Chihiro had indeed come alone.
Along with her were that fly-like Crow and the Giant Baby turned mouse. The two of them were quite content, looking around here and there.
It was rare for them to get out, and they were incredibly happy.
Clearly, this Giant Baby, who had always been well-protected, had learned to walk on his own, learned to greet people politely, and learned to chat nicely without Yubaba's 'all-around care'.
And now, like a hamster in a wheel, he was working hard in the spinning wheel beside Yubabas Sister's hand, looking like he was having a great time.
You see, the magic had long since been lifted, and his current state was exactly as Yubabas Sister had said: he was maintaining this form of his own will.
See? What you love isn't actually as fragile as you imagine. There's no future for a mama's boy, little mouse.
By the way, Chihiro was accompanied by a thin Shadow wearing a white, emotionless mask.
After seeing Sen Getsusa, while Chihiro and Yubabas Sister weren't paying attention, the Shadow quietly reached out to her, holding out a handful of gold to the girl.
Huh?
Sen Getsusa waved her hand and didn't take it.
The Shadow thought for a moment, and gemstones of various colors began to emerge from its palm.
"You have everything?" With stars in her eyes, Sen Getsusa mentioned a brand. "I want a limited edition Red Velvet lipstick from them!"
Shadow:...This was the monster that Chihiro had mentioned, the one she accidentally let into the Bathhouse.
Yubabas Sister, who was braiding a cord nearby, casually called out the name. This kind of monster was called 'No-Face'.
"He will fulfill your wishes. And then eat you."
Sen Getsusa looked dejectedly at the monster following submissively behind Chihiro with a look of existential crisis: "Useless fellow."
No-Face:???
Yubaba's Sister was braiding a hair tie for Chihiro with full concentration, ignoring Chihiro's expression that looked like she was about to cry.
"Haku! Please save Haku! He's dying!"
Tears welled in Chihiro's eyes. She should have been angry with Sen Getsusa, but for some reason, the moment she saw this girl's gentle smile, she couldn't stay angry anymore.
"Sister..."
Just as she had bowed to Yubaba's Sister, she bowed deeply to Sen Getsusa: "I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have made things difficult for you! Sister Yuesha is my friend, but Yubaba's Sister is also Sister Yuesha's Granny. I shouldn't be angry with you!"
Sen Getsusa waved her hand and pulled out a dark green candy cane to hand to Chihiro.
It was kiwi-flavored—then she looked at the 'fully concentrated and ignoring everyone' Yubaba's Sister.
"Stop playing around, Granny."
Before opening the door, this old woman had said to her like she was showing off a treasure: "Don't tell her, don't tell her! Hahaha, isn't it interesting?"
What a wicked witch.
"Well, saying that makes me quite sad. This old woman only has this one little hobby. A witch, I'm a witch. If I can't even scare a little girl, next time I'll just have to steal other girls' lollipops." She spoke while constantly glancing at Sen Getsusa's pocket.
So when Chihiro came up to talk, Sen Getsusa hurriedly took out a lollipop for her. Even if it was the kiwi flavor she didn't like much, she wouldn't let that witch have it.
Chihiro was still pleading.
Ever since the seal was returned, Yubaba's Sister had made Chihiro wait there until she finished braiding what was in her hands. And now, the merciful witch had finally finished her gift.
"Here, take it. This is a gift. Something made by everyone together is ten thousand times better than any magic."
It was a hair tie that sparkled like amethyst, translucent and brilliant as it hung from her finger.
[The Witch's Purple Chalcedony Hair Tie: Legend has it that purple chalcedony represents love and protection. It grants the wearer the power of chastity, honesty, and courage.]
[Through enchantment, this hair tie possesses a certain indescribable magic. No matter how far apart they are, the person wearing it will eventually meet their loved one.]
Yubaba's Sister had Chihiro put on the hair tie, then turned to ask Sen Getsusa: "Sengetsu-sha, what about you? Is there someone you want to meet?"
She pointed to the hair tie she had braided for Chihiro.
