24: A Hero…Or Something Else?
24: A Hero…Or Something Else?
Morning sunlight filled my room.
I looked at Kakashi.
“You really stayed here all night, didn’t you?” Kakashi stood quietly near the window.
“…Maybe.” I smiled.
“I knew it.” For a brief moment, the room felt peaceful.
Then the memories came back.
The white wolf.
The battle.
The blood.
I slowly looked at Kakashi.
“…It wasn’t a dream.” His expression became serious.
“No.” A silence filled the room.
I took a deep breath.
“Kakashi…” “What happened to me?” He looked out the window for a few seconds before speaking.
“The white wolf you saw…” “…is called the Twenty-Tails.” “It is the strongest Tail Beast in my world.” I listened carefully.
Kakashi continued, “Last night…” “…I sealed it inside you.” I blinked.
“…Inside me?” He nodded once.
For a few seconds…
I simply stared at him.
Then— “Wait!” “Does that mean…” “I have powers now?” Kakashi looked surprised.
“…That’s your first question?” “Of course!” “My favorite anime heroes always get special powers!” I pointed at myself excitedly.
“So I’m like one of them now?” Kakashi couldn’t help giving a small smile.
“…Something like that.” My eyes sparkled.
“Really?!” He nodded gently.
“You now carry a power that can protect people…” “…if you learn to control it.” I jumped off the bed with excitement.
“This is amazing!” Then I suddenly stopped.
“Wait…” “Twenty tails called me a vessel.” I tilted my head.
“What does ‘Vessel’ mean?” Kakashi looked at my excited face.
He stayed silent for a moment.
Then he quietly answered, “…Think of it as a hero.” “A person chosen to carry a great power.” I smiled brightly.
“I knew it!” “I became an anime hero!” Kakashi looked away.
“…If only it were that simple.” I didn’t hear him.
I was already imagining myself saving people.
After a few moments, my stomach growled loudly.
“Oh…” “I’m hungry again.” From downstairs, my mother called, “Niku!
Breakfast is ready!” “I’m coming!” I happily walked toward the door.
Then I looked back.
“Kakashi.” He raised an eyebrow.
“Come eat with us.” “I don’t need food.” “So?” “I still want you to come.” “I’ll pass.” I folded my arms.
“That wasn’t a request.” “It was an invitation.” A tiny eye-smile appeared on Kakashi’s face.
“…You’re stubborn.” “I learned from the best.” He sighed softly.
“…Fine.” I grinned.
“Great!” I happily walked toward the stairs.
Kakashi followed a few steps behind.
Everything seemed normal.
Then— A strange chill ran through my body.
For a split second…
It felt as if something inside me had moved.
My foot suddenly slipped.
“W-Whoa!” I lost my balance.
I tumbled down the stairs.
“Niku!” My mother’s frightened voice echoed through the house.
Kakashi’s eyes widened.
He disappeared from the top of the staircase in a blur.
By the time I reached the bottom…
My mother was already beside me.
“Niku!” She quickly helped me sit up.
“Are you hurt?” “I’m…
okay…” “My foot just slipped.” She carefully checked my arms and head.
“Thank goodness…” Kakashi stood a few steps away.
His expression had completely changed.
He wasn’t looking at the stairs.
He was looking at me.
His black eyes narrowed slightly.
He understood.
This wasn’t an accident.
The Twenty-Tails…
had made its first move.
Without anyone noticing…
Kakashi quietly clenched his fist.
“…So you’ve already started.” The words were so soft that only he could hear them.
I looked at him in confusion.
“Kakashi?” He immediately returned to his usual calm expression.
“…It’s nothing.” But deep inside…
He knew.
This was only the beginning.
End of Chapter 24