It's been 3 days since that night happened, and 7 days have passed since he got here. Fortunately for him, no encounters have been made for the past 3 days. Tetsuya became very careful of his actions.

He stays inside the inn for the whole morning and noon, and only comes out when it's time for his shift. Even if he works there, not one of his soulmates is going to the place, Murasakibara must've told them that he works there.

He couldn't be more thankful for that.

Today is Saturday, and he woke up too early again. Ever since he decided to stay inside the inn for the whole Morning, he hated waking up early now, because he gets bored inside.

Tetsuya wanted to go out. He'd been playing with these cards for hours and he already mastered every trick he knew. He sighed.

Maybe he should try out a small shop. Just one.

Besides he have Yuons to spend now, he's been gaining tips from the bar.

Tetsuya grabbed his things before going out, he avoided the areas where it's very crowded. Trying to roam around narrow streets. And there he found a small cafe, a very small place named "Alice in Brewland"

There doesn't seem to be any customers in, so he decided to stay there before his shift starts. He felt the cool air conditioner as soon as he went inside.

Bringing himself to the counter, the counterman greeted him gently before asking for his order. "Good morning sir. What do you wish to order?"

"I'll order one hot chocolate and a slice of Peach pie please."

The counterman nodded. The man typed his order in the cash register and asked him to wait for 15 minutes for his order.

Tetsuya sat on one of the tables to wait. He scanned the whole place, he just learned that this is no ordinary cafe, but a bookshop cafe. The area is filled with shelves full of books.

This is a nice way to relax.

He stood from his chair and walked over a bookshelf. He scanned the whole section for a book that could interest him. He's very interested in Novels, especially fantasy, mystery and literary fiction.

A book titled as: "Invisible string" by T.S caught his attention. Grabbing it from the shelf, he flipped the book over to see the summary on the back.

It was a story about certain viewpoints wherein no power, no planned meetings happened. It tells the story of people who experienced facing their destined one without knowing about the invisible string that binds them as they coincidentally meet. A story about a single thread that ties you to your fate.

Isn't this a little too similar to the soulmate thing that exists in this world?

Tetsuya decided to read it, and something about the writing style intrigues him, it's so poetically written.

He was on page six when his order arrived. The waiter carefully laid his hot chocolate and a plate with a slice of peach pie. Tetsuya thanked the waiter as he continued reading. Letting his hot chocolate cool for a while.

After a few minutes, Tetsuya grabbed the fork laying beside the plate of the pie as he sliced a piece and ate it. It's juicy, as expected, but it's not overly sweet. You can taste the fruit as you chew. The filling is perfect with the flaky crust.

The hot chocolate is perfect too, especially with the windy weather.

He was in his own little world, peacefully reading while eating, that is before he heard the ding of a bell that made him look up.

He saw a familiar face, slick black hair with one long side covering his left eye. Himuro Tatsuya.

With how the cafe is practically empty, it's not hard for Himuro to notice him. Himuro smiled at him and waved as a small greeting, which Tetsuya returned.

When Himuro was ordering at the counter, Tetsuya resumed what he was doing.Soon enough, Himuro was walking to his table.

"Good morning Kuroko-kun. May I accompany you?" He softly asked.

Tetsuya nodded, "Of course Himuro-san."

Himuro sat across Tetsuya. "It's a coincidence to see you here." said Himuro

"I didn't expect to see you either, Himuro-san."

"Well it is my day-off after all. Why not go around the town right? Though the main street is always crowded. So I roamed around here. How about you?"

"Same reason as yours." Tetsuya sighed, it's not a lie, but it's not the whole reason either. "If I may ask, what's your job Himuro-san? I'm curious why Takao-san is mostly the one in your coven's bar." He questioned to change the topic

"I'm a baker. I work at the famous bakery here in town. Originally, we all had our own jobs. And in different cities too. However we all met here because of another coven that brought us together." Himuro answered

Tetsuya looked at the page number he's currently on before setting the book down. Interested to hear Himuro and his coven's story.

"We soon got our respective jobs while Kazunari was the only one who didn't." He continued. "He wanted to have his own bar because he hates working under someone. He said that he hates having a boss who's either strict or negligent to the business."

"So we helped him as a whole by investing into it, we used our coven leader's land that he owns and built the bar there. Our leader is the one who owns it originally but Kazunari is the one managing it. If that makes sense" Himuro chuckled, recollecting their memories.

Tetsuya couldn't help but chuckle too, "That must've been fun. Having one another to support each other."

Himuro smiled, "Truly it is."

Just then, Himuro's order arrived. He thanked the waiter as he drank from his cup of coffee. "How about you? I'm curious as to why you decided to stay here in this town." Himuro asked.

Tetsuya tilts his head, "You knew I wasn't from this town?"

"I guessed. With all of us scattered and working in popular areas here in town, it's easy to determine if someone is new to the town." The latter chuckled

"Oh I see. Well there's nothing interesting in my story. I lived in a small village, and then something happened that made me have to move. My...grandmother suggested going here so I did." He blatantly lied on the last part.

