Aizawa and Itachi arrived at Aizawa's apartment, where Aizawa unlocked the door and they both stepped inside. Aizawa switched on the lights, revealing a modern and minimalist living space. The living room was bright, with large windows offering a view of the city. White floors and light-colored couches added to the airy feel, while a clear glass coffee table sat in the center of the room. A large flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall, surrounded by shelves displaying various pieces of art. A colorful rug provided a splash of color, and the soft lighting created a relaxing atmosphere.
"Make yourself at home," Aizawa said, gesturing for Itachi to come in further.
Itachi nodded and stepped inside. Aizawa then headed to his closet, retrieving a white T-shirt and black track pants. "First, you should freshen up," Aizawa continued as he handed the clothes to Itachi. "The bathroom is on the right."
Itachi nodded again and made his way to the bathroom. The bathroom was simple and clean, with a large, open shower and a freestanding bathtub in the center. The modern sink was mounted on the wall, and the bright room was lined with large white tiles, giving it a sleek and polished look.
"This is very different from what I've seen in pictures at the library," Itachi thought to himself as he closed the bathroom door behind him. He took his time in the bathtub, allowing the warm water to soothe him, and afterward, he changed into the white shirt and black tracks. His long hair was left loose and untied as he exited the bathroom, tying it back as he walked into the living room.
Aizawa, who was sitting on the sofa watching TV, glanced over at him. "All done?" he asked.
Itachi smiled and nodded. "Yes."
Aizawa stood up and mentioned, "I've ordered some food. It should arrive in a minute, so make yourself comfortable. After we eat, I'll have to go out on patrol."
"Hero work?" Itachi asked, curious.
Aizawa nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, but I'm not paid enough for this."
Itachi smiled softly and said, "Thank you, Aizawa-san."
Aizawa looked at him with a hint of curiosity, and Itachi continued, "There aren't many people who would help a stranger like me, especially one who doesn't remember anything. Yet, you're helping me. Thank you very much." He stood up and bowed in gratitude.
Aizawa smiled, a rare but genuine expression. "No need to worry, kid. Just relax."
Just then, the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of the food. "That must be it," Aizawa said. "Wait here; I'll get it."
Itachi nodded, and Aizawa went to the door, retrieving the food delivery. He brought it over to the dining table, placing the containers down before grabbing some plates. After serving food onto both of their plates, Aizawa invited Itachi to sit.
"Thank you for the food," Itachi said as they both sat down to eat.
They ate in comfortable silence, with Itachi feeling a sense of calm he hadn't felt in a long time. After a while, Itachi broke the silence, "Aizawa-san, I've never asked, but what is your quirk?"
Aizawa glanced at him, somewhat surprised by the question. "Why suddenly this interest?"
Itachi, still focused on his meal, explained, "I already know what your quirk is, but I'm curious about how you activate it. When I showed my quirk, your students mentioned that mine resembles yours."
Aizawa sighed and decided to demonstrate. He activated his quirk, and Itachi watched as Aizawa's eyes turned red, a clear sign of his Erasure ability. Itachi observed carefully, thinking, So this is what they were talking about. Now I understand why they said that.
Aizawa deactivated his quirk and asked, "What about you?"
Itachi nodded and activated his Sharingan. Aizawa's eyes widened slightly in surprise as he saw the unique pattern in Itachi's eyes, the three tomoe spinning in his irises. It's very similar to mine, Aizawa thought, but his eyes are unique—those three dots...
"How long can you keep it activated?" Aizawa asked.
"All day if I want to," Itachi replied calmly.
"That's impressive," Aizawa remarked. "I can only keep mine active for about 30 minutes before my eyes start to dry out."
Itachi nodded in understanding. After they finished eating, Itachi stood up and gathered the plates. "I can handle this much," he said, offering to wash the dishes.
Aizawa smiled and said, "As you wish."
While Itachi washed the dishes, Aizawa got ready, changing into his hero uniform. After a short while, Aizawa returned, fully dressed and ready for his patrol.
"You can sleep in that room," Aizawa said, pointing to a door down the hall. "Also, in three days, your hero test will be conducted. Make sure to come up with a hero name and design your costume by then, okay?"
Itachi nodded. "I will."
"Alright then," Aizawa said before heading out.
