Chapter 7: Chapter 07: levels
Chapter 07: levels
Sasuke moved swiftly and silently through the narrow alleys of his suburban neighborhood. The modern Japanese homes, with their clean lines, tiled roofs, and softly glowing windows, passed by in a blur. His sandals barely made a sound on the pavement as he leapt over fences and darted through shadows. Despite his speed, his movements were precise and deliberate, giving him the appearance of a phantom.
Reaching the end of the alley, he came to a stop at the edge of his house. The familiar structure stood quietly under the starlit sky. He glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, before propelling himself upward in one fluid motion. His hands gripped the edge of the roof as he pulled himself onto it. Standing there, he scanned the peaceful surroundings. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of freshly watered gardens. The only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hum of passing cars.
Sasuke approached his bedroom window, crouching beside it. His lips curved into a faint smirk as he muttered to himself, "Why am I sneaking around like a thief?"
He placed his hands on the window's edge, pushing it open just enough to slip through. With practiced ease, he rolled inside, landing lightly on the bed beneath the window. The familiar scent of his room greeted him—a mix of fresh linen and the faint metallic tang of training equipment. His dark eyes swept over the space, taking in the neatly arranged books on his desk and the folded clothes on a nearby chair.
As he reached to close the window behind him, a voice broke the quiet.
"Sasuke! Dinner's ready!"
It was his mother's voice, soft yet firm, calling from downstairs. Sasuke exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his shoulders relaxing. "Alright, I'm coming," he replied, his tone calm but laced with relief.
Before heading downstairs, Sasuke walked over to the mirror in the corner of his room. He studied his reflection, inspecting himself for any signs of the fight earlier. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, and there was a faint smudge of dirt on his cheek. However, what caught his attention wasn't his appearance—it was the sudden, unfamiliar text that appeared across the surface of the mirror.
He stepped closer, his black eyes widening in surprise. The mirror displayed glowing words and numbers, as though it were a screen from a video game. The text floated over different parts of his reflection, detailing his abilities:
Stamina: Level 4
Taijutsu: Level 1
Ninjutsu: Level 3
Genjutsu: Level 0
Unlocked Skills:
Sharingan: Level 2
Fireball Jutsu: Level 1
Chidori: Level 1
Sasuke stared, his mind racing. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached out to touch the mirror. The glowing text was detailed, precise, almost too real. "What… is this?" he whispered.
As soon as his fingertips brushed the surface, the text began to fade, dissolving into the glass like ripples on water. The mirror returned to normal, reflecting only his stunned expression. Sasuke frowned, pressing his finger against the mirror again. "Log out," he said aloud, testing the words.
Nothing happened. His room remained still, the mirror reflecting only silence. After a long moment, he sighed, shaking his head. "I almost believed for a second… But no, that's impossible."
With a shrug, Sasuke turned away, pulling off his dusty clothes and changing into a simple black T-shirt and gray sweatpants. He folded his battle-worn attire neatly and placed it on a chair before heading toward the door.
The quiet creak of his bedroom door echoed slightly as he stepped into the hallway. The house was warm and welcoming, its walls adorned with framed family photos and soft lighting. Sasuke descended the stairs, his footsteps light against the wooden steps, and entered the dining room.
The table was set simply but neatly, with bowls of steaming rice, miso soup, and a variety of side dishes. His father, a stern-looking man with glasses, sat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes following Sasuke's movements. His mother, gentle but visibly tired, gestured for Sasuke to sit.
"Welcome back," she said softly, her smile warm but tinged with worry.
Sasuke took his seat quietly, picking up his chopsticks. The atmosphere was heavy, the unspoken weight of recent events pressing down on them. The clinking of utensils against plates was the only sound for several minutes.
Finally, his father broke the silence. "What do you plan to do now?"
Sasuke paused, the spoonful of soup halfway to his lips. He placed it back in the bowl carefully before answering. "I don't plan to change anything," he said simply, his tone measured.
His father adjusted his glasses, his gaze unwavering. "Does that mean you'll return to your normal high school routine tomorrow?"
"Of course," Sasuke replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Do you have a better idea?"
His mother, seated across from him, studied him quietly before nodding. "You're right," she said gently. "Going back to your friends and your school routine might be for the best."
Sasuke's expression hardened slightly. "It was a misunderstanding. I'm not insane enough to attempt suicide." His voice was calm but carried an edge of irritation. "Anyway, do the other students know about this?"
His father sighed, setting down his chopsticks. "The news spread, but the identity of the student was kept confidential. You can attend school without worry."
Sasuke nodded, his gaze drifting toward the living room window. Beyond the glass, the night sky stretched endlessly, the stars twinkling like tiny beacons. "High school, huh?" he murmured, his voice thoughtful. "I wonder what it'll be like here."
The rest of the meal passed in relative silence. Though his parents seemed reassured by his calm demeanor, an unspoken tension lingered. For them, the memory of finding him on the rooftop three days ago was still fresh—a wound that hadn't fully healed.
After dinner, Sasuke returned to his room, the faint noise of the television in the living room fading as he closed his door. He leaned against the window frame, gazing out at the tranquil neighborhood. His reflection in the glass stared back, dark eyes filled with both resolve and uncertainty.
"Tomorrow," he thought, "is a new day."
And with that, he stepped away from the window, readying himself for the challenges ahead.
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[ A/N ]
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~ More Chapters ;
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❗Next three chapters❗
- Chapter 08: A Day at School
- Chapter 09: The Timelines We Walk.
- Chapter 10: Shadows at Hosu Station.