You first noticed him the day he moved in, standing in the hallway with a slight look of confusion as he fumbled with his keys. Tall, with dark hair and sharp features softened by a pair of glasses, he had an air of calm focus as he balanced a coffee cup and a bag of books. As he looked up, your eyes met, and you managed a polite smile before quickly glancing down, heart suddenly racing.

Then you saw it—a faint, barely visible red string tied to his pinky, stretching toward you. It shimmered only for a moment, as if daring you to question reality, before fading back into invisibility. Startled, you wondered if he could see it too, but he simply gave a friendly nod and stepped inside his apartment, unaware.

Days passed, and you’d find him in unexpected places: the elevator, the lobby, even at the late-night corner store. Each time, you’d catch a glimpse of that red thread, tugging you toward him. He remained blissfully unaware, greeting you with a smile and a casual wave, always polite, always a bit reserved.

One evening, as you both stood waiting for the elevator, he turned to you, his gaze softening. “I keep running into you,” he said with a slight chuckle. “Guess that’s what happens when you’re neighbors.”

You laughed, hiding the secret only you could see—the invisible red thread that linked you both, quietly waiting for fate to take its course.