What are Red Strings of Fate?
The Red Thread of Fate, also referred to as the Red Thread of Marriage, and other variants, is an East Asian belief originating from Chinese legend. According to this myth, the gods tie an invisible red cord around the ankles of those that are destined to meet one another in a certain situation or help each other in a certain way. Often, in Japanese and Korean culture, it is thought to be tied around the little finger.
The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of soulmate or a destined flame. This story is about Dawn, who can see those red strings of everyone except her own.
"This is so damn annoying," A blue-haired girl said as she banged her head on her desk, making a thud sound.
"Calm down, Dawn," A brown haired girl said soothingly, rubbing the girl's back in slow circles,"Tell me what happened!" The entire cafeteria turned to see the blue haired girl banging her head on the table but ignored. They had other things to do, which relieved May to some extent. Staying with Dawn meant unnecessary attention sometimes. She was a weird girl after all.
The girl, Dawn, rose up, staring at the brunette and sighed. "I saw those strings again."
"You mean the red strings of fate?" The brunette asked, suddenly feeling enlightened since Dawn's face scrunched up. Yup, it was definitely those threads.
"Yeah, yeah," Dawn said, subbing her forehead at the sore spot,"You know the new transfer student in Leaf's class?"
"That dark-brown haired boy?"
"Bingo!" Dawn chirped in a fake accent then her expression turned neutral again,"I saw those threads around Gary's pinkie."
"And to whom do they lead?" The brunette asked, her attention on Dawn.
The blue-haired girl sighed and pouted, her arms crossed over her chest,"Leaf."
"You mean Gary Oak and Leaf are interconnected by..." May shouted in surprise but Dawn quickly slapped her hand over her mouth, hissing her to stay quiet.
"Yes," the blunette said, scratching her forehead,"I saw them. Those strings were fluttering and dancing as if they were alive again."
May nodded,"Leaf told me that she and Gary were childhood friends. Not friends, neighbours to be specific. They were never on good terms though. Especially because you know, Gary was the eye-candy of that area."
"Well that explains the hostile atmosphere between them," Dawn sighed again,"Should I tell Leaf about it? Oh wait, I wo-"
"No!" May shook Dawn, cutting her mid-sentence,"She'll skin you alive! God didn't you hear about their fight?"
"I came to college after a week May," Dawn said,"Today was the first day I saw Gary. And I didn't hear any gossips about a fight either."
"Leaf wants to do a project under Professor Oak but Gary, who is Professor Oak's grandchild, wants him to be his guide too," May explained,"This led to a massive fight between them."
"The reason is so childish!" Dawn exclaimed.
"They both are aiming to be researchers, Dawn. Its important for them to get guidance from a renowned Professor and I don't think I've to remind you how well known Professor Oak is." May explained as she air-quoted the word Professor.
Dawn nodded. She was about to say something but saw Leaf walking over to them, with few books in her arms and a frown on her face.
"Wha- You look like something bad happened," May commented as Leaf took a seat and nodded.
"Did you order anything yet?" Leaf asked and the other two shook their head.
"I'll get myself some fries. What about you?" Leaf asked as she rose up after finishing shoving all the books in her bag.
"Some hamburger would be nice," May said.
"Please, a cheese sandwich," Dawn muttered, raising her right hand.
Leaf swiftly walked over to the counter and placed the order. It was one in the afternoon and they were feeling so dead already.
Once Leaf was back, they began chatting and eating.
"So what got you in bad mood?" Dawn asked Leaf who rolled her eyes.
"Can you believe Professor Oak said he will help both me and Gary with our thesis. What the actual hell?" Leaf angrily bit on her fry,"No one, I swear no one wanted to do a thesis. And Professor Oak promised me he will look after my work and guide me but that sick bastard!"
"Woah!" May suddenly exclaimed on seeing Leaf about to burst,"Calm down Leafy!"
Dawn sweatdropped,"I see. We can't help you with it though."
"I know," Leaf took a deep breath,"Anyways, what were you two talking about? I saw you two were conversing about something... interesting."
Dawn shook her head,"Nothing much. Just that red strings of fate thing."
