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Everyone is born with a unique soulmate mark on different parts of their bodies. Some say the symbol holds a deep meaning, others say it's a random drawing. Regardless, for two people to be considered soulmates they would need to have the same symbol and the same placement.
Sakura has never believed in soulmates. Maybe it's because the idea of someone loving him unconditionally sounded absurd. Or because his soulmate mark was a sakura flower placed on his forearm.
His whole life he's been rejected by others for his appearance. At the age of twelve, Sakura got extremely invested in soulmate stories, desperate to find the one person who'd accept him. But the more research he did, the more hopeless he's gotten. After all, soulmate marks were supposed to give you a hint on who the person might be. But in his case, it was a flower representing his own name. How much clearer could the universe be? He was meant to be alone forever, at least that's what he concluded. Ever since this realization, Sakura completely shut himself off, pushing everyone away before getting rejected again. Of course he wouldn't have a soulmate. He's not worthy of love after all.
He was better off alone anyway.
---
It was a cold and gloomy day with dark clouds in the sky. Sakura had a hard time waking up that morning. Eventually, he got ready and made his way to school. The streets were unusually empty. The town's people were all indoors, hiding from the potential rain.
"Good morning Sakura!"
Upon entering class, he was greeted by Nirei like usual, followed by Suo, who took a look at him.
"You didn't bring an umbrella Sakura? It might rain later"
Sakura's apartment was practically empty so getting an umbrella wasn't a priority. Besides, it hadn't rained too much since he got to this city yet. "A bit of rain won't hurt," he stated. "Please don't get sick Sakura!" Nirei worriedly fidgeted with his hands. Sakura had gotten sick before and Nirei didn't like seeing his friend in such a state.
---
Their day was going by extremely uneventful. That was until lunch break. Somehow the topic of soulmates had been brought up. It felt to Sakura as if it was all people talked about these days. Whatever, it's not like he cared. His sandwich was much more interesting.
"My soulmate mark is always hidden... I don't think I’ll ever find my soulmate like that"
"Mine is easy to see and I still haven't found mine"
"I feel like I’ve seen that one somewhere before..."
"Seriously?? Help me out with that!"
The constant talking was getting on Sakura's nerves. His classmates were getting nosy about seeing everyone's soulmate marks. He wanted nothing more than to leave so he devoured his sandwich as fast as possible. But before he could leave, his classmates got to him.
"What about you Sakura? Show us your soulmate mark!" Anzai and the others were surrounding their grade captain. "What?? Why should I?" He hated it. All this attention on soulmates made him uncomfortable. He was barely getting used to the idea that his classmates actually liked him, but he wasn't ready to share that kind of information with them yet. What would they think if they found out the meaning behind this tattoo? Would they feel bad for him? The last thing he wanted was their pity.
"To make it easier to find your soulmate! If we all reveal our marks, we can help each other out." Tsugeura joined in on the conversation. Sakura was desperate to escape this situation, "I'm not interested... why don't you ask someone else?"
Suo stepped in at the right moment "Let's not pressure our dear captain if he doesn't want to. We know how he gets when it comes to affection and romance."
Sakura blushed slightly at that statement, yes it was true he couldn't handle romantic topics but Suo didn't need to remind everyone! At least he was safe from this.
"Then you show us Suo!" Someone in the back of the class exclaimed.
"I already know who my soulmate is, but if you insist," at that Suo pulled his hair to the side, and showed a very small feather tattoo behind his ear. Wait- Sakura had seen this mark before. Suo usually has it covered by his hair, so where had he seen it?
Something dropped on the floor. It was Nirei's notebook. "No way..." Nirei's eyes were wide open, mouth agape as he stared at Suo's mark. Oh. Sakura recalled seeing that same mark on Nirei the first time they met. "Suo you're my..."
Sakura never believed in soulmates. It was also his first time witnessing soulmates finding each other. Seeing his closest friends having that revelation made his face feel hot. Damn it... why did it make so much sense? These two are always together, and by the way they look out and care for each other, it was always clear they liked each other.
"I thought you knew about it," Suo made his way to Nirei, placing a hand on his back and leading him out of the classroom to have a more private conversation. Sakura watched them leave, not missing the way Nirei leaned into Suo's touch.
Sakura is confused, and his emotions are a mess. He's definitely happy for his friends. But it felt so... right? Expected? Like Nirei and Suo were made for each other. Like they were meant to be together. Sakura had never believed in soulmates, but he believed in his friend's bond.
So are soulmates real? Did the world actually know which people to pair up? It was all too confusing for him. He stepped outside to calm his brain from overheating. He made his way to the rooftop and luckily it was empty.
Or so he thought.
"Sakura! Didn't expect to see you here!" Before he could look at who it was, an arm wrapped around his neck and he was being hugged by Tsubakino.
