Welcome to the final installment! I won't take too much of your time, just keep your eyes moving down the page...
Chapter 4: When You Least Expect It
The cat-girl took hold of Konstantin's hand and led him off towards the Ferris Wheel. Lisa made puppy-dog eyes at Laika, and both Haruna and Kotone made puppy-dog eyes at Player.
Player pulled Kotone aside. "Why don't you want to ride with Alex? You and he are such good friends."
Kotone was slightly taken aback at the kind gesture, but accepted it at face value. "Okay!"
In the end, Laika and Konstantin reluctantly gave in – it was the last ride, after all.
The Ferris Wheel had twenty cars on it, each one circular with six seats and a canopy. Konstantin and Anya climbed into one of the cars, and watched as Kotone and Alex followed them in. Konstantin reached over to attract Player's attention.
"My Brother, it's bad enough I have to deal with Anya. Why are they here, too?"
"It's a short ride. Just have a little patience, okay? I'm pretty sure we're leaving right after this. If you're that worried, lay down some guidelines, alright? It'll be over before you know it, and in the process you'll be making the person who looks up to you the most very happy." With that, Player went over to the next car, where Laika, Lisa, and Haruna had already climbed in.
They met back up with Professor and Tsunami at the gate of the park.
"Did you all have a good day," Tsunami asked.
{We just came from the Ferris Wheel. I could see such far distances! It was so beautiful.}
"The Ferris Wheel was the best part," Anya added, eyeing Konstantin.
"I thought the best part was the game," Alex said, clutching his prize.
Professor looked around at the tired faces. "Good! Is everyone ready to go, then?" He was met with a chorus of resounding yeses.
As they walked back to the van, the younger members of the group smiled at each other, exclaiming how much fun they had. Laika, Haruna, and Konstantin lagged behind, exhausted and relieved that the day was finally over. Professor and Tsunami brought up the rear.
"I feel like this was a successful day," Professor pointed out while ignoring Tsunami's reaction.
Once all the passengers were in the van and the motor was turned on, they all fell asleep on each others' shoulders.
Tsunami turned to the Professor. "So, would you mind explaining to me why exactly today was so successful," she asked.
"Not at all," he replied. "Take a look at Laika's left arm." He heard her gasp as she did so.
"She doesn't have her seal. WHAT DID YOU DO," Tsunami demanded.
Professor shrugged it off. "I didn't do anything. I noticed it when we got to the park, but I didn't mention anything to her because I knew she'd make me turn around and come back for it. Also, I wanted to see what would happen, if she could keep control of herself. In fact, I'm amazed she never realized it was gone! She truly is an amazing girl..."
After that, the conversation stopped so that Professor could concentrate on driving. He had also given Tsunami a lot to think about.
Professor and Tsunami woke everyone up when they returned to Player's house.
Alex picked up the stuffed animal he had won from the game, and got ready to go home. "Bye everyone thanks so much for a great day! See you later, Kotone."
Kotone waved to her friend, and then ran up to the door of the house. "Onii-chan! Could you please come open the door? I need to use the bathroom!"
"Why didn't you go before we left the park?"
"I didn't have to then! Besides, the ones they have there are icky!"
sigh "Alright, here I come."
When Kotone re-emerged, she was carrying a spiral-shaped piece of gold-colored jewelry, which bore an indecipherable inscription.
"Look at what I found by the sink in the bathroom! It almost looks like Laika's..." She stopped when she saw Laika's bare left arm, and realized the object she was holding was exactly what she thought it was. She immediately handed it to its owner.
"I must have forgotten to put it back on after my shower this morning," Laika mumbled while sliding the bracelet up past her elbow.
"I thought you weren't supposed to take it off, meow," Anya interjected.
Lisa's eyes lit up. "Do you know what this means?!"
'I went the whole day without it...' Laika realized. "Yeah, it means I need to seriously re-think some stuff."
The statement seemed to satisfy the fox-girl, even though she only had the vaguest of ideas what it actually meant.
Everyone wished the Professor and Tsunami a good night, and went their separate ways. Only Player, Kotone, Haruna, Konstantin, and Laika went into the house.
Professor pulled Laika aside. "This was a very big step for you today."
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to let you know when I reach a decision of whether I still want the oni gene removed from my genetics or not. It may be a while, though."
"Take your time."
Laika displayed a genuine smile as she walked inside. The two still outside heard Kotone ask her about the conversation as she closed the door.
End Chapter 4
End When You Most Expect It
A/N: Phew! Never thought that would happen, did ya? I actually finished a multi-chapter story, and in time for the contest deadline!
Okay, I guess I left something out in this chapter. Laika actually has some sort of oni gene in her that makes her act weird. That's what the part was at the beginning of the story, when her coloring changed a little bit. She was angry, and because she wasn't wearing the bracelet, she was initially having a little trouble controlling it. She was coordinating with the Professor to have him arrange for the gene to be removed from her body, but we can all see what happened...
I hope you enjoyed my little diversion; I really appreciate your patience with me, especially with involving a somewhat obscure webcomic... Keep your eyes on me, you'll never know what I'm gonna do next!