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Since young, Shirabu always listened to his parents talk about soulmates and how fortunate they both were to have each other as soulmates, wishing that it was the same with their children, even though they knew the whole 'finding your soulmate' thing was rare for everyone, and only a few lucky people were selected. Be it the red thread of fate, some kind of soul mark, or swapping one of your five senses for a period of time, at random times. Shirabu honestly wouldn't want one of his five senses swapped.
Shirabu doesn't care about soulmates and he definitely doesn't care if he has already met his or not. Finding soulmates is a hassle. He has more important things to care about, like his studies and his dream of becoming a future doctor. Unfortunately, soulmates had always been the main topic thrown around, especially between teenagers. He’d already had enough listening about it from his parents and now he had to listen to his peers about this whole soulmate thing.
It's annoying.
Especially when they drag him into the conversation.
"What about you, Shirabu? What do you think your soulmate will be like?"
I don't care.
That's always Shirabu's answer.
And every single time he'll get a stunned look follow by a frown from everyone.
Shirabu doesn't really understand why they would have that reaction. It's not like everyone is going to get a soulmate, only forty percent of the population gets their soulmate so, what is it? .
He doesn't have the time for gossips.
Shirabu has a soulmate.
He has a soulmate, and he still can't believe it. That forty percent he talked about before? Yeah, he's part of it.
And what's worse is that he has got the most annoying way for him to find his soulmate.
Just like any soulmate case, it appeared on his birthday. Shirabu didn’t really pay any mind to it, but his parents had raided him with a bunch of text messages wishing him a happy birthday and telling him to make sure to call them if any soulmate sign was bestowed on him.
Shirabu just texted them back dismissively, he was more worried about the quiz he had the next day rather than any soulmate signs.
And then it honked him in the face.
Literally.
He expected to be greeted by his alarm early in the morning of his birthday, but instead he was met with a loud honk and two large, black and beady eyes.
"What in the-"
HONK!
Shirabu's eyes squeezed at the sudden loud honk from the goose. The goose flapped its wings then proceeded to hop off Shirabu's chest and onto the bed as the boy sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Who let this goose in and why was the colour of its feathers so weird?
Shirabu was not an expert on geese but he was quite sure they didn't have mixed coloured feathers, did they?
As if the goose had suddenly noticed Shirabu wasn't focusing on it, it flapped its wings frantically and started to bite on the blanket, tugging it off.
"Hey! You're gonna rip it!" Shirabu frowned and tugged back the blanket.
Not happy with Shirabu's reaction, the goose dropped the blanket and honked loudly at his face, causing Shirabu to glare at it.
Much to Shirabu's dismay, their little scuffle had woken up his roommate.
"Seriously Shirabu, your first alarm is already annoying enough, you don’t need a new one, especially one of a goose honking…” Kawanishi groaned and looked down from the top bunk. His annoyance immediately went to confusion and shock, which then morphed back to his neutral stoic look. “Oh… is that a soulmate goose? Congratulations.”
“Shut up.” Shirabu huffed and shoved aside the goose when he got off the bed to get ready for the day since he was already awake.
Watching Shirabu ignore the honking goose to go get ready, Kawanishi sighed and got off the bed as well. There was no way he could go back to sleep with the goose making noises in the room.
“Hey, shouldn’t you go find your other half instead of going to school?”
“And lose my perfect attendance? Hell no.” Shirabu said with his eyes narrowed at Kawanishi who rolled his eyes at Shirabu.
Kawanishi leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he watched Shirabu push the goose away with his leg while getting his notes and books.
“The soulmate goose is gonna continue being a nuisance if you don’t move, you know?”
Shirabu looked at Kawanishi, goose in hand and scoffed.
“What can a stupid goose do?”
Apparently, they can do a lot.
“Shirabu Kenjirou, get out and find your soulmate, the goose is disrupting morning practice so you better solve your soulmate case or don’t even think about joining evening practice at all.” Coach Washijou said sternly. “Oh, and congratulations, good luck.”
Then there was a door being slammed right in front of Shirabu’s face.