"Let go of me!" He wiggled his way out of the hug. "But I haven't seen you in so long! How have you been lately?"
Sakura preferred keeping the small talk short. But his mind was currently overloaded, and if anyone could help him without judging him it'd be Tsubakino.
"Can I ask something weird? You don’t have to answer, it's not that important..."
"But of course Sakura! What is it?"
Sakura could feel his cheeks heating up already. It was so embarrassing to ask but he had to find some answers. "Do you believe in soulmates?"
Tsubaki looked up for a moment thinking of an answer "Of course I believe in soulmates. Why are you asking? Do you think you found yours?"
Sakura couldn't face him so he looked down from the roof. From there he could see people leaving already. It was going to rain soon, so everyone was in a hurry to patrol before going home.
"I think the idea of soulmates is impossible... how would the world know two people lo-love each other?" He mumbled, already regretting this conversation.
"I don't exactly see it like that. You think the world randomly picks two people and puts them together. But I think it's more than that. Some people never meet their soulmates and still end up falling in love. Their lives don't end just because they haven't found the one person the universe picked," Tsubaki looked at the sky, and Sakura looked at him intrigued by his reasoning. "If two people are meant to be together then they'll meet, get to know each other, get together, whether they're soulmates or not."
Sakura liked that interpretation. It somehow made him feel less lonely. Like he's not the only person who's destined to stay alone. And maybe, just maybe he could dare think someone might want to be with him for who he is.
"Have you found your soulmate?" As soon as Sakura asked that question, Tsubaki brought his finger to his lips "It's a secret!"
---
Soon after that exchange, the school was almost empty. Everyone left early that day to get home before the rain. Sakura was itching to punch someone. He wasn’t used to having so many feelings and wanted to let it all out. Despite the empty streets, he went for a quick patrol. He was hoping to find some troublemakers to fight. After all, he felt most comfortable when he was using his fists, not his brain over some stupid soulmate ideas. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
He's not taking a particular route as he walks and eventually ends up at the train crossing border between Shishitoren and Bofurin's territories. Ever since their conflict a few months ago, both teams have supposedly become "friends". Sakura still wanted a rematch against Togame. That jerk went easy on him during their fight. Just thinking about Togame's face makes Sakura's heart beat a little faster.
"Sakura?"
He turned around to see the man he was just thinking about.
"It's nice seeing you here, it's been a while."
He was wearing his usual loose clothes with his Shishitoren jacket and sandals. Wasn't he cold? Sakura bets his hands are cold... if he punched him of course. No other reasons for Sakura to feel his hands.
"I'm just doing a quick patrol before it starts raining," Sakura said as Togame approached him "Why are you here?"
"I just finished helping out an old man carrying boxes, and I was passing by the area so I thought I’d sit here for a bit."
To Sakura that place probably didn't mean much. But to Togame, it was here that his life changed. After all, that's where he met his soulmate for the first time, even though he had no proof, he was persuaded it was him.
A few months ago, he had met Sakura under that train track. He didn't know his name back then, but called him "Othello-kun". His hair, no, his whole appearance was unique, it intrigued Togame.
The day he learned his name was Sakura, he had his suspicions. It could totally be a coincidence that his soulmate mark was a sakura flower. But the day of the confrontation between Bofurin and Shishitoren confirmed his suspicions. Sakura made him realize how much of a shitty person he was. He was really lame and now worked towards his goal of getting a bit cooler.
To him, a soulmate is a person you meet that will change the trajectory of your life. Sakura was just that to him. Adding to the fact that his mark literally represented his name, Togame was certain of the identity of his soulmate.
Through the months, they had hung out a few times. Each time Togame fell harder and harder. He learned Sakura loves omurice, but hates vegetables, he wears almost the same outfit every day, he hates hats and sunglasses, and he blushes terribly easily at the smallest bit of affection.
Despite being almost certain they were soulmates, Togame didn't want to ask Sakura to check yet. He didn't want Sakura to think he only cared for him because they were soulmates. He wants to show him he loves him, meant to be or not.
Light rain began to dapple the ground.
"Damn it... I don't have an umbrella." Sakura wasn't too concerned but he didn't want to end up sick again.
"Here, take mine," Togame handed him his umbrella "I plan on staying here for a bit, so I can just wait until the rain stops."
"Huh? No way! I'll just run home it's not far." Sakura couldn't just take the umbrella. What if the rain didn't stop tonight?
"Then I’ll walk you there."
Sakura's cheeks immediately tinted red. He was about to protest but Togame smiled softly at him and all he could do was open and close his mouth. His smile was really pretty...
"Come on, we don't want you getting sick." He said as he opened his umbrella. Sakura joined him under it. With this proximity, he couldn't help but blush slightly more. He often stood close to others in his class or during combat, so why did Togame make him feel this way?
