Work Text:
I didn't have the string since the beginning.
I remember when my elementary teacher told us about it. Everyone always asked about the string tied around their finger. A red string that seemed to go on forever, invisible for others but clearly visible for them. And she told us what it was.
"Your parents must've told you about it already, but I'll tell you again. Pay attention."
She wrote the word 'Soulmate' on the board. Right below it, she drew two stick figures with a red line connecting their hands.
"When someone is born, their soul is bonded to that of another person. Two people who belong together are called Soulmates. The red string each of you have tied around your finger is the only clue you have of your soulmate. It can stretch, and tangle, but it will never break or disappear. You two were chosen to share a future together."
She drew a huge heart surrounding the two stick figures.
I simply stared at my hands.
"Some people spend their entire life looking for them. Others simply ignore it and wait for fate to do its job. Either way, it's a fact that—"
"Miss?" I raised my hand, interrupting her monologue.
"Yes, Katsuki?"
"I don't... have a string."
I'll never forget her expression. Or the way everyone turned to look at me, shocked and... disgusted.
It's a reminder that I'll always be alone.
After that, soulmates became something surreal to me. The idea that two people belonged together.
Bullshit.
So, I ignored the topic for years. I spent my time studying, working, enjoying my hobby of photography. I didn't waste my time with people. And the few times I was forced to do so, I'd lie and talk about soulmates too.
It seemed to be the only thing they talked about. It was absurd.
Luckily, it wasn't long until I moved out of my parent's house and started college. I was doing what I wanted and pursuing photography, posting my work on social media, and getting followers because of it, getting paid when people asked me to photograph their birthdays, weddings, and more.
And then he showed up.
I was scrolling through social media, not really knowing what my mind was looking for, until I ran into an account I recognized.
It was called "Red_Doodlz", and the artist normally posted drawings of characters and some scenes from books in comic form.
I've been following them for a while now, particularly enjoying their art style and ideas. But this drawing was different from the rest, and it was posted barely minutes ago.
It was a nighttime scenery in the city, incredibly detailed and beautifully painted with watercolors.
It felt extremely familiar, too, and I swiped to see the close-up pictures. The final one, however, was a picture I knew almost perfectly.
A picture I took three years ago, while I walked home. The streets were empty due to a concert happening nearby, so it was the perfect opportunity.
I scrolled down to read the description.
Red_Doodlz
IT'S. FINALLY. FINISHED. GUYS!!!!! You can't even imagine how long this took!!! I really wanted to practice backgrounds because I'm still bad at those, so I challenged myself to draw a picture from @K_Photography! They take amazing pics so make sure to check their account!!
I wasn't able to get permission to use the photo as reference because no one replied to my DM, but if there's an issue with it I'll take the post down!
I also have a more cartoon version of it that follows my style, but you can see that one on Stories!
Red, out!
It took me a minute to react.
I slammed my thumb on Messages, typing 'Red' on the search bar. His account was the first one to show up.
[A month ago.]
"Hello! I wanted to ask if I can use a picture of yours as a reference for a drawing? I'm practicing backgrounds and I love your pictures, so I wanted to ask if I have your permission. I'll obviously credit you and tag you on the post if you let me. Thanks for reading!"
Fuck.
Every time I started typing an answer, I'd end up erasing it and starting over. Nothing sounded good, even less when I kept looking at the date when Red sent the message.
A month ago.
Red sent this a month ago and I didn't even notice. I always make sure to check in case clients send anything. How the fuck did I miss it. Fuck.
I was about to start typing again when three dots appeared on the screen.
I felt the anxiety take over, and I locked the phone and threw it across the room. When it landed, my first thought was killing myself because I may have broken my only way of communicating with clients on the go, and a new one would cost too much.
My body tensed up the moment I heard it chiming, and I made myself get up and grab it.
The first thing I did was check the screen and make sure it wasn't cracked. When I saw it light up correctly, I unlocked the phone and started testing the touch screen.
But I forgot Red's messages were open, so the second text came to view.
[Today]
"Hey, me again! Sorry if I'm bothering you, I just wanted to tell you that I posted the drawing I did with one of your photos as reference a couple minutes ago. I tagged you both in the picture and in the description, clarifying the reference is yours. If there's a problem with it and you want it taken down, just say so and I'll delete it!"
Finally, I forced myself to reply.
"Thank you for reaching out, Red. I'm sorry for not answering when you first reached out, for some reason I completely missed the message."
"I have no problem with you using my photos as references, and you gave the proper credit so there's no need to take it down. I'm glad you liked it enough to use it, so thanks for that, too."
"Keep drawing. You're really talented."
