Chapter 63: The Birthday That Everyone Knew About
"Here. For you."
"What's this?" Liumu stared blankly at the object Kakashi had thrust into his hands before vanishing.
"A birthday present!" Kakashi's voice floated back, already distant.
…Birthday?
Liumu counted on his fingers for a moment, then realized his sixth birthday was indeed approaching.
One step closer to eighteen.
But…
In all his years, Liumu had never really celebrated a birthday. This gift from Kakashi was the first birthday present he'd ever received.
"How did he even know?" Liumu muttered to himself, patting his head in confusion before making his way home.
After a day and a night of rest, Haku was mostly recovered. Her nose was still a little stuffy, but her fever was gone.
Seeing Liumu return late at night, she hurried over. "Is it your birthday?"
Liumu: "…???"
"How do you know?" he asked, genuinely surprised.
"Teacher Jiraiya told me," Haku replied softly.
"How did he know?!"
Liumu was speechless. It was his birthday. Why did everyone else seem to know? If Kakashi hadn't reminded him, he wouldn't have even remembered such a thing as a "birthday" existed in this world.
It turned out Yuhi Makoto, who had handled Liumu's chunin promotion paperwork in Kumo, still had his file from the Academy. Before entrusting Jiraiya with the team evaluation, he'd casually mentioned Liumu's upcoming birthday. As for Kakashi… well, he was in ANBU now. Finding information on someone wasn't exactly hard for him.
Haku, having grown up in Kiri, had never celebrated a birthday either. The concept filled her with a curious, almost childlike excitement.
So now, she grabbed Liumu's hand, her eyes shining. "For your birthday… should I prepare a gift?"
Liumu: "…???"
What kind of question is that?!
Saying 'yes' felt wrong. Saying 'no' also felt wrong. Haku didn't have much money. If he said yes, what could she possibly afford? If he said no, it would seem like he was brushing off her genuine enthusiasm.
It was a dilemma.
Seeing his hesitation, Haku smiled. "Don't worry. I already have your present ready. Your birthday is the day after tomorrow."
Liumu: "…???"
Inside the package from Kakashi was a group photo of their Academy classmates. Both Kakashi and Liumu had graduated early, missing the official class photo. To make up for it, Kakashi had used his connections as a chunin instructor to gather their former classmates and, using a Transformation Jutsu to stand in for the missing two, had this photo taken.
"This guy…" Liumu looked at the familiar, smiling faces in the photo, a soft chuckle escaping him. "He could have just waited for everyone to graduate and take a proper reunion photo. Using Transformation Jutsu… so troublesome."
Despite his words, he carefully placed the photo in a new frame and set it on his bedside table.
Three days later.
Early in the morning, Liumu, deep in sleep, suddenly felt the sensation of being watched by countless pairs of burning eyes. Thinking it a nightmare, he groggily opened his eyes… only to see dozens of figures crowding his window.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
A barrage of party poppers and streamers jolted him fully awake, followed by a chorus of congratulations.
Jiraiya slapped two paper characters—one for "Longevity" (寿) and one for "Crown" (冠)—onto Liumu's forehead. Then, Liumu saw it: countless white, creamy projectiles hurtling toward his face!
Half an hour later, Liumu sat in his main room, wearing brand new clothes but with an expression of pure exhaustion.
A steady stream of people filed in and out of the bathroom, washing cake off their faces.
"You little cheat! Using your Light Release to dodge the cake? That's everyone's blessing for you!" Jiraiya grumbled, standing beside him.
"Blessing?" Liumu pointed at the cake-smeared guests. "Then this is my blessing for everyone. Why are you so upset?"
Jiraiya knew his disciple disliked overly enthusiastic gatherings, so he'd taken full charge of the birthday party. The guest list was entirely his selection.
"So… these ladies with the… impressive figures… they're your carefully selected guests?" Liumu glared at Jiraiya.
"Hey, what's that tone? You're still young, you don't understand. You'll appreciate your teacher's hard work when you're older."
Liumu: "…"
Watching Jiraiya's lecherous grin, Liumu couldn't even be bothered to call him out.
A birthday was supposed to be a small gathering of close friends. But looking at this party, Liumu felt like a prop. This was especially true for adult parties. The congratulations were hollow, the reunions fake. Everyone's real agendas only surfaced once the festivities began.
Haku was nowhere to be seen, leaving the house filled with chattering, unfamiliar women.
Liumu scanned the room, sighed, and dissolved into a stream of light, disappearing from the spot.
"How peaceful…"
On the Hokage Monument, Liumu sat cross-legged, looking down at the vibrant village below, letting the morning wind whip through his clothes. He closed his eyes, soaking in the boundless sense of calm.
Evening. Sunset.
When Liumu returned home, the sight inside made him pause.
The familiar, genuine smiling faces in the room brought a wave of silence over him.
"Liumu, happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday, Liumu!"
Representing their Academy classmates, Rin stepped forward, holding a cake with lit candles toward him.
"You… you're all…?"
"Haku told us your birthday was today," Rin explained truthfully. "We had classes during the day, so we could only come after school."
"And you two…?" Liumu looked at Tsunade and Mizukage standing behind his classmates.
"Drank too much yesterday, just woke up," Tsunade said, raising a beer bottle. She pointed at Mizukage. "She's been learning medical ninjutsu from me at Konoha Hospital. Just got off her shift."
At that moment, a bruised and swollen Jiraiya squeezed his way to the front of the crowd. After a wary glance at Tsunade, he raised his voice. "Alright everyone, on three! One, two, three!"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
"Happy Birthday, Liumu!" Tsunade, still tipsy, pulled him into a fierce hug, rubbing her cheek against his head affectionately.
Jiraiya: (눈_눈) Staring intensely…
(End of Chapter)
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