Shiina's birthday

(A/N Quick thing, I noticed my mistake with age. Shiina, Naruto, Akari, and Hinata were all 6. And someone should have pointed out the fact that Akari was 6 not 7. Well Shiina is 7 at this point as well read the title again. Also yeah, we'll have a time skip after this Chapter. The only ones to answer my question answered that yes, I should after all.

Since that is the case:

Shiina's POV)

Janaury the 5th, my birthday.

The overwhelming noise of the orphanage rang in my ears, a chorus of excited voices all wishing me well, their smiles bright and full of warmth. I smiled back, of course—I had to. But it didn't stop the tightness in my chest, the way my heart seemed to pound too fast, too hard. I hated how everyone was looking at me, giving me gifts, pulling me into conversations. It was supposed to be a celebration, right? But in this moment, it felt more like a pressure cooker, the heat rising with every second.

"Shiina-chan! Happy birthday!"

"Look, I made you this! It's a bracelet!" one of the girls from the orphanage beamed at me, thrusting a small, lopsided string of beads toward me. It was sweet, I couldn't deny it, but I didn't know how to respond. I took it with a forced smile, nodding my thanks. It was just too much. Everyone was too excited. It wasn't even that I didn't like them—I did—but I didn't want to spend the day just receiving gifts from people I spent very little time with otherwise.

I felt bad. Like I was exploiting their trust in me for no reason whatsoever.

"Are you okay, Shiina-chan?" A worried voice cut through the crowd, and I glanced to see one of the older boys, his brow furrowed in concern. He was holding a small cake—nothing big, just a simple one with frosting and a few candles. I had no idea how they'd managed to get it.

I smiled stiffly. "I'm fine! I'm just… happy." The words felt foreign on my tongue, a small lie to make everything seem okay. I wasn't sure if he believed me, but he smiled and placed the cake carefully on the table.

The chatter around me continued, but it all felt muffled, distant, like I was underwater. I tried to focus on each person individually, to seem like I cared, but I couldn't help the wave of anxiety that rushed through me. The attention, the gifts, the expectations—they were all too much.

I knew why, I was naturally good with people, a magnet for them in fact, yet this was too much for me.

Another girl stepped up, holding a little stuffed animal—a bear, with mismatched eyes and a crooked smile. "This is for you, Shiina-chan! It's for your collection!" she said proudly, her voice filled with excitement.

I blinked, feeling a pang of guilt at the thought of not being as excited as I should be. "Thank you…" My voice came out quieter than I wanted it to. I had a collection? Did I even have room for more stuffed animals? I didn't know how to answer, so I just took it, placing it carefully beside the others. The pile of gifts was growing bigger and bigger, and I could feel the weight of it.

"Shiina-chan! I got you something too!" A little boy with messy brown hair darted forward, holding up a drawing he'd made for me. It was a crude rendition of what I assumed was me, with an exaggerated smile and mismatched colours. It looked nothing like me, but it was sweet all the same. I took it from him with a small chuckle. "Thank you, it's very cute," I said, even though I wasn't sure what to do with it.

"Open mine next!" another voice piped up, and I turned to see a girl who had been in the orphanage longer than I had, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She handed me a box wrapped in bright paper, the ribbon tied neatly at the top.

I hesitated, my fingers trembling slightly as I untied the bow. Inside was a small wooden necklace, carved with delicate patterns. It was beautiful, something I knew must have taken a long time to make. "This is… so thoughtful," I whispered.

As I continued to open gift after gift, I felt my smile grow more and more strained. Each present was so thoughtful, so full of care, but it was all too much. The gifts, the smiles, the bright eyes looking up at me. I wanted to feel the happiness everyone was expecting from me, but instead, I just felt exhausted.

Finally, after what felt like hours of receiving things I couldn't possibly take in, I caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd. Akari. My girlfriend. The one person who always made sense in this chaotic world of emotions.