Not even a minute later, an answer arrived.
":OOOO OMG YOU ACTUALLY ANSWERED HI!!!!"
"I'm kinda freaking out sorry aaaAAAA"
"Why would you freak out?"
"I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING YOU FOR SO LONG!!! Like, YEARS long!!!! You've improved so much with your pictures, and they're all so beautiful and amazing and they look like movie scenes!! I always wanted to use one as a reference but I felt like I didn't have enough skills to do it justice until now!"
"IT'S SUCH AN HONOR DUDE OMG"
That's how it all started.
We kept talking about his drawings and my photos at first. Then, the conversation shifted to our personal lives.
I learned that his name is Eijirou Kirishima, and that he's also in college studying Literature. He draws as a hobby but has been into it ever since he was a kid, same with writing.
He lives in a town hours away from where my apartment is, still with his family because the university he attends is barely a 5-minute walk away, and he helps them by working on commissions.
We talked almost daily, sometimes having an afternoon free and calling each other to talk while he drew and I edited some photos.
After months, I felt extremely close to him.
And that meant I couldn't lie to him anymore.
[Today]
"Hey, can we talk?"
":O sounds serious! You okay, Kats?"
"Yeah, I just need to tell you something that's... pretty serious, according to other people I guess"
"Serious!? Are you sick!? Did something happen!? DDD:"
"It's nothing like that, calm down!! I'm fine"
"Then what is it?"
"??"
"Kats?"
"I don't have a soulmate."
I locked the phone, resisting the urge to throw it to the complete opposite side of my room. My heart was pounding, and my thoughts were all over the place.
He's going to be mad. Furious. I ruined everything, didn't I? He's gonna be disgusted, who would want to hang out with someone who's bound to be alone forever? Fuck, fuck, fuck—
I dropped my phone when it vibrated between my hands, quickly taking it back and unlocking it.
":OOOOOOO"
"NO WAY DUDE"
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?!?"
"I DON'T HAVE ONE EITHER!!!!!"
"...what?"
"You shitting me?"
It was at that moment I felt a pull on my finger, immediately looking at it.
There was a bright red string surrounding it, and I followed it with my eyes. The string danced around my room for a bit before heading towards the window, the rest of it floating and being only illuminated by the full moon.
I looked back at my phone when I noticed two more texts.
"KATSUKI, I JUST GOT A STRING!!!! WTH!!"
"I THINK YOU'RE MY SOULMATE!!!!!!!"
I didn't know what to reply. I was at a complete loss. I was shocked, and confused, and so fucking scared.
But, at the same time, I was extremely happy and excited about it.
So the only thing I could do was laugh.
***
After that, we were closer than ever before.
We mostly called each other now, talking when we were free, or walking back home, or when he spent his day drawing while I accompanied him editing photos.
It wasn't too different from before, honestly... except for Eijirou's copious amounts of compliments and flirting.
"Listen, I have to hang up. I'm about to arrive at the bridge where I'm meeting the client so I have to work."
"Alright, Kats! Don't forget to take pics of the most beautiful thing in the world. That way you can send them over later!"
I held myself from rolling my eyes. "And what would that be?"
"You, obviously!"
"...I walked right into that one. You're an idiot." His laughter made me smile.
"Yup! I'll let you go now. Remind me to show you the new drawing I'm working on! I want your opinion."
"I'll call you tonight, then. Don't forget to stretch your wrist. And drink water."
"Yessir! Until tonight, Kats!"
"Until tonight, Ei."
I pocketed my phone and arrived at the bridge barely a minute after hanging up. The client was nowhere to be seen, so I decided to start preparing the equipment and camera.
I distracted myself by taking some other photos until my client arrived accompanied by two other people I didn't know.
We talked about the shoot. My client and his fiance asked for the photos, and the other guy simply stayed behind and watched the scene as I worked.
In the end, we spent around two hours there, mainly because we waited for the sun to set and used it as background for the final pictures.
One I was done, I explained that the photos would be sent in a week's time digitally, and they had to choose which ones they wanted to have printed. After that, my client turned towards the man who accompanied him and his fiance.
"See? Told you he was good! What do you think?"
The other looked at me before answering. "Has potential. I can work with that passion."
"Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?" My client laughed at my question, throwing an arm over my shoulders.
"I didn't introduce you!! Man, what an idiot. This is Mr. Sanaki. You have probably heard of his work."
"...no way."
Sanaki was a known name in the photography industry. His work had no flaws, perfectly balanced photos that could move the coldest heart and make it pound with amazement and adrenaline.
We talked for a while after I snapped out of my initial shock, telling him how his photos always inspired me and kept me wanting to get better at what I enjoy. He said he's been checking my account for a while now and was positively impressed, so he wanted to help.