He blinked and hung open his mouth in disbelief as he stared at the gym door, listening to the sound of volleyball shoes grazing against the polished floor. He couldn’t believe it, him, the captain of the current Shiratorizawa volleyball club, got kicked out of practice because of this stupid soulmate goose.
“This is all your fault…” Shirabu glared at the goose flapping in his arms. It wiggled and struggled to get out of Shirabu’s arms. They got a mission to do and they are doing it but, sadly, Shirabu is not cooperating.
So it decided to bite him.
“Ow! You little-”
Shirabu didn’t take the goose’s bite seriously and went on with his life which was quite hard when people kept looking over at Shirabu because of the absolute beast that was currently honking and trailing behind Shirabu. He really tried to pay it no mind, but it was becoming even harder with people who were still staring and trying to talk to him when he was on his way to class. When Shirabu reached the door, he turned his head and glared at the goose who just looked up at him with an innocent look as if it hadn’t just make Shirabu’s life ten times more miserable than it already was.
“You better stay quiet during class.”
HONK!
The goose did not stay quiet.
"Shirabu! Your goose is eating my pencil box!"
"Spit it out, spit it out!"
"Eek-- It just tried to bite me!"
"Shirabu, control your goose!"
He just let out a deep breath as he watched the goose wreak havoc in the classroom.
The goose flapped its wings aggressively at the students that were trying to take back their poor classmate’s pencil box. It may not be in the goose’s mouth anymore, but it was still under the goose's radar. The goose snapped and honked at anyone that tried approaching it, even the teacher couldn't keep it under control.
"Shirabu…" The teacher started after letting out an exasperated sigh.
"Yes, I know." Shirabu muttered, already knowing what the teacher was going to say.
"You're excused for the day, please settle your soulmate case. I'll let the principal know, so take your goose and find your soulmate before it can cause anymore damage."
"Yes sir." Shirabu said and picked up the goose.
Once Shirabu left the classroom, the goose wiggled out of Shirabu's arms, flapping its wings as it landed on the ground safely. It padded a few steps forward before turning around and honking for Shirabu to follow them.
"Ok, ok. I'm following you now, shut it." Shirabu hurried his footsteps so the goose wouldn't cause a scene again.
The goose led him out the school and didn't even give Shirabu a chance to change as whenever Shirabu made a different turn, it would nip him so Shirabu could only comply and follow the goose. Shirabu was led to the train station. Thankfully the worker at the station wasn't weirded out by the soulmate goose buying the ticket. The goose somehow was able to snatch Shirabu's wallet to pay for it. Shirabu hoped his so-called soulmate would pay back for that expensive ticket, especially when he had to pay for the goose's seat too.
The goose finally stopped acting out once the train started moving. It just sat quietly at the seat beside Shirabu.
Finally some peace and quiet.
Shirabu sighed and slouched on his seat. He gazed at the goose and finally had a good look at it. He was so busy glaring and avoiding getting any more honks or bites from it that he didn’t pay attention to the appearance of the goose. He noticed how the feathers of it were made out of brown and grey. Oddly enough, the brown is somewhat similar to his own hair colour. The grey colour of the goose reminded Shirabu of a certain upperclassman instantly.
Semi Eita.
That annoying upperclassman whom he had replaced in the volleyball team once Shirabu became a second year. He believed the older, former setter held grudges towards him which was reasonable, considering that it was his last year as Shiratorizawa’s setter back then and it certainly didn’t make it any better when Shirabu kept being, in his own, honest opinion, slightly disrespectful towards Semi but, in his defence, he was seventeen.
Seventeen years old teenagers do dumb things.
They barely interacted outside of the volleyball club, just occasional greetings and whenever the group hung out, they didn’t actually have any conversations.
Shirabu doesn't know much about Semi besides the fact that he played volleyball, had an interest in music and wasn’t the best at studying. If they are soulmates, what connection would they have when they seem to be the total opposites? Weren't soulmates made for each other? Would he and Semi get along when they couldn’t even do that before? Maybe he–
Shirabu paused and shook his head. Why was he thinking of Semi being his soulmate when it was not yet set in stone? Why was Semi the first person to pop up anyway? Besides, if Shirabu has a soulmate tracking goose, that means Semi would have one as well but he never said anything about it after his eighteenth birthday.
