What Is Under Kakashi's Mask

Nohara House.

"You're back!" Shin-chan pushed open the door, kicked off his shoes, and dashed into the house barefoot.

Kakashi stood at the entrance, paused for a moment, and neatly arranged his shoes before stepping inside.

"Pardon the intrusion."

Miya poked her head out from the Kitchen, her eyes lighting up when she saw Kakashi.

"Oh my, so this is Kakashi? Shin-chan talks about you every single day."

Kakashi stood at the entrance and gave a slight bow: "Hello, sorry to bother you."

"No bother at all, come in and sit down." Miya wiped her hands on her Apron, "I just happened to make some snacks, why don't you two have something to eat first?"

Shin-chan's ears perked up instantly.

"Snacks? What kind of snacks?"

"Dorayaki, fresh out of the pan."

"Wow!"

With a howl, Shin-chan charged into the Living Room, threw himself at the Dining Table, and reached out to grab one.

"Shin Nohara." Miya's spatula appeared on his head right on cue, "Did you wash your hands?"

Shin-chan clutched his head and slunk off to wash his hands.

Kakashi watched this scene, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, before he followed suit to wash his own hands.

When they returned, Shin-chan was already sitting at the Dining Table with two plates in front of him, each holding two Dorayaki.

Shin-chan grabbed one and took a huge bite, his cheeks bulging like a Hamster.

"Mmm, delicious."

Kakashi sat down opposite him, picked up a Dorayaki, raised his other hand, and gently pulled his mask down just enough to take a small bite.

Then the mask went right back up.

Miya brought over two glasses of Milk and placed them in front of them.

"Eat slowly, no rush." She looked at Kakashi with a gentle smile.

Kakashi paused and set down his Dorayaki: "Thank you."

Shin-chan had already finished his first Dorayaki and was reaching for the second.

Miya looked at Kakashi's refined manner, then looked at her own son, who had his face covered in crumbs, and couldn't help but sigh.

This child, why is the difference so big?

After finishing his snack, Shin-chan suddenly remembered something and pulled Kakashi toward the yard.

"Kakashi, let me show you our Shiro!"

In the yard, a Little white dog was lying next to its doghouse, basking in the sun.

Seeing Shin-chan approach, it hopped and skipped over to his feet, its tail wagging like a little windmill.

"Shiro." Shin-chan pounced over 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, and there seemed to be a different kind of light in those black, beady eyes.

Kakashi reached out his hand.

Shiro leaned in, sniffed, and then reached out its tongue to lick his fingers.

Kakashi's eyes curved slightly.

"He's very well-behaved."

"Of course he is." Shin-chan puffed out his chest proudly, "Shiro, Marshmallow."

Shiro barked and immediately curled himself into a ball.

"Very smart." Kakashi watched him, suddenly thinking that if he had a dog like this to keep him company when he was home alone, that wouldn't be half bad.

If he were to have a summoning animal in the future, choosing a dog seemed like a pretty good idea.

Smart, loyal, and in tune with human nature.

Plus, he's quite cute.

"Kakashi." Shin-chan tilted his head to look at him, "What are you thinking about?"

Kakashi withdrew his hand and stood up: "Nothing."

A moment later, the yard gate was pushed open.

Hiroshi saw two children in the yard and paused in surprise.

"Oh, is that Kakashi?"

Kakashi gave a slight bow: "Hello, sorry to intrude."

"Not at all, not at all." Hiroshi walked over: "What are you two doing?"

"Looking at Shiro," Shin-chan said.

Hiroshi looked at the sky, then back at the two children.

"It's still early. How about I take you both to get some exercise?"

Shin-chan's face fell: "Huh? More training?"

"Just for a bit." Hiroshi took off his jacket and rolled his shoulders: "I was just wanting to move around myself. Why don't you two run a few laps with me?"

Kakashi glanced at Shin-chan and nodded.

Shin-chan sighed and stood up as well.

Hiroshi led the two children on laps around the neighborhood.

Shin-chan started slacking off after two laps, his pace growing slower and slower.

Kakashi, on the other hand, ran quite seriously, his stride even and his breathing steady.

Hiroshi observed the silver-haired child as he ran.

No matter how he looked at this kid, he didn't seem like an ordinary child.

After a few laps, Hiroshi stopped.

"Alright, let's take a break."

Shin-chan sat directly on the ground by Hiroshi's feet.

Kakashi simply adjusted his breathing slightly and stood to the side, not a single drop of sweat on his face.

Hiroshi stared at his face.

Why did this child always wear a mask?

From the moment he arrived until now, he hadn't seen him take it off once.

It felt as if a cat was scratching at Hiroshi's heart.

