The evening breeze was cool.
Kakashi stood alone on the rooftop of a nearby building.
His hands rested inside his hoodie pockets as he looked at the city below.
“…” For a long time…
He didn’t move.
His thoughts refused to stay quiet.
“…Why am I thinking about this so much?” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“I’ve completed countless missions.” “I’ve never hesitated before.” He closed his eyes.
“…What am I doing?” “I’m only here to complete my mission.” “Nothing else.” He slowly opened his eyes again.
“…That’s all.” With one step…
He disappeared.
— A few minutes later…
Tap…
Tap…
I looked up from my desk.
“The window?” I walked over and pulled the window open.
“Kakashi?” He stood outside with his usual calm expression.
Before I could say anything…
I noticed our neighbor, Sharma Aunty, watering her plants from her balcony.
She looked toward my window.
Then…
Her eyes became wide.
She slowly removed her glasses.
I almost stopped breathing.
“Oh no…” Without wasting another second…
I grabbed Kakashi’s sleeve and quickly pulled him inside.
“Come in!” I immediately closed the window and carefully peeked through the curtain.
Outside…
Batra Aunty rubbed her eyes.
She cleaned her glasses with the end of her dupatta.
Then wore them again.
She looked toward my window.
There was no one.
She frowned.
“Hmm…
I must be imagining things.” She quietly went back inside.
I let out the biggest sigh of relief.
“Saved…” Kakashi looked at me.
“What happened?” I turned toward him.
“Why didn’t you use your invisible magic?” He blinked once.
“…I forgot.” I stared at him.
“You…” “Forgot?” “Hm.” I placed a hand on my forehead.
“Please don’t forget things like that!” “If Batra Aunty had seen you…” “By tomorrow morning the whole neighborhood would know.” I dramatically copied Batra Aunty’s voice.
“‘Did you hear?
Sharma Ji’s daughter has a boyfriend who climbs walls instead of using the front gate!'” I covered my face dramatically.
“My life would be over.” Kakashi quietly watched me.
A small smile appeared in his eyes.
“…You have quite an imagination.” “I’m serious!” “She knows everything before anyone else.” He gave a tiny nod.
“I’ll remember.” “You better.” — I looked at the pile of colorful chart papers on my study table.
“Oh!” “You came at the perfect time.” He looked at the table.
“For what?” “My school project.” He looked at me.
“…No.” I smiled innocently.
“Please?” “No.” “It has to be submitted tomorrow.” Silence.
I folded my hands dramatically.
“Please, Kakashi.” “You owe me.” “I do?” “You’ve already disturbed my studies three times.” He looked at the project.
Then at me.
A quiet sigh escaped him.
“…Fine.” “Yes!” For the next hour…
The room became unusually busy.
Kakashi carefully cut colored paper with scissors.
He pasted headings perfectly straight.
His handwriting was surprisingly neat.
Meanwhile…
I arranged pictures and wrote the information.
Every time I pasted something crooked…
He silently adjusted it.
“You know…” I said.
“You’re strangely good at this.” “It’s not difficult.” “It is for me.” “…I noticed.” “Very funny.” — After a while…
I stood up.
“Wait here.” “I’ll be back.” A few minutes later, I returned carrying a small plate.
On it were chocolate cookies.
I placed it in front of him.
“Here.” He looked down.
“…What’s this?” “Chocolate cookies.” “My favorite.” “You should try one.” He picked up a cookie and looked at it curiously.
Then took a small bite.
He remained silent for a moment.
“…It’s good.” I smiled proudly.
“I told you.” “Don’t you have these in your world?” His hand stopped.
For a brief second…
His thoughts drifted away.
A small room.
A lonely child.
A bowl of plain rice.
Days without any taste.
Later…
Long missions.
Quick meals.
Food pills.
Enough to survive.
Nothing more.
“…No.” His answer was quiet.
“We don’t.” I noticed the change in his voice.
So I didn’t ask any more questions.
Instead…
I picked up another cookie.
“More for me then.” He looked at me.
“…You’re greedy.” I gasped dramatically.
“I was trying to cheer you up.” “Hm.” “It worked.” — As we continued working…
Curiosity finally won.
“So…” “What is your world like?” Kakashi thought for a moment.
“It’s…
different.” “How?” “There are old stone cities.” “Ancient temples.” “Large forests.” “Mountains.” “Magic.” People trained every day.
Everything sounded peaceful.
My eyes sparkled.
“That sounds beautiful.” “I wish I could see it someday.” Kakashi became quiet.
Beautiful…
The word echoed in his mind.
Instead…
He remembered…
Burning villages.
Children crying beside their parents.
Ruined homes.
Endless battles.
Too many people…
Never returning.
His expression remained calm.
But his eyes became distant.
“…Kakashi?” I tilted my head.
“What happened?” He blinked once.
“…Nothing.” A long silence followed.
Then he quietly stood up.
“It’s getting late.” “I should leave.” I smiled.
“Thanks for helping with my project.” He looked at the finished chart.
“…You did most of it.” “Still.” “Thank you.” For a second…
Neither of us spoke.
Then Kakashi stepped onto the window ledge.
“Good night.” “Good night, Kakashi.” With one smooth movement…
He disappeared into the darkness.
I looked at the finished project on my table.
Then at the empty window.
“…He’s a strange person.” “But…” A small smile appeared on my face.
“I’m glad he came.” End of Chapter 11