After returning home, I changed into my uniform and ate breakfast.
My dad had already left for work and wasn't home, so only my mom and my younger sister Kotono were in the living room.
"Hey, hey, Onii! Today is the Day of Destiny! Are you connected!? Who is your Fated Person!? You already know, right? Tell me!"
"Now Kotono, sit down and eat properly."
"Ouch."
My mom chopped her, and the noisy girl laughed while sticking out her tongue.
A third-year middle schooler. Sanada Kotono.
She's my younger sister.
She has a body that looks quite mature for a middle schooler.
Even though we're only one year apart, she's as energetic as an elementary schooler.
The only downside is that she hasn't grown out of her brother complex yet.
That Kotono, with her dark brown eyes sparkling just like mine, asked me while swinging her brown-dyed ponytail back and forth.
"It doesn't matter who it is."
"It does matter! She's going to be my future big sister!"
"No, it's not like it's decided we'll get married..."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You don't get it, Onii. In this day and age, someone who doesn't marry their Fated Person is a retort."
"You mean retro."
"It's the same thing!"
How is it the same, you idiot sister?
Kotono, wearing a loose camisole and tight short pants, sat cross-legged on the chair and bit into her toast.
You're a girl, so stop dressing so unrefined.
"Personally... *gulp*... I think Riran-tan would be nice. You guys seem to get along well."
I flinched.
...I can't tell her.
There's no way I can tell her that woman is my Fated Person.
It was back when I was in my third year of middle school and Kotono was in her second year.
One day, while I was out shopping for my mom, I ran into Kuonji at the supermarket. Just by chance.
And so, our usual bickering broke out.
Kotono, who was watching, took a liking to the cute-looking Kuonji and apparently decided that Kuonji and I were very close.
If Kotono found out that Kuonji and I were connected by the Red Thread of Fate...
It would definitely be a pain.
"No way. Like we learned in class, the Red Thread of Fate connects you to someone in the world, even if they're the same age. What are the odds of it being a girl in the same class?"
"Eh!? You're in the same class as Riran-tan!? That's totally fate!"
...Crap, I dug my own grave.
It's probably best to make a quick exit.
"I told you, it's not like that. Thanks for the food."
"Eh, you're leaving already? Give me a ride!"
"I'm on day duty. I can't take you."
"Boo. See ya later!"
"Yeah, don't be late."
When I lightly patted Kotono's head, she gave a mischievous grin.
Seriously, if only that woman had even half of Kotono's friendliness.
...I'm thinking about Kuonji again. Sigh... I'm starting to hate this 'Red Thread of Fate'.
I left the house at 7:30 AM.
Normally, I'd make it even if I left at 8:00, but when you're on day duty, you have to go to school early.
Carrying the handouts distributed by the homeroom teacher before homeroom, cleaning the blackboard... it's a really troublesome rule.
I pedaled my bike through the residential area and out onto the main road called Ginkgo Avenue.
At this time, there are usually no students heading to school yet.
If there are, it's only those in sports clubs with morning practice.
But... there are unusually many people today.
And they're all people with the same grade-level color.
"My Fated Person was super handsome!"
"My Fated Person was American... I have to study English..."
"Boobs are justice! Gufufu."
"My Fated Person was just okay... but the moment they popped into my head, I thought, 'Ah, it has to be this person.'"
Ah... I see. They're talking about what kind of person their fated one is.
...It's becoming harder and harder to say anything...
Ignoring those classmates, I pedaled up the slope leading to Prefectural Ginkgo High School.
It's a bit of a steep slope, but it's just right for someone like me who's in the 'going home club' and lacks exercise. Heave-ho, heave-ho.
"Hey, hey, hey! You're here, Akito!"
"Akki, mornin'."
Hmm?
"Oh. It's just you guys."
One is a giant characterized by his spiky hair. A big man over 190 cm tall, Kurashiki Ryuya.
The other is characterized by twin-tails and sleepy eyes. A 140 cm loli, Jumonji Neika.
Both have been friends since middle school and are people who know very well how poorly Kuonji and I get along.
I parked my bike in the parking lot and headed toward the school building with them.
"What's up with you guys?"
"'What's up' is quite the greeting."
"Today is the Day of Destiny, Akki. Let's talk about it."
Ugh... I knew it would come to this.
I... can't say it. I can't tell them. Because it's me and Kuonji.
The ultimate enemy among enemies who picks a fight with me at every turn.
Like water and oil. Like dogs and monkeys.
If these guys found out that such a woman and I were tied by the 'Red Thread of Fate'...
'Seriously!? Seriously!? That's hilarious! I'm gonna spread it to everyone from middle school!'
'Kekekeke, I'm gonna make it go viral.'
That's what would happen. I have to prevent that at all costs. For her sake as well.
...Damn, what do I mean by 'for her sake'? Why do I have to worry about her?
"Even if we talk, what is there to say? You barely know anything about that person, right?"
"That's true. Well, let's just talk about the characteristics of the person who popped into our heads."
The characteristics that popped up—cute.
NO, THAT'S WRONG!!!!
"Whoa, Akito, calm down!"
"Akki, the shoe lockers will feel sad if you slam your head into them."
"Nei, worry about Akito a little more..."
Guh...! This wasn't supposed to happen...!
Why do I have to be so emotionally jerked around because of Kuonji...!
Whew... calm down, calm down. Cool, stay cool, Akito.
"What's wrong, Akito? You're weird today. Let's keep the tension high! Hey, hey, hey!"
"Hey, hey, hey, Akki."
"Ryuya aside, Neika doesn't look high-tension at all."
"Because this is just how I am."
I know.
...Looking at these two makes me feel at ease.
I wish Neika had been my Fated Person.
...No, that's not it. The moment she became my fated one, I could only see a future where I'd have to provide for her for the rest of my life.
While I was talking to those two, two female students entered through the large doors.
"Come on, Riran-chan. I really want you to tell me who your Fated Person is."
"I-I told you, it's just some plain guy! ...Ah..."
Ugh... Kuonji, Ryuguin...
I locked eyes with Kuonji as she walked in.
Kuonji also looked awkward for a moment, but she immediately raised her eyebrows.
"...What? You got a problem?"
"...No."
"Just so you know, I'm only here because I promised Rion."
"I didn't ask."
""Hmph...!""
I walked away quickly, as if running from Kuonji.
"Hey, Akito, wait!"
"See ya. Rira, Rio."
The two followed after me.
To make sure they didn't notice, I covered my mouth with my hand and pretended to yawn.
If I didn't... my face would have broken into a grin because that casual interaction with her was actually fun and made me happy, and I wouldn't have been able to hold it back.
"Oh? Riran-chan, you have a grin on your face?"
"I-I-I-I-I do not!"