Semi was one of the many people on the team that outwardly showed his interest on the soulmate topic. He was not only interested in getting his own soulmate sign, but was also excited about other people’s signs. Shirabu recalled how extra excited his upperclassman was one week before his own birthday. Not even Tendou’s teasing could sour his mood.
Knowing how the upperclassman had reacted, he would’ve made a very big deal out of it if he had gotten a sign, but he didn't, so there shouldn’t be a chance that Semi is his soulmate.
He glared at the goose, then looked away, preferring to look anywhere else but at it. He needed something to get his mind off of the soulmate topic. He ended up focusing his attention on the scenery outside of the train to avoid making eye contact with anyone and stop people from asking about the goose beside him.
It was all peace and quiet for the next few hours of the train ride until some child tried to touch the goose and ended up getting bit by it. Great, now the cabin is filled with loud cries from the child.
He definitely did deserve getting bit but Shirabu definitely didn’t deserve listening to the child’s loud cry for the whole ride.
Once the train came to a stop, the soulmate search continued. The goose honked and hopped off the seat, frantically flapping its wings at Shirabu who was taking his time to get up and make sure he got everything before he stepped out the train.
“Stop rushing me! Geez, all your flapping and honking are not going to make me go any faster.” Shirabu complained, only to earn himself a bite to the leg. “Ow! Stop doing that!”
The goose huffed, puffing its chest up before turning around and waddling out of the train with Shirabu trailing behind it. Shirabu thought that, being in a busy city and all that, he’d easily get lost from following the goose but, surprisingly, he didn’t. The goose was somehow able to be within arm's reach while leading Shirabu to wherever his soulmate was going to be in. The goose led Shirabu down the street and did a few turns here and there. Shirabu rarely comes to the city. He had traveled a few times to visit some family members he rarely kept in contact with, so he recognized a few places
Then the goose led him over to a much familiar building and he froze.
He looked up at the campus and tall buildings and felt a small sense of dread, because that university looks too familiar.
No way, it couldn't be.
Out of 7 million people in the world, there's no way he would end up with him.
“This is not happening. Nu-uh.” Shirabu said and turned away. Was this some kind of sick joke? Just because he was thinking about him on the train and now he’s here at the university Semi Eita is studying in.
“HONK!” The goose honked and bit onto Shirabu’s pants.
“Hey! Let go!” Shirabu swung his leg, in hopes of flinging the goose off. but it had a tight grip on him and two strong wings. “You’re gonna tear my pants off, stop it! I’m not going in!”
As embarrassing as it was, Shirabu lost to the goose. Apparently, Shirabu has the stamina of a blade of grass. Once again, Shirabu trailed behind the nuisance into the university. Shirabu thought people would stare or even give him weird looks but they paid him no mind.
Throughout the walk, Shirabu tried to convince himself to not overthink or judge so quickly of his soulmate to be Semi. Just because they knew each other before doesn’t mean they are gonna be soulmates, right?
The goose had led Shirabu to the university’s dormitory and stopped in front of the door. The goose honked and gestured with its head at the door. Shirabu blinked and looked at the door, then looked down to the goose.
“You’re saying my soulmate is behind this door?” Shirabu pointed at the door while his free hand was gripping on the strap of his bag tightly.
The goose honked and did a little hop, looking extremely excited for some reason. Shirabu let out a deep breath as he looked at the wooden door. He raised his fist and kept it there as he started to feel nervous. His heart started pounding so hard when the situation finally dawned on him.
He’s in Tokyo and is now currently in front of his soulmate’s door. Is this too weird? Would it even be a good first impression to appear right where the soulmate’s house is with a goose? What is he even gonna say?
“Yea, no way. Goodbye.” Shirabu said sharply and turned around, only to get blocked by the goose. The goose stared up at him with what Shirabu could only assume was an unamused look. “I changed my mind, ok? This is stupid, you’re stupid, all this soulmate thing is stupid! Why did I even follow you here anyway?”
