The Maiden's Heart, The Modified Wish

August 18.

Gojo Yoru woke up early, buzzing with energy like he'd been injected with adrenaline.

While washing up, he looked at himself in the mirror, his eyes full of anticipation.

Today was Gojo Yoru's birthday. Before he turned three, his parents in this life would still celebrate it with him.

After Gojo Sa and Gojo Mio sacrificed themselves, Gojo Yoru never had another birthday.

Until he turned six—that year made him look forward to this day every year since.

Four years ago today was the first time Gojo Yoru underwent Evolution.

That Evolution, which arrived right on time, he called a gift from time and space.

If such a gift were to come again, Gojo Yoru believed the timing would still be his birthday.

So every year on August 18, Gojo Yoru secretly hoped.

But for the past three years, that Evolution hadn't come. Would it show up this year?

After washing up, Gojo Yoru started preparing breakfast.

"Yoru, I'm here."

Just as he finished pouring two glasses of milk, a girl's voice reached his ears.

The sound was so loud it seemed to fill the entire little Western-style house.

Then Uzumaki Kushina, wearing slippers, came pattering up the stairs.

Seeing her arrive right on time, Gojo Yoru couldn't help teasing, "I deliberately got up early to cook today, and you still manage to be this punctual. You didn't secretly install a camera in my house, did you?"

Even though it was only Konoha Year 34, scientists and computers already existed, so surveillance wasn't an unfamiliar term.

"Hehe, I got up early today too. It means our unspoken understanding is getting stronger and stronger."

Uzumaki Kushina washed her hands first, then pulled out a chair, sat down, and picked up the sandwich Gojo Yoru had made, eating it without any pretense of politeness.

Setting a glass of milk in front of her, Gojo Yoru habitually ruffled her head, but noticed some white powder stuck to her bangs. He couldn't resist teasing again, "What, did you wake up this early just to wreck the house? You didn't even clean the dust off your hair before coming over. How eager were you?"

As he spoke, Gojo Yoru reached out to brush the dust from her hair.

But Uzumaki Kushina, with the sandwich still in her mouth, covered her head with both hands, not letting him touch her hair.

If the sandwich in her mouth were a bone and her hands were shaped like claws, she'd look even more like a little dog.

"N-no need for your help, I'll do it myself." Uzumaki Kushina wolfed down the sandwich in a few bites, then got up and ran into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water came from inside.

Gojo Yoru was a bit puzzled. Why had this tomato suddenly gotten so skittish?

But he didn't dwell on it.

After breakfast, Gojo Yoru and Uzumaki Kushina headed together to the abandoned training ground.

Orochimaru hadn't arrived yet, so they played Eagle Catching Chick.

One person hid, the other searched. If they found and touched each other, it counted as a loss.

Any ninjutsu could be used in between.

After so many Survival Exercises with Orochimaru, the two had grown bored of Taijutsu Duels and No-Rules Duels—they no longer got their adrenaline pumping.

Instead, their little game helped train their individual strengths.

They trained until ten in the morning before Orochimaru showed up.

First, he guided them through Ninjutsu-Taijutsu-Genjutsu for over an hour, then gave them a lunch break.

After that, as usual, he split them up. A Shadow Clone took Uzumaki Kushina for Perception Training, while the main body took Gojo Yoru to carry out missions.

Over a month had passed, and Orochimaru still hadn't planned to take Gojo Yoru on a mission outside the village.

Gojo Yoru didn't bring it up either.

Whatever Orochimaru told him to do, he did, embodying the ideal of a ninja as an obedient tool.

This patience—able to stay calm without needing to be tempered—satisfied both Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen, who watched from the shadows.

At dusk.

Orochimaru looked at Gojo Yoru with a meaningful smile. "Today's training ends here. Go home and rest well. Oh, and happy birthday."

Gojo Yoru was momentarily stunned.

When he came to his senses, Orochimaru had already vanished.

He wasn't surprised that Orochimaru knew his birthday—the man had probably seen his file.

