What was this...
Iruka felt as if something invisible had lodged in his throat.
His gaze fell on the eye-catching cream cake atop the table covered with a tablecloth. Several unlit candles stood beside the name written in jam, and warm candlelight already flickered in his mind.
The cake... had been specially ordered, hadn't it? He was supposed to be the one caring for them.
Yet now, these children had remembered his birthday and even planned such a surprise.
His heart was wrapped in warmth, every beat carrying a bittersweet throb. Heat surged up deep in his nose, and he hurriedly clenched his teeth, desperately suppressing the emotions about to spiral out of control.
No... he absolutely couldn't cry here! If he bawled his eyes out in front of his students, his dignity as a teacher would be completely ruined!
Iruka blinked desperately, trying to make that hot moisture recede. But the harder he tried to control it, the stronger the swelling warmth in his chest became, nearly bursting through his ribs.
When had these guys started preparing this?
His gaze swept over the students standing behind the table... Damn it, he really couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Alright! The candles are out, so let's open the presents first!"
Naruto clapped excitedly, a brilliant smile on his face. His voice echoed through the classroom, carrying the vitality unique to a young boy and stirring up the whole room's atmosphere.
"Iruka-sensei, this is my birthday gift! You'll definitely like it! This is the finest stuff in Konoha!"
Kiba stepped forward carrying a simple gift box. A somewhat rough red ribbon was tied around it, making it look like he had wrapped it himself.
Iruka stared blankly at the gift box held out before him. The image of making his wish still