Chapter 4
AN: Sorry for the delay, I didn't have time to write. Also, Happy belated birthday Honkers! To answer one question about me not using the nee-chan and onee-chan thing: I feel more comfortable not using them; It feels more natural to me. And forcing Japanese words like these is not my style. The chan's and san's don't count.
Enjoy!
The sound of the bell filled school halls, students were slowly making their way to the clubs and home. Umi packed her things and stood up. She didn't have archery practice today, so she was free to go. She was about to leave, when she heard someone calling her name. Loudly. Umi turned around with annoyed face "Honoka! Don't yell out my name so loudly! It's embarrassing!"
Honoka rubbed the back of her head "Ehehe~ Nevermind that, Umi-chan!" Honoka stomped in front of Umi.
"Can we come over today? We've never been to your house!" She stopped for a moment "Actually, Kotori-chan was, but only at the entrance. So!" She beamed, standing too close to the other girl "Can we?"
Umi wondered for a while. Wasn't there something important today? She didn't have any appointments planned, she promised her sisters to go out with them, but that's next week. Still not sure, she was about to decline, but then it happened. She looked at Kotori, who was gazing at her with pleading eyes and held a hand to her chest. The pose that screamed 'Umi-chan, please!'
She felt her heart quickening and cheeks becoming red H-How cute! Suddenly, she found herself unable to decline. She sighed heavily "S-Sure, I don't mind" Other girls' faces lightened.
"Yay~ We're going to Umi-chan's house!" Honoka cheered, skipping on the sidewalk before other girls. Umi just sighed I feel like something bad is about to happen. She heard a giggle on her side. She turned to see Kotori smiling sweetly at her.
The walk to her house was peaceful. Blue haired girl and Kotori were listening to Honoka's usual ramblings, sometimes laughing and answering. After some time they finally reached her place. At the doorway, Honoka was examining the hall, Kotori just laughed awkwardly at her friend.
"Umi-chan? You're back?" They heard Nozomi calling from the kitchen; she leaned out and gasped "Honoka-chan? Kotori-chan? What're you doing here?" She said with wide eyes.
"They've come to visit" Umi answered, wondering why Nozomi was so surprised. Her sister silently motioned her to come to her. Blue haired told her friends to wait a second and was about to walk over to Nozomi when the doorbell rang. She turned around and opened the door.
Two bodies bigger than her pulled her in for a hug. Ah. So that's what I forgot about… Umi deadpanned Our parents were supposed to visit us today. They let go and looked around, gasping when their eyes found two girls trying to sneak out "Ah, Umi! Are those girls your friends? Where are you going? Come join us for dinner!" They insisted. Umi could only sigh.
They laughed awkwardly. Honoka's eyes suddenly sparkled with an idea "My mom told me to watch over the store today! I have to go, see you tomorrow Umi-chan! Come on, Kotori-chan!" Kotori waved shyly at Umi before they dashed out of the house.
"Aw, they're not gonna stay… Either way, let's go inside!" She laughed tiredly, but beamed at them. Even though she was very embarrassed by the fact she forgot they were going to visit today, she still missed them dearly. I'll have to apologize to Honoka and Kotori later. She thought when being dragged by her parents to the living room.
They sat around the table, making small talk with each other. Nozomi joined them after thirty minutes with some pie and tea. Their parents laughed and teased Umi about her forgetting the visit, Nozomi with them, much to Umi's embarrassment.
"Oh, by the way" Their mother started "Where's Rin?"
Nozomi put down her cup and wondered "After school Rin usually hangs out wither friends, but she should be back by now"
They heard the doors opening "I'm back! Are they here yet?" She came running to the room. Her face brightened when she saw them sitting there. She sprinted the short distance and hugged them both tightly. "I missed you!" Umi and Nozomi smiled at her. Orange haired girl turned her head to them "Come on! Join us!" They laughed before coming in for a hug.
"How long are you gonna stay?" Nozomi asked when they settled down.
Their parents looked at each other "The whole weekend! But we'll have to leave on Sunday afternoon." They smiled "Tomorrow's Saturday, right? That means you'll finish the school day sooner, so we can have fun tomorrow!" The sisters nodded happily.
They talked for a while, sharing their experiences and laughing together. Before they knew it, it's was almost 11pm. Sisters showed their parents the guest room and went to their own to get ready for the next day.
