The Red String of Fate [ S. Todoroki x FEM oc ]

Prologue: The Red String of Fate

"Chichi! Haha! Look! What is this?" A little girl, no older than three, called out to her parents with an excited voice, her small finger outstretched.

A thin, crimson thread glimmered faintly around her pinky. It was the string of fate. But unlike most others, her string was severed—though it remained alive, twisting and shifting as if searching for its missing end.

Her mother, dressed in a simple purple kimono with her hair tied in a low bun, turned toward her daughter. The sight of the severed red string made her expression falter, concern flashing in her eyes.

"Anata," she called softly to her husband, who was chopping wood nearby. "Look at Kao-chan’s finger."

The man set his axe down and approached, crouching to meet his daughter's gaze. With a gentle smile, he patted her head, though a flicker of worry crossed his features as he glanced at her string.

The couple exchanged a look, one that spoke volumes without words. Then, the mother knelt beside her daughter and began to explain.

"Kao-chan, that red thread on your finger is called the string of fate. It connects you to your soulmate—the person destined to be by your side forever."

Kaori blinked, her innocent eyes wide with curiosity. "Oh! Like the string you and Chichi have?"

Her mother smiled warmly, holding up her own hand to show her perfectly intact string. "Yes, darling. Your father and I are soulmates."

The little girl tilted her head, her brows knitting in confusion. "But… why is mine cut? Yours isn’t."

Her mother hesitated, glancing at her husband for help.

The man sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sweetie, my grandfather once said that when a red string is severed… it means the soulmate is… no longer with us."

Kaori's eyes filled with tears. "But my string is moving! Chichi, Haha, it’s still moving!"

Her mother placed a reassuring hand on her daughter’s shoulder. "That’s true, Kao-chan. And there’s an old myth about strings like yours. They say… your soulmate might be in another world."

Kaori's tears spilled over as she clutched her string. "Another world? Then… I can’t meet him?"

Her father knelt beside her, his voice gentle. "It’s possible, sweetie. But fate always finds a way. If he’s your soulmate, you’ll meet him someday. You just have to be patient."

Her mother nodded, wiping her daughter’s tears. "Everything happens for a reason, sweetheart. Trust that destiny will bring you together when the time is right."

Sniffling, Kaori managed a shaky smile. "Really? You promise?"

"Of course," her parents said in unison, their voices brimming with certainty.

Kaori stared at her thread, her heart settling. "Then I’ll wait. I’ll wait until we can meet."

That night, their small home was filled with laughter and warmth as the family shared dinner. But as Kaori lay in bed later, she held her pinky close to her chest, whispering, “I’ll meet you someday.”

...

Meanwhile, in Another Universe

"Mom! Mom! Look at this!" A young boy with striking half-white, half-red hair ran to his mother, his small hand stretched out to show her the red string coiled around his pinky finger.

Rei Todoroki looked up from her chores, her calm demeanor faltering as she noticed the severed string. It glimmered faintly, alive and restless, yet unmistakably disconnected.

"Shoto, come here," Rei said gently, beckoning her son closer.

Shoto climbed onto her lap, his dual-colored eyes brimming with worry. "Mom… isn’t this the red string of fate people talk about?"

Rei smiled softly, running her fingers through his hair. "Yes, Shoto. It is."

"Then why is mine cut?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Rei paused, choosing her words carefully. "I once read a story about strings like yours. When a red thread is severed but still moving, it means your soulmate is alive… but in another world."

Shoto’s eyes widened. "Another world? How will I find her? How will I meet her?"

Rei rested a hand on his cheek. "Destiny will guide you to her, Shoto. You don’t need to worry. One day, the two of you will cross paths, no matter how far apart you are."

The boy stared at his string for a moment, his tears replaced by a fierce determination. "Then I’ll wait, Mom. I’ll wait until I meet her!"

Rei chuckled softly, pride shining in her gaze. "That’s my boy. She’ll be lucky to have you."

As Shoto darted off to his room, Rei glanced out the window, a faint smile on her lips. "Fate works in mysterious ways," she murmured to herself.

...

In two different worlds, two children stared at their disconnected strings with hearts full of hope.

“I can’t wait to meet you.”