Mr. Sanaki himself wanted to help me improve.
The only problem was that he didn't work in Japan.
***
It's been a week since Sanaki's offer. The sun's already setting and my room is practically empty.
There were two suitcases next to the door; one with my equipment and the other one with everything else I needed.
I was prepared for tomorrow morning. I had my train ticket, my phone was charged, same as my laptop so I could edit some photos as I traveled. Everything was set.
Everything... except Eijirou.
The calendar app was open on my phone, and I stared at tomorrow's date. The 20th. It was highlighted with a bright orange, a reminder of the day I'd start being Mr. Sanaki's apprentice. Five days later, another date was highlighted, this one in bright red.
"Meeting Eijirou."
I tapped the reminder, the description coming to view.
"I'll finally meet Eijirou today. We agreed to meet at the station when he arrives. Don't forget to buy tulips for him. Those are his favorite."
But I won't be here. Instead, I'll be an ocean away.
The moment I tried to delete the reminder, an incoming call appeared. And, instead of hanging up and avoiding it like how I did all week, I accidentally answered.
Fuck.
"Katsuki!? Dude, you finally answer the call! Did something happen?"
I closed my eyes tight, thinking of what to say.
Nothing came out.
"I can hear your breathing, I know you're there. Please, answer me, Kats. I'm really worried... At least let me know you're okay."
"I'm fine, Eijirou. There's no need to worry."
"No need to worry!? You barely text me anymore, and didn't even answer my calls! It was like you were avoiding me altogether!! And I want to know why! Did something happen? Did I do something? Are you hurt? Are you sick?"
"Hey, slow down! Take a deep breath, try to calm down. I'm okay, I assure you. I'm not sick, or hurt, or anything of that matter. There's nothing wrong. You did nothing wrong."
"Then what happened? Why did you shut me out, Katsuki?"
"...remember about that client at the bridge? A week ago?"
"Of course I do, you started ignoring me that night. What happened?"
"Well, when you put it like that—"
"Katsuki, spit it out already!!"
"He introduced me to a really known photographer and he offered to take me as his apprentice!"
The other line was quiet, and not being able to hear his breathing terrified me.
Until he almost left me deaf.
"WHAT THE FUCK, DUDE!? That's amazing!!! He's gonna help you get even better!! I'm so proud of you!"
"No, Ei. You don't get it..." My eyes started to sting because of the tears.
"Don't get what?"
"His company isn't here."
"So? What does the company have to do with him teaching you about photography?"
"He was only visiting Japan. I'll go to Europe with him and start working as his apprentice."
"Wait, you'll go with him? To wherever he's from? For how long!?"
I closed my eyes before answering. "...two years."
He fell silent for a long time, and I noticed a quiver in his voice when he spoke again.
"But... but that's so long! And, what happens with our... we promised, Kats! We promised to meet before this year ended!!"
"I know, Eijirou, and I'm really sorry I won't be able to keep our promise. I'm so, so fucking sorry."
"I want to see you. I want to meet you! Can we meet before you go? Please!"
"I don't think we can, the train leaves first thing tomorrow morning... I'm sorry, Eijirou."
"Katsuki—"
"I'm really sorry for doing this to you… I love you." He fell silent, not a word being pronounced. "I'll be back in two years. That's a promise."
I hung up right after that, not giving him the opportunity to answer.
I cried myself to sleep that night.
***
By the time I arrived at the station, the sun was barely coming out. It was early, extremely early, and my train would be here in around twenty minutes.
Sanaki told me he'd arrive just in time for the train, so I didn't have to worry about him.
Eijirou said nothing to me after last night. And I don't blame him. He must be furious.
I should've told him about it sooner, but the thought of him heartbroken like that hurt way too much.
In the end, he still got hurt because of me.
I stared down at my hand, the bright red string still tied around my finger. I held my hand close to my chest and shut my eyes. For the first time in my life, I made a wish.
Don't disappear.
I felt a pull on my finger, immediately looking back at the string. It was still there, but I noticed it getting tighter and... shorter.
What?
"KATSUKI!!!"
My heart almost stopped when I recognized that voice.
I turned around, only to be greeted by a train passing by at high speed. The string went right through it, not moving.
No way.
It felt like the longest train ever, but it was gone after a couple of minutes. And I could finally see the person on the other side of the tracks.
"Eijirou..."
He was there, taking deep breaths and trying to calm himself after probably running to get to this station. His hair was moving along with the wind, eyes on mine without breaking contact.
And then, he smiled at me.
"You really think I'd let you go without saying goodbye?"