"Kayo-chin! Maki-chan!"Rin ran to her friends excitedly, her parents walking with her. Hanayo turned to her friend with a grin on her face, Maki just glanced at her, toying with her hair. They quickly became bashful as soon as they spotted her parents. Rin just tilted her head, confused. "Meet my parents! They've come to visit us!" Hanayo mumbled her name and 'nice to meet you', Maki was trying to look like she wasn't shy over meeting Rin's parents, standing too stiff and looking everywhere but at the adults. They giggled How cute~
"It's nice to meet you too, Hanayo-chan, Maki-chan" They smiled warmly and turned to Rin "Then, we'll come for you later, okay? Have fun" They said, walking away from the girls. Rin waved her hand above her head before turning to her friends and going into school.
"So your parents did come to visit you, like you said" Maki pointed out, walking beside her.
Rin nodded happily "They're gonna stay till Sunday! And we're gonna go out today!" She skipped happily. Other girls smiled at her.
"Well, have fun" Maki said, before going to her own classroom.
"See you later!" Rin waved at her. She turned to Hanayo "Let's go in, Kayo-chin!" Brown haired girl smiled and nodded.
The first lesson just ended. Some students were already talking with others, going out of the classroom or preparing for the next lesson. But Umi was still in her place, she has not moved from her spot, sitting and staring into space.
She has not noticed two girls approaching her, or them calling her. She only snapped out of her trance when Honoka slammed her hands on her desk, saying her name loudly. She yelped surprised and looked up at ginger's face "Honoka? What's wrong?"
She frowned "What's wrong with you Umi-chan? You've been spacing out the whole lesson!"
Umi looked down for a moment before answering "I don't know, I just can't focus, for some reason" She averted her eyes from the girls.
Kotori looked at Honoka with slightly worried face. She moved closer to dark haired girl "If it's about yesterday, we're not angry! Everybody makes mistakes!" She put her hand on Umi's "So don't worry, Umi-chan" She smiled warmly. Umi looked at her, feeling her heart quickening, and nodded.
Honoka grinned "But you're gonna have to treat us some cake!" Kotori giggled, nodding.
Umi laughed "Alright, alright. I'll treat you some on Monday" She looked at them, feeling grateful for such amazing friends.
They heard door sliding and teacher's voice motioning them to sit down on their desks. Honoka and Kotori moved, beaming at blue haired girl.
Nozomi was changing her shoes when someone approached her. With a hint of teasing in her voice she said "Nicocchi, did you suddenly grow up?" She looked up and almost dropped her bag "E-Elicchi!"
Eli giggled at her reaction "You didn't expect me, huh"
Nozomi scratched back of her head, embarrassed "Well, it's usually Nicocchi who comes to me like that" She straightened her back "Is there something you need?"
Eli looked to the side, blushing slightly and toying with her bag "I was wondering if you're free this afternoon. I'm going out with my sister and I thought maybe you could come with us?" She glanced back at Nozomi and became worried as she saw her saddened face.
"I'm sorry Elicchi, I promised to go out with my family today" She smiled at her "We can go out some other day though!" Eli smiled bitterly and nodded.
"At least let me walk you home, Nozomi" Eli moved closer to her.
Nozomi nodded, feeling nervous about blonde being so close to her. She pulled her bag closer and followed Eli. They walked in silence, just enjoying each others' presence. Eli glanced at Nozomi "So you're going out with your sisters today?"
Purple haired girl stared back at her "My parents visited us and are staying until Sunday, so we decided to hang out today" She laughed softly "Who knows, maybe we'll meet today again" Eli laughed along with her.
"Well, this is where we part" Eli said with… disappointment? I'm probably just imagining things
She looked around "Yeah, see you on Monday then"
"Bye! Have fun with your family" Eli smiled and started walking away.
"You too!" Nozomi yelled. Eli turned her head to her, waving with a smile on her face. Nozomi stood in the same place for a moment longer, staring at her back and walked to her own house.
"Are you ready, girls?" Man's voice called out to the others. Nozomi and their mom was already standing and waiting for others to finish getting ready. Umi ran out her room and put on her shoes, while Rin was finishing her lunch.
After all of them were ready to go, they talked about where to go. Nozomi mentioned that there is a shrine near their home and she wanted to visit it. The others agreed, knowing Nozomi's fondness of spiritual things.
Rin was excitedly running on the stairs, talking about the places she wants to visit. They looked around the place, wished for good luck and decided to move on to the next place. When they were going down their mom turned to Nozomi "Nozomi, would you like to help out at that shrine?"
Purple haired girl looked at her and showed a playful smile "Maybe, it might help me with my spiritual power~"
Her parent giggled "Then you should help out sometimes" She turned to Rin, who was shouting to move faster. They both chuckled and fastened their pace.
They were walking through the busy streets of Akihabara when Rin suddenly stopped. The others stared questioningly at her. She turned her head back to them "Can we stop by that café? I'm getting hungry!" They agreed and walked in behind Rin.