The black haired man stared at him for a moment before nodding. "I hope you're having fun here." He smiled

This made Tetsuya pause. It's hard to consider himself having fun here. The town is big, yes, there's so much to do and to explore here. But, he can't even move freely due to avoiding an unwanted connection..

Regardless of this, Tetsuya smiled, "Yeah. I'm having fun here. You and Takao-kun are actually lifesavers. If I had not seen the sign that you're hiring workers in your bar, I would've stayed broke here. So thank you"

Himuro laughed, "You should thank Kazunari since he's the one who took you in. But if you ever need help for anything, just tell us, we'll be happy to help."

Tetsuya was surprised when Himuro said that. 'Why are they being so nice to someone they just met not even a week after?' That's what he thought. But yeah, why? Compared to them, Tetsuya is just a stranger.

A stranger to them.

Just like how they are to him.

There's always this similarity he felt when he encountered two of the covens that had done a significant event to him.

But the difference will always be big, the events these two covens brought him are bad and good.

Tetsuya doesn't know how to feel about that.

"Why are you willing to help someone who you don't even know for a week..?" He asked

Himuro brought down his fork as he finished eating his food. He locked his gray-black eyes to Tetsuya's, and with pure warmth, he smiled.

"The ones who encounter us always seek help, and us who see their souls from within, mend their pieces to a whole."

Tetsuya felt his breath cut short. With the way Himuro said those words as if he's reciting a spell, he felt a familiarity within. He knows he heard those phrases, but from where?

Where did he hear those words?

"What do you mean by that..?"

"You'll figure it out soon. If you have, then that would mean you're already in the best version of yourself." Himuro answered

Tetsuya averted his gaze from the practical witch, something about him now feels so...overwhelming? Not in a bad way

But he could've sworn he heard those already. But where? From who?

"Don't overthink it. That's not good, you know. By the way I've been wanting to ask, what is that book about?" Himuro interrupted his thoughts.

"Ah..it's about people with different viewpoints about how fate ties them with someone, unknowingly. About an invisible string tying people together." He replied

"So you're interested in those?"

"Not really. I don't really read things like this. But it's so beautifully written that you can't help but get intrigued. It's so..poetic." Tetsuya caressed the cover of the book.

"I see now. Those types of books are the best to read." Himuro chuckled, Tetsuya agreed.

No one spoke for a while, both finishing their drinks.

Tetsuya breaks the silence as he began speaking, "Himuro-san.." he trailed off

The said man hummed in acknowledgement, Tetsuya continued. "What do you think of witches who...have dangerous and deadly witchcraft? One that's connected to their feelings and is on the verge of breaking out. One that can harm and kill people?"

He holds himself, he doesn't know this man very well nor is he close to him, it'll be better to hear his honesty before he gets too attached.

"A witchcraft that can harm and kill others...I don't know what you mean by "One" when all witchcraft can be harmful and deadly when it's not used correctly. I don't base my impression off of someone's witchcraft, but instead them as a person. Not as a witch but as a person. Besides, witchcraft can be controlled by us, it wouldn't be harmful otherwise if the person owning it doesn't intend to cause destruction."

Tetsuya relaxes, and smiles oh so softly. Gazing at Himuro, he breathes, "Thank you."

He doesn't know if Himuro knows what he's truly thanking for, but he saw him return the expression.

"You're welcome."

The two continue talking till time passes and Himuro has to go.

After the two bid goodbye, Tetsuya decided to stay there for a while and recollect his thoughts.

He glanced at the watch the cafe had on the wall, it read "3:38 pm" there's still 3 hours to kill.

He resumed reading, feeling lighter because of earlier.

____________________________________

Footsteps were heard from a pair of chukka boots worn by a man who traveled in this narrowed place.

He stops in front of a glass door.

What happens if a warm-like embrace turns cold?

As he opens the door, a bell announces his presence.

Or when the soothing breeze suddenly feels freezing?

A shout of "Welcome!" was said.

What if the Glowing light turns dim?

Tetsuya trailed his eyes off the book

Or when an exhilarating feeling becomes dull?

To the person who just arrived.

But what if the Light feeling becomes heavy?

A pair of Blue eyes scanned the entrance.

When the cold void-like energy...

His eyes widened

Tangled with the velvety dulcet-like energy..

As he met a pair of bright red eyes.

What happens then?

The bright red eyes widened-

7 witches, with different energy and witchcraft, doesn't know

Mirroring the shadow's expression,

But this only meant one thing for them

As they both felt the scorching sensation.

An invisible connection, that can only be felt by those who were tied by the fate, linked the loose ends of the string together, indicating that

"A connection has been completed."

____________________________________

Tenth chapter: Posted

Few shenanigans from me:

- Yes, this is inspired by Taylor Swift's Invisible string <3

- The struggle to put both Tatsuya and Tetsuya on the same narration/sentence is real (I'm just afraid ya'll will confuse them, seeing as they only have one letter difference in their first name)

- ANYWAYS THEIR FRIENDSHIP>>>>>>>>>>

- The end though~ It's something mhhmm

I hope you enjoyed this chapter~! I'll see you next week~! ❤ (ɔˆз(ˆ⌣ˆc)

- Yunmi (￣▽￣)／♡

Next chapter: Something inevitable