Shirabu tried to step around the goose and leave, but the goose kept getting in the way. The goose kept eye contact with Shirabu, almost like it was judging him for trying to run away. Shirabu grimaced as he bent down, tired of staring down on the goose. He narrowed his eyes at the goose and frowned. “You are a little shit, you know that?”
The goose only honked in reply. Of course it would only honk, it can’t talk, after all.
“Just stop being annoying and get out of my way! Why are you being so persistent?" Shirabu glared, hoping that it would make it go away but no, the goose just stared back and honked.
"Yea, yea, honk all you want. All you know do is make noises." Shirabu said and, before he could continue insulting the goose, the door swung open, catching both of their attentions.
"What's with all the noises?! Keep it down!"
Shirabu’s eyes gaze over at the figure standing by the door. His jaw dropped as he couldn’t believe it, he refused to believe it.
If we are going with the usual typical soulmate meeting scene, it would be a touching ‘I can’t believe we are soulmates, I’ve always dreamt of this moment’ romance scene. The pair would somehow dress well and pretty and then one person would invite the other inside, and both would be giggling with rosy cheeks.
They’re not in a rom com. Fortunately.
Standing there was the upperclassman Shirabu was just thinking about earlier today. In his own memory, Semi would always dress nicely despite his questionable fashion sense and usually sport a casual smile or, if he's with Shirabu, a small annoyed frown or pout but no. Semi looks like a mess and genuinely looks furious.
There's bags under his eyes, his hair was sticking all over the place and that awful mismatched coloured t-shirt and shorts. Wait, is that a pair of glasses he's wearing? He looked like he hadn't slept for a week.
"Erm…. Semi-san." Shirabu quickly straightened himself up and swallowed his nervousness down. He didn't even know why he was nervous. The goose seemed genuinely happy and did a little hop at the sight of Semi.
Semi gazed at the goose then up to Shirabu before letting out a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I really don't have the time for this right now." Semi said with his brows furrowed. He grabbed Shirabu’s hand and tugged him inside. "Look, just come in and sit down. We'll sort this out later, I got a paper to finish so, keep it down."
Shirabu was a little stunned by Semi pulling him inside all of the sudden. His head was still trying to wrap around the entire situation as he was pushed to sit on a couch with the goose.
"Just… make yourself at home, I guess. Also, really do try to keep it down, please. I need to get this assignment sent in by six and really need peace and quiet."
Shirabu had to bite back a snarky remark from seeing how tired Semi looked. “Is your assignment that hard?”
Semi let out a heavy sigh as he settled himself back to his seat in front of the messy desk with his laptop. “It’s a group assignment and I was unlucky to get stuck with some irresponsible shitbags.”
“Your groupmates didn’t know what they were doing?” Shirabu asked, concerned for the older boy.
“Worst. They bailed on me at the last minute and now I have to do everything by myself.” Semi said with a light shake of his head, causing Shirabu to gasp out loud.
“What?! Can’t you tell your professor and do something about it?”
“No, it’s too late and they can’t extend the due date for one student.” Semi shook his head again with another tired sigh. “I’m almost done…took me a few sleepless nights but it has an acceptable quality. I’ll at least a passing grade.” He gave a pointed look at Shirabu.
“Now, please, some quiet time.”
Shirabu nodded, understanding the other boy, but the goose didn’t. It apparently wasn’t satisfied with them just meeting, as it hopped off the couch and started to honk again, trying to make its existence known. Shirabu tried to shush it so it wouldn’t disrupt Semi’s work.
Shirabu may not have the best relationship with Semi, but he did at least respect someone who needed some quiet time to focus on their assignment. He never saw Semi so exhausted before, so he preferred to not step on his nerves when Semi clearly stated his need to get the assignment in by six. He had to grab the goose to avoid having it running towards Semi with its wings flapping frantically.
“Stop it! You stupid goose, stop-GAH!” Shirabu really did try his best to not make a commotion, but his effort was pointless and earned him a smack in the face by two wings.
