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Chapter Text

Akaashi Keiji [赤葦 京治] 

He sighed as he looked at the recommendation letters he received from Fukurōdani Academy and Suzumeoka. Not that he doesn't like both schools, heck he was feeling surreal for receiving those, but he was tired of his mother pestering him about which high school he would attend. He could not blame her though, February is almost at its end and he got 1 month left before he goes to high school.

He is currently the setter of his volleyball team at Mori Middle School. Though the school and his volleyball team weren't very known to all, he got recommendations from both high schools where one is known as the powerhouse of volleyball in Tokyo, which excite him, at the least, since he could not really feel his team's passion for volleyball in his current team. 

He scanned once more the brochures he received from both schools and decided to personally visit them tomorrow to see which school was right for him. "Mom, I'll be going home later than usual tomorrow. I'll visit Suzumeoka and Fukurōdani Academy after school." 

He walked through the school grounds of Fukurōdani Academy with a visitor pass in his hand. He sighed as he saw another bruise on his wrist, it was the fourth this week. 'What the hell is this person doing?' he thought but shook his head, removing the thoughts about his soulmate. 

After visiting Suzumeoka, he felt neutral about it and tried not to have high hopes in Fukurōdani. He glanced at a rather serene academy and decided to go straight to the volleyball gym, it was past school hours anyway and he was hoping to see the volleyball team of the school. 

He was told by some of his friends that Fukurōdani Volleyball Team has one of the rising top aces of Japan and he admits to himself he wants to see the ace play in person. 

Squeaks of shoes and shouts from players could be heard outside the gym. He hesitantly walked inside the gym and he was astonished by the gym's interior. He could say this gym is three times bigger than Mori and the bleachers are way more plenty. He was fascinated to see the volleyball court in the gym and he could say the school supports the Volleyball Team very well, unlike his. 

"Hey hey hey!" His thoughts were disrupted as he heard a shout, rather a howl, from the middle of the court which made him look in that direction. There he saw a guy with spikey greyish-whitish hair with black streaks (he doesn't know what is the proper description for it) with both arms raised. He saw the guy cheered for himself and spiked the ball in a straight line over the net and scored. "Did you see that Konoha?" The loud guy asked the dirty-blonde haired guy beside him who is rolling his eyes but nodding.

He continued watching and he could say he is amazed, or something more than that. He could see how passionate Bokuto plays that made him smile while watching the loud boy spike. 

The loud guy then turned to look at the gym's entrance where he is standing and he could say that the loud guy looks like an owl, 'if that is even possible', he thought. He felt weird as the owl guy stared at him with his golden eyes but in a good way weird, which kind of scared him. 

He could see the owl guy was about to speak, but a dirty-blonde haired guy, who he presumed was named Konoha, called his attention. "Hey! Bokuto, what the hell are you looking at?" The dirty blonde-haired looked in the direction where Bokuto was looking and was about to speak as well when the referee blew his whistle and called their attention since they were still playing.

Bokuto, whose name he had heard from the latter guy, stared at him longer and grinned before continuing to play again. He felt flustered and decided to step out of the gym before he embarrassed himself more. He continued exploring the school and went home with a decision in his mind on where he would attend high school in April.

"Don't expect that I won't ask you questions about the recommendations, Keiji." His mother said with a smile as they ate dinner. He knows his mother is excited for him, especially when she saw the recommendations. She would always say that she will support his dreams (as long as they were harmless) no matter what which made him smile and more determined to attend one of the recommended schools.

Ever since his parents got divorced when he was 8, he stopped believing in things such as soulmates and dreams. As a kid, it was his dream to find his soulmate and learn to love the person with his all. He dreamed of falling in love and being loved by his soulmate, but all was flushed down the drain when he saw his father with another woman in his parents' bedroom. It was kind of traumatic for him and he knows it is more traumatic to his mother who saw it as well.

He and his mother decided to move to Tokyo where his grandparents wholeheartedly took them in. When he was 12, his mother was able to rent a house for the two of them near his grandparents' house. Now that he's 15, he visits them every other day and were proud when they know about the recommendations he received from the two schools.

"I'm telling you, you should go to Fukurōdani, Kei-kun." His grandmother told him when he visited them the day before yesterday. His grandfather nodded in agreement and smiled. "We graduated there and that's where I met my soulmate, your grandmother." He stopped the urge to groan whenever his grandparents reminisce about their past, but he is happy for them and grateful they are his grandparents.

"I remembered how I knew your grandmother is my soulmate. I was part of the varsity in basketball back then and we were playing against Nekoma High. Things were great until a cheeky bastard intentionally bumped me hard when I was screening which made a big impact on my chest and made me twist my ankle which caused a large bruise."

Akaashi frowned as this was the first time he heard about the prior events of his grandparents' love story. He didn't even know his grandfather was a varsity player until now. 

"Your grandfather was just careless at that time, you know him. Anyways, he was brought to the infirmary and I was with him because I was their team manager. Since the nurse was not present, I tend to his swollen bruised ankle. He was crying because of the pain, by the way." He saw how his grandfather glared at his grandmother playfully with the memory.

"He was too shy to be tended by their team manager and we argued a little bit until I decided to give up on tending your stubborn grandfather. I was actually nervous and worried back then because I liked your grandfather when he entered the team. I was about to leave the infirmary when your grandfather suddenly called me when he noticed the bruise on my ankle located on the same ankle he has."

"I asked her where did she get that. Okay, you can't blame me, I was attracted to your grandmother when we became friends and I was hella worried when I saw her injury. I didn't even think of the soulmates thing at that time. She frowned at me and told me why would she have a bruise if she didn't trip but she felt a little pain on it. And something clicked in me and asked her to check her chest if she has a big bruise."

"I thought your grandfather was a pervert for telling me that like come on, your guy friend telling you to check your chest out of the blue. I was about to hit him when he removed his shirt and I saw his fresh bruise on his chest. I decided to check mine in the restroom if I had the bruise as well and then poof, we have the same 'soulmark' on our right foot. And the bruises did give me pain a bit that's why starting that day, I always scolded him to take care of his body more." 

His grandfather laughed which made his grandmother glare playfully but laugh as well. "Good thing that small bruises didn't hurt at all but left marks. If those bruises stung, I would really kill you. Lucky for you for having that unique sunflower mark." She said jokingly. 

"Even without the soulmates thing, I would continue to love you, honey. And I would pray for my next life to find and love you again and again." He saw how his grandfather took her grandmother's hand and kissed it. 

He just heard the whole story of his grandparents' love story now but even if he did not believe in those things anymore, he felt happy for them. "And maybe you might find yours there as well, Kei-kun. You're bound to meet the person anyways." His grandmother teased him, and that made him groan. 

"Well?" His mother's voice interrupted his memory about the conversation he had with his grandparents and gave a half-smile at his mother. "Gyms in Fukurōdani are way better than Suzumeoka."

Chapter Text

Bokuto Kōtarō [木兎 光太郎]

He raised his arms and let out a satisfying sigh. He always felt good after playing volleyball with his teammates and friends. He is the ace after all. He enjoys playing volleyball and enjoyed it more as his teammates trusted and supported him to his goal; of course, he wouldn't forget that it was also because of his teammates that formed him into this. 

But there were some days where he would get down. And no one seems to understand him. They managed to cheer him up in those times, yes, but he felt he wasn't understood that well. He yearns for that feeling but he tries to set it aside since volleyball comes first, it always comes fìrst no matter what. 

"Bokuto, do you remember the guy earlier?" Konoha asked him as they were mopping the gym's floor, it was the duty of first years after all. "What guy?" He asked as he frowned. "The one you were ogling at earlier. The skinny guy with black curls." He suddenly remembered the unfamiliar guy who stood by the entrance earlier. He knows the guy wasn't from his academy for he has not seen him anywhere. And he could see the visitor pass the guy was holding earlier. "Oh yeah, what about him? You know him?" He asked as he finished mopping. 

"Nah, but it seems like he was that one player that was given a recommendation by the academy," Konoha said as he fixed the mops. "Is that so?! Then he must be good! Do you know his name? His position??" He exclaimed that it made Konoha squint his eyes from the loudness his friend is emitting.

"Shut up, Bokuto. It's already past 6 and you're being too loud," Konoha sighed, "but anyway, I don't know his name nor his position. But I bet he's good." Bokuto groaned in disappointment but grinned. 

"I hope he's a setter so he could set for me, the ace of the volleyball team." Konoha rolled his eyes but smiled as he tapped his friend's back. "I have a good feeling that he is. But you should be better than you are now, you're our ace after all." 

He walked home alone but this wasn't new to him. No one of his teammates nor friends lives in his area but he could say he feels kind of jealous of his friends who walk home together, but not that he really minded in the first place. 

 As he entered his home, he was surprised to see his mother cooking dinner by the kitchen. "Koutarou? Is that you?" His mother called and he walked into the kitchen and kissed his mother's cheeks. "Hai, you're home early. Something happened, Mom?" He asked as he started setting up the table. She shook her head and smiled at him. 

They ate together and he told stories of how his school and practice went, which was kind of new to him since he was used with his parents going home later than 8 PM on weekdays. 

After helping in fixing up the table, he bid goodnight to his mother and went up. "Koutaro! Don't forget your medicine before you sleep! And stop being careless! Think about your soulmate!" 

He sighed as he removed his clothes and went to the shower. It was like that every day and sometimes, he just wants her mom to stop reminding him about the soulmate thing. 

Not that he has grudges about it, hell, he could see how happy his parents when together and do sweet things whenever they come home from work which made him happy as well. But having a "soulmate" could be a hindrance to volleyball, which he dislikes to think about. 

Yes, he has some friends outside the volleyball but he feels that they don't understand what volleyball really meant to him. That's why he spends most of his time with Konoha, Saru, Komi, and Washio who somehow understands the meaning of volleyball to him. But no one was constantly there for him, especially when he wants to extend his practices, which he understands since his friends have their own lives as well. 

And there goes why he doesn't want to think about his soulmate. What if that person doesn't share the same enthusiasm towards volleyball as he does? What if his soulmate doesn't support him at all? Or what if his soulmate couldn't understand his love for volleyball? Or just couldn't understand him? It's exhausting to think about it. 

Then again, he doubts himself if he is capable of loving someone at all. He thinks he isn't due to the fact that he focuses too much on volleyball - he has plans on becoming a pro volleyball player after high school. 

He thinks he isn't ready yet, especially with the pressure of taking care of someone else if he couldn't take care of himself properly. 

He changed into his sleeping clothes and decided to lie down on his bed rather than answering his homework; he could copy anyways and he could not see the essence of studying, especially in Mathematics. Who the hell wants that subject anyways? 

After scrolling on his phone multiple times, he decided to sleep until he noticed those marks on his left wrist again. He was sure it wasn't his and it's from his 'soulmate'. He frowned deeply as he started caressing the long scars. It's been a week since he had that and they either disappear or are replaced by another one the coming week. He sighed, thinking what's wrong with the soulmate of his. 

'I may or may not want to meet you, but I hope you're doing fine.' He thought after drifting to sleep. 

Chapter Text

Akaashi Keiji [赤葦 京治] 

He fixed his tie for the nth time before putting on his blazer. He woke up very early today, even had the time to set up breakfast for him and his mother, and now he's been pacing in his room for almost an hour and been fiddling his fingers too much. 

"Keiji dear, you need to leave soon. You might be late on your first day of school." He heard her mother outside his room and sighed. He admits he's been too nervous since yesterday to the point he couldn't finish his dinner. 

He sighed as he grabbed his bag and went outside his room. He bid goodbye to his mother and started walking to the bus terminal. Good thing his new school is just a 15-minute ride from the terminal. 

While setting himself down on the 3rd row of the bus, he read texts from some of his friends from middle school, wishing him good luck, to which he replied. He kind of missed them, not that he had many friends back then, only a teammate of his and a  lovely couple who decided to study somewhere else. He's a reserved person after all, and he knew how people talk behind him back then which made him kind of nervous today, surprisingly.

He may look like he doesn't give a shit at all - well, sometimes he doesn't - but deep inside there were times that he becomes worried about how others look at him. Maybe it was because of the times he was picked on before until he learned not to look like he gives a shit or two (and again, sometimes he doesn't give a shit). 

Until they branded him as a snobby, full-of-himself, cold-hearted setter of the volleyball team. Some tried not to associate with him, except for his three friends and he was happier to stay it that way. They accepted him, especially with him being a straightforward person. 

Yes, there were some love confessions from here and there, but people mostly tried not to approach him especially when girls knew he all turned down the love confessions. He'd rather study and play volleyball than spending it romantically with people who have soulmates ahead of them. 

And he doesn't care if one of them happened to be his (or he doesn't feel at all that it was one of them.) 

The bus halted to his designated stop and he took a deep breath as he got off the bus and started walking towards the school in his view. 

As he walked inside the gates, he looked at the cherry blossoms in awe. It was common for schools to have cherry blossoms, especially on months like April when the trees bloom, but it didn't stop him from admiring them. He stopped for a while and looked up with his eyes closed, letting some petals fall onto his face that made him smile. 

He sighed in content as he continued walking until he reached the school grounds. 'I hope you treat me well for the next three years of my life, Fukurōdani.'

After the opening ceremony and the required introduction rites for his batch as a welcome to the academy, they were instructed to find and go to their designated classrooms. He double-checked the list and started walking to his designated section, Class 1-6. 

As he went inside, he noticed that the only seat left was near the window and made his way without interrupting his classmates. He was glad no one noticed him and decided to listen on his playlist until their sensei came. 