After Aizawa left, Itachi found himself alone in the apartment. He walked to the room Aizawa had pointed out and sat on the bed, lost in thought. I can't stay here forever, he mused. They say the hero world pays you. I'll earn some money, get a new home for myself… but first, I need to familiarize myself with the technology here. I'll have to find something I can understand.
Itachi sighed, resolving to ask Aizawa for help in learning about the technology of this world. As he lay down on the bed, he noticed how comfortable it was, a stark contrast to the many sleepless nights he'd endured in the past. Slowly, exhaustion took over, and he drifted off to sleep.
But peace did not come easily.
In his dream, he was back in the Uchiha compound, surrounded by the bodies of his fallen clan members. The night was eerily silent, save for the soft rustle of wind through the leaves. His mother's lifeless form lay before him, her face frozen in a final, tragic expression of shock. His father, too, lay still, his Sharingan eyes wide open in disbelief.
"Itachi, what have you done?"
The familiar voice of his father echoed through his mind, each word cutting deeper into his soul. Tears blurred his vision as he surveyed the devastation around him. The overwhelming guilt and despair surged through him, suffocating in its intensity. He remembered the choice he had made, the burden he had taken upon himself, and the cost of that decision. He had betrayed his own clan, slaughtered them in the name of peace, and now he was left with the aftermath of that choice.
Suddenly, a voice called out behind him, filled with a mixture of anger and sorrow. "Itachi, why?"
Itachi turned, his heart clenching as he saw his younger brother, Sasuke, standing there. The pain in Sasuke's eyes was palpable, his expression a blend of confusion and rage. "Why did you kill them? Why did you do this?"
Itachi's throat tightened, and he struggled to find the words. He knew that no explanation could ever be enough, that Sasuke would never truly understand or forgive him. "Sasuke, I did it to protect you," he choked out, his voice trembling with emotion. "I did it to protect Konoha."
But Sasuke's expression hardened, his young face twisted with fury and betrayal. "You're a liar!" he screamed. "You betrayed your own clan, your own family. You're nothing but a murderer!"
The words struck Itachi like a physical blow, reverberating through his entire being. He wanted to reach out to his brother, to somehow make him understand, but he knew it was futile. The distance between them was too great, the pain too deep.
With a sudden jolt, Itachi awoke, gasping for breath. His heart pounded in his chest, and his face was wet with tears. He sat up in bed, his breathing ragged, as the remnants of the nightmare clung to him like a heavy shroud. The weight of his choices, the consequences of his actions—they haunted him, even in sleep.
Itachi wiped the tears from his face, his resolve hardening. The past was something he could never escape, but he had to find a way to live with it. He was in a new world now, with new challenges, and he would do whatever it took to keep moving forward. But the ghosts of his past would always be there, lurking in the shadows, a reminder of the price he had paid.
Itachi glanced at the clock and saw that it was 4 o'clock. He stood up, still feeling the remnants of his nightmare clinging to him, and walked over to the table where a jug of water and a glass were placed. He poured himself a glass, took a slow sip, and sighed deeply. "Sometimes the past haunts me for the rest of my life," he muttered to himself, feeling the weight of his memories pressing down on him.
After sitting in silence for a while, letting his mind settle, Itachi decided to shift his focus. He needed to come up with a hero name and design his hero costume for the upcoming test. Returning to his room, he sat at his desk, where a plain notebook and a pen awaited him. Opening the notebook, he began to sketch, his mind envisioning a costume that combined his traditional Anbu attire with modern elements.
He drew a dark blue, high-collared shirt as the base layer, overlaid with a light beige tactical vest that had various straps and attachments for utility. For the lower body, he envisioned loose-fitting dark blue cargo pants, reminiscent of traditional ninja garb but with a contemporary twist. He added white leg wrappings above black high-top sneakers to maintain a sense of tradition while incorporating practicality. The design also included several ninja-inspired accessories: a long sword strapped to his back, a white smiley-face mask hanging from his vest, and the Uchiha clan symbol proudly displayed on the upper sleeve.
Looking at the completed sketch, Itachi smiled, satisfied with the balance of his heritage and the new world he found himself in. "It looks good, I guess," he murmured, pleased with his creation.
Next, he turned his attention to choosing a hero name. His eyes wandered around the room and landed on a book titled "Greek Mythology," lying beside his desk. Intrigued, he picked it up and began to leaf through its pages. As he read the description of the Greek god Zeus, one word caught his eye: "Aegis." The word was associated with protection, as it referred to the shield or breastplate of Zeus, often depicted as a goatskin. The idea of a name symbolizing protection resonated with Itachi, given his own past and the choices he had made.
