As soon as the gift was placed in Iruka's hand, Naruto suddenly took a deep breath, his blue eyes looking particularly serious at this moment. He lowered his head slightly, as if trying to form words.
"Iruka-sensei... Thank you very much for this year."
His voice was deeper than before, with unmistakable sincerity. The classroom suddenly became quiet, and even Akamaru, who had always been noisy, closed his mouth. Akamaru tilted his head, and his dark eyes moved back and forth between the two of them.
Iruka was stunned. He saw Naruto raise his head, look into his eyes, and ask the question that made him feel guilty.
"By the way, teacher, you blame yourself for things in the past... is that true?"
Iruka felt his throat tightening, and the self-blame buried deep in his heart was revealed to the sun, leaving him with nowhere to hide. His fingers trembled slightly, and finally he nodded slowly.
"... Well, I'm really sorry for you...Naruto, I'm an unqualified teacher."
The moment these words were spoken, Iruka felt a twinge of pain. He remembered how distant he was when he first met Naruto, how he deliberately kept a distance, and how hard he responded every time Naruto took the initiative to say hello——
Unexpectedly, Naruto made a "tsk" sound instead, with a look of anger and laughter on his face.
"Really, teacher, your moral standards are too high, aren't you?" He scratched the blond hair, with a helpless and affectionate tone.
"Later, teacher, didn't you already recognize me? There is no need to trouble yourself about the past anymore."
Iruka opened his mouth, but no words came out. He never thought that his hesitations and mistakes would be forgiven in this way - not ignored, but understood, and then gently told "it doesn't matter."
Naruto looked at the teacher's red eyes, and his voice softened unconsciously.
"Teacher, everyone will have imperfect moments. It is these hesitations and subsequent choices that make [trust] more precious."
Naruto raised a big smile, "So, please don't blame yourself for not doing enough. For me..."
"You have already become the best teacher."
Iruka's body began to tremble uncontrollably. He hurriedly lowered his head, not wanting the students to see his embarrassment. Tears have blurred your vision, dripping on the gift box in your arms, leaving a small dark trace.
So... how lucky I am.
This knowledge made his heart beat violently, feeling both sour and warm. It is obviously his duty to accompany Naruto and teach these children. Why... was he being saved and warmed instead of himself?
There are so many emotions surging in my chest - I am surprised at the maturity of Naruto, which touches the softest part of my heart, strengthens my determination as a teacher, and there is still a bit of warmth that wants to overflow...
And, an unprecedented pride.
I am proud to be the teacher of these children.
I am proud to witness Naruto grow into such a gentle person.
I am proud to stand here at this moment, surrounded by such pure emotions.
"I'm sorry, hurry up and open the gift." Naruto rarely showed a trace of embarrassment, "Actually, in terms of luxury, my gift may not be as precious as others, but I still hope that you will like it, teacher."
Iruka Without any hesitation, his fingers touched the exquisitely packaged gift box. He gently untied the ribbon, and the box was covered with soft silk cloth, with two items lying quietly on it.
Iruka As soon as his eyes fell on the first gift, his breathing stopped involuntarily for a moment.
It was a hand-made colored clay model, about the size of a palm. He held it up tremblingly, feeling the unique warm touch of clay on his fingertips. The workmanship of the model is very exquisite, and every detail is handled with great care.
These are two Q-version villains, standing together holding hands.
The little man on the left is wearing Konoha forehead protector, with pineapple hair tied behind his head, and a gentle smile on his face; the little man on the right is wearing a golden hedgehog head, smiling so hard that his teeth are missing. The two little figures hold each other's hands tightly, and the base is engraved with "The Best Teacher" in childish handwriting.
Iruka's thumb unconsciously stroked the mini version of himself.
This is... us?
How about it? Teacher will no longer be alone after this! "Naruto grinned, "Even after I graduate, the teacher will not forget me so easily after seeing this model. "
On the other side of the classroom, Satsuki's eyes fell on the pair of Q-version villains, and his dark eyes flashed slightly. Her mind unconsciously recalled the gift of being protected in her room.
Naruto was given to her on her previous birthday. On that model, the Q version Satsuki is holding his arms and looking away with a proud expression, while the Q version Naruto is smiling next to it.
Obviously I have one... Why is my chest still a little tight when I see the teacher receiving the same gift...
"... Hmm! Thank you Naruto..."
Iruka's voice was almost inaudible. He carefully placed the model back in the box, moving gently. His fingertips lingered on the words "Best Teacher" for a moment before reluctantly moving away.
In order to cover up his red eyes, Iruka hurriedly turned to the second gift - that high-end note. The words [The Strongest Teacher's Guide] on the cover sparkled under the light. But if you look closely, you will find that these handwritings were not present at the factory, but were stamped on by hand later.
Why is this so...
The memory suddenly goes back to the stationery store a while ago. Naruto The things that were secretly hidden at that time turned out to be these gift materials... Has this child started to prepare carefully from that time?
He took a deep breath and slowly opened the first page of his notebook.
Then he froze completely.
On the title page is an exaggerated portrait of Naruto, with crooked but energetic handwriting written next to it.
"Record all the students who make you proud - I may not be the first, but I will never be the last!"
This sentence is like a key, suddenly opening a locked gate in Iruka's heart.
An unprecedented emotion came like a tide, overwhelming all his defenses in an instant. It was not just touching, not just gratifying, but something deeper and warmer.
A tear fell on the page, blurring the ink. Then came the second drop, the third drop...
"Ugh..."
Yujiu's suppressed sobs finally broke through his throat. Iruka bent his back and cried loudly like a child. Tears wet the title page of the notebook.
There was silence in the classroom. Shikamaru yawned halfway and froze on his face. Choji The potato chips in his hand stopped at his mouth, and his eyes widened even as his teeth were always chattering. They have never seen an adult show such a vulnerable side.
At this moment, a clear and crisp sound sounded in Naruto's mind.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host: you have established Bonds level 7 (full) with the character "Iruka Umino"!]
Naruto was just about to step forward to comfort him, but the voice of Zongtong sounded again.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host: establishing Bonds 8 level with the character "Iruka Umino" (the relationship has changed qualitatively! Family affection)]