She stood there, as calm and collected as ever, her sharp eyes scanning the room with a detached indifference. She didn't seem overwhelmed, not the way I was. She didn't even seem like she was trying to fit in, and yet… she was still here for me. I met her gaze, and her lips curled upward in the slightest of smiles. It was the kind of smile only I could see, one that made the weight of the world feel just a little bit lighter.

She made her way over to me, her movements deliberate, almost graceful. There was something comforting about the way she didn't try to pretend to be excited, or overwhelmed, or anything she wasn't. She was just… there. And that was all I needed.

"Are you okay?" Akari asked, her voice low enough only for me to hear. Her eyes were soft, almost tender, a stark contrast to the usually cold, sharp gaze she carried with everyone else.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "I'm fine. Just… a little overwhelmed, I guess." I glanced around at the piles of gifts, at the expectant faces surrounding me. "It's just a lot. I didn't think it would feel like this."

Akari's expression softened further, and she reached out, gently squeezing my hand. "It's okay. You don't have to be happy about it all. It's your day. You don't owe anyone anything."

I felt my throat tighten. Her words, so simple, were like a balm for my rattled nerves. With Akari here, I didn't need to pretend. I could just be.

I managed a small, genuine smile, the kind that only Akari could draw from me. "Thanks."

Akari nodded, her gaze flickering back to the room before settling on me again. "You ready to get out of here for a bit?" she asked, a hint of mischief in her voice. "I think you've had enough of this circus for one day."

I looked at the growing crowd, the noise, the bright, eager eyes. The whole orphanage had gathered to celebrate me, and I felt this sudden, ridiculous urge to escape.

"Yeah… Let's go," I whispered, feeling relief flood through me. Just Akari. Just the two of us. That was all I needed right now.

Akari didn't say anything more. She just took my hand, leading me gently through the crowd of well-meaning, smiling faces. They didn't try to stop us as we made our way toward the door—everyone could see that I was nearing my limit.

When we stepped outside into the cool air, I took a deep breath, letting the fresh, quiet atmosphere wash over me. The sounds of the orphanage faded into the background, replaced by the gentle rustling of the wind and the distant chirping of birds.

"Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't think I could handle any more."

Akari simply nodded. "You don't need to explain it to me. I get it." She squeezed my hand again, her voice low and calm. "Come on. Let's go somewhere private. I've got something for you."

I blinked, my heart skipping a beat. I'd almost forgotten—Akari had a gift for me too. I didn't expect it, but somehow I was more excited about that than any of the other gifts I'd gotten today.

"You got me a gift?" I asked, feeling a flutter in my chest. I didn't expect anything too grand, but knowing her, it would probably be meaningful. She always put thought into everything.

Akari looked over at me, her usual calm expression softening just slightly. "I did. It's something… special."

I didn't ask any more questions. I just followed her, feeling lighter with every step. The noise of the orphanage was long behind us, and the only thing that mattered now was being with her. My girlfriend.

She took my hand with ease, and I smiled.

As we stepped into the crisp evening air, I took a deep breath, letting the quiet settle around me. The distant sounds of the orphanage—laughter, chattering, the occasional excited cheer—felt so far away now, and for the first time all day, I could actually think.

Beside me, Akari held my hand, her grip firm but gentle, like she was grounding me. Neither of us spoke right away, and I appreciated that. She understood I needed a moment.

Then, after a few beats of silence, I exhaled and turned to her, offering a small, teasing smirk. "So thoughtful from the Puppet Mistress."

Akari quirked a brow, a knowing glint in her eye. "Am I that right now?" she asked, voice as smooth as ever. "Or am I caring for the girl I love?"

Oh.

I felt the heat rush to my cheeks almost instantly. She didn't even hesitate. No embarrassment, no stuttering—just calm, matter-of-fact confidence. And it hit me like a punch to the gut.

"A-Ah…" I opened my mouth, but words failed me.

Akari, of course, just smirked. "You were saying?"

I let out a small huff, trying to regain some dignity. "Cheeky," I muttered, looking away, but I didn't pull my hand from hers. I liked how warm it was. How steady.

