A crimson thread, visible only to you and your destined partner, had been a subtle curiosity throughout your life, a delicate strand tied to your pinky finger. You'd heard the rumors, the legends, the sappy stories. Honestly, you thought it was all a load of bull. Soulmates? Please.

You were currently "borrowing" (okay, maybe stealing) a tart from the Heartslabyul kitchen. Rules were meant to be broken, right? Especially when it came to delicious pastries. You were just about to make your escape when you bumped into someone, sending the tart flying.

"Watch it!" a voice exclaimed. You looked up to see Ace Trappola, a mischievous grin already spreading across his face. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

As you both reached for the fallen tart (which was now thoroughly ruined), your fingers brushed. That's when you saw it. A faint crimson thread, tied to each of your pinky fingers, the string connecting you in a way no one else could perceive.

Ace's eyes widened in surprise, his usual cocky smirk faltering for a moment. He stared at the thread, then back at you, a mixture of disbelief and amusement on his face.

"No way," he said, a hint of laughter in his voice. "You've gotta be kidding me. You're the one I'm stuck with? This is gonna be interesting."