In the end, I couldn't sleep at all...
A red thread glowing on the ring finger of my left hand.
When I trace it, it pierces through the wall of my room and stretches straight out.
The place it's connected to... is her, of course.
Kuonji Riran's smiling face floats in the back of my mind.
A girl who has been my natural enemy since middle school, always pouting and picking fights with me.
She's irritating.
She's hateful.
She's frustrating.
...Well, I admit she's cute.
And such a... such a woman is my fated person...
"Haa... what kind of face am I supposed to make when I meet her?"
It's already 5:00 AM.
I lie on my bed, silently staring up at the ceiling.
I don't think about anything; I don't feel anything.
I just stare at a stain on the surface.
Then... look, here comes the sleepiness. Good, sleepiness. Do your best, sleepiness.
『Hey, Akito, look at me more!』
『Akito, does this suit me?』
『Hey, Akito... I want to, kiss.』
"...~~~~~~!!"
*Thump, crash!*
Don't just pop up like that!
Why... why does it have to be her of all people...!
How many girls of the same age do you think there are in this world! Stop messing around, God!
"Damn... I'll go for a walk."
I've given up on sleeping. I need to cool my head.
I change from my pajamas into easy-to-move-in clothes, throw on a jacket, and head outside.
...It's cool. It's rare for this season, but maybe early mornings are just like this.
I walk to the riverbank embankment.
The only people there are those walking dogs, newspaper deliverymen, and joggers. There was no one around my age.
This red thread is only visible to the individuals themselves.
An unchanging, immortal thread that passes through objects and people to connect two individuals. That is the 『Red Thread of Fate』.
The only time it would change is probably when the fated partner dies.
"Haa... how did it end up like this..."
"That's my line."
"No, no, it's mine... Hm?"
I turn toward the source of the voice.
...Kuonji...?
As usual, she has a face so grumpy it's almost hateful.
She's wearing clothes that accentuate her body lines and look easy to move in.
Her golden hair reflects the morning sun, looking beautiful and radiant.
A fresh citrus scent, which I usually don't pay attention to, lingers in the air.
Her eyes glaring at me are sharp as always, but her cheeks are flushed red like autumn leaves.
Kuonji Riran. My fated person.
──Thump──
Guh...! Damn it, don't race, my heart...!
I pretend to be calm and speak bluntly.
"...Why are you here?"
"It's my routine to take a walk in the morning."
"I see..."
I'm going to stop walking in the morning.
"............"
"............"
Kuonji and I fall silent.
Glancing at my left hand... as expected, it was connected to Kuonji.
"...If this is a dream, please wake me up."
"What! How rude of you!"
"Don't you feel the same way?"
"O-Of course I do! Who would ever want someone like you!"
She crosses her arms and looks away.
But because of that posture, the size of her chest became even more prominent.
I'd thought so since our time in uniforms and gym clothes... but this girl really has a good figure...
...Wait, what am I thinking!?
C-C-Calm down, me. No matter how good her face is, how great her style is, or how nice she smells, the opponent is that Kuonji Riran!
She's my natural enemy who treats me as a foe!
Nothing more, nothing less!
...Though she's apparently my fated person...
"Honestly... meeting you first thing in the morning makes this the worst day ever."
"............"
"...Why are you staying silent!"
"No... I just felt a bit relieved that you're the same as always, Kuonji."
That's right. Our relationship can't be changed by something like a 『Red Thread of Fate』.
I don't know why, but she views me as an enemy, and I compete with her, labeling her my natural enemy.
So it's okay... it's okay...!
"O-O-Of course. You and I aren't fated people or anything like that!"
I suddenly lift my left hand.
Riran dutifully lifts her left hand as well.
The red thread connecting us without a doubt.
No, it's beyond red now, it's crimson... a deep scarlet thread.
"...So this is reality, huh..."
"I'll send you flying!?"
Well, it's fine.
According to my parents, when two people connected by the 『Red Thread of Fate』 meet, they unconditionally fall in love.
I don't have that feeling, and Kuonji is her usual self.
Which means we must be an exception.
Phew, what a relief. I was wondering what I'd do if Kuonji started acting or speaking like she did in my head...
"H-Hmph. ...I'm going now. You have day duty, right? Don't be late!"
"I know, I know."
Good grief. To think I'd feel this relieved by her usual behavior.
I want to keep living like this, without anything happening.
............Hm? Wait a second. This red thread connects me and Kuonji.
In other words, it means I know where she is at all times.
If I didn't want to meet her, I should have been able to avoid it.
Despite that... why was she standing right behind me?
...No, I'm overthinking it. She said morning walks were her hobby, so this might just be her usual route.
Even if I'm here, she walks her usual route... as expected, Kuonji is quite dutiful.