The Nohara House.
"I'm home." Shin-chan pushed open the door, kicked off his shoes, and dashed inside barefoot.
Kakashi paused at the entrance, neatly arranged his shoes, then stepped inside.
"I'm sorry for the trouble."
Miya poked her head out of the kitchen. When she saw Kakashi, her eyes lit up.
"Oh, you must be Kakashi! Shin-chan talks about you all the time."
Kakashi stood by the door and bowed slightly. "Hello. I'm sorry for the trouble."
"No trouble at all. Come in and sit down." Miya wiped her hands on her apron. "I just made some snacks, so have a bite first."
Shin-chan's ears perked up.
"Snacks? What kind?"
"Dorayaki. They're freshly made."
"Wow!"
With a loud cry, Shin-chan dashed into the living room and lunged for the table, reaching out to grab one.
"Shin Nohara." Miya's spatula appeared over his head right on cue. "Have you washed your hands?"
Holding his head, Shin-chan slunk off to wash his hands.
Watching him, Kakashi's lips curved slightly. Then he went to wash his hands too.
When they returned, Shin-chan was already seated at the table. Two plates sat in front of him, each holding two dorayaki.
Shin-chan grabbed one and took a huge bite, puffing his cheeks out like a hamster.
"Mmm, delicious."
Kakashi sat across from him and picked up a dorayaki. With his other hand, he lifted his mask just a little and took a small bite.
Then his mask went back into place.
Miya brought over two glasses of milk and set them down in front of them.
"Take your time. No need to rush." She smiled warmly at Kakashi.
Kakashi paused, then set down his dorayaki. "Thank you."
Shin-chan had already finished his first dorayaki and reached for the second.
Miya looked at Kakashi's neat, polite manner, then at her own son, who had food all over his mouth, and couldn't help sighing.
How could there be such a big difference between them?
After finishing his snack, Shin-chan suddenly remembered something and pulled Kakashi toward the yard.
"Kakashi, I'll show you our Shiro!"
In the yard, a little white dog was lying beside its doghouse, basking in the sun.
When it saw Shin-chan, it bounced over to his feet, wagging its tail like a little windmill.
"Shiro!" Shin-chan threw himself at the dog and hugged it. "This is Kakashi, my good friend."
Shiro looked at Kakashi and gave a soft bark.
"Woof."
Kakashi crouched down and looked at Shiro.
Shiro looked back at him. There seemed to be something unusual in those shiny black eyes.
Kakashi held out his hand.
Shiro came closer, sniffed it, then stuck out its tongue and licked his fingers.
Kakashi's eyes curved slightly.
"He's very well-behaved."
"Of course." Shin-chan puffed out his chest proudly. "Shiro, marshmallow!"
Shiro barked and immediately curled itself into a ball.
"He's smart." Looking at the dog, Kakashi suddenly thought that having a dog like this for company when he was home alone wouldn't be bad.
If he ever got a summoning animal, a dog might be a good choice.
Smart, loyal, and understanding.
And pretty cute, too.
"Kakashi." Shin-chan tilted his head at him. "What are you thinking about?"
Kakashi withdrew his hand and stood up. "Nothing."
After a while, the yard gate opened.
Hiroshi saw the two children in the yard and paused.
"Oh, Kakashi's here?"
Kakashi bowed slightly. "Hello. I'm sorry for the trouble."
"No trouble at all." Hiroshi walked over. "What are you up to?"
"Looking at Shiro," Shin-chan said.
Hiroshi glanced at the sky, then at the two children.
"It's still early. How about I take you both to stretch your legs a little?"
Shin-chan's face fell. "Huh? We have to exercise too?"
"Just for a little while." Hiroshi took off his jacket and rolled his shoulders. "I could use some exercise myself. How about you run a few laps with me?"
Kakashi glanced at Shin-chan, then nodded.
Shin-chan sighed and got to his feet too.
Hiroshi led the two children on a run around the neighborhood.
After two laps, Shin-chan started slacking off, his pace growing slower and slower.
Kakashi, on the other hand, ran with focus, his stride even and his breathing steady.
As he ran, Hiroshi sized up the silver-haired boy.
There was something about him that didn't seem like an ordinary child.
After a few laps, Hiroshi stopped.
"Okay, let's take a break."
Shin-chan sat right down on the ground beside Hiroshi's feet.
Kakashi merely adjusted his breathing slightly and stood nearby, without a drop of sweat on his face.
Hiroshi looked at him.
