Birthday, Brothers' Wishes

"A Luo, eat this. Next time it won't be burnt..."

For dinner today, Sasuke tried cooking for the first time. Despite earnestly following the recipe, he had only managed to make a half-burnt tomato-and-egg stir-fry and a pot of undercooked rice.

He had added too much salt, but it was still edible. The two brothers barely managed to fill their stomachs with this meal.

"Sasuke is already amazing. I can't even understand what's written here."

After eating, A Luo watched Sasuke lower his head to wash the dishes and moved closer, intending to praise him a little.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, he saw Sasuke's eyes turn even redder.

"A Luo, from now on, I'll teach you how to read!"

Only then did Sasuke suddenly remember that his little brother had never learned any words or knowledge at all.

Even speaking was something he and that person had slowly taught his little brother during the past few years, whenever they secretly went to see him.

"There's no rush to learn right now. Big brother can teach me when you're resting."

Seeing that Sasuke was about to cry, A Luo reached out and wiped at the corner of Sasuke's eye.

Sasuke had originally been holding back his tears, but the moment A Luo's fingers touched him, he lost control. Tears began falling in a rush.

"Wah..."

Sasuke reached out and hugged his younger brother, who looked similar to him but was clearly shorter, biting down on his clothes so he would not cry too loudly.

His little brother was so good, so very, very good...

While the two brothers clung to each other and cried, the Third Hokage in the Hokage's office was looking down at a crystal ball.

The image quickly shifted from the Uchiha clan brothers to a small river in the Hidden Leaf Village.

A young boy with short blond hair was catching fish in the river.

Fish were not easy to catch. Though the child moved quickly, he did not have the ability to strike true every time.

After struggling for a long time and finally catching several small fish to toss onto the bank, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, rose from his chair, straightened his robes, and prepared to bring the blond boy a little warmth.

That uncared-for little demon fox would return affection and trust so long as someone showed him even the slightest bit of closeness.

The plan of all these years had succeeded. As long as Danzo did not meddle behind his back, this child would certainly become what he expected.

Day after day, Sasuke took his little brother to school every morning. After leaving him in the teachers' office, he went to class.

At first, he bought ramen and rice balls, but after repeatedly trying to cook, he was able to make meals that tasted normal just a few months later.

After another day of classes ended, Sasuke arrived at the teachers' office with his schoolbag on his back. He reached out, pulled up his little brother, who was still asleep, settled him onto his back, and prepared to head home like that.

After being cared for over this period of time, his little brother's face had finally gained a little flesh.

Though he was still sleepy and became tired after walking only a short distance, he was no longer as frail as before.

"Sasuke, congratulations on getting first place in the class again. I..."

At the school gate, a pink-haired girl stepped in front of Sasuke. She held up a small wrapped box with both hands and offered her congratulations.

Unfortunately, Sasuke had no intention of paying attention to her. Without giving her even an extra glance, he simply walked around her.

"Sasuke, Sakura is giving you a gift! Why are you ignoring her?"

Naruto Uzumaki, with his short blond hair, ran over from the side and spread his arms in front of Sasuke, forcing him to stop and explain himself.

The girl was giving him a gift so seriously. Even if he wanted to refuse, he could not just ignore her like that!

Although seeing Sakura Haruno give Sasuke a gift made him feel awful too...

But, but Sasuke had ignored her so completely that Sakura was already crying!

"Get lost, idiot!"

Sasuke shot him an annoyed look and intended to walk around him again.

He had told his little brother that morning that they would make something delicious when they got home tonight.

But what was wrong with all these people?

"Today is my and my brother's birthday. Can you let us go home and celebrate it first, then talk about whatever you want later?"

A Luo did not dislike Naruto Uzumaki, but being woken up while drowsily asleep naturally put him in a bad mood.

His black catlike eyes opened, filled with grievance and sadness, as he formally met this world's protagonist for the first time.

"Ah? R-right, sorry!"

Naruto met A Luo's gaze. Seeing the grievance in those eyes, so similar to Sasuke's, made him instantly realize just how different this day was for Sasuke and Sasuke's little brother.

He quickly jumped aside and apologized, already agonizing inside over whether blocking their way had ruined Sasuke and his little brother's mood.

A birthday was a special day. Though no one had ever celebrated his birthday for him, he knew what other people's birthdays were like.

"It's okay. We're going home now. See you tomorrow!"

A Luo waved at Naruto and rested his little head against Sasuke's shoulder again.

He could walk on his own now, but Sasuke, as his older brother, had never wanted to change anything. He continued carrying him to and from school...

Sasuke said nothing more. He carried his little brother away from the school, only stopping to set him down after making sure none of those classmates were nearby.

"A Luo, don't mind them. That guy's just a stupid idiot. Let's go get the cake."

Sasuke looked at A Luo's expression. Once he confirmed that his little brother had not been frightened or affected, he took his hand and led him toward the cake shop by the roadside.

Today was the brothers' birthday. Though their living allowance was still so meager, they could not go without a little sense of ceremony.

"This is my first time celebrating a birthday. Can I make a wish first?"

After returning home, A Luo watched Sasuke take out the cake and place it on the table, then suddenly made a request.

"Sure, A Luo can make a wish first."

Sasuke froze for a moment, then quickly controlled his expression, refusing to show sadness or grief at a time like this.

Today was A Luo's first birthday...

They had clearly been born on the same day, yet they had always lived completely different lives. Even birthdays had never included A Luo's share.

"Big brother will become strong, be very happy, and live happily... Mm, A Luo will be happy too!"

With his hands clasped together, A Luo closed his eyes toward the cake and began making his wish.

A birthday wish, a child's hope.

"A Luo will be healthy and happy every day!"

After A Luo, Sasuke voiced his own wish as well.

Unlike the coldness he showed others, Sasuke's expressions remained as lively as ever when he was with his little brother, now filled with an even stronger sense of responsibility.

After the brothers finished making their birthday wishes, they blew out the candles together. At least on the surface, they happily celebrated their birthday and ate cake.

On a nearby tree, a red-eyed crow hid among the leaves, tilting its head as it watched the brothers. Only after watching for half the night did it turn and fly away.