Here's a Harumaki oneshot set in a soulmate AU where people see the world in black and white until they touch their soulmate. Hope you like it! 😊✨

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For the first time the world wasn't black and white anymore

*****

the world had always been black and white for Harua.

He was used to it—the shades of gray, the dullness of everything around him. Some people got lucky and saw color early in life, brushing against their soulmate in a crowded street or shaking hands at a school event.

But Harua had made it to 18 years old, and the world was still void of color.

His best friend, Taki, had already found his soulmate by accident when he tripped in the cafeteria and crashed into someone. Even EJ—who swore he didn't care about soulmates—had seen color after a casual handshake at a concert.

But for Harua? Nothing.

Maybe it was better this way. If he never touched his soulmate, he wouldn't know what he was missing. He could pretend he was fine with the way things were.

That is, until he met Maki.

Maki arrived at their school in the middle of the year—quiet, polite, but distant. He was the type who kept his hands tucked into his sleeves, as if he was afraid of touching someone by accident.

Harua didn't think much of him at first. Another student, another gray silhouette in his black-and-white world.

But then Maki joined their group for lunch one day, sitting across from him, eyes flickering between Harua and his untouched plate.

"Not hungry?" Harua asked, trying to make conversation.

Maki hesitated. "Just... not used to eating with so many people."

Harua tilted his head, watching the way Maki's fingers curled slightly against the table. He was reserved, like he was always holding something back.

And for some reason, that made Harua want to know him more.

Days passed, and somehow, Maki started sticking around. He didn't say much, but he was always nearby, listening to Harua's stories with a small, amused smile or nodding along whenever Taki and Nicholas got too loud.

But one thing Harua noticed?

Maki never touched anyone.

Not a handshake, not a playful shove, not even brushing shoulders in the hallway.

It made Harua wonder.

Had Maki already seen color? Was he avoiding touching people because he didn't want to risk seeing color for someone who wasn't his soulmate?

Harua didn't know why, but that thought bothered him.

One afternoon, as they were packing up to leave school, Harua's notebook slipped from his hands. Without thinking, Maki bent down at the same time, reaching for it.

Their fingers almost touched.

But at the last second, Maki jerked his hand back like he'd been burned.

Harua's heart skipped a beat.

"Sorry," Maki muttered, grabbing the notebook quickly and handing it to him. His voice was tight, forced. Then, without another word, he turned and left.

Harua stood frozen, staring at his hand—wondering what Maki was so afraid of.

It wasn't until weeks later that Harua found out the truth.

They were walking home together—just the two of them. Maki had been quieter than usual, and Harua, tired of the tension, finally asked:

"Maki, have you already found your soulmate?"

Maki tensed. "Why do you ask?"

Harua hesitated before replying. "Because you act like you're afraid to touch anyone."

Maki stopped walking. The streetlights above them flickered in the dim evening air, casting long shadows on the pavement.

Then, after a long pause, Maki whispered, "I already know who my soulmate is."

Harua's breath caught.

Maki turned to face him, expression unreadable. "I saw color for the first time a few months ago. But... I don't think they know yet."

Harua's pulse pounded in his ears.

It couldn't be... right?

He took a shaky step forward. "Maki... who is it?"

Maki looked at him then—really looked at him—and for the first time, there was something raw and unguarded in his eyes.

And before Harua could say another word—

Maki reached for his hand.

The second their fingers brushed—

The world exploded into color.

Harua gasped, eyes widening as everything around him shifted, brightened, bloomed. The dark grays faded into soft blues, warm oranges, deep reds. The neon signs down the street flickered vibrant and alive.

And Maki—

Maki's hair was golden. His eyes were warm brown with hints of hazel. His cheeks were flushed, lips parted in quiet anticipation.

"...You knew," Harua whispered, voice shaking.

Maki let out a breathless chuckle. "I did."

Harua's fingers curled around Maki's, holding tighter. His heart felt full, alive—like he had been waiting for this moment his whole life without realizing it.

Maki gave him a small, shy smile. "I wanted you to find out on your own."

Harua huffed, rolling his eyes before tugging Maki closer, their foreheads nearly touching. "You're so dramatic."

Maki laughed softly, squeezing his hand. "Says you."

The city lights flickered around them, but Harua only saw Maki.

His soulmate.

And for the first time, the world wasn't just black and white anymore.

It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.