---
"Thank you for walking me home..." the rain was getting stronger, and it was accompanied by a strong wind. Despite the umbrella, they were both drenched.
"Anytime. I should get going now."
Sakura took another look outside. The storm only seemed to be getting stronger. He'd feel too bad letting Togame walk back home now.
"Do you want to stay here until the storm calms down?" Sakura wasn't particularly proud of the way his apartment looked, but since when did he care? Why was he feeling self-conscious about Togame seeing it?
"I guess I could stay for a short time. I can barely see the road with all this rain."
They walked into the empty apartment. If Togame had judgment about the place he didn't say it. Sakura handed him a towel to dry his hair.
"There's not much here... but Suo got me a kettle and tea if you want to drink something to warm up," Sakura said as he took off his wet jacket and hung it to dry.
"Hot tea would be nice." He answered as he put down the towel, observing Sakura. Under his Furin jacket, he was wearing his usual plain white t-shirt.
Togame told himself he didn't care. He said he didn't, yet he couldn't stop himself from looking at Sakura's forearm. And there it was, the sakura flower mark placed on the exact same spot as him. He already knew Sakura would be his soulmate, no doubt about it. Still, he couldn't stop the stupid smile that crept up his face.
Sakura put on a hoodie then busied himself making them tea, and Togame had to face the other way to hide his expression. He wouldn’t be able to explain why he was smiling like an idiot and the last thing he wanted was to overwhelm Sakura with that information.
They drank tea in disposable plastic cups.
"Hm... this was much needed. It was freezing outside." Togame said, trying to stop himself from looking too giddy.
"I knew you'd be cold. Who even wears sandals during winter?" Sakura said between sips.
"I like to dress comfortably." He chuckled.
Sometimes Sakura wishes he could just take a picture of Togame smiling and laughing. He gets this urge to grab his face and... punch him. Yes, punch him. If he thinks of anything else, his face might combust.
He had been so distracted with Togame that he completely forgot how much the soulmate issue had bothered him earlier that day. Now that he thinks about it, Togame has a soulmate like everyone. For some reason, this thought made him angry. He shook his head to get rid of it.
"...akura? Sakura are you okay?"
He was so distracted he didn't hear Togame talking to him.
"Yes! I’m fine!" He said, a blush creeping up his face.
"Your face is red... could you be sick?" he asked as he placed his hand on Sakura's forehead.
Togame's hands were really cold, yet the skin to skin contact burned. Sakura wanted to jump back, get away as far as possible. He resisted the urge, instead leaning into his touch. He didn't understand it but it felt kind of nice? Togame's hand is rough, bruised even. Probably from a recent fight.
"You're burning... do you have a fever?" he asked, pulling his hand away. Sakura missed the touch almost instantly. Touching Togame made him feel weird, in a good way.
"I'm not sick... your hands are just too cold," Sakura said.
"Are they? Sorry about that." He said sheepishly. He took a look out of the window. It was dark already, and the storm was raging. They could hear thunder rumbling through the night.
"Stay here tonight," Sakura suggested before thinking about his words. Once the words caught up with his brain, he got flustered "I mean... it's too late! And dangerous. And cold!" He stammered.
Togame chuckled and nodded "What would I do without you, my dear Sakura?"
And there goes Sakura's heart. It was beating so loudly he was certain Togame could hear it.
"Wh-whatever!" He spat out as he desperately busied himself with something else.
He spotted the extra futon Suo and Nirei had brought him. They said it was for "sleepover purposes", and by that, they meant coming over uninvited, with snacks to tell ghost stories.
He pulled the futon out of the closet and put it right next to his. Not on purpose of course! His room was just so small, they had no choice but to sleep this way. When his vice captains came over they'd all fit on two futons, forced to squeeze in together for the night. The idea of being in such close proximity with Togame made Sakura want to bash his head into the wall.
Eventually, they both settled in, cozy under their blankets. Sakura was facing the wall, his back turned to Togame. If he turns around he might just combust.
"Goodnight Sakura." Togame managed to say in between yawns. Judging by how close his voice was, he was facing Sakura's back.
"Goodnight..." he replied before falling asleep surprisingly fast. He usually struggled with sleep and nightmares. However tonight he managed to stay asleep all night. And all morning, sleeping through his alarm.
Togame woke up at the alarm. He turned it off and looked over at Sakura, about to wake him up. That's when he noticed Sakura's red face. He touched his forehead and it was burning hot.
---
Sakura woke up feeling too warm. He grabbed his water bottle and chugged half of it. Still groggy from his sleep, he looked at his phone to see "10:48" on the screen, as well as a bunch of texts from Suo and Nirei telling him to get better soon. This seemed to snap him out of his daze. He overslept! He was about to get up, but his body wouldn't let him. He felt weak and in pain.
