That night…
The entire house was silent.
Dad had already gone to sleep after a long day at work.
Mom switched off the lights downstairs.
My younger sister and brother were fast asleep in their rooms.
The only sound was the gentle breeze coming through my slightly open window.
I was sleeping peacefully.
Completely unaware…
A faint blue magic circle appeared outside the window.
Without making a sound…
Kakashi stepped through it.
He quietly stood beside the window.
The moonlight filled the room.
His calm black eyes rested on me.
For a long moment…
He simply watched.
I was hugging a pillow while sleeping.
A few loose strands of hair had fallen across my face.
Kakashi silently reached out…
Then stopped.
His hand froze in the air.
After a few seconds…
He slowly lowered it again.
“…” Without saying a single word…
He turned toward the window.
Just before leaving…
He looked back one last time.
Then disappeared into the quiet night.
— The next morning…
Everything was back to normal.
Mom called everyone for breakfast.
“Hurry up!
You’ll miss the school bus!” “I’m coming!” I shouted.
After grabbing my school bag, I hurried outside with my younger sister and brother.
The school bus arrived right on time.
Another ordinary school day had begun.
— The entire day passed peacefully.
No lectures.
No strange incidents.
No silver-haired visitor outside the classroom window.
I almost started believing…
Maybe Kakashi was finally busy with his own work.
After school, I returned home.
I changed into comfortable clothes, washed my hands, and sat down for a little while.
The house was unusually quiet.
Mom was preparing tea.
Dad was still at work.
My younger brother was doing his homework.
My sister was watching television.
I walked into my room.
The cool evening breeze entered through the open window.
For some reason…
I looked toward it.
“…Why do I keep expecting him to appear?” I smiled to myself.
“He’s probably busy.” Just then…
Tap.
I blinked.
“…Seriously?” Another soft tap.
I walked over and opened the window.
Kakashi climbed inside as casually as always.
“You really don’t know what a front door is, do you?” “It attracts attention.” “So does climbing through someone’s window.” “…Less.” I laughed quietly.
“You’ll never change.” “So I’ve been told.” He looked around the room before his eyes stopped on my study table.
Several notebooks were lying there.
Without asking…
He picked one up.
“…Hey!” I immediately walked over and took it from his hands.
“Don’t touch my notebooks.” “I was only looking.” “Exactly.” He glanced toward the table again.
“This one?” Before I could stop him…
He picked up a folded test paper.
My eyes widened.
“Kakashi!” I quickly snatched it back.
“You seriously have no sense of privacy.” “I was curious.” “And now you’re not reading another word.” I folded the paper and hid it behind my back.
He looked at me calmly.
“…You didn’t do badly.” I blinked.
“You already saw my marks?” “Hm.” I sighed dramatically.
“Unbelievable.” He remained completely calm.
“You made one careless mistake.” I looked at him suspiciously.
“…How do you even notice things like that?” “I pay attention.” I shook my head.
“That’s honestly a little scary.” “So I’ve heard.” For some reason…
I couldn’t stop smiling.
I sat on my chair while he leaned against the wall.
The room became comfortably quiet.
After a while, I asked, “So…” “What do you actually do all day?” He thought for a moment.
“…Walk.” “That’s definitely not all.” “It isn’t.” “Then?” He looked toward the open window.
“…Work.” “What kind of work?” “The kind I can’t explain.” I sighed.
“You always answer without actually answering.” “It saves time.” I couldn’t argue with that.
Then…
Something caught my attention.
There was a small cut across the back of his hand.
It looked fresh.
“…You’re injured.” He glanced at it.
“It’s nothing.” “It doesn’t look like nothing.” Before he could object…
I opened the small first-aid box from my drawer.
“Sit down.” “There isn’t any need.” “There is.” After a short silence…
He quietly sat on the chair.
I carefully cleaned the cut.
“You should take better care of yourself.” “…Maybe.” I placed a small bandage over the wound.
“There.” He looked at the bandage for a moment.
“…Thank you.” I smiled.
“See?
Saying thank you isn’t that difficult.” “No.” “It isn’t.” For a brief second…
His eyes softened.
Almost too quickly to notice.
Then he stood up.
“I should leave.” “So soon?” “I have work.” “You always have work.” “…Yes.” He stepped onto the window ledge.
Just before leaving, he looked at me.
“…Take care of yourself.” I smiled.
“You too.” Without another word…
He disappeared into the evening.
Standing alone by the window…
I looked at the empty sky.
“…Such a strange person.” I quietly closed the window.
Not knowing…
That for the first time in years…
Someone had genuinely worried about my safety.
End of Chapter 10