Chapter 1: "Promise"

The world is a very strange place. It is full of strange people, things, and creatures and I, Ogino Chihiro, knows that better than anyone. I remember the time when I was in the spirit world. Even though the other spirits were grouchy and mean, I felt complete and I wasn't alone. Now I am here in this very cruel world facing the sad truth of reality. I miss going to the spirit world. I miss him.

My name is Chihiro, I am now 20 years old. It has been a very long time since I was in the spirit world. Thinking about the past makes me more sad. I am now attending college and i'm having fun with it. I took photography as a course. It's pretty hard if you ask me. Stress was really getting in to me so I let out a big sigh.

"You know what they say, when you sigh...happiness comes out!"

"But there is no happiness left, Hime."

"Chihiro! No matter how much sadness surrounds you. There will always be space for happiness!"

"Just be quiet, Hime."

"Why don't we go to a bathhouse? It'll relieve your stress."

I was shocked and speechless. I knew that there will never be a bathhouse greater than Yubaba's bathhouse. There are just full of memories in that bathhouse. I wanted to refuse but no words came out of my mouth. I was disappointed to myself and just nodded to Hime. I guess no matter how much sadness I feel everyday and every night, I'm still human...I need to rest!

~At the Bathhouse~

"Ah, this so relaxing! Don't you think, Chihiro?"

"Yeah...It's so relaxing that it makes me feel very sleepy..."

I was so relaxed that I didn't even realize that I was already asleep.

"Chihiro... Chihiro... wake up..."

"W-Who are you...?"

"It's me Haku..."

"H-Haku?!"

"Yeah... I see that you have grown... I miss you Chihiro... everybody misses you... I'm sorry that I haven't kept my promise... But I know we will meet soon... Goodbye, Chihiro."

"Wait! Haku! Don't leave! I still have a lot to say to you! I l-lo..."

Before I could finish the sentence... I already woke up. Hime was asleep too. That dream will never come true... I thought to myself. Though it felt so real..."I guess no matter how hard I try to forget Haku and the others... I just can't forget them!", I said to myself. I woke Hime up and asked for us to leave.

"It's pretty late... Don't you think so Chihiro?"

"I think it's still early..."

"Stop the sarcasm... Anyway... I always wanted to ask you.."

"Ask what?"

"Why do you only take photographs of the sky? Why not try people? You know... to forget your first love..."

"It's because I love the sky. The sky represents the one that I love..."

"Why? Does your first love fly or something?"

"W-WHAT?! That's impossible! Flying is impossible! People don't have wings!"

"I don't mean that! I meant... if he's a pilot or something..."

"Oh... umm... no, he's not a pilot..."

"Oh... so... see you on Monday!"

"Ok, bye!"

As I reached my apartment, for the first time I was relaxed and was relieved from stress. "I should go to bathhouses more often...", I said to myself. I removed my hair band, changed my clothes, and then went to bed. Tomorrow I will go to that place again so I must sleep early.

"Chihiro!"

"Haku!?"

"Chihiro, You don't need to look for me..."

"W-What do you mean?"

"Because I will look for you! So don't hurt yourself Chihiro! That place has a barrier so it's impossible to come...please Chihiro...please"

"Wait..! Haku!"

It's morning and I still can't forget that very weird dream of mine yesterday night. What does Haku mean by barrier? But Haku's Haku...he definitely knows what to do so I cancelled my schedule going to that place. So, I just went to my hometown and went to see the Kohaku river. That river is another way to interact with Haku so I go there every weekend. So I took a cab, brought the things I need, and hoped to see Haku once again.

~Kohaku River~

After a long trip, I finally arrived in my hometown. Other people may think i'm crazy, like visiting a river, but to me it is a place I will never forget. I walked slowly over the river then sat in front of it and started to play with the cool,flowing water with my hands.

"Haku, It has been a long time. You've been visiting my dreams lately... or was it just hallucinations?"

As usual, I hear nothing but silence. But talking to it makes my heart feel free. It's like releasing all I've kept inside my heart for years.

"You said we'd meet sooner... but why is it that until now... you never kept your promises..?" I let out a big sigh sadly.

"Were you only pitying me? Is that why you made a promise? Because it has been a 10 years! I've waited for 10 years and will always be waiting!"

I looked at the water with a very angry but all I could see was me. "I miss all of you guys so much... Please Haku, just let me see all of you... Even if it's just a minute."

After a few hours talking to the shallow, flowing water, I finally decided to leave. Letting all those words out was really refreshing. But seeing who I want to see and talk to that person is better.

I took a cab again and went home. After travelling again, I arrived at my apartment and quickly took a bubble bath. It definitely felt so refreshing and my body was like, free from stress physically and emotionally.

After taking a bath, I laid on my bed and whispered, "Haku, please...keep your promise..."

Then I had a dream and it was about the first time I saw the spirit world. It was the time when both my parents gobbled up almost all the food and turned into pigs. That time I finally met Haku. He helped and told me what to do. All I needed to do was just to keep asking for work to Kamajii, the boiler man. Then Lin arrived at the boiler room and showed me the way to Yubaba's office. After talking to Yubaba, I finally got the job but then she changed my name to Sen.

I was having a good job until I made a mistake, letting the spirit No-Face go in the Bathhouse. He ate three employees, made many gold which was fake, and caused a lot of trouble. When No-Face was inside the bathhouse, he really turned to troublesome spirit. One day, I saw Haku in the sky being chased by paper birds and was bleeding. There I found out that Yubaba sent Haku to Zeniba, Yubaba's twin sister, to steal her golden seal.

When I got train tickets from Kamajii, I went with No-face, and Yubaba's son which was in a rat form. So we took the train to give Zeniba her golden seal back. But Zeniba was actually nice. She welcomed us inside and invited us to some tea. She even gave a hair band that I still wear now.

After a few hours, Haku arrived an we left No-Face with Granny. While I was flying with Haku, I remembered the time when the Kohaku river saved me from drowning. I explained everything to Haku and he finally remembered who he was.

When we returned to Yubaba's bathhouse, Yubaba gave me a test and I passed it. Because of it, Yubaba broke the contract and finally let me and my parents go.

How I wished that I didn't leave... and stayed with them. But it is impossible.

Haku, why didn't you keep the promise?