What did he look like underneath?

Could there be some sort of scar?

Or was he perhaps exceptionally handsome?

"Kakashi, you run really well." Hiroshi tried to fish for information: "Do you train often?"

Kakashi nodded: "Yes, I practice every day."

"Practice what?"

"Blade Techniques, physical conditioning, and some basic training."

Hiroshi nodded, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward the boy's face.

The mask covered most of his face, revealing only a pair of eyes.

Those eyes were very beautiful, clear and bright, but it was impossible to see what lay beneath.

"Father." Shin-chan's voice suddenly rang out from the side: "What are you looking at?"

Hiroshi was startled and snapped back to reality.

"Nothing... nothing at all."

Shin-chan leaned in, followed his gaze to Kakashi, then looked back at Hiroshi and whispered: "Father, are you trying to see what Kakashi looks like?"

Hiroshi nodded subconsciously.

"He's very handsome and cute, you know," Shin-chan whispered into his ear.

Hiroshi's curiosity was instantly piqued, and he asked quietly: "You've seen it?"

"Yeah, I saw it when I was eating at his place yesterday." Shin-chan nodded: "But I was too busy eating to get a good look."

"Is that so..." Hiroshi thought for a moment, coughed twice, and said: "Um, Kakashi, are you thirsty? I'll go get you both some water."

He turned and walked toward the house, his steps a bit hurried.

Shin-chan watched his back and chuckled twice.

Kakashi walked over and looked at him: "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing." Shin-chan shook his head: "Kakashi, are you hot?"

Kakashi was taken aback.

"I'm alright."

"You're not hot?" Shin-chan blinked: "We ran quite a few laps. Don't you feel stuffy? Isn't it uncomfortable wearing that mask?"

Kakashi looked at him, silent for two seconds.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Nothing at all." Shin-chan wore an innocent face. "I'm just concerned about you."

Kakashi didn't speak, just looked at him.

That gaze seemed to say: Who are you trying to fool?

"Right, Father said he was going to pour us some water, let's go drink." Shin-chan pulled Kakashi toward the house.

In the Living Room, Nohara Hiroshi was holding two glasses of water, standing there in a daze. Seeing them come in, he hurriedly handed the water over.

"Here, drink some water, drink some water."

Kakashi took the glass and said thank you.

And then...

Nohara Hiroshi's eyes stared at him without blinking.

Holding the glass, Kakashi felt that gaze, paused, and then lifted his head to look at Nohara Hiroshi.

Nohara Hiroshi hurriedly shifted his gaze, pretending to look at the ceiling, but when he glanced over from the corner of his eye, Kakashi had already finished his water.

Watching this scene from the side, Shin-chan almost laughed out loud.

Nohara Hiroshi gave a dry cough and thought of another idea.

"Um... Kakashi, you two must have sweated quite a bit after running just now, right? Do you want to wash your face?"

Kakashi put down the glass.

"No need, thank you."

"But you're sweaty; it's easy to catch a cold if you don't wash up." Nohara Hiroshi tried hard to make his tone sound natural. "Shall I get a Towel for you to wipe your face?"

Kakashi looked at him, silent for two seconds: "Thank you, really, there's no need."

The corner of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth twitched.

This kid, why is he so difficult to deal with?

Shin-chan, standing to the side, finally couldn't hold it in anymore, clutching his stomach and laughing until he couldn't stand straight.

"Father, you're being too obvious."

Nohara Hiroshi's face turned a bit red: "I... I'm not, I'm just concerned about you guys."

Looking at this father and son, Kakashi suddenly understood a little where Shin-chan's usual behavior came from, and he sighed slightly.

"Uncle Nohara."

Nohara Hiroshi jumped: "Ah? Yes!"

Kakashi looked at him, his tone calm.

"I wear a mask because it's a habit, not because there's something wrong with my face, you don't need to be curious."

Nohara Hiroshi's face turned even redder, and he stubbornly said: "I'm not curious, really."

Kakashi nodded, not exposing him.

Shin-chan was rolling on the floor with laughter nearby.

Miya poked her head out from the Kitchen.

"What's wrong? Why so noisy?"

"Nothing." Shin-chan climbed up and wiped away the tears he had laughed out: "It's just that Father really wants to see what Kakashi looks like, and he's tried so many ways but hasn't succeeded."

Miya paused for a moment, then looked at Nohara Hiroshi: "Nohara Hiroshi, how old are you?"

"I'm just a little curious..."

Miya sighed, shook her head, and retreated back to the Kitchen to continue cooking.

Looking at this family, Kakashi suddenly felt it was a bit wonderful.

Noisy and rowdy, but it seems...

Quite warm.

