Chapter 146 They are Class 7
"Kakashi-sensei is so cunning! It's a mission we're supposed to be doing together, but he only sends us to carry it out while he sits here drinking tea!"
When Haruko returned to Granny Cat to hand in her mission, she immediately saw Kakashi Hatake sitting cross-legged at a low table, drinking tea and reading a book, looking quite relaxed.
Seeing them return, Kakashi Hatake waved his hand and said, "Oh, you're back."
"What do you mean 'Oh, you're back'? Kakashi-sensei doesn't act like a teacher at all!" Naruto Uzumaki angrily squeezed next to him and sat down.
Disturbed by him, Kakashi Hatake could no longer concentrate on appreciating "Icha Icha Paradise" and had no choice but to close the book.
After handing the paper with the cat's paw print to Granny Cat, Haruko sullenly squeezed to the other side of Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi Hatake, caught in a pincer movement and accused from both sides: ...
Grandma Cat was especially happy to receive the last paw print; her already narrow eyes narrowed into slits with laughter.
“By the way, since this mission is so memorable, why don’t we take a picture together?” Haruko Hayama suggested.
"Great! Great!" No one was happiest than Naruto Uzumaki to be able to record this with her.
Kakashi Hatake found an excuse to stand up and escape their pitiful attack.
"You're still just kids, so I'll reluctantly take your picture."
“Although Kakashi-sensei couldn’t help, since you’re already here, we’ll allow you to film with us.” Haruko Hayama smiled slyly.
Kakashi Hatake's deadpan expression returned upon hearing this. "Eh—Teacher isn't one to like being in the spotlight, you know."
"He was standing in the middle when we took the group photo earlier..." Naruto Uzumaki complained loudly as he looked at him.
Haruko looked at Sasuke Uchiha, who was standing there with an inscrutable expression, with great interest and a sense of unease.
"Sasuke? Sasuke!"
Uchiha Sasuke slightly raised his eyes and glanced at her. "Whatever."
Haruko froze, her movements stiffening for a moment. This was the first time Sasuke had given her such a cold, stern look, as if he were looking at a stranger…
Haruko quickly stood up and leaned closer to him with concern. "Sasuke, are you in a bad mood?"
Unexpectedly, Sasuke Uchiha subconsciously took two steps back when she approached, which made Haruko Hayama freeze in place.
The others were drawn by their noise and were also surprised by Uchiha Sasuke's unusual reaction.
Noticing the strange looks he was getting from everyone else, Sasuke Uchiha snapped out of it and reverted to his usual demeanor. "It's nothing, go ahead and take the pictures."
He avoided Haruko Hayama's gaze, bypassed her, and walked directly to Granny Cat.
Seeing Haruko's flustered state, Naruto Uzumaki stood up unhappily.
"Haruko didn't do anything to you. If you're unhappy, just say so!"
Not wanting to be lectured by Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha curled his lips sarcastically and blurted out some harsh words without thinking.
"Would you chase after her and wag your tail without any dignity like you? I certainly couldn't do that."
He was stunned for a moment after he said that, and then looked at Haruko Hayama in a bit of a panic. When he saw her hurt expression, Sasuke Uchiha turned his head away and said nothing.
Enraged, Naruto tried to rush over, but was held back by Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi Hatake's scrutinizing gaze lingered between Sasuke Uchiha and Haruko Hayama. What exactly happened to them?
Haruko forced a smile and said, "Let's shoot another time. Everyone's tired today."
After saying that, she hurriedly walked out of the room. Naruto Uzumaki saw her leave and quickly chased after her.
Kakashi Hatake walked up to Sasuke Uchiha, who was radiating a cold aura, and his tone became slightly more serious. "Want to talk?"
Uchiha Sasuke didn't even glance at him, pursed his lips, and followed him away.
Kakashi Hatake sighed, "They really are a bunch of problem students."
Grandma Cat stroked the lazy ninja cat in her arms and chuckled, "They're all young people."
After seeing off the concerned and anxious Naruto, Haruko walked alone on the street to process her emotions.
She didn't know why Sasuke was fine one second and then suddenly got angry the next, but judging from what he said in his anger, she must have been the one who made him angry...
"Does she need psychological counseling from a teacher?"
Kakashi Hatake appeared out of nowhere and casually walked alongside her.
Having grown accustomed to his unpredictable appearances, Haruko asked in bewilderment, "Kakashi-sensei, what did I do to upset Sasuke?"
As a mature adult, Kakashi Hatake could see through the complicated and naive relationship between them at a glance. It wasn't just Naruto Uzumaki who was clueless; all three of his students were also clueless blockheads.
"Perhaps it's jealousy," Kakashi Hatake said calmly.
Haruko looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked him three questions in quick succession: "Jealous? Are you jealous of me? What do I have that Sasuke would be jealous of?"
“It’s because he’s jealous that Naruto gets more of your attention.” Kakashi Hatake recalled the gloomy, angry, and self-deprecating look in Sasuke Uchiha’s eyes when he looked at Naruto Uzumaki.
"But I treat them both the same, I don't understand..."
Haruko Hayama knows that jealousy can happen between friends, but she asks herself honestly that she doesn't favor one side over the other.
Kakashi Hatake stopped, and Haruko Hayama followed suit, equally bewildered.
"It's because Haruko is kind to everyone, has no prejudice against anyone, and gives her heart to everyone that makes everyone want to have her all to themselves."
Kakashi Hatake responded in his usual nonchalant tone, but when she showed a surprised expression, he withdrew his serious gaze, which was completely different from his tone.
While he speaks of others, isn't he also a member of "the whole family"?
From the very first time he met Haruko Hayama, he experienced a gentle, spring-like tenderness that was both similar to and different from Rin's.
Despite approaching her with the mission of the Third Hokage, Kakashi Hatake came to fully understand a child who genuinely cherished all bonds.
Even with a teacher who wasn't exactly a respectable figure, Haruko Hayama still gave him her heart, and her two unruly boys unknowingly came to accept him as their teacher.
By the time he took his first group photo with them, Kakashi Hatake was already a full member of Team 7.
He already knew the answer in his heart about whether to monitor or protect, didn't he?
By silently reciting the second option, he had already revealed that he subconsciously did not want to choose the first option.
Haruko Hayama may truly possess magical powers, just as Naruto Uzumaki said.
"But...I..." Haruko was a little incoherent, never expecting the reason to be like this.
She just wanted to cherish every bond she had with them; each of them was a unique and most important friend to her.
Kakashi Hatake noticed her confusion and unease, placed his large hand on her head, and gently stroked her hair in a way that seemed out of character.
"So, no matter what happens, it's not Haruko's fault, don't blame yourself."
When Haruko met his eyes, it was as casual as ever, but for some reason, it gave her a sense of security and courage.
"I understand, Kakashi-sensei! I'll have a good talk with Sasuke!"
Watching her departing figure as she seemed to have come to her senses, Kakashi Hatake scratched his head helplessly.
I feel like she didn't quite understand what he meant...
******
Thank you for reminding me of the update reminder charm a dear friend sent me before! Your extra chapter has been delivered \(@^０^@)/★
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