Sen Getsusa shook her head.
"All the people I wanted to meet, I have met. It's just that some have left my side, and some have left that World."
"I'm sorry, Granny. I have to go. Haku might be dead by now, I have to go back!"
After putting on the hair tie, Chihiro bowed tearfully to take her leave, only to find Sen Getsusa and Yubaba's Sister simultaneously turning their heads to stare at the window on the side wall.
In the next moment, a gale erupted!
Hualalalala—
The window rattled from the hurricane-like wind. In the swampy wilderness, a massive dragon's roar echoed through the clouds.
Yubaba's Sister stood up and pushed Chihiro by the shoulders toward the door: "Go quickly, he's here."
"He?"
Sen Getsusa also nodded happily, "Go on, he's here."
The wooden door slowly pushed open.
Chihiro looked through the crack in the door.
A massive white figure stayed in front of the house.
His fur fluttered in the wind, and a majestic white dragon appeared gracefully in Chihiro's sight.
"Haku! Haku!"
Chihiro immediately pushed the door open and rushed out, throwing her arms around Haku's head, pressing her face tightly against his, murmuring: "I'm so glad you're okay... I'm so glad you're okay..."
Sen Getsusa and Yubaba's Sister stood at the door watching the scene.
Such a tender moment was rare, especially for a witch who had lived in this World for hundreds of years. True feelings were more precious than a witch's contract seal.
However... she looked at Chihiro, who was holding the dragon's head in her arms, and then at Sen Getsusa, who was beside her eating candy while watching the show.
"Sengetsu-sha, you probably couldn't do that."
Sen Getsusa had just eaten a banana-sparkling candy and was enjoying the show when Yubaba's Sister's sudden question startled her: "Huh? Do what?"
"Just like that... Hahahaha!"
The old woman mimicked the posture of hugging a dragon's head and then glanced with some deep meaning at Sen Getsusa's large curves.
"The head would be very squeezed; he'd become a flat-headed dragon."
Sen Getsusa: "..."
"Why are you making dirty jokes at such a heartwarming moment!"
————Yubaba's Sister acting serious-ing————
"Hahaha, you've come just in time. Any later, and this Child would have run back to find you."
Yubaba's Sister's voice rang out from inside the house. Sen Getsusa supported Yubaba's Sister as they walked out, seeing Chihiro holding Haku tightly.
She heard the voice and turned her head in surprise: "Granny! Haku is alive!"
Yubaba's Sister winked at her mischievously, without a hint of shame for having deceived her.
Then, with a solemn expression, she stepped forward, lifting her blue skirt, and said to Haku: "Haku, I won't pursue what you did in the past. But you must promise me to protect this girl well."
Haku nodded.
Next, Yubaba's Sister turned to the Crow and the mouse: "Alright, alright, you two, it's time to go home. Come back and play when you have time."
"Buzz buzz buzz"
"Squeak squeak squeak"
"Also, you stay behind and be my assistant."
No-Face nodded slowly.
Sen Getsusa: "Useless thing."
After arranging these fellows, the atmosphere turned quiet. The wind on the marshland blew through the weeds and dried Chihiro's tears.
"Granny, thank you! I have to go."
Chihiro ran over and threw her arms around Yubaba's Sister, while Sen Getsusa patted her head from the side.
"Sister Yuesha, thank you too!"
Sen Getsusa gently straightened Chihiro's messy hair, unbothered by the atmosphere of departure: "As for me, we'll meet again on the day you leave. Let's say our goodbyes then."
"That's right. Chihiro, if it's you, you can definitely do it."
Sen Getsusa agreed with Yubaba's Sister. Compared to when they first met, Chihiro had indeed grown a lot.
"Granny, thank you! Goodbye!"
Amidst their gratified smiles, Chihiro happily hugged Haku's neck, grabbed his mane to sit steady, and kept waving to Sen Getsusa and Yubaba's Sister.
In the next moment, the giant dragon suddenly whipped up a gale, abruptly left the ground, flicked his tail, and headed toward the star-filled sky.
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