They all sat around the table and wondered what to order. Sibling decided to get some parfaits while their parents got tea and cake. As her younger sisters and parents talked with each other, Nozomi looked around the place absentmindedly. Her eyes widened when she spotted a certain pair on the other table. The pair stood out with their blonde hair and blue eyes. Elicchi… The other girl must be her sister then. She chucked, toying with her spoon. So we really ran into each other, huh?
Her family noticed her spacing out and smiling. They curiously looked over where she was gazing and noticed the blondes. "Nozomi?" Her mother asked.
She jumped slightly, her eyes looking back at her mother's "W-What is it?"
Umi frowned "You've been spacing out for some time now, looking at those girls" She pointed in the direction where they were sitting.
Nozomi smiled, getting back to her usual character "Ah, it's just a friend from school. And the other girl is probably her sister"
Rin stood up and shouted "Then you should go say hi! We all should introduce ourselves!" Most of the café customers looked at them, annoyed because of all the noise. Umi quickly told Rin to stop being so loud, feeling embarrassed when so many eyes were on them.
"Rin is right though" Her mother said after Rin sat down "I want to meet our dear Nozomi's friend!" Nozomi looked down, her cheeks flushed, before looking back at Eli. She watched her head turn and meet her gaze. Her eyes widened. She beamed, waving her hand shyly. Nozomi returned the smile.
"Rin, no" She heard Umi say. Rin looked like she was ready to explode, moving around in her seat "Rin. No." She looked at her parents; mom was looking helplessly at them, while her dad was buzzing with excitement along with his daughter.
"Mmm, I'm going to convince them to sit with us!" She quickly got up and ran to Eli, ignoring Umi's shouts. They watched Rin talking to them, waving her hands and pointing at Nozomi, before grabbing Eli's hand and leading her to their table, blonde's sisters excitedly walking behind them, holding their parfaits.
Nozomi giggled, looking at Eli's lost face. "I've captured them!" Rin said, standing proudly.
Their mother chuckled "Since Rin has already 'captured' you, why don't you eat with us?" Eli looked helplessly at Nozomi, before nodding.
Once she and her sister sat down and introduced themselves, Rin began flooding her with questions. Nozomi laughed at how powerless she was at the moment. After Eli somehow managed to answer Rin's questions, their parents attempted to know more about this 'friend of Nozomi'.
"So, Ayase-san, how did you and Nozomi became friends?" They all looked at Eli with expecting eyes, even Arisa, her little sister.
She gulped, trying to get rid of her nervousness "W-Well, we go to the same school and are in the same class. But to be honest I got to talk to her when we accidentally ran into each other in grocery store" Others let out the sounds of awe.
Nozomi chuckled "We both wanted to get that last tea"
Eli giggled along "Yeah, and we were so polite and awkward with each other" They both laughed and telling more details they remember.
The rest of the family stared at them. Suddenly, their mom hummed, getting the attention back on her "Oh, don't mind me; you two remind me of how me and your father when we were young~" Dad just nodded in agreement.
They snickered when they saw the two of the blushing, trying to find right words but failing. Umi put head on her hand "The tables have turned now, huh?" Nozomi just hid her face in her hands, mumbling "Shut up"
They watched their younger sisters and the adults playing arcade games. Nozomi glanced toward Eli and found her looking back at her. They both smiled awkwardly and turned away "Sorry about my family, they are so embarrassing sometimes"
Eli chuckled "That's how families usually are" Purple haired girl smiled back, nodding. They stood in silence, Nozomi still feeling bad about all that teasing Eli had to witness. Her heart jumped when she felt something touch her hand. She looked down and saw Eli's palm shyly holding her own. She looked away blushing. She gave Eli a small squeeze, grinning warmly when she felt her friend squeezing back.
They jerked when hearing Nozomi's dad saying it's time to go home. They quickly let go, blushing and trying to calm themselves. The others just smiled knowingly.
They waved their goodbyes, and went to their own homes. Nozomi glanced back and followed the rest.
They lazed around the whole Sunday, except Umi, who did her homework. Around 5pm sisters went to see their parents off. After heartfelt farewells and promises to call as much as they can, they finally let them go. They didn't felt like cooking anything for dinner, so they decided to just order pizza. After eating, Umi forced her sisters to do homework, scolding them when they protested.
Nozomi couldn't concentrate, her mind kept drifting away to that one moment with Eli. Did she mean something more or was it just an act of friendship?
Either way, she was glad they were finally becoming closer with each other. Nozomi was excited just thinking about how their future might look like.