Just like what he expected on his first day of school, introduction and classroom rules until the bell rang, indicating it's already their break time. He noticed some of his classmates already knew each other and it was not disappointing for him when no one approached him, he didn't try to approach someone else as well so he decided to go to the cafeteria alone. 

He entered the cafeteria and he was kind of surprised to see it wasn't jam-packed like his former school, but students were plenty enough to fill the cafeteria. After all, his new school is an exclusive one. 

He dragged himself and decided to buy himself an onigiri before walking outside the cafeteria. Since he still has at least 30 minutes before classes, he went to visit the volleyball gym. 

The same sounds of sneakers and shouts could be heard, just like the last time he visited. He frowned, thinking why would they be practicing while it's lunchtime. He took a peek silently, trying not to be noticed by others and saw that they were not practicing but rather playing with each other on their school uniforms. 

He continued standing silently as he watched some familiar faces playing. "Konoha!" Akaashi looked at the right side of the court where Bokuto, from what he remembered, is shouting loudly. He saw Konoha set the ball and Bokuto spike over the net with the other team not receiving the ball. 

He saw how Bokuto cheered for himself which echoed throughout the gym which made him smile somehow. 'He could surely be a handful of a teammate, with that loud voice and energetic and passionate vibes which made me choose this school anyway,' he thought. 

"Saru! Have you seen that? Have you seen that?" He saw how Bokuto asked childishly that made him chuckle. He saw how the Saru guy rolled his eyes but laughed as he nodded. "But you have a long way to go, ace-sama," He heard how the Saru guy teased that made the other two guys laugh with Bokuto squinting his eyes and holding his chest dramatically. "Saru!" 

He was about to go back to his classroom when heard Bokuto's loud voice again. "Hey hey hey! Do you already saw the first year who will join us?" This made him stop, knowing who Bokuto was talking about. He saw the other guys shake their heads and shrug. "Coach doesn't want to tell me his name!" Bokuto whined that made the other guys sigh. 

"Even if coach tells you his name, you don't even know how he looks like. And I'm already blessing the poor kid's soul for your loud voice." Konoha said that made Bokuto frown and cross his arms on his chest. "Why are you so mean Konoha? I just want to know him badly." He just saw Konoha shrugged and shook his head.

He started walking back to his classroom, asking himself why would a top ace like Bokuto wants to know him badly. He's just a mere setter, nothing more, nothing less. 

Chapter Text

Bokuto Kōtarō [木兎 光太郎]

He smiled as he walked out of his house. He felt excited for the first day of his school as a second-year student. And he would be able to play volleyball with his friends again on their court. 

He could say the school's gym is his third home already, after his current home in Tokyo and his grandparents' home in Akita. He couldn't wait to play again, despite some of his seniors having graduated already. And that was okay for him, so much better.

He put on his headphones as he walked to the bus terminal near his home and continued smiling as his playlist started booming through his ears. He smiled along the way, not minding how early it was, which is unusual for him. He just really felt good today. 

As he went down on his stop, he decided to grab some breakfast first on the nearest fast-food chain since he forgot to eat earlier due to his happiness. And he is already expecting his mother to scold him later. 

He hummed his favorite song as he walked in the school gates with a breakfast burger in his hand until something unusual caught his eye. No, it wasn't unusual, but something bizarre by the cherry blossoms some meters away from him.

He saw an unfamiliar guy looking up at the sky with eyes closed and a smile on his face as the petals fall. He didn't realize he was staring too long as he was enthralled by the view. He had never seen someone as ethereal and calm as the guy. 

He felt as if the view was made for him to gaze at and that the time has stopped - like how he felt with the first spike he made when he was younger. And he took note of how the petals complement the guy - like the petals are made to be with the guy as he was born. 

'Pretty,' was the first thing he wanted to say and he was about to approach the guy until he felt a smack on his back and heard a loud laugh beside him.

"You look stupid, Bokuto! Like that is something new." Bokuto looked beside him and squinted his eyes as he saw Konoha and Komi laughing. "What are you gawking at? You've been standing too long there and staring like a lovestruck teenager watching the cherry blossoms." 

He looked at the cherry blossoms again but to his dismay, the guy was gone and he was unable to approach him. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. "At least I'm not like a drama queen you are, Komi." He muttered and started walking. His two friends followed and they started catching up with his mind clouded by the cherry blossom boy. 

'I hope it's not just some hallucination or something and I'll see him again.' 

Classes went by and he released a happy sigh when his last class for the day dismissed them. He's been waiting to practice volleyball with his teammates and the awaited announcement of their coach about their new teammate. 

He went inside the gym with his friends and greeted his upperclassmen teammates. "Have you seen the new first-year member?" He heard from one of the third-years which caught his attention. The current captain of the team shook his head. "But I know his name. It's--" 

A whistle was heard that signaled them their coach's presence and all of them stopped talking and went to greet their coach.

"Yukippe, is the new member here?" Bokuto asked Yukie, one of their team managers and his classmate, and saw Yukie shrugged with a smile. "Why? Afraid your ace position would be taken away?" Yukie teased that made him groan. Kaori, one of the team managers, appeared beside Yukie, and laughed lightly. "I guess Bokuto-kun will be replaced then," Kaori added which made the two girls laugh.  

"Ooooh, so the new member is an ace then." Konoha appeared beside him with a teasing smile that made him groan again. "I don't mind if he's an ace." He muttered. "Even if he is better than you, ace-sama?" Sarukui added that made the other four students laugh. Bokuto didn't mind them as it is in their nature to annoy him in times like this. He doesn't even feel threatened because he's too excited to meet the newest member and he doesn't know why.  

"It's good to see you all in good condition, I suppose you have not stopped working out on your break. But anyway, as I said two months ago, the volleyball team had recruited a first-year student who will be joining us this year. I am not sure if you have seen him play, but I know he has the potential to bring our team in Nationals and a pillar to our team ace." 

All eyes looked at Bokuto with a grin and he widened his eyes. 'Could it be a new....setter?' He asked himself which made him more excited. 

The coach turned to his back and called their new teammate. And the team was beyond surprised when they heard him shout.  

"Cherry Blossom Boy?!" He said rather loudly. 

Saru and Komi tried to stifle their laughs as they saw the new teammate's face fluster from Bokuto's unexpected greeting. Konoha couldn't contain his laugh and started wheezing beside him. "Damn, what a first impression to make Bokuto!" 

The coach, the captain, and the team managers facepalmed at how he acted but he didn't mind, the boy earlier was real. "I was kind of expecting something like this would happen," Kaori muttered and Yukie couldn't agree less, knowing how their friend acts. 

"Uhm, I would prefer if people call me by my name, Bokuto-san," the cherry blossom boy said after coughing and he became more thrilled when he heard the boy knew him.

"I am Akaashi Keiji, from Class 1-6. My current position is a setter and I am looking forward to playing with you all. " Akaashi bowed at them politely and their other teammates greeted Akaashi with a smile and hellos but Bokuto didn't stop from his unexpected greeting earlier. 

"HEY HEY HEY AGHASHIIII! SET FOR ME!" He shouted that made their coach shake his head while his friends laughed as they shook their heads. But he didn't mind. He was too delighted to have a new setter for the team and that the cherry blossom boy was real. 

"Yah! Don't get too excited, Bokuto! We need to warm up first." The captain scolded but smiled lightly when he saw their ace in this state, especially after what happened last school year. 

He doesn't want the team to experience the same "hell" under his care. 

The rest of the team laughed at Bokuto's antics and Akaashi was then again flustered from his excitement but gave him a polite smile. "After the warm-up, Bokuto-san. I would gladly set for you. And again, it's Akaashi, not Aghaashe." 

Bokuto felt something churning in his stomach but grinned to Akaashi as he heard the boy's words. It was a good day, indeed. 

Chapter Text

Akaashi Keiji [赤葦 京治] 

Before warming up, one of the team managers handed him his volleyball uniform and his jacket. "Hello! I am Yukie Shirofuku but you might hear Bokuto and the others call me Yukippe. I'm one of their team managers here and a second-year already. If you need anything, just ask me or Kaori over there." Yukie said with a smile. 

"Oh, and I apologize for Bokuto's behavior earlier. He's just really like that, an energetic owl boy. But I'm sure you'll enjoy playing with him! That's like his charm or something." Yukie added and he nodded. 

"It's okay, Yukie-san. I've seen him play in a match two months ago when I visited. He's actually the reason why I chose Fukurōdani." He muttered. 

Yukie looked like she wanted to ask more but grinned at him. "That's good to hear then! If ever you have problems within the team, just tell me and Kaori and we'll beat them up." Yukie said that made him smile genuinely. 

"Thank you, Yukie-san. I guess they are not... dangerous, if I may say it in an inoffensive way." He said as he eyed his new teammates, happily chatting with each other. He heard Yukie laugh loudly that caught the attention of the other team manager and some of his teammates. 

"Don't worry, they don't bite. But I might as well give you a heads up on Bokuto there." He looked at Bokuto who's doing some spiking in the air as he was talking one of his teammates. He still doesn't know some of their names anyway. He frowned at Yukie's words. 

"Why? Is there something wrong with Bokuto-san?" He asked. 

'He looks fine, like very fine. I mean in physical matters, at least.' He thought and noticed that one of his teammates, Konoha, went beside Yukie. 

"There's nothing wrong with him, he just got this 'mood swings' at times to the point that he gets dejected and ruin the flow of his game at times." Konoha filled in. 

"My name's Konoha Akinori, by the way. A second-year like Yukie-chan and Bokuto. A wing spiker." He bowed towards the dirty-blonde guy in front of him and heard Konoha laughed. "No need to be so formal, Akaashi!" 

He nodded and looked back at Bokuto who's talking animatedly with their libero. "When he's in this 'mood swings' of his, you bench him out?" He asked. Konoha shook his head. "Nah, we just cheer him up when he's on his 'emo mode'. But we don't want to repeat what happened last season. That was hellish." 

He frowned. "What happened last season?" He asked, but before he could receive an answer, the captain called their attention and he hurriedly went to the lockers and changed to his new jersey. 

He was instructed to watch his teammates first and he could say that they are good, too good that he became nervous when the coach called him to set for his teammates. 

"Don't worry 'Kaashi! I know you'll do great!" He heard Bokuto beside him and the owl boy grinned at him. And somehow, he stopped fiddling with his fingers and nodded. "Thank you, Bokuto-san." The owl boy grinned widely and gave him a pat on his shoulder. 

His teammates lined up and he started setting for them. And he received praise and thanks from his teammates and words of encouragement that made his nervousness dissipate more. 

"Hey hey hey!! I never felt so good in spiking with that set 'Kaashi! Set me more! Set me more!" Bokuto shouted that made some of their teammates laugh at Bokuto's action. He could say Bokuto resembles a rowdy child and he thinks it's kinda cute. 

'Wait, what.' He shook his head mentally.

Despite all the praises he received from their other teammates, he felt flustered inside after Bokuto's words and he didn't know why. But he remained calm and nodded politely to Bokuto. He might have just felt overwhelmed since he was able to set for good players like them, especially Bokuto. 

The practice continued until the coach dismissed them. Some of his teammates introduced themselves to him afterward and he realized he was the only first-year in the team. He didn't mind and he didn't feel inferior because of his teammates' warm welcome to him. 

But his mind couldn't forget Konoha's words earlier and it ticked him, to say the least. He wanted to ask Konoha but he went home earlier than others. He wanted to know how hellish that thing could be. He could ask Bokuto but he could say that hellish thing is connected with their ace and he didn't want to trigger him. 

"AGHAASHE!! Where do you go home?" He was baffled as he heard the owl boy in the locker room but gave him a curt nod as a greeting. "I take the bus heading to the east, Bokuto-san." He said as he zipped up his jacket and slung his bag. 

"Really? That's where I ride too! Finally, a bus buddy!" Bokuto cheered. He frowned in confusion and Bokuto noticed that. "Our teammates usually ride the train, ride the bus to the west, or walk to the north. I was the only one who rides the bus to the east until you arrived!" He nodded and kind of felt bad that Bokuto has to go home alone since then. Not like he has some friends to walk home with before. 

"Do you want to go home together or you have other plans to attend to? I mean as much as I want to go home with a teammate of mine, I don't want to interfere with your plans." Bokuto said and he wasn't expecting Bokuto to be this considerate. He thought Bokuto was the kind of guy who gets what he wants no matter what. 

"I don't have any other plans, Bokuto-san. We can go home together starting today if you want unless you have prior plans as well." He said and Bokuto cheered once again. 

"Yay! As a mini welcome celebration, I'll treat you to the nearest convenience store at the terminal! I won't take no for an answer!" Bokuto said and before he could say any words, Bokuto started skipping outside the gym. He sighed but smiled as he started walking outside as well. 

"'Kaashi, tell me more about yourself," Bokuto said after biting on his dorayaki he bought at the convenience store earlier. They are currently waiting on the terminal since they were unable to catch the bus earlier. 

He took the last bite on his onigiri Bokuto bought for him earlier. "There's nothing much about me, really." He muttered. "I just used to be a setter in my previous school, Mori Middle School. Fukurodani and Suzumeoka gave me a recommendation letter and here I am now." 

"Ehhh? Sorry, I haven't heard the school's name before. But it means you're really good if the school gave you a recommendation letter!" Bokuto said. "Good thing Nekoma didn't give you a recommendation letter or else you won't be studying here! Speaking about that, I should introduce you to Kuroo!" 

Bokuto continued talking about the Kuroo guy who is his friend and is studying in Nekoma. He suddenly remembered an acquaintance of his from his summer classes that has plans on studying in Nekoma. 

"Are you sure you are friends with this so-called Kuroo?" He managed to ask that made Bokuto laugh. Bokuto had just told his story about their summer camp training last year where Kuroo pushed him by the pond as a prank.

