What is this…?
Iruka's throat felt as if it were choked by something invisible.
His gaze fell upon the prominent cream cake on the tablecloth-covered long table. A few unlit candles were stuck next to the name written in jam, and the warm candlelight was already flickering in his mind.
The cake… it must have been specially ordered, right? He was the one who should have been looking after them.
But now, these children had remembered his birthday and even planned such a surprise.
His heart was enveloped in warmth, each beat accompanied by a bittersweet thrum. A wave of heat surged from deep within his nasal cavity, and he quickly clenched his jaw, desperately suppressing the emotions that were about to spiral out of control.
No… I absolutely cannot cry here! If I were to cry my eyes out in front of my students, my authority as a teacher would be completely ruined!
Iruka blinked furiously, trying to make the moist warmth recede. But the harder he tried to control it, the stronger the swelling warmth in his chest became, almost threatening to burst through his ribcage.
These guys… when did they start preparing?
His gaze swept over the students standing behind the table… Oh no, he really couldn't hold it in anymore.
— — — — — —
"Alright! The candles are blown out, now let's open the presents!"
Naruto clapped his hands excitedly, a brilliant smile on his face. His voice echoed through the classroom, carrying the unique vitality of youth, making the entire room's atmosphere warm up.
"Iruka Sensei, this is my birthday present, you're definitely going to like it! This is the best in Konoha!"
Kiba walked forward, holding a simple gift box tied with a slightly rough red ribbon, which looked like he had wrapped it himself.
Iruka stared blankly at the gift box presented to him, his mind still replaying the scene from when he made his wish—in the flickering candlelight, the children's faces were bathed in a warm glow, and they sang "Happy Birthday" in unison. Although their voices were uneven, it was the most beautiful song Iruka had ever heard.
How long had it been since he celebrated his birthday like this?
He was in a daze for a moment before reaching out to take Kiba's gift. The moment his fingertips touched the box, they trembled slightly.
"…Thank you, Kiba."
His voice was soft, but filled with genuine gratitude.
"That's not right, Sensei! According to birthday rules, you say that after opening the present!"
Naruto chimed in with a grin. Iruka smiled helplessly, nodded, and carefully unwrapped the paper.
What greeted his eyes was a bag of dog food. And it was the most expensive kind from Konoha's pet store, with the words [For Elite Ninja Dogs] printed on the packaging.
"Seriously, why would you give him this? Iruka Sensei doesn't even have a dog at home."
Shikamaru couldn't help but complain, leaning lazily against the table and shaking his head.
Kiba, however, looked completely justified, even righteously retorted, "That's not complicated, is it? Iruka Sensei can just get a dog!"
A burst of laughter erupted in the classroom. However, amidst the laughter, Iruka simply lowered his head, his fingers gently tracing the brand on the dog food bag, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Kiba, thank you for your gift. I really like it, Sensei."
This was the truth.
Actually, Iruka knew it was his birthday today. But ever since his parents died on the night of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Incident, no one had ever celebrated his birthday again.
As a child, he had secretly hoped that someone might remember, that someone might say "Happy Birthday" to him. But as year after year passed, that small hope was gradually buried in a corner of his memory, eventually forgotten by him completely.
As an adult, he no longer even cared about this day. Occasionally, when he saw his birth date on Ninja Academy archives, he would just glance at it indifferently. But… even if someone just said "Happy Birthday" to him, Iruka would already be very happy and content.
"Alright! Next up is my present." Choji's round cheeks were full of excitement. He held a thick, carefully wrapped envelope in both hands.
Iruka took the envelope, and the moment he opened it, the Yakiniku Q signboard caught his eye—they were two meal vouchers, with [All-you-can-eat Premium Beef for Five] boldly written on them.
"Choji… isn't this a bit too generous?"
"Just take it, Sensei!" Choji waved his hand dismissively. "I have plenty of these! Though they're all from my father for entertaining friends…"
Afterward, Shikamaru yawned at the right moment and lazily shoved a long, slender object wrapped in silk cloth into Iruka's hand.
"Don't expect much from mine; it definitely can't compare to the Akimichi family's generosity."
After unwrapping the silk cloth—it was a sealing scroll.
"You can use it just by injecting Chakra," Shikamaru explained with droopy eyelids. "The jutsu on the left is for ninja tools, the right for documents, and I had someone add a fire-prevention jutsu to the middle compartment… It was a pain. Here's the instruction manual."
Iruka realized that this seemingly casual gift was probably a special item Shikamaru had prepared long in advance.
This guy, who always complained about "trouble," had actually lived "laziness" into a unique philosophy—just like his way of handling things, every step he took was planned ten steps ahead.
Once he decided to do something, he would definitely do it to the best of his ability.
That's why even the gift was designed… so thoroughly "Nara-style."
Iruka gazed at the sealing scroll in his hand. He felt Shikamaru's thoughtfulness—a ninja tool of this caliber was certainly not something casually pulled from a warehouse.
"You've been a great help, Shikamaru." He looked up and gave Shikamaru an understanding smile. Shikamaru simply waved his hand lazily.
At this moment, Satsuki stepped forward with brisk movements. She held a deep blue, elongated wooden box in her hands, with the Uchiha Clan crest hot-stamped on its surface, exuding the noble elegance characteristic of a prestigious family.
"Here." She said curtly, handing over the wooden box.
When Iruka took the wooden box, he felt its considerable weight. Opening it, he found twelve finely crafted steel shuriken neatly arranged inside.
"As our teacher," Satsuki raised her chin slightly, "you can't neglect your training. If you have the idea that you don't need to train once you become a teacher… you'll bring shame to the Uchiha Clan."
Typical tsundere remarks; good intentions, yet wrapped in a prickly exterior. But Iruka noticed a hint of inexplicable… resentment? in Satsuki's gaze towards him.
He, of course, didn't know that just ten minutes earlier, he had interrupted a certain black-haired girl at the crucial moment of almost holding her crush's hand.
"Thank you, I will make good use of them." Iruka solemnly closed the wooden box. Satsuki gave a light hum and turned to walk back to Naruto's side.
"Well then…" Iruka looked at the pile of gifts in his arms—dog food, barbecue vouchers, a sealing scroll, ninja tools… These unique gifts brought a wave of warmth to his chest. His gaze naturally fell on the last student.
Naruto held a beautifully wrapped square gift box in both hands, a brilliant smile on his face, and approached in quick strides.
"Iruka Sensei! My gift is the best!"
Everyone looked at Naruto's gift, completely unaware of Shino quietly standing to the side, holding a plain box in both hands.