This is my first fanfiction based on Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away." Chihiro is home after running errands for her mother and, after running into the surprisingly familiar faces of River's uncle Kamaji and cousin Lin, is hit with nostalgia yet again. As the reader of my fanfic, please, don't hesitate to PM me and give me some constructive criticism, as I'm open to suggestion. Nevertheless, I hope the reader enjoys it, and if so, rate and review fairly!
"Dinner was delicious, Dad," Chihiro said, clearing the plates.
"Thank you," he said, beaming.
"So, honey," her mother said, "You never answered our question. Why aren't you hanging out with Yuki tonight? Friday nights, you two usually are."
"Oh, I never answered?" Chihiro asked. Her mother shook her head. "Um, Yuki had a date." She began to wash the dishes she had cleared.
"Oh, really?" her dad asked. "With who? With Akio?"
"No, with the new transfer student."
"Oh, yes, the new kid you mentioned. What was his name again?"
"River."
"And how has it gone? Will there be a second?"
Dad, stop, Chihiro thought, scrubbing too hard and chipping off a painted flower from her plate. As if she read her thoughts, her mother turned to her husband and said, "Akiichirō, maybe let it go for now."
"What, Ichiyūko? I'm just curious. I'm not allowed to be curious?" he asked defensively. Her mother discretely nudged her head at Chihiro. He turned to his daughter, back to his wife, and mouthed What?
I think she likes him, she mouthed back.
He shrugged what? Ichiyūko sighed, pointed at her mouth, and exaggerated her mouth movements.
I think she likes him.
Akiichirō realized what Ichiyūko was saying, looked back at Chihiro, and turned back to his wife, mouthing Okay.
After finishing the dishes and running out of things to keep her occupied, Chihiro retired to her room and did what she did best: draw. She began to draw frogs, pigs, chicks, chickens, soot sprites, flowers, birds, clouds. She drew lines here and there, brought them together slowly, until they formed train tracks.
Chime!
Chihiro had received a text from Yuki.
Yuki-chan:Hi Chihiro! R U busy?
She stared at the text message, looked back at her doodles, then at the message again.
No, what's up?
Yuki-chan:The date's over
Its so soon. What time is it?
Yuki-Chan: What are you talking about? Its been a while
Has it? What time is it?
Chihiro looked at the time and thought, Wow, it's 9:22pm already?
Oh, youre right. But I think the date could've gone a little longer
Yuki didn't respond for a few minutes.
Chime!
Yuki-chan: Actually can I call you?
Sure
Her phone was ringing, Yuki's face appeared on Chihiro's screen and she answered.
"Hi, Yuki."
"Hi, Chihiro. What are you doing?"
"Just drawing."
"Okay, cool." Yuki sighed, then spoke up. "So I wanted to tell you how the date went, and it'd be too long if I texted you."
"Okay. Go on, I'm listening," Chihiro urged.
"So… after we left my house, River took me to a little pizza place, where there were a few arcade games. You know the place… what's it called?"
"The one by the harbor? Uh… Pizza Factory?"
"Yeah, that one. Well, we ordered pizza and played while we waited, and so far, it felt like it was going good," Yuki said. "but after we sat down, it was a little awkward. We didn't really have much to talk about."
"Oh, really? I would've thought you two would've had a lot to share."
"There was the usual 'Tell me about yourself', 'Siblings,' 'Favorite things,' 'Where are you from,' you know, things like that."
Chihiro made her way from her desk to her bed and made herself comfortable. "Yeah? Go on."
"But when we were done with the 'getting to know you' part, we kind of just… kind of…"
"What?" Chihiro turned from her back to her side. "What?" she asked again.
"… clammed up. No matter how much I wanted the conversation keep going, it quickly died down. We ate our pizza in silence for a good while. Then, ah…"
"Yes?"
"The subject of conversation shifted to you."
What? she thought.
"We started talking about hobbies we enjoy and hobbies we wished we had, then your drawing, your talent, then you."
Chihiro was confused.
"It sort of bummed me out that River seemed to have perked up at the mention of you," Yuki sighed. She sounded disappointed, and Chihiro knew it. She felt terrible, but she knew in her heart there was nothing she could do for Yuki.
"I'm sorry it didn't go well, Yuki."
"It's fine. I'm sure River realized because he apologized. Then he paid, walked me home, hugged me, and apologized again," Yuki said with a feeble chuckle. "At least I knew he was into you and didn't string me along."
Chihiro teared up, feeling horrible. She dabbed away a couple tears. "I'm so sorry, Yuki," she managed through a sob.
"I'll be fine, Chihiro, and it's not your fault," Yuki said. It sounded as though she held back a sob, too. "No one is. The heart yearns recklessly is all."
"How—ahem! How long have you been home?"
"For the past hour. Just processing."
"I guess you let it out just now?"
"Yeah. And now that I did, I guess I'll let you go. Good night, Chihiro."
"Good night, Yuki. I hope you feel better in the morning."
"It's passed," Yuki chuckled, "Bye."
Chime!
I just set my phone down, Chihiro thought as she picked it up. It was a message from River, and she sat up to read it.
River: Evening, Chihiro. Yuki probably told
you how it went by now. I'm so
sorry about what happened. The
last thing I wanted to do was hurt
anyone, especially your best friend
It may have hurt you too. Please
let me know what to do to make it
right with you two and I'll do it in a
heartbeat. I hope to hear back soon.
Chihiro thought about what to write for a minute, holding her phone for a what seemed like an eternity, then began to type.
Both Yuki and I think youre a good
person and could be a good friend,
and there are no hard feelings from
either one, but I think you should
keep your distance for a while. Yuki's
heart still needs to recover
She hit send and waited for his reply.
Chime!
River: I understand. Im just a phone call
away. Don't be strangers
Chihiro put her phone down and plopped her head down on her pillow. I hope I did the right thing.
