Chapter 3.
AN: Sorry for the late update! I was caught up with all the stuff, got lazy, played games.
To answer your questions in the reviews; my native language is Polish! I decided to put in the RinPana because usually at that age kids experience their first crush, right? They might not know what that is but it's just there!
Thank you again for all the favs, follows and reviews! I hope you'll enjoy this fic till the end!
Two weeks have passed since their arrival. The sisters are slowly getting used to the new school, friends and teachers. Every day is a new adventure for them, every conversation creates a new bond, every smile brings even more smiles. Nozomi watched her little sisters grow closer to their friends, open themselves a bit more. She noticed that even she is slowly changing, getting used to not moving around.
Rin, Hanayo and Maki became really close friends; they visit each other frequently, meet early to go to school together, play around at each other's houses. Every night at dinner Rin has something new to say about either of girls. Her sisters are always happy to listen about them.
They were glad they decided to stay here, even though they really miss their parents. The siblings call whenever they can. Their parents promised to visit in another two weeks.
Nozomi and Umi didn't have to walk Rin to her school all the way anymore, since she always goes with Hanayo. Brown haired girl's house is in the same neighborhood as Rin's, while Maki's house is near their elementary school.
While Rin became friends with the two quickly, Umi still can't even talk to her classmates properly. Sure, she talked with Honoka and Kotori on her first day, but later on she was too scared and embarrassed to talk to them.
After some thinking, Umi decided to join archery club. She enjoyed doing it in her previous schools, so she wanted to continue doing so. She quickly gained popularity, due to her being one of the best archers in her club. Two weeks in school and she already got a few love letters.
Sometimes I curse my skills Umi shook her head No, I have to focus! I'm in the middle of practice! She took an arrow and put it on bow. Umi held it tightly, holding a breath waiting for a right moment to release the arrow. She freed it, letting it fly towards the target. When she saw it pierce the center, Umi smiled softly, feeling proud.
She jumped slightly, hearing a sharp inhale on her side. She turned her head, feeling a little embarrassed to know someone saw her smiling to herself. Her eyes widened when she saw the gray haired girl looking at her with blush on her face. She felt her heart quickening as she watched Kotori's golden eyes stare into her own. Neither of them moved, holding their breaths and gazing at each other with pounding hearts.
"KOTORI-CHAAAN!" Both girls jumped, startled by the sudden shout. "Oh? Umi-chan's here too!"
Umi felt her face becoming hotter Oh my God, how long were we staring at each other? She held her hand on her chest Calm down, Umi. She looked at Kotori. Their eyes met again. Both girls flushed red and looked down.
"Guys?" Honoka tilted her head, questioningly looking at the girls. Awkward… An idea popped in ginger's head "Let's go to café after Umi-chan's done with her club!"
Kotori looked at her, nodding happily with blush still visible on her face. She turned to Umi "A-Are you going too, Umi-chan?" She said with her high voice trembling slightly. Blue haired girl stared at her for a moment before agreeing.
"Wait here, I'll go change" Umi went to changing rooms. Right before going in she heard Honoka "What's wrong Kotori-chan? Your face is red" She felt her heartbeat quicken again. Shaking off these feelings, she started changing.
"Ah, I love the cake they sell there!" Honoka said with blissful look on her face. Umi stared at her cheesecake, before putting some in her mouth. Her eyes sparkled as she chewed "Delicious!" she muttered, putting more in her mouth. Honoka and Kotori giggled.
Umi looked over at them "Is something wrong?" They looked at each other and smirked. "You have something on your face, Umi-chan!" Honoka chuckled. Umi rubbed her right cheek "Is it off yet?"
Kotori smiled and reached her hand. Umi froze, observing her hand. She felt Kotori's finger softly slide on her cheek "Here, Umi-chan" Seeing her smile, blue haired girl reddened. She thanked, coughing slightly to contain her embarrassment. Grey haired girl just stared questioningly at her, licking the cream off her finger. Then it came to her. Kotori flustered, looking nervously at Umi.