Leaf nodded,"So you saw someone's fate again?"
Dawn and May shared a glance,"Yes."
"Whose?"
"Do you think this vision can be false?" Dawn averted the topic,"I think it's not going to turn true this time."
"You know what they say though," Leaf said, supporting her chin on her palm as she placed her elbow on the table,"Those strings can twist and turn and tangle but they will never break. Moreover your hypothesis didn't turn false even once, so I don't think it will turn false this time."
Dawn didn't utter anything, knowing that Leaf would kill her if she told that she saw her string connected to Gary's.
"You saw May and Drew's strings connected right?" Leaf asked,"And aren't they dating now?"
"So you knew?" May asked, surprised.
Dawn nodded sheepishly,"Yeah. I knew his string was connected to yours when he was dating Misty."
"You told me that Misty's thread was connected to Paul's," May asked,"So that means..."
"Yep," Dawn nodded,"Misty and Paul, and you and Drew's fate, I kind of knew how that would end up."
"Yet you didn't tell me," May stared at her. Dawn just shrugged and gave her a smile.
"I told you right. I only tell those who won't go and inform the parties concerned. And by this I only mean you and Leaf. So if you were one of the party concerned, I couldn't tell you!" Dawn explained.
"It's such a peculiar thing," Leaf mumbled, staring at her pinkie finger,"How can you see this anyways? I don't see a thing!"
"I don't know," Dawn rubbed her forehead,"I told you right? I saw those strings around my Mom and Papa's fingers when I was little. Then when I asked them about it, they said I was hallucinating. I learned how others can't see it, only I can. But I can't touch it though."
"But do you see those strings all the time?" May asked.
"No and yes!" Dawn finished her sandwich,"Only when the two parties are near by, I can see those strings connected. And its hard to explain but I know whose strings connects to whom even if the room is filled up with people having those threads. Its like every thread is different from other. Some have different shades, some shine brighter, some are glossy, some look fragile while some are more alive then others."
"I see," May nodded,"But what if the couples aren't near?"
"I see strings which arise from the pinkie fading after two or three centimetres. That's how your pinkie looked to me when Drew wasn't near," Dawn said and rose up,"Shit! I have one more class! See you both later!"
"There will not be any later, we know," May sighed,"You've your partime jobs, remember?"
"You're more busy than a bee Dawn," Leaf snickered.
"Whatever," The blue haired girl have them a two finger salute,"See you tomorrow then! Bye!"
Dawn quickly ran out of the cafeteria, leaving May and Leaf chuckling.
Both the girls collected their items and got up to leave too. May raised her right hand and examined her little finger asking Leaf,"Its amazing, isn't it?"
"It is," Leaf giggled,"Even though she knows the outcome, she doesn't do anything, knowing that it would effect the way those two interact."
"I should have known she knew my fate," May giggled again,"After all she never failed, even once."
"Its kinda sad that she can't see her own string though," Leaf sighed,"Maybe because she can't see her string, she doesn't want others to know how their life would turn out?"
"Knowing Dawn," May sighed,"I bet that's a huge yes."
"So she didn't tell me whose string she saw," Leaf said with a chuckle,"I kind of know whose strings she saw."
May looked at Leaf, stunned,"What?"
"Isn't it obvious she saw mine?" Leaf laughed,"She told you, not me. That gave me the first hint. Then the second hint was when she asked me whether I believed this will come true or not. So I guess my soulmate is someone who is," Leaf paused for a second to find the correct word,"Troublesome?"
May sighed. So much effort to keep it a secret. "Yes. But don't tell Dawn you know."
"Chill," Leaf waved her hands,"Its not like it will come true like, right now! It can take years to come true."
"We are already 21 years old," May said, deadpanning,"You should seriously look for some romance."
"You sound like my Mo-" Leaf stopped midsentence when she felt someone collide with her and something wet falling down her face. It was followed by May's voice asking her,''Are you alright, Leaf? Hey Mister, look where you're goi-ng?"
It took her a second to process that while she was conversing with May, she had run into a person, a boy, whose drink was now all over her face.