Bokuto laughed. "Of course! Don't worry, I dumped a bucket of ice on his bed head on our last day of training as revenge. That's just usual of him but he's really good and reliable! He's really good at volleyball too! You should meet him soon!" Bokuto said as he listened. 

"I couldn't wait to meet this pain-in-the-ass Kuroo-san." He muttered sarcastically to which Bokuto laughed. He was about to apologize for the rude remark, but it seemed like Bokuto agreed with him which made him smile. 

The bus arrived and Bokuto continued talking, telling more stories of their past games and just random things that made him feel like he was filled with last year's information and happenings. He also learned that they have the same stop. And that Bokuto just healed from a wrist sprain. 

But he didn't hear anything related to the hellish thing Konoha had mentioned earlier. And decided just to ignore it and wait until Bokuto was comfortable enough to tell him that.  

"See ya' tomorrow 'Kaashi! It's nice going home with you!" Bokuto bid goodbye after they walked down to their stop. "See you tomorrow as well, Bokuto-san." He said. 

Bokuto gave him a wide smile before walking to the opposite side of the street. He clutched the strap of his bag and walked in the other direction with a small smile playing on his face. 

Chapter Text

Bokuto Kōtarō [木兎 光太郎]

"Kuroo! Ahk--!" He shouted as he dumped himself on his bed while accidentally hitting his leg on one of the bed legs. He just finished his usual routine every night and thankfully, no one was out there, shouting at him to be careful. Or scolding him for forgetting breakfast earlier.

"Bokubro! Eh-- Are you okay?" He heard his friend asked and he just laughed. "Yes, sorry I hit my leg on the bed leg." He muttered and a laugh was heard on the other line. 

"And I'm not hearing your mother in the background? Wow, that's new." He rolled his eyes but sat down properly on his bed. "Anyways, what do you want to talk about? Oh, Kenma says hello." Kuroo continued and he could hear some clicking sounds of a game console from the background noise. 

"Hi Kenmaaaa! But bro! I just want to tell you we've got a new setter!" He said excitedly and started bragging about the team's new setter. 

"Oya? You sure you're not imagining things, Bokuto? You did know what happened last time." Kuroo chided. He sighed but he knows his friend is just concerned. 

"I'm not imagining, you rooster-head! He's real and the only first-year in the team." He said as he smiled at the early encounter. 

"I'm just concerned, with all the shits happened last time, you know? But anyway, what's his name? And how come he's the only first-year? Kuroo asked. 

"His name is Akaashi Keiji! I don't know why he's the only first-year as well. Maybe no one was as good as me?" He bragged which earned a sarcastic grunt from the other line. 

"Akaashi, you say? I think I've heard that name somewhere." Kuroo said which made him frown. "You know him?" He asked. 

"Not me. I think I've heard that name from Kenma once or twice. But I couldn't disturb him right now bro, he's busy fighting some evil boss in his game." Bokuto hummed in understanding. 

"So tell me more about this Akaashi Keiji. You look like you have so many stories to tell." Kuroo said with a chuckle. "Weeell, he's an amazing setter. He looks mysterious, to be honest. And he's really silent and he looks cold but he could give you the kindest smile the world has to offer! He has blue eyes, or was that green? It's something in between that. And he has like these long eyelashes! And I've noticed he has long fingers. He has longer fingers than mine. And we ride the same bus! He said he came from Mori Middle School, I don't know where that is, though. And, and, he just looks pretty if I'm being honest." 

"Okay, chill bro. Too much info in just one day. You just met him just today, right?" Kuroo asked in which he hummed. 

"And you sound like a lovesick teenager who's having his first crush. Really, how did you even notice his fingers and eyes? Especially the long eyelashes bro. You are a creep." Kuroo laughed. 

 "I am technically a teenager. And I'm not a creep! You know how great I am. And we will beat you up. Periodt." Bokuto smirked despite being on the phone. 

"In your dreams, owlboy. You may have forgotten that Kenma is already a part of our team and you should probably prepare your owl-ass goodbye to Nationals. No one could be better than this little kitten over -- hey! That actually hurts!" Kuroo groaned in pain as a loud thud was heard. "Then stop calling me kitten, Kuro." Kenma could be heard from the background that made Bokuto laugh. 

"Wow, daily episodes of an old couple's lover's quarrel," He said sarcastically which made Kuroo coughed a bit. "Brokuto, I actually need to tell you something," Kuroo said which caught his attention. "Wait."

"Hey Kitten, I'll be going home. I'll see you tomorrow. And don't let me drag you out of your bed again." Kuroo said. "One more kitten and I would not think twice in shoving this console on your mouth." Kuroo's laugh could be heard over the phone that was replaced by fast-paced footsteps. 

"Bro, you still there?" Kuroo asked to which he hummed. "So what's up?" He asked, knowing it's one of the rare times Kuroo talks seriously. 

"It's about Kenma. I... I think he's my soulmate." Kuroo muttered. "I'm not sure, yet, but I don't think it's a coincidence that we have the same cat scratches on our right biceps. And I don't even own a cat but he does." 

He frowned. As much as he doesn't really care about soulmates, he was concerned for his friend. "How long have you known about this?" He asked. "About a month? I want to try risking myself by harming my body to prove it but I don't want to inflict any pain if ever he is my soulmate or to anyone who's my soulmate," Kuroo answered. 

He felt guilty because he couldn't even think like Kuroo when it came to this kind of thing. He wasn't thinking of his soulmate when he was risking his body on volleyball. Especially with the wrist sprain and other bruises on his body. 

But it's not like his soulmate is careful with the long scratches on their wrist. So he thinks it's just fair enough. 

"You do know that we have soul marks to prove those, " He said as a matter of fact. Kuroo groaned. "Ugh, if only this soulmate thing is easy to distinguish like writing marks on the body then I would draw a dick on my face and know who my soulmate is." Bokuto started wheezing. 

"If only it was that easy then I'm praying over for your dead body after. Then why not get a dick tattoo on your face?" He continued laughing. 

"Such a meanie. But I'm serious! And may I inform you that my soul mark is located near my groin. And that would be the same spot as my soulmate's soulmark! That's a spot to look at and it would look weird if I look at Kenma's secretly." Kuroo said. 

"I thought you and Kenma were already a thing, to be honest. I even thought you're each other's soulmate." He said. It was no lie, especially the first time he met Kenma when Kuroo brought him on one of their monthly hangouts. 

"And that's another issue. I don't know if I like Kenma. Like, something romantically or more than friends. I've been with him since we were kids and he's practically like a brother or if I've just grown attached to him. And I don't know if he feels like that too or if it's just a one-sided thing." Kuroo said. 

He frowned. He did think that Kuroo liked Kenma, it was so obvious to someone oblivious like him. He would always see how Kuroo prioritizes Kenma before anyone else, even Kuroo himself. But he never thought his friend would be more oblivious. 

"What would you feel if you knew Kenma started dating someone else or liked someone romantically?" He asked after a moment of silence. 

"I.... may be weirded out since he looks like he isn't interested in those kinds. But hypothetically, it feels like I want to puke and just lie down on my bed as I stare at nothingness if that were to happen." Kuroo blurted out. 

"Like there's something in me that feels awful or something that goes between that line. I'm... We're just too attached and it's like we are 'meant' to stay with each other right from the start. I couldn't bear to imagine he would be with someone else, given that he's antisocial." Kuroo continued.

"Then I guess you have the answer to your question." He said and chuckled a little. Kuroo was awfully quiet until he sighed. "This is more than brotherly or friendly love, right?" Kuroo muttered.

"Then again, I might not be his soulmate and it would be too risky to confess even if I am sure about what I feel for him. Ugh, why is this more complicated than Physics." Kuroo groaned. 

"Wow, I never thought you will feel confused about this love thing. You look like a ladies' man, to be honest. Wait, no. You look more like a player." 

"So you believe in what Yaku and the others say? Geez. I don't have any experiences in relationships, you dumb owl, let alone love. I couldn't even think of that, especially when I see this black cat mark on my inner thigh." Kuroo groaned again.

He suddenly looked at his arms. Some of the scars are fading and he was kinda thankful those were not permanent. He thought about Kuroo's words and it made him feel more awful when he imagined being in Kuroo's position. And he likes someone who has only a small probability of being his soulmate.

"To be honest, it would be better if this soulmate thing had not occurred at all. And we're just free to love anyone without this soulmate limiting us from what we really want to do or from someone we really like." Bokuto muttered.

"Agreed." They both sighed. 

Chapter Text

Kuroo Tetsurou [黒尾 鉄朗]

Kuroo could say he is kind of relieved after telling his troubles to one of his closest friends. And he somehow got some answers from his confusion the past months.

He couldn't tell Yaku or Kai about it, not because he is ashamed of it but he doesn't know if they will understand, he couldn't even understand himself. And they would probably laugh about it.

And knowing Bokuto who may look like a childish owl-human form with childish antics, there were times that the owl boy knows what to say, just like earlier.

He threw himself on the bed with a sigh and stared at his ceiling while thinking of Kenma, cats, and the scratch on his right bicep.

He wants to meet his soulmate as soon as possible so he can spend the rest of his life with his soulmate and give all of his to the one destined for him. That was his main and final goal in his life, apart from his volleyball life and career.

He may look like a "ladies' man" outside but deep inside, he was craving to know who his soulmate is.

But his surfacing feelings towards the pudding head boy make him think of his goal again. Especially when he saw a glimpse of the younger's arm. With the same scratch and all. And he was still not sure if they were that identical.

Having the presence of Kenma since they were young, he admits he grew fond of the boy. Being neighbors and childhood friends, they would do things together. He couldn't even imagine himself not attending the same schools with Kenma until college. He could say he liked the idea of having a little brother like Kenma.

Even before entering Nekoma last year, he was having doubts to attend the school. Not only would he leave Kenma behind, but because Kenma might not even study there next year. So he made sure that Kenma would choose Nekoma despite the whines he got from the latter for him to stop.

His father would tease him about it from time to time. His father is used to him and Kenma hanging out at each other's houses, and he could say his father grew fond of the Kozumes' presence, especially Kenma's.

The older Kuroo would also scold him and tell him to take care of his "future son-in-law," which he would just snort about. But his father didn't need to tell him twice, he would always look out after Kenma no matter what.

With the questions Bokuto had asked him earlier, it was now clearer than the sky and sea during the daytime.

He has a crush on Kenma or something more than that. And he hasn't seen him as his little brother since then, it was deeper than that all this time.

And he wished it was the pudding boy that was destined to him.

Morning came and as expected, Kenma was still asleep when he dropped by the house next door. He refrained from groaning as he went to the younger's room and as expected, Kenma was still wrapped up on his blankets like a burrito.

'Cute,' he thought and went to shake the younger male's body.

"Go away, whoever evil boss you are. I'll defeat you later." He heard Kenma mutter with his eyes closed and scrunched nose. He tried not to laugh and restrained himself from pinching the younger male's cheeks.

'Stop being so cute, you kitten.'

After several attempts of waking Kenma up, they were ready to go to school. "Kuro, what were you and Bokuto talking about?"

He got caught off because this wasn't like Kenma who doesn't give a shit on 'dumbass things' he does with Bokuto to ask what they were even talking about last night.

"Oh, uh, he was telling me about the new setter they have. And he sounds like a lovestruck teenager over the phone gushing about his crush. I think I've heard the name before from you. Akaashi Keiji?" Kuroo said since it was not a lie that they talked about that.

Kenma glanced at him as if he doubted him but faced front again as they continued walking. "I know one Akaashi Keiji, don't know if it's the same person. Back from the summer class you and my mother forced me into." Kenma grumbled to which he laughed.

He remembered how Kenma's mother told him to persuade the younger male in joining the art class nearby last summer. He would gladly join, but he has volleyball priorities at that time in Nekoma. And he's not into art.

"He's a good artist, I must say, though we didn't choose the same style of art. He chose painting while I chose digital art. And I chose to sit beside that Akaashi since he was.... more silent, unlike the others who have loud voices like you and Bokuto." Kenma said.

"Hey! I'm not loud like Bokuto who's howling every time!" Kenma just gave him a doubting look to which he rolled his eyes. "Okay, sometimes I get too loud, but you can't compare me to Bokuto."

Kenma just chuckled. "If that's the same person Bokuto talking about, I admire Akaashi's patience. He looks like the type who couldn't stand noisy surroundings since he also chose to sit beside me in that hell-of-an-art-class you baited me in." Kenma muttered.

"You baited yourself in. But I still bought you that game, you know. I even emptied out my allowance last month just to buy that." Lie. He really intended to buy the game for Kenma. Even without the summer class.

"Serves you right, Kuro." Kenma smiled and his mind went blank.

And he just realizes now how lovestruck he really is. And how doomed he was.

Two weeks have passed since the day he realized he was in love with Kenma and he tried to act naturally especially when they are alone. Tried.

He wasn't sure if Kenma noticed a thing, but the younger male didn't confront him about it. And didn't ask him whenever he goes straight to his home instead of staying over at Kenma's after school.

They were used to hanging out in each other's houses after school, mostly in Kenma's, since the said male was too lazy to move. And now, he's trying to remove the routine so as to remove his feelings.

He's trying to detach himself from the pudding-head boy since he doesn't know how to contain himself anymore.

He might suddenly blurt out his feelings to Kenma that could be the end of their friendship. And he felt sick whenever he thought about Kenma being disgusted with him 

Though with the probability of having Kenma as his soulmate, he wasn't sure of how the younger thinks about soulmates. If Kenma even wants to find his soulmate.