Attempting to break the awkward moment, Honoka asked "So, why did you join the archery club, Umi-chan?"
Umi calmed herself before answering "I tried it out one time in my previous school. I've come to love it." She smiled.
"What do you like to do, Honoka, Kotori?" Umi asked.
Honoka shot up her hand "I like singing! And dancing too! I'd like to be an idol if I could~" She said with dreamy look on her face. "But I'll probably take over our Japanese sweets shop in the future" She shrugged.
Umi looked over at Kotori. She fidgeted a little before answering "I like designing and making clothes" She looked up bashfully "I'd like to be a designer someday"
Umi smiled "That's really admirable, Kotori." She glanced at her food "Honestly, I don't know what I would like to do in the future. There are plenty of things I could do, but I'm not interested in any of them so much"
"I'm sure you'll find out what you want to do someday, Umi-chan!" Kotori reached for her palm. She felt Honoka's hand on her arm.
Umi closed her eyes "Thank you"
"Nozomi! Are you going to the clubroom?" Nozomi got up and grabbed her bag, looking over at Nico.
"Sorry, I have to do something today!" She smiled apologetically at black haired girl.
Nico nodded in understanding and began walking out of the classroom "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Nicocchi!" Nozomi waved at her. She and Nico had to stay after school to finish some school matters before going home. It was almost 5 pm and Nozomi still had to go shopping. I better hurry up! She thought to herself as she changed her shoes. She hurriedly walked to the nearest convenience store.
Let's see… I've got milk, vegetables… Where is the tea? Ah, there it is. Nozomi reached her hand. She felt herself jump slightly as her palm made contact with someone else's hand. She turned her head and met gaze with familiar ice blue eyes. Nozomi quickly moved her hand away and averted her eyes.
"Uh, here" Eli took the tea and handed it to Nozomi.
She looked at it "You sure? I can just get something else" Blonde smiled with slightly red cheeks "Just take it. I'll get this tea instead"
"Then, thank you, Ayase-san!" They exchanged smiles "Say, are you done with your shopping?" Eli asked.
"Ah, I just have to grab some sweets for my siblings and I'm done. Why?" Nozomi glanced at her, walking over to where sweets are, "W-Well, I could walk you home. I noticed we go home in the same direction" Eli bashfully looked through chocolates.
Nozomi tried to not show the surprise on her face. Here she was, with the most popular girl in school, student council president, who was embarrassed because she just asked her to go home together. Is it me or it's getting hot in here? Nozomi smiled nervously "I don't mind at all! Now, let's go pay, okay?" Eli nodded.
"So how do you and Nicocchi know each other?" Nozomi asked on their way home.
"We're childhood friends; ever since I remember, we've always been together." Eli turned her head to Nozomi "People are often surprised that we're friends. I mean, most of the time, we argue with each other, our personalities are completely different." She smiled "But still, I can't even imagine living without her. She's like a sister to me"
Nozomi giggled "W-What?" Eli flushed.
Purple haired girl just smiled "Nothing, I just think it's pretty cute~" Blonde's face reddened once again "J-Jeez! Stop teasing me, Toujou-san!"
"You can use my first name, you know?" Nozomi turned her head away to hide her slightly flushed face.
Eli fidgeted "Then, it's fine if you use my first name too, Nozomi" she smiled with flushed face.
Nozomi returned the smile "Okay, Elicchi!"
"What's with this nickname.." purple haired girl just laughed "Nicocchi asked the same thing; it's cute, right?"
"You two really are childhood friends, huh? You even react the same way~" Nozomi put hand on her lips to hide her smirk.
Eli blushed "T-That's-"
Blonde sighed "You really are something else, Nozomi"
Oh boy, just her saying my name makes me blush Nozomi closed her eyes "I guess~ Ah! It's my house. It was nice to go home with you, Elicchi. We should do it again sometime!"
She turned her back to Eli "I'll see you tomorrow?" Nozomi glanced at her.
"Yeah, See you tomorrow, Nozomi" She smiled. Purple haired girl quickly retreated to her doors So I guess we're friends now? She couldn't keep the smile from her face.
