Chapter 16
Kakashi and Ayaka sat on their separate beds, a silent tension hanging between them. Kakashi was by the window, Ayaka against the wall; both refusing to speak after their earlier, rather childish, dispute over the bed by the window—a contest Kakashi had won with a simple game of rock-paper-scissors.
"A-Ayaka," Kakashi called out tentatively.
"Hmm?" she replied, her voice flat.
"Do you think Yaze was able to defeat that demon?" Kakashi asked, trying to break the silence.
"Of course, Yaze-sensei is the strongest supernatural in the academy," Ayaka said, turning to face him. "But I'm worried about something else."
"What?"
"Don't you think that demon was a little too fixated on you?" she said, her tone serious.
"What do you mean by that?"
"The demon spoke to you as if you'd met before; he even knew your name," Ayaka pointed out.
"I guess you're right," Kakashi sighed. "According to Hinata's story, the demon made a pact with Tomura. Maybe one of his previous hosts knows me. That must mean someone else survived during the building collapse."
"There's no need to worry about it; after all, if the demon fought Yaze-sensei, then he's already dead," Ayaka said dismissively.
Kakashi's mind flashed back to a disturbing image from his dream.
"Ayaka, I want to ask you something," Kakashi said, moving slightly closer.
"If it's anything about my ears or tail, then forget it. The answer is no," Ayaka replied, moving away.
"What?! No. I'm serious right now," Kakashi insisted. "It's just that…I had a really weird dream, and I wanted to ask you about it."
"I'm a goddess, not a dream interpreter," Ayaka retorted sarcastically.
"No one cares about you being a goddess! Can you at least answer my question first?!" Kakashi snapped. "I had a dream last night about both of us. The funny part is that I haven't met you before then, but I saw someone just like you…"
"Look at the time; I better start preparing dinner!" Ayaka quickly interrupted, standing and heading for the kitchen.
The truth was, Ayaka had also had the same dream—a recurring dream since she first awakened her powers. Her mother had told her it was from a past life and that she should search for him. She hadn't dreamt of it since until last night, and when she woke up, she had seen the person from her dream right in front of her.
She had decided to act nonchalant, but she hadn't expected Kakashi to have the same dream.
If he's that person in my dream, then that means he's… Ayaka thought, shaking her head to push the thought away.
Kakashi glanced at the wall clock, counting the time. The analog clock face, displaying Roman numerals, was a little confusing to him.
"It's just 5:30," he muttered.
"I need to prepare early, so you should leave," Ayaka called from the kitchen.
"Leave?! But this is also my room!" Kakashi protested, trying to sound innocent. He had been told not to pry into her past, but he didn't understand why she was so angry about his dream.
"I like to be alone when cooking. My mother once said if a man watches me cook, he might find me attractive," Ayaka explained, her voice tight with irritation.
"What?! Why would your mom say something like that?" Kakashi asked, genuinely perplexed.
"Just leave!" Ayaka shouted, pushing him out of the room.
"Okay, okay, I'm going," Kakashi surrendered and backed out.
What's her deal now? That lady from this morning said she was going to make something special for me, Kakashi thought, referring to Kurumi's earlier invitation.
"Hey, Ayaka!" Kakashi knocked on the door, but she didn't answer.
"I said leave!" Ayaka yelled from inside.
Kakashi sighed and walked away dejectedly.
…
…
…
"Was it 30-something? She said something like 30…6. That's it!" Kakashi stopped in front of a room and gently knocked. "Umm, hello. Is anybody in? What was her name again? I'm sure it starts with a C, or is it a K. Kuru…Hey, are you in there?!"
He knocked harder, but there was no response.
"I'm coming in…"
He opened the door and stepped inside, only to find a young girl with white and blue hair putting on her shirt.
The girl stopped and turned.
"Do strangers need something from Origami?" she asked, her expression blank.
"I umm…I…I…" Kakashi stammered, a nosebleed suddenly erupting.
"Kakashi, right?" she said, without waiting for a reply. "Big sister Kurumi is on the roof; stairs at the end of the hallway."
"Thanks, and I'm so sorry!" Kakashi apologized profusely and slammed the door shut.
The girl watched him leave, her expression unchanged. "Origami wonders why the stranger was so flustered," she said to herself. "Oh, Origami forgot to put on Origami's clothes."
…
…
…
"What the hell was that?!" Kakashi exclaimed, wiping his nose while hurrying towards the staircase. "The bleeding won't stop no matter how hard I wipe it. She wasn't even ashamed. I guess it was my fault for opening the door, but she should at least have said something!"
He reached the roof and approached the steel railing.
"Then again, I can't stop myself from thinking about it," he muttered.
"Thinking about what?" a voice echoed from behind. Kakashi turned to see Kurumi sitting on the water tank.
"I-it's nothing," he stammered.
Kurumi jumped down, landing gracefully in front of him.
"Did you go to my room?" Kurumi asked, her eyes searching his.
"Yeah," Kakashi admitted.
"That means you saw her naked, right?" Kurumi asked, her gaze intense.
"Yes, but how did you know that?" Kakashi replied truthfully.
"Hmm…" Kurumi leaned forward, her hands resting on her back, her long brown hair shifting to reveal her bright eyes. "You're bleeding, and it's kinda a special skill of hers."
"Oh, that. It's nothing," Kakashi tried to wipe it away, but Kurumi stopped him.
"Let me handle it," she said softly, leaning closer until he could feel her breath on his face.
"What are you trying to do?" Kakashi pulled back, wiping his nose himself. The bleeding stopped.
"Just wanted to help you clean it up," Kurumi said, a friendly smile on her face.
"For a moment, it looked like you wanted to lick…Just forget it," Kakashi replied, slightly embarrassed. "So, why did you tell me to meet you in your room when you're going to be here?"
"I said tonight; it's just 5:42 pm. And I happened to finish earlier than I thought, so I decided to wait here because I know you'll also be here earlier than expected," Kurumi explained, pulling out a lunch box she'd been hiding. "I got you something."
"O…kay," Kakashi said, taking the lunch box.
"Why don't we sit down?" Kurumi suggested, pointing to a bench.
They sat, and Kurumi opened the lunch box.
"I said I don't like rice, especially rice balls," Kakashi complained as soon as he saw the contents—various dishes all made with rice.
"You should at least try it; I worked hard to make it perfect," Kurumi pouted.
"…Okay…" Kakashi took a bite of the onigiri (rice ball). "It's…actually good!"
"Then you should try the curry rice," Kurumi said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Kakashi tried the curry rice, then the mochi (sticky rice).
"…I haven't eaten that much in a long time," Kakashi said, resting his head against the wall. "But why would you do this for me?"
"I just don't want you to be sad," Kurumi smiled, gently pulling his head into her lap. "I will always be here for you."
Kakashi didn't know how to respond, but he felt the sincerity in her words.
"Thanks," he mumbled.
"I'm Kurumi Yamikaze," she said, playing with his hair.
"What?"
"I didn't introduce myself properly before," Kurumi explained, her voice soft.
"Oh," Kakashi replied. "Kakashi Yami."
Kurumi giggled. "What?"
"It tickles when you talk like that," Kakashi said, a smile finally breaking through his weariness.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!"
"Don't be," Kurumi replied, a knowing look in her eyes. _Kakashi Yami, I finally found you._