Later that night at the ramen shop, Nirika didn't utter a single word. She had sat by Kakashi, who sat by Naruto, who sat next to Sakura. Nirika had quietly asked Kakashi if she could sit next to him, and not Sakura. When he said sure, she almost looked relieved.
After Naruto and Sakura had left for home, Kakashi offered to walk Nirika home. When she just fiddled with her headband tied to the front of her jacket, Kakashi thought of a different tactic, "How about I teach you some jutsu?" he asked.
Her eyes brightened and she nodded.