Chương 34: fake smile
Saya Takagi, her iconic twin ponytails swaying with each step, strolled through the corridor during the lunch break. The faint chatter of students filled the air, but she tuned it out, lost in her own thoughts.
Hmph, everyone wants to be my friend... for appearances, she scoffed inwardly. All they see is my family's name and power, not my intelligence.
She walked toward the corridor where the underclassmen usually gathered, but today it was eerily quiet due to a class trip. The emptiness suited her mood, giving her a moment of reprieve from the daily charade.
Do they really think I can't see through their tricks? she mused, her lips curling into a mocking smile. Fake smiles, forced laughs they're all so obvious.
Stopping by the window, she gazed out at the school grounds. A group of students played soccer, their carefree laughter reaching her ears. It felt alien to her a world she couldn't be a part of.
If only they knew... Her expression darkened as her thoughts shifted to her father. His cold, calculating gaze haunted her memories. How he treats me like a tool for his plans. Even my achievements aren't enough for him.
Her hand gripped the windowsill tightly, knuckles turning white.
"Saya Takagi, the genius daughter," she muttered bitterly under her breath. "All brains, no emotions. Isn't that what they think?"
Shaking her head, she straightened her posture, her usual confident demeanor returning. Let them think what they want. I'll show them all one day.
The voice pulled Saya from her thoughts, sharp and unfamiliar.
"Hey, what are you doing alone here?"
Turning around, Saya's eyes landed on a boy with silver spiky hair and a mask covering half his face. Her gaze immediately narrowed.
"Who are you?" she asked, wasting no time on pleasantries.
He's not from the school, Saya concluded almost instantly. His unusual hair was enough of a giveaway she would have remembered if there were someone like him here.
"You seem sad," the boy said, his tone oddly soft, almost empathetic. It threw her off guard.
"What?" Saya blinked, confused by the unexpected comment. Who does he think he is, psychoanalyzing me?
Leaving Saeko's house early night, Kakashi embarked on what he considered essential "looting." Starting with furniture stores for basics, then moving on to groceries and electronics, he methodically cleared out one shop after another.
Of course, he didn't leave a trail. The cameras at each location captured a convincing illusion of Hiruzen Sarutobi, an old man wandering aimlessly, before Kakashi destroyed the footage. A little misdirection worked wonders.
By the time he finished, Kakashi had also spent hours honing his assimilation with Daredevil's abilities, sharpening his heightened senses. Now, his focus turned to more interesting targets like Saya.
Saya folded her arms, clearly unimpressed by Kakashi's statement. Change the subject all you want, but it's not working on me.
"You didn't answer my question," she pressed.
"Ah, that." Kakashi shrugged casually. "I'm a tourist."
A tourist? Saya raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over her face. In a school?
Kakashi's visible eye crinkled with amusement. "Your turn. Are you sad?"
Saya froze, thrown off by the abrupt question. Quickly regaining her composure, she shook her head firmly. "No, I'm not."
Her voice was steady, but Kakashi could see right through her.
"You're lying," he said, his tone calm but knowing. A small, playful smile tugged at his lips.
Saya's brows furrowed, her irritation growing. "What makes you think you know me well enough to say that?"
Kakashi didn't answer immediately. He didn't need to. He'd already glimpsed her life her strained relationship with her father, her suspicions about his infidelity, and her mother's quiet acceptance of it all. He saw how her father groomed her, not as a beloved daughter, but as a tool for future alliances.
"You're right about that, my bad," Kakashi said with a slight shrug, his tone almost apologetic, as if he had just made some terrible mistake.
Before Saya could respond, he continued, "Looks like it's time for class. You should head back."
With that, he turned on his heel, leaving her standing in the empty corridor.
Weird guy, Saya muttered, watching his retreating figure. With a sigh, she turned and started walking toward her classroom.
Then, his voice called out behind her. "Hey, one more thing. Good luck in Konoha."
"What?" Saya spun around, her brows furrowed in confusion. But there was no one there.
The hallway was empty, silent. Her eyes darted to the windows, down toward the courtyard below. The doors were still locked. There was no sign of him.
"Where the hell did he go?" she whispered, her frustration mounting.
As she walked back to class, her thoughts swirled. Was I dreaming? she wondered. But she knew she wasn't.
And then, almost involuntarily, she muttered aloud, "What the hell is Konoha?"
Looking at her retreating figure, Kakashi smirked, effortlessly clinging to the ceiling upside down, hidden from view. "Of course, in your dream," he muttered to himself, amused by her confusion.
He watched for a moment longer before flipping silently onto the floor. His expression turned contemplative. Time to repeat the experiment. Let's see if the results differ from the previous one .
With a slight shift in his stance, Kakashi vanished from the hallway, his movements swift and soundless as he disappeared into the shadows, leaving no trace of his presence.
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Author's pov
Things he should take back with him.
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