Still, Gojo Yoru couldn't help grumbling inwardly.

Not even a gift. Did he just suddenly remember?

After finishing the day's tasks, Gojo Yoru didn't head straight home. Instead, he returned to the abandoned training ground.

Uzumaki Kushina had already finished her training and was waiting for him by the Wood Golem.

"Come on, no outdoor cooking today. We're eating at my place." Gojo Yoru waved his hand.

However, Uzumaki Kushina didn't stick close to him like she usually did.

Instead, she stood still, looking awkward. "Um... I have to go back today. I might not be able to eat with you."

Gojo Yoru was a little surprised, but still smiled. "That's a good thing. It means you're getting closer to them. You waited here for me just to say that?"

"...Mm." Uzumaki Kushina scratched her cheek, her gaze darting away.

"Alright, go on then. See you tomorrow."

Knowing the girl was probably embarrassed right now, Gojo Yoru didn't say anything more.

"Mm-hmm, see you tomorrow."

Uzumaki Kushina waved at Gojo Yoru, then dissolved into a puff of white smoke on the spot.

Gojo Yoru instantly regretted it. He should have just mocked her earlier.

He actually thought Uzumaki Kushina would be embarrassed. That girl was probably already feasting in the mansion.

For the first time, not leaving together with Uzumaki Kushina, Gojo Yoru felt a rare sense of discomfort.

Returning to Central Street, Gojo Yoru thought about finding somewhere to grab a quick dinner.

But after thinking it over, he dropped the idea.

For the sake of his health, he'd gotten used to cooking for himself.

Buying some fresh fruit and milk, Gojo Yoru carried the bag back home.

"Hm?"

The moment he took off his shoes, Gojo Yoru immediately sensed something off.

At the entrance, one pair of slippers was missing.

Gojo Yoru raised an eyebrow, then opened the shoe cabinet. Sure enough, a familiar pair of ninja sandals was hidden inside.

"This Tomato-Nai..."

Gojo Yoru vaguely guessed what was going on and couldn't help smiling as he walked up to the second floor.

By now, the sun had long since set, leaving only crimson afterglow.

The second floor, with no lights on, was dimly lit.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...

As soon as Gojo Yoru reached the top of the stairs, he heard the crackling of sparks.

He looked toward the source of the sound.

From the kitchen, a familiar figure walked out, holding a cake with sparkler candles stuck in it, coming toward Gojo Yoru.

"Ta-da... Surprised I'm here?"

Uzumaki Kushina held the cake out in front of Gojo Yoru, smiling brightly. "Happy birthday, Smelly-Mouth Night!"

Even though he'd vaguely guessed and had some mental preparation, seeing the cake in front of him still stirred something in Gojo Yoru's heart.

The cake in Uzumaki Kushina's hands wasn't big—not even enough for her alone—and it was oddly shaped, unable to even hold a proper round form.

But the flour, cream, and egg on the girl's face, hair, and apron made Gojo Yoru feel a heavy sincerity.

He finally understood why the girl had been acting so strange during the day.

So that wasn't dust in her hair—it was flour she hadn't cleaned off yet.

For this cake, Uzumaki Kushina had started preparing very early, even though she still couldn't get it right.

Calming the surging emotions inside him, Gojo Yoru grinned. "Tomato-Nai, this is breaking and entering. Aren't you afraid I'll throw you in jail?"

Uzumaki Kushina was about to retort, but immediately urged, "Forget about that for now. Hurry up and blow out the candles."

"Should I make a wish?" Gojo Yoru asked with a smile.

"Of course you should, otherwise the birthday's wasted. Remember to make a prayer gesture."

"Fine."

Looking at the girl with sparkling eyes, Gojo Yoru put down his bag, clasped his hands in a prayer gesture, and closed his eyes.

A few seconds later, he opened his eyes and blew out the candles around the cake's sparklers.

In previous years, he always prayed for Evolution to come again. This time, Gojo Yoru made a rare change to his wish.