Akari led me further away from the orphanage, her hand still wrapped around mine. The cool evening air brushed against my skin, and for the first time all day, I felt like I could breathe properly.

Neither of us spoke for a few moments, just walking in comfortable silence. The distant chatter of the orphanage was nothing more than background noise now.

Eventually, Akari pulled me toward a secluded spot behind one of the larger training grounds, where an old, half-broken bench sat beneath a tree. It wasn't much, but it was ours—we'd spent time here before, away from the prying eyes of others.

She finally let go of my hand, only to sit down and pat the space beside her. "Come on," she said, glancing up at me. "You're not just gonna stand there, are you?"

I rolled my eyes but sat beside her, letting out a slow breath as I leaned back. "You act like I was thinking about running."

"You do that sometimes."

I gave her a sharp look, and she smirked.

"Not from me, obviously," she added smoothly, tilting her head slightly. "But from crowds? From attention? You bolt the second you think you can get away with it."

"…Fair." I sighed, crossing my arms. "You make it sound like I'm antisocial, though."

Akari hummed. "Not antisocial. Just selective."

I side-eyed her. "That your way of saying I only like you?"

She turned, giving me a look so unreadable that it almost made my stomach flip. "Do you?"

My breath hitched.

She didn't even sound teasing this time. Just… curious.

The worst part? I didn't have a real answer. I liked people. I was good with people. But when it came to the people I wanted to be around, the ones I actually needed… my list was incredibly short.

I glanced down at our hands, now resting between us on the bench.

"…Maybe," I muttered.

Akari's lips curled into a satisfied little smile. "Thought so."

I groaned, nudging her with my shoulder. "You're so smug."

"Only when I'm right."

I huffed but didn't argue.

The silence stretched between us again, more comfortable this time.

Then, Akari shifted slightly, reaching into the small pouch at her waist. "I have something for you."

I blinked, watching as she pulled out a small, neatly wrapped package.

"Wait, really?" I sat up straighter, heart skipping a beat. "I thought you were just saying that to get me out of there."

"I was getting you out of there," she said easily, placing the package in my lap. "But also because I wanted to give my gift to you privately."

She said it so casually, like it wasn't a big deal at all.

But it was a big deal.

I swallowed, my fingers brushing against the carefully wrapped paper. It wasn't fancy, but Akari had clearly taken her time with it.

"…Can I open it now?" I asked, looking up at her.

Akari smirked. "I'd be concerned if you didn't."

Rolling my eyes, I carefully untied the ribbon and pulled the paper away, revealing a small wooden box. My brows furrowed slightly as I lifted the lid—

—And then I froze.

Inside, nestled on a soft cloth, was a simple but beautiful, delicate locket, with the words, 'Together forever' engraved upon it. The metal was dark and polished, shaped into the intricate form of a blooming lotus, with tiny violet and crimson gemstones embedded in the petals with a simple thin string allowing me to wear it. The craftsmanship was stunning—simple, but elegant.

"…You made this." I stared at it, my heart hammering against my ribs as I asked that question.

"I gathered the materials, a store did the rest." She admitted sheepishly. "Open it up."

I decided to open it up... and the sight inside made my heart flutter.

Inside was a picture of us both, sitting by a lake, not holding hands, but simply enjoying each others presence. The picture featured her with a small, graceful smile, and me with a larger, more expressive smile. The picture had 2 cherry blossom trees on it, slowly falling around us. The attention to detail...

Wait, the Together Forever...

Suddenly my face heated up.

Such a thoughtful gift from her...

(Picture will be here on Webnoval. It's designed with Gacha Club this time.)

I swallowed thickly, my fingers trembling slightly as I traced the delicate engraving with my thumb. Together forever. The words felt almost too grand, too meaningful, and yet—knowing Akari—she didn't say things she didn't mean.

Even if she hadn't personally crafted the locket with her own hands, she had still gathered the materials, still chosen the design, still ensured that the place she took it to would do justice to her vision. It was her thoughts, her effort, her feelings, all poured into something small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.

