Howl's Moving Castle (Series 1.5)
"I said," Micheal shouted, "that Calcifer's come back!"
That did get Howl's attention, and Sophie's too. They looked at the grate, where, sure enough, the familiar blue face was flickering among the logs.
"You didn't need to do that," Howl said.
"I don't mind, as long as I can come and go," Calcifer said. "Besides, it's raining out there in Market Chipping."
Chapter 1
A Walk in the Midsummer Day Night
Sophie sank into a chair beside the hearth, doing nothing, deep thinking. She felt weird for suddenly changing from a ninety-year-old granny to an eighteen-year-old charming young girl. She walked faster, felt stronger and laughed louder. She did not have wrinkles, or croaky voice, or aches anymore. Yet, she had to admit that she missed the feeling as an old woman. She did not need to care about lady manners or control her temper. She could do everything with ease and without anyone blaming her. Howl was right. She somewhat enjoyed the "disguise", as it gave her a gift of freedom. But now she was a young lady again, and all the worries and cares as an eighteen-year-old flooded her like a large group of bees, buzzing and humming, making her terribly annoying.
"Miss Great Thinker," a voice behind her said, "from your dazing look, it seems that you feel bored tonight. Want a walk outside? " and it hastily added, "With me?"
A Midsummer Day walking with Howl? What does he want? Sophie remembered the Midsummer night a year ago. Then, howl was wearing a fancy suit, trying to court her and fascinate her with his flowery perfumes. Huh, he must want to repeat the same at the very time this year as well. Though Howl had promised her a happily ever after, Sophie still doubted in mind whether he had dropped his fancy for courting girls, and fancy for dropping girls, entirely. But, duh, she was not among those easily-deceived girls and would not bet her heart to play such a silly game with Howl. So she snorted and did not respond a word.
"Sophie—" Howl seemed to be injured. "Have a walk with me in the garden, won't you? Today is the Midsummer Day! We should celebrate! Come on, dear Sophie, you definitely need a walk in a mood like this. "
Sophie signed. Two hours ago, Calcifer disappeared when the Market Chipping stopped raining, and it seemed that he would never come back. Micheal rushed outside at once as well, heading for the Cesari's to meet Martha. Howl went for a bath after Calcifer and Micheal left. He stayed in the bathroom for only half an hour. Rare as it was, Sophie suspected that it was due to a lack of hot water without Calcifer's help.
"Why don't to go to Market Chipping tonight?" Sophie questioned, "You know, there are thousands of girls waiting for your kisses."
Sophie regretted immediately saying the word "kisses" out loud without thinking. Confound it! She felt so embarrassed and ashamed that she stood up and intended to leave at once. "Howell, do what you like tonight. Go outside and have fun. I am tired now and will have an early sleep." She speaks uneasily without turning around. Her face must be red like fever. Damn the young age and all these bothering body reactions!
It was a complete silence behind her. However, the instance she decided to leave, her right arm was grasped by a hand, so firmly that she felt a little pain. Sophie did not realize what had happened, when, suddenly, she was dragged by Howl towards the door, the knob orange-down, and dashed into the garden.
"Howl Jenkins!" Sophie protested, "What are you doing? I told you that I preferred to stay in the castle tonight!"
"Sorry, sorry", Howl grinned naughtily, "Queen Sophie ordered me to kick all mouses out of the castle, and now I found one grey mouse in a bad mood who refused to leave."
Sophie snorted, but she did not feel angry anymore. The garden was lovely at night. The warm breeze carried the mixed smell of different kinds of flowers, orchids, tulips, lilies, and hundreds of other flowers that Sophie could not name. The lakes and hot springs made a dreamlike violet mist, in which pairs of fireflies swimming back and forth. The moon was light silver, mirroring in the lake water like a floating white jade. And when a breeze came by, the shining moon will be smashed into thousands of pieces, dancing like stars. Sophie was so absorbed by the natural beauty that she did not notice one hand had snaked its way around her waist, holding her closely beside, with two eyes gazing at her dreamily.
"Feel better, Miss Moody?" Howl smiled when Sophie leaned her head in his chest without notice, listening to his heartbeat quietly. Could Howl change after getting his heart back? Could she trust him? Sophie was not sure, and she decided not to trust him until he had fully proven himself. Imagining Howl happily courting another girl, forgetting and ignoring her completely, she felt upset and insecure.
"Not better, but worse," Sophie said suddenly, sounding distant. "Howl, Why do you waste your time on the eldest of three, a dooming failure? I understand you well, Howl. Promising a young lady a happily ever after just for free cleaning and cooking in the castle, right?"
"What's all that are talking about?" Howl jumped away suddenly, crossing his hands before chest, sounding injured. "Am I just a heartless Howl to you? I am not that selfish, Sophie!"
"You only had had your heart for an afternoon!" Sophie shouted, "How can I know that whether you have changed or not? Besides, you were selfish and you are now, young man, dragging an exhausted old lady out to make you accompany!" she shouted out without thinking.
Howl laughed hard upon hearing Sophie's words, so hard that he could not stand well-balanced. Sophie felt foolish for herself. She is not an old granny any more! Seeing Howl's reactions, all she could do was giving her fiercest glare to him to express her anger.
"Fine, fine, I will stop. Or I will lose my head." Howl noticed Sophie's anger, bit his lower lip hard, and managed to stop laughing at last, but his face still red from lacking air. Sophie glared at him harder as if wanting to burst into crying. "Stop that glare, I am scared," said Howl, yet he looked bravely into Sophie's eyes, snapped his finger, and suddenly Sophie found herself in front of Howl by inches. Sophie was so nervous that she startled and her head went blank like paper.
Howl did not leave any time for Sophie to come up with an escape plan. He snaked his arms around her waist, and suddenly kissed her carefully and gently. Sophie, however, had been horrified and stiff. She did not move her lips, just letting Howl's lips moving on hers himself.
"What a mouse indeed!" Howl signed and giggled, before kissing her lightly on her lips again. "But I love this shy and moody mouse. It would give me a lot of funny mess to play with."
Sophie, now, however, could not hear what Howl was saying. She found her face hot, her heartbeat racing, and she might faint anytime. She did not protest even when Howl held her hands, leading her back into the castle.