It was Sunday.
No school.
No homework.
For the first time in days, the house felt peaceful.
Mom was downstairs cleaning the kitchen while Dad was fixing something outside.
My younger brother was watching cartoons as usual.
My younger sister was busy talking to her friends on her phone.
I finally had some quiet time.
I sat on my bed with a novel in my hands, trying to forget everything that had happened during the last few days.
Kakashi.
The strange fights.
The strange feeling that someone was always watching me.
I sighed.
“I seriously need answers…” Just then…
Tap.
A soft sound came from my bedroom window.
I looked up.
Nothing.
I shook my head and returned to my book.
Tap…
Tap…
This time I clearly heard it.
I slowly stood up and walked toward the window.
The moment I unlocked it…
The window slid open.
A silver-haired man climbed inside as casually as if he owned the room.
He landed silently on the floor.
Same black hoodie.
Dark gray cargo pants.
Same black mask.
“…You.” Kakashi looked around my room.
“Hm.” “You keep your room cleaner than I expected.” I stared at him in disbelief.
“You came through my window!” “The door seemed inconvenient.” “Normal people use doors!” “I’m not normal.” “…Fair enough.” He looked completely relaxed.
Meanwhile…
I was trying not to panic.
“What are you doing here?” “I wanted to talk.” “You could’ve called.” “I don’t have a phone.” “…Right.” The room became quiet.
I folded my arms.
“Fine.” “Talk.” Kakashi leaned against the wall.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.
Finally, I broke the silence.
“Who are you?” He looked at me calmly.
“A traveler.” “That’s not a real answer.” “It is.” “No, it isn’t.” Another quiet pause.
Then he spoke.
“I’m…
someone who lost his way.” His voice remained calm.
“And I ended up trapped in this world.” I blinked.
“…Trapped?” He gave a small nod.
“Yes.” “So…
you’re really not from here.” “No.” I stared at him.
Somehow…
That impossible answer sounded honest.
I took a deep breath.
“Then why do you keep following me?” He looked out of the window for a moment before answering.
“…Because you’re different.” “What does that even mean?” “It means exactly what I said.” I frowned.
“You still haven’t answered my question.” He looked back at me.
“I need your help.” “My help?” “Yes.” I laughed once.
“You’ve got the wrong person.” “I can’t even understand what’s happening around me.” “So no.” “I’m not helping you.” Kakashi wasn’t surprised.
Instead…
His visible eye curved slightly.
“As expected.” “What?” “You’ll help.” I raised an eyebrow.
“And how are you so sure?” “Because before meeting you…” “I watched.” My expression froze.
“…What?” He continued speaking in the same calm voice.
“I observed your daily life.” Without warning…
Images flashed through my mind as he spoke.
Helping an elderly woman carry heavy shopping bags.
Sharing my lunch with a classmate who had forgotten theirs.
Protecting my younger brother when he got scared during a thunderstorm.
Comforting my little sister after she cried over a small argument.
Standing up for someone who was being treated unfairly.
Even when no one thanked me.
The memories disappeared.
Kakashi looked at me quietly.
“You’re kind.” “You help people even when it gives you nothing in return.” “You don’t notice it…” “But I do.” I didn’t know what to say.
No one had ever described me like that before.
He continued.
“That’s why you’ll help.” I looked away.
“…You’re annoyingly confident.” “Hm.” “I’ve been told.” I sighed.
“…Fine.” “I’ll help you.” “But only if you stop appearing everywhere and making my life more confusing.” “I’ll think about it.” “That’s not the answer I wanted.” “It was the answer I had.” Before I could complain again— Knock!
Knock!
My eyes widened.
Mom’s voice came from outside.
“Can I come in?” I looked at Kakashi in horror.
“My mom!” Without saying a word…
Kakashi jumped upward.
His hands and feet lightly pressed against the ceiling, staying perfectly still.
He looked as if gravity simply didn’t matter.
I stared at him.
“…How are you even doing that?” He simply raised one finger toward the door.
I quickly opened it.
“Yes, Mom?” She smiled.
“Can you help me in the kitchen for a few minutes?” “Of course.” “I’ll be there.” “Thank you.” She walked away.
I slowly closed the door again.
Looking up…
Kakashi was still hanging calmly from the ceiling.
As if it were completely normal.
I sighed.
“You know…” “You are definitely the weirdest person I’ve ever met.” “I’ve also been told that.” I pointed a finger at him.
“Don’t touch anything.” “Don’t open anything.” “And please…” “Don’t create any problems.” “I’ll try.” “You don’t sound convincing.” “I wasn’t trying to.” I shook my head.
“I’ll be back.” As I left the room…
Neither of us noticed the faint black shadow watching the house from a distant rooftop.
Its glowing purple eyes remained fixed on one window.
My window.
End of Chapter 5