Chapter 2.
AN: Hi everyone! I didn't write anything in previous chapter so I'm gonna write now! This is my first ever fanfiction, and English is not my first language, so I'm sorry if the updates will take a lot of time! I'm still getting used to writing! Thank you for all the reviews, favs and follows, it really means a lot to me! I hope you'll enjoy this fanfic!
The sun shone brightly as the sisters made their way through busy streets. Cherry tree petals danced around their bodies, some of them getting in the youngest girl's hands. "Be careful not to trip, Rin" Umi warned her. "I'll be fine Umi-cha-"Rin said as she started falling down. She closed her eyes, waiting for impact with ground which… never came. Confused, she turned around to see a grey haired girl looking worriedly at her.
"Um, are you okay?" she asked, placing Rin back on her feet. Rin just smiled "Yeah, thanks to you, miss!" She turned around again to look at her sisters. "Then, we'll be off. Be more careful next time!" grey haired girl said and went past them with her ginger friend, continuing their conversation.
"Umi-chan? What's wrong? You're kind of staring into space" Nozomi waved her hand in front of Umi's face. Umi jumped slightly and looked at Nozomi with anxious eyes. She grabbed her hand and squeezed it hard. "It'll be fine, Umi-chan, just be yourself" she whispered into younger sibling's ear. Rin, noticing her sisters' actions, hugged her as well. They stood like that for some time, attracting some attention "Uh, you can stop now, it's embarrassing" Umi said with red face. The others just giggled "Umi-chan is so cute!" Rin squeezed her once more. "Come let's hurry up or we'll be late"
Rin released Umi and placed herself next to Nozomi "We can tease her even more on way back" Nozomi whispered to her sister with smirk. They turned to Umi and chuckled. They're planning something again She sighed. Ever since they were little, Nozomi and Rin always teamed up and teased blue haired girl. When she entered middle school they were mocking her because of her popularity. It wasn't hurtful or anything, it's more like sisterly bonding.
As they neared their destination, they met more and more kids. Because it's first day of school sisters decided to walk Rin to school. Her school was the furthest from their home. After the hug and the promise they will come for her after school, Umi and Nozomi parted with Rin. She watched their backs getting distant with every second. With anxious feeling in her stomach she turned away and walked into school.
Feeling curious stares on her back, Rin walked towards staff room. Her hands were trembling as she reached for the door handle. After gulping and telling herself it's gonna be fine in her mind, Rin pushed the door and walked in. "Um, E-Excuse me?" She said, looking around. The teacher nearest to her looked at her "Ah! You must be Rin-chan!" Rin looked at her "Y-Yes! I was told to go there as soon as I arrived in school"
"You don't have to so nervous; it's going to be fine." Teacher tried to calm her down a little. Rin just nodded and looked at the paper woman was holding. She noticed girl's gaze "Ah, I was just looking through your info; you're going to be in class… 5-3" She turned her eyes back to Rin and smiled warmly "It's my class so I'll take you there" Orange haired girl smiled shyly and mumbled "Thank you!"
Breathe, it's going to be okay, don't be nervous Rin thought as she waited for teacher to call her name. They're gonna love you, don't worry! She remembered what her sisters told her on their way to school. It's impossible to hate you, Rin She heard Umi in her thoughts. It made her feel more confident. Rin inhaled deeply Go get 'em! Exhaled and looked forward. She heard teacher call her to go in and, with confident smile, she walked in.
She stood in front of class and looked around as teacher introduced her. "Now, tell something about yourself" she heard her say. Rin took a deep breath "My name's Toujou Rin! I just moved here with my older sisters. I hope we'll get along!" Students clapped, smiling at her. Rin felt her anxiety leaving her body, making room for the excitement. "You can sit at the end the middle row" Rin nodded and made her way to her seat. She sat down and noticed the girl next to her shyly looking at her. She had short, light brown hair and wore glasses. When their eyes met, the other girl quickly looked away. Rin smiled and leaned to her "I'm Rin! What's your name?" She slowly turned her eyes back to orange haired girl and said quietly with blush visible on her face "H-Hanayo, Koizumi Hanayo"
Rin beamed at her "That's a really cute name! It suits you!" She saw a glint of happiness in other girl's eyes "Thank you" Hanayo mumbled, bashfully toying with her skirt. Rin smiled at her once more and focused on lesson. I can't wait to tell Nozomi and Umi about my day!
