At this very moment, a ridiculous charade is playing out that nobody knows.

"You only had a small portion." Kakashi gives Sakura another eye-smile from across the tiny kitchen table. He still has his mask on, but the food on his plate mysteriously vanishes without a trace, bit by bit, each time she looks away. "Don't feel shy. Get as much as you want."

"I don't want to impose! And I'm- I'm grateful for the food!" Sakura serves herself a second, even smaller portion than before to placate him.

By all appearances, this late dinner greatly resembles a scene out of a romantic comedy.

And if Sakura is the heroine, then it's only fair to assume that Kakashi is her partner.

But Sakura does not dare to hope.

This dinner feels more like a deadly trap, ready to spring once she lets her guard down. Just thinking about it is stressing her out.

"Is that so?"

Her skin prickles slightly under his lazy scrutiny.

"You're sweet, Sakura."

He is still smiling at her. Her jaw drops.

"T-thank you."

Outwards, the medic is the very picture of calm. Inside however, she is torn between squealing with girlish delight at his sudden praise and screaming in unholy terror. There has to be some kind of catch to all this.

Be careful, Sakura! There's no telling what he plans to do...

Her lingering crush on the older man notwithstanding, of course.

"I couldn't help but overhear from your friends that you're applying for a jounin instructor position."

Kakashi continues to talk casually after dinner.

"How is that going for you, Sakura?"

Sakura feels even more freaked out than ever before. His question is perfectly normal and polite.

Just idle conversation between two friendly roommates lounging in the living room.

Which makes the situation utterly surreal because they certainly aren't on friendly terms. They're more like two shinobi who can't stand to be around each other, but endure it for the sake of harmony.

"I've already been rejected," Sakura admits, coffee cup in hand. "But I won't give up! If I really can't get the job now, then there is always a next time."

"Hmmm. You sound like you really want it."

"Yes... I've always wanted to teach."

"But not at the academy?"

"I've tried to, but I just can't hold that position for long. In between my duties at the hospital and at Administration, I wouldn't be able to focus enough energy on teaching such a huge group of students for six years."

Sakura steals a glance at her senior. His Icha Icha Paradise is nowhere to be seen, and he looks relaxed in his seat on the couch. Almost overly so.

Or maybe she's just projecting?

"I'm sorry about dinner, I don't usually make dishes with such meager ingredients. I rushed it."

Kakashi easily turns his head and meets Sakura's gaze.

After six seconds, she finally realizes that he is waiting for a response.

"O-oh! It's fine, I really enjoyed it! I'm honored to be able to eat your cooking!"

"Really?"

"Definitely!"

"Then, next time I'll make something even more delicious. Today doesn't count, alright?"

What.

Kakashi gracefully slips off the couch onto his feet. If he sees her astonishment, he pays it no heed.

"I have to go. It was nice talking to you, Sakura."

"O-okay. Um. Goodbye!"

In the next minute, he is gone and all is silent.

Poor Sakura's head is still spinning from the turn of events.

Kakashi always goes out the window, leaving her behind in their shared apartment, never to return until some time tomorrow.

But for some reason, this feels very different than what she knows.

And nothing will ever be the same again.

.

.

.

.

"Congratulations."

The very next day, Iruka holds out a thick envelope full of forms towards Sakura.

"Your jounin instructor application was just accepted earlier this morning. So make sure to work extra hard, Sakura-sensei."

"What did you just say?!" Sakura gasps.