We are going where?

As they walked to school, they chatted a bit about anime they like and which manga they are gonna start. But as soon as they separated, Kakashi saw Kanda Makoto talking to her friends. He was feeling nervous. He walked towards that group.

"Hey everyone, how are you doing?" (Kakashi nervously)

"We are good, what's the matter Kakashi?"

That was said by one of the girls from that group as she saw that he was kind of fidgety.

"Ah, it's nothing... Never mind that, Makoto-san. May I talk to you about something in private when you have some time today?" (Kakashi still nervous)

"Oh, is it something important? We can talk now. Let me get my stuff." (Makoto thinking it is something school-related)

They left toward the gym. As they came in the passage in between two buildings, Kakashi suddenly stopped and turned around.

"Listen, I need to tell you something." (Kakashi seriously)

"Yes?" (Makoto inquiring)

"You know, I... I really... I really like you! I would like to..." (Kakashi bowing down wit his heart in his words)

"Oh? Did you call me here for that? You know, I don't think of you in that way. You are kinda smart, but you can't have my heart because I don't find you enough for me. I don't believe you could understand my needs and you keep away from most of the happenings. I don't believe you could suffice." (Makoto offending him in return while thinking she is better than him)

"You know..." (Kakashi still trying)

"You have taken enough of my time already. I need to go back to my friends. I don't care enough to keep listening to you" (Makoto like a bitch)

She left him there heartbroken since he liked her for quite some time. And as she left, she waved nonchalantly.He was feeling like someone has stepped on his heart and moved their foot like putting out a cigarette butt. But as he looked after her, he said to himself that he is going to take more time to make himself more likable and to find a girl who will understand his already present qualities more.

The day in school took forever to finish and as it went by, he would be looked at with all kinds of emotions by the girls who were in that group. There were sad, angry, and sometimes downright evil eyes. But he told himself that he simply needs to keep moving and meet life head-on.

As the day ended he picked up his little bro and they went home. Seems like his brother saw that he was not ok and asked no questions. When they came inside his mother was the first to speak.

"Ah, it didn't go well. I am sorry son, but things don't turn out always as we want them to. Don't let it get to you. You will find someone soon enough." (Akemi consulting her son)"

Don't matter mom. I'm gonna need some time to process everything, but as soon as I get over it, I'm gonna go and meet a nice girl who I will love and who will love me. Just let me have a bit of time for myself to arrange my thoughts and emotions so that I can be ready for it when it comes." (Kakashi not crying but close to it)

"Oh, kids, I forgot to tell you, we are going to Croatia in summer, so when your school is done, your bags need to be packed as well. You are finally going to meet your cousins for the first time. Luka, I think you are going to fit in just well, but Kakashi, I believe you should be just a bit bolder about your thoughts and actions when interacting with everyone. If you speak your mind and bring down your curtesy just a bit, show that you stand by what you say, you should find no problems in your stay there." (Josip bringing news to the table)

"Ok, dad in 2 weeks school is over, so I will be ready to go the moment I come back from school. Now please let me go and spend some time watching shows and reading novels to calm myself down." (Kakashi already sorting himself out)

"Just go ahead son, I know perfectly how it feels to be shot down after you confess to someone. Don't stay closed up for too long tho, it can make you go crazy if you think about it too much." (Josip consulting him)

He was met with a suspicious look from Akemi to which he shook all over in fear.

"Ok dad!" (Kakashi with a strong will)

He then left upstairs to his room and as he passed the duct he could hear his mother asking:

"Oh, so you got shot down? How many times did that happen if I may know? I should ask those women what they saw in you not to accept your heart. So I can reevaluate what I know about you." (Akemi messing with her husband)

"Oh please, that actually happened when I was kinda out of it all and I did some pretty crazy things. What I told our dear son was all from personal experience. And you know everything already. How long do we know each other? 21 years already? 22?" (Josip telling about his youth while shaking his head and then looking at Akemi with stars in his eyes)

"Ah, yeah, it is almost a quarter of a century now honey. I hope your family is still as whacky as they used to be back in the day." (Akemi laughing)

The time before the trip passed quickly to everyone except Kakashi, who was still sad for most of the day. But on the day they were supposed to go. He and his little brother ran inside with expectant looks on their faces saying in unison:

"When are we going? Our bags are already packed as you said. So, is the plane going soon?"

"Amazing, you kids are already packed. If I told this to one of my brothers only now would they start packing. We leave after you get something to eat. The plane leaves in 3 hours. It should be at least a 19 hour flight since it's on the other side of the planet, so bring sufficient entertainment for the flight, and when we get there don't separate from your mother and me. You don't know the place. Your Croatian should be fine since we speak it sometimes, only your accent is a bit rough but that should go away in a few weeks." (Josip with a know it all face)