Chapter 335: Arc 5, - 29: Detached
The paper opened up with a crinkle and some rustling. The scent of jasmine tea slowly drifted up from the teacup beside her. With her legs crossed one over the other, Hotaru relaxed on the sofa with the morning newspaper.
With a little fiery plume at the corner, letters in bold were underlined as ’Phoenix News’ was written in very lively fashion—being the only coloured text in an otherwise black and white newspaper.
Hotaru sipped her jasmine tea and scanned the first page. Straightaway, her crimson brows creased together. In a little text box at the bottom of the front page her eyes paused at.
’Many citizens are now in worry of current weather. At 2300 hours last night, a booming thunder echoed throughout Dolpool. The thunder was loudest at Narcissus Borough, according to resident accounts.
Are there thunderstorms in the upcoming forecasts? Will there be an electrical blackout in the coming days? Should your power provider be held accountable if it does? Are personal home generators a good investment? More on page 5.’ The excerpt read.
Hotaru’s ears folded and she blew over the teacup and took a sip. The Sun beamed into the house and Kazuo was out for work. The wolf-girl glanced around for a certain little one... Her ears pricked.
Finding no sign of her, Hotaru closed the paper and set her tea down on the saucer. She stood whilst her ears twitched for a sound; her head tilted up to the ceiling.
Up the steps she went, till the third floor. The noise seemingly came from Fumeko’s room. With cautious steps, she leaned against the door and pressed her ear up to it to eavesdrop.
"Creak..."
The door was not closed... Hotaru jolted herself up and placed a hand on the door, to act as if she was just opening it. The chatter came to an end.
"Aunty Wred-Wolf! We’re doing sewious business," Kineko grabbed Hotaru’s hand and dragged her in.
Jotou and Fumeko gave a look to the redhead, while Hotaru cocked her head... In front of Jotou and Fumeko was a pinboard with red string, connecting several papers of text and rough sketches of faces.