The smoke grew thicker with every passing second.
People were running in every direction.
Some were calling for help.
Others were desperately trying to save their loved ones.
I pushed my way through the frightened crowd.
“Excuse me!” “Please let me through!” My heart was beating so fast that I could barely think.
“My brother…” “My sister…” “Please be safe…” — Not far away…
Kakashi carried a little girl out of the burning building.
The moment he placed her safely beside her mother…
Another loud explosion echoed through the street.
BOOM!
Everyone screamed.
Part of a nearby shop collapsed.
Kakashi immediately looked toward the source.
“…This fire…” “It isn’t spreading naturally.” Someone…
Was controlling it.
He quietly looked across the burning street.
But all he could see was smoke.
Whoever was responsible…
Was hiding well.
— On the roof of a nearby building…
The mysterious man watched the chaos below.
A playful smile rested on his face as orange flames reflected in his eyes.
“So…” “Let’s see what happens.” He wasn’t interested in the fire itself.
He was watching the people.
Watching their reactions.
Waiting for something unusual.
— Meanwhile…
I finally reached the small snack shop.
“…” It was empty.
A wave of panic rushed through me.
“No…” I looked around again.
There was still no sign of them.
Just then— “Didi!” I quickly turned.
My younger brother and sister were standing near a pharmacy with a police officer.
The officer looked at me.
“They’re safe.” “They were standing here since we moved everyone away from the fire.” I let out a quiet breath.
“Thank you, Uncle.” The police officer nodded before helping other people.
I walked over to my brother and sister.
“You both are okay?” They nodded.
“We’re fine.” “Good.” Before I could say anything else…
A loud cracking sound echoed above us.
CRAAACK!
I looked up.
My eyes widened.
Several large burning wooden beams were breaking loose from the damaged building.
People screamed.
“Move!” The wooden beams came crashing down.
Without thinking…
I immediately pushed my brother and sister away from me.
“Run!” Both of them stumbled safely out of the way.
But…
I didn’t have enough time to move myself.
The burning wood was already falling.
“…” Instinctively…
I closed my eyes.
Then…
A strong arm suddenly wrapped around me.
Before I could understand what had happened…
I felt myself being pulled against someone’s chest.
CRASH!!
The heavy wooden beams crashed down.
A painful impact echoed behind me.
For a moment…
Everything became silent.
I slowly opened my eyes.
“…Kakashi?” He was standing in front of me.
One arm was protecting me.
The burning wooden beams had fallen across his shoulders, neck, and upper back instead.
His body hadn’t moved.
He had taken the entire impact himself.
“Kakashi!” Without saying a word…
He pushed the broken wooden beams aside using his strength.
A few small burns were visible on the sleeve of his hoodie.
“I’m fine.” His voice remained calm.
I stared at him.
“…You idiot.” “You could’ve been seriously hurt.” He looked at me quietly.
“You couldn’t move.” “…” For a moment…
I couldn’t find any words.
He simply turned toward my younger brother and sister.
“You two.” “Stay close to your sister.” Both of them nodded nervously.
— Kakashi slowly looked around.
That strange magical presence…
It was still there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Somewhere beyond the thick smoke…
A pair of unseen eyes silently observed everything.
The mysterious man smiled faintly.
“…Interesting.” He had watched the entire scene.
A stranger risking himself to protect an ordinary human girl.
“…Who exactly are you?” he whispered to himself.
Without making another sound…
He disappeared into the smoke before anyone noticed him.
— Kakashi looked toward the burning buildings once more.
The fire department had finally arrived.
The flames were slowly beginning to come under control.
He quietly turned toward me.
“We should leave.” I nodded silently.
For the first time since meeting him…
Neither of us joked.
Neither of us argued.
The walk home was completely silent.
Only the sound of distant sirens filled the evening air.
None of us knew…
That today’s fire had changed something.
Not only in the city…
But also inside Kakashi’s heart.
End of Chapter 15