Chapter 11: Secret Love
"See you tomorrow..."
Kakashi waved back as the slightly lazy words, tinged with the scent of alcohol, came from the girl's mouth.
Seeing that she was a bit tipsy, Kakashi had been a good guest and walked his 'sponsor' home.
The girl, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, tilted her head to watch the boy's retreating back. The light in her eyes danced, showing no sign of being tipsy at all.
She had to admit, she liked that guy, Kakashi, a little.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so proactive.
If she had to say when she started liking him...
Maybe it was when he was in the hospital, and he'd had that helpless smile when dealing with Might Guy.
Added to that was the resolute figure of Kakashi desperately trying to block the Bijūdama, and the 'genius' halo he'd always had.
And...
Kakashi was just really, really good-looking.
Just like sake, Kurenai Yuhi looked harmless on the outside, but her heart was fiery and proactive, and she was as stubborn as the drink itself.
No matter how much time passed, she would never give up on something she had decided, and her resolve would only grow stronger with time.
Just like sake, which only becomes more mellow with age.
[Emotional Flctuation from Kurenai Yuhi +1]
[Chakra +1%]
Kakashi's heart wasn't moved by the prompt.
Over the course of the meal, he realized that Kurenai's feelings for him probably weren't so simple.
But that sort of thing wasn't important to Kakashi.
Right now, the most important thing was to quickly improve his strength.
Kakashi wasn't naive enough to think that just by following the 'plot', everything would be fine and he could live a peaceful life.
The loss of the Kamui Mangekyō had already made the future uncertain.
In the future Fourth Shinobi World War, when he and Guy fought Obito Uchiha, who was controlling the six Tailed Beasts, Kamui had played a crucial role. It was also vital in the future fight against Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
It could be said that the steel rebar that pierced his eye didn't just pierce the Kamui Mangekyō.
It pierced the future of this world!
In any case, the current Kakashi had no interest in wasting energy on such matters.
It might be a bit heartless, but to the current Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi was just a temporary meal ticket.
It might sound self-important, but Kakashi needed to work hard to save the world!
"Kakashi!"
"You bastard!"
As Kakashi was walking home, a figure under a streetlight hurried towards him.
[Emotional Fluctuation from Asuma Sarutobi +1]
[Chakra +1%]
"You just came from Kurenai's, didn't you?"
The newcomer was none other than Kurenai Yuhi's future husband, Asuma Sarutobi.
Asuma got right in Kakashi's face, looking at him with envy.
"Ah. I ran into Kurenai on my way back from the Uchiha compound, so we had a meal together."
Kakashi felt a headache coming on, but he quickly and concisely explained that nothing had happened between him and Kurenai.
This guy had been chasing Kurenai since their Academy days.
Almost everyone knew.
"Is that all?"
Asuma had wanted to ask more, but Kakashi's next words stopped him.
"Yep, that's it."
"I was broke from having my sword forged, so Kurenai took pity on me and bought me dinner."
Kakashi looked at Asuma seriously.
He could tease Asuma a bit more to get an emotional fluctuation and some chakra, but Kakashi hated trouble.
He couldn't bring himself to intentionally mess with someone's sincere feelings for his own benefit.
Besides, he didn't dislike 'old Asuma' here. Kakashi preferred to let things happen naturally.
"Really?"
Asuma looked at Kakashi suspiciously, but his heart subconsciously relaxed.
"Really. I'm completely broke from forging the sword."
Kakashi was very honest about being poor.
So... for the sake of your love life, you should treat me to meals from now on.
"You're pretty blunt, you know. Fine, I'll treat you for a while."
"Don't go troubling Kurenai."
"She's a girl, after all."
Asuma's answer made Kakashi's eyes curve into crescents. He immediately clapped the guy on the shoulder.
"In that case, I won't be polite."
A sponsor is a sponsor.
This future couple... one of them has to feed me.
Besides, Asuma was the Sandaime Hokage's son. Money wasn't an issue for him.
"Hey, Kakashi..."
Asuma wasn't opposed to treating Kakashi, but he now had an awkward, fidgety look on his face, which Kakashi found a bit chilling.
"What is it?"
Kakashi subtly took a step back.
"W-well, do you know how to... win a girl's heart?"
"You've always been... pretty popular with girls..." Asuma stammered.
Ever since they were kids, Kakashi had been popular. Even during their brief time in the Academy, all the girls fawned over him.
And now, Kakashi had decided his mask was a nuisance and was walking around with his real face showing.
This made Asuma, who had a secret crush on Kurenai, extremely envious.
"Er..."
"This..."
Kakashi scratched his head, then looked Asuma over, and said with uncertainty:
"Could it be... because, Asuma..."
"...you're not as handsome as me?"
Kakashi's hesitant words made Asuma freeze.
With this face alone, if Kakashi just threw his morals out the window, he could live a very comfortable life.
But the truth Kakashi spoke was heartbreaking for Asuma.
If it were any other area, he could work hard. But in the 'looks' department, he was helpless!
But even so...
"Dammit! You think Kurenai is that shallow?!"
He, Asuma, would never give up!
"Of course Kurenai isn't like that."
Kakashi felt he had to speak up for his previous meal ticket.
"You'll just have to work hard, Asuma."
Patting Asuma's shoulder, Kakashi prepared to leave.
He'd had a long day.
Discharged from the hospital, paying respects at the grave, running into Obito, being questioned by the Hokage, arranging for his sword to be forged...
Kakashi was mentally exhausted and had no interest in giving Asuma relationship advice.
"Old Asuma, remember to bring breakfast to my place at 8 AM tomorrow."
Kakashi waved, not paying any mind to Asuma, who was still standing there racking his brain on how to win Kurenai's heart.
O-Old Asuma?
When did I get that nickname?
"Stop giving people nicknames, you bastard!" Asuma shouted at Kakashi's retreating back, jumping in frustration.