Chihiro

I still couldn't believe that Haru actually is here, in the human world, even though, it has been ten years, it felt like a total dream that I have to pinch myself. 

"So, I guess that you're not that ten year old girl that I've met in the Spirit World, Sen. You look completely grown since I last saw you." Haru said, which I blushed. 

"Um, not that I am grateful that you're here, but I'm curious. How did you manage to find me after all these years?

I did what you told me to do ten years ago, to never look back towards the entrance of the tunnel that leads to the Spirit World." 

That was when Haku seems to be reticent for a while before answering my question, as if he was wondering if I would be shocked of the answer. 

"You really want to know that badly?" He asks nervously , which I was totally confused by the sixteen year old. 

"Of course I do want to know, Kohaku! I mean, we been apart for so long, that I never forgotten you at all! 

I just missed you so much, and you are a special friend to me." I explained to him. 

He sighs, "Ok, Yubaba helped me. She told me that I will be a human if I leave my dragon form in the Spirit World. " 

She gasps. "Kohaku... you gave up your spirit dragon form for me? I didn't know that Yubaba can be um, nice , especially after she magically transformed my parents into pigs." 

"She changed since you left the Spirit World. She even lets No-Face visit the bathhouse once and a while as long he behaves himself." 

I was amazed how much has changed. "And Lin , Granny, Kamaji  and Boh?" 

"They're just fine, you don't have to worry about them. They also brought gifts for you as well." He said, as I saw the gifts my friends had made for me.

"Wow, they're amazing!" I said, beaming.

"Well, at least that I get to see you again, Sen. I missed you a lot too. I'm so sorry that I took so long. " 

"It's ok, Kohaku, really. I am still surprised by all of this, but I guess that I have to adapt that things will never be normal around here." 

As Kohaku was about to reply, my mother said, "Chihiro, you have a visitor!" 

We looked confused as I saw an familiar face. 

It was Azura! 

Azura

I wanted to visit Chihiro since school was finished early. Her mother, Yuko was very kind enough to let me inside the house. 

"It's very nice of letting me in, Mrs. Ogino." I said, being polite as possible. She said, "Oh, you can just call me Yuko. There is no need of the formalities, Azura. 

Chihiro is upstairs in her bedroom if you want to see her." 

I nodded as I went upstairs as I opened the door to see Chihiro with a boy who is sixteen years old who seems that he and her were close.

"Azura!" Chihiro exclaims, as the boy ask, "Uh, Sen, who is she?" 

Sen? Why he calling her "Sen?" Who is this boy? 

Chihiro quickly closes the door behind her as she ask, "Azura, why are you here? I thought that you had taken the train home." 

"I wanted to visit you, what you expect? Now, you better start explaining to me who is this boy, and why does he call you by another name?"

The boy and Chihiro looked at one other. "Would you like me to tell her or you?"

"Kohaku, I'll tell her, besides you already done enough surprises for one day." Chihiro chuckles as he blushes, "Good point." 

"It started about ten years ago. I was ten, and my family were going to move into the neighborhood with our new house that we have now.  

Dad decided to make a pit stop on the way, which lead us to be totally lost. That was when we found an tunnel. 

On the other side was an abandoned village, and we decided to explore it. On the way , both of my parents were not ... good with understanding that you shouldn't take things weren't theirs. 

I went on my own, as I saw a bathhouse that was steaming, that's how I met Haku. Haku warned me to get out before dark. 

I quickly run to find my parents, who I found them to be transformed into pigs." 

I gasp, "Pigs?!? Chihiro, you can't be serious." 

Chihiro said, "Would I lie to you? Believe me, I was a little bit shocked.  Anyway, the abandoned village it turns out it is the Spirit World, and humans weren't allowed in. " 

I blink, "Ok, that is so unexpected . But why does Haku called you in a different name?" 

Chihiro said, "Oh, that. Haku told me to go back through the bathhouse to find Kamaji , the boiler of the bathhouse and offered a job, it's the only way I can survive in the Spirit World. 

But things didn't go quite as I possibly hoped. Lin, one of the workers spotted me and I went to meet the headmistress of the bathhouse, a witch named Yubaba.

I signed a contract, and with that she took my name, and renamed me, "Sen." 

It was hard work, but I knew that I have to do anything to save my parents. I also almost forgotten my real name. 

Haru here, is actually a spirit too. In a form of a dragon." 

"A.. A dragon? Wait, that picture you showed me yesterday... it was a picture of you two, wasn't it?"

Chihiro nods, "Yes. As the days passed since, I was worried about Haku's well-being. Suddenly, he came in dragon form, injured badly. 

Luckily, Kamaji and I were able to heal him. Well, I did. There is a magical seal and I um, squashed the bug inside of it. 

The seal belongs to Yubaba's twin sister, Zeniba . She prefers to be called "Granny." It turns out that she's the exact opposite of her twin sister, and she told me that my memories would return eventually. 

Then Haku came to me in dragon form, fully recovered from his injures, and during mid-flight, I remembered that we encountered each other before. I was drowning and someone saved me. It was him all along, his real identity is Kohaku, the River Spirit." 

 "You're saying that this is Kohaku, the River Spirit?!? He looks sixteen year old boy! " I stammered.

Kohaku chuckles, "Yeah, I have grown a little since then. Anyway, after I learnt my true identity, we went back to the bathhouse where Yubaba gave Sen a final test. 

She succeeded and I told her that we will meet again. It was our promise that we made together. Now you know." 

"Wow, it's kind of hard to believe you went through all that. I'm thrilled that I know the truth and I see how you two loverbirds are together. It's cute." 

"Azura!" Chihiro stammers nervously, as I laugh. "C'mon, Sen, it's all right. Besides, does your parents know you have a boy inside your house? I mean, Kohaku. Do they remember being transformed -" 

"No, actually when Sen passed her test, their memories were erased. " Kohaku explains for Sen. 

"Seriously, Sen? You kept a secret about the Spirit World from your folks for ten years?!? You have to tell them. 

It's the right thing to do." 

Sen groans, "I know. It's just telling them will be overwhelming for them to handle, Azura." 

"Actually , Azura does have a point there, Sen. I mean, I will be basically living under roof sooner or later. We have to admit the truth to them." Kohaku said, seriously. 

Sen sighs as she said, "Ok, I'll tell them. You guys are completely stubborn." 

Kohaku and I grinned. This would change the Ogino Family maybe for the better.

Chihiro 

I walk downstairs where my parents were looking at me with curiosity. "Chihiro, what's the matter dear?" Mom asks. 

"Yeah, sweetheart, you seem like you're scared about something." 

"Well, there is something or should I say, someone I want you to meet." I gestured Kohaku to come forward as both of my parents were in shock of seeing a boy inside the house. 

"Chihiro, what is the meaning of this?" Dad demanded as I was nervous of telling them about Kohaku and the Spirit World, but Kohaku gently touches my shoulder in comfort, back when I was in the Spirit World when I realized I almost forgotten my own name. 

Azura said, " Akio, relax. I know that having Kohaku here is unusual, but there is a good explanation why he is here with Chihiro. 

My parents looked completely confused, as I took a deep breath. 

This is going to be a lot for them to handle.