They left the Onsen in silence and it continued that way until the began nearing the river.
"Go back." Aya eventually said.
"What?"
"I said go back. It's clear you are miserable at the thought of not coming back here. And you will regret it forever if you don't go back to him."
"You are crazy, Aya. Come on we only have ten minutes left."
Aya grabbed her friend's arm as Chihiro began to march off. They were only meters away from the river's edge now.
"But what about my parents, my job, you!" Chihiro declared. "And Takao! I haven't even thought about him!"
"I will tell you parents you've moved away to start a new life which is true, you've always hated that job so nothing to worry about there and if you haven't even once thought about Takao it is clear it wasn't meant to be." Aya repled. "Takao will be alright. As for me…we will never forget each other." She opened her bag and took out her purse and from it she revealed a photo of Chihiro and herself when they went on holiday to Tokyo. "Take this so you can't forget me."
"This is absurd."
"No, it is what you want. Stop thinking about other people and do what you want. Remember what Zeniiba said? It is your heart that will decipher what will happen. You are a different person when you are here, Chi. You want to stay here with Haku so do it. You have your chance, take it!"
"He doesn't want me here though."
"Yes he does but you are both too stubborn to realise it. He is probably watching us now and it's making him feel the same way you are."
Chihiro couldn't believe what she was hearing but it was all true and it was only now that she had admitted it.
"Oh Aya!" she embraced her friend and held on tightly. "You can have that blue top you've always loved."
Aya laughed, hugging her friend back. "I'm taking your whole wardrobe!"
Chihiro also gave Aya her car keys and the details of her banks. "You might as well have it all." she insisted.
"I do love you ever so much Aya. And I will never forget you."
"I love you too." They knew time was ticking and Aya left the embrace and stepped into the water of the river. "Goodbye Chi. You never know, someday we may see each other again. But until then stay happy."
"You too."
Chihiro waved her friend off until she disappeared through the tunnel. She held tightly to the photo.
The early signs of night began to show and Chihiro made her way back to the Onsen.