Oh God, I'm not gonna make it. Umi fought the urge to turn away and run after Nozomi. They're all staring at me, do I look weird? I definitely look weird! She tried to look normal as she made her way to staff room. Girls over here are laughing! Is it because I look strange? She felt her cheeks becoming hot. Great, now I'm blushing again Umi sighed, she hated when her thoughts were out of control. They were always so negative; she couldn't stop them from flowing out. She knew that reality wasn't like that, but her brain never wanted to register it. Alright, calm down, it's going to be fine. She took a deep breath before stepping in.
"Excuse me!" She said with trembling voice "I'm the new transfer student" Teacher looked up "Ah, yeah, Toujou Umi, right?" Umi nodded "Your class is 2-1, so that means I'm your homeroom teacher. Nice to meet you" He extended his hand towards her. Umi looked at it before shaking it. The teacher handed her timetable and other things required for school.
"Now, the lesson is about to start. Let's head to class, shall we?" he said, standing up. Umi silently followed him. Going through the hallway, Umi noticed two girls who still didn't go to their classroom. "Hey, you two, the bell already rang" Girls jerked suddenly and turned to the teacher "Y-Yes! We were on our way!" Ginger girl said. They're the girls we met this morning... Umi looked at grey haired girl. Their eyes met. Umi felt a strange sensation in her stomach as the girl smiled slightly before going to class. Weird, I don't feel that nervous anymore… Rather than nervous, Umi felt relieved.
It all passed in a blur; the waiting under classroom, introducing herself and the lesson. Even the stares from her classmates didn't bother her. Her mind was elsewhere the whole time. Jeez, what is wrong with me… I need to focus! She tried listening to teacher's voice, but her thoughts were drifting away, wondering how her sisters are doing, how Rin is handling all of this, what club she should join. I'll just pretend I'm listening to not get into trouble She thought angrily I hope Nozomi and Rin are doing better than me.
Nozomi smiled as she watched girls from her school laughing loudly and talking excitedly. It's nice to see others enjoying their school life She couldn't say that about herself though. She always had to play the 'eldest sister' role. She didn't mind it, but sometimes she just wished for normal life, without moving, leaving her temporary friends behind. And that life is finally about to begin She felt confidence boost. While watching her schoolmates, her gaze landed on pretty… strange pair. One girl looked like she was from different country; she had blonde hair, blue eyes and this… foreign beauty. The other looked like she was Rin's age. They looked like they were having a really deep conversation, changing expressions with every word and whispering to each other.
Ah, they're looking at me now Nozomi noticed. They stared at each other for few minutes before the pair looked away like it never happened to glance in Nozomi's way.
Rude Nozomi smirked, but continued staring. After another few minutes blonde looked at her again, ending her conversation with her friend. She really has pretty eyes Nozomi thought. Blonde smiled lightly at her. Purple haired girl returned the smile, the other quickly turned her eyes away, her cheeks colored pink. She heard the little girl say "What the heck, Eli" when blonde blushed even more. Eli, huh…
Am I in anime or something… Nozomi thought. As soon as she walked into classroom, she found that strange pair is in her grade. But that's not all. She was seated right next to that Eli girl. Well, at least I won't have a boring school life She smiled silently to herself. She looked over to blonde, who was absorbed in lesson. She watched her for a while, noticing her very fair skin. I wonder where is she from. She's not fully Japanese for sure. Blonde seemed to finally notice that Nozomi was gazing at her. She looked over to purple haired girl. A surprise reflected in her eyes. Nozomi just beamed and waved at her. Eli silently motioned her to pay attention and turned away. No fun She thought as she focused on lesson. She couldn't fight the smile from appearing on her face.