It wasn't just a gift—it was us.

My heart squeezed as I stared at the tiny lotus flower, the dark metal gleaming in the dim evening light. The violet and crimson gemstones embedded in the petals weren't anything grand or flashy, but they were unmistakably beautiful—subtle, understated, yet elegant. Just like her.

I opened the locket again, staring at the picture inside. It wasn't something we'd posed for, not something either of us had forced. It was just… us. Sitting together by the lake, surrounded by cherry blossoms. We weren't holding hands, weren't locked in some grand, romantic gesture—just being near each other, existing in the same space, was enough.

The attention to detail was insane. The way the petals had been drawn mid-fall, the way our expressions were so perfectly captured—Akari, with her quiet, graceful smile, and me, with my more expressive one.

I knew, without even asking, that she had chosen this image on purpose.

She wasn't the type to make big, sweeping declarations, wasn't the type to promise something if she couldn't make sure she'd keep it. That was just who Akari was—steady, reliable, precise. She didn't waste words, didn't waste effort.

So the fact that she had put so much thought into this, had gone out of her way to make it perfect for me…

I felt my throat tighten.

I had to blink a few times to clear my vision, biting my lower lip as I tried to rein in the emotions bubbling up inside me. This was so much more than I had expected.

I had received so many gifts today, so many thoughtful, kind gestures from the kids at the orphanage, but none of them—none of them—had made me feel like this.

This wasn't just a birthday present. It was a promise.

I took a deep, shaky breath before glancing up at Akari. She was watching me with that same unreadable expression, but I could see the way her fingers twitched slightly—like she was bracing herself for my reaction.

Slowly, carefully, I closed my fingers around the locket, holding it tightly in my palm before meeting her gaze.

"You're ridiculous," I whispered, my voice slightly unsteady.

One of her eyebrows quirked upward. "Oh?"

I shook my head, a small, breathless laugh escaping me. "Yeah." I swallowed, forcing myself to steady my voice. "Because this is perfect. You're perfect. And I don't even know how to thank you for this."

Her lips curled slightly. "You just did."

My heart skipped.

I clenched my fingers around the locket, feeling its weight, grounding myself in the moment. Then, without thinking, I moved—leaning in, pressing my forehead against hers. Whilst we were sitting down, it was one of the few times we were of the same height.

Akari didn't pull away.

She didn't tense up, didn't question it. She just let me rest against her, her breath mingling with mine as we sat there in silence.

For a long moment, neither of us said anything. We didn't need to

"Naruto and Hinata will be meeting us at Ichiraku later to celebrate."

And of course she just had to ruin the moment by bringing up those 2.

I chuckled. "Well we better get going then," I stood up, and reached my hand out, she took it standing up.

"Of course."

And so we began walking.

(Time Skip: 30 minutes)

The air outside was crisp, carrying the scent of sizzling food from nearby stalls as Akari and I made our way to Ichiraku. The world felt a little quieter now, the suffocating weight of the orphanage's celebration left behind.

Akari's hand was still in mine, her fingers warm against my skin. She hadn't let go since we left, and I wasn't complaining.

"I can still feel my ears ringing," I muttered, rubbing my temple with my free hand.

Akari hummed in amusement. "I don't envy you."

I shot her a playful glare. "Oh, so you wouldn't enjoy having dozens of kids screaming at you, shoving gifts in your hands, and staring at you like you're the second coming of the Sage of Six Paths?"

She smirked. "Not particularly."

I sighed dramatically. "Figures. I bet if it were you, you'd just stand there like a statue and everyone would think you're the coolest person in the room."

"That already happens," she said, completely expressionless.

I groaned. "I walked right into that one."

We rounded a corner, and the familiar red drapes of Ichiraku came into view. The stand was small but cozy, the warm glow of lanterns spilling onto the street. And inside—

"Shiina-chan!"

