Konoha, Naruto's home.
The usually quiet room was steaming with warmth. The rice cooker's indicator light was on, and the washing machine rumbled as it spun.
"Kakashi, what is this white stuff for when you pour it in?"
Naruto stood beside the washing machine, his eyes sparkling as he watched the foam in the spinning drum.
"That's laundry detergent." Kakashi leaned against the wall, unusually without his mask. "The clothes won't get clean unless you add it."
"Oh, oh, oh!" Naruto nodded excitedly. "What about this button? What happens if I press it?"
"It spins the water out—dries the clothes."
"Wow! That's amazing!"
Naruto carefully reached out and pressed the button. The washing machine began spinning faster with a roar, making him pull his hand back in fright before he started laughing again.
He had never known how to use these things at home before.
After Kakashi came, he taught Naruto how to use them one by one. At last, every day became much better than before.
"Kakashi, you're amazing! You know how to do everything!"
Kakashi looked at Naruto's little face, brimming with excitement, and the corner of his mouth twitched unconsciously.
"It's nothing—you just didn't know how to use them before."
Click. The rice cooker gave a notification chime.
Naruto ran back into the living room and opened the rice cooker. White steam billowed out, revealing freshly cooked rice, every grain plump and glistening.
"It smells so good!"
Even though it was not his first time cooking rice, Naruto was still delighted.
He filled a bowl, then glanced at the plate beside it—beef curry with potatoes that Kakashi had brought over.
"Can I eat now?"
"Mm."
Naruto wolfed it down, his cheeks puffed out and grains of rice clinging to the corners of his mouth.
"Mmm... it's so