When break came, everyone gathered in front of Rin's desk. They asked her all kinds of questions, where is she from and about her interests and sisters. Rin happily answered all of them. It looked like that until lunch break. As soon as bell rang, orange haired girl stood up and turned to Hanayo "Koizumi-san! Can I eat lunch with you?" the other looked a little surprised "I-I usually eat with my friend. You can eat with us, if you don't mind" she looked down. Rin beamed "I don't mind! I can't wait to meet your friend!" They walked out of the class together.
Rin noticed they are heading to 5-1 class. She watched Hanayo go over to red haired girl. Hanayo said something quietly and they both turned to Rin. Orange haired girl saw a glimpse of distrust in redhead's eyes. Rin waited for them at the door. Violet eyes stared into chartreuse ones. "Um, this is Toujou Rin, she's transferred into my class this morning" She heard Hanayo mumble. Rin smiled "Nice to meet you, umm…"
"Nishikino Maki" The girl said, never breaking eye contact. Rin looked questioningly at Hanayo "A-Ah, let's eat!" Maki turned to green eyed girl and smiled warmly "Yeah, you're right"
While having a meal, Rin learned from Hanayo that Maki isn't so distrusting once you know her, redhead blushed, trying to deny it. They talked about everything. At the end of break, Rin knew that Maki's parents were doctors, her fondness of tomatoes (almost all of her food was with tomatoes) and that the redhead is on top of her class when it comes to studying and grades. What she learned about Hanayo was her love for rice, idols and her hobbies, mostly drawing and origami. They promised to meet tomorrow morning to go to school together. Rin couldn't hold her excitement. Hanayo giggled, seeing her like this "What's wrong, Koizumi-san?" brown haired girl's eyes met hers "Nothing. I just thought you looked cute, Toujou-san!"
Rin blushed slightly and chuckled "You can use my first name! I'll use yours too!" Hanayo's eyes sparkled "Alright, Rin-chan!" Orange haired girl nodded happily "Kayo-chin!" They both laughed and walked into their class.
Every break was exhausting for Umi. Girls from her class were all over her, asking her all kinds of questions, admiring her hair/beauty/other things and asking her to join their club. After PE those offers will only increase Umi sighed. Sometimes she cursed her sport skills, as well as social anxiety. Every question got her into stuttering mess. At lunch many girls wanted her to eat with them. Umi quickly excused herself, running away to find a quiet spot to eat. She managed to find peace on the roof. She went over to the fence and sat, opening her lunchbox.
After a few minutes, Umi heard the door open, She looked up and saw two girls walk out, giggling about something. It's them, again Umi thought. She's been seeing those two girls the whole day. This morning, when Rin almost fell down, and when the teacher scolded them. She even landed in the same class with them. Nozomi would've teased me about this, talking that it's a fate She shook her head. It's just a coincidence, a weird one, but it still is.
"And then she-"Ginger girl stopped as she noticed Umi. A long, awkward silence came between two girls and Umi.
"Aah!" Ginger suddenly yelled "You're the transfer student!" You only realized it now? Umi deadpanned. She was about to get up and leave when she heard a high pitched voice speak "Wait!" Umi looked up "Uh" she saw the grey haired girl fidget on her skirt "W-Would you like to eat with us?" Umi's eyes turned to floor again "…Sure, I don't mind" She saw the amber eyed girl beam at her. Cute… Umi smiled Maybe this day won't that bad after all She thought as she watched them sit down next to her.
"I'm Kousaka Honoka. You can call me Honoka!" Umi smiled to her. She turned to grey haired girl as she began speaking "My name is Minami Kotori, You can use my first name too" she smiled sweetly. Umi blushed slightly "You can use my first name too" she lifted her head "Kotori, Honoka" Other girls beamed at her. Honoka showed a thoughtful expression "Hmm, others keep saying how cool, handsome and quiet you are, but in reality you are just shy, huh?" Umi felt her cheeks redden "D-Do people really think that?" ginger nodded. "I'm not that shy, I'm just not used to this school yet" she mumbled "Hmm? What was that, Umi-chan?"