"I'm home!" Nozomi shouted as she walked in. She jumped when she heard a loud crash, pained voice and thumps. Rin run into the hall with an excited face. "Welcome home!" She yelled.
"I'll help you with these!" she took the bags from Nozomi and went into the kitchen.
Purple haired girl went to the living room to put her school bag away. She was surprised to see Hanayo in here, nervously toying with her blouse. "Hello, Hanayo-chan! Came to visit Rin-chan?"
Hanayo nodded "Oh yeah, can Kayo-chin stay the night?" Rin walked back into the room. Nozomi put a finger on her chin "If her parents are okay with it"
Rin's face lightened "Really? Kayo-chin's parents are cool with it!" she turned to Hanayo "Come on! Let's grab your stuff from your house!" With that, they already stormed out the house. Nozomi smiled We're gonna have an exciting evening. Her eyes widened as she realized Where's Umi-chan? She usually home at this time…
She peaked out of the living room as she heard the doors open "Do you want to come in?" Nozomi overheard.
"No, I wouldn't want to impose or anything" A high-pitched voice spoke Kotori-chan?
"You wouldn't bother us at all, Kotori" Umi said with soft voice.
"No, I really have to go, Umi-chan. We can go to school tomorrow together, if you don't mind"
"Alright, see you tomorrow" Umi said with smile, waving at Kotori. Alright, time to come out here!
"Umi-chan? Are you home?" Nozomi saw her sister talking with Kotori at the doorway, the other girl looking a little nervous. "Ah, Kotori-chan! Good evening. Would you join us for dinner?"
Grey haired girl waved her hand "No, I don't want to trouble you!" She glanced at Umi "I have to go home now. Bye Umi-chan, Nozomi-san!" She bowed and went out.
Nozomi looked at Umi with playful expression on her face "Looks like our Umi-chan has a crush~"
Her face reddened "I-It's not like that! We're just friends!" She glanced at the floor "Sure, she's pretty and cute and…" blue haired girl mumbled.
Nozomi's smirk widened "Well, it certainly looks like a crush to me-"
"We're back!" Rin slammed open the doors, startling her sisters. She looked at them confused "What's wrong? Why are you standing here?"
"Don't worry, Umi-chan was just declaring her love for-"
"I did not do such a thing! Jeez, let's just go make dinner!" She angrily walked into the kitchen. Rin looked puzzled at Nozomi, who just smiled playfully.
"U-Um, pardon the intrusion" A quiet voice spoke.
Nozomi looked down "Come in, Hanayo-chan. Do you have everything you need?" she nodded "Dinner will be ready soon" Purple haired girl turned to Rin "Go with Hanayo-chan to your room for now. We'll call you when food's ready"
"Okay~ C'mon Kayo-chin!" Rin took Hanayo's hand and they run up the stairs. So energetic~ Nozomi smiled, before walking off to kitchen. Umi was already getting the ingredients ready.
"What're you making, Umi-chan?" Umi jumped slightly. She turned around to see Nozomi grabbing one of the vegetables "Want me to help you?"
Younger sibling looked to the side "If you want to" Nozomi smiled. She started cutting the tomatoes. As she finished the first one her eyes drifted off to blue haired girl. She was stirring the noodles in the pot full of hot water. She looked unfocused.
Nozomi tightened her hold on the knife "Umi-chan, I'm sorry" Umi snapped out of her trance and looked at her sister "Sorry? For what?"
"For teasing you so much. You looked kind of sad here, I might've gone too far" Purple haired girl said with guilt in her voice.
Umi smiled "It's not your fault, Nozomi. I'm just… confused, I guess"
"Confused?" Nozomi asked with slight surprise in her voice.