Shin-chan leaned over and nudged his arm: "Kakashi, don't mind it, my father is just like that."

Kakashi shook his head: "It's fine."

Nohara Hiroshi smiled sheepishly nearby and scratched his head: "Um... Kakashi, Uncle didn't do it on purpose, don't take it to heart."

Kakashi nodded: "I know."

Soon, dinner time arrived.

Miya brought dish after dish to the table: Shrimp Tempura, Braised Pork, Miso Soup, Hamburger Steak, and a few small side dishes, filling the whole table.

"Come, come, come, dinner is served!"

Shin-chan was already sitting at the table, his eyes fixed on that plate of Hamburger Steak, his drool almost flowing out.

Kakashi knelt on the cushion, looking at the spread of food on the table, feeling a bit guilty: "Auntie, you've gone to too much trouble."

Miya waved her hand with a smile: "What trouble? It's rare to have a guest over, so of course I have to make something delicious. Eat, eat, don't be polite."

Kakashi nodded and picked up his chopsticks.

Hiroshi still hadn't given up, his attention fixed entirely on him.

It's going to come off, it's going to come off.

Kakashi raised his hand, his chopsticks reaching for a piece of Braised Pork, and then, his other hand lifted, gently pulling down his mask just a bit to slip the meat into his mouth.

Hiroshi caught a glimpse of half a Nose and a small part of a Cheek.

Then the mask went right back up.

Hiroshi: "..."

Miya nudged him from the side.

"What are you doing? Staring at the kid like that."

Hiroshi gave a dry cough and looked away: "Nothing, nothing, let's eat, let's eat."

He picked up a piece of Fried Shrimp, and just as he put it in his mouth, he couldn't help but glance toward Kakashi again.

Kakashi picked up another mouthful of food.

This time, his motion to pull down the mask was slightly wider, revealing his entire profile.

Hiroshi's eyes went wide.

That face.

Fair, clear skin, a straight bridge of the nose, thin lips, a clean and sharp jawline, all paired with those somewhat lazy eyes and that fluffy Silver Hair.

Isn't this kid just too good-looking?

Hiroshi couldn't help but turn to look at Miya, and Miya happened to be looking over as well; their eyes met in the air.

"So cute." Miya's eyes were filled with amazement, her voice carrying a hint of a trance, "Really so cute."

It wasn't just simple cuteness or simple handsomeness.

It was the kind of beauty that made it impossible to look away once you saw it.

And he was only five years old.

If he looks like this at five, what will he be like when he grows up?

Miya looked at Kakashi, her eyes growing softer: "Kakashi, come over to play at our Home often, Auntie will make you delicious food."

Kakashi paused for a moment, then nodded politely.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Miya's heart was about to melt.

This child, so polite, so good-looking, and so well-behaved.

If only he were her own son.

As she thought this, she couldn't help but glance at Shin-chan.

Shin-chan was buried in his bowl, his cheeks bulging like a Hamster, rice grains stuck to the corner of his mouth, completely unaware of his Mother's gaze.

Miya sighed.

Forget it, even though her own kid is a bit of a handful, he's still her own flesh and blood.

After eating for a while longer, Miya looked at Kakashi, suddenly feeling curious, so she leaned into Shin-chan's ear and whispered: "Shin-chan, why aren't you surprised at all?"

Shin-chan looked up, his mouth stuffed full.

"Hmm?"

"Kakashi's appearance, don't you think he's very handsome?"

"Oh, you mean that." Shin-chan swallowed the food in his mouth and blinked, "I already saw it when I ate at his place yesterday."

Miya was stunned: "Then why didn't you say anything yesterday?"

"Because..." Shin-chan scratched his head, "Kakashi's looks can't compare to his Cooking Skills at all."

"Cooking Skills?"

"Yeah." Shin-chan nodded, his eyes sparkling, "The Pan-fried Fish he made was even better than what Mother makes. I was too busy eating at the time, I didn't have any time to look at what he looked like."

Miya and Hiroshi both fell silent, looking at their son's sparkling eyes, suddenly not knowing what to say.

This kid...

The things he focuses on seem to be a bit different from other people, don't they?

Kakashi, hearing this conversation from the side, glanced at Shin-chan and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Then he lowered his head and continued to eat.

Miya suddenly realized something, staring at her son with a kindly face: "Shin-chan, are you praising Kakashi's Cooking Skills, or are you saying that the food I make isn't delicious?"

Shin-chan froze for a moment, realizing he had said the wrong thing.

"That... Mother's cooking is also delicious, everything is delicious!"

Miya snorted: "You know what's good for you."

Hiroshi watched this scene, unable to help but laugh.

A life like this really isn't bad at all.