Before the goose could make any more noises, Semi's palm hit the table so hard it made a loud thud, getting both Shirabu and the goose's attention. They were met with a harsh glare from Semi, and Shirabu was very glad the glare wasn't aimed at him.
"If you don't shut the fuck up right this instant, I'm turning you into goose rice." Semi's tone was serious.
That did the trick as the goose immediately snapped close his beak and froze up entirely. Shirabu sat back on the couch and set the goose down beside him.
Now only the sound of Semi typing filled the messy room. Semi's desk was filled with papers and books, probably information for his assignment, and at the side there was a small stack of takeout containers. Shirabu's nose wrinkled at that, it shouldn't be hard to throw them away but, then again, Semi does look like he hasn't left this room for an entire week.
He doesn't smell, luckily, but his hair is still a mess. His skin is paler than usual and don’t even get him started on his choice of clothing. It’s not bad but, it's obvious that he only wore it because he ran out of clean clothes to wear. Then there was those black-rimmed glasses on his face. Has Semi always worn glasses?
"I have. We never got a chance to study together, so you never saw me wearing my glasses."
Shirabu blinked and his cheeks slightly flushed, now knowing that he had thought out loud. He watched Semi give him a glance before his gaze shifted back to his laptop.
"O-oh, is that so? So you've been wearing them since high school?"
"Middle school, my eyesight wasn't that bad. I only needed to wear them whenever I read or looked at the board." Semi replied, his eyes never left the screen. "And if you're wondering if I could see during volleyball practice, I usually wore my contacts instead but, since I'm not going anywhere right now, I just wear my glasses."
"Why don't you wear them more often?" Shirabu asked despite knowing that Semi wanted to focus on his assignment.
"Nah, I get teased about them a lot. Tendou said I look stupid with glasses and, besides, they’re very inconvenient." Semi said while two of his fingers pushed his glasses up his nose, suddenly feeling conscious about them as a light pout appeared on his face.
"Oh, ok." Shirabu nodded and then murmured softly. "...I think you look good with glasses."
The typing suddenly stopped as Semi looked at Shirabu. Eyes slightly wide before pink started to colour his cheeks and a smile appeared on his lips.
"...Thanks. That's the first time you’ve said something nice to me."
Shirabu's cheeks flushed at the faint smile Semi gave him. He wanted to say something else but, seeing that Semi had continued on with his assignment, Shirabu's mouth clamped shut and he occupied himself by patting onto the goose's feathers. He was surprised that the goose just sat still after Semi threatened to turn it into dinner. It wouldn't keep still no matter how much Shirabu glared at it.
Had he really never said anything nice to Semi before? Shirabu honestly can't recall. He avoided having too much interaction with Semi before and, even when the team hung out together, Shirabu stayed within his own little group.
Whenever they were obligated to talk, it usually ended up with Semi attempting to give setting advice and Shirabu replying with a short answer.
Now that he thinks about it, he barely knows about Semi besides the fact that he's not especially academically smart, has an odd fashion taste and loves music. Shirabu can't remember what made him avoid talking to Semi. Was it because of their little competition for a place in the volleyball team? Was it because of them being too prideful?
What does Semi think of him right now?
A small sense of dread slowly surfaced as Shirabu started to get anxious about the soulmate situation between Semi and him. They barely have a good impression of each other, how could they be soulmates?
Shirabu shook his head and decided to find something else to stop himself from overthinking. He ended up just looking around the place, silently judging the mess and flipping through misplaced magazines. He didn't realize he had ended up passing out midway until he got startled awake from a loud cheer.
"Finally! That took forever." Semi exclaimed and closed his laptop.
Shirabu looked over at the clock and saw how it was almost six already.
"With a few minutes to spare as well." Shirabu commented.
"Yea, alright. You have my complete attention now that the paper is out of the way." Semi got off his chair and headed over to sit next to Shirabu on the couch. Shirabu shifted a bit so Semi could have some more space and the goose had straightened up, slightly flapping its wing with its attention fully on Semi.
"You look very tired." Shirabu stated out and shushed the goose to stop it from moving even more.