Why did this kid always wear a mask?
He hadn't taken it off once since he arrived.
Hiroshi's curiosity itched at him like a cat's claws.
What did he look like?
Did he have a scar or something?
Or was he especially handsome?
"Kakashi, you're a great runner," Hiroshi said, trying to sound casual. "Do you exercise often?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yeah, I train every day."
"What do you train?"
"Blade techniques, conditioning, and some basic exercises."
Hiroshi nodded, his gaze drifting to Kakashi's face despite himself.
The mask covered most of it, leaving only his eyes visible.
They were lovely, clear and bright, but Hiroshi couldn't see what he looked like underneath.
"Dad." Shin-chan's voice suddenly sounded beside him. "What are you looking at?"
Hiroshi jumped and snapped out of it.
"N-nothing."
Shin-chan leaned closer, followed his gaze to Kakashi, then looked at Hiroshi and whispered, "Dad, are you trying to see what Kakashi looks like?"
Hiroshi nodded without thinking.
"He's really handsome and cute," Shin-chan whispered in his ear.
Hiroshi's curiosity was instantly piqued. He whispered back, "You've seen him?"
"Yeah, when I had dinner at his house yesterday." Shin-chan nodded. "But I was busy eating, so I didn't get a good look."
"I see..." Hiroshi thought for a moment, then cleared his throat twice. "Um, Kakashi, are you thirsty? I'll get you some water."
With that, he turned and headed inside, walking a little too quickly.
Shin-chan watched him go and gave a mischievous chuckle.
Kakashi came over and looked at him. "What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing." Shin-chan shook his head. "Kakashi, are you hot?"
Kakashi paused.
"I'm fine."
"You're not hot?" Shin-chan blinked. "We ran several laps. Don't you feel stuffy? Isn't it uncomfortable wearing a mask?"
Kakashi looked at him and fell silent for two seconds.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing." Shin-chan put on an innocent expression. "I'm just concerned about you."
Kakashi didn't say anything. He simply looked at him.
His eyes seemed to say: Who do you think you're fooling?
"Oh, right. My dad said he'd get us some water. Let's go have a drink." Shin-chan pulled Kakashi inside.
In the living room, Hiroshi stood frozen with two glasses of water in his hands. When he saw them come in, he quickly passed the glasses over.
"Here, have some water."
Kakashi took a glass and thanked him.
Then...
Hiroshi stared at him without blinking.
Holding the glass, Kakashi felt Hiroshi's gaze. He paused, then lifted his head and looked at him.
Hiroshi quickly looked away, pretending to study the ceiling. When he sneaked another glance from the corner of his eye, Kakashi had already finished his water.
Shin-chan watched the scene and nearly burst out laughing.
Hiroshi cleared his throat and came up with another idea.
"Um... Kakashi, you must have worked up a lot of sweat running just now. Why don't you wash your face?"
Kakashi set down his glass.
"No need, thank you."
"But you're sweaty. You could catch a cold if you don't wash up." Hiroshi did his best to sound natural. "I'll get you a towel. Why not wipe your face?"
Kakashi looked at him and fell silent for two seconds. "Thank you, but really, there's no need."
Hiroshi's lips twitched.
Why was this kid so difficult?
Shin-chan finally couldn't hold back. He clutched his stomach and laughed so hard he could barely stand.
"Dad, you're being so obvious."
Hiroshi's face reddened. "I... I'm not. I'm just looking out for you two."
Watching the father and son, Kakashi suddenly understood where Shin-chan got his usual behavior. He sighed softly.
"Mr. Nohara."
Hiroshi jumped. "Yes?"
Kakashi looked at him, his tone calm.
"I wear the mask out of habit. There's nothing wrong with my face, so you don't need to be curious."
Hiroshi's face reddened further. He stubbornly denied it. "I wasn't curious. Really."
Kakashi nodded and didn't call him out.
Beside them, Shin-chan rolled around on the floor laughing.
Miya poked her head out of the kitchen.
"What's going on? Why are you so noisy?"
"Nothing." Shin-chan got up and wiped away his tears of laughter. "Dad really wants to see what Kakashi looks like. He tried all sorts of things, but none of them worked."
Miya paused, then looked at Hiroshi. "Nohara Hiroshi, how old are you?"
"I was just a little curious..."
Miya sighed and shook her head, then ducked back into the kitchen to continue cooking.
Kakashi looked at the family and suddenly found them rather fascinating.
They were noisy and rowdy, but somehow...
