Sophie was confused and frustrated at the same time, but she didn't bother to ask Howl. After spending a night upstairs in the dump-ahem, castle, Sophie headed down the stairs to meet a careless Calcifer, instructing Markl to bring him more wood. Markl rolled his eyes across the room.
"I'll do it," Sophie murmured, for she was right next to the pile of brown logs. She tossed them into Calcifer's lair and looked around, finally catching the missing figure.
"Where's Howl?" Sophie asked Markl, clueless of their morning routines. Markl answered back by pointing towards the door, in which Sophie assumed he went out. Maybe he's with Arrietty. Or maybe...stop! Stop thinking about pointless things! Sophie scolded herself. Who cares if he's with another girl? Who cares if he doesn't understand her feelings? Who cares...I do... Sophie was cut off by Markl's sudden squeal. Sophie jumped, and she saw the wolf from yesterday leap down the stairs, right into Markl's lap. It dropped all its slobber onto Markl, who didn't seem to mind, and Sophie watched with disgust but also a hint of smile hid around her lips. The love between Markl and Moon would not break because of slobber, nor will it break when they are far apart. If only Howl could care for me like that, Sophie sighed. Calcifer caught the expression and decided to speak up.
"Would I be wrong to say something's been on your heart lately?" Calcifer suddenly spoke up after the silence. Sophie snapped her head up toward him, surprised of a little fire's great ability.
"No," was all she said back. "Anyways, should I make the breakfast?" she grabbed a pan, trying to change the topic. Markl suddenly jolted out and nodded. It made Sophie chuckle. How cute, she thought. With the ingredients in there oh-how-disgusting fridge, Sophie decided to settle on chicken salad and some toast. She got her answers of where the stove was from Markl. Within half an hour, a warm and fresh meal was set on the table. She had to wipe the oh-so-dirty table six times to make it at least decent enough for eating.
"Where's the meal for Moon?" Markl furrowed his brow. It hit Sophie.
"Oh, um I'll get it ready soon. You eat up first." Sophie scratched her head.
"And don't forget me! The fire never burns as bright without some energy!" Calcifer chimed in. Sophie protested to that request.
"You need food too? What's the wood for?" Sophie raised her eyebrows at him. Calcifer didn't answer, and went back to his "rest mode." Sophie mock-rolled her eyes. She got out some sausages out of the oh-so-disgusting fridge and decided to fry it on Calcifer, who said to her: "Hey, lady, don't disturb a flame while they're restin', ya know? Don't cook on me." Sophie blew air out of her mouth.
"How to not? I need like, a fire to make your food." Sophie bantered back.
"Well, not on-mmph!" Sophie forced the pan onto his face, preventing him to chatter. By the afternoon, Howl came back with a tiny bag in his hand. He dropped it carelessly onto the now clean table. Sophie just knew it was a wedding ring inside. She gulped back the lump in her throat and ignored that tiny item that could make big changes.
"She's not bad you know. She just follows what her mother makes her do," Howl shrugged, sensing the tension in Sophie's heart. So you really do love her? Sophie wanted to say. But Howl just said, "Even if I do get married, you'll always have a place in my heart, a big one." Sophie just replied, "Who said I'm worried you're getting married? It's your personal business I shouldn't deal with." After those words, Howl seemed to feel a bit sad. Sophie felt bad for him but she didn't let her emotions show.
"I need you. Your love and help. I want to return those favors to you, too." Howl murmured. Sophie ran upstairs. She couldn't tell if it was a truth or a lie. She could no longer completely trust Haku anymore.
A name and a heart were two different things in life. Two different but important things in life. If someone loses those two things, they won't know who they are nor will they know why they still exist. They'll grow restless and sometimes aren't in complete control of their body. True destiny. True fate. True love. A start of what someone can remember. A hope, that one day, they will get back what truly is theirs.
Maybe if I wait, the answer will come to me? Sophie thought. Just like eight years ago, she thought. Sophie thought that if Arrietty had his heart, shouldn't she just go to her? She knew she wouldn't give it to her easily, but maybe she could manage a trade. When Howl got back, she asked him some details she needed to know. Sophie decided to set off to the Grove, where Arrietty lived, the next day.
If she was going to be a good person, she was going to be good until the end. That was a promise.
Didn't he love her?
For the second time, another wisp of wind held her back. A girl with strawberry red hair appeared in front of her, smiling. Sophie eyed her before a proper greeting..
"Arrietty?" Sophie announced, a mixture of surprise and relief in her voice. Sophie immediately snapped at the name, and came closer to get a better look of "the girl with the strawberry red hair."
Arrietty smile. Sophie swallowed before she encountered Arrietty, like a mouse facing a cat.
"I haven't seen you around here before. What's your name? Mine's Arrietty Borrower." the girl exclaimed cheerfully. Sophie swallowed before she encountered Arrietty, like a mouse facing a cat. She thought she seemed really friendly, so she answered back.
"I'm Sophie Hatter, and I've known Howl for quite a bit, like… you do." Sophie decided to dive in.
"We're engaged. But Howl isn't so enthusiastic about it. Speaking of engagement..." Arrietty averted her glance from Sophie to the ground, and her big smile faded. Her brows turned down and she bit her bottom lip.
"So, um, i've heard that Howl's heart is with you?" Sophie started, dropping what Arrietty was trying to say. Immediately, a flash of red appeared through Arrietty's eyes. Suddenly, Sophie was lifted up by a violent gust of wind and was hit on the wall, to invisible arms pinning her.
"If the only reason you're talking to me is because you want to trick Howl's heart into your hands, you're not welcome to talk with me."
Before Arrietty could thrust Sophie out, Howl suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"If you're gonna bully her, I better take her with me." Howl smiled charmingly. With one arm around Sophie's waist, they disappeared.
They didn't speak the whole way through, even though Howl tried to start a conversation. Within the silence, Howl couldn't take it anymore, and he started to talk straight to his point.
"I didn't mean to offend you. I just needed your help. And I knew you were the right person. I'm serious. You don't know what I've been through." Howl tried to stay calm. It was true he didn't mean it the way Sophie thought. Howl did help her eight years ago. She did love him.
"I'm sorry I overreacted. I just... I really missed you." tears balanced on the corners of her eyes before she hugged Howl.
"Could you help me?" Howl whispered. Sophie remembered her promise.
"Yes."