pregnant already.''

Nothing would've described how much blushing mess Umi had become at that moment. She quickly got up and ran out of the gate, covering her blushing face with her hands. ''Father is baka!''

Sonoda-mama came by Sonoda-dono's side to pour tea for her husband. ''I thought you'd take things more seriously and slowly, dear.''

''As people grow older, their perspective on life changes. You start to take issues less seriously, you just want to see what you want to see in future is all.'' He sipped his tea calmly.

''Oh dear, do you want grandchildren already?''

''Well, it may be more than just my wish, but everything has a certain time.''

''I see your point.''

They both sat and sipped their tea together.

''By the way, I forgot to tell her she should open it alone.''

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the fleeting colors of burning orange began to fade away.

Umi confined herself to a traditional light blue yukata with blue and purple colored flowers while Kotori's had certain soft lines and pink hues dancing in her yukata.

When I reached my hand to her, everything around me seemed to be dimmed down as my gaze met with the glittering eyes that had set upon me. I was locked up by the confines of this enthralling beauty. I found the perfect smile curled up in the corner of her lips.

When she held my hand, I was unable to have a proper conversation with her. As if my heart and mind were controlled by someone else, only the actions would speak in the meantime.

Local stores and traditional craft shops line the street were found in a variety of hue. Huge colorful ornaments were hung from bamboo branches along the street, in the hope that the wishes written on the strips of papers would become true.

The walking routes had elaborated with lanterns that were illuminating lengthwise.

At this point, every single person in this way was excited to see upcoming events. Fireworks and writing their wishes onto the papers.

Except for one person.

Sonoda Umi. Her excitement was different from others.

For the first time in her life, she asked out her girlfriend to watch the fireworks together in the evening.

Kotori's fingers tickled the palm of my hand. I could even tell she loved the way her fingers swipe past my own tenderly. I was probably grinning like Honoka, who would find another bread to get eaten.

My breath was taken away at the thought of us being alone without the people around us. Each step we were taking among a sea of faces, I could feel my heart pulse through my chest harder. Fireworks would start soon, but how could I know when the fireworks inside my stomach would stop?

Then suddenly we stopped walking when we came to a place where trees surrounded, we were far away from the crowd now.

They found a bank to sit. Nothing was spoken until they looked up the bright sky and found the aesthetic display scatter everywhere.

"Waaah! The fireworks just start. We made it on time Umi-chan ~" Kotori uttered light-heartedly, leaning her back on the bench. She couldn't keep her eyes off the fireworks, a warm smile plastered on her face as she overjoyed the bright scene up to her. And only Umi could tell that she was enjoying the fireworks that were reflected on Kotori's deep amber pools.

Kotori noticed Umi's fixated look on her when their eyes met. "I thought we were looking at the fireworks?"

Umi laced her fingers with hers, not wanting to think too much what she did. "I am," she confessed without hesitation. She had never felt more at ease than she did around her. Sure, they had their quiet times and sometimes awkward reservations, yet Umi's small show of affection and the gist of words making warmth bloom in Kotori's chest.

Kotori opened her mouth a few times before the words dawned on her. "Someone is being bolder today," she shyly muttered, settling against the warmth of Umi's arm. She felt Umi stiffen in a beat, then she breathed out wholly as if taking out her weariness with this palpation.

Umi stayed fixed on her girlfriend, a smile tugged up in the corner of her lips. There was something so natural, so comfortable about being with her at this moment, being alone with her. Even fireworks couldn't draw her attention when her intense look only was locked on her. She felt her heart flutter at Kotori's melodic, calm voice that went through the shell of her ear. She knew the heated desire that had built between them was getting more intense and less capable. ''Someone is being more affectionate today.''

A sense of relief flooded Umi as everything about them became more expressive and meaningful.

Kotori gently placed her hand on Umi's chest, eyes suggestive. Umi then slowly leaned in and kissed her girlfriend on the lips.

The fireworks in her head began to set off once she deepened the kiss by pushing her tongue in her girlfriend's mouth, then her hand slipped to downwards. Caressing the skin beneath her confines, Umi delighted at the moment Kotori started to moan by her light touches.

The warmth of soft lips engulfed hers as her tongue tasted the candy apple.

She was blushing as she was having that sweet taste more than she should have. She stopped for a moment and took out the box her father gave it to her.

''Kotori, another memory that we perpetuate together once more huh? I was told that I shouldn't open this box until I feel the mood strikes.''

Kotori looked down at the box just like a dog waiting for its commands.

They then opened it together with curious eyes.

...

It was no other than just a condom and a note underneath.

Protection is important, Umi! You're still so young to have a kid so think before you do it ( ´∀｀)b - Father

''FATHER YOU BAKA!''

And Kotori and Umi forgot to talk about their friends' love problems as they were found as one big blushing mess by Honoka.