Even if he could consider himself as one of the closest people to Kenma, he doesn't know what goes through the younger's mind. Even if he could see through the emotions the younger shows, he didn't want to force Kenma to tell him things the younger couldn't tell. And he respected that.

"Kuro, do you want to--"

"Kenma, I need to rush home. Father told me earlier that I need to go home as soon as possible today." It was his 3rd excuse within the week and he felt kind of guilty when Kenma stared at him for a moment or two before nodding.

"Oh, okay. I'll see you tomorrow then." He heard Kenma mutter before walking inside his house. He sighed as Kenma entered his house and started walking on his.

'I'm sorry but I need to remove these feelings so we could go back to normal and I could see you as a friend and nothing more than that.'

But he wasn't expecting it when Kenma went inside his room the next day after school.

"Kenma, you should have told me you're co--"

"I'm sorry." He heard Kenma mutter as the said boy is looking down.

He frowned. "Huh? For what?" He was confused. Kenma hasn't done anything wrong and it should be him who's apologizing for distancing himself.

"You knew, right?" Kenma asked. He felt his stomach suddenly churning as he stared at the boy.

"I knew what?" He played dumb. He doesn't want to take the risk, he couldn't take it if he is wrong with his assumptions about Kenma being his soulmate.

Kenma stared at him for a long time, to which he stared back.

'Don't show any feelings, Tetsurou. He might or might not ask about it. Just stay cool,' he thought. 

Kenma started scrunching up his nose after some while and looked sideways, avoiding his stare.

"You're mad at me because you knew that Yuna scratched you on your arm, right?" Kenma muttered.

"What." He deadpanned.

"....I know how you hate it when something scratches your body and Yuna accidentally scratched you two a month ago or something when you slept over. That's the reason why you're avoiding me, right?"

'Oh.' Kuroo felt dumb. Dumbest of the dumbest of all. He thought they had the same mark. 'How foolish of me.' 

He didn't know what to do or to say to Kenma. He continued staring at the boy with disrupted thoughts about liking Kenma and the soulmate thing. He doesn't know if he would feel relieved or if he would feel worse than in the past weeks. 

But he knew he was disappointed to know Kenma's cat scratched him instead of having the same mark as Kenma. 

"Say something." It was when Kenma muttered that he realized he had spaced out.

He started laughing and he was kinda thankful it sounded natural. "I'm not mad nor avoiding you, kitten. I was just getting tired of school and the pressure in volleyball training." He said and forced a smile.

He looked at Kenma who's staring back at him as if he was not buying his excuse but he heaved a sigh.

"Then don't stop... hanging out with me or something. You are giving the wrong impression that's why I thought you were mad at me." Kenma said.

He just smiled and stood up to ruffle the younger's hair.  "I'm sorry, kitten. Want to play the video game I bought you last summer as my compensation?" He asked. Kenma nodded and gave him a light smile.

"You better be a better teammate than you were after avoiding me, Kuro." He just smiled at Kenma's words as they made their way to the latter's house. 

And somehow, even with the lessened chance of him being Kenma's soulmate, his romantic feelings toward the pudding head didn't falter at all. 

And that's one of the worse things that could happen, he thinks. 

'To hell with these goddamn soulmates.' 

Chapter Text

Akaashi Keiji [赤葦 京治] 

It's been almost two months since he entered the school and he was kind of regretting his decisions in life already. 

He is starting to question why did he end up studying in this school with an ace who is a 5-year-old boy trapped in a teenager's body. 

He looked at Bokuto who was sulking while sitting on the floor with a face towel in his hand. He facepalmed mentally as he stared at the owl boy, knowing it was because of Bokuto's weakness # 3, he was unable to have a good service on the practice game earlier. 

Since he joined the team, with the help of Konoha, he was able to know and witness at least 25 "weaknesses" of Bokuto to which some of them are really absurd. Who even gets depressed by the food in the canteen? Or when he ran out of hair gel to keep his hair up? 

He remembered how the owl ace called him 5 in the morning yesterday just to tell him with a dejected voice that he couldn't attend their morning practice because he doesn't have any stock of hair gel. He had no choice but to bring his untouched hair gel from his bathroom cabinet and gave it to Bokuto when they met on the terminal. 

Konoha even laughed at him when he told the blonde guy about the mental list he had of Bokuto's weaknesses. And really, he needed the list to understand the ace, especially on crucial things like official games. 

"I am actually surprised that you're able to handle this stubborn ace we have." Sarukui once told him and even he was surprised to himself that he was able to handle it. 

Not that he thinks Bokuto as a handful teammate, he's quite the opposite because, after his recovery from his weaknesses, he could still prove to you that he's the reliable ace who would bring the team to victory. 

And that's one of the reasons why he was able to handle Bokuto and his weaknesses. He's an ace he couldn't ask for more and he doesn't mind tending Bokuto's mood swings at times, it also helps him think faster when it comes to rash decisions in games. And Bokuto is a good friend even if he's an upperclassman. He grew fond of the owl boy's presence after all. 

"Bokuto-san." He called and the sulking owl boy looked at him with his golden dejected eyes. He sighed and offered a hand. "Coach said we could do our usual practice while the others take a break. Come on, I'll set for you Bokuto-san." He smiled lightly. 

Bokuto continued looking at him. "Really? You'll do that for me?" The owl boy asked like a child and he nodded. The owl boy took his hand and beamed as he stood up. He tried not to roll his eyes but was glad Bokuto was back to normal. 

But something caught his eyes as Bokuto grabbed his hand. Which made him frown. 

After his and Bokuto's usual extra volleyball practice, Bokuto had invited him to grab something to eat by the convenience first before going home which he gladly accepted. On the way, he let Bokuto talk about his usual rants. From volleyball to the latest chapter of manga the owl boy is reading, which he decided to read as well because of Bokuto. 

Listening to Bokuto's endless rants and stories comforted him somehow, knowing there was someone who was willing to share their thoughts with him without any filter. And it just felt natural to listen to Bokuto every day. 

"Aghaasheee." He turned around beside him as he heard the name given to him by the ace. He hummed in response as he saw the ace typing something on his phone. 

"Are you free this coming Saturday?" Bokuto asked to which he hummed in response. "Kuroo is inviting me to our monthly hangout and this time, it's in his house. Would you like to come?" 

He frowned. It's not like he doesn't want to come but he felt weird about the invitation. Kuroo doesn't even know him, he just saw him in the pictures Bokuto has. And he felt kind of cautious of the aura Kuroo is giving, he doesn't know why. 

"I don't want to interfere with your plans with Kuroo-san." He muttered. Bokuto shook his head. "He's inviting you as well! See, see?" Bokuto showed his phone to him and he saw that Kuroo did include him in the invitation. And he wasn't expecting Kuroo to sound... like Bokuto? 

"If I won't be a bother, I would gladly accept the invitation Bokuto-san." He said to which Bokuto grinned. "Then let's meet up at the bus terminal at 11 AM this Saturday, 'kay? And wear anything comfortable clothes, we'll just probably watch some movies or play video games." He just nodded and he didn't imagine himself feeling excited somehow. 

The weekdays passed by quickly and it was already Saturday. It was his first time to be invited on weekends by a friend of his since he transferred and he could say he feels nervous. 

He knows he is not that good at making friends and that proves when he is not well-acquainted with his classmates. He even spends his break time with the volleyball team or just with Bokuto by the cafeteria or their usual spot on the rooftop. 

Not that he minds the "lack" of friends. He is much contented with the company of his volleyball team or Bokuto alone. That felt enough already.

After some minutes of thinking about what he should wear, he decided to go with his usual hoodie and pants, thinking he was comfortable enough in them. And it perfectly hides his arms as well. 

With one last look in his mirror, he decided to go and text Bokuto that he was on his way to the terminal. 

As he arrived at the terminal, Bokuto was already waiting there like a child with a popsicle stick in his mouth. He smiled at the sight and chuckled lightly at the thought of how Bokuto could be older than him. 

"Bokuto-san. Sorry to keep you waiting." He said. Bokuto grinned at him and shook his head. "Nah, I just arrived and here, it's for you! I don't know if it's your favorite flavor but I got you the vanilla one since the face towel you let me use last week smelled like one." He widened his eyes as he received the packed ice popsicle from Bokuto. And how Bokuto coincidentally brought him his favorite flavor. And how Bokuto even remembered his face towel's scent. 

"Actually, it's my favorite flavor. Thank you." He heard Bokuto cheer and started dragging him inside the bus which just arrived. 

"Kubro!" Bokuto greeted the funny-haired guy in front of them who's smiling funnily. "Bokubro!" He stared at the two guys in front of him until Kuroo looked at him. "You must be the famous Akaashi Keiji this owl has been talking non-stop about since last month." Kuroo grinned at him rather mischievously. 

He squinted his eyes and looked at Bokuto who punched Kuroo's arm lightly. "You're making me sound like a creep. Don't listen to him Aghaashee." 

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kuroo-san. I understand what you mean since Bokuto-san is really talkative." Which he didn't understand why Bokuto would talk about him to Kuroo 'non-stop'. And his stomach felt kind of weird.

He entered Kuroo's house and he could say Kuroo is kind of loaded, with the interior and luxurious-looking furniture. But something, or rather someone caught his attention on the couch. "Kenma-san?" He called. 

The said boy looked up and nodded to him with a small smile before returning his gaze to his game console. "So you're the same Akaashi that Bokuto-kun would talk about almost every night with Kuro. It's nice to see you again, Akaashi-kun." 

And here he goes again with the weird feeling inside his stomach. "It's nice to see you too, Kenma-san. I wasn't expecting to see you here." He noticed the big difference in Kenma's hair which was now bleached and he could say any color would fit the boy. 

"Kenma and I are childhood friends, he lives next door and is a first year in Nekoma. He's one for the team's setter and yeah, you already know the basic details. " Kuroo said and Kenma, who didn't look up, just nodded. 

And sometimes, he just hates to be too observant of other people. 

He noticed how Kuroo smiled and looked differently towards Kenma who looked like who does not care at all. In that short span of time, he assumed that Kuroo likes Kenma deeply but he doesn't want to be nosy in other people's business. 

Kuroo coughed that caught his attention and he widened his eyes when Kuroo squinted his eyes to him but smiled. "Bokuto wanted to know what kind of movies do you want to watch." He heard Bokuto whine who's currently lodging by the grand piano Kuroo has in the living room. "Hey! It's not me! Don't listen to him Aghaashe! He's evil!" 

He just chuckled at Bokuto's childish whines and shook his head, trying to shake the weird feeling once more. He saw Kuroo roll his eyes but smiled at him teasingly. "It was really him who asked. You could even ask Kenma if you don't want to believe me." 

"Kuroo!" Kuroo laughed as Bokuto rushed to his side and covered his ears. "Stop putting words in my mouth! You evil rooster." He was caught off guard by Bokuto's actions even if he was used to the boy's childish antics already. 

Kuroo widened his eyes and looked at them amusingly. "Heh, okay. I'm just helping you out bro." Bokuto continued whining until Kenma told them to shut up. 

'Huh, he's really a pain-in-the-ass Kuroo-san.' he thought as he wanted to just remove his whole stomach just to remove all the uneasiness he's been feeling lately. 

Chapter Text

Bokuto Kōtarō [木兎 光太郎]

He wanted Kuroo to shut up, at least just for today. Because he's been embarrassed countless times already. 

And he hates the feeling of being too embarrassed. Especially when it's his first time feeling it so he doesn't know what to do. 

'It's just Akaashi, you've already known him for almost two months and he won't judge you at all,' he thought. But that made him more embarrassed because it was Akaashi. 

Akaashi sometimes makes him feel "gwahhh" or "shwaaah" at times and he doesn't even know how to describe it properly. But that's what he was feeling right now as Akaashi laughed off Kuroo's words.

But he felt happy that Akaashi seemed comfortable with Kuroo and Kenma since he always looked so serious in school. 

As the debate on the movie between him and Kuroo didn't end, Kenma decided to watch a horror movie to which Akaashi agreed immediately. 

Akaashi looked at him to which he just nodded and forced a grin, he honestly hates horror movies but he couldn't do anything especially when Kuroo just approved anything Kenma says. And Akaashi looks like he loves horror movies with that glint in his eyes.  

He decided to sit on the carpeted floor with Akaashi when Kuroo and Kenma hogged the couch for themselves. 

As the movie started, he was just trying to be interested in the movie but all he could do is to divert his attention from anything bright but Kuroo was too smart to shut off the lights and curtains in the living room. He frowned and decided just to stare anywhere else but the television in front of them. 

It's not that he's really scared. He just hates how dark and disturbing the scenes are. And how the sounds could be terrifying when he remembers them before he sleeps. 

It was in the middle of the movie when he couldn't take it anymore and closed his eyes hard as another jumpscare showed in the tv and tried to forget the screams. Luckily, he was sitting on the floor and no one could see how scared he is. Or so he thought. 

"You should have said something earlier if you're scared of horror movies, Bokuto-san." He didn't notice Akaashi have scooted closer until the latter whispered to him. He opened his eyes and looked sideways. 

And he felt the "gwahhh", or something along the line again, as he saw Akaashi's face close to his. He felt flustered and looked back at the tv. 

"It's not that I'm scared.... I just don't like horror movies that much. I prefer watching owl documentaries and romance movies over this, to be honest." He muttered silently and removed his sight from the tv without moving his head. 

"Then let's watch those next time, Bokuto-san." He looked back at Akaashi and he saw how the younger male smiled at him. He felt something dropped in his stomach but managed to grin. "Yes, next time." He could say that was an invitation from Akaashi. 

And he doesn't know if he feels happy for the fact that Akaashi likes his company or when Akaashi smiled at him. Either way, he knows he could easily forget the scene from the movie today by remembering Akaashi's smile and invitation. 