She slowly looked up, her eyes meeting the sorry eyes of a brown haired boy, wearing a full sleeved V-necked brown T-shirt. She knew his face too well.
"Lets go!" She felt May tugging at her wet arms,"Leaf, lets go and get you changed."
"Yes," She mumbled, her eyes fixed on the brown eyed boy who was staring at her mouth wide opened.
.
"I can't believe he didn't even apologize!" May said, puffing her cheeks as she passed Leaf a clean shirt from her bag.
Leaf giggled and gladly took the shirt and walked into the bathroom,"I'll just change and go home. I don't have a class anyway."
As she disappeared into the bathroom, May leaned against the wall. Gary poured, though accidentally, his orange juice all over Leaf. Not a good start to their romance though.
Feeling the phone inside her bag vibrate, she quickly pulled it out to see a text. She placed her phone back and knocked on Leaf's door, yelling,"Its time for my class. See you later, Leaf!"
"Okay!"
Leaf heard retreating footsteps and sighed. Her face felt all sticky and she really wanted to just go home and take a bath. She was not angry, a little annoyed though. So what if she was not looking? He had eyes too, didn't he? But judging by his look, he looked genuinely surprised too.
Quickly putting the shirt on, she shoved her ruined shirt into her bag and ran out of the bathroom, only to see Gary standing outside, focused on his phone. He heard her coming and looked up, saying,"Hey, Green. Look it was.."
She smiled inwardly. Atleast he had some manners. "Pervert. What are you doing outside Ladies common room?"
"I am not a pervert, geez," he said with a annoyed look on his face,"I was just here to apologize."
"You could have told me tomorrow instead of waiting outside the bathroom, Pervert," She teased him again, making him roll his eyes.
"Whatever. See, Green, I am sorry. For whatever happened because you weren't looking," He said with a smug look on his face. She narrowed her eyes at him,"You're a big jerk and Pervert, Oak."
"So I was just standing and sipping my favourite juice and you ran into me, ruining my money as well as my leisure time. Yet I came to apologize and I'm a jerk. Hmmmm..."
She didn't have an answer to that,"Uhhh.. you.. Well, sorry."
"Apology accepted," He chuckled.
She suddenly fumed up,"Wait, didn't you come to apologize to me? Why am I apologizing?!"
He chuckled again,"I didn't tell you to. You kept mumbling on your own."
"Whatever," She grabbed her bag tighter,"Bye."
As she turned to leave, Gary said,"Well, I was hoping to apologize properly by buying you a drink. Well, this works too."
She turned and faced him,"Well I had enough orange juice today. How about we continue your leisure time at a cafe?"
"Is that an invitation?"
She shrugged,"Maybe it is. Or maybe it's my way of saying sorry for running into you. I feel sorry for the juice."
"Well," he walked towards her as they started walking together,"I know a nice Cafe."
"Then lead the way."
"Yes Milady," he said, bowing slightly, making Leaf giggle.
"You haven't changed Gary," Leaf said,"Still womanizing as ever."
"Still you never fell for it," He accepted honestly,"It's not like I was trying to seduce them though."
"Whatever makes you feel better."
.
Dawn sighed as she stared out from the window of her classroom. Her teacher was telling something about different types of fabric but her mind was not in the class.
'How can Leaf and Gary be soulmates?' She asked herself,'They are like polar opposites!'
Just then she saw Gary walking out of the building with her best friend and Dawn could feel her jaws drop. How in the world did the sworn enemies end up walking home together! What the hell happened in those minutes after she left?
She quickly turned away from them. Their strings were now complete and just like before, they were fluttering and dancing like daises. A small smile crept on her face as she began working on the problem her teacher had written on the board.
She was 21, soon going to turn into 22. Single since she wasn't interested in love. Or rather because she believed that her not being able to see the red string of fate of herself meant she was destined to be single.
However, that didn't stop her from dreaming.
She had a dream. Has a dream to be honest. To travel around the world.
Because she would like to believe that her partner lives on the other side of the world and that's why she couldn't see the strings.
Pulling out the phone from her pocket, she sighed. College was over but her day had just begun.
.
