Chapter Text
"Mama, what's the voice inside my head?" A much younger Semi asked while tugging on his mother's dress.
The young woman crouched down to his level. "Well Dear, that's your soulmate. You can hear whatever music they listen to or make," His mother cupped her son's face. "One day you'll find them and you'll realize that you love them with all your heart."
_______________
I wonder when that day will come. Semi thought as he made his way down the emptying school corridor.
His father had always said that it would be the person he least expected, but at the same time someone that he hoped would be his soulmate.
His grandmother always used to say that soulmates are naturally attracted to each other. That he would begin falling in love with his soulmate without even realizing.
His grandfather would say that even if soulmates were on the opposite side of the world, fate would bring them together.
Semi looked up again. The halls were practically empty by now. Only a few students here and there, with most being at their after-school activities and others in their dorms. As he turned the corner, a familiar figure came into view. Shirabu Kenjirou.
At first sight, their relationship was that of rivals. But Semi actually had a bit of a soft spot for his bratty underclassman. It was strange really. The sight of him made a pit of warmth grow in Semi's stomach. Every time Shirabu smiled made his heart flutter. Whenever Shirabu pulled off a successful set, Semi couldn't help but feel proud too.
A part of Semi secretly hoped that Shirabu was his soulmate. He would never really admit it to anyone. Except to his fellow third years who, more often than not, were stuck listening to Semi's rants about Shirabu.
Semi's thoughts about Shirabu were interrupted when a song began playing inside his head. His soulmate was apparently switching between songs considering the fact that the song inside his head kept switching to a different one every few seconds.
Hey, these are all songs that I listen to regularly. I've never heard them coming from my soulmate before.
The setter sighed and walked faster to catch up with Shirabu.
"Shira-buuu," Semi exclaimed as he put an arm around the shorter setter.
"Get off Semi-san," Shirabu quickly pushed him away.
Semi couldn't help but notice the phone in Shirabu's hands and the earbuds in his ears. His eyes widened as he realized what Shirabu was doing. He was switching through songs, the same ones playing inside of Semi's head. They were all the songs on Semi's playlist.
No this has to be a coincidence.
But how could it be simply a coincidence when Shirabu stopped skipping when he found Semi's favorite song? No one besides Semi himself knew what his favorite song was.
"You've got good music taste," Semi blurted out.
Shirabu looked at him, puzzled and looking slightly annoyed. "My soulmate seems to like these songs, so I've started listening to them too."
The shorter setter put away his phone and sighed, "This song appears to be their favorite. They listen to it a lot."
Yeah, I sure do listen to it a lot.
_______________
"I can't do this anymore you guyssss," Semi screamed into his pillow.
Tendou, Reon, Ushijima, and Yamagata sighed as they watched their best friend freak out.
Yamagata, clearly tired of it all, shook his head in disbelief, "And you didn't think to ask him?"
"No!?" Semi yelled into the pillow. "How could I? Especially when he's so adorable and cute and I can't help but get flustered when he's around!"
"Somebody's whipped," Reon mumbled under his breath.
"Wait, I have an idea!" The ash haired setter suddenly sat up and looked at the music sheets on his desk.
"Semisemi, your ideas aren't always the best, you know," Tendou was clearly amused by the situation.
"No, no, but this will work! I just know it," Semi quickly got to work on creating a melody to go with the lyrics he had already written.
"Well then, let's go Wakatoshi," Tendou grabbed hold of his boyfriend's hand and pulled him away and out of the room.
"Imma go see Taichi," Yamagata said as he quickly made his way to the door. "Good luck Semi."
"Thanks Yama," Semi said, looking up from his papers to wave at his friend.
Reon walked over to give Semi a pat on the back, "And I'll go back to being single."
"Mood."
The two laughed and Reon left the room.
I hope this works.
_______________
It was now the day of the talent show and Semi was walking with Yamagata to meet up with Shirabu and Kawanishi.
"I'm so nervousssss," Semi whined. He had been preparing for this day for the last 3 weeks. What if his hunch was wrong? No, he's pretty certain that Shirabu is his soulmate. There's no other way to explain what happened in the halls.
Plus, over the last two weeks Semi had been listening to the song he wrote play over and over again in his head. Only Yamagata, Shirabu, Kawanishi, Tendou, and himself had seen the music sheets. There was no way it could not be Shirabu.
"Hmm, Shira is looking anxious," Yamagata suddenly said.
Semi looked up ahead where a worried looking Shirabu was pacing around as Kawanishi watched. "Damn, I just want to hug him."
"Why don't you just do it?"
"No."
"Semi, just do it," Yamagata sighed, done with Semi at this point.
“Fine, fine,” Semi answered dismissively. He moved closer to Shirabu and wrapped his arms around him, pulling the younger boy into a hug.
“Ah? Semi-san?” Shirabu sounded so confused and innocent in the moment that it made Semi's heart throb.
“Calm down, Shira,” Semi pulled away, hands on Shirabu’s shoulders and looking straight into his eyes he said, “We’ll do just great.”
Oh goodness, his eyes are beautiful.
Shirabu was looking calmer now, something that Semi was glad for, “Yeah, yeah. Of course.”