"I am." Semi said and stretched. "It's been really tiring. I've been awake for so long that I felt some kind of sharp pain on my back this morning."
"Sharp pain?"
Semi nodded. "So, what's up with the bird?"
"The bird is a goose, a soulmate tracker goose." Shirabu said and gestured at the goose who puffed its chest out proudly.
"And it's here, why?" Semi asked, looking at the goose then shifting his gaze towards Shirabu again.
"Well, it thinks you’re my soulmate." Shirabu stated and was followed by an eye roll and an affirmative honk from the goose.
Semi blinked a few times, processing the new information.
"No joke?"
"No joke."
"No way, how?" Semi said, completely in disbelief.
Shirabu shrugged then frowned. "You got a problem with me being your soulmate?"
"What? No! It’s not that just, how? I don't have a soulmate sign, how did we become soulmates? Perhaps it's a mistake?" Semi quickly denied Shirabu’s claim. He made a good point but the goose couldn’t have made that kind of mistake.
"It can't be… the goose is here and it’s not making a fuss anymore. If you're not my soulmate, you know the soulmate goose would honk at me until I met my actual soulmate , not to mention it bites as well but now it's so… docile." The goose bit onto Shirabu's wrist.
"Ow!"
Shirabu blinked, surprised hearing Semi yelp out in pain along with him. He looked at Semi with wide eyes who mirrored his reaction.
"What just happened?" Semi muttered while rubbing his wrist.
"I…I think you just felt my pain?"
To confirm it, Shirabu pinched his own forearm, making Semi flinch in pain.
"Ow!" Semi hissed and moved his hand to rub his forearm to soothe the pain. "A little warning next time."
"Semi-san… You do know what this means, right?"
"What?"
Shirabu is speechless with how slow Semi's brain is working but Shirabu will forgive him this time, as it's probably because of the lack of sleep.
"It means you do have a soulmate sign, it's just soulmate link." Shirabu said and pulled up his sleeves then he grabbed a pen so he could write on his arm.
"...Soulmate link?"
"Our sense of pain and skin are linked, Semi-san. Whatever pain is inflicted on me, whatever’s written on me, for example, will also appear on you." Shirabu then showed Semi his arm where he just wrote on and gestured for him to check as well.
"Wait, so all this time…" Semi muttered and looked down to his arm where the word ‘idiot’ had appeared on his arm. "Damn."
"I guess it was kind of hard to realise since I've always been careful." Shirabu shrugged and set down the pen.
"I guess so." Semi nodded, agreeing with him. Then he had this contagious smile on his face that somehow almost made Shirabu smile. "Well then, it's nice to finally meet you, soulmate."
"Likewise." Shirabu offered a polite nod. Despite Semi’s reaction being positive, Shirabu’s mind was still not at ease. Gulping down his nerves, he decided to just be straightforward and ask instead of mulling it over.
"Are you really okay with me being your soulmate? We hardly know each other.”
Semi offered a comforting smile, followed by a nod as he explained. "We can start now, I don't mind taking it slow. We don’t have to be lovers straight away and there are also people that decide to be platonic soulmates. We can work on the details later when my head is more awake, and besides, you’re not so bad to have as a soulmate. A bit annoying with that crude mouth of yours, yeah, but I can live with that.” He joked as he gave a light nudge at Shirabu’s arm. “Not to mention you’re a future doctor, I can see myself enjoying a more leisure life if we live together.”
“Hmph, as if.” Shirabu scoffed and narrowed his gaze at Semi which only caused Semi to laugh softly. “If you think I will let you laze around, think again.”
“So… you’re on board?”
“I guess so, are you sure you really want to do this? I thought you hated me…” Shirabu shrugged and looked down, recalling their past interaction.
“Hated you? No… annoyed with you, maybe.” Semi denied that and quickly explained himself to reassure Shirabu.
“I don’t actually hate you. I never did, either. It was, more like I was frustrated with the circumstances we were in. Same volleyball team and fighting for the same spot. I had confidence in my skill and I was stubborn to keep my style of setting which was my downfall. I might have acted a bit mean and rude towards you after learning that you took my spot, and it did take me some time to calm down and think about it…” Semi talked with his eyes down, sounding regretful for how he acted towards Shirabu.
