A/N: This story is set a few years after Chihiro left the spirit world.
Chihiro got on the bus and rode home. She was glad school was over. High School was much tougher than Middle School. She took out her notebook and wrote a schedule for all of her day's homework.
"Chihiro, you're back. How was school?" Chihiro's mother asked.
"Oh, fine", Chihiro replied.
"New neighbours have moved in next door. They have a son your age. Why don't you go and meet him? I mean them", Chihiro's mother said.
"Maybe another time. I really do have a lot of homework due tomorrow", Chihiro replied, rolling her eyes.
She knew what her mother was trying to do. Homework was what her attention needed right now. Not some boy.
*As x is negative at the first part of the equation, ultimately it would-*
Ding dong~
"Chihiro, could you get the door please?" her mother called.
Chihiro quickly scribbled down a few more numbers before dashing to answer the door.
"Ye-?" She didn't finish. Standing at the door, was an extremely handsome boy. He was tall, dark-haired and so handsome.
"Hello", he said.
"Chihiro, who is it?" her mother asked, walking to the door.
Chihiro was still a bit open-mouthed and did not reply.
"Oh, hello dear", Chihiro's mother said to the boy.
"Hello, ma'am", he said, bowing.
"Chihiro, this is Haku. He's our new neighbours' son", her mother said.
"N-nice to meet you", Chihiro said, holding out her hand.
The boy, Haku, smiled and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, too".
Chihiro didn't know why but the handsome boy, Haku, was really familiar. It wasn't just his face and his name but even the feel of his hand. Where did she know him?
Haku looked at Chihiro who was staring at him. Chihiro blushed and looked away.
Haku smiled and turned to Chihiro's mother.
"I wanted to ask you where the nearest library is, ma'am", he said politely.
"Oh, well, I wouldn't know about that. Chihiro should know. In fact, she was just heading to the library. Chihiro, since you're going there, why don't you take Haku with you?" Chihiro's mother said, giving Chihiro a secret wink.
"What? But I-" Chihiro began.
"Oh, you mean you need to go get your bag? Hurry up then. Don't keep Haku waiting", Chihiro's mother said.
Chihiro walked to her room and calmly closed the door. As soon as the door was shut, she ran to her mirror to check herself. She looked cute so she quickly grabbed her bag and stuffed her homework in there before casually, opening the door and walking back to her mother and Haku.
"Well, bye, kids!" Chihiro's mother said, waving sweetly.
The two walked down the street in silence. Every now and then, Chihiro would steal glances without Haku's knowledge. *Why is he so cute?*
Chihiro was still deeply in thought when Haku suddenly grabbed her wrist. In shock, she looked down at her arm which Haku was holding then looked at him.
"A car was coming", he said, quickly letting go.
Haku turned the other way and Chihiro could tell he was shy.
Blushing crazily, she said "Thank you".
Instead of answering, he just looked down. The light turned green.
"The light's green now. Let's go", Chihiro said.
Later…
Chihiro was sitting at a table pretending to study but really, she was trying hard to think of why Haku looked so familiar. She watched him as he searched the bookshelves. Finally, he chose a thick book and sat down opposite her. Chihiro attempted to read the title but saw it put down onto the table and she felt eyes on her head.
"Is something wrong, Chihiro?"
Her face turned red. The way her name rolled off his tongue was so… amazing. "N-no."
She put her head now and tried to do her homework but the memory of him saving her earlier kept popping into her head. And the way he had pronounced her name… Wait a minute! Why was she thinking of him? Was she developing a dreaded… crush?