"We'll be going now," Yamagata said as he and Kawanishi walked back to the audience where they sat with the rest of the Shiratorizawa volleyball team. Tendou had made sure to bring along the whole team. It didn't bother Semi, but maybe Shirabu was feeling more pressured because of it
“Shira,” Semi was really trying to keep calm for Shirabu. “I will start singing first. When I finish the first verse and look at you, start the piano. That’s all you need to do, got it?”
“Yeah,” The younger setter nodded in understanding.
They fell silent and gazed into each others' eyes. Semi observed how Shirabu looked at him with the cutest and softest expression he had ever seen on the setter's face. He just wanted the moment to last forever.
Semi broke free of the trance he was in when he suddenly heard the announcer’s voice on the microphone, calling them up to the stage.
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
It's time, Semi Eita. Don't screw this up. Was Semi panicking? Yes, who wouldn't be. But it'd all be alright. He had Shirabu by his side and there was no doubt they were soulmates.
The two walked up the stage together. Semi with his music sheets and violin in hand and Shirabu with his music sheets. Tendou, Yamagata, and Reon were being really loud back in the audience. As soon as Shirabu and Semi had taken their places and the audience had quieted down, the lights began to dim.
Hey, what am I freaking out for? Shirabu is here with me. My friends are supporting us. I've practiced for this. Everything will be just fine.
All the fear that Semi had felt just moments before melted away like snow on a sunny day.
”I used to hear a simple song,” He began to sing, ”That was until you came along.”
There was no need to be scared or worried. Everything was going well.
”Now in its place is somethin’ new,” Semi continued, ”I hear it when I look at you.”
Semi couldn't help but smile as he turned to look at Shirabu. As Shirabu began to move his fingers from key to key, a beautiful song began to fill the room.
”With simple songs, I wanted more.”
The music that Shirabu was playing sounded much better than Semi remembered. Maybe it was because he was actually listening to it with his own two ears.
”Perfection is so quick to bore.”
”You are my beautiful, by far.”
Semi spun around to see Shirabu. He was overflowing with happiness.
”Our flaws are who we really are.”
A tear ran down Shirabu's cheek as Semi watched him.
”I used to hear a simple song.”
”That was until you came along.”
”You took my broken melody.”
Semi slowly began to make his way over to Shirabu as he sang. Playing the violin softly to mix in with the music coming from the piano.
”And now, I hear a symphony.”
Semi gave Shirabu one more smile before turning back to face the crowd.
”And now, I hear…”
”A symphony.”
The room quieted down once again, absent of any noise, and the lights dimmed before turning back on again.
It wasn’t long before cheers erupted through the room. Shirabu and Semi both began to tear up.
“Semi-san…” Shirabu mumbled, standing up from his seat.
“Kenjirou,” Semi quickly moved to hug him. “You were amazing. I love you so much.”
Shirabu was sniffling as he wrapped his arms tighter around Semi, “No, you were.”
"Now, no need to cry Bubs," Semi said as he wiped away Shirabu's tears.
"Semi-san, let's go somewhere else."
"Sure."
Taking Shirabu's hand, Semi led them both away from the auditorium. Somewhere they could talk in private. The music room.
“Semi-san, we’re…” Shirabu whispered, still not over the initial shock.
Semi couldn't be happier, “Soulmates. I know.”
“Then, everything you did the last two weeks?”
Semi grinned, “Yeah, I’ve had a feeling for some time that you were my soulmate, so I devised a plan using the talent show.”
“Goodness, you’re such a crazy idiot,” Shirabu said playfully.
“But," Semi said, ruffling Shirabu's hair, "I’m your crazy idiot.”
“Yeah, my crazy idiot. I love you.”
“Love you too, Kenjirou,” Semi pressed his forehead to Shirabu’s and smiled. "Can I kiss you?"
"Mhm."
Semi tilted Shirabu's head up and the two leaned on for a soft kiss.
"Told ya they'd be here," Tendou suddenly burst through the door.
"Ten-" Semi whined.
Moments later, the rest of the Shiratorizawa volleyball team walked in.
"Forgive the intrusion Semi, Satori brought us here," Ushijima apologized.
Semi shook his head, "It's fine. I sorta expected this to happen."
Kawanishi walked up to the two setters. "Shira, remember what I promised two weeks ago?"
Shirabu's eyes widened, "You're still doing it?" Kawanishi only gave a sly grin. "Well then, Semi-san, please forgive me for this, but go ahead Taichi."
"Ha? What's this about?" Semi asked, visibly confused.
He didn't have to wait long for an answer because Kawanishi punched his stomach. Not too hard, but it still hurt.
"Ow-" Semi said as he leaned forward, "What was that for?"
"Not letting Shira study two weeks ago," Kawanishi calmly answered.
"Ah, makes sense. I thought it was for Rick rolling him yesterday."
"You fucker, that scared the shit out of me," Shirabu muttered.
The whole team, including Semi and Shirabu burst into laughter.
_______________
"Bubs?"
"Yes, Semi?" Shirabu turned around in his chair to look at Semi, who sat in the latter's bed.
"Um, I forgot to ask you earlier, but," Semi chuckled nervously, "Will you be my boyfriend?"
Shirabu gave Semi a smile, the type that made his heart skip a beat. "Of course, I'd be happy to."
"I'm happy it's you."
"Me too," Shirabu sighed contentedly. "Can I call you Eita?"
"Yes Bubs, of course."
Semi's family was right about everything they told him about soulmates. He couldn't imagine anyone besides Shirabu as his soulmate.