The prayer ended, and the lesson proceeded.
"Now, let's talk about something a bit more realistic. It's about 'Red Thread of Fate Syndrome'."
A realistic talk?
Sensei continued writing on the blackboard.
It was about—
"Eh... what happens if your fated person... dies...?"
Kuonji's murmur echoed through the quiet classroom. However, Sanzenin-sensei's lecture did not stop.
"This is something that can realistically happen. Through illness, injury, or accidents. I will explain what occurs in such cases."
The atmosphere in the classroom grew tense. The person currently floating in everyone's mind might suddenly change. There was no way anyone could be indifferent to that.
"Currently, it is said that about 60 million people die worldwide every year. That's about 164,000 people a day. It's not an impossible number. Well, since that's the total for all age groups, the probability of someone in your same age group dying and that person being your fated partner is quite low."
To summarize Sanzenin-sensei's talk, it went like this:
Since the 'Red Thread of Fate Syndrome' began occurring worldwide, the suicide rate among children has reportedly dropped. Furthermore, bullying and crime rates have also plummeted. There are many reasons, but one of the possibilities raised is—
Apparently, it's because of 【Love】.
You don't want to do something that would make the other person sad. You don't want to do something that would reach the other person and make them hate you.
Therefore, the probability of a fated person dying and changing is said to be extremely close to zero.
Even so, there is still a possibility of change. That is through illness, injury, or accidents.
"In the event that it does change, you will be connected to the person with the highest compatibility within a range of plus or minus five years. If the partner hasn't reached the age of 16 yet, you won't be connected to anyone until they turn 16. This is the reality."
"Sensei, why is it plus or minus five years?"
Interrupting Sanzenin-sensei's talk, a black gyaru (I think it was Kurosaya-san?) voiced a question.
"There are various theories, but the most prominent one is said to be based on one's biological age. If the ages are too far apart, the older one would inevitably pass away first."
"Does that mean we'll be together until we die?"
"That is what it means."
"Oh, how romantic!"
At Kurosaya's words, the classmates (mostly the girls) began to buzz. I see, together until death, huh...
I wondered what kind of expression Kuonji, who was staring fixedly at the blackboard, was making...
"Next is regarding those who are homosexual. In this case, nothing changes except for the fact that the fated person is of the same sex. Even if your romantic interest is the same sex, a fated person will appear."
"Maaya-chan. I was thinking, isn't that a bit too convenient?"
"Kurashiki-kun, it's Sanzenin-sensei, not Maaya-chan. But you've noticed something good."
Sanzenin-sensei put on a cheerful smile that she usually didn't show.
"That is precisely why it is called 【Fate】."
She had started saying something that left no room for argument.
◆
"Munch, munch, gulp. I see, I see. Fate is actually quite a crude thing, isn't it?"
While biting into a giant melon pan for lunch, Neika spoke about what we had learned in class.
The Ginkgo High School specialty: Face Melon Bread. It was about three times larger than a normal melon pan, and for the tiny Neika, it was big enough to hide her face.
Where in that small body did all of that go?
"Yeah. I never thought we'd be danced around by something like this."
"Hey, hey, Akito. In today's world, there are peaceful aspects because of this. Maaya-chan said so too, right?"
"I guess so."
Because of this, the world can stay at peace, huh? At the end of the red thread, Kuonji was eating lunch with Ryuguin. Her profile as she laughed happily... normally I wouldn't care, but now even that smile looked radiant—
"Hmph!"
"Whoa, Akky. Don't slam your head against the desk. The milk carton is going to fall."
"Nei. You should worry about Akito more than the milk carton."
In this world, there exist coincidences, miracles, and fates that cannot be explained or understood by our level of vocabulary or intelligence. One of those is this 'Red Thread of Fate'.
This red thread is still shrouded in mystery... why did it turn out like this?
"So then, the time has finally come, Akito."
"Mm-hm. We won't let you get away anymore."
Ugh... well, I figured it would come to this. Now, how do I dodge this skillfully...
"...I don't mind talking about mine, but you two should tell me about yours first. It's unfair if I'm the only one talking, right?"
"Hmm? You have a point."
"True. Then shall we tell you?"
The two of them simultaneously turned the backs of their left hands toward me.
"We..."
"We are..."
""Getting married.""
....................................
"Huh!?"
""Psych!☆""
I'm getting irritated☆
Ryuya wore a mocking smile as he bit into a prepared bread roll.
"Munch, munch, gulp. What are you believing that for? There's no way such a coincidence would happen."
"Tch... w-well, I guess you're right."
But such a coincidence *does* exist... it's making it even harder to say.
"By the way, my fated person is over there. The color is a normal Red. They're probably tall. A total beauty."
"Mine is over there. By the way, the color is Red. They're short, probably about my size."
With that, the two pointed in exactly opposite directions. Sigh... knowing them, I actually thought it might be true for a moment. They're a well-matched pair, after all.
"So, how about Akky?"
"We told you ours. You've gotta tell us too, right?"
"Guh... d-do I really have to tell you...?"
"Of"
"Course."
You guys are way too synchronized. But well... if it's just the direction and the color, maybe I can tell them. As for the appearance, I can just lie a bit—
"Sanada."
"! ...Kuonji..."
Before I knew it, Kuonji was standing behind me. With her arms crossed and a look that seemed to be peering down at me, she pointed her thumb toward the hallway.
"Lend me your face."
Are you a Showa-era delinquent or something?
"...Sorry, you two. I've gotta go for a bit."
"Gotcha."
"Akito, don't fight too much!"
I won't. ...Probably.