"Aegis..." Itachi repeated the word, testing how it sounded. He liked it—strong, protective, and fitting for his new role as a hero. He decided then and there that his hero name would be "Aegis." Writing it at the top of the page, he smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction and determination.
As Itachi checked the time, nearing 5 o'clock, he heard footsteps approaching. He turned to see Aizawa, dressed in a black T-shirt and black shorts, his hair frizzy from sleep. "What are you doing up at this hour? It's still 5 o'clock in the morning," Aizawa said, his voice groggy.
Itachi immediately bowed, apologizing, "I'm sorry, Aizawa-san. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to work on my hero costume and name."
Aizawa looked at him, curious. "So, you completed them?"
Itachi nodded and handed him the notebook. Aizawa flipped through the sketches and nodded in approval. "It's simple but nice. A good choice. And the name 'Aegis'—meaning protection and sponsorship—suits you well."
Itachi smiled, explaining, "I thought a short name would be easy for people to remember, and I like the sound of it."
Aizawa returned the smile. "I agree. It's a solid name. But I noticed you don't have any gadgets in your design."
Itachi admitted, "I'm not very good with technology."
Aizawa sighed, somewhat surprised. "A young person like you? Well, I'll teach you the basics—how to make phone calls, emergency numbers, and how to operate a television, okay?"
Itachi nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Aizawa-san."
Aizawa then asked, "So, would you like to go to the gym, or stay here and rest?"
Itachi gave him a puzzled look. "Gym?"
Aizawa chuckled. "You don't know what a gym is?"
Itachi shook his head, and Aizawa sighed again. "A gym is where people use equipment to exercise."
Understanding now, Itachi replied, "Ah, now I understand. But do you want to go? I would love to, but it might cost you, so it's okay."
Aizawa shook his head. "No need to worry. I know someone who is a gym freak and she might help you out."
Itachi looked at him with a mix of curiosity and concern. "She?"
Seeing Itachi's reaction, Aizawa grinned. "Are you scared it might be Midnight?"
Itachi blushed slightly, looking uncomfortable. "Not scared, just... uncomfortable."
Aizawa chuckled. "No, not Midnight. She's a new hero. Her name is Rumi Usagiyama, but she goes by Mirko. It's her personal gym, and she might let you in."
Itachi nodded, feeling a bit relieved. Aizawa pulled out his phone and made the call. "Mirko, are you at the gym? I've got someone who wants to work out his name is Itachi Uchiha, so I was hoping you could help him out... No, no, he's not a pervert, I assure you."
Itachi, overhearing the conversation, sweatdropped, feeling a bit awkward.
Aizawa continued, "Yes, okay... Thanks," and hung up. Turning back to Itachi, he nodded. "She's expecting you."
Itachi smiled and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Aizawa-san."
Aizawa gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "No problem, kid. Let's get you ready for that hero test."
Itachi nodded, accepting the gym bag from Aizawa. He opened it and found a pair of shoes, a towel, and an empty water bottle. "Thank you," Itachi said, grateful for the preparation.
Aizawa then went into another room and returned with a blank gray stringer and a pair of black shorts. He placed them in the bag as well. "Wear these when you work out, okay?"
Itachi nodded again, appreciating Aizawa's thoughtfulness. "Thank you. So, where exactly am I headed?"
Aizawa smirked slightly. "Here's a task for you—take a taxi from here. You know what a taxi is, right?"
Itachi nodded. "A yellow vehicle."
"Exactly. Just wave at them, and they'll stop. Then tell the driver to take you to Rabbit Fitness Center in downtown, just two blocks east of U.A. High School, near the Tatooin Station."
"Rabbit Fitness?" Itachi repeated, a bit puzzled.
"Yeah, because she's... a rabbit," Aizawa said, knowing Itachi might be confused by the name.
Itachi pieced it together, assuming Rumi Usagiyama's quirk might involve a rabbit's traits. Aizawa handed him some cash. "Take this," he said, giving Itachi 1000 yen.
Itachi looked at the money, surprised. "This is a lot."
"I know, but it's okay for one day. After that, you can tell her that you'll pick and drop me off for a while," Aizawa replied with a small grin.
"I'll see if she accepts," Itachi said, accepting the money.