"Well, that was awful. It wasn't even scary at all." Kenma muttered to which Akaashi nodded.  "Agreed. It was too unrealistic, especially the blood." Akaashi added. "I know right? And the scream of the girl? It's too fake." Kenma sighed

Kuroo frowned and huffed. "Not scary? Are you for real? I don't even want to watch that shit ever again." Kuroo said. "Agreed. I'll rather watch Kuroo flirt with Kenma awkwardly than watching this." And he started to regret what he said as he felt pillows hitting his head. 

He saw Akaashi thinned his lips, trying not to laugh to which he laughed. "See? Even Aghaashi agrees!" He said. "I'll rather watch Bokuto-san getting hit by Kenma-san than watching some awkward flirting from pain-in-the-ass Kuroo-san," Akaashi said to which he whined. "You should be supporting me 'Kaashi!" 

The two younger males laughed as Kuroo continued hitting him, not minding the nickname Akaashi gave.

They played some video games and even exchanged some numbers after the crappy horror movie until it was almost 6, which they haven't noticed if Akaashi's phone didn't ring. He frowned as he saw Akaashi frowned on the phone before excusing himself from their game. 

"If I were you, I would rather ask Akaashi than to look like a nosy owl boy." Kuroo disrupted his thoughts and he shook his head. "'Kaashi's always serious or frowning when he's thinking of something hard, but that frown was different." He said as he thinks of possibilities of who the caller is. 

Moments later Akaashi came back with worry evident on his face. "Bokuto-san, Kuroo-san, Kenma-san. I apologize, but I need to go now. An emergency came up. I'm sorry." Akaashi bowed. He suddenly stood up as he saw how Akaashi looked frustrated. "I'll go with you, no buts." He declared. 

Akaashi looked at him, wanting to stop him, but nodded nonetheless. "Oh, don't apologize Akaashi-kun. And it's better if Bokuto here joins you to ensure your safety. Update us, though." Kuroo said worriedly. Kenma agreed, even pausing his game as he heard Akaashi. 

Akaashi nodded and smiled apologetically. "I am sorry for ruining the hangout, but thank you for the invitation. I really had fun." Akaashi said sincerely. He saw Kuroo grin. "Yeah, we should really do this more often!" Akaashi nodded and he grinned as well. 

Akaashi and him bid goodbye and started walking to the terminal. They were silent until they rode the bus. "Bokuto-san. You can go ahead. I'll be dropping off to the terminal before ours since the hospital is there." Akaashi muttered. 

"What happened? Who's in the hospital?" He asked worriedly. "My grandfather was brought to the hospital earlier. I... I don't know what happened because my grandmother was crying when she called me." Akaashi answered. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your time with Kuroo-san." Akaashi added.

"Don't be sorry! I'll accompany you to the hospital, okay?" He said. "You don't have to do that, Bokuto-san. I might be interrupting your other plans." Akaashi muttered. He frowned. "Hey, I don't have other plans. And that's what friends are for! Don't worry too much. It will all be alright. Your grandfather's gonna be alright, too." He held Akaashi's shoulder and gave a squeeze. 

Akaashi took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you, Bokuto-san. I needed that." Akaashi smiled lightly to him to which he smiled back. "Let's go, we're almost there." 

As they arrived at the hospital, they were instructed to go to the ICU and they saw an old lady sitting on the hospital's waiting bench while crying. 

"Obaa-san!" He saw how Akaashi rushed to his grandmother and hugged the woman. "Kei-kun." He heard Akaashi's grandmother call and sobbed as she hugged her grandson. He went near them and saw Akaashi's grandfather lying down by the hospital bed with some tubes and wires by the clear window. He gulped as he remembered his last memory with his past grandfather. 

"Bokuto-san." He realized he was staring too long on Akaashi's grandfather and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I just remembered something." He forced a smile and suddenly bowed as he saw Akaashi's grandmother staring at him. He introduced himself and saw how Akaashi's grandmother smiled at him weakly. 

"Thank you for accompanying Kei-kun here. I've heard a lot of stories about you from Kei. I'm happy he has found a friend like you." He felt flustered at what Akaashi's grandmother said. "Obaa-san, it's not that a lot you know..." He looked at Akaashi who looked flustered as well. Akaashi's grandmother laughed as she saw how her grandson had become shy. 

"'Kaashi, why don't you accompany your grandmother at the cafeteria first? I can stay here and look out for your grandfather first." He told Akaashi when his grandmother walked back to the waiting bench. 

"Are you sure it's okay for you Bokuto-san?" Akaashi asked him and he grinned. "Of course! Health comes first. You should also grab something to eat, you just ate one slice of pizza earlier. I'll call you when something happens." He said and Akaashi just nodded obediently. "Thank you, Bokuto-san. I owe you one." Akaashi bowed and he watched as Akaashi guided his grandmother to the cafeteria. 

He sighed with a smile and texted his mother of his whereabouts. He also texted Kuroo to give him some updates. He looked at Akaashi's grandfather as he kept his phone in his pocket. It was déjà vu as he saw the man lying down, which mirrored his grandfather before. 

He remembered how he used to play with his grandfather before, and he was the only one who could tolerate his rowdiness as a child. It was also his grandfather who taught him how to play volleyball to which he came to love more than anything else. And he kind of hated it, when his last memory of his grandfather was with tubes and wires connected to his body. 

He didn't know how long he was standing there but he was surprised when someone tapped his shoulder. "Bokuto-san, right?" He looked at the lady beside him who has the same features as Akaashi and realized it was Akaashi's mother. 

He bowed immediately and greeted the lady politely, to which the lady chuckled. "Thank you for accompanying Keiji here. I'll be too worried if he went alone. I'm sorry if we disturbed you, Bokuto-san." He saw how Akaashi's mother clapped her hands together as she bowed her head. 

"No, it's okay Akaashi-san! I volunteered to join him even if he was against it, at first. But it's okay, I have nothing to do and it feels so wrong to leave 'Kaashi alone." He said as he scratched his nape shyly. 

"Just call me Keiko. It also feels good I've got to see the famous Bokuto-san Keiji have been talking about." He felt flustered. "Just call me Bokuto, Keiko-san." He saw Keiko smile but frowned.

"What happened to your arms, dear?" She asked him worrily, to which he suddenly touched his forearms. He was surprised that Keiko even noticed those marks which colors almost blend on his skin tone. 

"Oh, this was from my soulmate which kind of bothers me." He muttered. He doesn't know what to say. "Do you happen to know the person already?" Keiko asked curiously and he shook his head. "It's not really something I think about, to be honest." Keiko seemed to understand him as she nodded.

"But I'm concerned whenever I see these marks, I'm thinking if that person is alright with the uneven scratches mostly in the biceps. But sometimes I'm at fault too since I have many bruises on my knees and wrists because of volleyball." He added, not knowing why he was saying those when his own mother didn't even know about it. "Huh, bruises on wrists and knees. That's something." Keiko muttered but smiled. 

"Anyways, let me drive you home later when Keiji and okaa-chan come back. It's already late and it's not safe to ride the bus alone." He agreed and thanked her for the offer. 

"Mum," He heard Akaashi called and Keiko hugged her son. He saw how flustered Akaashi was and he thinks it looked adorable whenever Akaashi becomes shy since it's a rare time to see this. 

Keiko also gave her mom a hug and looked at the window where her father was confined. She continued hugging and comforting her mother who was the most affected in the current situation. 

"What did you and mum talked about, Bokuto-san?" Akaashi asked him and gave him a canned coffee. He thanked him as he accepted the coffee. "Nothing much, I just know you talk about me that much." He grinned widely to which Akaashi rolled his eyes while being flustered. "It's not like that, Bokuto-san. They were asking." He just laughed and agreed. 

They sat in silence but in a comforting way. He doesn't know how to comfort his friend but he knows it was the right decision to join him here.

Several minutes later, Keiko told her mother she'd drive them home and come back with some clothes and he left with the Akaashis. 

"Just tell me the directions Bokuto-kun, okay?" He heard Keiko say to which he agreed. The ride was silent and he realized that Akaashi was sleeping silently beside him. He could say Akaashi looked so peaceful and ethereal when he's sleeping, especially when the moonlight hit his face. 

'Just like the cherry blossoms when I first saw you, it's like you were born with the moonlight.' He subconsciously thought as he continued staring at Akaashi's sleeping face until they arrived at his house.

Chapter Text

Kozume Kenma [孤爪 研磨]

He may look like he is not, but he is observant. Too observant he notices things easily. 

He hates that he easily catches things fast, and he knew everyone would want to be observant. But he doesn't, so he focuses more on playing console games to divert his attention from anything, from anyone. 

He thought it would help him, but he was wrong. At the age of 15, he learned something that could drastically change his life. 

He knows who his soulmate is, he thinks. 

He wasn't expecting to find his soulmate at such a young age, but he could say he saw it accidentally, or maybe it was because he was too observant. 

It was two months ago or something, just before he entered as a first-year student in Nekoma when his cat, Yuna, started growing up and scratched him on his arms and legs out of nowhere. Some were light scratches, but the scratch on his right bicep was kind of deep that it could leave a permanent scar on him and his soulmate.

He believes in soulmates, especially when he sees his soulmark etched on his skin like a big reminder that there's someone destined for him.

But he's not that interested, he believes it would be better to focus on the present than worry for the future since he's bound to meet the person at one point in his life. Even his parents who live at the opposite ends of Japan have found each other.

He's still young, he always thinks. That's why playing video games and volleyball are his top priorities before going on crucial things like love and work. 

'And as if somebody would like me truly. With my attitude and lack of social skills, no one would even give a second glance towards me, not even whoever my soulmate is. Not even him,' he always thought. 

But his confusions start when he saw Kuroo's right arm with the same deep scratch as he has. He spends his time mostly with Kuroo, and the same with the latter, and he could not remember Kuroo being scratched. 

Kuroo doesn't even have a cat since the black-haired guy treats Yuna like his. And he would have known if Yuna has scratched Kuroo before. Kuroo would also tell him if he got injured or even the smallest scratch he got, that's just how Kuroo open to him.

As they were playing video games, with him on the bed while Kuroo lounged on his floor, he suddenly noticed the light scratch on Kuroo's right bicep since the guy was wearing sleeveless. 

He stared intently to the point that he didn't notice he lost and Kuroo was cheering for his win. "Ha! I told you I can beat you Kenma! Huh? Who's the sore loser now?" He heard Kuroo banter but nothing else could sway him as the scratch on Kuroo's arm started looking like an enigma to him. 

"You need to attend the summer classes, Kenma. I feel bad, really, but it could benefit you! I think this is not a win-win situation, though. I would still buy you that video game-- Kenma? Kenma?" He shook his head as he realized Kuroo was calling him. 

Kuroo frowned at him. "Are you okay? Is losing on the bet you made upsets you that much?" Kuroo chided to which he deadpanned. "It's nothing, I spaced out for some minutes." He muttered and looked away. He knew Kuroo wanted to ask more but the man grinned annoyingly as he continued bragging, even calling Bokuto on the phone. 

He looked at his right bicep and held it tight to cover the scratch. He needed to be convinced more.  

Three days have passed after seeing Kuroo's identical scratch and he convinced himself it was not coincidental because the scratch was from him, and it's too identical when he saw it closely when he walked beside Kuroo yesterday. 

And he felt scared, to the slightest. He felt scared because what if Kuroo knew and doesn't like him as his soulmate? Would he be able to lose the only person he trusted the most? 

He doesn't have a lot of friends to start with and he only has Kuroo who stayed beside him since they were young. He wasn't good at making friends and if it weren't for Kuroo, he would be lonely until now. 

Not having Kuroo in his last year of middle school was kind of chaotic already, what more if Kuroo decided to leave him because he couldn't like him like that? 

Gender was not an issue, it was kind of expected by the society to have circumstances where your soulmate is the same sexual orientation as yours. It was him who is the issue, his destructive self.  

He knew that even if Kuroo knew and if he decided to stay by his side, it was out of pity from their friendship, not because of love and he doesn't want that. 

He doesn't want to be selfish to the man he always cared about, he always looked up, he always loved since he could remember. Being Kuroo's friend was too much already, he doesn't want to drag Kuroo with his wallows and desires. 

He wasn't sure how Kuroo views this soulmate thing. But he was sure Kuroo was taking care of his body properly because of that. He observed the guy how he avoids injuring himself from volleyball as much as possible. 

Despite being together almost every day, they never talked about soulmates. He wasn't that interested before and Kuroo mostly focuses on volleyball. He doesn't even know the preference of Kuroo on his soulmate. If he were to be asked, he would answer a person who's like Kuroo but he would never let that out. 

He realized he loves Kuroo even before the knowledge of him being his soulmate. 

He wanted Kuroo to find a love he truly deserves, a love so beautiful unlike him who's pitiful.

And he's willing to take the risk of hiding the truth from the black-haired guy. 

Having the summer art class Kuroo and his mother forced him into was kind of exhausting but refreshing at the same time.

He was annoyed because he won't be able to play his video games freely and that some of the people in his class were noisy which reminds him of Bokuto who Kuroo befriended from the summer camp.

Fortunately, he has a one-of-a-kind seatmate who's rather peaceful and quiet. If it wasn't for the force introduction the instructor has made, he wouldn't be able to know his seatmate's name and befriend him.

Akaashi Keiji was a kind person, he just looked intimidating and cold at first, but he was polite and earnest. He also sees how amazing Akaashi's paintings are and sometimes, he wants to decode the meaning behind the guy's paintings. 

