Even a Failure may be a Good Thing

When the bell rings it's time to change seats. That's the only rule.

KRING!

People put their best foot forward upon entering here, smiling, acting enthused, yet these were all façades the other needed to break down in order to succeed.

KRING!

The red string of fate, huh.

KRING!

“And that will be the last bell for this speed dating event! Everyone, thank you for participating!”

A woman clapped her hands, pleased to see another event come to a close without a hitch. If it's the success of the event she celebrated, then she's mostly right. She hadn't taken into account my bad luck.

This shop, a souvenir, antique, and a café in one, regularly held these events perhaps in order to stand out. Their location wasn't good for one, but the idea of finding romance on some obscure part of town was enticing and exciting for most… well, even for me at first.

The participants handed over their dating paraphernalia—or so that notebook and pen was called. The woman told us it's to gather our impressions and the notes we took for each candidate, a blatant sales tactic, I know, but their reputation as a lucky spot where many couples found each other when they normally wouldn't overshadowed any doubt.

Her smile turned into a grin upon seeing me. “Quite the playboy, aren't you,” She took my notebook and even flipped it open without hesitation. If not for the fact I was the last person I would've freaked out already.

“Hm, not much to go on this time too, huh,” Her expression turned into concern.

“Meaning, I'm not the scumbag you're thinking.”

“Honey, we've made sure to pick the best matches for everyone. Mind telling me more?”

I resisted the urge to scratch my neatly combed hair and shoved my hands in my pockets, trying to act nonchalant. “Turns out they either turn me down or were already dating someone else. I'm sure I can think up of at least five more reasons if you'd let me.”

She placed a finger on her lips, her eyebrows slightly raised in thought. “Maybe your attitude is the problem. Personally, I'd also see that remark as a major turn off, you know?”

“Sorry…”

“Pfft—I'm kidding! Of course, I don't turn away from loyal patrons, especially those who need help.”

She then beckoned me to follow her downstairs. The dating event was at the café at the second floor while the antique and souvenir parts were below. I'm guessing their shop originally dealt old pieces and simply added the café for increased foot traffic.

As I trailed behind, I couldn't help but think she, Kiyoko—ugh, just thinking of her name puts a bad taste on my mouth. This enigmatic lady must've had an easier time on picking up romance partners; the way she carried herself down to the lingering scent of her perfume screamed max sex appeal. In fact, it wasn't news some participants hit on her and I felt like I'd also get bewitched if I let my guard down for a bit. Her swept-up hair exposing her nape was too much.

Thankfully, we reached ground floor. It wasn't a long descent per se, but it seemed like it'd go on forever if she willed it.

After making me sit on an antique chair and table set, she disappeared for a bit. She served me a cup of tea while she held a glass of… whiskey?

“Isn't it a bit too early for that?” I asked, eyeing the lighter she held on one hand.

She ran a finger around the rim of the glass. “Alcohol has… many uses, you know?”

FWISH! The surface of the whiskey ignited into bluish flames. Guess she had no intention of drinking it.

I held my cup and took a sip. This 'tea' wasn't what I expected it to be. It's also whiskey albeit in a teacup instead of a similar glass she used.

“Appearances are deceiving,” she said, amused at whatever expression I'm making right now. “You should've known that already, being the speed dating pro, you are.”

Pro, she says, but all I ever did was spam attend her events. Due to the sheer number of reservations the event had, I even went so far as to pay for extra while changing looks and name every time. All for snagging a date. Call it desperate, pathetic, I don't care. Once the need arose, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

Maybe she had a point about my personality. Despite being a repeat participant, nobody seemed to notice. I've seen and heard other people recognizing each other and simply passed the time in friendly chatter until the bell rang to switch partners. Whenever I brought up the topic from someone I recognized if they remembered me, all I got was—

‘Really? I'm surprised.’

‘I'm sorry, but what's your name again?’

