Later that same night, the loud knock on the bathroom door catches Sakura off-guard.

She tightens the towel around her body.

"W-what is it?!"

Sakura always takes her baths at this time because her aloof roommate stays out until the crack of dawn. Not today, it seems.

"You have a guest. A Hyuuga." Kakashi's voice is muffled by the wood, but she hears his relaxed tone just fine. "I had him wait in the living room."

"Oh! Th... thank you!"

She makes sure that the coast is clear before opening the bathroom door and using shunshin to reach the safety of her tiny bedroom.

"Sakura!" Kou exclaims and jumps to his feet once Sakura emerges into the living room, mostly decent. His bandanna is missing, and he looks altogether unkempt. "You better take this opportunity or you won't hear the end of it from me! Reach out and take it with both hands!"

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?" Sakura swats his accusing finger away from her face. "What opportunity?"

"How can you live as Hatake Kakashi's roommate and not be the first to know about this?!" he hisses in a quieter voice. His pale eyes are practically bulging from their sockets. "Hatake-san's genin team application was rejected by Hokage-sama!"

Her eyes become just as big as his.

"WHAT."

"It's a really hot topic among the shinobi working at the tower. At this rate, everyone else in the village will know about it by tomorrow!"

Before Sakura can recover from the shocking news, there is a series of frantic knocks on the front door.

"Don't worry, Hatake-san!" In a normal voice, Kou calls out to Sakura's roommate, who is shuffling about in the kitchen. "I'll answer the door."

Iruka blusters into the living room with a dark look in his eyes and a grimace on his lips. When he sees Sakura, the grimace worsens.

"Umino, use your words," Kou pipes in helpfully.

The instructor clears his throat. "Sakura-kun. This is a rather convenient time for you, isn't it? You will take this chance, won't you?"

"I-"

"And when you do, you'll help me reorganize the files again, right?"

"Umino, this year's batch of documentation can't possibly be that bad."

Iruka sighs.

"Yes, Kou-kun. It really is that bad! Administration is in total chaos! More so now that a seasoned jounin's genin team application had been rejected. Even more hopefuls are trying for that empty spot! Sakura-kun, why are you still here?! Quickly go to Hokage-sama and plead your case! And don't forget to help me reorganize the files afterwards!"

Sakura barely registers Iruka's words. Her mind is racing with questions.

Kakashi has been taking and failing genin teams with the bell test for the past five years. He's infamous for it. So what makes this year different?

As if on cue, Kakashi himself steps out of the kitchen and all three members of Team Suzume freeze.

For a man who has supposedly lost the opportunity to teach a clan heir or two, he looks very casual. Relaxed, even.

The man's lone eye studies the two males before settling on Sakura.

"Sakura."

Her spine straightens.

"Yes?!"

He gives her an eye-smile.

"I made dinner. Do you want any?"

"...Huh? Dinner?" Sakura echoes.

Since when does Kakashi cook for the two of them?