Birthday

Birthday

At the Yamanaka Flower Shop, the Yamanaka Matriarch was still sitting in front of the shop. She glanced at the sky. It was getting late—why hadn't they returned yet?

The Yamanaka Matriarch was starting to worry, but soon she spotted her daughter. That child named Ayato, who was about Ino's age, was carrying her on his back as he walked this way. She froze for a moment. Had something happened? Had Ino hurt her leg?

With that thought, the Yamanaka Matriarch hurried out of the flower shop to meet them.

"Mom, I'm back!" Ino's eyes lit up the moment she saw the Yamanaka Matriarch, and Ayato set her down.

Seeing no injuries on Ino, the Yamanaka Matriarch breathed a sigh of relief. Then she couldn't help saying, "You child, how could you let someone else carry you?"

"Um, well, I couldn't walk anymore~" Ino said coquettishly.

"Couldn't walk? You must have been fooling around on the way," the Yamanaka Matriarch guessed.

Ino fell silent, her face flushing slightly as she turned her head away, looking as though she had been called out.

"I'm sorry for troubling you." The Yamanaka Matriarch looked at Ayato, who wasn't even out of breath, and was a little surprised. His stamina was quite good.

"It was no trouble. I should thank Yamanaka for showing me the way," Ayato said.

"Exactly, Mom. See? Even Ayato says so." Hearing that, Ino immediately found Ayato much more pleasing to the eye.

The Yamanaka Matriarch shot Ino an exasperated look, then said, "Don't be so formal. Just call this girl Ino. How about this? Wait a moment. I'll arrange the flowers for you. Don't refuse."

After a moment of silence, Ayato nodded. Since she had put it that way, he could only accept.

Before long, the Yamanaka Matriarch came out carrying a bouquet of decorated carnations.

Ayato was a little stunned. He seemed to have bought only one flower.

"All right, here you go." Seeing Ayato's hesitation, the Yamanaka Matriarch said, "Consider the rest a birthday gift from Ino and me to your mother."

"Mhm, take them, Ayato," Ino added from the side.

"Thank you." After accepting the flowers, Ayato said, "Then I'll be going."

"Ayato, see you at school tomorrow." Ino waved at Ayato.

"Yeah, see you at school."

The Yamanaka Matriarch held Ino's hand as they watched Ayato leave, sighing inwardly. What a good child. Though... her expression turned a little strange. He didn't really seem like a child.

The next moment, the Yamanaka Matriarch laughed at her own thought. If Ino's classmate wasn't a child, could he be an adult?

With that thought, the Yamanaka Matriarch led Ino back into the shop. Even if he didn't mind, she still needed to lecture Ino. Otherwise, it was far too rude—she had not only delayed someone else, but made them carry her in the end.

That night, the Yamanaka Matriarch told Yamanaka Inoichi about what had happened after he returned from a busy day.

Yamanaka Inoichi thought for a moment after hearing it. "I think I know him. He should be my classmate's son."

The Yamanaka Matriarch immediately grew interested and asked about it.

After thinking for a while, Yamanaka Inoichi said, "Both his father and mother were my classmates. His father probably passed away before he was born, while his mother should be working at Choza's Grilled Meat Restaurant. Since we know each other, we should look after them when we can. Though I heard she has a very good work ethic and hasn't caused Choza any trouble."

"I see." The Yamanaka Matriarch sighed. "No wonder he's so sensible."

"Looks like you really like that little fellow," Yamanaka Inoichi said when he saw her reaction.

"Of course. Who wouldn't like a sensible child?"

At Ayato's home.

Ayato had already set out the cake. The house had been tidied up earlier, and now all he had to do was wait for his mother to return.

With that thought, Ayato formed hand seals again.

"Shadow Clone Technique."

The shadow clone exchanged a glance with Ayato before heading out. It was responsible for watching for his mother's return; once Ayato received word, he would light the candles.

As for waiting until midnight to celebrate, forget it.

After some time, a burst of information suddenly appeared in Ayato's mind. He understood at once—the shadow clone had seen Sinai returning and dispelled itself.

Ayato opened the box. The cake inside was still completely intact, and he lit the candles.

Then Ayato looked around the room, which was still not quite dark, and thought for a moment before pulling the curtains shut. That gave it a more fitting atmosphere. Only candlelight flickered and danced within the house.

As usual, Sinai was walking home, wondering what to make for dinner that night. She had no idea that today was any kind of special day.

After all, it had been a long time since anyone had celebrated this day with her. She had long since stopped remembering it.

Hmm, Little Ayato was attending the Ninja Academy now, so he was probably using up more energy. She needed to make him something nice. Sinai made up her mind.

Thinking that, Sinai arrived at the front door. Seeing it tightly shut, she didn't think much of it. At this hour, Ayato might still be outside playing.

So Sinai skillfully took out her key, unlocked the door, pushed it open, and walked inside.

The next moment, Sinai froze. In the dim room, candlelight flickered. Beneath that light was a birthday cake she had not seen in a very long time, and the only person who could have prepared all this was...

"Happy birthday, Mom." Smiling, Ayato held out the flowers in his hands to Sinai.

Sinai blankly accepted the flowers and stood there in a daze.

"Mom, come make a wish and blow out the candles." Ayato looked at the candles that were still burning and couldn't help urging her.

The next moment, Ayato felt himself being held tightly. Then he felt his shoulder grow damp, and he froze.

Even though he had lived for over twenty years in his previous life, he still did not quite understand why she was crying at a time like this. Though he could tell they were tears of joy, a birthday alone should not have made her this happy, should it?

Of course, not understanding did not mean he had to do anything. There was one thing Ayato did understand: he only needed to wait quietly for Sinai to finish letting out her emotions.

Seeing his mother like this, Ayato made a decision. From now on, every year on this day, he would come back and spend it with her.

Naturally, Sinai was not overwhelmed with joy because of a simple cake. It was simply that, the moment she saw Ayato blessing her and looked at those flowers, all the pressure and perseverance of shouldering this family alone for so many years suddenly received the most perfect answer.

Her persistence and hard work had all been worth it. Thankfully, she had not given up back then. Thankfully, she had not followed him in leaving and abandoned Ayato alone. She was also grateful that Ayato had always been so sensible. If he had been a naughty child, she might truly have broken down and been unable to carry on.

The tears she shed at that moment were tears of liberation after being suppressed for so many years, tears of joy at finally finding meaning in all those years of perseverance.

Everything in the past was already past. Now, all she wanted was to watch her child slowly grow into an adult.

After a long while, Ayato still did not move, quietly waiting for Sinai to finish. But after glancing over there, he could only say softly, "Mom, the candles are almost burned out."

"Mhm, Mom already made a wish, and it has already come true." Sinai finally let go of Ayato and said gently.

"Then... how about making another one that hasn't come true yet?" Ayato suggested after thinking for a moment.

Sinai immediately laughed, then said, "Alright."

Sinai walked over to the cake and closed her eyes. A moment later, she opened them and blew out the candles that were nearly burned down.

I hope Little Ayato can live his whole life safely, then find a virtuous and beautiful girlfriend—and preferably give me a big, chubby grandson while I'm still alive!