"Nothing!" Umi put some rice in her mouth and chewed. Kotori just smiled silently at her, while Honoka was stuffing bread in her mouth and talking about some… idol group? Umi wasn't sure. But what she knew for sure is that her school life won't be as bad as she thought it would be.
Girls were all over Nozomi's desk on first breaks, but it all calmed down by the time lunch break came. Some girls asked her to eat with them, but Nozomi excused herself, saying she wanted to make a call. She just needed some time alone, to sort her thoughts a little and maybe ask her cards for help. But all her cards had to say was to 'expect unexpected'. What's that even supposed to mean She wondered. She was about to start eating when someone came over to her. She looked up and saw the short girl from the morning. They stared at each other for a moment before black haired girl said "Come with me". Nozomi just nodded and followed her.
She took Nozomi to a clubroom, sat down and told her to do the same. Nozomi stared questioningly at her. Short girl closed her eyes and took a deep breath "You wanted a safe place to eat, right?" How did she know that? "You sat in a corner and looked surprised when I found you" Is she a mind reader or something? Nozomi watched her If you're a mind reader, sneeze! Red eyed girl took out her lunchbox and began eating …Whatever Nozomi began eating her own lunch
"Yazawa Nico" Nozomi's eyes went back to the girl "What?" she closed one eye "My name. Call me however you want" purple haired girl smiled "Then, you can call me by my first name, Nicocchi!"
"What's with this nickname…" Nozomi giggled "It's cute and it suits you, right?" Nico smiled "So why did you move here?" Nozomi looked down at her meal "My parents move a lot, so we decided to settle down with my sisters here" She closed her eyes "More importantly, were you talking about me this morning?"
"Huh?" Nico sent her a questioning look "I just noticed you walking with some blonde-"
"Eli"
"Eli, after some hushed conversation you looked at me" Nico turned her eyes to the side, trying to remember something "Ah! Yeah, because Eli was telling me how she saw a really pretty girl some time ago. She described her to me and I said 'Doesn't she look like that new transfer student?'. Eli turned her head so I did too. I was right though" She looked like she was proud of herself.
Nozomi blushed slightly She called me pretty! She thinks I'm pretty… She smiled to herself. "Ugh, stop that, you look like lovestruck fool" Nozomi felt her cheeks becoming warmer "You just told me she called me pretty! How am I supposed to react?" Nico looked at her "Ah, yeah, Eli also told me not to tell you that when I talk to you" She stuck out her tongue "Ah, Nico you forgetful girl!" Nozomi laughed. Her tarot cards were right.
In the end, Nozomi didn't get to talk with Eli. She decided to join Nico's 'Idol research club', since she begged her to do so. It was almost evening so she said goodbye to Nico and went to Umi's school to pick her up. When she arrived, she noticed her little sister talking to the girls they met this morning.
"Umi-chan!" Nozomi yelled, trying to get Umi's attention. The girls' eyes went to the source of noise. Umi smiled at the sight of her sister. "Sorry it took so long, Umi-chan. I got caught up in conversation" Nozomi's eyes went to other girls "Already making friends I see~" Blue haired girl blushed "W-Well…"
"My name's Toujou Nozomi, I'm Umi's older sister" she greeted. She learned that ginger's name was Kousaka Honoka and the grey haired girl's Minami Kotori. They talked for some time, getting to know each other. Nozomi looked at Umi "I think it's time to go now. It's getting late and we still have to get Rin" Umi nodded "Yeah" She turned to other girls "Well, I'll see you tomorrow" They waved their goodbyes and split up.
"Ah, there they are. Nozomi-chan! Umi-chan!" Rin waved her arms above her head. She turned to Hanayo and Maki "I have to go. See you tomorrow!" She smiled warmly before running off to her sisters.
"What's for dinner today?" Nozomi put hand on her chin "Hmm, how about ramen?" Rin beamed "Really? Yay!"
"Only for today though. It's not healthy to eat it too often" Umi added "I know, I know" The youngest girl laughed before taking her sisters' hands "Hey, Nozomi chan, Umi-chan?" they turned their heads to her "I love you both so much!" she squeezed their palms. The sisters laughed "We love you too"