[Original] Chronicles of the Paranormal [Novel]

Chapter 9: A Promise And A Confession Fulfilled

Chapter 9: A Promise And A Confession Fulfilled
"Hana Yurizuka," Rin began as she narrowed her eyes towards the documents that she had been holding in her hands. "Sixteen years old. Didn't do anything particularly ambitious in her life, simply went with the flow and accepted whatever came to her. Father was divorced from her mother, though her mother would keep his laundry out to pretend that he was still there. Found a person who accepted her for who she was, named Misaki Hiraga. Took her own life by jumping off the school building."

Rin peered over the documents that she had been reading and narrowed her eyes towards Hana. "What do you have to say for yourself? You left behind a mother who truly loved you and would've supported your relationship with another girl on your wedding day."

"It was out of impulse, really," Hana said softly as she gazed at the ground. "But Misaki was my first love, you see. I loved her, all of her. I loved the way that she played the piano, I loved the way that she smiled, and I loved listening to every little thing that she had to say. There might have been another girl if I've lived, though Misaki was very special to me. Very special. I couldn't bear to think of living a life without her."

"Normally," Rin explained as she tapped her fingernail against the clipboard that she carried. "I would have sent you to the void by now. though I've made arrangements with the Head Shinigami and he agreed to listen to Kotone's proposal. So you've lucked out this time, Hana, for getting a hearing, though you're not out of the frying pan yet. There are still some things that I need to question you about and I will still cast my judgment according to the answers that you give me. Is that clear?"

"Yes Ma'am," Hana said while she folded her hands in front of her.

"There is one thing that Kotone must do before we proceed any further," Rin said. "And that is to sign a binding contract. Kotone Takada, you will uphold your end of the bargain by being available whenever the shinigami need your aid, and you will now have ties to the spiritual world. It will be your responsibility as well."

Rin handed Kotone a document. She read over its contents with a discerning eye. It was everything as Rin had said.

"Before you sign, may I ask you a question?"

"You may," Kotone said.

"You don't want to deal with the paranormal any more than necessary. Is that correct?"

"I don't want to, that is correct."

"Signing this contract will bind you to us completely," Rin pointed out as she adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose. "However, you can refuse to sign and still go back to a normal life, you know."

Kotone paused. It was true that Kotone hoped that she wouldn't have to deal with anymore of the paranormal after she helped with Hana. If she didn't sign the document, then she wouldn't have to deal with Hana or Ayano anymore, and she would be left in peace to live the life that she always wanted. However, if she forsook Hana and chose to live a normal life without helping her friend, she wasn't sure she'd be able to bear living with herself any further.

"It wouldn't be back for normal to me," Kotone said. She took out a pen and began writing out her name on the document. The handwriting glowed, indicating that a binding contract had been made, before the document disappeared in a golden light.

Once the contract had been signed, Hana cried tears of joys and tried to embrace Kotone—forgetting that she would simply phase right through her. However, Kotone didn't mind, and she returned an air hug towards Hana and smiled towards her, happy that Hana could finally be reunited with her lover.

"I'm happy for you, Hana," Kotone said.

"Thank you so much for everything, Kotone," Hana said in response as she wiped away ectoplasm tears. "You've done so much for me, I don't know how to repay you."