Le Fil Rouge (The Red String)

by CrystineLucarnia

For as long as he can remember, Haru has been able to see the red threads that connect people who are fated to be together. Despite this, he cannot see his own thread. But the young swimmer doesn't care. He's certain that, if he could see it, his string would lead not to a person, but straight down into the ocean. And he's right, but not in the way you might expect. (Shounen ai)

1. Prologue

Prologue

Ever since he was born, Haru could always see the red threads. They tied people together, just like the stories said. No matter how much it seemed like they hated each other, or that they would never exchange a word, two people connected by a string of red always fell in love.

But Haruka Nanase couldn't see his own string. Even if he could, he was certain that it would lead nowhere, into the ocean with no end. He didn't think he could ever fall in love. After all, his one passion was water. It was a passion so deep and strong that nothing else would ever be able to come in front of it. How could he possibly have a partner, when anyone and anything would always come second to that?

He cut through the water like a perfectly sharpened knife, imagining that he was part of the blue, a creature that belonged there. A dolphin, perhaps, like Makoto always said. As Haru lifted his head to breathe, he was suddenly pulled under by a strong grip around his ankle. He thrashed and coughed, feeling panic wrap around him as the water he loved so much began to choke him. It felt wrong, like he was drowning himself.

…

And then Haru looked down. And he looked up, grinning with shark-like teeth. "Hey." The word was so clear, despite them being underwater. "Where's your tail?"