‘Wow, what did we talk about last time? I hope I didn't spout anything weird, hahah!’

‘Umm… I know this is weird, but I just don't remember. Anyway…’

People reacted differently yet the long and short of it remained the same. I lacked presence. My defining quality was having none of it. That might be why everyone unconsciously steered away from me. Nobody liked associating themselves with a boring person.

I downed the tea-colored liquor on my teacup. The alcohol burned my throat. It's still strong regardless of the fact I was prepared and knew what I was getting myself into.

FWISH! She ignited her glass again. The burnt essence of the liquor mixed perfectly with her scent naturally leading me to her copper-colored irises.

“And there are things better left unsaid… right?”

“M-hm, you learn quick,” Kiyoko's gaze probed my soul while I, as if falling prey to some trap, couldn't break free.

A moth in the flame… a fly in a spider's web.

Even in romance, such predatory natures existed. She's teaching me, someone who'd been a regular at her events, about one of the many faces of the world I'm trying to get into. It's never gonna be all sunshines and rainbows, I'm well aware, yet getting a pseudo-taste of that toxic environment gave me goosebumps. Worst of all, I'm confident this wasn't even her with her mask off.

“You know, I would've thrown myself at you if I hadn't known better,” Her voice was enough to give me the shivers. I knew she's teasing me, but her delivery implied it could go either way.

“I…” My parched throat failed to verbalize the rest of my response. What was I gonna say anyway?

I'm feeling pretty light-headed and regretful… mostly the latter. I drank some strong liquor without preparation, now my stomach's in a riot!

After learning the location of the restroom (not without being teased a light drinker), I made a run for it. The items at the shop were arranged well and never in my life had I imagined I'd be so thankful it's that way.

Although…

“Wait this isn't… where the hell am I now?”

Despite the shop being in western architecture, I was suddenly here in a traditional Japanese house. The realization I've barged in on Kiyoko's main house was there, but the urgency of the situation meant I had some sort of alibi. Although personally, I'd also find it difficult to buy I ended up here when there's just three directions to follow on the way to the store restroom.

It's disturbingly quiet. Aside from my breathing and footsteps, nothing else made noise. I stopped and focused on my surroundings for a bit. I think I could hear dust move. Even the soft creaks of the wooden floorboards as I shifted my weight from foot to foot became distinct. It's when a realization occurred. Out of guilt, I removed my shoes.

Stories about this place crashed into my senses as my mind tried filling in the silence. There's actually speculation about Kiyoko being some witch and this place being haunted, of how she must've sold blasphemous love potions on her patrons along with other shady stuff. Of course, being a frequent visitor, I wouldn't believe those rumors… until this.

“Where the hell are you, bathroom…”

I tread carefully and slid open the doors to see if I could find my way back or just get to the damned toilet. Of all the time the soles of my shoes were clean, it happened on the day when I needed it to trace my path. My misfortune might be an infectious disease it started affecting other aspects of my life.

Finally, my ear caught some noise. Faint, it resembled a rope being pulled taut. A hammock? A hang—no. I shouldn't go assuming for the worst. Although whatever it was, I sure hope it's not the ghosts those rumors told of.

From a darker corner of the hallway, there's a slightly opened door. Yup. Very not suspicious.

“HAH!”

With an awkward shout, I opened the door and was immediately taken aback.

Red strings. Dozens—no thousands of red strings were on this room. Like a training room for a spy movie; but whoever managed to pass through here wouldn't be human anymore. It crisscrossed haphazardly, tangling at some parts and into the darker space beyond. The strings were tied on posts at the corners of the spacious area but the sheer number of them would make one wonder how on earth did the creator accomplish such a feat. Did Kiyoko do all this?

I traced the source of the sound, praying hard I've not roped myself into some curse and found it soon enough. A person. In around a meter or so from where I stood was a person.

When I saw those red strings biting on her neck, I knew I needed to help.

Never had I expected I'd never need to go after this.