As soon as she reached home, she quickly took a bath and warmed up the food that her Mom had prepared for her before leaving for work.
Gobbling up the food, she ran downstairs and rang the doorbell of the apartment below theirs.
An old lady, about 50, opened the door.
"Ah, you're here," Agatha smiled on seeing Dawn,"Come in."
"They are in the room, I guess?" Dawn asked as she got in and opened her shoes.
"Yes, My dear," Agatha closed the door behind her.
Dawn nodded and went to the room. She had gotten herself a job. To tutor two middle school kids. It wasn't a job that she liked very much but Agatha was a rich lady and the pay was high. Moreover, she knew she needed the money to travel around the world.
It was her daily routine. Come home after college, tutor two kids of Agatha, then take care of Juniper's Cat, Julie, while Juniper went to her night shifts. She would take Julie home and keep an eye on her while working on her college assignments. It was hectic but she was ready for all hardships.
Half a year later
Middle of July
Location: Cafeteria of Dawn's college
Dawn, Leaf and May gave a sigh of relief as they were finally done with their exams. All of them had dark circles under their eyes and looked like zombies.
"I want to go home and just sleeeeeep," May said yawning,"Its hard to believe that my college life is over!"
Leaf nodded,"Yeah. Well, I have to work under Professor Oak. I got accepted into the lab I applied for!"
"That's great!" Dawn congratulated her,"Well, I still have to teach that kid today. Sorry, gotta leave soon."
"Wait," Leaf stopped her,"Before you leave, tell me one thing. Is my string connected to Gary?"
Dawn, startled looked at May who denied uttering a word. Turning to Leaf, she asked,"Why do you ask?"
Leaf averted her gaze, blushing,"We.. umm.. like.. I am dating him."
"What!"
"Yeah," Leaf bit her lip,"We sort of clicked when we hanged in the cafe and things kept taking a turn for good and now we're here.''
Dawn sat down again, giggling,"Another Soulmate delivered!"
Hearing Dawn's words, Leaf giggled,"So it's Gary. Thank god!"
"Anyways," Dawn got up,"I have to head hom-" She stopped as she heard her phone ring and saw it was a call from her Professor. She quickly picked it up,"Yes Ma'am."
Leaf and May watched as Dawn's eyes widened and then her jaw dropped. Suddenly she yelled, startling both of them.
"Fuck yes!" Dawn yelled loudly, getting the attention of entire cafeteria, but she hardly cared.
"What happened?" Leaf asked, feeling a little embarrassed on seeing her friend jumping in excitement.
"Calm down!" May pulled the jumping girl by her arm, making Dawn sit on her chair.
"I," Dawn laughed,"I... I.. Oh my god!"
"Just calm down and explain!"
"Miss Fantina called me and she said that Paris, that model from Lumiose wanna meet me!" Dawn rushed through her words,"OhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGod!"
"That's great," Leaf amd May tackled her in a hug, the three of them laughing.
"And guess what," Dawn said, grinning wider,"Paris's company is going to pay for my tickets, my food and my lodging!"
.
"So you're done packing?" Johanna, Dawn's mother asked as she saw her daughter hopping and stuffing everything into her bag. The older blunette slapped her forehead on seeing how much her daughter had packed.
"Ten bags are too much for you to carry Dawn!"
"No need to worry!" Dawn grinned,"I will manage."
"That's when I worry the most," Johanna sighed as she opened and poured all of Dawn's luggage on bed.
"Mom! Wait-"
"Why is this blanket inside this bag?" Johanna asked as she turned to Dawn who sheepishly said,"I feel comfortable when I sleep with it."
"And why this gown?" Johanna picked up a bright blue gown and held it in air.
"For attending parties?"
Johanna breathed, deeply to prevent her eyes from rolling,"Dawn, you're going for business and experience not parties.''
"But.."
"You're 21 for God's sake, Dawn," Johanna slapped her forehead,"Grow up."
"Uhhh," the younger girl groaned,"Then what should I take and what should I leave behind?"
"Take few clothes. Some medicines. Keep your sanitary napkins with you. Then...''
.
