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“Jofu! Oh no, your collar came off. How did that happen?” Lishu asked the duck in a sweet concern. She scooped Jofu up, carrying him to the duck shed.
“Basen, are you in here?” Lishu called upon entering.
“Ye-yes, do you need something, Lady Lishu?” Basen stammered, unused to her directness.
She held out Jofu. Basen stared for a few moments before noticing the missing embellishment on her neck. That was meant to be a sign of ownership and companionship. Telling others she was never a mere wandering duck, free to be eaten.
“How did you lose your collar? Come here, we'll fix that.” He grabbed Jofu and put her on the nearby table, then gave a small pat on the head.
Basen and Lishu both reached into the drawer at the same time. Blushing as they simultaneously tried to grab the spool of red string, causing their hands to lace over each other's.
“Oh!” She gasped. As they both quickly pulled their hands away.
“Oops, sorry, Lishu.” Both just stared at each other until Basen slowly reached for the red string and unwound it.
“I'll get you scissors. Just one moment, Master Basen.”
“Wait, I got it,” Basen called as he pulled the string until it broke. She shook her head, mocking herself. Why did she think he would need scissors?
Lishu held Jofu gently as Basen attempted to tie the string to Jofu’s neck. Until a loud “QUACK” startled them both and Jofu attempted to jump off the table. They both grasped at the duck in an attempt to catch her, but all that resulted in was both of their hands getting tangled up in the string. As Jofu waddled around, pecking at the shed floor.
“Heh, this red string just really wants our hands together, doesn't it?” Basen laughed awkwardly, turning pink while trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
“It does seem like that, doesn't it.” Lishu breathed, unable to take her eyes off their hands tangled in red. She had read a book at the rear palace that talked about red strings and what they meant. The memory only caused her face to bloom a red that rivaled the string.
Together, they attempted to untangle the string. Taking multiple pauses whenever their hands would graze together even more with the movements. After they finally got free, they worked together to gauge Jofu’s neck size, then tied the string together. In unison, they snuck up to Jofu and placed the collar around her neck. “QUACK!”