𝚎𝚌𝚕𝚒𝚙𝚜𝚎

getting used to it

A/N: I wanna sleep but I'll only wake up to more responsibilities

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As we drove, the anxious feeling never left. Unrecognizable music played as the old man told me about himself.

He was an independent author of a book series which he would not name. I learned some of his hobbies, too: soaking in public baths, organizing his scroll collection, and drinking sake.

It wasn't interesting, but it was better than telling him about me. I'm sure he could read that much from my body language, and so he made no attempts to ask me things during the whole trip.

After a while there was a semi-comfortable silence, and Jiraiya turned the music up. I focused on the melody as I drifted to sleep.

***

"Psst."

I groaned and shifted in my seat. What's on my face?

"Kid. Wake up."

I scowled. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes to see Jiraiya, his finger extended, poking my cheek. I raised my eyebrow.

"Whaddya want?" I didn't mean to sound as snappy as I did.

He furrowed his brows. "Hey kiddo, watch the attitude! We're here, is what I wanted to tell you." Jiraiya unbuckled his seatbelt and left the car.

"Old man..." I found myself mumbling, because I knew he couldn't hear me.

I gathered myself before opening the passenger's side.

Immediately, I stretched. How long of a drive...? I found myself thinking.

I was met with an average neighborhood home.

It was brick, with white-trimmed windows and a stone pathway leading up to the front door. It didn't look like much, but it seemed pretty homey.

I hopped out of the car and followed Jiraiya, who held my suitcase, into the house.

The inside was just as average as the outside, and just as homey.

Directly in front of me was a staircase lined with pictures of the same trio, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and a pale man who reminded me of a snake.

To my left was a small living area, and beyond that was the dining area next to a kitchen.

I could only assume that the bedrooms were upstairs, along with a bathroom.

While I was staring at the place, the old man had already made his way up the stairs.

"Hey, kiddo, don't you want to see your room?"

Ignoring the nickname he gave me, I quickly walked up the stairs as he continued down the hallway.

Once we stood in front of a closed door, he looked over his shoulder to me.

It was pretty convenient that he had a guest room already set aside.

"Go ahead and unpack, just make yourself at home. I'll be downstairs if you need me." He patted my head as he walked back down the hall.

I held the spot where he had pat. I almost wished that we could have a conversation.

Looking into the room, I noticed that it was simple enough, with a bed, window, and dresser. I sat my luggage on the bed and laid on my back, staring at the ceiling.

I sighed. This was going to take some getting used to.

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A/N: I can't sleep