"Just mention my name," Aizawa added.
Itachi nodded. "Alright, I'll leave now."
Before heading out, Itachi stopped at the door, turned around, and bowed to Aizawa in gratitude. Then, he stepped out into the early morning, ready to take on this new experience.
Aizawa watched him go, a small smile on his face. "This kid..." he muttered to himself before getting back to his own work.
As Itachi made his way down the stairs and out onto the street, he saw a yellow car parked nearby. He waved at it, and the driver rolled down the window. "Get in," the driver said.
Itachi got into the taxi and calmly instructed, "Rabbit Fitness Center in downtown, just two blocks east of U.A. High School, near the Tatooin Station."
The driver nodded and started the car, heading toward Itachi's destination.
As Itachi settled into the taxi, his mind wandered, thinking about how Aizawa was taking care of him as if he were his younger brother. A sad expression crossed his face as he imagined Aizawa in his place, being the older brother Sasuke needed. He sighed, lost in thought.
"Sir, we've reached your destination," the driver said, breaking Itachi out of his reverie.
Itachi blinked, realizing they had arrived. "Oh, we've arrived?" he asked.
The driver nodded. "Yes, sir. That'll be 70 yen."
Itachi handed over a 1000 yen note and, seeing the driver's hesitation, said, "I don't have any change."
The driver quickly made change, which Itachi counted to confirm, then got out of the car. "Thank you, sir," he said politely.
The driver smiled back. "Have a good day, sir." With that, the taxi drove off, leaving Itachi standing in front of the Rabbit Fitness Center.
Itachi looked up at the sign and walked toward the entrance, hearing loud music booming from inside. He knocked on the door but got no response, realizing the music might be too loud for anyone to hear him. Deciding to enter, he carefully opened the door and stepped inside, apologizing as he did.
Inside, he saw a woman, who appeared to be in her prime or slightly older, performing a barbell deadlift. Itachi estimated the weight to be around 180-200 kg, a considerable load for most people. He was impressed by her strength.
As she finished her set, she noticed Itachi standing there and turned to face him. He immediately bowed as she lowered the volume of the music.
"Yes?" she said, looking at him curiously.
Itachi observed her carefully. She was wearing a seamless crop top and seamless shorts. She was a mature, tan-skinned woman with a muscular build, narrow red eyes, and straight white hair that reached her thighs, with bangs that fell to the left of her face. Her most distinctive features were her long white rabbit ears that stood upright above her head and a small, white, round tail, giving her the appearance of an albino rabbit.
Itachi bowed again. "I am Itachi Uchiha."
Rumi, noticing his formality and observing his physique, wondered if he could handle the intensity of her gym. She sighed, slightly frustrated. "So, you're the one," she said. "You know who I am, right?"
"Aizawa-san told me your name is Rumi Usagiyama, and your hero name is Mirko."
Rumi nodded, impressed that he knew her hero name. "First time in a gym?"
She directed his attention to a treadmill. "Warm up first. See that machine?"
Itachi nodded again, recognizing the treadmill. Rumi, with a sly grin, instructed, "Run 10 miles on that."
Itachi agreed without hesitation and walked over to the treadmill. "How do I start it, Usagiyama-san?" he asked.
She sighed, walked over, and pressed the button to start the machine. Itachi began jogging, and Rumi watched him carefully, thinking to herself, *Let's see how long you last.*
To her surprise, Itachi completed the 10 miles without even breaking a sweat. Rumi's eyes widened in disbelief. She had clearly underestimated him.
"Do you need a break?" she asked, somewhat amazed.
Itachi shook his head. "This was nothing. It was pretty slow for me."
Rumi grinned, a competitive spirit rising within her. "Alright, let's move on to deadlifts."
She demonstrated the proper form and technique for deadlifting, using a 200 kg weight. After setting it down, she reduced the weight to 80 kg for Itachi. "Start with this," she instructed.
Itachi copied her movements perfectly, lifting the weight with ease. Rumi watched in surprise as he performed 10 reps without any sign of struggle.
"Okay, stop there and put it back," she said, impressed.
Itachi complied, and Rumi could see that he still wasn't tired. "Now what?" he asked, eager to continue.
Rumi grinned, realizing that simple exercises weren't going to challenge him. "How about pull-ups?"
"I know how to do those," Itachi responded.