But something caught him off guard in one of their classes. Their instructor told them to create a symbolism about the idea of soulmates.

He stared at his blank device, with swirling ideas in his mind, but all led to one guy named Kuroo Tetsurou. 

He looked at Akaashi's work, hoping to get some ideas from the brilliant art the guy has made, but he wasn't expecting to see a blank canvas beside him. 

He turned to Akaashi who was staring blankly as well, with his fist curled on his paintbrush as if the guy could break it anytime. 

"Akaashi-kun." He called which called the attention of his seatmate. "Kenma-san?" Akaashi looked at him calmly, but Kenma knew better. 

"Is something wrong?" He asked. Akaashi stared at him for a while and then sighed. "I... can't paint about soulmates. I don't believe in them." He heard Akaashi muttered. 

"Why?" He doesn't want to sound nosy but he couldn't sit still and let the topic go, especially when he sees someone he considers a friend in this kind of state. 

"It's kind of personal. But I just don't believe in something that is... fickle. Even if you have your soulmate, even if you got together with your soulmate, it doesn't mean that person would stay. You just got these soulmarks that connect you two, yes you may feel something at first, but not all things last. You don't have the reassurance that that kind of love lasts forever and anything could change in a blink of an eye." He saw Akaashi mutter as he stared at the blank canvas in front of him. 

He was speechless but he couldn't say Akaashi was wrong. That's the reason why he wanted to hide the truth from Kuroo. He couldn't bear the thought of Kuroo leaving him and him being lonely again. And he feels that Akaashi had experienced somewhat inclined to that, that someone has made him feel like this to the point that he doesn't believe in soulmates. 

"Have you met your soulmate?" He asked. He saw Akaashi shake his head. "I am not intending to do so. But it is inevitable to meet the person one way or another." Akaashi answered. "Have you?" His seatmate added. He shook his head. 

"Don't get me wrong. I do believe in love, just not in the idea of soulmates. If I were to be given a chance, I would like to love someone in my own will, not because he or she is my soulmate but because I truly feel something for the person and that person feels the same." Akaashi added. 

That was the longest conversation Akaashi talked to him, but it was kind of refreshing. He looked at Akaashi who was still contemplating what to draw. He looked back to his device and sighed. Until something clicked in his mind. 

"Why don't you draw some symbolism that incorporates the way you feel when you're in love? Don't think about soulmates, think of falling in love." He suggested. Akaashi looked down as if he was thinking and turned to him with a small smile on his face. 

"Thank you for the suggestion, Kenma-san. I think I know what to draw. How about you?" Akaashi asked him. He looked back at his device and looked at the wallpaper with a small smile on his face. It was a picture of him and Kuroo on their childhood days. 

"I'll do the same." And he opened his app and started with the color black. 

He somehow understood what Akaashi feels towards soulmates, because he'd rather choose the idea of falling in love with someone he likes without thinking about soulmates. 

And he was just lucky that his soulmate was someone he fell in love with.

Chapter Text

Kozume Kenma [孤爪 研磨]

Another thing why he hates to be observant. He easily notices the changes in people around him, especially Kuroo. 

He has known the guy for years and he could decipher the changes in Kuroo from the slightest ones. 

And he hates that Kuroo isn't the best at acting, at least not for him. 

Kuroo continues to wake him up every morning. It's like he had his own human alarm clock. And he wonders how Kuroo manages to wake up very early in the morning and go to his house just to wake him up. 

It's like it was already a morning routine for them already. Kuroo waking him up,  Kuroo waiting for him in his room with Yuna by his arms, Kuroo eating in his house for breakfast with his family, and Kuroo walking with him to school every morning.

It's one of those little things that make him more scared of losing Kuroo in his life. 

And now, even though he was currently playing in his gaming console, he suddenly noticed the way Kuroo changed his voice while talking to Bokuto. But he didn't mind at first when Kuroo bid him earlier goodnight that day. He guessed there was just some dumbass thing the two were talking about.

But it was his mistake to assume like that. 

He noticed the first day when Kuroo told him he wouldn't be coming over to his house because of homework. He didn't mind at first, thinking Kuroo's homework must be really serious, especially since he's a second-year student. He let it go and play, but he felt kind of lonely without Kuroo in his room. 

But when Kuroo continues "avoiding" him within the week, he knows something's wrong and he doesn't know why. 

He had no single clue about it and he couldn't remember making the guy upset. They didn't have any conflicts in volleyball and he couldn't recall anything about offending Kuroo.

This continued until the next week came. Kuroo still goes to his house in the mornings. He would still wake him up but unlike before, Kuroo would wait downstairs in the living room. He always looks at Yuna, who looks lonely, just like how he felt.

Kuroo continued to eat breakfast with him and his family, but there were times the black-haired guy became awkward when his parents talked to him, especially his father.

Kuroo continued to walk with him in the mornings to school, but unlike before, Kuroo became less talkative. It would be him talking about the game he played.

With the peaceful and quiet company, he was supposed to be happy but it's Kuroo he's talking about and he knows something is wrong. And it irked him very much.

With the peaceful and quiet company, he was supposed to be happy but it's Kuroo being silent that he's talking about and he knows something is wrong. And it irked him very much.

It was the third time that week when Kuroo told him he'll go straight home that day. He wanted to stop Kuroo to confront him about it but he doesn't know how to. He was never good with confrontation, especially with someone like Kuroo.

And so he let it go for the seventh time.

He went in his house and decided to lock up in his room without eating the leftovers his parents left for him before going to work.

He wasn't in the mood to eat or play or do anything at all.

He slumped down on his bed and heaved a sigh. He felt Yuna curled beside him and he looked at his cat.

He smiled as Yuna relaxed in his touch. "You're missing Kuro, hm?" Yuna purred.

He hummed in response as held Yuna closer. "I miss him too even if he's just there." He muttered.

Yuna continued purring while he caresses its head. Usually, Kuroo would be the one doing this while he's playing or taking a bath. Sometimes he thinks Yuna loves Kuroo more which makes him sigh.

He didn't notice he was caressing Yuna's head hard until Yuna scowled and scratched him on his wrist.

He hissed as Yuna walked away from him and he looked at the scratch Yuna made. He sighed in relief when the scratch wasn't that deep but glared at his cat who went back to its bed. 

Until something clicked him and he touched his right arm. 

'Does Kuroo know already?' He asked himself. He remembered when he dozed off once in Kuroo's house and Kuroo was staring at him when he woke up. He was wearing a short-sleeve that time so Kuroo might have seen it. 

'Shit. Shit. Shit.' The thoughts made him stand up from his bed and started pacing around his room. He also remembered the time when he asked about what Kuroo and Bokuto talked about and when they talked about Akaashi. 

He was thinking about other possibilities that would make Kuroo avoid him but it only leads to two reasons; Kuroo knowing about them being soulmates or Kuroo is getting tired of him. 

Either of the two would be the end of him and he doesn't want to think like that. 'Think, Kenma. Think.' But all he could is to ask Kuroo himself. 

He wanted to ask someone but he's not that close with his teammates yet, except for Kuroo. He couldn't ask his classmates from middle school, he couldn't trust them enough. He was also unable to get the phone number from his seatmate, Akaashi, from his art class. He couldn't even talk to Bokuto about it, the guy might tell Kuroo. 

He sighed and gave up after deciding he'll confront Kuroo about it tomorrow whatever happens. 'This is harder than beating the evil boss in my current game.' 

Next day came and as he expected, Kuroo went straight home. And he reaches the point where he can't take it anymore and goes to Kuroo's house after changing his clothes. 

"Kenma, you should have told me you're co--" He frowned as he saw Kuroo panic. And he couldn't help but overthink why Kuroo is acting like that. 

"I'm sorry." He blurted. He didn't know why he was sorry but he felt like apologizing. But as he looked at Kuroo who looked purely confused, he felt confused as well. 'Why do you look so confused Kuro?' 

"You knew, right?" He looked at Kuroo's right arm but the said guy was looking like a lost idiot. 

"I knew what?" Kuroo asked and he sighed mentally, not knowing if it's out of relief or annoyance. 'I guess there is a small chance that he doesn't know, right?'

"You're mad at me because you knew that Yuna scratched you on your arm, right?" He decided to lie, just to see how Kuroo would react. And he's kind of scared of admitting it, especially when he's harboring feelings for his friend. 

"What." Kuroo said. He wasn't sure if Kuroo's mad or if Kuroo was expecting something else. He may be observant, but sometimes, Kuroo is just plain vague. 

Kuroo was spontaneous since then and there were times he could read through him. But there were moments when he doesn't know how Kuroo thinks when the guy surprises him with ideas and vagueness. It's like a puzzle he couldn't solve, a mystery he wants to unfold. Maybe that's one thing why he is drawn to the guy.

He wasn't sure how Kuroo views soulmates but he knows his friend is taking care of his body for his soulmate. Even if he knows this fact, he doesn't want Kuroo to end up with him, Kuroo doesn't deserve someone pathetic like him. 

And so he decided to lie once more, to make a believable story. He would take the risk of hiding the truth from Kuroo to save this friendship, to avoid being lonely once more. He'll take the risk of lying out of selfishness. 

"I know how you hate it when something scratches your body and Yuna accidentally scratched you two a month ago or something when you slept over. That's the reason why you're avoiding me, right?" 

He saw how Kuroo stared at him blankly. This kind of vagueness from Kuroo is irking him. When Kuroo looks like this, he doesn't know what the guy is thinking, if he's doubting him or if he would believe him. 

"Say something," he muttered. And he was weirded out when Kuroo started laughing. 

"I'm not mad nor avoiding you, kitten. I was just getting tired of school and the pressure in volleyball training." Kuroo said and he knew Kuroo was faking a smile. And he heaved a sigh. He didn't want to push it right now. Kuroo may or may not know about them being soulmates but he knows he wants to say something that wasn't a lie. 

"Then don't stop... hanging out with me or something. You are giving the wrong impression that's why I thought you were mad at me." He muttered.

"I'm sorry, kitten. Want to play the video game I bought you last summer as my compensation?" He nodded and gave him a light smile. Somehow, he felt relieved that it was kind of fixed and he let Kuroo knows what he really thinks. 

And somehow, the nickname doesn't bother him and he would willingly be teased like that if Kuroo would stay by his side even just for the time being. 

Chapter Text

Akaashi Keiji [赤葦 京治] 

It's been five days since his grandfather has been brought to the hospital and he's becoming restless. His classmates and teammates may have not noticed but Bokuto's been asking him from time to time how he is. 

"I'm okay, Bokuto-san. You don't need to worry about me." He sighed as this was the third time Bokuto had asked him since they started practice.  They are currently taking a 5-minute break from their practice. 

"How can I not worry when you've been fiddling your fingers since we started our practice match?" Bokuto frowned after drinking from his water bottle. He frowned back as he looked at Bokuto. 

"I know you're nervous whenever you fiddle your fingers. You've been spacing out when we ate together. It's like you're overthinking, I mean that's not new but Aghaashi, you just look... restless." Bokuto remarked. He was surprised that Bokuto noticed when he fiddled his fingers whenever he was nervous. 

"How did you know I'm nervous?" He asked as he looked at his fingers. "How wouldn't I notice that? We're always together, 'Kaashi! Of course, I'll notice that. I notice everything!" Bokuto grinned. 

He suddenly held his wrist as he remembered his scars. 'Does Bokuto-san saw my scars already?' He shook his head mentally as he calmed down. 'No, no, he wouldn't notice that, of course. No one can and no one will.' 

Bokuto seems to notice his silence and coughed. "Don't worry, Akaash. He will be fine. We'll visit him again later, okay? And mother told me to bring a basket of fruits for your grandmother so let's buy first before heading to the hospital!" Bokuto said with that smile which made him forget all his nervousness and worries in a blink of an eye. He breathed deeply and nodded with a genuine smile. "You didn't need to, but thank you Bokuto-san." 

Bokuto has been accompanying him to the hospital since then and he was more than grateful to have Bokuto with him when he's visiting. His grandmother also got used to having Bokuto around, sometimes treating the latter as her own grandson than him. His own grandmother even scolded him when Bokuto told his grandmother he looks so serious and cold in school. "Smile more, Kei-kun! Like Bokuto-kun here!" He just sighed. 

His mum also teased him about it when she visited yesterday, to which he dismissed immediately. "He's just a close friend, mum. Any close friend would do it too." His mum just rolled her eyes with a teasing smile but didn't bring the topic back. 

Today, his grandmother thanked Bokuto as he gave the basket of fruits to her. "You didn't need to, Bokuto-kun! But tell my thanks to your mother, I will give you and your family one of my specialties when we get back home." Bokuto bowed and thanked her with a bright smile. 

"Oh, Kei-kun. The doctors said your Ojii-san is stable for now and would be moved to a regular ward tomorrow. So don't worry too much, okay? You should focus on your studies and volleyball more! And your summer camp training is near, yes? Stop being a worrywart, Kei." His grandmother said to which he smiled and let out a relieved sigh he's been holding back. He just nodded and hugged his grandmother. 

"Obaa-san is so cool!" He heard Bokuto said as they walk to the terminal. He just hummed in response with a small smile on his face. "She told me how she met your grandfather when you were gone earlier. I wasn't expecting them to also study in Fukurōdani. Your grandfather's amazing! He's a varsity player and the team's captain in their third year, how cool is that?!" Bokuto said with excitement that made him laugh a little. 

He continued listening to Bokuto's amazement on his grandparents on their ride home. It made him smile, that there's someone who's willing to know a part of him and it felt new to him. He didn't even force Bokuto to join him in visiting, the latter willingly went with him and supported him, may it be in school, in practice, in their way home, and sometimes in text. It was those little things that make him feel... giddy? He wasn't sure of himself. 

