author's note

friend sent a writing prompt, and i wanted to give it a shot ;) with, of course, kotoumi; the "main ship" that doesn't get appreciated enough (along with rinpana)

i hope you guys enjoy reading this one-shot!

"She's a beauty.." Kotori gasped, looking at the statue in front of her. It was made of marble, but the details on the statue, the way it smiled while extending its hand, it looked so real, as if the rumors were true. Written on the statue's podium were a few details about the said statue.

Sonoda Umi

A samurai that continues her search for love

"Legend says that centuries ago, Umi, the samurai, asked a witch for a favor," Kotori explained, reading the brochure she was given earlier by their tour-guide "for her to meet her soulmate soon. Apparently, the witch said her soulmate lived in another time, in the future. The only way Umi could meet her soulmate is if she turns into a statue, so her time would freeze until she met the person. Umi reluctantly agreed, and centuries later, she still stands in the middle of the busy Sapporo, awaiting for the day she meets her soulmate."

"A lot of people held her hand already, from men to women alike.. but no one turned her into a human yet?" Honoka pouted "This samurai must have a high taste in men or women."

"It's not confirmed to be true, anyway, Honoka-chan.. it might just be a myth to make the statue more well-known." Kotori muttered, her eyes meeting the statue's "But whether it's true or not, it sounds sad. The way she's been waiting all this time for her soulmate."

Despite the statue being a samurai, she looked more like a prince with her attire, with her sword leaning on her side.

"She's cute and hot at the same time.. wait, how is that possible?!"

"Ah, true.. but Kotori-chan! Take a picture of me holding her hand, maybe I'm her soulmate!" Honoka exclaimed, giving Kotori her phone and preparing to pose with the statue "Tell me when!"

"O-Okay then..!" Kotori nodded, backing out a bit to get a shot of her best friend and the statue "One.."

Honoka prepared her pose, holding the statue's hand and gazing 'lovingly' at the statue.

"Two..three!"

Flash!

To Honoka's dismay, the statue remained as a statue, even after a minute passed of her not letting go of the hand.

"Huh.. I guess I'm not this hottie's soulmate, what a shame." Honoka pouted, now letting go of the statue's hand "Kotori, you should try it out! You have a thing for 'manly' women, after all!"

"Ho-Honoka-chan! We're in public~!" Kotori whined, blushing from embarrassment "Mou.. I'll just take a quick photo, but I really doubt this girl would change, anyways.."

"I mean, it's worth the shot, isn't it?" Honoka giggled, taking Kotori's phone "Now come on, act cute and hold Sonoda's hand!"

"Ugh.. okay, okay." Kotori sighed, looking defeated. She locked her eyes with the samurai statue, reaching out to hold her hand. Kotori decided her pose would be her closing her eyes, reaching out to 'kiss' the statue's cheek.

Flash!

Suddenly, the hand she was holding felt.. warmer than before, like it wasn't made of marble anymore. Could it be true? No, it couldn't be.. but she could hear the surprised gasps of people around her, even Honoka.

Slowly, she opened her eyes, and gasped at the sight in front of her.

Startled amber eyes met startled amber eyes.

"W-Whoa!" The samurai lost her balance, causing her and Kotori to fall. Thankfully, she was able to protect Kotori's head with her hand,

although the position they were in, with her over Kotori, was slightly-- no, really awkward.

"I-I'm sorry, this is such an awkward way of meeting you..! That witch made my legs tired from the pose she made me do..!" Umi stuttered, as if panicking while explaining to her possible soulmate "I'm so sorry--"

"S-Sonoda-san, could you get off me, please..?" Kotori muttered, her face turning red "I-I think it would be easier for us to talk without you hovering over me like this.."

"I'm so sorry.." Umi mumbled, a light blush forming across her face as well. Soon, she found herself kneeling on one knee in front of Kotori, who now decided to stand up "May I..know your name?"

"Sonoda-san, please stand up.. we're gathering so much attention.." Kotori whispered, feeling overwhelmed with the flashes of the cameras and mumbles from the crowd. Hell, even her best friend joined the crowd! "M-My name is Kotori. Minami Kotori."

"So that witch wasn't lying.." Umi looked up, meeting Kotori's amber eyes, a charming smile forming across her lips. She reached out to hold Kotori's hand, and gave it a chaste kiss "I finally met you, my soulmate, Minami-san."

Kotori had multiple questions in mind, with some of it being 'how the fuck did this statue become human' 'shit she's so pretty' and 'mom I'm marrying a former statue', but she set that aside and gave Umi a smile, beckoning her to stand up.

After all, the way her heart beat fast wasn't a mistake, perhaps it was just fate working in odd ways.

"And at last I met you," Kotori held Umi's collar, making their faces closer "even though I didn't expect to meet my soulmate this way."

Cheers erupted from the crowd, with a teary-eyed Honoka clapping (while constantly saying "That's my best friend!") when Umi kissed Kotori's forehead and hugged her tightly.

Finally, the statue has awaken, and the statue has met her love.

Kotori made a mental note to thank her purple-haired friend for giving her a ticket to Sapporo weeks ago.

While Umi? Umi made a mental note to find the purple-haired witch's reincarnation to thank her.

Oh, how fate works.

side-note:

This is the full prompt, if you guys are curious!

There is a beautiful statue in the middle of a large city, and the rumor surrounding the statue is that when they touch hands with a soulmate, they will become human. Naturally, it becomes a perfect photo and video opportunity to pose while holding its hand.

One cute photo attempt results in an empty statue podium, and you just barely catch the very confused person your arms.

dun have much to stay but stay safe and take care!

- zumi