They felt warm.
Shin-chan came over and nudged his arm. "Don't mind it, Kakashi. My dad's just like that."
Kakashi shook his head. "It's fine."
Hiroshi gave an awkward smile and scratched his head. "Um... Kakashi, your uncle didn't mean any harm. Don't take it to heart."
Kakashi nodded. "I know."
Soon, it was time for dinner.
Miya brought dish after dish to the table: shrimp tempura, braised pork, miso soup, hamburger steak, and several side dishes. The table was soon covered.
"Come on, dinner's ready!"
Shin-chan was already seated at the table, his eyes fixed on the plate of hamburger steak, practically drooling.
Kakashi knelt on a cushion, looking at the lavish spread on the table. He felt a little guilty. "You really went to a lot of trouble, ma'am."
Miya smiled and waved her hand. "What trouble? We don't get guests over often, so of course I'm going to make something delicious. Come on, dig in. Don't be shy."
Kakashi nodded and picked up his chopsticks.
Hiroshi still hadn't given up. His attention stayed fixed on Kakashi.
He's going to take it off. He's going to take it off.
Kakashi raised his hand and reached for a piece of braised pork with his chopsticks. Then he lifted his other hand, gently tugged down his mask, and put the meat in his mouth.
Hiroshi caught a glimpse of half a nose and a small patch of cheek.
Then the mask went back up.
Hiroshi: "..."
Miya nudged him from beside him.
"What are you doing? Staring at the poor kid."
Hiroshi gave a dry cough and looked away. "It's nothing, it's nothing. Let's eat."
He picked up a piece of fried shrimp and had just put it in his mouth when he couldn't help sneaking another glance at Kakashi.
Kakashi picked up another bite of food.
This time, he lowered his mask a little farther, revealing his entire profile.
Hiroshi's eyes widened.
That face.
Fair, smooth skin, a straight nose, thin lips, and a clean, sharp jawline, paired with those slightly languid eyes and that fluffy silver hair.
How could a kid be this good-looking?
Hiroshi couldn't help turning to Miya. She happened to look over at him, and their gazes met.
"So cute." Miya's eyes were full of wonder, and her voice sounded a little dazed. "He's so cute."
It wasn't just cuteness, or just handsomeness.
It was the kind of beauty that made you unable to look away.
And he was only five.
If he looked like that at five, what would he be like when he grew up?
Miya gazed at Kakashi, her expression growing gentler by the moment. "Kakashi, you should come over and play more often. I'll make you something delicious."
Kakashi paused, then politely nodded.
"Thank you, ma'am."
Miya's heart melted.
That kid was polite, good-looking, and so well-behaved.
If only he were her son.
She couldn't help glancing at Shin-chan.
Shin-chan was busy shoveling food into his mouth, his cheeks puffed out like a hamster's and grains of rice stuck to the corners of his mouth. He hadn't noticed his mother looking at him at all.
Miya sighed.
Oh well. Her own kid might be a handful, but at least he was her own flesh and blood.
After they'd eaten for a while, Miya looked at Kakashi and suddenly grew curious. She leaned close to Shin-chan's ear and whispered, "Shin-chan, why aren't you surprised at all?"
Shin-chan looked up, his mouth full.
"Hmm?"
"Don't you think Kakashi is really handsome?"
"Oh, that." Shin-chan swallowed his food and blinked. "I saw his face yesterday when I ate at his house."
Miya paused. "Then why didn't you say so yesterday?"
"Because..." Shin-chan scratched his head. "Kakashi's looks can't compare to his cooking skills."
"Cooking skills?"
"Yeah." Shin-chan nodded, his eyes sparkling. "The fish he made tasted even better than Mom's. I was so busy eating that I didn't even have time to look at what he looked like."
Miya and Hiroshi fell silent. Looking at their son's sparkling eyes, they suddenly didn't know what to say.
This kid...
He really did seem to care about different things than everyone else.
Kakashi had heard their conversation. He glanced at Shin-chan, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Then he lowered his head and went back to eating.
Miya suddenly caught on and fixed her son with a kindly smile. "Shin-chan, are you saying Kakashi's cooking is good, or are you saying my cooking isn't?"
Shin-chan paused, realizing he'd said the wrong thing.
"Um... Mom's cooking is good too. They're both delicious!"
Miya snorted. "You're lucky you said the right thing."
Watching them, Hiroshi couldn't help laughing.
This kind of life really wasn't bad.
Before you continue