Day of Dawn's flight
Kanto International Airport
Dawn hugged her mother and then hugged her father. Jason, her father, kept warning her about thugs and thieves while reminding her to stay safe. Johanna hugged her again and said,"Take care."
"I will Mom," Dawn smiled,"No need to worry. Dad, take care of yourself and please look after Mom."
With that she boarded her plane. She was so excited that she couldn't stop humming.
'My first time on a flight,' She thought to herself,'If Paris likes mh work then I can be a fashion designer too! Oh my God!'
She noticed a raven haired boy, making his way through the crowd was coming towards her seat and placed his bag on the seat beside her.
"So you are my copassenger?" He asked, his voice deep and husky. Dawn nodded,"Yes."
"Okay," he replied and proceed to keep his luggage inside the cabinet. But to his horror, a magazine slipped out from his grip amd landed straight on Dawn's forehead. Startled by the sudden touch, she screamed,"Kyaaah!"
"Stop screaming!" The boy said, annoyed,"The magazine wasn't that heavy!"
"It startled me!" Dawn said, placing a hand over her thumping heart,"Moreover the corner hit my forehead Mister!"
"But you're not hurt, right," the boy said and sat down, rolling his eyes.
"You're such a rude man!" She said as she folded her arms over her chest.
"You're such a crybaby!"
"I wasn't crying."
"You were holding your forehead and shouting though."
"Hmph," Dawn turned away,"Rude."
"Yeah yeah," he said, bored,"Well the mistake was mine so sorry. Just a little."
"Hah!" Dawn pointed a finger at his chest, almost poking him,"Now you're talking."
"Uggh," The boy groaned again,"Annoying."
Dawn made a face and settled down, feeling embarrassed when she saw all eyes upon them. She muttered,"Geez, what an embarrassing first time experience."
"The fault is yours though,"The boy commented, his eyes at the magazine.
"You started it," She countered back and her eyes suddenly met his right hand.
'I can't see his thread of fate,' She thought.
"Are you married or single?" She suddenly asked, surprising him.
"You don't even know my name Lady. Yet you're flirting with me."
"Sorry but I am not flirting," She cleared her throat,"What's your name?"
"Are you mentally retarded?" He asked her.
"No?"
"Ugggh," he leaned back on his seat,"Well, I'm Ash Ketchum. And you're?"
"That doesn't matter," Dawn said,"Are you married or seeing someone?"
"You're retarded," Ash rolled his eyes and ignored her.
"Tell me!"
"No."
"Tell me!"
He kept silent and focused on his magazine but her constant pressuring was turning annoying.
"What?" He asked, closing the book.
"Okay," Dawn sighed,"I am Dawn Berlitz from Pallet Town. 21 years old. Now you know my name too. So are you married?"
"No!" He half yelled, half whispered,"I am not in any romantic relationship. Nor in any martial ties."
"Any relationship before?"
Ash eyed her strangely,"No."
"I see," She said, tapping her chin,"Then maybe your lover is dead."
"What the hell?" Ash yelled and suddenly all eyes were on him,"Sorry.'' He asked her in a low voice this time,"I think you should see a psychiatrist."
"I am completely fine."
"I can see that," He eyed her strangely again.
"Anyways," She said and shrugged,"Never mind."
Why couldn't she see his thread of fate? Why only him? She turned around and could see those red strings on almost everyone's fingers but not his. This had never happened before and it was annoying the hell out of her.
'Whatever,' She thought and closed her eyes. It wasn't like she was going to see him again.
.
.
So this idea just popped out of nowhere when I saw one picture of Taki and Mitsuha on internet a few days ago. So tell me, was this chapter even readable? I wrote it on a whim. Its probably going to be a two shot.
And the girls, May, Dawn and Leaf are 21 years old. I haven't yet decided what the age of Ash will be but it is going to be 23 or 24 .
Ohhhh, do review your thoughts on this chapter and hopefully I can get the next part out before April ends.
And did anyone see the new season of Tokyo Ghoul? I haven't read the manga but I am going to pick it up soon. My god the opening just killed me! I really can't wait for the next episode!
~Darkestlightofhope