Chapter 275 Finally, I can catch up with her.
Kakashi Hatake walked leisurely down the street.
From afar, I spotted Uchiha Sasuke leaning against the railing, looking cool, and two little ones crouching with their backs to him.
He felt no guilt whatsoever for being late, and leisurely approached them.
"This ant is huge!"
"Really? Naruto, be careful not to get bitten."
"You two are so boring."
"Kakashi-sensei hasn't come yet!"
Naruto's complaining voice pierced through his ears, but Kakashi Hatake casually picked at his ear.
"I'm sorry, I saw an old lady who needed help on my way here."
Words that showed no remorse and even sounded somewhat apologetic came from his mouth.
Sasuke Uchiha turned his head to look at him, but he remained in the same position leaning against the railing, showing no reaction whatsoever.
The blond-haired boy who was squatting on the ground was the first to jump up, turn around and point angrily at him.
"It's a complete scam!"
Meanwhile, another girl with long, glossy black hair stood up, supporting herself on her knees, and a sweet, helpless voice rang out as she turned around.
"If Kakashi-sensei is going to lie, at least come up with a believable excuse, right?"
The sunlight filtered through her flowing hair, caressing the girl's pretty, fair face, casting a soft glow that blurred her delicate features.
Her gentle smile reappeared in the world, as if it could encompass all those who had wronged her.
Kakashi Hatake froze on the spot, his pupils shrinking sharply.
The initial nonchalant air dissipated, turning entirely into fear and chill.
For a moment, Kakashi Hatake almost thought he was dreaming, and it was the most real dream he had ever had.
It was also the only time I saw her true appearance in a dream.
"Haru...ko..."
The gentle smile of the black-haired girl transcends countless times and intertwines with memories.
One after another, sealed memories broke free of their shackles and rushed into Kakashi Hatake's mind.
He clutched his head, the memories surging wildly through his mind.
The guilt and remorse that had been building up for years finally found an outlet, but what followed was an even stronger backlash, causing him to let out a painful groan.
Several images flashed past Kakashi Hatake's eyes one after another.
She sat solemnly opposite, petite and agile.
"My name is Haruko. What's your name?"
Wearing a pure white veil under the night sky, she patted his shoulder.
"Kakashi, don't miss us too much, you'll see us at school!"
Lying in bed, unable to hide her weakness, she forced a smile.
"Because Kakashi makes me feel at ease."
In the dark and barren world, the void played back all the scenes of their time together.
who is she?
Kakashi Hatake stood in the center surrounded by countless images, letting them swirl around him, engulfing him and suffocating him.
Suddenly, a glimmer of light appeared in the pitch-black world.
Kakashi Hatake's gaze was involuntarily drawn to it.
That was a dazzling soul.
She conjured a beautiful and familiar appearance, with long, smooth, black hair flowing in front of her, and her slender body making one wonder if she could really support the heavy kimono she was wearing.
A pair of obsidian-like, moist eyes stared intently at him as she asked him softly.
"Kakashi...who am I?"
Kakashi Hatake's lips moved slightly, but he couldn't utter a word.
The next second, his younger self appeared in front of him, with unruly silver hair and slightly drooping eyes that looked somewhat dejected.
He heard the boy brazenly promise, "If you're unsure who you are, just ask me."
She smiled, her almond-shaped eyes filled with joy.
But every time she felt joy because of herself, it would turn into an even sharper dagger that pierced Kakashi Hatake's heart.
Kakashi Hatake gripped his shirt tightly; it hurt so much…
The pain was so intense that he couldn't even take a step to hold onto her disappearing figure, watching helplessly as the only light in the pitch-black world flickered and vanished.
Only her ethereal voice echoed in the air.
"Kakashi, I don't want you involved in my plans."
"Because you will become in pain, and if you know everything and forget everything... the pain will be even more intense."
"Kakashi, I don't want you to suffer."
The childish voice had faded, replaced by a sense of helplessness and loneliness.
Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but let out a belated, bitter laugh.
Oh, so that's what it meant...
"Kakashi-sensei? Kakashi-sensei, are you alright?"
The muffled voice gradually became clearer in my ears.
Kakashi Hatake snapped out of his daze and looked somewhat bewildered at the three people who had somehow appeared beside him.
Until his gaze settled on Haruko's face.