I barely had time to react before Hinata rushed toward me, stopping just short of barreling into me. Her hands were clasped together, her lavender eyes wide with excitement. Naruto stood just behind her, practically bouncing on his feet.

"You made it!" Naruto grinned. "We were wondering if you'd get lost or something."

I arched a brow. "In Konoha?"

"You never know!" he said, completely serious.

Akari made a noise that I knew was a suppressed laugh.

Ignoring her, I turned back to my friends. "Thanks for waiting."

Hinata nodded quickly. "We, um… we have a gift for you, too."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, looking almost shy. "It's nothing big, but, y'know… we figured you'd already gotten a ton of stuff today, so we wanted to get you something simple."

That caught me off guard. "Oh?"

Hinata carefully pulled something from her pocket and held it out. I reached for it, feeling soft fabric beneath my fingers. It was a handkerchief—neatly folded, made of simple yet fine cloth. A tiny stitched emblem of a lotus was embroidered in one corner.

I ran my thumb over it, my chest tightening for a completely different reason now.

"We thought you might, um…" Hinata hesitated, looking up at me. "Feel overwhelmed."

Naruto scratched his cheek. "So we figured, if you ever felt like it was too much, you could just… hold onto that. Or use it to wipe your face or something." He shrugged. "Dunno if that makes sense."

It did.

It made so much sense that I didn't even know what to say at first.

Naruto and Hinata had been there. They had seen me struggle, seen how much the attention had weighed on me. And instead of adding to it, instead of piling on yet another extravagant gift, they had chosen something simple—something that was meant to help me rather than overwhelm me further.

Something I could carry with me.

My fingers curled around the cloth, pressing it against my palm.

"…Thank you," I whispered.

Naruto beamed. "No problem!"

Hinata smiled softly. "Happy birthday, Shiina-chan."

Akari, who had been silent until now, gave a small nod of approval. "It's a good gift," she murmured. "Thoughtful."

Naruto blinked. "Wait… did you just compliment me?"

Akari's lips twitched. "Don't get used to it."

Naruto pouted. "Dang it."

I snorted, shaking my head before slipping the handkerchief into my pocket. "Alright, enough emotions. I'm starving."

That got an instant reaction.

Naruto practically leapt onto the stool. "Teuchi-oji-san! We need ramen, stat!"

The old ramen chef chuckled, already preparing our bowls. "Got it, got it. I assume you'll want extra, Naruto?"

"You know I do!"

Hinata giggled as she slid onto the stool beside me. Akari sat down next to me, leaning back slightly as she waited.

The scent of miso and pork broth filled the air as steaming bowls of ramen were placed in front of us. My stomach growled in approval.

I clasped my hands together. "Itadakimasu."

Naruto had already started inhaling his food. Hinata ate more slowly, savoring each bite. Akari, ever the composed eater, took measured, precise movements as she lifted her chopsticks.

I twirled my noodles around my chopsticks before taking a bite. The warmth spread through me immediately, a comforting contrast to the cool evening air.

This.

This was exactly what I needed.

Not a grand party, not an overwhelming celebration. Just this.

My girlfriend sitting beside me, my best friends sitting close together, laughter bubbling between bites of ramen.

The tightness in my chest finally loosened, the exhaustion from earlier melting away.

Maybe birthdays weren't so bad.

I glanced at Akari, who was watching me from the corner of her eye, her expression a soft, genuine smile.

I smiled back as she reached out under the table, brushing her fingers lightly against mine.

I squeezed back.

I sorta wished she wasn't growing as much as she was right now. She looked about a head taller then me right now. It's not that I disliked the idea that my girlfriend would be taller than me. I just didn't like that she seemed to just randomly have this growth spurt that wasn't stopping anytime soon and would be quite a decent bit taller than me.

However, with how grateful I felt, and how much affection I was feeling right now, I leaned over and pecked her cheek she turned back to look at me, surprised etched on her face.

"Thank you." I stated shortly after smiling warmly.

"Your welcome." She answered, simply.

After that, I simply enjoyed the rest of the day.