"Aghaashiii! Why are you smiling?" Bokuto asked which made him conscious of himself and shook his head. "I wasn't smiling, Bokuto-san." He muttered. "Ehh? What do you think about 'Kaashiii?" Bokuto asked more. 

"I'm just thinking of what the doctors said earlier that my grandfather is stable now." He half-lied. Bokuto gave him a grin. "I know right?! I would meet Aghaashi's grandfather soon! I'll meet one of the amazing basketball players of Fukurōdani!" Bokuto exclaimed.  He scolded Bokuto on the guy's loudness to which Bokuto just grinned and continued praising his family. Luckily, there were no people on the bus at that time or they might be irritated with Bokuto's loud voice. 

But that was okay for him, after all, Bokuto was a resonance he needed in his melancholic world. 

"Keiji, you home?" He heard her mother shout as he went out of his bathroom. "I'll be downstairs, let me change first!" He quickly wore his sleeping clothes and was surprised to see her mum home earlier than usual.

"You're back earlier, something happened at work?" He asked as he saw her mother fixing something in the kitchen. Her mom nodded and grinned. "We'll be expanding internationally, Keiji!" He widened his eyes and smiled widely. "Congrats, mum!" He felt happy and hugged her, knowing his mum deserved it. He saw how she worked hard for the things she loved, especially when she started from scratch. And now, she is the CEO of her own publishing company. 

"But that means I'll be going overseas from time to time after your Ojii-san comes home. Would that be okay for you?" He nodded. "Of course mum, you shouldn't worry about me. I can manage myself."

And it wasn't like he was new to it. He managed to be independent especially when his parents divorced. He even helps his mother with her work when he's finished with his schoolwork.

"You can invite Bokuto-kun for an overnight if you know what I mean." His mother gave him a teasing smile to which he sighed. "Mum, I don't know what you mean." He deadpanned.

"Oh, you know what I mean, Keiji." His mother wiggled her eyebrows. "He's just a friend, a teammate, and an upperclassman. Nothing more to it." He muttered as he faced his back to his mother, getting some cups from the cupboard.

"What if Bokuto-kun's your soulmate?" Keiko asked as she looked at her son's back. He frowned. "You know I stopped believing in such things, mum. Even if I have this mark on my left chest, there's no guarantee that my soulmate and I would stay together."

Keiko sighed. She kind of expected this already. "Look, dear. Forget whatever happened to me between your father and me. We couldn't work things out but it would be different for you, I just know. So don't be afraid to take risks, especially when your heart speaks louder." Keiko said sincerely.

"It's not that I'm afraid..." He started as he poured some tea into the cups. "I just don't want to love someone because of being soulmates. I want to love someone because I feel so. And I want to be loved in the same manner, too." He ended with sighing. 

He knows it would be absurd that someone out there would love him truly in a world where soulmates and soulmarks exist. 

Keiko was taken aback. She wasn't expecting that her son would think about love seriously but she was more than happy. She smiled widely. "I'm happy to hear about that, Keiji." She said. 

"Don't you think it's absurd?" He muttered. He saw her shake her head with a smile on her face. "I just didn't think you'd think like that about love. So, do you have feelings for someone right now?" His mom asked her excitedly. 

He could only think of one person as his mum asked her but he shook his head. His mother just nodded and smiled as she drank the coffee he gave her. 

"I don't know if you'll mind this but did you know, legendary says that the location of your soulmarks signifies something." Keiko started. He stared at her confusingly which made her continue. 

"When it's located on your feet or ankles, no matter how far you are, your feet will lead you to your soulmate.  
If it's in the legs and thighs, most likely they are 'joined by the hip' since then and have known each other longer than other soulmates.
If it's in the abdomen part, you'll always feel butterflies whenever you see your soulmate." 

"If it's in the arms, you'll end up helping and reaching out to each other.
You'll lean on your soulmate when it's located on your shoulders and your back.
You become easily attracted when the soulmarks' are located somewhere in your neck or your face." 

"But if it's in the chest part, near your heart, now that's something special. It's really rare. It's something much more than a soulmate. They are balanced, they are one of a kind. They complement one another. They are those who are said to be 'truly fated' to each other and nothing could break that bond." Keiko ended with a knowing smile.

He was silent as he finished his coffee. What he heard from his mum was more absurd than anything. But the most absurd thing was that he was thinking of someone as she described the location of his mark and he doesn't dislike the feeling.

"But you don't need to believe, it's just a legend and all. What I really wanted to say is that I know you, Keiji. You're my son. You're probably thinking of someone when I asked you about your feelings but I won't push you to say who it is. Just know that I'll support you no matter what, okay?" Keiko smiled. 

He doesn't know how to respond but it made him smile. "Thanks, mum." He muttered before moving to another topic like his upcoming summer training for volleyball and his mum's expansion in Europe. "And I'm serious about inviting Bokuto-kun over, I don't really mind at all." He groaned to which his mum just laughed.

And the thought of his golden owl mark on his left chest stayed in his mind until he fell asleep. 

Chapter Text

Bokuto Kōtarō [木兎 光太郎]

"Aghaashe!" He called as he saw Akaashi inside the boy's classroom. It was already dismissal time and students inside the classroom of Akaashi were used to seeing him waiting outside. Some had greeted him politely to which he greeted back happily. He saw others whispering and looking at Akaashi but the said boy looked like he didn't mind as he walked in his direction.

"Bokuto-san, you seemed earlier today. Were you waiting outside for too long?" The boy asked worryingly to which he just grinned. "Nah, we were just dismissed 20 minutes earlier. Don't worry about it. Yukippe also said the training would start later than usual. You could set some balls for me first!" He said to which Akaashi just hummed in response.

"Something's wrong?" He asked. He was used to Akaashi being silent and the listener when they were walking together while he blabbered random stuff about what happened in his class but this kind of silence from Akaashi is new and feels that something's bothering the latter.

'Maybe it's my owl sense? Hehehe.' he thought.

He wasn't really good at reading people but when it comes to the first-year setter, there are times he could read him like an open book. It's like there's a hidden connection between them and he could have just been imagining things but with Akaashi, he knew he could be real without holding back. 

He saw Akaashi looked at him before shaking his head. "It's nothing, I've been thinking about volleyball and the upcoming summer camp." He didn't believe the boy's words but nodded nonetheless. "Don't worry too much about the summer camp, it's fun!" And he wasn't lying, it's one of the best experiences one could have but it doesn't mean that he had all fun last year. Sure, it was fun he met Kuroo and other volleyball players in the powerhouse of Tokyo. Until it wasn't.

It was more of a traumatic one and he hoped he would forget it completely. 

He didn't notice he was the one being too silent until Akaashi called him. "Bokuto-san, is there something wrong?" He looked at him and forced a smile as he shook his head. "No! No! It's nothing 'Kaashi!" Akaashi just looked at him with a blank face which was kind of scary but he avoided looking at him and continued walking with a smile on his face until he felt a tug on his uniform. 

"Bokuto-san." He stopped and saw Akaashi staring at his arm while holding the sleeves of his jersey for a second or two before coughing. "I... I'm sorry I wanted to ask this since I entered the club but did something happen before?" He looked back at Akaashi and he was planning to shake it off with a smile.

But with the concerned look Akaashi is giving him, he wants to vomit words. It's like he could say anything, even the dumbest of the dumbest things and even when Akaashi would just give him a blunt look, the latter would understand him. 

He breathed deeply and decided to sit down on a bench under the cherry blossom. He saw Akaashi standing in front of him with a frown on his face but sat down beside him eventually, all ears on him. He sighed as he stared at nothingness. And he started speaking like he was vomiting all the sickening memories.

Flashback:

It was his first summer camp training with his new team. He admits it felt surreal and he was excited to meet other volleyball players. He would also meet the amazing captains and ace players he heard before, who kept pushing him to be a better player.

But it also means he would be able to maximize his skills and he would meet other setters too. But the only setter he wanted to play with was his team's third-year setter, Hanamiya Itachi. His upperclassman was nothing but the best player he ever saw. To the point that he admires the guy too much but it couldn't be helped since the setter sets for him perfectly.

They were both new to the team. He heard that Hanamiya came from a known school in Akita and decided to finish his high school in Fukur ō dani. The older one befriended him immediately. At first, he was hesitant but once he learned they have many common things with each other, he started following his senior. 

They were both loud, but Hanamiya would be louder between them especially when playing. Hanamiya treats him like his best bud so being informal to his senior wasn't an issue. Hanamiya would sometimes invite him during weekends to parties he knew he wasn't allowed yet but he still goes, for the sake of his friendship with Hanamiya. At the end of the day, he couldn't enjoy the loud and hazy surroundings while being left alone by Hanamiya, but he still goes anyway.

They were both energetic, so being the happy pills of the team was their role. Hanamiya would invite him on early mornings before volleyball practice to run on the school's track and field. Hanamiya would also make him run some errands like buying breakfasts. Though there were times he wanted to extend his sleep in the mornings, he never turned his senior down even if it was tiring.

His first two months in Fukur ō dani were perfectly fine and he thought everything would stay as it was until summer camp training hit where things went downhill.

Playing against other powerhouses of Tokyo was thrilling, he also met Kuroo Tetsurou, a first-year like him. They clicked easily and it's like he found his long lost brother as they talk with each other. 

Though he enjoyed playing volleyball with his team, he felt something was off especially when Hanamiya's sets were not towards him. After playing against Nekoma, he approached his senior and asked if something was wrong. Hanamiya shooed him away, telling him it was nothing, and so he did. But he felt some tension back then. And it continued until the second day

After their second day of training, he spent the rest of his evening playing volleyball with Kuroo, Konoha, and Yaku. He just wanted to replenish the tension he felt with his setter since yesterday. When they decided to call it a day, he caught a glimpse of Hanamiya outside the gym, walking with someone. 

He decided to follow Hanamiya and ask if the senior was okay. He saw the two figures made a turn on the corner and he was about to call when he heard Hanamiya talked. "Bokuto? Ehh, he's just a show-off. A wannabe ace. Nothing special about him." He stopped. 

"Are you sure, Hanamiya? He is really good, y'know." An unfamiliar voice said. "Nah, he's just really weird and obnoxious." He heard Hanamiya laughed. "Don't be threatened by him, I know his weaknesses. I can make you win, your team win. I also know the weaknesses of other players in Fukur ō dani. Just a little injury and he's off the team. And he won't be able to play for the preliminaries. Secured win." 

He felt lost. 'Was this really Hanamiya?' was the mere question in his mind as he heard him. He was about to turn to walk to the corner when someone held his shoulder. He turned his head slowly and saw Kuroo and Konoha behind him as they shook their heads. 

"Don't." Kuroo mouth whispered to him and pulled him there. He was staggered as he let Kuroo pull him out of the gym. The atmosphere was silent but in an eerie way as the three of them walked to the cafeteria. 

Next day came and he felt stressed and disappointed at himself. He wasn't in his best form that day and his mind kept going back to what he heard last night. He could see Konoha eyeing him in concern from time to time but he shook it off and continued playing. 

Hanamiya was like himself in the past two days of the summer camp training. He continued setting for him but every time he would see Hanamiya, he would remember the words that came out from his senior and he was unable to spike the ball countless times. 

"What the hell is wrong with you Bokuto?!" Hanamiya shouted when they lost to Shinzen High with a score of 16-25. He flinched as he saw all eyes on him. He was about to say something when Hanamiya continued. "You wanted to be an ace? Pft, ace my ass! You're a good-for-nothing volleyball player! What now? You'll cry like a baby? Why? 'Coz you're not in the mood? Psh, piss off. Grow up, you dumb ace wannabe!" 

He didn't feel embarrassed, he felt humiliated in front of other players in different schools. He looked down and he just wanted Hanamiya to shut up. "What? You can't say anything? Say something you shi-" 

Everything was a blur to him but he heard Kuroo and Konoha stopping Hanamiya, even the previous Captain. He could hear shouts and such, even the coaches were stopping them already but he felt lost and just purely humiliated. 

He didn't know what happened next but he heard on someone's phone the words Hanamiya said last night. He closed his eyes, trying to stop himself from hearing those words until he saw black and white around him. 

The next thing he knew, he was lying down on a bed with the white walls around him and humid air passing through the window. He sat up and saw his teammates and Kuroo looking at him. He remembered what happened and still felt humiliated. 

 "Don't worry, Bokuto-kun. He's off the team. Don't believe in the words he said, it's not true. You are our one and only ace." Their previous captain said as he felt a squeeze on his shoulder. He forced out a weak smile and thanked Kuroo and Konoha after and things went back to normal, somehow. Konoha filled in as their temporary setter and he was more than thankful to have a friend like him.

End of Flashback

The atmosphere was silent after telling Akaashi the 'hellish' thing. It wasn't really that big, even Akaashi might think it is nonsense but it was traumatic for him. Hanamiya Itachi may be gone but he left unseen scars on him. But he used it as a motivation to play harder, even if he was having injuries already.

"That Hanamiya Itachi guy was a dick then. What a trash and a cancer in the society." He heard Akaashi mutter under his breath. He looked beside him and saw Akaashi with an unreadable face before sighing and standing up.

He looked down, and he felt scared that Akaashi would leave him there for the nonsense he just said but he wasn't expecting to see a hand being offered in front of him. 

"Then let's show him, no, the world what you're really made of, Bokuto-san. Let me set more for you and show the world you're the best of them all." Akaashi said with that genuine smile he would willingly see more every day. He didn't know how contagious Akaashi's smile was and he smiled back as he reached out the hand in front of him and something just sparked inside him.

And as if all his trust issues and problems dissipated as he held Akaashi's hand even for a mere second or two. 

