❝In the tale of fate, the red string connects us all, but not every thread leads to a soulmate.❞
In a world where love is entwined with fate, an abandoned conductor escapes the confines of an unnatural train into a universe he's forgotten.
As he nav...
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The sun was warm that afternoon as Emi led Hotaru through the crowded streets of Tokyo. The city buzzed with life, but today, Emi had something different planned. Hotaru had been a wreck after his nightmare, haunted by the Bound Line's claws still reaching for him even in his sleep. Emi couldn't stand seeing him like that, so she decided they needed a break—a distraction.
"Come on, let's get out of here," she had said that morning, her voice light and cheerful.
Hotaru didn't protest. He never did. It wasn't in him to resist when Emi made decisions. It was as if, deep down, he trusted her entirely. That alone brought a soft warmth to Emi's chest, a feeling she hadn't anticipated. As they walked side by side, she glanced at him. His eyes, though still darkened with exhaustion, seemed to soften as he noticed the world outside her apartment again.
Their first stop was the beach. Emi had heard it was a quieter spot, away from the usual chaos of the city. She didn't want loud places, not today. She wanted them to breathe.
The sea spread out before them, its vastness stretching far into the horizon. The waves lazily lapped against the shore, a soft tempo that immediately put Emi at ease. She kicked off her sandals, feeling the cool sand beneath her feet, and nudged Hotaru to do the same.
He hesitated, then bent down to remove his shoes, placing them neatly by a rock. For a brief moment, Emi caught the smallest of smiles pulling at his lips. It was a rare sight, but it warmed her.
The two of them walked along the shore, with the sand sinking beneath their steps. The salt in the air was refreshing, and Emi found herself laughing, throwing her head back as a wave splashed unexpectedly high, soaking her ankles. Hotaru watched her, eyes wide, as if he didn't quite know what to make of the joy on her face. Then, slowly, his gaze drifted out to the water.
There was something calming about seeing Hotaru like this, out of the shadow of the Bound Line. He wasn't trembling or looking over his shoulder for signs of the train. He looked human.
Emi walked ahead, splashing the water and pretending not to notice how often Hotaru glanced at her, as if making sure she was real. As if making sure he hadn't dreamed up this moment of peace. The more time they spent together, the more Emi felt herself drawn to him. It wasn't just his quiet presence or his politeness—it was the way he seemed so devoted, even when he was broken inside. Hotaru helped her clean, cooked simple meals for her, and always asked if she needed anything before he did something for himself. He gave her space without asking for anything in return.
It was like being taken care of without a word.
After the beach, they found themselves wandering toward an old-fashioned photo booth in one of the quieter streets. Emi's eyes lit up when she saw it.
"Come on, let's take some pictures," she said, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the booth.
Hotaru blinked, but allowed himself to be dragged along, his expression confused but trusting. Emi pushed a few coins into the machine, and the small booth lit up. They squeezed inside, shoulder to shoulder. The space was small, their arms brushing, and Emi felt a sudden warmth that had nothing to do with the close quarters.
The camera clicked and flashed.
"Smile!" Emi beamed, making a peace sign as the light went off again.
Hotaru, unpracticed in the art of forced joy, gave an awkward attempt at a smile. It was half-hearted, but it was genuine. At that moment, Emi felt her heart skip a beat. She nudged him playfully as the camera clicked a few more times, capturing their unpolished, spontaneous joy.
The strip of photos slid out with a whirring sound, and Emi snatched them up eagerly. She laughed when she saw Hotaru's stiff expression in the first frame, but by the last one, there it was—the tiniest glimmer of a smile on his face.
The last stop of the day was a cat café. It was tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, a hidden gem that Emi loved. The walls were pastel-colored, lined with shelves that allowed the cats to roam freely above the customers. Soft sunlight streamed in through the large windows, casting warm patches of light on the floor where a few cats lounged lazily.
Hotaru looked around, unsure, as Emi gestured to the little creatures.
"Let's sit," she said, pulling him toward a low table near the window.
A large tabby cat immediately padded over to Hotaru, its golden eyes curious as it leapt gracefully into his lap. Hotaru froze for a moment, staring down at the creature. Then, slowly, his hand lifted, fingers brushing against the cat's fur.
A soft smile crept onto his face as he scratched behind the cat's ears. Emi watched him, her heart flipping at the sight. There was something so pure about seeing him happy, even if it was just for a moment. He had been through so much, carried so much weight, and here he was, being comforted by the simple joy of a cat purring in his lap.
They ordered drinks, simple matcha lattes, and Emi couldn't stop herself from sneaking glances at Hotaru. His expression was softer now, more relaxed. She watched him scratch the cat, the way his fingers moved gently, and suddenly, she felt her chest tighten.
It was strange. She wasn't the type to fall for someone so easily, but with Hotaru, it was different. He wasn't trying to impress her. He wasn't doing anything to make her like him. He was just... there. Quiet, kind, and broken, but still giving. Still trying.
Emi didn't say anything about it, though. She didn't need to. As they sat there, surrounded by the warm light and the soft hum of the café, she realized that maybe she didn't want to give him away.
Maybe, just maybe, she wanted him to stay a little longer.
