Once again, I'm back to write the fourth chapter. I found out that I've been saying 'hello' twice and now I've no idea how to greet you guys properly. I apologise for that, on another note, thank you to all the reviewers who reviewed and gave me their thoughts on the previous chapter. I would try my best to create more chapters with humour as an element.
As always, I don't own Love Live.
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"What the hell are you trying to say? What do you mean that my siblings are already in your house in Hokkaido and also, explain to me the fact on why I'm barred from entering my own house?!" Nico shouted at a middle-aged man who had black hair and red eyes exactly like Nico's. Nico was really tempted to give the man a punch across his face but before she could do so the man replied Nico's question.
"Exactly what I've just said. Your parents are in debt, I paid their debt for them. Your siblings are too young to support themselves so I'll be raising them. Also, as you're my most hated niece and the fact that you're 16, I won't have to support you financially. Regarding the fact that you're restricted from entering your own house, I sold it when you're gone. This also applies to the timing that your siblings left for Hokkaido." The man, who happens to be Nico's uncle, said with a smirk on his face. Nico, with nothing else to say to her uncle, decided to take a walk before forming a solution to her own predicament.
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"Seriously, what the hell is this? Getting kicked out from my own house is one thing but not seeing Kokoro, Kokoa and Kotarou again? Haa… Alright Nico, you're jobless and have no j-"Nico muttered to herself before stopping mid-sentence. 'Hang on, there is a job that I could have. Maybe… Just maybe she'll remember me again…" Nico thought to herself before sprinting towards a particular clothing store located in Akihabara.
"Welcome to Aerial Designs, plea- Ah Nico-chan! What's wrong, did you forget something?" Kotori said before noticing that Nico entered the store with a slightly red face. Nico shook her head and asked Kotori the question needed to improve her crumbled life.
"Minami-san, will you be willing to hire me? I need it badly but if you won't th-"Nico started before being interrupted by a bone-crushing hug delivered by Kotori.
"Ah… You're just too cute! Of course I'll hire you, I'm short-staffed remember?" Kotori replied with a relieved grin plastered on her face. " All you need to do is to fill out this particulars form and you're all set!" Kotori continued with much more enthusiasm than before. Nico quickly filled out the form before stopping at the last section.
"Minami-san… Do I have to fill in the address section…? Nico asked hesitantly. Kotori gave Nico a puzzled expression and nodded. "Since you're my soon-to-be boss, I think I should tell you that I've… no address…" Nico continued, still embarrassed that she was kicked of her house around 20 minutes ago.
"How awful! If you're comfortable, would you explain why?" Kotori asked Nico with a concerned expression, fearing that her soon-to-be employee was suffering under unfair circumstances. Unfortunately for Kotori, her fear was spot-on as Nico narrated what happened to her upon reaching her former home. After Nico was done, Kotori immediately shed tears of sympathy.
"Minami-san, why are you crying?" Nico asked, surprised by Kotori's sudden outburst.
"Sniff… Sniff… Nico-chan… You're homeless and yet that cruel uncle of yours did not help you at all! I can't let you stay with me b-but I know someone who can!" Kotori said between sobs. Nico tried her very best to stop her boss's never-ending tears as partly because she felt like breaking down and partly due to her wanting to hear more about the person who could help her house-wise. "A-Ah! S-Sorry, I'll bring you to her right now!" Kotori stammered, embarrassed that she cried in her own store with Nico within earshot. With that being said, Kotori immediately led Nico towards the house of the person Kotori had mentioned.
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"Woah… Your friend must be filthy rich to own such a house…" Nico said, clearly impressed at the size of the house. Judging from the house's traditional appearance, Nico guessed that the owner was a traditional person and probably five times older than herself.
"Really? She inherited it from her parents… Anyway she is a nice person, I'm sure you two will get along quite well!" Kotori said while knocking on the wooden gate. "Ah, she's out!" Kotori exclaimed. When Nico turned to face the owner, both the owner and Nico were surprised.
"Sonoda-sensei?!" Nico said, unwilling to believe that Umi was the owner of such a house.
"Yazawa-san?!" Umi said, not expecting Nico to be with Kotori.
"Eh? You two know each other? That's great! Ah Umi-chan, Nico-chan will explain to you everything. I've got to go, bye Nico-chan, Umi-chan!" Kotori asked before abruptly bidding them goodbye and then running off.
"Yazawa-san, please do come in. It's cold outside so…" Umi said to Nico, a blush becoming more prominent every second. Nico, however, did not notice Umi's blushed and simply followed her into her house.
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"So, please explain to me why Kotori brought you here. Also, before you misunderstand me again, I want to tell you that I'm actually happy to see you here due to uh… personal matters." Umi informed Nico, her blush being evident on her pale cheeks. This time, the blush didn't go unnoticed by Nico.
"Basically, my uncle kicked me out; my siblings are in Hokkaido right now and I'm homeless. By the way, why are you blushing around me?" Nico summarised her situation to Umi before asking about her blush.
"E-Eh? I-I wanted to be friends with you…" Umi replied, wishing she could just dig a hole and hide in there, preferably for eternity. Nico was amused at Umi's reaction towards her question. 'Well, I've always wanted to be friends with Sonoda-sensei so why not?' Nico asked herself, immediately deciding her answer to Umi's request.
"Sure I don't see why not. I'll call you Umi-sensei and you can call me whatever you want." Nico replied, hoping that Umi would agree to such informality despite being a teacher.
"A-Alright then N-Nico, s-so do you want dinner? I was about to make some and I could make a portion for you." Umi agreed to Nico's proposition before asking whether Nico had eaten yet. Nico simply nodded and got up to help Umi make dinner.
'Maybe getting myself kicked out of my house isn't so bad…' Nico mused while observing Umi preparing the rice.
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First of all, I know this is a dry chapter as there's not much progression on the story but it's the start of Nico's and Umi's relationship, so please bear with me! Also, I'm sorry that this is really short compared to Chapter 3 as my writing style is to end off somewhere at a point where you guys try to predict what could happen next. Lastly, I'm sorry about this horrendous chapter compared to the first three, I'll try to make the next one better as an apology.