Her delicate brows furrowed, and she looked at him with concern in her eyes. "What's wrong, Kakashi-sensei? Does your head hurt?"
"I...I'm fine."
Kakashi Hatake lowered his hands from his head, trying his best to process the turbulent memories in his mind, and dismissed the emotions that had inadvertently leaked out.
He lowered his eyelashes and stared quietly at Haruko Hayama.
If he were younger, he might have reacted emotionally.
Having weathered the test of time, he has matured and become more composed, enabling him to maintain complete self-control.
Naruto Uzumaki noticed that Kakashi was staring at Haruko Hayama and asked suspiciously, "Kakashi-sensei, you weren't faking it just now, were you?"
"Oh, have we been discovered?"
Kakashi Hatake answered casually, his gaze remaining fixed on the screen.
Haruko breathed a sigh of relief. "Kakashi-sensei, don't make us worry."
Sasuke Uchiha, with his keen observation skills, wasn't fooled. Kakashi Hatake's pained expression just now was clearly not an act.
But he wanted to gloss over it, and Sasuke Uchiha wouldn't actively investigate.
He said, "Let's go, didn't we say we were going to eat barbecue?"
Upon hearing this, Naruto immediately became excited again, "Yosh! As payment for deceiving us, Kakashi-sensei will treat us!"
"Hey—teachers' salaries are very low."
Kakashi Hatake's tone was no different from usual.
His tone was even more lively because he was so eager to appear calm.
Naruto Uzumaki and Haruko Hayama, engrossed in discussing what to eat, failed to notice his odd behavior.
Uchiha Sasuke only glanced at him subtly before looking away.
As Haruko's figure gradually shrank ahead, Kakashi Hatake's feet seemed to take root, ignoring his desire to chase after her, and remained stationary in that spot.
Just like countless times in the past, his lonely gaze drifted into the distance.
"Hurry up, Kakashi-sensei!"
The black-haired girl walking between the two tall boys turned around and greeted him with a smile, urging him to catch up.
Kakashi Hatake slowly lowered his head, and with a thought, he watched his stiff right foot take its first step.
This time, I can finally keep up with her.
...
"But...is it really okay for Kakashi-sensei to drink so much?"
Haruko looked at the person opposite her with a shocked expression.
Several empty bottles were already placed next to Kakashi Hatake's elbow on the table.
He refilled his glass with wine, and when he found the bottle was empty, he casually placed it aside. After finishing his drink, his gaze remained clear.
He drinks alcohol faster than Naruto can snatch meat.
Even the aloof Uchiha Sasuke couldn't stand it anymore.
"Kakashi, stop drinking."
******
The list of those who have received thanks as of July 15, 2024:
grateful--
Braised Rabbit Dazai Osamu's Love Letter x15, Update Request Charm x2, Bubble Milk Tea
Crane Tree (a gift to urge more updates)
A love letter from Song Yu, who loves semi-dry wine.
Ayu really sent 2 flowers.
Smoke and Moon, Flowers from the Porcelain Family's Little Rabbit
Jiu Youyu, the Alien of Yancheng Mountain Island, the handsome cat, Mu Xue Shuyu, the Spiral Scroll, Yan Yiyue, the cold and quiet clay figurine, the good squirrel, please eat strawberries~, Yi Suyuan, Ayu is really c, Acial, the healing unicorn in the electric light, the love-powered unicorn x3
Lin Lingnuo, Babuzeer, Silver_w, Yang Rubing (whose true and false identities are mixed), and Song San, who loves terns, are all contributing their love-fueled efforts (2 x 1).
First Encounter with the Moon℡, Early Summer. Starry Sky, One Bite of Summer Oil Jie, ★★●, Misty Purple Cloud, Oh He Yi, Piano Lacquer Worker, Energetic Girl Zhuangzhuang, Yi Gu You Tai Du Wei, Username 30239160, Yi Fen, Porcelain Family's Little Rabbit, Countdown Two Days, I Don't Believe This Pen Name Can Still Exist, Sakurai Yuki, Utzon, Must Recommend Good Books, Vast Starry Sky (￣▽￣, Danling Who Loves to Eat Spicy Sea Snails, Su He's Gift of Powering with Love
Thank you for the gifts! The author is so touched! Kakashi is so happy he's chugging alcohol! U ′ ` U
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