Younger girl nodded "It's just… Today at archery practice Kotori came to watch me. I didn't know she was there until I heard her breathe sharply" Umi turned off the stove "When I saw her looking at me, when I met her eyes, I felt something… weird. My face felt hot and my heart was beating like I've run a marathon"
Nozomi smiled My little Umi-chan is growing up… "And I don't know what to do" She continued "I've never felt like this before, I… I think I like Kotori" She looked at Nozomi with teary eyes "Could you… give me some advice? You always know what to do"
"Don't worry, Umi-chan. What you're feeling is nothing out of ordinary. We all are like this at your age." Nozomi smiled warmly "For now, just follow your heart. Become even closer with her, and don't be afraid of showing your feelings to her"
Umi glanced to the side "Thanks, Nozomi. You really are the best older sister" She chuckled "Who would've thought I can like somebody I know only two weeks"
"I understand how you feel though" Nozomi muttered, Umi looked at her, tilting her head "Did you say anything?" Oldest sibling just shook her head I better not trouble her with my own problems.
"-And then I accidentally threw a tomato at Maki-chan's face. She was so furious and was chasing me around her whole house!" Rin laughed, waving her fork around and ignoring Umi's remarks of how dangerous is that.
Nozomi watched her little sisters' usual antics with grin on her face. Rin swallowed the rest of her food and waited for Hanayo to finish, talking about her adventures during this week. After few minutes she turned to brown haired girl and, noticing that she's finished with her meal, dragged her upstairs, thanking for the dinner.
Umi got up to gather the dishes "Ah, Umi-chan, you can go study, I'll wash these. You have a test soon, right?" Nozomi took the plates from her.
She looked uncertain at her older sister "But-"
"Hush. Go study, I'll be fine" Umi nodded, still a little hesitant "Thank you for the meal" She mumbled, slowly making her way to her room.
Nozomi sighed and began cleaning the dishes, earlier events going through her head. Her cheeks reddened a little as she replayed her conversation with Eli. Nicocchi is going to tease me so much about this tomorrow She took another plate. Usually, she was the one that teased people. She loved to annoy Nico about her height. Even so, I still need her advice.
Nico was very close with Eli. Like the blonde said, they were almost like sisters, despite their differences in personalities. Nozomi smiled, recalling all the interesting things Nico has told her about Eli. Like her love for chocolate or the huge gap between what people say about her and how she actually is, awkward and dorky.
From what she's seen, Eli is exactly like Nico said. Her cheeks reddened as she smiled warmly.
"Hey Kayo-chin?" Rin moved closer to the girl "Are you nervous about sleeping over in my house?" Hanayo looked at Rin surprised.
"W-Why are you asking?" She stuttered, her eyes scanning her friend for an answer.
Rin frowned "You've been so quiet the whole evening, I thought maybe it's because I'm boring?" She glanced at the floor "I'm not good with others, I've never been so close with anybody, because I knew I'm gonna move away soon anyway." Her eyes watered slightly as she closed them "You're the first person I can call a friend, and I don't want to mess it up."
Hanayo panicked, searching for a good answer to that. Seeing Rin so insecure made her feel so much closer to orange haired girl. Slowly, still hesitating, she pulled Rin in for a hug. Rin's eyes shot open when she felt Hanayo's hold tighten "I'm nervous because it's the first time I'm sleeping over at someone's house" She mumbled "You're not boring, I love listening to your stories, I just don't really like talking that much. Seeing you laugh makes me feel lucky to have you as a friend" She felt Rin clutching her shirt.
They stayed like this for some time. Hanayo waited for Rin to calm down, before going to bath together. Hanayo was a bit hesitant about it first, but agreed after seeing Rin's begging eyes.
After bath they talked a bit before going to sleep. Rin learned that Hanayo's personality changes as soon as they start talking about idols.
I'm glad we're friends… Orange haired girl thought before drifting away.
The scribbling sounds filled the room as Umi's eyes shot open. I need to study! Focus, Umi! She rubbed her eyes tiredly before going back to writing down the formulas. But after a few minutes her eyelids began dropping once again. She sighed and closed her textbook I can study tomorrow. She went to take a quick shower before going to sleep.
As she lied in her bed, sleep didn't want to come to her. So I can sleep on my desk and not in my bed? She sighed angrily. But she has to sleep. It was late and she had school tomorrow. She started replaying the events from earlier. After a few minutes the sleep finally came.