"Ah, you're finally awake."
Sakura was startled by the voice. Oh right... Togame slept over.
"You have a fever. I tried waking you up earlier but you were out cold. How are you feeling now?" Togame explained.
"Like shit..." Sakura hated looking weak, especially in front of him.
"Your friends called you a few times earlier. I ended up answering them to let them know you were sick." Togame added as he brought over a cup of tea.
Sakura sighed. His friends worried too much. It's just a fever. If he sleeps enough it'll pass.
"Now that you're awake I’ll go make you some soup. It'll help you recover faster." Togame said, smiling softly like he actually enjoyed taking care of Sakura.
"What? No! I’ll be fine without-"
Togame knelt in front of Sakura and ruffled his hair before he could finish his sentence.
"No complaining. Consider this my thanks for letting me stay over tonight." He said then got up, leaving Sakura alone in his room, face combusting.
It was unfair. Truly. How Togame could casually touch him and reduce him into a blushing mess. He already got flustered easily, but with Togame it happened ten times faster than usual. Sakura might be inexperienced when it comes to complex feelings, but he wasn't stupid. What he felt toward Togame wasn't friendship. It hurts to realize it now, knowing Togame has a soulmate waiting for him somewhere. He deserves a good partner. Not someone like Sakura.
He rolled up the sleeve of his hoodie to look at his mark. He hated it so much. If only he could get rid of it. Whenever he gets into his own head, this tattoo is always there to remind him that he was destined to stay alone forever.
This is so frustrating. He gathered all his strength to go to the bathroom and wash his face. Cold water helped him readjust after spiraling.
On his way back, he saw Togame stirring the soup. Sakura had to admit, ever since their fight Togame had become much cooler. How could he manage to look so good while effortlessly stirring a pot of what looked like tomato soup?
When he brought the spoon to his mouth to taste his concoction, Sakura couldn't help but notice his large sleeve slipping to his elbow, revealing his forearm, and with it the sakura flower mark he had seen so many times. The same flower he had wished he could get rid of, just a few minutes ago.
Sakura froze in place. Could he be hallucinating? Is his fever playing tricks on him? Togame noticed him standing and walked over to him.
"Are you feeling alright? The soup will be ready soon so you can sit down." He said with concern.
Sakura looked up at him, desperation in his eyes, lips quivering.
"Your arm... I just saw- is it true? Did I see it correctly?"
Togame had never seen that look on Sakura's face. He always looked confident, strong, sometimes shy and embarrassed. But never this. He looked hurt.
"Ah... you saw it?" He asked as he uncovered his forearm. Sakura reached out and held his arm. He traced the mark with his finger. It was really there. The exact same mark as him.
"How...?" Sakura was staring in disbelief as if the mark might disappear if he blinked. "Did you know about it?"
"The day we met, when you told me your name. I figured out we might be soulmates. I only saw your mark yesterday." Togame confessed.
Sakura wanted to say so much. But words weren't coming out of his mouth. The lump in his throat made it impossible to speak. So Togame did the only thing he could think of in that moment and pulled Sakura into a hug, arms wrapped around his upper body and his chin resting on his head.
Initially, Sakura resisted. But there was something so comforting about getting held by Togame. He could finally breathe again. He slowly leaned into the hug and relaxed. He doesn't even know when the tears started falling down his face.
Once Sakura was calm enough to speak, they both sat down facing each other. His eyes were red.
"So you knew about this..." he said in a low voice.
"I wasn't exactly sure. But for you to show up in my life and change things around so much, I thought it couldn't be a coincidence." Togame explained.
"Why didn't you ask to see my mark?" Sakura reached out to intertwine their fingers. His face was getting redder but he felt oddly calm when he touched Togame.
"I didn't need to see it. Soulmates or not, it didn't matter. I like you Sakura, and a tattoo won't make a difference."
Sakura's face burst into flames at the confession. He tried looking elsewhere, embarrassed of his own reaction. He didn't think he could be liked, especially not in a romantic way. Did he deserve it?
He shook his head. No more overthinking. He needs to tell Togame how he feels. Was the fever getting to his head? He was feeling a little daring, so he pulled on Togame's hand, bringing him closer to him. Their faces were inches away, foreheads touching.
"I don't know how I feel about you yet... but when we touch it feels nice and warm. And when you smile it makes my stomach do weird things."
Togame chuckled and closed his eyes "There's no need to rush figuring out what these feelings mean. I've waited for you my whole life, and I can wait as long as you need me to."
Sakura exhaled, feeling the pressure lifting off his chest. He didn't understand romance or soulmates. A day ago he didn't even believe in soulmates. But with Togame, he was willing to learn.
And Togame would be there with him every step of the way. Because that's what soulmates do.