He liked the feeling. The feeling of being real with someone without being judged. The feeling of sharing his passion with someone. The feeling that Akaashi gives off as if he ate rainbows, with different hues and colors mixing inside him. The feeling that Akaashi's smile would solve any problems he has. And he never wanted to let go of those feelings, even if he didn't know the reason why.

'Thank you, Akaashi. For believing in an ace like me. For accepting who I really was. For keeping it real with me. For making me feel these good new things I don't really understand.'

Chapter Text

Akaashi Keiji [赤葦 京治] 

"Bokuto-san." A name he would repeat every now and then as he tossed the volleyball to the ace. After learning about the 'hellish' thing he'd been curious about for the past months, he got mad. Not because of the Itachi guy, but because Bokuto needed to experience that kind of treatment. 

Usually, he doesn't care. Other people have experienced that, he knew and felt worse. But it hit differently when he knew Bokuto had to experience that. It enraged something inside him, but at the same time, he wanted to be a better setter for their ace. And he somehow knew why. 

"'Kaashi! That toss was good! One more! One more!" Bokuto shouted for the nth time with a wide smile on his face. Others may be ticked off with the smiles Bokuto show when he's playing but to him, they were the brightest ones he ever saw in his life and they were contagious, to say the least. And he didn't want to lose sight of those. 

"Wow, the practice has not started yet you two are full of energy," Konoha said while entering the gym with a smug look on his face. "As if that's new," Komi stated as he entered with Sarukui and Washio. He greeted the three politely while Bokuto just gave them a grin and continued shouting his name, asking for another toss. 

"Well, someone's just possessive and demanding," Sarukui muttered under his breath but was heard by all, earning an earful from Bokuto. He just laughed lightly as he saw Bokuto whining like a child. 'I guess it's good he's not carrying the burden after telling me earlier.' 

Practice started just as usual but what felt unusual was how Bokuto stared at him like an... owl. Sure, there were times Bokuto would glance at him from time to time, but the stare he's receiving right now is intense, as if he would be hunted if he had done something wrong.

He continued practicing digging and blocking with the others, but he could still feel the intense stares from the owl boy and sighed. He needed to stop it because he couldn't focus if Bokuto continued. 

"Bokuto-san. Why are you staring at me like that?" He confronted as their coach told them to have a 5-minute break. Bokuto's aura suddenly changed and went back to his usual self. "Oh, I just learned it from the owl documentary I watched last night. I didn't know I was able to do it. It's impressive, right? Right?" Bokuto asked like a child. 

He wanted to facepalm but sighed. "It's impressive, Bokuto-san. But please don't stare at me like that again." He said. "Eeeeehhhh? Why?" Bokuto whined. "Just because." He muttered as he walked away. 

'I hate that you're making me feel things in my stomach when you stare like that, Bokuto-san.' He thought as he looked down with a flushed face. 

Their usual extra practice was done and they were left to clean their area before locking up the gym. As he was lowering the net, he heard a loud thud and saw Bokuto lying down in the middle of the left side of the court, with his arms and legs sprawled out and eyes closed. 

He walked a little closer to the ace and saw how calm Bokuto's face was. But what caught him was the scratches and bruises on Bokuto's arms. The scratches were long but colorless; they weren't that deep and they were unnoticeable unless you stared longer, or if you're a real observer.

He could say Bokuto's skin was one of the palest he ever saw and it was lighter than his skin tone. He knew that the purple bruises were surely from playing volleyball and it was a common circumstance already. There were times he would see the scratches on Bokuto, but it was the first time he saw all the scratches. 'It looks familiar...'

He was about to step closer to see the scratches closer until Bokuto spoke. "Your tosses are really great, Akaashi. I never felt so good in spiking." Bokuto started to wave his right arm like he was spiking volleyball on air. "You're like a blessing from the sky. You were just the setter I really needed, ya'know what I'm saying?" Bokuto laughed heartily. 

He looked at Bokuto and thankfully, the owl boy was closing his eyes, or else he would see how embarrassed he was. "That-that's overexaggerating, Bokuto-san." He muttered as he stepped away and continued fixing the net. 

He heard Bokuto hum in response. "Overexaggerating or not, I'm still happy you're here, Kaashi!" Bokuto replied before standing up and started cleaning. He kept silent while Bokuto moved to another topic and blabbered about the anime he's watching recently.

'You're overexaggerating but I think I'm the one who's being that one when I get flustered around you lately.' 

They didn't visit the hospital that day since his grandfather is bound to go home the day after tomorrow. He also didn't want to be a burden to Bokuto even if he was willing to join him every time. 

They decided to stop by the convenience store since Bokuto was so persistent to buy some snacks on their way home. He decided not to buy since he didn't feel like eating. 

As Bokuto finished buying some snacks, he walked ahead until he felt a tug on the sleeves of his jacket. "Here 'Kaashi! I thought you might get hungry on our way home." He widened his eyes a bit but accepted the food as he muttered 'thanks', trying not to be embarrassed because it wasn't like Bokuto to treat him without a reason.

'I'm trying to calm the feeling in my stomach when I'm with you that's why I don't want to eat, but you're here, giving me onigiris out of nowhere. How cruel, Bokuto-san.' 

They rode the bus and as usual, Bokuto talked endlessly as he listened intently and took small bites on the onigiri Bokuto bought for him continuously. He didn't realize he's forgetting to chew properly until he started choking. 

"Agh-- here drink this, 'Kaashi!" He saw Bokuto offered a water bottle and he drank it nonetheless. He stopped coughing until he realized he just drank on Bokuto's water bottle. 

"Sorry, Bokuto-san! I didn't mean to drink on your water bottle!" He apologized and Bokuto just laughed. "No worries 'Kaashi! It's good you've stopped choking. Are you all good now?" He nodded wordlessly, too shy to face Bokuto. "Yosha!" He glanced sideways and saw Bokuto finished his water bottle which made him flush more. 

He was staring on the floor out of embarrassment for some while until he noticed the surroundings became silent. 

He was about to look at Bokuto but suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder. "Wake me up when we're nearing our stop, Aghaashi. I feel so tired." Bokuto whispered as the owl boy let his head rest on his shoulder. 

He was about to protest and push Bokuto away but seeing the tired yet calm face of Bokuto's sleeping face made him stop. He sighed as he looked away, trying to remove the churning feeling on his stomach and fastened beats from his heart. 

As they neared their stop, he woke Bokuto up and the owl boy was literally a 0% or a 120% person. As if Bokuto didn't make him feel weird earlier and continued talking nonstop like earlier.

It wasn't until they parted ways in the bus terminal that he realized something and stopped halfway on his walk home. 

' We almost have the same scratches and bruises on our arms, could it be...?'

Chapter Text

Akaashi Keiji [赤葦 京治] 

He slumped down on his bed after making and eating dinner alone. His mother told him beforehand that she would go home later than usual, which was better for him since he wanted to be alone for now.

He decided to bid an early goodnight to Bokuto, who's currently causing a dilemma in his mind. Even if he wanted to talk more to the ace, his thoughts continued to pile up as he remembered the scars, bruises, and Bokuto Koutarou. 

He covered his head with a pillow and screamed without a reason in particular. He wasn't mad or anything, but these feelings were new to him. He doesn't even know what to do anymore. He feels like a 15-year-old foolish boy who's having his existential crisis because of his goddamn feelings. 

He removed the pillow from his face and sat up as he heard a notification on his phone. He was sure it wasn't Bokuto since the guy literally stops doing anything when he's watching an owl documentary (which Bokuto informed him earlier before he bid goodnight; he was not even sure why Bokuto informs him every time). 

9:05 PM 

Kenma-san

Hey Akaashi, I know this is sudden but I need your help on something. Are you free to call tonight? 

9:07 PM 

Akaashi Keiji

Hello, Kenma-san. Sure, I'm just resting. What's wrong?

He frowned. It wasn't unusual for them to talk from time to time after exchanging numbers, and Kenma would just send him links on some games which would help the said boy in getting free items from the games.

But it was the first time Kenma wanted to call him over the phone for help. And he felt this is somewhat connected to Kuroo, if he's asking for help for other people like him.

Kenma didn't waste another minute and his phone started ringing. He answered immediately and he heard Kenma apologizing before sighing. "It's something I can't normally talk to Kuroo about, and you're the only one who I know I could talk about this matter seriously." 

"It's okay Kenma-san. What happened?" He asked in concern. "Well, I just have this... friend who asked me but I couldn't answer. I know you don't believe in soulmates but my friend's struggling with his feelings and his soulmate." He stayed silent, letting Kenma continue. 

"He has been harboring feelings with his so-called best friend for several months or so. He said he wasn't really sure when it started, but he just knew he felt like that and decided to keep it. But recently, he just found out that his soulmate is this so-called best friend of his but he felt more scared and decided to lie about the similar marks they have. He doesn't know if his so-called best friend knew about them being soulmates, but they never talked about it. Was it the right thing that he lied to his so-called best friend?" 

He wasn't sure of himself as he heard the situation. But he could say it was the safest move to do so. "It's the safest one. But one way or another, his best friend would know since they were bound to meet at some point, they say. So I see lying is pointless at the end." 

The other line was silent but he heard a light hum. He looked at his own long, colorless scars, but colorful bruises on his arms and he only thought of one person. Bokuto Koutarou. And sighed mentally. He shouldn't be thinking this right now and focus on helping Kenma. 

"Like I said before, soulmate is a fickle thing, so are people. But either way, your friend is lucky. Falling in love with his soulmate and his best friend, I mean. But it still depends on your friend's soulmate's feelings. But I won't doubt if his feelings would be reciprocated. After all, we're living in a world where most people depend their love interests on their soulmarks." 

Kenma was silent on the other line until he coughed before continuing, "I guess you have a point. One way or another, he would know."

"I know this is out of the blue but Akaashi, have you fallen in love or something similar?" Kenma asked like a curious kid and he couldn't help but be surprised with the question and to the one who's questioning him. 

One person had appeared in his mind yet he wasn't even sure about his own feelings if it's just an adoration, a mere attraction, or he really likes him. But one thing is for sure. He feels happy yet flustered when he's around Bokuto. 

"No. Have you?" He asked but silence has enveloped them until Kenma said yes. He was surprised, to say the least, but Kenma suddenly changed the topic. They continued talking, moving to one topic from another but the first topic they talked about and Kenma admitting he has fallen in love didn't leave his mind at all until they decided to bid goodbye. 

He remembered how he used to believe in soulmates, telling his mother he would travel until the depths of the world just to find his soulmate. He's too ambitious and he was aware of that, even as a kid. 

He used to stare on the mirror and admire the golden owl mark etched on his skin. He used to take care of his body, avoiding dangers that could harm his body because he was thinking he might leave permanent marks on his body that would mark his soulmate's body too. 

But dreams went to drain as reality hit him when he was young. And he promised himself never to believe in soulmates as he saw his mother continuously crying every night after his parents divorced. He was truly scared of experiencing the same thing.

Yet now, he was having his doubts about himself. From his "surfacing" feelings towards his teammate, and from seeing similar marks and bruises on his skin. He sighed as he moved to the other side of his room and sat in the corner as he looked at his pet sleeping in its cage. He smiled as he opened the cage and caressed its head.

He looked at his scars, which were now visible to his eyes. No, the scars weren't made on purpose, even if they looked like they were. They were uneven, long, and some were deep.

But it was from his bunny, Yuki, who scratches him accidentally from time to time, sometimes leaving permanent scars. Good thing the colors end up mixing with his skin tone. 

But he felt insecure and cautious at the same time, which made him apply some concealer on his wrist and arms, hiding the skin tone-colored scars he had. He even hides the other bruises on his wrists, which he receives from his soulmate from time to time.

And now that he thought about it, volleyball players do receive bruises on their arms from extensive training. Why didn't he think about that before? 

He then thought of Bokuto, of having big chances that he and Bokuto were soulmates. He wasn't sure, he might have been imagining things earlier, but he was sure he felt different when he was around the owl boy. 

He felt a connection to the owl boy since then, even from the first time he saw Bokuto spiking on the net. He wasn't only fascinated back then, he felt familiarity within the male and something was telling him in the back of his mind before that he should study there and set for that spiker. 

He didn't mind the 'connection' he felt at first, but as they grew closer for the past months, he felt scared, to say the least, of how he could not read Bokuto fully but understand him fully at the same time. And how Bokuto let him feel these terrifying yet surreal feelings.

His stomach felt funny then as he thought more of Bokuto and right there he knew it wasn't just adoration or attraction he felt, it was really deeper than that and it was something hard to recover from. 

He's starting to fall in love with someone who might just be his soulmate. 

He stood up from his position and let his bunny sleep peacefully after some minutes of calming himself down and saw the last painting he did last summer from the art classes hanging on the wall. 

He smiled as he traced the wings of the golden owl he drew. He may not believe in soulmates but when he thinks of falling in love, he could say it would feel high like how owl soars up high while flying through the sky and how gentle it would feel like its feathers. Just like how he feels around Bokuto lately.

He suddenly remembered the art Kenma did back then. It was a black cat with brownish eyes, staring right through the viewer of the painting. And if he wasn't mistaken, it resembles someone. 

He then realized something. Not that it's negative but he heard from Bokuto once that Kenma does not have any close friends other than Kuroo.

And maybe, just maybe, Kenma was pertaining to himself, who's falling in love with Kuroo, his best friend and soulmate at the same time. 

He sighed as he slumped back on his bed. 

Today was too much for him, and he doesn't know how he'll be composed tomorrow and the coming days after admitting to himself tonight that he's falling in love with his teammate named Bokuto Koutarou.