Blame It All on Me. Part 1

Chapter 15. Foolish Boy

Kakashi stared at Kusuri in astonishment.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me right. The girl is not from our world."

"Which one then?"

"You say it as if we have a list of worlds with a detailed classification. Perhaps you would like me to show you on the map?" the kunoichi inquired sarcastically.

Kakashi was confused and drooped completely.

"I should have guessed it. At first she didn't understand anything and didn't say a word. Then she gradually began to understand us, but when she finally spoke herself, she babbled in an incomprehensible language... And then, suddenly, she started talking normally..." Kakashi blushed slightly, remembering the accompanying events.

He was silent for a while, and then thoughtfully continued:

"But now that I think of it... She constantly wrapped her clothes on the wrong side... Some other little things in her behaviour. At first I thought she was from some distant lands, but then she finally spoke our language, and completely fluently... But the main thing was that she complained about some mental pressure: she could not even sleep properly... Apparently, there was some kind of adaptation taking place..."

"Interesting. Looks like it... But I take it her memory didn't come back to her when you were with her?"

"It didn't, otherwise I wouldn't be bewildered here right now... She eventually managed to tell her name – Arina – which is also not too typical for us, if you think about it... But that's it. She could not explain who she was, where she came from, what happened to her, or how she ended up with this wound at all..."

"Well, I suppose it's all cleared up now... and she's remembered everything."

"I can understand her shock in this case... to find herself gods know where... with a vague prospect..." Kakashi paused contritely, but could not hold back the question he'd been asking himself for too long and that was literally tearing him apart from the inside: "But... why is she like this with me?.."

He fixed Kusuri with a look of pain.

Kusuri gazed back at him sympathetically. Behind the composed, at times cold and even ruthless exterior, a mere boy was hiding. Pained, foolish... and, it appeared, seriously in love.

"You really don't understand, Kakashi?"

He just frowned in puzzlement in response.

"As soon as she was able to speak properly, she accidentally let it slip that she liked me," he ruffled the back of his head in embarrassment and winced. "It was somewhat unexpected, but... mutual..."

He faltered completely.

Kusuri sighed wistfully. 'Yep, that's right.'

"I see... Kakashi, well, it's obvious that in 'that' world she already has someone very dear to her... As easy as that."

☙ ❦ ❧

Kakashi was sitting on the bed in his room, elbows on his knees, his head drooping. He was running his fingers through his hair and ruthlessly ruffling it, as he did only in moments of utter confusion.

How silly... just as they decided from the very beginning... How could he allow such a thing to happen – without knowing anything about this girl? He was saying something about Tekiro, but was he himself any better? Fell in love with this stranger so easily. Like a boy... A boy he was, as it turns out... a stupid, naive, inexperienced boy.

What else would you expect from a girl – they are, in general, affectionate creatures: a little care, consideration – and there you have it. Especially in her situation... But he... he, who has always been rightfully proud of his foresight, principles and adherence to the rules?.. But allow yourself to give in just a little – and welcome to a sobering slap.