"Good. We have two bars here. Let's do them together, then we'll stretch," Rumi suggested.
They both grabbed hold of the bars and began their pull-up routine. Rumi watched Itachi closely, noticing how he performed each pull-up with perfect form, making it look effortless. They continued, reaching 100 pull-ups, with neither showing signs of fatigue.
As they approached 900 pull-ups, both were starting to feel the burn. Itachi and Rumi finally jumped down from the bars, their hands numb from the exertion. Rumi, glancing at Itachi's hands, noticed his veins bulging and thought to herself, *I shouldn't have underestimated him. He's crazy—I was tired at 890, but he kept going, so I pushed myself too.*
Itachi looked at Rumi, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and asked, "What's next?"
Rumi grinned, "Now we stretch."
Itachi nodded, and Rumi led him through a series of stretches. They started with a Buttock Stretch, holding it for 10 to 15 seconds. Next was the Inner Thigh Stretch, also held for 10 to 15 seconds. They followed with the Puppy Pose, holding it for 15 to 20 seconds, and finished with a Chest Stretch, holding it for at least 30 seconds.
After finishing the stretches, they both sat down to rest for a moment. Itachi, feeling refreshed, said, "Thank you, Usagiyama-san. That felt good."
Rumi smiled, "Yeah, I know, right?" She looked at him curiously and asked, "So, what are you up to next?"
Itachi replied, "I'll be taking the hero exam in two days."
Rumi grinned, "So, you're aiming to become a hero, huh?"
Itachi nodded, "Yes."
Rumi asked, "What's your quirk?"
"It's illusion," Itachi responded.
Rumi's eyes lit up, "That's a great quirk. And with your athleticism, you're off to a good start."
"Thank you, Usagiyama-san. But you're amazing too, lifting 200 kg like that," Itachi said, impressed.
Rumi chuckled, "That's because I have a mutation quirk."
Itachi nodded, then Rumi asked, "So, where are you living?"
"I'm staying with Aizawa-san," Itachi replied.
Rumi looked a bit surprised, "Are you related?"
Itachi shook his head, "Not really. I somehow ended up in the hospital after getting beaten up, and Aizawa-san helped me out. He even offered me shelter because he saw potential in me."
Rumi smiled warmly, "Yeah, he's that kind of person."
Itachi nodded with a soft smile. Rumi then asked, "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"
"Twenty-four," Itachi answered.
Rumi looked surprised, "Wow, I thought you were 19 or 20."
"Do I look that young?" Itachi asked, slightly amused.
Rumi nodded, "Yeah, you do."
Itachi hesitated for a moment before speaking again, "Um, can you pick me up from home and take me to the gym?"
Rumi raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"
Itachi, a bit nervous, explained, "Aizawa-san told me to ask if you could pick and drop me off, and I apologize for the trouble, Usagiyama-san." He bowed politely.
Rumi looked at him, her expression softening. She smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. I'll do it."
Itachi nodded, relieved, and smiled back, "Thank you."
Rumi chuckled, "No need to thank me. I'm doing this because you're not a pervert, that's all."
Itachi smiled and nodded. Just then, Rumi's phone rang. She looked at the screen and saw it was Aizawa calling. She picked up, "Hello, Aizawa-san. How was the gym?"
Aizawa's voice came through, "Better than I expected. I have a request for you."
Rumi smiled, already guessing, "You want me to pick him up and drop him off, right?"
Aizawa surprised her by saying, "No, not that."
Rumi raised an eyebrow, "Then what?"
Aizawa continued, "I want you to train him for the Hero exam."
Rumi looked at Itachi, a grin spreading across her face. "No problem. How about he stays with me until then?"
Aizawa sounded surprised, "What?"
Rumi reassured him, "Yeah, don't worry, I won't do anything. And besides, I think Uchiha-san isn't that kind of person."
Aizawa hesitated before saying, "Okay, if he agrees."
Rumi glanced at Itachi, who looked wide-eyed at the sudden decision. She smiled at him and said into the phone, "He agrees."
Before Itachi could protest, Rumi hung up. She turned to him, "So, let's go home."
Itachi, still processing everything, asked, "Why is everyone helping me?"
Rumi smiled warmly, "Because you're a good person."
Itachi shook his head, "You don't know me. I've only been here for like an hour. What if I had bad intentions or—what if I was just eyeing you?"
