[Original] [Long-Running Webnovel] Chronicles Of The Paranormal

Chapter 5: The Balance Of Karma

Chapter 5: The Balance Of Karma
All the preparations have been made. After Hana and Ayano gave her the answers that she needed, Kotone put her pencil inside the spiral bound part of her notebook and quickly reviewed them. Nodding to herself, she put her notebook and pencil back in her backpack. "I think I've worked out all the details of what I need to do. It might take some preparation, but I've got a few aces up my sleeve to work with this Rin Kajiwara."

"Could you enlighten us more about your plan, Kotone-san?" Hana asked, hovering eagerly towards her. Her face shone with hope.

"I'm keeping them a secret for now. You'll see what will happen when the time comes. Anyway, it's about time to head back home. We've been out here discussing things for hours. I'm sure that my father would be worried about my whereabouts."

Ayano nodded. "This will be the perfect opportunity to determine whether or not you will be my Catalyst, Kotone-san."

Kotone didn't want to say anything in response to that. Instead she turned to walk home. Hana floated silently behind her, appearing thoughtful. Once they made their way towards Kotone's house, Kotone dragged her feet across the welcome mat that lay on the floor outside the door, before making her way inside and taking off her shoes. Hana followed in, unseen and unnoticed, and Kotone made her way to the living room, where her father was reading a book. He looked up from his reading. "You're home later than usual."

Kotone ran a hand through her hair. "I was meeting a new friend at the park. I'm going over to her house for a while. She needs some help with studying."

"That's my Kotone, my little scholar," Kotone's father said with an affectionate smile on his face. "Keep up the good work."

"Indeed," her mother said approvingly as she came back from the kitchen, washing a glass in her delicate hands. Her long violet hair draped in a side ponytail over her left shoulder. Even though she was thirty-eight years in age, she still looked as youthful and vibrant as she had in her late teens. "Kotone-chan, who's this new friend of yours? Maybe you should invite her over sometime."

"Maybe later, yeah," Kotone said, feeling a sense of unease that her parents were going to probe in deeper about her friendship with Ayano Natsume.

"We would like to meet her," her father said as he closed the book and set it on the table next to him. "What does she look like?"

"Short in stature. White hair. Silvery blue eyes. Wears a black ribbon in her hair. She's quite distinctive, I don't think you can miss her."

Her father laughed. "I don't believe that you've told us her name, have you, Kotone?"

"Her name is Ayano Natsume," Kotone answered as sweat started to form on her forehead.

"Also, why were you late for dinner, Kotone-chan?" her mother asked concernedly. "It was your favorite meal tonight, too."

"I'm sorry about being late. I was just..." Kotone paused for a moment, trying to think of what exactly she should say. She couldn't think of a convincing lie to tell her parents, at least not one that sounded convincing to her ears. Kotone was used to being forthright and honest, and it didn't do her well to lie, especially when it came to her parents, who took care of her and trusted her with all kinds of responsibilities. The excuse was going to sound lame, but... "I just lost track of time."

"That's unlike you, Kotone," her father said while scratching underneath his chin. "You're usually so punctual."

She sweated more profusely now. "I know. I figured I would be having dinner at their house, though. Sorry about that, Mom."

"Well all right," her mother said. "If you're staying the night, make sure you pack your things. Change of clothes and underwear, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a brush, and anything else that you might need to stay over there."