“And when I did, it was still a win for us even if you were the main setter, so I thought I’d try to at least do my part as the former main setter and give you advice on how to set better, but I guess giving my advice to you after acting like a jerk just made it look like I was looking down on you and got you to act defensive. I really didn’t mean to come off like that, I actually wanted for us to at least get along.” Semi rubbed the back of his neck as he give an awkward laugh. He looked up at Shirabu with an apologetic look.
“I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that I hated you. That’s on me.”
“I’m at fault as well. It wasn’t just you.” Shirabu shook his head. “You weren’t someone I could handle, you were loud and expressive and, back then, I didn’t like how you’d act so full of yourself when I took the spot of being a main setter. I just couldn’t figure you out. I was also naive and stupid thinking that I didn’t need your help and that my setting was enough for the team. Apparently, it’s not. I still have a lot to learn and grow into, I know that now.”
Shirabu actually feels lighter for spilling that out. He met Semi’s gaze and apologised. “I’m sorry I never tried to listen to you or met you halfway. I should have at least tried to reach out to you.”
“It’s alright, it’s in the past now.
"Water under the bridge?” Semi smiled and held out his hand.
“Yea, water under the bridge.” Shirabu nodded and shook Semi’s hand. “Let’s start slow… How about getting to know each other then seeing where we’ll go from there?”
“Sure, I like the sound of that.” Semi pulled his hand away and leaned back onto the couch with a yawn. “But maybe not now, I really need to rest a bit…”
“Alright.” Shirabu muttered, his hand feeling a bit cold all of the sudden. “Tomorrow then.”
Semi suddenly straightened up. "Oh right, Shirabu, today’s your birthday, right?"
"Hm…what do you think? It's pretty obvious." Shirabu murmured, curious, but still decided to tease Semi a bit.
Semi rolled his eyes and got up. "Give me a minute."
Shirabu was confused as he watched Semi go over to one of the small cabinets beside the bed and take something out. He came back and sat beside him before dumping the box into his hands.
"For you."
"Eh? Why would you…" Shirabu blinked as he lifted up the box and examined it.
"Your birthday present, I saw it when I was out one day and just bought it thinking how it suits you. I didn’t even know if I would’ve been able to make it to your birthday party, but I still bought it thinking I'd maybe see you someday." Semi said, settling himself back into his seat, maybe slightly closer to Shirabu now. "I guess I just always wanted to make things right with you."
The idea that Semi thought of him warmed his heart.
"Thank you."
Shirabu then felt Semi's shoulder pressed against his, making his heart leap.
"Semi-san?" Shirabu froze up
"Happy Birthday Shirabu…"
The soft tone in Semi's voice made Shirabu's heart beat even faster. The atmosphere made it feel like any romance scene out there, the cosy warm feelings, the almost suffocating closeness.
Is this happening? Like, actually? Are they going to....? Should he make the first move? Is Semi waiting for him to? Should he…?
Maybe.
Shirabu took a deep breath and turned his head, bracing himself for something. He waited a few seconds but nothing happened.
"Oh, Semi-san…" Shirabu blinked and noticed Semi had passed out with his head on his shoulder.
Right, Semi had been awake for more than forty eight hours
Shirabu let out a small sigh of disappointment. Maybe he did want them to go a little faster but it couldn’t be helped. They still have a long way to go.
Shirabu relaxed and readjusted himself so Semi could rest better. He almost forgot completely about the goose due to how quiet it had been since he and Semi talked, but he saw from the corner of his eye how the goose was staring at them with its big beady eyes.
Not wanting the goose to wake Semi up, Shirabu shushed it before it made a noise.
“Shut up.”
Surprisingly, the goose listened to Shirabu this time and just sat there quietly. Maybe it was satisfied with this outcome.
Today may have had a rough start and was not how Shirabu expected his birthday to be. He definitely wasn't expecting to reconcile with his former upperclassman and find out they were soulmates, but he wasn’t complaining.
Maybe soulmates are not that bad after all.