Rumi looked at him, her expression serious but kind. "Why are you so hard on yourself?" She patted his shoulder and added with a grin, "And if you do try anything, I'll kick your ass."
Itachi looked at Rumi, noticing her playful smile. Something stirred in his heart, a feeling he couldn't quite explain. He thought to himself, *She doesn't know about my past. If I told her, she would judge me.* His smile faltered, turning sad as he responded quietly, "Okay."
Rumi noticed the shift in Itachi's expression and raised an eyebrow, sensing the weight of his unspoken thoughts. But instead of pressing him, she kept her tone light and reassuring.
"Hey, don't worry about it," she said, giving him a gentle nudge on the shoulder. "We all have things we're not proud of, but that doesn't mean we can't move forward. You're here now, and that's what matters."
Itachi looked at her, surprised by her words. Her confidence and acceptance of him, despite knowing so little about his past, caught him off guard. It wasn't something he was used to. In his world, the burden of his past had always been heavy, something he carried alone.
"Thanks, Usagiyama-san," he finally said, his voice soft but sincere.
Rumi grinned. "No need to be so formal, just call me Rumi. And I mean it—no more of this self-doubt. You've got a hero exam to pass and some serious training to do, so let's focus on that."
Itachi nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. Maybe, just maybe, he could start anew here. "Alright… Rumi."
"That's the spirit!" she said with a laugh. "Now let's get you settled. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."
As they left the gym together, Itachi found himself silently grateful for Rumi's unexpected kindness. Though his past would always be a part of him, perhaps in this new world, he could find a way to live without it defining his every moment.
Itachi followed Rumi out of the gym, his thoughts still lingering on the conversation they'd just had. The sunlight outside was bright, contrasting with the weight of the emotions he was trying to process. Rumi led the way with her usual confident stride, and as they walked, Itachi found himself appreciating her straightforwardness. There was something refreshing about how she didn't pry or judge, simply accepting him for who he was in the moment.
"How far is your place?" Itachi asked, trying to focus on the present.
"Not too far," Rumi replied, glancing back at him with a smile. "It's just a short walk from here. Good for cooling down after a workout."
They continued walking, the city around them gradually waking up with the morning hustle. Itachi noticed the people they passed—ordinary civilians, some of whom glanced at Rumi with recognition and admiration. She seemed used to it, unfazed by the attention.
"Do you always train this hard?" Itachi asked, curious about her routine.
"Pretty much," Rumi said with a chuckle. "Gotta stay in top shape if I want to keep up with the best. But it's not just about strength. It's about pushing yourself past your limits, testing what you're really made of."
Itachi nodded, understanding the sentiment all too well. "It's a good philosophy."
"Yeah, and from what I've seen, you've got the potential to go far," Rumi said, her tone genuine. "But you've also got to take care of yourself, you know? You can't keep carrying everything on your own shoulders."
Itachi looked at her, surprised by her insight. "What do you mean?"
Rumi stopped walking and turned to face him. "I don't know much about your past, but I can tell you've been through some stuff. You've got this… weight about you, like you're always thinking ten steps ahead, worried about what's coming next. But you're not alone here, okay? You've got people willing to help you out. You've got me, Aizawa, and who knows who else. So let us."
Her words struck a chord with Itachi. He had spent so much of his life in isolation, driven by a sense of duty and burdened by his choices. The idea of letting others in, of sharing that weight, was foreign to him—but maybe it was something he needed to learn.
"I'll try," he said quietly, not entirely convinced but willing to consider the possibility.
"That's all I ask," Rumi replied with a grin, clapping him on the back. "Now, let's get home and eat something. I'm starving!"
Itachi managed a small smile, feeling a strange warmth in her words. They continued walking, and soon enough, they arrived at Rumi's place—a modest apartment that reflected her no-nonsense personality. She led him inside, and Itachi was greeted by a space that was clean and organized, yet filled with the energy of someone who lived life to the fullest.
"Make yourself at home," Rumi said, tossing her gym bag into a corner. "I'll whip up something quick. You like eggs?"
"Yes, that would be fine," Itachi replied, taking a seat at the small dining table. He watched as Rumi moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, her movements fluid and confident.
As she cooked, Itachi allowed himself to relax a little. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of normalcy creeping in—a strange, yet comforting feeling. Maybe this new world held more for him than he'd initially thought. Maybe, just maybe, he could start to let go of the past and embrace the future, whatever it might hold.