It's been a year since that day. Gento's height was the same as my wrist. Gento and I like a brother now, even I've got a sister, my dad, mom, and my grandma at home. Gento was nice to my family. Gento was soft and not like a wild tiger, he was really like my pet. He protects me, my family, even my friend is we're in danger. He knows how to say thanks to them, in spite they can't hear that Gento is talking in human language. That time, I was playing in the woods with Gento. We run, jump, and walking all over the woods. These woods were like my second home.
That day, Gento and I found a bizarre thing in the woods. Looks like a new hut was set up couple days ago. Based on the traces, someone uses the trunk from the woods for their shelter. Because of my curiosity, I examine that hut a bit. That hut was empty and nobody inside. There's a fireplace, desk, weird bottles, a couple of books, messy papers, some materials from the woods such as wood, leaves, soil, and some weird materials too. I can't see the words on the paper, but I thought its research. Looks like the owner of this hut was the witch or wizard.
"What are you looking for, little boy?" someone speaks to from behind me. Sounds creepy.
"Sorry, I just passed here. I just curious because this hut is new here. Please let me and my tiger go," I talk with raise my hand up. I scare to saw my back.
"Oh, that white one? was that your pet? You're so weird made a white tiger as your pet," She said.
"Wait, what are you doing to him?"
"Just make sure that he doesn't eat me. Let's make a deal then, I'll give you your pet back," She said.
"Deals? At least I'm still alive and Gento still with me," I answer her
"Gento, Is that you tiger name? You're pretty funny. Number one, make sure Your tiger doesn't eat me. Number two, make sure nobody else knows about this hut. Number three, you must assist me in my project. Hmm, maybe three is enough. Now face me and shake my hand," She explains. When I face her, she was a beautiful woman. I almost didn't believe that she was a witch.
"Okay, we got a deal. Now gimme my pet back," I said with shake her hands.
"Well, there he's," She waves her hand and Gento appears in front of me. I ran and hug him immediately.
"Did you hurt, Gento?" I ask him to make sure.
"I'm fine. She's a witch. But I think she's a nice one. She just scared," Gento answers me.
"Well, well. You can speak to him. Are you a little wizard or what?" She asks me.
"Wait, do you speak to animals too? And you understand what we're talking about?" I ask back.
"Of course I can speak to animals too. Mostly can do it. However, it's weird that an ordinary human can speak to animals," She explains.
"I can speak to him, but I can't speak to another animal unless it's Gento. I don't have any idea about this. My family is a human, which makes me a human too. Anyway, how I can assist you in your project? We had a deal right?" I said.
"Well, it's getting dark. Better for you to go home. Come back here when the sun is in the highest place. I'm gonna tell you later. Don't forget to bring Gento with you," She permitted me.
"Sounds good. See you tomorrow then," I answer her before we left her.
The next day, Gento and I back to that hut. She was waiting for us.
"Are you ready? Anyway, my name is Alice. I'm a witch and I came here to do my project. would you introduce yourself?" She asks.
"My name is Torino and this is my white tiger, Gento. We meet in the woods and he just followed me until my village. I managed to take care of him because his mother was killed in the woods," I explain.
"He's right," Gento confirms.
"Sorry to hear that Gento. Anyway, at the end of this project, I have a prize for you two. So, give me your best," She said.
"A prize? For me and Torino? What is it?" Gento asks back.
"It's a secret," She says.
"Well, what should we do?" I ask her.
"This, here are the details about it. I'm gonna prepare something else here," She gave me a piece of paper.
"Okay then, let's go Gento," I said.
"Wait for me," Gento follows me.