Chihiro's POV
I laid awake in my bed when I woke up early in the morning. I thought about what Haku said.. About dying(intentionally). What if I don't end up in the spirit world? What if I'd just hurt my parents for nothing? Thinking about it made me feel guilty. I love mom and dad and I don't want to hurt them, ever. But.. I love Haku too.
Thirteen years ago I gave up staying at the spirit world to save my parents, this time I'm deciding for my happiness… to be with the only guy I have ever loved. Maybe my decision isn't so wrong? Ugh! All this is just so confusing.
'Knock, knock, knock' there was a knock on the door, I stood up and opened it and saw mom standing outside my room all dressed up in her jogging pants and white top.
"Mom… you're up early." I said
"I was planning to jog at the park, I asked your dad but he seemed to be too lazy to wake up, I was wondering maybe you could join me." Yuko said
I thought for a second "Sure, why not? I'll get dressed."
"Okay sweetie, I'll wait for you downstairs." Mom said as she closed the door behind her.
I opened my closet and got my shorts, pink tank top and white jacket. I swiftly changed, not wanting to let Haku see me naked again in case he wakes up. I put on my sneakers and slipped out of my room.
"Let's go mom." I said as I went outside, mom tagged along behind me. Mom and I walked on the paved street going to the only park in our neighborhood. The chilly autumn wind blew on us when we got there.
"It's been a long time since we've last jogged together." Mom said smiling at me
I smiled back "Yeah, it has been a long time." I said as I zipped my jacket halfway
Mom and I jogged around the park seeing some old friends of ours every now and then, each commenting on how big I have grown into. We had five rounds of jogging 'round the park and finally sat on a bench in front of the big fountain at the center of the park.
"I'm worn-out." I panted
"I'm wondering who's older than us, me or you." Mom said as she smirked at me
I nudged her on the arm and laughed "Oh whatever mom." I playfully said
"C'mon Chihiro. Let's go buy that blueberry smoothie we always buy after we jog."
I smiled as I accompanied mom to the smoothie store near our house and bought two blueberry smoothies for us. We stayed at the store for a little while before we went home.
When we got back at the house still, nobody was awake. I helped mom cook breakfast after I took a bath. We cooked rice balls and sautéed chicken.
"That friend of yours seems nice." Mom said as she placed the plates on the table
"He is." I said, smiling
"It's weird, but… I think I saw him before. Somewhere."
"What?"
"I think I saw him before,"
"Where?" 'Could it be possible for mom to remember?' I thought inwardly
"I don't know. It's odd, but I had a dream long time ago, I was stuck in a queer place together with you and your dad. You wondered off, your dad and I can't seem to stop eating food for some reason, like it's enchanted or something. Suddenly we saw a big woman dressed in blue with a big nose, standing behind us. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but after a few seconds, something weird happened to your dad and I, we turned into pigs. Then a boy, that looks a lot like your friend Hatsu, lead us to a stable. He told us that he'll do whatever he can do to save us."
"Mom…that….that was no dream… that was real." I said, stunned by what mom had just said.
"What do you mean that was no dream?"
"Everything you dreamt about is real."
"How?"
"We stumbled in the spirit world years ago. And Hatsu isn't Hatsu, he's real name is Haku. He's the spirit of the kohaku river, he's a dragon. He's the one who helped me save you and dad."
Mom didn't reply for a few seconds. She seemed to be needing a few moments to take everything in. I felt nervous, maybe she'll think I'm crazy or something. I didn't want her to think I'm lying or anything.
"Is that all true sweetie?" mom asked with a compassionate look on her face.
"Yes." I timidly said
"I believe you Chihiro." Mom said as she hugged me
Mom's words didn't register in my mind quickly. Did she actually said that she..believed me?
"You.. believe me?" I asked with a confused look on my face
"You're my daughter. And as far as I can remember, you never lied to me about anything that's big." Mom said as she broke the hug
"Thanks mom." I said as I kissed her on the cheek
Suddenly dad and Haku approached us at the dining table, both looking haggard from just waking up.
"Is something going on here?" dad asked worriedly, mom and I just smiled.
Mom and I explained the whole thing to dad and he isn't so pleased of what we were telling him.
"Is this some kind of prank you two are playing on me?" dad asked sternly as he eyed mom and I
"No… It's all true sir. My name is Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi.I'm the one who helped you and your daughter in the spirit world the last time you were there." Haku said as he looked at dad straight-facedly
"Chihiro?" dad turned to faced me with a 'are you sure you're not lying' look
"Dad, I swear I'm not lying." I said, trying hard to convince him. It took a while to make him believe us, he eventually he gave in.
"Mom… Dad… I don't know how to tell you this." I said anxiously, mom and dad had a worried look on their faces when they looked at me
"What is it sweetie?" mom said as she held my hand
"I… I have to die. Mom, Dad… the years I have spent with you and this world have been great, really. But.. I love Haku, and I want to be with him. I need to die for me to stay in the spirit world…For me to be immortal. I need to become a spirit."
Mom and Dad's jaws seemed to have dropped. They were too shocked of what I was saying. First the spirit world and now death. It breaks my heart thinking of leaving them here. But.. I also want to be with Haku. I want to make up for the years we didn't get to be together.
"Chihiro.. This is all so hard to take in. " mom said as she stood up from the table
"Mom.. I'm sorry." I apologized, I felt really guilty now, seeing mom teary eyed in front of me
"I'm going upstairs. I lost my appetite." Mom said as she went out of the dining room without even turning to face us
"Dad…" I looked at dad with tears in my eyes, hoping he would understand me. But instead he left the room without a word. Tears dwelled up in my eyes, and when I could no longer take it I started to weep. Haku sat beside me and gave me a reassuring hug and I buried my head on his chest staining his shirt with my tears.
Haku's POV
It pained me to see Chihiro in this state. I wanted so hard to comfort her, but I didn't know what to do or to say. I just sat there hugging her and patting her back to calm her down.
"Haku, I'm such a failure!... I shouldn't have let them know the truth." Chihiro bawled, burying her head even more
"Chihiro, you're not a failure ok? It's just normal for your parents to react like that, especially because you're their only daughter. It's better to tell them the truth now than lie for the rest of your life." I said sympathetically
"You really think so?" Chihiro looked at me with her eyes swollen from crying
"Yes… Shhh… Stop crying ok? I'm here." I held her hand and kissed her cheek, she seems to be calming down now.
"Haku… I don't know what to do." Chihiro said as she broke the hug
"Just wait..ok? Everything has a right time."
"I hope so."
I kissed her on the forehead and pulled her for another hug. I really hope that her parents would understand us. But even if they don't, I will never give up trying to find ways for them to be convinced. I will not let Chihiro and I be separated again, not now… not ever.
A/N: please review :))